Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11 (NIV)
 



I would like to send Holiday well wishes and thanks to everyone who has taken time out of their busy year to read Poetry of Motion!...especially to my 40 followers. You have many choices in what to read online, so I'm glad you chose to add your name to my list.

I look forward to writing more in 2014, as I am led. I don't post just for the sake of posting, I only put up a new blog when I feel that I have something to say. That being said, enjoy your holiday season, glorify God in all of your presentations, be safe, and hope to see you in the New Year!

On Repeat...

  

The beginning of wisdom:
Get wisdom! Get understanding before anything else. ~ Proverbs 4:7 (CEB)

The holiday season is upon us, along with a new year that brings new ideas, new goals and new energy...but somehow the same issues keep coming up over and over again. There are more praise ministries in the church than ever before, yet some of us seem to be quick with presentation without the preparation that goes on beforehand. All of these things I'm about to write have been read before, heard before, and said many times already, but for those who have never heard, it bears repeating:

IF you are going to dance to a song in church...especially if it is a popular one...please make sure you understand the song, the Biblical/spiritual meaning/who is speaking/to whom are they speaking/ and that your moves demonstrate the words of the song. it's not always about looking like a polished dancer, but you cannot beat your chest like Tarzan and jump around up in the front like a monkey and call it praise dance, dance ministry, mime, pantomime (they are not the same) drama, worship arts, human video, or any combination of the above.

   I recently saw a video in which the dancers were literally hopping around in a frenzy, doing the same movements alternately in the chorus of the song. It seemed as if they were sometimes attacking the audience instead of ministering to them, and at one point, it looked like a duel between the two  of the dancers when the lyrics were actually not about them, but about who God is. I'm sure that wasn't their intent, but that was the look. Now... it's one thing to do that in the privacy of your own space, but to present that in a worship service is something quite different. People may say "Amen...Go head...Werk!"...but in reality they are probably responding to the music, and not to whatever is going on in front of them . . . and while they may not know any better they deserve better. It's equivalent to a minster going into the pulpit and doing a lot of shouting, but never bringing a real message that anyone can actually use. Because he or she knows how to get the crowd's attention, people will respond emotionally, but spiritually, they received nothing because nothing was given to them.

   This is in no way meant to put anyone down, to be mean, or critical. When I have the time to watch dance ministry videos, I'm blessed by what I see, all ages and cultures of people who love to worship the Lord in movement, some are highly skilled, some have very simple movements, but it doesn't matter as long as they are offering their best worship to Him and have taken the time to think about what they are dancing about and to whom they are sharing the Good News of Christ with. Good dance/movement ministry always contains these elements:

(1)A song or music that is Biblically based; (2) Clear movements that express the message or essence of the song; (3) Connection to the music by all who are ministering - including facial expressions, and wholehearted participation (in other words, look like you really want to do it, and not like you did someone a favor to show up);and (4) Appropriate attire - does not mean expensive but should be modest and fit well (no body parts out of place on anyone, no cleavage on women); which brings us to the net point: A lot of us are eager to put on dance conferences and give workshops when we need to go and learn what to do before we try to teach someone else. If we don't, all we are doing is perpetuating slackness and mediocrity. All of us will not look like professional dancers, but all of us who God has called to minister publicly in any way, should do everything that we possibly can to be at our best.

   If you have a desire to start a dance/mime/step/flag/drama ministry, please be prayerful about it. The worship arts ministry has been exploited and misunderstood, and still does not receive the respect that it should have, mainly because people are unwilling to take the time and learn how to minister properly. Take time to seek out knowledge from seasoned ministers in your area. Avail yourself of DVD's and books that are worth the investment of time and money. It's not necessary to attend every conference and workshop that is given, but let God lead you to the one He would have you to attend. Otherwise, we will have to keep playing this same message on repeat...repeat...repeat...

*If you would like information on worship arts ministries, please click on the links under "Dance, Drama, & Literary Resources".

Please enjoy these ministry presentations by different groups. All have different stylistic elements and abilities but the one thing they have in common is that the Good News of Christ is very clean and clear, and done excellently!

Grateful...Grateful...Grateful!

