text: Dream Big: Creating a Vision for Your Future (Week 3) - North Ridge
  Dream Big: Creating a Vision for Your Future (Week 3)
  On January 20, 2018January 20, 2018By North RidgeIn Pastor's MessageTags Dream Big
  Do you ever have big dreams for your kids? Can those dreams realistically come true? In 2015 a survey was conducted (by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health) of parents whose kids were currently playing sports in secondary schools. The
  parents were asked "do you seriously think your kid will make it to the pros?" While reality says well less than 1% of those kids will in fact make it to that level, 26% of their parents had the dream that they would. Just as our earthly fathers had big dreams for their kids, so does our Heavenly Father. But there are two big differences: (1) Our Heavenly Father's dreams are bigger and better than anything an earthly dad could come up with, and (2) The dreams He has for His family can come true through His power if we know what they are and do what He says.
  What dreams does God have for His North Ridge family? Are there things we can do to make those dreams a reality? Are there things we are doing that are preventing us from seeing or being the "dream team" Jesus desires? Join us this Sunday (1/21/18) as we answer those questions. As we conclude our series called Dream Big, we will examine five dreams God has for our church in 2018 and beyond. In addition to this powerful message, we will hear an incredible testimony from a North Ridge friend of mine named Kevin whose life was a nightmare for decades until last year when Jesus entered his life and performed a miracle. I promise you won't want to miss this story of God's glory. In addition, we'll have some incredible worship, get to meet our new high school director (who I think is awesome!) and get to hang out with the best flock on the block!!
  I sure do love you and your crew and look forward to seeing you on Sunday. Have a wonderful week and remember to "make hope happen". This would be a great week to invite a friend to come with you as we'll be sharing what North Ridge is all about and what God has in store for us in the coming year.
  P.S. Thank you for your kind words and prayers on behalf of our family in general and for my wife Mary in particular. Her dad (who was a truly Godly guy and amazing father-in-law) passed away last Sunday afternoon. We miss him terribly but rejoice in the peace and promise of the resurrection and reunion. If you'd like to read a little about him I've attached a link to an article from a few years back.
  Acts 17:11-12 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
  Psalm 119:105,114,133 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path…. You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in Your word… Direct my footsteps according to Your word; let no sin rule over me.
  1 Timothy 4:12-13 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.
  Matthew 7:26-27 But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.
  Isaiah 61:1-2 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn.