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Rescued FROM Aloneness FOR Togetherness

Rescued from being alone.  If you missed it, here are a few highlights:

• Jesus is the only one who can rescue us from “inside” aloneness...the deep spiritual emptiness that we try to fill with other stuff. You'll sabotage every relationship if you expect others to do things that only Jesus can do on the inside.

• We are wired for togetherness…you can't avoid it!  You will miss most of what God has for you on this earth if you're not in face to face relationships with people.

• If you don't want to be the same person a year from now and the year after that and the year after that...one part of your growth curve needs to be intentional face to face relationships with people who will help you take steps.  We'll have some really good resources posted soon on how to move from ‘side to side’ TO ‘face to face’ relationships.

One of the great on-ramps for these kinds of relationships is small groups.  Another is mentoring.  It’s not too late to sign up!  Be intentional...get into relationships...take steps.

Expired.

From Pastor John's wife, Kay Fuller:

In continuation of the January "clean-out" of sorting and pitching, I have been struck by the stream of expired goods which I encounter. From the crackers in the cupboard to the salad dressing in the refrigerator to the Tylenol in the medicine cabinet, to the 1990's turtleneck in the closet, the expired and out of date pile mounts - April 2011, August 2009, October 2010...all no longer useful and potentially even toxic.

This may be part of the reason the scriptures encourage us to lay up treasures in heaven where rust cannot destroy and to set our minds on things above. While the things of this earth pass away...sometimes within a week, sometimes within a year - we can rejoice that God is everlasting. 

Exodus 3:14 proclaims, "God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM'. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you."                   

God has always been and always will be. 

He will never, never leave us, and He will never become obsolete.

What are you walking by?

Wow! Pastor Jesse did a great job helping us take another step in our Rescued series.  If you missed it, you can catch it online starting tomorrow.  As he said, most of us see things everyday, but we walk right by...

Take this another step using the online sermon curriculum.  Or, take a bold step -- get out of your seat -- and take advantage of the serving opportunities from this past weekend's All Access.

Quit walking by!

There's nothing more important than a soul!

This weekend we’re going to continue with the Rescued series.  It’s going to be a powerful weekend!  You will even have a chance to find out how you can serve both inside and outside the walls of Prairie Lakes Church.  So, get a friend and get to your campus. 

Some of you have been sitting in the chairs for a long time, and it’s time to get out of your seat!

It’s time.

We have got to make a difference for the Kingdom!

If you missed one-for-one, you’ve got to see this.  And here’s why it matters: Jesus said so.  Check it out:  Mark 8:37 (MSG), “What could you ever trade your soul for?” 

There’s nothing more important than a soul.  So, stay on your invites.

…and many of you are!  This past weekend, compared to one year ago, our attendance was up 13%, which means you’re getting after your One – stay after it.  Great job!

God is already there!

From Pastor John's wife, Kay Fuller:

Gradually, I have been attempting my annual January job of going through our home office files and sorting, shredding, or saving documents from the previous year.  This year I have been especially contemplative as I dove into the various college files we had accumulated in 2011 as we were on the college search path for Karly, our youngest.  I rediscovered papers with everything from campus maps that reminded me of our college visit trips, to applications for college and numerous scholarships, to confirmation of ACT scores sent.  

I couldn't help but reflect on the fact that at this time last year we didn't know which college God would lead Karly to.  We didn't know which city she would be in, what dorm she would live in or who her roommate would be.  

Likewise, as I sifted through our medical papers, I didn't know in January of 2011 what medical conditions we would encounter for the year.  I didn't know Karly would come down with mono the spring of her senior year or that I would deal with a nasty strep infection following Karly's graduation.  

Thankfully, we stand at the beginning of 2012 just as we did in January of 2011 - not even knowing what the next 5 minutes will usher into our lives.  I Corinthians 13:12 reminds us that:

"Now we see but a poor reflection; then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."

Imagine if we knew all that the year held for us how we would attempt to manipulate the chain of events and get ahead of God.  Conversely, not knowing causes us to put our faith completely in Him - our Sovereign Father, Creator, and Savior who knows and sees all things.  While leading the Women's Ministry with Pat Cleigh in our early years in Cedar Falls, I loved hearing Pat frequently encourage in any situation that "God is already there."  

