Holly Furtick

Tag along

Thursday May 16, 2013 | Pastor Steven Furtick, Photo Journal

We just got back from an amazing trip to London. Anytime my husband is going on a speaking trip to a cool city, I try to tag along. I love touring. I love audio guided tours and tourist gift shops and everything that goes along with it. My husband was a preaching machine, speaking 9 times in less than 4 days, and he still managed to see a few sights with me (Selfridges, Shakespeare’s globe there, and Windsor Castle). The whole trip culminated with him preaching at Royal Albert Hall. Probably the most beautiful venue he has ever spoken at.

Enjoy some of our pictures…

 

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Wide and deep

Wednesday May 8, 2013 | Reflections

There are times in my life where I feel overwhelmed with the level of leadership I have been given.  While I feel honored that God would place me in the position I am in as a mother, a wife, and a pastor’s wife, I feel schizophrenic.  Some days, I feel confident that can embrace my position and be greatly used by God, but other days I worry that I am going to fail.  What if people think I am more spiritual than I really am?

The times when my fear of failure is the greatest are the seasons in my life where I am overcommitted and spread too thin.  I can never allow myself to become more wide than I am deep, spiritually speaking.

When I feel myself heading in a direction where I am spending so much time leading others and caring for others that I am not spending any time personally in God’s Word, I know that it is time for me to pull back.  Yes, it is ok to have seasons of busyness, but if my busy season lasts month after month after month, I know that I will find myself in a place of fear and failure.

Confidence in who God has called me to be can really only come from God himself.  So often, when I find myself in a dry space, I seek for that encouragement from others, because I have made no time to let God pour into me, and I still feel empty.

Awareness is the first step.  Knowing that I have committed to too much and am spread too thin.  Intentionality is the second step.  Learning to pull back, say no, and make sure that I am freeing myself up to spend time in God’s Word on a consistent basis.

Overflow is the goal.  I want to live my life in such a way that God pours into me and it overflows into my leadership, my mothering, and my relationship with my husband.  I like the way Paul said it…

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
 Romans 15:13

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Go to great links

Tuesday May 7, 2013 | Great Links

I thought I might start a new category: great links.  Every now and then I come across a great sermon or interview or teaching that is really impactful to me.  And you should never keep a good thing to yourself.

Today I want to share with you a message by Greg Rollinger.  Greg is the pastor of Palm Valley Church in Arizona, and is struggling through a disease with a very grim prognosis.  In this message, Pastor Greg talks about how there is purpose in the struggle.

I hope you enjoy the message and that you find encouragement as you go through your own personal struggle.

Stand- When you’re struggling.

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Monday Morning Commentary

Monday May 6, 2013 | Monday Morning Commentary

This weekend we closed our series, God’s Will is Whatever, a series all about God’s will, based on the verse, Colossians 3:17.   We had originally planned for the series to be a 4 week series, but the series was so well received that we added a 5th week with a Q & A.

People sent in questions like…

-Is it God’s will for us to suffer pain?
-Why am I still single when I have a desire to be married?
-Is it God’s will for me to pay off debt or begin tithing?
-Does God call us to do specific things for Him?
-How do I know if God is calling me to move on from something?

If you want to hear my husband’s specific answers to those questions, you will have to go online and watch the message.  I want to share a few of my favorite quotes from the weekend…

  • The right time to start doing the right thing is right now.
  • If you don’t obey God in one area of your life, eventually you may not be able to hear Him in another area.
  • When I do the part of God’s will that I can control, He will do the part that I cannot control.
  • If you’re faithful fishing, God knows where to find your boat.
  • Just because you didn’t win, doesn’t mean it didn’t work.

This has been such a powerful, practical series.  I hope you will listen to or watch this it.  It was so good!  You can catch it today on the Elevation Network and later in our archive.  Have a great Monday!

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Life Change Inbox

Friday May 3, 2013 | Life Change Inbox

It’s Friday and time for another Life Change Inbox! Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:2-4 that our lives are living letters written so that God might be glorified. People often write in to Elevation and share the work God is doing in their lives through our church. When I read these stories, I am reminded that we serve a powerful God who still works miracles in the lives of everyday people. These stories inspire me to keep giving, keep serving and continue praying for those who are far from God. I hope they will do the same for you.

