-----This post is a post in progress-----
This morning's devotions? I was led to Matthew 18:1-10.
This afternoon, right around lunch time? A 6-year-old boy named Kam came up to me, out of nowhere and talked with me. Talked and talked, as if he were drawn to me.
Not sure what was going on.
Stephen thought he might have had cancer--he saw his mother giving him a treatment of some sort after we left.
I, of course, am wondering what the connection is between my reading and this boy.
And--was it Christ in me that drew him? (A question I'm pondering prayerfully.)
Prayer:
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord; Open the eyes of my heart. I want to see you; I want to see you.
And I want to truly be able to say that I am your hands and feet on this planet.
Thank you, Lord.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Thursday, March 21, 2013
What's at My CORE?
In the movie, "The Guardians," there's this interesting discussion that Santa has with Jack Frost about the CORE of each guardian.
He tells Jack that there are many aspects to his nature and character, but that one thing was at his core: WONDER.
Santa tells Jack Frost that he must discover what is at his core.
It isn't until the end of the movie that Jack Frost realizes that at the core of him is LAUGHTER.
-----------------------------------------------------
I remembered, all through my viewing of "The Guardians," thinking about the messages contained in this children's movie. And what of it, my core? What is at the core of Shirley Harrod Yandell?
-----------------------------------------------------
At Project Gideon, Bishop urged us to do the same, to find our CORE.
I wonder, if I know?
Is it ENCOURAGEMENT?
[I will ponder this in prayer.]
He tells Jack that there are many aspects to his nature and character, but that one thing was at his core: WONDER.
Santa tells Jack Frost that he must discover what is at his core.
It isn't until the end of the movie that Jack Frost realizes that at the core of him is LAUGHTER.
-----------------------------------------------------
I remembered, all through my viewing of "The Guardians," thinking about the messages contained in this children's movie. And what of it, my core? What is at the core of Shirley Harrod Yandell?
-----------------------------------------------------
At Project Gideon, Bishop urged us to do the same, to find our CORE.
I wonder, if I know?
Is it ENCOURAGEMENT?
[I will ponder this in prayer.]
Don't Bypass The Ten
One of the things Bishop talked to us about is how God progresses us. He talked about his first congregation: there were 10 faithful members. Then, that 10 turned into 30. And the 30 turned into more and more until now, decades later, there are literally MILLIONS who follow Bishop's ministry.
"You cannot bypass the ten," he said.
I remember what Bill Day, my theatre mentor of many years, told me time and again before the curtains would open for a show: "It doesn't matter how many people you see in the audience. Whether there's 30 or 300, you give it all you've got."
And that's what Bishop is talking about. We've got to have what it takes to give it all we've got, no matter who is or isn't there. We've got to BELIEVE in what we're doing and convey that to WHOEVER God sends our way.
We mustn't ever bypass the ten...Because it's with the ten that we really know what's motivating us. It's not the glitz and glamor. It's the CAUSE within us, the MOTIVATION, Christ alone.
And, with ten, we must rely on God to see us through. And if he sees fit to bless our seed, our fruit and give us massive harvest, if we've gone through the process, we will be better for it. We will have strength and character and identity.
"You cannot bypass the ten," he said.
I remember what Bill Day, my theatre mentor of many years, told me time and again before the curtains would open for a show: "It doesn't matter how many people you see in the audience. Whether there's 30 or 300, you give it all you've got."
And that's what Bishop is talking about. We've got to have what it takes to give it all we've got, no matter who is or isn't there. We've got to BELIEVE in what we're doing and convey that to WHOEVER God sends our way.
We mustn't ever bypass the ten...Because it's with the ten that we really know what's motivating us. It's not the glitz and glamor. It's the CAUSE within us, the MOTIVATION, Christ alone.
And, with ten, we must rely on God to see us through. And if he sees fit to bless our seed, our fruit and give us massive harvest, if we've gone through the process, we will be better for it. We will have strength and character and identity.
Process Produces Product
Bishop Jakes talked about how there is a PROCESS that is necessary to produce any product. And sometimes, we can be ultra-impatient about waiting on the process.
We live in an "Instant Society." We like to order something and get it immediately--or shortly--thereafter. We have come to expect "instant" from almost everything we deem desirable. And when we have to wait--or are told that obtaining something requires a lengthy process, we don't like that.
If there's a long process involved in something we'd like to have or see happen in or lives, we have to determine (1) If it's worth the effort, time, investment, or (2) If it's not. Shall we give up? Or shall we dig in our heels and go for it, no matter what?
In ministry, Bishop cautioned, it's easy to think that "you're ready to get started" when there's more processing to be done. And we have to trust God to know the timing. If we push open doors, cut corners, disregard the warning signs? We're opening ourselves to MAJOR problems.
The older I get, the more I realize that I really MUST trust God. For everything.
And trusting God in the process means committing to the "long haul." Because I know it's going to be worth it. Worth it all.
