A Life-Giving Church for People Just Like You!


Whether you are full of questions or ready to jump right in, there is a place for you at The Church at Mirror Lake. Our church is a place where you can build relationships with others, experience God in worship, be empowered by practical, life-giving teaching from God's Word, and have fun doing it.

Together, we are living the Winner's Life as we learn to love, serve, reach, grow and connect. So whether you're a spiritual seeker starting to ask questions about God, or a committed Christian looking to sink your faith roots even deeper, you'll feel at home at The Church at Mirror Lake.

If you believe Jesus really meant it when He said, "I came so people can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of," (John 10:10 Message Translation) then join us this weekend at one of our Jesus Celebrations. Until then, browse our website (a link is on the right of this page) where you'll find lots of helpful info and feel free to download one of our service messages or subscribe to our weekly podcast where you will receive the fresh, life-giving Word of God.



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Thursday, May 27, 2010

05/26/10 - Power of Healthy Connections - Pastor Michael Adams

Pastor Michael Adams teaches on the "Power of Healthy Connections" in this Wednesday service.

Power of Healthy Connections
Pastor Michael Adams
Wednesday, April 26, 2010

www.churchatmirrorlake.com



Sermon Notes:

Power of Healthy Connections

- A main thing at CAML.
- life is built on relationships – family , work, church, hobbies, community
- they add or take away from life
- they move and breath, they can be broken and healed


*Connections are supernatural: Matthew 18:19-20

19 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

Examples:
Birth of a child-
Marriage- “the two become one”
Death and loss


*Two institutions founded by Christ- Family and Church: Matt 22:37-40

“Love the Lord with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself”

- Love God Love People (embrace a connection with God and let it overflow to a connection with people)
- Everything hangs on this commandment, life itself



* Elements of Healthy Connections

1. Significance:

1Corinthians 12:18-21 (New Living Translation)
18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”

- sig because of what you are
- sig because of what we are a part of
- Compliment instead of compete- connections that change the world are made up of two significant parts that are set on adding value to one another.


2. Strength:

Ephesians 4:16 (New Living Translation)
16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

- Perfectly- equipped for every good work by each finding their fit
- Growing- multiplication happens when we connect. Ex. Moses and Joshua, David
and Solomon , Elijah and Elisha, Jesus and His disciples.

Personal Examples: Parents and their kids, husband and wife, friends and coworkers


3. Security:

Acts 17:5-7 (New Living Translation)
5 But some of the Jews were jealous, so they gathered some troublemakers from the marketplace to form a mob and start a riot. They attacked the home of Jason, searching for Paul and Silas so they could drag them out to the crowd. 6 Not finding them there, they dragged out Jason and some of the other believers instead and took them before the city council. “Paul and Silas have caused trouble all over the world,” they shouted, “and now they are here disturbing our city, too. 7 And Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all guilty of treason against Caesar, for they profess allegiance to another king, named Jesus.”

- These guys were willing to lay down their lives for Paul and Silas but it was because they held allegiance to Jesus
- On mission together- supernatural level of connection


4. Satisfaction: John 4:25-34

- Jesus found nourishment when he connected with the woman at the well
- Jesus told the disciples that the harvest was ready for them to connect with.
- Every relationship has these two processes taking place- sowing and reaping
- Be intentional about celebrating others and having fun.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

05/23/10 - Out Of This World PT3 - Pastor Michael Adams

Pastor Michael Adams continues the series "Out Of This World" in this Sunday service.

Out Of This World PT3
Pastor Michael Adams
Sunday, April 23, 2010

www.churchatmirrorlake.com


Sermon Notes:

Out Of this World- "Quit Acting Like Mere Humans"1 Cor 3:3
- Common ground - we are all human and we all need help
- The way we see life changes. Our jobs, our families, church, entertainment.
- There is a longing inside every human that wants more. People may become satisfied for a moment but we were made for more and we will always come up empty until we find Him.

1. "Beam me up Scotty"- Eyes that see!

Col 3:2-3(NLT) 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.

(Message) So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.
3-4Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God.

“Real life” implies that the life may experience isn’t life at all- maybe existence but not life.

