If we don't, the stones will.

I was reading my Bible the other day, well actually this was a while back... but nonetheless I was reading it, and I got to Revelation chapter 4. Now this might get a little deep for a blog post but just bear with me and i'll try and make it quick.


Revelation 4:6 says, "And around the throne were four living creatures (beings) who were full of eyes in front and behind [with intelligence as to what is before and at the rear of them]." Verse 8 goes on to say, "And the four living creatures, individually having six wings, were full of eyes all over and within [underneath their wings]..." (I think it's safe to say these guys could see everything, everywhere.) "...and day and night they never stop saying, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who was and Who is and Who is to come." 


So these four creatures, (it says what type of creatures they are but i skipped that part for attention span purposes), are covered in eyes. From this we can know they see, have seen, and will see everything that happens. And it says they NEVER stopped saying Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty. Other translations say they chanted, or sang, as in worship. In other words these guys can see the past, the present, what's ahead, and the inmost parts of themselves, and all they ever do, without rest, is worship. 


How many times do we allow ourselves to be discouraged and condemned by past offenses covered by grace, failing to realize that they are some of the strongest calls to worship themselves. How often do we look at our current situation and choose not to worship because we don't currently, with our human eyes, see God's hand in it. Why do we become intimidated by our inward temptations, and outwards sins, forgetting our rights as Children of God to come before Him "with freedom and without fear" (Ephesians 3:12). Our worship is powerful. Not only affecting us, but those around us. Revelation 4:10 says whenever they worshipped, the entire Heavenly Sanhedrin "fall prostrate before Him Who is sitting on the throne, and they worship Him Who lives forever and ever."


There is no reason worthy of denying Him  our worship. If we don't, the stones will.   

I Fell in Love Today.

I bought a key chain last night from Ishmael... Solid mahogany, beautifully hand carved and special ordered with my name on one side. He came with a backpack full of incredible hand carved pieces, from  the little trinkets, to Noah's Ark, including little animals going "two by two" he said with a smile on his face the size of a banana. I asked how much I was to pay for the key chain. He said 300 Kwacha, which, in US money, comes to a whopping 2 bucks. We bought a few more things from Ishmael, spending probably a grand total of $15. All the fireworks on the fourth of July couldn't match the size of his smile as he rolled the bills into his pocket and patted his stomach. We casually asked what that meant, and he explained that when he left he planned to go get some chakudya, (food), the first he'd had all day.

Today, I met Samuel. He has no hands. He came up to our car, arms folded carrying his backpack. He proceeded to take out and unroll dozens of what looked like pieces of sack cloth, but as he unrolled further, color flooded the rags and beautiful paintings gave them life. He said he had done these with his feet, and holding the brush where his hands used to be. I was amazed at the detail and sheer beauty of these paintings and once more, the smile and happiness he had while sharing them with us. I bought one of those too.

Later, we went to a village where met Ivey and her friends. I walked up to see the, playing a game, with hand-dug holes in the ground and left over maze seeds. Their tattered and torn garments were beyond filthy and smelled like the pigs that lived in the hut next door. I bent down to one girl to say hello, and nearly cringed at the sight of fleas on her eyelashes that partially shielded the big brown eyes that looked frighteningly at me. All i wanted was to hold them; all of them. I wanted to speak to them in their own language and tell them how beautiful and precious they were. I wanted to take the one, murky water bottle they had and turn it into a 24 pack of Ozarka.

I fell in love today.  I can't describe it. These people are so beautiful, so unique. They're so happy, smiling without ceasing. Their laugh is contagious. Their lives, a lesson to us.

We want, needing nothing and having everything. They need, having nothing, and trusting for everything.

SET IT UP AND FLIPPIN' TEAR IT DOWN.

Set up.... Tear down.
Set up....... Tear down!
Ughhhh, set up.... Tear down!!
SET IT UP AND FLIPPIN' TEAR IT DOWN.


It's been 21 months now since we so ambitiously yet unpreparedly embarked upon the Set-Up and Tear-Down adventure. Or,  as it is more affectionately known,  Celebration Church.  In the past 21 months, we've set up and tore down our beautiful yet entirely mobile Sunday Experience set over 90 times - not including outreaches,  weekend retreats, church dinners, or special services.  Nearing a two year existence, CC has been proud to call - one University Theatre,  two hotel meeting rooms,  two country clubs,  a restaurant dining room,  one very small office complex,  a realtor's office,  a friendly neighboring church,  and at least two starbuck's lobbies - our "home",  bringing the grand total to a whopping eleven different meeting places!  Not to mention the dozens of homes we have and are currently utilizing.