We live in an "Instant Society." We like to order something and get it immediately--or shortly--thereafter. We have come to expect "instant" from almost everything we deem desirable. And when we have to wait--or are told that obtaining something requires a lengthy process, we don't like that.
If there's a long process involved in something we'd like to have or see happen in or lives, we have to determine (1) If it's worth the effort, time, investment, or (2) If it's not. Shall we give up? Or shall we dig in our heels and go for it, no matter what?
In ministry, Bishop cautioned, it's easy to think that "you're ready to get started" when there's more processing to be done. And we have to trust God to know the timing. If we push open doors, cut corners, disregard the warning signs? We're opening ourselves to MAJOR problems.
The older I get, the more I realize that I really MUST trust God. For everything.
And trusting God in the process means committing to the "long haul." Because I know it's going to be worth it. Worth it all.
The Acorn and The Oak Tree
"An acorn doesn't look like a tree, but it is."
--Bishop Jakes
God uses the seemingly insignificant things in this life to demonstrate His love and show His glory. He alone knows what is inside the smallest seed--He alone knows what that seed is capable of. Sometimes, all the smallest seeds need? Soil to grow in. And time. Lots of time.
It's really incredible, amazing, how God is. He can look on the heart of a man or woman and know the potential that lies within it.
As I was thinking over this quotation today, I thought about what God has done in me over the past three decades. I wonder at what He must have seen when I was going "my way" or exploring "on my own." And I can't help but be amazed by His love and grace, His provision, His safe-keeping. And His belief in me.
If every man is an acorn, I wonder at what God can do in each heart--including my own!--if we continue to be planted in the correct kind of soil and given time.
------------------------Prayer
Lord, You alone see the heart of me. You know what lies within me--You alone know the potential I have still yet to realize. Help me to dig in, seek Your face, hold Your hand...no matter what. Help me to realize the potential You have placed within me. I don't want to miss Your will for my life. I don't want to be satisfied with anything but ALL of what You have for me. Grow me, Lord, as You grow that acorn into an oak tree. Please, Lord, may I live to please You.
--Bishop Jakes
God uses the seemingly insignificant things in this life to demonstrate His love and show His glory. He alone knows what is inside the smallest seed--He alone knows what that seed is capable of. Sometimes, all the smallest seeds need? Soil to grow in. And time. Lots of time.
It's really incredible, amazing, how God is. He can look on the heart of a man or woman and know the potential that lies within it.
As I was thinking over this quotation today, I thought about what God has done in me over the past three decades. I wonder at what He must have seen when I was going "my way" or exploring "on my own." And I can't help but be amazed by His love and grace, His provision, His safe-keeping. And His belief in me.
If every man is an acorn, I wonder at what God can do in each heart--including my own!--if we continue to be planted in the correct kind of soil and given time.
------------------------Prayer
Lord, You alone see the heart of me. You know what lies within me--You alone know the potential I have still yet to realize. Help me to dig in, seek Your face, hold Your hand...no matter what. Help me to realize the potential You have placed within me. I don't want to miss Your will for my life. I don't want to be satisfied with anything but ALL of what You have for me. Grow me, Lord, as You grow that acorn into an oak tree. Please, Lord, may I live to please You.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Stirring in My Spirit
As sick as I have been,
As weak as I have felt today,
I can honestly say
There is a stirring in my spirit.
Although my brain has slowed
To no more than a snail's pace,
I can feel it deep within me,
A stirring in my spirit.
What I can sense through
Cloudy perceptors?
That God is moving, making
A Way, confirming, stirring...
There is a calling from
THE DEEP, a Morse Code
of Sorts--I can't hear the sounds,
But I can detect a faint tapping...
Tap, tap, tapping, on the
Wellspring of my Soul:
It' s going to be okay,
There's an Answer on the way.
With my eyes open, I can't see:
There is chaos and confusion,
A blurring of concrete forms--
And yet, when I close my eyes...
There it is--the Movement of Air,
A distant roar, like a Command;
Something is Coming; Someone
Commanding a divine change.
He is Aware of my situation,
And He has Commanded a change.
With spiritual force, He has Willed It,
And Here It Comeeeees . . . .
As weak as I have felt today,
I can honestly say
There is a stirring in my spirit.
Although my brain has slowed
To no more than a snail's pace,
I can feel it deep within me,
A stirring in my spirit.
What I can sense through
Cloudy perceptors?
That God is moving, making
A Way, confirming, stirring...
There is a calling from
THE DEEP, a Morse Code
of Sorts--I can't hear the sounds,
But I can detect a faint tapping...
Tap, tap, tapping, on the
Wellspring of my Soul:
It' s going to be okay,
There's an Answer on the way.
With my eyes open, I can't see:
There is chaos and confusion,
A blurring of concrete forms--
And yet, when I close my eyes...
There it is--the Movement of Air,
A distant roar, like a Command;
Something is Coming; Someone
Commanding a divine change.
He is Aware of my situation,
And He has Commanded a change.
With spiritual force, He has Willed It,
And Here It Comeeeees . . . .
