Our church has been in need of steps for quite a while to assist us during our Tent Gatherings! Troy Clark took on the project and did a great job building us steps! Huge help! Thank you, Troy Clark.
That We Would Hunger for Righteousness
Highland, as we are praying that we will hunger for righteousness and be filled, I want to offer you a few pieces from yesterday’s service so that you know how to pray.
Our Theme’s Biblical Foundation:
Righteousness - sharing in a total heart-agreement with God (covenantal binding).
To share in this type of total heart-agreement (or covenant) with God is not possible through any form of human-effort. To be able to share in a total heart-agreement with God is solely possible because of what Jesus has done for us by overcoming sin and death and through the renewing counsel and conviction of the Holy Spirit; He gives us a new heart.
Below, you see a passage that was read as to show the heart-language of a righteous person; the psalmist simply expresses that he hopes to share within a heart-agreement with the Lord. May we hunger to understand and obey the Lord’s commands and take pleasure in walking, according to His commands.
“Teach me, LORD, the meaning of Your statutes,
and I will always keep them.
Help me understand Your instruction,
and I will obey it
and follow it with all my heart.
Help me stay on the path of Your commands,
for I take pleasure in it.
Turn my heart to Your decrees
and not to material gain.
Turn my eyes
from looking at what is worthless;
give me life in Your ways.
Confirm what You said to Your servant,
for it produces reverence for You.
Turn away the disgrace I dread;
indeed, Your judgments are good.
How I long for Your precepts!
Give me life through Your righteousness.”
Here is how we are praying for revival, Highland:
Our foundation of prayer: May we be a people that hunger and thirst for righteousness (share in a heart-agreement with the Lord) and be filled.
1. Pray that Highland (individually and collectively) would seek to remain in heart agreement with our Lord, according to His holy Word and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon us.
2. If anyone is entangled in sin and unrepentant, may the Holy Spirit bring upon us conviction through His kindness, leading us to repentance and deliverance from sin. First with our church-family, then our personal family and throughout our streets.
3. May we experience the filling of the Holy Spirit in our midst, as a church, in our families and in our streets. May His outpouring result in conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment, causing the filling of His presence to lead us to revival.
*Through the week, pray and read through: Psalm 119:33-40, which is heart-cry of the righteous.
Highland, let us commit to praying for revival! Let us realize that prayer is the real work of the church; that our obedience and worship would simply be an overflow of our prayer-life as His people!
I love you, Highland,
Rob
Plans for June 5th and 6th
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
CHICKEN & RICE THIS SATURDAY
Each Saturday from 10:30am-1:00pm, we serve our streets a meal of Chicken & Rice, along with the Gospel. Volunteers are welcome to join us. Chicken & Rice Ministries is our flagship work. It serves as the invitation to all in our streets to come and know Christ. If you would like to come and serve, please contact us.
TENT GATHERING AT 10AM THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday, I look forward to seeing everyone at the Tent Gathering. As we gather this Sunday for our Tent Gathering, I wanted to go over the schedule with you. This Sunday, our schedule is as follows:
9am-10am: Coffee and Conversation. As you arrive, grab a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Enjoy having conversation with one another and the chance to be together. Also, if you’re willing, some will be setting up for the 10 am service. We welcome your help, if you’re able.
10am-11am: Tent Gathering Service. *At 10am, bring your camping chairs or blankets to make for yourself a place outside, underneath our tent. We will gather to worship as we set our eyes upon Jesus. Highland, I ask that we would be in prayer for the name of Jesus to be exalted in our corporate gathering; that those who wander, or are deceived throughout our streets, would hear that Jesus saves, and repent! We will conclude and dismiss following this service. So, breakfast will be offered but not lunch.
We are strongly encouraging social distancing and masks will be available for those who would feel most comfortable wearing one. If you have a mask, please bring one for yourself to use. We ask that you stay home when you are sick. We also ask that you cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Finally, keeping your hands clean using sanitizer or by washing them with soap is vital. If you have a personal bottle of sanitizer, bring it and keep it on you for your personal use throughout gatherings.
OTHER RELATED INFO
Van route riding requirements: windows down, masks worn and no more than 10 on a van.
Wednesday night studies, Pillow Party and prayer sessions have been canceled.
Children’s Ministries, Life Class & Breakfast will not resume until a later date.
