Happy Birthday, Baby!

Kennedy is officially three years old today! What a ride she has put us on! She literally fell out of my womb three years ago, before the doctor was even in the room, and she hasn’t stopped running since.

She is an “all or nothing” type of girl who loves to be held and thinks the world revolves around her. She giggles from the pit of her belly and a smile in never far from her lips. She can throw a fit that will rival anyone, but don’t let her little pout fool you! She doesn’t stay mad long at all! There is just too much adventure to be had, so there’s no time to waste.

She is athletic and, although her little body seems like it could blow away, she’s as strong as they come. We often look at those big green eyes and straight blond hair and wonder where she came from. She loves to dress up and wear lipstick, but she’s not a girly-girl. Her favorite color is orange, despite the fact that her big sister insists that pink and purple are the ONLY colors in the world.

She’s the most challenging and most enjoyable little thing that I could imagine. She was born just two weeks before we started North Creek Church, and honestly, I see them as twins. So many highs and so much work…

So, to my baby, I’m so glad that you are you. I don’t mind the fact that you need 1000 hugs a day. I don’t mind the fact that sleep is negotiable for you. I don’t mind the fact that you see couches as things to jump off of, not sit on. I like the fact that you keep us guessing and there is no predicability in our relationship. You are my constant reminder that life is an adventure.

I love you.

Kennedy!!!!

Last night we had a board meeting at our house. I was the babysitter for a few kids, and after a while I suggested a movie…like all babysitters do when faced with three rambunctious toddlers. One child picked a movie about Christmas. It’s not my three year old daughter’s favorite movie because the graphics are poor and the storyteller is S….L….O….W. Kennedy doesn’t know the name of the movie, but she does know that it’s about the baby Jesus.

After a bit, she marched away from the movie, down the stairs, stomped into the middle of the board meeting and announced, “Dad! I don’t like Jesus!” Now, I know that she was talking about a movie and so do you. But I’m not sure that the board was as impressed with the pastor’s daughter announcing that she doesn’t like Jesus! Gotta leave it to Kennedy!

Memorial Day Weekend

What a weekend! On Saturday we had 52 teenagers show up from Everett, WA to serve our church. They passed out 2900 postcards on people’s doorways with free latte coupons, they cleaned up our weed-ridden parking lot, and helped with many other little projects around the place. Thank you to each of you who came to help us!

Here are my highlights from Sunday:

I met an great new young couple that was looking for a laid back church…can you say “North Creek?” They said they had a great time with us that morning (it could have been the Rock Stars they were drinking…), but that is really our goal for a person’s first visit. Although spiritual issues are important, our first goal is simply to make you feel like you just walked into your home. Relax! Enjoy yourself! Get to know our hearts!

We had several new older people. I want more people who are over the age of 60 around me! They have wisdom that I need, want and miss coming from traditional churches. One older gentlemen said that he was trying our church because his was a little too “quiet”…well, come on in!!!!!

Our attendance was 130 on a holiday weekend! I was a little worried about having crickets chirping in the main auditorium on Sunday, but I was pleasantly pleased with lots of guests! Church is just simply more fun with people there.

My niece, Rosanna, was with me all weekend. She’s 20 and lots of fun to have around. My girls like her alot and she makes a mean batch of homemade cinnamon rolls. Yes, that makes her perfect.

Will is an awesome man of God who has a great call of God on his life. I can’t wait to see where he and Sarah end up in the world!

Mark’s message is haunting me. It was about keeping your word and your commitments. I have sure noticed some of the things that I’ve told my girls this week that I haven’t been able to follow through on…ugh. I’m trying!!!!!!!!!!! If you missed the message you should listen to it online at www.coffeechurch.com…if you dare….

I missed those of you who were out of town this weekend. I hope you enjoyed yourselves on little mini-vacations! It’s nice to get away! Now come back. I want to see you again soon!

Speak Life

Yesterday was just an all around LONG day. Three very difficult conversations and about a dozen other things that made me want to crawl in my bed and start again…or not start again! As I prayed God reminded me to speak life over myself, the people of North Creek, and circumstances that could weigh me (and you) down. It is amazing how the words that fall out of our mouths can either destroy us or build us up…even when we are just talking to ourselves.

So, here’s my God-edited version of my thought life as an example for you of how to speak over your difficult circumstances:

The people in our church walk in integrity and truth at all costs.

My children are obedient. They are kind, considerate, love Jesus, and are destined to impact the nations with their lives. They are blessed and touched by God. They will never fall to the temptations that surround them, but will walk in righteousness before the Lord.

The marriages of North Creek are healthy, whole, strong, and well. The lusts of this world do not touch the people of our church. There is a hedge of protection around the people of North Creek.

This is our church. This church is not built on the back of any one man, but it is built on the Word of God. We work together towards the common goal of the mission of God. People care deeply about growing our church because of the impact that Jesus has had on their lives.

