Do you think if someone can make a toilet look like this....
....that they could make one that looks like this????
Because I swear to you...unless it looks like a pull-up, feels like a pull-up, or acts like a pull-up, Lexi will NEVER POOP IN THE POTTY.
I went to the Farmer's Market downtown on Friday. I went by myself cause the little tykes were too tired to join the festivities. I bought all kinds of fresh veggies/fruits. So yummy. Seriously, there is nothing better than buying groceries with the ocean as your backdrop.
As I was walking back to my car, I started eating some strawberries. I couldn't help it. They were seriously calling out to me, "Eat me. Eat me." So I did.
There were 3 twenty-something guys that were walking alongside me, and one of them said, "Can I have one of those?" And I said, "Sure.." To which he replied, "Oh no, I was just joking." And his friends were totally ragging on him for asking me. But I said, "No..you have to try one...they are so good."
He was SHOCKED that I was serious. So were his friends.
We parted ways and I kept thinking about how sad it is that we would be shocked that someone would do something nice for us. Is that just the culture we live in now? Cause I am not a fan.
Then I realized I wouldn't have asked someone for a strawberry either...cause it's not appropriate. Right?
I'd like to change that. I want to live in a culture where we share. I encourage my kids to do it all the time. I don't think it is weird at all when they go up to complete strangers on the playground and ask to borrow their toys. So why do we stop as adults? Why aren't we more giving? Why should we be shocked when someone wants to share with us?
So I simply ask this...share a strawberry today. Do something nice for someone. We could change this world...one strawberry at a time.
I am going to try and put in words what I experienced last night, although I will not be able to do it justice.
I love to worship.
I am a worshiper.
I love music.
Especially when it is good.
Combining good music & worship together...that is my direct pathway to God.
As excited as I was to go, I was still a bit apprehensive about the night. What do you do at a worship "concert?" Do you worship the band? Or are you worshiping Jesus? What do THEY do with the money that is made? Buy nicer homes...cars? Where does it go?
SIDEBAR...I've been really struggling lately with people in ministry pimping themselves out...selling books/cds/their own image in hopes to make a profit themselves...In order to promote themselves...In order to be "Famous" in the Christian circles. Wasn't there something in the book of John about Jesus driving out the moneychangers...being angered at people making a profit off people wanting to hear the word of God in the temple? I don't know. It's just been really bothering me lately.
Back to last night...
With those thoughts running through my head, I was thinking a lot about the motives behind Hillsong. Then I wondered about the motives of people that were there. Especially when I saw signs made that said "We love Hillsong...etc." But I digress...
Before the concert, 2 of the pastors from the church came out and explained 1) why they charge for tickets and 2)how ALL the profit goes back into the local church. They seemed VERY genuine. And I liked what they had to say. I was happy.
Then the concert started.
Unlike a Chris Tomlin concert, I didn't know all the songs. But that didn't matter. They were easy to sing along with. The energy in the room was unlike anything I've ever seen before. The humble spirit of the worship leaders poured through their music...their words...their body language. They left room for the spirit to move. They spoke words of conviction.
They sang Mighty to Save...the song I'm most familiar with...and I couldn't even sing. I was so overwhelmed with a packed house of 7000+ singing at the top of their lungs, that my mouth couldn't even open. I was drowning in my own tears. I felt so in love with Jesus. Rejoicing that I know him. That he is my Savior...my Father...my Friend.
I danced. I jumped. I moved so much that Curtis and Darrell kept getting pushed into the aisle.
I'll stand with arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all
So I'l stand my soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is yours.
My arms were definitely high and my heart was abandoned...
There is so much freedom in their worship...
And towards the end of the night, there were a couple songs that had people just singing some melodic sounds with no lyrics...everybody was doing it with a slightly different variation. And it got Loud. And it was in that moment, that for the first time in my life, I got a glimpse of the chaotic, beautiful, indescribable worship that is going on even now in Heaven. (I was thinking about descriptions found in Revelation.) And I got to taste what it's going to be like....if only for a moment.
I prayed for our church a lot. I prayed for our leaders, for our members, for our worship...that we can be real, authentic, joyful, and free. I prayed for growth and wisdom. I prayed that we will become extravagant worshipers.
It was a beautiful night. I am so thankful that God wired me to worship Him with music...
I am going to see Hillsong United tomorrow night at the Nokia Theater. If you go to our church...they have made popular some of the songs we sing such as Mighty to Save, From the Inside Out, Everyday, Hosanna (to name a few.)
Last time I was at the NOKIA, I saw New Kids On the Block. I'm thinking this might be a different kind of experience. It will be awesome to hear people singing songs to Jesus instead of "Hanging Tough." And I'm hoping that this crowd will be a little more excited to worship than they were to see Donny and Jordan. Although, chances are I will be the only one in the room who was at both concerts. Hmmmm.....
I am looking forward to worshiping in a place that I have no responsibility. I don't have to lead. I don't have to be worried about the band/vocals/staging/cues...etc. I am looking forward to sitting next to my husband who I haven't sat next to in church in years. I am looking forward to hanging out with my friends/co-workers that I serve alongside daily in a different type of environment.
I know it will be good for the soul.
Hope you get to spend some time worshiping your Maker tomorrow too.
So it's Easter. Very exciting stuff. In case you haven't heard, Jesus has risen. He has risen indeed! YEAH! As awesome as Easter is, in the church biz, it's always more difficult for our team to develop a creative service for Easter than it is for Christmas. Probably cause there is much more "Christmas material" out there in the world, where as Easter "in the world" is all about bunnies & peeps. That doesn't translate so well in a church service.
But, I'm really liking what we have going on this Easter at our church. Good stuff. We've got an awesome team this year, and Shane (our video director) has come up with some killer ideas.
I don't want to give everything away... but for one song, we made a video that might have featured an "angel-y choir." I am going to let you have a glimpse in our Easter Prep...
So we threw down some fat vocals...
This is Jordan...a techie...he helped us out during the recording...but he'll design some killer lites for the weekend. 
This is Shane...the mastermind. He told us we were going to wear robes and be a choir. So we did.
Kristi, Heidi, and Mandy...featuring Joel Lewis' head in the back. That's a good lookin' ear you have there Joel. 
This is Heidi getting into character. She's very method.
Too much downtime in between takes leads to MC HAMMER MOVES.
Or Breakdancing...
This is Jeff. He is very mature.
We are not.
Anyway...it was a fun night. We are looking forward to a great weekend. Come join us and see the finished product! WWW.FCCHB.COM
Happy Easter!
