Potential. We all have have it.  We each have God-given talents, abilities, skills, and gifts.  Using these talents and abilities can transform life from meaninglessness to meaningful.  We can experience a life filled with purpose.  Potential can be exciting and motivating.  It can also be a source of great frustration.  It all depends on whether we are seeking to experiment, discover and fulfill our potential or whether we are just kind of “going through the motions” in life.

I believe that God has planned and prepared for every one of us to be part of something great.  And it’s up to us to discover what that is, and then to do it – to engage.  This means we’ll all have to deal with the distractions that prevent us from serving God and being part of the “something great” that He has for us as individuals.

This Sunday morning I’m going to begin a conversation at Lake Hills Community Church about who we are as a church, why we exist, and where we’re headed.  I believe it’s largely up to us to determine to what extent we, as a church, will be part of the “something great” that God has for us.  I invite you to join us over the next few weeks as we begin to explore the potential and possibilities of a life truly lived in service to God.

A traveler was visiting a logging area in the Pacific Northwest and was interested in seeing how the logs that would be used for furniture were chosen. As the logs came down the stream, the logger would suddenly reach out and hook one, pull it up, and then set it down. He would sometimes wait for a few minutes before grabbing another. There didn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to his choices.

After a while, the visitor said to him, “I don’t understand what you’re doing.”

“These logs may all look alike to you,” the logger said, “But I can recognize that a few of them are quite different. The ones that I let pass came from trees that grew in a valley. They were always protected from the storms. The grain is rather coarse.

“The logs that I pulled aside are from high up on the mountain, where they were beaten by strong winds from the time they were quite small. That toughens the trees and gives them a fine grain. We save these logs for choice work. They’re too good to be used for ordinary lumber.”

God uses every problem, every difficulty, every trial in your life for His purposes.  He views them quite differently than we do.  He knows that every wind of adversity and difficulty you face, every single “storm” in you life can result in making you better, stronger, wiser, and more useful to the Master.

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ”

Romans 5:3-4 “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.”

I suspect that there are a great many people who may actually be pretty thrilled about Heaven if God were absent.  “What? No accountability? How nice!” And for the many who believe they’re headed for Heaven regardless of how badly they’ve behaved toward God, His words (the Bible) and His people (the church) in this life, a Heaven without Him present would be just fine, thank you.  For many, a religion with such an end result would be perfectly suitable, maybe even preferable.  He need not interfere with their plans, their fun and their views, so it would all be jolly good.  Live and let live!  But when we throw Him into the mix… and His Bible, too?  Well now, that’s quite a different story.

What about those of us who believe in God, in the salvation purchased and offered by Jesus, and in belonging to his family, the church?  Is it possible that even some of us might be almost as happy in a Heaven without God or Jesus being present?  If so, then perhaps we are just a little too focused on reunions with family and friends, and in having our little corner of Heaven with mansions and beauty and uninterrupted fishing time.  While these things are good and desirable, still, isn’t Heaven really more about being with Him?  About being reunited with our Creator who loved us before we were born and gave us life itself?  About fully knowing the Savior who willingly lay down His life in our stead?

I’m reminded of the story of the harlot (hooker, in our modern vocabulary) who came to Jesus and poured out expensive perfume to wash his feet. (Luke 7.36-50)  The most important part of the story is verse 47, when Jesus says, “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown Me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” (New Living Translation)

I truly believe the real reason any of us can really long to see God and to meet Jesus face to face is because we know how deeply we have sinned against God, and how fully and freely His love and forgiveness has been given to us anyway. The one who is forgiven much has much love for God. The one who is forgiven little only loves God a little.

To those who have never really acknowledged or felt their sins — their often-committed violations against the character and laws of a holy God and judge — and have never really experienced the wondrous relief of His forgiveness, then Heaven would seem just fine with or without Him.  But to those who know their sins, who have felt the despair of a selfish, sinful heart before a holy God, and have received grace and forgiveness from Him, those will long for Heaven mainly because He is there.

So let me ask you the question I’ve been asking myself:  “If you got to Heaven and God or Jesus wasn’t there, how disappointed would you be?”

Rick Warren is one of my favorite writers.  In one of his newsletters he writes, “Some of you are going through some tough times right now.  It’s pretty hard.  God cares.  He cares about you very much.  God sees everything you’re going through.  He’s got your number!  The very hairs of your head are numbered.  He knows exactly where you are. He hasn’t lost your number.  He cares.”

