Monday Moment

It's Christmas week! Can you believe it?! I sorta can but then not really! It sure has been cold so that's helped me get in the spirit of things. But weather can only do so much. As well as all of my decorations that have been up for a while now along with presents underneath the tree. Yesterday was a Christmas celebration at Fairview and that is what ultimately put me over the top and makes it truly feel like Christmas. Because a focus on Jesus is what makes Christmas Christmas. Right? 

I won't dissect everything or this will turn into a book but there were so many highlights I'll just share those and then you can kick back and watch online when it gets up. Trust me, it'll be worth it. 

The past month worship at 11 has been next level. I've loved the mixture of Christmas and worship songs. I say all the time, church is about the scripture being preached. It's the focal and most important part of worship. It just is. But Eddie will tell you, it's easy to preach behind great worship music. It sets a tone (I also think lighting does that and I'm a fan of dark) and sets the table so to speak. Thank you to Cross Talk for doing what you do. 

We are loaded with musicians and we had the privilege of hearing from Marnie Daniel yesterday. She flat out killed it. She sings beautifully but for stage presence, she gets a perfect score as well. By the end of that I could've run a few laps. But I didn't...everyone calm down. =)

This guy. Well you probably think I brag too much. I'd say I don't brag enough. Wilson Nelson was right. It was one of the best Christmas messages I've heard. With a Christmas tree and a cross set before us, Eddie gave us thoughts on the tree, the lights, the star or angel on top, and the presents. 

We were encouraged to shine our light as believers. Light dispels darkness, not shouting. It gives direction. 

The wise men saw the star and followed. Many today know, but choose not to follow. 

Like angels we are called to be messengers of the good news. 

And then the presents. The perfect gift reflects the nature of the giver and it meets the need of the recipient. Salvation reflects how much God loves us and it meets our every need. None of us deserve it but we are all desperate for it. Salvation is eternal. It won't wear out, go out of style or break. 

Our service ended with the father/son team Tom and Ryan Burns singing O Holy Night! It was incredible!! Also a favorite at Christmas time. 

Rise did a Christmas Night of Worship! Morgan Bryant, Kieffer Mendoza, Cale Gray, and Caleb Massey were on fire!  

It's not easy to put into words what that service was like. I can just tell you that I was sobbing at times, couldn't stop smiling at times, had glory bumps start to finish and was overwhelmed by the presence of the Spirit that was undeniable. Eddie and I were slack jawed. Yes at their giftedness, but mainly at how 4 leaders who rarely lead together just come together and do what they do. It was simply beautiful, like watching art created. I doubt the room or the people will ever be the same. 

We are just astounded and believing God for what He has in store for this group. We broke into groups to pray and to hear prayers going up as they yielded what they want for what God wants and just praying for the reminder of why they do what they do and God's will was just powerful. Honestly just never been part of anything quite like this and it's precious and dear. The humility of all of them, from leaders to volunteers, is worth celebrating in a day where ego and pride is the norm. 

Friday FAVORites

So Christmas is 9 days away! What?! So hard to believe even though the weather definitely makes it feel that way. And me, being the summer weather loving girl that I am, actually LOVES cold Christmas weather. So there's one FAVORite thing for you, cold weather at Christmas time. 

 

Another FAVORite thing is family group text! Most hate group text. I know sometimes they get annoying, but they can be helpful and even fun!

Our family group texts, other than those where we try to figure out how to get all of us in the same place at the same time for something, can look like someone throwing out a need for some prayer coverage or sharing how God has answered in a big way. Trust me, a fam our size, requires much prayer. There's always stuff going on and it's usually stuff that we recognize being beyond our ability to deal with, handle, whatever. Lives get busy and we don't always have time to sit together and just dissect everything (when we can we do because I'm a dissector at heart) but we can always throw out a text to everyone. And there's nothing a 

Leopard, Hux, or Broome like more than an opportunity to pray. 

Let me tell you the good stuff happens when someone gets an answer and we all get to celebrate! Those emojis start pouring in along with those hilarious dance videos. We love a good happy dance around here. 

In case you haven't guessed, praying and celebrating answers is my all time, nothing better, FAVORite thing!

Maybe 2017 is the year you do something like this if you don't already. Do it with your family or some of your church family. Maybe you have a strong group of friends to share with. Just make a habit of praying with and for others and then celebrating with one another. It'll change your life. 

And by the way, we welcome anyone who wants to add us to their text or email or whatever. It's pure joy and an honor to join with others to pray and celebrate! Plus it gets us all out of our tiny bubbles to see the needs of others. God gives us a reason every day to break into a happy dance no matter what is going on around us. Many times I miss the opportunity because I'm focused on things that don't matter or the problem itself. But with those new mercies every morning, is an opportunity to dance! So DANCE people!! Life is hard but God is good!!

I love you all! This may, possibly, but not positive yet, be the last Friday FAVORites for 2016. We'll see how busy things are the next two weeks! Merry Christmas to all and blessings galore for 2017! 

Monday Moment

What a great service this morning with Crosstalk leading some great worship and mixing in Christmas carols.  We welcome Bob and Sylvia Atwell to our staff team. Bob will serve as missions/discipleship and eventually senior adults when Wilson and Mary Winn head to Florida to enjoy retirement. 

There was no holding back today as my husband brought a great word from Phil 4:1-3. 

Eddie told us right from the start not to look beside us during this message. Most of us could say we need to look in the mirror. 

This passage reminds us that a small problem has potential to cause a huge stink. 

Paul encourages the readers to stand firm. Too many retreat and too many stand on opinions and personal preferences but we are to stand firm in the Lord. 

In verse 2 Paul calls out names, not of those outside the church causing problems, but of fellow believers, co-laborers. Eddie mentions that had the problem been doctrine or theology or moral, Paul would probably have detailed the problem. But he didn't, which probably means it was trivial. Eddie said they should've been back to back but they couldn't see eye to eye so they went toe to toe. 

How often do we pull others into our conflict, talk behind backs, and exaggerate things. Paul and Eddie both tell us, agree in the Lord and just get along! 

Even Christians at times get sideways with one another and it's important to understand how it affects the entire body. More is always accomplished together as a team, as a body. 

We have much to rejoice over at Fairview as Michael shared in the welcome. What a generous body of believers! We have given much and we have done much in 2016. Just remember, going is as important as giving. Let's be a body that does both well. Let's finish strong! 

On a cold, damp Sunday night, Rise was a great place to be. The coffee was hot and the Spirit hotter. It's always a glory bump service and for reasons I know not of, and don't even care to know, it's always a service that brings me to tears. Don't want to figure it out for fear if I do it may stop. I'm just gonna go with it. 

Worship was special as always and had all of us in a receptive spirit for the word Nathan Brannon would bring. From Phil 3:12-22, Nathan preached on vision and the need for it in moving forward. He spoke on forgetting what is behind, not only the bad things that we need to let go of, but also the good things so that we don't get complacent and rest in past successes. There's validity in remembering but you can't get stuck there. He spoke of the need for mentorship for all believers, its that step beyond the small group discipleship. 

The reminder that Greer is not our home but we are citizens of heaven keeps us from being so earthly minded. 

Nathan quoted a saying that says, things seen are temporary but things unseen are eternal. He challenged us to stop spending time, energy and money on the seen which is passing away but the unseen things are the things that shape, or should shape, our vision.  What an incredible message by one of our young men with a heart for Jesus. 

And thank you Nathan for offering the opportunity to put our word for the year on a piece of wood as a reminder throughout the year. I had chosen my word earlier. I love doing that every year. But thanks to Nathan I have a visual to keep in front of me all of 2017.

Anyone else choose a word for the year? I don't always but most years I do and I love it! You may be hearing more about that from me very soon! 

Friday FAVORites

I hope this is a favorite time of year for you all. It sure is mine. I love the lights of the city and our neighborhood. Honestly, it has been a bit too busy for me. Seems like the calendar has been too full for my liking. My idea of a good night is dinner at our kitchen table and Christmas shows and movies on the tv and turning in to bed early. It's been so busy for all of us with crazy work schedules and parties on top of parties that we haven't been able to work in my favorite night of the year, but I'm not giving up. There's still time. Hopefully it will happen then it can be a FAVORite post. Actually two things yet to come. We'll see. 