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Bishop Jakes: "You Came in the Middle of My Movie"
Bishop Jakes emphasized the need for our understanding of THE PROCESS.
He warned that many in this generation expect everything to be BIG and come easy. But that's not how it goes. You have to work for everything. And there's a process to go through.
"You all came in the middle of my movie," he said, "when I was driving a Bentley. You weren't there in the beginning, when we were selling ribs just to keep the lights on in our house."
Again and again, he warned us that it is very dangerous to think that we could or should ever skip the process.
He stressed the reality of the cost of ministry. Ministry affects everyone and everything in our lives. We make mega sacrifices to do it, and he admonished us to think twice before getting into the ministry if we weren't prepared to count the cost.
He warned that many in this generation expect everything to be BIG and come easy. But that's not how it goes. You have to work for everything. And there's a process to go through.
"You all came in the middle of my movie," he said, "when I was driving a Bentley. You weren't there in the beginning, when we were selling ribs just to keep the lights on in our house."
Again and again, he warned us that it is very dangerous to think that we could or should ever skip the process.
He stressed the reality of the cost of ministry. Ministry affects everyone and everything in our lives. We make mega sacrifices to do it, and he admonished us to think twice before getting into the ministry if we weren't prepared to count the cost.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
My Life: An Open Book
Lord, I give You the blank pages of my book--
The days I have left to live on this Earth;
And I ask you to WRITE the entries to come:
Let nothing be written that fails to please You.
Where I will go: Let it be where You SEND me.
Where I will speak Let it be where You NEED me.
Where I will live: Let it be where You LEAD me.
Where I will die: Let it be where You WILL me.
Lord, I give You my life, an open book,
To write as You will on its blank pages;
I dedicate it all to You, my Savior, my Guide,
And submit myself to Your Will and Plan.
Amen.
The days I have left to live on this Earth;
And I ask you to WRITE the entries to come:
Let nothing be written that fails to please You.
Where I will go: Let it be where You SEND me.
Where I will speak Let it be where You NEED me.
Where I will live: Let it be where You LEAD me.
Where I will die: Let it be where You WILL me.
Lord, I give You my life, an open book,
To write as You will on its blank pages;
I dedicate it all to You, my Savior, my Guide,
And submit myself to Your Will and Plan.
Amen.
25 Years from Now: When Tomorrow Comes
Tonight, our Pastor urged us to contemplate the next 25 years.
He had people stand up if they thought they would not live to see the next 25 years. Several people in the congregation stood.
Next, he had everyone else stand. And then he asked, "Where will you be in 25 years? What will you have accomplished?"
He urged us to think about our lives, what we're running toward, what we're most passionate about, and then he reminded us that at the end of this road, what matters is that we are ready to meet our Maker. "Because, at the end of our lives, that's all that will matter. Not our houses and cars. Not how cute we are. But how we spent our lives. Whether or not we know Christ."
---------------------------------------------------------
As he was talking, urging people to commit the next 25 years of their lives to the Cause of Christ, I did a little addition in the margin of my church notebook.
41+25=66.
In 25 years, I will be 66 years old. Psalmie will be about to turn 30.
I know how quickly the last 25 years have gone, and I can only imagine how quickly the next set will go. It will literally fly by.
What will happen in the next 25 years? Where is God going to take me? Use me?
Will He have come by then to get us?
The Pastor's words began to really sink in. Time really is fleeting.
-------------------------------------------------------
I know I don't have much time left. And I want to serve Him in the capacity He has planned for me. I want so much to fulfill the Divine Destiny He has for my life.
These days, I realize that whatever happens, He will have to do it; he will have to open the doors and lead me there. I am doing my best to think, think, think about how to be on top of things and to be ready, but ultimately, I'm praying my brains out that He will lead me down the RIGHT paths, the BEST paths, for His Name's Sake.
I don't want to make a wrong turn. At my age, I really cannot afford to. I don't have all the time in the world anymore to make wrongs right. I'd like to get it right the first time.
I know that this is impossible without the help of the Holy Spirit. I cannot do ANYTHING without the Lord's help, for sure.
But I just want to do ALL I CAN to be the woman of God He has planned for me. And to give Psalm all the tools she needs to be the woman of God He has for her to be, as well.
My destiny is certainly tied to hers. I feel a great weight of responsibility for her. Every move I make impacts and influences her life.
I am also coming to the understanding of what "being one" means with my husband, Stephen. I am no longer making decisions for myself. Our destinies are linked together--divinely so. So whatever God is calling Me to, He will call Stephen, as well.
I don't know what 25 years will bring in my life...but I hope, when tomorrow comes, it will all be rewarding and TO THE GLORY OF GOD.
Amen.
He had people stand up if they thought they would not live to see the next 25 years. Several people in the congregation stood.
Next, he had everyone else stand. And then he asked, "Where will you be in 25 years? What will you have accomplished?"
He urged us to think about our lives, what we're running toward, what we're most passionate about, and then he reminded us that at the end of this road, what matters is that we are ready to meet our Maker. "Because, at the end of our lives, that's all that will matter. Not our houses and cars. Not how cute we are. But how we spent our lives. Whether or not we know Christ."
