Marriage and Lies

On Sunday, we talked about building your "Dream Home."  You can listen to the message here or look up "Elevate Church of San Diego" on Itunes to subscribe to our podcast.

I wanted to give you some of the marriage lies people believe that can ultimately lead to destroying a marriage.  Remember the truth sets you free so let's expose some of the lies:

1) "The grass is greener on the other side."  I've heard Rick Warren say, "The grass isn't greener on the other side.  It's greener where you water it."  It's time to water your own garden!

2) "God wants me happy." People will say they aren't happy and since God wants them happy they should get a divorce.  The only problem with is that it is not found anywhere in the Bible.

3) "We're so different so it just doesn't work anymore."  Of course you are different!  God created man and woman to compliment each other not be just alike.  I truly believe that two people seeking Jesus wholeheartedly will not seek a divorce.  Being different shouldn't be an excuse to divorce, but an opportunity to discover more about your spouse.

4) Another lie is what I call the Bachelor/Bachelorette Syndrome.  People watch those shows and then get upset that their relationship isn't like that.  Guess what?  It isn't like that for the people from those shows either!  That is why almost every single of those relationships have ended after the show.  Yes, there should be romance in your relationship but don't expect it to be like that 365 days a year.

5) "I've messed up so I must settle for what I can get."  If you have messed up in the past, you are not damaged goods!  God's grace is available to you!  Jesus will give you a fresh start.  Don't settle for less than God's best for your life and in your relationships.  Read John 8:1-11.  It is one of the most powerful stories of forgiveness that I've heard.

Which of these lies are you believing right now?  Remember that if you want what few have you must do what few do.  Stop believing the lies and fight for it!

Sunday Reflections

Here are some thoughts from Sunday:

• It was week two of our Living The Dream series and we talked about building My Dream Home.
• To build my dream home I must start with the right foundation: JESUS. (Matthew 7:24-27)
• To build your dream home/marriage you must stop believing the lies.
• The grass is greener wherever you water it not on the other side.
• God doesn't want you happy as much as He wants you blessed and holy.
• If you messed up  in the past, you are not damaged goods.  Don't settle for less than God's best in your relationships.
• Singles don't settle for Mr./Mrs. Right Now while you are waiting for Mr./Mrs. Right.
• You must realize it's not about you.  Marriage is about you laying your life down for your spouse not merely you getting "your needs" met. 
• Love is a verb!  It is about action.  Talk is cheap.  Demonstrate your love for your spouse.
• Marriage doesn't create problems.  It brings to light whatever is already in your heart.  Read James 4:1.  
• You must be willing to fight for it!  Great marriages don't happen by accident.  
• If you want what few have, you must be willing to do what few do!
• You can listen to message right here.
• I am proud of Jeremy.  He is really stepping it up.  I thought he nailed Live Like Were Dying by Kris Allen.
• Yesterday was definitely one of my favorite services in a while.  It was an awesome day!
• We had someone receive Christ as well!  
• Already excited about next Sunday!  We are talking about My Dream Job.  You may already be at your dream job but you don't even know it!

Sunday Reflections

Here are some thoughts from Sunday:

• It was the first week of our Living The Dream series.  You can go here to listen to the message if you missed it.  
• The first week we talked about "My Dream Life."
• Most of us seek the dream life with the wrong starting point: Ourselves!  
• To discover your purpose and greatest dreams, you must begin with the correct starting point: GOD.
• Read Colossians 1:16.  You were created by God and for God!
• If you have never read The Purpose Driven Life, I want to encourage you to pick up a copy and read it!
• God is great, therefore my life is in His hands.
• God is good, therefore my life is in His plans.
• If you ever question the goodness of God, just look at the cross.  It displays the goodness of God!
• Read Jeremiah 29:11.  God's plans and intentions for your life are better than you could ever imagine.  
• Our God is capable.  He is dependable.  He is able.  Trust Him! (Ephesians 3:20)
• We had a lot of new people.  I met a guy who went to Furman University.  Small world!
• I met a lady who has been searching for a place to belong and to be a part of a church family.  With tears in her eyes, she said she felt like she found a place to finally call "home." That is awesome!
• It is our third week in Torrey Pines and we are still working through some set up stuff.  We finally got the stage area how we would like or at least the best we can do with what we have.
• We have some sound issues we are working through.  We should have most everything worked out in the next week or two.
• Our Life Groups are kicking off in a few weeks!  You can go here to sign up or you can sign up on Sundays.  It is a great opportunity to grow in your faith and connect with others.  You were never meant to do life alone.  Join a life group today!  Sign ups end October 3rd.
• I am excited about the potential of this coming Sunday!  We are talking about "My Dream Home."  Can't wait!