Here's a few beauty favorites for your Friday I'm happy to share. They could be great stocking stuffers or a gift to yourself.

This is my favorite eye liner, at least for now. I have a mac pencil that I like and a cover girl I use too and I like it. But I LOVE my elf, which is appropriate this time of year don't you think?! It stays on ALL DAY and doesn't smudge! It's a keeper. 

I also love this stuff. You can see it's uses on the tube but it's my year round go to for my lips. I use it throughout the day, summer through winter! 

Favorite blush ever!

And you know I've told some of you before the love relationship I have with this...

Do yourself a favor and go get you some! 

And this. Well, you're welcome! I have some in the shower and by my sink. If you have itchy winter skin, this is your skin salvation. It's new to me, but I will never be caught without it. 

Have a fabulous weekend! Do some of your favorite things with your favorite people in this favorite season!

Monday Moment

Sunday morning was cold and rainy, but who cares about the weather when you're excited to get to go to church and be with the community you love. The community at Fairview has a way of warming me up and making me glad it's Sunday, rain or shine. 

I LOVE the Christmas music Crosstalk is kicking off worship with each week. I love all Christmas music but I especially love the new music that fits so well with modern worship. Super good stuff! 

The message Eddie shared from Philippians 3:17-22 warmed me up better than the coffee I had already enjoyed. It was a word of warning and encouragement. We were warned to not be earthly minded. Many profess but do not possess. Paul says their god is their stomach, meaning any carnal appetite that controls us. They are those whose philosophy is what can they get out of life. 

Eddie encouraged self inventory to assess what our own mindset is and make sure we aren't included in the enemies of the cross. 

He encouraged us, rather, to be heavenly minded. C.S. Lewis said that Christians who do the most for the world, think the most of the next world. Most of us don't run the risk of being too heavenly minded. 

Questions we were left to ask ourself...

Do we live in anticipation of Jesus return? Do we live like He may return today? Are we looking, but also, living like we are ready? 

People should look at us and say "you're not from around here, are you?"  

Rise closed out my Sunday on a high note. This service is accomplishing Eddie's vision which is 3-fold. 1)to provide an alternative service for those who can't come on Sunday morning because of work, sports commitments,  travel, etc. 2) to provide an opportunity for the next generation called to ministry to get hands on experience in a safe environment to learn and grow. 3) to send out individuals or groups ready for ministry in different areas for different purposes. 

One and two are being accomplished every week and number three will come in time. I think they would tell you they are learning a lot and Eddie and I talk a lot about how we see improvement all the time, not only in what they do, but how they're problem solving and learning about people and working as a team. It's not always easy, but ministry rarely is! 

One of my FAVORite Friday posts will share soon on things that make this a favorite for me. But for now, suffice it to say, I love seeing young ones rise up and take their place not waiting til they "grow up" and I love that some come from my gen and older because they love the service atmosphere, but also just to offer support and needless to say I love that my husband has a passion to raise up the next gen ready to take their place. That's a calling for all believers, to be pouring into others and discipling  them in scripture and ministry. 

Having said all of that, we got the true delight to hear another young one bring the word this week. Stephen Leopard, from Origens church downtown, came with a message from Mark 6:45-52. Jesus had sent his disciples to Bethsaida and told them he'd meet them there. Bethsaida was their destination. We all have a Bethsaida but the problem is many times we think what's waiting for us is better than our present circumstances. 

Stephen pointed out how they didn't recognize Jesus. They thought he was on the other side so they weren't looking for him or a miracle. If we aren't looking for Jesus, we may miss him and the miracle he does. 

Interesting that of 37 miracles, only 3 were performed in a church setting. They were in homes, weddings, or on the journey. 

The life of a believer  isn't so much where we are going as who we are going with. We miss so much on the journey. Even when that journey includes a storm. God is busy NOW where we are NOW! 

Stephen left us with 4 questions to ask ourself...

1)how can I make the most of where I am now?

