OK., so here's how I was so blown away with the worship service Sunday. If you read my blog,you saw I had written that blog entry about my dear friend, Jean. (if you didn't read it, go down and read it). I was doing the ole "WHY" thing as I blogged. I was burdened thinking about Jean's life, her quality of life and just the sadness that she has to live the rest of her days in her condition. Well, JUST TAKE A GUESS what the sermon was on.....! Andy started off by talking about one of his dear friends from church who has cancer. And he even posted on the big screen a text she had sent him earlier in the week. It was about how she had been going thro treatments for something like, 17 years or something, and that another friend now had cancer and she was cheering her own and wishing she could take her friends cancer on b/c she was now "an expert at it".Never complaining and seeing her cancer as just part of her life and dealing with it. Then, he went on to say in the sermon (I just wish I could WRITE it the way he SAID it) that God doesn't give person cancer or illness or anything because of any sin in their life previous or their parents life. Or because of anything they had done or haven't done. And that if people believed that , well, they are flat out WRONG! He went on to tell the story of the blind man, in the book of John, and how Jesus healed him (remember, he was the one that Jesus put the mud and spit in it and put on the man's eyes?) and the blind man wasn't a follower of Jesus or even knew who he was! That he was just someone that needed His touch. His healing. And went on with the whole story (but I won't tell it, you can watch it on the website, you HAVE to go and watch it!I LOVE the way Andy Stanley explains things! In such an amazing/whimsical/deep way!) And went on to talk about how Jesus healed sooooo many people. SOOOOO many!MULTITUDES of them! I loved this one description he gave. He said that Jesus could've waved His hands over multitudes of people and healed them all in one big swoop but that instead, HE HEALED THEM ONE PERSON AT A TIME. That He cares about each person. That even in our illness He can be alongside us, helping us/healing us/or just getting us through it and use it for His kingdom. It just slapped me between the eyes b/c I truly had felt this sadness/this burden for Jean. OMG, within moments of the sermon starting I knew the whole thing was for me. LOL!!! Kidding, but you know how sometimes you think, YEAH, that one was for ME. Nobody else! HAHA!!!! But it did make me realize that since Jean is a believer and loves Jesus that she and this God she worships is with her every moment of her day. Probably she knows Him much better than I b/c she is probably in constant communication with Him! And that He has not abandoned her in any way, but that He is beside her, despite all her long and weary moments of her debilitating illness.
I truly had chills on Sunday night! Many of you have heard me say that when I hear a really good sermon and I know the waterworks are starting, I pinch the HECK out of the inside of my arm! It takes my mind off my tears ! HAHA!!! WELL, I have BRUISES on the inside of my left arm , I pinched so hard on Sunday!!!! I was so moved and so amazed that God had truly heard the sadness of my heart and was giving me the ANSWERS I was asking myself about the "WHY'S" of life. I certainly don't have ALL the answers while living on this earth, but surely, I was given a big piece to a puzzle that was concerning to me. I was just overwhelmed. Truly. Yes, GOD ANSWERS!
So, needless to say, I had an incredible visit to Atlanta that started right away at Watermarke. I would encourage you to go to their website and listen to Andy's sermons. Even if you attend a church, you know it doesn't hurt to hear some other sermons too! LOL!!!! I'm not one who pushes things, but I am going to step out and say to PLEASE go to the website below and just listen to his series Andy Stanley is giving right now. You will be amazed. And touched. And I guarantee you that you will hear something you never heard before. I know I did!
I believe any of these websites will lead you to hear his sermons and/or worship services.
www.northpointonline.tv
www.watermarkechurch.com
www.andystanley.com