Teach me to pray

Over the last 2 weeks that I spent in California, I asked God for something simple: teach me to pray. I love those simple words that the disciples asked Jesus in person in Luke 11. I find it amazing that to the future preachers of His Church, Jesus spent more time teaching them to pray than to preach!

God answered that simple prayer while I was away. He answered it in part through a great book by E.M. Bounds called The Weapon of Prayer. Bounds has a whole collection of books about prayer, and each that I have read are amazing. In my opinion, there’s probably no need for any more authors to write about prayer. Bounds pretty much nailed it.

God also taught me about prayer through prayer itself. Although almost every waking moment in California was spent studying for my next class, I made sure that I took some time to pray. Although I didn’t do it as much as I would have liked, the time I had with God was deep. He spoke to me in ways I haven’t experienced in a while, and that I won’t try to explain in a blog post. 

Tomorrow at Awaken, I’ll be speaking on the topic of prayer as we continue the Framework series, and I can’t wait to share what God has laid on my heart!

As a little precursor, here is my favorite quote from E.M. Bounds’ book, The Weapon of Prayer…

“Every movement for the advancement of the Gospel must be created by and inspired by prayer. In all these movements of God, prayer precedes and attends as an invariable and necessary condition. In this relation, God makes prayer identical in force and power with Himself, and says to those on earth who pray: “You are on the earth to carry on My cause. I am in heaven, the Lord of all, the Maker of all, the Holy One of all. Now whatever you need for My cause, ask Me and I will do it. Shape the future by your prayers, and all that you need for present supplies, command Me. I made heaven and earth, and all things in them. Ask largely. Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. It is MY work which you are doing. It concerns My cause. Be prompt and full in praying. Do not abate your asking, and I will not wince nor abate in My giving.”

Super AND Natural

Sunday was a HUGE day for us at Awaken. We had more people in our building during the 10:15 service than ever before, and the other 2 are getting close to capacity as well! Praise God! On the other hand, we had to turn quite a few people away for Awaken Kids because we just didn’t have the room to accommodate them. This certainly isn’t a new issue for us, however – we’ve gotten used to it over the last 3 years…and we love it! It’s not a problem – it’s an opportunity! We need more room for the many people who are coming and bringing friends to hear the Gospel, give their lives to Jesus, and grow deeper. I pray that’s always the case!

One of our core beliefs at Awaken is:

The battle is super and natural.

God has promised the victory, but that doesn’t negate our responsibility. We will do everything we can within our natural ability and trust God for the supernatural.

We’re doing everything within our natural ability right now – we’re thinking, planning, and (this week especially) meeting with landlords, building owners, and contractors. Although those things are important, we can’t forget the most important step: ASKING God for the supernatural – what only He can do.

If you believe in the vision and mission of Awaken Church, and especially if you attend Awaken, I’m asking you to join us this Friday for a day of prayer and fasting. Fasting gives us a tangible reminder throughout the day of how dependent we are. So for 1 day, instead of depending on food for your strength, depend on the Lord. Every time your stomach growls, let it remind you to pray. During the time you would have normally spent preparing and eating a meal, devote that time to prayer.

Most of us can handle a day without food, but if for health reasons, you can’t, give up something else for the day (social media, TV, etc.) and devote that time to prayer this Friday!

If you’re in the Clarksville area, you’re also invited to join us for prayer at Awaken on Friday from 9-10am. I’d love to see the sanctuary full of people believing in God’s direction and provision. Bring your kids if you need to, and let’s PRAY!

God has never let us down and we believe this is simply another way for Him to provide.

Specific ways to pray:

1) financial provision for a new building (you can give online HERE)

2) favor with banks and building owners

3) God’s direction in leading us to the place He wants us to be

If you’re joining us in prayer, would you let me know by leaving a comment below? If you’re outside of Clarksville, let us know where you’re from!

The Uprising Hangover

It’s the day after The Uprising. I don’t know what a real hangover feels like (thankfully), but I think it’s similar to this (minus the alcohol and the regret). Everything seems a bit foggy and I’m trying to recall all the events of last night.

