Jun 23
UNFORGETTABLE DOWNPOUR!
WARNING…longer post than usual…reading all of it could increase your faith.
For several months we have been planning for Northway Church’s Malta Celebration Day! Preparing for 2000 people from 3 locations coming together as ONE. Expectations were HIGH as we imagined celebrating on our future home on our 12 acres. From a cookout, to clowns and cotton candy…what we had planned would rival and beat any carnival or community day that I have ever experienced, period. Cooking 4000 Hamburgers and Hot dogs; setting up massive tents; arranging tables and chairs, preparing for a petting zoo; securing a rock climbing wall; getting bouncy bounces; finding kid’s games; doing face painting, making ice cream cones, and don’t forget the baptismal pool! The preparation, logistics and scope of this project would make Trump’s Apprentice look like Kindergarten.
We had HIGH hopes until this past week while repeatedly watching the dismal forecast for June 22. Thunder Storms! The haunting question…to cancel or not to cancel? We prayed and prayed and went for it…only to wake up on Sunday to a torrential down pour! Lightning, thunder, and dark clouds everywhere! Ironically enough, my message this weekend was titled…Lord I believe, Help Me Not To Doubt! When I saw the washout on the way to church and heard my kids ask me…”Dad what are you going to do about the picnic?”…I thought about changing my message to… Lord I believe, We should have canceled the stinking picnic!
Consequently, we still had two incredible unforgettable Sunday services! I believe our last services in the Shops Of Malta were our BEST in 5 years! Props to our worship team. You guys brought it…I thought I was at Catalyst. Communion was perfect and seamless as we reflected on ALL that Christ has done for us individually and corporately as Northway Church. Thank you, Jesus!
But what about the celebration on our property? What about all the people who had worked tirelessly? What about the 70 people that were supposed to get baptized? What about all the food? What about Mr Twisty the magician? Our event on our property was scheduled from 1:00-4:00 pm, and as I wrapped up our last service at 12:45…I kid you not, THE RAIN STOPPED! The Doplar radar said we had a window of an hour to seize the day…before another band of bad weather hit us. We didn’t hesitate, and we were grateful for that window. We fed the masses, and we started baptizing the 70 people as fast as we could before we all got baptized. After baptizing we…the church…began to sing…and sing and sing and praise God more. Get this…as we did…for the first time all day, THE SUN BEGAN TO COME OUT! Are you kidding me?! For all ages, young and old, it was obvious…Heaven was smiling on us, and we didn’t see a drop of rain from 1-4:15pm! Afterwards, thunder from heaven hammered Malta!
June 22. The Unforgettable Down pour. I will always remember ALL of God’s blessings that have rained down on Northway Church in the last five years…coming together in a dramatic and climatic day that ONLY GOD could write. God, I’m overwhelmed at Your goodness to us and your church! Thank you, God, for 5 years of miracles of changing our lives. Thank You for being You! Thank you. With You, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!
June 23rd, 2008 at 7:42 am
Buddy- that was one fantastic day.
After 39 years of wandering in the desert I was baptized! Hey, I’m one year up on the Israelites!
How they did it I’ll never know because I don’t think I could have taken another step without God…and I’m pretty sure those guys didn’t have cable or indoor plumbing but I could be wrong.
Man, I’ve been a whimp.
I believe, help me not to doubt indeed!
Thank you, Buddy. Thank you, Northway. Thank you, Jesus!
June 23rd, 2008 at 9:38 am
Buddy, I was there and I still have tears in my eyes because it was so unreal (meaning “REAL” in a “HUGE-A” way).
Thanks to each and every person who made it a success. The ones who pushed onward, not knowing if it would happen in or not. God was so faithful. Why do we doubt? You’re message was perfect! God shines on NC…no doubt about it!
June 23rd, 2008 at 9:52 am
My son Chris was baptized yesterday…. I was so proud of him and so happy to be part of such a welcoming, loving church.
June 23rd, 2008 at 9:58 am
What a true blessing from God!! Always keep your heart in line with God’s perfect will, Pastor Buddy, and He will never, ever fail you! Thank you for keeping us focused on souls! That IS what we’re all about !
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:18 am
The land was gorgeous. It was amazing to see so many people there! We stayed through the baptisms and left shortly afterwards.
As I drove south on Rte 9, the rain drops started up and it was pouring by the time I got to Clifton Park!
It was a very special weekend. Your message was spot on. God blew the rain away. I felt honored and humbled to have had a part in it and am looking forward to the new chapter coming for us all.
June 23rd, 2008 at 11:49 am
Thank you Pastor Buddy for another incredible, spirit filled weekend! I’m so thankful for Northway Church and honored to serve Jesus here! I was telling Jeff earlier that the thing I love most about NC is how thankful everyone is for each other…it’s such an awesome feeling to be among this group of wonderful people. Looking forward to seeing what God has in store next!
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Never before have I seen such a clear sermon illustration that was played out in real life less than 3 hours later. What a day! What a message from God! Such clear, tangible PROOF of faith!
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:08 pm
I was there at 9am with my granddaughter ready to prepare food. We actually started the prep around 9:45. The rain let up. As we chopped through 45 watermelons we had so many laughs. The day was wonderful, everyone had a great time. I know this because we stayed until the end and I heard no complaints from my granddaughter! She told her mom she had soooooo much funnnnnnnnn! Thank you for planning such a great event. It was a pleasure to serve with the team.
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Buddy, that was an awesome day at NC! So much God stuff happened. When the sun came out the thought came into my mind too that God was smiling on us. He once again made a way for Northway. Thanks to you and the whole staff and volunteers for your hard work.
June 24th, 2008 at 7:38 am
It was an AWESOME day.. our GOD is Great! And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 NIV
June 24th, 2008 at 8:31 am
I think we are all still talking about singing the sunshine out!! God heard us on Sunday that is for sure! Man what an AWESOME day for Northway Church! I had so much fun, and met so many new people! Being baptised as my friends (new and old) cheered, then painting faces and playing with the children!! My tank is soooo full after such a blessed weekend, I can’t stop smiling!!! Thank You Northway!! Thanks Pastor Buddy!! Thank You Jesus!!!
June 24th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Hey Bro. I’m so glad that God shined on you guys Sunday. I think it makes sense that in the same way Northway has stormed the Northeast that you would have a storm surround your celebration. I’m proud of you bro. I look forward to hearing about future downpours of Northways ministry.
June 24th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Congrats Billy! So happy for you and proud of you!!
Sue, HUGE is right! What a GOD!
Laurie, Way to go Chris! We are honored to be your Church!
Thanks Linda!…that is why Northway exists!
Pam, You and Vince are such a blessing…we are turning a page…can’t wait for the next chapter!
Mandy, I wish we could clone you and Jeff:) You guys are great! You nailed it…at NC the people make the place!
JDE, in 18 years I have never seen God do something like that!
Benita, How blessed are you! What a memory maker for you and your granddaughter. Thanks for serving…the watermelon was delicious
Larry, what a great smile!
Susan, without it…we run out of gas!
Michon, Congrats! way to go public in your faith! Heaven was smiling on you!
Thanks, Tim! Great to hear from you…thanks for your friendship and encouragement thru the years!