---------------------------------------------------------
As he was talking, urging people to commit the next 25 years of their lives to the Cause of Christ, I did a little addition in the margin of my church notebook.
41+25=66.
In 25 years, I will be 66 years old. Psalmie will be about to turn 30.
I know how quickly the last 25 years have gone, and I can only imagine how quickly the next set will go. It will literally fly by.
What will happen in the next 25 years? Where is God going to take me? Use me?
Will He have come by then to get us?
The Pastor's words began to really sink in. Time really is fleeting.
-------------------------------------------------------
I know I don't have much time left. And I want to serve Him in the capacity He has planned for me. I want so much to fulfill the Divine Destiny He has for my life.
These days, I realize that whatever happens, He will have to do it; he will have to open the doors and lead me there. I am doing my best to think, think, think about how to be on top of things and to be ready, but ultimately, I'm praying my brains out that He will lead me down the RIGHT paths, the BEST paths, for His Name's Sake.
I don't want to make a wrong turn. At my age, I really cannot afford to. I don't have all the time in the world anymore to make wrongs right. I'd like to get it right the first time.
I know that this is impossible without the help of the Holy Spirit. I cannot do ANYTHING without the Lord's help, for sure.
But I just want to do ALL I CAN to be the woman of God He has planned for me. And to give Psalm all the tools she needs to be the woman of God He has for her to be, as well.
My destiny is certainly tied to hers. I feel a great weight of responsibility for her. Every move I make impacts and influences her life.
I am also coming to the understanding of what "being one" means with my husband, Stephen. I am no longer making decisions for myself. Our destinies are linked together--divinely so. So whatever God is calling Me to, He will call Stephen, as well.
I don't know what 25 years will bring in my life...but I hope, when tomorrow comes, it will all be rewarding and TO THE GLORY OF GOD.
Amen.
Contemplations on Recent Days: A Poetic Musing
There's a saying that goes:
"You can lead a good horse to water,
But you can't make him drink."
And I wonder, sometimes,
If, in this path I'm trodding,
I'm the "horse" the saying talks about.
[Could it be me...?]
What happens, for instance,
If you take a fairly average horse
And lead him to water. What then?
What if that mediocre horse drinks of the water?
Does that horse somehow get taken
Places it would otherwise never go?
[Is it wrong to ask...?]
Or does that horse just get a taste
Of what others, those better by
Some imperceptible measure,
Are somehow privy to have?
And should, then, the horse just be
Grateful that it had the opportunity?
[Should I stop thinking about it?]
So, say that "nobody" horse DOES
Take a drink, and somehow DARES
To believe there is some kind of
COSMIC REASON for the veil to be
LIFTED, that it must be DESTINY?
What then? How does he proceed?
[And how is one to know?]
These are the things I ponder
When I think about the brevity
Of this life, and my life...
Because I dare to hope there is
A Reason for Being, a Divine Course
For this raggedy old horse.
[Am I wrong...? How will I know?]
"You can lead a good horse to water,
But you can't make him drink."
And I wonder, sometimes,
If, in this path I'm trodding,
I'm the "horse" the saying talks about.
[Could it be me...?]
What happens, for instance,
If you take a fairly average horse
And lead him to water. What then?
What if that mediocre horse drinks of the water?
Does that horse somehow get taken
Places it would otherwise never go?
[Is it wrong to ask...?]
Or does that horse just get a taste
Of what others, those better by
Some imperceptible measure,
Are somehow privy to have?
And should, then, the horse just be
Grateful that it had the opportunity?
[Should I stop thinking about it?]
So, say that "nobody" horse DOES
Take a drink, and somehow DARES
To believe there is some kind of
COSMIC REASON for the veil to be
LIFTED, that it must be DESTINY?
What then? How does he proceed?
[And how is one to know?]
These are the things I ponder
When I think about the brevity
Of this life, and my life...
Because I dare to hope there is
A Reason for Being, a Divine Course
For this raggedy old horse.
[Am I wrong...? How will I know?]
Saturday, March 2, 2013
THE MAGIC OF A MOMENT: OUR GOD IS WAAAY BETTER THAN DISNEY
No matter your take on "magic," it's usually not a word associated with our God.
But, I don't know. I've seen my God do some "magical things," and orchestrate some "magical moments" in my life.
One of those moments happened the first evening of the conference, when Bishop Jakes invited us all to a private screening of the movie "42"--I highly recommend this movie, by the way!!!
Stephen and I had ordered dinner at the concession stand--it's one of those theatres where they sell dinner meals that you can buy and eat in the theatre. And since I wasn't sure how long the movie was going to be, I told Stephen, while he was in line waiting for our order, that I was going to the Ladies Room.
And there I was, washing my hands afterwards, when a lady got my attention by saying, "Are you the lady who wrote on the blog about Project Gideon?"
----------------------------------------------------------
And let me go back a moment, to just a few hours earlier....
