Mandie Marine's Blog!

Hey, just wanted you all to be aware of the great blog that Mandie Marine is updating during her mission work in San Francisco!  Here's a link to it...

http://mandiescaliadventure.blogspot.com/

Please continue to pray for Mandie!  Pray for safety, pray for strength and courage as she ministers to youth and adults!  Pray that God would use her to expand His Kingdom while she's in California!

In His Grip,

Pastor John

One Month to Live Challenge

Have you ever pressed the pause button on your life to ask some clarifying questions?  Stopped, taken a deep breath and REALLY asked yourself if you are living the life that you WANT to live?  Have you risked asking your spouse, your kids, your friends, if the life you are currently living is having a positive impact on them or the world around them?

We invite you to consider this question over the next 40 days:  WHAT IF YOU HAD ONE MONTH TO LIVE?

The season that Christians refer to as "Lent" begins today, February 17, Ash Wednesday.  It concludes on Easter Sunday, April 4th.  It is a period of 40 days in which Christ followers are called and challenged to prepare themselves, do some self-examination of their spiritual lives, make healthy and needed changes in their lives so that they can grow closer to God and reflect the life and character of His Son, Jesus.  It is during this observance of the season of Lent that we hope you will pose this question to yourself...and then act...in response to what God reveals to you.

People who only have weeks or months to live typically report that they made significant changes in how they lived during their final days.  So we wonder...why not start living that way now?

If you want a good place to start in posing this question...and answering it...you might start by looking at how Jesus lived when He knew He only had one month to live.  And that's exactly what we will be doing throughout the season of Lent leading right up to our Easter Sunday celebration!  We hope you will join us!

Sunday, February 28 -      Living the Dash
Sunday, March 7 -             Live Passionately
Sunday, March 14 -           Love Completely
Sunday, March 21 -           Learn Humbly
Sunday, March 28 -           Leave Boldly
Easter Sunday, April 4 -   Living With No Regrets 

So I'm asking myself the question, many people in our congregation are too.  Will you ask yourself this simple but potentially life-changing question...What if you only had one month to live?  How would you live differently?  How would you spend your time?  How would you spend your money?  How would you treat the people you love?  I'm excited to explore this question and the potential impact on our world if we all courageously act on it!  Join us!

In His Grip,

Pastor John

What Question Would You Ask God?

Just about everyone has questions they would like to ask God.

Even people who don't believe there is a God wish there was a God so they could ask Him their questions.

So what are your questions?

Maybe it's something about our world and why He made it a certain way...

Maybe it's about why He made you a certain way...

Maybe it's why there's so much hurt and pain in our world...

Maybe it's why your mother, brother, sister, friend or loved one died far too soon...

Maybe it's something about the Bible, the Christian faith, the Church or some other aspect of our belief systems...

Maybe you want to know, "God, do you really hear my prayers?"

The list is endless isn't it? 

Well, all pastors wish we had ALL the answers...but...we don't.  Don't get me wrong, we may be able to provide a few answers and assist you in pursuing the truth you're looking for, but make no mistake...we have questions too.

So over these next few Sundays we will answer a few of your questions.  I've had probably 15 or 20 questions submitted for consideration.  All really good...some just for fun...some out of desperation...all legitimate and worthy of time and effort.  Unfortunately, we only have 4 weeks.  So...here are the 4 questions we've chosen:

Week 1:  How can we know God's will?
Week 2:  Will I always struggle with sin?
Week 3:  Can we take the Bible at 100% face value?
Week 4:  Why would a loving God allow pain and suffering?

Join us as we seek God's answers to these questions together!

In His Grip,

Pastor John

Resolute to Grow Spiritually in 2010

Here is the link to the Lifeway.com assessment tool and plan guide for Spiritual Growth. It's a PDF file so you'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access it.

http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/files/lwcF_PDF_DSC_Spiritual_Growth_Assessment.pdf

RESOLUTE!

Do you make New Year's resolutions?  If so, what are yours for 2010?

There are many things in our life of faith that God wants us to make resolutions about...that He wants us to be "Resolute" about.

Throughout this brief series we will examine 3 key areas that God will bless if we are resolute in doing them!

Sunday, Jan. 3 - I Will Glorify God in 2010
Sunday, Jan. 10 - I Will Grow Spiritually in 2010
Sunday, Jan. 17 - I Will Give Generously in 2010

We hope you will join us as we kick off 2010 with a determination, passion and focus to be "Resolute" about the things that matter to God!

God Questions

Do you have questions you would like to ask God?

Pastor John will be sharing a sermon series beginning January 24th simply entitled "God Questions".  While we won't be able to answer everyone's questions with a sermon, we will be choosing a few key questions that we think many people wrestle with.

We need you to submit your questions and who knows, maybe your question gets answered through one of these sermons!  Send your questions to Pastor John at jcrump@mooresvillechurch.org.  In the subject line just put "God Question".  Thanks for your participation in this important sermon series!

Light of the World

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." -Jesus

Join us for the Brooklyn Tabernacle's "Light of the World" Christmas Musical on Sunday, December 13th at 6PM. The musical will be performed by the Mooresville Church of God Sanctuary Choir, Mooresville Church of God Children's Choir and God's Shining Light Childcare. This celebration of Jesus' birth not only features traditional songs and the biblical story, but also explores the need for us to respond to The Light that came into this world. Come and experience the passion for the Savior, Jesus Christ and his sacrificial love he shows all the world. Admission to the concert is FREE.

You won't want to miss the preview performance of the musical as they perform 2 selections at Meadow Lakes Assistant Living Center located at 200 North Meadow Lakes Drive beginning at 3:30 PM. There is also a Spaghetti Dinner beginning at 4:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall at Mooresville Church of God on December 13. Come early to the musical and enjoy this excellent fundraiser opportunity. For tickets, contact childcare director, Amy Marine at 317-831-1418, Ext. 300.