Watermarks

Thorn in the Flesh

2010-06-14T07:17:00.000-07:00

Hello again! I know I haven't shared much at all on here, but I've been going through a lot of heart issues (not physical heart issues, but emotional and spiritual) and dealing with them and being set free in a lot of areas. I really didn't feel like I had anything to give or share because I felt so barren and dry. Then, God spoke this week and I felt like He wanted me to share this.

I have several things I'm believing God for, among them healing in several areas (eyesight, teeth restored, ideal body weight, my skin renewed) along with peace (fear/worry have been my biggest battle) and all my debts paid off. For some reason (and I really don't know if this was preached from the pulpit or not) because Apostle Paul had a "thorn in the flesh", I thought God would leave a thorn in the flesh for every believer. I've been believing God for the areas I mentioned, but would kind of rank them so if God was going to leave me one as a thorn it wouldn't be the one I was believing for the most.

On the drive home the middle of this last week, I was just praying a little and I felt God say why couldn't I believe for them all to be taken care of? I said that I thought he was leaving a thorn in my flesh and I felt his amusement as he said, "That was for Paul." So I started thinking about it and I realized Paul was God's special case. God had to literally stop him and blind him on the way to persecute Christians to get his attention. Don't you imagine God had tried to speak to him before, but no, Paul had to get slapped upside the head by God to even hear what he was saying. Then, by Paul's own words, if any Jew had a reason to boast, it was him and he goes on to list all the reasons he had to brag. God literally had to allow/leave a thorn in his flesh and it was so Paul would always remember it was about God and not him!!!

It's not that I don't think I'm above needing a reminder that it is all about God, but I think it is because God can generally whisper to me about what he wants and I listen. It may also take a nudge or two, possibly a shouted warning or even a hard shove, but I'm pretty sure this sensitive heart gets the message long before a bright light and a slap upside the head are needed to get my attention. So for me, God is saying to dare to believe him for everything I'm asking for.

I don't presume to tell you if you have a thorn or not, but knowing that I don't need one has set another part of this girl's heart free.

Breaking the Spirit of Toil

2009-01-04T20:02:00.000-08:00

I am such a go-getter by nature and I usually feel compelled to "make things happen" particularly if things seem to be moving too slowly. However, God in His great sovereignty has joined me with a man who is methodical (sometimes painfully methodical) so that I don't get ahead of God. The other day I was urging him, as we wives are so skillful at doing, to "make something happen" and to rectify a wrong that was done to him. While thoughtfully considering my passionate request, he said, "I'm going to pray about that, but I don't think that is what I am supposed to do." I wanted to add a quick, verbal jab about how God gave "me" to Him for just this very thing. To help him get moving and "get the lead out". You see, I abhor injustice and will often times take up the job of defending the ones I love in an effort to bring righteousness to a situation. While this "drive" is intricately woven throughout the fabric of my personality and is indeed a gift, it has, on many an occasion, gotten me in trouble when I ran ahead on my personal timetable and not on the Lord's.

Thankfully Darron, in his blessed, methodical way, sensed that God must be His defense. And boy was he right! That afternoon, the fifth day of our fast, that situation began to turn around. In fact, I dare say, we have already seen a 180 degree turn in our favor! What a God we serve!

While reading my Bible as Darron prepared a light Daniel-fast meal in the kitchen that evening, the Lord highlighted a passage for me in scripture found in Matthew chapter 6 that really caught my attention.

"So why do you worry about _________ (fill in the blank concerning the things you regularly worry about be it finances, clothing, career, children, etc.). Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all of his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you have need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

As we began to meditate upon this passage together, I realized that if I take up the cause to defend myself against wrongs done against me, then I will always have to take up that cause. That is pretty exhausting. Always looking over your shoulder. Always in a fighter's stance. That is the spirit of "toil". Clawing and scratching to make "your" way in the world. Is it any wonder why so many people hate Monday mornings? There's no rest in that kind of mindset.

Darron shared some insight with me on this very same passage. Jesus said that the lilies of the fields were clothed better than the most wealthiest king in all the world, Solomon. Imagine all the amazing designer gowns that America's actress gush over...hoping to don some famous designer's dress to the Grammy's or to the Oscars. Gowns worth tens of thousands. Yet the Lilly of the field, which is here today and will be dead tomorrow, God says those flowers are better dressed! Darron said to me, "We might think that it is lavish and wasteful to clothe a flower whose lifespan is so temporary. But God says to us, 'It's mine to dress.'"Aren't we, His people, much more valuable than the Lilly of the field?

I know that when I role the weight of the care upon the Lord and seek FIRST His Kingdom (God's way of doing things) and His righteousness, there is rest. I know that He has my back. He is my strong tower and my defense. He is my rear guard.

So before you take out a battery of prayer requests that you are ready to fire at the Lord all at once, why not crawl up into His lap and worship Him? I am really learning how to "live" a life of worship. Worship is not just what I do at church service or even in my personal quiet time moments with the Lord. Worship is what I say with my mouth about my God. May my life be a total confirmation of what I believe to be true about my God. He is the Great I AM!

P.S.--I've added a few wedding photos for those of you who weren't able to join us at our wedding celebration. Please enjoy. God gave Darron and I a debt-free wedding! Isn't God good?

Hi, I'm Cherinda.

2009-01-04T07:28:00.000-08:00

Hi, I'm Cherinda. Valencia invited me to share on her blog, so I thought I'd better introduce myself first.

I met V when we were in college at ORU and we were both placed on the summer missions team to Spain in 1993. It was obvious she had (has) zest for life and zeal for the Lord (two z words you can't use very often, but are so V). She was (is) also very compassionate and caring and just loved (loves) people. We clicked right away. (Incidentally, Terri D was also our teammate and my future husband was also on our team--we've been married almost thirteen years now.) It was a life changing summer for me and V and the members of that team hold a special place in my heart.

What I like to do to start off a New Year is to spend some time with God and ask him to give me a scripture for the year. I write it down in my journal and can go back and read it when I need some encouragement and I can also say it like an affirmation; that I am who He says I am and have what he says I have. I like to get in agreement with God.