There I was, in the conference room of 500, when it occurred to me that there was a woman, one woman, who had responded to one of my blogs here on my "Beyond Project Gideon" posts, and she had said she was interested in the conference, that she might plan to go.
And I remember looking around the room, wondering who that person was, whether she had actually made it to the conference, and then how on earth I would ever know if she came or find her if she was here--I didn't even know what she looked like!
-----------------------------------------------------------
Fast forward, then, to the bathroom at the movie theatre....
"Are you the one?" I screeched! "I was just thinking about you earlier today! I asked God if you were here, if you'd made it! But I had no idea how on earth I'd ever find you!"
"I thought I saw you earlier, at the conference," she said, "but I never got the chance to come see if it was you!"
I told her what a REAL BLESSING it was to see her, run into her, and know that God had orchestrated our meeting in the Ladies Room! Of all places!
Then we took this photo together and she gave me her card so I could find her on Facebook!
----------------------------------------------------------
THE MAGIC OF GOD is that He does the IMPOSSIBLE, not with a wave of His wand, but with His Word and His WILL. We don't have to "sell our souls" to experience the TRUE MAGIC OF GOD, HIS LOVE and HIS LIFE and HIS WILL for our lives.
I'm telling you right now: if God can orchestrate the moment when I met that woman in the bathroom, he can do ANYTHING.
Our God is WAAAAAY better than Disney!!!
But, I don't know. I've seen my God do some "magical things," and orchestrate some "magical moments" in my life.
One of those moments happened the first evening of the conference, when Bishop Jakes invited us all to a private screening of the movie "42"--I highly recommend this movie, by the way!!!
Stephen and I had ordered dinner at the concession stand--it's one of those theatres where they sell dinner meals that you can buy and eat in the theatre. And since I wasn't sure how long the movie was going to be, I told Stephen, while he was in line waiting for our order, that I was going to the Ladies Room.
And there I was, washing my hands afterwards, when a lady got my attention by saying, "Are you the lady who wrote on the blog about Project Gideon?"
----------------------------------------------------------
And let me go back a moment, to just a few hours earlier....
There I was, in the conference room of 500, when it occurred to me that there was a woman, one woman, who had responded to one of my blogs here on my "Beyond Project Gideon" posts, and she had said she was interested in the conference, that she might plan to go.
And I remember looking around the room, wondering who that person was, whether she had actually made it to the conference, and then how on earth I would ever know if she came or find her if she was here--I didn't even know what she looked like!
-----------------------------------------------------------
Fast forward, then, to the bathroom at the movie theatre....
"Are you the one?" I screeched! "I was just thinking about you earlier today! I asked God if you were here, if you'd made it! But I had no idea how on earth I'd ever find you!"
"I thought I saw you earlier, at the conference," she said, "but I never got the chance to come see if it was you!"
I told her what a REAL BLESSING it was to see her, run into her, and know that God had orchestrated our meeting in the Ladies Room! Of all places!
Then we took this photo together and she gave me her card so I could find her on Facebook!
----------------------------------------------------------
THE MAGIC OF GOD is that He does the IMPOSSIBLE, not with a wave of His wand, but with His Word and His WILL. We don't have to "sell our souls" to experience the TRUE MAGIC OF GOD, HIS LOVE and HIS LIFE and HIS WILL for our lives.
I'm telling you right now: if God can orchestrate the moment when I met that woman in the bathroom, he can do ANYTHING.
Our God is WAAAAAY better than Disney!!!
MEETING DANIEL PINERO: A CIRCLE MAKER
When Stephen and I sat, prior to the AMAZING worship service on Day One of the Project Gideon conference, we had an opportunity to casually introduce ourselves to the people around us.
The man to my left had a notebook with an emblem on it that looked really familiar to me.
"Is this," I queried, pointing at the emblem on his notebook, "Methodist or Church of God?"
His eyes widened, as he said, "Church of God!"
I told him about my mom, my grandpa, my great-grandfather, all lifetime ministers in the Church of God fellowship.
He told me that he pastors a Hispanic work in the Bronx, New York.
"Awesome!" I said, enthusiastically. "That's just great!"
I told him that Stephen and I were working with the Assemblies of God and pursuing credentials. He jokingly retorted, "Ah...went to the other side, huh?" And then he remarked, "We're all the same family, the family of God."
And I agreed with him.
He told me he had quite the challenge in the Bronx, establishing a ministry in that huge part of the city. He intimated that it was an overwhelming undertaking, a burden.
And that's when I told him about THE CIRCLE MAKER and Mark Batterson. Part of Mark Batterson's story is that he was sent to establish a work in Washington D.C., and felt very much like what Pastor Pinero was feeling when tackling the spiritual in the Bronx.
"You should check him out," I said. "He's been through some of what you're going through."
And he nodded his head in agreement.
Although we didn't speak much after that conversation, I knew God had placed him right beside me for a reason. To remind me that God's family is BIGGER and STRONGER and GREATER than any denominational title or organizational name. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. And that you never know when you're sitting next to a real CIRCLE MAKER, as I was then.
