Golden Moments Don’t Always Involve a Medal

This week, Pastor John hands over the TAGD keyboard to Marti Wiegman, Northpoint’s Director of Women’s Ministries.

Golden Moments Don’t Always Involve a Medal

Hello Church Family,

So I decided to follow Pastor John’s advice and watch the Olympics this week. Okay, I admit it: I would have watched them anyway, but my viewing was much more guilt-free after reading his last blog. Thanks John!

On Tuesday evening, I was deeply moved by an extraordinary expression of compassion, courage, and grace. Perhaps you saw it as well. It happened during a qualifier for the women’s 5,000-meter race. With four laps to go, New Zealand runner Nikki Hamblin and American Abbey D’Agostino collided. Both went down hard.

Abbey got up quickly but instead of returning to the race, she turned back to help Nikki up. The two women had never met before.

Nikki later told reporters she remembers lying on the track, dazed, with her hopes of an Olympic medal over. Suddenly, there was a hand on her shoulder and a voice in her ear: “Get up. We have to finish this.”

Back on their feet, the two began running side by side. After several strides, it became clear that it was Abbey who was in need of help as she began to limp badly. Nikki hung back with Abbey for a little while, offering help and encouragement before rejoining the race. As for Abbey, she refused to give up. Grimacing, she ran over a mile more to cross the finish line. The next day, it was determined that she had torn her ACL and meniscus.

“I’m never going to forget that moment,” Nikki said. “When someone asks me what happened in Rio in 20 years’ time, that’s my story. … That girl shaking my shoulder, (saying) ‘Come on, get up.’”

In an interview on NBC a few days later, Abbey credited her remarkable compassion to the Spirit of God at work in her. It was not surprising at all to discover that Abbey is someone who has been transformed by the gospel of grace.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NLT) says, Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

What a beautiful picture of how God has designed our lives to be lived together. God never intended us to face this life alone. From the first day Adam strolled through the garden with no footsteps but his own, God said, It is not good to live life alone.

Throughout the New Testament, we encounter teachings about how we are called to live the Christian life in community together. Here are just a few of my favorites:

Hebrews 10:24-25 – And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Philippians 2:4 – Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Galatians 6:2 – Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

I Thessalonians 4:18 – Therefore comfort one another with these words.

John 13:34-35 – A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

At Northpoint, we strive to encourage and stimulate this type of dynamic life-on-life community through a variety of small group ministries. And this is the perfect time to join in. Our Get Connected Ministry Fair takes place August 28 and September 4 and 11. Every Sunday, we will have tables set up in the courtyard to provide you with the information you need to find a place to belong here at Northpoint.

Here is a very limited list of options to consider:

GROWTH GROUPS
Our Growth Groups provide the most holistic opportunity for living life with others. This is a place for couples, singles, and entire families to join together to discuss God’s Word, share life’s struggles and blessings, support one another in prayer, and enjoy sweet fellowship together. Growth Groups are designed to encourage the building of deep and lasting bonds that continue through the seasons of life.

Each Growth Group is unique, meeting weekly in locations throughout the Corona, Norco and Riverside areas. Groups meet at a variety of times and days of the week. Check the Growth Group table during Get Connected for more information.

MEN OF THE WORD
Our men join together on Monday nights and Wednesday mornings to study the Word and to support one another in small groups where they find accountability, fellowship, and prayer. Men of the Word (MOW) will be continuing their study in the book of Acts.

MOW meets on campus and is offered in both the day and evening:
Monday evenings, beginning September 12, with formal teaching from 7:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m., and small groups from 7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Wednesday mornings, beginning September 14, with early small groups meeting from 5:00 a.m.-6:00 a.m., formal teaching and breakfast from 6:00 a.m.-7:00 a.m., and later small groups meeting from 7:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m.

WOMEN OF THE WORD
Women of the Word (WOW) is a weekly, in-depth Bible study that blends formal Bible teaching with small group time for discussion, accountability, fellowship, and prayer. We will be studying a selection of New Testament epistles: Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Titus, and Philemon.

WOW meets in Heritage Hall and is offered both in the day and evening:
Tuesday evenings, beginning September 13, at 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday mornings, beginning September 14, at 9:00 a.m.

I pray you will find a place to belong here at Northpoint, where you can walk through life with godly friends by your side, the kind who will drop everything to pick you up when life knocks you down or you stumble and fall.

Living for Him together,

Marti