A New Year!

Brothers and sisters, I know that I still have a long way to go. But there is one thing I do: I forget what is in the past and try as hard as I can to reach to goal before me. I keep running hard toward the finish line to get the prize that is mine because God has called me through Christ Jesus to life up there in heaven.

~Phil. 3:13-14 (ERV)

     Happy New Year to everyone, and especially to all of my 41 followers who have taken time to join my blog over time. Lately, due to time constraints I haven't been adding to the blog as often, and because I realize that you have many reading choices online, I've always promised to only write when I actually have something to say. So...if you don't see a new post, it's for that reason and I feel that I owe you something fresh every time. As I mentioned in a previous blog, there are a hundreds of prolific writers addressing different perspectives of the same topic, so if you can't find it here, it's out there somewhere. I also wanted to expand my blogging beyond dance and dance ministry to focus on worship as a whole, which will continue to include dance/drama/poetry/music/art as I'm led. The wind has shifted my sails again and although I'm still blogging, I'm taking my time to carefully write my next post. Please look for it soon, and again...thanks for reading. Keep worshiping Christ!

Please enjoy this video by the Get Lifted Ensemble:

Life . . . Outside

   There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth . . .

Ecc. 3:1 (MSG)

     As a Christian artist or minister, lay person or enthusiast, have you found yourself spending most of your time focused on dance, music, writing, poetry, singing, play writing, or any of the other art forms that can, if allowed, take on lives of their own?  I invite you to read and ponder the meaning of this quote:

      "Continue to learn about life outside of the dance studio, outside of the dance world. The richer you are as a person, the more interesting you will be as a performer.”

 ~Veteran Ailey dancer Renee Robinson

     Now, read the quote this way:

       "Continue to learn about life outside of ________, outside of the _____ world. The richer you are as a person, the more interesting you will be as a _____________."

     Do you see where this is going? We definitely need to invest time into honing our craft, but we also need to have a life outside of it. Our lives were never intended to be one-dimensional, in fact if you look around, there are very few things in nature that are truly flat, one-sided, or only come in one color. God, the ultimate Master-Creator, created the universe with infinite colors and shapes, sounds and dimensions. Each planet rotates on its own orbit and has its own axis around the sun. Each plant has a different seed, and within each plant there may be a variety of colors. Animals of the same species vary in size and breed. He created the seasons, the oceans, mountains and lakes. How much of these things have we really taken notice of, because are we so bogged down in our next song, choreography, poem, venue, or ministry engagement that we have forgotten to "stop and smell the flowers"? It's an old saying, but it's true.  We were never intended to be so involved in anything that we do to never enjoy the world around us.

      No matter where we live, or how many hours we work, or our financial situation, we can always find other positive interests to make life more exciting and interesting. Read a book about something other than what you do all the time. If you are in the dance ministry, why not go to the zoo or to the beach, just for the enjoyment of doing it?  Are you a poet? why not go to a museum? If you are a singer, think about learning how to play chess or something that releases you from singing for a change.

     The more things that you are exposed to in life, make you a more interesting person, and much more aware of the world around you. It's easy to get into a rut, and very difficult to get out, but once we make the effort to extricate ourselves from the routine of sameness, it's very liberating to us and to those whom we serve.

     Deeloping other interests also frees us from the pressure of competition with others, because when we live balanced lives, we learn that the only person we need to compete with is ourselves, the only person we should try to outdo is us,  and the only person we need to please, is God. So, definitely spend quality time on your craft and your ministry, but take time to have a life outside of it. The people you serve deserve the best you that you can offer them!

Selah . . .

Stay in Your Lane!

Therefore, brothers and sisters, be eager to confirm your call and election.

Do this and you will never ever be lost.

2 Peter 1:10 (CEB)

     “Stay in your lane” is a saying that literally means to know your place and purpose in this world, and to not move out of it. So many people are lost, unhappy, confused, frustrated and discouraged because they are traveling in a lane that is not for them, either because they have allowed others to put them there, or they themselves are trying to fit into a mold that is ill-suited. Sometimes parents want to push their children toward certain career choices to assure financial success or even because they vicariously live through them, instead of encouraging them to prayerfully research and explore all of their options before making a decision. This can result in burn-out, stress, emotional and even health problems later in life.

Teach us to realize the brevity of life,

so that we may grow in wisdom.

