“Is God the first one you turn to, or your last resort?”

I’ll be honest, many times when a problem has reared it’s ugly head, I’ve tried to solve it myself first, then turned to my husband for help, then turn to someone/something else and finally when none of that works/ makes me feel any better…I’ll turn to God. I read somewhere today that:

“the only reason we fail to pray is because we’ve made an idol out of self… it’s my own inflated sense of self-importance, the elevation of my work, my agenda, that keeps me from prayer… that’s called idol worship… I don’t pray enough because I’m [too busy] practicing idol worship.”

Well, that was a slap in the face. But so true. It breaks God’s heart that so many people (myself included) would essentially turn to idol worship first, making God a last resort instead of taking a few minutes to place Him in the driver’s seat, and to hand Him the keys once again. So think about this question and what it may mean needs to change in your life:

“Is God the first one you turn to, or your last resort?”

1. I’m so thankful for new opportunities. There’s always something more that God has for you, there’s no limit to the amount of blessings and excitement and new prospects He can choose to pour out on you.

2. Incredibly thankful for my loving husband who works so hard and serves God and His church so well. I can’t believe I’m the one who gets to serve and lead by his side – I’m not worthy! Just another example of God’s grace and His unfailing ability to erase the past and create new beginnings.

3. Grateful for an incredible group of college students who Chris and I have the privilege of leading, serving and teaching. They teach me new things constantly – about ministry, about leadership and American culture! Love you guys.

4. I am a self-confessed foodie, so it’s only fair that I feel incredibly thankful for food…I guess it’s the Greek coming out in me – but seriously, I’m so thankful for the ability to get creative with cooking! Perhaps I will post some recipes one day…

5. Grateful to see people around me actively following God’s calling on their lives, even when it means sacrifice and some degree of oppression as a result. I am continuously inspired by the people around me who are so active in serving God – whether it’s down the street from where they live or thousands of miles away.

I’m back, and ready to blog again by the grace of God.

He died for everyone so that those who receive His new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them – 2 Corinthians 5:15 (NLT)

Speaker 7: Andy Stanley

Andy Stanley is the pastor of North Point Community Church in Georgia. He always speaks with wisdom from epxerience and is so solid in backing up what he says with scripture. Andy spoke on 4 Gravitational Pulls To Resist as church leaders.

HIGHLIGHTS

4 Committments to make:

1. To be more concerned with who we’re reaching than who we’re keeping
2. To always err on the side of grace
3. To remain focussed on our unique calling
4. To remain open-handed – preserve vs. advance

“Big church is nothing, growing church is everything.”

“Jesus liked people who were nothing like Him – we need to be culturally relevant.”

“Don’t lose grace in your effort to sort things out and make them simple.”

“Let nothing get in the way and redefine the vision – be authoritative about it.” 

Be excellent stewards of the church God has given you.

Speaker 6: Steven Furtick

Steven Furtick started Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC four years ago – it has grown to more than 6000 in attendance every week on 3 campuses. Steven has an incredible faith which has been a huge example to my husband and I. Recently he released a book on ‘audacious faith’ called Sun Stand Still.

HIGHLIGHTS

“Don’t be afraid of doing things that have never been done – you may be the one God gets to do it first.”

“Immediate obedience is underrated. Whatever God tells you to do, do it; from His perspective it’s already done.”

“God’s past performance is the best predictor of His future ability.”

“There’s a unqiue instruction for your life – don’t try to mimic others’ miracles.”  

Ephesians 6v15: …and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

Speaker 5: Francis Chan

I first heard Francis Chan at Passion 2010 in Atlanta. He was the pastor at Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley until recently when he felt led to move on in a massive step of faith. Francis is a very enthusiastic and engaging speaker with such an incredible love for God.

HIGHLIGHTS

“We’re almost becoming immune to sermons now in our church culture.”

“It’s just about knowing God.”

“If you were to put your life story in the Bible, would it really look radical?”

Philippians 1v27: Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.

Speaker 4: Judah Smith

Judah Smith is the Lead Pastor of The City Church in Seattle, Washington. I had never heard of him before but he was one of the most powerful speakers at the conference. Having only recently taken on senior leadership of The City Church, Judah was extremely honest, humble and he ‘hit home’ for many of the leaders there.

HIGHLIGHTS

“Don’t turn God into a vending machine.”

“It’s impossible to get to the ‘other side’ without God – you need to admit that you’re not there yet!”

“Just stay in the boat. Stay where God has put you and don’t give up.”

“Where He is, that’s where you’re supposed to be.”

Galatians 6v9:  And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Speaker 3: Jud Wilhite

I had heard of Jud Wilhite only briefly and in passing so I was interested and curious to hear him speak. He is the Senior Pastor of Central Christian Church in the Las Vegas area which is definitely an interesting place to be! Jud encounters extremely broken and desperate people everyday and to hear him talk about them and about his passion for them was fascinating.

HIGHLIGHTS:

“Put your hand to the plough and don’t look back.”

“Reach out to the broken and you will always have an audience.”

“Two questions: Who’s hurting that we can help? Who needs to be reached but isn’t?”

“The ‘up and in’ are just as broken as the ‘down and out’.”

On issues that come up: “Major on the majors and minor on the minors.”

“See restrictions as an opportunity – fight the martyr mentality. Stop focussing on what you don’t have and focus on what you do have (the gospel).”

Acts 3v6: But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

Speaker 2: Mark Driscoll

Mark is the founder of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, USA. I have heard Mark on several occasions online and he has visited both my previous ‘home churches’: Church of Christ the King in Brighton, England and Jubilee Community Church in Cape Town, South Africa but I will say that hearing him speak at NLC 2010 was by far the best and most powerful I have heard him.

HIGHLIGHTS:

“If you want God to use you greatly, He must first wound you deeply.”

“We need to learn to suffer well because we have suffered, are suffering and will suffer.”

“You suffer because you do the right thing. It’s not punishment from a God who’s against you, it is correction from a God who loves you.”

“Jesus suffered not so that we wouldn’t suffer but so that when we suffer we can be like Him.”

“Deeper pruning = greater harvest.”

“Your suffering: What is it? Who is it? How will you use it? Suffer well.”

The bulk of what Mark spoke on came from Ephesians 3.

Speaker 1: Perry Noble

Perry is the Senior Pastor of Newspring Church and my husband and I have been able to learn from him on countless occasions through visiting the church and reading his blog etc. Perry is an engaging speaker with a passion to communicate to thousands  what God has laid on his heart.

HIGHLIGHTS:

“God must first do something great in you before He will do something great through you.”

“If you’re not willing to be uncomfortable, you will eventually be unfaithful.”

“If you’re always accessible to people, you can’t be accessible to God.”

“To do great things, you need to submit to God in the small.”

Luke 10v17-20: The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”