You know how sometimes it just feels like you need to get away? That is exactly how I felt Friday night as we were drivng through downtown Atlanta. The fast pace, the bright lights, and the huge city just felt like a good change for once.
We spent our weekend with Matt's side of the family. Saturday morning we headed over to the Marietta Square, went to some cute shops, and ate lunch at Gabriel's (Paula Deen's cousins restuarant, I learned). Luke wanted me to ride in the back of the van with him. And with headphones on. :)
Saturday night we had a graduation party for Luke, as he just graduated pre-k. It was fun! We spent most of the evening outside playing with his new water gun!
Now...all week we had talked about possibly going to Passion City Church on Sunday. Matt even called the church to see if Christy Nockels would be singing. They said that they had no idea, and never really knew if she would be singing each week. I was convinced that she wouldn't be singing b/c I thought I read on twitter that she sang the week before. But I still felt led to go. We decided to only go if Matt's family didn't want to all go to church together. Saturday night, everyone decided either to sleep in or go to their separate churches....so Matt and I decided that we would head to PCC!!!! Eeeeek! I was beyond thrilled and NERVOUS!
Sunday morning I woke up early and checked the PCC facebook page to see a post saying that Kristian Stanfill (who I liked) would be leading worship. I also sort of figured that the message would be geared toward regular members of PCC because they had just celebrated their 1 year anniversary in their new building and the latest series was called, In our House. I knew that they were going to be baptizing people too. So I told Matt that I just didn't think the service was going to be for us, but yet I felt led like never before to go to it. So, we went.
As we pulled into 515 Garson, Ever Lifting was playing in our Tahoe. I was so excited to see the freedom hand that I'd heard so much about during Passion in person. The Atlanta skyline was beautiful in the background. We got a close parking space and we sat very close to the front. It was crazy, I didn't feel like I was at church, but like I was at a big conference (and we've gone to plenty of huge, contemporary Atlanta churches in the past), although the church wasn't nearly as big as I thought and it was very simple, not showy at all. I loved it, and was kind of hoping to see the Nockel's family. :)
After Kristian and the PCC choir came out, I almost passed out...because my FAVORITE WORSHIP LEADER EVER was standing right on stage with them. Oh yes, the tears began to flow. I cried the entire time. As a matter of fact I had a huge headache afterwards. But even Louie said that if there was a dry eye in the house that you had better wake up! :) I cried because I was sooooooo happy. I was so happy to hear her lead worship in person, and to watch her too. :). I couldn't believe that the Lord would bless me so much and just put it in my mind that I needed to attend this certain church on that certain Sunday. I was so overwhelmed over the gift of hearing her sing and worship with her. Y'all. I knew many of the songs, but there were several new ones that just brought me to my knees. The words were so powerful and so true in my life right now. It felt so good to be worshipping in such a huge place, where no one knew me. Where I could sing loud, raise my hands, and just cry without everyone wondering what in the world is going on with her. You know...because that is what often happens in our small town church (which I do love with all my heart). But I just needed a little change. Something fresh and contemporary. Somewhere big. I always liked Kristian, but now I love him. He was awesome!
The Lord spoke to me through every single song. And every precious note that I heard Christy sing. He spoke to me through the short little sermon that Louie Giglio preached. He spoke to me during every baptism. Matt and I loved hearing the story of each person that was baptized. Each persons story was shared...there was so much hope and such a great energy! I loved every single second! We were blessed to be in a special service that lasted over 2 hours. The band played, some people were baptized, the band played again, Louie spoke, more people were baptized, and then the band played AGAIN! I can't wait to go back. I kept telling Matt that I didn't want it to be over.
And you know I wanted to take a picture more than anything. But I felt funny taking one during worship. I felt like I was at a concert, but I wasn't. It was still church to me. Afterwards, we walked to the stage. Christy was just standing there by herself worshipping. Church was over, and she was praying and I couldn't stop watching her. I want to have a spirit just like her. She is such a wonderful leader in that church and such a Godly example to so many. Some girls had their cameras out snapping pictures of her. Again, I wanted to but I just felt like I couldn't. Matt did take a picture as she was walking off the stage. I also "borrowed" a few that I saw on twitter yesterday. I just wanted to remember the moment. :)
I read this
article today about Christy's song, Ever Lifting. I loved this quote from Christy.
"When the songs were in the beginning stages, I would pray and ask God to show me the people who needed to hear the truths I was singing. I asked Him to show me the strongholds that He wanted to break in people's lives and I would literally pray for His healing and His power to be sown into the songs from the very beginning.
The sweetest thing for me was when I recorded the vocals months later, I kept having to stop as my throat was closing up because of all the tears. I would remember the prayers that I had prayed into the songs as I began writing them and now I was praying as I was singing the vocals.
Truth was being sown into every part of these songs. It changed me forever as a songwriter and I'll never make records the same again. God knows who needs it. He knows whom it will speak to. He knows that the right song, in the right mouth at just the right moment can change the world. He knows the drawbridge of someone's heart is going to slowly lower down through these very songs. He ordained it. It's His; I'm proud to carry it, but really it's His to promote and His to do with as He pleases and I trust Him with it. It has been one of the greatest joys of my life to be a part of it, so I thank Him. I'm at rest and without striving or seeking for something more, I simply open up my hands and my heart and hand over to the world Into The Glorious."
This is evident in my life. I feel like all of her music, especially Into the Glorious, and Glory Baby was written just for me and this season of life that I'm in right now. But as I look back, I realize that her music has always touched me like this. I forgot that not only did we play lots of Watermark at our rehearsal dinner (More than you'll even know), but two of our dear friends sang a song that her and Chris Tomlin sing together (Take My Life) at our wedding. The Lord has used her music to teach me and help me so much. Every single song that I listen to speaks to me. Even if it is the same song for the millionth time! Ha! I am so thankful for that!
What a GLORIOUS weekend!!!
Psalm 18:1
I love you, Lord; you are my strength.
