Verse and Message (Week of July 27-Aug 2, 2008) July 30, 2008

Ephesians 2:4-5

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

 

Do you have a testimony?  Actually, anyone who has accepted Christ as his/her Personal Savior has a story of redemption to share! Conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit is the beginning of recognizing our need for God. Without that initial conviction upon being born again, we could not comprehend His GRACE. When we make the decision to accept Christ, repentance is required. Repent simply means ”change of mind.” It means turning from our way and embracing God’s way; it’s a longing to turn away from our old nature to live a new life in Christ. When we make the decision to walk with our Savior, we receive freedom!

 

Kimberly Tharpe, a sister in Christ on the greeter team at Church of the Highlands, sent the following video to me, and truthfully, I cried my eyes out. I have viewed it four times, and I have cried each time.

 

Each person represented in this presentation is making a public statement with his/her testimony. Each one made the choice to repent, and each one expresses a “cardboard testimony” of the beautiful freedom in Christ that is available to all of us. Again…. Jesus DIED for ALL of us…..

no matter where we have been, and no matter what we have done.

 

”You are not defined by anything that happened to you or anything you’ve done. You are defined by who you are in Christ.” (Beth Moore)

 

Check out this moving presentation:

   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDDc5RB6FQ

PHOTO RECAP OF CHURCH OF THE HIGHLANDS ONE PRAYER OUTREACH PROJECTS July 29, 2008

 

This past Saturday, Church of the Highlands had a remarkable experience in a city-wide outreach effort to wrap up our “One Prayer” Series. It’s important that we remember and reflect on this moment in time. As Pastor Kellen shared a recap of the details of the “One Prayer” Series……

 

*There were 1,683 church homes that joined together in 27 countries for this specific series.

  

*That translates to 920,000 believers in unity who donated millions of dollars to donate to church plants all over the world.

  

*Highlands worked together in the formation of more than 300 small groups for this exciting movement.

  

*The highlight of this series concluded with Saturday’s outreach that changed all of us.

 

1. Click on the first link below to view some remarkable photos taken by a Highlands brother in Christ Rob Lagerstrom of Streamline Studio. 

 

2. If you click on the second link you can pull up a cool video that a sweet sister in Christ, Jamey Schollian, created through animoto.com of her photos taken at our outreach location (first at Linn Park for prayer and Hemphill Elementary School to follow). 

Our Highlands family was so blessed to be a part of such an amazing day that truly made and impact for eternity! Be sure to check out all the photos!

  

 

This link created by Rob:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rob_lager/collections/72157606421496123/

 

This link created by Jamey at animoto.com: 

http://widgets.clearspring.com/cscallback/urlexchange/46928cc51133af17/facebook.html?x=49ra09fX1oaN0N_U3daPg9_Sw9HW3Yvc3dPf1o_c19bWgd3I2tPX19aGjdDZ3daBi4fc3A

Verse and Message (Week of July 20-26, 2008) July 21, 2008

2 Corinthians 5:7

We walk by faith, not by sight.

  

Proverbs 29:18

Where there is no vision, the people perish.

  

My son’s friend, Austin Murphy (age 13), got a hole-in-one at Old Overton Club this past week.  For you who don’t play golf……it’s almost (I emphasize almost) easier to get struck by lightning than it is to get a hole-in-one!  My dad made a hole in one just a few years ago in Chattanooga! Most would say that a hole-in-one is a once in a lifetime chance.

  

I read in Sunday’s paper about another cool feat.  U.S. swimmer Dara Torres defied odds to win a fifth Olympic Games position at age 41.  She was quoted, “The water doesn’t know what age you are when you jump in.”

 

I have learned that nothing will happen if you don’t try.  God likes us to DREAM BIG.  I have to admire Mayor Larry Langford’s faith in having the vision to see the city of Birmingham have a shot at hosting the 2020 Olympics.  This has stirred lots of criticism….you should read the editorials.  People are shunning Langford’s passion to dream big. Well, let’s ponder a few recognizable names that believed in a dream, and yet, did not let the opinion of others stop their progress or bring them down……Thomas Edison, Bill Gates, Henry Ford, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr….Again, ya never know until you try.  Sounds as crazy as a shepherd boy with only a pouch of smooth stones and a sling up against a brawny Goliath. (A portion of this paragraph was inspired by an article written in The Birmingham News by freelance writer, Philip Theibert.) 

  

The truth is……miracles happen.  I am not a political person, but whoever wants to improve our city, I tip my hat to them.  Think about it….if the people of the city of Birmingham could truly work together, nothing could stop us.  I am tired of the negative people who are complacent in their boring spots.  My pastor, Pastor Chris Hodges, dreams of a crime-free Birmingham.  Ranked in the Top 10 most dangerous cities in the United States, it’s evident the devil has a stronghold on a large part of Birmingham.  You know what I believe?……..I believe that our city has the power to change the world. 