The people of North Creek say what they mean and mean what they say. We don’t hide from conflict and when we say something, it’s as good as gold. We stay true to our word and our commitments.

We have all that we need financially. God has poured out his blessing on my family and those families that are faithful to God’s promise of tithing and generous giving. God said that those who give to his storehouse will be abundantly blessed. That’s me. I claim it. I own it. I walk in that victory. Deuteronomy 28 says I take a loan from no man because I have more than I need.

I can handle the housework that seems overwhelming. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. If I get overwhelmed, God will give me the focus and strength to accomplish what he has given me to do. I will not get discouraged because we do not serve a God of discouragement. My Word says, “This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” That’s my verse. I own that one, too. God gave it to me as a promise that I can walk through this life with the joy of the Lord.

The teenagers of North Creek are warriors for Christ. They know right and wrong and they DO IT. They are set apart. A people that stand out from the “norm” and change their schools with purity and integrity.

Our team is blessed and refreshed. They do not get weary in doing good, but they have lives of balance and order.

Today is going to be a great day. I’m not settling for anything less than living the adventure of God. Bring it on, God.

Words

Mark began a great sermon series on Sunday called Words. I picked up on this verse to think about throughout the week:

James 3:2
We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.

A silly little thing like words keep us from being perfect. Isn’t that so true??? We try so hard to “do” the right things, but most of the time if we would just “say” the right things, it would be so much better. How we speak is definitely the thing that we should all be working on ALL of the time. It’s so easy to say something hurtful or speak before having all of the information. I think we’ve all had that moment where we have a pit in our stomach from something inappropriate that we have said.

We use words as weapons or to invoke pity. We use them to manipulate or to offend people. We use them to get ahead and we use them to change people’s perceptions of other people. We use sarcasm to deflect our true feelings and we tell jokes that would make our mother’s blush. We take a tool that God gave us to uplift and encourage and constantly use it wrong.

I know that it’s something I work on a lot…and fail a lot, too. But my commitment remains to do whatever it takes to get my mouth in check. Especially as a Christian! I’m not alone in the fight…I have the Holy Spirit inside of me to check my heart. And, if I will listen, he will be clear when it’s time to shut my mouth!

Money Matters

I just read an article on cnn.com that I LOVE! It’s about a church in Texas that gives away it’s money all of the time. That’s who we are striving to be. So generous to our community and congregants that we are known for giving away things. I think it starts in the little things as well. That was actually the thought behind a free cup (or ten…) of coffee at church. I have never understood why churches have a coffee pot with a little cup for donations next to it. It’s the same cup of coffee, but the message behind it is completely different. We spend about $10 a week on coffee and creamer. Not a big deal, but it sure helps our people and guests feel welcome and comfortable. A little money for a culture of warmth, relationship, and generosity.

I look forward to the day when we can go from a cup of coffee to paying off someone’s mortgage! Come on, let’s be generous together and make a difference in this world!

Here’s the full article:

(CNN) — The pastor of a non-denominational church in Argyle, Texas, passed around the collection plate to his congregants earlier this year — and asked them to take money from it.

Donations at the Cross Timbers Community Church had slumped because of the economic downturn. Pastor Toby Slough thought that his congregants had to be hurting, too.

His gesture, instead, was met with an unexpected response: The church had its highest offering ever.

It was a eureka moment for Slough: Give away money to those who need it, knowing his church members will help fill the need.

“In these economic times, we can’t be so into church business that we forget what our business is, and that is to help people,” Slough told CNN television affiliate KDAF in Dallas-Forth Worth, Texas.

In the past two months, the 9-year-old church has done just that: handed out a half-million dollars to members and non-members who are struggling.

“We’ve taken $200,000 and spread it out to organizations — four local, two missions that are feeding and clothing people in these tough times,” Slough said. “We’ve paid utility bills for members of our church that are unemployed or under-employed.”

His favorite giveaway came three weeks ago. The church gave 1,400 families $50 each and told them to hand it out to someone else.

One of the recipients was Katie Lewis.

“I’ve been alone so long. Just to be thought of and to be remembered, to be welcomed — it’s amazing,” she said, crying.

Church members are pleasantly surprised.

“You don’t hear about a church giving money away,” Amy Sullivan said.

Slough said he is not concerned if people try to take advantage of the church’s generosity.

“I told my church a couple weeks ago, if I’m not being taken advantage of, I’m not being like Jesus,” he said.

The church has now formed a group to look into the best ways to give out money. And, Slough said, it plans on doing so as long as there is a need in the community.

Sundayyyyyyyyyyy

Wow! Yesterday was BUSY! Here’s my weekly highlights:

It was my mother-in-laws birthday! Happy Birthday, Alvina!

Jeremy Macias, our former worship leader, came back to visit before heading off to Africa with the peace corp. He’ll be living in a hut and growing his own vegetables. He won’t have running water or speak the native language. To top it all off, he’ll be there for two years. Now that’s an adventure!

