LIVE Later: BlessED 3

Sunday was our last night of the BlessED series.  I have thoroughly enjoyed this one because it is practical, challenging, and encouraging stuff for all believers- those new in Christ and those who have been loving Jesus for years.

The last 2 weeks Matt has taught almost exclusively from the Beatitudes, focusing on the "poor in spirit" and "meek" verses.  This week was a little different.  Unlike most of his sermons, this one was broken up into 2 parts:  BEING a blessing, and then recognizing our possession of every spiritual blessing.   I'll be honest.. the first part of his sermon made me a little uncomfortable.  Not in a bad way...but, in a "Oh snap..I do this" way. 
He asked how many of us bless our food, pray for safe travels before a trip, and pray before bed.  I do all of the above.  I pray fervently over Luke as a put him to sleep..not just about his future and his character, but that his sleep would be blessed. 
Matt wasn't saying that any of this is wrong, just that we need to be balanced in our prayers.  Whew.  Ok, I am all for balance.  As much as we ask for blessing, we need to be asking to BE a blessing.  "God, how can I bless You?" 
God warns about repetitive, showy prayers (dinner table, anyone?).  He wants the real stuff.  He wants our day to day hurts and questions and doubts and fears and laughs and hopes and everything.  He wants to bless our food and travels too... but he wants the real stuff even more than that.

I'm sure this message made a lot of us question how we pray..that can be uncomfortable.  I can't deny that some days my prayers look very similar to those from the day before.  Father deserves more than that.

Back to switching up our prayers from "bless me" to "bless You"... If we're made in His image, and He is the Blesser, shouldn't we be a blessing?  It's time to be honest with ourselves- are our prayers shallow, selfish prayers that rob God of any room to display His glory and power?  Are we robbing ourselves of the incredible purpose found in carrying out His will for us to bless others?

The 2nd part of Matt's sermon was some of the most raw preaching I've heard from him.  Powerful stuff:  We have already received every blessing!  We have already received the fullness of Jesus!  That fountain has been opened up and is flowing... We are in possession of every spiritual blessing.  When we got the Spirit, we got the blessing.  Some of us don't recognize it. Why?
We don't know about the blessings of God because we aren't in His Word.
1 Peter 1:3
Romans 8:17
John 1:12
Romans 8:37
Ephesians 2:6
John 14:2
All of these verses contain blessings and hope that we spend time asking for over and over again. 
Once we understand that we've already been blessed we can walk IN those blessings and fight FROM those blessings.
We need to recognize, tap into, and operate out of what He's already given us.
That way we're always ready to BE a blessing to others.
All good stuff.  But it got better.

Matt asked this.

How can we expect to walk in & experience the blessing of God when we barely believe in the Blesser?

Whoa. It was like the air was sucked out of the room.  There it is.  We are an intellectual generation trying to figure everything out.. we seek and search and question and doubt and wonder and dream.  At the end of the day, a choice HAS to be made.  Then and only then can we begin to move forward in our faith and recognize those blessings.

I won't try to recreate what Matt said.. But, he loves Jesus and desperately wants our students to know the Jesus that he knows.  So many miss out.  So many never encounter and get to know the True Savior King.  Because, once you know King Jesus it is incredibly hard to go back to anything normal or mediocre.

Anyone who was at LIVE this week knows that something shifted.  After service students were getting to know God on their own.. there was no emotional, fabricated altar call.  It was just people communicating with their Savior and taking a step of getting to know Him.  I'm still blown away by the texts and messages I've gotten from students who finally came to terms with some stuff.  I'm thankful for students who are after authentic faith and deep relationship with Jesus.  This is an exciting time to be alive!

Father God, thankyou for Your Word and for every spiritual blessing you have already given us.  Forgive us for not recognizing and activating those promised blessings.  Help us to exemplify Your nature of being a blessing to others.  We want to know You deeply.  Thankyou for Your Holy Spirit that comes in to restore and empower us.  We love You. Amen.

LIVE Later: BlessED 2

LIVE (much) Later would be a better title for this post.  I'm determined to keep myself accountable with blogging, so better late than never!

