Welcome To Our Blog!!!

Welcome To Our Blog!!!

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Stepping out On Faith


In a little over a week I will be embarking upon my first mission's trip with my sister. When God told me to first go I only had a few dollars in my pocket. But funds have slowly and miraculously come along the way for each expense. Here I am a couple hundred dollars later actually about to go to a country I had no money to go to.I am awaiting God's final miracle in providing the ending balance and I know he will,because he provided the beginning balance. It's amazing how when we trust in God we go beyond ourselves. We use talents that we forgot we had and we dream dreams that we'd stopped dreaming. For years I longed in my heart to travel aboard  and  over time  to share the gospel. Today God has given me the desires of my heart and more so with a purpose. He connected my longing to travel and see the world with a longing to save souls,give to others and minster to all in need. So my advice is to trust God with your needs,desires,dreams and life. He will fulfill your life in ways you never imagined and met your needs above and beyond. Just trust God he never fails.


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Saturday, November 7, 2015

Back to Africa

Back to Africa




I'm very excited to say that I have another opportunity to go back to Togo, West Africa to visit with the missionary family there!! I praise God that in just three weeks I will be returning there. This time my sister is coming with me. I will definitely share my reflections of Africa with you'll again. I have purchased most of the things that I will need for the trip and I am ready to go! I ask that you'll would pray that God would use everyone who is going on the trip by His Holy Spirit and that we would have safe travels that are free of delays, and finally that the people of Africa are blessed, strengthened and encouraged to continue in their work for the Lord with joy.

Here is a video of my last mission trip to Africa. Hope you'll enjoy it!








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Keep Me as the Apple of His Eye

Apple of His Eye


She pushed her grocery cart around, but stopped when she saw a cute baby that attracted her attention. She stopped and smiled at the dark haired baby. The baby only stared as she walked away. Then while she was in Whole Foods, she heard the cry of a baby. She turned to look at the baby that was in a rolling car. When she looked at the baby and smiled, he stopped crying and looked up at her attentively, his eyes glossy. As she walked away, she could hear his crying resume. She walked into Trader Joes, and was surveying the bagged vegetables when she looked down at a short young girl who had her jet black hair braided in a french braid. She smiled at her as her dad told her to stay quiet. She marveled at the baby who still managed to mutter baby language.


He hath made us accepted in the beloved. Ephesians 1:6

After my grocery shopping trip, I marveled at how many cute babies I saw in one shopping trip and the next morning during prayer God spoke to me and said I delight in you in the same way that you delight in babies as I watch from above. I was so thrilled when I was reminded that God viewed me in such a way. God takes great pleasure in His children. It pleases His heart to see us in the most ordinary of situations and just enjoy watching over us. None of the babies were doing anything extraordinary they were just being what God made them to be. As christians, sometimes we feel like we are not pleasing to God, but we are the apple of God's eye, we are at the center of His attention. He loves us greatly and He takes great pleasure in His children.

Keep me as the apple of the eye. Psalm 17:8 


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Teacher Diaries Week 3

Teacher Diaries
Week 3



This week was amazing. It really doesn't feel like we've only had two weeks of school so far. I've already received hugs and a drawing/letter from my students. I feel at home in my classroom and I've gotten to know the students much better from the assignments that they have completed so far. Looking forward to seeing them again on Tuesday!

She typed the final sentence on her UBD lesson plan. She was progressing and her list was dwindling. She smiled as she saved it to her flashdrive.

She stood at the bookshelf looking at her students sitting at the tables as the librarian spoke. She thanked God that He had placed every single one of them in her care.

She walked into the Marble museum, looking at her colorful surroundings. She was glad that she had agreed to come to the Teacher event. This was the start of an amazing school year.

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Friday, November 6, 2015

Christian Christmas Classcial Loves (Top 5)

Christian Christmas Classical Loves Top 5


Handel's: Messiah is a wonderful classical concerto that spans the live,death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is one of the most beloved classical of all time. It was composed in just 24 days which was a record. It is said that when Handel finished it he sat weeping on his knees touched by the power of God.As a christian & classical lover this is truly one of my favorites.



Annie Moses Band: The Christmas Baby is a wonderful song about the people awaiting the Messiah. With a classical and gentle flare it is truly a delight.

 Annie Moses Band:What Child is This is a wonderful classical edition of a wonderful Christian carol.



Phil Driscoll: O Come O come Emmanuel this song is a wonderful jazzy classcial piece.

Buy on Amazon:From the Album Silent NIght - The Phil Driscoll Christmas Collection 

O Come, O Come Emmanuel <a href="http://www.amazon.com/O-Come-Emmanuel/dp/artist-redirect/B00656QSWC/ref=dmusic_byline">Phil Driscoll</a><span class="byLinePipe"> | </span><span class="byLinePipe">Format:</span> MP3 Music


Tim Janis: O Little Town of  Bethlehem a wonderful epic classical spin on this dear Christmas Carol.












Friday, September 25, 2015

What if We Treated Our Salvation Day Like Our Birthday?

