Today is the Chest of Joash.  I love this service.  It is my favorite of the year.  You’re never more like God than when you give.

For God so love the world that he gave His one and only son so that whoever believes in Him would live for eternity!  God gave HIS SON.  His precious son.  All I have to do is accept the gift.

I’m listening to Paul Baloche this morning in my quiet time.

All Praise and Honor.

Verse:
This is the day You’ve made
So I will lift my voice and give You praise
This is the day You’ve made
So I will lift my voice and give You praise
You are worthy
You are worthy
You are worthy
You are worthy

Chorus:
Lord, when You are glorified
My heart is satisfied to know
All praise and honor are Yours
And when all creation sings
To You the King of Kings we know
All praise and honor are Yours

TODAY ALL PRAISE AND HONOR ARE YOURS                                                                      YOU ARE WORTHY!

Thank you Father!

Amos 5:21-23
“I hate all your show and pretense –
the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies.
I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings.
I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings.
Away with your noisy hymns of praise!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.”

WHOA
What is said about your worship? What is said about my worship?
God takes this serious man.

I was reading –meditating on this passage today, and God has prompted me to take a look at my worship –to look at the worship of The Gathering. “Is it all about me?” –HE says.

A few years ago I was faced with the truth… To me my worship was pure, it was honest, it was authentic. I could say with all my heart that there was nothing fake about me when I stood before the church and led worship. The 25 minutes I spent with our church family was 100% real. THANK GOD He placed me in a place where the truth is more important than the image – now there’s another story to tackle, but I don’t need help chasing rabbits… My Pastor looked me square in the eyes and said, “you ARE faking it.”

What???

I was forced to really look at it. Worship is not the 25 minutes on Sunday. Worship is how my entire life responds to who God is and what He has done. Can a person be pure on the platform if they neglect spending one on one time with the LORD? Can a person be pure if they do not continually submit to the power and authority of the person of Christ? I consider myself to be transparent. Well transparency in public must be transparency in private. I don’t have anything to hide – just some things I don’t want others to know.

So, back to Amos.
It’s so good for me to look at this passage and check my response to God. How do I react to my children when I’m tired and they’re obviously not? When all they want is 5 minutes with me to SHOW them I love them, do I let MY exhaustion win (self), or do I recognize that they are my babies, God’s gift to me and give them something so simple. If I allow my “self” to win, I have dishonored God and missed an opportunity to worship him.. -not to mention hurt the most precious feelings of my babies. So, if I do not worship Him in times like this, what does my worship look like to him on a Sunday? Do we “turn it on” at the right time? Or does it always flow no matter who, no matter where.

I don’t Ever want to “be a show.”

Thank You, Father, for Your WORD and its TRUTH. May the fragrance of my worship fill Your heart.

Spent my morning checking out websites and blogs.  Man do I feel better about how far behind I am in updating my blog.  Now I do recognize that I’ve never really gotten the hang of updating weekly (or monthly), but of all the blogs I checked out only 2 were current.  LIFE HAPPENS!

That statement segues nicely to something Pastor Gene said this past week.  So many times we can allow “life to happen” and we don’t go out and live it.  We are the church – the ministers of the gospel – the greatest story ever told.  We must GO and tell it.

So I am PUMPED to take the CHURCH OUTSIDE THE BUILDING!  God has so fired up the people of The Gathering.  This new series “MIRACLES” has taken off and is so morphing into what God has in store for His people.  What started out talking about and encouraging people to recognize His MIRACLES, has sparked a fire within the hearts of our church family.  The simple purple wristband has given us a tool to share and invite people to hear the good news.

I’ve also learned that words that once had power, for some reason became “churchy” and were not used as much.  What does the word Miracle mean to you?  When you hear someone say it what comes to mind?   – a felt board with the illustration of Moses and the burning bush?  – a drawing of the man being let down through the roof of a home for Jesus to heal him?  Does the word evoke the skeptic in you?

Miracle; a surprising event that is not explainable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency… a highly improbable or extraordinary event, development, or accomplishment that brings very welcome consequences.

A baby; a wayward child coming home; an addict that has been set free; a mom healed of the dreadful disease called cancer; a check in the mail when you have no money or food for your family; hope when the bottom has fallen out; a smile when you believe that no one cares; the very breath of life….. Are all of these not miracles?  Divine intervention.  God’s hand; His love; His power…   The time of miracles has not past – it has been misrepresented.  We have such a distorted view of who God is and who we are in Him.

Jesus said in John14:12-13 (AMP)

¹²I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father.

¹³And I will do [I Myself will grant] whatever you ask in My Name [as presenting all that I AM], so that the Father may be glorified and extolled in (through) the Son.

