John 3 introduces us to the story of a man named Nicodemus - a religious leader that was intrigued by the presence of Jesus. This story teaches us what happens when we allow the love of Christ to illuminate our lives. Click the link to view this week's message from Center City Church:
Monday, February 13, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Change the World (one thing at a time)
I love our church. We are a predominantly young, passionate and motivated group living and working in a major city. There is an energy and authenticity to our community that I've never experienced before. And there is a common thread among those that call Center City Church home: We want to change the world. And we believe that we can do this through obedience to Jesus and the power that's found in Him.
As the first year and a half of our church unfolded, we took a pretty passionate approach to making a difference in our community. We served at a bunch of different community organizations and non-profits. We partnered with families and schools for landscaping projects. And we found out pretty quickly that by taking a shotgun approach, we were doing good, but we weren't going deep anywhere.
In the winter of 2011, I felt like God asked me to focus on one thing. I went on a search for an organization that matched our heart for the community. We wanted to go deep with one place instead of going wide with several places. We wanted a place that we could serve and make an impact. We wanted a place that would allow us to learn as we grew as a church family. Learn what it meant to stay committed. To stick around, even when serving wasn't fun. Even when it didn't give us goosebumps.
I met the executive director of Charlotte Family Housing, Darren Ash, when we toured their facility toward the end of last year. We immediately connected. I love their vision: working to solve family homelessness. They have a long term approach to fix the problems associated with homelessness and poverty.
CFH is our first official Outreach Partner at Center City Church. We have a whole slew of people that are serving meals at the shelter and acting as overnight hosts this week. We are building relationships with the residents and learning how we can make a difference. Instead of trying to change the whole world in a blur of passion and excitement, we are trying to learn to impact lives one act of service at a time.
I'm so grateful for Darren and his team. I pray that we can be as much of a blessing that they have been to us. We have the passion to change the world. Charlotte Family Housing is helping us to learn the discipline necessary to do just that.
As the first year and a half of our church unfolded, we took a pretty passionate approach to making a difference in our community. We served at a bunch of different community organizations and non-profits. We partnered with families and schools for landscaping projects. And we found out pretty quickly that by taking a shotgun approach, we were doing good, but we weren't going deep anywhere.
In the winter of 2011, I felt like God asked me to focus on one thing. I went on a search for an organization that matched our heart for the community. We wanted to go deep with one place instead of going wide with several places. We wanted a place that we could serve and make an impact. We wanted a place that would allow us to learn as we grew as a church family. Learn what it meant to stay committed. To stick around, even when serving wasn't fun. Even when it didn't give us goosebumps.
I met the executive director of Charlotte Family Housing, Darren Ash, when we toured their facility toward the end of last year. We immediately connected. I love their vision: working to solve family homelessness. They have a long term approach to fix the problems associated with homelessness and poverty.
CFH is our first official Outreach Partner at Center City Church. We have a whole slew of people that are serving meals at the shelter and acting as overnight hosts this week. We are building relationships with the residents and learning how we can make a difference. Instead of trying to change the whole world in a blur of passion and excitement, we are trying to learn to impact lives one act of service at a time.
I'm so grateful for Darren and his team. I pray that we can be as much of a blessing that they have been to us. We have the passion to change the world. Charlotte Family Housing is helping us to learn the discipline necessary to do just that.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
A Revival in My Heart
God is doing something in me that I've never felt before. It's like a revival in my heart. Something shifted in my heart and my spirit with the beginning of 2012. The biggest lesson - by far - that I have learned since the turn of this year is really simple: Silence. I came to the realization that God does not need my voice. I need His.
I have spent more time than ever resting in God's presence. Listening. Turning off the noise and just allowing my mind to be at ease. And I'm feeling something that I've never felt before in my life. It's like John 15 is coming alive in my spirit.
I've always believed in the power of God. I had a praying mom that always pointed me to Jesus. She taught me how to pray. And all of those lessons are coming full circle since the beginning of the year. I'm learning how to let go and allow God to freely do what he chooses. I'm realizing that my presence is not nearly as integral to this church flourishing as I once thought. If I have his presence, I have all that I need. As a pastor, my role is to point others to the light. All of my creativity and leadership should point to Jesus if I'm fulfilling my calling.
As I have been observing our church family, I see that God has begun to pour out a revival in the hearts of others, as well. My prayers are getting bigger. Getting bolder. There are many dreams in my heart, but the request of my dreams coming to pass are paling in comparison to my requests for God's presence. His power. His reality.
If you are a part of our church family, it's important that you know what your pastor is praying for these days. I'm praying for the unmistakable, unmatchable, unfiltered, unexplainable power of God to be at work and on display in and through our church family. I'm praying that God does something among us that none of us can take credit for as it unfolds.