After giving a birthday greeting to an acquaintance, I had a thought  what if we celebrated the day we got saved like our birthday? What if the merit was just as great and the esteem just as high? Our birthday is a special day that is recognized throughout all the world in different cultures and traditions. Our birthday stands out as a part of us written and marked in the scrolls of time. Our birthday represents our first moment and day of life on earth. Our salvation is just as important, but because it is represented as an inward change that eventually displays as outward it's often not as celebrated. It is often not as celebrated and recognized because it's eternal. However, as we come to know God we realize eternal correlates with mortal. Without eternal we could not be the mortal humans that we are today.I believe if the day of our salvation beat relentlessly in our breast, and was remembered like  our birthday, we would never forget God. We would never return to the old habits that he saved us from. We would never go backwards,but we would always progress. Our destiny's would be accomplished and man and woman would live to their fullest potential. Everyone as a Christian has potential that can rocket through the sky , to the moon higher and higher and explode so mighty that many can see. We can all leave this world with an impact that figuratively speaking rocks the every foundation of this earth! However, that only happens by pressing on in Christ, I urge you to press on but, never forget where God brought you from, for that is the very force that God will use to promote you to where you wants you to be!!!!

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Rivers and Robots Interview

Speaking of music recently, I had the honor to do an interview with  an amazing and dynamic Christian Indie/worship band called Rivers and Robots.For all those Christian Indie or Worship or just music lovers this interview is for you! Sit back and get ready to be empowered, inspired and moved.
( CP=Me (A Christian Sister Perspective) J=Jonathan Lead Singer, of Rivers and Robots)

I always like to begin with how an artist came to have faith, before reflecting on the aspects of their faith through their music.

CP: How did you come to know the Lord( salvation story) and how did this tie in with your love for music?

J: I grew up in church (my dad is a pastor) and spent a lot of time in church meetings, listening to worship music. I come from a very musical family and learnt piano, guitar and a couple of other instruments when I was growing up. I ended up playing bass in the church worship team, and later drums. We're a small church, and so I just filled in wherever there was a gap. Doing that gave me a really good understanding of how each of the instruments work within a band though!

It wasn't until the age of 15 that I really started to take my relationship with God seriously. Until then I just believed in God, and that I was going to heaven, and that was mostly it. But at age 15 was when I finally realised that there was so much more to God than I had realized, and I started to develop a real relationship. Around the same time I started to ask God where he wanted me. I had read that we were all different parts of one body and I wanted to know what my part was!

A week or so later I was in a worship time, and felt so much love for God I thought I was going to explode, and I was trying to figure out what else I could do to just express worship and what I was feeling, and in that moment I felt God say "this is why I made you", and I knew from that point that worship was what I was meant to be doing. I spent a year just worshiping at home before I was brave enough to get up in front of anyone and sing but eventually I started to lead worship at church.

CP: How did you form a band?

 J: Out of those time worshiping at home though, these songs would come out and I'd start recording them and saving them on my computer. A year or so later, God told me that this was what he was calling me to as well, not just leading worship in church, but writing songs that are all about who He is, and that help others to worship in a different and creative way. The kind of songs I was writing didn't always fit in church, so I would record them and put them out online.


Eventually I started to put albums together and when I was 18 I released the first Rivers & Robots album "The Great Light". It was pretty rough, and all recorded and mixed at home in my bedroom. I was still figuring out how to do this creative worship thing, and by the time I did my second album I had a lot better idea of what I was meant to be doing. You can still hear the beginnings of it in my first album, but there was some definite moments that I would go back and change if I did it again.

The second album, Take Everything, was still recorded in my bedroom, but this time I had a lot clearer vision of what these songs were meant to be, and I made it much more God-centered and worshipful. That album started to do pretty well online, and by the time I finished it in 2012, I met these 3 guys that became great friends, and were also great musicians. I took a weekend out to pray about it all and the more I prayed the more excited I got, so I sent out an email and all 3 came back and said yes! We spent a year learning how to play the songs from Take Everything live, and then worked on some new songs together. It was my first time working with other musicians, my first time recording somewhere that wasn't my bedroom, and my first time letting other people to come in and help with the mixing and mastering. But it's a much better sounding album for it! We released All Things New in 2014 as a free download, which did really well and spread by word of mouth. So that's how it all started!

CP:Very inspiring to see how everything started out!Entering into the Christian music scene is huge. Some Christian artists have been pressured to compromise, as the Bible says how the mighty have fallen. Keep My Fire Burning lyrics are deep and real. As new  music opportunities arise what is your anchor to keep you rooted and grounded in God and the purpose behind your music?
  
J:  There's certainly pressure in the christian music industry to conform to a certain style or sound, and we've had lots of great opportunities come along that just weren't the right fit for us. The thing that keeps us rooted is prayer, and coming back to the things God has spoken. God gave us a few clear prophetic words at the start of the band and a few big verses that have meant a lot to us, we often come back to these things in big decision moments to see if it lines up. But with every opportunity we take on we're learning to pray about it, no matter how big or small it is. We're aware that God is leading us as a band, and we don't want to try and take over at any point and start making everything happen by ourselves. We're learning that not every opportunity that comes along is necessarily from God, and sometimes, particularly the more people hear about you, you start getting invites to all sorts of things that aren't where God wants you. So we simply ask God about each opportunity that comes our way, and wait for a confirmation that we should or shouldn't do it.