SO –  Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15 (KJV)

Thank you Father for stopping us on a chilly October day.  Thank you for allowing us the privilege to repent.  Thank you that we can come before you,  as a body, to get on the same page and GO.

Gathering – The Church has left the building.

Our set lists over the past couple of weeks:

May 17
Cover The Earth – Lakewood
Sweeter – Lakewood
Revelation Song – Gateway
Holy, Holy, Holy – Hymn
Here I Am To Worship/Call – Hillsong
I Need Thee Every Hour – Hymn

May 24
Living In America – James Brown
Forever – Michael W. Smith
I Stand Amazed – Chris Tomlin
Cry Out Your Name – John Sherrill Band
Broken – John Sherrill Band
Jesus’ Blood – Hillsong United

It’s interesting when you open your blog to find that it’s been several weeks since the last post.  I thought it was just a few days ago, but evidently not.
Since the last entry we’ve had quite a bit go on here at The Gathering as well as the Wiley home.

May 16th, we dedicated our new facility to the Lord.  We were privileged to have the five men who helped shape our Pastor’s life.  God used these men at different times in Gene’s life to guide his path.  What an honor to have them here for this amazing event.  The building is not what we worship, not what we desire – it is simply a beautiful facility that will allow us to reach more people – serve them and love them.  We will attract many looking for something more than they currently have.  We are able to demonstrate his love through the excellence of service.  Excellence does make a difference!!!!

Dr. Tim Lee spoke Sunday morning – what an amazing story!  Thank you Dr. Lee for your story and your encouraging words.  Thank you to all men and women who fight for our freedom.

The moving process is close to the end – I think.  We unpacked the tractor-trailer and organized all the storage buildings.  I still have a couple of boxes in my office that need a home, but that will come.  I was able to commandeer the rest of the space in my area for our choir room.  We’re on our 3rd arrangement of the chairs.  This one may stick.

Let me say this about our choir…
The past few months I have had the privilege of having a wonderful lady take over the rehearsals.  She has done a wonderful job I have to say.  However, she was out this past week and I ran the rehearsal.  I LOVED IT!!!!!  I love the people God has brought to our ministry.  We sang, hashed out some parts, WORSHIPPED, and laughed.  Thank you guys for allowing me to worship with you!  I can’t wait until this Thursday!

This past weekend our good friend Jamey Ragle shared his story.  If you missed it check out our website and view the service.  The 11:30 was so powerful!  God has given him a story and is allowing him to play a role to reach people that not everyone could.  People who can identify – who can say “I’ve been there” – I know what it is to be broken.  Jamey can say, “I know what it’s like to be put back together!”
Thank you, Jamey, for sharing your heart!

Now a funny from the Wiley home:
The following conversation took place between a friend of mine and my 5 year old, Matthew.
“Why don’t you go play outside bud?”
“Because I got stung in the eye.”
“I don’t see anything though.”
“I think a fly just stung me in the eye.”
“But, flies can’t sting you bud.”
“Well, I think he just bought a stinger and stuck it on his butt and stung me.”
This is why I have to love a five year old. They tell the best stuff & they’re convinced it’s real. At this point I’m desperately    trying not to laugh.
Wait… it gets better. Later, Matthew told me that a bumblebee stung his ear. He shrunk and got a fly suit so that it looked like a fly.

Crack me up!!!!!

Sara, our 6 year old, was sound asleep in the car following a day of shopping.  Guy & I heard her unbuckle and turned around to see her standing up in the van with her hand on the door.  When we asked what she was doing she mumbled and put her thumb on the door release.  Ok – we’re driving….  We asked again, and she said that she was trying to get off.  Not sure where she was in her “dream”, but we were on Dollywood Lane going 45 mph.  It took about 20 seconds for her to sit back down.
She denies the incident today…

Kate, our 18 month old is just funny!!!  She smiles and laughs, unless you’re not doing what she wants NOW.

Once I figure out how to put pictures up, I’ll put a pic of the Wiley’s up.

I have to say I am enjoying my Saturdays!!! After over 3 yrs of Saturday night services I am loving the time with my family. It’s amazing how my inner clock still gets antsy Saturday around 10:30-11:00 am thinking it’s time to get ready, get the kids ready and to the sitter, to be at the church by 12:30pm. Needless to say, I get past it and find my way to the mall!!!! How cool is it that my children love the mall!

Anyway. I do love the time with my family, but miss the Saturday a little…

Today’s message was phenomenal!!!! It is a pleasure to sit under the anointed teaching of Pastor Gene. Every woman needs to listen to this amazing Mother’s Day Message. He gave the women of The Gathering an incredible gift. – A gift of power, worth and hope. I received it and am looking forward to the next level!