That's a flippin' lot of places.... I think it 's like a record or something... I'll look that up one day.

Anyways,  in that "one very small office complex" mentioned above,  we've numbered a total of 18 working human beings. To be exact, the complex is technically equipped with four "office" spaces. A utility closet has been converted into a working area, so on any given day each office is effectively utilized by 2-4 people, the two back rooms being used collectively from children's connect groups, prayer connect groups,  storage,  kid's practices,  staff meetings,  Growth Tracks, worship practices,  and practically anything else you could possibly imagine a church doing.  It gets pretty cozy.

Now,  you might have finished reading all that thinking that I am the biggest complainer in the world...  On the contrary... I've recently been reflecting over the last almost two years,  realizing how extremely blessed we are as a church. And even more so, how incredibly blessed I am to be a part of the amazing thing God is doing through us as a church. It's made me so very thankful for the faithful team of people that get to LSUS at 8AM sharp every Sunday morning to make sure we have sound, lights, and video that day. It's made me thankful for the team of ladies that makes sure the not-so-fresh LSUS bathrooms are stocked with soaps, lotions and balloons. It makes me thankful for the parking lot team, faithfully driving a golf cart in the pouring rain or unbearable heat, to make people's walk to church a little more bearable. Without all these people, and the dozens and dozens more i haven't mentioned, Celebration Church could not happen every Sunday. "So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." -Romans 12:5. No matter how long it takes for us to get a building, Celebration Church will continue to grow and thrive because of the amazing people God has so graciously given to it, and will continue to send.
I am simply in awe that He called me to be one of those people.

The Encounter.

"Whether you're caught or you come, He forgives much."
"Take heart, I overcame the world."
"When we rush things, we ruin things."
"You worse-it if you rehearse-it."
"God has not given you pain as your cross."

Such amazing words. Amazing revelations. In one amazing weekend. Not likely to be forgotten by any attendees  for many, many years.

Now I know, this weekend was meant for us to isolate ourselves from the world, put off any old baggage or hurts we might have had, and grow closer to the wonderful Saviour that we live to serve, and I did that as much as anyone don't get me wrong... but without people working, striving, praying, seeking, studying, preparing, and just being willing, none of it would have even happened at all. Without Ms Laurie, Ms Anita, Ms Brown and others, there would have been no one to lead and support us throughout. Without the Flakes being willing to house 12 girls, most of whom they'd never met, there would have been nowhere for us to sleep. Without Grace, Hallie, Karen, Kari, Lindsey, Kristin, DJ, and so many others, there would have been no fellowship or growing unity between us. Without Pastor Steven and Ms Katie, there would have undoubtedly been no weekend at all.... All too often I think, or know, that we take for granted one of God's most priceless and cherished blessings disguised as... people. We are so focused on the process, the problems, successes or outcome of a situation that we fail to adequately notice and appreciate the only things God put on this earth for us to love... People.

All clogged up.

 Inadequate is the right word I believe. For the first time in Celebration's 17 month existence, I found myself with butterflies buzzing in my tummy. Probably partly due to the 75 pre-service, Jesse "groupies" who were delighted to find their seats an hour beforehand, and proceeded to watch us intently, practicing the same four songs they'ed hear later when service... ACTUALLY BEGAN. Or perhaps it was the fact that instead of spotting the typical weekly 20-30 visitors scattered throughout the Celebration congregation, I found myself pilfering through the unrecognized heads to find a familiar face. Nonetheless, amidst the seemingly overbearing above-stated circumstances, I found myself for the first time... nervous as all get out, and feeling more inadequate by the minute.


I was one of the vessels God was going to use to bring in His presence through worship... what if i let myself screw it up? That was on thought. Unfortunately the others weren't quite as... "spiritual". 


"Jesse Duplantis is coming!" 
"...There's so many stinking people here!!" 
"I messed up twice last time we did that song.. what if i mess up again. "
"OH NOOOOOOO!!!!!"
Were just a few of my other problems.


