Yesterday, we celebrated our 46th year anniversary & the Lord blessed it tremendously. What a day at Mars Hill Baptist Church…here are some of the highlights…
- During our 8AM Worship Experience, we were blessed to have a long-time friend of my father & our church preach the Word.
- Dr. W.H. Foster, Sr., preached with passion and power as he encourage our members to continue to build on the legacy and expand for the Glory of God. He blessed us by singing “Father, I Stretch My Hand To Thee.” And yes, he ripped it & shouted EVERYTHING in our church. What a mighty man of God!
- During our 10:30AM Worship Experience, personally, I thought the music was UNBELIEVABLE!!! WOW!
- The Praise & Worship period blended contemporary praise peppered with traditional hymns. From the response of the audience, I knew we were in for another awe-inspiring worship experience.
- I sensed many in our congregation were carrying heavy burdens and needed a breakthrough. Therefore, I preached “A Second Wind” from Isaiah 40:29-31 and saw how the words bypassed their intellect and pierced the very core of their souls!
- To catch a Second Wind is to have increased energy or strength after feeling tired or weak.
- A Second wind is a phenomenon in distance running, such as marathons (as well as other sports), whereby an athlete who is too out of breath and tired to continue suddenly finds the strength to press on at top performance with less exertion. I FEEL A SHOUT COMING ON!!!
- The phenomenon has come to be used as a metaphor for continuing on with renewed energy past the point thought to be one’s prime, whether in other sports, careers, or life in general.
A Few in Need of a Second Wind:
WIDOWS
SINGLE PARENTS
THOSE FACING HEALTH CHALLENGES
THOSE FACING LAYOFFS/DOWNSIZED
COLLEGE GRADS FACING A DIFFICULT JOB MARKET
As we wait on the Lord, we’ll find more strength (2ND WIND) to REST (while God prepares us for our next assignment), REFLECT (look around and see God’s faithfulness), and WORSHIP (to make Him the center of our affection). Worship ended with a POWERFUL altar call for those who were ready to give up. God interceded and gave them a “SECOND WIND” to go on! As I prayed & laid hands, I felt the power of God breaking yokes & strongholds and people walked away with renewed strength.
Mars Hill…I love you guys…I am so blessed to be here and serving as your pastor. I am BLOWN away by all that God is doing…and I can’t wait to see what happens next around here. Ephesians 3:20 is becoming more and more real to all of us…we serve an amazing God!
Next week I begin a new series
“Can You See Him”
Here’s An Overview:
Daily life usually sets us on a path that’s almost robotic and we forget to see God in all things – the good, the tragic, or even the mundane. Think of your day today. Did you see Him in your kids’ laughter, the homeless person on the corner, or even the papers you stapled? He was there. Join me as we discover how to see God in everything.
this always happens when i'm not there – but I heard about it. I was working on Sunday getting cupcake-gallery.com up and running! Can't wait for the series.
I am getting calls all the way in MD about Sunday's worship experience. Until my assignment is over here and God moves me back to Chicago to once again minister at the Hill, I am going to need y'all to webcast the service so I can be a part. Can you work on that for me Pastor (you know we go way back, so I figured I could call in a favor:))!!! Continue to let God pour into you so that you can pour into the lives of others – my constant prayer for you is that you remain a vessel. I love you like none other and there is nothing you can do about it.
Hey Pastor, u r an awesome man of God. Thx 4 letting God use u to speak 2 us. Luv ya!
Pastor,
Sunday was another life changing experience for me and a confirmation of what God haa already been telling me.
How befitting you entitled the sermon " A Second Wind". I was just telling other church members on Good Friday and Easter Sunday weekend that we (Mars Hill) had just received a " Fresh Wind"
I can see it!
You'll be surprise what you can see when you allow God to change your focus.
Also I can't wait for the new series, it reminds me of a song entitled " God Speaking" by Mandissa. I listen to it sometimes in my devotion time. If you get a moment take a listen to it.
God bless you and the family and continue to be obedient to God as he shows us " far more" than we can see.
keep on keeping on! your in my prayers