This week flew by!

Fortunately it was a very good one.  Here are some things on my mind today:

• An important project that I’ve been working on (which happened to be one of my thorns), is officially complete today!  Holy cow, that’s a wonderful feeling.  I’m not sure how to adequately celebrate it.
• It’s been a roller coaster week for all things Cultivate Her.  Some good news, some bad news, some big dreaming and then a great event this past Wednesday with our guest speaker Tami Heim.  We’re dreaming and scheming some amazing stuff for all things women in leadership, so stay tuned.
• Our Cross Point missions teams are back home this week.  Our team in the Dominican Republic came back Tuesday and our Honduras team gets back tomorrow.  So proud of each of these teams for serving so big!  You can check out highlights from the Honduras trip HERE.
• Almost finished with Steven Furtick’s new book Sun Stand Still: What Happens When You Dare to Ask God for the Impossible.  This one is making me think and pray BIG!  It doesn’t release until Sept 21st, but you can pre-order by clicking the title.
• Gotta finish up my talk for The NINES this weekend.  Are you registered to attend?  It’s FREE!  Our entire staff is going to attend this year.
• Can’t believe July is almost over.
• I’m working on some big planning and leadership development stuff for our team for this fall.  I’m getting so excited – love people development stuff – LOVE IT!
• My thumb which I smashed during flood week is growing back really funky.  Kind of afraid it’s going to stay that way. 
• Going to the beach for a few days the end of next week with my sis.  Can’t wait!
• Walking with Ash in 30 minutes!  Love that sweet little Audrey Beth but she has messed up our weekly run/walk time.  Excited to get back to it!
• Hoping to see Inception this weekend.  Everyone is raving about it.  Have you seen it?

Find some joy in your weekend and tell us about it!

I was recently talking to another Executive Pastor who was graciously asking me how we’ve been doing since the Flood in Nashville.  He was praising our team for how quickly we responded and served our community in that crisis.  And I had to be honest with him and tell him that it was “against my better judgment.”

I know, I know… that sounds horribly insensitive and calloused, but here’s what I mean.

Responding to the catastrophe of the flood was one of the most intense leadership situations I have ever found myself in.

We had to move.

We had to move fast… and we had no idea how.

Literally we asked volunteers to show up to help with flood relief and we had no idea what we were going to have them do.  I’m not joking.

We didn’t know exactly how to prep them and we certainly weren’t prepared with paperwork, tools, supplies, etc.

We didn’t do any of the things that a responsible Executive Director would normally be sure to do.  (I shudder just thinking back on it.)

But here’s the deal.

It wasn’t that I wasn’t thinking about the need for those things.

It wasn’t that I was throwing all caution to the wind.

It just wasn’t practical or possible in the state of emergency that we were facing for me to have every “i” dotted and every “t” crossed before we acted that Monday morning after the flood waters had ravaged over 10,000 homes in our community.

People needed hope and help immediately and they couldn’t wait on forms, procedure & process.

Talk about a “grey” leadership issue.  The compassionate side of me was aligning with our pastors to create an action plan to get people out to help, but my administrative side was raising red flags about the need for order, systems and protections.

This wasn’t black and white.  It was grey… really grey.

In the end, I believe we did what God called us to do that day.  We responded.  We loved people.  We provided hope for people.  And we provided practical help on that first day of recovery.

And to put you administrative types at peace, we did add all the proper administrative paperwork.  Even by Day 2 of relief efforts much of those things were in place.

Why didn’t we wait a day to have all of our “ducks in a row”? Because honestly, hurting people couldn’t wait for that.

For another day, another time, another project, you better believe that we’ll have our administrative stuff in order.  For events that are planned and prepared in advance, there’s no excuse for not following proper protocol and protections.

That’s wise.  It’s good stewardship of the responsibility we’re entrusted with as administrative leaders.

But every once in awhile, you’ll get thrown a leadership curve ball and you gotta pray for discernment in leading through the shades of grey.

Ever found yourself in one of these situations?

The last 12 days have been a complete whirlwind!

The amazing Cross Point volunteers have served in extraordinary ways these last 12 days and yet, there is still so much to do.

Our Flood Relief Efforts continue and there are three specific ways that you can get involved:

1) Volunteer!

