"Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart." ~Ecclesiates 5:19-20
“Return home and tell how much God has done for you.”
~ Luke 8:39
I introduce to you Testimony Tuesdays!!! A testimony by definition is: a formal written or spoken statement, a public recounting of a religious conversion or experience. The Bible commands us in numerous places to bring praise, glory, and honor to our God by proclaiming, declaring, and telling about His marvelous works to others. That is the purpose and heart behind this installment for my Tuesday posts. Each Tuesday (more or less), a testimony will be shared here involving the recounting of salvation, redemption, overcoming, and/or healing just to name a few; A story that brings glory to our God and in which we might be encouraged, spurred on, and challenged with at the same time.The stories shared will either be of my own personal experiences, excerpts from books, testimonies I find via youtube or other media sources, as well as YOURS! I would love to know and give you the opportunity to share here with us a testimony of your own, of whatever fashion involving the Lord doing a transforming work in your life. Just email me your testimony and I will see what I can do about posting it on a future Tuesday! You may choose to have your name be known or anonymous. I look forward to hearing from you!
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๐ Like a Cinderella story- today I would like to share with you a "testimony" of Steve Harvey; not a salvation testimony mind you, but a story of him citing God as playing an instrumental role in his gaining of success in life and his career. I do not know much about Steve Harvey AT ALL, let alone where he stands with his faith and religious beliefs, but when this video clip popped up in my social media feed it immediately caught my attention, challenged, and inspired me. I do not know if he is intentionally testifying to the same God of the protestant Christian bible that I believe in, but I do know after hearing his story, I couldn't help but think, "Hey, that sounds just like my faithful God!" Give his story a listen and I hope you are as encouraged and spurred on by it as I was to trust God, persevere, and never give up!
Wikipedia cites: Full name being Broderick Stephen Harvey Sr., is an American television host, producer, actor, and comedian. He hosts The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Family Feud, Celebrity Family Feud, the Miss Universe competition, Family Feud Africa, and the arbitration-based court comedy Judge Steve Harvey... Harvey is a Christian and has attributed his success to his faith in God.
I know I am the optimist, but if I'm honest, my heart has been feeling a little heavy-laden lately, which can be a challenging way to feel in a season where the “festive-holly-jolly-joyful spirit” almost seems to be a standard, what is to be expected from all, like one is weird if feeling anything less than that. So maybe I am weird... but I have been experiencing a legitimate sadness due to 1.) being personally scathed by the dysfunctions of this world, but also as an empath due to 2.) taking on the load and sharing the burdens of others scathed by the dysfunctions of this world. Yet, when I look around, it is as if the heaviness intensifies at the sight of the many others around me beaming with Christmas joy and holiday cheer. I am not a grinch or against those people. Often times I am one of those people, but then there are other days the burdens I'm carrying make it much more difficult for me to join in. I am left feeling as if "I am on the outside looking in", as if something were wrong with me? as if I were alone? Am I? When I go through spells of sadness like this, I sure do feel like it.
In actuality, I know I’m not alone. It is just that the weary and heavy-laden tend to isolate and/or stuff their feelings, as opposed to unloading and talking about things with people. Well, not all, but I am definitely no exception to that. It can definitely be hard for me to be transparent about my hardships and the negative emotions that come with them them, especially during the month of December, not wanting to put a damper on anyone's spirit or "rain on their parade" so to speak… but maybe I should. Maybe we all need to welcome it and feel welcomed to be dumpers when it's our turn for a hard day. I don’t mean for the purpose of throwing pity parties or ruminating too deeply on dark themes for too long, but just to acknowledge to one another what we’re actually going through, sparing us from slipping into isolation, and allowing for opportunities to find comfort and support in one another. That sounds God-glorifying enough!
I am reading the book of Proverbs right now and this is what it says about good friendship (and other verses about staying in fellowship with one another and not isolating):
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. - Proverbs 17:17
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. - Hebrews 10:24-25
And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. - Ecclesiastes 4:12
Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. - Proverbs 15:22
# Goals .
we were made to support one another in this way! Okay, pep-talk to myself, over. ๐
I know Jesus is a perfect friend, and He and His word are there for me when I feel no one else can be, but in today's blog post I want to share with you my next greatest source of comfort that I turn to in hard times, MUSIC! In fact, as the title of this blog post alludes, today I'm going to share with you more specifically, the top 10 favorite song of mine that I have been turning to lately when the "going gets tough". I swear I have been listening to these songs on repeat for the past couple months now! I hope you enjoy them and can find them to be as edifying and encouraging as I found them to be. I praise God for the creative singers, songwriters, and composers, He destined to write such beautiful hopeful, and life-giving songs. They revive my soul.
