MEN, this weekend we will kick off our new series, MAN LAW. Believe me we will have a lot of fun with this series, but we will also hit some tough topics! This weekend we will talk about A MAN AND HIS FRIENDS.

So let me fire some hard hitting questions at you…..

• What dude or dudes could you call if your whole world was falling apart?
• Why is it so difficult for men to have friends?
• Who do you have in your life besides the woman in your life (your wife or girlfriend) that you can have fun with?
• Who else knows the real you and accepts you? Successes and struggles?
• What happens if you have been burnt?
• Honestly, wouldn’t it be cool to have some men that loved God in your life that would encourage you thru ANYTHING?
• Why is it as men we don’t even recognize we need friends until we are in a crisis?
• If you were in a foxhole, what men would you want beside you?

If JESUS needed friends, so do we, MEN. This weekend find out how.

I’m getting into Kayaking. That’s right kayaking! I’ve recently been reminded that I don’t have healthy hobbies.

I love God’s work,
I love my family.

But other than that, I don’t do much else, and that’s not healthy. So I’m trying kayaking….funny thing is I really struggle getting in and out of those things. I don’t know if kayaking is a big man’s sport but I’m going for it.

I really enjoy being out in God’s creation, and I enjoy discovering new places and the solitude. Now every time I see a water way I think “Man, that would be cool to Kayak!”. I don’t have a clue what I’m doing, but I’m enjoying it so much I think it’s time to buy my own. I’m exploring other healthy hobbies…what are yours? Any ideas?

Yesterday, on Memorial Day I took my family to visit the Saratoga Battlefield Cemetery. This cemetery is dedicated to Veterans, and it is special! As you pull in the entrance, large American flags border both sides, waving and welcoming you for a hundred yards. Once you pull passed the entrance Flowers and Flags dominate this regal landscape!

It was moving to see all ages represented visiting and honoring lost love ones. I tried to imagine the different relationship connections…from brothers, sisters, dads, moms, sons, daughters, and friends. As we walked thru and read the different head stones again I noticed all ages were represented.

My 15 year old son said, “Dad this is sad.” I responded “yeah, I know but this is real.” I noticed that the same young man who can’t seem to keep his room straight and is oblivious to picking up anything, walked by one headstone and then stopped and walked back to it. He picked up the flower vase that had fallen over and returned it to its upright position. As simple as that seems, I was proud and I know that this was the best Memorial Day we have ever had as a family as we returned it to be in its upright position…REAL.

Dear Pastor-

My name is Rosann. My husband and I were baptized yesterday at the 11:30am service at Northway Church – Malta. We just have to tell you how awesome it was, and the feeling I personally felt afterward was like I was glowing inside. My husband just kept saying what an awesome blessing it was. We were both feeling like our feet were not touching the ground. I still feel that way today.

I also would like to thank the staff for all they did to help everyone. They were caring and concerned for everyone’s needs. I would also like to thank Debbie for her being there and talking to everyone. She is awesome. I thank God everyday in my prayers for NorthwayChurch.tv, you, and all the people at Celebrate Recovery. But most of all, I thank God for working through my friend Jim to bring my husband and I to NorthwayChurch.tv in the first place.

God Bless You,
Rosann

Hey Buddy-

I was thinking today…not so much about “The View”, but about what you said in the last series about living like Christ and doing things for others. And I wanted to share with you something that’s going on at NorthwayChurch.tv that’s been a little under the radar, but pretty awesome nonetheless…

This morning about a dozen kids — mostly high-school age — met at Northway Church – Malta at 7:30am, to head to a soup kitchen in Schenectady. Without a word of complaint — in fact with joy on their faces and in their voices, they cleaned an industrial kitchen, from top to bottom. They scrubbed inside cabinets, polished counters, sorted food, cleaned floors, washed windows, and then we gathered together to put our hands on the building and pray for God’s blessing on the ministry there. This was our third outing together. Aside from the soup kitchen, we collected clothes across 3 dozen city blocks for the City Mission clothing drive, and cleaned and painted a Christian Coffee Shop. And each event has been a blast.

These kids have really got it! They are a blessing to every ministry we’ve served — in fact, while we were gathering at Northway Church – Malta this morning, Frank arrived to set-up chairs for the weekend, and our kids immediately jumped to work, and did the job for him in about 15 minutes flat!!

On one of the campus blogs, there was a post looking for stories about random acts of kindness in the church — you don’t have to look much further than these teens. Each of them has school, and relationships and family issues; almost all of them are involved in an area of ministry at NorthwayChurch.tv on the weekend or during the week, but they still freely give up a Saturday a month to go and share God’s love in a tangible way — serving even in places that most people would be uncomfortable — with humility and joy.

