Let's Start Fresh

The Beginning. An end to a chapter and the start of a new.

For a while I tried writing blogs about things that happened in my life that upset me or angered me, but each time I tried, I never finished them. They never served a purpose, they were always selfish. But now my view has once again been altered to the good by God and now I will use this as a tool in my ministry. My blogs are meant to encourage and teach other fellow Youth Leaders (in training).

This is my new beginning, this is my new purpose. For now.

I don't get to travel often or speak at any services or conferences yet, but I can be heard through a marvelous thing called the internet. Since our generation is one of higher technology, perhaps my chances in reaching everyone are increased.

For now, I would just like to tell you all to not give up no matter how hard it seems to be right now. Just because we don't see God working doesn't mean He isn't.

Please join with me in praying for all the young ministers (male & female) around the world who sincerely want to make a difference.

Also, if you are one of these ministers I speak of, please link to me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter because I would love to connect with each of you so we can encourage and pray for one another on our journeys.

A Blank Slate

When one gathers the memories of the past 21 years of my life, there's quite a bit to recall. Public school, church, family, friends. All things that changed like the scenery in a fast movie.

And yet, they're still there. All of them.

But now, now a completely new chapter is being prepared to be written in my life. For the first time ever I'll be attending an all christian school, where everyone believes the same way I do. I get to start over.

No one there knows me or my past. No one will ask me why I always wear skirts or why I never cut my hair. Or why I never curse or tell dirty jokes.

After 16 1/2 years of school, I will finally be experiencing something I've never experienced before.
It may not be perfect, but it will be completely different.

Bible College.

Two words not meant for everyone or even some of those that attend, when you think about it. Two words that will change the course of someone's very existence because they decided to dedicate their whole lives to the ministry God has placed in their lives.

Bible College: A Blank Slate.

It is my new beginning. My past is only there to learn from and to be appreciated.

What is in store? New friends? New enemies? A deeper relationship with God? Open doors to ministry? A husband?

Only God knows. He'll fill up this empty slate when the time comes.

Look At Her Now

I'm six years old. Standing on that old wooden stage in the back of the park.

The aluminum benches are empty.

I close my eyes and the benches are filled. They listening.

Waiting.

Waiting for me to sing. Watching me, expecting. I open my mouth silently and begin to sing in my mind.

They're all listening.

I open my eyes. The benches are empty. My mother calls my name in the distance.

Fast forward 14 years.

I stand behind the curtain. Heart pounding. It's time.

I walk onto the stage and the crowd goes crazy. My friends and family have made their own cheering section, posters and everything.

The music starts, and I open my mouth to sing....with my eyes open.

Remembering....I love to remember. When I remember I see exactly how far God has brought me. That six year old girl singing to an imaginary audience never thought anyone would ever listen to her or cheer her on. She only lived in a world of pretend.

Look at her now.

Now she's all grown up, going away to college to sing with some of the best gospel voices out there, and most importantly searching for God's will in her life and ministry. She knows it won't be easy, but it will be worth it.

I'm proud of her.

I'm proud of me.

She still has dreams though so let's sit back and watch how far God takes her.

"A Burden For Small Churches"

This blog is directed towards all future Youth Leaders, Sunday School teachers, Assistant Pastors, music leaders, and church laymen.

Large churches are great and may God continue to bless them but they weren't always that big. The had to start small. That had to start with a few people with a burden, people who were driven by the word of God to spread the Gospel to a lost a dying world no matter the sacrifice they had to make.

There are horizons that our eyes and hearts need to be opened to. Horizons such as Home missions, foreign mission, and even small churches in general. These churches need people to work, to help them grow and thrive.

Someone desperately needs to acquire a burden for these churches so they won't be daunted by how much they won't be paid or how much harder it will be to become popular or well known. So they can see past all of this to the souls that need to be reached in those cities.

Those pastors are crying out for those who will accept that burden. I John 2:14 says "...I have written unto you, young man, because you are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one." Those pastors NEED young ministers and helpers with a fresh fire, a fresh passion and vision for outreach.

If you know anything about pastors, you know it's not a picnic. The strain it puts on a man emotionally, spiritually, and even physically takes it's toll eventually. They can't be Pastor, Assistant Pastor, Youth Leader, Youth Worker, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Director, Secretary, whole church board, or sole bible study teacher and provider of the church funds. To do all this will wear so much emotionally and spiritually at a pastor that he will eventually feel like giving up on the work God called him to do.

Even though we know they can't be all these things at once, I still know precious men of God who are in this very situation. They don't know where the next bill money will come from or when the next person will pay tithes. No, they can't always buy Sunday School literature because there's not enough money. No, they can't take those children and young people on youth trips to Six Flags or Youth Congress because they don't have the time to plan fundraisers or take off from work to go or even the stamina to keep up with them from being worn down.

Their churches are the ones we should pay attention to, the ones we ought to help. Our Bible Colleges give us the knowledge and the training to be in places such as this, but are we there? Or are we trying to make it in a larger church where they already have people in the positions we are seeking?