Through the fogginess, I’m thanking God for what He did last night and preparing a message for tomorrow as we celebrate at Awaken. I just got some pictures from last night though, and I had to write a quick blog to update the world on what went down in Clarksville, TN last night.

There’s no way for me to put into words what these events mean to me. We’ve done 2 so far, and there will be many more in the future. They’re always big leaps of faith for us as a church, but we believe that the Gospel is worth the risk.

After months of planning, prepping, and praying, last night we saw over 500 people come together, 102 volunteers from 7 different churches, and 19 decisions for Christ! Myself and many of the Uprising prayer team are taking the next 2 weeks to pray by name for those who gave their lives to Jesus. We want to do everything within our power to see disciples made, not just converts.

2 of the churches serving with us last night were brand new church plants in Clarksville, and I’m really hoping that some of these new believers will get involved there and grow with the church!

Here’s a few pics from last night. There will be many more to come. Tomorrow is a special day at Awaken as we take the day to pray and celebrate what God has done. He is so good!

9 Years of God’s Faithfulness

This is a guest post by my wife of 9 years, Jenn. Enjoy!

November 7, 2003 was one of the most exciting days of my whole life! This was the day I had dreamed about my whole life. It was no longer a dream — it was my reality. The whole day was picture perfect. I had no desire to be a “bridezilla;” I wanted to enjoy every moment and not allow anything to hinder the fact that by the end of the day I would be “Mrs. Kevin Miller.” After breakfast with all my bridesmaids, getting our hair and make-up done and getting into our fancy wedding attire, it was time to walk down the aisle and say “I do”!

Not only was November 7, 2003 the most exciting day of my life because I got to marry Kevin Miller, but it was an answer to prayer and proof of God’s faithfulness. You see, when I was 12 years old, I began praying that I would be a pastor’s wife some day.  I also began praying that I would date only my husband. Our wedding day proved God’s faithfulness to hear my prayers. Kevin Miller was the only guy I ever dated. Three months after our wedding, Kevin became a Youth Pastor at Calvary Albuqueruqe. Again, God had answered my prayer to be a pastor’s wife!

Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” The journey to see God’s faithfulness will not always be easy, but it will always be worth it. When you delight in Him, He promises to give you the desires of your heart. Kevin Miller was a direct answer to some very specific prayer requests I had. Don’t be afraid to pray for specific things! He hears! He responds. He is faithful!

(I promise I didn’t force her to write this. Although I did suggest adding words like “handsome,” “muscular,” and “romantic,” but I decided to be honest and forthright instead!)

NINE!

3,288 days ago, I married this girl. We both moved out of our parents’ houses into our first apartment together. The whole thing was about the size of our current bedroom and bathroom. She even slept in her old bunk bed on the night before our wedding!

God definitely had a lot in store for us that we would have never guessed: middle school youth ministry, church planting, Tennessee, and much more. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve never once doubted that God paired me up with exactly the right girl. She accepted me for who I was — flaws and all — and she still does today. I haven’t stopped screwing up and she hasn’t stopped forgiving me.

The very first time that Jenn and I went to church together was the weekend right before we “officially” started dating. Our pastor just so happened to be in the middle of a series called “Life In The Single Lane.” The message was called “Finding the Love of Your Life,” and little did I know, that’s exactly what I was doing that weekend! That weekend, we learned one of the most important principles that set the tone for our dating relationship and marriage: the need for prayer. That following Tuesday, on our very first date together, we got in my truck, and began our date with prayer. To this day, we still pray together a few times per week, and we love it!

There’s no way to summarize the lessons I’ve learned, the ministry we’ve done together, the forgiveness that’s been extended (mostly from her to me), and the fun that’s been had.

I love my wife. She’s an amazing example of a Godly woman, mother, and wife, and I’m still convinced that Proverbs 31 was written with her in mind. I pray that our girls grow up to be just like their mother!

Happy 9 years, Jenn!

spreading the Word

Months of planning, prepping, and praying have been building toward this Friday night at The Red Barn at Austin Peay for The Uprising! This is our second time at this venue and we can’t wait to fill it up with people. We’re praying that eternity changes for many people who come.

