Look at what's coming up!

• Get Connected Lunch: Sunday, May 20th at noon.
• Men's Motorcycle Ride: Saturday, May 26 @10 am. Meet at the church.
• Family Camp: July 27-29 at Grand Lake.

Quick Links

Hello MC Leaders,  

 
We hope that you are all enjoying this beautiful time of year!

Thank you for signing up and adopting a teacher. We were able to bless all of the teachers and they were very appreciative.

~Angela Backstrom~

Missional Communities Assistant

Open, Closed, or Free?

by: Joel Thomas

How we respond to difficult situations often defines us and reveals the truth of our character. The two responses I have heard frequently described are the "closed fist", and the "open hand".

Closed Fist -

This is our default stance. This is about our perceived sense of control. There are many reasons that this approach is wrong and unhealthy. The bottom line though, is that attempting to close ranks around our issues and control them through a closed fist response is based on faulty reasoning. Stated simply-control is a lie. We do not control the situations in our life. We are fully deceived if we think otherwise. Attempting to "take control" of our situations is to attempt to knock God off His throne. No amount of grasping will move Christ off His position as Sovereign over all creation. I bring into question His reign and His right to rule when I attempt-lamely I might add-to control my circumstances. Christ alone is in control. He is unshaken, undeterred and not confused in regards to His role in my life. Attempts at control only exhaust me and distract me from the trust I must place in the Father's hands.

Open Hand -

I have heard this phrase time and again from many Godly mentors. The theory is that my trust will be most fully displayed when I release my grip on what weighs me down. Uncurling our fingers from around our greatest anxieties and fears is a cathartic exercise that provides greater opportunity for the Father to minister to our needs. And yet, an open hand is a level of control. There is still a lie at work in the Open Hand approach. We are tempted to pat ourselves on the back at our trust and faithfulness from unclenching our fists from around our concerns. Yet the truth is that we are still connected. By very definition, an open hand is still holding the weight of whatever the fist was clinging to. Have we given Jesus more access to our concerns? Yes. But we have not ceased to carry the burden.

There is a better way. A way of freedom. A way of true release and faith.

Hands Off -

This approach is excruciating. It is the final step towards our release from anxiety and fear. Letting go. Completely. The Hands Off approach is coming to the throne of the King and submitting our past, present and future entirely to Him. It is the final step toward real freedom. Removing our hands transforms our fears into offerings. We leave them with the Father and walk away in the freedom, faith and joy that He will work all things for our ultimate benefit.

Where are your hands today? Closed? Open? Or free?

Family Camp

by: Joel Thomas 

IPods, smart phones, to-do lists, emails, texts, tweets, facebook updates, sports practices, business meetings, bills, home repairs, car repairs, illnesses, doctor visits, traffic jams, arguments, hurts, anxiety and fear. It is all too much. It is time to press pause, hit the eject button, disengage and unplug.

What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. Matthew 6:31, 33-34 MSG

It is time for all of our families to disconnect from our daily pressures. To play together. To celebrate and laugh together. To worship together. It is time to unplug and go camping!

The Core ministries of Foothills are partnering to provide a great camp experience for the entire family. Join us July 27-29 in the national forest just outside Grand Lake for our inaugural Foothills Family Camp. Activities will be provided for all ages as well as some much needed parent time. Families will begin arriving Friday afternoon then departing after our "mountain church service" on Sunday morning.

There will be:

• Music
• Bonfires
• Hiking
• Fishing
• Horseback riding*
• Boating*
• Riding dirt bikes and quads**
• Relay races
• Talent Shows
• Scavenger hunts
• S'mores and much, much more!

*Additional costs and arrangements will need to be made for these activities

**Individuals will be responsible to bring up their own recreation vehicles

Toilets will be available, but there will not be any electricity or running water so you will need to plan accordingly. Campers or tents will be required. Stay tuned as we roll out more details soon. You can sign up by contacting Angela Backstrom at: abackstrom@foothillsonline.org. If you have questions please email Joel at: jthomas@foothillsonline.org.

Our Students going out into the World

by: Kyle Morris and Josh Calkins