My Dad's favorite singer was an old country artist named Tom T. Hall. He had a song about things he loved with lines like "I love old pick up trucks..." I was forced to listen to WPLO, the country AM station in Atlanta back in the day, while riding alongside him in his pickup truck. He had an air horn on the top of the truck that I got to pull every now and then and that was fun. But of all the old style country songs I was forced to hear, the one about things Tom T. Hall loved seems to be the one I remember most. I thought I would use it as my diving board and jump into things I like and don't like.
I like the Church. Not just my church, which happens to be the best one in the world, The Church at Mirror Lake, but I like every life-giving church in the world. I like churches that lift up Jesus, proclaim His Gospel, make Him famous in their cities, and love people. I like their leaders. I like those that are the fastest growing churches in the world and everybody knows them and those that are quietly transforming the lives of people in rural communities and nobody outside their community knows them. I just like the church. I like coming together for large meetings on the weekend and I like gathering in small groups. I like the church. I like Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes, Ed Young Sr. and Jr., Craig Groschel, Chris Hodges, Ben Brinkman, Hal Hodges, Chuck Angel, Troy Shaw, Pastor Cho, Tommy Barnett, Eddie Long, Creflo Dollar, Josh Roberts and all the pastors and leaders in the world that we know and don't know. I like the Church.
I don't like church bashing. I don't like blogs that bash the church. I don't like tweets that bash the church. I don't like emails, books, articles, phone calls, or any other mode of communication that puts down, ridicules, belittles, denigrates, negatively compares, or destructively criticizes the church. I don't like hearing people in the U.S. put down large gatherings and talk about how the "real church" is meeting at their house or their coffee shop. Isn't it odd that you never hear negative comments about large gatherings in buildings from people in countries where there is no freedom to gather in large gatherings in buildings owned by local churches? I don't like the "either-or" attitude. I like large gatherings in buildings owned by local churches AND I like small gatherings in homes and coffee shops. I don't like comments like "a mile wide and an inch deep" made by jealous people because somebody's church is rocking the world. How much deeper does it get than seeing lives transformed by the Gospel? I don't like seeing Christians criticize the church because we have enough opposition without attacking from within.
I like what Jesus said, "Leave them alone. If they are not against us, they are for us." (Mark 9:39-41) I like people who are for the Kingdom of God. I like reading what they write, listening to them speak and cheering them on. I like keeping my life free from static and clutter so I like not reading stuff that puts down the church, its leaders, and the Kingdom of God. I like it when Greg Surratt tells people to grow up and quit acting like 5th grade boys on their blogs, facebook and tweets. I like Greg Surratt.
I like people. I like seeing people fall in love with Jesus and with His church. I plan on spending the rest of my life on this planet helping people do that. I like other people who have that plan.
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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Friday, May 1, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
04/26/09 - Unlocking Great Life PT2 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the "Dressed For Success" series in part 2 of "Unlocking Great Life" in this Sunday message.
Unlocking Great Life Part 2
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, April 26, 2009
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Unlocking Great Life Part 2
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, April 26, 2009
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
04/21/09 - Everlasting Harvest - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore discusses the "Everlasting Harvest" as he continues the "River of God" series in this Tuesday message.
Everlasting Harvest
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Everlasting Harvest
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Monday, April 20, 2009
Great Lawns and Great Life
This is one of my favorite times of the year because I get to work in my yard. I really like those times because it is one of my hang out places with my Lord. My brain doesn't have to engage too much on the yardwork, I'm relaxed, and He and I have some great conversations.
During one of those conversations I discovered a interesting corollation between having a nice bermuda grass lawn and having a great spiritual life. You have two choices on having a thick, weed-free lawn--put a lot of effort into getting rid of the weeds, or, put your effort into promoting strong healthy grass. If I pound my yard with weed-killers and put hours in pulling and digging weeds, I will get a weed free yard. But the bermuda will be slowed down by the weed-killers, and there will be gaps and holes that take a the bermuda longer to fill. But if I give the bermuda great fertilizer and plenty of water, it will take off, get thick quick and choke out most of the weeds. The remaining weeds are easily identifed since they stick out against the healthy bermuda and I simply pluck them out as I mow the lawn.
Same way with my spiritual life. I can spend a lot of effort and time focusing on getting the wrong stuff out, or I can spend my time focusing on strengthening the right stuff. As the right stuff gets what it needs to flourish--spending time with the Lord and making healthy connnections with others--it will become so strong that what weeds do remain become easily found and plucked out as me and the Holy Spirit do life together. Pretty cool. Amazing grace.
During one of those conversations I discovered a interesting corollation between having a nice bermuda grass lawn and having a great spiritual life. You have two choices on having a thick, weed-free lawn--put a lot of effort into getting rid of the weeds, or, put your effort into promoting strong healthy grass. If I pound my yard with weed-killers and put hours in pulling and digging weeds, I will get a weed free yard. But the bermuda will be slowed down by the weed-killers, and there will be gaps and holes that take a the bermuda longer to fill. But if I give the bermuda great fertilizer and plenty of water, it will take off, get thick quick and choke out most of the weeds. The remaining weeds are easily identifed since they stick out against the healthy bermuda and I simply pluck them out as I mow the lawn.
