This past weekend was phenomenal! In all 5 services, a total of over 80 people went public in their faith thru baptism, in Malta and Clifton Park! This is why we do church. This is why we exist. To all of you who went big thru baptism….way to go! Check out this video that wraps it up…

[flv:http://www.northwaymedia.com/Webcast/Week%204%20ending%20video%20DV%20for%20Blog.dv.ff.flv 320 240]

Baptism weekend is my favorite weekend at Northway! There is nothing that I enjoy more than celebrating as people go public in their faith with the church cheering them on!

This weekend go public in your faith thru baptism! It is one of the most highlighted and celebrated services at Northway Church! You didn’t sign up? No problem. You don’t have a change of clothes? No problem. You can only make it to one service? No problem. We want to provide an opportunity for every person in every service who wants to go public in their faith to do so.

So remember…it’s not too late! Don’t hesitate…Liquidate!

Trying to memorize this as well…..it’s one of my favorites. I wonder how many times my rhythms are forced? What a great question to ask in this fast….even if you’re not fasting it’s a great question! Jesus is simply the best!

Matt 11: 28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.

Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Feeling a little grumpy today….not quite sure why? Maybe it’s the withdrawal from the Twix bars. I feel like a chipmunk eating all these peanuts. I haven’t hit my stride yet in this fast.

….Then I read Jesus’ first message….check it out. It moves me every time. I’m going to try to memorize it in this fast.

3. You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule.
4. You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5. You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
6. You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
7. You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
8. You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9. You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
10. You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
11-12. Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Getting a lot of questions regarding the Daniel Fast…so I’ll try a little Q&A.

Why is our church fasting?
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that redirects our hunger towards the things of God. Fasting replaces the material for the spiritual. Fasting is about a greater connectivity with Jesus.
Major players in the Bible fasted: Moses, David, Jehoshaphat, Daniel, Esther, Paul.
Bottom line….we want to get closer to Jesus

How are we fasting?
We are doing a Daniel Fast. Daniel fasted for 21 days eating vegetables and drinking water. Details of the Daniel fast can be found on both the Malta blog and the Clifton Park blog. There you will find a list of foods to eat, foods to avoid, recipes, a timeline, etc.

What if I missed the start of the fast on Sunday?
No problem. The key is to get started. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes…If you wait for perfect conditions, nothing will ever get done. So there is never a good time to start a fast…there is always a birthday party, a sporting event, a holiday…you get the idea. So let me encourage you to make a decision and go for it!

What if I have dietary restrictions and I can’t do the Daniel Fast?
No problem. Then modify it to fit your dietary needs. The key is your heart attitude. If you can’t fast at all because of medical reasons then fast something else. For instance, technology, TV, email, even blogging . The point is to give up something that is a sacrifice and then redirect that time towards God.

What if my normal diet already looks like the Daniel Diet?
First, I hate you. Probably because you are mean and lean and extremely healthy. Seriously, good for you! Then you need to pray what else you could give up for 21 days. Technology, TV, and for married people, you can even give up sex. Just for 21 days though…

Is there anything else I should do in addition to altering my food during the fast?
YES. Replace and redirect your hunger, time and energy towards God. How? READ, READ, READ. JOURNAL, JOURNAL, JOURNAL! Read The Bible! I’m reading Proverbs in the Message paraphrase; I’m reading the Sermon on the Mount daily. Read The Gospels.

Read other books that challenge and encourage you in your faith.
I’m re-reading “He-motions� by TD Jakes, and I’m reading “Velvet Elvis� by Rob Bell…love it! I’m also rereading “In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day� by Mark Batterson. (By the way, Mark will be here this summer at Northway as well as Ed Young! Sizzling summer at Northway!)

Journal….write your prayers to God. Ask Him questions

Here are some questions that I’m lobbing out to God…the big three:
1. Where have I become dangerously confident in my own ability? In other words, what are the places in my life where I feel I don’t need God?
2. Where is God calling me to take a risk?
3. What painful decision have I been avoiding?

I’m also asking God about my relationships as a husband and dad.
Asking God for fresh vision and clarity for Northway…
Asking God for a break thru on our property…
Asking God where our next location should be…
Asking God for more staff…
Asking God to change our church…
Asking God which school we should send our kids too…
Asking God to help me with habits or areas that I’m weak in…

There is plenty to talk about with your Creator….it’s just a matter of carving out the time and focusing and asking Him questions thru prayer and journaling and then listening as you read His Word.

Hope this helps! I’m also praying for break thrus for all of you that are joining me on this fast!

