Its time you let go of the Rush and simply be YOU.. ALL OF YOU!

This morning I am sitting at my table and its so quiet. I have a little worship music on in the background but its low and yet its as if you can hear a pin drop in my house.  I can hear the dryer turning, the fridge working and the neighbor beside us working in their yard but stillness is still very much present.  I truly believe its the intentional posture of our hearts and minds that not only allows us to move into a place of rest but also positions us to hear something from our Creator. To say I am obsessed with the book The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst is an understatement.  I have promoted that book so much that we can't keep them at our merch table at Revolution on Sundays.  I love seeing ladies walking out carrying them.  I believe this book is going to revolutionize our schedules, marriages, dreams and families.  I am learning to be intentional with my YES and it has helped me to also be intentional with MY moments with my family.  I am giving more eye contact to my girls when they are unloading their days (even if I could care less about who likes who or how a teacher drives them bonkers).  I sat at the dinner table last night barely holding my head up because I was so sick but I wanted to hear about Richards day and as he told me all about it my heart smiled because it was a moment for us. He works a full time job as a psycho therapist and also a full time lead pastor at our church. I now work two nights a week and so our date night is gone and we have to be so intentional with lunch dates, and moments just like last night.  Ladies its not how well you schedule its the surrendering of your schedule that leads to obedience and then to the fullness of your relationship with Jesus first and then the fullness of your family and other relationships. My friendships are fuller when I am intentional with my time with them. My dream becomes one step closer when I am intentional with my time. Because God gives us free will He also gives us the choice to fall into the beauty of taking one step at a time in Him or taking a lot of steps stumbling to the demands of everyone and everything around us.  I am reminded of Isaiah 6:8 this morning.

 "and I heard a voice of the Lord saying, "whom shall I send, and who will go for us ?" Then I said "HERE I AM! SEND ME." and He said "GO, and SAY... 

You see when we clutter our minds and schedules we miss opportunities because we miss the whisper through the noise. God doesn't always speak in a loud voice because He needs for us to quiet our hearts and minds, lean in and just listen for a while.  The word influence is defined by Webster ; act or power to change or affect someone or something without forcing them. WOW God has called many of you to speak, some to write, some to be a mommy to multiples, for you maybe you are a teenage girl who feels that pull to change your school. Know that the Creator of the universe has already chosen and equipped you to carry it out.  The word chosen is defined; an object of choice or divine favor. This simply means God has given you favor and will equip you with exactly what you need to carry out what He has called you to do. The Best Yes for you may mean you need to start saying some pretty tough NO's to things that are only keeping you from hearing Gods voice in this season of your life. 1 Corinthians 12:2 (MSG) says "You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols". Ladies we are influenced daily through social media. We want things to change in our own lives to the point that we seek out help from things we cant really obtain without feeling defeated or depleting our self worth because we can't carry out what others can.  This verse resonated with me so much because  I know that with my own struggles it started with the small desire for more that grew into an idol of worship.  Maybe today you need to sit down and allow the presence of God to rearrange the things in your heart so He can take the lead. He wants YOU, nothing more and from that moments will come that will fill your heart so full. From praying in the stillness of your home, kissing those kids goodnight, hugging your spouse just because, honoring a friend by having them over, sending that package of goodies just because or speaking up at school. All are things that require action and I believe that when you move into a place of surrender it will move you into a place of obedience which will unlock a passion inside you that will move you into action. Its time you let go of the RUSH and simply be you.. ALL of you. 

GO BUY THIS BOOK!  http://lysaterkeurst.com/

Jump ALL in!

I am currently at the Double conference with our Revolution church staff and I have learned something new about each of them. I have measured where we are as a church by the messages Perry has been preaching and I am honestly blown away. Our vision has been pumped into my brain since before we launched and the language and heartbeat of our church is service. We create opportunities for others to flesh that out and because of that we are growing. This trip has been a success for sure. Last night we wanted to go swimming in our indoor pool but because they were remodeling it the front desk offered to take us to the hotel across the street to swim in their indoor pool. We waited on the shuttle to arrive and then headed over there. As we were walking in the guys were talking about getting into the jacuzzi because of their sore muscles and sore necks. We walk in and the lady at the front desk proceeds to tell us that their pool is also under construction. We laughed and walked back outside so we could catch the shuttle back to our hotel to use the outdoor pool. We were all hesitant to jump in because of the temperature. We all stood there waiting to see who was going to go first and so it happened. I took my Flip flops off took a deep breathe decided that bravery was my best yes and I just jumped all the way in.  It was so cool and refreshing!! After I jumped the others (chickens) decided to follow me. 

