Something to be thankful for

Jude 1:24,25

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.


How amazing is the Lord that I serve. So many people think that it is unecessary to give audible and visible praise. Well God is an audible and visible God. Why not praise? Why not worship? Why not give everything that is in me to give?

~I serve Him because I love Him, that's all

Umm...I just love Him

When I was not seeking a change

You changed my world to capture my heart

When I was not concerned with your will

You broke me of my own....

~These are just a few words that I had swirling around in my head.

I just got back from an AMAZING time in Chicago. We had a great time. Along with our time with Pastor Niecy, I got to meet and chat with Kimberly Ray (LOVE HER!!), pray and sing and chill with Tanya Ray (LOVE HER!!), and meet, greet, and eat with several other amazing people.

(Tanya Ray)

We arrived in Chicago Friday morning and at once began to act a fool (Courtney and I that is).

(Pastor Niecy)

We were kind of nervous about meeting up with Pastor Niecy again because the last time we spent time with her, well...let's just say she brought a lot of things to light which forced both of us to focus on pressing for a deeper relationship with God. Well, this time was no different. Folks, Pastor Niecy gave us the BUSINESS! LOL She is so loving and kind, but in a brutally honest kind of way. She explained it to me like this: she will not

spare my feelings because she doesn't want to see me being held back by anything, so if it means a feeling here or there is hurt, or I'm out of my pretty little comfort zone, so be it. All I can say is I love her. On our last day there we were eating at this place called Leona's (Praise God for CHICAGO ITALIAN FOOD) I asked her when it was that she began to really live for Christ. She said she was 16. She also said she wishes that she hadn't wasted so much time (as if age 16 wasn't super young to be sold out for Christ). Then she just began to talk about her love for God and the tough Pastor Niecy literally started to cry talking about how much she loved God. I will never forget that moment...ever. I love my G.M. Pastor Niecy!

The last dinner was kind of funny. So in case you didn't know...I LOVE Whitney Houston. I'm sitting at this table across from people who believe in a 100% holy lifestyle and a Whitney Houston video comes on. And not just ANY video, but How Will I Know. Automatically, I start to do a little jig. Not on purpose, its just my natural reaction to Whitney Houston. lol And this small action of mine began one of the most interesting conversations of my life.

Sitting with from Pastor Niecy and three three other members of her church, I pose the question; "Y'all don't listen to secular music?" The question was later expanded to going to movies, watching tv for entertainment, etc. I'm probably gonna write a whole blog just on this conversation, but in short, Pastor Niecy explained it like this; it's not a sin or anything to go to movies and all of that, but if she sees something as being unproductive in terms of building up the kingdom of God, it's pointless. I understood her point of view. I personally enjoy going to the movies and certain secular artists, however I do understand that our purpose is not to be entertained, but to dedicate our lives to the cause of Christ; to be living sacrifices.

In December of 2008 I made the decision to cut out music that is blatantly against what I know the Lord represents. Although I had a secret love for Lil Wayne and Drake, I've had to cut them out, and it's not because I don't think they're not talented. They both have a peculiar way of expression, however, they do not represent God in any way, shape or form. So the ladies with whom I was eating had that same mindset, only it expanded to a more broad spectrum of entertainment. They did say that they watch some t.v., movies, etc., however not a lot because they are so submerged in their lives with God that they simply don't have that kind of time to waste.

(Pastor Kimberly Ray)

I really needed this trip. Before I left, I knew that I was more on fire for God then I had ever been. Now, a few days later, you know what? I am more on fire for God then I have ever been! LOL Every comfort, every material thing, even every relationship is nothing compared to the comfort, love, and compassion that my Father has given me. I live to make Him happy. I live to be available to Him. Every morning I wake up and I want to be closer to God than I was the day before. I want to hear Him more clearly. I want a greater level of faith. I believe I said this in an earlier blog, but this year I want that "walk on water" type of faith. No joke; "unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Alright, so I'm still working on me. Who knew with they signed up for this Christian walk that it would take so much trial, error, tears, late nights, brokenness, periods of isolation, etc. I sure didn't know. But now that I know how steep the requirements can be, I'm also aware of how worth it He is. I am full of faults and inconsistencies...FULL. However everyday I'm learning that the God who grants me grace each day is willing to work on me if I am willing to work with Him.

I was talking with a friend the other day, just trying to encourage her about a mistake that she had made and was still feeling guilty and condemned 3 years later. In encouraging her, I encouraged myself. I was telling her that nothing we do can surprise God. He knows every unclean thing that resides in our hearts. He knows what we've managed to hide from everyone else. And in knowing all of that, He still chooses to make available His grace and forgiveness, if only we'd ask Him and decide to walk in His light (1 John 1:7). I realized something in that conversation, and that is every feeling of guilt, failure, etc. can be washed away with a deeper revelation of His grace. The Lord delights in forgiving us, but we first must come to Him, ready and willing to receive it.

