The Update

Hey NSL Fans,

An official launch is coming next week, but the new NSL website is up and running at Northwood Student Life. Then new URL is http://northwoodstudentlife.com We are posting mini updates from Splash Camps this week (and Red Lake next week) over there.

The new site is taking the place of this blog and the old site (northwoodcc.org/nsl) for all the latest and greatest at Northwood Student Life.

for email subscribers and feed readers, click "Get Connected" up on top of the new site and find a way to subscribe to the new posts. Head on over and enjoy!

http://northwoodstudentlife.com

The Update will be undergoing some work over the coming days (and possibly weeks) as we work to redesign and fix some problems we've been having. Be sure to check out our Facebook Page in the meanwhile for up-to-date information.

We’ve gotten some reports today of the blog acting wonky (that’s the technical term). We’re working on it, so please be patient. If we get it fixed we’ll post today’s episode of the Video Update, otherwise we’ll get it up as soon as we’ve got all the kinks worked out. Thanks!

Came across this today and thought it was hilarious.

What if God had text messaged the 10 Commandments?
It might look like this:

1. no1 b4 me. srsly. 
2. dnt wrshp pix/idols
3. no omg’s
4. no wrk on w/end (sat 4 now; sun l8r)
5. pos ok - ur m&d r cool
6. dnt kill ppl
7. :-X only w/ m8
8. dnt steal
9. dnt lie re: bf
10. dnt ogle ur bf’s m8. or ox. or dnkey. myob.

M, pls rite on tabs & giv 2 ppl.

ttyl, JHWH.

ps. wwjd?

(HT: McSweeny)

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The Song of the Week this week comes from NSL Senior Kirsten Stillman. If you have a song you’d like to submit for the Song of the Week, email Luke with the artist and title as well as a paragraph or two about why it’s meaningful to your relationship with God.

[RSS & Email Readers will have to visit the NSL Blog to listen to the song]
We all have a breaking point. It's the point in our lives where we say "I have had enough! I can't do this any longer all alone.” And that is when God taps us on the shoulder and says, "Hey, remember me? I'm still here, I've always been here, are you ready to take my hand?" God takes our sin-stained, mistake-ridden flags, and turns them white, cleaning them of everything until our flags are pure and true flags of surrender. That is the representation of our lives in Surrender Saved My Life by This Beautiful Republic. By taking God's hand and trusting in Him to help us through it all, surrender will save our lives.

I have had enough,
buying ashes with my love
I don't need this

I don't need this
I'm pursuing counterfeit
I'm worth so much more
than this
I don't need it
I don't need it
My flag is turning white
I need Your hope tonight
For the first time
Surrender saved my life
When will all this end?
Must I open up again?
I don't need this

I don't need this
Healing hurts a little more
but I'll be stronger than before
Yeah, I need this,
I know I need this

My flag is turning white
I need Your hope tonight
For the first time
Surrender saved my life
Keep my eyes focused, You are the long run

Keep my eyes focused, You are the long run
There's no time for giving up
We'll make it
We'll make it

My flag is turning white
I need Your hope tonight
For the first time
Surrender saved my life

Saved my life

Like the song? Get “This is a Call” by Thousand Foot Krutch from AmazonMP3

[have a song that you’d like to see as a Song of the Week? send the artist and title to Luke along with a paragraph or two about why it helps in your relationship with God. Sweetness!]

Well we lied. Yesterday we said we’d be bringing you the latest episode of the Video Update today. Due to some technical problems we’re going to for-go the old school method of bullet points. Here we go:

• 9th Graders – Be sure to sign up for the “9th Grade Night Out” (click for details)
• Red Lake Team – Hopefully you’ve sent out your support letters, if not.. get on it!
• Seniors – Remember that June 7 is Senior Recognition Day in big church, so plan on being there for both services so we can tell the whole church how much you rock.
• Everyone – Considering getting baptized? The next baptism service is June 21.
• Everyone again – The NSL Worship band is leading worship in big church this Sunday, come worship with us!

That’s all the updates, so now for some Video of the Week goodness. This week it is a silly action sequence that asks which came first, the chicken or the egg gun.

THE LAST EGGTION HERO from ulteriorproductions.com on Vimeo.