Reminder: Member Meeting, 1pm, this Sunday.
*All proposed plans remain contingent upon medical information available to us throughout the foreseeable future. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us. I rejoice over you, Highland. I love forward to being with you Sunday.
I love you, Highland,
Rob
Plans for May 29th 30th
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
CHICKEN & RICE THIS SATURDAY
Each Saturday from 10:30am-1:00pm, we serve our streets a meal of Chicken & Rice, along with the Gospel. Volunteers are welcome to join us. Chicken & Rice Ministries is our flagship work. It serves as the invitation to all in our streets to come and know Christ. If you would like to come and serve, please contact us.
TENT GATHERING AT 10AM THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday, I look forward to seeing everyone at the Tent Gathering. As we gather this Sunday for our Tent Gathering, I wanted to go over the schedule with you. This Sunday, our schedule is as follows:
9am-10am: Coffee and Conversation. As you arrive, grab a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Enjoy having conversation with one another and the chance to be together. Also, if you’re willing, some will be setting up for the 10 am service. We welcome your help, if you’re able.
10am-11am: Tent Gathering Service. *At 10am, bring your camping chairs or blankets to make for yourself a place outside, underneath our tent. We will gather to worship as we set our eyes upon Jesus. Highland, I ask that we would be in prayer for the name of Jesus to be exalted in our corporate gathering; that those who wander, or are deceived throughout our streets, would hear that Jesus saves, and repent! We will conclude and dismiss following this service. So, breakfast will be offered but not lunch.
We are strongly encouraging social distancing and masks will be available for those who would feel most comfortable wearing one. If you have a mask, please bring one for yourself to use. We ask that you stay home when you are sick. We also ask that you cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Finally, keeping your hands clean using sanitizer or by washing them with soap is vital. If you have a personal bottle of sanitizer, bring it and keep it on you for your personal use throughout gatherings.
OTHER RELATED INFO
Van route riding requirements: windows down, masks worn and no more than 10 on a van.
Wednesday night studies, Pillow Party and prayer sessions have been canceled.
Children’s Ministries, Life Class & Breakfast will not resume until a later date.
*All proposed plans remain contingent upon medical information available to us throughout the foreseeable future. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us. I rejoice over you, Highland. I love forward to being with you Sunday.
I love you, Highland,
Rob
Member Meeting Notice
Highland members,
We will hold our meeting June 6th, 1pm, in our sanctuary. You may opt to come virtually. Please indicate here how you will attend. Also, please check your email for more details.
Oh, the Joy!
Congratulations, Melissa. Walk in the newness of life.
Photo: Katie Sturgeon
Oh, the joy of encountering the forgiveness of our sin in the name of Jesus!
“What should we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply? Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life. For if we have been joined with Him in the likeness of His death, we will certainly also be in the likeness of His resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that sin’s dominion over the body may be abolished, so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin, since a person who has died is freed from sin’s claims” (Romans 6:1-7, HCSB).
Plans for May 22nd and 23rd
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Casey Lynch, a member of our church, will be preaching this Sunday.
CHICKEN & RICE THIS SATURDAY
Each Saturday from 10:30am-1:00pm, we serve our streets a meal of Chicken & Rice, along with the Gospel. Volunteers are welcome to join us. Chicken & Rice Ministries is our flagship work. It serves as the invitation to all in our streets to come and know Christ. If you would like to come and serve, please contact us.
TENT GATHERING AT 10AM THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday, I look forward to seeing everyone at the Tent Gathering. As we gather this Sunday for our Tent Gathering, I wanted to go over the schedule with you. This Sunday, our schedule is as follows:
9am-10am: Coffee and Conversation. As you arrive, grab a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Enjoy having conversation with one another and the chance to be together. Also, if you’re willing, some will be setting up for the 10 am service. We welcome your help, if you’re able.
10am-11am: Tent Gathering Service. *At 10am, bring your camping chairs or blankets to make for yourself a place outside, underneath our tent. We will gather to worship as we set our eyes upon Jesus. Highland, I ask that we would be in prayer for the name of Jesus to be exalted in our corporate gathering; that those who wander, or are deceived throughout our streets, would hear that Jesus saves, and repent! We will conclude and dismiss following this service. So, breakfast will be offered but not lunch.