I’m discovering after 4 years of starting Northway Church and the blessings that come with it, that sometimes I struggle with focus. Sometimes I slip and slide into being a part time follower of Christ instead of a full time follower. That’s ironic and sad. Sort of misses the whole point.

Sometimes I struggle with fear in making a decision that I need to make but I procrastinate. If I avoid it, maybe it will go away. Sometimes I know God is calling me to risk more, and I’ve grown comfortable. Or sometimes I’m just too tired and lack the energy.

I was challenged by a long distance mentor to ask God in prayer and agonize over these 3 questions.

1. What area have I become dangerously secure and in my own ability?

3. What painful decision have I been avoiding?

Hard questions but great questions! Questions that I believe you have to continue to ask yourself. I was also challenged by another mentor and friend, Ed Young Jr., who has had a huge impact on my life….to fast for 21 days. A Daniel Fast. (By the way Ed will be coming to speak at Northway Church in the near future.) I told you I struggle with focus.

I believe harnessing these questions with a fast is a recipe for a break thru!

Do you need a break thru?
• Do you ever struggle with focus?
• Do you sometimes feel like a part time follower of Jesus?
• Do you feel your faith is in a funk? A little ordinary…a little blah…a little predictable?
• Do you continue to take bigger risks for God?
• Do you need a break thru in your relationships? With your spouse? Your children? Your friends?
• Do you need a break thru in your business?
• Do you need a break thru financially?
• Do you need a break thru in your health? Or someone else’s health?
• Do you want to experience the power of God in your life?
• Do you need a miracle?

Do you need a break thru? Let me challenge and encourage you to join me and our church over the next 21 days to pray and fast.

Either we serve the same God of the Bible or we don’t. Either God has the same power to orchestrate break thrus in our lives or he doesn’t. Either Jesus was who he said he was or he wasn’t. Either we experience a close intimate relationship with the God of the universe thru his Son for ourselves or we don’t. If we aren’t…then why not?

Followers fast! Join me and redirect you hunger towards the things of God.

P.S. Check out www.NorthwayChurch.tv for fasting details

I’m sitting 35,000 feet in the air along with my fellow friend, staff member and comrade, Brian Howe, and I have one thing on my mind….how to score 3 Twix candy bars!

It’s all about strategy. A vision with out a strategy is a tragedy. My vision…. to score more of the little bite size taste of Twix goodness they give as a dessert with your airline meal. I bet Brian that I could do it, and he was a hater and an unbeliever!

The plan…first pass………the flight attendant asks, “would you like a meal?” I say, “No thank you…. however, I would love one of those Twix bars!” “No problem,” she says. Scored one! 2 to go.

Then the beverage lady came by. “Would you like a drink?” “Why, yes I would!” “And by the way….could I have a chicken meal?” (The horrible rubber chicken “eskâ€? meal has Twix for dessert) “Sure!” she replied. Score 2!

Now at this point I’m confident that I’m the only one on this full-capacity, 4 hour plane ride from Houston to Connecticut that has scored 2 Twix bars! However, from here I’m struggling with a plan. Brian is impressed but says I could never get a 3rd.

Now I resort to looking at everyone’s plate that I can see from a panoramic, peripheral view, and I burst out as loudly as possible in a pseudo-conversation with Brian….“Man! I could sure go for another Twix bar!” Plenty of people heard….no takers. Time is ticking.

Minutes seem like hours and hope is fading and Brain is smiling. Then I see her…. a different flight attendant! She comes by to pick up the trash and notices my uneaten rubber chicken sandwich…..and then only with the fear of rejection beating inside of me….I muster up enough courage and go for the ask. “Miss, do you think I could get another Twix bar?” She replied, “I’m not sure, but let me see if we have any more.” Now Brian is sweating! I’m full of hope and optimism, and I can feel that it’s going to happen. My only fear now is that the other flight attendants will rat me out.

My greatest fear became a reality as the original flight attendant comes back, notices me, and then gives my 3rd Twix bar to the guy sitting behind me! No way! I was robbed….so close…..Now Biran’s laughing!

Then in a dramatic turn of events, after the flight attendant leaves….the guy behind me leans up and says….”Excuse me, sir, didn’t you ask for another Twix?” “Why yes…I did!” “Here you go!” “Why, thank you!” Score #3!

I can honestly say, they were 3 of the best Twix bars I have ever eaten, and Brian has crossed over from a doubter to a believer!

PS I had an amazing trip to Bay Area Fellowship!