By James Lamkin

The One I Feed...

     I've noticed that "true stories" transcend time and culture. They are not bound by age or terrain or ethnicity or tradition. They rise above. They gather-up. They help us move-on.

     As autumn whispers in each morning's cool air, we can feel the story of the fall season starting again. Deep in our bones we know that we are part of the story.

     The school bell rings. The football is kicked. The pencil is sharpened. There are spooky masks to wear and pilgrims with buckled hats set on tables reminding us to give thanks.

     But there is more. Sunday School classes open their Bibles. A pledge card is signed. The church's reformation is celebrated; then we sing the song that starts with a rest: "Bump, For All the Saints." Next, we light a candle, then two, and three, and four. Then a guiding star will want in on the act. And the Light of the World will arrive, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

     'Tis the season of storytelling and sacred stories to tell.

     To get us in the mood, here's a story that is deep and wise. I first heard it as a Native American legend told by the Cherokee people.

     May it remind us that the gift of the sacred, moral compass within us, is ours to tend.

     Once there was a grandfather who enjoyed teaching his grandson about how to live a good human life.

     "But there is a problem," said the grandfather, "there is a battle going on inside me."

     "What is the battle about Grandfather," asked the boy.

     "It is a fight between two wolves," said the grandfather.

     "What are the wolves like," asked the grandson.

     "One wolf is evil," said the grandfather. "It is fed by resentment, jealousy, insecurity, arrogance, revenge, self-pity, guilt, and shame."

     "He sounds strong," said the boy. "What's the other wolf like, Grandfather?"

     "Oh, the other wolf is good. It is serene, humble, generous, truthful, and kind. But that is not all. Not only is this battle between the two wolves going on inside me...it is going on inside you, grandson, and in every other person in the world!"

     At that point in the story, the grandfather looked away and paused for a very long time...as good storytellers are known to do...for a good storyteller knows that often it is in the silence that the best questions rise. And one did.

     Quietly, the boy asked, "Grandfather, if one wolf is good and the other wolf is evil and they are fighting...which wolf will win?"

     "The one you feed," said the grandfather, "the one you feed."

2013 Interfaith Partnership for  

Habitat for Humanity Build

Northside Drive Baptist Church Work Days

    Day 1 - August 24 (7 Volunteers)

    Day 2 - September 7 (16 Volunteers) NDBC Lead Day 

    Day 3 - September 14 (4 Volunteers)

    Days 4 & 5 - not workdays for NDBC

    Day 6 - October 5 (4 Volunteers)

    Day 7 - October 12 (6 Volunteers) Dedication Day

September 14 @ Noon

   Join us at Zoo Atlanta this Saturday. Bring a picnic lunch at 11 AM to Grant Park. We'll hop in line for the zoo at noon. For more information, contact Rachel Sherron at  rachel@northsidedrive.org.  

   The next Church Council meeting will be Monday, September 16, at 7 PM in the Fellowship Hall.

     *The Church Council consists of the Moderator, Senior Pastor, Treasurer, and Church Clerk, the chairs of the Diaconate, the Finance, Personnel, and Nominating Committees, the Adult Education, Children's, Communications/Technology, Facilities Management, Grounds, Landscaping, Hospitality, Marketing, Membership Development, Memorial Gifts, Missions, Preschool Liaison, Worship/Music, and Youth Ministry Teams, the Auxiliary Triple E, and the church staff.

     We meet weekly from 10:30-11:30 AM, beginning September 11, in the church's Conference Room. Right now, the plan is to go through Advent. We study the texts selected in the Revised Common Lectionary for the next Sunday. Large print editions are available each week and for the upcoming Sunday. Discussion is deep and  wide and lively. All are invited.

  Beginning September 11, YOGA will meet on Wednesdays at 5:15 PM, in the Fellowship Hall with Amanda Gregg. The cost is $60 for a 6-week session or $13 per class for drop-in. Bring a mat, water, and small towel, and wear comfortable clothing. To make a reservation for a class session, email Amanda at mandayoga@gmail.com or visit   www.northsidedrive.org.  