The other major thing that keeps us rooted is our one-on-one times of worshiping and praying at home. We talk a lot about living a lifestyle of worship, and really the times that we get on a stage and sing our songs are just an overflow of what we do at home. Our friend James runs a ministry called Prayer Storm, and he often says that it's one of the most tragic things to have a growing ministry but a shrinking heart towards God. As our ministry grows it's important that our relationship and intimacy with God is growing at the same time.

CP: What are your aspirations for your music is this something that you guys currently do full-time?
 We're working towards going full time as a band. Two of us are already full time, and one of us is part time, but we're in the process of setting up our own non-profit organization to help us do more with the band, as well as helping other artists to do creative worship and give them a platform to share what they do.

CPI love that your songs are surrounded by scriptures and that you've given away music for free. The new album is full of great songs.Could you tell me the story behind Light Will Dawn and In the Family?

In The Family is one of the few songs I wrote that started with a lyric. I tend to start with music first and lyrics come later, but for song God was speaking to me about being in the family of God and the relationship that we have to Him. I knew that I wanted to write a song with the line "I'm in the family now" in it, and I sat at my piano and the song just came together. Verse 2 took a while to write, and we actually went to recording with it unfinished. In the middle of doing the vocal recordings I ended up sitting down with my notepad and writing something out just before we recorded it.

Light Will Dawn is one of the few songs that was a co-write. I tend to write most of the songs myself, I just never learnt how to do it with other people well. But our bass player Nathan sent me an idea for a song, and it fit really well with something I was already writing. So I ended up writing the verses, and the tag near the end of "You are really coming back", and I used Nathan's song for the chorus and the last tag. It just seemed to fit together well. A lot of our songs are written about the second coming, and this one is no different! It's a song about Jesus coming back and the hope of the light that he will bring in the midst of darkness.

CP: Another artist that I love to worship to is Misty Edwards she brings you into the presence of God and worship.What are some fellow worship artists that inspire you and artists that maybe you'd like to work with or had the pleasure to work with?

 J:We love Misty Edwards as well! I went to IHOP in Kansas City a few times for their one thing conference, and there's so many great worship leaders and artists there. We're also friends with United Pursuit who are writing great songs at the moment, and we're slowly getting to know a lot of other creative worship bands around the UK and beyond. Part of the reason we set up our Set Sail website is to share some of these artists that we like. We also put together a Spotify playlist of indie worship bands that we're regularly updating.


CP: Besides being incredibly talented musicians, what are some other hobbies/things that you guys enjoy doing in your spare time?

J:When we're not doing the band stuff we love going to gigs (Manchester is great for that!), watching movies, eating chicken and doing some of our other creative hobbies. I'm a graphic designer too, and our guitarist Dave is a video editor. We all have our little side projects and things we enjoy as well as playing music.


CP: Lastly, I  saw you guys mention tea and cakes.  I'm from the U.S and have quite a sweet tooth,I have seen in times pasts the custom of  tea times, is there still such a tradition? What are you guys favorite tea and cakes? 

J.:Tea is still a big deal in the UK, we maybe don't have the traditional 'tea time' quite so much, but it's rare that I go more than a few hours without having a cup of tea. Every now and then we go traveling somewhere where they don't do tea, and it's just not right. People shouldn't have to live like that.

Well that's the interview! It's refreshing to hear from musicians who are just as passionate about their personal walk with God as their music.Our relationship with God is more important than anything in this world.Thank Rivers and Robots  for doing the interview and may the Lord bless you.

To get their recent cd or for more information check them out here:http://riversandrobots.com

Photo Credits: http://riversrobots.bandcamp.com



Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Why I Will Not Watch the VMAS


Call me boring,old fashioned,judgmental or religious, but I was a bit disappointed when a Christian publisher posted a article concerning the ‪#‎VMAS‬ (secular music awards a.k.a a freak show)and actually encouraged Christians a little to watch it.

Secular music is one of those quiet topics that creep in the background of Christianity. I was blessed enough to be raised in a home where I was taught the difference between Christian and Secular Music. The one you listen to as a Christian the other was  music that sinner's listened to. Now this is not to judge, maybe you were never taught this,but as we grow in Christ we must become more Godly. The VMAS is a flat out freak show and something that was surely cooked up by the devil. The news pictures  and even some Christian publisher's broadcast this show proudly. A Christian organization broadcasting news actually encouraged viewers to watch the VMAS! A show that a 30 year old guy said made him uncomfortable and blush.