 

My church…Church of the Highlands….is planning an exciting outreach all across the city this upcoming Saturday.  I am inspired.  I know that even one person can make a difference.  But…when we all join together in a combined effort, there is power in numbers!  If only one person contributed his time and effort on that Saturday, he has still changed the world.  It’s a “win-win” whether you are interested in reducing crime or just wanting to share the love of God.  This city will be a better place no matter what, when we work together to see God’s perspective.  Whether one wants to improve the city or improve brotherly love, we cannot lose.  We have everything to gain by jumping on the bandwagon of BELIEVING in our city, and BELIEVING in our GOD, and BELIEVING in the power of prayer and power of change!   

   

To further inspire you, I would like to leave you with a few compelling quotes to chew on:

 

“Never wait for a miracle  GO AFTER your dream.”

John C. Maxwell

 

“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

 

“If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.”

Thomas Edison

 

“Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right.”

Henry Ford

 

“By perseverance the snail reached the Ark.”

Charles H. Spurgeon

   

“If you would hit the mark, you must aim a little above it; every arrow that flies feels the attraction of the earth.”

Longfellow

   

“Success comes in cans….failure comes in cant’s.”

Author Unknown

 

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”

T.S. Eliot

 

“What lies in our power to do, it lies in our power not to do.”

Aristotle

 

“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”

Henry Ford

 

“Success is more attitude than aptitude.”

Author Unknown

   

and finally…..

 

People can be divided into three groups:

Those WHO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN, those WHO WATCH THINGS HAPPEN, and those WHO WONDER WHAT’S HAPPENING!

 

BE ONE WHO MAKES THINGS HAPPEN!

CLAIM A DREAM AND A VISION

WHERE TO START? 

  

THE MOST FAMOUS VISIONARY OF ALL…JESUS CHRIST!!

SUSIE MC

If you are interested in joining us for this Saturday’s upcoming outreach event in conjunction with our “One Prayer” series, go to www.churchofthehighlands.com

WE CAN ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Verse and Message (Week of July 13-19, 2008) July 17, 2008

Romans 8:31

What, then, shall we say in response to this?  If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 14:17-18a

For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God.  And other people will approve of you, too. 

 

I am an “approval addict” (now a “recovering approval addict”) …..I want everyone to like me, and it’s very important for me to make a great first impression!  This obsession began as early as grade school.  I wanted to be the best in my first grade class.  I respected authority and wanted to do absolutely everything to insure that Mrs. Vines adored me. 

 

Then…..what most children would consider the best part of the day–lunchtime–I was horrified to discover that potato salad was on the menu and then on my plate.  As the lunch period came to a close, Mrs. Vines walked around inspecting “clean plates.”  She declared to us, “You must clean your plate!”  OK, this was more than I could handle.  In fact, I probably had the dread that the contestants on “FEAR FACTOR” experience.  So, holding my breath, as the teacher passed along to the other students, I quickly inhaled the potato salad as not to disappoint Mrs. Vines.  My plate was clean for a couple of minutes…BUT… then, something dreadful happened…….it came right back on the plate!  Would you believe I like potato salad today?

 

Sorry, if you are getting ready to have your breakfast or lunch right now, but I had to share these details as to make my reflection understood.  Of course, I wasn’t worried about being sick……….I was just afraid that I had lost all hope in obtaining approval of Mrs. Vines.  My whole year was ruined…or so I thought.  Nonetheless, I was probably the first student to check-out of school on the first day.

  

I am glad I didn’t truly check-out of life that day.  As traumatic as that first grammar school experience was for me…..I had no idea what was yet to come..ha!  The reason for my story is simply to share with you that although respecting authority is significant……I was desperate to receive the approval of others!  In fact, it’s obvious this issue occurred pretty much right out of the womb for me. 

 

I have learned over time, that the approval of mere humans is nice, but why should I care so much about the approval of imperfect beings?! ”When we base our self-worth on how people treat us, or on what we believe they think about us, it causes us to become addicted to their approval.” (Joyce Meyer – Approval Addiction)

 

What someone thinks of me should not rise to the level of validating my significance in this world.  My concern should be our Lord’s approval!  If we seek to please the Savior, our perspective will be heightened to what really matters! 

 

Our Father loves us unconditionally….He will never forsake us!  He sees our flaws, and He witnesses our mistakes. But, unlike humans….. He forgets about our errors when we confess….that’s right…slate wiped clean. 

 

He took care of all that garbage when He nailed my infirmities on the Cross.  The Father sees the beauty of Jesus in me, because I am His child and I have accepted the PERFECT ONE to abide in my heart!

 

God loves us, because He has chosen to do so!  God did not let His son die for a bunch of junk!  We are precious and valuable……no matter what the world thinks!

 

Take an inventory of your motives today……are you a people pleaser….or a Creator pleaser?

 

DRESS TO IMPRESS THE SAVIOR TODAY! 

 

APPROVAL OF THE WORLD WILL MAKE YOU SICK!

SUSIE MC

Verse and Message (Week of July 6-12, 2008) July 10, 2008

Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

  

Psalm 46:10a
“Be still, and know that I am God.”