Tomorrow, Saturday May 15th – Join us at the Bellevue Campus (former Circuit City next to Home Depot) at 9:00 AM

• We’re partnering with WAY-FM for a huge day of serving!
• A team will also be going out from our Dickson Campus.

2) Buy a T-Shirt!

My friends Susannah and a team of others have partnered together to create these Nashville Flood Tees.  All proceeds of the tees are going back to local organizations (including Cross Point) to help with flood relief. Go HERE to get yours!

3) Donate to our Flood Relief Fund! We’ve been so blessed by the generosity that has poured in already.  Every gift will help a family begin to rebuild!

Thank you again for the prayers, support and encouragement that all of you have given!

The best and the worst come out in people in crisis – I know, I’m a walking example

But let’s focus on THE BEST:

• Over 1600 volunteers who showed up ready for action this week
• Nearly 300 houses cleaned out so far
• Hundreds of churches who have responded with concern, prayer and resources
• Volunteer teams who drove in to start helping
• Almost $100,000 raised so far to help with relief efforts

I’m especially thankful for our friends from I Am Active who responded fast and helped us get some systems set up to handle the relief efforts this week.  We couldn’t have done it without you guys!

Here’s a video they put together:

Click here to view the embedded video.

We love you Nashville!  We will recover!

Thank you all for the prayers, encouragement and support you have offered to the people of Nashville!

God is at work in spite of great tragedy.  These past few days have been some of the most challenging and yet most rewarding.

I’m so proud of the Cross Point volunteers who have come out by the hundreds to help love and serve people.  Here’s a story one of our volunteers shared with me.  Thank you Rachel for serving and loving these people!

My husband and I spent Monday morning with his brother’s very pregnant wife cleaning out their flooded basement and knew that if it was that bad at their house, that Bellevue had to be a hundred times worse – we knew we needed to get to Bellevue to help our church family. We met up with a group at Cross Point’s Bellevue campus; Ryan took us out to Boone Trace and we were “assigned” to a house. The owners and their 7-year-old daughter don’t attend Cross Point – they were some of the strongest people that I have ever met – they were so grateful and positive – their entire first floor was flooded, but they came out with smiles and thanks and couldn’t believe that there were so many people there to help. We took all of the furniture outside to either dry or throw away, ripped all of the carpet out, took the doors off, ripped out drywall and baseboards and insulation. At one point, the mom and I were standing in the kitchen and I just asked her how she was feeling. I can’t imagine being that strong in front of everyone all the time. She got a little teary and she started saying that they were evacuated the day before and that her daughter cried all night saying that she missed her house and that she was scared of the water. She continued to tell me that she told her daughter to pray that God continues to protect us and that he’ll provide for us and to help us stay strong. She said that she said that with faith even though she was scared and didn’t know how they could be strong in the midst of losing almost everything. Then she said this: God delivered. He answered our prayer with you – people that we don’t even know. We don’t know any of you and you all showed up and helped us with work that we didn’t know how we were going to get done. You gave us strength in numbers and my daughter is no longer scared.

I think that at this point it hit me. God DELIVERS GRACE AND HOPE in the midst of the most low places. SERIOUSLY – he orchestrated ALL of that. This family didn’t know about Cross Point, but they asked me for all of the information. Who knows? Maybe I will get to worship next to them one Sunday soon. We, as a body of Christ, are doing way more than just ripping out carpet and washing laundry and dishes – we’re attempting to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I think that it’s awesome to see – even though it’s a horrible thing that happened – that GOD will be glorified in Nashville, TN.

This is just one of many stories that we are hearing and there are still hundreds more to be told.

Will you take some time to come and help?

We’ll be sending out teams all week:

Wednesday, May 5th from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM – Meet at Cross Point Bellevue Campus

Thursday, May 6th from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM – Meet at Cross Point Bellevue Campus

Friday, May 7th from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM – Meet at Cross Point Bellevue Campus

Saturday, May 8th from 9:00 Am – 4:00 PM – Meeting location TBD

** For more details, directions, pictures, contact info, check out the Cross Point website

It’s been such a great weekend at all of our Cross Point campuses!

These are a few pictures from yesterday’s Serving Saturday event.  Hundreds of volunteers served in so many different ways at all of our campuses and throughout our communities.

Thank you all so much for your time and investment!  It makes me so proud to be a part of a community of believers that is committed to loving, serving and caring for others.  You guys are amazing!

Thank you!

