Real Life Worship

John Mark McMillan: How He Loves

Every once in awhile there will be song that I hear on the radio or from a friend that I become obsessed with. I want to listen to it every time I ride in the car. When I am at home with my kids. At work. And I’ll play it for whoever comes around me too.

Well, it happened to me again. About a year ago, I heard the song “How He Loves”.  I heard Jesus Culture doing it and then David Crowder. I fell so much in love with this song that it become my life song. We started doing it at River City recently and as a worship leader it has been pretty amazing to see how this song has touched so many.

I recently found this video on Shaun Groves’ blog. I love Shaun’s music and follow his blog.  He did a post on John Mark McMillan who wrote How He Loves.  The video below is the story behind the song.  Which, by the way, is something I LOVE hearing about. It makes the song a little more special..more real.  Well, now he is one of Shaun’s favorites….

…and one of mine.

The flood.

If you hadn’t already heard, I am expecting our 3rd baby. Jason (check out his blog) and I are super excited…but somewhat nervous. We are going from 2 to 3. From even to odd.  From “had it under control” to “craziness!”.   I have a lot to learn. In these beginning stages of pregnancy I usually get bad morning sickness.  Having to lead worship while feeling sick is no fun on Sunday mornings, but God has always come through and I have never had to make an emergency run off stage.  I totally feel that when God has called me to it, he will see me through it. Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?

Yesterday I was totally reminded of this through a really devastating experience. We got a call in the morning from Billy Carroll (our New Braunfels Campus Pastor) that their home was under water and one of their cars was washed away.  My heart broke as I listened to his wife cry with the knowing that their home was gone. All of their clothes. Furniture. Pictures. Memories.  I was filled with shock for them. Some of the staff ladies sat, prayed and cried with her. It was the beginning of something wonderful though. Our Creative Director sat and prayed a prayer of strength, peace and thankfulness. We prayed for provision, for miracles and for God’s comfort. But what we prayed for at the end hit me the most….she thanked God for another opportunity to give him thanks. Billy & Zeynep’s family was safe. They were alive. This was another opportunity to see God do amazing things.

That was a great moment of worship for me. I was so honored to be at the feet of Jesus on behalf of my friend and someone I dearly love.  They have already seen God do amazing things. People have gone out to their home to salvage what they can. Donation after donation has come through. God has provided and their faith is strong.

When God has called you to it, He will call you through it.

There is no one else for me.

My friend, Amy, gave me the Casting Crowns cd awhile back and I have fallen in love with this song. This is my hearts cry these days. It is so easy to get distracted and forget how much I need Jesus to be my everything. To be my guide. My wisdom and my strength. There really is NO one who can do all those things. I’ve been really convicted with how my first reaction to big decisions is to go to others to ask or get their opinion. Their opinions may be good, but they aren’t God’s. My prayer has been to be totally consumed by him. There really is nothing in this life that should keep me from wanting that. Nothing.

I hope you are blessed by this!

Operation Passion

This weekend was Operation Passion Sunday. We moved our services down to the inner city of San Antonio to serve the Wheatley Courts community. It was one of my top 3 experiences in life. I was so blessed to be a part of River City Sunday.  Our congregation went above and beyond the call.  We partnered with Victory East Side (a church in that area) and stood side by side with the people of Wheatley Courts. We mowed their lawns, loved their babies and prayed for miracles.

Only one word can describe it for me….AWESOMENESS. Even though that is my own made up word….:)

I love my church.

What’s going on!?

I haven’t blogged in awhile, but I’m going to start. There are just so many cool things going on at River City you must know about. I love our church. So privileged to be a part of such an awesome group of leaders, pastors and real people.

I must tell you about a couple of things going on….So excited! Can you hear it the excitement?! No? Then, read.

• For starters, we are growing. That’s been cool and not because it’s about getting numbers up to pat ourselves on the back. I believe with every ounce of my body, soul & mind that we do what we do because people need to know that God loves them. That’s why I do it. So, I think it’s awesome that we are growing because more people now know that Jesus loves them and they never have to be alone.
• Paul Colman came to our church a couple of weeks ago for our Passion Series and I got to sing with him!!! I know, it was so cool. Ha. I know that it probably makes me a big dork, but it was way too cool not to be excited about. He loves Jesus. He was real. He was a great musician. It was awesome.  All in all, it was a great day at RCCC. He  truly has a sensitive heart for God. And again, it was cool for me too. Ha.
• Operation Passion Sunday! It’s this Sunday. We have basically moved ALL of our church services and asked people to head down to Wheatley Courts to serve their community. We are going to worship together, fix yards, clean up homes, neighborhoods and will put on a carnival for the kids in the area. We have asked EVERYONE to come, serve and love on others. I’m so thrilled. Couldn’t be more excited to see us get out and focused on others. Love that about RCCC. Check out more details here. Or you can even click…HERE if you wanted 2 options.