Here’s a picture of some of our crew — loving like Christ did. I couldn’t be more proud of them, or of the church that has taught them to love like this.

–Jon

From Middle School and High School Camps to KidzWay LIVE Avalanche Ranch for K-5th, it’s going to be a sizzling summer at Northway! We also have the honor of welcoming two very special guest speakers: Ed Young and Mark Batterson!

Ok I know the saying “the Bomb� is out of date, but Debbie surely isn’t! This weekend Debbie spoke at both campuses and hit it out of the park with three people on base! GRAND SLAM!

“Buddy, you are married to her you are supposed to say that.” I hear you but you have to understand I’m hard to impress when it comes to public speaking. Also they say public speaking is one of the most stressful things you can do. Well, Debbie just simply did TERRIFIC! Great content, transparent, and connected with people!

I was in Philly Saturday, and I wasn’t supposed to be home until Sunday. But I cruised and went straight to church and slipped in back. She didn’t know I was there which worked out great. I thought to myself. Man she is beautiful! She’s my bride and she’s beautiful! I thought how classy…she carries herself with such grace. Bottom line…it’s God in her. After she finished speaking I snuck in the back and hugged her and cheered her on…she got teary eyed…it was a hallmark moment. I’m just so stinking proud of her!

I have to tell you, if I wasn’t married to her, I would marry her all over again!

Her topic to the ladies was GUILT FREE SELF CARE. Check it out men and women if you missed it online. She will be speaking more in the future!

Hi Buddy!

I am the former skeptic … now the Saved Soul that was baptized on the 29th of last month.

My wife and I noticed that our 8 year old son, Chris, was holding books very close to his face to read them….he couldn’t see the words.

My wife brought him to the eye surgeon, and I received a call at work from my wife telling me that Chris was at Saint Clair’s hospital for an MRI. The doctor suspected a tumor behind the eye. I watched my son go into the MRI machine and prayed to God that I would do anything he wanted if he would just save my son from the worse diagnosis. He did.

The surgeon said that there was no tumor, but that there was an abnormal pressure on the optic nerve…she suggested a spinal tap. My wife and I bantered this back and forth and decided to give this to God. It broke my heart until my son and I talked about Easter. He was scared…he said that he thought that he would never see normally again.

Buddy, I told him the story of the blind man at the temple, who Jesus healed in the name of God. I told him that God could heal him too. We prayed together. The very next day, I got up early and I heard Chris saying, “Dad, I can see!”

Buddy, I couldn’t believe it. This doesn’t happen in my life. I had never been blessed by the power of Jesus, until now. He read brochures from Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Target from a distance that I wouldn’t even attempt. Since then, he has been to two specialists, both who specialize in pediatric opthymology. Their tests, normal.

If God hadn’t put this church in front of me, Who knows? There is a grace here. God is here.

Thanx,

Bob

I recently heard one of America’s most popular billionaires say that he didn’t believe in leaving a legacy. I couldn’t disagree MORE…I believe we all will leave a legacy whether we want to or not. Our legacy is made up of our relationships, good or bad, our character, good or bad, and our integrity, good or bad. That’s the core stuff that can change not just your generation but impact future generations as well.

I was saddened today to hear that Jerry Falwell died yesterday. People either loved or hated this guy but whatever your take is….. he undeniably left a legacy. Over 100,000 students have graduated from Liberty University. My bride is an alumna and my niece graduates this weekend! I don’t believe it’s possible to agree with everything anybody does or says, but let me say this….I have mad respect for this man’s Legacy.

One of my favorite definitions of success is “that the people closest to you love and respect you the most.” I believe J.F was such a man. Thank you for impacting your generation, my generation, and future generations…Farwell Falwell!

Hello Pastor Buddy & Northway!

I would just like to share my thoughts on just finishing up my Starting Point classes. This was truly a starting point for me. A few weeks into the class I became very frustrated because I must question everything and things have to make sense to me. I was almost ready to stop church and classes but then in that weekend’s service you mentioned it’s OK to ask why. It was so good to hear that because I knew then it was fine for me to question and not have to just readily accept what I read.

I learned a lot in our classes and know I am a different person now then I was at the start. We were all in a different point in our life pertaining to religion. I knew little about the Bible before this and always felt very very comfortable in our group. Our classes gave a good understanding of the Bible. I learned it is a very interesting book to read and one I will continue to read. I’ve had questions answered in Starting point and things make sense to me. It’s made me think about things I’ve never even considered in my life. I still have more to learn and question in my journey but I know that’s OK.

It’s been a great experience for me, and I think it would be for anyone. I know my life is better now then it was about a year ago when I found Northway.

Have a great day,
Robert