 

My friend Jill Jones shared the following message that a brother in Christ had written.  Even though we can approach the throne of Grace anytime — anywhere — in any way….it takes some time to get “warmed up” in the Spirit in preparation for solid and smooth communication with the Father.  First and foremost, we must welcome His presence. I like to listen to worship and praise music in an effort to prepare my heart for His presence, or I may go out on my front porch and listen to the birds chirping early in the morning. What I have come to realize is that it’s more important to rest in Him, as opposed to walking (or running) through a routine format of worship and prayer time. In fact, it isn’t possible to receive the full weight of His glory by zipping through our daily Bible reading and lifting up a couple of needs. He wants our undivided attention. Our heart and affection are His main desire.  And, naturally, the meditation of the Word and the words of praise we lift up to Him become automatic once we realize that SEEKING Him is to be the #1 priority. 

 

I could have saved this message for hunting season, but I was compelled to send it now….maybe because I sometimes struggle with distractions and carving out enough time to prepare my heart for His presence.  It’s a gift to sense His embrace once we have truly settled in to hear His voice and spend genuine time with Him.

 

Now, go with me on a beautiful journey to seek Jesus….

 

Hunting Jesus

  

by Dennis Marceau

 

On a recent morning I went to my normal place to pray and be with the Lord. I sat down and talked to Him as I would a friend. My mind was full and my woes were plenty. I completely unloaded on Him. I sat quietly for a minute and started to get up to go to work. I had one thing that the Lord “unloaded” on me. BE STILL and know that I am GOD.

   

Time passed quickly and I knew that I had to get going or I would be late for work. I got completely quiet, and I continued this way all day long. This is not my normal procedure. Later that evening I went to church two hours early and sat in the parking lot for an hour. I finally understood what God was trying to tell me. “Son,” He said, “when you are hunting for deer as you do every year you get prepared, don’t you?” I thought, Yeah, I go scouting ahead of time to pick out the perfect place to catch that deer. I put on camouflage, my boots and hat, and spray down with a scent that smells like the woods. I also get my rifle. I am ready and can sit still for hours listening for the rustle of the leaves (deer footsteps) which is crucial when hunting on the ground.

   

God wants me to do the same when I am hunting for Him. I quickly recognized that I spend more time getting ready to confront deer in the woods than my Savior Jesus. I wasn’t prepared to hear Him talk to my heart. I was not still long enough to shake the world out of my system. I also know from hunting that it takes a while for me to get in tune with the woods around me, usually a good 30 to 40 minutes of being completely still and getting my mind clear and focused on the surrounding sounds and smells. Then it happens, I am part of my surroundings. I can tell the difference in a squirrel playing in the leaves and an armadillo pulling straw back to eat bugs. Then, I hear that illustrious sound we hunters all wait for, the steps of a deer. That is what I have not done with the Lord. No wonder I can’t hear Him.

 

After being convicted of what I had been doing wrong, I wanted to get it straightened out. After the worship service, I thought about it some more. Sitting in the parking lot as the cars drove away and people scurried to their homes for the night, I wondered, Lord, what about me picking a spot. I think for different people it would be different. I have a wonderful place the Lord has given me. I have a little pole barn type building that has my smoker and gas grill underneath it and the morning sun comes in to warm me on chilly days. I started going to this spot when my wife was struggling with cancer. It was close enough so I could be at her side in a minute, but far enough away where I could reload for a hard minute or hours to come. I had the wonderful smell around me of smoked meat and for me, that’s a little bit of heaven in itself. I have spent many hours there during the days and nights of the past year and a half being with the only friend that I could call at anytime I needed, my friend, Jesus.

 

After being satisfied that my spot was good because the Lord helped me pick it out, I started thinking about the camouflage. What would I do to dress right for this hunt? I contemplated this question and thought about what pattern to wear. Would it be Mossy Oak or Real Tree? What would be the right pattern? I want to be a part of the Lord’s forest. I don’t want to be camouflaged and just blend in with the world. I had a time with this. The Lord wants us to come to Him just as we are. He does not want us to camouflage ourselves when we are before Him. He wants us to open up completely to Him.We don’t need to hide ourselves or cover up the real us.

He wants us to talk to Him as a friend and He wants us to have an intimate conversation and personal relationship with Him. He wants the naked us no matter how torn, how shredded, or how bruised we are. He wants us to bring all of our weaknesses to Him. He wants us to humble and surrender ourselves before Him, the Ultimate Power in the universe. He made it. God says bring all that is wrong emotionally and physically and spiritually to Him, and leave it with Him.When we are finished, we don’t need to go back and get it but we will need a weapon. Leave the Browning 300 Magnum on the gun rack. All we need to take is the Word of God, the Holy Bible. It comes already zeroed in and has the cross hairs on Satan. We will never have to pick up any ammo. The Word of God comes with a lifetime supply. We just need to pick it up and fire one shot at a time. We don’t even have to pick out special bullets. Just pick a verse at a time. Before you know it, you will be firing on semi-automatic then automatic, and worshiping Him in spirit and in truth.

 

Good hunting and God bless!

Thank you to Dennis for this beautiful description of seeking our Lord!

   

SUSIE MC