[RSS & Email Readers will have to visit the NSL Blog to listen to the song]
This Week’s Song comes from rockers Thousand Foot Krutch (TFK). Perhaps the greatest comfort we can have in our relationship with Jesus is that we are always free to call out. Even if we don’t feel like God is near (like last week’s song of the week), we have the privilege of being able to ask Him for help, comfort, and peace. And usually, God helps us gain perspective and see what life is really all about. Enjoy.

She fooled all of her friends into thinking she's so strong
But she still sleeps with the light on
And she acts like it's all right on, as she smiles again
And her mother lies there sick with cancer
And her friends don't understand her
She's a question without answers
Who feels like falling apart.
She knows, she's so much more than worthless
She needs to find a purpose,
She wonders what she did to deserve this

CHORUS
She's calling out to you
This is a call, this is a call out
Cause everytime I fall down, I reach out to you
And I'm losing all control now
And my hazard signs are all out
I'm asking you to show me what this life is all about

And he tells everyone a story,
Cause he thinks his life is boring
And he fights so you won't ignore him,
Cause that's his biggest fear
And he cries, but you'll rarely see him do it
And he loves but he's scared to use it
So he hides behind the music
Cause he likes it that way
And he knows, he's so much more than worthless
He needs to find the surface
Cause he's starting to get nervous

CHORUS

Have you ever felt this way before
Cause I don't wanna hide here anymore
Take me to a place where nothing's wrong
And thanks for coming, shut the door
And they say some one out there sees us,
Well if you're real, then save me Jesus
Cause I've been this way for far too long
I wasn't meant to feel alone

CHORUS

Show me what this life is all about
Show me what this life is all about

Like the song? Get “This is a Call” by Thousand Foot Krutch from AmazonMP3

[have a song that you’d like to see as a Song of the Week? send the artist and title to Luke along with a paragraph or two about why it helps in your relationship with God. Sweetness!]

We need to stop the panic. I know some of you are terrified and worried about the impending Armageddon, certain the the world is finally drawing to a close and all hope is lost. What other reason could there be for the Song of the Week and Video Update not arriving and their normal days? Surely, this is the end.

But have no fear, they are not gone but simply delayed. With the Memorial Day weekend everything has been pushed back one day. So this Tuesday you will have a new Song of the Week and Wednesday (tomorrow) you will have a new episode of the Video Update.

Next week we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled programming. You may now go about your lives.

Hey NSL, just a quick note to let you know that you should be prepared to be outside this Sunday for youth group. We will be outside rain or shine, so be dressed accordingly!

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[RSS & Email readers have to visit the NSL Blog to play the song]
There are times when it feels like God is far away. That is a hard thing to deal with, because God promises to never leave us. So why, in the midst of difficult things, do we so often think he’s gone away?
Faith is described in the Bible as “…being sure of things unseen.” It’s choosing to trust that God is being honest when he says he won’t leave our side. We can’t always feel our heart beating in our chest, but we trust it is still there. We can’t always feel our brain processing thoughts, but we are still sure it’s there. Just because we can’t feel God sometimes, doesn’t mean he has left us.
This week’s song by BarlowGirl speaks to that exact feeling…

I waited for you today
But you didn't show
No no.
I needed you today
So where did you go?
You told me to call
Said you'd be there
And though I haven't seen you
Are you still there?

Chorus
I cried out with no reply
And I can't feel you by my side
So I'll hold tight to what I know
You're here and I'm never alone

And though I cannot see you
And I can't explain why
Such a deep reassurance
You've placed in my life.
We cannot separate
'Cause you're part of me.
And though you're invisible
I'll trust the unseen.

Chorus

Like the song? Get “Never Alone” by BarlowGirl on AmazonMP3.

A feature we’ve started up here on the ol’ NSL Blog is the “Song of the Week” where we post a song and the lyrics along with a mini-Jesus Stuff blurb about what the song can teach us about having a relationship with God. We’ve gotten some pretty sweet responses and we’re looking forward to posting more, but we need your help!

The NSL Blog is your place to share what is happening in your relationship with God, so we’re calling all readers to submit “Song of the Week” articles. It’s super easy, all you need to do is email studentlife@northwoodcc.org with the following:

• Band Name
• Track/Song Title
• Lyrics to the Song
• A quick paragraph or two about why it is important to you/what it teaches you about God!