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

I Cor 3:25 (NLT)

    November is known for the many preparations we make for the Thanksgiving season, whether we believe in the tradition of celebrating for one day or just enjoy gathering with family and friends over delicious meals, we can all agree that we all have much to be grateful for everyday. Even when we think that we have nothing to give thanks for, as long as we are still alive, we can be thankful for hope. Someone else is watching how we deal with our situations so they can learn how to handle their own difficulties.

     During this season, it's also a blessing to learn how to enjoy the things that we have already received, as we watch the blessings that are already in progress. The temptation to focus on what we don't have can be very great and can keep us in a cycle of constant frustration and unhappiness, which is a trick of the enemy. Sometimes it's a challenge to be happy for others when their lives seem to be progressing at a faster rate than ours...but as worshipers of Christ, we must always remember that our life path is a combination of God's will and our choices. We can't change His plans but we can make changes that are in our control. What is out of our control, we must learn to accept! If we think about it long enough, there are many things that we can change that can make our lives more manageable:

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

     This Thanksgiving and all year, let's look at life from a place of gratefulness, and enjoy what we have right now. Tomorrow is not promised...so ask God to give us a heart and mind to appreciate everything good that is around us. Life becomes so much more beautiful when we are grateful!

     Please enjoy this video by my artist friend, Cherie Romar:

Spirit to spirit

You are not the same as those who don’t believe. So don’t join yourselves to them. Good and evil don’t belong together. Light and darkness cannot share the same room. ~ 2 Cor. 6:14 (CEB)

     October is the month when all things Halloween are seen everywhere, from the house next door to the neighborhood shopping centers, school campuses and even medical facilities. According to a 2012 article on CNN World, Halloween is no longer a holiday dominated by children, but today Halloween is a decidedly adult affair -- replete with raucous parties, racy get-ups and elaborate decorations. Many adults begin celebrating the holiday as early as a month in advance, says Kathy Grannis of the National Retail Federation. (1)  Ms. Grannis goes on to say that: "A large portion of the growth is coming directly from adults who begin celebrating as early as a month prior to Halloween night. We are definitely seeing that it is no longer only a children's holiday." Halloween has also grown in popularity outside of the U.S., according to Lisa Moron, author of “The Halloween Encyclopedia” and “Trick or Treat? : A History of Halloween”. (2) 

     Along with increasingly bizarre costumes, there is also a large fascination with the occult, including séances, the paranormal, psychic readings and even witchcraft.  Many Christians see nothing wrong with participating in these activities and often practice some of these things regularly, especially around Halloween. But, as worshipers and followers of Christ, should we participate in a holiday that has its origins in paganism? Are we to communicate with the spirit realm outside of what is written in the Word? Let’s see what He has to say about it:

...So why are you trying to find out the future by consulting witches and mediums? Don’t listen to their whisperings and mutterings. Can the living find out the future from the dead?

Why not ask your God?

 “Check these witches’ words against the Word of God!” He says. “If their messages are different than mine, it is because I have not sent them; for they have no light or truth in them."

~ Is. 8:19-20 (TLB)

     In other words:

·     Don’t be a Fortune Teller, Spiritual Medium or Clairvoyant

·     Beware of consulting a Fortune Teller, Medium or Clairvoyant

·     Have nothing to do with Palm Readers, Tea Leaf Readers or Ouija Boards

·     Don't follow Astrology or Horoscopes

·     Avoid Black Magic in any form (3)

Why? You may ask…

The Lord your God, who is with you, is a God who does not tolerate rivals.  Deut. 6:15 (GWT)

Never have any other god. Ex. 20:3 (GWT)

But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Matt. 6:33(CEV)

     We don't need to look too far around us to see that we are in the last days. God's Word says that the closer we get to the Lord's return, there will be more people walking away from God's ways and seeking after the dark side. There are many reasons for this, but as worshippers we cannot afford to compromise our faith to blend in with the world. We are supposed to be different...which doesn't mean walking around with an oversize Bible and a sad face, not enjoying life, but according Matt. 5:13-15, we are called to be salt and light, a purifying force of enlightened people who carry the presence of God. We can't be that if we are walking in darkness, even if we think it's just for fun. Too many people have lost their way and don't take Christ seriously, because we don't!

And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For you are God’s temple, the home of the living God, and God has said of you, “I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God and they shall be my people.”   That is why the Lord has said, “Leave them; separate yourselves from them; don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you   and be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters.”