Ps. 90:12 (NLT)

     It’s important to know your purpose in life as well as in the Kingdom of God, where people often seek after titles and positions of status that have no bearing on anyone else’s well-being, other than to exalt the person who carries the title.  Why would anyone want to be called a prophet or prophetess, yet they never have an encouraging word for someone else? Why become a pastor when you don’t really love people?  Maybe your calling in life is to feed hungry people on the street. That’s an awesome mission that often goes unnoticed and probably won’t get front row recognition in a church building, but God sees…and He will reward you openly.  So many ways of serving and helping others have no official credentials on paper, but the spiritual effects are great. Everyone will not be a mega-church pastor or have an international ministry, but everyone can find his or her place in life and be at peace with who we are, which brings our greatest joy. If you know that you are being led by the Lord, don’t allow people, groups, or organizations to convince you that what God put in your heart to do is unimportant, or that you need to be doing something else. Usually when others do this, it’s for their own benefit and not yours, and certainly not God’s.

Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.

~Matt 7:13-1(MSG)

      Your place in this world is unique, and is based on God’s plan and purpose for your life.  Are you struggling with “staying in your lane”? Keep looking forward, and don’t get distracted, because if God is guiding your journey, you’re going in the right direction!

The Greatest of These is Love...(Repost)

*This is a repost from February 2011...Enjoy!
 
    You can't give it

    Til you live it

    You can't live it

    Til you give it away -- Israel Houghton*

     Imagine for a moment that one day, you opened your Bible and it read something like this:

Though I worship in the aisle and in the balcony, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of singing and understand all musical styles and all technical skill, and though I have choreography  that moves the congregation, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I produce books and DVD's, and though I wear beautiful praise garments, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

    

     I'm definitely not trying to tamper with God's Word, so please don't be offended. The point is that God is Love, but many times we have forgotten this in the midst of our outward activities. We have excitement and zeal, diligence and excellence, but no Love! Now, if God is Love, yet there is no Love in what we do, that means that God is absent from it. Selah...

Dear friends, let’s love each other, because love is from God, and everyone who loves is born from God and knows God.  The person who doesn’t love does not know God, because God is love. 

I John 4:7-8 (CEB)

     God is very concerned with the way we treat others, so much that He even says that if we don't show love and kindness to towards other people, we can't even identify with Him. He is more interested in love, than He is in how much we do, how we perform our duties, how much we give, or how spiritual we seem to be. We can do nice things for people on the surface, but God knows our intent. Sometimes what appears to be a loving action towards others is actually an attempt to control them. If you are fortunate enough to have large sums of money at your disposal, what is your true motivation for giving? Do we give just because we want to share, or do we really want to manipulate them into doing our bidding, giving us a position, platform or favor in return? Let's look at I Cor. 1:1-3 again:

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 
 I Cor. 13:1-3 (NKJV)

     This passage of scripture lists many things that we can do, that amount to nothing if we lack the love of Christ. Israel Houghton's song: Love God, Love People  says that "We can't give it, til we live it, we can't live it, til we give it away". Let's be sure that in all of our serving, that we are truly doing it from heart of God's love.

Stay tuned for Part II...

*Love God, Love People-Israel Houghton

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.

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.

Remember...

The Dance of Praise...worshipers giving thanks and praise to God accompanied by a dance of praise and thanksgiving...sacred movement as a form of spiritual applause offered to God our Father in gratitude for all of the blessings we experience in our lives...often misunderstood in liturgy...sacred movement offers another range of forms...of profound expression of praise and thanks before our God ~ Los Angeles Religious Education Conference 2010
`

     Remember...the first time you ever danced before the Lord, before you even understood what it really meant, before you ever attended a conference or were part of a group... before there were politics and problems...before it mattered who you knew or where you came from...before there were expensive garments, cliques, auditions and competitions...

     Remember...when you enjoyed reading God's Word, attending prayer and going to worship just because you wanted to, and not because it was a chore or an obligation, or part of a contingency plan on someone else's agenda...when it was just about God and learning to follow His ways...

     Remember...when there was a real difference between church and the world, and people really had respect for the House of Worship, each other, and God...when it wasn't always about how much money you gave or didn't give, a position, or a title...

     Remember...and don't forget.

     Thank you to everyone who has been following my blog, for the 37 members which includes 12 new followers this year! I hope that I will continue to inspire and encourage you in 2013. Blessings!