2)what would happen if we took the journey seriously? If we didn't see time as wasted. 

3)what does God want to show me about myself?

4)what does God want to show me about Himself?

Mark doesn't include the part about Peter walking on the water. Maybe he knew the story was about Jesus. 

As Oswald Chambers said "it's the process not the outcome that Jesus is about". 

In conclusion, let's embrace our place. 

Thank you Stephen for sharing a much needed word peppered with personal insight on making the most of our journeys. 

Friday FAVORites

Time for another Friday FAVORite post. As promised, I'll try and give a few man gift ideas since shopping is still on everyone's brain even though Black Friday and cyber Monday has passed. I will say, I've heard, deals on clothing items are best the closer we get to Christmas. 

This may not be extremely helpful, but the word from the guys I've heard from for gifts is books, shoes/boots, thick boot socks, video games, fire pits, and clothes. Cash is good but I enjoy giving that about as much as I enjoy giving bad news. I always want details, and links are preferred, so everyone gets exactly what they want. That goes for guys and gals I'm shopping for. You may enjoy more the surprise gift giving, I used to as well! 

Happy FRIYAY to all!

Monday Moment

I love the first Sunday after thanksgiving! Fairview was dressed in her Christmas attire and ever so lovely! It makes Christmas seem so close and actually I guess it is. No panic though! Loving the season and refusing to miss it in what can quickly turn to chaos and busyness. 

How appropriate that my husband has been leading us through a study in Philippians on joy. Christmas brings so much joy if we focus on the true meaning. 

In Philippians 3:12-16, Paul speaks to us using athletic imagery. As we run the race of the Christian life, we want to be at a certain place at a particular stage of life. We need to be growing and developing. 

The first and most important part is starting the race. Salvation is where we start, it's what qualifies us for the race. Paul had a holy dissatisfaction, meaning he was always wanting to know Jesus more. That should be our goal as well. 

Eddie challenged us with the art of being focused. To stop dabbling in so many things and focus on that one thing we are called to. As Jesus told the rich young ruler "one thing you lack". As he told Martha "you are bothered by so many things". 

Paul was obsessed with Jesus. Not with sports. We pour our money into worldly stuff, our energy into worldly pleasures, load our cars to go all kinds of places...what do we do for Jesus? What is our obsession? 

As we raised our children, we would tell them be concerned with what you're supposed to do, not others. I've heard Eddie challenge staff to focus on your ministry and what you're called to do. Let's agree to focus on our calling and run our own race well. Let's not dabble in too much. Let's invest time, money, and energy into kingdom causes, things that will last. 

Let's be obsessed with Jesus only. 

       Loving that Christmas tree

Rise happened at 6:00. It was the normal, a tremendously great kind of normal, Rise gathering...the Holy Spirit was thick, there were tears, glory bumps, intense worship, great preaching. 

When the young man leading worship begins by sharing his heart in such a transparent way including struggles and desire to follow Jesus more closely, you just know it's gonna be good. And it always is. 

My son John preached from Acts 20:17-24, Symptoms of the Sent. It was challenging for all of us. I know it will cause me to continue examining myself to see how I line up with all Paul preached in those few verses.  

John shared 5 symptoms, what it looks like to be one who is sent. 1)they're servants, 2) they're givers, 3) they're unashamed of the gospel, 4) they have a mandate, a sense of "I have to" not just "I want to", 5) they live to make much of Jesus. Jesus is their obsession. 

Paul served with humility. Pride says serve me. Kingdom culture celebrates humility and making the kingdom priority will always be inconvenient. 

From church folk and those so steeped in religion they need to be freed by grace to the lowest of the low, we all need Jesus. 

Paul's "have to" was proclaiming Jesus. What is our "have to"? We are right here, placed here by God, at this particular time for a purpose, for such a time as this. What we do and where we are is our vehicle. 

Friday FAVORites

I know it seems my days are a little mixed up but I do know it's Wednesday and not Friday. However, this Friday being Black Friday I thought I would do this post early. One, who's gonna have time to read blog posts on Black Friday?! Two, I thought I'd  give some of my FAVORite gift ideas in case you are gearing up for Christmas shopping. 