I am sorry to say, I am so old-school though. I know most people use Spotify these days as their main music listening source. I do not. Just below, I will include youtube links to all the songs. If you discover any you like then you can go ahead and add them to YOUR spotify playlist! (I'm afraid I am finding it to be true, the older I get- you can't teach an old dog new tricks! ๐) I know they are not Christmas songs but I still hope you can find refreshment through them and are blessed!
“Return home and tell how much God has done for you.”
~ Luke 8:39
I introduce to you Testimony Tuesdays!!! A testimony by definition is: a formal written or spoken statement, a public recounting of a religious conversion or experience. The Bible commands us in numerous places to bring praise, glory, and honor to our God by proclaiming, declaring, and telling about His marvelous works to others. That is the purpose and heart behind this installment for my Tuesday posts. Each Tuesday (more or less), a testimony will be shared here involving the recounting of salvation, redemption, overcoming, and/or healing just to name a few; A story that brings glory to our God and in which we might be encouraged, spurred on, and challenged with at the same time.The stories that will be shared will either be of my own personal experiences, excerpts from books, testimonies I find via youtube or other media sources, as well as YOURS! I would love to know and give you the opportunity to share here with us a testimony of your own, of whatever fashion involving the Lord doing a transforming work in your life. Just email me your testimony and I will see what I can do about posting it on a future Tuesday! You may choose to have your name be known or anonymous. I look forward to hearing from you!
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If any of you are familiar with Paul's situation in 2 Corinthians 12, lately I've been feeling a lot like that; like I have a thorn in my side, or maybe picture a weighty burden slowing me down. Whatever it is, it's hampering my spirit. I guess if I am honest, I have circled back around to struggling with contentment again, like I do from time to time. My heart has been hurting and frustrated, maybe sometimes confused, longing and impatient. I feel like I have been throwing temper tantrums towards God in my prayers lately, expressing my dissatisfaction with where things are at in life for me right now. I could say it even feels like a form of suffering that I am experiencing, UNTIL I zoom out, stop focusing on myself, and stop having the woe-is-me attitude, but instead, count my blessings. But there is still something to be said about the very real emotions I am undergoing. I don't want to dismiss them entirely, but deal with them rightly.
In today's Testimony Tuesday we are going to consider the life of Joni Eareckson Tara. She is one that knows much of suffering and hearing her life story helps me to realize how all my troubles pail in comparison to what she and others like her have gone through. Watch below to hear her life-giving powerful testimony. She speaks with much authority and conviction. The Holy Spirit shining through her as she speaks is enough to convince me to take heart and have hope, aside from the fact that,
if she can- I can too.
BONUS CONTENT: (I am absolutely obsessed right now with this timely reminder and the nuggets of truth nestled within the following 10 min. snippet from John Piper's website DesiringGod.com, read and written by Scott Hubbard) Better to Have a BurdenGive it a listen! And may your heart be lightened.
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Thanks for stopping by! Have a happy and blessed Tuesday!
While I was gone from blogging here... this happened! ๐ I am quite proud of this accomplishment, a project I have dreamed of doing for some time now was finally completed the 20'-21' school year; 365 pirouettes! One pirouette for every day of the year, check it out!
It has been quite nostalgic for me to go back and watch! Now, for your viewing pleasure, Enjoy!
“Return home and tell how much God has done for you.”
~ Luke 8:39
I introduce to you Testimony Tuesdays!!! A testimony by definition is: a formal written or spoken statement, a public recounting of a religious conversion or experience. The Bible commands us in numerous places to bring praise, glory, and honor to our God by proclaiming, declaring, and telling about His marvelous works to others. That is the purpose and heart behind this installment for my Tuesday posts. Each Tuesday (more or less), a testimony will be shared here involving the recounting of salvation, redemption, overcoming, and/or healing just to name a few; A story that brings glory to our God and in which we might be encouraged, spurred on, and challenged with at the same time.The stories that will be shared will either be of my own personal experiences, excerpts from books, testimonies I find via youtube or other media sources, as well as YOURS! I would love to know and give you the opportunity to share here with us a testimony of your own, of whatever fashion that involves the Lord doing a transforming work in your life. Just email me your testimony and I will see what I can do about posting it on a future Tuesday! You may choose to have your name be known or anonymous. I look forward to hearing from you!