A program that is an affront to God. No, I haven't watched the #VMAS before, but I don't have to,to see what it's all about. The article from the "Christian" publisher title mentioned hope,the only hope in the secular music world is a spiritual awakening ,that their lost and they need to be saved. The only hope is to leave the secular industry and pick up their cross and follow God not fame.Having said all this,I wonder how we as Christians can comfortably sit back and enjoy the very thing that displeases and dishonors God? God calls us to come out from among wickness and be separate.I conclude with the words of the great psamlist, I will set NO wicked thing before my eyes.‪#‎StandforTruth‬ ‪#‎SetApart‬ ‪#‎Godlylife‬

 Images by:Google

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Saturday, August 29, 2015

Teacher Diaries: The Case of the Uncompleted To Do List

Teacher Diaries: The Case of the Uncompleted To Do List



As I come to the end of my first week back of teaching after a one year break, I am amazed, tired, exhilarated, and hopeful about the upcoming year! So far I am amazed by the budding relationships that have already developed between myself and the students, the student's strong interest in learning, the camaraderie among the teachers, and the welcoming staff. I have met some very interesting, engaging, people who seem to have a genuine zest for life. I have met real people who have the wow factor. The people in this small town are also so friendly and inviting. I'm really excited about the future and excited to share just a little of what I experience with you'll.

August 25, 2015

She looked at her class.
"Raise your hand if you would like to share your answer for number one with the class," she said, raising her hand. 
She was amazed when she saw about fifteen eager hands go up in the air. She was shocked by their excitement and eagerness to participate. This was going to be an amazing year she thought.


August 27,2015

A mounting list threatened to swallow her under. She looked over her long To Do list, wondering if it would all dwindle away soon.She looked it over to find she had about fifteen more things to complete. She walked swiftly to the media center and dropped off a stack of papers and decorations to be laminated. Then she went to the office to pick up a pack of paper for the copier machine that had run out of paper. Next she went to the copier machine and started making copies. She walked quickly to her room, unlocked the door, and completed her PDP plan, as Tim Janis played softly in the background. Then she zoomed back to the copy machine to check on her copies and found out she had made fifty or so copies of work packets for the sub folder that had the answers marked already. 

At the end of the day, she realized that the list was just a list and that she would finish it all in time. Stressing and trying to finish it all in a week was not the answer. She had finished half of the things on her list, but the other half would be complete in time. She relaxed. It was okay to have an uncompleted list, as long as she was working towards completing it, one day at a time. And it would all be completed by God's grace. 

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Phillipians 4:13



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Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Being A Lady

Thoughts on being a lady and rights,I think Catherine Marshall said it best .....

“I’d never thought much about being a girl until two years ago, when I learned from a man what a wonderful thing it is to be a woman. Until that Sunday morning, I considered myself lucky to be living in the 19th century. The century of progress and emancipation. The century when, supposedly, we women came into our own. But I’d forgotten that the emancipation of women really began with Christianity. When a girl, a very young girl, received the greatest honor in history. She was chosen to be the mother of the Savior of the world. And when her son grew up and began to teach His way of life, He ushered woman into a new place in human relations. He accorded her a dignity she’d never known before, and crowned her with such glory, that down through the ages, she was revered, protected and loved. Men wanted to think of her as different from themselves. Better… made of finer, more delicate clay.

“It remained for the 20th century, the century of progress, to pull her down from her throne. She wanted equality. For 1900 years, she had not been equal. She had been superior. To stand equal with men, naturally she had to step down. Now, being equal with men, she has won all their “rights and privileges.” The right to get drunk. The right to swear. The right to smoke. The right to work like a man. To think like a man. To act like a man. We’ve won all this, but how can we feel so triumphant, when men no longer feel as romantic about us, as they did about our grandmothers? When we’ve lost something sweet and mysterious? Something as, as hard to describe as the haunting wistful fragrance of violets?

“Of course, these aren’t my original thoughts. They’re the thoughts I heard that Sunday morning. But from them, some thought of my own were born. And the conclusion reached, that somewhere along the line, we women got off the track.
“Poets have become immortal by remembering on paper a girl’s smile. But I’ve never read a poem rhapsodizing over a girl’s giggles at a smutty joke. Or I’ve never heard a man brag that his sweetheart or his wife could drink just as much as he, and become just as intoxicated. I’ve never heard a man say that a girl’s mouth was prettier with a cigarette hanging out of it, or that her hair smelled divinely of stale tobacco.
I’m afraid that’s all I have to say."

This was her first speech and yet she said it all.Did anyone else receive  the Happy Women's Equality Day Banner when they signed in?On Aug 26, 1920, women achieved the right to vote in the US.Yes, this is truly a good thing,but what about all the other rights that are in progression now? As a lady in this age should I be proud that baring my body will give me fame instead of shame? Should I be proud that I can abort my child if I don't want it? Should I be proud that some men see women as sexual objects instead of women full of grace,purity and class? Should I be proud that employers expect  me to work just like a man ?I think not. Please don't get me wrong,I am very proud of the rights that I have with value and merit,but not the sinful rights offered to women  today.However, first and foremost I want to be the Godly woman that God wants me to be.Women God loves you and wants the best for you,you're so much more than value yourself to be!God Bless!

