Crank It Up Starts This Sunday

This Sunday at Elevate we start a new series called Crank It Up: Living an Amplified Life.  

Join us as we take a few weeks to discover how our lives can make an even louder impact!  It is time to live life AMPLIFIED.

As we gear up for the Fall, it is time to crank it up in our lives and to the great things God has called us to do through Elevate Church in San Diego and throughout the world.

Ephesians 3:20 is just as true today as it was 2,000 years ago.  Let's live in a way that proves we believe it!

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen." - Ephesians 3:20-21

Sunday Reflections

Here are some thoughts from Sunday:

• It was a great day at Elevate!  It was the last week of our Encore series and we did a message called Breaking Free from Worry.
• I am so proud of those who took the time to invest in and invite people to Elevate.  The church is people NOT a building.  It was great to see our people getting that!
•  The message really helped a lot of people.  I don't know one person who doesn't struggle with worry including ME.
• Let's call it what it is: Worry is a sin!  
• Worry is trusting yourself instead of God.  It is actually you trying to play God yourself.  It's trying to control the uncontrollable.
• It is time to stop trusting in everything BUT Christ. (Psalm 20:7)
• Read Matthew 6:25-34 and Proverbs 3:5-6.  If you need to, read those verses over and over.  Let it sink in. 
• The good news is you aren't born with worry.  Over time you and I train our minds to drift into worry.  If it is learned, it can be unlearned.  You must re-train your mind from thoughts of worry to thoughts filled with faith.
• If you have time to worry, you have time to pray.  Turn your worrying into praying!  God can do much more with it than you could ever imagine.
• To worry about something you can't change is useless.  To worry about something you can change is ridiculous: Change it!
• It was a great day at Elevate and the best part was three people receiving Christ as their Lord and Savior!  THAT is what this is all about. 
• Next Sunday we start a series called Crank It Up: Living an Amplified Life.  Who can you bring with you on Sunday?  We are talking about Cranking it up with God.  
• Too many of us have settled for ordinary when God has called us to extraordinary.  It's time to step out in your faith and let God step in!

Random Friday

Here are some random Friday thoughts:

• This Sunday is Big Day at Elevate as we have the finale of our Encore series.  This Sunday we share the most requested message: Breaking FREE from Worry.  
• I know this message is going to help a lot of people.  Do whatever you need to do to get them to church on Sunday!
• "Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity." (Colossians 4:5) Open your eyes! God wants to use YOU.
• Susan and I went on a date for dinner and a movie the other night.  We saw Inception and weren't that impressed.  
• If you are a pastor, you must read this post about focus and perseverance.
• Also, this is a great post by Steven Furtick about building a "house" you want to live in.
• I am about to start P90X again.  The hardest part is actually starting!  If I can persevere for a week or two, I will be back in the swing of it.  I must practice what I preach: Fight for the discipline and eventually it will become a desire!
• I have Jury Duty on Monday.  That ranks up there with changing my kids diapers.
• The Lebron James Camp at UCSD starts next Thursday.  I'm looking forward to being a part of it again this year.
• We have used this Summer to really evaluate some key areas to gear up for the Fall at Elevate.  I am very excited about some changes were making to help us reach more people!
• I am looking forward to a great weekend with the family AND for a great Sunday at Elevate!

BIG Day at Elevate

I am excited about this Sunday at Elevate!  We are sharing the most requested message for the end of our Encore series:

Breaking FREE from Worry.

I have no doubt that God is going to use this to help a lot of people.

For the finale of this series we are challenging everyone to bring someone to church with them this Sunday.

Every first time guest and the person who invites them will receive a FREE movie pass.

Last weekend we shared the story of Ian and Ashley.  They were invited to church, came Easter Sunday, received Christ, were baptized a few weeks later, and are now serving at Elevate!

Who is your Ian and Ashley?  Who do you know that needs Christ and this message about releasing the choke hold of worry in your life?  People matter to God!  Let's get them to church this Sunday.

I can't wait to see what God is going to do!

