Meet Izzy

This is Izzy.

She is our 75 lb. goldendoodle puppy. Isn't she precious?!

I didn't grow up with dogs, and I honestly had no idea how much I could love a dog. There is no denying it -- I love this pup.

Izzy is a quirky dog. She eats when we eat our meals, she loves goldfish crackers, and and she barks at puppets on TV. She also has no idea how big she is.

Izzy is a large dog, and yet, she is shy and becomes easily afraid. She is scared of dogs half her size! She becomes alarmed easily whether people walk by our house or when we begin to vacuum the carpet. Sometimes I wonder how such a strong and big dog can be afraid of such little things. I also think it is such a kick that such a big dog still thinks she is a lap dog!!

As easy as it is to think Izzy has totally irrational fears, I realize that I am in a similar boat -- or is it a dog house in this case?

I often become alarmed by little things and let unnecessary fear grip me. If I am not careful, I allow falsehoods and what-ifs to become a reality in my mind.

Yet, just as I am not afraid of what Izzy finds frightening, God is not shaken by what shakes me. He is my steady, protective and consistent Father. He is also the Father who empowers me to live and walk in power. He has given me power and authority through His Holy Spirit, so when I live in fear, I am not embracing the gifts He has made available to me. Just as I wish my large and strong dog would realize she does not need to be afraid of little chihuahuas, I think God wants me to focus on His faithfulness instead of my fears.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind."
- 2 Timothy 1:7

When I rely on God's presence in my life, I walk in power, love, and possess a sound mind. Instead of becoming alarmed by fears in life and letting my thoughts run wild, I must "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." - 2 Corinthians 10:5b

Thank goodness God is patient with me. I am working on breaking the chains of worry in my life. Yet, when I become fearful, I know that God is there to comfort and protect me. He holds me in His arms and reminds me of His promises, and encourages me to get back on my feet and keep going. After all, "We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." - Hebrews 10:39

- Carly

What Are You Waiting For?

"Wait on the Lord. Be strong, take heart, and wait on the Lord." - Psalm 27:14 (NIV)

Are you waiting for something? Are you waiting for someone?
Are you waiting for a job opportunity? An open door? The end of a season? The start of something new?

I am a go, go, go person and I am constantly trying to learn how to be more patient! It is a fruit of the Spirit after all. Yet, I have come to understand that when God calls us to be patient and wait, He does not want us to sit still and twiddle our thumbs.

The Message version says Psalm 27:14 like this,
"Stay with God! Take heart. Don't quit. I'll say it again: Stay with God!" 

I think more discipline is required of us when we are in times of waiting. When things are going our way, it is easy to be thankful and praise the Lord. Yet, in times of waiting and wondering, it is vital that we "stay with God" and keep our eyes focused on Him. I think another way of saying "wait on the Lord" or "stay with God" is "Keep up with God!" Don't lose sight of what God is doing. God wants us to keep up with Him and stick with Him even when the very thing for which we are waiting is unclear. Waiting requires thanksgiving and hopefulness!

 In Psalm 27:14, God has to remind us TWICE to wait on Him. Sometimes I need to be reminded of something more than once, so this particular verse hits home with me! He says, "Wait on me... Be strong, take heart (be hopeful)... and remember, wait on me!"

John Ortberg says:
"What God does in us while we wait is as important as what it is we are waiting for."

What is it that you are waiting for?
What does God want to do in you while you are waiting?

Be hopeful. Don't give up on your dreams and calling. 
God is faithful. God is moving. 
Allow God to move in you even when you feel as though you are standing still. 

- Carly

Changing a Room By Merely Walking In

There are people in the world out there that can change the atmosphere of a room by merely walking in. I look up to these people and strive be one of them. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit and living a life in pursuit of Jesus, people can tell. The general population becomes aware of this, even if it is only in their subconscious. I have witnessed people change the way they act and interact around these Spirit-filled "room changers."

The first example of this my roommate John. Not only is he a "room changer" but he is a "court changer." Jon has spent his last four years playing college basketball. I have had the pleasure of watching him play for the last two years. John is a good player, but his leadership on the court goes uncontested. When he is playing the entire atmosphere of the game changes. Just him being on the court affects the attitude and the play of both his team and the opposition. Jon doesn't work hard and pop up some 3-pointers or even foul every once in a while, but Jon plays hard for the glory of God. Everyone on the court can feel this even if they can't put words to it and it affects the way they act and interact in a positive way. We gotta aim for this kind of "room changing."

The next two examples I want to give are of two of my best friends: Roman and Shaun. Roman and Shaun are both "room changers" and when either or both of them enter a room the Spirit of the Lord comes with them. When a person holds the Spirit other people can feel that on a spiritual level. Both Roman and Shaun have accessible wisdom, because the Holy Spirit gives them wisdom for others. I have seen random peers be drawn to both Roman and/or Shaun and start deep conversations that they were unaware they were going to be starting. The Holy Spirit works through Roman and Shaun to feed others.