Sunday, August 23, 2015

A Retro and Real Sunday

Sunday Confessions



Tonight, I wanted to talk about the impact of the word of God received today. Firstly I want to say that God is real and his word is like a good meal it leaves you full and satisfied. Sundays are of day of honor,worship,learning,growth and a time to be retrospective.
This Sunday:

1)Firstly, I learned that being in God's will is more important than anything.
2)That God can use anyone and anyone change and they'll humble themselves before God
and ask for his help.
3)That we can be a victim of our past or a conquerer of our future. I choose to be a conquerer!
4) Correction is to help us not to hurt us.
5)God didn't save us so we could sit back and relax until he comes back,but so that we can help save others.
6)Last but not least God has a future and a plan for you, all you have to do is accept it.

Hope you're blessed by some of my Sunday thoughts and wisdom. May you have a wonderful Monday and remember always put God first,church and God's word is awesome!


Written and Photo By Yours Truly!

Saturday, August 22, 2015

Teacher Diaries

Week 1



August 17, 2015
As she drove down the road, the tune of Newsboys in the background, excitement bubbled within her. After a year of yearning to be in the classroom, she couldn't believe that she would soon be signing papers that would officially give her the chance to teach again and be a part of children's lives.

4 Days Earlier
She loved the small town feel of the town, as she drove towards the school. She made a left turn and pulled up alongside the sidewalk, and put the SUV in park. As she walked to the main entrance, she looked up at the stately, three story, brick building. When she entered the main office, a pungent smell seeped into her nostrils. 
"Hi, are you the new 6th grade teacher?" The secretary queried.
"Yes," she said.
"Nice to meet you. I'll go back and tell the principal that you're here," she said, walking towards the Principal's office.
As she waited, she took a seat, looking at the burgundy carpeted floors and wooden desk.
"You can go on back," the secretary said.
As she walked towards the principal's office, she looked straight on.
***
She tapped her pen on the desk as the lady provided her with the proper forms to sign. She signed the forms, a smile on her lips.
"Congratulations," the lady said, handing her a copy of her clearance form.
She smiled, praising God as she walked back her SUV. Her heart's desire was finally a beautiful fulfillment.

August 18, 2015
She felt the piercing feeling of fear at her core as she laid in her bed. This change was starting to feel overwhelming. With such a new start, at a new school, and new location she started to feel like she couldn't move forward. During her devotion time she felt led to read Joshua 1:9. As she read the words, she allowed them to sink in. "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." She felt the icy feeling of fear dissolve, as courage began to swell up in her heart and mind. She could move forward in this because God was with her. He had confirmed that He had brought her to this very place.

August 19, 2015
During open house, she met many wonderful students.
"Hi!" she exclaimed when a student walked in, her family behind her. "Welcome. My name is Ms. Williams. What is your name?" she asked, shaking her hand.
"-------."
"Nice to meet you," Ms Williams said as the young lady stood, still shaking Ms. Williams' hand, a smile on her face.
"This is actually who will be in your class," her mom said, stepping up and introducing her younger daughter.

After meeting her and all of her students, she was so excited to see the students again on Monday. She felt like open house was a prelude to the first day of school. This year was going to be a good year, she thought.

August 20, 2015
Caught in the bustle of preparing for the first day of class, she stopped and took a deep breathe at her desk. Then she let it out. She was surprised at how a simple breath allowed her to release stress and continue with preparing. Excitement bubbled up inside of her at the thought of meeting her students.

August 21, 2015
She tapped her foot as the cool air blew softly on her skin from the rattling air conditioner. She rubbed her arms, the chill bumps lumpy under her fingers.
She looked at the facilitator at the front of the room as she explained how to set up a canva account. The computer lab had a welcoming feel. She was excited to be on her way to preparing for the first day of class for her students. She would complete everything in time, by God's precious grace.

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Tuesday, August 11, 2015

My Top 5 Christian Movies from the 80s and 90s

My Top 5 Christian Movies from the 80s and 90s

If you're like me and you enjoy christian films from the 80s and 90s, these films will bring hope and joy to your heart. So I compiled a list of christian movies from the early 80s and 90s that will encourage you in your christian walk and inspire you to grow as well.

Geronimo
This is an amazing film about a guy who lost his sister and stops attending church and serving the Lord. When he is encouraged to be a camp counselor, he meets at risk kids who ultimately change his outlook and his life. This movie will definitely inspire you to walk in your calling and be all that you can be for the Lord.




Second Glance
Second Glance is about a young christian man who becomes discouraged because he starts to feel like his classmates who are sinners are having all of the fun and that he is not having an impact for the cause of Christ. So he wishes that he had never become a believer. His prayer is granted, and he learns just how much of an impact he is truly having on the people around him on a daily basis. This film really encourages you to not become weary in well doing because in due time you shall reap if you faint not (Gal. 6:9). And that your labor is NOT in vain. (1 Cor. 15:58) This is definitely a must see!



Pamela's Prayer
Pamela's Prayer is based on a true story, about a young lady who determines in her heart that she is going to remain pure until marriage, but at one point she is tested while she is in high school. This movie really encourages you to remain pure while you're waiting for the spouse that God has for you.