If you're looking for a planner, I can't live without one, check out Erin Condren and Anchored Press. I used Erin Condren this year and loved it. You can design it and personalize your cover. I'm going to try anchored press this year. It contains devotions and offers a spiritual taste to the planner. 

https://www.erincondren.com/

http://www.anchoredpress.com/

One of my favorite places to shop is Dress Up. It's located downtown Greenville. The prices are very affordable and the style is suitable for all ages. I love their look. If you go by, speak to Noelle. She'll be my newest daughter come march 11th! 

If you haven't heard, Rack Room has buy one get one free boots for a set time. I LOVE their boots. Hoping to get some over-the-knee SOON! 

If you're shopping for jewelry, you don't have to leave your house. Jump online and shop Stella and Dot. It's my new favorite jewelry and my favorite stylist is my own daughter Chrissie Hux. If you shop by Saturday, you can shop my trunk show and I believe there's some sale goodies still available. 

https://www.stelladot.com/ts/thsl6

And we LOVE books around our house. The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst is fabulous! People are raving about Beth Moore's new fiction The Undoing of Saint Silvanus. I haven't read it. Confession...I read very little fiction. I may read this one. Jennie Allen is one of my new favorite authors. She's not new. I'm just new to her books. She's the founder of If if you want to do some research. 

If you need a break after shopping or between shopping, stop by either of my favorite coffee shops. My favorite barista Stephen will serve you something at Bella Latte in Duncan (actually he may be off but he'll be there throughout the season) or if you're in the Greer/Taylors area take a break at Due South where my other favorite barista will be happy to serve you something hot or cold. 

If you're like me you may need an extra shot of espresso to get you through the day! 

Coffee from both places is a great stocking stuffer or gift idea and both have super cute, very soft T-shirts! Another gift idea. 

Some of my favorite gift ideas if you're looking for ideas for the hard to buy for: 

Blanket scarves Warm fuzzy slippers like these Vera Wang

cozy cardigans like this one from dress up...

Naked eye shadow 

Extra soft pjs for cold months ahead

I hear you!! What about the guys?!  

I'll have to think about the guys a little more. They're the hard to buy for in our family. Maybe I'll do a post next time for them. 

My own personal wish list...a new mattress, a fireplace console, our outdoor porch closed in...No!!! Just kidding everyone!! Here's my real Christmas list...

My request would be that the next month would go extremely slow, be filled with lots of family time, and the winter bring us at least 2 good snow storms with at least one of them putting all of us back under one roof again. And here's what I want even more than that...

That everyone who claims to be a Jesus follower would actively lead others to follow Him. 

That addictions of every kind would be broken: drugs yes, but also the addiction to grumbling, criticizing, gossiping, pride, pettiness. 

That we could love and get along with those not like us and embrace differences and turn from belief that we are always right and others wrong. 

That we would try change, something different. Who knows? We may like it. 

And lastly, realize how blessed we are and focus on that rather than focusing on all we're lacking. 

And yes, all of this starts with me and my house. And all of those things are FREE! 

Monday Moment

Sunday was an extra special day at Fairview as it was Missions emphasis. We filled the front of the church with 924 shoeboxes that will make their way to children around the world with the message of the gospel. We also heard from some of our own missionaries David and April McWhite share about their ministry int he Czech Republic and we saw some sweet faces of those who will receive shoeboxes as Justin Broome shared his experiences with the children in the Romanian villages who receive them. 

We were also blessed by my husbands message from Philippians 3:10-11. 

Eddie challenged us by asking if we knew what our purpose is. What is our chief desire? What keeps us awake and what do we wake up thinking about? Some of us don't know and others of us know but are easily sidetracked. We get swept into the tyranny of the urgent, trivial things. For Paul it was to know Jesus. Not just know who He was, but to know Him. 

That should be our chief aim; to know Jesus and make Him known. Maybe He hasn't called us to go across the sea but every single one of us is called to go across the street. 

Eddie asked us another question.  He asked what is going on at Fairview that we can say only the power of God could make happen? He named some things, more than a few things. My question is could there be more things to add to that list? Could there be more salvations? Could their be more healed relationships and more freedom from addictions? I believe there could and should be a lot more. 