This week our second billboard went up, Facebook ads have been going for a week now, and we’ve hit Clarksville and nearby cities with over 13,000 postcards so far! In addition to that, this week is our final advertising push with an initiative we’ve titled Cover The City. We have at least 3 people or groups signed up for each of the 10 sections of the city where they will target this week with advertising, inviting, and praying. Wednesday is a night of prayer at a local church here in Clarksville, and Friday is the big day. To say we’re a little excited is a major understatement.

Last Thursday, as I prayed and looked over the text I’ll be speaking from, I was brought to tears thinking about all the people who will come who are lost and drowning in sin. I’m praying that this Friday is the day that everything changes.

In addition to billboards, Facebook, and personal invites, our radio spot also starts airing tonight on a local rock station here in Clarksville, Z975, and goes for the rest of the week. Make sure to listen to it below. And if you’re wondering why we’re not advertising on the local Christian station in town, the answer is simple: Christians aren’t our audience!

We’ve put a lot of money and effort into spreading the word so that on Friday we can spread the Word. It’s only through the power of the Word of God that lives will be changed. Join us in prayer for God to move!

The Big Push

Today, we are officially 4 weeks away from the second Uprising here in Clarksville. We’ve spent months and months of planning, prepping, and praying, and this weekend begins the big push…

Tonight at 6:30pm is the Join The Movement meeting, where people from around the city (I know of at least 5 churches that will be represented tonight) can come and sign up to get involved! It’s a big night as we get the teams stoked, united, and praying. We’ll have a couple giveaways as well, so it’s sure to be a good time.

This Sunday at Awaken is also a big push for The Uprising. Only twice in our 3 years as a church have we taken up a special offering, and this Sunday will be the third. One of the items of our “CODE” at Awaken is: Souls are the best way to invest. We believe it’s a privilege to partner with God in His pursuit of the lost, and one way that He’s given us an opportunity to do that is through our finances. As a church, we’ve taken this week to pray about how God would have each of us be invested in The Uprising. This Sunday, we’ll watch as God provides through our generosity!

Since we’re only 4 weeks out, this weekend also marks a great time to begin spreading the word everywhere we go. If you’re in the Clarksville area, I hope you’ll spread the word through social media, personal invites, and more. Be creative, have fun, and pray that God would change lives and change this city!

Here are some ways to get involved:

PRAY: Join the “1 Month of Prayer” Facebook group and get daily updates on what to pray for.

SERVE: Come to the Join the Movement meeting tonight at 6:30pm at Awaken and sign up to serve on a team.

GIVE: In addition to giving at Awaken this Sunday, anyone (from any location around the world) can give online through The Uprising website.

PROMOTE: Grab postcards and posters tonight at the meeting or this Sunday at Awaken and start spreading the word. Tonight, you can also sign up for “Cover The City” by selecting a section of the city that you’ll be targeting with prayers and invites! We’ve got an advertising kit ready to go for everyone who signs up tonight. If you need refills on promo material, let us know at info@wearetheuprising.com.

FOLLOW: Make sure to connect with The Uprising on Facebook, Twitter (@UprisingEvent), and Instagram (@UprisingEvent), and tell your friends to do the same. We’ll have a few social media giveaways as the date draws nearer, so you’ll be glad you connected.

This city is in need of Jesus. Let’s spread the word and fill up the Red Barn on November 9!

1 Month of Prayer

Today begins a 1-month prayer initiative for The Uprising. We worked really hard on a super edgy name for it. Ready? It’s called 1 Month of Prayer! See what we did there?

Since today is the 1-month mark for the event, we’re dedicating these final 31 days to praying for the event. We’re trusting God for all of the volunteers and the finances that we’ll need to run the event. This is a huge step of faith for the few of us churches that are involved, but we know God is big and trust that He can and will provide!

I’m reminded today of a quote from Martin Luther, who said,

“Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance; it’s laying hold of His willingness.”

By praying, we’re not just trying to beg God to do something He doesn’t want to do. Instead, we’re asking that He would do what the pages of Scripture say He wants to do: provide for His people, draw people to Himself, and prove His power and glory! We’re praying completely within His will when we pray for these things, so we can be sure of His answer.

