David Houtsma

Every Church gets to develop some exciting traditions.... And we have found a definite KEEPER. At Eastgate Church today we got to celebrate our SOUTHERN SUNDAY - - a day where we can kick back and celebrate all things Southern. This year was especially cool - as we got to host country singer Mandy Gawley. Her song "It's the little things" really touched my heart. It makes me glad to kiss my little girls good night every night! The kids rode around on ponies from the Little Red Barn, and the food! Y'all know we can't get Southern without a whole mess of good eatin. We had Fagan's Biscuit Barn for breakfast, and Jim n' Nick's BBQ for lunch. YUM, YUM, YUM. Today the Lord put a special message on my heart about the QUEEN OF THE SOUTH. A simple message about how people that serve God have found that missing piece to life. With Christ as the center, we have found real love, lasting peace, and true joy. It is the ONLY way to really live. And after sharing that message... we counted 32 decisions for Christ today. NOW THAT IS A SOUTHERN SUNDAY! www.mandygawley.com littleredbarn.us www.fagansbiscuitbarn.com www.jimnnicks.com

Have you ever been to a church service where you just felt really moved? In many instances the average church goer just comes and goes as they please without really experiencing what God has intended a worship service to be. WHAT IF that wasn’t the case? WHAT IF for one day every man and woman who follows Christ came seeking God, stood united in worship and experienced a spiritual renewal? As crazy as that sounds, I’m not talking about something miraculous. This could happen now! In Matt 6:10 Jesus tells us to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” But what does that look like? Here is how we can make the coming of God’s kingdom a reality: · WHAT IF everyone went to bed early this Saturday night? Ps 127:2 · WHAT IF whole families gathered together and prayed for 10 minutes Sun AM before coming to church? Matt 6:6 · WHAT IF everyone arrived to church at least 5 minutes early to encourage other believers? Heb 10:25 · WHAT IF together everyone stood ready to worship, pray and praise God? Jer 17:26 · WHAT IF everyone received the blessing of bringing their whole tithe into the church? Mal 3:10 WHAT IF we opened a church service like THAT? Where would it lead….? I want to invite you to be a part of this great experiment. Come experience “WHAT IF” this Sunday at Eastgate Church at 9 & 11 am. In His service, Pastor David

It's a regular occurance here in Alpharetta & Cumming - and I suppose just about everywhere else. When a realtor hosts an open house, here come the neighbors. People that live all around, who know the neighborhood (they live there after all) and everything about the area want to see the INSIDE.

I suppose it is human nature to want to be an insider.

Last night Eastgate church had a truly wonderful water baptism service. My two lovely daughters were both baptized. And as I watched the service, I felt so amazed to catch a glimpse of the hearts of those taking this amazing step. As each shared a glimpse of the heart behind the baptism, it became more than a tradition.

We had a chance to go on an open house tour of our friends and neighbors commitment to follow Christ.

And in essence, that is what baptism is all about. It is about inviting the neighbors in to see what Christ has done in our hearts. It is about turning outsiders into insiders.

And that whole process is something that adds joy to life.

Today we had the privilege of bringing both natural and spiritual foor to the people of our community. And a few other churches in Cumming had the same idea. I love it when God's people are hearing the same message: give them something to eat!

A wise friend once shared with me that spiritual outpouring in a community is like a water table - it rises from under the ground until it becomes like a flooding stream.

Today we witnessed a flooding stream of generousity, personal connection, and people using their talents and gifts to reach our neighbors. People from Cumming, Suwannee, Alpharetta, and Johns Creek all got needed food, prayer and encouragement.

It was also a treat to go to the No Longer Bound Ministry's Cumming location and let them know their friends at Eastgate church are standing with them. We learned they are expanding out west and so have been short supplied with staff and food. God knew in advance of their need and we were privleged to bring much needed vegetables, bread, fruits, and other treats.

All throughout the day I kept seeing God connect people with the same spiritual theme and desire. It just shows how God links His people together in His purpose.

And whenever God's people walk together in unity - the Bible tells us that He commands a blessing. So freinds get ready, spiritual blessing is coming!

What is the greatest love story in the Bible?

When we think of great love stories in the Bible we often think about the story of how Isaac loved Rebecca or how Solomon wed the Shunamite. Then we consider what Paul wrote, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife. It is a mystery, but I am speaking of Christ and the church."

When I put the two together, it makes me think that the greatest love story in the Bible should be a picture of the love that Christ has for the church. And when I look at the church, I see many people who were sinners but are now saved by grace. People who didn't deserve the love of God, but experienced His mercy any way. People like you and me.

It makes me think that the greatest love story in the Bible is the story of Hosea and Gomer. The story of a man who found his wife pregant by another man. Not once, but three times. The story of a woman who abandoned her family to prostitute on the streets only to be arrested and sold as a sex slave. The story of a faithful husband, though abandoned and betrayed by his wife heard God whisper to his broken heart - go and buy back your wife and love her, because that is how I loved my church (Israel).

The greatest love story is not just a story of windswept passion, but a story of immeasurable grace. It is a story of a special kind of love... that kind that overcomes human shortcomings and inadequacies.

It is a love that only can come from God. It is Agape love. An unconditional love that lasts forever.

For more listen to the 2/13/2011 "Love Your Wife" sermon at www.eastgatechurch.org