Re-discovering Masculinity in a Love-crazed Culture

Subscribe, download, or just stream weekly podcast sermons at Lifehouse Church East.  Currently in a series called Love & Other 4 Letter Words, and examining what it means to love as Jesus-followers, and how that love impacts every part of our life.

Most recent message addressed the identity and role of men according to the Bible.

Yes, it's counter cultural. Yes, it'll offended some people. Yes, it will challenge you to live different than what you've been taught by our cultural teachers of TV, news, and movies.

BUT guys need a challenge and a fight worth fighting.  In a generation plague with fatherless homes and male role models like Charlie Sheen, we could deeply use an infusion of counter- cultural teaching that goes counter- intuitive to our own desires and nature.

To a generation that has seen the role of men torn down to nothing more than negligent sperm-donors or helpless saps.

We need a strong teaching and model of what it means to be real MEN. HUSBANDS. FATHERS.

Listen to this teaching from Ephesians 5:25-33. and discover what it means to BE a MAN!

Discover the Man's Role in Love - Tomorrow

Is this the image of what a man should be? Most guys think so, and so do the women.

Come out to Lifehouse Church East tomorrow at 9am or 10:30 and discover what the Bible says about the role of men in love, marriage, and community!

Prepare to be challenged as we continue our series "Love & Other 4 Letter Words".

Faith VS Fear

It would make great reality TV, but no one would sign up to have their faith tested. Would you be a contestant on Faith versus Fear? Here are some indicators of how you'd be tested.

You might be controlled by fear if you think:

• Ambition: The journey of a thousand miles sometimes ends very, very badly.
• Despair: It's always darkest just before it goes pitch black.
• Limitations: Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.
  
• Mistakes: It could be that the purpose of your life is only to serve as a warning to others.
• Wishes: When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams can come true. Unless it's really a meteorite hurtling to the Earth which will destroy all life. Then you're pretty much hosed no matter what you wish for. Unless it's death by meteor.
• Potential: Not everyone gets to be an astronaut when they grow up.
  

The above were taken from www.despair.com. Now, you know I have a dry sense of humor.

HOWEVER:

• Faith knows that darkness, pain, hurt, and hardship are the pathway to greater revelation of who God is and how He works in and through our lives.
• Faith sees those moments, not as an end BUT as the front end of a miracle.
• Faith sees risk through the eyes of God's power and Spirit, which is limitless and all powerful.
• Faith chooses to believe rather than plunge into fear, worry, and doubt. 
• Faith wrestles with deep emotions of anguish, fear, doubt, frustration, and despair BUT is not overtaken by them. How? Not through self-inspiration, but through TRUST in God. Faith allows God to overcome through us.
• While fear worries, faith prays!
• Faith does not look to God to avoid suffering BUT to discover my joy in Christ goes deeper than suffering, lack, or hurt.
• Faith does not ask for comfort BUT learns that Jesus-followers have a peace that surpasses all discomfort in this lifetime.

Okay, not preaching, just explaining from personal experience. Maybe we've all been entered into the reality show of life called "Faith versus Fear".

What are your faith vs. fear stories?

You can save a baby's life!

The Hagerstown Area Pregnancy Center is an incredible organization that serves those in a crisis pregnancy, as well as their unborn child.

Several churches in our area have rallied support behind the Center to raise funds to help them become a full-care center open 5 days a week.

If you're collecting coins for the Hag.Pregnacy Center, fill your baby bottle and bring it into Lifehouse by the end of February! (Please return unfilled bottles as well.)

Thanks so much for turning your change into a BIG change!

Your Opportunity to be BAPTIZED!

Water Baptism is a significant step in the life of a Christ-follower, and if you or someone you know would like to participate in our upcoming ceremony, email our office and complete an Application for Water Baptism by February 17.  You can also read more about the meaning and significance of this ceremony by reading our baptism brochure.

The big event happens during the adult worship services at Leitersburg Cinema, so we hope everyone will participate in this special day!

Friend Day

No need to sign up for the "Lonely Hearts Club" this Valentine's Weekend!

February 13th is FRIEND DAY at Lifehouse Church East!

Surround yourself with good company, good food, and good music as we kick off a brand new series, "Love & Other 4 Letter Words." Watch the teaser video here.

Services begin at 9:00 AM & 10:30 AM, with free coffee & breakfast available before each service.  So, grab a friend, co-worker, or frienemy and we'll see you Valentine's weekend at Lifehouse Church East!

Exciting Stuff Happening at Lifehouse

Join us for Friend Day on 2/13! Invite your FRIENDS: http://www.lifehousechurcheast.org/feb-13-friend-day.


Kicking off new series: "Love & Other 4 Letter Words"

**Plus FREE showing of Fireproof at Leitersburg Cinemas from 2/11-14 for Valentine's Day: http://www.fireproofthemovie.com.





***The Grace Card MOVIE coming to Cinemas on 2/25-27, sponsored by Lifehouse & area churches: 



Tell everyone!

-Pastor Patrick
www.twitter.com/patrickgrach
www.barenakedfaith.blogspot.com