Some of you who know me well know that I taught seventh grade math in the Bronx, NY, before EJ and I moved to Nashville to pursue music ministry. (Two words: Lovely Challenge. We can talk more later if you're interested....) If you're afraid because of that knowledge, though, let me assure you that this post will NOT be about how two plus two could equal five mathematically. LOL
Instead, it's about the mathematics of the Kingdom of God. I told you that on this blog, I would share my music ministry journey with you, and this happens to be a big part of it. Now if you know me at all, this particular new character trait of mine I'm about to share will absolutely shock you: I am a task-oriented planner when it comes to my artistry. I know, I know, those of you who have known me academically know that before this endeavor, I rarely planned anything. But God said He'll do a NEW thing!...
Anywho, when EJ and I first moved to the Nashville area, I was anxious to get started. I thought, if I don't take charge of my own artistry, then who will? I knew that people starting their own business made a business plan. So, I made a business concept for my artistry. I did some research and got started on my plan. On that document, I listed lots of things, including my short-term and long-term goals for the next several years. After completing that self-imposed task, I was twiddling my fingers, anxiously seeking a new task. And then I heard the whisper....
You know how sometimes you just feel/hear God calling you to spend a little extra time with Him? Almost like He has something to interject into your life at that very moment. That's what I felt. So, after spending time in prayer, I believed the Lord was instructing me to make my only task spending time with Him. *blank stare* What the heck?! How in the world was I supposed to get songs recorded, get booked, get people in Nashville to hear me sing, etc, while ONLY focusing on spending time with Him?! I mean, I would've understood instructions to spend time with Him while completing some very important tasks, but just focusing on time with Him seemed irresponsible.
Fast forward to about eight months later, all of my short-term goals/dreams have become reality. God single-handedly opened every door of opportunity for me Himself. He led me in directions that I never would've led myself. He has woven this beautiful tapestry of ministry for me that no man could have ever attempted. Somehow as I was spending time with Him, He was molding my character and letting my shining moments show at just the right times in front of just the right people. God's math doesn't add up to anything we are expecting when we let Him do it His way. He goes above and beyond! I'm grateful that He helped me to hear His whisper. It has truly made all the difference.
When has God showed up in a "2 fish and 5 loaves of bread" way in your life?
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas... hopefully!
If you weren't aware, I travel with the Women of Faith Conference (Imagine tour) as a member of the worship team. And I must tell you that I LOVE my job! I have so much fun with all of the women on weekends when the conference is held, whether it be the speakers on the "Porch" or the women that come to the arenas to be blessed by what has been planned for them.
This past weekend, we were in Las Vegas. I'm sure you're thinking, really? Women of Faith went to Las Vegas?! We absolutely did, and it was wonderful! The women there were so receptive of what we had to give from every moment of worship to the deepest moments of an emotionally heavy drama. These women were all-in!
During the very first worship set of the weekend on Friday morning, I noticed an African-American woman with a red top in the aisle freely dancing to every song we sang! She was magnificent! I know the Lord used her to boost my energy just by seeing her freedom in the Lord. I thought to myself, that much freedom stems from great desperation somewhere along the way. It was beautiful.
Our dramatist Nicole Johnson said something special: She said that the city of Las Vegas is known as Sin City, but where sin is, God's grace abounds that much more. I love that.
By the time the Women of Faith team left Las Vegas, those women looked as though they had been changed, refreshed and renewed. I'm grateful that the Lord really used every person on this team to deposit something in that city, and those people in it, that will sustain them until His next refreshing. That's something that happened in Vegas that I really wouldn't mind staying in Vegas!
Aside: And Natalie Grant and Mandisa brought some FLAWLESS vocals in their concerts! Those ladies can SANG!!! lol
This past weekend, we were in Las Vegas. I'm sure you're thinking, really? Women of Faith went to Las Vegas?! We absolutely did, and it was wonderful! The women there were so receptive of what we had to give from every moment of worship to the deepest moments of an emotionally heavy drama. These women were all-in!
During the very first worship set of the weekend on Friday morning, I noticed an African-American woman with a red top in the aisle freely dancing to every song we sang! She was magnificent! I know the Lord used her to boost my energy just by seeing her freedom in the Lord. I thought to myself, that much freedom stems from great desperation somewhere along the way. It was beautiful.
