The past few months have been a whirlwind for theSHIFT. Since I stopped blogging, everything has gone really well… not sure why I’m starting again. :)
Last night was tons of fun. We packed the house with 28… +10 panelists that gave us insight into how to create great relationships and keep them. Questions ranged from how to keep Christ first to awkward moments and personal anecdotes… laughter flowed freely
Quote of the night: “When you get older, a rub on the neck is just as great as wild sex (pause)… Almost”
One more week where we’ll be talking about RELATIONSHIPS and we’ll be moving on to a series on KINDNESS EVANGELISM… so excited for that series!
We wrapped up the night at my house… watching Princess Bride and talking about God into the wee hours of the morning. Lovin it!
I love being your pastor,
Curtis
Monday, October 5, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
The Warm Up
Two weeks ago, I woke up at 4:45a on a Sunday morning so that I could meet the other
pastors of Element Church for an early breakfast at 5:30a. Once we were
done, it was too late to go home, so I got to the church quite a bit
earlier than usual, around 6:40. That's when I started to pray. I had
the opportunity to pray, praise, worship, and "warm up" until about 8
when people started showing up for first service.
My expectations were high.
I usually wait until 3rd service to 'attend' church, but my anticipation
was off the charts. Jeff and Adam did not disappoint! The worship and
message was SPOT ON! Great start to the day!
Second service was my chance to pray some more, and that's when I
started getting rocked. I walked into the prayer room and suddenly I
felt like I couldn't speak. The presence of God was thick. If you've
felt THAT presence, you know what I mean. I ended up on my knees...
still no words. About 5 minutes later I felt released to start praying.
I prayed for Jeff and for those that would hear his words that
morning... and then it was time for the 2nd altar call.
I found my place at the altar to pray for anyone that needed to respond.
Praise God I had my chance! I prayed for a young man with tears in his
eyes as he asked God to cleanse him from his sin. When he was done
praying and walked away, I lost it. Tears pooled in my eyes as I
realized the freedom that had just taken place at that altar. It was
overwhelming!
Once I got myself composed, I exchanged pleasantries in the Lobby as I
waited expectantly for the last service to begin.
Almost from the first note, I was on cloud nine. I felt like God's
presence from the 2nd service was still lingering and I just couldn't
wait to get some more. The tears flowed freely this time, unhindered by
any embarrassment or pretense. It was as if God had come down
specifically to meet me in the Northwest corner of the worship center!
I was so absorbed, I almost forgot I needed to put Jeff's pulpit on the
platform!
The altar call after 3rd service was similarly spectacular... and again,
His presence was unmistakable.
Throughout the next week, I had some time to think about my experience.
I went over the whole thing repeatedly in my mind... looking for
something to attribute it to so that I could duplicate it again in the
future. I discovered 2 things.
1. Experiences with God CANNOT be duplicated! Each one is special in
its own way and the idea of reducing experiences with God to a 3-step
formula is almost laughable.
2. A spiritual "warm up" is like BEGGING the Holy Spirit to reveal
Himself to you! Although not a formula, "warming up" is like preparing
to hunt a lion... except you're hoping to encounter the Lion of the
Tribe of Judah! The preparation is crucial! We prayed for the XXXPOSED
series weeks before it started, we sought God corporately the Friday
before the first sermon, we got up early to break bread and meet God on
Sunday morning, we prayed for/with others in pursuit of God's freedom
and power. And then... it happened!
I pray that I will take the time to warm up regularly so that when God
decides to reveal Himself, I won't be on my way to buy more oil! (Matthew
25:1-13)
Warming up,
Curtis
pastors of Element Church for an early breakfast at 5:30a. Once we were
done, it was too late to go home, so I got to the church quite a bit
earlier than usual, around 6:40. That's when I started to pray. I had
the opportunity to pray, praise, worship, and "warm up" until about 8
when people started showing up for first service.
My expectations were high.
I usually wait until 3rd service to 'attend' church, but my anticipation
was off the charts. Jeff and Adam did not disappoint! The worship and
message was SPOT ON! Great start to the day!
Second service was my chance to pray some more, and that's when I
started getting rocked. I walked into the prayer room and suddenly I
felt like I couldn't speak. The presence of God was thick. If you've
felt THAT presence, you know what I mean. I ended up on my knees...
still no words. About 5 minutes later I felt released to start praying.
I prayed for Jeff and for those that would hear his words that
morning... and then it was time for the 2nd altar call.
I found my place at the altar to pray for anyone that needed to respond.
Praise God I had my chance! I prayed for a young man with tears in his
eyes as he asked God to cleanse him from his sin. When he was done
praying and walked away, I lost it. Tears pooled in my eyes as I
realized the freedom that had just taken place at that altar. It was
overwhelming!
Once I got myself composed, I exchanged pleasantries in the Lobby as I
waited expectantly for the last service to begin.
Almost from the first note, I was on cloud nine. I felt like God's
presence from the 2nd service was still lingering and I just couldn't
wait to get some more. The tears flowed freely this time, unhindered by
any embarrassment or pretense. It was as if God had come down
specifically to meet me in the Northwest corner of the worship center!
I was so absorbed, I almost forgot I needed to put Jeff's pulpit on the
platform!
The altar call after 3rd service was similarly spectacular... and again,
His presence was unmistakable.
Throughout the next week, I had some time to think about my experience.
I went over the whole thing repeatedly in my mind... looking for
something to attribute it to so that I could duplicate it again in the
future. I discovered 2 things.
1. Experiences with God CANNOT be duplicated! Each one is special in
its own way and the idea of reducing experiences with God to a 3-step
formula is almost laughable.
