Easter

This weekend has been nothing short of glorious. It all started with Secret Church on Friday night. This is something that I have never been to before, but it was awesome. We gathered at Mt. Anderson around 7 to watch a podcast (kind of) by David Platt, it did not end until about 2am, but I could not make it that long. I am hoping to go back and finish out my study guide because what I did hear was some pretty powerful stuff. This study was called the cross and suffering. As a Christian I still always get discouraged when "bad things happen to good people." After Friday night I no longer have that mentality. I wanted to share with you all a few of the things that I learned during Secret Church.

1)The cross is the key to understanding all suffering. For Christ suffered on the cross for our sins, although most of us think that means there will be no suffering in our lives, that is wrong. Suffering will come, all Christians will undergo suffering, but God is still in control.

2) Everything in all history, including suffering was planned for Good Friday. I have never really thought about this until now. Everything points to Good Friday. Everything before the cross points forward to it, and everything since then points back to it. The cross means everything to us a Christians because for us Jesus paid our debt so that we may have life more abundantly.

3) I would encourage all of you to read Genesis 1-11, this chapters assure us that there is hope. These chapters have changed my life over the course of the past 2 days...it is some good stuff!

4) Things to remember...We have a King who is guiding us. God is constantly working in our lives. He orchestrates every detail using a variety of circumstances.

5) His perfections never change.

6) We need to embrace the curse and run to the cross.

7) God will show himself faithful to us. I know we hear this a lot, but I have taken the past few days to really mediate on this. For me, this is saying why worry because you know that God is faithful? God has a plan in his time, in his way, and regardless of what that is it will be good, because He is good and he is faithful always.

8) God uses suffering to teach us to rely on Him. When bad things happen we always have questions and these are the times where some of us rely on God the most and then others turn away from God during this trials. God wants us to trust him completely, and for some of us this may mean going through some tough times to teach us to fully rely on him.

God is teaching me some great stuff right now, I am learning, and growing. I feel like I am in a new place-a great place. And all I want to do is shout from the rooftops about how great God is..which leads me to the next point. Easter Sunday-what an amazing service we had a Mt. Anderson. Growing up in a Baptist church I have never really been the first to raise my hand or to clap. When I went off to college and started attending Cornerstone Summit this was a norm for them. It soon became a norm for me because the Holy Spirit began to speak to me, and I wanted to raise my hands, dance, etc. Anyway, long story short I felt the Holy Spirit begin a work in my life this morning like never before. Just thinking about what Jesus did for me, and how he arose from the grave on this glorious morning is enough to make anyone shout with joy. We were singing a song this morning, "The Power of the Cross." One other person was standing up and I stood up too and lifted my hands to the one who paid my debt. Now, normally this would never happen. I would just sit there and close my eyes and sing. This morning I gave up on caring what others thought, and just thought about my Savior (that's all that matters). It was the best feeling. During the next song almost the whole room was standing, and tears were flowing from my eyes. It was a POWERFUL time, and my heart was so full I was overwhelmed. I know that this is one Easter that I will never forget. "I will rise when he calls my name, no more sorrow, no more pain. I will rise on eagle's wings, before my God fall on my knees."

Happy Easter!!

Wedding Season

Well wedding season is in full swing! I figured I should update you on how the first two went. The first wedding of the season was Drew and Kayse's. Let's just say that it was so so sweet. You could just how excited they both were, Kayse could hardly contain her excitement, and I think that is exactly how a wedding should be! I also know that when you attend weddings you can often tell if Christ is their center of their relationship. I have known Drew for a long time and know this Christ is the center of his life. But even if you didn't know this about them, you saw it during the ceremony. Their love for one another has steamed from the one who loved us so much that he died for us. And for me, that makes a wedding so much sweeter! Some of my friends that I went to church with in Boone were at the wedding and it was so good to see them! I miss them, and often miss Cornerstone Summit! Drew and Kayse were off to Jamaica and I am so excited for them to start their lives to together!

Next wedding, Cole and Lindsey. Their wedding was yesterday and it was GORGEOUS!! Lindsey's dress could have not been more perfect for her...she was stunning! Cole was handsome as always. I thought this wedding would be a real tear jerker for me because Cole and I were really close for a long time, but I didn't shed a tear! I think I was just overcome with too much happiness in my heart for them. Their wedding was precious and the reception was beautiful. THIS WEDDING WAS PERFECT FOR THE TWO OF THEM!! I haven't seen Cole or Lindsey in a long time before the wedding, but it's nice to know that some things never change. Cole Sain has always always called me "Winter Paige Graham." every time he sees me. And yesterday was no different. I walked up to him, and the first thing he said was. "Hey, Winter Paige Graham." I know that most of you probably think that is stupid for me to make a big deal about that, but it was nice that although I haven't seen him awhile, our friendship is still there, and the special things we say to one another will ALWAYS be there. I am thankful that although we grow up, people get married, have babies, etc some things will never change! Like I mentioned before Lindsey looked stunning and oh so happy! Two BBQ King friends falling in love and now getting married makes my heart smile! I would have never thought that a few years ago when we all went to Charleston together that I would be attending their wedding, but I did and they are MARRIED!!  Shout out to Matt for going with me...thank you.

CONGRATULATIONS...
MR. and MRS. DREW GOODSON & MR. and MRS. COLE SAIN!!
I love you all and so glad that I got to be a part of your special day because you each hold a special part in my heart. I pray that the Lord blesses your marriage in ways you never thought possible! XOXO