It’s that easy! For an idea of what we’re looking for you can check out the previous Song of the Week posts. We look forward to seeing what you share!

As we come to the end of the school year we prepare for the transition of our 9th grade students into the NSL Senior High. But let’s not forget the fact that many great things happened during their time with NSL:jh!

To us, that’s reason to celebrate. So we are pleased to cordially invite all our current 9th grade students to the first annual 9th Grade Night Out!

We will grab some dinner in Minneapolis before heading to Uptown for some improv comedy at Comedy Sportz! It’s going to be a night full of fun, laughter, and celebration of your time in the NSL Junior High 

Information and sign-up is at www.northwoodcc.org/9

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[RSS & Email readers have to visit the NSL Blog to play the song]
Hot on the heels of last weeks song about letting go, we’re serving up a new one by Tenth Avenue North. When we follow God, there is a lot of stuff we have to let go. We hang on to all kinds of false securities (good grades, sports and activities, money and possessions, certain social groups, etc.) that can (and do) get in the way of finding out who God really wants us to be. The truth is that we are more likely to find what makes us happy when we forget all that stuff and leave it behind. God says, “Let It Go!”

I've been holding on so tight
Look at these knuckles
They've gone white
I'm fighting for who I wanna be
I'm just trying to find security

But You say let it go, You say let it go
You say life is waiting for the one's who lose control
You say you will be, everything I need
You said if I lose my life it's then I'll find my soul
You say let it go.

Well it's hard enough to hear
Harder still, to move beyond this fear
We know there's nothing I can bring,
So tell me what do you want from me?

But You say let it go, You say let it go
You say life is waiting for the one's who lose control
You say You will be, everything I need
You said if I lose my life it's then I'll find my soul
You say let it go, You say let it go

What do I love?
What do I hate?
What will I lose?
What will I gain?
How do I save my soul?
What if I bend?
What if I break?
What will it cost?
What will it take?
For you to save my soul.

You say let it go, You say let it go
You say life is waiting for the one's who lose control
You say You will be, everything I need
You said if I lose my life it's then I'll find my soul

Like the song? Get “Let It Go” by Tenth Avenue North at AmazonMP3!

Hey everyone, just a reminder that there will be no Video Update today because Luke is on vacation. We’ll catch you next Tuesday for a brand new episode.

In the meanwhile you can check out past episodes here.

[RSS & Email readers have to visit the NSL Blog to play the song]
We’re control freaks. Most people have a really hard time when they aren’t in control of what’s happening, they start to worry. Turns out, that’s not how we’re supposed to live. The Bible couldn’t be any clearer, it says “Do Not Worry about anything, instead pray about everything…” God says not to worry, period. That’s right, worrying = disobeying God. Ouch!

The song of the week this week comes from Francesca Battistelli, a young up-and-comer in the Christian music biz. The track “I’m Letting Go talks about the feeling when we just need to quit worrying and jump into what God has for us! Enjoy.

My heart beats, standing on the edge
But my feet have finally left the ledge
Like an acrobat
There’s no turning back

I’m letting go
Of the life I planned for me
And my dreams
Losing control
Of my destiny
Feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe

So I’m letting go
This is a giant leap of faith
Trusting and trying to embrace
The fear of the unknown
Beyond my comfort zone

I’m letting go
Of the life I planned for me
And my dreams
Losing control
Of my destiny
Feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe
So I’m letting go
Giving in to your gravity
Knowing You are holding me
I’m not afraid

Feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe
Feels like I’m falling and this is the life for me

  Like the song? Get the whole album is just 5 bucks at AmazonMP3!

Over the last weekend I went to a conference called Spring Blitz with the youth group. At this conference a man named Craig Sanborn was speaking on the subject of the media. He talked about how the media has more effect on us than we think. He said that right now it's thought to be ok to swear and put sexual things in music and magazines or on tv. Notice the key word in that sentence. It's THOUGHT to be ok. It's not ok. In fact, it's far from it.

Philippians 4:8 says 'Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.'