2. A spiritual "warm up" is like BEGGING the Holy Spirit to reveal
Himself to you! Although not a formula, "warming up" is like preparing
to hunt a lion... except you're hoping to encounter the Lion of the
Tribe of Judah! The preparation is crucial! We prayed for the XXXPOSED
series weeks before it started, we sought God corporately the Friday
before the first sermon, we got up early to break bread and meet God on
Sunday morning, we prayed for/with others in pursuit of God's freedom
and power. And then... it happened!
I pray that I will take the time to warm up regularly so that when God
decides to reveal Himself, I won't be on my way to buy more oil! (Matthew
25:1-13)
Warming up,
Curtis
Sunday, August 9, 2009
theSHIFT tonight
-- Tonight was incredible!
-- Had a new record 28 Shifters tonight!
-- Heather and I gave testimonies about amazing experiences that we've had with God this past week. For me, it was at church last Sunday... praying for men to experience sexual freedom and realizing the impact that God was making in those moments (generations were changed by decisions prompted by the Holy Spirit that day - WOW!). For Heather, it was an experience with God on her way back from Colorado Springs on Thursday night. Read about that HERE. What an incredible story of surrender to whatever God is asking you to do on the spot!
-- We watched the NOOMA video called "Breathe"... what an awesome way to view God--professing His name with EVERY SINGLE BREATH!
-- We laughed. We cried. We prayed. Amazing!
-- Everyone had a great time at Heavenfest yesterday from what I've been told. I stayed home with the kids while Heather led the Shifters their and it sounds like it was awesome.
NEXT WEEK: Rockin another NOOMA with Jeremiah Karr at the helm. I have absolute confidence that he will rock it!
COMING SOON: Waterworld on Aug 22nd... clear your schedules! We're gonna have a blast!
-- Had a new record 28 Shifters tonight!
-- Heather and I gave testimonies about amazing experiences that we've had with God this past week. For me, it was at church last Sunday... praying for men to experience sexual freedom and realizing the impact that God was making in those moments (generations were changed by decisions prompted by the Holy Spirit that day - WOW!). For Heather, it was an experience with God on her way back from Colorado Springs on Thursday night. Read about that HERE. What an incredible story of surrender to whatever God is asking you to do on the spot!
-- We watched the NOOMA video called "Breathe"... what an awesome way to view God--professing His name with EVERY SINGLE BREATH!
-- We laughed. We cried. We prayed. Amazing!
-- Everyone had a great time at Heavenfest yesterday from what I've been told. I stayed home with the kids while Heather led the Shifters their and it sounds like it was awesome.
NEXT WEEK: Rockin another NOOMA with Jeremiah Karr at the helm. I have absolute confidence that he will rock it!
COMING SOON: Waterworld on Aug 22nd... clear your schedules! We're gonna have a blast!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Sunday Reflections
Ok, so Sunday did not go exactly as we originally planned, but turned out to be a great night with theSHIFT.
Saturday night Curtis was called last minute to do some flying in Guernsey for the week, so theSHIFT was left leaderless. After some quick reconfiguring we decided to move our meeting to our house and just spend the evening hanging out.
20 people showed up and we spent most of the night playing Mafia. Now mafia is one of those games that takes total participation from the group...it's either a huge hit or a terrible flop. Sunday night it was definitely a hit. On a fun night you can play several times without getting bored...I think we played 8 times!!!
What did I learn in our fun-filled night?
Becca's only job is to die.
The "pinky swear" is no longer trustworthy.
Saying "potato" does more than just get the smoke from the campfire to redirect.
There can only be ONE sheriff.
Dani would do almost anything (10 extra pushups in boot camp) to make us believe she's not mafia.
It is not a good idea to chew gum while trying to silently kill people.
Jared and Lindsey should not sit near each other.
Kristin does not get along with gray socks.
John's full name rhymes with John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt...i think.
It was great hanging out with everyone. I feel so blessed to be a part of such an amazing group of people!!
Heather
Saturday night Curtis was called last minute to do some flying in Guernsey for the week, so theSHIFT was left leaderless. After some quick reconfiguring we decided to move our meeting to our house and just spend the evening hanging out.
20 people showed up and we spent most of the night playing Mafia. Now mafia is one of those games that takes total participation from the group...it's either a huge hit or a terrible flop. Sunday night it was definitely a hit. On a fun night you can play several times without getting bored...I think we played 8 times!!!
What did I learn in our fun-filled night?
Becca's only job is to die.
The "pinky swear" is no longer trustworthy.
Saying "potato" does more than just get the smoke from the campfire to redirect.
There can only be ONE sheriff.
Dani would do almost anything (10 extra pushups in boot camp) to make us believe she's not mafia.
It is not a good idea to chew gum while trying to silently kill people.
Jared and Lindsey should not sit near each other.
Kristin does not get along with gray socks.
John's full name rhymes with John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt...i think.
It was great hanging out with everyone. I feel so blessed to be a part of such an amazing group of people!!
Heather
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Light in the Dark
I was recently talking to a SHIFTer at Ruby Juice and he said something that rang so true to me that I had to blog it.
In the middle of telling me his testimony, he said “it’s easier to see the light in the darkness.”
Such a simple statement with such a profound truth!
Why is it that God seems to do His best transforming when we are completely broken? When we are devastated, frustrated, stressed-out?
When He is our only source of direction, there's no where else to go!
May I have no where else to go, that I run straight to the feet of Jesus.
In the middle of telling me his testimony, he said “it’s easier to see the light in the darkness.”
Such a simple statement with such a profound truth!
Why is it that God seems to do His best transforming when we are completely broken? When we are devastated, frustrated, stressed-out?
When He is our only source of direction, there's no where else to go!
May I have no where else to go, that I run straight to the feet of Jesus.
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