Sunday Reflex 8-30-09

There was so much going on yesterday at Mountain Lake, it will be hard to put in one blog post! I’ll do my best to be succinct. Here are my reflections on the events of yesterday:

• Week 4 of our current series. “If you really knew me…you’d know I still feel empty.”
• Reasons we fell empty sometimes? Lack of purpose; lack of passion; lack of progress; lack of God’s presence.”
• “Our emptiness can be a catalyst for change.”
• “NOTHING most of us are chasing will fill the void and emptiness many of us feel.  Not even church! There’s only one thing…no, one person that can fill the void in our lives:  Jesus Christ!”
• God was here! It WAS one of those weeks where I felt like it wasn’t MY best msg ever, but several people let me know God spoke to them through it!
• We baptized AGAIN! We have baptisms scheduled 3 of the next 4 weeks!
• Closed the service with the song “Stained Glass Masquerade.” Wow.
• Had a new church planter, Benji Rowland and  his wife hang out with us some yesterday.  Planting Journey church in Tifton, GA!   Know disconnected people near Tifton? Send them to www.journeytifton.org
• Unveiled our new message series that starts in 2 wks: “Relationship Rehab.”
• I’m told that we now we have over 200 new adults ready to be connected to Growth Groups through our upcoming Group Launch!  That’s a whole new church of  people getting connected around here! WOW!
• Our first newcomer’s Lunch in the new auditorium yesterday.  The entire floor was covered with people! We probably had close to 100 adults there! At the end of our time together, 7  people   indicated they wanted to go public with their faith through baptism! Dozens joined. Many more got connected!
• Autumn Ward, who’s worked in our children’s ministry since DAY ONE told me that Sunday was probably the BEST DAY in the history of our Children’s Ministry! That’s saying a TON!
• Last night, we held our first Leadership Community since our Grand Opening and celebrated all that God has done and is doing in our church these days! We meditated on this verse:  “Those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the LORD.” Psalm 107:43 (NLT)

Comments

[Bill]

Wow! Another day where God used MLC and you to speak hope to people. I am still not convinced that somehow you are not following me around or maybe God talks to you about my life and prayers because He is working in my life right along with the messages laying the ground work in my heart before the team even brings the message. Perhaps it could be as you say we are all the same and have the same needs and desires but I was pretty sure I was the only one.
It is so hard to believe, but so abuntaly apparent in scripture and my life, that the God of the universe seeks a love relationship with me. Messed up, weak, undisiplined, make the same mistakes over and over me. Not sure why I have no problem believing God wanted to extend salvation to me through Christ but the day to day stuff is so boring. It is hard for me to believe God is interested and wants to be involved. However, He is ever patient, ever loving, ever pursuing and I am coming around.

Thanks, my life is better because you listen to God.

[Leigh]

Yesterday was my second visit to MLC and I cannot put into words how I have been touched through the music and your messages. My husband and I have been separated for over a year now, and my family is torn apart and hurting. I have not been to my church in over a year. A good friend and member of MLC encouraged me to come a couple of weeks ago, and it has been the best thing I have ever done for myself and my kids. My children loved it and for once, I actually felt welcomed, and no one was judging me because of my family situation. I have run so far, lost friendships and have felt as though God is not hearing my prayers. I am undisciplined and am constantly make the same mistakes over and over. However, there God is waiting for me to come humbly before Him. I am looking forward to the new message series "Relationship Rehab". Thank you!

[Rindy Walton]

I have loved 'Stained Glass Masquerade' since I 1st heard it a few yrs ago when it came out---awesome song!! It's great hearing how MLC continues to step out of the box and is really reaching people for Christ!!!

[Crystal]

As someone who has been around MLC for a while, I just want you to know that this very well may be the BEST series I can remember! I've been challenged, and encouraged, and then challenged some more. Thanks for being my pastor!