They Wait; I Wait; He Waits

As I wait on the Lord I grow stronger! Or what about what doesn't kill you makes you stronger? Out of everyone I know, no one likes to wait. It does not matter what the situation; there is no one who likes to wait. I also know that good things come to those who wait. Well, here is the latest news: I'm tired of waiting!! Is there ever too much waiting? I know that it feels like it. The two questions I ask the Lord a lot: 1) Why? 2) When? Waiting is not fun and if you think it is, you are crazy! It is beneficial. We all know the saying "It's worth the wait." 
The title of this entry is in three parts. Part one: They wait. Family and friends all around me are waiting. Situations and circumstances have really gotten out of hand. Some have really gone too far, but ... They wait on their answers. They wait on the freedom. They wait for the change, if there is to be any change at all. The second part being I wait. Using the same scenarios. I wait on change. I wait on answers. I wait.... Get my point. Now the third part is He waits. He, meaning God. Sometimes, not all the time- not even most, but sometimes I think God likes to wait. He knows it will drive us down here on earth crazy. Then again I don't think He likes to wait. He has planned out every human beings life. However, we have this thing called free will or ability to make our own choices. God does not make us do anything. So when we venture off a bit, He waits for us to come back. Now there are times when He will put His put foot and say it's time to get serious. I know with the stuff I have done, God did not have to wait on me that long. He did though. He is so patient and so loving and so forgiving. I could go on and on. 
No one likes to wait, but sometimes it really is the best thing. It may not seem like it during that time and season of waiting, but when you reflect you become humble and thankful before God. I don't want to keep God waiting any more on me because I decided to do my own thing. I still have to wait, but it really is worth it. 

A Vision: Kids Praise Station

Currently, our theology class is reading Portraits of A Vision. Then on the side I read a devotional by Joyce Meyer. One of the days I read was on vision. The scripture came from Habakkuk 2:2-3, "Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay."

The Bible also says in Proverbs 28:18, "Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law." This is how the Message interprets the verse, "If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed."

Pastor asked me to pray and so I did. I believe it was back in November when the door was opened to take on a new group of worshippers. Excited I was!! I knew that God was steering me in a new direction, but still allowing me to use my gifts and talents with music. The door that opened was being the Children's Music Director. Every Sunday I lead Praise and Worship with the kids. We have a wonderful time singing about Jesus. It's my job I believe to also start teaching these kids the importance of Praise and Worship. I'm grateful for the opportunity to do so.

Some Sunday's are a little more challenging than others, but it's okay. God never said that it would be easy, but the good news is we never have to go it alone. God is right there through and in it all. Not only that, but we have an awesome support system of leaders at The Lighthouse who love our youth and children. I praise and thank God for that!!

Our goal is branch out a little more with our kids. Children are just as much ministers as grown adults. In reality, kids are not afraid to be blunt with someone. They will tell you like it is. Some of my kids have a parent in jail. I'm expecting chains and bondages to be broken because of the faith and prayers of these kids. I'm looking forward to the testimonies of families whose lives were and are changed because of their son, daughter, niece, nephew, grandson, grandaughter...God WILL use them!!

On average, we have about thirty children. I am thankful for the kids we have. Can't wait to see it grow!! I know that God is expanding and raising up a generation to stand up for Him. 

With children, there is no such thing as fake when it comes to loving Jesus. Their worship is real and it's pure.

I'm Accountable

I look back on my childhood and I already wish I would have treated my family better. My parents, brother, and sister deserved so much more respect than what I gave them. It was not a problem when I was around anyone else, but around my immediate in-home family, I struggled. No one deserved any disrespect. I had a good childhood. My upbringing was right and held high standards. For not showing that respect, I am truly sorry.

I hold dear to my heart the scripture in Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go,And when he is old he will not depart from it." I thank God for this promise to my parents. I'm thankful that I will have this promise.

As a praise and worship leader, especially to children, I believe in some ways I am held accountable for what I do and do not teach them. Even though I am not the parent, I understand that I may be the only Bible they see. It's my job to teach about praise and worship, but it's even more important that these kids hear the about the love of Jesus. Then not just hear about it, but they need to see it. Christ can be seen through our lives; through our actions; through our conversations.

I want to sow into these kids as if they were my own. They are all very dear to my heart. I will teach them what I can and capable of, but parents you must do the rest.

Little Prayer

Tap! Tap! Tap! Is this thing on? Yeah God I'm talking to You! 

Can you hear me? Of course you can. LOL

This so far has been a great year. You are definitely showing up and moving within the lives of those around me. Opening the doors to new and fulfilled relationships to new houses to new lives being expected and on their way. 

We are seeing how much you are faithful to us. 

We experience your greatness everyday that we are given.

Thank you for what you are doing in the lives of those around me. I know that those people love you with all of their heart. Bless them Lord in whatever they do and set their minds to do.

Sermon Notes from Bobbie Houston

These notes were taken on Day 2 of the ONE Marriage Conference at Free Chapel. The speaker for the AM Session was Pastor Bobbie Houston from Hillsong Church in Sidney, Australia. 
The notes are as followed:

• Without family, man alone in the world trembles in the cold.

• Natural family = Spiritual family

• Helps, Compliments

1 Peter 3:1-6 (Message) 

"The same goes for you wives: Be good wives to your husbands, responsive to their needs. There are husbands who, indifferent as they are to any words about God, will be captivated by your life of holy beauty. What matters is not your outer appearance—the styling of your hair, the jewelry you wear, the cut of your clothes—but your inner disposition.Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in. The holy women of old were beautiful before God that way, and were good, loyal wives to their husbands. Sarah, for instance, taking care of Abraham, would address him as "my dear husband." You'll be true daughters of Sarah if you do the same, unanxious and unintimidated." 

Also Read Ephesians 5 (Amplified) 

If the splendor of the church was to be measured by our marriage, how would she fear?

• Stay in love- don't forget what made you fall in love. 
• You have to look past the dysfunction.
• Learn from altitude- learn to take high ground.\
• Isaiah 5:1-4, "Now let me sing to my Well-beloved. A song of my Beloved regarding His vineyard: My Well-beloved has a vineyard on a very fruitful hill. He dug it up and cleared out its stones, and planted it with the choicest vine. He built a tower in its midst, and also made a winepress in it; So He expected it to bring forth good grapes, but it brought forth wild grapes. “And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, Judge, please, between Me and My vineyard. What more could have been done to My vineyard that I have not done in it? Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes, Did it bring forth wild grapes?"

• Realize that their fruit is your fruit also.
• Learn the art of releasing one another
• Learn to be yoked together. 
• 2 COR 6:14, "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?"
• None of us graduates from growing.
• Redeem strengths; Redeem weaknesses
• Don't make battlefields or enemies over what happens in life. 
• Low maintenance is attractive.
• Try their shoes on every now and then.
• Kids: Choose your battles. Choose Holy Spirit (trust)
• Take kids on journey
• Don't be afriad to say "Sorry".
• Ministry families... keep politics away from your kids. 
• Cultivate the love affair 

Marriage and family is a garden.

Blessings

I am so thankful for the many blessings that God has bestowed in my life. I have an amazing family. My friends are awesome. I am truly loving the church that my family and I attend. Life is filled with many treasures. I'll admit that not every day is a perfect day, but knowing that I have Christ on my side makes the whole thing worth while. 

You Are Who You Are

You are who you are

You are beautiful

You are worth every minute and every penny

God made you special

He made you unique

He made you wonderful

You are who you are

You are strong

You are altogether lovely

You are captivating

You are delightful

God made you special

He made you unique

He made you wonderful