It’s so awesome too, to see how God works. The music set was planned without know the details of the message. Can I just say PERFECT!! Coupled with the Baby Dedication Ceremony the entire service was seamless. God is so good!!!!!!
This week’s set list:
• Fields of Grace – Big Daddy Weave
• He Knows My Name – Paul Baloche
• Amazed – Lincoln Brewster
• There’s Just Something About That Name – Traditional
• Midnight Oil – Phillips Craig and Dean

SET LISTS:
May 3, 2009

• Life Is A Highway – Rascal Flatts,
• You Are Good – Lakewood
• Freedom Reigns – Rita Springer
• Just As I Am – Hymn

April 26, 2009

• Walkin’ On Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves
• When We All Get To Heaven – Hymn, Crystal Lewis
• Revelation Song – Gateway Worship
• God of This City – Chris Tomlin
• Midnight Cry – Left Behind Soundtrack
• People Get Ready-Jesus Is Coming – Crystal Lewis

April 19, 2009

• No One Like You – David Crowder
• Sing To The King – Passion
• Wonderful Merciful Savior – Kari Jobe
• You Are My King

Easter-April 11 & 12, 2009

• Beautiful Day – U2
• Let God Arise – Chris Tomlin
• Worthy is the Lamb – Hillsong
• Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) – Chris Tomlin
• Grace Greater Than Our Sin – Hymn

•    Gonna take a stab at this mind dump thing:
•    Church was awesome today!!
•    Still trying to get used to the ear monitor thing – it’s a bigger learning curve than I thought.
•    So proud of my team!!
•    Nikki rocks – she can flat wail!!!
•    Speaking of wailing – Joe Jenkins – need I say more?
•    Richie brings the house down with worship – what a heart
•    Chasidy still doesn’t quite know what to do with us…
•    We have the best band.  Those guys are amazing.
•    I love to hear Chip play – it’s my favorite (something about the drums stirs my soul)
•    So much to plan tomorrow
•    Lord, allow the creativity to flow.  Need YOU!!
•    Divine moments with God – Motherhood and Wife – they get lost in work
•    Thank you, Lord for Colleen.  She keeps us going (and clean)
•    Thank you, Lord for Ernie.  He shares Colleen with us
•    Watching Kelly Rippa’s Electrolux commercial – That’s crazy – who can be that cute, stiletto heels, and “perfect”  -makes me tired watching the 15 seconds..
•    Can’t wait ‘til next weekend
•    Amber went to Dove awards – lots of ideas for us!!!
•    Can’t leave out Darla – THANK YOU FOR YOUR HOURS AND LEADERSHIP!!!
•    Kids – Kate cracks me up.  She is so big and so funny.
•    Matthew and Sara played and played  – got each other so tickled that they couldn’t stop laughing.  Before we knew it – Guy and I were cracking up.
•    My babies are awesome
•    It’s midnight
•    Maybe now that I’ve done the dump – I can sleep.

Just one short week before we move into our new facility.
Here is the info!!!

Numbers:
868-5000 (main line)
868-5030 (fax)

Address:
PO Box 5049
Sevierville, TN 37864

Easter Services:
The Power Team – TLC Event
Tues, Wed, Thurs April 7, 8, 9
7:00pm

Worship Services:
Sat. 5:00pm
Sunrise Service
Sun. 8:00am
Worship Services
Sun. 9:30 & 11:30

AWESOME!!!!

I keep wanting to write something so “great”, something that will be inspirational or reveal my soul, but quite honestly, I’m tired.  There are so many things going round and round in my head.  Work, music, family, work, my aching throat, family, what God is doing in my heart, sleep, aching throat, how I desire for God to clean up my heart, family, catching up with people on FB – should I keep going?

Crazy!!!!

A Promise:                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Psalm 138:8     The Lord will work out his plans for my life—

BRING IT ON!!!!

I had an awesome experience tonight.  While I was vacuuming our new auditorium – with our brand new backpack vacuums – they fired up the video.  This was the first time I had seen the IMAG.  (Ok, you’ve got to understand the screens are huge – and bright!)

Gene wanted to see what the IMAG looked like, so he told me to stand on the stage and sing something.  I have been waiting for that chance… I stood center stage and let it out.  I started singing  “Freedom Reigns”.  It was so awesome – standing there, in that beautiful auditorium.  God is so good!

I am so blessed to be a part of what God is doing.  What a privilege to serve in His Kingdom!

Lord, fill that hillside with the glory of Your presence and may FREEDOM REIGN!!!