Random Friday

Here are some random Friday thoughts:

• Never been more excited about the direction of Elevate as I am right now.  Great things on the horizon!
• Also, I have never been more excited about the potential of a series we have done at Elevate than I am of the Living The Dream series that starts Sunday!
• You still have time to invite someone.  Give the invitation and let God do the unthinkable thru you!
• If you haven't had a chance, take a look at our new website.  
• If you subscribed to our podcast through Itunes, take a minute and click here to subscribe to our updated podcast link.  Just click the "Subscribe to Podcast" on the bottom right.
• I have been reading a Book of quotes from A.W. Tozer.  Wow, it has some great stuff! Here are a few:
• "The big problem is not whether the Bible is true.  The big problem is whether it is true in you."
• "One of the world's worst tragedies is that we allow our hearts to shrink until there is room in them for little beside ourselves."
• "Just because I, finite man, don't understand everything that God, the infinite, does is no reason to doubt God's purpose."
• Marriage takes work!  I love this quote from Rick Warren - "Your marriage will work out when you both commit to working it out.  God wants to grow both of you."
• I played with the Elevate soccer team on Monday.  I scored a goal and we got the W!  Here and here are some pics.
• Let's PRAY and BELIEVE God for huge things on Sunday and over the coming weeks at Elevate Church! (Mark 11:24)

Living The Dream - New Series Starts Sunday

We have one of the most anticipated series we have ever done at Elevate Church that starts this Sunday:

Living The Dream

Some people are...Everyone wants to...But how do we... live the dream?

Join us over the next four weeks as we talk about how to truly live the dream in every area of your life.

September 19th: My Dream Life

September 26th: My Dream Home

October 3rd: My Dream Job

October 10th: Beyond My Wildest Dreams

We meet Sundays 10am at Torrey Pines High School

                                           3710 Del Mar Heights Road

Come expecting great things to happen in your life and those you bring with you too!

See you Sunday for an incredible day!  

Sunday Reflections

Here are some thoughts from Sunday at Elevate:

• It was the second and final week of our Viral Effect series.  Part two was The Search Party.
• The main point: Found People Find People.  
• I originally heard this from Perry Noble who heard it from his seminary professor.
• Two questions we wrestled with: 1) Have you been found?  2) If so, who do you need to find?
• Yes, red velvet cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory is my favorite dessert on this planet.  
• It is true for cheesecake and it is true of your relationship with Christ: When you have truly experienced something, you want others to experience it too!
• If you have been touched by the Savior, then you will want to touch others with His love!
• Three realizations we must all deal with:
• 1) Realize it is urgent. Read 2 Corinthians 6:2.  If you ever wonder when it is the "right time" to invite someone, the right time is NOW.  Go for it!
• 2) Realize the potential is amazing!  With God on your side, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).  Andrew tells his brother Peter who goes on to preach and 3,000 are saved.  You never know how one invite can change the direction of someone's life forever.
• 3) Realize it will take boldness.  In Acts 4:19-21 they pray for boldness NOT protection.  The result of there boldness were people coming to Christ (Acts 5:14).
• We definitely took a huge step in the right direction this week.  Our set up had a much better environment and it was a lot quicker.
• Next week we kick off one of the most anticipated series we have ever done at Elevate: Living The Dream.  It is going to be an awesome series.  We have set up some great opener songs for each week too.
• I am praying for you this week Elevate Church.  Be bold.  Extend the invitation.  Let the search party begin!

