We came to Clearbranch a little over one year ago. Shortly after, God really placed this dream on my heart and thanks to the support of our amazing pastor and many incredible women - flourish came to be.
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Thursday, October 22, 2015
flourish
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree. Psalm 92:12
We came to Clearbranch a little over one year ago. Shortly after, God really placed this dream on my heart and thanks to the support of our amazing pastor and many incredible women - flourish came to be.
We kicked Flourish off in April and just held the sixth event this last Tuesday. The idea is a monthly gathering of women. No series. No major agenda. Just God's stories told through His women each month. God has blessed this dream so much and connected me with other women with the same dreams. Dreams of a safe place. A place to worship. A place to fellowship. A place to receive a word from the Lord. A place that points to Jesus. A place to flourish.
What a gift it has been to see this ministry flourish over the last six months. We meet again November 17th - join us will you? We will be hearing from Cristin Dedmon who is the director of programming for the United Methodist Children's Home. 6:30 - be there.
We came to Clearbranch a little over one year ago. Shortly after, God really placed this dream on my heart and thanks to the support of our amazing pastor and many incredible women - flourish came to be.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Worship Wednesday - This I Believe
Chris and I have always been huge fans of the worship music coming from Hillsong in Australia. Each summer they release new music and we look forward to that release each year. This year the morning it came out I immediately purchased it and played Chris the song "This I Believe (The Creed)."
The song is so powerful and puts the Apostles Creed into a contemporary song. You can hear from Ben Fielding of Hillsong here about how this song came to be. I love how he notes that in contemporary churches these songs are becoming the confessions of the modern church and this song is able to take a historical unifying piece of liturgy and allow it to be used today.
But enjoy this song today!
Our Father Everlasting
The all creating one
God Almighty
Through your Holy Spirit
conceiving Christ the Son
Jesus our Savior
I believe in God our Father
I believe in Christ the Son
I believe in the Holy Spirit
Our God is three in one
I believe in the resurrection
that we will rise again
For I believe in the name of Jesus
Our Judge and our defender
suffered and crucified
forgiveness is in You
Descended into darkness
You rose in glorious light
You're ever seated high
I believe in God our Father
I believe in Christ the Son
I believe in the Holy Spirit
Our God is three in one
I believe in the resurrection
that we will rise again
For I believe in the name of Jesus
Cause I believe in You
I believe You rose again
I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord
And I believe in You
I believe You rose again
I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord
I believe in God our Father
I believe in Christ the Son
I believe in the Holy Spirit
Our God is three in one
I believe in the resurrection
that we will rise again
For I believe in the name of Jesus
I believe in life eternal
I believe in the virgin birth
I believe in the Saint's Communion
and in your Holy Church
I believe in the resurrection
when Jesus comes again
For I believe in the name of Jesus
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Truth
Since I've been driving back and forth to Montgomery during the week it has given me the opportunity to have precious lunch dates with friends who I miss. Yesterday, I had the chance to have lunch with a friend, mentor, unofficial older sister, and a very Godly woman I look up to. We just went back and forth the whole time. We shared frustrations. We shared joys. We shared life happenings. She's a little bit older than me (not much!) but doesn't look down on me or at me.
We began to talk about how it is common for us as Christians to look down at our mistakes, and sit under the weight of our guilt. This often stops us from moving forward and we both expressed that in our past it made us continue to make the same mistakes over and over again. We both had experiences where we felt unworthy, and we were seeking acceptance and it caused our sins to mount and our shame to grow.
Then she just made such a statement of truth that I've kept it with me and felt led to share with you.
When we do that and hold on to our guilt and our shame and don't ask for forgiveness and move forward- we are saying that our mistakes and our sin are bigger than Jesus' death on the cross. That's crazy- no our sin is not bigger than Jesus' death. He died for ALL of our sins. Big and Small. He said "Tetelestai" = IT IS FINISHED. That means we don't have to sit under the guilt. He calls us to get up, continue, and live as the forgiven cherished son/daughters that we are.
I loved that today. I pray that you carry that with you. Don't make the same mistake because you already have, what's the difference now. I lived with that mindset for years. You were made for more than that. Don't miss anything He has for you because you don't think you're worthy. We're so unworthy, but at the cross He made us WHOLE.