Same way with my spiritual life. I can spend a lot of effort and time focusing on getting the wrong stuff out, or I can spend my time focusing on strengthening the right stuff. As the right stuff gets what it needs to flourish--spending time with the Lord and making healthy connnections with others--it will become so strong that what weeds do remain become easily found and plucked out as me and the Holy Spirit do life together. Pretty cool. Amazing grace.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
04/19/09 - Unlocking Great Life - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore discusses "Unlocking Great Life" as he continues the "Dressed For Success" series in this Sunday message.
Unlocking Great Life
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, April 19, 2009
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Unlocking Great Life
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, April 19, 2009
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Monday, April 13, 2009
Winning in Tough Times
Yesterday we celebrated Easter, one of the two most important holidays in Christianity. I know the original holiday was a celebration of the coming of spring and fertility, but Christianity transformed it into a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus three days after his death on the cross. The original holiday celebrated the end of the dreary days of winter and the coming of new life with spring. The Easter we know celebrates the same thing—the end of the dreary life we knew and the coming of real life with Jesus. Jesus stated in John 10:10 that he came to give us life, “real and eternal, more and better life than we ever dreamed or imagined.”
Today in our country, there is a dreary fog that seems to be hanging over us. We watch day after day as our government fruitlessly tries to fire up our economy by throwing more money at the problem. The news agencies continually report of greedy and crooked executives and politicians. Most of us have been personally affected by the economic woes, or we know someone who has lost a home, lost a job, failed in business, or took a pay cut. What a great time for an Easter celebration!
I have learned an extremely valuable key to winning in any environment. Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t do. When we focus on what we can’t do, it won’t be long before we will be finding fault or placing blame. “I can’t” reinforces the feelings of helplessness and resignation. Instead, focus on what you can do in every situation.
One of the greatest miracles in the Bible is the feeding of the 5000 men and their families. Jesus is surrounded by this huge hungry crown and astounds his 12 disciples when he says, “Let’s feed them.” Their response, probably like ours, was, “Where are we going to get the money to do that?” The miracle happened when Jesus was able to get the disciples to move their focus from what they could not do—“Where are we going to find enough bread”—to what they could do—“Bring me what you have.” They had a few pieces of fish and bread. They gave Jesus what they had and he took that natural offering and turned it into a supernatural miracle!There is no power in what we can’t do, but there is always power in what we can do, if we will remember who lives inside of us. Instead of giving into the hopelessness of the headlines and focusing on what you don’t have or can’t do, look at what you do have and can do. One thing you have is your attitude. Fill it with hope. Bring it to Jesus and he’ll come alongside you and make something supernatural happen. Remember, that’s what Easter is all about—the end of dreary life and the beginning of real life!
Today in our country, there is a dreary fog that seems to be hanging over us. We watch day after day as our government fruitlessly tries to fire up our economy by throwing more money at the problem. The news agencies continually report of greedy and crooked executives and politicians. Most of us have been personally affected by the economic woes, or we know someone who has lost a home, lost a job, failed in business, or took a pay cut. What a great time for an Easter celebration!
I have learned an extremely valuable key to winning in any environment. Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t do. When we focus on what we can’t do, it won’t be long before we will be finding fault or placing blame. “I can’t” reinforces the feelings of helplessness and resignation. Instead, focus on what you can do in every situation.
One of the greatest miracles in the Bible is the feeding of the 5000 men and their families. Jesus is surrounded by this huge hungry crown and astounds his 12 disciples when he says, “Let’s feed them.” Their response, probably like ours, was, “Where are we going to get the money to do that?” The miracle happened when Jesus was able to get the disciples to move their focus from what they could not do—“Where are we going to find enough bread”—to what they could do—“Bring me what you have.” They had a few pieces of fish and bread. They gave Jesus what they had and he took that natural offering and turned it into a supernatural miracle!There is no power in what we can’t do, but there is always power in what we can do, if we will remember who lives inside of us. Instead of giving into the hopelessness of the headlines and focusing on what you don’t have or can’t do, look at what you do have and can do. One thing you have is your attitude. Fill it with hope. Bring it to Jesus and he’ll come alongside you and make something supernatural happen. Remember, that’s what Easter is all about—the end of dreary life and the beginning of real life!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
04/12/09 - Hope Above the Headlines - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore discusses the "Hope Above the Headlines" in this Easter Sunday message.
Hope Above the Headlines
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, April 12, 2009
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Hope Above the Headlines
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, April 12, 2009
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
04/07/09 - Tuesday Service - Pastor Michael Adams
Pastor Michael Adams discusses the "River of Life" in this Tuesday service.
River of Life
Pastor Michael Adams
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
River of Life
Pastor Michael Adams
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Sunday, April 5, 2009
04/05/09 - Vision Sunday - Staying Distracted - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore recasts the vision of the Church At Mirror Lake, focusing on "Staying Distracted".
Vision Sunday - Staying Distracted
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, April 5, 2009
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Vision Sunday - Staying Distracted
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, April 5, 2009
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Thursday, April 2, 2009
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