Speak Easy! Pt. 1 - Poetry

 

 

 

Poetry and Spoken Word are gaining increased popularity in churches, as did the resugence of dance in the 80's and 90's. But, what exactly, is poetry, and why is it being done in church?

Poetry is:

·           An art form that uses words in rhythm and verse to show emotions or tell a story

·        Poetry is a way of telling about life through words

·        Poetry can be about any subject

·        Poetry does not have to rhyme

·        Poetry puts things into words that are hard to say

·        Poetry expresses thoughts, feelings, opinions and dreams

·        Poetry can come from anywhere

·        Poetry is something everyone can create

·        Poetry makes the reader or hearer visualize something or feel a certain way

Poetry is a wonderful way of conveying thoughts and observations about life, using minimal words. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn't have to rhyme. In fact, some of the most interesting poems are written in free verse, meaning that the words just flow naturally, without rhyming. Poetry can explore opinions and alternative views of subjects that may be controversial, because the poetic form allows the writer to creatively express his or her message with a variety of words and dynamics that couldn't be accomplished in a regular speech or editorial. One of the reasons that Poetry and Spoken Word are becoming more popular in churches, is that it allows the Good News to be shared in a way that grabs the attention of those who might not otherwise hear what is being said in a traditional sermon, but that same content expressed poetically will probably not be hard to forget. 

 

 In our next blog, we will talk about some of the different styles of poetry, and share some tips on how to get started with writing and presenting your poems. In the meantime, please enjoy this poem by Poetri the Poet:

 

 

 



Spiritual Safety!

...In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit

even on my servants --men and women alike --and they will prophesy.

(Acts 2: 17-18) NLT

  
     It's no secret...we are in the Last Days! It's summertime, and there are always a lot of public service announcements about water and heat safety because of the many tragedies that happen during this season. But what about our spiritual safety? If you haven't noticed, there are things happening all around us, good and bad-- that have been foretold thousands of years ago in God's Word. One thing that has become very active is the amount of prophecy that is being spoken. The Word clearly states that God has called some to be prophets, to reveal the mind and will of God to great numbers of people, or many have the gift of prophecy, to exhort, build up, and encourage others. But there are also some who misuse these gifts, either out of ignorance, or out of some other motivation that is not of God.

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.  To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge.The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said.  It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

(1 Cor 12: 14-17) NLT

     According to the Word, spiritual gifts are given by God to help people. They are not to be used as a means to control, manipulate, or dominate them. No one can decide what gift they will have, because God is the One who distributes spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts are part of the true worship of God, because during worship, God reveals Himself to people and sends the blessings that are needed at that time according to His will. When God speaks a word into your situation or circumstance that no one could know but Him, that word will always agree with the Word of God that has already been written, and the spirit of the word will always agree with the Holy Spirit. Even if it's a word of correction or a word that seems "hard", it will always agree with God's Word and God's Spirit, and carries peace. And, a  true word from God will never tear you down, belittle, or embarrass you.

...Worship only God. For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.

(Rev 19:10) NLT

     Worshippers, if you are ever in the presence of someone who wants to "read" you, if you see someone fixating on you as if they are trying to "see" into you, if you feel some type of "energy" trying to pull on your spirit, causing you to feel agitated, disturbed, distracted, fearful, confused, weakened or any other feeling that is not of God, LEAVE immediately! If it's the Holy Spirit, the only things that He brings are power, love, and a sound mind. There are a lot of people who mix God's Word with their own doctrines and imaginations, and even practice what is called Charismatic Witchcraft*. That being said, you have to spend enough time with God to be able to know what is true. When bankers are being trained to know counterfeit bills from authentic ones, they spend hours learning how real money feels and looks, so that when they see a suspicious one, they recognize it right away.  Be careful of those who come into prayer gatherings announcing themselves as "Minister so-and-so" or "Prophet or Prophetess so-and-so" as soon as you meet them. A person who has a true prophetic gift does not need to do those things to call attention to themselves, because their gift will announce them!  Be aware of your spiritual environment. Be prayerful and watch what is going on around you. Don't be quick to run to every revival, prayer meeting, church service or conference looking for a "word". Allow God to lead you, and take your Bible with you to make sure that what is being said is the same thing that God says.  This is not to cause fear, but just as you would protect yourself on the streets, you must protect yourself in the religious community. Remember...we are in the Last Days. God has given us everything that we need to defend ourselves against spiritual attacks from inside as well as outside of the church, but we have to use the information that we have been given:

 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:

1 Cor. 12:1 (NKJV)

Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.