This verse pretty much says ' Are the things you listen to, watch, and read pleasing to God?'
I felt like a hypocrite. I was shocked at all the stuff in the media but when I took a look at the things I watch, read, and listen to, I noticed that I had been dragged in by it all. I COULD have said to myself  "The stuff I listen to isn't as bad as all that other stuff" but it's all the same. Swearing is swearing. Sexuality is sexuality. I felt I had to stop listening, watching and reading these things that are evil in the sight of God.

I got rid of half of all my music and posters. I got rid of anything with swearing or bad messages. I paid for those things and it made it hard to let it go, but I knew it was something I had to do. It was something that would help me take care of my soul, which is something that is way better than all the music, tv shows and books in the whole world. As a teen, the media bombards me everyday and it's a lot of negative things. I want to be filled with positive thoughts and actions and I feel this way with a passion. 

It's only been a few days but I can feel the change it's made in my life. I think better thoughts about things and other people and I feel closer to God. It's my hope that this message will touch you like it's touched me and that you will fight with me to get closer to God. It is important to me and I hope to make it important to others. Join me in The Rage Against the Media.

Kaycee Clark is part of the NSL:jh, a singer in the NSL Band, and an all around awesome gal!

If you were at Blitz this weekend, or if you checked out this week’s “Song of the Week” then you are familiar with Remedy Drive. Their new album is fantastic, and NSL highly recommends that you pick it up.

But what’s even better is you can score the whole album for less than a Big Mac meal! AmazonMP3 has ‘Daylight is Coming’ for only $5! That is sweet indeed.

So head on over there and get the Remedy Drive album for $5! [just click the pic]

Click to Play

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[email & RSS readers need to visit the NSL Blog to play the song]
This past weekend we were at Blitz and a bunch of the live updates had to do with the awesome music being pumped out by Remedy Drive.

One of the songs they played is called “All Along” and did a pretty good job of capturing the experience for many of us at Blitz. Lots of us shared about how we had been putting a lot of things before God in our life, and it wasn’t working out. This weekend we realized realized that the way we wanted to feel is what God had been offering all along, we had just been looking for it in the wrong place.

So listen to the song, and be reminded that all the things we feel like we have to deal with before we can get to God are the things that he wants to struggle through with us.

It's not everything it seems - the world and its dreams
Slipping like water through my hands tonight
All the things I thought would fill me up inside
Left me empty here - and now I know why

All along I was looking for something else
You're something else
All along I was looking for something more
You're so much more
I finally found what I could never see before
You've always been the one that I was looking for

All of my castles in the sand - washed away again
And I'm left back where I began tonight
The only thing that can ever fill me up
Has been right in front of me all the time

I won't miss you - I won't miss you this time
I say I want you - yeah I want you in my life

 

 Like the song? Get “All Along” at AmazonMP3.com

If you’ve been keeping up with the LIVE Spring Blitz Updates, you’d know that we arrived safely in Duluth this evening. The drive up was a blast, our 4 vehicle caravan meant tons of fun during the drive. There was a thunderstorm, watching of movies, card games, and an all out, loud as can be sing-a-long of “A whole new world” from Aladdin. Nice.

We arrived in Duluth in time to kick things off Spring Blitz style. We are in the arena of the DECC, the same place the UMD Bulldogs play hockey. It’s really cool to see so many other Christian teens all together. The band Remedy Drive led us in worship, those guys are crazy! They were jumping off of everything, it was a blast.

Our seats are the best we’ve ever had at Blitz. We’re usually up in the nosebleeds, but this year we are in the 5th and 6th row. It’s way more fun to be able to see everything right there, even though the 3 giant screens are helpful.

Sean McDowell is the speaker this weekend. He’s a fun guy. We’re going to be talking about Loving God with all your heart. Mark 12:30 is the theme verse. He talked about 5 truths of the heart:

1. The heart reflects who we really are
2. God judges the heart (not the actions/words/etc.)
3. The heart is wicked/deceitful
4. The heart follow the will
5. The heart longs for God

We followed it up with some good questions about the things we’re passionate about in life and what we commit our time to. Luke asked where we were on a scale of 1 to 10 how passionate we were about God. It was interesting because some people said 2 and 3 and some people said 8 and 9, and

everything in between. It’s nice to know we’re at different places and not alone.