1 Month of Prayer kicks off today with a day of prayer and fasting. If you’d like to join us by fasting, please do. If you can’t fast from food, fast from social media, or TV, or something else, and dedicate that time you would have spent on that to prayer. You can also join the 1 Month of Prayer group on the Uprising’s Facebook page for daily updates on what to pray for and how to pray!

If you’d like to be involved by serving (any church or denomination is welcome to join!), come to the Join the Movement meeting THIS FRIDAY, October 12. It will be held at Awaken Church (585 S Riverside Dr) at 6:30pm. Childcare will be provided, and all the teams that are open for you to serve on will be available for signup! In addition to the Uprising website, you can RSVP for that meeting and spread the word via Facebook as well.

And, if you’d like to be involved financially, this Sunday at Awaken, we’ll be taking up a special offering just for The Uprising! I asked the church to be praying this week about how they’d be financially involved. God may lead some of you to give $10, or maybe He’s really blessed you financially, and you can write a check to fund the whole event. Whatever God lays on your heart, be obedient. You can give this Sunday at Awaken or any time online on The Uprising website.

The stakes are high and Satan is playing for keeps. Let’s trust God for the impossible and pray like He is who He says He is!

Join the movement

One of the questions I often wrestle with when I feel a nudge from the Lord in a new direction is, “Will anyone join me?”

I know that whether I go alone or not shouldn’t matter, as long as God is leading the way, but I’m just being honest here. Sometimes I wonder if I’m the only crazy one or if other crazy people will join me. Last night at Awaken proved that I’m not the only crazy one.

We hosted our first Join The Movement meeting at Awaken, where I was joined by 60 other crazy people who believe that if God is for us, it doesn’t matter who or what is against us! With The Uprising under 2 months away, we are going full throttle with planning, organization, and putting people into teams. Last night, 60 people signed up to serve on 11 different teams (some serving on multiple teams). They signed up for things like security, ushers, counselors, cleaning, setup, and more. It was amazing.

I was so inspired by the faith and unity in that room. At the end, we all circled up, joined hands, and collectively asked God to overcome any obstacles that would try to stop us. It was amazing, and it filled my heart with faith and determination.

As always, I believe God’s plans for this are much bigger than ours. Last night gave me a small glimpse of that.

If you want to be involved, but missed the meeting, it’s not too late. You can email Nicole at info@wearetheuprising.com for more info about which areas are available for you to serve in.

You can also be financially involved with this event by donating online HERE.

Don’t shoot it down!

When God lays a ministry idea on my heart, often times the rational, cautious, budgeting side of me is the first enemy to shoot the idea down. I immediately say things like, “I don’t think anyone would even come to that” or “There’s no way we can afford an event like that.” I don’t even wait for Satan to come in with discouragement or frustrations – I save him the hassle by shooting it down before he even has a chance. I’ve done it quite a few times throughout my years of ministry, but thankfully I’ve learned my own tendency to do this and have been able to work against it.

What I’ve learned to to do is this: when an idea for ministry comes to mind or the opportunity to take a step of faith presents itself, before I do anything with it, I take a few days to just pray about it. When I say “a few days,” I do not mean 365 days – I mean 3 or 4. I feel that a lot of Christians miss opportunities to see God use them because they’re just sitting there praying for God to use them…but that’s a different blog altogether.

When these opportunities arise, prayer is vital, because it realigns me with the God I serve and the One who will be funding the event if we go through with it.

Sometimes through prayer, I realize that it was probably more my idea than anything else, and I end up not doing it. More often, however, I’m reminded that God spoke things into existence and mandated sharing the Gospel with the world. With Him on my side and that command being lived out, what do I have to worry about?

Has God given you an idea for ministry or sharing your faith with someone? Do you feel led in a certain direction? Is there a step of faith that you should be taking that you’ve been praying about for way too long now?

Don’t shoot it down!

If people will hear about Jesus through it, your motives are right, and you’re going through the proper channels to make it happen, what are you waiting for? Take a leap of faith and don’t look back!