Last week, Matt started his series on the Beatitudes with a discussion on what it is to be "poor in spirit" and why those who are poor in spirit are blessed.  To be impoverished is to be dependent on others for many basic needs; as followers of Jesus, we need to be aware of our spiritual poverty so that we look to the Provider, Sustainer, Healer, and King- Jesus.

This week, we looked at Matthew 5:5: "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."

To be honest, I've never given this verse a second thought.  The idea of being "meek" does not appeal to me, nor would I use it to describe myself.  In fact, outside of this Scripture, I wouldn't normally consider the word "meek" to be a complimentary adjective.  I'm so glad my husband taught on this verse!

Webster's Dictionary defines meek as "having or showing a quiet or gentle nature; not wanting to fight or argue with people; enduring injury with patience without resentment; deficient in spirit and courage; not violent or strong."  .... deficient in spirit and courage?  That does not sound like the type of person that Jesus would bless or let "inherit the earth."

The Greek word used in this verse is "Praus."  This word, "praus", was also used in describing 3 things:

soothing medicine

gentle breeze

broken colt

What do these 3 things have in common?

All 3 are powerful, potentially deadly things that are under control.  So, the picture that Jesus is painting with His use of the word "praus" (that we have translated to "meek") is something strong that is under control.  Let's work with a new definition of meek and disregard Webster.

Meekness:  strength under control

Matt gave some examples of Biblical men that exemplified meekness.  Abraham (who preferred his nephew, Lot, even though he had every right to display his power and authority in choosing what land to inhabit), Moses (who stood before Pharoah and led 2,000,000 people around for 40 years), and, of course, Jesus.
Jesus.  The man who broke down the gates of Hell, raised the dead to life, stood up to the forces of nature- this Man let men crucify Him. Spit on Him.  Mock Him.  The ultimate display of strength under control.  For the sake of love and restoration, He preferred mankind over himself.

These men did not consider their personal preference worth fighting for- they only considered God's plan and purpose worthy of fighting and sometimes dying for.. meekness.

In my personal preference, I am to walk in meekness.  Prefer others.  Choose what hills to die on and what hills to surrender.  In His plan, walk in strength and power and boldness.

The Bible promises that the meek will inherit the earth.

Matt used a lot of basketball analogies in this series (which was a little over my head at times LOL)..But, one thing he said struck a chord with me.  In all sports, a fair amount of trash-talking and arguing happens (between players, fans, coaches, refs...).  My husband talked about his own strategy when playing pick-up basketball:  meekness.  He tries to always defer to the other player.  Instead of taking the bait when fouls are called, he lets the other team have it "their way."  Although it isn't easy to swallow his pride, especially in a competitive atmosphere, he knows it isn't worth a fight.  And what happens when he wins?  The victory is so much sweeter after the other team has had their way for the whole game.  I think this is a little glimpse of how it will feel to those who inherit the earth.
Like a great, cosmic pickup game- Jesus will hand  the earth over to those who have walked in meekness, even when they felt they had the "right" to defend themselves.  Won't that be the sweetest victory ever?

The result of meekness is greater than the responsibility.  The blessing is better than the burden.
That's how it works in the Kingdom.
You won't always see the fruit of your sacrifice right away, but rest on His promise that there is MUCH to be inherited.

I'm loving this series because these are Jesus' words on how to live a life of blessing and purpose.  What better way is there to start off a new year??

God, help us to recognize those moments that call for meekness and humility.  Give us eyes to see our own pride and the strength to operate out of a teachable spirit.  I want to trust that YOU are my Defender.  Thank you for Your Holy Spirit that enables us to walk in meekness, despite how unnatural that can feel.  Amen.

LIVE Student Ministries meets at 6:30pm on Sunday nights at Church Alive.  Follow us on Twitter: @LIVEfvnc and on Instagram: LIVEfvnc

LIVE Later [my resolution]

I love blogs.  Little Baby Garvin, All About The Henderson's, , Love, Taza, The Pioneer Woman, Stilettos And Diapers, Mrs. Lusko , among others...  These women offer real looks into their lives and give me hope that I can still be me while also being mom.