As I laid in the bed last night I thought about all the truth I had heard throughout the day as well as what I have heard today and the way we view our churches and the communities that surround our churches are a lot like the pool situation. We build up this expectation of how "the church" is to look. We want others to accommodate and present other opportunities without any hiccups along the way. When we arrived back from where we had started last night and I jumped in I was immediately glad we swam there. The water was cool and it was lit up and the sky was beautiful! It increased my courage, pushed me out as a leader and it called the ones out of the pool to jump with little to no hesitation. That's what we as the church are called to do. We are all different and we believe different things on different topics but God will always be God and the cross & resurrection will never change. That truth alone should drive a passion that pushes us all to jump in & be ALL in no matter what season you are in or your church is in.  When I see others criticizing or tearing down their pastors I always ask do you support your pastor? More importantly do you pray for him? As a pastors wife I promise He needs it. Sleepless nights, endless text and phone calls and emails, continued passion for the people and on and on. He needs your prayers. One of the things I love about our church is the level of encouragement we receive. A card will roll in or someone will ask us to dinner and encourage us & it's always at the perfect time. Today ask yourself am I all in? If not figure out why then move forward. Perry said this "it's ok not to be ok but it's not ok to stay there".   The Kingdom of God is moving forward with or without us. That pool wasn't going anywhere. We could have chosen to just sit around it and enjoy the color or the view and yet never experience the fullness of it. God wants you to jump and go all in TO HIM first and then serve and love those around you.  

Thank you NewSpring church for your contagious smiles and serving with excellence. You inspire me. Thank you Perry Noble for dropping truth in a way that encourages in real and raw ways. You are one of favorite pastors. You have encouraged Richard and I from a distance and we are so thankful. To Revolution church next month is year number 3!! We are growing and hundreds of families are being fed because of your generosity. Two schools that are often neglected are feeling refreshed because you have chosen to love like Jesus. I love you with my whole heart and the best is yet to come! I'm dreaming BIG! 

God wants the raw,unfiltered & broken you!

Today I get on a cruise ship with my husband and our girls. We have never cruised before and the excitement and a hint of nerves are present in all of us. I know that God has something in store for us this week and I am most excited about unplugging from social media so I can fully listen to Jesus and also be fully present with my sweet family.  This morning as I got up and began to pray and think about all the things that I had left back at home either work related, ministry related, dirty dishes or things I need to do when I return I could feel the tension rising up in my neck.   I began to switch those thoughts with praise towards my Creator and something happened. I suddenly couldn't remember what it was I was trying to remember in the first place. Now I do have undiagnosed ADHD haha but it was different. It was as if God was waiting in the corner of that first thought to pull me back into His loving embrace just so He could whisper "rest, laugh and just enjoy Me".  I sat down at my friends table and started to sip my coffee and I read this beautiful verse 

"One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."

—Psalm 27:4

To gaze on something means; to fix the eyes in a steady intent look often with eagerness or studious attention (Webster) 

When was the last time you fixed your eyes and heart fully on Jesus? Maybe you are there now and the intensity has you excited for what's to come, or maybe you are in a posture of surrender because you don't know what step to take next.  I have been in both of those places and the beauty of it is this,  it doesn't really matter why you are staring just keep staring. God said "seek Me and you will find Me when you seek me with your WHOLE heart".  We often need answers to our prayers, our dreams to come true,  our husbands  to fully follow the Lord, we desire deep and longing friendships along with so many more questions and yet our desperation often leads to frustration rather than Gods presence which leads us to completion.   We have to move from running to Him with our problems to gazing our eyes on Him & locking our heart to His heart no matter what comes out of it.  We often measure Gods faithfulness by the outcome of our prayers and perceived success but God just wants us.  He wants our raw, unfiltered & broken pieces. 

Today feel Gods pull and know that whatever you are moving away from doesn't compare to where you are headed. This Afternoon as I sail away from that dock I know that God is going to meet me and take me to places I have never been with Him. God here I am I'm fixing my heart to gaze upon You! Let's cruise!! 

I saw a dolphin!!!!

The word brave is taking the world by storm. Webster defines it as ; feeling or showing no fear: not afraid.  I believe a generation of cowards (including me) are starting to move away from this life choking fear and learning to embrace a fearless passion to do amazing things as they experience all the beauty of Gods power. 

