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For the Love of God III...

  

     This Sunday will be  the most encouraging message of this series. Period.  The bottom line is this: In order to love God, we must come to understand the extent of God's love for us! This Sunday, God will open your eyes and understanding as to the love He has for you! It's going to be an awesome weekend! Don't miss this message! See you then! Remember, MLC's service times are as follows:

NORTH Forsyth Campus: 9:30, 11:00, 4:00, and 5:30
WEST  Forsyth Campus: 10:30 service (summer schedule)

Sunday Recap...

       Yesterday was awesome! I had the opportunity to go and teach over at the West Forsyth Campus of MLC, and it rocked! I can't believe how far ahead THAT campus is, from what MLC was in our first few months in a school, back in 2000! Volunteers were everywhere; Russ Sorrells, one of our Children's' Directors is doing an outstanding job over there with the children's ministry,  and  the worship environment rocks! Austin Sick, our worship leader also did an incredible job!  And John Shepherd is already making a BIG difference on BOTH of our campuses! Thanks, John! All of this made me even MORE fired up about the message and I really BROUGHT IT, if you know what I mean. God was in the service! It was an awesome day at West! If you haven't checked out the West Forsyth Campus, come one over!
       I am also told that Rodney Anderson knocked it out of the park with his teaching at our North Forsyth Campus. Todd and the band opened up with a GREAT song and then led people to God. David Putman said Rodney taught with more passion than he's ever seen him teach. Way to go, Rodney! I'm also told we probably had the largest attendance of the summer at our North Forsyth Campus!

Awesome worship at MLC...on a Tuesday?

       I love the fact that MLC is not just a "Sunday Church". We have worship going on personally and collectively through our ministries, seven days a week! Last night was a great example! Last night at our campus, we worshiped through:

Our Student Ministry Worship Service, FUZE,  has been awesome!  It;s grown every week since its launch! You guys are rocking the house! Great job, David Isbell!

Last night we took another SLEW of people through Rethink Money in an effort to help people honor (worship) God with their finances more fully!  Thanks, Casey and the Rethink Money Leadership team!

Our Malawi World Care Team met to gear up for going over and honoring God through installing a well and irrigation system for an entire village in Malawi! Yea, God! Great job, David Putman!

"For the Love of God..."

       I've heard the above phrase used lots of time by people (this IS a way of taking God's name in vain, by the way) as a way of expressing their frustrations about things in their lives. When they stump their toe on the coffee table; when their spouse makes no sense to them; when the kids won't behave; when the boss changes his mind on them; I've heard a lot of people, at some point cry out: "For the love of God!"
       But can we be honest enough to admit that in the midst of our relationships with God; in the midst of our pursuit of knowing Him; in the midst of seeking to know His will for our lives; in the midst of understanding His Word; or getting His His wisdom for a decision; in the midst of TRYING to figure out what it means to REALLY live like Jesus...that we can get so frustrated sometimes that we just want to look up to Heaven and say: "For the love of God! Can't YOU help me with this?! Can't you hear me? Can't you ANSWER me?"
     I know I've felt this way (not SAID it just thought it!). But do you know what God showed me recently, though? That when I hear those words inside my head,  I'm closer to the answer than than I realize! Because at the end of the day, all of this is simpler than I make it. IT really IS just about love. LOVE is the answer to just about every question I have unresolved and the frustrations I hold in my life and my relationship with God! So during this next message series, we're talking about LOVE, and its meaning and place in our relationship with God! If you've ever gotten frustrated with:

• Doubts about God
• Doubts about God's love
• Living the Christian life
• Knowing God's Will
• Overcoming habits or addictions
• Prayer
• having a "quiet time"

THEN THIS SERIES IS FOR YOU...FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!

See you this Sunday!

Father's Best Day...

 

Oh my goodness! Father's Day is going to be AWESOME! I can't wait to encourage and bless all of the Dads in our church and community this weekend! I really do believe this is going to be the best Father's Day we've ever had at Mountain Lake! Dads, get ready! I can't wait to surprise you! I can't wait to encourage you from God's Word! Don't miss it! Moms, students, family members: The best gift you could give your dad is get them to church this weekend!

MLC's Most Requested IV...

       This Sunday I'll be back in town as we wrap our MLC's Most requested Series. We close it out with:

See you then!

Welcome our new Pastor!

 

MLC is proud to welcome John Shepherd, his wife Joy, and their three boys to the Mountain Lake Ministry Team. John will serve as Associate Pastor and  Team Development Leader. He is a KEY Pick-up for our church and our team! Do everything you can to make them feel welcome when you see them (John's family will be back and forth some. Pray for John's house to sell so he can get the rest of the family down here full-time)! John has actually been a MEMBER of our church before, so he's going to fit RIGHT IN around here! His most recent post was serving as a Lead Navigator and Pastor's Coach at Auxano. John is a seasoned Pastor and has vast experience in building and leading teams of spiritual leaders. John, I can't wait to serve and live life with you! Welcome aboard!
 

Worshipping while on vacation...

       It's so great to be able to kick back and take a break from all the "regular" worries of teh world, by taking a vacation. However, I've found that over teh summer, withe the change of pace, if I'm not careful, I can even take a break from God (that's not good , in case you're wondering)! So here are some ways I worship even while on vacation.

• I still get up early. The moments before everyone is awake are still the best time of the day for me to be still and listen to God. I read His word, meditate, pray, and journal during this time. 

• I read A LOT devotionally. I pick out several good spiritually provoking books and take them along with me. While I'm on the deck, the beach, or by the pool, I allow God to speak to me through what others have written. I've been reading: Looking fro God; and Leadership from the Inside Out.

• I watch sermons online. I love that so many churches post their sermons online. It allows me to stray in touch with what God is doing in my church while I'm away and other's churches across the country. the link  for our church's messages are here. 

• I continue to give of my financial resources by giving online. This allows me to worship God through my giving whether and offering basket is passing by or not. It's always good to remember that God's  ministry through the church never takes a break. My consistency in my giving, especially in the summer, is important! MLC's link to online giving is here.

• My iPhone stays in my ears and I'm worshiping to great stuff every day. Inside the house our CD Player is whirling (is that a word?) with laid back songs that cause me to praise God.

• I take time to enjoy the horizon. When on vacation, I worship God more because of His creation, because I'm moving slow enough to notice it. Below is a picture of a place I went in the mountains this past week:

How do YOU worship God on vacation?

MLC's Most Requested III...

Our third most requested message series of all time gets a new look this weekend!!!

 

"MLC's Most Requested" Part II...

       This will be the second week of our "MLC's Most Requested" Series, and this week, Rodney and I will be unveiling our souls again through:


Do we seem so messed up that you guys LOVE hearing us confess it? You guys are sick! Seriously, this week's message ought to bring a lot of encouragement to you, when you are reminded once again how far your PASTORS "fall short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23). Don't miss it!

Don't forget:
One church, two campuses, and six worship services collectively:
North Forsyth Campus: 9:30 & 11:00 AM; 4 & 5:30 PM.
West Forsyth Campus: 9:30 & 11:00 AM.

See you then!