Reminds me of the beatiful song His Glory Appears from Hillsong...
You gave me hope
You made me whole
At the cross
You took my place
You showed me grace
At the cross
Where you died for me
We began to talk about how it is common for us as Christians to look down at our mistakes, and sit under the weight of our guilt. This often stops us from moving forward and we both expressed that in our past it made us continue to make the same mistakes over and over again. We both had experiences where we felt unworthy, and we were seeking acceptance and it caused our sins to mount and our shame to grow.
Then she just made such a statement of truth that I've kept it with me and felt led to share with you.
When we do that and hold on to our guilt and our shame and don't ask for forgiveness and move forward- we are saying that our mistakes and our sin are bigger than Jesus' death on the cross. That's crazy- no our sin is not bigger than Jesus' death. He died for ALL of our sins. Big and Small. He said "Tetelestai" = IT IS FINISHED. That means we don't have to sit under the guilt. He calls us to get up, continue, and live as the forgiven cherished son/daughters that we are.
I love these Keep Calm images way too much. I know, it's annoying now not trendy but I can't help it!
I loved that today. I pray that you carry that with you. Don't make the same mistake because you already have, what's the difference now. I lived with that mindset for years. You were made for more than that. Don't miss anything He has for you because you don't think you're worthy. We're so unworthy, but at the cross He made us WHOLE.
Reminds me of the beatiful song His Glory Appears from Hillsong...
You gave me hope
You made me whole
At the cross
You took my place
You showed me grace
At the cross
Where you died for me
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Worship Wednesday
This song doesn't have a lot of words to remember. The lyrics are pretty simple. Simple but powerful. Pray that wherever you are you can listen to these words and feel His presence and soak in the fact that in that moment, His presence truly is all you need.
Your presence is all I need
It's all I want, all I seek
Without it, without it there's no meaning
Your presence is the air I breath
The song I sing, the love I need
Without it, without it I'm not living
I will exalt You, Lord, I will exalt You, Lord
There is no one like You God
I will exalt You, Lord, I will exalt You, Lord
No other name be lifted high
It's all I want, all I seek
Without it, without it there's no meaning
Your presence is the air I breath
The song I sing, the love I need
Without it, without it I'm not living
I will exalt You, Lord, I will exalt You, Lord
There is no one like You God
I will exalt You, Lord, I will exalt You, Lord
No other name be lifted high
Your presence is all I need
It's all I want, all I seek
Without it, without it there's no meaning
Your presence is the air I breath
The song I sing, the love I need
Without it, without it I'm not living
It's all I want, all I seek
Without it, without it there's no meaning
Your presence is the air I breath
The song I sing, the love I need
Without it, without it I'm not living
I will exalt You, Lord, I will exalt You, Lord
There is no one like You God
I will exalt You, Lord, I will exalt You, Lord
No other name be lifted high
There will be no one like You
And no one beside You
You alone are worthy of all praise
There will be no one like You
And no one beside You
You alone are worthy of all praise
There is no one like You God
I will exalt You, Lord, I will exalt You, Lord
No other name be lifted high
There will be no one like You
And no one beside You
You alone are worthy of all praise
There will be no one like You
And no one beside You
You alone are worthy of all praise
Monday, May 7, 2012
Heavy Heart
Yes I had every good intention of getting my Sunday series post out yesterday. Yes I did the research. Yes it was just too busy for me to sit down and actually write the blog post. Therefore, it will appear next Sunday (with a little Mother's Day tribute as well)
Today my heart is very heavy. We had a full weekend that was mostly full of laughs, smiles, and lots of fun times. Unfortunately, it was also filled with many many tears. Yesterday morning we went to church for Brad and Rachel's last Sunday. I must say that it was the best sermon I've heard Brad preach and I think he's an amazing preacher. Tears welled up in my eyes from the beginning of the music. I've never known St. James without Brad and Rachel and I can without doubt say that their family and friendship has changed who I am as a person. So throughout the music, the sermon, communion, and reception I was filled with emotions, memories, sadness, but stilll a great deal of happiness for the future that is ahead for them. I am also thankful that I know without a doubt that this is not a goodbye and that we will be lifelong friends.