~ 2 Cor. 6: 16-18 (TLB)

  

Something to think about... 

____________________________________________

References:

1, 2: http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/22/world/halloween-culture-adults/index.html

3: Spiritism, Free Tract Society



The Best of Your Best

 

If we are living now by the Holy Spirit’s power, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.  Then we won’t need to look for honors and popularity, which lead to jealousy and hard feelings.~ Gal. 5:25-26 (TLB)

 

     So much of our time can be spent focusing on others that we no longer appreciate what God has given us, which causes us become envious, and in our enviousness we go to great lengths trying to form relationships with people who will help us become great..."liking" their every comment, video and picture on social media, (whether we really like it or not) running to every event they host, and becoming nothing more than groupies. If they have a new dance ministry garment, we want one just like it, forgetting that garments are not fashion statements but the signature on a piece that God inspired and must be directed by Him. If they do a poetry feature, we scramble to perform on that same stage, without knowing what it took for them to get there...but of course if we get close to them, we can too. Do you see where this is going? Ponder this for a moment:

Why not just work on offering the best of your best,
and keep improving on that...
instead of working so hard at trying to be accepted by people who you feel will validate you?
They may or may not and if they do it may only be until someone else comes along who is more acceptable than you...
and at the end of the day you will still be stuck with You....
which the only thing you are really in control of.

     Everyone has been given a gift, purpose, and place from God. It's up to us to find out where our place is, and pray for guidance and favor to be in His will. While we are moving towards that place, we will meet the people we need to meet at the right time, without chasing them down. Whatever it takes to get us there will come, if we have faith and trust to move when God says "Move".  We don't have to play games, or try to make connections with people who have no concern for us other than to add us to their list of supporters. Behind the scenes, you would be surprised to see what some of the ones you are running behind are really like. So,put your faith and trust in God, and whatever he tells you to do...do it quickly!

Advertising 101 - Pt 1 . . . Creating that Flyer!

Have you ever wondered what makes flyers get noticed?  Professional printing can be costly, but you can create simple, professional looking flyers for your event on a budget by using a computer, a printer, and the services of your local copy and print center.

The purpose of a flyer is to gain the attention of the viewer (target audience), and engage them in your product (event) and hopefully garner enough interest to attend your event. Sounds easy enough, right? You have probably seen flyers that either didn't give enough information or were poorly done, probably because the person who made the flyer missed some basic points. Here are some tips on creating your own flyers:

• Make sure your flyer contains the 5 W's of advertising:  What is your event; Who is hosting your event; When will your event take place; Where will your event take place and Why are you having the event? Make sure all information is accurate and include contact information if people have questions.
• Be sure to use a font that can be easily read. Fancy fonts are often difficult for some people to read, so stick with simple, clean fonts in at least a 12 - pitch size.
• For ideas, search online for examples of how a simple flyer should look.
• Limit your graphics to no more than 3 images of clip art or photographs. Don't crowd your flyer with a lot of pictures.
• Borders are a nice addition to a flyer, and are part of Microsoft Office (TM)* that most people have on their computer.
• Use your spellcheck feature to proofread before printing. If you know that spelling and grammar is not your strong point, ask someone with excellent proofreading skills to be your second pair of eyes. There's nothing worse than a flyer that contains typos!
• Print a copy of your flyer on your computer and take it to a copy/print center to make multiple copies. It's less expensive than using up the ink on your home printer.
• Get your flyer printed on brightly colored paper that is eye-catching. People look longer at bright colors than they do at plain white paper.
• Center your flyer or set the print to be justified to the left, depending on the type of flyer you are making. You can also use a combination of both.

These are just a few tips on creating your own flyers on a budget for events. In our next blog, we will talk about distributing flyers to your target group. Now...get started on that flyer!

* Microsoft Office (TM) is a registered trademark. Use of the Microsoft  trade name in this blog is not an endorsement of Microsoft Office or of any Microsoft product.

Don't Get Caught Up!

Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.   Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

~ James 1:16 (NKJV)

     Every few years, another newly found doctrine or fad comes into the church and creates a buzz. I am constantly reminded of what the church mothers used to say a long time ago: "If it's new, it ain't true". God's Word does not change, and although there is no limit to how He may choose to manifest Himself in our midst, He will never operate outside of the confines of His law, which is His Word. If God says or does something, you will find always the basis of it clearly stated in the Bible. 

