Reflections - Captured or Experienced

I am sitting on cloud nine as I begin to right this post.  We had the honor of baptizing our 6 year old this past Sunday!!!!  And, WOW, was it ever a special moment!!  Christine Caine says that "not every moment needs to be captured, but every moment should be experienced" And I found this to be so true this weekend - there is a MAJOR difference in a moment being captured and a moment being EXPERIENCED!!! 
(but I was on the first row to capture the moment so here is a shot..[good mom I know])

And for the record, my favorite shot "captured" is the 3rd one on the top =).  It truly says it all!  But, back to a moment being captured and a moment being experienced...

We were made and created to EXPERIENCE our living Father in Heaven!  Not just capture a one time moment with Him.  And the very first time I ever experienced His tangible presence I had ABSOLUTELY no clue what it was - I was clueless, but I did know that something was different, something had shifted on the inside of me, and there was a stirring that I couldn't explain!  I was introduced to a new way of doing church (great music{super hot leader - ok so my motives weren't always the purest at the beginning and for those of you that don't know me - he is now my husband}, practical teaching, and loving people that wanted to see me reach my destiny in Him)!! I'm beyond grateful for that first experience and encounter with God! It was one that changed my life forever! 

I was headed down a selfish, unsatisfying life without Him.  It was a life that was filled with a need for approval and a desire to do things my own way.  After that intial experience at my father-in-law's church I was intrigued to find out more about what this whole "church and God" thing was all about. 

After a few weeks of attending church (and MANY MANY questions for my future in-laws) I gave my life to the Lord and was baptized on March 3rd, 2004.  This moment was a TRUE experience and a defining moment in my life!  I am beyond grateful for my salvation and the new life that I have in Him.  But, right next to that, I am beyond grateful for what He has done in my life since that moment and what He continues to do.  He is so gracious! And I am learning that I as I draw nearer to Him He draws nearer to me!  I'm excited about what He has in store and thankful that my past is FORGIVEN! 

We would love to hear your story - so link up below!  Also, my friend Kim has shared her story here and you DO NOT WANT TO MISS IT!!! She is a rockstar =) 

Next week's topic is Kim's pick again.  She writes:

"So for next Thursday you have a little bit of homework.  A couple of weeks ago was the annual conference for the Association of Related Churches (ARC), which is the organization that we plant under.  Sadly, I did not get to go (and Brittany did- yes, I was totally jealous!), but watched most of the sessions live online, which was pretty cool.  One of the messages was probably the most favorite sermon I have ever heard in my life.  It fired me up and I was practically jumping up and down in my living room with nobody to process it with.  I encourage you to take 30 minutes out of your week this week and watch it, chew on it, and tell us how it speaks to you.  It's probably a message like nothing you've ever heard, so keep an open mind and really listen to what he has to say.  I hope it messes you up (in a good way) like it did for me.  You can find the message online here... all of them are great (and worth watching) but the one for next week is by Stovall Weems:

http://www.allaccessconference.com/conference-media/"

As always, thanks for letting us share our reflections with you.

-Britt Xx