Too often, we believe what we see and too often, it is not the truth. The truth is there and to get it from unseen to seen, we have to believe that it is. Simple, yet profound. It's no wonder so many people can't wrap their minds around it. To them, it is a paradox. To Jesus, he is simply speaking how it is. How beautifully profound, how beautifully simple. I love it!

I guess I mispoke when I said I only ask him for a scripture for the year. That's what I did four years ago. The past two, I've just let him keep giving me scriptures for my year until he is done (not that he can't give you scriptures to stand on during the year, but these are specifically from him for the year). I figure the more he gives me, the more I can stand on. More, for me, is better. (Same with communion, I take the largest piece of bread or cracker or whatever because I want as much of Him as I can get. I don't just want a little of Him, I want all that he is and all that he has.)

So here are the scriptures he gave me for this year (and boy, do they sure look good):

Psalm 18:30-36
"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles do not turn."

Psalm 121 (I have changed a few "yours" to personalize it.)
"I lift up my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not let my foot slip--he who watches over me will not slumber; indeed he who watches over Cherinda will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over me--the Lord is my shade at my right hand; the sun will not harm me by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep me from all harm--he will watch over my life; the Lord will watch over my coming and going both now and forevermore."

These are such beautiful scriptures of help and encouragement for me (us) and I sure needed it after such a hard year last year. I love it that he will broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles do not turn (important) and that he watches over me, now and forever. It lets me know just how much he cares and how important I am (we are) to him.

There you have it. I want to leave you with a blessing (because I like to bless and speak healing and wholeness): May God show you the depth of his love and concern for you, may he heal the dry, broken, barren places in your heart, may his blessings overtake you so that you do not even have room enough to contain them, and may you walk in health and peace and joy in 2009.

The Daniel Fast

2009-01-02T12:52:00.000-08:00

So our new church is participating in the Daniel Fast! I am so excited about it. Unfortunately, I have not been very consistent in fasting. I have only done this sporadically since Teen Mania days. It's sad of what you let go of...the things that were such a bedrock and an integral part of your Christian walk. Although as a church we were set to start on January 4th, Darron announced to me over the phone from work that he was beginning his fast early, on December 30th. I thought that was definitely the Lord's leading for our family.

I am a huge believer in this: The way you exit a year is the way you will enter the next. Darron and I are so eager for the favor of the Lord and increase that we are willing to "buffet our flesh and its carnal appetites" for more of the Lord. So I decided to start early, too. I hadn't eaten anything yet, so why not?

On New Years' Eve, it had already been a day- and- a- half of a complete fast and the voice of the Lord was so much more pronounced! I love living like this! I love hearing His voice so effortlessly and without second-guessing. Sometime that afternoon Darron called me to ask me if I would consider going on a "Soup" Date with him. You see our Daniel Fast consists of the following diet: soups, juice and water. I am allowed salads/spinach and an occasional bowl of oatmeal or grits should I start loosing weight. Oh, and some wheat crackers. This will last 21 days (See the book of Daniel chapters 1:12; 10:3).

So when Darron invited me on a Soup Date on New Year's Eve, I just thought that was the sweetest invitation. He took me to La Madeline's and we had Tomato Basil soup and water. That has got to be one of my most memorable dates of 2008! Basking in the presence of my husband and my God. Does it get any better?

Happy New Year!

2009-01-02T12:07:00.000-08:00

I hope that you are as excited about this year as much as I am! My beloved husband, Darron and I married just seven, short months ago. And in the midst of wedding planning we discussed from time to time that change was on the horizon. Not just the change of my name, my living arrangements, and the adaptation of learning how to become "one" with my spouse, but other significant changes as it related to our spiritual growth, place of worship, and our giving and wealth-building streams.

As God would have it, a brochure came to our home in the month of June inviting us to hear the riveting testimony of Bill Wiess's riveting message to the Body of Christ. I have to admit, as the testimony was about a 23-minute visitation to Hell, I wasn't interested; however, my husband was engrossed. He spent hours studying his testimony and looking up scriptural references that confirmed the speaker's encounter. Wanting to be supportive of Darron's interest, I attended the service held in Kingwood completely unaware that we would meet our future pastors at that event.

The testimony was stirring to say the least and although I did not meet the head pastor, I met his wife and found her personality delightful and her easy laugh contagious. They are Afrikkans from South Africa. She joked with us about how she was more African American than were we. Darron's quick and witty reply was, "You are right! I have never been to Africa. I am an American." And we laughed and laughed and laughed.

While perusing through their church flyer I was impressed by their boldness regarding the role of the Holy Spirit in the church body today. It really caught my attention.
Some time afterwards Darron received a call from him. He was so touched that he called me to tell me about their conversaion. On and on, my husband expounded upon how timely the pastor's call was. Before we knew it, we were exchanging phone calls and enjoying his wise counsel and his genuine extension of friendship. He never once tried to sweep us away from our current church and for this we were very grateful.

Soon it became quite apparent that this just might be the place God was leading us. Yet at the same time we were regularly visiting Believers Church in Katy, Texas. Which one, Lord?
You know for years I had been a faithful member of Lakewood Church. I had grown up there and never thought I would ever leave. I was even on staff for five years there. The person I am today is largely because of the greatness of that church and its leadership through the years. Even my husband's life was changed at Lakewood some nine years ago. Had he not met Jesus at Lakewood, he wouldn't even be alive today. And then I would have never met my Beloved. So we have a lot of fond, fond memories from that place.

However, nothing is forever as the late Pastor John Osteen used to say. The hardest decision was resigning from Compass and New Begginnings Classes as teachers and facilitators. We both love to teach! And it was a thrill ministering together in that capacity.

So as of December 22, 2008 we are now members of Christian Family Church, Int'l with Pastor Pieter and Tessa van Dyk. We are full of expectancy regarding where the Lord is about to take us. The best way that I can describe our unbridled joy is that we sense that we are on the launching pad. And as the Bishop T.D. Jakes would say, "Get ready, get ready, get ready!"