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

~ 1 Cor. 12:4-7 (NIV)

    The gifts or manifestations of the Holy Spirit are listed in 1 Corinthians 12, and according to the Word, the purpose of these gifts are for the common good of people. We can hear from God for ourselves, but sometimes God can and will use others to speak a word from Him to us. Sometimes we need a miracle, or we need healing, and God knows how to bring what we need through others at exactly the right time. If you have a question as to whether or not something is from God, look it up in the Word! God has placed all kinds of checks and balances around us to keep us from being led astray. One of the reasons there is so much confusion and circus-like activity in many churches today is because we are not paying attention to God's Word and are allowing all kinds of strange practices to go on. If you don't believe this, go on You Tube and see some of the things that are being exalted in the House of God. You will see a man being crowned as king and paraded around in the church, preachers are using quasi-profanity to bring spice to their messages, and New Age gurus are getting platforms at what used to be Christ-centered events.  Where is God in all of this?

You crazy Galatians! Did someone put a hex on you? Have you taken leave of your senses? Something crazy has happened, for it’s obvious that you no longer have the crucified Jesus in clear focus in your lives. His sacrifice on the cross was certainly set before you clearly enough.

~ Galatians 3:1 (MSG)

    Although it's true that everything in the Bible is not always clearly stated, if you have to stretch and twist the Word to make it fit something that you are doing, that's a sign that it's not from God. There is enough truth available so that no one has to go around making up new gifts and devising ways  to get a crowd to gather. Be careful of whom you allow to speak into your life or give you information that has its roots in occultic practices. By participating in this, you are giving the enemy access to your soul, and tainting your ministry. Discern the source of people who are quick to offer spiritual methods in finding your destiny and life purpose outside of prayer, fasting, preparation and being led of God. No matter what anyone says,the only power for a Christian is in the Name of Jesus! 

   It's never popular to not follow the crowd, but in these times, letting the crowd go ahead of you is often the safest choice to make. Be prayerful, be watchful, and don't get caught up!

Name That Ministry!

Then the Lord answered me,
    “Write the vision.
        Make it clear on tablets
            so that anyone can read it quickly.
 The vision will still happen at the appointed time.
    It hurries toward its goal.
    It won’t be a lie.
    If it’s delayed, wait for it.
    It will certainly happen.
    It won’t be late."

~Hab. 2:2-4 (GWT)

 

Someone asked a question about how to name their ministry and was asking on a public forum for advice on how to choose an appropriate one. First, let's go back and look at what the word ministry actually means:

• The act of serving; ministration.
• One that serves as a means; an instrumentality.
• The profession, duties, and services of a minister
• The Christian clergy.
• The period of service of a minister.

Now that we know what a ministry is and does, we also have to remember that a ministry can serve anywhere, at any time because it's a service inspired by God to serve people. A ministry is not just a good idea, a project, an recreation, or a showcase for talent, although these things can take place under a ministry, but are not the purpose of it. And. . . just because you call something a ministry does not mean that it is one!

When you are searching for a ministry name, think about the original concept that God gave you when you were first inspired to start. Can you find more than one scripture to support what you are doing? What is it that you want people to know, see, or learn through your ministry, in other words, what do you have to offer people with what you have to give? Ministry exists to point others to Christ, and to uplift them, help them to become better, to give them hope, and to be encouraged. Write those things down on paper, and take some time for your answers. If you come up short in any area, wait. . . pray. . .and go back to make sure that you are really hearing from God before you proceed.

Too many people are starting ministries with all kinds of ungodly motivations, to become famous, to become rich, because others are starting them, because they disagree with what others are doing.
But -- ministry involves lives, and life is the most important thing to God. When you present a ministry to people, they are expecting to receive something that they never had before. The name of a ministry represents whatever you are carrying, and that is what people deserve to take with them when they come to your church, hear your music or singing, see your dancing, and read your books blogs or poems.


A name means everything . . . so before you ask others what your ministry's name should be, get wisdom from the One who gave you the ministry!