Random Friday

Here are some random Friday thoughts:

• Part 2 of The Viral Effect series.  I am super excited about the potential of this message!
• Don't forget we are now meeting at Torrey Pines High School!  Every Sunday at 10am.
• We made some major adjustments for this Sunday.  Looking forward to nailing down a consistent look for Elevate at Torrey Pines so we can create a great experience for everyone who attends!
• "The things that are closest to our hearts are the things we talk about, and if God is close to your heart, you will talk about Him." A.W. Tozer.  Ouch!  That is good.  
• When is the last time you talked about Jesus to someone?  If you experienced Christ, there is no way you can keep that to yourself!
• "What happens TO you is largely out of your control.  What happens IN you is totally your choice.  Your response is what matters!" - John Maxwell
• Your attitude makes all the difference.  What is your attitude like today?
• Jeremiah had his first day of school this week.  Here is a picture.  I love that boy!
• We went bike riding at Mission Bay last weekend.  Here and here are a few pics. 
• I pulled Ava on the bike ride and she was just in her own little world.
• San Diego is an incredible place and we have decided that we don't enjoy it near as much as we ought to.  That is going to change!
• This is going to be an incredible weekend of College Football!  NFL has started back too!  It doesn't get much better than this.

Sunday Reflections

Here are some thoughts from our first day at Torrey Pines HS:

• We kicked off a two week series called The Viral Effect.  It is simply a two part series about sharing your faith with others.
• The degree to which you embrace the mission (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8) is the degree to which you will enjoy the party!
• Yes, Heaven is a party (Revelation 7:9-12; 21:3-4).  A lot of people think it is nothing more than a glorified library with an angels on clouds playing the harp.  Heaven is loud.  Heaven is all about Jesus.  Heaven will be the greatest family reunion you could ever imagine.  
• Our mission is nothing more than a continuation of Jesus' mission when He was on earth.
• Attaching your life to the mission gives your life eternal significance.  Stop focusing on things that won't last.  What will last?  People!
• Evangelism is simply inviting people to a party that is out of this world!  By the way, church should be a glimpse of that party too!
• It was our first Sunday at Torrey Pines HS.  I am so grateful for all of the amazing volunteers who came early to help make it happen.  
• I am also glad we gave ourselves two weeks before our big Fall Outreach campaign!  We will need it to work out a good Set up system and to make sure we are ready to go when the 19th comes.
• I spoke to a man yesterday who said (with tears in his eyes) how grateful he was for us and what a difference we were making.  I love to see God working like that.
• We were able to get everything we use for the worship service (I mean everything!) in the storage room they are providing for us.  That is a huge blessing!  The only thing we put on the truck now is our kids ministry equipment and it is all in portable storage cases.  These have saved us a lot of time and effort.
• Got a lot happening in the next few weeks: launching a new website, starting our Fall semester of Life Groups, kicking off our Living The Dream series, and more!

Random Friday

Here are some Friday thoughts:

• We start meeting at Torrey Pines High School THIS Sunday at 10am.  You can get the details here!
• We also kick off a two week series called The Viral Effect.  Really excited about the potential of theses two weeks!
• College Football is back!!  The Gamecocks got a win last night too.
•  Our kids started school this week too.  We think they have some great teachers.  Looking forward to a great school year.
• Here is a picture from the first day of school for Elijah and Naomi.
• God wants to use unlikely situations in your life to do the unthinkable through you!
• At the end of your life, you will defined more by WHO you were than what you did.  Your character matters!
• "Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking your potential." - Winston Churchill.     Keep pressing on! (Philippians 3:12-14)
• "If your gospel isn't touching others, it hasn't touched you." - Curry Blake.  Ouch!
• I'm helping coach Elijah's soccer team again this year.  It is a blast coaching those kids and it gives my mind a break from the demands of everything else.  
• It's not too late to give to our Fall Outreach Campaign!  You can give online right here.  We are praying for BIG things this Fall and that of course takes BIG money provided by a BIG God.  I'm blown away by what He has done already!
• Really looking forward to some time with my family tomorrow.  It has been a crazy week and haven't really had any time together.
• Sunday is a game changer!  I have never been filled with more anticipation about what is in store for Elevate Church over the next few weeks and the months ahead. 
• Buckle up.  It's GO time!

New Location THIS Sunday!

We are so excited about the opportunity that God opened up for us at Elevate Church.

Starting THIS Sunday (September 5th) we are meeting at Torrey Pines High School.  We are excited about the visibility it gives us in the community, the great campus, and the opportunity it gives us to serve the school in various ways.

Here is a map of their campus that is provided from their website.  We are meeting in the Lecture Hall that is in the center of the campus.  Our kids are meeting next to the Lecture Hall in the Student Center/Library area.   Enter the main entrance and turn left.  You can park in the Faculty and Staff Parking area which is the first parking lot on the right as you begin to circle around the campus.

As always, we will have signs up and people helping direct where to go.

Be sure to join us Sunday at 10am for this next phase in the life of our church!