Although the year before us is hidden from us, it is not hidden from God.  He's already there, seeing it in full.  

Have you ever been overwhelmed?

If you say no, you're probably lying. 

Of course you have…unless you don’t have relationships, bills, decisions to make, feelings, or a pulse!  I admitted last weekend how I was completely overwhelmed in the toilet paper aisle – of all places!  I just didn’t know where to start.

So, here’s another question: Have you ever been overwhelmed at church?  Not sure how to connect with your campus?  Prairie Lakes is one church on many corners – so, how can you plug into your ‘corner’?  Well, I’m so glad you asked…

Blogs.  Campus Blogs.

Follow Chip, Jesse, and Gabe as they blog about their campus.  Your campus.  Get to know their heart and the ministry that is happening on your ‘corner’.

Did you invite your One?

Wow!  What a great weekend we had!  There were great reports from all three campuses about God moving in the lives of people. 

If you missed it, we started a series called "Rescued" and talked about how Jesus rescues us from our past mistakes.  But, He doesn’t only rescue us FROM something, He rescues us FOR something.  You can watch it online starting tomorrow.

By the way, I ran into lots of people who had their One with them at church already.  GREAT JOB!  Remember: what would it be like in 2012 if every found person would find somebody for Christ?  This is our mission, so pray hard!

Be praying.

This weekend we’re starting our Rescued series.  Big reminder here:  this is a very invitational series.  For most of your friends that aren’t found – this Rescued series is going to hit big issues in them and with them.  So do everything you can to get your people to church with you this weekend!

But more than anything else...pray.  Pray for...

• your friends
• the weekend services
• for me
• for our teams
• for the Holy Spirit to move in big ways

As we talk about being Rescued from Past Failures, we’ll end by taking communion together. What a perfect picture...and what a great moment that will be!

One more thing: take advantage of the opportunities right now to get signed up for a class.  Classes are a great place to learn and take steps in your faith, and to also get to know some other people.  Sign up online today!

Messes all around me...

From Pastor John's wife, Kay Fuller:

As I was reflecting & penning the pages of our Christmas Memories book this past weekend, I was struck by a recurrent theme in our "highlights."  Most of the highlights of the season for our family involved messes and unplanned moments.  

The mess of the revolving door in the kitchen resulted in both fun and serious conversations about theology and life; the outcome of the late nights when we parents tried to keep up with our young adults just so we could savor more laughter and discussions was an exhaustive state the next day; and the unplanned, but oh so wonderful, "Can we talk?" or "Do you want to go get coffee?" requests meant whatever we were currently involved in was left to sit out undone.  

Messes.  

Messes we may never experience again in that exact same way.  Messes that are now slowly but surely being cleaned up as the Christmas boxes and refrigerator get cleaned out.   

At the onset of this new year, I'm reminding myself that yes, while messes are messy and often somewhat discombobulating, they often result in bonding and unexpected joys! 

Messes are one guarantee of 2012.  

While sometimes our blessings come in the nicely wrapped package with the adorning bow, more often than not, they will be found in the relational moments when God fills our heart to overflowing because of life He allows us to share.  

May we have a Messy, but Full and Happy New Year!  And, if you're found...go out and find somebody!

Found People, FIND People

In case you missed it, you can catch the message here, starting tomorrow.  This is a critical message that you need to be up on as we march into 2012 together.  

 

We have lots of challenges in front of us…

  ...but we also have lots of opportunities in front of us!

 

We know the enemy is going to do everything he can to slow us down.  So, let’s have the invitational heart of God and be intentional with one-for-one – where found people FIND people.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Pray like crazy for your heart and the hearts of people in your circle that aren’t found yet.
2. Listen more than you talk…be interested rather than interesting.
3. Be willing to be uncomfortable.
4. Deal with your excuses.

The only way we’re going to make a difference in the Cedar Valley, Osage, Grinnell, and around the state of Iowa is if found people FIND people.

If you didn’t fill out a one-for-one card, you’ll get a chance to do that this coming weekend.  Who is your “one” for 2012?