Amen. And amen.
The man to my left had a notebook with an emblem on it that looked really familiar to me.
"Is this," I queried, pointing at the emblem on his notebook, "Methodist or Church of God?"
His eyes widened, as he said, "Church of God!"
I told him about my mom, my grandpa, my great-grandfather, all lifetime ministers in the Church of God fellowship.
He told me that he pastors a Hispanic work in the Bronx, New York.
"Awesome!" I said, enthusiastically. "That's just great!"
I told him that Stephen and I were working with the Assemblies of God and pursuing credentials. He jokingly retorted, "Ah...went to the other side, huh?" And then he remarked, "We're all the same family, the family of God."
And I agreed with him.
He told me he had quite the challenge in the Bronx, establishing a ministry in that huge part of the city. He intimated that it was an overwhelming undertaking, a burden.
And that's when I told him about THE CIRCLE MAKER and Mark Batterson. Part of Mark Batterson's story is that he was sent to establish a work in Washington D.C., and felt very much like what Pastor Pinero was feeling when tackling the spiritual in the Bronx.
"You should check him out," I said. "He's been through some of what you're going through."
And he nodded his head in agreement.
Although we didn't speak much after that conversation, I knew God had placed him right beside me for a reason. To remind me that God's family is BIGGER and STRONGER and GREATER than any denominational title or organizational name. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. And that you never know when you're sitting next to a real CIRCLE MAKER, as I was then.
Amen. And amen.
THE BATHROOM BREAK THAT NEARLY "KILLED ME"
After the second AMAZING session ended, I excused myself from the table where we were sitting and made way for the Ladies Room.
I told Stephen when I got up, "Please watch my things, babe, while I'm gone?"
He agreed.
If you're a lady reading this, then you know how we can be about our things. We don't like to leave anything even half-way valuable to us--that's why you see so many of us carrying more than one bag!
But since Stephen assured me he would watch my bag--with my IPAD and keyboard--and my purse--with EVERYTHING we needed to get home in my wallet!!!--I left quickly with confidence that he would take care of it.
But a few minutes later, I returned. And it took me a while to find my place at the conference table, because he was GONE!!!
I guess the look on my face said it all--Stephen told me later he could see my face, and he "knew" what I was thinking because it was all over my face!
I mean, I found our chairs because my bag and purse were still there where I left them--and they were completely unattended!!!
I sat down, grumpily, and searched for some kind of message Stephen may have left me. Did he write a note? Did he send me a text telling me why he'd left all our things unattended at the table?
No, no he hadn't.
And then I looked up. And there he was, at the front of the conference room, waving at me with his IPHONE. And there, just a few people from him, was Bishop Jakes!!!
Stephen was waving me to come up there and join him, and then I understood: HE WAS GETTING HIS PHOTO TAKEN WITH BISHOP JAKES!!!
I ran up and "excused" myself through the crowd to Stephen. I couldn't believe it!!! We were in a line to get our pictures with Bishop Jakes!
Part of me kept praying over and over that we wouldn't get shooed away right at the last moment. The closer we got, the more excited I was.
And then it happened!
We were there! And we introduced ourselves to Bishop and he smiled and put his arms around us and we got a picture taken by one of his staff members!
After the photo, I told Bishop Jakes, "God Bless you, Bishop!" And he said, "Thank you!"
Stephen and I walked out of the conference doors and into the hallway...And I just sat down on a window sill and started crying.
I could't believe it. I couldn't believe what God had done for me. For us.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Yes, that bathroom break nearly "killed me." I just can't help but think what I would have missed--what opportunity! what dream fulfilled--had Stephen not been there.
When I think about that moment, I hear God speaking to me about my life, my goals, my dreams, even those spiritual "markers" and "mile stones" that are laid down in our lives: We can't do it on our own. God has placed the RIGHT people in our lives at the RIGHT time to help us navigate the twists and turns of our lives. If Stephen wouldn't have been there with me, to seize this God-given opportunity, I'm quite certain I would have missed the entire opportunity.
We need one another. And that's part of God's plan for us. That we share this thing with others--and give Him praise in UNISON for all HE has done!
Amen!
I told Stephen when I got up, "Please watch my things, babe, while I'm gone?"
He agreed.
If you're a lady reading this, then you know how we can be about our things. We don't like to leave anything even half-way valuable to us--that's why you see so many of us carrying more than one bag!
But since Stephen assured me he would watch my bag--with my IPAD and keyboard--and my purse--with EVERYTHING we needed to get home in my wallet!!!--I left quickly with confidence that he would take care of it.
But a few minutes later, I returned. And it took me a while to find my place at the conference table, because he was GONE!!!
I guess the look on my face said it all--Stephen told me later he could see my face, and he "knew" what I was thinking because it was all over my face!
I mean, I found our chairs because my bag and purse were still there where I left them--and they were completely unattended!!!
