Living The Dream

Whether we admit it or not, we are all striving to "live the dream life". Our individual visions of what that dream life looks like is as unique as each and every one of us. We are constantly planning for, working towards, saving for, praying about, and wrapping our faith around that dream life. We see it as some destination in the future that one day we'll finally achieve. And if I'm honest with you, there were certainly times in this journey that my dream life seemed almost impossible to achieve. It seemed that no matter how hard I worked, how much faith I had, or how often I kept the promises of God before me, the picture I had in my mind of my dream life was still some distance away from my current reality. However, this week, I had an eye opening moment with the Father and all I could do was weep before Him.

What I realized is that God has given me the opportunity and the resources to live my dream life RIGHT NOW! Every day that I wake up and I'm able to do exactly what I love and impact people for the glory of God, I'm living the dream. I'm in a season where everyday I have the opportunity to run Rebirth Arts full-time. I have the daily privilege to share my heart and love for God with numerous people through this blog, our social media community, our live broadcast, our studio classes, and our hosted events. For over a month, God has afforded me one of my greatest blessings . . . to experience His promises manifesting in my life.

Now, don't get me wrong, there is still plenty of room for growth in order to get to the ultimate vision that I see in my spirit of traveling internationally ministering the gospel through the arts, having a waiting list for our studio classes, seeing lines wrapped around the building for the auditions for our annual productions, and building our own multi-million dollar facility. However, I also know that the Word of God tells us to not despise small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10/NLT). And because I was so focused on the grander vision that my spirit was holding on to, I almost missed the fact that God was already manifesting my dream life. He was already making divine connections and opening doors that I would have never been able to reach on my own. He was already providing the resources I needed to take care of my needs, as I pressed forward into my purpose in Him. I almost fell into the trap of being ungrateful for what God was doing, because I was laser focused on the bigger picture. Honestly, I was borderline upset with God because my dream was not manifesting, how I thought it should be manifesting. But thank God for revelation, the ability to see and recognize the truth, and the exposing of the lies of the enemy in my life!

If my transparency today keeps you from falling into this trap of the enemy, then it is well worth it. Be sure to take notice of the little things God is doing in your life that is truly manifesting His promises. Yes, you still have room to grow and goals to achieve, but God is delivering on your dream life right now. Be sure not to miss the opportunity to be thankful and glorify the Father for the great things He is doing in your life that aligns with His promises, no matter how small. Because believe me, it's no small thing to God!

Not So Quick!

In my meditation time this week I came across a scripture that was familiar to me, but God showed me a different side of it. This new perspective certainly pushed me back on my heels a bit.

 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.  (James 1:18-21/NLT)

I've often experienced verse 18 being used to address how we interact with each other.  Teaching us that when we are working to manage our relationships with each other we should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry. However, upon this particular reading of the scripture, God turned it towards my personal relationship with Him. I began to hear the following questions . . .  Have you done this in our relationship? Are you quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry when I speak to you?

Honestly, this was a hard moment for me. It was a moment that layers were pulled back and I was exposed. Because being in this place with the Father is not unfamiliar to me, I knew exeactly what God was trying to accomplish in this moment. God was challenging me to GROW. He wanted me to see myself and know that yes there have been times that I didn't listen, that I interrupted His voice with my own, and that I've even gotten angry with God because of His instructions. And because He has me writing this blog on the topic, I know that I'm not the only one.

Beyond having this reflective moment of evaluating my own reactions to God's voice and instructions, He also tied in the later part of verse 21. He made sure that I understood that not only was I to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry, but I had to be sure that I was humbly accepting the word He already planted in my heart. There are some things that God has already spoken that I must continually humbly accept, because that very word has the power to save my soul. There are some things that I already know to be true that I have to keep at the forefront of my mind and make sure that I'm being consistently obedient to observe. And again, I know I'm not alone.

I pray that my transparency today allows you to see this scripture in a new light for your own life. That it causes you to be honest with the Father and sparks radical change in your relationship with Him. I pray that today begins a new journey for you in your walk with Christ, one that is open, honest, receptive, and fiercely obedient. May you reap all the benefits of your obedience in this season.

Spiritual Depletion

A few weeks ago I listened to a message from Pastor Joann Rosario Condrey. She made a point about "spiritual depletion" that stuck me.  If I tried to summarize her point it would be this . . . that many of us have gotten so use to operating in a state of spiritual depletion that we begin to believe that the symptoms of spiritual depletion are part of our personality. That these symptoms are just who we are. A few of the symptoms being . . . we are short-tempered, irritable, argumentative, overly aggressive, extremely defensive, unsympathetic, paranoid, insecure, impatient, stressed . . . and the list could go on.

