Happiness vs. Holiness

Hi dear ones,

I shared this quote and some thoughts on my IG today and wanted to share them here, as well.

This is something I've been pondering for years. **Happiness vs. Holiness** I believe it is a man-made theory that has messed us up in such a profound way. Father never said, 'If you're happy, you cannot possibly be holy.' Nor did He say, 'If you're living in holiness, there is no room for happiness'! It's not one or the other. It's BOTH. 

✨✨Heaven is happy! God is happy! And guess what, He wants His children to be happy, even while we're still here on this earth!!! What a gift!✨✨ 

Photo re-post from@randyalcorn_epm. I haven't read Randy Alcorn's new book yet, but I have a feeling I'm going to love it.

May you be blessed in your holiness and your happiness today! He is glorified in both. And what a beautiful picture of heaven we have to give to everyone around us when we live this out. I love learning how to walk in the role of an ambassador of heaven. 

Have you read Randy's new book, Happiness, yet? What are your thoughts on it or on this idea that we are to be bright, shining lights of holiness, righteousness, happiness and joy, that we cannot separate them or chose just one?

Blessing and love. xo

God's Heart for Racial Reconciliation in Our Country

You guys, I read this story on The Elijah List last week and cannot stop thinking about it (I'll share the story in a minute). 

I know God's heart is for all people. Every single person ever born or to be born on this planet has incredible, intrinsic value. It was God's idea to create us and it is His love that sustains us. He loves people. We have gotten so far away from His plan and heart when it comes to relationships, in so many ways. Slavery was not His will and plan. Divisiveness in 2016 is not His heart. I could write pages on those issues, but I'm not going to take the time right now, because I want to get to the story. I believe with all my heart that reconciliation is God's heart. Unity and honor and doing life together on equal ground. Those are the things God wants for His precious creation.

My family and I watched the Academy Awards last night. We enjoy movies and although we haven't seen even half of the movies nominated or mentioned last night, we are genuinely interested in the lives of the actors and actresses (and producers, composers, designers, musicians, etc.) in those movies. We don't worship them, but we do care deeply about their lives. We have also followed the controversy surrounding the #OscarsSoWhite issue this year. And while I understand that this is a genuine and important issue, I believe it could've been handled differently. I believe there can be healthy, productive conversations. There can be healthy, fruitful dialogue. The divisiveness is not necessary. It's actually harmful and unhealthy. It only adds fuel to the fire and divides our country even further. 

So, what do these two things have to do with one another? Let's get back to the original reason I'm writing today. I am encouraged, and want you to be encouraged, that God is working. He is weaving us together with people who can bring His Kingdom to this earth and see lives changed. I read this amazing story by Will Ford, as well as this one mentioned in that post. I wept and will probably weep again when I share it with my family. This is Who God is! He is a connector, not a divider. He draws us to Himself, instead of pushing us away. Jesus says "Come." To every single one of us, this is His beautiful, incredible, life-changing invitation.

This is a story we need to read. This is a story we need to tell our children. This is a story we need to share with the world, because this is God's story of providence and reconciliation and purpose and love and answered prayer. Please click on the links and read it. This testimony is going to be a catalyst for even more reconciliation and healing.

I also found a church service where Will Ford and Matt Lockett share this unforgettable story. You can go HERE to watch. 

May we, no matter our skin color or gender or socio-economic status or age or background or experience, join in His Kingdom assignments and see heaven come to earth in a way that we have never seen before. May we all be faithful to press in to our God-ordained purposes and to see those purposes fulfilled for His honor and glory.

Blessings and love. xo

A Dream Come True

Hello,

I haven't been around much this past week. I had a phenomenal weekend, last week, and haven't quite recovered (nor am I really trying to recover!). I had the opportunity to drive to New Jersey for an amazing conference hosted by The Alabaster Group. I'm not really a conference go-er, although I see one or two advertised once in awhile that grab my interest. Normally, though, I don't have money in the budget to go or they just haven't been a priority. 

Then why did I choose this one, you may wonder? Simple. Two of my spiritual heroes were going to be speaking, and it was only a five hour drive. It was a dream come true for me to go and hear them speak, meet them in person, and worship with them and hundreds of others who are seeking and living for Jesus and His Kingdom. 

Not only were two of my heroes at this conference, I learned more about three other phenomenal believers who are impacting their corners of the world in beautiful, powerful, crazy ways. The theme of the conference was "Until the world is filled with love for Jesus"! Yes!!!

Here is a list of the speakers:

Heidi Baker
Bill Johnson
David Hogan
Joseph Garlington
Claudio Freidzon

If you were to ask me who are the people who have had the greatest impact on my spiritual life in the past decade, Bill Johnson would be at the top of the list, followed closely by Heidi (and Rolland) Baker. In fact, it was through Bill's ministry and Bethel Church that I learned of Heidi. They are dear friends and support and honour each other's lives and ministries. Bill's book, When Heaven Invades Earth and then Heidi's book, Compelled By Love have both been life-changing for me. Life-changing. They both carry the Presence of God and have incredible authority and power, with countless miracles on a weekly, if not daily, basis. 

Here is an amazing example of Heidi's ministry in Mozambique. This witchdoctor was coming to kill her with his poisonous snakes. Watch what happens instead . . . 




