I'm writting this post while sitting here in the Media booth at NorthStar. In 30 minutes Mike & I will be participating in a funeral service. As I look down out of the booth I can see loved ones and friends congregating by the casket. There are also picture boards standing around the front with pictures of his teenage children and his wife. Amongst the sniffling and tears you can hear some faint laughter. Probably remembering all the good times. It's a rather sobering moment for me. I didn't ever meet this man, but just seeing the love that these people have for him really makes me ponder my life. Last night my house was filled with all of our friends from our small group. We had a great time eating, chatting and talking over our current book study. Then afterwards Bonnie & I walked next door to some neighbors house and hung out for a while. It was fun.
Being here today makes me so appreciative of the life, family and friends that God has given me. When you see a family go through something like this one is going through it makes you breathe in a little deeper and really thank the Lord for all of the wonderful people in your life, not the great stuff you have, not the cool toys or how successful you may or may not be. It's the people that Jesus died for that makes life great.
Tomorrow morning we'll be at another funeral, so don't be suprised if you get another sappy blog post from me.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
New CD Website!
Hey guys,
Here's a website for the new CD that Josh made for us. If you have a blog, myspace or a Facebook page feel free to post it on your page.
Thanks Josh!
Here's a website for the new CD that Josh made for us. If you have a blog, myspace or a Facebook page feel free to post it on your page.
Thanks Josh!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
The Gathering
WOW, God is Good. That's really all that I can say about The Gathering.
Growing up I use to love to watch the A Team. Hannibal (the older guy) use to say: "I love it when a plan comes together". It's such a blessing to see something that you have dreamed about for a while finally come to fruition. For several years Bonnie & I (and other friends) have thought what would it be like if NorthStar hosted a night of worship. Then a whole other idea came to mind about doing these bi-yearly CD projects. Then, just like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, two great things came together. From the start of the evening it was obvious that the people came to worship. They connected with the Lord in an incredible way. After the night was over we had so many come up and say that they would love to do that more than just twice a year. That's the best thing I could have heard. Please pray as we look to the next recording project in the Fall and the next Gathering in November.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Merge
It's been a few weeks since I last posted. Sorry. Bonnie & I went on holiday for a few days down to Destin. I think Destin needs a NorthStar!
We just wrapped up "MERGE" for this month. It is awesome. If you aren't in the know, MERGE is a monthly gathering for business men and women. Actually if you have a job... or not... you're invited. We have a little Chick-fil-A, a little time of worship and then Mike shares a little bit. Mainly how to apply the Bible to your work life. We are averaging about 100 people or so.
Right now Mike is walking through the life of Moses. He's sharing how God is working in and through our adversity. I would say that it's encouraging, but then when you think about how God took 40 years (and more) to "work through Moses' adversity", it's kind of sobering. But the end result is always amazing.
I really want to encourage you to try and come for the next on on June 18th at 7:15 am. It's early but it's worth it. Invite your coworkers!
We just wrapped up "MERGE" for this month. It is awesome. If you aren't in the know, MERGE is a monthly gathering for business men and women. Actually if you have a job... or not... you're invited. We have a little Chick-fil-A, a little time of worship and then Mike shares a little bit. Mainly how to apply the Bible to your work life. We are averaging about 100 people or so.
Right now Mike is walking through the life of Moses. He's sharing how God is working in and through our adversity. I would say that it's encouraging, but then when you think about how God took 40 years (and more) to "work through Moses' adversity", it's kind of sobering. But the end result is always amazing.
I really want to encourage you to try and come for the next on on June 18th at 7:15 am. It's early but it's worth it. Invite your coworkers!
Monday, May 5, 2008
First time guest
Hey everyone!
Below is a letter that Mike received from a family who visited NorthStar for the first time. I think it's a testimony of how great you guys are at what you do.
Here it is:
Dear Pastor Mike Linch,
My family and I visited Northstar last Sunday. We parked, and didn't know which building to go in, so we followed the members into a building. My husband mentioned on the way in that no one (the families and teenagers) we "saw" going in were caring a Bible. So my heart sunk a little and I wondered what we were in for. lol. The greeters at the door smiled and welcomed us in Then once inside we were surprised to see a small dark room with chairs and a band (at this point, we had no idea that we were in the "overflow room"). I have to admit I was a little scared, literally. The band started playing. They were excellent! Great songs, very Biblical. I wasn't worried as much anymore. Then all the sudden there you were on the screen. My daughter and I were looking around trying to find you. We thought maybe this is the introduction part and then the Pastor was going to come out. Once we realized you weren't, then we pondered wether or not it was recorded earlier and this service was just a tape of it. We finally settled in and really enjoyed your sermon! We had been driving a long distance to hear Johnny Hunt and my teenage son and daughter love him so we were afraid we weren't going to find someone with as much passion for the Lord or who was as biblically sound anywhere else closer where my children could be involved. Well, we have! We all loved the sermon! It was just what we needed. Also, my husband said this week, "I can't wait to go back to Church this Sunday!" :-)
I wanted to share our experience with you so that you would see how first time visitors could feel a little uneasy if they do not know where they are.
I know God is going to do great things through you, your staff and your church! We are looking forward to hearing you "in person" this Sunday! lol! :-)
Below is a letter that Mike received from a family who visited NorthStar for the first time. I think it's a testimony of how great you guys are at what you do.