I just wanna make you happy/I just wanna make you smile/I just wanna make you proud that I'm your child

~My Father's child

Rockin!!

Hey peoples.

Today is the BEST day ever. No wait...yesterday was the BEST day ever! NO wait....it seems that all my days these days are the BEST most ROCKINEST days ever. I can honestly say that these past few weeks have been amazing. Why you ask? Well there is a number of things:


#1. I'm learning what it means to surrender

-It is so hard for me sometimes to surrender the things I carry to God because well, I like to be independent and think that "hey, I'm strong. I can handle it." No ma'am. I will only
rejoice in my weakness, because that is when my God flexes His muscles for me!

#2. My relationships are wonderful
-I'm learning that power that good and not so good relationships have. I am learning that you should pour into the lives of those you are in relationship with, as well as be poured in to. In the past few months I have made some WONDERFUL new relationships and changed some old ones. I believe that I can truly say that my people (the ones I see often, and even
the ones I don't see so much) are the greatest people.

#3. I'm learning the value of communication
-The other day I had a little discussion with a friend about what makes relationships work. We came up with you things: keeping the Lord at the center, and communicating.

#4. Spiritual Rejuvenation
-I know that when you read my blogs you must be like..."this girl is ALWAYS being 'spiritually rejuvenated'." Well....you're right. I am not content with being in the same spiritual place every day. I'm not content with being comfortable. For a while I just wanted the Lord to change my life...make me uncomfortable. umm...He did it. He shook some things up, turned some things around, and moved the ground on which I stood and thought was solid. So for a minute there I was like..."ummm hold up Jesus. I didn't know you was gon do all this!" After that short period of hesitation I'm just like..."Lord do what you gotta do! I don't want to be the same ever. Move me. Change me. Make me a better vessel to carry your glory." *It's amazing how your attitude changes with other stuff stopsmattering and your focus in completely on how can you give God glory every day.

Current events: I'm going to Chicago this week-end. I am very excited. I haven't been to Chicago in a really long time. I'm going to visit the Ray Sisters and attend a couple of their service. (I'll add a vid of two of them on here later on today...youtube doesn't work at my current location). I'm also very excited to eat eat eat!!! ALSO I plan to start guitar lessons really soon. I can pick my way through a song, but its about time to get some theory and technique down. AND I'm on the prowl for a new humble abode. I think I've found it! Ladies and gentlemen, it was yellow, with light blue shutters and a white picketed patio. I LOVE it!!! It's so bright and sunny. AND (lol) I'm making a scrapbook for a friend. So in case you didn't know, I don't think I'm the best at scrap booking, but I'm super excited to do it! I hope it turns out well. Ok...one more thing. I'm making a skirt for Courtney. I'm praying it turns out right! LOL It's harder than I thought it would be, but I think it should work. Let's just pray it fits her! I'll put a pic up as soon as I'm done.

Word of the day: Love

We as Saints of God are always looking for opportunities to minister. Minister in song, dance, public speaking. You know what I believe is the most effective ministry? Loving other people. That means speaking to people you may not necessarily want to speak to. Being available to serve others. Praying for those that are close to you and not so close to you. Just loving others because this is the ministry that God has given each of us.





In the Love of Christ,



Anjelica

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Hey peoples,



I don't really have much to say other than God is sooo faithful. No matter what you will ever face, when God makes a promise, He WILL fulfil it!



I am grateful!



I went to think night of straight up WORSHIP in Spring Hill. It was called the Awakening. I LOVED IT!!!! AHHH Basically we were probably there for maybe 3 hours or so and the entire night was full of worship and praying for one another. At one point we teamed up with someone we did not know and prayed for one another. I ended up with a lady named Tracy. I have never met her before, but I quickly learned that she is the BOMB. I gave her my prayer request and she truly came out of herself and began to pray heaven DOWN! She was so sweet and I could tell that she loved God and that was it. You know how you meet someone and you don't really have to wonder about their motives or whatever, you just know by the spirit that they are one of the Saints. That's what it was like for me when I met Tracy. So anyway she prayed for me, and I prayed for her....it was great!