If you have a story you would like to share, email us at amencorner@elevationchurch.org

Check out Erin’s story….

When my husband and I joined Elevation it was after a period of time when we were watching it online and hearing the sermons through the app on our phones. We knew this was the church we were to be a part of. After I graduated from WCU my husband and I felt the peace to move back to Clover, SC. Something kept us from deciding to stay in the mountains as our first choice. I see now a glimpse of why we were to be down here.

When we moved down in May of 2012 neither of us had jobs. I immediately got a job at a children’s fitness center and my husband got a job at a local restaurant. Both jobs were more out of necessity rather than trusting that God would provide. Though I liked my job something was telling me this wasn’t it. I happened to run into a few guys that were members at Planet Fitness. We talked about their new location in Gastonia, NC. We went by, toured, and signed up for a membership. During the tour I saw resume signs up looking for personal trainers. I majored in Health and Physical Education at WCU. We went back on another day to work out and the manager was there; something prompted me to ask her about the job. It was only part-time and I figured if that was the case I would keep my other job. I went home and contemplated it a little more and felt like I had nothing to lose in putting in a resume. So I did that week. I heard back a few days later that I had an interview. I interviewed with all the managers. I had such a peace about it all and had such confidence in my answers. Within 30 minutes of leaving the interview I heard that I got the job!! I have felt so truly blessed with this job that it could only have been God that opened the doors.

The job I had prior to this had me working on Sundays and we couldn’t go to church. Elevation Gaston launched in September and I got the job at Planet Fitness October 8. Our first Sunday at Elevation Gaston was October 21. We knew the second we walked in we were supposed to be there and not just be there taking up a seat but be there involved and volunteering!! We both have had calls to ministry in different capacities. Mine came in 2005 and I was unsure of for a long time but I know whatever it is it’s starting with Next Level and preparing me for the next place He is taking me individually and us as a couple. We signed up to volunteer for the November 4th boot-camp. When we first shadowed neither my husband nor I had a peace about the place of serving. We prayed about it, talked and prayed with Pastor Ken. The next week we had the answer of where we were suppose to serve.

Since joining the team God had opened so many doors for us!!! I can’t even start to describe the power and joy I feel. I volunteer with Next Level and so many things have changed for me since coming to this church and serving. I have a sense of community and love. God is developing and building my prayer life. He is changing my love relationship for Him to a deeper more powerful one! He is teaching me the power of faith and trust! He has opened the doors for us to be part of an eGroup. So many things have begun to stir.

In November God told us that we needed to take a step of faith and have my husband quit his job at the restaurant for something bigger and better. We had no idea what but we took the step of faith. In that step of faith He has provided for us above and beyond. We have continued to tithe each pay period as well as stepping out in putting 10% into a saving account. I am seeing God in the small stuff and He is beginning to teach me contentment. For the first time I was able to see God’s true blessing in providing for us on something as simple as the grocery bill. I was able to get all we needed plus some and come under budget. Our fridge is full and we are covered till next pay day. I have calculated tithe and savings plus bills for the next couple of weeks and God’s math is awesome. I somehow have just the right amount after everything to cover gas and groceries. Just today I got the official word that I will be going to full time at Planet Fitness.

For the first time in my 28 years of life I know without a shadow of a doubt that I am smack-dab in the middle of God’s will!!! I know God is with me, guiding me, blessing me, showing me, strengthening me, preparing me for His plan and I am answering the invitation to His calling and meeting Him where He is working. Through Banner Year celebration at the end of 2012 I looked at my husband with tears of joy and said this 2013 will be our Banner Year and if it ended today it has been if we are blessed throughout this year with health, provision, and love it will continue to be a Banner Year. Thank you Elevation for answering the calling and being a part of bringing my husband and I back to our callings!!! And the story isn’t over!!! Tomorrow is yet to be seen!

Erin

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A tall drink of water

Wednesday May 1, 2013 | Reflections

I recently started drinking more water.  All my life I have tried to be a water drinker but never really liked drinking it.  I preferred to have something with taste.  I would never completely enjoy a meal if I had to drink plain old water with it.  But about 6 months ago, I started drinking water with lemon and really started to not only enjoy drinking water but also craving it.