I am praying that revival starts in our hearts individually. That our passion for God leads us to get up a little earlier and dive into the word of God before the day begins (click here to check out some online reading plans). To stay up a little later at night asking God for his miraculous power to be at work in our community. I am praying that our passion for Jesus leads us to serve well, to serve selflessly in our community without the need for recognition. That our lives would look like Jesus. Humble, yet confident. Understated, yet powerful.
Scriptures say that Jesus is the light of the world. When we have Jesus in our hearts, he illuminates our lives and drives the darkness away. If each one of us allows the light of Christ to shine in and through our lives, it's just a matter of time before we light up this city. And that light that starts to shine at home will continue to shine across the world over time.
God has captured my time and attention. He has brought a revival to my heart. And now I'm praying that a revival starts in your heart. Give your heart and your all to Jesus. You will never regret it.
I have spent more time than ever resting in God's presence. Listening. Turning off the noise and just allowing my mind to be at ease. And I'm feeling something that I've never felt before in my life. It's like John 15 is coming alive in my spirit.
I've always believed in the power of God. I had a praying mom that always pointed me to Jesus. She taught me how to pray. And all of those lessons are coming full circle since the beginning of the year. I'm learning how to let go and allow God to freely do what he chooses. I'm realizing that my presence is not nearly as integral to this church flourishing as I once thought. If I have his presence, I have all that I need. As a pastor, my role is to point others to the light. All of my creativity and leadership should point to Jesus if I'm fulfilling my calling.
As I have been observing our church family, I see that God has begun to pour out a revival in the hearts of others, as well. My prayers are getting bigger. Getting bolder. There are many dreams in my heart, but the request of my dreams coming to pass are paling in comparison to my requests for God's presence. His power. His reality.
If you are a part of our church family, it's important that you know what your pastor is praying for these days. I'm praying for the unmistakable, unmatchable, unfiltered, unexplainable power of God to be at work and on display in and through our church family. I'm praying that God does something among us that none of us can take credit for as it unfolds.
I am praying that revival starts in our hearts individually. That our passion for God leads us to get up a little earlier and dive into the word of God before the day begins (click here to check out some online reading plans). To stay up a little later at night asking God for his miraculous power to be at work in our community. I am praying that our passion for Jesus leads us to serve well, to serve selflessly in our community without the need for recognition. That our lives would look like Jesus. Humble, yet confident. Understated, yet powerful.
Scriptures say that Jesus is the light of the world. When we have Jesus in our hearts, he illuminates our lives and drives the darkness away. If each one of us allows the light of Christ to shine in and through our lives, it's just a matter of time before we light up this city. And that light that starts to shine at home will continue to shine across the world over time.
God has captured my time and attention. He has brought a revival to my heart. And now I'm praying that a revival starts in your heart. Give your heart and your all to Jesus. You will never regret it.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Known by Love: Love is Extraordinary
I am consistently blown away by the fact that God decided to use people like you and I to accomplish his plan. In all of his wisdom, he decided to include imperfect people to communicate the perfect plan of redemption, love and grace. We GET to be a part of HIS story. Amazing. Click the link to view this week's message from Center City Church and learn about the people that were included in the first miracle of Jesus' public ministry.
Click the link to download the note sheet from Sunday to follow along with the message:
Click the link to download the note sheet from Sunday to follow along with the message:
Friday, February 3, 2012
Create a Space for Jesus to Fill
"If you created a space for Jesus to fill, he will fill it."
That quote resonated so deep in my spirit this past week. As Dara and I gathered with about 50 church planter's from across North Carolina, Darla Rakes spoke those words to us. It was like a lightbulb went off in my head.
As I've been sharing on this blog recently, I have been doing the best I can to learn how to delegate and let go of things. And a challenge for me is to live with open spaces. I have become so consumed with the pace of life that includes juggling church stuff, husband, daddy, friend, etc. It is almost like I had forgotten what open spaces felt like. And the more I crammed my schedule full of "stuff", the less I felt the closeness and intimacy with Jesus.
As I have been letting go, I am resolving to not just fill my spaces back up with other things. I am leaving more open spaces for prayer, reflection and writing. And my heart feels healthier today than I've ever felt along this journey.
Creating a space means letting go. Letting go of having to have your hands in everything. You create space in your budget by tithing. That's a huge step for so many. But that's where you see God in your finances. You create space in your day by waking up a bit earlier and diving into God's word, times of prayer and moments of silence.
Those words have resonated so deeply in my spirit: If you create a space for Jesus to fill, he will fill it. And I promise that his presence is way more fulfilling, productive and peaceful than anything you could decide to fill it with on your own.
How can you create space today in your life?