“Hidden implies that it’s hidden- we got to go find it! Jer 29:13 Ex. Hidden pictures

Fresh Perspective-"the way of regarding situations or topics"

* Human Perspective
- We allow this world's system- culture, economy, leadership or life situations to mold our perspective- changes the way we see life.
- Jesus said you can't love this world and God too, we must pick one.

- Change in perspective changes us not the situation


* God Perspective
- God enables us to see his view
- Seeing His view enables us to experience life even in the worst of situations
- Salvation is a process of discovering a whole new world and recognizing your place in it.
- As we grow in our relationship with God we should sees things more and more from a God perspective.


2. "E.T. phone home" - Ears that hear!

* Tune in and tune up- Rev 13:9
- “My sheep will know my voice”
- Understand that the Holy Spirit already knows what tomorrow will bring and if we listen He will give us the wisdom to face what awaits us.
- The basics keep us tuned in (the word, prayer, fasting, church and connections) act as a GPS. They keep us focused, fruitful and fullfilled.
Ex. SKYPE moments with God –talking to Amy and the kids from the Czech took me home
- The Word (SOAP) Inspired- God breathed. I read it but it reads me.
- Small adjustments instead of drastic changes

Read Who I Am- we forget


3. "Luke, I am your father" -Hearts that respond! Rom 8:11- He give life to this mortal body

Rom 8:15-17
15-17This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children.

Ex. Wayne Cordeiro- story of him tuning his guitar


* Creative Affinity- you begin to resemble what you love the most. Love the Lord with all your heart
- By seeing things the way He sees them and hearing His voice God replaces our hearts with his. We are changed and prepared to make a difference.
- We don't have to be like Christ, He will be himself through us. Incarnation happens
- We have been given heart transplants not work transplants
- We are in this world but we are in Christ in this world
- Christianity is who we are not what we do.

05/19/10 - Healing PT4 - Tony Sherrill

Tony Sherrill continues the series "Healing" in this Wednesday evening service.

Healing Part 4
Tony Sherrill
Wednesday, May 19, 2010

www.churchatmirrorlake.com

Thursday, May 20, 2010

05/16/10 - Out Of This World PT2 - Pastor Tony Ashmore

Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "Out Of This World" in this Sunday service.

Out Of This World PT2
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, April 16, 2010

www.churchatmirrorlake.com


Sermon Notes:

Don’t let familiarity and deception dull our senses to the “alien nature” of our King. Everything He does is out of this world. Don’t try to fit it into our senses and ability—it is beyond anything we can imagine. Don’t limit His out of this world nature to a historical event—let Him invade your world today. So many of us know Jesus as Savior, embracing His cross and resurrection for us, celebrating that He died for us, but too few of us embrace His living for us and in us. We too are aliens here and the God kind of life He has for us cannot be found in trying to fit His life into this world—it is an out of this world life that cannot be contained by the parameters of this world’s systems. Break out and find life!

Mark 14:62-62 “Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus said, “I AM. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.”


Colossians 1:13 “For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son”

In this world, but not of it… Out of This World—People need us to be “Other-Worldly”—to think and act like we are from another planet. We must engage the culture, but not to fit in, to show them a better way. We must run for political office, participate in community, find ways to do life with this planet without compromising our planet’s values.
Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego—Daniel 3
This is not a children’s Bible story—it is a Bible truth! Ordinary men, engaging the culture without compromise. Walking in the supernatural and changing the world.

1. Celebrate your planet—act like Heaven is real. Live like you are going there. Talk about it with fellow citizens. Don’t miss opportunities to gather together with them. Look at the way immigrants in our country love to connect with “like-minded” people—those from their homeland. Notice the birth of the Church in Acts 2. Gathered together—out of this world experience (Holy Spirit)—power to engage culture (Peter speaking)—culture changed (3000 saved)—gathered together—out of this world experience (weekend celebrations, doing life together, generosity)—culture changed (favor and growth).