“God has the power to do something about that problem.  He could change it in a snap. He’s a miracle working God.  Why doesn’t He?  Because there’s a greater purpose.  The greater purpose is what He wants to do in you.  God is more interested in building your character than in making life comfortable.  Once you’ve learned those qualities, He may be free to remove that situation.  But there are some things in life we’re never going to be free from on this side of Heaven. They are thorns in the flesh.  We will deal with them and carry them.  Nothing comes into your life without the Heavenly Father’s permission.”

That means that nothing comes into your life unless it crosses God’s desk.  Nothing.  A friend of mine used to always say that your problems will produce one of two results in you.  They will either make you bitter or make you better.  So beginning this week we will spend the next two Sundays learning about how to allow our troubles and problems to make us better, not bitter!

I invite you to join us or listen in via our weekly podcast on our Messages page.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds…” ~ James 1:2

Am I adequate for the task? Yes. Do I feel like it? No. Does it really need to be done?  Yes.  Do I want to do it?  Not at all.  The truth is that most of us could accomplish many more things than we will ever attempt or volunteer for.  We feel inadequate, nervous or fearful and therefore, reluctant.  Strange.  God often challenges us to step beyond this reluctance to try something new or to help out others in a pinch.  When we do this, the Bible calls us “willing”.

Being willing doesn’t necessarily mean we want to serve in this or that capacity.  It just means we will move beyond our reluctance and meet the challenge.  I encourage you to consider where God may be challenging you to serve Him, to step up and help others, but you are reluctant. Every church needs helping hands, and every follower of Christ needs to be involved in serving others. Ask Him to give you a willing heart and a ready mind.  Then take the step and meet the challenge.

This week’s topic – “Where’s God When I Hurt?”
Wednesdays, 6:30 – 7:30

Want to Talk?

People want to talk about life—TableTalk stories dig into the big and little stuff that shapes our lives. Family. Friends. Fears. Busyness. Balance. Money. Materialism. Health. Heaven. Peace. Purpose. Through the exploration of these stories, you can receive and give practical support and insight into the everyday things people face.

Think of it more as a place and a time. It’s a cozy environment where people can gather for an intriguing hour of stories and conversation to feed the soul.  It’s a safe place for questions and doubts, and an encouraging atmosphere for participants to share their own stories.

Who is TableTalk for?

TableTalk is designed for the large number of people who are spiritually curious, want to talk and ask questions about life issues, and enjoy friends. TableTalk will appeal to all ages, families, couples, singles, and students.

A typical TableTalk event may draw a mix of people with varying degrees of faith and viewpoints. It’s that very mix that makes the conversation rich.  You’re welcome just as you are.  Your thoughts are welcome. Your doubts are welcome.  We’re all in this together, and God is here, ready to connect with you in a fresh way.

Upcoming Topics

Wednesday, July 28:  Islam in America

We are transforming our regular church space into a public coffeehouse venue!  From the moment you walk in, you’ll feel a warm and inviting atmosphere.  Common Grounds is a great place to hang out with friends, read a book, or use your lap-top with our free wi-fi.  On special nights you can even catch a movie on the big screen, hear live music or join in a discussion group.  Come by and see what’s brewing at Common Grounds Coffeehouse!

Certified Organic Coffee

We have selected to use “Mission Grounds Coffee” in our coffee house.  We purchase the richest, number one, select estate coffee grown at the top of the Alliance Rainforest on Sussha Mountain. Our Signature Roast is the finest Tarrazú coffee coming out of Costa Rica – a smooth but rich blend grown without any chemicals or pesticides.  It is a great medium Roast coffee full of robust flavor without any bitterness.

Buy Coffee, Help a Child

In addition, all profits made by Mission Grounds Coffee go to supporting children and building orphanages in the USA,Venezuela; Russia; China; Indonesia and Africa.

Operating Hours

We are officially opening on Tuesday, July 13, 2010.  Our hours will be Tuesday – Saturday, from 7:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.  We are currently scheduling special event nights at Common Grounds.  We will soon post a calendar with movie nights, live music nights, discussion groups, etc., so check back soon!

(Click here to visit the coffeehouse website.)

You’re invited to join us for our current new series about living as a follower of Christ in present day America.  Many preachers would have us just surrender to the political agenda of those seeking to criminalize Christianity and render us speechless in the name of “tolerance”.  There is undoubtedly a cultural war being waged right now, and faith and old-fashioned patriotism are under fire.  The vision for a new America would utterly remove us from the foundation created by the founding fathers.  The problem is, if that foundation is destroyed, with what will it be replaced?