One of my very favorite blogs, The Preacher's Wife, belongs to Holly Furtick, wife of Pastor Steven Furtick.  She challenges me on every level.  If you take the time to read her posts, you can't help but notice something:  She loves and supports and adores her husband.  She recognizes him as her pastor.
And this doesn't make her weak.
She is a strong, independent, anointed woman- and she supports her husband.  That's right...you can do and be both.

This is not a new concept for me, but it is something I have failed at over and over and over again.  We live in a culture that tells women it is weak to be submissive to men who will fail them anyway.  Watch some primetime television if you disagree.  
Oh wait, we do have 50 Shades Of Grey... submit yourself to the point of dehumanization and shame.
So those are our options?  No way.

I'm learning that as I give Matt the respect and support he needs according to Ephesians 5, it releases an atmosphere that cultivates my own creativity and calling.

 ³³ However, let each man of you [without exception] love his wife as [being in a sense] his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband [^[f]that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and ^[g]that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly]. -Ephesians 5, AMP

When we align ourselves with this Biblical principle (whether your husband is doing his part "loving you as he loves his very own self") we align ourselves with the promise, favor and blessing of God.  It's cause/effect.  Walk in the way of the Lord and you will experience His blessing.

ANYWAY.
Back to Holly Furtick.  Every week she posts a "Monday Morning Commentary" on the message her husband preached.  Not only is this enlightening to read, it's a way she supports and reveres her husband.  She's helping advance the Kingdom and supporting her husband all at once.  She's using her creative gifts and being a fan of her man.  I love it.

As part of my resolution to better respect and esteem my man, I'm going to the go the way of Holly Furtick with LIVE Later.  That's right.  My own commentary on Matt's message from our Sunday night service.  I know I'm biased, but I truly think Matt is a gifted communicator and I love sitting under his teaching.  However, in the past I've gotten distracted during his messages as I help in the sound booth or check in on Luke or be the "shh police" to our students.  No more!  You will find me front and center with my journal and iPhone ready to take notes and agree and clap.  Then, you'll find me here with a recap!

I encourage you to be more proactive in your church service!  Whether your husband is the preacher or not, your pastor deserves your full attention!  If you trust that he is God's man for the house, you have to trust that God is anointing him to deliver His Word.  So really, it's a matter of reverencing the Word of God by way of respecting the man delivering that Word.  You'll experience greater blessing for it, I know!

Stay tuned for the first LIVE Later!

Reflections on 2013

2013 is the first year since 2009 that I didn't experience a monumental, life-altering, bench-mark moment.

2010- Engaged to Matt
2011- Graduation from SCSL, Married to Matt
2012- Moved to NC, birth of Luke Alexander

3 crazy years.

Even so, I believe that 2013 has been the most defining year for me, personally.  I feel like this year was my first year of true adulthood.
2013 is the first year I lived life without a major life event excusing my faults.  You know what I'm talking about.  It's a natural thing that happens.
Get engaged?  Wedding plans, marriage counseling, registering all take priority.
Get married?  You're a newlywed.  A honeymooner.  You are excused from real life.
Get pregnant?  Forget about it.  You get a free pass to all chairs, parking spots, and food.  You are, after all, donating your body to the cultivation of life.  You're excused.
Get a baby?  You aren't excused from real life.  You are forced to surrender your life and come to terms with a whole new life.  People get that.
Deaths, births, new jobs..it's life and we all experience those seasons.  Which is why we are understanding when those around us are adjusting to these major life events.

Not having one of these moments to fall back on this year was hard.  Looking back, I see that I allowed those major events to define me for that season.  Which is why 2013 has been such a crazy big year for me.  Being honest with yourself about yourself is crucial in progressing into who Jesus has called you to be.  That is what 2013 has done for me.  I've had to tell myself the truth.  No more excuses for complaining, or bitterness, or unforgiveness, or watching too much TV, or manipulating Matt (yes, I went there.  Be honest with yourself, too.), or spending frivolously..I could go on for days.  My point?  It's not until I recognize my faults and determine to progress forward that I will walk in the fullness of what God has for me right now.

It's been a tough year.  It's been an awesome year.

