Just wanted to take a few moments and share something from a long time Pastor that has been in my life now for many years even though I have only seen him live 2 times. He has spoken volumes into me over the years. I have read, I think everything he has wrote - hey he even sent me a FaceBook message back to me once. So that means we are on talking level. LOL - no seriously, I truly respect and honor Pastor Craig Groeschel from LifeChurch.tv. I love the fact that my Pastor at Elevation Church, Pastor Steven Furtick is like a brother and is a pastor to him as well.

I am reading through his Altar Ego book which I am reading slow because I just cant grab it all at once. It has so much good stuff in there that I cant possibly soak it all in so this is slowing me down.
I wanted to share a part that I read this morning and continues to weigh on me. My heart is in his words on the page and gosh, it hit me like a ton of bricks this morning as I read over the words again and again. I just have to share them because it is so what my heart is dying to say, to share, to reach out and touch someone with.

Thank you Pastor Craig for sharing your heart through these amazing words.

When was the last time someone was amazed by your boldness? When was the last time you stopped someone in their tracks because they were undone by your bold speech and actions? Now, keep in mind, Im not talking about wacky, odd, cheesy, 33 bumper stickers on your SUV kind of Christian drive-by witness. I am not talking about being bold in a bad-Christian-television way to make people dislike you or ridicule you. I'm talking about being bold with integrity. The kind of boldness where you're living in a way that reflects Christ's compassion and selflessness, where others look at you and say, "There's something different about this person." The kind of boldness where you're so generous with your money and your heart and your time, where you've served your way into people's lives, and therefore you've earned the right to say, "I really do love you; may I tell you about my God?"

I read that honestly, its hard to hold back the tears. To me this is beautiful. This passage from his book is so in-line with the things I am learning, the last series on learning Gods will for our lives at church and really knowing Christ. I have been sharing some of those things with the students I lead on Wednesday nights and in this past year, you can really see some major growth taking place. Over the past few weeks, taking some of them to an amazing concert, taking 2 last night to the evening service at church - there is nothing more amazing than seeing these young people with hands raised, singing, praising and loving God. During the message taking notes and hanging on almost every word. God is growing them and in doing so, He is growing me. I am excited about that. I am excited to know God more today than I did yesterday. I am excited for opportunity to serve others in some small way because that means I am walking closer to God than before. I love where God has me today. It may not always be easy or convenient but pushing through with hands open means I am willing and God will work with a heart like that. Last night Pastor closed the service out after a Q&A session where people just asked questions and he sat on stage with his Bible open and spoke from the heart. I loved hearing his heart, his compassion for people and his love for Christ as he just opened up and shared. He said, "God will make giant leaps to those who are taking small steps toward him."

Seeing fruit in all the hard work, the struggles, the load that we carry is always special. A little fruit goes a long way on the long journey. For sure its more fun going with others, in the same direction, same intensity and the same heart full of love.

As my church closed out 5 weeks of learning Gods will is Whatever - I will close with our focus scripture that I am sure will continue to speak volumes into me for months to come, if not longer.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Always in Him,
Lonnie~