It's starts, again my thought, by getting out of the church building and into our neighborhoods, sharing the gospel in the workplace and as we go!! 

Sunday night we had the tremendous opportunity to participate in a special young man's ordination to the ministry. We first knew Hamilton Mathis as a middle schooler playing football. His family wasn't in our church but we quickly became friends with them. Our kids became fast friends and played sports. He and our daughter Jessica were probably best friends. They later joined our church and Hamilton served as an intern. He's just one of our very own. 

After Eddie opened the service, his charge was given by another special young man. Eddie hired Stephen Mcneill when he wasn't much older than Hamilton and he and Morgan were a few months from getting married. He gave a great word about humility and passion and running the race. Stephen learned and grew and became probably our best staff member ever. Eddie values loyalty and staff who catch his vision and help him run with it and not against him and Stephen perfected that art over time. We are so proud of him. He's the only one Eddie has ever hired twice. 

Another great word came from friend and pastor Steve Cloud. He's been around a while and coaches and trains now. He shared the reasons why some don't finish well and statistics tell us many don't. He talked about focus and the dangers of distraction. He talked about keeping our eyes on the prize and not settling for temporary pleasures. He spoke of overcoming discouragement and how to keep from always being unsettled and dissatisfied. It was a great word for those of us in ministry as well as any follower of Christ. 

Sundays are definitely Fundays!

Monday Moment

As Eddie said, his title for messages is set very early in the week so no one needs to read anything into Sunday's title. No matter how you feel about the election or the ballgames saturday, it's not why the message was entitled Joy in Losing :)! Promise! 

It was an amazing message and our pastor was on fire! It was a new word for some and a great reminder for others of us. 

We are in Philippians and Sunday came from 3:1-9. We looked at Paul's resume in the form of a plus and minus column. No matter how good the plus side looks, Paul labeled it rubbish, garbage compared to knowing Christ. We would do well to remember that from the White House to the jail house, whether we are in an exclusive subdivision or a homeless shelter, we all receive salvation the same way, through Jesus and Him alone. 

The question we are left with is what do you trust in to get to Heaven? Your stuff or Jesus? 

Rise happened at 6pm and another one was on fire as he brought the Word! Justin Broome challenged us to sensor what we allow ourself to see and hear as the Enemy seeks to distract us and cause us to lose hope and set our hopes on people rather than God. 

We were reminded as we looked at Babylon from the Old Testament and our modern day Babylon that no one can unify the world. We put our hopes in and place pressure on a president to bring unity but we know that only the blood of Jesus can unify. 

We can choose a predictable wasted life or we can follow Jesus and be pushed out of our comfort zone. Following God isn't normal. 

Rise worship was phenomenal again. These worship leaders have an anointing of the Spirit that is real and powerful. The Spirit moves unhindered and unquenched as young and old worship together in that place. It's a time I find myself longing for each week. 

Monday Moment

It was a super long Sunday but I'm not complaining. It was full of good stuff and good people and centered around a good God so it's a good tired. 

We managed to squeeze in family pics near the house between services and a quick leftovers lunch, wrapped up Entrusted women's bible study before Rise and then dinner before calling it a day. Enough of that and on to the main course. 

We continued through Philippians at all services and saw how to have joy even as a backup in 2:19-30. 

Timothy was Paul's backup and he played the role well. Eddie challenged us with being willing to serve and have Timothy's attitude of anywhere, anything, and to have the willingness to pay the cost.

To be a servant, we must have genuine concern. The reason we don't care is because too often we are wrapped up in our own self. There's not a lot of glory or recognition for working in the nursery or serving behind the scenes therefore like most churches we are lacking help. When some of us are asked to serve, the most common response is "I just don't have time". Everyone makes time for what they care about. The problem is we just don't care. We don't take time to share the gospel with the lost around us. Why? Time? Maybe we just don't genuinely care. God has given us all the ability we need to do what He has called us to do at this church, the issue is availability. 

Why this pic? I don't know. I just really like it!