I began to think about this statement and wondered how many times I've operated from a place of spiritual depletion and not recognized it. How many times have I been stressed, short-tempered, irritable, and impatient with those around me and not recognize that those outward expressions were simply a bi-product of what I was lacking spiritually. As I continued to ponder this thought, I found myself in a place of repentance before God. I recognized that because of my own lack of discipline, at times, I allowed myself to fall into a place of spiritual depletion that then affected my relationships, interactions, and ministry.

Pastor Joann's further point in this message was that when we put ourselves in a position to be constantly washed with the Word of God, worship God, and receive from the Holy Spirit, we are more likely to produce the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) and not those of a spirit of depletion (Galatians 5:19-21: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, etc.).

Over the past month I've had more flexibility in my schedule, which is great; however, it also means that I have to exercise more discipline over my time. I have purposed in my heart that during this season of life I will be more intentional about my personal time with God through worship and meditation on the Word. I recognize that it is necessary for my own personal sanity and for the welfare of those that are connected to me. I don't ever want to operate from a place of spiritual depletion again, so I know that it is critical for me to be consistently surrounded by the things of God.

This post has been extremely introspective; however, I pray that you will take a few moments to reflect on your own life and actions. And if you find some areas where you are currently spiritually depleted, I pray that you will begin the process to shift and allow the Spirit of God to refill and overflow you, so that you can reflect more of His character, which is your true personality.

Why Are You Still Afraid?

Why Are You Still Afraid?

This is the question that I've asked myself over the last week or so, since I came across this scripture . . .

They were now on the way up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were filled with awe, and the people following behind were overwhelmed with fear. Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus once more began to describe everything that was about to happen to him."  ~ Mark 10:32/NLT

As I reflected on these words, I thought of two reasons why I shouldn't be afraid:

1. Jesus (God) is walking ahead of me.
2. Jesus (God) has explained everything that is about to happen.

As I continued to read verses 33 and 34, I took notice at the level of detail Jesus lays out the events that were to come. And as I reflected on that, I couldn't help but direct my thoughts back to my own life. I truly believe the promises of God in Jeremiah 29:11. And I know for sure that there are several things that God has spoken to me directly and spoken over me through others about my future. However, because of what I've experienced in the past and the situations that I face daily, it can prove difficult at times to consistently wrap my faith around those promises. And if you are honest with yourself, you can identify times where you've found your faith wavering. Not because you didn't believe in God or His promises for your life, but simply because what you've been experiencing, with your five senses, somehow has made a bigger impression on your faith in that moment.

Just like these verses in Mark 10, God has laid out the specifics of our futures in elaborate detail. There is nothing that He has left to chance. There are divine connections and doors of destiny awaiting our arrival. So, I ask the question again . . . Why are you still afraid?

I'm in a season of my life where God is calling for my faith. He is calling for me to stand firmly on His promises. He is requiring me to consistently wrap my faith around those promises, set some mile markers and to keep pressing forward in my destiny. And if you will be honest with yourself again, God is calling for the same thing from you.

Photo Credit: Platinum Photography by Lorenzo

So I have another question . . . What is it going to take? What is it going to take for us to keep pressing forward, to not stand still out of fear, and to truly trust God's promises for our lives? What is it going to take for us to embrace the risk the first step into the unknown presents. It is time for each of us to rise up in faith, courage, and determination. It is time for us to press forward toward our destinies with reckless abandon. We have to know that as we move forward, lead by the Spirit of God, that every step is purposeful, that every detail has been well orchestrated by the Father, and that the only failure we'll experience is that of not pressing forward.

So I will continue to challenge you . . . . 

Why are you still afraid?

Be Brave - Press Forward - Be Great!

The Edge of Life

This past fall I had the opportunity to be part of an amazing project.  This project was lead by an even more amazing Woman of God who I really respect, love and cherish. As part of this project I lent my voice to the topic - "The Edge of Life". Given that today is the day that the relaunch of the Rebirth Arts blog is happening and it also happens to be my birthday . . . I figured it is only fitting that the first post be on this topic.

Each and every one of us has a destiny. And our hearts and spirits are constantly longing to experience and manifest that destiny daily. However, more often than not, we find ourselves standing at the edge of life. Standing at the very point where we can either turn back and be complacent or leap and experience all the joy, peace, and freedom that our loving Father has afforded us. We stand at that edge contemplating our fears and at the same time encouraging others to leap to their destinies. We push so hard for others at times that we tend to lose focus on the very thing that we have a heart's desire to accomplish.