 With all your heart
you must trust the Lord
    and not your own judgment.
 Always let him lead you,
    and he will clear the road
    for you to follow.

~Prov. 3:5-6 (CEV)

 

Easy Networking. . . (Social Networking Pt. 2)

For the Lord grants wisdom!    From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

~Proverbs 2:6 (NLT)

 

      Social networking is a great way to make connections with people you wouldn't ordinarily meet, to find out about events and activities that might interest you, and to create an online presence for your ministry or products such as books, garments, classes or conferences. And, it's completely free! However, as with any online service, there are many things to be aware of.

     Before joining any networking group, consider how you want to present yourself and your product. Do you want to identify yourself with your real name, a pseudonym or trade name? Many people choose not to use their real names on social networks such as Facebook (TM) for privacy reasons and opt to use a unique name that is associated with what they do. There is nothing wrong with this, as long as you: (1) Are not using the pseudonym to deceive others, and (2) Do your research to make sure that there aren't several other entities with that same name; in that case you can use an alternate spelling or variation of that name. When choosing a name, make sure it's one that you want to keep indefinitely, as some online connections may delete you from their directories if they can't identify the strange name that shows up on their friend list!

     Familiarize yourself with the privacy settings on your network. All postings are public by default, so learn how to customize your pages to be sure that only those who you want to see your information can view it. On Facebook, you can make your posts and pictures completely public, visible to Friends only, Friends except acquaintances, Only Me (visible only to you), or invisible to certain people (restricted) .The same goes for your profile information and Friend list. You can restrict your profile from public searches in your privacy settings, if that's important to you.  You can also block people whom you would prefer not to see any of your information on the network. To promote your products, you can open a Fan Page and send out announcements from there about your books or events. Postings on a fan page are always public, to get information to as many people as possible.  Go to the Help section on Facebook to learn more about privacy settings, and how to start up a fan page.

     One of the biggest mistakes people make on Facebook is using it as their primary source for interacting with others. Remember that social media is only a networking tool for introducing yourself to a wide group of people who share common interests, not your whole life! It's not necessary to post every detail of your day no matter what you see others sharing.  A social network is never a replacement for personal interactions with others. Don't get caught in the trap of hiding behind postings that create a false image of who you really are, or be concerned with how many "likes" you get on a post.  Be sure that the content that you post really reflects your values and not what people expect of you. Prepare for others to disagree if you post an opinion that is different to theirs, and don't take it personally when their comments are not supportive of you. If someone posts something that is offensive to you, it's best to remove their content and block them to avoid conflict.

    A caveat: Never click on any link that tells you that you've been tagged in a video, such as: "OMG is this you?" It's always connected to a scam that hacks not only your account, but can attach itself to everyone's account in your personal network. In general, be cautious about any app that requests access to your profile information. If you wouldn't give this information to a stranger you met on the street, then don't allow an app to have it either.

     These are only a few pointers to get you started using social media, or to help you along if you've already begun your trek into the world of cyber-networking. Use it to your advantage, but always be wise!

     If you would like to learn more about how to secure your Facebook account, here's a link to Facecrooks.com:

http://facecrooks.com/Internet-Safety-Privacy/how-to-lockdown-your-facebook-account-for-maximum-privacy-and-security.html

*Facebook, Facecrooks.com, Twitter, Tumblr and LinkedIn are registered trademarks...and the use of these examples is not an endorsement of any of the above...use them responsibly, and at your own risk.

Are You In?... (Social networking, that is)

Wisdom is the most important thing; so get wisdom.
    If it costs everything you have, get understanding.

~Prov. 4:7 (NCV)

 

 

      Social networking has become one of the easiest ways of communicating with large numbers of people inexpensively and quickly, in real time. I can't think of a better way of reaching people from all corners of the world than by using one of the online networks. You can text, chat, e-mail and instant message several people and have multiple conversations at once...just don't get your devices mixed up!

     Global communications also make it very easy to share encouragement and the Good News of Christ with others, even if we don't directly witness to them one-on-one. With the many quotes and the ability to cut and paste from Bible pages, we have a lot of opportunities to send positive messages through various social networking sites such as Facebook(TM)*  Twitter (TM)*, Tumblr (TM)* blogs, and newsfeeds. Networks such as LinkedIn(TM)* are another way of doing professional networking with people with whom we have similar interests.
.
     There are probably still many of you who don't feel comfortable on social networks because of privacy concerns, or because of some of the unsavory behavior that goes on a lot of the time, but a lot of that happens due to people not knowing how they work, or not taking the time to adjust their settings for the most security.