Tomorrow morning is almost here already (man, we should sleep!) and we’re excited to start talking about the soul. Thanks for your prayers, we’re having a great time!

And remember, keep up with our live updates on Twitter:

We are just hours away from departure for Spring Blitz! For those of you who are going we will be offering a way to share your thoughts in real time during the event! For those of you who are staying we will be posting live updates throughout the weekend! Just click the link below and you’ll see all the updates on the NSL Twitter page!

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[email & RSS readers need to visit the NSL Blog to play the song]
Yesterday we talked about Jesus asking his disciples, “Who do you think I am?” One of the biggest mistakes people make is underestimating Jesus. He promises we can make it through anything, but we still think he won’t come through for us when hard stuff comes our way. This song by Relient K is a good reminder about feelings like that.

Am I at the point of no improvement?
What of the death I still dwell in?
I try to excel, but I feel no movement.
Can I be free of this unreleasable sin?

Never underestimate my Jesus.
You're telling me that there's no hope.
I'm telling you, you're wrong.
Never underestimate my Jesus.
When the world around you crumbles,
he will be strong.
He will be strong.

I throw up my hands.
" Oh, the impossibilities."
Frustrated and tired,
where do I go from here?
Now I'm searching for the confidence I've lost so willingly.
Overcoming these obstacles is overcoming my fears.

I think I can't, I think I can't.
But, I think you can, I think you can.
I think I can't, I think I can't.
But, I think you can, I think you can.
Gather my insufficiencies and place them in your hands.
Place them in your hands.
Place them in your hands.

Click to Play

[eMail & RSS readers will have to visit the NSL Blog to play the song]

Yesterday we celebrated the greatest of all holidays! The day Jesus came back from death. It’s hard to capture all of the amazing significance of that action, and harder still to find a way to adequately say thank you. It feels like no matter what words we use… they aren’t worth enough.

But God wants our thanks, even if it feels inadequate, like it doesn’t come close to capturing how we truly feel. He wants it anyway, for what it’s worth.

The band Dogwood took a departure from their usual punk sound to record this acoustic attempt at saying thank you for the very thing we celebrated this past weekend.

Chorus:
For what it's worth, thank you.
For what it's worth I love You.
For what I'm worth, take me.
For what I'm worth, use me.

I've read of all You've done for me,
Now let me do for You.
And I pray that I never lose sight
Of all that You went through.
And the stripes on His back,
Can you see them? Can you imagine?
And holes in His hands can you feel them?
Nails pierced the skin.
And the feet that he stood on so broken,
His spirit still strong.
And the love that He's given to me
Is forever-long.

Chorus

And the stripes on Your back,
I can see them. I can't imagine.
And the holes in Your hands, I can feel them.
Nails pierced the skin.
The feet that You stood on so broken.
Your spirit still strong.
The love that You've give to me
Is forever-long.
And the stripes on His back,
Can you see them? Can you imagine?
And the holes in His hands, can you see them?
Nails pierced the skin.
And the feet that he stood on so broken.
His spirit still strong.
And the love that He's given to me
Is forever-long.

Chorus

  Like the song? Get "For What It's Worth" at AmazonMP3

Not a sound echoes through the small cave. The air is stale after three days of being shut up. The darkness settles over the lone figure lying so still and lifeless inside its yawning quietness.

Outside dawn peeks over the horizon, wanting to spill forth its glorious light. Inside the tomb, the air stirs as a single sound echoes through the silence.

Huuuuh-haaaaaa

A single breath, yet it echoes through the small space.

Thump-thump, thump-thump

A heart stutters back to life. Its steady beat sending small, excited tremors through the rock that houses the tomb. The very earth itself seems to hold its breath as eyelids slowly lift upwards, uncovering warm, love-filled eyes. Eyes that have seen much, yet still look over the small and weak with love and acceptance.

I hold my breath, too. But for a different reason, I know what this means, even if the humans do not.

The man rises, the strips of linen falling off him as if they had never touched him. The earth shakes with its celebration dance, sending birds flying and whirling through the air in bright celebration, twisting and floating in an intricate dance of hardly contained glee. The grass absolutely shivers with excitement, quivering in delighted play. The very dirt seems to sing out to the heavens with celebration, sending waves of happiness into all who touch its vast surface.