I sat down, grumpily, and searched for some kind of message Stephen may have left me. Did he write a note? Did he send me a text telling me why he'd left all our things unattended at the table?
No, no he hadn't.
And then I looked up. And there he was, at the front of the conference room, waving at me with his IPHONE. And there, just a few people from him, was Bishop Jakes!!!
Stephen was waving me to come up there and join him, and then I understood: HE WAS GETTING HIS PHOTO TAKEN WITH BISHOP JAKES!!!
I ran up and "excused" myself through the crowd to Stephen. I couldn't believe it!!! We were in a line to get our pictures with Bishop Jakes!
Part of me kept praying over and over that we wouldn't get shooed away right at the last moment. The closer we got, the more excited I was.
And then it happened!
We were there! And we introduced ourselves to Bishop and he smiled and put his arms around us and we got a picture taken by one of his staff members!
After the photo, I told Bishop Jakes, "God Bless you, Bishop!" And he said, "Thank you!"
Stephen and I walked out of the conference doors and into the hallway...And I just sat down on a window sill and started crying.
I could't believe it. I couldn't believe what God had done for me. For us.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Yes, that bathroom break nearly "killed me." I just can't help but think what I would have missed--what opportunity! what dream fulfilled--had Stephen not been there.
When I think about that moment, I hear God speaking to me about my life, my goals, my dreams, even those spiritual "markers" and "mile stones" that are laid down in our lives: We can't do it on our own. God has placed the RIGHT people in our lives at the RIGHT time to help us navigate the twists and turns of our lives. If Stephen wouldn't have been there with me, to seize this God-given opportunity, I'm quite certain I would have missed the entire opportunity.
We need one another. And that's part of God's plan for us. That we share this thing with others--and give Him praise in UNISON for all HE has done!
Amen!
Reading the SESSION SCHEDULE: CONFIRMATION
When Stephen and I made it to the conference, there was a long line waiting for the doors to open for the conference. We were immediately ENERGIZED!
Even though Stephen and I were tired--we had driven to Dallas after dropping Psalm off after church the night before and didn't get to the hotel until 2:30 a.m.--we were immediately excited about what God had in store for us at this year's Project Gideon conference.
There is ALWAYS an energy amongst the people who attend, a great anticipation that is nearly real enough to see in the air or reach out and touch.
When we finally got seated at our table, there was a copy of the Session Schedule lying on the table in front of every chair.
Here's what the first session said:
"10:00 am-12:00 pm: Bishop T.D. Jakes -- "Why Princes Die"
During the medieval times, a Prince was considered to be the next heir to inherit the throne. Today, much like the princes of the past, many young leaders who sit under their mentors eagerly anticipate inheriting the reigns of leadership. The purpose for identifying the prince is the hope of determining who will be the future king. This decision to anoint princes will always precede the appointment of kings.
Today, we see a massive amount of young people who fall short of their potential and never fulfill their God-given destiny. This session is designed to stop the deterioration and determine the essential criteria to which the young leader's destiny can be realized. During this session, we will determine THE CAUSE that drives you, THE CORE that anchors you, and THE CURE for the frustration of waiting in line. Our entire purpose for developing Project Gideon is because I am of the firm conviction that you are next and what you don't know can hurt you."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When I read that? I knew in my heart that God was going to speak to us about the very things we had/have been praying about.
And He did.
Even though Stephen and I were tired--we had driven to Dallas after dropping Psalm off after church the night before and didn't get to the hotel until 2:30 a.m.--we were immediately excited about what God had in store for us at this year's Project Gideon conference.
There is ALWAYS an energy amongst the people who attend, a great anticipation that is nearly real enough to see in the air or reach out and touch.
When we finally got seated at our table, there was a copy of the Session Schedule lying on the table in front of every chair.
Here's what the first session said:
"10:00 am-12:00 pm: Bishop T.D. Jakes -- "Why Princes Die"
During the medieval times, a Prince was considered to be the next heir to inherit the throne. Today, much like the princes of the past, many young leaders who sit under their mentors eagerly anticipate inheriting the reigns of leadership. The purpose for identifying the prince is the hope of determining who will be the future king. This decision to anoint princes will always precede the appointment of kings.
Today, we see a massive amount of young people who fall short of their potential and never fulfill their God-given destiny. This session is designed to stop the deterioration and determine the essential criteria to which the young leader's destiny can be realized. During this session, we will determine THE CAUSE that drives you, THE CORE that anchors you, and THE CURE for the frustration of waiting in line. Our entire purpose for developing Project Gideon is because I am of the firm conviction that you are next and what you don't know can hurt you."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When I read that? I knew in my heart that God was going to speak to us about the very things we had/have been praying about.
And He did.
The Morning of the Conference: JOEL OSTEEN POST
On the morning of the conference, Stephen and I were waiting on our ride to the Omni Mandalay when I saw the following post by Joel Osteen Ministries:
"When God shifts things in your favor, it's going to happen quicker than you imagined and be more rewarding than you ever dreamed."
I liked the post and shared it on my own page.
