Today was a great devotional day from the book that I am reading, "Purpose Driven Life." It talks about the freedom of life when we can surrender ourselves to Christ. As the apostle Paul says, "I day daily." This is such an incredible concept that Christ offers us. He asks us to lay down everything in our life, so that God may take care of us. This seemed a little scary to me, because I think in my small little mind God may not take care of some of things I ask for. But how limiting is that of this amazing God. I do not know why this thought even makes it way into mind. God has incredible things in store for me, if I can give Him my life. The thought of surrender is completely against the grain of the society we live in. We are taught to win, succeed, never give up, and fight for victory. But God knows this life of ours is hard and all He is asks that we let go of our entire life for Him, so that he can give us victory and most of all eternal victory.
Amen!
Pastor Hodges always uses a quote, " If we are on our face for the Lord, we can never fall."
My buddy John and I have began praying everyday for someone, because we have seen the power of prayer in a number of our friends lives. So everyday either one of us will text message the other with someone that God has laid on our heart. We both will pray for this person throughout our day and keep them in our thoughts. I know God is working in this. It is awesome to know that we both are caring for our friends and wanting the best for them through Christ.
I just had a great lunch with Pastor Bryan Sederwell of Denver Church. I wanted to talk with him about his vision for the church, my visions/calling, and outreach in the Denver area. This was a great conversation. He has such a heart for the city of Denver and wants to work as hard as he can to spread the love of Christ throughout the metro area. This was great to hear! I then shared with him I felt God calling me to minister to the homeless in some capacity. And the first thing he said was the timing for this could not be any better. What a blessing! Denver Church is just getting set to move into North High School and this will allow major growth to take place. Outreach is major factor in the church and he mentioned a number of people to speak with. I told him I would love to be on staff to help out in this area of the church. We both are big vision thinkers and can see how God wants to work through us for the city. We are both huge on leveraging relationships/churches/organizations for the greater good of the Kingdom of God! This was certainly the works in motion of something great. Bryan's heart and energy is certainly echoed in the church and soon to be the greater Denver area, believe me! We talked about our families, sports, and just enjoyed the day on the roof at the Lazy Dog in Boulder. I am so fortunate to have had this lunch with him and I am super excited for the next few months for this relationship to grow!
"Don't ask God to bless what you are doing, get with what God is doing because that is already blessed." - A wiseman shared this with Bono of U2
be blessed,
your boy elbow
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Answered Prayers
The last few days have been answered prayers. It started on last Thursday when I happen to stumble on to the website denverchurch.tv. I have been looking for a small group to get involved with for quite some time now. Denver Church happen to belong to Association of Related Churches, started by Billy Hornsby (Victory and Church of the Highlands also belong). Well I shot Pastor Bryan an email, asking if I could get involved in their small groups. He quickly responded and let me know that their LifeGroups had actually just launched that week. Well, I called the LifeGroup leader, Stevie and he invited me over to his apartment that night as they were having their first meeting. We had a blast over at his place and I knew this was an answered prayer. I felt comfortable sharing how the Lord has worked in my life and we actually openly discussed an issue Lisa (Stevie's girlfriend, UF Grad '06) was going through. Accountability was a main focus of this group, which is something I was definitely looking for in a small group.
Then, I decided to check out Denver Church on Sunday morning. It was literally a 15 minute walk from my apartment. They met in an elementary school and it was actually their one year anniversary as a church! I knew this place felt right the moment I walked in the doors. I was greeted by Pastor Bryan and the moment I met him I could tell he has a real heart for the Lord. His message was a highlight of how the Church has grown over the last year and where God is leading this church. What a great time for me to come him and hear the overview. The church was like a family and made up of people my age. I have really been looking to surround myself with Godly people that are my age and this was that answered prayer. They finished the service with a song Church of the Highlands introduced while I was in Birmingham called, "God of this City." It really solidified this church for me. The icing on the cake was, after the service I spoke with Pastor Bryan about the fact that I went to Victory Church and he told me that the Worship Leader Kirk, was actually Pastor Mike's son-in-law. WOW!
Then this morning there was another answered prayer. My very good friend Sarah has had a very hard time since her and her boyfriend broke up. I can relate with her and we have really strengthened our friendship over the past few months. I have really been praying for her as she has been struggling with the pain of this ended relationship. I have tried to share with her how the Lord is bringing me through my hurt. She has been a great friend for me during this time in my life. Well my prayer was answered this morning as we were chatting online as we do a lot of mornings at work. She told me she was really having a hard time and upset about making some regretful decisions. I told her there is only one way to get your life back in line and that comes by allowing Christ into your life. This seemed foreign to her. I began to describe this transformation process that has taken place in my life and my buddy John's life, because she has recognized this change. She asked me how does she go about letting Christ be the focal point in her life. I said by praying to God that all her sins be forgiven and for Jesus to be Lord of her life. This must be done with a sincere heart, but God will hear her prayer and salvation will take manifestation in her life. I felt like God had opened up this conversation and the Holy Spirit was giving me the words to say (type). She got back to me in about 20 minutes and she said that she had done this. She told me she was full of tears and I told her I was absolutely ecstatic for her. I never dreamed God would have used me to help Sarah find this, but it was awesome. She was floored that John and I cared so much about her that we had been praying this would happen in her life for over 5 months. I told her this is love and compassion for others that God will place on your heart, once salvation takes place in your life. I could not stop emphasizing how excited I was for her. I called my buddy John and shared this with him and I think he was like a deer in the headlights once he heard what had just happened. I then spoke with Sarah's best friend Lauren, who had just had a conversation with Sarah last night about following Christ. I told Lauren I would let Sarah tell her what happened. I am so proud of Lauren as she has come such a long way and it is tremendous to see the Lord becoming so prevalent in Lauren's life.