The rock of the cave trembles with joy, the rock blocking the entrance rolling away smoothly, letting in the bright welcome the sun is shining down upon the man. The man steps out into the glorious light; the sun beats down joyfully, reverently, reveling in the man’s return to life.

The man leaves the cave, and the next moment he is gone.

An angel appears, placing himself on the great stone that used to cover the entrance to the tomb. I skitter out of the cave to hide in the grass, not knowing what to do now.

Joy swells in my tiny heart, making me want to leap up and dance as the earth did. The feeling warms my heart as I open my wings and give in to the urge to dance and play in the bright sunshine. He is alive! The world has a new freedom.

I dance for them, the humans. I dance for Him, the man. I dance, because it is what I was made for.

The joy in my small little body seems to be radiating off me, infecting the world around me. The grass sways and dances on the breeze, the trees rustle and sing out joyful notes in the rustle of their leaves. The animals burst into song, jumping and dancing through the trees, grass, and dirt. The wind plays across the surface of the earth, sweeping the good news in all directions, spreading the joy and happiness. The plants gossip and shriek in glee as they do their part to spread the good news.

The world has regained its hope. The miracle that has just occurred has changed everything. If nothing else happens to this small creature of God, I will be content in knowing that the miracle of life for this world has been completed. This is only the beginning.

Clang. 

I wince every time the hammer hits the nail.

Clang.

It’s not like I’ve never heard the sound of metal hitting metal as the hammer drives a nail into wood. I’ve lived most of my life with a carpenter for a husband. It’s a common sound, one I’m used to.

Clang.

And it’s not like I hadn’t known something would happen. My son had been telling all who would listen that this day would come.

Clang.

I just hadn’t expected it to be like this.

Clang.

I lift my tear-streaked face towards the heavens. Why? Oh, WHY!? I shout silently at the heavens. Why would you put this on one man? He is Blameless!!

Clang.

There are other women here beside me, all around me, weeping as I am. We weep loudly, grieving. They suffer with only their hearts. The only pain that courses through them with each resonating sound of metal on metal, they only weep with what their hearts and heads tell them is grief. I know not how much each one’s heart suffers. The only thing that matters is the sincerity of their tears.

Clang.

I suffer with my whole heart and more, my whole being cries out in pain as the nail is driven deeper into the wood. I feel as if that very nail is being driven straight through my heart, leaving its mark not only on that one small part of me, but on my whole body. Breaking me. Shattering me.

Clang.

I cannot take it much longer, this pain that makes my whole body tremble. The women are holding me back, I know they feel my trembling. I do not care.

I know that they are trying to protect me from the very men who are so heartlessly breaking everything in me.

Clang.

I crumple to the ground, unable to bear the blinding pain and all-consuming grief. My sobs shake my body. It is time.

Clang.

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Last week some of the junior high students talked about the ways Satan tries to get to us with lies about how we aren’t good enough. How nobody cares about us. How our prayers will never be answered.

I was reading Psalm 22 and I realized how much it captured that feeling. The The feeling that God is far away, that everyone is teasing you, that He isn’t listening. He knows how we feel!

I’m always amazed by the emotional 180 David pulls in a lot of the Psalms. He goes from “You aren’t listening” to “I will praise you” in no time flat. I want that. I want to be able to praise God even when things aren’t going the way I want them to. I think that’s what I’m going to pray for this week.

Hey all, two things to clear up really quickly.

1) Due to technical difficulties we didn’t get the Video Update up today. But have no fear, we’ll have this week’s episode up for you tomorrow.

2) Youth Group Will Meet As Usual this Wednesday Night, April 8. Apparently there is a rumor going around that there is no youth group, which is weird because we never ever said that. And you’re not calling us a liar… are you?

So Junior High students should plan to be there… and since it’s Spring Break for many of you and your friends are sitting at home and bored… you should bring them too!

That’s all we got. Catch ya tomorrow!

[email & RSS readers you’ll want to visit The NSL Blog to play the song]

Third Day is one of the best known Christian acts recording today. This week’s Song of the Week comes from their very first studio album, back when they were a little known band trying to rock a spot into Christian music. (I know what they sound like now, but 15 years ago they were solid rockers on the stage.