Hey Cross Point!

I’m very excited about this Sunday. Remember, our services at all campuses will meet regardless of weather conditions, so even if we get some snow we’ll be there.

Couple of things to note:

1) Have you signed up for Serving Saturday yet? All of our campuses will be serving their local community on February 27th. I hope you’ll make plans to join us. This is an amazing chance to give back to our communities!

2) This Sunday Pete will be speaking on Sexual Brokenness. Due to the PG-13 content in this message, parents are encouraged to take advantage of our Kidz World Ministry for children through 5th Grade.

I’m excited to announce that at the Nashville Campus, we will also have copies of Randy Elrod’s new book “Sex, Lies & Religion“. This is a great resource portraying a healthy perspective of sexuality. Randy will also be available to talk with you and sign copies of his book.

It’s gonna be a great Valentine’s Day at Cross Point! I hope you’ll join us!

Since I’m still in India and unable to hear Blake’s message today for the Pursuit series, I would love for you guys to give me Cross Point’s Sunday highlights!

Please leave your notes/comments/thoughts from today’s message in the comments section!

And just so you don’t think I’m taking the easy way out.  Here are our Sunday highlights India style:

• Both Ryan & Pete have been sick.  I’m really afraid of getting it, whatever “it” is.
• Pete preached at an Anglican church this morning, complete with robe and sash.  Pastor Tom would have been proud.
• We had KFC for lunch and I devoured every one of my french fries
• I haven’t had a proper cup of tea since I left home… this is very troubling
• We had to spend the majority of our day at the hotel because there is a huge political rally in Kolkata today – literally milions of people being bussed in for the event and the roads are at a standstill
• I spent some time working on my blog today.  Check out my new “book of the month” and “currently reading” widgets in the sidebar.  I’m pretty proud of myself for figuring that out.
• Pete & Ryan are planning to be up at 5:30 in the morning to watch the Superbowl (we’re 11 1/2 hours ahead of Nashville time)
• I miss Merlyn, Mick, my sister and all of you!

We’ll be home Tuesday evening.  Keep us in your prayers!

Today we headed back to the Kalpur Slum to spend another day with the children and their families.  Once again they showered us with greetings and smiles… and this beautiful flower.

I have to admit I’ve been a bit overwhelmed by all the attention.  They are eager for you to look them in the eye, shake their hand or say their name.

I find myself wrestling with the tension of the attention.

I am no hero, celebrity or savior.  I’m just one spoiled American who flies in on a fancy plane and leaves before it gets too difficult.

But, it’s not who I am.

It’s what I represent.

… And what I represent is HOPE.

Hope for an education, a hot meal, a chance to learn the arts.  Hope for clean water, a steady job, a home that is their own.

From the children, to their parents, to the teachers and leaders at the school, our presence gives them renewed hope.  They know that other people care for them and are praying for them from thousands of miles away.  They know that a church in Nashville, TN is financially contributing to this project each month making their hope possible.

You know what?  Being “hope” didn’t cost me much today, but being “hope” inspired these families in an immeasurable way!

Here’s a quick clip from our craft project today.  Most of these kids have never done anything like this.

Can you see the hope in their eyes?

Click here to view the embedded video.

We made it!

After 32 hours of traveling with just pockets of sleep here and there, we arrived in Kolkata this morning.

We checked into the hotel, got a quick (cold) shower and our first taste of India cuisine before heading off to the slum where we’ll be spending the next few days.

As tired and exhausted as I was, I’m thankful that I didn’t miss the gift of this opportunity.

We arrived at the school to whoops and hollers and a pathway of flower petals.  The children were excited and had prepared some of their best for us.  We heard songs, poems and recitations that they had worked so hard on.  (Ryan also taught them a song… funniest thing was watching the kids try to mimic his mannerisms and animated expressions!)

Then we fed them lunch.  For most of them this is their ONLY meal for the day.

As much as I expected to serve and love them today, I never anticipated the honor they would bestow our team.

I am humbled.

Here’s a pic of some of the gifts they showered me with today:

But the most important gift to me was their smiles – their smiles in spite of their circumstances.  These children live in a slum.  They live in tents.  They are surrounded by filth, waste, disease and turmoil every day.  And yet they are smiling.  They are celebrating.  They are learning.  And they are enjoying life.

I’m humbled…  and I’m trying to smile too.