*This is another reason I love us. Check it out. Laugh. Or maybe make fun of us…

So that’s what’s going on. I love it. I am passionate about it. Come check us out. And join the choir. Or the band. Or run a camera…:)

How do you see God?

We gather on Sunday’s to worship and hear from God. It’s awesome, challenging and encouraging. I happen to love what I experience at River City.  Being a part of RCCC has made my relationship with God better and given me new relationships with some awesome people.  I met my husband here!  He’s given me so many blessings through His people.

Sunday’s are important for our relationship’s with God, but so is every other day of the week.  I can’t just walk through my every day life and not worship Him and/or  listen TO Him.  I’ve been thinking about this a lot in my life.   I’m a wife, mom, friend, daughter,  sister, leader, co-worker…and the list just keeps going.   But really, when it comes down to it, the most important thing is that I am a follower of God.  I can’t be a follower of God without following Him!  We all have a lot going on. We are busy people. Sometimes too busy that we miss God.  But as I challenge myself in this, I challenge you. Don’t settle for missing him anymore.  Don’t wait for Sunday’s!  God is here.  Even as you read this now…God IS and always will BE.

So how do you see God?  How do you worship?

For me…well, I see him…

When I give him thanks.
When my kids laugh and cry.

In my marriage ….it teaches me a lot.
In the people around me.
I see him when I’m doing yard work.
When I’m taking a walk.
When I pray for hurting people.
I see him when I’m fearful.
When I choose to let go and let God.When the numbers don’t add up, but we made it!
Oh and I have say…I definitely see God in laughter and this picture SERIOUSLY makes me laugh. So glad that God gave me a brother-in-law (and new RCCC Northwest Campus Pastor!!) that is a goofball.

He’s always here. Let’s take notice. Let’s listen. Let’s talk to God. Let’s worship Him.

I’d love to hear how you see God.  Leave a comment and share!

Oh, Happy Day.

We had a fantastic Easter at RCCC.  Around 1900 people came and 12 gave their lives to Christ for the first time!  We worshipped, we laughed, we celebrated the risen One!  It was an amazing day to be a part of RCCC.

Here are some pictures that a few people took.  I LOVED how the backdrop came out. They are a little blurry, but still capture the great morning we had!

Oh and here’s a link to the RCCC News we showed on Sunday.  Funny stuff.  Kuddos to David McGinnis for his sweet skills.

I am choosing to not show you a picture of how Jason & I looked after all 3 services (because it would be scary) , but here’s a little insight into what we all felt like. I may be biased, but my daughter sure is a cutie pie.

Looking forward to this Sunday!! Hope to see you there.

Wait

Hey Friends. We had such a wondeeWait

by Richard Kelfer

Worship. Wait. Worship More.

Sorry for the late list guys, but I have to tell you I am still soaring from worship on Sunday.  I heard from so many of you and have to say that God is doing something here at River City. We better watch out because I think God is about to blow in this place and in our lives!  Are you excited?

So, here is our list for the week.

Majestic – D
Love The Lord Your God – D

Rain Down – E
Dramatic Reading by Derek Brandner (although he doesn’t know it yet..ha)
Blessed Be Your Name – G
All I Have – G

I love you guys! Such a privilege to call you friends.  Oh and DON’T FORGET about the prayer nights starting the 26th. It’s so important for us to be a part of that.  It’s not just about doing what I say…but for REAL, it’s about being in the Lord’s presence, waiting on him, hearing from him and worshipping him.  And again, I think he has something to say.  Plus, we are a worship team and need always to be reminded that it’s about Him.

God Bless!

Natalie

A list and a miracle.

Hey Team!

Happy New Year! Hope you are all doing fantastic. Many of us started back to work and “normal” life again.  I am actually really excited about diving into what God has for us this year.  Thank you all SO much for making our Christmas Eve services special. It truly was a great Christmas. I am so lucky to work with such a great team.

Here is the list for this week.

Nothing, But The Blood
Let God Arise
—
In You Alone
Still
From The Inside Out

We are missing many of you that have either been sick, dealing with life and/or out of the country, but are really looking forward to getting you back.

One last thing.  Many of you know may know Frank Morris. He is a man that has been a part of church for years. He was diagnosed with Liver cancer (after a long battle with another form of cancer 2 years ago) this year. He is one of the most faith-filled men I have ever met. He loves to worship the Lord and you can truly see it all over his life. It’s amazing.  He was recently scheduled to start chemo a few weeks ago, but as of this morning, I am happy to announce that he is cancer FREE!  The doctors stopped the chemo treatments because it was all gone! I truly believe that nothing is impossible for God!  My challenge to all of us is  that we would make this year one that overflows with praise to Him, so that we can experience His presence and life changing power!

Happy New Year RCCC Worship Team!