God is good my friends.
As John would say, Do Work!
be blessed,
your boy elbow
Then, I decided to check out Denver Church on Sunday morning. It was literally a 15 minute walk from my apartment. They met in an elementary school and it was actually their one year anniversary as a church! I knew this place felt right the moment I walked in the doors. I was greeted by Pastor Bryan and the moment I met him I could tell he has a real heart for the Lord. His message was a highlight of how the Church has grown over the last year and where God is leading this church. What a great time for me to come him and hear the overview. The church was like a family and made up of people my age. I have really been looking to surround myself with Godly people that are my age and this was that answered prayer. They finished the service with a song Church of the Highlands introduced while I was in Birmingham called, "God of this City." It really solidified this church for me. The icing on the cake was, after the service I spoke with Pastor Bryan about the fact that I went to Victory Church and he told me that the Worship Leader Kirk, was actually Pastor Mike's son-in-law. WOW!
Then this morning there was another answered prayer. My very good friend Sarah has had a very hard time since her and her boyfriend broke up. I can relate with her and we have really strengthened our friendship over the past few months. I have really been praying for her as she has been struggling with the pain of this ended relationship. I have tried to share with her how the Lord is bringing me through my hurt. She has been a great friend for me during this time in my life. Well my prayer was answered this morning as we were chatting online as we do a lot of mornings at work. She told me she was really having a hard time and upset about making some regretful decisions. I told her there is only one way to get your life back in line and that comes by allowing Christ into your life. This seemed foreign to her. I began to describe this transformation process that has taken place in my life and my buddy John's life, because she has recognized this change. She asked me how does she go about letting Christ be the focal point in her life. I said by praying to God that all her sins be forgiven and for Jesus to be Lord of her life. This must be done with a sincere heart, but God will hear her prayer and salvation will take manifestation in her life. I felt like God had opened up this conversation and the Holy Spirit was giving me the words to say (type). She got back to me in about 20 minutes and she said that she had done this. She told me she was full of tears and I told her I was absolutely ecstatic for her. I never dreamed God would have used me to help Sarah find this, but it was awesome. She was floored that John and I cared so much about her that we had been praying this would happen in her life for over 5 months. I told her this is love and compassion for others that God will place on your heart, once salvation takes place in your life. I could not stop emphasizing how excited I was for her. I called my buddy John and shared this with him and I think he was like a deer in the headlights once he heard what had just happened. I then spoke with Sarah's best friend Lauren, who had just had a conversation with Sarah last night about following Christ. I told Lauren I would let Sarah tell her what happened. I am so proud of Lauren as she has come such a long way and it is tremendous to see the Lord becoming so prevalent in Lauren's life.
God is good my friends.
As John would say, Do Work!
be blessed,
your boy elbow
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
A few days in Birmingham
WOW! It was such a blast being back with all my friends over the past few days. God has truly blessed me with friends that love me and understand me without me saying a thing. All of my friends just wanted to know how I was doing and it was so refreshing to share with them where I am in life. It was also awesome to hear where they were and the their thoughts of what they want to do with their lives.
God revealed some things to me during my time there that were truly remarkable. There was a conversation we were having about someone going through something. And one of my best friend’s, Martin was being somewhat critical of how this person handled a situation. He then asked me what I thought about it, then he quickly caught himself and said, “Elliot will forgive them and he does not pass judgment on people.” He said this in front of my other friends. Martin knows me very well and has recognized that I hate to get in conversations where someone is being talked badly about. His comment made me start thinking about gifts of the Spirit. I then got into a conversation later that evening with my buddy John and shared with him Martin’s comment. John didn’t hesitate to say that the Lord has blessed me with a gift to see the good in people and look passed their sinful actions, recognizing the goodness in their heart. I was blown away as we continued discussing this, merely by the revelation I was having. It started to make so much sense. I know this had always been in me, but it took me finding salvation for this to take fruition in my life. God has given us all gifts and a purpose to carry out for His kingdom. Life matters so much more when things like this are opened up.