Throughout my life, I can remember very distinctly moments where I found myself at the edge of life. And if I'm really honest, I found myself to be anxious, afraid, uncertain, and at times even paralyzed. But I also remember realizing in those moments, when I found myself to be a little less than the faith-filled Christian that I purported to be, that I wasn't looking to the Father to guide, help, assist, provide, cover, protect . . . and the list could go on. I was only looking at my own ability, resources, connections, bank accounts, etc. However I'm thankful that somehow, even in my moments of awkward nervousness, the little faith I had left rose up inside of me and literally pushed me over the edge.  I'm grateful that I had sense enough to trust the promptings of the Holy Spirit in my life and let go and let God take over.

Now don't get me wrong, I still have moments where fear tries to paralyze me and keep me from pushing hard after my destiny. But what I've come to know and understand is that fear can only try to stop me. As long as I trust God and I'm obedient to move when He says move, I know I will always find victory on the other side of fear. And I want you to know that the same is true for you.  If you can muster up enough courage to jump off the edge of life, to stop waiting for the perfect moment, and reach just a little bit further than where you are comfortable, you'll find a passion that will burn so deeply within you that it will fuel you even in the face of fear.

Know that there are no perfect moments. The timing will never be just right, the finances won't accumulate quick enough, and the stars will always be slightly out of alignment. All we have is NOW. So why not leap. Why not take God at His word. Why not allow God to prove that His promises are true in your life, for all those watching. Why not be on the receiving end of God's goodness, love, mercy, grace, abundance, favour, and miracles. God is waiting for you. He is waiting for you to push past your fear and take the first step. He is waiting for your mustard seed of faith to peak through the fog of your thoughts, so that He can set in motion your next divine appointment.

So know that you aren't standing alone at the edge of life, but be encouraged not to stay there. I pray that you will put your hand in God's hand, throw your head back, and leap off the edge. That you will embrace God's thoughts towards you, knowing it is ok for you to have everything God has promised you. And I pray that as you venture out into the unknown that you will find everything that your spirit has been searching for.

Stand Tall!

As I watched one of my petite dancers minister during our praise and worship service one evening the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said . . . "You may not be able to change your physical stature but you can increase your stature and presence in the Spirit Realm."  That very statement became the inspiration for this week's blog post.

As I contemplated that statement and begin to think about not only the dancer that I was observing, but myself as well, it became very clear to me what the Spirit of God was trying to reveal.

Personally I'm a petite dancer in size and height; however I've been told at times, by those who have witnessed my ministry, that I GROW in the Spirit, while I minister. I appear to be taller and have a longer reach then I do to the natural eye.

I began to contemplate this concept. And it became very clear to me, that when you have an understanding of who you are in God and how He flows through you in the use of your gift, it does not matter how "big" you are, you will make insurmountable waves in the Spirit Realm, because God is at the center of what you are doing and you have an awareness and knowledge of His presence and His had upon your life in that moment.

As a minister of the arts, no matter the form - - music, song, dance, painting, drama, etc. - - you have to know that God uses your gift in a very unique way to impact His people.  You have to know that God has anointed you to be able to deliver a very specific message through the art form that He has graced you with the talent to deliver. Once you've settled these very important facts in within yourself, it will allow you to grow in the Spirit Realm and have a much larger impact then you could ever imagine.

I will give you this example . . . have you ever seen someone who at first seems very shy and introverted walk up to a mic stand to sing a solo? But when they open their mouths to release the song that is deep down on the inside of them you are almost knocked out of your seat, because of the anointing and the fact that you were not expecting something so "grand" to come out of someone so "small". Well that same impact can be true for you and your gift, when you are confident in the One who gave you the gift and how He operates through you when you surrender it to Him.

So I just encourage you this week to STAND TALL in your gift and under the anointing that the Father has placed on your life for the impact of His people.  There is no greater joy that I get than to be able to be in a position surrendered to God's use. The more you surrender your gift, God will reveal to you how He specifically uses you to impact the world. Know that "every joint supplies" and you and your gift are needed for a Kingdom work.

Chosen

". . . I chose you, forever I'll choose you still . . . 

cause I love you, I promise I always will"

There is just something about being chosen! When someone expresses to us or notifies us that we've been chosen for a particular assignment or opportunity there is a sense of acceptance, worth, and belonging that comes over us. If we are honest with ourselves . . . we all just want to be chosen.