Aside from all the deep, spiritual, personal stuff, 2013 had some incredible moments!  They weren't the marriage, baby-having type, but I will for sure remember them.

Here are my top 5:

5. Momentum Youth Church

Taking some of our students on a mission trip to our heartland, Ecaudor, was literally a dream come true for me.

Another dream come true: seeing our students sing, dance, preach, and use all other gifts to glorify King Jesus.  We showed up and showed out at the National Fine Arts Festival.

Hands down, my favorite Wednesday night of the year.  Pack the House.

My heart is filled with so much expectancy when I think about our Student Leadership team.  Aside from Jesus commanding us to make disciples and us having the idea of multiplication ingrained in us at SCSL, there is nothing more fulfilling than watching our brothers and sisters get it.

I'm sure every pastor's wife feels this way.  Watching my husband preach is one my favorite things.  He makes me so proud.  I married up.

4. Weight Watchers

Yes, totally ridiculous.  But this picture represents a huge milestone to me:  the day I was able to buy a pair of pants from the juniors section after over a year of not recognizing myself in the mirror.  Taking control of my weight was defining for me in that I was reclaiming myself after allowing pregnancy to define me (just being real).

3. Anniversary Trip to Mexico

Our trip to Mexico was a celebratory vacation.  We celebrated surviving 2 years of marriage in which we had a baby, moved states, entered into ministry, and built/bought a house.

We were able to reconnect without the distraction of social media, work, ministry, or our sweet non-sleeping Lukey.

Come what may, baby!

2. Our First House

After waiting over a month through lender drama and a government shutdown, we were pumped to close.

Homeowners!

1. Luke

Until we have another, I'm sure our babe will forever be responsible for the most memorable moments.  This first full year with him has been wonderful and exciting and magical.

 

First Birthday!

Happy New Year, everyone!

The best is yet to come.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

It has been a full month since I last posted!  A lot happens in a month so this post will be a quick recap:

First: The Move!  We are officially living in North Carolina.  We've adjusted pretty quickly with the help of so many amazing people.  We love the area, the people and our church!  Our new apartment feels like home...the awesome pool, hot tub, and free starbucks helps with that. :)  We unpacked at lightening speed!  I was so ready to be settled.  I'll be sure to post pictures of the new place as soon as I remember to take them.

Second:  Ministry!  Being in ministry together was a huge reason for Matt and I wanting to be married. This new season is so exciting for us...after a season of "meantime" we are living our dream!  I will say I have never been more aware of how valuable our "meantime" waiting season was.  We learned so much from our time in Columbia and as hard and frustrating as it was at times, I absolutely do not regret a second.
We are now the youth pastors at Church Alive in Fuquay Varina, NC!  Being a part of Momentum Youth has been a great experience so far!  I have loved loved loved being able to get to know the girls! It is so cool how God just sets you up with friends and co-laborers that have passions and vision that complement the passion and vision He's put in you!  We're having our first girls' event in a few weeks and I am really excited!

Most of all, it has been the BEST seeing Matt operate in his element!  I love hearing him preach.  I love seeing him interact with students.  I love his creativity and work ethic... I'm so blessed by him.

This is our first sermon series! Man In The Mirror

Our very first 5th Quarter Bonfire!  Huge success!

One of Matt's points that was a real crowd-pleaser. "Pharaoh is an idiot."

It has been a really fun few weeks.  We're bursting with ideas and the students are so hungry for relationship, accountability and the Word... I'm just a little bit excited. :)

Third: Our very 1st Anniversary!  We have really come full circle in a year!
We celebrated our anniversary by having our first official night with Momentum Youth on September 5.  It was a cool moment for me, reflecting on the ups and downs of our first year of marriage and seeing my amazing husband preach his guts out...doing exactly what he was created to do.  Like I said...full circle.  God is so faithful.  Seriously, go read my first couple of blogs.  He is so so so so faithful!

Eating our cake topper to insure many blissful years of McAndrew-dom. 

 We got to celebrate our anniversary the next day.  And it was awesome. :)  Matt took me to the Renaissance Hotel in Raleigh and we had an amazing dinner and some quality hot tub time!  Just what we needed after a crazy few weeks of moving, unpacking, and getting adjusted a fast-paced schedule.  Also, there's an underground Super Target right beside this hotel.  Ummm.. I was home.