Yesterday I snorkeled in the ocean of West Palm beach with some co-workers and the fear of just getting out of the boat itself was gut wrenching. I had convinced myself I was going to put on a snorkel mask go under water and as I would take my first breath it would also be my last because a massive shark was going to eat me. I played the whole scenario out in my head over and over and yet here I sit typing away so you know I didn't die.   I did however see tons of fish, wrestled with seaweed, laid back and let the crystal water wash over my face and breathed in the beauty of this massive body of water. I even got to dig my hands into the silkiness of the  sand and rub it all over my face and arms to exfoliate. I realized that the boat ride over symbolizes many of us and how we live life.  I was sitting back relaxing and enjoying the waves, and the scenery around me and we are ok with that even when we know there is so much more beyond the surface of comfort.  As the boat would hit every wave I was reminded of Gods faithfulness. He wants us to exercise His power not just expect it to fall on us. He wants His word to penetrate our deepest fears and ignite a passion to move us forward in the areas of our lives that have stopped.  Are you really dreaming beyond this captivity of fear in your life.  Remember bravery is feeling and showing. We can feel brave and yet never make a move. I have a lot of brokenness lingering within me but bravery is what pushes me to experience moments that move me out of my brokenness.   Today is your day to climb out of the boat of regret and embrace this massive ocean of redemption!   

This trip has definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone. As we left  my heart was full as the wind hit my face.  I began to smile because I had experienced the creativity of God in a new way.  As we are riding along my co-worker yells "oh my gosh dolphins" and immediately I was ready to jump out and swim with them. I went from arriving at the beach at the beginning of the week scared to touch the ocean to wanting to jump out and swim with dolphins. We watched with anticipation as they would glide by and come out of the water. It's as if they knew we were waiting to capture the perfect picture. God Is just like that sometimes. He waits for us to take our next steps of obedience and bravery and then BOOM we have dolphin moments happen because we are ready for the next blessing and adventure to come our way. Learning to be brave requires us to exercise that courage that has been replaced with fear. Today I encourage you to write this beautiful truth across your heart so you can begin to feel it and then you can show it.  2 Timothy 1:7- "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands for God has NOT given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self control. " I am choosing to be BRAVE today will you join me? 

Lizards and crystal blue waters...

There are times when I sit and question every move God makes in my life simply because it doesn't seem to work out the way I had intended it to. There are also times where I am in such awe of God that the results to my prayers and His voice soothes the depths of my soul. I was reminded this morning about the story of Jesus being 12 teaching in the temple and honestly I had to laugh.  We idolize Mary as being the mom of Jesus and yes that is true and also incredible but she also was just a mom. I can't imagine the fear that she went through when she arrived back home and her son never walked through the door. Literally 3 days letter they go all the way back to Jerusalem (without a car) mind you and there He was teaching about His Heavenly Father.   She must have felt relief, anger and awe. Don't we feel that way at times towards Him.  Our minds create scenarios that sound perfect when we have them floating around in our heads and because we are the way we are if it doesn't  play out the way we intended don't we often feel slighted by God?  As women we have to move our hearts into a place of total surrender every single day in order to keep our minds from going crazy with envy, jealousy and often anger towards the results of our prayers and desires.  I am sorry healing didn't come in the way you thought and yet I know the pain your feeling is real. God wants you to know that He loves you and has your best interest in mind and that amazing things will rise up from your pain.  To you who is suffering from loss whether it be a divorce looming, a death or a relationship that is coming to an end, God wants you to know that He loves you and that out of this will come purpose and a deeper intimacy with Him so lean in. There is something about letting go of control that releases any expectation of not measuring up.  I am in West Palm beach this week for a human trafficking conference and my co workers and I are staying with a sweet couple.  She cooked the most incredible breakfast I have ever eaten and it was all organic. I am sitting outside looking at palm trees and about to head down to the beach where crystal blue waters await. A lizard is running past my feet and the best cup of organic coffee is hitting my lips with thanksgiving. This environment is a recipe for rest and growth but it all comes down to my perception. My co worker can't go to the beach because she has a cast on, she has a ton of homework and she has to stay back.  My

Excitement of dipping my toes in crystal blue ocean is something she can't fully enjoy until tomorrow when we are in a boat and she can know that sand won't creep into her cast.  God is with both of us and He hears both our heart cries and He is choosing to draw intimacy in a different way.  Our thoughts can cripple the intimacy with Him simply because we choose to sulk or complain about whatever is going on around us rather than just locking eyes with God & pressing into His heart with the intention of rest, strength, comfort, change and so on.  Mary couldn't find Jesus and yet as His mom she was in awe of Him. Today no matter where you are in life or even where you are actually sitting as you read this. From the desk, to the couch to poolside to the crystal blue waters. Get your eyes off the dilemma, the questions, the fears and begin to soak up the goodness of God. The trees, the birds, the water, the people who speak life into you are all ways to experience this goodness. You are loved by a Creative God so you better believe He will creatively love you! Be in awe of Him today:) 

Luke 2: 46-47

46 After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And ALL who heard him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.