Later, after what had transpired on Day One of the conference, I read it to Stephen. His mouth was agape.
FAVOR.
"When God shifts things in your favor, it's going to happen quicker than you imagined and be more rewarding than you ever dreamed."
I liked the post and shared it on my own page.
Later, after what had transpired on Day One of the conference, I read it to Stephen. His mouth was agape.
FAVOR.
The Wednesday Night Before: LIMITLESS
The Wednesday night before Project Gideon 2013, The Lord had led me to begin a new series of messages called, "Limitless." The title was inspired by the song by Planetshakers.
Here's what the song says:
"I'm saying goodbye to any limitation
I'm saying hello to the God of all creation.
There are no limits with you
There are no limits with you
You're limitless, nothing's too hard for you;
You're limitless, there's nothing you cannot do
You are bigger, and you're greater, and you're stronger I know
You're limitless; You're limitless."
And the main points of the message? The definition for the word: "LIMITLESS: unbounded, measureless, unending, countless."
The visual aid? A box with a lid on it. And then we talked about popping the top off of our boxes and looking out, peering out into what God MIGHT have for us "outside of our limited spaces."
And at least a week before, God had been dealing with me about "WHAT IF....?"
WHAT IF.... we allowed God to take us out of our comfort zones?
WHAT IF... we began living the Word of God that we know and believe?
WHAT IF ... we dared to let HIM direct our steps?
WHAT IF ... we started living in the FAVOR of God?
WHAT IF ... the Holy Spirit directed each and every step we took?
Where would/could God take us?
What would our journey look like then?
How would our lives/family/jobs/church/nation/world be different IF we let God use us?
Yes, that's how I left for Dallas that night--with thoughts of our LIMITLESS God and His LIMITLESS love for us. And the verse repeating over and over in my mind: "Nothing is impossible for those who believe..."
Do I DARE believe...?
Here's what the song says:
"I'm saying goodbye to any limitation
I'm saying hello to the God of all creation.
There are no limits with you
There are no limits with you
You're limitless, nothing's too hard for you;
You're limitless, there's nothing you cannot do
You are bigger, and you're greater, and you're stronger I know
You're limitless; You're limitless."
And the main points of the message? The definition for the word: "LIMITLESS: unbounded, measureless, unending, countless."
The visual aid? A box with a lid on it. And then we talked about popping the top off of our boxes and looking out, peering out into what God MIGHT have for us "outside of our limited spaces."
And at least a week before, God had been dealing with me about "WHAT IF....?"
WHAT IF.... we allowed God to take us out of our comfort zones?
WHAT IF... we began living the Word of God that we know and believe?
WHAT IF ... we dared to let HIM direct our steps?
WHAT IF ... we started living in the FAVOR of God?
WHAT IF ... the Holy Spirit directed each and every step we took?
Where would/could God take us?
What would our journey look like then?
How would our lives/family/jobs/church/nation/world be different IF we let God use us?
Yes, that's how I left for Dallas that night--with thoughts of our LIMITLESS God and His LIMITLESS love for us. And the verse repeating over and over in my mind: "Nothing is impossible for those who believe..."
Do I DARE believe...?
PROJECT GIDEON 2013: LIFE-ALTERING
To say that Project Gideon 2013 was "Life-Altering" is the absolute TRUTH. I can honestly admit that in two days of that conference, there are things that have changed in me--deep within me, part of the Core of me. Things are not the same.
Stephen and I are grateful for the opportunity to attend this conference for the second year in a row. Getting to go the first time was a GOD THING in and of itself. Getting to go the second time? MAJOR GOD THING.
There is so much in my heart to say, and, honestly, I have no idea where to start!
But in the next few blog posts, I hope to share some of the nuggets of truths that I gleaned from this conference.
In advance, though, I apologize--because I know before I start that I don't have WORDS to describe some of the miracles and messages that were imparted this weekend.
But I'll do my best--because I need to record what God has done in my life for ME, and I need to record it for those of you who may stop by and read about this and become inspired about what God wants to do in YOU too!
As with all of my blog posts, I hope and pray it encourages you, inspires you, challenges you, and, with the Holy Spirit's help, alters you in some powerful way.
Love & prayers, ya'll!
Stephen and I are grateful for the opportunity to attend this conference for the second year in a row. Getting to go the first time was a GOD THING in and of itself. Getting to go the second time? MAJOR GOD THING.
There is so much in my heart to say, and, honestly, I have no idea where to start!
But in the next few blog posts, I hope to share some of the nuggets of truths that I gleaned from this conference.
In advance, though, I apologize--because I know before I start that I don't have WORDS to describe some of the miracles and messages that were imparted this weekend.
But I'll do my best--because I need to record what God has done in my life for ME, and I need to record it for those of you who may stop by and read about this and become inspired about what God wants to do in YOU too!
As with all of my blog posts, I hope and pray it encourages you, inspires you, challenges you, and, with the Holy Spirit's help, alters you in some powerful way.
Love & prayers, ya'll!
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