Gold Through the Fire
This is a wonderful movie about a young teenager who escapes from Russia because of religious persecution, but he finds that when he arrives in America he is still rejected in a different way for his faith. He gets discouraged and allows distractions to pull him away from his devotion to God, but he abandons the American Dream in favor of serving the Lord wholeheartedly, no matter what the costs. This movie is very heart touching and relatable and reminds us that we will be persecuted for the cause of Christ, and suffer trials and tribulations and we can start to feel like we are being condemned and that we are alone, but we have victory in Jesus, and trials help us to become more and more like Christ.



Never Ashamed
Never Ashamed is a heartwarming film about a reckless teenager who finds God at summer camp, but when he returns home he struggles with how he should deal with old friends and is afraid to share his faith at school. He looks for christian fellowship, but only finds worldly christians who pull him away from Christ instead of closer to Him. Eventually he learns to share his faith and fellowship with true christians who seek to meet the needs of others and not themselves. This movie really addresses issues that still exist in the church today and encourages Christians to share their faith unashamedly.



You can find all of these great movies on www.pureflix.com

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Thursday, August 6, 2015

Shopping Carts: An Analogy (The Case of the Wayward Shopping Cart)

Shopping Carts: An Analogy
The Case of the Wayward Shopping Cart




After she walked into the entrance of Walmart, she discarded the first shopping cart that she picked in favor of another one. As she pulled it out and started pushing it inside the entrance of Walmart, past the fruits and vegetables section, she found that it was a wayward shopping cart. Oh no! She thought. How am I going to push this thing around? The thought raced through her mind, Why don't you get another one? But she was too far gone and didn't see the point in turning back now. As she pushed it past the frozen food aisle, it began to swerve to the left, then the right, at its own accord. She struggled to push it in the right direction. As she pushed it down the clearance aisle in search of deals, it swerved to the right and crashed in the aisle, causing five or six mugs to crash onto the floor. She stooped down to pick up the mugs. By the end of her shopping adventure, although she was tired and gladly pushed the cart into it's proper place, she was thrilled to that she had chosen that wayward cart, as it had taught her some very valuable lessons by the end of the ride.

Have you ever chosen a shopping cart while shopping, only to find that it is wayward? Happens to me all the time, but this time God opened my eyes to a important truth. Wayward is defined as, "difficult to control or predict because of unusual or perverse behavior." In our walk as christians, God wants us to relinquish our will to Him. He wants to lead us in our everyday walk. When we pull our own way it can only end in disaster. Romans 8:14 says, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." So everyday we should strive to be obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. But if we become proud and start to go our own way, we will fall into the trouble for Proverbs 16:18 says, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." In the narrative above, when my basket went crashing into the aisle it was because although I was steering it in the right direction (which the Holy Spirit does) it chose to move in it's own direction which caused it to wreak havoc. We can wreak havoc in our lives when we ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit. So with each new day we should strive to obey the Spirit because we have a wonderful Father who only wants the best for us and leads us into green pastures (Psalm 23:2) but if we disobey we can't reap the benefits and have the overwhelming joy that He wants to bless us with.

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Monday, August 3, 2015

The Man of My Dreams

Diaries of a Single Girl #2


Many girls think they need a man to complete them and make them feel special. They think they need the love of a man to increase their value in worth. The truth is their right we do need a man. I don't have much experience with dating and men but I do have a lot of experience with the man were all looking for. The truth is the man of our dreams is not always the one we spend our time searching for. Oftentimes, he's right under our nose and we miss him over and over again. We go searching throughout the ends of the earth from Paris to Russia to the U.S. We suffer a dozen heartbreaks and go in a million different directions.

In the end we find ourselves lost, broken, hurt and bitter. Is this how love is supposed to feel? Is this the journey weren't supposed to take to find love? Absolutely not, oftentimes women miss the love of a man, because their compass is off. What is the right direction to seek for the man that will give us everything we need? Well the answer is in knowing who that man is because then everything will become clear. The identity of the man we seek is Jesus Christ. Yes,  deep down  we are all seeking after God first. We may desire a man as well,but our overall, overwhelming desire first is a desire for God.

He is the path and road that leads to the fulfillment of all our needs including our future spouse. A lot of people mix up their male priorities. They say I'll find the guy first then God, but this is not efficient. Our relationship with a guy can't even be whole without God being at the head. Our need and desires for affirmation, value, confidence and love is found in God.

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17

God holds the key to your worth and happiness. Put him first and everything you desire and long for will be fulfilled.
 

Be encouraged, for" Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."1 Corinthians 2:9

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You Are Loved




If you're looking for love look up it's where it's always been. One of my hobbies is short films.I made this last Valentine's Day and I thought I'd share it with you guys. Even though it's not Valentine's Day we all need to be reminded that we are loved.I want you to know wherever you are whoever you are. God Loves You! You are so precious and God's wants the best for you!