Deuteronomy 31: 6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Jesus is mine.

This past Monday I was in my team meeting for work. We were discussing the presence of God in our lives as well as within the ministry. As I sat there reflecting on what was being said the lyrics of an old hymn popped into my head. "Blessed assurance Jesus is mine". I began to mediate on these words and yesterday I took it a little deeper.  The word blessed means: happy, wonderful or praiseworthy; bringing pleasure or divine favor. The word assurance is defined by; having confidence, made certain and the word mine simply means something that belongs to me. As I look over the past 39 years of my life I have possessed many things from pets to friendships, relationships to material possessions but all have left me either from death, to circumstances, to no longer needing something.  As I allow the words of this song to sink within my heart knowing that I posses the one thing that will never leave me is what carries me and also sustains me.   When things get crazy in my life and the stressors begin to choke my joy it's the assurance that Jesus is mine that allows me to keep my head above water. Joy will surface when He is enough for me. I look around me and I see opportunities I see pain and I see fear all equally staring me down and it's up to me who I lock eyes with. This past week I was listening to a song on the bethel cd and I was moved to tears. It says this  "Finally ready now to close my eyes and just believe That You won't lead me

Where You don't go". When we trust God out of surrender and not fear we are able to fully walk in the plans He has for us.  There is nothing out of Gods reach. He redeems all things and makes all things new. Your love for Him doesn't dictate His love for you it only deepens the intimacy. I am currently at Ridgecrest writing and finishing up my book proposal. It has brought back painful memories, unlocked insecurities that I didn't even know existed and yet there is a peace that I can't explain. I know God has brought me into a new season and no matter the outcome He has filled me to the brim.  I'm sitting on my bed in my most comfy tshirt and running pants and I could honestly wear this everyday.  What I have realized is that I usually don't fix my hair when I am in this attire.  We can become so comfortable in our relationship with Jesus that we never exercise the power of God or move past a season of complacency simply because we chose not to move. Today as you look at what season you are in know that when this season comes to an end Jesus will still be yours. Rest in the promise that when all else fades His love and pursuit of your heart still remains.  

Time hopping is my new favorite thing

I downloaded the time hop app and I love looking back and seeing twitter & Facebook statuses as well as pictures I posted. It takes me back to that moment and it also shows me the growth I have seen in my life and others over the past several years. We tend to waste so much time worrying about the details of everyday life.  God wants to use those moments to grow us, push us and move us into a place of His leading.  When we are able to fully believe in His sovereignty then we can fully trust His leading.  It is so freeing to NOT worry about me and yet also a great realization of just how selfish I can become when my worry, anger and desires are centered around what I want.  Our attitudes are such great indicators of how healthy our hearts are and when we begin to hide behind a struggle and do nothing but talk about it, complain about it, give excuses about it we are pointing those around us to an idol rather than to a God who can deliver us from it. Over these last several years the one thing that has remained in my life has been this constant battle with weight and I had to position myself behind the very one who was going to lead me into a season of victory. I had to shift my eyes and heart and then my feet followed.  In Luke 1:45 it says “You are blessed because you BEIEVED that the Lord would do what he said”.  If I am trusting God to follow through with His promises there is no room for frustration no matter what season or part of the journey I am in.  In Hebrews 12:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever." He is an unchanging ever present God who never gets surprised by our anxiety, trust issues, worry, addictions and disobedience. However He will do anything to grab our attention & bring us back to Him so He can set us FREE to do what we are purposed to do. Yesterday time hop showed a picture of my girls from 5 years ago and they looked so young.  They are growing up so quickly and changing day to day. In the same way God was the same God 5 years ago as He is today in fact He is the same God who spoke the world into existence.  I just have to let His presence be made known.  I have to choose to seek Him. I have to choose to release all my hopes and dreams to Him. I have to choose to surrender control and let Him fully be my God.   

Holly Myers