What do you want?

Shirt: VICI Jeans: TOPSHOP

Last weekend, we hosted our second Sunday in the Shed. I have to say, I think it went better than the first. And, yes, I am aware that I scheduled another Sunday in the Shed at the same time as the ending of a major golf tournament. Luckily, I only got one phone call this time asking if we would be watching the end of the golf match before beginning the service (contrast this with the 20 calls I got the first time around).

I was excited that at this latest Sunday in the Shed, we would be watching the live 6:30 service from Cross Point and that it would be the start of the new series, “Life With.” 

The first question asked in this message was, “What do you want?” A simple yet so incredibly deep question… and one that Jesus asked all the time to his people. What do you want?

What do I want? Well, I want a strong, consistent relationship with God. I want a healthy, happy family. I want a successful, life impacting career. I want a million dollars and a house in Rosemary Beach. Hey, you asked me what I want – just being honest here.  

While I can sit here and give you a list of goals and material items that I want (including a pair of these Steve Madden slip-ons), it is much harder to describe the relationship I want with Jesus. It shouldn’t be, but it is. What I do know is that I want a life where Jesus walks with me every step of the way… and I want to be able to acknowledge him through the journey. 

One of the underrated blessings of Jesus is that he has the ability to speak to each of us in different ways. For some, he may speak to you through music. For others, he may speak to you through relationships or words.  As we grow and transform in our lives, so too can our relationship with Jesus.

So, what do you want? What do you want your life with God to look like?

I want every Sunday in the Shed from here on out to be as awesome as the one we just had. I want to look around at my friends and see the peace in their eyes after hearing how much they are loved. I want to grow with them in our relationships with God, each at our own pace. That’s what I want.  

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." - Proverbs 4:23

God & Golf

First lesson I learned about hosting a Sunday in the Shed:  don’t schedule it at the same time that a major golf tournament is wrapping up. If you do, you will get about a half dozen phone calls or text messages asking something like, “Are you still having Sunday in the Shed…don’t you know the Masters are on?” Or, “Are we watching the end of the Masters at this thing?”

It ended up as a blessing. We hosted a Masters watch party/Sunday in the Shed. And as it turns out, God & Golf can go hand and hand. I’ll admit, the second Jordan fell behind enough for the other guy to win, I quickly switched that TV over to the Sunday in the Shed event. We didn’t get to watch the “green jacket ceremony”.  I know that the jacket is a symbol of tradition, but don’t you think it’s time that they invested in a slim fit? I mean, that is the latest fashion trend these days.

But, enough about golf.  Let’s focus on the main attraction, which was Sunday in the Shed.

To kick off Sunday in the Shed, I stood up and said a few words about what we would be watching. I forgot half the points I had planned to cover during my mini-spiel – even after practicing several times. (I decided that I’m much better at speaking in front of 9-year-olds than my peers). 

For Sunday in the Shed, I chose to watch a message from Cross Point’s OMG series called “Unwavering Faithfulness.” It took awhile to pick the message I wanted to share with my friends. I picked this particular message because of what it meant to me. To read more about that you can click HERE.

While the event was full of fun, food, laughter, and the cutest little 9-month-old, it was what happened after the event that has made me realize the impact God can have in our lives when we all get together.

My friends were of course supportive and encouraging for the whole event. Most of them asked to be included in the next Sunday in the Shed. But I can’t tell you how many people have asked about it – even people that didn’t attend the event.   

It was so special to have a conversation with a co-worker who I would have never thought would be interested in something like Sunday in the Shed – much less my church. I felt like it opened the doors for us to have that conversation, and it even ended with a, “I might need to give that place a try.” It is amazing what can happen when God is in control. 

I am counting down the days until the next Sunday in the Shed. God is already doing big things through this process. I can’t wait to see what He has in store for the future. I have no idea how this is going to play out, but I do know that I am growing in my faith and becoming a stronger person.  For that, I am forever grateful.

Let's Have a House Party

Is it Sunday yet?! Seriously! I don’t know if I have ever been as excited for a day of the week to arrive. This Sunday, I will be hosting my first ever Sunday in the Shed: a time for bringing friends together through fellowship.

The idea of hosting this gathering of friends first came about a couple months back. So, to see it become a reality is truly amazing. 

On a TAD more faith there is a section devoted completely to Sunday in the Shed. It is a vision that I felt needed its own focus. To read the history of Sunday in the Shed and how it all came about, just click here.

As a member of Cross Point Church, I have grown accustomed to participating in the many message series that we do throughout the year. I get excited for a new series to begin. Of course, there are series that mean more to me than others. But what I love about my church is that each series, each message is available to watch over-and-over again online. Some of you are probably thinking that I’m a complete weirdo for being excited about this. However, it wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I went to a church that had this option. While I may be new to jumping on the Jesus technology train, I am here now, and I love every minute of it! 

Sunday in the Shed is a way for me to share my favorite messages with friends and family. My hope is that these messages will spark conversations that might not normally take place.

We did a series a while back called House Party. Yes, of course, Sam Hunt’s song opened the series each week. And it was quite the party as beach balls were tossed around while the song blasted through the speakers. There were even kegs of ROOT beer in the lobby. While all the special effects and musical accompaniment were memorable, one line from Pastor Pete really stood out: “Most people like a good party. This house party is a party that Jesus calls us as a church to throw.” 

So that is what I am doing. Throwing the ultimate House Party—in my backyard—for Jesus. Who knows what it could bring? Maybe it will be full of laughter. Maybe it will spark a conversation. Maybe it will encourage someone to go to church.  Or, better yet, maybe it will encourage someone to invite another person to church. The possibilities are endless.

I hope you will join me in this adventure of throwing house parties for Jesus. I can’t wait to see what He does. 

-Taylor Ann