And the funny thing about water (that does not happen with other drinks, in my opinion) is the more you drink it, the thirstier you become.

I came across John 4 in my Bible reading plan the other day.  It is the story of Jesus and the woman at the well.  He says to her, “I am the living water,” and then he says in verse 13, ”Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

I have always kinda struggled with this passage.  I understand that it is saying, Jesus can fill every void in your life.  But the never thirst again part holds me up because I just have to admit, I still have times of thirst in my life.  Times where I am discontent, or feeling maybe, unfulfilled.

And as I have thought on this passage, the Lord brought my water drinking experience to mind.  The more you drink water, the more you want water.  And it is the same way with Jesus.  The more you drink of Him, the more you want of Him and the more fulfilled you feel.  And feel is the key word, because when Jesus came into my life, He filled me, all the way.  But I don’t always feel that way.

You see, if I fill my day with busyness, even the busyness of good things like caring for my family, and then when I have a few moments to relax, I spend that time in some mindless entertainment, never taking even a fraction of my day to pray and read God’s Word, eventually, I will not even thirst for the things of Christ.  And then eventually I will find myself feeling busy and unfulfilled.

But if I take a few moments each day to focus on Jesus, then I will begin to want more of Him.  I will think more of Him.  And I will see Him in my busyness and I will feel fulfilled because I will know that He is in it all with me.  The more you drink, the thirstier you become.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.”

Being thirsty for Jesus doesn’t start like drinking water from a fire hydrant.  It starts with just drinking a glass every day.

 

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Recipe… Coconut Flour Pancakes

Tuesday April 30, 2013 | Recipes

So we are doing this eating and exercise plan as a staff.  The plan is very simple: no grain, no sugar (real or artificial except for stevia), exercise every day.  I found a decent alternative for pancakes… coconut flour pancakes.  Now these pancakes are not low calorie (and if you are on fit/fat40, you can’t put syrup or honey on them), but they are super high in fiber and they taste pretty good.

A lot of grocery stores are now carrying coconut flour, although it can be hard to find.  I actually saw it at Food Lion the other day.  And if you are not in the mood to go on a wild goose chase, you can always buy it from Amazon.  The flour also makes a great non-bread breading on chicken.

I have tried 2 recipes.  One that uses milk, and one that uses applesauce.  I am going to give you the recipe with milk because I thought they were easier to flip and basically tasted the same.  I got this recipe from a blog called, Nourishing Days.  I did not change any of the ingredients (Except I used 1% milk, not raw milk or coconut milk.  Raw milk is actually not legal in NC, and I didn’t have any coconut milk.)

Ingredients

  • 4 eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup milk (raw cow’s or coconut both work)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon honey or a pinch of stevia
  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • coconut oil or butter for frying
  • blueberries or banana slices (do not add to batter)

Preheat griddle to medium to low heat.  I have an electric skillet I like to use.

Mix everything together except the flour.  Whisk until blended and bubbly.

Add flour until blended.

I like to put about 1/2 teaspoon of butter on each spot on the pan where I will put a pancake.  Once melted, spoon about 1/3 c of batter onto the melted butter.

Add blueberries (or chocolate chips) or bananas onto the batter side of each pancake.

After about 2-3 minutes, flip the pancake.  Cook for 2-3 more minutes and enjoy!

A few notes…
These pancakes are NOT easy to flip.
These pancakes are not very pretty, but they do taste good.
Pancakes are difficult to tell if they are done.  I pretty much guess.
If you would like to try the recipe that uses applesauce instead of milk, it is here.

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Life Change Inbox

Friday April 26, 2013 | Life Change Inbox

It’s Friday and time for another Life Change Inbox! Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:2-4 that our lives are living letters written so that God might be glorified. People often write in to Elevation and share the work God is doing in their lives through our church. When I read these stories, I am reminded that we serve a powerful God who still works miracles in the lives of everyday people. These stories inspire me to keep giving, keep serving and continue praying for those who are far from God. I hope they will do the same for you.

If you have a story you would like to share, email us at amencorner@elevationchurch.org

Check out Mark’s story….

