January 14, 2012
What a beautiful week it has been. Casey and I have been blessed with work and have also been given flexibility to attend our church’s 12 night Revival that kicked off this past Wednesday. Casey and I attend Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC and have been blessed in so many ways in and through this church. Our Pastor Steven Furtick has invited 12 world renowned pastors to speak to us, each on their own night. What an amazing experience! This is offered free through the church and will continue through next Sunday. So far, we’ve listened to Pastor Craig Groschel from Oklahoma, Jentzeen Franklin from Georgia and last night, Matt Chandler from Texas. Tonight and tomorrow morning will be Christine Caine from Hillsong Church and then Perry Noble tomorrow night from South Carolina.
Something incredible that we’ve experienced through this event is the sheer excitement people have for a movement of Christ. I, myself, arrived at church on Wednesday afternoon at 4pm and stood in line for 2 hours before the doors opened and then another hour before the service began. When they opened the doors of the church people were actually rushing through to get a seat inside. What an amazing sight! An 1100 person theatre filled in less than 10 minutes. During worship, you could turn around and see 1100 people with their arms raised to receive Christ, singing as loud as their voices would allow. How can you not get excited about that?
Me, personally, I am tired of hearing the newest trend from our newscasters on the five o’clock news. I don’t care what the Kardashians are up to now, nor do I want to fit in to what others say is right and wrong. I know who I am in my heart and I know that God has a purpose for my life and our culture’s expectations do NOT match that of my heavenly Father’s. Why would I want to spend another minute worrying about how I don’t fit in with those that are considered “Varsity” when I can begin living a life that my Father delights in.
Many people will hear 12 night Revival and think, “Bless your heart” but I can already feel God working in our lives, family and our marriage after only 3 nights… so I can’t wait to see what happens in the coming week. This is a new year and a new chance to change our views of life and start aligning our desires with those of God!
Check out www.elevationchurch.org for more information on Elevation Church and the Code Orange Revival that continues through January 22nd.