The Andersons

2008-07-27T18:07:00.001-07:00

Well, it's about time. In an effort to get settled into married life, I had to put a few things on hold--blogging happened to be one of them. I sure have missed my blog.

In exactly four days, Darron and I will have been married two months. I absolutely love married life. I tease Darron a lot about how much laundry he accumulates! I wash clothes about twice a week to stay on top of everything. I was listening to a Marriage on the Rock CD on "Designing Your Dream Spouse." In the lesson, the female author of the book with the self-same title of the lesson shared how she spent the first four years of her marriage comparing her husband to her father or some other great, male leaders that she admired in her church. Why can't you be like Brother Such-and-Such, the great orator and speaker? Or Minister Whatcha-ma-call-him, the man of the supernatural? Unbenownest to her she was tearing her husband down with her words until one day she looked up and she didn't even recognize him.

Realizing that she was serving as a destructive force of the enemy rather than a "builder", she began to actively seek out wise counsel. She remembered a woman whose personality is typically domineering, passionate and strong who was married to a more reserved male. "How in the world does she do it?" she mused. How does she keep from running over him?" As she spoke with her friend and new mentor she learned a critical truth. She didn't marry the man in his "height" of greatness. In fact, he was far from that early in their relationship. But rather than speaking "to the gap" she spoke to his potential. (Lisa Bevere quote)

How many of us women speak to our spouse's gap (lack or insufficiency)? To our children's gaps rather than speaking to their potential? Proverbs 14:1 states, "A wise woman builds her house but the foolish tears it down with her own hands." With her own hands.

Are you your family's worse enemy?

Taking the wise advice of this woman who had been married longer than she and was experiencing sustained success in her marriage relationship, the mentor encouraged her to identify a man in the Bible to whom she could "safely" compare her husband to without tearing him down. And with the Holy Spirit's guidance, she identified Joseph as the biblical character that she most found as sharing similar attributes and character traits of that of her husband.

Most people know the story of Joseph's coat with many colors. This woman went out and bought a brand new suit for her husband. Then holding up the coat she allowed that coat to represent her husband as she tenderly laid hands on it and began to intercede for her husband. As she poured herself into that prayer something supernatural began to happen. She began to see her husband as Christ saw him and thus began to treat him as if he were a Joseph. She began to pray for him as if he were already the mighty leader rather than looking at him in disdain because he was still on "the path to becoming".

So as I wash my Beloved's laundry, I pray over his day-to-day business. I pray for wisdom and favor to rise up in him. I declare success, and light and understanding. I declare increase and promotion.

It's a powerful thing to see a man through God's eyes.

Million Dollar Question:

Whether you are married or not, does/will your spouse see his or herself through your eyes? Is that an encouraging or discouraging thing?
If it is discouraging, in what way can you begin changing that today? If it is encouraging, in what way can you increase the empowerment that you provide?

Can You Believe it?--29 Days to the Big Day

2008-05-01T20:43:00.000-07:00

Well, saints the glorious days is quickly approaching. Darron called me this morning at work to tell me that we are exactly 29 days out from our marriage union. Glory to God, forever! Even his colleagues at work are counting down for him.

Our motto has been, "No stress!" And we've done pretty well at keeping the tension down and resisting the external or internal pressures that come with wedding planning. You know the temptations. The temptation to try to "outspend" the Joneses so that your wedding can be listed in "People's" Magazine or something. I got the greatest advice. One from Jennifer O and another from Candria. Jenn dropped the vision of a chapel into my spirit...the wooden pews, the ambiance that is associated with grand structures, etc. I'll never forget how I teared up as she described what she wanted in a wedding venue. My response was a quiet testament to my own secret desire gently revealed. I knew that's what I wanted.

Then Candria, at breakfast one morning, told me to pick my Top 3 Must Have's and to not compromise on them one iota. She asked me to discover Darron's as well and to make a commitment to "make that happen"...everything else is unimportant.

What were my Top 3?

1. The Chapel
2. The Photography
3. The Ring/Dress

I can say with brimming pride and a skip in my step, that all 3 desires have been met.

Now although I have been asked about little niceties such as food, invitations, or party favors, because it's not in the Top 3, it won't receive the focus of my energy and time. As a couple, we have committed to ridding ourselves of the shackles of debt and to do so we must start with what is immediately before us--the wedding. Wise financial stewardship goes a long way and will only add to the peace and stability we desire in our home. And while there are gorgeous invitations out there, the primary purpose for an invitation is for the dissemination of information and not the wowwing of guests.

We can't break the bank to keep up with the proverbial Joneses. It's like what Pastor John Osteen used to say, "Those people who feel they have to keep up with the Joneses don't realize the Joneses went broke last week!"

I love that line! And by the way, our last name is not Jones, it's Anderson!

So How's that Lofty List Coming...?

2008-03-04T19:22:00.000-08:00

Things have been hopping since the last time we spoke. I am happy to announce to all my readers out there in cyberspace that Darron and I are going to be married on May 31, 2008!
I cannot even begin to express our adulation. But since you're wondering about specifics, I will willingly indulge you.

Darron and I have courted for almost three years. A longer stint than what we initially planned but a necessary one since we felt we needed to practice financial responsibility. Getting married older has its advantages; however, the principal disadvantage is that at my age, you may have a little more debt than you should have. And since finances is hands down the source of great strife and tension in a marriage, we felt strongly that we had to gain some insight on how to tackle it so that we wouldn't fall into the same traps as so many couples do in this arena. Talk about stretching!!!

Last December I got a call from my pining Beloved (girls, ya gotta love that!) that we needed to get this "show" on the road. After discussing what the wedding day should look and feel like, we began to talk about a preliminary budget that could make our wedding day affordable yet elegant at the same time.

We started planning it the week of Valentine's Day and was able to secure my fairy-tale like venue, Ashton Gardens, that week! This was such a miracle because we initially thought it was out of our price range. And although we had settled upon having our wedding at a beautiful church in north Houston, a divine slot opened up for us to have it at our dream location. What a God! And to be able to secure such a well sought-after location three months before our wedding day is awesome indeed!

