During the story of the nation of Israel being released from captivity to Egypt, there is one sentence that stuck out to me this morning while reading. The picture was being painted of the battles that Israel had to fight after being freed from captivity. They had battles to fight after earning their freedom. As they were approaching their land of promise, they had to battle through other lands to receive their promise. The sentence that hit me so hard this morning was in Deuteronomy 2:36 - "No town had walls too strong for us." I am reminded today that no matter how hard the battles of life...

John 3 introduces us to the story of a man named Nicodemus - a religious leader that was intrigued by the presence of Jesus. This story teaches us what happens when we allow the love of Christ to illuminate our lives. Click the link to view this week's message from Center City Church: [vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/36691355 w=500&h=281]

I love our church. We are a predominantly young, passionate and motivated group living and working in a major city. There is an energy and authenticity to our community that I've never experienced before. And there is a common thread among those that call Center City Church home: We want to change the world. And we believe that we can do this through obedience to Jesus and the power that's found in Him. As the first year and a half of our church unfolded, we took a pretty passionate approach to making a difference in our community. We served at a bunch of different community organizations...

God is doing something in me that I've never felt before. It's like a revival in my heart. Something shifted in my heart and my spirit with the beginning of 2012. The biggest lesson - by far - that I have learned since the turn of this year is really simple: Silence. I came to the realization that God does not need my voice. I need His. I have spent more time than ever resting in God's presence. Listening. Turning off the noise and just allowing my mind to be at ease. And I'm feeling something that I've never felt before in my life. It's like John 15 is coming alive in my spirit. I've always...

I am consistently blown away by the fact that God decided to use people like you and I to accomplish his plan. In all of his wisdom, he decided to include imperfect people to communicate the perfect plan of redemption, love and grace. We GET to be a part of HIS story. Amazing. Click the link to view this week's message from Center City Church and learn about the people that were included in the first miracle of Jesus' public ministry. [vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/36251473 w=266&h=150]Click the link to download the note sheet from Sunday to follow along with the message:

"If you created a space for Jesus to fill, he will fill it." That quote resonated so deep in my spirit this past week. As Dara and I gathered with about 50 church planter's from across North Carolina, Darla Rakes spoke those words to us. It was like a lightbulb went off in my head. As I've been sharing on this blog recently, I have been doing the best I can to learn how to delegate and let go of things. And a challenge for me is to live with open spaces. I have become so consumed with the pace of life that includes juggling church stuff, husband, daddy, friend, etc. It is almost like I had...

Where is your anchor? This question is one that I hope each person gives great consideration to seeking a solid answer. Far too often this answer is answered in ways that bring false senses of security. False comfort. Fleeting stability. We think that finances will be the anchor that holds us steady into our future. So our lives are given to working tirelessly to gain another dollar. What happens when the economy crashes? We think that relationships will be the anchor that brings comfort when everything else crashes. But what happens when one imperfect human disappoints another? What happens...

As I have been learning to let go in so many areas of my life, God led us down a very unexpected path this Sunday at Center City Church. I have always said that I want the Spirit to lead us during our services, but this week was a whole new level. In short, I scrapped my prepared message and we talked about freedom and healing. It was a powerful expression of God's love and healing. If you need healing and freedom, I ask you to click the link and receive with an open heart. [vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/35983640 w=266&h=150]

Center City Church is 80% twenty & thirtysomethings. That's awesome on many levels. So many that are in this demographic have become disillusioned by their parents and grandparents representation of faith. They grew up during an age of explosive growth of communication. New ideas from all parts of the world at their fingertips. But all of that noise has seemed to drown out the sweet, still, small voice of God that draws them in. So much noise. Not enough silence. Too many tweets and status updates. Not enough open space to consider their lives and their need for a savior. While I love...

I have been so blown away by the love and commitment of so many people in my life. It's like God has collectively brought a group of people together that are teaching me what it means to truly let go, trust others and empower people to accomplish their God given potential. I don't know about you, but I tend to hold on to the things that I love the most. But it's in letting go and letting God determine our steps that I am finding the most health. As others are rising up around me, I'm seeing that they are taking things to a completely new level at Center City Church. I am so intrigued and...