March 20, 2010

Opening Hymns:
I Have Settled the Question (http://nethymnal.org/htm/i/h/ihaveset.htm)
Oh Jesus We Adore Thee (http://nethymnal.org/htm/o/j/ojwadore.htm)

Scripture Reading:
Philippians 3:12-14

Message Future Focus
Sometimes our past can act as a weight that keeps us tied down. It can prevent us from going onward to our future. All of us can experience this in different ways. The athlete, when focusing on the early part of the game may lose focus and not be able to get that next goal. Writers, focusing on past failures or victories may have a hard time writing that next book. As a nurse, if I focus on mistakes that I have made in the past, then I won’t be able to cognitively focus on not making mistakes in the future. We must not allow ourselves to shift our focus from good to bad. Rather, we should continue looking ahead at our mission.

Out of all the external stimuli that each of us experience through sight, touch, smell exc., only 10-20% of it is mentally recognized. Because of that, a big part of what creates our world is what we decide to focus on. If we have a hard time hearing, then our touch, taste and sight gets more focus, and therefore seems enhanced. Likewise, if we tune out the good things in our life, negativity becomes “enhanced” and vise-versa. It is important, then, to keep our focus, as Paul talks about. Our focus is on our Lord, Jesus Christ. We need not focus on the past when we can see the beauty of our future.

Time of Prayer
*Respond: Lord hear our prayer

For those who have lost loved ones young and old, that they might heal from the sorry of that loss we pray to the Lord*
For people whose homes are in danger of being flooded, that the water might not rise as high as it was thought to, and that their homes might be spared we pray to the Lord*
To all who are suffer from conflicts, that the misunderstandings might be recognized, forgiveness is given, and the broken bonds are mended we pray to the Lord*

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
I Choose Jesus (http://nethymnal.org/htm/i/c/ichoosej.htm)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, and serve the Lord
Thanks be to God