Directed by and Starring:








Saturday, July 25, 2015

My Top 5 Favorite Summer Songs

My Top 5 Favorite Summer Songs

Love Was Stronger by Audio Adrenaline
This song is a powerful reminder of God's astounding love for us, and explains that God's love is much much stronger than sin and that God's atoning blood can cleanse us from sin if we confess our sins and forsake them. I enjoy this song so much because I feel the tangible love of God and Audio Adrenaline sings the song in a very heartfelt way. You should definitely check this song out!





We Believe by Newsboys
We Believe is an amazing declaration of what we as the body of Christ believe. It's a heart stirring song that encourages saints everywhere to share the gospel with others and be a light that shines in the thick darkness.




Your Love Surrounds Me by Grace Williams
This song is very heart touching and refreshing. In this song Grace Williams sings about the tangible love of God. I love to listen to this song and meditate on God and His goodness. It eases my mind and helps me feel closer to God. Please give this song a try. You will not regret it!



Healing Oil by Grace Williams
This song is just heavenly. It is a beautiful song and Grace Williams's voice transcends this earthly realm. When I listen to this song it brings me into the very throne room of God. I feel His presence and His love. This song is sure to bless you as well! And it's an excellent song to use during your praise and worship time.




Burn Within by Grace Williams
This song brings you into the celestial throne room of God.  While stirring in you a hunger to draw closer to the Lord, it creates a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that can only come from God and fills the deep longings of your heart with the all consuming peace of God. 



You can also find these songs on Spotify.

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Friday, July 17, 2015

Identity Crisis: Are You Being Who God Created You to Be?


Identity Crisis: Are You Being Who God Created You to Be?


As a woman or teen do you ever feel like if you changed your hairstyle, or tweaked your style you would be more accepting to others? Or are you at the place where you've realized that somewhere along the line of trying to please others that you've stopped being who God created you to be? Or are you completely clueless and unsure of who you are because you've pleased people all of your life? Are you stuck in a identity crisis? Do you really know who you are?

5 Ways to Know If You're a People Pleaser

Before you move forward with an endeavor, do you ask everyone you know if you should do it?
If most people around you disagree, do you put a halt to your plans?
Do you constantly wonder if people like you?
Do you constantly have to be reaffirmed that you're accepted by someone?
Do you feel rejected when you don't receive constant compliments from friends?

If you answered yes to most of these questions then you're most definitely a people pleaser. Do you ever stop to think if you are you pleasing to God? When making decisions, do you value God's opinion above all else? Are you living to please God or man? 

Now moving back to identity. Your identity can easily get muddled if you're a people pleaser and in the process you can stop being the person God created you to be and become caught up in an identity crisis. So how can you get out of the rut you're in and start being the woman or man that God has created you to be? 

Uniqueness
You can start by acknowledging your uniqueness. In Psalm 139:14 it says you are fearfully and wonderfully made. If God wanted you to be the same as that person that you admire than He would have made you the same way, but he made you a unique individual with so much to offer to the world.

Be Yourself
You can also start by doing things that you've always wanted to do that line up with God's word. If you've always wanted to embrace your natural hair than go for it! If you've always wanted to express yourself through your style then start expressing your modest self! If you've always wanted to share your personality with others but you've been too shy, start being yourself! Take your mask off and start being the person who God created you to be which will not only benefit yourself, but those around you as well in a tremendous way.

Effects of Being the One God Has Called You to Be
People will admire you
You will inspire others to be themselves
You will learn to love the person God has made you to be

In Jeremiah 1:5 it reads,"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee." God knows who you are, so start showing others who you really are!

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Friday, July 10, 2015

Women of Faith In The Spotlight:Naomi Striemer



Naomi Striemer Interview

                    
Recently, I had the pleasure of  interviewing the critically acclaimed Christian Singer-Songwriter, renowned Speaker and Best-Selling Author Naomi Streimer.
In this interview we talk about her faith, purpose,and her music.  I had hoped to inspire and strengthen others through this interview and in the end I was truly strengthened and   inspired.

is a prolific author and chart topping Christian singer/ songwriter.Naomi changed her career path  to pursue Christian music ministry after an unlikely encounter in Sean 'Puff Daddy' Combs NYC hip hop studio, when a chauffeur approached her with a dream he had been given about her life.

A Christian Sister Perspective: How has God moved in your life since leaving the world of pop music and going into   Contemporary Christian Music and Ministry?(
Would you say at that point of time when you left that you surrendered to God’s plan for your life?)

Naomi: A promise was made to me that night in the Hip Hop studio that changed my life forever. The promise was, that if I left everything (all my 'dream chasing') and followed God, and God alone, that He would fulfill every one of my dreams and more. Well, God was faithful to His promise. I cannot recall one dream that I have had that Jesus has not brought to fruition. But what I wasn’t expecting was that God would go BEYOND my wildest dreams and give me more in my life than I could have ever hoped for or imagined. When we surrender to God’s will, we are not sacrificing or ‘ giving up’ something, we are gaining a whole world we can’t even imagine. God is a God of love and I see that every day.


(From this point on our names will be abbreviated.)

ACSP: What is your favorite bible verse that strengthens and touches you? (I know there is so many but you can name one that has been really on your heart recently or throughout your life.) 