We are strongly encouraging social distancing and masks will be available for those who would feel most comfortable wearing one. If you have a mask, please bring one for yourself to use. We ask that you stay home when you are sick. We also ask that you cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Finally, keeping your hands clean using sanitizer or by washing them with soap is vital. If you have a personal bottle of sanitizer, bring it and keep it on you for your personal use throughout gatherings.
OTHER RELATED INFO
Van route riding requirements: windows down, masks worn and no more than 10 on a van.
Wednesday night studies, Pillow Party and prayer sessions have been canceled.
Children’s Ministries, Life Class & Breakfast will not resume until a later date.
*All proposed plans remain contingent upon medical information available to us throughout the foreseeable future. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us. I rejoice over you, Highland. I love forward to being with you Sunday.
I love you, Highland,
Rob
Plans for May 15th & 16th
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
CHICKEN & RICE THIS SATURDAY
Each Saturday from 10:30am-1:00pm, we serve our streets a meal of Chicken & Rice, along with the Gospel. Volunteers are welcome to join us. Chicken & Rice Ministries is our flagship work. It serves as the invitation to all in our streets to come and know Christ. If you would like to come and serve, please contact us.
TENT GATHERING AT 10AM THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday, I look forward to seeing everyone at the Tent Gathering. As we gather this Sunday for our Tent Gathering, I wanted to go over the schedule with you. This Sunday, our schedule is as follows:
9am-10am: Coffee and Conversation. As you arrive, grab a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Enjoy having conversation with one another and the chance to be together. Also, if you’re willing, some will be setting up for the 10 am service. We welcome your help, if you’re able.
10am-11am: Tent Gathering Service. *At 10am, bring your camping chairs or blankets to make for yourself a place outside, underneath our tent. We will gather to worship as we set our eyes upon Jesus. Highland, I ask that we would be in prayer for the name of Jesus to be exalted in our corporate gathering; that those who wander, or are deceived throughout our streets, would hear that Jesus saves, and repent! We will conclude and dismiss following this service. So, breakfast will be offered but not lunch.
We are strongly encouraging social distancing and masks will be available for those who would feel most comfortable wearing one. If you have a mask, please bring one for yourself to use. We ask that you stay home when you are sick. We also ask that you cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Finally, keeping your hands clean using sanitizer or by washing them with soap is vital. If you have a personal bottle of sanitizer, bring it and keep it on you for your personal use throughout gatherings.
OTHER RELATED INFO
Van route riding requirements: windows down, masks worn and no more than 10 on a van.
Wednesday night studies, Pillow Party and prayer sessions have been canceled.
Children’s Ministries, Life Class & Breakfast will not resume until a later date.
*All proposed plans remain contingent upon medical information available to us throughout the foreseeable future. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us. I rejoice over you, Highland. I love forward to being with you Sunday.
I love you, Highland,
Rob
The Fruitfulness of Faithfulness
Since I can remember, I have always been a man that values family. The Lord designed me this way. Even as a child, I longed for the holidays to roll around so that the family could gather. At those gatherings, I recall all of the laughter and chatter of our family - and I recall sharing the moments at gatherings, collectively, that made life meaningful. Those moments made family special.
As I have grown up, my love for family has certainly remained; however, my understanding of what it means to love family has certainly been forced to mature through extremely difficult moments and challenging relationship-dynamics.
We all learn that there really isn’t a “how-to manual” for family members to read, so, apart from the persevering and proving Truth of Scripture, we all are just relating to one another based on what feels good and right to ourselves through the given exchanges and situations. It is our feelings that often serve as the binding in these relationships and the offenses that define how we relate to each other.
Highland, our feelings, preferences or offenses should not be the binding we use for our family. We must use God's Word as our glue; submitting to Scripture as to how we maintain our household. We cannot use scripture simply for the purposes of making our points or defending our “right-positions” - we must, rather, allow God’s Word to shape and sharpen us at difficult junctures and through every season of our time together.
This past Sunday, we looked at one of the most defining parts of Scripture, as it relates to how we are to conduct ourselves as family - both in our homes and at Highland.
As we highlighted, the book of Ruth is an account of a family who lived through a very difficult season. Their family took as hard a hit as any family could imagine. During the time of the Judges, Ruth was a Moabite woman who married a man from Israel.