Also, during my time in the ‘Ham I was able to meet with Robert Record, the Director of Church of the Highland’s downtown Dream Center. It was so funny how this happened. John and I were at church Sunday morning, and as service was nearing to an end I asked him if we could try and find Robert. We bumped into Pastor Steve Blair and I asked him if he knew where we could find Robert. He said he is actually right behind you. Wow! I walked over to Robert and nervously introduced myself. I told him that I had sent him an email a few weeks back concerning the Dream Center. He was amazed that he had not read it, because he normally was very good about checking his emails. Anyways, he asked if we would like to grab lunch that afternoon. Dumbfounded, I said absolutely. So, John and I went to grab some Mexican food with him. Robert shared with us how he got started with this and the vision for the Dream Center. Believe it or not he is from Louisiana, seems like everyone I meet is from this great state (I have no idea what God is trying to tell me by this). John and I were blown away by the vision for the Dream Center, as it is going to be a full circle economic development center for downtown Birmingham. I was under the assumption it was going to be a glorified homeless shelter. It will be far more than this, providing: housing, medical clinics, job placement, recreation, and much more for those people struggling in this area. I then shared with Robert how I felt God calling me to this ministry and my vision for how God wants to use me to expand ministries like this around the country. It was such an amazing conversation we had and I know this is going to be blessed.
There were other things revealed to me, a truly heartfelt conversation between my buddy Trey and I on the way to airport, as I was getting ready to leave. I was able to share with Trey that I had been praying for him and I was so happy to see where God has brought him. It was an answered prayer to go to church with John and Trey on the Wednesday night I got into town. It was also awesome to see where Trey and his girlfriend Haley are. He was in a similar place in his life that I was at during my last semester in Gainesville. It was God revealing to Trey what was in front of him and thank the Lord Trey was able to recognize God calling out to him.
Plus, in the first time in my life I was given the opportunity to pray for all my friends before we had breakfast one morning at the lake. I felt like my dad, as I recall from my childhood days my dad was always asked to pray before a group of us would eat. I was so excited that they asked me to pray for the meal we were receiving. I am so thankful I was able to go home and visit with all my best friends.
Thank you Lord!
be blessed,
your boy elbow
God revealed some things to me during my time there that were truly remarkable. There was a conversation we were having about someone going through something. And one of my best friend’s, Martin was being somewhat critical of how this person handled a situation. He then asked me what I thought about it, then he quickly caught himself and said, “Elliot will forgive them and he does not pass judgment on people.” He said this in front of my other friends. Martin knows me very well and has recognized that I hate to get in conversations where someone is being talked badly about. His comment made me start thinking about gifts of the Spirit. I then got into a conversation later that evening with my buddy John and shared with him Martin’s comment. John didn’t hesitate to say that the Lord has blessed me with a gift to see the good in people and look passed their sinful actions, recognizing the goodness in their heart. I was blown away as we continued discussing this, merely by the revelation I was having. It started to make so much sense. I know this had always been in me, but it took me finding salvation for this to take fruition in my life. God has given us all gifts and a purpose to carry out for His kingdom. Life matters so much more when things like this are opened up.
Also, during my time in the ‘Ham I was able to meet with Robert Record, the Director of Church of the Highland’s downtown Dream Center. It was so funny how this happened. John and I were at church Sunday morning, and as service was nearing to an end I asked him if we could try and find Robert. We bumped into Pastor Steve Blair and I asked him if he knew where we could find Robert. He said he is actually right behind you. Wow! I walked over to Robert and nervously introduced myself. I told him that I had sent him an email a few weeks back concerning the Dream Center. He was amazed that he had not read it, because he normally was very good about checking his emails. Anyways, he asked if we would like to grab lunch that afternoon. Dumbfounded, I said absolutely. So, John and I went to grab some Mexican food with him. Robert shared with us how he got started with this and the vision for the Dream Center. Believe it or not he is from Louisiana, seems like everyone I meet is from this great state (I have no idea what God is trying to tell me by this). John and I were blown away by the vision for the Dream Center, as it is going to be a full circle economic development center for downtown Birmingham. I was under the assumption it was going to be a glorified homeless shelter. It will be far more than this, providing: housing, medical clinics, job placement, recreation, and much more for those people struggling in this area. I then shared with Robert how I felt God calling me to this ministry and my vision for how God wants to use me to expand ministries like this around the country. It was such an amazing conversation we had and I know this is going to be blessed.
There were other things revealed to me, a truly heartfelt conversation between my buddy Trey and I on the way to airport, as I was getting ready to leave. I was able to share with Trey that I had been praying for him and I was so happy to see where God has brought him. It was an answered prayer to go to church with John and Trey on the Wednesday night I got into town. It was also awesome to see where Trey and his girlfriend Haley are. He was in a similar place in his life that I was at during my last semester in Gainesville. It was God revealing to Trey what was in front of him and thank the Lord Trey was able to recognize God calling out to him.
Plus, in the first time in my life I was given the opportunity to pray for all my friends before we had breakfast one morning at the lake. I felt like my dad, as I recall from my childhood days my dad was always asked to pray before a group of us would eat. I was so excited that they asked me to pray for the meal we were receiving. I am so thankful I was able to go home and visit with all my best friends.
Thank you Lord!
be blessed,
your boy elbow
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