As I listened to "Promise I Always Will" by Steffany Gretzinger, the lyrics at the top of this post pierced my ear and my heart.  When I began to reflect on and imagine God saying this to me directly . . . . I was completely overwhelmed and overtaken by worship! I dare you for just 5 seconds to imagine . . . the God of all creation speaking to you directly and saying . . . I CHOSE YOU, forever, I'll CHOOSE YOU still. 

Well . . . If you didn't already know, I'm here to tell you . . . that's exactly what God says about YOU! Yes, YOU!!! It doesn't matter what you've done, what you feel like you failed at, or what areas you may still be falling short in.

God loves you with an unimaginable unconditional love that's hard for us to even imagine. Don't believe me . . . well . . . Galatians 1:15 (NLT) says that "before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace." The Word also tells us that "many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14). There is something about being called and chosen! It is a wonderful place to be in God to not only be called but also to be CHOSEN by Him.

Now I know that for someone reading this the enemy will try to tell you that what I've pointed out is great, but it doesn't pertain to you, because of whatever you've done in your life that you feel wasn't pleasing to God.  But let me expose the enemy's lie right now . . . the Word of God says in Psalms 139:

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous - how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!

God knew how every day of your life would play out before you were even born. He knows every intricate detail of your personality and He still has precious thoughts towards you. It doesn't matter what your past holds, God is still with you; therefore, your past can no longer hold you!

I pray that this post today gives you the bit of encouragement and the sense of belonging and acceptance that you needed to keep pressing forward in your life and in your journey with God.  Life can be overwhelming at times with all the things that are required of us, but know that God loves us enough to give us relief and overflow our lives with His goodness at any moment.   Don't give up!!

God says to you today . . . 

"I chose you, forever I'll choose you still. Cause I love you, I promise I always will."

The Daily Battle

When you are a child of God, you have to know where it is most effective for you to fight.  The word of God tells us that . . . "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places".  Know that the fight that we must engage in, as children of the Most High God, is in the Spirit and not in the natural.  Know that God is your righteous judge.  He is your peace, your protector, your voice, your covering, your weapon against everything that would attempt to come against you.  

Yes! We all face challenges, situations, and circumstances that we could give the side-eye to and tell the devil . . . "Oooh . . you tried it!" But in those moments we have to know that we are not fighting against our family, friends, jobs, finances, or anything else that might be going haywire.  We have to recognize that this is SPIRITUAL WARFARE. We have to put on the full amour of God and press forward into the battle, without fear. We cannot let the enemy push us into having a flesh reaction to a spiritual incident.  We have to mount up and take our positions in the spirit and remind the enemy that he is already defeated.

If you are a born-again believer of the Lord Jesus Christ and you are filled with the Holy Spirit, know that God has fully equipped you for the spiritual battle that you have to face.  The word of God describes the Holy Spirit as a "Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby". I don't know about you, but that seems to me that God made sure that we would have help in any and every situation.  And if it so happens that there is something that we don't think we can handle . . . . God said that the Holy Spirit could be a Standby . . . that the Holy Spirit will stand in our place and fight for us!!  The Holy Spirit is out tag-team partner in this spiritual battle. How amazing it that?!

"But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world." 

(1 John 4:4 NLT)

So let me ask you a question . . . Are you a Child of God? If you answered yes . . . the above promise from God's word is for you! You have to KNOW that you have already won the victory.  

Now . . . go back and read the scripture again and replace "those people" with whatever situation you are facing and let that settle in your spirit.  Let it settle in your spirit that you have already won the victory over . . . sickness, debt, lack, low self-esteem, brokenness, drug abuse, alcoholism, fornication, lying . . . whatever "it" is! I don't care what it looks like or feels like right now, God has already given you the victory over that situation. The only thing that you have to do now is listen to the voice of God and be obedient to His instructions.  He will lead you right into your victory party!

God said wait . . . .

So, God said . . . 

Now what?

Sometimes in this walk with God He tells us to wait. We often feel in that moment like that "loading circle" that's constantly revolving and we anticipate the moment when the period of waiting is over. We often shift our focus and expectations to the end of the waiting period, instead of seeking God about the reason why He told us to wait in the first place.

In my own seasons of waiting on God, I have come to understand that the "waiting" is most often not about the length of time, but it is purposeful for what God wants to get accomplished in our lives. For some of us it may be hard to come to the conclusion that we are still works in progress that are being perfected for God's use, but if we can ever settle this fact in our spirits, hearts, and minds then we will be better equipped to endure through the waiting periods.