     Before opening a social networking account, decide on your reasons for having one. Are you going to use it to keep in touch with family members and friends? Would you like to network with people who share common interests or to meet new business contacts, or maybe a combination of all of the above? If you have an account, and privacy is a concern, are you familiar with how to adjust your settings to allow limited access to your information?  For example, on Facebook (TM), you can make your posts public, limited to friends, friends except acquaintances, restricted from certain people, or to yourself only... and can change the audience for each post according to groups of people that you want to reach. Also, you can use a nickname or pseudonym that you post under, as long as you are not impersonating anyone else. You can also choose to leave personal information off of your page such as your location, birthday, hometown or any other facts that you want to keep private, but also remember to respect other people's right to privacy.

 

 

A man who has friends must himself be friendly,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

~Prov. 18:24 (NKJV)



     When sending out  friend requests, what motivates you to connect with people? Are you reaching out because you find certain people interesting, for marketing purposes or to increase your data base? If you aren't sincere, people will eventually drop you if they feel that you are only contacting them to enlarge your list of friends and have no real interest in them. At the same time, use discretion when accepting friend requests, because everyone who sends a request doesn't necessarily have a good reason for sending one.

     Over the next few weeks, I'll be posting information on how to have to best experiences with social networking, what I've learned, and what has worked for me. In the meantime, are you in?

Blessings...

If you would like to learn more about how to secure your Facebook account, here's a link to Facecrooks.com:

http://facecrooks.com/Internet-Safety-Privacy/how-to-lockdown-your-facebook-account-for-maximum-privacy-and-security.html

*Facebook, Facecrooks.com, Twitter, Tumblr and LinkedIn are registered trademarks...and the use of these examples is not an endorsement of any of the above...use them responsibly, and at your own risk.

Humble Yourselves...

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God,  and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.~1 Peter 5:6 (NLT)
 

 



     Have you ever thought about what it really means to be humble? A simple definition of humility is: modesty, lacking pretence, or not believing that you are superior to others. It doesn't mean that you believe that you are inferior to others, or that you are undeserving or unworthy of respect or recognition; instead, it means you believe that God has created everyone in His image and likeness, everyone has equal value in His sight, and as Creator, He is greater than His creation, which includes all of us!

 

When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?

 You have made them a little lower than the angels
    and crowned them with glory and honor.
 You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet.

~Psalm 8: 3-6 (NIV)

     It's really difficult to be prideful when we consider the greatness of God, and how He chose to create us along with all the other things He made, gave us control of His earth and all of its resources, and then offered us the opportunity to work with Him to bring His Good News to those who don't know it. It's really sad then, when we step outside of that humility and take on the prideful nature of the enemy by expecting others to cater to us, making unreasonable demands on others, or by demeaning those who serve us in the everyday world.

     In recent news, a minister went into a popular restaurant with her group of 20 and after being served, left a very acerbic note on the bill stating: "I give God 10%, why do you get 18?" I think that most Christians gave that one a double-take, and it also ignited a lot of controversy among people who want nothing to do with church or God, simply because it was wrong. In the minister's defense, she has since apologized for her actions that resulted in the server being fired. While there are still a lot of unanswered questions about this story, it does show what can happen when we become impressed with ourselves and our accomplishments, titles, education, or social standing, and forget that without God's help, we wouldn't have any real success in life. Remember: We never have any excuse to treat anyone as if they are "less than" we are.

Later the seventy came back full of joy. “Lord,” they said, “even evil spirits obey us when we use your name!”

 “Yes,” returned Jesus, “I was watching and saw Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning! It is true that I have given you the power to tread on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the enemy’s power—there is nothing at all that can do you any harm. Yet it is not your power over evil spirits which should give such joy, but the fact that your names are written in Heaven.”

~Luke10:17-20 (Phillips)

 

     If we follow Christ's example, we will see that we are never to become impressed with ourselves, with what we are able to do, or with the amount of spiritual strength and power that we have been given, but we are always reminded to be grateful that God chose to save us from sin. In reality, it's very humbling to work with the God of the Universe in bringing His Good News and presence to the world, and never something to be prideful about!

