Here's to the uncomfortable

So, I've been learning something the hard way this year....

It is exponentially more uncomfortable to address an issue when it happens.

However, it becomes exponentially more damaging the longer you take to deal with your stuff.

I have two prime example of this in my life right now. I have spent months pulling my head out of the sand and dealing with something that has been going on for years.

Seriously...it's messy and complicated now and, although we seem to be through the worst and in a place where we can move on, it seriously has taken months to get here.

In stark contrast, last Thursday someone said something that really offended me. I took a couple of days, prayed (for my heart first, then the other person, then the situation) and yesterday we had a talk.

It was a talk I started over email. A very carefully crafted email letting her know how what she said made me feel. Not accusatory, humble and factual, telling her that I cared about her and our friendship...

She called me the moment she read the email. We talked for about 20 minutes. It was very uncomfortable to write the email and pick up the phone when she called, but WOW...so totally worth it. I actually got some background on her side...I apologized, so did she...and we are fine.

I found her after work and gave her a big hug. I'm working really hard to handle situations more like this across the board in my life. It's totally worth the short moments of being super uncomfortable to have a conversation and be able to move on rather than spending literally years unsure of where I stand and how to relate to someone.

So, here's to the uncomfortable...may I continue to embrace it in Christ-like humility.

I don't love it because...

With all the stuff flying around about the Ted Haggard interview, I'd just like to say.

I'm a proud participant of Elevation church. I'm a volunteer leader, I volunteer at everything and I love it. I don't love it because it's hip or cool. I don't love it because we're the 2nd fastest growing church in America. I don't love it because my Pastor is Pastor Steven "freakin" Furtick. I don't love it because people from other churches are here ever weekend to "see how we do it." I don't love it because we have the most amazing staff on the planet.

I don't love it for any other reason than that our church IS the church EVERY DAY. I love it that we strive to be like Jesus so much that it's all people can talk about...even if they think they are reprimanding us for bringing in a human, fallen leader to tell his story. I love that because Jesus was always at the center of controversy. Not for the sake of controversy, but because the message of His kind of grace turns the world on it's ear. I love that about Him. I love that about my church. And I'm proud to stand as an "Elevator." I know what I stand for, what we stand for, and most importantly what my Savior stands for...so I don't just fall for anything.

so that people far from God will be filled with life in Christ....EVERY WEEK

to the One who IS

So, I know that everyone has talked about how amazing this Easter weekend was and how God moved in ways we could not have imagined...but I just have to say

wow

The awe-inspiring, intense, rock-your-socks-off kind of wow. I am constantly amazed and what God chooses to do. He is pouring out His amazing blessings here in Charlotte and I am humbled to be a part of that every week.

But this blew me away.

We started with communion. Live over the internet, in a "I never thought of doing it this way" format. At noon hundreds of people who either are on staff, volunteer or knew someone who is/does paused to remember the sacrifice of our Savior...it was incredible.

Then our small groups were encouraged to gather and watch the Passion...which we did. Such a poignant reminder. Lots of tears over His self-less sacrifice for my broke down incredibly selfish-ness.

Saturday we went full throttle setting up for what would be a remarkable weekend. We got everything done...tried to prepare for the unexpected as best we could and held on for the ride. It began with an amazing call to worship...Elevation style with Jesse Fisher. Pastor Steven totally brought the word of the Lord and it rang true in the heart of the hearer.

wow...

People not only came (over 7800 actually), but made decisions (over 700) that will change the trajectory of their entire life. I'm not sure what else there is to be said except for

wow...and

Thank you...

to the One who was, who IS and is to come.

I hope you have a wonderful day!

Okay, so for those who don't know...I teach little kids art. I know...super fun...

But today they had Easter programs as we celebrate the miracle of Christ's ultimate sacrifice this weekend and His unspeakable love for us. It's always adorable and sweet to hear children (especially ones you know and love) sing and speak praise to our Savior.

This morning totally blew me away.

Prior to one of our programs a 2nd grade girl was asked to pray. She's an amazing "prayer" as my kids say, so I was not surprised that she was asked to open the program.

And then she said something so profound...

"God, I hope YOU have a wonderful day!" and then proceeded to pray for the program and the audience and all the other "things" that would go in an opening prayer...

I didn't really catch the rest of it because it struck me...I never even think to talk to my Abba Father that way.

So today I will...

"Daddy...I hope you have a wonderful day!"

You're better than that

I was reminded of this thought this morning (as I was whining about not wanting to get out of bed). You see I have this roommate...she is amazing and I really am blessed to share a home with her.

However (comma)

She has this uncanny ability to hear (IN HER SLEEP) #1. my alarm and #2. the shower. You see, she has this internal clock that tells her "Laura's alarm has gone off and enough time has passed that she should be in the shower...AND SHE IS NOT."

This kills me.

Because she then gets up out of bed and comes and does whatever she deems necessary to get me out of bed...including, but not limited to waking the dog and singing at the top of her lungs.

But today was different (while she did wake the dog and sing...) she simply said to me...

You're better than that.

Which is something Pastor Steven said during the series The Essential James. And this morning it woke me up like a screaming siren...I do not apply this concept to my life in the morning.

I love the snooze button.

I'm serious...I mean I LOVE the snooze button. I love it so much I'll use it several times in the morning. Sometimes I use it so much that I'm late to wherever I need to be...work, early morning volunteering, meeting a friend for breakfast or morning coffee...

Until my roommate moved in.

This a godly woman...but the gloves come off when it comes to being late. And I am learning this good practice from her (sometimes against my will...) :)

So today's comment hit me between the eyes..."You're better than that." You're better than dragging yourself out of bed at the last minute, to rush through getting ready, to rush through time with Jesus, to rush through breakfast and barely make it to work on time. It's not enough to just not be late because that doesn't prepare you to be your best at work all day. That doesn't display the excellence that we are called to bring to everything we do...because it's all for the Lord anyway.

Just a little Pastor Steven revisited...in a very practical way in my life.

I'm better than that...and so are you.

Begging for more

So, I've been learning a lot recently...here's a run down:

God is always working ahead of me.
Just when I think I know people or a situation...I should be careful, because I don't.
What I don't know doesn't interfere with my walk as much as what I do know and don't do.
Living my life with Christlike excellence will bring attention, it's not guaranteed to be positive attention...just attention.
As long as I continue to humble myself before my Savior He will take it all and make it work.
My mouth is a powerful weapon and I can use it to destroy my allies or I can use it to defeat the powers of hell.

Which brings me to my next point...my Pastor is incredible. He's not perfect...he's human, but each of these lessons is something that I have either learned or had taught to me in a new way under his leadership.

It's been a while since I have talked about our current series at Elevation and part of that is because I've been trying to process all I've been learning.

In case you haven't noticed...it's a lot.

And I love that.

I love that Pastor Steven cares enough about the people that hear him speak to tell the truth. And to do so with the bold confidence that his calling requires. I can't imagine how difficult it must be for him sometimes to say what God lays on his heart. But I am always so thankful that he does. I have grown more in my walk in the last two years than I have in a very long time. It seems before I can get one new concept down there is another one...in a great way.

It's an amazing white water rapid of growth
and I'm in the raft...

drenched,

paddle in hand,

begging for more