Dear Pastor Steven,

I am a fairly reserved person so I’m not sure why I’m writing this other than I feel that God is calling me to do so. My family and I have been attending Elevation for about a year and a half now.  I can honestly say that I have never felt closer to God, a feeling shared by my family.

Your sermons have had such a tremendous impact on my life. I’m writing now to let you know how much Elevation Worship, and the other incredible musicians that you have had at Elevation, have impacted me. Given the recent success of the album Nothing Is Wasted, I wanted to share my gratitude with you.



Last September, the same week that you released your book Greater, my dad passed away. I have often times thought of you, and prayed for you and your family, knowing that your dad is also ill. Your book was such a comfort to me that last week that I was with my dad as it kept my focus on God and how great He is. At that time, I had also recently downloaded Israel Houghton’s album Jesus At the Center. Had it not been for you bringing Israel Houghton to Elevation on many occasions I would have probably never heard of him, and most certainly never ended up with some of his music on my iPod. The night that my dad passed away I repeatedly listened to his song Your Presence is Heaven. HIS Presence was definitely with me and I am certain that Jesus accompanied my dad to heaven that night. I could feel His comforting presence all around for me as I prayed for our Heavenly Father to ease my dad’ s pain. 



The power of music that comes from Elevation Church continues to comfort me and drive me to do Greater things in my life so that I may give glory to God. My running playlist is filled with music from Elevation Worship and Isreal Houghton. I always run further, stronger and with greater purpose when I listen to them while I run. I’m sure that there are more than a few people that drive by me that think I’m a little crazy as I have my hands stretched to the sky giving praise to The Lord. 

Please keep encouraging others to find strength in The Lord through the music in your church. The power of your music has greatly impacted my life and I’m hoping that it will have a similar impact on others.

Faithfully,

Mark

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Mind Reader

Thursday April 25, 2013 | Reflections

Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

I memorized this verse when I was a little girl. And up until the other day, I always thought of it as a verse that was asking God to show me my sin. But the other day the phrase, “know my anxious thoughts,” jumped out at me.

Have you ever had one of those days where your thoughts were just running wild with anxiety? And you knew your thoughts were so ridiculous that you shouldn’t even voice them to anyone? Being anxious like having a voice screaming in your head while you are trying to concentrate on having a normal day.

But how comforting to know that God knows my ridiculous, anxious thoughts. Psalm 139:2 says, “You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.” And God is the One who can calm them. When I have these moments, I have to ground myself. I have to stop and remind myself who I am, and to borrow from my husband’s teaching, I have to remember whose I am.

I think anxious thoughts offend God because it is as if I am saying, I don’t trust God. I am a child of God, called by God. I am empowered, through His grace, to be an amazing mom, and wife, and pastor’s wife. He knows my anxious thoughts and He wants me to trust Him with them. Just like 1 Peter 5:7 say, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

 

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Recipe… cheesy baked kale

Tuesday April 23, 2013 | Recipes

We are doing an eating and fitness challenge on the staff of Elevation.  The plan is called Fit/Fat40.  It is a plan to get fit, and loose fat in 40 days.  The diet part is simple.  No sugar (real, natural, or artificial), and no grains (bread, rice, corn, quinoa etc.) that’s it.

Now, I know kale chips are no new thing, and everyone seems to be raving about them.  I have a hard time jumping on the bandwagon.  I prefer my chips to be made from corn or potato.  Just sayin.  But I finally found a way to eat kale chips… with cheddar cheese (here is the original recipe and picture)!!

Here’s what you do…

-Rinse and dry 2 bunches of kale
-Shred the kale and pull from the stems and ribs.  Discard the stems and ribs.
-Spray 2 cookie sheets with olive oil spray
-put the shredded kale on the cookie sheets, spray the kale with olive oil spray
-salt the kale
-top with shredded cheese

Bake at 425 for about 10 minutes.  Watch for burning.  Burned kale tastes really bad.

Also, I have made several updates to some of my favorite recipes (sorry for those of you on Fit/Fat40, you’ll have to wait)…

Crockpot Oatmeal
Crockpot Chicken Cordon Bleu
Healthy(er) Chocolate Chip Cookies 

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