2. Protect your culture—focus on others. Be a servant. Find ways to serve everyday. Don’t allow your “history” to get swallowed up as you engage this world’s culture. Be “peculiar”. No excuses—I’ve fallen and I can’t get up. Note Acts 4: Peter and John—couldn’t help but act like they were from another planet (vs 19-20)

3. Step out of that Earth suit regularly—make appointments with Heaven—Bible reading, personal worship times, fasting, prayer, giving. Embrace the Holy Spirit and His work in our lives (repent, request, receive). Note Acts 4:13—ordinary men who had been with Jesus.

How do I spend time with Him? I can find Him in every book of the Bible:
In Genesis Jesus is the Ram that took Isaac’s place..
In Exodus He's the Passover Lamb, our perfect sacrifice.
In Leviticus He's the High Priest.
In Numbers He's the Cloud by day and pillar of fire by night.
In Deuteronomy He's the City of our refuge.
In Joshua He's the Commander of Heaven’s Army and the Scarlet Thread out Rahab's window.
In Judges He is our Righteous Judge and merciful lawgiver.
In Ruth He is our Kinsman redeemer.
In 1st & 2nd Samuel He's our Trusted Prophet.
In Kings and Chronicles He's our Reigning King.
In Ezra He is our Faithful Scribe.
In Nehemiah He's the Rebuilder of everything that is broken.
In Esther He is the Mordecai pointing us toward our destiny
In Job He's our redeemer that ever lives.
In Psalms He is my Shepherd and I lack for nothing.
In Proverbs and Ecclesiastes He's our Wisdom.
In the Song of Solomon He's the Beautiful Bridegroom.
In Isaiah He's the Suffering Servant and Prince of Peace.
In Jeremiah He is the strong Right arm of God.
In Lamentations He is the One who understands our sorrows.
In Ezekiel He's the One leading us into the River of God.
In Daniel He’s the 4th Man in the midst of a fiery furnace.
In Hosea He is my Love that is forever faithful.
In Joel He baptizes us with the Holy Spirit.
In Amos He's our Burden Bearer.
In Obadiah He is mighty to save.
In Jonah He is the one who loves the undeserving.
In Micah He is the Messenger with beautiful feet bringing Good News.
In Nahum He is the Protector of God’s beloved.
In Habakkuk He is God my Savior.
In Zephaniah He is the Lord mighty to save.
In Haggai He is the Restorer of our lost heritage.
In Zechariah He is our Fountain.
In Malachi He is the Son of Righteousness with healing in His wings.
In Matthew He is the Christ the Son of the Living God.
In Mark He is the Miracle Worker.
In Luke He's the Son of Man.
And in John He is the Way, the Truth and the Life
In Acts He is the Shining Light that appears to Saul on the road to Damascus.
In Romans He is our Justifier.
In 1st Corinthians our Resurrection.
In 2nd Corinthians our Sin Bearer.
In Galatians He redeems us from the law.
In Ephesians He is our Unsearchable Riches.
In Philippians He supplies our every need.
In Colossians He's makes us complete.
In 1st and 2nd Thessalonians He is our Soon Coming King.
In 1st and 2nd Timothy He is the Mediator between God and man and the great Pastor of His Church.
In Titus He is our Blessed Hope.
In Philemon He is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother.
In Hebrews He's our High Priest and the Blood that cleanses us from sin.
In James He is the Power behind our faith and the Great Physician.
In 1st Peter He is our example.
In 2nd Peter He is our purity.
In 1st John He is our life.
In 2nd John He is our pattern.
In 3rd John He is our motivation.
In Jude He is the Lord coming with 10,000 saints.
And in Revelation:
- He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending.
- The Lion of the Tribe of Judah
- The Bright and Morning Star
- The Lamb of God
- And The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

When I spend time with Him I know:
He always was, He always is, and He always will be...
He is Unmoved, Unchanged, and Undefeated.
He will
- never leave me,
- never forsake me,
- never mislead me,
- never forget me,
- and never overlook me,
- When I fall, He lifts me up!
- When I am weak, He is strong!
- When I fail, He forgives!
- When I am lost, He is the way!
- When I am afraid, He is my courage!
- When I stumble, He steadies me!
- When I am hurt, He heals me!
- When I am broken, He mends me!
- When I am confused, He is my clarity!
- When I am sad, He is my joy!
- When I am lonely, He is by my side!
- When I want to quit, He leads me to victory!
- When I am blind, He guides me!
- When I am hungry, He feeds me!
- When I am thirsty, He is my refreshment!
- When I face trials, He is with me!
- When I don’t know what to say, He speaks for me!
- When I don’t know what to do, He shows me!
- When I face persecution, He shields me!
- When I face problems, He comforts me!
- When I face loss, He provides for me!
- And when I face Death, He will carry me Home!
- He is my Hero!