Ruth and her family all lived in Moab. Over a span of time, Ruth’s father-n-law dies, leaving behind Naomi, who is Ruth’s mother-n-law. Not long after, Ruth’s husband dies and his brother, who was married to Orpah. So now, Naomi, Ruth and Orpah live in Moab as widows, alone. On top of that, there is a famine that has stricken the land!
So, Naomi makes a plan to return to Israel to reconnect with her family. She attempts to release both of her daughter-in-laws. Orpah decides to depart, but Ruth then, makes an unwavering declaration of faithfulness. Compelled by the Lord, Ruth declares Naomi’s God will be her God and that Naomi’s people will be her people.
And so, they journey back to Israel together. Upon being welcomed back, Naomi describes herself as being consumed with bitterness. But despite her feelings of bitterness, the Lord’s mercy prevails and He begins a work of generational redemption.
Now, Highland-family, what we see here in Ruth is that Ruth is not sharing in the glee and security of family relationships, she is committing herself to share in the bitterness of her family - to love, to care for and long-suffer as she needs to. That is family - bringing the joy of the Lord into a bitter family situation and defending the vulnerable, while representing truth to the deceived.
Here are a few ways we can cultivate the joy of the Lord in our hearts and home - especially when bitterness looms:
Turn every critical thought that arises about that person into a directive for how to pray for that person (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
By so doing, we do not allow a stronghold of Satan to form against us, instead the Holy Spirit continues to command our hearts, even through the bitterness of that relationship - and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Allow your heart and home to foster grace, not gossip (Galatians 5:13-15).
When we foster back-biting in our hearts through speaking poisonous counsel to ourselves about how to handle those who are bitter, then our minds weaponize our thoughts against that person we are harboring bitterness toward. When we foster grace through the Holy Spirit, we promote undeserved forgiveness toward that person, just as we have received through Jesus.
The Fruitfulness of Faithfulness is Forever
Like Ruth, as we remain faithful to the Lord throughout our generation to honor the name of our Lord, we see the Lord prove faithful. Through Ruth’s declaration of faithfulness, the Lord grafts her into His redemptive plan of salvation. Let us focus on the fruitfulness of faithfulness, not frivolous squabbles in our lives.
“Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:5-11).
The reason we want to turn our attention to the fruitfulness of faithfulness is because these are are the words of Ruth’s great-grandson, David.
I love you, Highland,
Rob
Plans for May 8th & 9th
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
CHICKEN & RICE THIS SATURDAY
Each Saturday from 10:30am-1:00pm, we serve our streets a meal of Chicken & Rice, along with the Gospel. Volunteers are welcome to join us. Chicken & Rice Ministries is our flagship work. It serves as the invitation to all in our streets to come and know Christ. If you would like to come and serve, please contact us.
TENT GATHERING AT 10AM THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday, I look forward to seeing everyone at the Tent Gathering. As we gather this Sunday for our Tent Gathering, I wanted to go over the schedule with you. This Sunday, our schedule is as follows:
9am-10am: Coffee and Conversation. As you arrive, grab a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Enjoy having conversation with one another and the chance to be together. Also, if you’re willing, some will be setting up for the 10 am service. We welcome your help, if you’re able.
10am-11am: Tent Gathering Service. *At 10am, bring your camping chairs or blankets to make for yourself a place outside, underneath our tent. We will gather to worship as we set our eyes upon Jesus. Highland, I ask that we would be in prayer for the name of Jesus to be exalted in our corporate gathering; that those who wander, or are deceived throughout our streets, would hear that Jesus saves, and repent! We will conclude and dismiss following this service. So, breakfast will be offered but not lunch.
We are strongly encouraging social distancing and masks will be available for those who would feel most comfortable wearing one. If you have a mask, please bring one for yourself to use. We ask that you stay home when you are sick. We also ask that you cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Finally, keeping your hands clean using sanitizer or by washing them with soap is vital. If you have a personal bottle of sanitizer, bring it and keep it on you for your personal use throughout gatherings.
OTHER RELATED INFO
Van route riding requirements: windows down, masks worn and no more than 10 on a van.
Wednesday night studies, Pillow Party and prayer sessions have been canceled.
Children’s Ministries, Life Class & Breakfast will not resume until a later date.
*All proposed plans remain contingent upon medical information available to us throughout the foreseeable future. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us. I rejoice over you, Highland. I love forward to being with you Sunday.
I love you, Highland,
Rob