In my house there’s been a mercy killing

Now if I let the dead man linger in me
I might get a little idle in my ways
So I’m going down to the celebration River
Gonna take this dead man down to a water grave

I’m going down to the river, my Lord
I’m gonna be buried alive
Cause I want to show my heavenly Father
The man I used to be has finally died

Written by Steve Chapman
Recorded in 1977 by Russ Taff and the Imperials

(Click to hear song)

These are, in my humble opinion, far and away the best lyrics ever crafted about the need, the reason, and the power of water baptism.  This Saturday we’re having our first baptism, or “water grave” celebration.  We have a man who gave his heart to Christ and is following Him in baptism.

Here’s a little about what we believe about baptism at Lake Hills Community Church.

“By our baptism then we were buried with him and shared his death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead also we might live a new life!” (Romans 6:4)

Baptism is cause for celebration. That’s because baptism is your first public profession of faith. It’s a way to show that you’ve accepted Christ. In the same way a wedding ring is used as a symbol of a deep and lasting commitment to a spouse, baptism is a symbol of a deep and lasting relationship with God. If you haven’t been baptized as an adult, we encourage you to not wait another day. Come out and acknowledge God’s love, grace and goodness in your life!.

What Is The Meaning of Baptism?

• It is a symbol of Christ’s burial and resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
• It is a symbol of your new life as a Christian. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• Baptism does not make you a believer; it shows that you already are one! Baptism does not save you; only your faith in Christ does that.

Why Be Baptized?

• Because you want to follow Christ’s example. (Mark 1:9)
• Because Christ commanded it. (Matthew 28:19:20)
• Because it shows you are a believer. (Acts 18:8)
• Because obeying Christ’s command shows you know him. (1 John 2:3)
• Because something spiritual and powerful happens in your life to help you live the new life you’ve begun. (Romans 6, esp. vv.1-11)

Who Should Be Baptized?

Every person who believes in Christ and has made the decision to follow him. (Acts 2:41)

The one requirement for baptism is belief in Christ. Therefore, at Lake Hills Community, we do not baptize children until they are old enough to understand and believe.

When Are We To Be Baptized?

As soon as a person decides to believe in Christ, he or she can and should be baptized. (Acts 2:41)

How Are We To Be Baptized?

Like Jesus was baptized – by being immersed under water. (Matt. 3:16) Every baptism described in the Bible was by immersion under water. In fact, that’s what baptize literally means. The Greek word “baptizo” means “to immerse or dip under water.” The act of lowering someone beneath water, then lifting them back up to life-sustaining air is a way to picture a burial and resurrection.

Many people have differing views of water baptism and these should never become a point of contention among the family of God.  These are a few points on what we believe and why, ” ‘Cause I want to show my heavenly Father, that the man I used to be has finally died.”

If you have questions or concerns about salvation and baptism and would like to talk one-on-one with a pastor, simply contact us.

Moms seem to get off pretty easy on Mothers Day since there is no heavenly model against which to measure them.  A few nice stories about child-rearing and some good jokes, while old Dad gets to be measured against God himself.  No pressure there, right?

So in honor of all dads, this year I would have us all look at our relationship to fatherhood in its fullest sense.  The following is one of my favorite quotes by A.W. Tozer from his book, “The Knowledge of the Holy”.

“What comes into your mind when you think about God is the most important thing about you.”

Now you may think that your impeccable taste in clothing or sports cars or your ability to wow people with some shining talent is the most important thing about you.  If you’re a little deeper, you may think the most important thing about you is your value system, your personal integrity, or some profound accomplishment.  Better yet would be to measure your life by your relationships.  All good tries, but old A.W. says, “nope.”  It’s how you think about God.  You see, that’s the fountain of everything else in your life.  The questions that surround an infinite God are hands down the most important questions your little finite mind will address.

And make no mistake about it…everyone thinks something about God.  Whatever you think about Him dictates the major course of your life, your daily mode of living and ultimately, your eternal destiny.  Your thinking determines your actions or lack therof.  It determines your attitude and responses toward God.  Your thinking truly determines who is in charge of the course of your life.

Beware thinking that begins with, “I don’t think God would…” or “I think God is…” or such like.  Let your thoughts of God and all things pertaining to God begin with, “God says in the Bible…”, or “The Bible says that God…”  This removes you from the driver’s seat and allows that God himself just may be the ultimate authority.

Many have had no good father figure in their life and so struggle with thinking of God as father.  Nonetheless, Father he is, to those who will have Him.  Over the next two weeks at Lake Hills we will see who God is as Father.  We will discover the four aspects of His Fatherhood as revealed in the Bible.  You are invited to join us or listen in via our podcasts as we seek to learn to think rightly and honorably toward God, our Father.