Our dramatist Nicole Johnson said something special: She said that the city of Las Vegas is known as Sin City, but where sin is, God's grace abounds that much more. I love that.
By the time the Women of Faith team left Las Vegas, those women looked as though they had been changed, refreshed and renewed. I'm grateful that the Lord really used every person on this team to deposit something in that city, and those people in it, that will sustain them until His next refreshing. That's something that happened in Vegas that I really wouldn't mind staying in Vegas!
Aside: And Natalie Grant and Mandisa brought some FLAWLESS vocals in their concerts! Those ladies can SANG!!! lol
Thursday, April 22, 2010
My Sword AND my Shield
I'm sitting here in the airport about to take out my Bible and do some reading, and I'm reminded of my days in New York City and what my Bible meant to me there.
If you know me at all, you know that I'm a pretty sassy short person. (Most short people are a little sassy, I guess.) I also speak very directly and sternly when I'm trying to get a point across. It's a part of my personality that God continues to fine-tune in order to use it for His glory. It should look more and more like Holy-Ghost boldness than harshness. ;-)
Anyway, when the Lord had me move to NYC after seminary, it was quite a culture shock for me. I had come from this wonderful Jesus-loving bubble, where everyone pretty much had similar goals in life-all having to do with loving Jesus. Well, anyone who has stepped foot in NYC knows that I was in for a rude awakening socially.
As one with a tendency to self-protect, the Lord really worked on my tolerance, as I was rudely pushed on my commute everyday to a hard job with children who generally had more to complain about than me. At some point, the Lord showed me that if I was going to get upset with people for how they were treating me, I would be upset everyday of my life. Put in that context, I learned how most New Yorkers just let many things go.
Around the same time, I realized that I needed to be reading the Word of God a lot more regularly than I had been. So, I started multi-tasking and doing some Bible reading on the trains to work. Strangely enough, people started giving me a little more space. And if they were making crazy eyes at me or getting an attitude, I wasn't noticing, because my face was in the Word.
That day, the Lord showed me how His Word could be used as my sword AND shield in a hard place. Even though I'm in a logistically easier life, I still carry my Bible around, reminiscing on the days when it saved my life one day at a time.
I'm just curious: What are the tangible swords and shields the Lord has given you in life?
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
If you know me at all, you know that I'm a pretty sassy short person. (Most short people are a little sassy, I guess.) I also speak very directly and sternly when I'm trying to get a point across. It's a part of my personality that God continues to fine-tune in order to use it for His glory. It should look more and more like Holy-Ghost boldness than harshness. ;-)
Anyway, when the Lord had me move to NYC after seminary, it was quite a culture shock for me. I had come from this wonderful Jesus-loving bubble, where everyone pretty much had similar goals in life-all having to do with loving Jesus. Well, anyone who has stepped foot in NYC knows that I was in for a rude awakening socially.
As one with a tendency to self-protect, the Lord really worked on my tolerance, as I was rudely pushed on my commute everyday to a hard job with children who generally had more to complain about than me. At some point, the Lord showed me that if I was going to get upset with people for how they were treating me, I would be upset everyday of my life. Put in that context, I learned how most New Yorkers just let many things go.
Around the same time, I realized that I needed to be reading the Word of God a lot more regularly than I had been. So, I started multi-tasking and doing some Bible reading on the trains to work. Strangely enough, people started giving me a little more space. And if they were making crazy eyes at me or getting an attitude, I wasn't noticing, because my face was in the Word.
That day, the Lord showed me how His Word could be used as my sword AND shield in a hard place. Even though I'm in a logistically easier life, I still carry my Bible around, reminiscing on the days when it saved my life one day at a time.
I'm just curious: What are the tangible swords and shields the Lord has given you in life?
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
Monday, April 19, 2010
One down, thirteen to go...
As of Saturday (April 10th) evening at 5pm, I completed my first Women of Faith conference! I am so exhausted, but so excited! It was aMAzing!
I got to Billings, Montana, on Tuesday, April 6th around 11am. I was there before the rest of my team, because the only other flight arrangement got me in at 10pm. EJ and I thought that might be cutting it a little close, since I had to be ready to rehearse the next morning. I spent all of Tuesday pretty much by myself in my hotel room, preparing for what lay ahead.