Sunday Reflections

Here are some thoughts from Sunday:

•  It was week three of our Encore Series and we talked about the Power of the Tongue.
• The book of James is definitely one of my favorite books of the Bible.  It is so practical and so powerful.  
• Read James 3 when you get a chance.  James doesn't hold anything back.  I would love to hear him preach.  I guarantee he brought it.
• The words you use are powerful and direct where you go.  If you want to change the direction of your life, change the declaration of your lips!
• Instead of talking about how bad your situation is, begin to speak of how BIG your God is! (Ephesians 3:20)
• Watch what you say to your kids.  They are becoming what you are speaking to them and about them.  
• It isn't even about words you can/can't say.  It boils down to your attitude and intentions.
• Ultimately, whatever is in your heart will come out of your mouth. (Matthew 12:34)
• Everyday you can either choose life or death with your words.  You can use your words to build up or tear down.  
• We shared the story of Ian and Ashley.  It was a great story of someone at Elevate using their words to reach someone for Christ.  Ian and Ashley were invited to our Easter service, gave their lives to Christ, were baptized a few weeks later, and are now a huge part of Elevate.  THAT is what this is all about!  Reaching those far from God and leading them to become passionate followers of Christ.
• The power of an invitation: someone used their words to bring someone else life and literally changed the course of their life as well as where they spend eternity.
• This coming Sunday is the last week of our Encore series and we are sharing the most requested message: Breaking Free from Worry.
• Be there on Sunday AND every first time guest you bring will get a free movie pass!
• Who do you know that struggles with worry? Bring them!  It's going to be a great week.

Sunday Reflections

Here are some thoughts from Sunday:

• It was week two of our Encore series.  We talked about How to Drift from God AND what to do when it happens!
• It happens to all of us.  Will you continue to drift or fight to return to your "first love?" (Revelation 2:4-5)
• Read Psalm 63:1.  When is the last time you desired God like this?
• BTW, the podcast recording didn't work properly so we don't have a copy of yesterday's message.  Bummer!
• One way to drift is to hang around bad influences.  "If you surround yourself with clowns, you will get a circus." (1 Corinthians 15:33)
• Another way to drift is to love this world more than you love God (1 John 2:15).  Billy Graham said "Give me five minutes with someone's checkbook and I'll tell you where their heart is." Ouch!
• When you have a moment of free time where do you constantly run to: the computer, facebook, another TV show, or God?  
• By the way, none of these things are bad unless they take your focus off Jesus and are placed before Him.  He is either Lord in your life or He isn't.  There is really no middle ground.
• I needed to hear this message as much as anyone.  Very convicting stuff!
• We sand Center by Charlie Hall after the message and added the hymn Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.  I love that hymn and confession!
• We had someone receive Christ during the service!  THAT is what this is all about.  We had many others who prayed to return to their "first love."
• This coming Sunday we are talking about the Power of the Tongue.  I know you have no trouble saying things you shouldn't but invite your friends and co-workers who do!  :-)

Random Friday

It has been a while since I did a random Friday post so here we go:

• First of all, be sure to join us this Sunday for week two of our Encore series.  Doing a message from our Five Easy Steps to Wreck Your Life series called How To Drift From God. 
• I am excited to talk about how it happens AND most importantly what to do when it happens!
• We had a mission team from GA here this week.  We had an awesome week!  They all had incredible servant's heart and a willingness to do whatever it takes.  One of the things we did was host a block party at Ocean Air Park in our community.  We had over a hundred people show up and made a lot of great connections with people in the community.
• One lady asked if she could give an offering and was blown away when I told her it was all free.  I am grateful for all of those who sacrificially give to allow us to do these free events to serve our community.  If you want to give to help us do more of these events, you can go here and give online.
• We are doing a BIG Day at Elevate on Sunday, July 25th.  Everyone who brings a first time guest  will get a free movie pass for themselves and their friend.  We are also sharing the most requested message for the Encore series on that day.  Let's pray, invite, and let Jesus do His thing!
• I have missed my wife and kids big time this week.  They get back today at 4:30pm.  I can't wait to see them!
• I thought Lebron James was going to sign with the Elevate basketball team but the terms of the contract didn't work out.  :-)  Oh well, have fun in Miami!
• The weather has been incredible in San Diego.  Sorry East Coasters but the high in San Diego all week has been 65!
• I read three books on vacation.  Yes, I love to read.
• Can't wait for this weekend!  Jesus is Lord!  Live for Him and Love Him.  Nothing will satisfy your soul like Him!