Bloom Where You're Planted

Bloom Where You're Planted

Quick!  How many have heard this phrase:

Bloom where you’re planted.

I heard this heard statement before and it’s about making the most of what you have and being content with your life.  Although I could not find the actual verse that bears directly on this statement, 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 suggest the idea of contentment.

Paul had been giving instruction in Chapter 7 regarding marital status. Apparently there was some level of discontent among the believers where there was an inordinate desire to change their state from single to married or from married to single.

Maybe those who were in mixed marriages were envious of those who were in Christian unions. Maybe those who were married wished that they were single so that they could serve the Lord more devotedly. In any case, Paul feels a need to pause and address the wider problem of contentment with your assigned role in life.

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Bloom Where You're Planted

The Reason Why Praise Is Dangerous

I am amazed at all God did @ Mars Hill yesterday.  It officially goes down in history as one of my favorite Sunday’s of ALL TIME.  Why?  Spirit-filled men ignited praise that spontaneously spread throughout our congregation & in our overflow (on video).  Spiritually, God’s doing something ‘new’ and ‘powerful’ at our church and it blows my mind each Sunday.  I’m trying to wrap my head around and rationalize what God’s doing, but it’s difficult to explain an authentic “move of God.”

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Bloom Where You're Planted

The Request Lines Are Now Open

I grew up in an era when radio stations would open their request lines (usually late night) for listeners to call in and hear their favorite songs.  Listeners would share what’s on their hearts or dedicate special songs to their loved ones.  Lately I’ve noticed how many cable stations such as BET, MTV, & VH1 allow their viewers to do the same.

Well, since it works for radio and Cable TV stations, I thought it would be a great to hear from YOU!   Each year in November our team breaks away for our annual teaching calendar planning retreat where we lay out a general idea of where we sense God wants to take us over this next year in terms of teaching and subject matter.   For two weeks, we will spend the next several hours focusing on praying, planning, and brainstorming.  So please pray for us!

But here’s my BIG question for all of you….

What topics/subjects would YOU like to hear teaching on?

I’d love to hear your ideas!  So please leave a comment!

Maybe your feedback will spark a great idea for Mars Hill or even others over this next year!

FYI…YOU DON’T HAVE TO ATTEND OUR CHURCH TO RESPOND!

Bloom Where You're Planted

Summer Soul 4 Your Soul

This Summer’s series, “Summer Soul 4 Your Soul” is HOT!

Since I primarily preach by series, this Summer I encouraged our congregation join me and have fun.  Normally, Summer attendance at most churches is sporadic at best.  Honestly, this is not the case at Mars Hill.  Our attendance actually increased in June, July (record attendance), and August.

During this series, I’m looking at songs many commonly refer to as “oldies.”  Many of these songs were written about relationships and the pain they cause.  I’m taking an alternate approach and illustrate how we set people up for failure by expecting them to meet needs only God can meet.  My goal is to help people understand that God alone can quench our relational thirst.  Click here to view the current “playlist” (messages).

Summer Soul 4 Your Soul

Have you heard any creative messages this Summer?

Bloom Where You're Planted

Easter Resurrection Weekend @ Mars Hill!

Wow!  There’s something INCREDIBLE going on @ Mars Hill!  It’s in the atmosphere & all I can say, “It’s a move of God!”  We’re busy attending to last minute details in order to offer THREE excellent worship experiences for the broken, battered, & bruised!  Please join us and experience “Resurrection Power” this Easter!

Good Friday Worship @ Mars Hill!

Friday, April 2, 2010 @ 7pm

Mars Hill Baptist Church

5916 W. Lake Street

Chicago, IL 60644

www.marshillchgo.org

Good Friday is the Friday immediately preceding Easter Sunday.  It is celebrated traditionally as the day on which Jesus was crucified.  Why is Good Friday referred to as “good”?  What the Jewish authorities and Romans did to Jesus was definitely not good (see Matthew chapters 26-27).  However, the results of Christ’s death are very good!

Tonight’s message: “One Tough Week”

Come Alive This Easter @ Mars Hill!


Sunday, April 4, 2010

SERVICE TIMES:

8:ooAM

10:30AM

Mars Hill Baptist Church

5916 W. Lake Street

Chicago, IL 60644

www.marshillchgo.org

I’m starting a brand new series this Easter called, “Cheaters.”  Why the title “Cheaters?”  Everyday, we face a variety of responsibilities and opportunities: work..family..hobbies…sports leagues…community events…the list is endless. Each of these things competes for out most valuable resource, OUR TIME. To give each of these the time it deserves or demands would require more time than we have. So, we cheat. We give up something in hopes of gaining something else of greater value.  So, we cheat!  Come hear a life changing message that’ll cause you to reevaluate everything you do!  As a matter of fact, grab three friends and bring them with you and discuss how you’ll “cheat.”  Trust me, this series will CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

Sunday’s message: “What’s My Number?”


What are your plans this weekend?

Bloom Where You're Planted

I Confess: "I'm A Cheater"

WE ALL ARE CHEATERS!

Now that I have your attention…the fact that you decided to continue reading after insulting you is an indication that you are a person of profound courage.  For almost everyone, the words “cheater” or “cheating” has negative connotations, especially if you’ve ever been cheated.  Students cheat in school.  Adults cheat on their income taxes.  Husbands cheat on their wives.  Wives cheat on their husbands.  Most of us at one time or another has cheated!

When we cheat, we chose to give up one thing in hopes of gaining something else of greater value.  As I stated before, we’re all cheaters.  Daily we make decisions to give up one thing in order to gain something else.  Everyday we face a variety of responsibilities and opportunities: work…family…hobbies…fraternities & sororities…social clubs…sports leagues…the list is endless.  Each competes for our most valuable resource, OUR TIME.  But to give each of these the time it demands or deserves would require more time than we have.  So we cheat.

I invite you to join us this Easter as I begin a new series called “Cheaters.”  Trust me, you will not want to miss a single weekend!

WEEK ONE (Easter Weekend)
MESSAGE: “What’s My Number?” (Psalm 90:10; Proverbs 3:5-6)

This message seeks to remind people that the time with their children and loved ones will pass before they know it.  Therefore, it is wise to prioritize our time and spend it with the people who matter most!  We will have special giveaways for those in attendance.

Our Services:

Wednesday, March 31, 2010 @ 7pm
Good Friday, April 2, 2010 @ 7pm
Sunday, April 4, 2010 @ 8am
Sunday, April 4, 2010 @ 10:30am

See you there!