 

 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud  or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.  It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

~1 Cor. 13:4-7 (NIV)

 

     Along with increased opportunities and recognition we  will receive for the things we do in God's Kingdom, the more chances there are for us to become prideful and available for the enemy to use to hurt others. Let us always remember that Christ's example is always humility and faith, that works by love. Selah...

 

     Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.



     ~ 1 Cor. 13:13 (NLT)



A Few Questions...

    

  God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled.
~ Gal. 5:22 (CEV)
 

     At the beginning of a new year, we often stop to ask ourselves where we are, where we're going, and how we plan to get there. We also look back at past years and think about the various mistakes we've made along the way, to make sure that we avoid those pitfalls that will hinder our future progress. Now that I've said this, I'm going to go out on a limb and ask a few questions: Why is there so much nastiness, cattiness and cliquishness in the dance ministry? Before you answer, think about the number of dancers that you know, and look at some of the numerous videos of dance all over YouTube and other sites. Have you noticed that in some churches there are more people dancing than sitting in the congregation? These are not rehearsal tapes, these are actual church services where dance is going on. Do you ever wonder what many of the dancers would do, or where they would be, if there was no dance ministry?  Yes, God is the judge...so this is not judgment, it's just an observation of what the dance ministry has become. The popularity of dance in church has grown exponentially, but is the growth affecting the number of people coming into God's Kingdom, or is it just another activity to add to the program? Why are so many people being  mistreated at the hands of leaders who may be excellent performers and creative spirits, but have no idea or concern as to how to love others?  Why have so many dancers left the ministry, and no one has gone after them? Why is being "ministry-minded" more important than having the mind of Christ? Do we understand that a minister is a servant, and having a ministry means that we serve other people, and not the other way around? What happened to the saying we all learned in Vacation Bible School: "Christ first, others second, self last"?

Do to others as you would like them to do to you.~ Luke 6:31 (NLT)
 

   There are many dancers who love Christ and only want to worship Him with their whole hearts, yet there are still not enough servants in the ministry today. Do you know how I know this? Look at the number of praise dance competitions and showcases that are being put on in the name of ministry. Listen carefully to the conversations, and look at the ads and promos for recognition for Best Choreography, Best Garments, Best Make-up and vying for spots along celebrities on award shows. It's wonderful to honor people for their contributions to the world, but when constant award giving becomes the focus and center of every gathering, who is really getting the glory? Remember, whenever there is a "Best" of something, then there can only be one winner, which immediately opens the door for competition because everyone wants to win! We should never settle for mediocrity, but the same spirit of competition that caused the enemy to be ousted from God's presence is the same one that has silently crept into the dance ministry...and is trying to compete with the anointing of God. If we are not careful, we can lose the presence of God because we are too focused on our works, how we look, and what we do, instead of keeping the heart of worship. Will you allow this to happen?  Are we willing to step away from our conference tables, garments, flags, music and choreography and put our focus back on Christ?  Has the dance ministry become our whole life?  Have we neglected family responsibilities to chase after a title in a dance organization?Are some of us even willing to admit that we really never had a relationship with Christ and just love to dance? What would some of us ever do if we ever found ourselves physically unable to dance for a long period of time? Would we still worship God? Can some of us honestly admit that we have rejected, mistreated, stepped on or over others, or really don't like people, but love being in leadership positions? Can we admit when we have done wrong, and  simply say: "I'm sorry"?

I will go much higher than the clouds. I will make myself like the Most High~Is. 14:14 (NLV)

The one thing I ask of the Lord, the thing I seek most—

is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,

delighting in the Lord’s perfections

and meditating in his Temple.~ Psalm 27:4 (NLV)

There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven that are hated by Him:  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that kill those who are without guilt,  a heart that makes sinful plans, feet that run fast to sin,  a person who tells lies about someone else, and one who starts fights among brothers.

~ Prov. 6: 16-19 (NLV)

     We are in the last days...Christ is coming soon. Don't be deceived and caught up in the spirit of this age, which glorifies the flesh and masquerades as God's way! We know better, and can do better. Selah...