The song, called “Thief,” tells the story of Jesus’ death through the eyes of one of the thieves that died on the cross next to him. It’s a powerful and gripping tale… song and lyrics below.

I am a thief, I am a murderer
Walking up this lonely hill
What have I done? I don't remember
No one knows just how I feel
and I know that my time is coming soon.

It's been so long. Oh, such a long time
Since I've lived with peace and rest
Now I am here, my destination
guess things work for the best
and I know that my time is coming soon

Who is this man? This man beside me
They call the King of the Jews
They don't believe that He's the Messiah
But, somehow I know it's true.
And they laugh at Him in mockery,
and beat Him till he bleeds
They nail Him to the rugged cross,
and raise Him, they raise Him up next to me

My time has come, I'm slowly fading
I deserve what I receive
Jesus when You are in Your kingdom
Could You please remember me
and He looks at me still holding on
the tears fall from His eyes
He says I tell the truth
Today, you will live with Me in paradise
and I know that my time is coming soon
and I know paradise is coming soon.

 

Like the song? You can purchase the song Thief from AmazonMP3

Last week we posted an article about the song Storms by Lifehouse. The response to the article was greater than expected, and it got us thinking about doing a similar thing each week. Music has an amazing ability to move us and speak to us in ways nothing else can. It was one of the things in life that make me certain God exists.

So starting tomorow (Monday morning) we will be posting a new song and lyrics each week. The musical style might not always be your cup of tea… but we encourage you to check out the lyrics anyway and see what God has to say through each song. Enjoy the music!

We are only a few weeks away from the most fantastic holiday of them all, Easter!

And though we all enjoy chocolate bunnies and delicious meals, there is a depth to what we celebrate that is hard to capture in words. Jesus beat death! That’s sweet!

On Easter there will be 3 services at Northwood, 9am, 10am, and 11am. Because of the different schedule and various family activities that take place on Easter, we will not have youth group that morning or The Table that night. Have a great Easter!

Just a reminder that tomorrow is a Bring You Buck Sunday so be sure to help us sponsor out compassion child, Melanie, who lives in Ecuador.

We’ve been doing great every month of 2009, let’s keep it up!

It’s no secret that the economy has been unhealthy lately, and that the ripple effect is felt far and wide. Northwood Church is no different, the significant drop in giving has meant greater difficulty in funding the programs and ministries that make Northwood great. While we have made deep cuts to try and balance the budget, we just finished the first quarter of 2009 and we’re still not there.

For this reason we are introducing a new tiered structure to NSL. Starting next month there will be a new tiered pricing plan for  Northwood Student Life events and programs. This is similar to most other extra-curricular that teenagers participate in. We feel this will not only help in the continued funding of NSL programs, but will also increase participation. Students are more likely to attend when they have a financial stake in doing so.

Beginning May 1st, students can choose between Annual, Monthly, and Pay-As-You-Go plans. Here is how they break down.

Monthly Plans
These plans can be changed at the beginning of each month. Calculating is simple, just total the Cost Per Month for each of the programs a student will participate in. For instance, a student that plans to attend Sunday Mornings and Midweeks, but no events, would pay a monthly fee of $25. For the diehard participant, the All-Inclusive rate saves them $20 a month.

Program Involvement	Cost per Month
Sunday Mornings	$10
Midweek (Table/Gathering)	$15
Small Events (Hidden Hangout, FMSC, etc.)	$20
Large Events (Becker, Blitz, SonShine)	$50
All-Inclusive	$85 (save $20/month)

Annual Plans
These plans offer the greatest savings. By signing up for an entire year of NSL programs at once students guarantee their ability to participate all year regardless of changes in their financial situation.

Program Involvement	Cost per Year
Sunday Mornings	$96 (save $24 vs. Monthly Plan)
Midweek (Table/Gathering)	$144 (save $36 vs. Monthly Plan)
Small Events (Hidden Hangout, FMSC, etc.)	$192 (save $48 vs. Monthly Plan)
Large Events (Becker, Blitz, SonShine)	$480 (save $120 vs. Monthly Plan)
All-Inclusive	$815 (save $205 vs. Monthly Plan)

Pay-As-You-Go
Sometimes it works best to just pay per program or event. This a la carte option is best suited for that.