But I realized, or i should say remembered, just a couple of minutes into worship, that with all my inadequacies and short-comings, God had chosen to use me thus far... even when I did make mistakes, (which is unfortunately more often than not). What made me think that today would be different? God is the same with 600 as He is with 300 and he the same whether I do my always job right or not... Which is simply to let Him have complete control. I couldn't change whether God showed up this morning or not. I only decided if I was going to allow myself to be a venue that He came by. 


Service couldn't have gone better this morning. It's amazing what God can do if we take the focus off of us, and what we are and aren't worthy of, and put it completely on Him, Who is worthy of it all. When we do that, it isn't us leading, it's God, and therefor God's best presentation of Himself shines through. We are His vessels which He uses to pour His spirit and power and anointing through, but if we are clogged vessels, or even dirty, what goes in pure, will come out tainted. Or won't even come out at all. I allowed myself to be "unclogged" today for Him. I just hope I continue to teach myself this lesson in the future... 
Lord only knows I'll need it. 

He is pleased.

So I've noticed a pattern lately. The past four or five times, I've gone down to the alter and get prayed for or have gotten a word from someone, in some form or another they've said that God was pleased with me. "Pleased with me?... Me?! The girl that can never sing anything just right when I am supposed to be singing for Him, the one that never leaves the kind of time in the day for Him that she is supposed to, the one that is never, EVER disciplined enough in her school-work, the one that fails constantly at expressing love and appreciation for her family, (little sister in particular), the very same one who put the nails in His hands and crown on His head... why is He pleased with me." I always think. And I don't.. i guess, "accept" it. Not that I don't care, or that that isn't my greatest desire in all my 16 years, but I never let myself really believe, and couldn't even really comprehend that the God I grieve all too often in my daily life, is really pleased with me, or has anything less than a tolerated sense of disdain. (Just to add a little disclaimer here, I know God loves His children and never ever has anything less than love for them, and far from disdain. This is just me expressing my personal thoughts towards my own situation:).

So now, as I'd pondered hard and often over these things, I noticed a pattern. That particular phrase, "He is pleased with you", had never been focused on, or even said in those situations to my remembrance, prior to the last two years. The years that I began believing I wasn't good enough. The years that the majority of my prayer times were filled with repentance and shame, believing the lie that I wasn't even worthy to enter into His holy presence in prayer. I'd heard the words... but I didn't believe them. It was too good to be true.

My youth Pastor's wife said something recently that hit me hard... that when you repent and ask for forgiveness, God gives it to you the very first time without exception, but it is our decision to accept it and move on, never acknowledging that sin again. And I think this is the same way. I didn't... couldn't... wouldn't believe, that God is pleased with me as I am. Yet He was trying to show me the age old wonder of His grace... I can't do anything to earn His delight or pleasure, but when I walk in His forgiveness, and ask for His mercy in my short-comings, I am as white as snow to Him, and nothing I can do will alter His love for me.

The Best Snow Day In a Year...

"don't climb an icy roof just because your friend can't"

Snow day fact #1: I decided that i like warm a heck of a lot more then I do cold. But also decided that this one snow day was acceptable:) #2: When preparing for a snow day, despite common conception, all you really need is some movies, games, and friends, and wa-bam!! The perfect snow day elapses. #3: Make sure you have gloves when braving the snow which is really ice, don't climb an icy roof just because your friend can't, and never, EVER under any circumstances, stand up on the sit-down swinging ropes when they are cold and wet. Cracking your butt will surely be in your near future. 

On a slightly less painful note, the days activities also aroused a the obliteration of Arther, a bearded Chinese man eating waffles, and last but not least the coming together of a ti-tac-toe champion, and basketball champion in Holy matrimony.  This concludes the highlights of today's festivities, excluding a few slightly less exciting things such as 7-person twister and 3-second ninja, stay tuned for the yearly update concerning exciting snow days. 

Blog....

Blog...blog..blog. I now have a blog. Why? I don't know. Who will follow it? Probably no one. What will I post? Most likely a bunch of rambling nonsense. So what is the point of writing on it at all? I guess I decided to do so because I like to create my own things and develop my own ideas, and i figured "why not make a blog?". I'll probably come to the realization that it's stupid and a complete waste of my time and energy. But for now, I'll write, ..errr "blog", about things that will bring such an incredible amount of excitement and sheer joy to it's reader!! Ok probably not. But none the less.....