Matt. 7:15 (NLT)

Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.

I John 4:1 (NLT)

Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.

John 10:5 (NKJV)

     God loves us and does not want any of us to be deceived. He has people strategically placed to minister as He chooses. But just as God uses His people, the enemy has people that he uses to try to confuse us, or cause us to stumble, either because of lack of knowledge, or pure wickedness. Think of it in this way: the 5-year old who brings a gun to school, plays with it and causes it to go off, injuring another classmate, and the adult who deliberately shoots and injures someone has still done the same damage, even though the intentions were different. Don't become a spiritual casualty! Know when God is speaking to you, listen carefully to what is being spoken to you by people, test it against God's Word, and follow what He says about what you have heard. It's the only way to be spiritually safe in the last days.

    
Footnote:
******************
*Charismatic Witchcraft -Charismatic witchcraft is exercising control over other Christians by leaders or anyone within the church. Charismatic witches use personal prophecy to control others.

Seasons

     To every thing there is a season,  a time to every purpose under the the heavens.

(Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV)

     There are some seasons of our lives that are very difficult to walk through, but it is during those times we learn more about ourselves and who the God we worship really is. we also learn who our true friends are, and who are not. Sometimes that can be very heartbreaking, but God knows all things, and we have to remember that He truly holds our world in His hands. When we can't handle it, He can. When so-called friends walk away, He won't.

      Let's really work on trying to live the Christ-life and still think of others even when we are hurting. This world is slowly passing away, times are becoming stressful, many people are struggling with the simplest of things, but there is still something that each of us can do. It's not too much to let someone know you care, or to share what little we have with someone who has even less than we do. The 60's hit song He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother  is still very timely today. It doesn't really take that much...if you really care.  Remember, it's not always what you do, or what you say, it's the spirit that is motivating your actions.

Be Blessed...



Eagle...or Crow?

     Have you ever considered the differences between an eagle and a crow? Not just the obvious differences, but the ones that most people don't think about. Eagles and crows are very different types of birds beyond what we see. For example, the eagle is a bird of prey with a wingspan ranging from 72 to 90 inches, and can fly to an altitude of 10,000 feet. During level flight, they can achieve speeds of about 30 to 35 miles per hour. Bald eagles weigh from 10 to 14 pounds; they are lightweight, because their bones are hollow. They have 7,000 feathers, and may live as long as 30 years. The eagle's lifting power is about 4 pounds. They sit at the top of the food chain, and their diet consists mainly of fish. They are strong swimmers, have excellent eyesight, and their hunting area is from 1,700 to 10,000 acres. Eagles build their nests in large trees near rivers or coasts, where there is an abundant supply of fresh food, and mate for life.  (1)

     Now, let's take a look at the crow:  Crows can be found almost anywhere, in treetops, fields, and roadsides, and in habitats ranging from open woods and empty beaches to town centers and garbage dumps. They usually feed on the ground and eat almost anything – typically earthworms, insects and other small animals, seeds, and fruit but also garbage, carrion, and chicks they rob from nests. Their flight style is unique, a patient, methodical flapping that is rarely broken up with glides. They are often seen raiding garbage cans and picking over discarded food containers. Crows are very aggressive and often chase away larger birds including hawks, owls and herons. In folklore, a flock of crows is referred to as a murder. (2)

     Many times we feel bad because of not fitting in or being "uninvited" to events where everyone seems to be doing what pleases the crowd, and we wonder :"Why"? When we see the same people involved in activities that don't match the ministry they claim to have, or their lives are very different in private to what they portray in public, we wonder what we are doing wrong, or sometimes feel that God has forgotten about us. Well, He hasn't! He says:

Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
or, whine, Israel, saying,

"God has lost track of me.

He doesn't care what happens to me"?

Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening?

God doesn't come and go. God lasts.

He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.

He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.

And he knows everything, inside and out.

He energizes those who get tired,

gives fresh strength to dropouts.

For even young people tire and drop out,

young folk in their prime stumble and fall.

But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.