Mark 11:22-23 (Message) “Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, 'Go jump in the lake' and it's as good as done.”
What are the mountains you are facing right now? What have you labeled as “impossible” and allow it to remain in your life, knowing it is not God’s best for you? Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to come “up-on” us and remind us that we are “out of this world” because of Jesus.

Some of us need to repent for failing to trust Him.
Some of us need to come to Him and tell Him you are wore out, your faith is low and your strength is gone.
Some of us need to ask for a fresh baptism in His Holy Spirit.
Some of us need to rejoice in what He has done and is doing right now in our lives.
Some of us just need to experience His presence.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

05/12/10 - Healing PT3 - Pastor Sheryll Ashmore

Pastor Sheryll Ashmore continues the series "Healing" in this Wednesday evening service.

Healing Part 3
Pastor Sheryll Ashmore
Wednesday, May 12, 2010

www.churchatmirrorlake.com

05/09/10 - Out Of This World PT1 - Pastor Tony Ashmore

Pastor Tony Ashmore begins a new series entitled "Out Of This World" in this Sunday service.

Out Of This World PT1
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, April 9, 2010

www.churchatmirrorlake.com


Sermon Notes:

It took a “Visitor From Another Planet” to save us. Jesus, our Superman, came here from another planet to do what we could not. He became humanity, mild-mannered Jesus of Nazareth, occasionally revealing His supernatural persona, Mount of Transfiguration, and accomplished His mission.

His first mission once He announced His ministry was the same thing aliens always do—“Take me to your leader.” He confronted the leader of this world’s systems—satan—in the wilderness and beat him as mild-mannered Jesus, son of man. He did it without His cape so we can know we have authority over our enemy.

He is out of this world and what He does is not of this world. The promises He gives us are out of this world. Don’t let familiarity and deception dull our senses to the “alien nature” of our King. Everything He does is out of this world. Don’t try to fit it into our senses and ability—it is beyond anything we can imagine. Don’t limit His out of this world nature to a historical event—let Him invade your world today.

So many of us know Jesus as Savior, embracing His cross and resurrection for us, celebrating that He died for us, but too few of us embrace His living for us and in us. We too are aliens here and the God kind of life He has for us cannot be found in trying to fit His life into this world—it is an out of this world life that cannot be contained by the parameters of this world’s systems. Break out and find life!

Romans 5:6-11 “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.”

John 8:23 “Jesus continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not.”

Colossians 2:20 “You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world”

Sunday, May 9, 2010

05/05/10 - Acquaintances - Pastor Lukas Targosz

Special guest speaker Pastor Lukas Targosz teaches on "Acquaintances" in this Wednesday evening service.

Acquaintances
Pastor Lukas Targosz
Wednesday, May 5, 2010

www.churchatmirrorlake.com

Sunday, May 2, 2010

05/02/10 - Vision Sunday - Core Values - Pastor Tony Ashmore

Pastor Tony Ashmore recasts the vision of the Church At Mirror Lake in "Core Values" in this Sunday service.

Vision Sunday - Core Values
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, April 2, 2010

www.churchatmirrorlake.com


Sermon Notes:

John 3:6-8 (The Message) Jesus said, "You're not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the 'wind-hovering-over-the-water' creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it's not possible to enter God's kingdom. When you look at a baby, it's just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can't see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit.
"So don't be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be 'born from above'—out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it's headed next. That's the way it is with everyone 'born from above' by the wind of God, the Spirit of God."

John 18:36 “…My Kingdom is not of this world.”
John 17:16 “They do not belong to this world any more than I do.”