N: The verse I always go to as my favorite is the tail end of Matthew 28:20 “…I will be with you always, to the end of the age” this verse, somehow encompasses the entire Bible for me. It is simple yet it is filled with so much meaning. It says to me that in our struggles, triumphs, joys and tears God will never forsake us. Not until He is with us again. I find great comfort in this verse.

ACSP: At the end of a concert what is your profound hope for the audience and the central message that you want to rely?

N: My goal with every concert is to inspire a new trust in God, new meaning to life’s worries, and hopefully a faith that can allow each one of us to follow Christ no matter what. Sometimes it takes hearing someone else testimony for us to put the pieces together of our own journey. So my prayer is that everyone walking away from my concert can feel a little more complete and at peace than when they arrived.




 ACSP: For a girl or woman  who is trying to find her way in life, and doesn’t know God what would your advice be?

N: When you see good in others, when you experience unexplainable things (miracles) and even when you look upon the beauty in simplicity (a flower, a child’s smile) that surrounds you, what you are seeing is God and His love for you. The entire world was created as a love note from Heaven. Unfortunately sin has waged a battle to corrupt and distort this beautiful gift from God. But if you open your eyes, you will see that God is with you, and He is rooting for you, even when you don’t realize it. And Jesus, the Son of God has already died for you, your way to freedom and peace has already been paid. There is nothing you can do to earn God’s love and there is nothing you could do to destroy God’s love for you. And if one day you believe that love exists you will begin to see yourself the way God sees you… as a perfect, faultless child of the creator.

ACSP: Yes the bible says we know there is a God through his creation:For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20


ACSP: Could we get a sneak peek at what to expect for your next album?

N: The next album is slowly being put together. There are many songs that have been written but many more that still need to be written. I’m constantly writing down thoughts and themes for songs and so when it is time to write I can go to those notes and remember what I wanted to write about. So far the songs are of hope, triumph, and magic smile emoticon When we’re young we believe in the impossible, but then we grow up and begin believing that not everything is actually possible, but the truth is with God…everything really IS possible! We just need to find that magical outlook we had as children.

ACSP: Thank you, and I'm honored that you took out your time to do this interview. God Bless You and keep you,may he make his face to shine upon you.For all of you who are reading who are searching or lost go to the cross. You'll find everything you need there!

To find out more about visit : http://www.naomistriemermusic.com


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Naomi's Photo & Introduction courtesy of : http://www.naomistriemermusic.com/about.html



Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Why I Ditched The Prom

My Story


This is the moment where you anxiously wait for your prince charming to ask you to the prom. Meanwhile you go to the mall and pick out the perfect dress. You’re full of joy as you plan out all the fashionable details accessories nails, shoes, dress, hair and makeup! You feel like a pampered princess! Finally you step into a fancy limo or your prince charming station wagon. Hey at least you’re with your prince charming right? Then you proceed to experience one the most magical days of your life. Is this what you imagine or experienced during your high school prom? The truth is I never experienced any of this, but I’m all the happier for it. Yes, I'm happier with no prince charming, no dress,no shoes and the best of no bill! Now I’m not dashing anyone who decided or decides to go to the prom. However, I do think that there are a lot of unrealistic perceptions when it comes to this event.
The fact of the matter is at 16, I decided not to go to the prom.

 I grew up in a household where God was more important than anything. In my childhood household  wisdom was preferred over custom. I didn’t go to parties at school or outside of school. I was accustomed to living a life that was about being selfless, glorifying God and focused on things that would have a positive influence on my future. A least this is what my parents wanted for me and in the end what I wanted as well. The prom itself didn’t seem to have a lot of positives couples were renting hotel rooms to spend the night together; the guys seemed to have ulterior motives, (besides I was to young to care about love) the music was going to sensual and ungodly. Not to mention the people who were setting up everything for the prom didn’t share my values at all. 

 Basically the verse that says avoid all appearance of evil was our household motto. Let me clarify that my upbringing by far was not a bad thing, it was actually the best. I got to see a world that was Christ centered and not conformed by society’s customs and idea of what a teen should experience. It was like living in the old days with a good ole old fashioned upbringing. I had the freedom to experience the real me and anti-conformity. So much so that when the prom came around I had no interest in it at all.
My friends offered to let me ride in their limo, and to help me find the perfect dress even offered to help pay for it. However, in the end none of that convinced me to go, because I saw that it wasn’t as important as society makes it be. The fact is you’re a princess despite whether you go or not. I think you must ask yourself what I am really missing. Is there anything that would derive from this experience that I have to have? Will this experience glorify God, keep me spiritually strong or strengthen my self-esteem? In conclusion what is most important while being a teenager in school?

I believe it is serving God and pleasing him first. So maybe the prom is not something you have to attend. Pray about it. This might make you look strange that’s okay. As an adult now I see that strange or different is so awesome.The most important thing in high school is representing God in a positive way and sharing his love and salvation with others. Whatever you decide you don’t have go to prom to still be an awesome princess! I spent the night of the prom with popcorn,movies and bonding with my family, and I’ve never regretted it.

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Image: Courtesy Google Images