Then we worshiped and a lady (I think her name was Monica, the facilitator of The Awakening) got up on the mic and just began to pray and call upon God, and then she called this lady up to the front. This lady was just another attendee of The Awakening. Monica then began to pray and prophesy over this lady and it was wonderful. It was such a spirit of freedom and openness for the spirit of God to move however He wanted to. After that lady sat down (well actually, she fell out, but they picked her up and took her back to her chair) Monica looked in my direction, pointed to me and said...."you, come here. Come on up." Now you know my heart stopped right? LOL

Side note: This isn't the first time this has happened to me, and I'm beginning to wonder like...Lord, whats UP??! lol

So anyway, Monica began to pray and just speak what she heard God saying, and another guy came up and do the same. It was an amazing experience because although everything that was said was like confirmation and encouragement about what I'm currently going through. I love when God just comes with the right word at the right time, even if it's just to say..."I am your God, and I am still here with you." God doesn't have to say anything profound. I've found out that it's enough to know that He is still with me. Psalm 39 says no matter where I am, the Lord is there. He was using this night to just remind me that He is still here with me, and that I need to keep fighting and reaching for Him, regardless of whats popping up around me.

After they were done speaking over me, Tracy came back up. I was confused because she didn't say anything. So I thought I was done, and I started to go back to my seat. Well they called me BACK up there because Tracy had a song she wanted to sing over me. It was AMAZING!! It wasn't a song that I've ever heard. It didn't even sound like it was coming from Tracy. It was like Tracy was not even conscious of the words she was singing, but she was at that moment, a vessel. I've never experienced anything like that before, and all I could do was close my eyes and receive.

For the next hour I worshipped. I don't know what was going on around me. God is amazing. Then Beckah Shae (I met her a few weeks earlier at Abba's Heart) came up to me and gave me a wonderful word of encouragement. I love people who step out and commit their lives to being a messenger for the Lord.

I'm learning slowly but surely that God uses people at different times to minister to you in different ways, but at the end of the day our job is to learn from them and receive what God had for you in that relationship to receive, and remain in God's embrace. Whether or not that relationship lasts forever or a week, there is purpose in it. I thank God for everyone that is currently in my life, and those who were but are no longer because as I said, there is purpose in it ALL.

My current focus: God. LOL Like fa real. I love my time with Him. Don't get me wrong, I love my peeps, but their is nothing like taking yourself away and being with God. I'm finding more and more that my fulfillment is so not in my relationships with other people. They are only supplemental. God is my source of EVERYTHING I will ever need. I am so grateful that the Lord had to take me through some things for me to realize that. He is faithful in that He loves us too much to leave us as we are (Thanks Max Lucado). There is nothing the Lord will not do to draw us, and no matter how uncomfortable or lonely that place may have been for me, I love the outcome!

Alright, I need to get back to work. I have too much stuff to do for school. Graduation: 8 months!!

Great is Thy Faithfulness...it makes me only want to be more faithful.

Word of the day: You guessed it...faithful.

Anjelica

Makeover

Good day peoples!

Guess what? I got a make-over a few weeks ago. It was much needed because my look was so outdated. I have gotten way to old to wear some of the things that I used to think were cool. I had outgrown that old look. You know how sometimes you just look in the mirror and just say to yourself..."I have GOT to get a new look." Yup, that's what I did. Only instead of looking in my bathroom mirror, I looked in the Word of God. And guess what it said...yup! MAKEOVER TIME!!!! Only, this type of makeover isn't so fun, but the changes that result are not temporary, but eternal...hopefully.

Can I talk to you a minute? K great, thanks

Isaiah 6 talks about a man who said "yes" to God, and from that day was changed. Until recently I didn't know what it really meant to say "yes God." I knew it was more than just a word and a few crocodile tears. I knew it was more than that, but I still could not seem to say it in a way that would make it permanent. Like I'd say "yes" on Friday, but three weeks later I would be back to questioning God about what He was doing, like He didn't know. I go back to searching for the opinions of others when I knew what was what.

5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."
6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."

Purification


For the past few months (umm...maybe years) I've gone along pretty content with my life. I knew that I hadn't reached my destiny and I was content in my striving to get there, because I felt like I was making progress, and I was. I was progressing at a nice pace for someone who is 22 years old and just trying to make it in a world that doesn't always want to give you a leg up. I'm realizing these days that it's true, I was doin alright for myself; slowly advancing, climbing the ladder of academia. Putting some degrees under my belt. Making some speeches and appearances at professional conferences. However, I am learning that God has so much more for me than striving and struggling. I have a wonderful habit of getting caught up in the process and forgetting about the destination. I stopped one day not so long ago. Stopped the striving and the struggling and the fitting in, and all I said was..."yes God." It wasn't pretty. It wasn't eloquent. It was real. I am unclean, with unclean lips and an unclean heart. Woe is me honey! But I asked God, if you would only take coal and place it upon my lips so that I might be clean. So that I speak only things that you would speak. So that I do only things that you would do. So that I go only places you would go. Because woe. is. me. Caught up in the process, forgetting about the destination.