Got a great deal on my dress! Wait till you see me in it! It was shipped in two weeks (record breaking time so that I can get it altered in time for my bridal portraits). My photographer helped me find this great make up artist and so she'll be doing both my make up for my engagement, bridal and wedding photos! I have had SO much fun! And it has been quite smooth.

So I can cross off marrying my Sweetheart now.
We're 87 days out from our glorious union! And I feel blessed and at peace all at the same time!

1001 Days From Now

2008-01-22T20:01:00.000-08:00

The year is 2011. Just take a moment to look at that year and let it set for a bit.
Time marches on so quickly. Before we know it a decade or two has slipped by, almost between our fingers. Just in my three short decades, I wonder how many words I have left unsaid; plans I have left undone?

During my Teen Mania Days we were driven to almost the point of obsession with Life Goals and Action Plans. Those were some of the most formative and character-development days of my life. I often found myself gritting my teeth through aggressive challenges such as climbing Pike's Peak on just two hours of sleep, traveling 24 + hours to provide the ground support needed for Aquire the Fire's first Dome event, staying up late hours counseling young girls, and wrestling with my own insecurities and adverse issues. Man, we lived to the hilt. However, in my effort to find a natural hum and rhythm to life, I let go of a lot of that determined living that was expected of us out in the red hills of East Texas.

I can say with all honesty that I was awakened out of a lullish state as I was perusing through a friend's website. Her name is Kim Jarman and she is one of the most GIFTED photographers I have ever seen. Check out her site at kimberlyjarman.com. I love her work! Anyway, while enjoying the pictures, I happened upon her blog and thought I might as well take a look. She had written an entry that got my attention and so I wanted to share it with you. A few close friends challenged Kim to articulate 101 goals that she could accomplish in 1001 days....that's three years folks! Hence the title: "1001 Days From Now".

I loved her list and thought that I would prepare and share one for all my readers out there.
I desparately need the accountability and hope that the constant questions from my friends regarding where I am at in my List will create some wind for sailing and even soaring to successfully completing my list. Hope that you will badger me about it!

Okay, here goes:

101 Things in 1001 Days--January 23, 2008

1. Marry my Sweetheart
2. Plan an elegant and yet affordable wedding--debt free
3. Financially bless the family I am staying with
4. Financially bless my surrogate family that allows me to stay over
5. To serve as an effective tool to help my parents realize their dreams (especially financial independence)
6. To finish typing out Darron's manuscript
7. Begin research on Greeting Card Business
8. Develop effective strategy and timeline for execution of Greeting Card Business
9. Significantly grow my Ameriplan business to 1,000 in my organization
10. Duplicate myself in my IBO's to do the same
11. Complete my Teacher's Certification for High school and Middle School/ Register for School
12. Obtain my Masters Degree (Possibly Education)
13. Get certified as a Life Coach/Motivational Speaker (Biblically based principles)
14. Complete manuscript for my first book
15. Go on writing retreats two times a year
16. Write two more manuscripts that hold value and meaning
17. Plan one successful youth event
18. Plan curriculum for small to mid-size churches
19. Develop an effective "Teach the teachers" program
20 Go on a cruise with my husband
21. Go on a cruise with Brenda
22. Visit Brenda twice a year
23. Help Brenda put in writing the anointed ideas she has for college women
24. Help Candria with cookbook
25. Help Tamika with Youth line
26. Truly invest in the God-given visions of my friends
27. Help the Schneiders with their vision
28. Help my sister find her unique and individual "voice"
29. Have children
30. Begin a robust Emergency Fund
31. Begin a robust Savings Plan (Short term and Long Term)
32. Begin a robust Retirement Plan for Darron and I
33. Begin a Savings Plan to care for both of our parents
34. Purchase a home
35. Begin an aggressive and strategic way to pay mortgage
36. Expand the life of my car to 250 K
37. Buy all cars in cash
38. Take refresher English and Grammar Courses
39. Seek and avenue to minister to women in churches across Houston
40. Seek and avenue to minister to singles
41. Seek an avenue to minister to youth
42. Grow movie collection (especially classics and black and whites)
43. Consolidate quote collectiion
44. Update wardrobe (professional and casual)
45. Update house furnishing and décor
46. Lead a debt-free lifestyle
47. Pay off student loans
48. Take Financial Courses at Church and other venues
49. Read Financial and Business Books
50. Read Educational Books
51. Take an intermediate Piano Course
52. Take a Harp Class
53. Take a course on massages
54. Perform regular deep cleanings in my home
55. Exercise three times a week (aerobic/spin)
56. Take swim class and become a confident swimmer
57. Eat more fruit--as a daily regiment
58. Take a photography class
59. Get monthly pedicure and manicures (Aaaaahhhhhh!)
60. Complete a new book each month rather than segments of it
61. Become more internet savvy (gain mastery)
62. Cultivate the presence of God in my home and life
63. Create and protect an atmosphere in which the peace of God is our home
64. Place sermons in one folder/binder for further development and easy retrieval
65. Get new glasses and contacts
66. Teeth cleaning and whitening
67. Braces (Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!) I am praying that they'll be invalign (oh, the vanity!)
68. Sister and niece nights
69. Reach out to my in-laws in a way that is meaningful to them
70. Reach out to all my nieces and nephews in a way that is extremely meaningful to them
71. Celebrate birthdays and anniversaries of my family members
72. Honor my grandmother and great aunt by spending quality time with them and sending flowers
73. Send flowers to my future mother in laws a few times a year
74. Develop my spectrum of recipes especially beef
75. Lead a healthy lifestyle
76. Have a house full of healthy and tasty snacks
77. Start Life insurances
78. Get regular facials; take care of my skin
79. Be current on Current Events and Politics
80. Learn how to fly airplanes on Darron's video assimilation
81. Create an office or work station for Darron to work on his model planes in our home
82. Be intentional about working on my writing craft
83. Buy a TV guardian
84. Take care of hair (healthy)
85. Give to Keith moore, bill winston, Kenneth copeland's ministries
86. Take vitamins and supplements daily
87. Shop at Whole foods and central market, farmers market
88. Buy a digital camera that's computer compatible
89. Complete 3 Beth Moore Bible Studies for personal study
90. Apply what I have learned from the Happy Hunters regarding Healing and Authority
91. Apply what I have learned from Bill Winston re: The Kingdom in my work and life
92. Financially sow into a ORU student
93. Help Darron in accomplishing all of his dreams
94. Minister with Darron in teaching and writing
95. Create some memorable Father and Son moments for Darron and his son
96. Host some private dinner parties for close friends a few times a year
97. Hone my craft as a business woman
98. Hone and father develop message on the Garden of Eden (WWW from April 06)
99. Be intentional about developing relationship with my cousin, Melodee
100. Sow into Uresa for graduation/ Read through my Bible