Wednesday morning, my team was united, and we rehearsed until the evening, taking breaks only for meals. We had dinner with some Women of Faith folk, and we crashed for the night.
Thursday was all about rehearsal on the beautiful stage that the crew built. When I tell you that the Imagine stage is SO beautiful.... Wow!
The conference started on Friday morning and went until Saturday late afternoon. I had a BALL!!! It was such a blessing to be a part, and the women in Billings were so sweet and receptive. Shout out to the rest of my team, Allison Abbott, Laura Cooksey and Jenifer Thigpen. I had such a good time singing and laughing with these ladies; and I can't wait to do it for the rest of the year!
If you haven't already done so, please plan to join us at a Women of Faith conference near you. It really is a blessing to ALL involved.
I got to Billings, Montana, on Tuesday, April 6th around 11am. I was there before the rest of my team, because the only other flight arrangement got me in at 10pm. EJ and I thought that might be cutting it a little close, since I had to be ready to rehearse the next morning. I spent all of Tuesday pretty much by myself in my hotel room, preparing for what lay ahead.
Wednesday morning, my team was united, and we rehearsed until the evening, taking breaks only for meals. We had dinner with some Women of Faith folk, and we crashed for the night.
Thursday was all about rehearsal on the beautiful stage that the crew built. When I tell you that the Imagine stage is SO beautiful.... Wow!
The conference started on Friday morning and went until Saturday late afternoon. I had a BALL!!! It was such a blessing to be a part, and the women in Billings were so sweet and receptive. Shout out to the rest of my team, Allison Abbott, Laura Cooksey and Jenifer Thigpen. I had such a good time singing and laughing with these ladies; and I can't wait to do it for the rest of the year!
If you haven't already done so, please plan to join us at a Women of Faith conference near you. It really is a blessing to ALL involved.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Where did I store my afro?!...
Today my schedule was a little off, and I found myself eating breakfast late and in front of the tv around 10am. I rarely watch tv before the afternoon, but I decided to turn to the popular daytime show, The View. At first they talked about what happened last night on Dancing with the Stars, but they soon moved on to a political debate regarding healthcare, of course.
I've actually never really been a fan of Elizabeth Hasselbeck's opinions, and I stopped watching The View years ago because of how frustrated her opinions and their passionate delivery made me. Somehow, I stumbled back into the trap....
Gradually, I found myself becoming more and more frustrated with the conversation, and I could feel an old part of my heart trying to creep in. In college, I was pretty outspoken about my political opinions, and my mentor used to call me a baby Angela Davis because of how passionately angry I got about certain topics. In the middle of watching the view, I felt my heart figuratively saying, "where did I store that afro," through clenched teeth, and I knew it was time to let tv go for a moment.
One of the things Jesus had to teach me around that time in college was that my loyalty must always lie with Him and His heart. Meaning, I can never allow my lifestyle or actions to show more loyalty to a race, political party, or political agenda, than I do to the interests of Christ. Now, with that, I know He wants me to stand up for justice, but He's teaching me that balance. And it doesn't really include telling someone off just to get frustration off of my chest.
So, for now, wisdom and prudence say that I probably don't need to watch things like The View that would entangle me in a debate with my television that won't effect any change. There's actually real work to be done for the Kingdom.
I've actually never really been a fan of Elizabeth Hasselbeck's opinions, and I stopped watching The View years ago because of how frustrated her opinions and their passionate delivery made me. Somehow, I stumbled back into the trap....
Gradually, I found myself becoming more and more frustrated with the conversation, and I could feel an old part of my heart trying to creep in. In college, I was pretty outspoken about my political opinions, and my mentor used to call me a baby Angela Davis because of how passionately angry I got about certain topics. In the middle of watching the view, I felt my heart figuratively saying, "where did I store that afro," through clenched teeth, and I knew it was time to let tv go for a moment.
One of the things Jesus had to teach me around that time in college was that my loyalty must always lie with Him and His heart. Meaning, I can never allow my lifestyle or actions to show more loyalty to a race, political party, or political agenda, than I do to the interests of Christ. Now, with that, I know He wants me to stand up for justice, but He's teaching me that balance. And it doesn't really include telling someone off just to get frustration off of my chest.
So, for now, wisdom and prudence say that I probably don't need to watch things like The View that would entangle me in a debate with my television that won't effect any change. There's actually real work to be done for the Kingdom.
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