I have a great drive for knowledge. I love to KNOW things. For the most part, that is an asset. It's good to want to constantly educate yourself about your surroundings. Knowledge is power, and people parish for the lack it. Only for me, there would be times when my thirst for knowledge would be so great that I'd surprise that all important step of gaining wisdom.


Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.


After learning all that I have learned I am now in a place where I am ready to gain wisdom. What is the point of knowledge if you don't know how to use it. What's the point of knowing the bible if you don't follow it. God says if you love Him, you'll obey Him. Simple right? Only if you have a serious "yes God" in you. Would you be willing to give up every comfort, every secure thing in your life if God said that you need to come away with Him? The verse says "though it cost all you have, get UNDERSTANDING." A lot of people have knowledge, but it takes a perculiar person to be brave enough to use that knowledge to make an actual change.

One thing I've learned and am beginning to understand is this: When God is pulling you away, you need to go away. "Deep calls to deep" (Psalm 42:7). You can't fully ignore His call, probably because you'll have no peace of mind nor spirit. He is trying to shape you and prepare you for where you are going. You need to get back on the potter's wheel, and no matter how hard it may be, you can't take people with you. This is a solo ride. As I said, it takes a complete "yes God" to be willing to let go of your current life for the life He wants of you.

My life is no longer my own. The hand of the Lord is making me over.


So now what?

I'm excited. I'm ecstatic. I'm willing. I'm scared. I'm just going along with God on this one, completely trusting Him. COMPLETELY. It doesn't matter what is said about it. It doesn't matter how I feel about it. If God says "move" I gotta move. I know that after this is all over, my former glory and my current afflictions will be nothing in comparison to what God is going to release. The only thing is I have to be prepared to catch it.

So makeovers can seem scary. They can totally strip you of what you find comfort in. They can cause so many changes in you; emotional changes, physical changes, mental changes. They can cause others to react to you differently. But every once in a while they are much needed. They are a good thing, even though it may bruise or hurt a bit...or a lot, it's necessary. So if God is pulling at you and telling you to go away, go away. Why continue to be content with what you have when He wants to enlarge your territory. He is trying to get to your whole heart, free of distraction. So give Him your whole heart, free of distraction.





Our lives are not our own. We were created to carry the weight of His glory. Unless we totally surrender our lives and give up all ground, we will never experience His glory the way He intended us to.