Will someone seek for that burden? Will someone even consider it? Will someone finally want to ease the burden beloved men of God who work themselves to death for the kingdom of the Lord without help?

If you're already in a small church, please, i urge you to work harder to ease the burden of your pastor if you see him trying to take on responsibilities that he shouldn't be worried about. If you're in a large church and you are reading this, please take the time out of your day and at least pray for these churches. Hopefully someone will receive a burden for this work of God.

The harvest is ready. Will you heed the call?

Don't Stay Down, Praise.

I've noticed that when I haven't used something in my purse for a while it ends up sinking to the bottom. This is a result of pulling everything out at different times and placing them back in, in no particular order.

This time, it was my Bible that got pushed to the bottom.

When I realized this I became ashamed. This meant that I haven't been paying attention to God's Word on my own time. This couldn't be! But nonetheless, it was.

This represents where I had pushed Jesus in my life. I had pushed Him underneath the junk, underneath the problems that at the time seemed so imminent.

The good thing is that I realized this before it was too late. God showed this to me so I can fix it. So I can do better.

Don't think because you mess up God can't forgive you. As I was praying about it I could hear that little voice whisper in my ear, "You messed up AGAIN. You told God you wouldn't. You lied. He won't forgive you this time. You've done it too many times." And for a second I almost believed that.

Then I remembered that no matter how unworthy I am, God is still worthy to be praised. So I began to praise the God who had brought me out time and time again because I also remembered that praise will pull you out of that rut you fell into. It will lift you out of your dilemma and focus you on the one who holds the world in His hands, the God who can fix your brokenness and cleanse you from your sins.

And once you have focused on Him He can finally work in your life because you have given your problems, issues, and sins to Him. Now He can fix it and work it out to His glory.

There is never a time where He can't fix it when you finally decide to give it to Him. And that's what I did. Now, I can praise Him for working in my life even though I can't see it yet.

It's amazing what can happen when you keep God number one in your life.

"Approaching The Horizon"

After living with my mother for 20 years, I'll finally begin my journey as an individual in August.
Looming on the horizon is something that both mesmerizes and terrifies me.

My life will change.

I will no longer be in my comfort zone. No longer will anyone be responsible for my but myself.

Sounds like freedom, huh?.... Didn't anyone ever tell you freedom isn't free?

I will become responsible for every action I take and word that passes my lips. It will be my job to find the money for gas to get me from pont A to point B. I can't buy those shoes today....I've got bills to pay.

Coffee, clothes, books, gas.....It will all begin to add up until I start feeling overwhelmed, like I'm suffocating, like I just want to run away....

There will be no arms to hold me when I cry, no loving mother to help me straighten out the mess I made.

This.....this is the freedom I stand to gain. On my own, broke, and worn down. The world will sneer and laugh at out it's shiny and convenient things have taken over my life....

Luckily for me, it doesn't have to be that way.

Of course I'll have bills to pay and gas money to scrounge up, and there's always the fatigue from staying up to late too many nights in a row to study. BUT, to keep me from making the wrong choices to keep me from make decisions that will lead me down that oh so obvious path of destruction and depression everyone on their own usually ends up making, I have a secret weapon...

Yeah, you guessed it, God. Simple as that.

Not only is He God, He's my Father, Provider, Healer, Savior, and my Redeemer. As long as I have Him by my side I'll never be alone, unhappy, or without. I may not end up rich, married or on a constant emotional high, but I'll be satisfied in Jesus Christ.

Take that world.

So, even if it is six hours from home.....

Bring it on Bible College.

A Serving Marriage

Ever read the Song of Solomon or all those Psalms and verses about how relationships with God and our spouses are supposed to be? If you haven't, you should, and if you have, have you ever compared them to relationships today?

My, my, how things have changed.

It has gone from yes, "I'll serve you because I love you" to "No, you serve me because I love you." No wonder things are out of sync these days. Look at how selfish we've become.

Needs are a natural part of life, BUT I do recall God saying He would supply those needs IF we serve Him. In serving Him we follow His Word. When we follow His Word we serve others, ESPECIALLY our spouses.

SO...doesn't that mean that in serving others our needs will be met? Of course!

Hm...wonder why people don't get that.....

On that note, let's talk about marriage!

Just because you're married to someone doesn't mean you can't lose them. They may be there every day physically, but if they're not with you mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, then something has gone wrong.

Just as we must seek the Lord's love and presence every day, so must we seek the love and presence of our spouse.

United we stand, divided we fall.

Seek their(God AND your spouse) favor daily, never lose their trust. Please them in anyway that you know how.

There's a reason the relationship with God is compared to that of a bride and groom. Their love is to be devoted, life long, and ever burning.

None of this is unbiblical. It is important that we seek to please our significant other more than if not as much as we are to seek to please and serve others. We are to be a servant and in turn God will make sure our needs are met.

Please keep in mind that I am not married, but am searching and learning how to be the best spouse I can be according to God's Word so I can bless my future spouse. If anything that I have written is incorrect or insufficient, I am one hundred percent willing to hear and read comments to help me become wiser on the subject. I just want everyone to know that it is important to be a servant, especially to those closest to you.

God Bless.