Here it is:
Dear Pastor Mike Linch,
My family and I visited Northstar last Sunday. We parked, and didn't know which building to go in, so we followed the members into a building. My husband mentioned on the way in that no one (the families and teenagers) we "saw" going in were caring a Bible. So my heart sunk a little and I wondered what we were in for. lol. The greeters at the door smiled and welcomed us in Then once inside we were surprised to see a small dark room with chairs and a band (at this point, we had no idea that we were in the "overflow room"). I have to admit I was a little scared, literally. The band started playing. They were excellent! Great songs, very Biblical. I wasn't worried as much anymore. Then all the sudden there you were on the screen. My daughter and I were looking around trying to find you. We thought maybe this is the introduction part and then the Pastor was going to come out. Once we realized you weren't, then we pondered wether or not it was recorded earlier and this service was just a tape of it. We finally settled in and really enjoyed your sermon! We had been driving a long distance to hear Johnny Hunt and my teenage son and daughter love him so we were afraid we weren't going to find someone with as much passion for the Lord or who was as biblically sound anywhere else closer where my children could be involved. Well, we have! We all loved the sermon! It was just what we needed. Also, my husband said this week, "I can't wait to go back to Church this Sunday!" :-)
I wanted to share our experience with you so that you would see how first time visitors could feel a little uneasy if they do not know where they are.
I know God is going to do great things through you, your staff and your church! We are looking forward to hearing you "in person" this Sunday! lol! :-)
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Worship Ministry Play Day!
What a fun morning! I just wanted to say what a great group of people we have the privilege of serving with. Thank you guys for being so amazing. We had such a great time bowling at US Play today even though I am unbelievably TERRIBLE!!! Kudos to the Hendrix's who rocked the lanes and didn't make too much fun of me. If you were unable to make it, what a great time you missed. I hope you'll make sure to join us for the summer cookout. More details later. Anyway... Daniel & I love all you guys so much!
God bless, Bonnie
God bless, Bonnie
Friday, April 11, 2008
Rock Stars & Divas!
Hey guys,
This weekend Bonnie & I led up in the True North Auditorium with Shelly Howerton. It was cool. It was simple, just two acoustics and two vocals. It was very laid back, but yet very honest. I really think people enjoyed it.
While the message was going on I sneaked out to the green room once, the student service once and then because of all the water I drank I had to visit the water closet (bathroom). While I was doing all my sneaking around I was trying to be inconspicuous and quiet. I did, however do my usual joking around with the hospitality guys. Well, today I get pulled aside by a staff member and he told me of a phone call he received from an individual. It floored me and honestly made me a little hacked off (I kept the feeling inside). She had mentioned to him "some people (who they are we'll never know) feel like sometimes the worship team only talks to other members of the worship team and doesn't socialize with "church members" or other volunteers. And to confirm that, this past Sunday, Daniel walked past me 3 times and never said hello." WOW!! At first I thought "You have got to be kidding me! What if I was dealing with something or having a stressful day? Cut me some slack!" To be vulnerable, it really bothered me because I try VERY hard to be outgoing and say hello to everyone I can. My worst fear as a worship leader came true... she thought of me as a music snob! No matter how hard I try it still happened. How frustrating.
As many of you know, for about 10 years Bonnie & I traveled in and out of churches leading worship. One of the most exhausting things was having to ALWAYS be in a good mood. With so many stories floating around about the snotty, temperamental musicians out there, that was the last thing we wanted to be. Someone may only have a brief 10 second encounter with us and if we didn't smile or was too busy to say hello... boom... bad impression. Now we have the label of snotty musician. So we learned to put on the face and play the game. Here's the question. Is that wrong? What is our team's responsibility to the people of NorthStar? What is our responsibility to being ourselves and being real when we aren't chatty?
I have an opinion but I would love to hear your feedback on this. Please post a comment below.
This weekend Bonnie & I led up in the True North Auditorium with Shelly Howerton. It was cool. It was simple, just two acoustics and two vocals. It was very laid back, but yet very honest. I really think people enjoyed it.
While the message was going on I sneaked out to the green room once, the student service once and then because of all the water I drank I had to visit the water closet (bathroom). While I was doing all my sneaking around I was trying to be inconspicuous and quiet. I did, however do my usual joking around with the hospitality guys. Well, today I get pulled aside by a staff member and he told me of a phone call he received from an individual. It floored me and honestly made me a little hacked off (I kept the feeling inside). She had mentioned to him "some people (who they are we'll never know) feel like sometimes the worship team only talks to other members of the worship team and doesn't socialize with "church members" or other volunteers. And to confirm that, this past Sunday, Daniel walked past me 3 times and never said hello." WOW!! At first I thought "You have got to be kidding me! What if I was dealing with something or having a stressful day? Cut me some slack!" To be vulnerable, it really bothered me because I try VERY hard to be outgoing and say hello to everyone I can. My worst fear as a worship leader came true... she thought of me as a music snob! No matter how hard I try it still happened. How frustrating.
As many of you know, for about 10 years Bonnie & I traveled in and out of churches leading worship. One of the most exhausting things was having to ALWAYS be in a good mood. With so many stories floating around about the snotty, temperamental musicians out there, that was the last thing we wanted to be. Someone may only have a brief 10 second encounter with us and if we didn't smile or was too busy to say hello... boom... bad impression. Now we have the label of snotty musician. So we learned to put on the face and play the game. Here's the question. Is that wrong? What is our team's responsibility to the people of NorthStar? What is our responsibility to being ourselves and being real when we aren't chatty?
I have an opinion but I would love to hear your feedback on this. Please post a comment below.
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