A Book on the Boundary:
A Study of Deuteronomy 

Led by Rev. Mike Gregg

September 11-November 20

@ 6:15 PM in Room 202

     The Israelites are on the verge of entering the Promised Land. Moses delivers a pep talk to guide the people as they look ahead to their new lives as followers of the One God. Deuteronomy is a book on the boundaries. The reader is taken to the boundary of the land, the edge of the future of the Hebrew people, and the threshold of a new understanding of God. This study will explore the limits of the text while increasing our knowledge of God's law.

Chapters 1-4: The Spies and Remembering the Wilderness Journey

Chapters 4-6: The Ten Commandments

Chapters 7-11: Taking the Land, the Golden Calf, and the New Tablets

Chapters 12-26: The Deuteronomic Code: Worship, Diet, Leadership, and Identity

Chapters 27-28: Blessings and Curses

Chapters 29-30: Renewal of the Covenant and Exhortation to Obedience

Chapters 31-34: Joshua Becomes Leader, The Song of Moses, and Moses Dies

Led by Dr. Tom Vander Ven

October 9 @ 6 PM in the Parlor

(No Deuteronomy Bible Study this evening.) 

Young Adult Dinners at Home

Every First Friday at 7 PM

Friday, October 11, 2013 

@ the home of James & Liz Lamkin

Sharing food and friendship that feeds our souls.

     Join us as we unplug from our busy schedules and gather for casual dinners at the homes of members of Northside Drive Baptist Church. Bring a side item or dessert and the main course will be provided. For more information, contact Mike Gregg at mike@northsidedrive.org. Check the young adults event calendar on the website, Facebook page, or in print for a full list of dates.

with Bruce Gourley

Executive Directory of the *BHHS

October 12-13, 2013 

     Northside Drive Baptist Church invites you to a weekend with Bruce Gourley, Executive Director of the Baptist History and Heritage Society. We will celebrate our Baptist roots and learn more about Baptist life from historical and modern perspectives.

Saturday Evening Reception

Topic:  Correcting the Modern Baptist Image

Date:  October 12, 2013

Time:  5 PM

Location:  Legacy at the River Line Clubhouse

6200 Carriage Gate Ln, Mableton, GA 30126

Food and drinks will be served.

Sunday Church School Presentation

Topic:  Modern Role and Relevancy of Denominations and Baptists

Date:  October 13, 2013

Time:  9:30 AM

Location:  NDBC Fellowship Hall

Refreshments and Childcare will be provided.

Sunday Fellowship Service

Topic:  Our Baptist Heritage and Extraordinary Baptists

Date:  October 13, 2013

Time:  11 AM

Location: NDBC Sanctuary

 ____________________________________________

     Bruce T. Gourley is the Executive-Director of the Baptist History & Heritage Society (www.baptisthistory.org) and the author of six books. Originally from Douglas, Georgia, Bruce now lives near Bozeman, Montana with his wife, Debra, and daughter, Elizabeth.

SUNDAY, September 15

  9:30 AM - Church School

10:25 AM - Children's Choir Practice

11:00 AM - Morning Worship

12:00 PM - Deacon Ordination

12:15 PM - Adult Ed MT Meeting

  5:00 PM - Northside Drive Ringers

  7:00 PM - Young Adult Sunday Studies

  6:30 PM - Handbell Ensemble

MONDAY, September 16

  7:00 PM - Church Council

TUESDAY, September 17

10:00 AM - Staff Meeting

12:00 PM - ROMEOS

WEDNESDAY, September 18

10:30 AM - Pastor's Bible Study

  1:00 PM - Book Club

  5:15 PM - Yoga

  6:15 PM - Deuteronomy Bible Study

  7:00 PM - Prayer Shawl Ministry

  7:30 PM - Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal