ENCORE

Encore is a 4-week remix of some of the best messages and series from the past year and a half at Elevate Church. 

Ever hear a message or have a series you wish we could have spent more time on?  We are taking some time to revisit past series by YOUR request, so let us know what you would like to go over one more time and we will venture into them together again in a fresh way!

So get ready - the second time around is the encore you've been asking for.

Vote here for your favorite messages! 

Join us starting Sunday, July 4th and throughout July for the Encore!

Sunday Reflections

Here are some thoughts from this weekend:

• It was the final week of our Unstoppable Series.  I am very grateful for Chris Reynolds preaching at Elevate!  He did a message called Unstoppable Purpose. 
• I heard it was great and we had people who received Christ!  That's awesome!  I can't wait to listen to it on our podcast.
• Our family has been in South Carolina this past week visiting family and taking a vacation.  We had a great time at the beach and visiting with everyone in our family.
• On Sunday, I had the privilege to preach at Radiant Church in Greenville, SC.  They were doing the same Unstoppabloe series as Elevate.  It is great to see so many churches partner together and share resources in the Unstoppable Series. 
• Radiant is a great church AND we had two people receive Christ too!
• I preached a similar message that I shared the week before at Elevate called Unstoppable People.
• A few quick points that I didn;t already mention from last week's "Sunday Reflections." :
• I'm thankful Jesus isn't a quitter.  He stared the cross and death in the face and defeated it. 
• Don't ever give up on something God has called you to do.  One day you will face Jesus and look at His nail scarred hands.  Every excuse you could give him wouldn't make a difference at that point.
• Satan messes with those God is using.  If you haven't had an encounter with Satan lately, it could be that you are headed in the same direction.
• Stay united. Stay focused. Be relentless. 
• We have two mission teams coming in July to San Diego.  I look forward to doing some outreach with them!  It is always an encouragement when we have teams come in town.
• We start a new series this Sunday on July 4th called Encore.  Go here and vote for your favorite messages and join us for a remix of some of the best!

Sunday Reflections

Here are some thoughts from Sunday:

• We made it to Charleston, SC on Sunday night for a vacation so I just wanted to hit a few quick highlights.
• It was week three in our Unstoppable series.  The message this week was called Unstoppable People.
• I didn't preach for two weeks and I was grateful for the break.  It was also great to preach today.  I love our people!
• We've been working on a lot of systems and getting ready to crank it up around Elevate so that's what I've been working on.  
• Happy Father's Day!  Dads you have an incredible opportunity.  Make the most of it and be the men God has created you to be.
• We gave every dad a copy of You Have What It Takes by John Eldridge.  It is a short book and every dad should read it.
• By the way, you can listen to the message here.  The first few minutes were unfortunately cut off but you can still get the majority of the message.
• I shared three characteristics that it takes to be Unstoppable.  It is true for a marriage, a family, and of course our church.
• Unstoppable People are united, focused, and relentless!
• We spent some time at the end of the service to honor Ellenor Sullins and all of her service to Elevate.  She started out as Elevate's Children Director and then became one of our overall amazing volunteers.   We love her and look forward to what God does next on her journey as she moves to Atlanta!
• This week we end the Unstoppable series with a message called Unstoppable Purpose.  Also, Chris Reynolds will be here too!  Can't wait!
• We start a new series on July 4th called Encore.  We're bringing back some of the best messages for an Encore.  It will be a remix and even better than before!
• Go here to vote for your two favorite messages you would like to hear during July.
• I heard a lot of great stuff about Donald Miller's book called A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.  I love to read and look forward to reading it while we're on vacation.
• The next six months at Elevate are going to be the greatest we've seen so far.  What are you doing to make a difference for Jesus?  It's going to take everyone stepping up!  Praying, serving, and inviting others.
• Our God is greater, Our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other!

Sunday Reflections

Here are some thoughts from a great day:

• It was week two in our Unstoppable Series and the message was called Unstoppable Courage.  It was a great message by Pastor Craig Groeschel of Lifechurch.TV.
• He shared from a great story in 2 Samuel 23:20-23 about Benaiah chasing a lion in a pit on a snowy day.
• I highly recommend a book by Mark Batterson about this story.  Several of us read it before moving to San Diego and it really set the stage for us in making the move across the country.
• Below are some thoughts from today or you can listen to the message right here.
• The path to your greatest potential is often straight through your greatest fear.  Remember fear doesn't come from God! (2 Timothy 1:7)
• People with real faith chase lions!
• People that chase lions don't let fear stop them from what God has called them to do.
• People with unstoppable courage know that the bigger their God is the smaller the lions become.
• People with unstoppable courage understand that playing it safe is risky.
• The goal of faith is not the elimination of risk.  It actually increases risks.  (Hebrews 11:6)
• A statement that hit me hard was when he said "Imagine if Jesus walked away from the cross."  
• It's a great reminder that the same One who lives in me chased the biggest "lion" of all and conquered it!
• We hosted a gathering for our volunteers after the Service.  I love the people God has blessed Elevate with on this journey.  
• I am excited about what the next six months are going to look like at Elevate.  We are making some changes to our ministry teams and further developing some of our systems.  
• I love the life change that is happening in our people right now!
• I absolutely love our Life groups.  It is awesome to see some new people getting connected in them as well.
• I am excited to be preaching this Sunday for Father's Day!  The message this week is called Unstoppable People.  
• Don't miss it!  We have some great giveaways for all the Fathers AND I can't wait to share the message God has put on my heart to share!

Random Friday

Here are some random Friday thoughts:

• It is week two in our Unstoppable Series and we are talking about Unstoppable Courage.  
• Chew on this to get ready for this weekend's message: "The pathway to your greatest potential is often straight through your greatest fears."  Wow, that is good!
• I can't wait for this Sunday!  I also can't wait to share with some of our amazing volunteers after the service for our Momentum Gathering.  
• God is definitely putting some stuff on my heart for what's next at Elevate.  Can't wait to share more when the time is right!
• Naomi turns 8 years old tomorrow!  That is so hard to believe.  She is our oldest and I love her so much.
• Susan took her and a friend to LA for the day today.  That meant I had the other three all by myself the whole day.  We survived!
• I had In-n-Out today for lunch.  I really enjoy it but they definitely should give it another name.  There is nothing about being in and out in that place.
• I am almost finished reading Christian Atheist by Craig Groeschel.  That book has been messing me up.  Very challenging!
• I'm reading a couple of other books right now too.  I'm bad about reading several books at once.
• The kids get out of school next Thursday and they are so excited.
• We lost again this week in our basketball game.  I am sure you are not surprised by now.  
• I am loving the NBA Finals!  2-2 and one more game in Boston.  My prediction is whoever wins Game 5 will win the series.
• I got to ride along with a policeman earlier this week who attends Elevate.  Planning on going with him on a late night ride along at some point soon.  That will be fun.  :-)

Two Years Ago This Happened

This picture above was from two years ago.  I think we were somewhere in Louisiana at this time.  Susan and I were driving the biggest Penske truck they provide for moving and we were pulling my car behind it!  It took us about four days to drive across the country but somehow we made it.  We made some incredible memories but I don't think I ever want to drive one of those across the country again.  :-)

Several times throughout that trip we looked at each other and laughed.  We wondered what in the world are we doing and we sometimes still think that.  It kind of reminds me of the time when God told Abraham's wife, Sarah, in her old age she was going to become pregnant.  She laughed BUT God did exactly what He said He was going to do.

As I look back I realize we really are not the same people.  Yes, we still have the same personalities and all that, but God has done such a work in our hearts over the past two years.  It really is amazing.  I can see the difference God has made in those who moved with us and joined this journey as well.  We are not the same people.  God is doing amazing things in our hearts.  He has stretched our faith in ways we didn't even know was possible two years ago.  

I have realized that for God to do a great work through you He must first do a great work IN you.  I feel that the past two years have been as much, if not more, about what God is doing in me and the others who have joined this journey.  

Last night as someone sat in our living room wrestling over their decision of crossing the line of faith and becoming a follower of Christ, I was reminded THIS is why we are here.  We moved across the country to lead people far from God to become passionate followers of Christ!  

Church planting is hard work but I wouldn't trade what we are doing for anything else in the world.  The thirty plus people who have given their lives to Christ since we have moved here makes it all worth it!

I don't know what the next two years will look like but I do know the best is yet to come...

It's Not An Accident

One of my favorite verses is Acts 17:26:

"From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the EXACT places where they should live."


It bothers me to hear people say things like:

- I'm just killing time. - Are you really OK with wasting the most precious thing given to us which is time on this earth?

- Once I get THAT job, then I can make a difference. - If you aren't making a difference for God's Kingdom now, what makes you think things will change once you get that job or promotion?

- Or when people think the only way to do missions is to go to Africa or some third world country. - If we can't go across the street, do we really have any business going around the world?

It's time to realize that God has YOU divinely positioned at this EXACT place in history to serve His purposes to those around you!

Seriously, let that thought sink in.

Your job really isn't a job.  It is a divine calling from God whether you work there the rest of your life or for the next six months.

The place where you live is no accident.  God has divinely positioned you at that house or apartment to reach those around you.  Make no mistake about it - He wants you to love them and be Jesus to them.

It is no accident when interruptions happen throughout your day.  Don't get frustrated.  Instead figure out how God wants to grow you or use you in those moments.

Remember it is not an accident.

You only have one life to live so seize every moment God gives you on this planet!

Sunday Reflections

Here are some thoughts from Sunday:

• We kicked off our Unstoppable Series with An Unstoppable Comeback from Pastor Herbert Cooper of Peoples Church.  It was a great message!
• He shared the story of Moses in Exodus 2 and 3.  Moses waited forty years after messing up before God used him to bring the Israelites out of Egypt.
• God is always in control.  He is the God of second chances!
• Failure isn't final.
• No matter what has happened before remember that God still has a plan.
• God's plan won't happen over night.
• God cares, He forgives, and He restores.
• God is more concerned about what is happening in you than through you.  He is more concerned in what you are becoming than what you're doing. (Philippians 1:6)
• Don't put a period where God has put a comma!  
• Get back up.  (Proverbs 24:16)
• It was a great message and you can listen to the whole message here or on our Itunes podcast.
• We sang Our God and it was a great way to end the service. "Our God is greater, Our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other. Our God is healer, awesome in power, OUR GOD"
• I really believe a lot of our people needed to hear this message.
• It is so awesome to see some new people getting connected.
• Read Maggie's post about a couple she talked to almost two years ago.  Don't ever give up on the people in your life.  You never know how God will use your words in someone's life whether next week or two years later.  Be faithful.  Be persistent.  Leave the results to God!
• Next Sunday we continue our series with Unstoppable Courage.  Pray for those you need to invite  and trust me you don't want to miss this message!

Random Friday

Here are some random Friday thoughts:

• It is the first week of our Unstoppable series as a part of the One Prayer series.  We are excited about joining other churches across the world for this series.
• Trust me, you don't want to miss this first week!  
• "Don't put a period where God puts a comma!" This Sunday at Elevate: Unstoppable Come Back.
• Game one went to the Lakers.  I'm thinking it's going to be Lakers in six games!
• "Give me five minutes with a person's checkbook, and I will tell you where their heart is." - Billy Graham.  Wow, that's so true.  Whatever is in your heart will eventually come out in your actions and through what you do with what has been given to you.
• Not sure if it's the British accent or Charlie's reaction but this video is funny.  I love the remix too.
• We are still winless in our basketball season.  We are getting closer though!  We lost two weeks ago by one in overtime and this Tuesday by three in regulation.
• I love this little girl!  She is growing up so fast.
• The kids get out of school in less than two weeks.  They are so excited!  
• We are going to visit family in SC in a few weeks.  We can't wait to see everyone.  It only happens twice a year so we always try to make the most of these times.
• Have you ever heard the history of how the 12 apostles were killed? Read this.  It is amazing.
• "Spiritual warfare is going to happen if you are doing anything significant for God." - Nelson Searcy
• I'm in a coaching Network with Nelson Searcy of Church Leader Insights and Pastor of the Journey Church in New York.  It has been great and very challenging.  Last week Rick Warren joined our conference call.  I love Pastor Rick!  He has an incredible heart for Pastors.
• "It doesn’t matter how you start the ministry but how you finish.  You don’t get something for starting the marathon but finishing it." - Rick Warren
  
• "Doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs." - Rick Warren
• By the way, Rick Warren is extremely encouraging too.  It reminded me of the type of people I need to surround myself with: Highly productive people not high maintenance people, positive and optimistic people NOT negative and pessimistic people.
• Life is too short!  Surround yourself with people who can build you up and help you become more like Christ.

One Prayer Series Starts This Sunday

We are excited to join churches from around the world for One Prayer again this year.  The theme for this year is Unstoppable.  When the church unites, we are unstoppable!

One Prayer began in 2008 to explore the question: We pray to Jesus asking Him to answer our prayers - what if we became the answer to His? In John 17:20-24, He prayed that we would be one, and One Prayer is an opportunity to see what can be accomplished when the Church works together.

For two years, millions of believers around the world have united to pray, learn, and love others. God has worked in amazing ways each year, and we can't wait to see what He does during One Prayer 2010. During June, we’ll come together for four weeks as we learn more about our Creator and go out into the world to share, serve and give.

Join us during June for this great series.

Because God is on our side, we are unstoppable!

Sunday Reflections

Here are some thoughts from Sunday:

• We celebrated on Sunday with Worship and Communion.  It was a really awesome time of worship!
• Jesus paid an unbelievable price for you!  
• Read Isaiah 52:14 and 53:2-7 to reflect on the price he paid.
• I shared part of my testimony during the message.  One of the greatest realizations I had was my own desperate need for the Savior.  Many times we think we're not that bad or that other people need to be "saved" but we just need to be helped out.  
• That is the furthest thing from the truth.  We are doomed without Christ and in desperate need of His saving grace. (Colossians 1:21-22)
• God traded all of my imperfection for His Son's perfection.  
• If you ever doubted God's love, all you need to do is look at the cross.  The cross proves His love for all eternity!  
• Get out of the South Parking Lot and start heading North!  You'll have to listen to the message to get that.  Let's just say it includes me and more trouble at the Atlanta airport.
• Is what you are living for worth Christ dying for the way He died?  That is a tough question that we all need to deal with.
• Some of the most powerful verses in Scripture are 1 Corinthians 15:54-58.  Jesus stared death in the face and defeated it!  I don't know what you are going through but I know someone who can help you conquer it: Jesus!
• We sang The Wonderful Cross after the Lord's Supper.  It was a really powerful time.  I was overwhelmed singing those words.  
• We sang Shout unto God at the end of the Service.  I love that anthem.  
• We had a Barbecue after the service and played Volleyball.  The team I was on lost every game we played.  Not quite the way I planned!  :-)
• We start a series called Unstoppable this coming Sunday.  We are joining churches all across the world with this series.  It is going to be a great series!  Because God is on our side, we are unstoppable.
• I am so excited about this summer and some of the great things we have planned!