With that being said, Happy New Year, Saints! So tell me, what are you expecting for this year? If you could pen down 101 things you'd like to accomplish in 1001 days, what would they be? How about in 101 days? That would take us to May 2, 2008. What do you say? Would you like to share with me your list?

Millionaire Dollar Challenge:
Divide your list into three groups of 33. What 33 things would you like to accomplish in 2008? What items can you accomplish with relative ease and what item will require more preparation and training? Out of the first group of 33, which items fall in your Top Ten list and which fall in your Top Five list? What item is #1 on your list (I bet you can figure out which one mine is! ) Oh, don't forget the outstanding two items that didn't fall into the three groups of 33.

Partner with a friend (possibly a Type "A" personality who will provide that additional support to accomplishing your goals). Get ready to stretch and grow! Happy trails!

From Auto-Pilot to Total Awareness

2007-12-04T21:00:00.000-08:00

Exactly one-and-a-half hours later I climbed out of my car in front of my blessed abode. It never ceases to amaze me how a simple 35-mile commute takes up so much of my mornings and evenings. Despite the length of time, I have purposed in my heart to transform that time into prayer and meditation or just some time to enjoy some great Christmas music.

I was driving a loaner car that the dealership provided for me while my car was being serviced. There’s a great testimony in that story which hopefully I will get to share with you later; however, I had plans on enjoying my Bluebell cookies and cream ice cream after getting settled in for the evening. Instead I felt this quiet yearning to connect with the Lord. It was so gentle I almost overlooked it. But it was as if the precious Holy Spirit was wooing me to be still for once and listen. I have had a few items on the spiritual docket that I have wanted to run by Him but had so busied myself with my relationship with my Beloved, working overtime and spending time with my family that I hadn’t earnestly sought the Lord’s presence or just basked in His presence.

So I stopped in mid-stride and turned back to my bed and waited. And then I waited some more. I didn’t grab my Bible because I didn’t want to assume that I knew what He wanted to say to me. I found myself praying in tongues for a few moments and then quietly worshipping. Then He came, as He always does…so faithful and so true. In the midst of my preoccupation with life, the precious Lamb of God stilled my heart and my feet so I could gain some re-direction. What a God!

Million Dollar Question:
Are you going 90-miles an hour on daily basis? What drives you (good or bad or indifferent)? Is there some preoccupation that has your heart? Your mind? Your gifts?
I want to challenge you with your current preoccupation.

Mark Chirona teaches that there are subtle inclinations of the leading of the Spirit in your life. Be aware. Be conscious. Stop going through life on auto-pilot. Stop going through the motions. Be attentive to His leadership and to His love.

Table Talk:
As you begin to identify what preoccupation has your heart and mind, would you share that with me? Please let me know how the Lord stills your feet and heart with His love.

Being Grateful—Recounting God’s Faithfulness

2007-11-17T15:08:00.000-08:00

When was the last time you have actively meditated upon the faithfulness of God? It’s amazing how short our memories are—particularly in the heat of a battle. Before we know it, we are reevaluating God’s goodness. Was God good to you last time? Well, why wouldn’t He be good to you this time? We have to be careful not to allow difficult challenges to bring on a temporary amnesia. An amnesia that is not called for and is in truth--very ungrateful.

My favorite women’s Bible Study teacher, Beth Moore, always says, “If we had the lives of ease that we have been praying for—our lives wouldn’t even make a good book!” But to have the life that is worth reading about, you’ve got to go through some storms and face some high mountains. We’ve got to experience those nail-biting moments when all seems lost BUT for the faithfulness of God! I hope I am stirring your faith up today!

During this season would you pause and begin to recount all the times God has proven Himself faithful to you? Think about all the times when you were facing impossible odds. One of the most inspiring stories in the Bible is the jubilant victory Sarah and Abraham experienced when against all odds they had a bouncing baby boy at age 90 and 100! Imagine the laughter that occurred in the middle of the night as her stomach began to grow with each passing month. I can just hear Sarah giggling from outside of her bedroom door, “I am going to be a mother! Me. Sarah. The one who was once barren. The fruitless streak has finally been broken! And why?—because Sarah counted God faithful.

In Genesis 21:6-7 it states, “Sarah said, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me." And she added, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."

God specializes in the impossible cases! I want to encourage you to be deliberate in celebrating all the wonderful things that God has done for you this year. Recall all the hard cases. Remember: God has an excellent track record!

The "S" Word

2007-11-05T22:08:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the delay in writing. I didn't forget you! I'm back and I sure did miss you!

So what is the "S" word, you ask. Well, it's submission. Now before you cringe at the sound of the word coming off your lips, I want to share with you my own personal journey into true freedom and liberation. Through a week long series of intermittent conversations, a dear friend and I contemplated upon this counter-cultural word. Although both zealous believers, admittedly we were failing in this category. How do you respect someone who doesn't respect you? I mean isn't respect earned? At least that's what we've been told all these years.

