When God Speaks
My friends Jarrett and Jeanne Stevens are moving from Atlanta to start a church in Chicago called Soul City Church.
They’re risking it all to chase the dream God has placed in their hearts. Just being around them right now makes my heart start beating fast. 
Many of you know this weekend is our Faith, Hope and Love offering at Cross Point. We’re trying to raise 2.25 million dollars to plant a new campus in Bellevue, start two Hope centers, and launch a 5th campus we’ll plant in late 2010. I would by lying if I told you I haven’t had a few (or 113) moments of anxiety over the past few months. It seems like the closer we get to this weekend the more I have to remind myself that God is in control.
I had a conversation with Jeanne a couple days ago which was an absolute God send. She said through the process of planting this church God has clearly told her 3 things.
1) When you’re tempted to fear, lean into faith.
2) When you want to control, you must let go.
3) When comfort lures you, choose sacrifice.
Oh. My. Those statements couldn’t have had a greater impact on me if God himself had whispered them in my ear.
I just keep repeating these three things over and over and over again.
And I think I just might be finally getting it.
I would really appreciate your prayers for this weekend as it’s a historic opportunity for a whole bunch of spiritual risk tasking. It’s going to be fun to watch so many people enter into the journey of trusting God in a new way!
24 Comments:
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Ps 37:3-6
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ChristianHaiku
8:13 am
Praying….
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Susie A
8:24 am
Praying!!
Thank you for sharing this Pete. Really struck me in a deep place!!!
Lauren Kelly´s last blog ..Your love is deep!
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Lauren Kelly
8:35 am
thanks for that passage of scripture Christian.
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Pete Wilson
8:46 am
Praying for all of us, Pete. Those words are incredible to each family seeking to pledge.
Sam and I are still undecided as to how we will contribute…we’re actually struggling as we have 2 different view points on how to proceed.
Enjoy your weekend!
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Paula
9:01 am
Those are three powerful thoughts. I’m sad to be missing this Sunday but I’ll be praying for the day.
Jason´s last blog ..Best Part of the 2009 CMA Awards
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Jason
9:15 am
Wow! This blew me away today. I really needed to hear it. I have felt a pull lately take the next step in writing/speaking and I have been reluctant and fearful. I think I am going to write these statements on index cards and place them on my mirror so I can see them everyday.
I am praying for you, your team, your ministry. Thank you for sharing your heart and thoughts with us!
Chrystie´s last blog ..Short Term Gain, Long Term Pain
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Chrystie
9:19 am
Great stuff!
I appreciate you sharing it!
Nick´s last blog ..Showing A Little Turkey Love
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Nick
10:20 am
I’m gone Sunday too but know that God is going to show up. He always does.
Thank you for leading us in this season of growth.
Lindsey Nobles´s last blog ..Defining Community
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Lindsey Nobles
11:05 am
Praying!
what powerful advice….I struggle the most with #2 myself….
I read this in my son’s Bible…..praying that you all can do some spiritual sky-diving this weekend and the time ahead with your ministry,….. strap that parachute to your back, take that leap (of faith) outta the plane, yank the ripcord and TRUST that the parachute WILL open!
*~Michelle~*´s last blog ..ReFINE-ing Friday
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*~Michelle~*
11:07 am
@Michelle, #2 is a real tough one.
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Pete Wilson
11:13 am
I too have an issue with #2. Learning to ask in His Name, surrender in His name…live in His name. This is very exciting. Praying for this weekend and the hearts of God’s people.
jessica´s last blog ..One with Christ
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jessica
11:26 am
Wow, this is exciting. I’ll be praying for you all and am anxious to hear how it goes. If there is ever anything that can be done to help from a distance, please let me know…
gitz´s last blog ..Grading On A Curve
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gitz
11:41 am
Thanks for passing on the challenge and encouragement. I pray that you see God show up in absolutely undeniable ways!
Randy Kinnick´s last blog ..Silencing the Thunder and Releasing the Rock
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Randy Kinnick
12:21 pm
Wow, a whole of lot of risk taking for the advancement of God’s kingdom. This encourages me to keep moving forward and leaning into God with our plans of working in Germany.
David Knapp´s last blog ..Newsletter November 2009
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David Knapp
12:56 pm
Off topic Pete–but I couldn’t help but rememeber your studying the palybook vs running plays analogy form a couple months ago and am wondering if your little boy is happy now that Vince Young is back in the game?
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Jack Penfold
1:11 pm
My prayer for everyone this weekend:
Paul’s prayer to Ephesus/Eph 3: 16-19
16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
blake porter´s last blog ..God can make your BAD-BEAUTIFUL
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blake porter
2:13 pm
Awesome!! Keep us updated when they officially plant. I’m in the Chicago burbs and would love to check it out!!
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Natalie McCain
2:17 pm
I have been learning the last week what a control freak I am. LOL To those around me it might not come as a surprise, but I was truly shocked at how much this struggle has permeated my life. Lack of control kicks fear into overdrive. The more I am learning to surrender, the stronger I am getting, but LOL I need a huge learning curve.
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Julie
3:11 pm
Pete: Excellent blog and perfect timing. My husband and I have just moved to SW FL to plant a church. We’ve only been here two months and I loved reading your blog about the 3 things Jeanne learned. I will keep these three things close and read them often.
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Robin Jeter
8:38 pm
Pete…thank you for that great reminder today. History is shaping our lives and it is starting tomorrow. My family is jumping off the cliff right behind you…so thanks for leading us to jump. Thank you for being a great example of recklessly trusting God.
I’m praying for you.
Blake
Blake Bergstrom´s last blog ..my new headshot…leave a caption! Please..be nice!
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Blake Bergstrom
11:47 pm
God whispers in our ears through others a LOT. Though I am many miles away, I pray for your church often. Your messages have come to me via podcast at the most unbelievably appropriate times, and I will never doubt that is totally a God thing. You have my prayers for a fruitful and blessed future at Cross Point.
Candy´s last blog .."I don’t remember…"
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Candy
7:20 am
I will pray for you and your church family and I am reminded to tell you about how when God gives you a God-sized assignment–he accomplishes it! You have been fortunate to receive many God sized assignments and you have trudged on without fear and God has ALWAYS come through as I trust he will again.
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Gina Tynes
4:42 pm
I’ve skimmed this post several times, but have avoided really reading or thinking about it … I better take it to my knees.
Abbie´s last blog ..Blue for my bouncing baby boy.
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Abbie
6:07 pm