Give up all ground and say "yes"

~~~~



Oh yea, something strange happened to me the other day. I was at work (at a hotel) and this lady was staying there. She has stayed there before so I kind of recognized her. Anyway she had a question and I was showing her how to do something and she glanced at my purity ring. She asked me what it was and I simply explained it was a purity ring and she about flipped out. She gasped, placed her hands over her mouth, and I thought she was about to cry. She then started telling me about how she wished she had waited until marriage and all that, and how she really had a heart to just minister to young women about the importance of abstinence. We then just started talking and I was just so blessed by her heart that is just so full of love and compassion for ministering; for being a servant. She wanted to start some type of group at her home church in Atlanta that focuses on encouraging young people to live for God, but she was scared. "What if people react like...crazy to the idea or something?" she said. My response was.."they might, but God put this in your heart." I tried to encourage her by letting her know that this was a good thing she wanted to do and God had entrusted the idea to her. She was soo sweet.



Ms. Diane, I hope that you continue to seek after the things of God and continue to be filled with a fire for ministry.





That is all

You Make Everything GLORIOUS

Whoooo what a week!!

I'm gonna make a really long blog really short, K?

Alright, so I was driving on the interstate (I-24 to be exact) the other day and some stuff fell out of a truck in front of me. I couldn't swerve riiiiggghhhttt, or left (lol, sorry) cuz there were trucks on both sides, so I buckled down and prepared to hit all this stuff. It was tools and stuff...and the cop had the nerve to ask me what kind of tools exactly...and where they were now! I DONT KNOW!! LOL Well they told me my suspension, frame, EVERYTHING was jacked. Sounds expensive...but wait, I have insurance right? Yup...with a $1000 deductible. OMG

Well how about my final bill went from $1000 to $403 to $300 to $100!!!!!!!!!! Yup. Can you say that the Lord is AMAZING. There was this lady at the Nissan office who took pity on me, and did everything she could. I don't know what she did. I don't know exactly what God did. But you know what?! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!!!!!!


So my mini-vaca is still on and I can't wait!


Hmmm...what else. Nothing really. Just excited about life. Good news after more good news after MORE GOOD NEWS! Today, all I can say is I love God sooo much. Its like the more I chase Him, the more He chases me. And it always helps to have like-minded people around to encourage me :)


BTW I don't think I ever put of pics of my Cali trip. Well heres one! lol...I miss everyone sooo much!!

Word of the day: Humility

I never want to appear prideful. I never EVER want to appear as if I look down on anyone! You know why? Because God is the only reason for every good and perfect thing in my life; my job, my relationships, by fam, my friends...everything! So who am I to think of myself as better than another?!


Folks, I don't care how fly you may think you are. You are no better than anyone else. You're fly because you're covered by the blood of Jesus. Thats it, thats all. So I humble myself, because after all, I'm just a servant; a conduit for His glory.

Alright...just wanted to give that brief "thank ya Jesus" story!

As the girls would say...."thats that on that!"

Abba's Heart

Alright, so I haven't blogged in a really really really really really long time. Haven't had time to, and haven't really felt like it. BUT I do want to share this with you all.

I was invited to this thing called Abba's Heart right? At first I just thought it was a few ladies getting together and just testifying about the goodness of God and coming together in worship. Well, I started to hear about it from a few different people which got me wondering...umm...how many people are gonna be there???


You see, I was asked to sing and play at it, and as I'm sure ALL of you know...I HATE playing by myself, although I am beginning to get over that fear. So when I found out that there was gonna be like...a lot of people there I kinda freaked out!! NOOOO!!! Well I couldn't very well back out...I ain't no punk. But still....maybe a little scared....or a lot.


So anyway, I go over my friend Court's house to play it for her. I could barely get through that! Lord I have a problem lol. After I'm done, and a wrestling session with her dog Lyrical, we head out. We get there at around 5 to help cook, and everyone else is scheduled to get there around 7. TACOS!!! Ladies and gents, I love me some tacos! I need to thank the Lord for that little extra time before the other folks arrived. It gave me some time to laugh, act a fool (as usual) and relax. Just what I needed.

Well we eat, I met some AWESOME people (Leslie, Becka Shay *did I spell that right?*, plus a whole lot more...those are just the names I remember). And here comes Deidra, "Anjelica is gonna start us off tonight with a song of worship." CRAP. You know what? I started the song, and I finished the song. That's all that matters right?! LMBO!! And then people just begin to pray, worship, and sing. I LOVED it. Who knew there were ladies that got together on a Friday night with the purpose of encouraging one another and worshipping? It was great. What better way to get your mind off of yourself but to put it on God? Everything is in worship. Everything.


Now me. I've been pretty good. Actually, considering a few minor bumps in the road, I've been really good. I've finally gotten the courage to put myself under a microscope and say..."ok Lord. This is it. Fix me up." And I think like .3 seconds after I said that, He began. Now in the past, a prayer of mine has always been for the Lord to make me more like Him, give me a clean heart, all that. But this time...I was like..."God, do whatever you got to do! I have GOT to be exactly where you want me." I got to a point where I no longer want to be enveloped in negative and doubtful thoughts. A change in comin!

The Lord has since brought some great women in my life who #1. Don't take any of my excuses. For example, they'll ask me how I'm doing or what's going on. I'll give them the usual "life is good." And they start digging in. They address issues in my life and issues about me that no one has ever really addressed before. And although it is uncomfortable, I appreciate all of it. My desire is to grow. To be better. And one thing I've had to do is learn to be by myself. Now this is a struggle. I LOVE my friends and I love to chill, but this is a time when I need to hear clearly, and that requires some intimate me and Jesus time and some serious fasting. I thank God daily for those women who have pushed me into getting real with God. I've learned that relationships with people may come and they may go, but no matter what happens there, I still have to continually push to grow in my relationship with God. So saints, please pray with me. I'm embarking in a serious spiritual make-over and coming out better for it. What does Paul say...something about how one's current afflictions is nothing compared to the future glory. Ima have to find that scripture after I'm done with this.

Can I share something? I am worried about one thing. I don't want my peeps to think that I'm replacing them or have gotten "too good" for them or anything. Haven't you ever just gotten to a point where you have to block out all other stuff so you can go deeper with God? Well that is all that this is. I love all the people in my life, and I know that they love me. Pretty soon, they'll be able to love a better me! I was talkin to Lola and Crystal about how I've been soo ghost. I have. Never spent so much time focusing on God in my life. This is a good thing. But I've decided if folks don't understand, they just don't understand....I still gotta keep it movin....and so do you.

Okey Dokey...until next time.

Word of the day..week...month...year...lol: Surrender.


Peaces!! ♥