We also had my friend’s 15 year old daughter, Chelsey, staying with us. She’s a lot of fun and my girls love her! She’s very easy to have around and I can’t wait to see what God does with her life!

Several families from our church are going to be joining a small group. That’s awesome! Getting people connected in relationship is one of our most important agendas. We just can’t do life without people…even if we want to some days!

Pastor Kris had a youth staff meeting…what an amazing leader!

Mike, Chelsey, Marcus and Cheryl rocked it in a skit! Thank you to all four of you for highlighting the point of the sermon in such a creative way.

Chrystal and Amanda decorated the stage. It was really good! I love when people “own” a ministry and knock it out of the park. If you want to be involved in the stage ministry, let me know and I’ll pass it on to Chrystal. The more the merrier!

The sermon was about how dangerous our words can be. That’s a big one. We don’t take this one issue as seriously as we should!

My children were so exhausted by the end of the day that it was one big ol’ meltdown at my house. You wouldn’t have wanted to see it, but it might have confirmed for you that Pastor’s have the same issues as everyone else in the world. By the time they fell asleep, I was pretty relieved!

I hope that you have an incredible week!

MarriedLife Live

Last night was our MarriedLife Live event! It was really fun! We had a band (Jackson Jackson) and great speakers (thanks, Tortoras!). The food was amazing as usual and everything went off without a hitch,!

The theme was Fight Right, so we spent the whole night talking about how we fight, what we should do differently, and what other people have learned about fighting in marriage. It was encouraging to hear that other people do have disagreements, but the key is to settle those in a way that doesn’t damage your relationship for the long haul. The best thing that I picked up was that as you get older, you stop caring about who wins and who loses the fight because even if you win, the relationship loses. It’s more important to share your reasons and perspectives rather than to battle it out to the death! It’s basically OK to agree to disagree sometimes.

I think that everybody learned something, laughed a lot, and enjoyed the company! That’s a win at North Creek! Great job, Jeff, fo a well-planned, fun evening!

New Life

I love the Biggest Loser! The season finale was last night and although the person I was rooting for didn’t win, I did love watching the changes. I found myself sobbing several times. Both for the people with great success and for the people who wasted an opportunity. Both circumstances are moving for me, but for completely different ways.

My favorite moment of the show was when the oldest man on the show, Gerald, came out to show his “new” body. The picture of him looking overweight and sad popped up on the screen. There standing next to the picture was his new and improved self. The crowd began to cheer wildly! He raised up his hands in the air and shouted, “He’s GONE, He’s GONE! I’m here!”

What a parallel to our new life in Christ! Once Christ is in your heart and has forgiven you, the old self is GONE! We should be so excited about that! Just throw your arms up in the air and shout for joy! What a glorious day!

The other parallel is that now that little old man has a choice. He can continue in his new life with discipline and perseverance or he can sit down with a hamburger and fries and walk away from all that has been done for him. Oh, how often we do that! We get tempted by the same old sin and forget how miserable being “out of shape” was! We forget that discipline is so much more rewarding, even though at that instance it seems like a mountain to climb before us!

Gerald is a great reminder to me that the work is worth it! Christianity is not a cake walk. Just like exercise, it takes work. And just as the people on the show carry less burdens and are more free, we too can walk in the freedom that living for Christ can bring. So, commit with me to the exercise of discipline. Yes, we’ll have bad moments where we slip, but may that be the exception and not the rule. We can do this!

Another Day, Another Adventure

Ahhhh, Sunday! And it’s Mother’s Day. Here’s my favorite moments of the day…

First of all, this was the first time that I have ever preached two sermons in a row. I seriously have no energy left to think! That takes it out of you. When we go to three services, I’ll need an IV drip of caffeine.

Moms are the coolest people on the planet. We have some of the best at North Creek.

I talked with someone who has been trying to get pregnant and it hasn’t happened…yet. We have several couples in our church with that same story. Let’s commit to praying daily for those couples! God happens to be in the business of miracles.

Thank you to Pastor Chris Harold for encouraging me after the first service! I’m a words of affirmation girl, so that kept me going for another round. I appreciate our team so much. We look out for each other and do what it takes to stay strong.

I heard through the grapevine that Marcus thinks we are the church with the least amount of “church politics”. That’s a high compliment in my book. It’s all about God, so check your ego at the door.

Did I mention our amazing moms? Donna is one of my favorite. It’s easy to preach to someone who laughs at literally any joke you tell.

Speaking of laughing, I find it ironic that the 9:00 am service is a much more energetic service. They laugh more, clap more…it’s weird. I wish I was still sleeping at 9:00 am.

I talked with a mom who is really struggling right now. I hurt for her, but I believe God has a great plan, purpose, and agenda for their family. That being said, it’s tough to be in the middle of the struggle. Add that one to your prayer list as well!

I think God is going to use my message today to send our people all over the world. That’s awesome!

I love this church.