After a hard morning we built up our strength to go to a visitation for some dear friends who lost their 19 year old son on Friday. Randy and Lisa Helms were one of the very first couples I met at St. James. Lisa and I volunteered doing media together (she taught me everything I know) and Randy does lights on Sundays. Their sweet daughter Hayden was a program attendant in our wedding and I love their family more than words can say. We waited in a very long line among people who love their family to hug their necks and share their prayers for the family. It came to our turn and we hugged their necks praying for God's strength to cover them in this time and in the days and weeks ahead when the visitors, food, flowers, and phone calls don't come as often. I walked through the line and looked at all the pictures of Hunter throughout the years and was so clearly reminded that we never know how much time we have or how much time we have with those we love.
So I picked up my little munchkin from my sweet friend Abbey and held him tight. I went to youth and got ice cream with sweet Caroline in my small group. I put my little one to bed and slept quickly after an emotionally exhausting day. Today we will go to the funeral and Chris will play and sing "Cry Out to Jesus." I just wanted to attach those lyrics because everyone of us can relate to the words and my prayer is just that we all realize how much we need Jesus. Yesterday Brad's sermon the line he kept mentioning was "It's all because of Jesus." He was referring to all the many things he has seen in his time at St. James. But today I can say that it is all because of Jesus that the sanctuary will be filled with people who love Randy, Lisa, Hayden and Hunter. It is only because of Jesus that the Helms will be able to get through this incredibly difficult time. It is only because of Jesus that we are here, that we have freedom, that we can feel love. So read these words and I hope they touch you today.
Today my heart is very heavy. We had a full weekend that was mostly full of laughs, smiles, and lots of fun times. Unfortunately, it was also filled with many many tears. Yesterday morning we went to church for Brad and Rachel's last Sunday. I must say that it was the best sermon I've heard Brad preach and I think he's an amazing preacher. Tears welled up in my eyes from the beginning of the music. I've never known St. James without Brad and Rachel and I can without doubt say that their family and friendship has changed who I am as a person. So throughout the music, the sermon, communion, and reception I was filled with emotions, memories, sadness, but stilll a great deal of happiness for the future that is ahead for them. I am also thankful that I know without a doubt that this is not a goodbye and that we will be lifelong friends. 
After a hard morning we built up our strength to go to a visitation for some dear friends who lost their 19 year old son on Friday. Randy and Lisa Helms were one of the very first couples I met at St. James. Lisa and I volunteered doing media together (she taught me everything I know) and Randy does lights on Sundays. Their sweet daughter Hayden was a program attendant in our wedding and I love their family more than words can say. We waited in a very long line among people who love their family to hug their necks and share their prayers for the family. It came to our turn and we hugged their necks praying for God's strength to cover them in this time and in the days and weeks ahead when the visitors, food, flowers, and phone calls don't come as often. I walked through the line and looked at all the pictures of Hunter throughout the years and was so clearly reminded that we never know how much time we have or how much time we have with those we love. So I picked up my little munchkin from my sweet friend Abbey and held him tight. I went to youth and got ice cream with sweet Caroline in my small group. I put my little one to bed and slept quickly after an emotionally exhausting day. Today we will go to the funeral and Chris will play and sing "Cry Out to Jesus." I just wanted to attach those lyrics because everyone of us can relate to the words and my prayer is just that we all realize how much we need Jesus. Yesterday Brad's sermon the line he kept mentioning was "It's all because of Jesus." He was referring to all the many things he has seen in his time at St. James. But today I can say that it is all because of Jesus that the sanctuary will be filled with people who love Randy, Lisa, Hayden and Hunter. It is only because of Jesus that the Helms will be able to get through this incredibly difficult time. It is only because of Jesus that we are here, that we have freedom, that we can feel love. So read these words and I hope they touch you today.
"Cry Out To Jesus"
To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye
And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right
There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus
For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They lost all of their faith in love
They've done all they can to make it right again
Still it's not enough
For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
You try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you're not alone in your shame
And your suffering
When your lonely
And it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
To the widow who suffers from being alone
Wiping the tears from her eyes
For the children around the world without a home
Say a prayer tonight
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye
And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right
There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus
For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They lost all of their faith in love
They've done all they can to make it right again
Still it's not enough
For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
You try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you're not alone in your shame
And your suffering
When your lonely
And it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
To the widow who suffers from being alone
Wiping the tears from her eyes
For the children around the world without a home
Say a prayer tonight