God's waiting periods are always strategic.  When He gives us the command to wait, it is likely because there is something that He has to work in us to be ready for the next step or level in our journey with Him.  Maybe there are still some of our own selfish ways that He must work out of us, before we are ready to walk in the next level of anointing that He desires to place on our lives. Often there is some fine tuning that is required so that our ability to hear and trust Him is increased, before He gives the next instruction. Sometimes the greater purpose is for us to have a much needed period where we slow down and are purposeful about being in God's presence to deepen our relationships with Him.

Noticed I called this period of waiting a command.  When God says to wait, it isn't an option.  He isn't giving us the option to wait or to move forward. God's instructions for us to wait can also be associated with our protection. Maybe there is a direction that we thought we were being lead by God to take and it is really a trap set by the enemy to take our very lives. However, when we are obedient to the voice of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit, we can avoid such pitfalls and have victory in every area of our lives.

I hope that this post encourages you to trust God not only for His promises, but also for the timing of those promises in your life.  If God said to WAIT, know it has a purpose and you will still get to the expected end and all the promises that God has spoken over your life, exactly when He desires for them to manifest for you.

I Can't See . . .

So here goes a real honest moment . . . . 



In this walk with God there are moments where I feel like, I can't see.  I can't see the path that God is taking me on and the directions that I'm given . . . well sometimes, they don't even make sense in the natural.  Fortunately for me, I've had enough experiences with God to know . . . that's exactly how He desires our relationship with Him to be.  


God does not like to be predictable in our lives.  He wants us to constantly be in a place of trusting Him.  He wants us to trust Him, even when we cannot see.  And as we progress and mature in our relationship with God, the level of trust and the things that God will require us to surrender to Him will change and even, at times, be more of a challenge.

There have been times in this walk with God that I've found myself having to surrender to God's will at the expense of my own desires and thoughts about what is "good" for me.  I've found myself having to prove through my desires, decisions, and actions in life that I truly trust God and the leading of the Holy Spirit in my life, even when it doesn't make sense in the natural. I've had to challenge myself to prove that at the end of the day, above all else . . . I trust God's leading in my life. I have to trust that God will guide me in the direction of what's not only "good" for my life, but what's "great, exceptional, and abundantly blessed" for my life.  I have to trust that God will work all things for my good, including even those things that are a challenge for me to give up or walk away from.  I have to trust God even if, at the onset, what I can see in the natural is completely opposite of looking like it is working for my good.

Spiritual growth and maturity is not an easy process, but it is necessary if we truly desire to deepen our relationship with God.  In this type of season, it will require more and more of a dying to one's self (i.e. desires, thoughts, feelings, etc.) in order to progress forward.  As we take this journey, the growth and maturity that we experience in our private lives will begin to spillover into our external ministries. Remember that with every step, God is with you and He will never leave you or lead you astray.  God has your back and knows where the path is that leads to your future. When it is all said and done . . . JUST TRUST GOD!

In the Mirror

Begin to love who you are and have confidence in whose you are. ~ RDP

*     *     *     *     *     *     *

In light of Valentine's Day approaching this week, I thought it was a great opportunity to release this post that the Lord inspired me to write.  

Valentine's Day, for most people, is a day that they look to those around them to validate them and prove their love for them by the giving of gifts, the spending of quality time, and even the expressing of grand gestures to profess their affections.  And unfortunately, when we place so much of the responsibility for our happiness and validation on other people, they have the tendency to disappoint us.  Why is this you might ask . . . it's because they are human.

The objective of this post isn't to focus on the disappointment, but to challenge you to redirect the expectation that other people are responsible for making you happy.  There comes a point where you have to look at your reflection in the mirror and decide that you are going to be happy -- "point, blank, and the period".

I've come to understand that happiness is a personal choice.  It doesn't matter what challenges you face, what situations you may be in the midst of, or even what you might be lacking during this season of your life.  Your personal happiness should be rooted in and be an extension of the joy that the Lord provides.  When you chose to receive the joy of the Lord, there is a peace that comes along with this free gift.

Your true happiness comes from being able to look in the mirror and accept yourself for who you are, understand that you are on a constant road to being perfected by God, and know that above all else God loves you. Take the time to reflect and ask God to help you see the beauty, love, joy, and all-around awesomeness that He created on the inside of you.  Let that inner deposit begin to shine through to that reflection in the mirror and take back the control over your level of happiness. Begin to walk confidently in the knowledge that you are God's own. Remember that He made the grandest gesture imaginable to show forth His love for you . . . He gave you the life of His only Son.