The danger in hearing a mantra over and over again is this--it can be mistaken as truth.
But no where in scripture do we find the phrase, "Respect has to be earned." But you will find in the Holy Writ that that we are commanded to give respect and honor--even to ungodly leadership. And in our case, if the leadership happens to be a believer, because they are human, sometimes they fall privy to their flesh and do things that are self-motivated. Yet, that does not relieve us of our responsibility for honor.

I was listening to Pastor Keith Moore (www.moorelife.org). You can download his sermons for free on his website. Anyway, he said that even when you are unable to respect the person, then respect the "place". In other words, respect the position because the position is of God.
And when we respect the place, we won't fall out of grace. I wish I would have grasped this truth, years ago. My professional life would have been a whole lot sweeter!

For me, the battle had been in how I had previously viewed the male leadership within my life. From my perspective they tended to lack something. If it wasn't passion, then it was vision. If it wasn't vision then it was commitment. And if it wasn't commitment then it was spirituality. Subconsciously, I was measuring them against myself thereby making myself not Christ the standard! How haughty is that?!

Being a woman of action, I couldn't wait on men who were plagued with passivity or indecision or doubt. So I leaped ahead of them or prodded or pushed. Is it any wonder why the hail and sleet was leaving me cold and miserable! I was not under the protective covering.

I must have been a sight! And that disdain and critique kept men at a safe distance. Let's say at least a couple of miles or so.

Yet on the inside, I so desperately wanted the man to meet the standard. To meet my expectations. To be strong. To be valiant. Please see me! Please save and rescue me!

But instead of men hearing my silent cry they intercepted another poignant message--disrespect. I remember in college a friend commented that if it weren't for Christ I would be a feminist. That's not something I wanted to be associated with because feminists seemed "independent" just for the sake of being independent. They appeared to lack the softness that a man yearns for in a woman and I didn't want to convey that hard spirit. My friend Lori told me that independence is a spirit. And in today's society it is counter-cultural to resist that spirit. It goes against everything we have been taught.

I mean what is the role of a helpmeet anyway, ladies? I mean, isn't that one of our "core" and essential roles? Within the last year I have discovered that the word used for "helpmeet" referenced in the Book of Genesis and used for the woman is used again but only for one--the Holy Spirit. It absolutely humbles and leaves me utterly speechless to know that God has given me a role that significant, that precious, that influential and that powerful that He would use a word that is uniquely used to describe one of the essential functions of the Holy Ghost! Lord, have mercy!

I am just beginning to grasp...and I mean it's in a fledgling and extremely developmental form..but I am just beginning to grasp this truth: I am an influencer and the man serves as a doer. Similar to how the Holy Spirit is the Helper and we are the doers. The Holy Spirit never usurps nor does he try to take the reins away from man. He gently speaks, impresses upon the heart, nudges but he does not push or dominate. He let's man do. But the Holy Spirit can't help unless he is doing something in which He can come along and help.

All this time, I pushed and dominated. If he wasn't doing it right, then I wanted the reins so that it could be done and done right! I was convinced I was right. But how many of you know you can be right and still be wrong. Your spirit and your motives can be so corrupted with "your way" of doing things and your "need to be right" as the expense of relationship, that you miss the whole crux of the entire matter.

How can that man become comfortable in his own skin and within those "big"shoes he's trying to fill, if I keep tripping him up with my insatiable need for the reins?

Love must be our motivation. Our reason. Our fuel. The God kind of Love is the Greatest Commandment and everything springs from this. And if I will love (respect, admire, esteem, value) the men God have placed within my life, God will make sure that His daughter is taken care of and reaps the rewards of the God kind of Love.

The "S" Word or submission, although hard on the flesh and hard on my self-will, is liberating for the spirit. God's way is always the best and is the better way. How can I be sure, you ask. Because God is love, and Love never fails! Love is not a feeling. Love is a Person. Love is God! And this is my determined resolve--to truly please the Lord by obeying His commandment of Love.

Million Dollar Question:
What does respect look like in practical terms to the male leader(s) in your life, women? The tone of your voice? Eye-contact? How you speak of him in his absence and in his presence? Body language? Who's help can you solicit to serve as a live camera to mirror back to you how you are doing in this critical area?
Men, I don't have any questions for you on this one. Just pray for us. We really do need you in our lives!

This is What It's All About

2007-10-16T13:58:00.000-07:00

This is what it's all about! I wanted to leave a link for you to an inspiring video that will make your day.

http://www.mychurch.org/blog/30635/coolest-video-ever

Tell me what you think!

Valencia

Quiet Reflections

2007-10-15T14:01:00.000-07:00

A few short days ago I received a call from my sister informing me that one of the students from my youth group days had passed away. He was 24 years old. Can I tell you how much it pains my heart to see a young person die before his time?! Die before"his race" ever really got started. Die before he had the chance to see what God had prepared before the ages of time-- the good paths that he should walk in.

Although much younger than me, he wanted to be around the older kids. He was kind of like the younger brother that you include in everything and sometimes have to remind yourself that he is almost a decade younger than yourself. My most vivid memories of this young man was when I served as the Assistant Drama Director for the youth ministry's drama team during my high school and college years (during college I would come home for breaks or after missions trips and help the director with script writing for upcoming fall retreats, youth rallies and what not).

I was unfailing strict--a Harvey trait that runs through my veins. And although I have lightened up a little...just a little...I had and still do possess a passion to see youth really get it! I mean, really get God. I am an advocate of mentorship and accountability and I believe that when a child or student has the appointed voice of another adult enforcing the reality of a living God in everyday life, then I believe that we can truly prevent long and dangerous detours down destructive paths.

I am passionate out missions. You know what I used to love about taking a teenager on a missions trip!? I used to love making them lead in corporate prayer and devotions or take the lead in the ministry of the laying on of hands so that they could pray the prayer of faith over an adult who was sick with a disease. When that sick person got up completely well, I knew in that moment that that teenager was convinced! He was convinced of the reality of a Savior. The scripture was no longer nice religion or good theory but it was LIFE!