And then there's this man named David Hogan. I am so completely thrilled to know about him and his wife and family and their ministry in Mexico. He is a big, intimidating guy, and at the same time, completely loving. He walks in some crazy, Kingdom authority and has seen some miracles that I have never even heard of before. My faith was stretched and strengthened and reinforced by hearing his stories. And the fire tunnel David and Heidi led on the last night was powerful!

Father also blessed me with this precious group of friends to share and fellowship with all weekend. We met the first evening at dinner and will carry this time with us forever. I love Kingdom connections!

I hope to share more this week about where God is leading us these days. We would appreciate your prayers.  

I'll also share more this week about two special baptisms we had last week!
Blessings and love. xo

Rest in Peace

Photo credit: Yahoo News

Cynthia Hurd 

Susie Jackson

Ethel Lance

Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor

Hon. Rev. Clementa Pinckney

Tywanza Sanders

Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr.

Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton

Myra Thompson

(You can read more about their lives HERE.)

To my dear Brothers and Sisters of the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina:

I am heartbroken and grieving over your horrific experience and the loss of the nine beautiful brothers and sisters who were killed on Wednesday. Neither my heart nor my mind can truly comprehend that such evil exists in the world and that your congregation was the target of such evil. I am so very sorry, and I stand with you. Please know I am praying for you with all my heart. 

I love you and am asking Jesus to help us heal and be one in Him. 

Your sister and friend,
Scarlett

Here is the precious son of one of the ladies who was killed. His heart and grace make me weep.

Jesus died a passionate death for us, so our love for Him should be as passionate. 

- Sister Jean German Ortiz

(Taken from the Emanuel AME Church website)

Blessings and love. xo

Speaking Life Series - 2

Good afternoon, lovely friend,

In case you missed the first post in this series, go here.

I have several other passages of Scripture to share with you today. Let's speak these truths over our lives and continue asking the Father to teach us about our correct identities. We are His well-loved children and He delights in us! Don't agree with the enemy if he is whispering anything else into your ear. It's time to stand and fight!

Psalm 149:4 NIV

For the Lord takes delight in his people;
    he crowns the humble with victory.

Romans 8:14-17 TLB

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. And so we should not be like cringing, fearful slaves, but we should behave like God’s very own children, adopted into the bosom of his family, and calling to him, “Father, Father.”  For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we really are God’s children. And since we are his children, we will share his treasures—for all God gives to his Son Jesus is now ours too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

I John 3:1 MSG

What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are. But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he’s up to.

Psalm 147:10-11 NIV

His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,

    nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;

11 

the Lord delights in those who fear him,

    who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Let's continue speaking life over ourselves, our families and friends, our churches, over our circumstances and our towns/cities. It is our honour and privilege to do so and it will change the atmosphere!

Blessings and love. xo

Speaking Life . . .

Good morning, friends! 

I've been thinking about our spoken words and their consequential impact on our lives. I read a book 10 years ago called Blessings and Curses by Derek Prince, and it opened my eyes to the power of our words. Through the years, I have come to see the effects of words on my family, my own life and friends' lives. Another huge influence on this awareness I've experienced has been from our friends in Kenya, specifically the stories of witchcraft and then the more powerful breaking off of that witchcraft through the power of Jesus. Lives are transformed in story after story after story. It is a choice though. Sometimes people choose to live in the witchcraft. Tragically, some choose the curse. 

This is one Scripture that address the urgency of our words:

Proverbs 18:21 NIV

"Life and death are in the power of the tongue, 

and those who love it will eat its fruit."   

Or a new version that I love so much states it this way (as also seen above):

Proverbs 18:21 TPT

"Your words are so weighty that they have 

power to bring life or release death, 

and the talkative person will reap the consequences." 

There are negative words everywhere. Curses are being spoken - sometimes flippantly, sometimes out of tradition, sometimes purposefully. Sometimes we are just repeating what we have heard spoken over us  -- I'm fat; I'm stupid; I'm too skinny; I'm no good at ___; I can't ever get things right; I'm so clumsy. I'll never make it. I'll never be healthy. I'll never get out of debt. Sometimes we speak curses out of pure jealousy of a friend, relative, neighbour or even a complete stranger. 

Sometimes we have just simply listened to the enemy whisper his wretched lies and have come into agreement with him. 

Whatever avenue has brought about the curses, our response has to be to fall down before the Throne of Grace in repentance. The Father is kind. He is ever faithful to forgive. Our sins have already been paid for on the cross of Jesus. If we have given our lives to Him, we do not have to been known by them any more. We are His sons and daughters, no longer slaves.

The next step is to change our thoughts, which in turn brings about a revolution in our mouths. As Cindy Trimm says, 'Our miracle is in our mouth"! One of the most potent ways to purposefully put blessings and life in our mouths is to speak the Word of God over our lives and our circumstances. 

I'm going to be sharing verses and promises from time to time in this series. These are verses and truths I have been declaring into the atmosphere and have seen breakthrough and freedom and hope in my life, as a result.

This time around, I'll start with some of my favourite Scriptures from Deuteronomy. I think of them as the foundation for speaking life.

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.

This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 

I'd love to know what verses or truths you speak into your circumstances, too, so please share in the comments! We're in this life together. And if you need some life-giving words spoken over you, please say so!

Have a great weekend! 

Blessings and love. xo