That quote resonated so deep in my spirit this past week. As Dara and I gathered with about 50 church planter's from across North Carolina, Darla Rakes spoke those words to us. It was like a lightbulb went off in my head.
As I've been sharing on this blog recently, I have been doing the best I can to learn how to delegate and let go of things. And a challenge for me is to live with open spaces. I have become so consumed with the pace of life that includes juggling church stuff, husband, daddy, friend, etc. It is almost like I had forgotten what open spaces felt like. And the more I crammed my schedule full of "stuff", the less I felt the closeness and intimacy with Jesus.
As I have been letting go, I am resolving to not just fill my spaces back up with other things. I am leaving more open spaces for prayer, reflection and writing. And my heart feels healthier today than I've ever felt along this journey.
Creating a space means letting go. Letting go of having to have your hands in everything. You create space in your budget by tithing. That's a huge step for so many. But that's where you see God in your finances. You create space in your day by waking up a bit earlier and diving into God's word, times of prayer and moments of silence.
Those words have resonated so deeply in my spirit: If you create a space for Jesus to fill, he will fill it. And I promise that his presence is way more fulfilling, productive and peaceful than anything you could decide to fill it with on your own.
How can you create space today in your life?
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Where is Your Anchor?
Where is your anchor? This question is one that I hope each person gives great consideration to seeking a solid answer. Far too often this answer is answered in ways that bring false senses of security. False comfort. Fleeting stability.
We think that finances will be the anchor that holds us steady into our future. So our lives are given to working tirelessly to gain another dollar. What happens when the economy crashes?
We think that relationships will be the anchor that brings comfort when everything else crashes. But what happens when one imperfect human disappoints another? What happens in the case of an untimely loss of that person that anchors us?
We think that career will be the anchor to give us stability and give us worth and meaning. But what happens if the job market turns or your dreams are tripped up along the way?
I have found that finances come and go. After all, you can only spend a dollar once. I have found that every relationship I have ever had has disappointed me in one way or another. And I have found that my career, of which I currently find great satisfaction, has also been one of the most challenging and volatile areas of my life.
So I ask myself the same question I pose to you: where is my anchor?
I have found that God has been my provision every moment and every step of my life. I have found that God has been a faithful father, friend and King. He has never disappointed me. I have found that only God has ever been able to give me satisfaction and worth when I realize that I am his prized and loved child. Whether I am successful in the eyes of the world or I am simply a mess to everyone around me, His ear has always been close to my prayers.
My anchor is in Jesus. In every area of my life. In my dreams. In my hopes. In my friendships. In my marriage. In my finances. In my adoration. He anchors my life.
As a ship on the open seas, I have been tossed around by the waves. But when my anchor is found rooted in the immovable, ushakable, unbreakable and powerful presence of God, there is no hurricane of life that can rip me away from his love, care and provision.
Where is your anchor?
We think that finances will be the anchor that holds us steady into our future. So our lives are given to working tirelessly to gain another dollar. What happens when the economy crashes?
We think that relationships will be the anchor that brings comfort when everything else crashes. But what happens when one imperfect human disappoints another? What happens in the case of an untimely loss of that person that anchors us?
We think that career will be the anchor to give us stability and give us worth and meaning. But what happens if the job market turns or your dreams are tripped up along the way?
I have found that finances come and go. After all, you can only spend a dollar once. I have found that every relationship I have ever had has disappointed me in one way or another. And I have found that my career, of which I currently find great satisfaction, has also been one of the most challenging and volatile areas of my life.
So I ask myself the same question I pose to you: where is my anchor?
I have found that God has been my provision every moment and every step of my life. I have found that God has been a faithful father, friend and King. He has never disappointed me. I have found that only God has ever been able to give me satisfaction and worth when I realize that I am his prized and loved child. Whether I am successful in the eyes of the world or I am simply a mess to everyone around me, His ear has always been close to my prayers.
My anchor is in Jesus. In every area of my life. In my dreams. In my hopes. In my friendships. In my marriage. In my finances. In my adoration. He anchors my life.
As a ship on the open seas, I have been tossed around by the waves. But when my anchor is found rooted in the immovable, ushakable, unbreakable and powerful presence of God, there is no hurricane of life that can rip me away from his love, care and provision.
Where is your anchor?
Letting Go
As I have been learning to let go in so many areas of my life, God led us down a very unexpected path this Sunday at Center City Church. I have always said that I want the Spirit to lead us during our services, but this week was a whole new level.
In short, I scrapped my prepared message and we talked about freedom and healing. It was a powerful expression of God's love and healing. If you need healing and freedom, I ask you to click the link and receive with an open heart.
In short, I scrapped my prepared message and we talked about freedom and healing. It was a powerful expression of God's love and healing. If you need healing and freedom, I ask you to click the link and receive with an open heart.
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