They spread their wings and soar like eagles,

They run and don't get tired,

they walk and don't lag behind.

(Isaiah 40:30-31- The Message)

    

     You don't fit in, because you are an eagle! Eagles are not like crows at all. Eagles know who they are; they don't fight with other birds, they are particular about where they live, and what they eat. You won't find an eagle living around a garbage dump, picking through the trash. But, unlike the eagle and the crow who have no choice in what they are, we have the power to choose how we will live. God sees, and knows all. We can fly like eagles, or we can pick with the crows. The choice is ours. So, which one will you be?

an Eagle...



or a Crow?

Selah...

References:
1.http://www.baldeagleinfo.com/eagle/eagle-facts.html
2. http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Crow/id

Let's Let Christ Back Into the Dance...

"Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom..."

 (Song of Solomon 2:15) NIV

     A professional dancer recently commented to me that when dance was being reintroduced to the church, people were very careful about what they did, and were much more attuned to the worship of God than many of them are now. Now that dance has become more popular, much of it is becoming more about the spectacle than the worship. There are many reasons for this, but the question to ask now is, how did that happen, and even more importantly, how can we stop the trend?

     I remember my first time ever seeing dance to gospel music, when a group of middle school girls danced to Perfect Peace by Andre Crouch. It wasn't  in a church, but I saw and felt the message of the song expressed in movement, and can still recall it today. We were told in church at the time that contemporary dance was of the devil, and notes were sent home with parents letting them know that "...although we understand that many children have dance training for poise and confidence, there will be no type of dancing allowed in the talent show". When dance was finally allowed at my church, there was a group of young ladies who danced to What Shall I Do? by Tremaine Hawkins. They had small bells on their wrists and ankles and really didn't move that much, but the message was still clearly received. Of course, there were people who whispered about it, but the group continued to dance on occasion.

     Over time, dance has gained wider acceptance, and brought a lot of joy to people as they see the Good News of Christ communicated through worship in movement. Dancers have become more skilled and knowledgeable about their craft. But along with this, the element of competition and rivalry has crept in. Gospel promoters are cashing in on hosting Praise Dance Showcases and competitions under the guise of encouraging fellowship. Dance leaders have become territorial and have a sense of entitlement to top billing on programs, only want to associate with "recognized" ministries, exclude those from their groups who are not of the right body type or lack technical expertise and even worse, take the place of God in determining who can or cannot worship God in dance. In all of this, the element of worship has been lost for many people, and the dance has been reduced to entertainment, which has no place in the church.  In response, some dancers have taken a hiatus or sadly, left the ministry altogether.

      How can we stop this trend? By keeping Christ at the forefront of all we do, we will always be in worship mode. That leaves no room for competition, egoism, pride, abuse, territorial- ism, or any of the other sins that hinder God's work. I remember the days when we were happy to worship God freely in the dance and really make an impact, and I am thankful for those dance ministries who still do. Let's let Christ back into the dance...please?

     Please enjoy this video by The Georgia NLDN...

Moving Forward...

"...I'm not going back, I'm moving ahead..."

--Ricardo Sanchez

     "20X" is coming to an end. It's been a year of High Dimensional Communications for many of us, and hopefully we have been successful in communicating a clear message to others. Even if we haven't always been as successful as we would have liked, we can learn from our mistakes and improve on our shortcomings.

It’s not that I’ve already reached the goal or have already completed the course. But I run to win that which Jesus Christ has already won for me. Brothers and sisters, I can’t consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don’t look back, I lengthen my stride, and I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12-14 (GWT)

     Have you started thinking about some of the things you want to accomplish in the next year? It's not too early to start planning and strategizing. Too often, we do a lot of talking about what we would like to see happen, but never seem to be able to move past the initial idea. It's not about making resolutions, but setting realistic goals for ourselves that are doable and measurable. This time, let's make a sincere effort to put some of those plans into action through Prayer, Fasting, Strategic Networking and Forward Motion. What happened to that book, blog, play, choreography, ensemble, workshop, class, business plan or outreach ministry that got shelved? Let's write the vision, and make it plain so we can run with it when God says: "Move". We have so much to do, and not necessarily a lot of time left to accomplish it. No more procrastinating...'cause in 2011, it's "on and crackin'!"

Then the Lord answered me,

“Write the vision.

Make it clear on tablets

so that anyone can read it quickly".