Sometimes I think I am just too radical and too extreme for some. I mean I honestly believe that a child doesn't have to stray. If they stray it's because we, the Church, are a boring lot. We are stiff and we are dead. There is nothing that really challenges them, provokes them and yes, even scares them enough to come and take a closer look at a Living God. I see it in youth now. Those who have grown up in a home with BOTH parents, at church every week, etc. and yet something draws them away. The Book of James says it well when it says, "Every man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed..."

I think about my desires. The good ones gone wild (out of proportion and imbalanced, my obsessions). And I think about the dark ones, too. I think about desires that run deep within our family line...generations back, that if fed rather than starved, will mean my very destruction.

Today I am thinking about the youth in my church, both past, present and future. Are they bored? Have we as the Church bored them? What about the kid that is adventurous and super-passionate? Are we channeling that sense of adventure responsibly or do we overlook it as a phase that they will grow out of? Is it phase or is it a tell-tale sign to something more?

Here's another question. Is it possible for a kid to still be entertained and have fun in church and still be bored? Deep thoughts. I mean bored in their spirits. Bored in their gut.

What about our youth that have an insatiable desire for sexual intimacy? How long has it lain dormant? When did it first surface? I know at the end of the day, you can not remove the power of choice. Free will. But I ask you, what are we doing to be a catalyst for change? I can not just sit and watch anymore youth that grew up in the church and had a legitimate relationship with Christ, turn away and loose decades of their lives to the deception of world. (the lust of the flesh, the pride of life, the deceitfulness of riches)

The Book of James goes on to say that when desire is conceived it brings forth sin and sin (when it comes to full term) brings forth death.

I have been mulling over the idea about what my response will be to this recent death. It is the second death in about a four to five year period. The first death from our youth group was a young man of 28 years of age. And if you rewind about fifteen years earlier we had two teens die to violence. Neither one was twenty years of age. Just poor decisions. Poor influences. According to two of my former youth leaders, that twenty-four year old man did get things right with God on his death bed. I am indeed grateful to God for this. But oh what life could have been!

So, I ask myself: "Valencia, how long are you going to just talk about this? What will be your response?" I don't know how often I have allowed myself to be paralyzed by indecision, passivity and doubt. Not sure of how to start, I stare numbly at the myriad of questions thinking: "If only I knew what to do."

I think I am supposed to gather the youth I grew up with. I think we need a reunion. I think we need to be reminded of how rich the good Word of God was and still is and begin to actively apply it to our lives. I think many of us need to be encouraged, hugged and told that "God is still for us and that God believes in us." I think we need to be told that we can "redeem the time lost" by the grace of God! I think we need to have our old leaders, men and women of standard, to breathe life into us again and answer the ancient question out of the Book of Ezekiel, "Can these bones live?"

To those reading this post: Please hold me accountable. Pray that I might walk in the courage and the faith to bring this thing to pass! Pray that God would begin to draw the people now, in their mid-twenties and early thirties, back unto Himself. Pray the Lord of the Harvest would send laborers out into His fields.

Millionaire Dollar Question:
Within your circle of influence, what "thing" has died that God would desire for YOU to resurrect? What's your first step?

For your reading pleasure--
I wanted to give you the full text of Scripture regarding speaking to "the dead bones" in your life (circle of influence). Oh remember that although this scripture is indeed talking about the nation of Israel in that natural sense, spiritually speaking, "Israel" is also a type and shadow of the Church. Please keep this in mind when you are reading this passage.

Exekial 37:1-14
1 The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. 3 And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" So I answered, "O Lord God, You know." 4 Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: "Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. 6 I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord." ' " 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them. 9 Also He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live." ' " 10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. 11 Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, 'Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!' 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 13 Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. 14 I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it," says the Lord.' "

To Go or Not to Go

2007-10-12T13:18:00.000-07:00

Wow--it's October. The weather is just starting to get crisp and it feels great. I actually need a light jacket in the morning as I am preparing to leave for work. And with the coming of cooler weather I get the sense that the God is tugging at my heart. It's a call to hyper-sensitivity. The kind of awareness that senses a transition coming. I don't even know if it's THE transition, or if it's just the precursor to the MAIN deal. You know what I mean. If I am being cryptic, then I will try to clarify. I feel that I am being coached at this present moment to heighten or to elevate my level of understanding/comprehension of what the Lord is currently doing in the earth. Or at least in my particular sphere.

Yes, God is working. And yet I am discovering that His workings are so intertwined it what may appear to be so natural, that it is just possible that I might overlook it as something of my own notion.

Whatever it is, I do know this, that any hesitancy--even the slightest bit of hesitancy--could mean that I could totally miss an opportunity or a divine appointment. Lest I run the risk of sounding like a
Spooky-Pooky (as Dr. Creflo Dollar calls it) I will explain.

Two weeks ago I arrived at my Beloved's abode so that we could ride to church together. He was running late, which is rare for him, so I took the time to prepare my tithe before departing. I knew that we would be late for Compass Class and I was really looking forward to hearing Cheryl teach. Sistah Cheryl is a powerhouse and her ability to exhort the Body of Christ draws a deep reaction out of me. It's like her words physically stirs my spirit to respond to God. As we traveled down the highway, I reasoned to myself that I shouldn't disrupt the class by entering in after she had already begun to speak. Such a bad example! I chastened myself--especially since I am on the teaching team that I shouldn't be late. I was about to resign myself to just sitting in the auditorium and waiting for the 11:00 am service to begin. And as I went back and forth about this with myself, I finally resolved that I must go. I always receive revelation when I go to Compass Class so I decided to shake off embarrassment and come into class.

Although there was only twenty minutes left of class, the presence of Jesus was so evident. I was so stirred and moved. Such ministry took place! There was such a call to action. Cheryl and her husband ministered to those that had ailments in their bodies and I stood to receive prayer. I felt like I needed to tell the Lord that I would obey Him in everything. No hesitating. No second-guessing. Total obedience. I felt like I needed to tell Him that I was inviting His presence into my life at a new level and that I was on a quest to "seek Him early" rather than later--and especially not just in moments of desperation.