Big Idea: As followers of Christ, as Christians, we are strangers and aliens on this earth. We are from another planet—Heaven—and are Out of This World. We have been given promises and benefits that are out of this world and we cannot simply try to force them into an old way of thinking and living. God’s plans for our lives are incredible, but they are Out of This World. Jesus never saw himself as a citizen of earth and would not allow himself to be subject to it until He surrendered on the cross. He did that so we could live “Out of This World”.

Our Lifeline—Our Core Values:

1 Peter 2:11 “Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” (aliens and strangers NIV) to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.”
Space walks would be disastrous if there were not lifelines that kept us tied to the mother ship. Without those we would drift away and die. Our Core Values are those lifelines. We have them as a church, and each of us have them individually. The question we need to ask is which planet, Heaven or Earth, do our core values have us tethered to?

Core Values: Are you better Inside or Outside? (Tootsie Roll Pop)

Mark 7:20 “And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you”
- When we are bigger and better on the inside than we are on the outside, over time we will become bigger and better on the outside.
- If we are bigger and better on the outside than we are on the inside, then over time we will become less on the outside. (No staying power—example is our “fallen heroes”)
- When we are bigger and better on the inside than we are on the outside, then the things on the outside will not rock or erode what’s going on inside.

Mark 1:7 Message “As he preached he said, "The real action comes next: The star in this drama, to whom I'm a mere stagehand, will change your life. I'm baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. His baptism—a holy baptism by the Holy Spirit—will change you from the inside out." (Core Values)

Our Core Values:

1. Life Giving
a. Known more for what you are for than what you are against
b. Lead by serving
c. Understand the Bible from a positive “God is for us” worldview
2. Christ Centered
a. Jesus is the center of our universe
b. In Him we live and move and find our being
3. Spirit Empowered
a. Holy Ghost church for “normal folks”
b. Not by power, not by might, but by My Spirit
4. Team Ministry
a. The power of connection
b. We are smarter and better together than we are alone
5. Excellence
a. Giving our best in all things
b. Presenting our remarkable Lord remarkably
6. Have Fun
a. Life is a gift. Celebrate it and celebrate each other.
b. Work hard, but when it is about eternal stuff it is a lot of fun.

Galatians 6:14 “As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.”

04/28/10 - Healing PT2 - Everett Spencer

Everett Spencer continues the series "Healing" in this Wednesday evening service.

Healing Part 2
Everett Spencer
Wednesday, April 28, 2010

www.churchatmirrorlake.com


Sermon Notes:

Embassadors of Healing
Embassador
EMBAS'SADOR, n.

A minister of the highest rank employed by one prince or state, at the court of another, to manage the public concerns of his own prince or state, and representing the power and dignity of his sovereign. Embassadors are ordinary, when they reside permanently at a foreign court; or extraordinary, when they are sent on a special occasion. They are also called ministers. Envoys are ministers employed on special occasions, and are of less dignity.

Luke 9:
1And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases.
2And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing.
6Departing, they began going throughout the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

10When the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done.
Taking them with Him, He withdrew by Himself to a city called Bethsaida.

Luke 10:
1Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come.
2And He was saying to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
3"Go; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.
8"Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you;
9and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'
17The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name."
18And He said to them, "I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning.
19"Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.
21At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, "I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.


What we are responsible for:

*I can’t heal you
(You don’t necessarily have to say this out loud but you need to know it, it will take away any and all pressure)

*Don’t make GOD spooky
(2 Tim. 1:7)

*Know what the bible says about healing
(You don’t need to know every scripture but a good place to start is 1 Peter 2:24)


The role of humility and confidence

*Define humility the way the bible defines it
(James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:6)
10Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

6Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,

*Don’t sell yourself or your role short
(Phil. 3:3, 1 John 5:14)
3for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,
14This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.


Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit

Spend time with HIM and know HIS desires
(John 10:27, 16:13)
27"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;
13"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.


Trading on your influence and speaking for GOD

(1 Kings 17:9-24) The widow of Zarephath


Stop that stinking thinking

(Phil 3:13)
13Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,