Hab. 2:2 (GWT)

    Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read my blog this year, and especially for you 18 faithful followers. I hope that something that I've written has challenged and encouraged you in whatever you do for God in your season. See you next year!


     Please enjoy this video of Moving Forward from last summer's Purify Conference in New York. It was a blessing to be at that praise party!

Ministry or Performance? Pt. 2

     In our last discussion, we learned from Webster's Dictionary that the word performance refers to a public presentation, and also explored some of the controversy surrounding the use of that word in the Worship Arts Community. Performance has often been confused with entertainment, which is to amuse, or divert. Worship Artists always present an aspect of God's Word to their audience through their art-form, which transcends entertainment So, the goal of a worship artist is never to entertain, but to leave something of God with the audience when they perform, which is equivalent to ministry. Let's look further at some of the roots of this misunderstanding.
     The article entitled The Prejudice Against Theatre by Debra Bruch, Ph.D., states that many of the beliefs that Christians have about arts in the church came from theatre practices during the Roman Empire. At that time, theatre was used to persecute Christians and even massacre them in horrendous ways, which was very entertaining to the Romans who would commit all kinds of indecent acts while watching the Christians being tortured. Entertainment was not just a simple diversion to them, but a means of genocide. Because of this, the early Church leaders discouraged Christians from attending the theatre, and actors who did not leave acting were not allowed to take communion, and could not be buried on church grounds. During the Reformation, actors and dancers continued to be looked down upon among the lowest class members of society. Since Christians historically associated entertainment with death and destruction, it is easy to understand why any reference to it would be rejected. But God's Word commands us: "Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do, and whatever else you do, develop good judgment" (Proverbs 4:7). It is too easy to believe and repeat what we hear others say, without knowing why we are saying it, or where the saying comes from. Words can take on different meanings over time, but can still hinder or harm others who have been uniquely gifted by God. Let's think before we speak, and not put others in bondage regardless of what words we use to describe what they do.

Ministry or Performance? Pt. 1

     There is an ongoing controversy about whether Worship Artists minister or perform when they present their crafts to an audience. The word “performance” causes many people to be cringe when they hear it, and we are constantly told “We don’t perform, we minister”. What is the difference between ministry and performance, or is there one? First, let’s look at some contextual definitions of the two words, minister and perform: 

     Minister: to give aid or service, to perform the functions of a minister of religion, a  diplomatic representative of a foreign state

     Performance: the act or process of performing a public presentation

     After reading these definitions from Webster’s Dictionary, could we say that performance can be ministry, and even further say that when we perform, we are ministers who represent God’s Kingdom on earth?

Over time, words have taken on meanings that were never assigned them, and because of tradition, we have rejected certain words because they don't sound "spiritual", This has caused a lot of  controversy, and even sent many artists away from the church for good, because they were misunderstood. God has comissioned us to go into the world with our gifts, and spread the Good News. (Matt. 28:19) I believe that if we are truly going to be effective in our ministries, we should have a clear understanding of not only what we are doing, but of what we say about what we do, no matter what we call it.  The video below is, in my opinion, an outstanding example of performance as ministry. The audience for this work may never set foot inside a church building, but I believe that very few people would come away from seeing this performance and not be moved. And isn't that why we do what we do?

What is Excellence?

The word excellence means many things to different people. The term is used all the time when it comes to the ministry of the arts. For some, it is a subjective response to one’s personal taste, while for others, it is nothing short of perfection. Webster’s dictionary defines it as: the fact or condition of excelling; superiority; surpassing goodness, or merit.

 I would define excellence as being the best I can be at this moment, yet always looking for ways to improve. Excellence is not static, it is a continual journey. What is excellent for me today, should not be excellent next week, next month or next year; rather, whatever I am doing now, should give me latitude for next week, next month or next year. I should be able to look at myself a year from now, and see progressive change. As a wise person once said, either we are moving forward, or backwards; standing still is not an option. This does not mean that I cannot be kind to myself in the process, or that I am to judge others harshly, or reject them because they do not meet my standards, because in God’s economy, excellence includes kindness and humility (Gal. 5:22-23). Excellence requires focus, self-examination, and of course, hard work. It means encouraging myself when no one else seems to notice me, or when I don’t see immediate results of my efforts. Most of all, it means making the most of what I have, to please God and to share with others for His purposes.