My incredible, anointed, hot husband.

Finally: Baby!  We've still got about 7 weeks to go and I am so ready!  We are not ready, though. haha!  No crib.  No stroller.  No diapers.  No bottles.  Nothing.  It is next on our to-do list!  As we get closer to the big day time moves more and more slowly.  I can't say it enough: I want my body back.  I want to take full, deep breath.  I want to lay on my back.  Most of all, I want meet our baby!

I'm going to leave you with a few of our wedding pictures in honor of our 1st year.  Also, I just really love our pictures. Thanks Carrie Ann!

Our first communion together. 

The changes aren't stopping here!  We've got crazy adjustments coming up pretty soon and I truly believe Matt and I are ready.  This year has been crazy but if you're not changing you're not growing!  We have definitely grown.

Until next time!

New News

So much for consistent, weekly blog posts!

I shouldn't be surprised at how life continues to surprise me. I guess the day I'm not surprised anymore is the day I should start making changes!

Some quick updates since I last posted:

Several weeks ago, we had my Great Grandmother's funeral.  She was my namesake and I have some precious memories growing up around her.  I'm blessed to have grown up with such a godly, loving family.  Her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and even unborn great great grandbaby were there to fellowship and celebrate the legacy she left.
I believe in the power of generational transfer, and I am honored to aspire to her legacy of kindness, gentleness, self-control, discipline and love.

Also, Matt's parents came into town last week and we have had a blast!  God really hooked me up with incredible in-laws.  
Friday we went to Folly Beach and had the perfect day soaking up the sun.  Papa T (T-Money) had one goal while in Charleston: to have shrimp and grits at the Hominy Grill. 

We are going to fiercely miss them when they head back to Michigan...

Some pics:

 

Hominy Grill: Success

Folly Pier

A truly great day with my favorite guy...

More news:

I've finally enrolled in college again!  I am so relieved to start this journey again.  I hesitated to start because the thought of having a baby and embracing many other changes while trying to balance school seemed too much!  But, I know I'm capable and it is now or never.  Needless to say, I am pumped!

Finally, some REALLY big news!  Matt and I have known that our season in Columbia would be ending... we just didn't know the details!  It has been an up-and-down journey as we have prayed through some frustration and impatience and waited for God to present us with an opportunity. Closed doors, confusion, blah blah blah...


We will give details later, but Matt has accepted a position as a youth pastor in NC and we will be moving the end of August!  God has downloaded so much vision into the both of us the past few months, we knew He would present an outlet for all that vision soon.  And here it is!

SO!  College.  Moving.  Baby!  Alot is happening and I am excited (and determined) to keep everyone updated through this blog.  

God really is faithful in His goodness.

Kilted Killers

After a little over a week of being purposeful in seeking out every opportunity to operate fully as a true member of society, I officially feel much better about myself.  Duh.

Saturday I followed through on some advice from my hot husband... I wasn't going to.  He told me that I am so determined to feel the way I want to feel in the moment, no amount of wisdom gets through to me...until I have time to argue with myself.  I'm not a fool... I just really like feeling what I want to feel.  Anyway, I talked myself into doing what he told me to do,. despite my best efforts.  

I talked to people who care.  Talked about my feelings.  Pathetic feelings.  And they helped.
And I feel so much better.

I've been able to get more plugged into things that speak to my gifts and talents and "eternal" interests (2 Corinthians 4:18).

And the best part?  By feeling better about myself and my situation, I've been able to fully appreciate what my husband is doing! 

What girl wouldn't want to be married to this guy?

Ministry is a blast and there is absolutely nothing better than loving what you do.  We may not be paid to do this, but I'm so thankful that we're able to.  And I'm so thankful for the people in our corner that allow us to be so involved.

It really scratches an itch.

 There is so much more going on in our life.  So much that it stresses me out to think about, much less post about.  So as I post, I'm sure the rest will leak out.  Not all at once.  Let's take this thing a day at a time.

Life is so good.