Oh, God is so good! After sitting down, I just wanted to bask in His presence and contemplate on what I just heard. Out of my peripheral I could see my head teacher, Chantel, approaching. When she stood in front of me she began to minister a direct word from the Lord to me. Can I just say it was right on time and right on point?

What if I had of gone into the auditorium and waited?!! Well, she wouldn't have been prompted to give the Word. And oh, what encouragement I would have missed out on! Basically God used her to confirm to me that IT IS TIME. Time to make the shift. Time to shed off distractions that have accumulated on my life. Time to shed the excess weights so that I could go higher. And in order to go higher; I must go deeper in Him. Yet, God expressed His belief in me. He knows that I will make the shift.

It amazes me how God can be in the most simple and yet natural decisions. To go or not go. I had no idea that "God" was in it. But He was and He is.

So here's the Million-dollar question for you today:
What shift do you need to make in order to access the next level God has for you--spiritually, professionally, and financially?

Under the Microscope

2007-10-10T13:38:00.000-07:00

Today I spent much of my afternoon reading through the posts contributed on a fellow alumni's myspace. The topic of discussion? Accountability in the Church body at large. There was a general air of discontent and frustration regarding the slow and seductive pull that power has on an individual. When does the intoxication actually begin and what can we do to guard against it's gravitational pull in our own lives? How many private indiscretions have to become public scandals before we take personal ownership and responsibility?

While discussing this matter with a close friend, she reminded me of this: "You can rest assured that before God judges a man or woman publicly He has spent years judging them in private." I couldn't agree with her more. Such is the compassionate nature of our Father. Pastor Keith Moore says this in effect: "God doesn't want you to miss it. He wants to lead you. And so if you're not hearing Him, He will tell you again. And if you don't hear Him, then He will tell you again. And if you miss it, well, He will tell you again. And if you still don't hear, then He will give you a dream. And if you didn't get it, then He will give you another dream. And if you still don't hear Him, then He will send someone to tell you. And if you don't hear them, He will send another person to tell you. And if you still.....do you get my drift? This could go on for years. Look at the account of this Israelites in Exodus. He is so longsuffering and so patient with us. Yet, I am learning that God's mercy can also take on the form of judgment in my own life--that is--if I am unwillingly to judge myself. And if I continue to ignore the little urges to from the Holy Spirit to change.

Yes, when a public figure in the Church Body is under public scrutiny surely even this, is God's mercy--as painful as it is to the flesh and to our ego.

The problem with ego, particularly if you are in some degree of lime light, is that we start to believe our own press. It's like we diligently follow the feedback of our fans...the groupies that are mesmerized with the way we talk, the way we move and the way we act. A number of years back, a friend and I were discussing the implications of accountability and the need for us to establish preliminary guidelines of what accountability looked like in practical terms. Accountability was new to us and we were kind of adding, subtracting and revising as we went along. Then all of a sudden her tone became somber and direct as she said to me: "If you are going to be impressed with my giftings and my anointing then we cannot be friends. I have had enough of that in my life. I do not need a friend who is impressed with me. I need the knife--brutal and honest. I need to know the truth about me."

That was almost ten years ago and I have never forgotten it. And although we live hundreds..possibly a thousand...miles apart she is-- hands down-- the most honest force of truth in my life (outside of the Word of God). I do have mentors and other friends that hold me accountable in areas. But she by far has the most holistic look into my life where even the sacred and treasured, yes, even "cherished sins" are up for scrutiny. Sounds uncomfortable, doesn't it? Yes, but surprisingly it is quite liberating. It is a safeguard that continually helps me to "overcome" myself. Because let me tell you, I can get in the way of God's best for my life. Can anyone relate?

Authentic accountability is a deep dive into humility. And our willingness to clothe ourselves in it will be the protection we need from the seductive pull of power unchecked and imbalanced.

Headshot

2007-10-08T21:07:00.000-07:00

So here is my most recent headshot. It was taken on my birthday. I felt like a million dollars! :0) For those of you who are taking the time to read the pages of this blog, I cannot even BEGIN to express to you the unbridled joy and anticipation that I have in sharing my heart with you on a regular basis. I believe in the human potential. That's my true industry and calling. And I am on an all out quest to stir within the hearts of men and women an active desire to come out of false comforts of counterfeit security and to actively engage in life. Not the safe existence that is content with dragging through the day...just going through the motions as we wearily trudge from work to home and then from the table to the bed. No, I am talking about that fervent place inside of you that has long been buried but is now stirring anew... I want to be your daily wake-up call so as to rally your spirit to total attention. I am a writer and speaker and so I may get a little bit long-winded, but my prayer and desire is that you would not get lost in the words but that these words would be your vehicle of release! I am confident that what you will find in the pages of this blog will fully penetrate your very core and call forth a man or a woman of power, passion and purpose. Are you up for the ride? Let's go--together! Shall we?

Just Getting Started

2007-10-08T19:33:00.002-07:00

Well, I finally did it! I am starting a blog. I know, I know. You are wondering what took me so long. For some odd reason I was under the distinct impression that blogging was a reckless form of catharsis. Too much exposure for me! Having no intention on airing my laundry list of mishaps and shortcomings, I quietly withdrew from the idea. Not to mention that my father's strong aversions to openly communicating your precious "information" over the worldwide web was a bit of a deterrent to say the least. Baby Boomers--ya gotta love 'em'! Speaking of Baby Boomers, I plan on marrying one of 'em...he's on the younger end of the baby boomer generation, although he will NOT admit it. But who's counting!? :)

Anyway, after a little nudging from a few close friends regarding the vast opportunities associated with blogging, I finally conceded. My intention in starting this form of communication is to reconnect with old friends from college and particularly all my intern and staff friends from Teen Mania and the Honor Academy. My second reason for writing this blog is to prayerfully use this as a tool of ministry for those who may feel drawn to my words, thoughts and heart.

With that being said: Welcome! Grab a cup of your favorite hot (or if you're from the South, ice tea) and for you yuppies out there, Starbucks--(I recommend the Caramel Macchiato, upside-down, with an extra splash of caramel) and enjoy!