Can I Get an Amen?
first, gotta give a shout out to dave and chris cole.
great hanging with you a bit. i’m honored. praying for you!
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alright, wow, what a sunday. although many prayers were said for it, i don’t think any of us could predict what sunday would look like as the first after the announcement about our senior pastor. but boy did God showed up. through a worship experience at Westside like i’ve never experienced before, by another out of the park message from Dan and through seeing and feeling a renewal of spirit among the church body.
i was blessed to be a part of an all vocal team (VT) sunday where all of us vocalists on the team sing up on stage together during the morning services. these are probably my favorite because not only does it mean i get to help faciliate worship, but it also shows strong unity as we stand together. which is definitely something we want live by in this season of our church.
our set was the following:
1) All Because of Jesus – Steve Fee
2) God is Faithful – Troy Kennedy
3) Right Now – Troy Kennedy
4) Mighty to Save – Hillsong United
during our 9:30 service (2nd of the morning), i had an encounter with God through worship like i’ve never experienced before. it started out after our opening song and folks were greeting. i’ve never seen 9:30 service THAT packed, at the least from on stage. there was this overwhelming feeling of “God is here” that came over me when i saw all those people. i almost totally lost it (crying) but somehow i was able to regain composure to sing the next song. then, during the first chorus of Mighty to Save that all of us (VT) heard it. the cries. the yells. the power. coming from the congregation. as we were all singing we hear, “amen!” and “hallelujah!” and LOUD singing. hands were raised throughout the crowd and folks joined us in unity. singing the cries of a body that had been broken and desperate and seeking VICTORY in the only One who can provide it. when Troy started to pray, the VT were supposed to walk off, but i think all of us stood there for a bit longer soaking in the Goodness of our Savior. many of us were crying as we exited. we had encountered our God in a powerful way. that words cannot even express. definitely, the other services were AMAZING too but there was something that happened during 9:30 personally that brought the reassurance of “we’re going to alright” to a very deep part of me.
whether you were at 8, 9:30 or 11:15 or 5 – tell me what you felt. leave a comment or email me. personally, i am still on the early end of this journey of healing. and most of us are in different stages and that’s ok. but what an extraordinary day to be blessed with, right? i know for a fact that was what was prayed for by many of you – because you told me you were praying. thank you. thank you. the first phase of Westside has ended and a new one has begun. we’re gonna be alright. can i get an amen?
Lyrics that are speaking to me…
“Salvation is Here”
God above all my hopes and fears
And I don’t care what the world throws at me now
I’m gonna be alright
Hear the sound of the generations
Making loud our freedom song
All in all that the world would know Your name
It’s gonna be alright
Cause I know my God saved the day
And I know His word never fails
And I know my God made a way for me
Salvation is here
another part of my sunday that was very cool… but also a bit weird was all of the phantom and even non-phantom bloggers i met. it seemed as a walked around after each service there would be someone that would walk up to me and say, “you’re pinkhairedgirl!!” – this was seriously awesome! i was like, “uh… umm… yeah…!!!” that’s never happened before.
over the last week through email, blog comments and now in person people have been telling me that they’ve found my blog by chance when searching about my church or pastor by name. they have said that is has been a tool for healing and encouragement. crazy. wow. never would of thought that my ramblings could do that. if you have a story like that, please share. i told a few people who stopped me that wow… if my blog can be used as a tool for healing and encouragement, then YEA GOD! Glory be to Him for being able to use me. a very broken girl, with no filter, who is just trying to make sense of a very senseless situation.
what i’m learning today:
continuing to seek. my friend shared with me and reminded me of Hosea 2 where God punishes Israel for her unfaithfulness but then restores her back to better than she once was. i had monday off and spent some time in Hosea. i feel like that’s where we are as a church. So. Go. Read it. Also, the battle is not over friends. Now more than ever we need to live with the utmost integrity. The enemy is out to kill, steal and destroy… he is out to harm and bring anything that is GOOD down. Keep accountable. Keep prayed-up. Keep in the Word. God’s word tells us that, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12-13. Be that kind of bare before each other friends.
random side note:
hair update… not pink… but new as of saturday. this is “end of the day” hair so not the best but you’ll get the gist. (:
Hi Pink Haired Girl…..
I’ve been a member of Westside for almost two years now and also found your blog/space/site/whatever while searching for any news about WFC. I’ve seen you around church alot and have always noticed that you always seem to radiate a spirit of peace. I’ve never spoken to you but I’ve seen you in conversation with others and there’s joy in your eyes and laughter on your lips. From reading your comments, it’s easy to understand where that comes from!
I too, was moved by last Sunday’s service, but then every service at Westside feeds my desire to grow in Christ. I’m convinced more than ever that WFC is the place for me and I am praying and standing strong against the enemy who is prowling; waiting to pounce on the disheartened or disillusioned. Our God is still in control; He is still our strength and hope and we all are sinners who need Him and depend on Him. His message is the same and our future is secure in Him!!
Girl…. you hit it on the head…. God showed up in a Mighty way Sunday!! I experienced the same Powerful Presence as you. God is Faithful!! It was incredible to hear the shouts and cries of God’s people. My prayer is that this thing that the enemy is trying so hard to use to destroy God’s Kingdom will draw God’s people closer to Him and that God’s people will walk in Victory!!! Troy’s song says it…. “I Know How the Story Ends”…. I think we need to remind the devil about that Victory in Christ many times daily. satan has messed with the wrong people at WFC…. we are ready to kick some devil-butt! And again I will say…. love the hair!!! 🙂
Oh I forgot…. Amen sister…. preach it!! 🙂