Get in, Sit down, Buckle-up and Hold on!

This is what folks say when they pick up a friend to go somewhere and they have no time to waste. They might use the proverbial, “We have things to do, places to go and people to see and we don't have to to dilly-dally”. That's kind of how I feel as I look forward to some things we have on the planning board for the remainder of the year.

I'm sure we all have exhaled a collective “whew!” after wrapping up VBS. What a great and wonderful time we all had! Yes, it was a lot of work. Yes, we're all tired and need a little breather. No! We're not going to rest on our laurels until next July. As we have studied this past week: There are talents to be invested and used, seeds to be sown and the grace of Almighty God to be shared with the world.

Are we salt or aren't we? Are we a lit-up city on a hill or aren't we? We are salt and we are light,

therefore we can never rest for long. Jesus understood the need for rest, relaxation and recuperation, but once the proverbial batteries were recharged He was back to work fulfilling His mission. So we must follow His example. We must rest and recuperate and once the energy banks are replenished we must get back to work. And what great work we have to do! It is God's work!

This weekend some of our adults and young folks will be traveling to Palm Beach Lakes for their annual “Evangelism training for youth” seminar. How long has it been since you invested a weekend for spiritual teaching and strengthening? Instead of always traveling on “fun” vacations try investing some time with Christian encampments, retreats or workshops.

We are going to start having monthly men's and ladies' breakfasts and Bible studies. These will be opportunities for food and fellowship to be sure, but more importantly for the study of God's word. Check the website event calendar and the “upcoming events” section of the bulletin.

Beginning on the 29th and continuing regularly every other month, we will be have a “work day”, but it will be different from what we have been doing this past year. These work days will be “service days” where crews of men and ladies will be going out to those of our congregation and in our community who are in need. Perhaps you know of a widow or elderly person or couple, a struggling single mother or the family of a deployed soldier who needs work done around the house or some minor mechanical work done on their car. Please let me or Cory or one of the Elders know so we can make plans and arrangements to get the job done.

If you're looking for ways to use your talents or invest your energy then look no further. The Lord needs laborers right here at Northside. If you think “there's nothing to do”, you'd better think again.

...Paul