Program Involvement	Cost to attend
Sunday Mornings	$3
Midweek (Table/Gathering)	$4
Small Events (Hidden Hangout, FMSC, etc.)	Priced per event
Large Events (Becker, Blitz, SonShine)	Priced per event

Add-Ons
There are also some supplemental options for the Monthly and Annual plans. These are similar to hiring a tutor or personal trainer.

Add-On	Cost
One-on-one time with youth leader	$10/hour
Praying for a student	$7/hour
Attending Events (concerts, games, recitals, etc.)	$12/hour
Rides to/from Events	$1/mile
Postcards and Phone Calls	Free with purchase of any other add-on

Thank you for supporting NSL in this new endeavor, we hope it will let us continue with the level of service we strive to provide. The new NSL tiered pricing structure will begin May 1st. Please use the coming weeks to determine what plan is best for you. Once you’ve made your choice simply fill out this form and we’ll process your order.

Click to Play

Apparently it is storm week at NSL. On Wednesday at the Gathering we talked about the story of Jesus and Peter walking on the water. This morning we talked about Jesus calming the storm. And in the past week there has been rain, ice, snow, hail, thunderstorms, fires, tornadoes, and massive flooding… all in Minnesota. It’s stormy out there.

We’ve all experienced storms. They are captivatingly dangerous, thrill is mixed with intimidation as dark menacing clouds crawl over the horizon and slowly consume the sky. They are capable of great destruction, and still many of us are mesmerized by their glorious beauty. They are one of the best metaphors for God the world has to offer.

There is a song by the band Lifehouse that talks about the storms life can bring, and the confusion that sets in as we wonder where God has gone in the midst of our turbulent seas. The feeling that God has left us is normal, even though it is never true.

If you’ve ever been tossed by a giant, you’ve experienced the loss of direction that comes as the wave turns you over. It can be terrifying. Suddenly you don’t know which way it is back to the surface. In that situation it would be silly to think, “Oh, the surface must have left me… I’ll just wait here under water until it comes back to me.” But this is what we do with God. We say, “Oh, my life has become incredibly difficult, God must be somewhere else, I guess I’m on my own.”

God isn’t in the business of making our lives “difficulty-free.” He is in the business of freeing us from being afraid of difficulties. In all of life, but especially in the storms, our first concern should be getting as close to Him as possible, ‘cause he’s probably already closer than you think.

Here’s the song and lyrics:

How long have I been in this storm?
So overwhelmed by the ocean's shapeless form
Water's getting harder to tread
With these waves crashing over my head

If I could just see you
Everything would be all right
If I'd see you
This darkness would turn to light

And I will walk on water
And you will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into your eyes
I know everything will be alright
I know everything is alright

I know you didn't bring me out here to drown
So why am I ten feet under and upside down
Barely surviving has become my purpose
Cause I'm so used to living underneath the surface

If I could just see you
Everything would be all right
If I'd see you
This darkness would turn to light

And I will walk on water
And you will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into your eyes
And everything will be alright
And I will walk on water
You will catch me if I fall

And I will get lost into your eyes
I know everything will be alright
I know everything is alright
Everything is alright
Everything is alright

Click to Play

Click to Play

Here at NSL we are constantly working to improve our ability to communicate with you so you know the most up-to-date info on everything that’s happening in the NSL community.

We’ve put together a quick survey (if it takes more than 3 minutes you’re thinking too hard) to help us understand which things we do keep you informed, and which ones just fill up your inbox.

Please help us out by telling us exactly what does the best job of keeping you “in the know” about what’s going on with NSL.

TAKE THE SURVEY!

Warning: Nerd alert.

The mathematical function of Pi is simplified to the digits 3.14, which translates to 3/14, or March 14, on the Calendar, making March 14 annual Pi day.

And the best way to celebrate Pi Day? Eat tons of Pie! So that’s what we’re doing. Hopefully you’ve had it on your calendar, but this is just a reminder that Family Pie Night will be Saturday, March 14 from 6:30pm- 8ish at Luke & Katie’s home in Albertville. For info & directions, just visit: http://northwoodcc.org/pie

Thanks, we’ll see you there!