I have the great privilege to be a worship leader and a musician. With the privilege comes a unique opportunity: I get to look at the congregation during a worship service. Sometimes odd things happen to people near Jon, Roman and Shaun. The three of them and the other "room changers" create little pockets around them and in those pockets people are more quickly drawn into worship and more engaged in the sermon. When I look out and see these little pockets of sincere worshippers it makes me well up with tears and Roman, Shaun and Jon right in the center. They are worship leaders in their own way.

This is something I believe every Christ-follower can be. I think in some capacity all of us already are. The more we pursue closeness with God, the more the Spirit tends to leak out of us and affect of other people.

-Chris

"It's All About Them"

"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him." - John 13:3-5 (NIV)

As I read this Scripture passage this morning, the "SO" hit me like a ton of bricks!

"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; SO he got up....poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet."

Jesus knew that He had all power and authority, and yet, what was His response? His immediate response was to lay down His authority and serve others. 

This idea is foreign to our culture.

When power and authority are attained, we often see the "it's all about me" mentality, lavish lifestyles, and the forsaking of past values. Yet, Jesus, the One with all power and authority, embraces the "it's all about them" mentality, humbling Himself to the point of wiping the dirt and grime off of his friends' feet. He was willing to get into the messy and dusty parts of relationships. He wasn't worried about getting His cloak dirty or smelling like feet; He was focused on serving the hearts of the disciples.

Jesus' instant response to His power and authority knocked my socks off today! When God grants me a gift of any sort, I pray that I will be able to look to the needs of others rather than my own desires, and serve with humility and love. Instead of avoiding the dark and dirty parts of servanthood, I pray that I will find these areas compelling, and serve as Jesus did. I pray that I can learn, with God's grace, to embrace the "it's all about them" lifestyle.

"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." - John 13:14-15 (NIV)

May you and your families have a blessed Easter!

- Carly

We all need a pep talk.

If you haven't seen this, then please watch it... Prepare to be Pep Talked!

Love,
Chris

Woods End Beginnings

Well, this post has been a long time coming for me. My ministry partner has posted, what? 3 or 4 times now? To my 0 posts? I just couldn’t stand for it anymore and decided it was time give you insight into my pretty little brain.

           

Anyway, I realized I had never quite put everything together and told the story of Woods End’s beginning in its entirety. The full story would take a very long time. So I am going to start last summer and go from there.

            Last summer I was traveling with Covenant, a worship band from NNU. We were at a camp and I was helping to lead a small group of jr. high guys. This small group was filled with young guys with short attention spans, but they were also eager to learn. During these small groups, I didn't always have the right words to say, but while they spoke, I would listen to them and flip through my Bible. By the time they were done with their question, God helped me find the right verses by what I lightheartedly call "magic fingers." This was crazy and it happened the whole week!

            During that week, I realized that I had a lot to learn about the Word. I felt like God was saying something like, “Chris, the the more you know about Scripture, the more you will be able to speak into people’s lives." I stuggled with this idea and how to start this journey on which God was leading me. God then lead me to an idea. The idea was a project I know call, “Scripture in my own Script.” I have started a project where I just read and copy down the Bible; not in my own words, but just in my own handwriting. This has helped me to internalize the Scriptures and to read everything diligently. One day I hope to finish the entire Bible. So far I have finished Romans, 1^st Corinthians, and am more than half way through Judges.

            After a few weeks of reading and writing, I was excited about what I had learned and felt that I needed to share my journey with others. I asked God if I was supposed to pursue speaking in addition to pursuing being a worship leader. I felt affirmed by God to pursue these ministry avenues, and journey with others with the same heart. God started forming an idea in my mind of a ministry collective of people who are ministry oriented and want to share the word, lead people in worship, do design work, and connect with churches in order to further the Kingdom. This ministry is Woods End. We are just getting started, but we are eager to see what the Lord may do with our ministry!

-Chris

Recipe for Community: Waffles and Chicken Fried Steak

Last Sunday, we experienced community. The people of our church came together.... all because of the generosity of our college students.

Last week, my brother, Chris, sent a facebook message out to all of the college students involved in our church. He proposed inviting all of the adults and families in our church to join them for lunch in the college cafeteria. This idea required that students donate their meal passes and take the families from our congregation "out to lunch." The response on the facebook message thread was awesome! The students were so excited about eager to create a time and place to connect.

On Sunday, Chris announced the invitation in church. There were some giggles and muffled chatter, but Chris smiled and stated, "No, I'm serious. We really want to take you out to lunch!"

After church, the students headed over to the cafeteria, spread out around 5 or 6 tables and waited to see who would arrive. Slowly but surely, a few church members started to arrive. Before we knew it we had over 25 adults and kids there eating in the college cafeteria.

It was so heartwarming for me to see the group of the ever-encouraging and always-praying ladies sitting with Adam and Brittney. I loved seeing the kids (with icecream cones in their hands) chasing Kevin around the cafeteria. Seeing Shaun and Brent bond over conversation about their facial hair was priceless. 

I loved seeing and being a part of community.

It was humbling that our college students took the initiative to create this time to be together and provided meals for their church family.

I truly believe that last Sunday was a monumental day in the life of our church. It was a day when generations chatted over waffles, chicken fried steak, and chocolate milk. It was a day when community happened in the college cafeteria.

- Carly