New Year, New Start!

Trust the Lord with all your heart,
    and don’t depend on your own understanding.
 Remember the Lord in all you do,    and he will give you success.
~ Prov. 3:5-6 (NCV)



      2014 has officially arrived, along with all of the New Year's Resolutions, goals, aspirations and good intentions that we promise to fulfill in the coming months. Some of them are realistic, and sometimes as humans we make promises because others are making them and we don't want to feel left out, knowing that we don't have the drive or real intention on following through with what we said that we would do. But...I have a suggestion: Why not think about the things you were working on, struggling with, or moving towards, and instead of making new resolutions, continue your work on whatever you were doing in 2013? If you were planning to start a workshop that God inspired you to do, and it didn't happen last year, prayerfully look at your plans and rethink them, seek out guidance from a trusted source, and keep focusing on your goal. Have a budget and a target audience, do your research, find your facilitators and plan your deadlines. Think about how much everything will cost and count the cost of the entire project. Good events require a lot of planning to be effective, and need many hands and much prayer to be successful. In fact, a very wise Prophetess, Pastor Sarah Morgan of Women of Vision L.A. states: "Whatever is not birthed in prayer, is illegal"*. That is a very profound statement, but it means that if you haven't spent time praying and getting guidance from God in what you do, it should not be done!

     While we are on the subject of goals, what are you doing to improve your dance ministry presentations for the coming months? There are always new ministries being formed, some have knowledge of how to start and maintain a dance ministry, some have the heart for ministering but no idea of how to prepare themselves. Maybe God has called you to be a solo worshipper, and you need to know about choreography or exactly what to do with your singular ministry. Find out where your place is, and assume the position! There are several sources available to help you in your endeavors that are of good quality, easily accessible, and an affordable investment. Many ministries are faltering because of lack of preparation, or they fail to invest the time in learning about their art. The ministry is whatever God wants to accomplish through your art form, whether it is dance, poetry, theatre, mime, step or flagging. Just because we call something a ministry does not automatically make it one, which is why we can look around and see so many things going on in church that do not glorify God and actually bring confusion and disgust to the church. So many are turned off when they see us calling ourselves ministries (servants) but what we are serving is not fit for consumption. Selah...

     My mind goes back to a video I watched in which there were two dancers presenting a song to the church. The song was about who God is to us. Instead of one dancer representing God speaking to the other dancer, they appeared to take turns being God, and neither one was receiving what the other was giving. At one point in the song, it looked like a war between good and evil. It was a very beautiful song, but extremely challenging to choreograph if you don't study the scriptural basis of the song and plot out your movement theme based on (1) Who is speaking? (2) Who is being spoken to? (3) What is the through-line or pervasive message of the song? (4) What is the resolution? (The end point of the song). If you don't take time to study that, your audience will walk away confused, empty, turned-off, or even think that what you are doing is comical. Although they may never tell you this, they may tell it to other people. Don't be the ministry that people start texting on or decide to go to the bathroom on because you are not effective!

     Again...make this the year that you make plans to attend a workshop in your area, take classes, or avail yourself of some of the many media resources for dance ministry that are available online, on DVD, or in e-books. All of these are relatively inexpensive and are brought to you by people who have many years of experience and want to share their knowledge with you. There are also many ministries who have taken time to study and are eager to have you join in their learning journey along with them: A few are:

• The Praise Dance Life with Jocelyn Richard - Minister Jocelyn Richard of Visual Praise Ministries has a wealth of information on dance ministry, choreography, garments, technique, nutrition, music, and many other resources on DVD and in e-book form. She also has podcasts that are archived that you can listen to, teleconferences, and does local workshops as well as some traveling to dance conferences where she teaches classes. You can find out more about her ministry at: www.thepraisedancelife.com.
• Dancing for Him Ministries with Pastor Lynn Hayden - Pastor Lynn has a profound ministry that focuses on the prophetic in movement and dance, and holds regular worship dance workshops around the country. She also has many resources in book form, and on DVD for dancers on all levels that you can use in the privacy of your own home. For more information, you can find her at: www.dancingforhim.com.

     All of these ministries have video on YouTube for you to see, and find out which one would be best suited for your needs. There are many wonderful worship dance resources to choose from, but these are the three that are being highlighted this month. More will be shared as space and time allows.

     Whatever you do, acknowledge God in all your ways, and allow Him to direct your ministries this year. Be original, and be your best!

*Quote from Pastor Sarah Morgan, Women of Vision/Trees of Righteousness Mentoring Class
 - www.womenofvisionla.org

Shekinah Glory Ministry - Just for Me



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.