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Today's blog entry features the story of a person who is very special to me. She was not only a co-laborer of mine at Ballet Magnificat but also a role model and friend, Leslie Shivers. When I think of Leslie, I think about how talented, disciplined, hard-working, and Jesus-loving she was. She is also one of the sweetest people you will ever meet! As healthy, active, and young as she is, we were all stunned by the announcement one day at the studio to learn of her being diagnosed with cancer. Does cancer even have biases, because it doesn't seem?
I had never personally known anyone diagnosed with cancer up until that point, and definitely not anyone diagnosed with it at 28, so close in age to me! But now, just having lost my grandpa to cancer this past August, it is by no means, a new concept to me anymore. Unlike my grandpa, thankfully Leslie's story ends differently, or should I say continues!
But similarly to my grandpa, I witnessed Leslie walk through her trial faith-filled and persistently steadfast in the Lord. It is a MARVEL to behold the resilience of a human being under fire who is rooted in the Lord. I don't think I've ever before witnessed a clearer picture of the scripture in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (how His power is made perfect in our weakness) until watching Leslie, and then my grandpa, suffer so greatly battling against cancer. I know it was not always easy, but God proved that scripture to be true in their lives and was glorified so greatly through their circumstances. Watch the video below as Leslie herself shares her story. Be encouraged, blessed, and filled with hope!
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." ~Romans 8:18
Okay, so maybe this entry is not for everybody, but if you have an appreciation for R&B, hip-hop kind of music and are open to learning about some new Christian artists that I discovered this past year while listening to the gospel radio station here in Jackson, Mississippi then check out these guys below! Clicking on their underlined names will link you to their official pages. Enjoy watching the music videos and reading their lyrics!
I truly understand what people may say They believe to think how we think is far from okay But I believe it's never okay to abandon your dreams And it just so happens that our dream is to lift up a holy king See this is my life, my choice, and I choose to lift up my hands And please don't be alarmed if when the music comes on I begin to dance And run across the room until I can barely catch my breath And fall on the Floor because I gave it all and have nothing left
See I'm gon to worship until I pass out (there is no other option) See I came to worship until I pass out (there is no other option) Cause we go Hard in the paint, Hard in the paint We go Hard in the paint when we worship 4x
If you came to laugh at somebody you can go ahead and laugh at me Because why your steady laughing I'm dancing off shackles and being set free See I may look like money but you don't know what I've been through And I'm still going through some of it so dancing is something that I got to do See Jesus was the only one that saved my soul He took a chance on this broken hearted man grab my hand and he made me whole, Yeah
See Jesus was the only one who saved my soul, Yeah And Jesus was the only one that made me whole
So I'm gon to worship until I pass out (there is no other option) See I'm gon to worship until I pass out (there is no other option) Cause we go Hard in the paint, Hard in the paint We go Hard in the paint when we worship 4x
I came here to worship a holy God (Holy God) And I don't care about what you've been through cause our soul my life is going hard (going hard) And I've been through some pain that nearly left me dead (nearly left me dead) But God changed my way and he said this is something you should do instead (Something you should do instead) See I was singing for the world, singing for these girls, and singing for This fame (singing for this fame) But just like Saul changed into Paul Jesus Christ came and changed my name Hallelujah
So I came to worship until I pass out (there is no other option) Did you come here to worship until you pass out (there is no other option) Brothers and Sisters gon worship until you pass out (there is no other Option) Brothers and Sisters worship until you pass out (there is no other option)
Cause we go Hard in the paint, Hard in the paint, Hard Hard in the paint when we worship Hard in the paint, Hard in the paint, We go Hard in the paint when we worship Hard in the paint, Hard in the paint, We go Hard in the paint when we worship (There is no other option) Hard in the paint, Hard in the paint, We go hard in the paint when we worship
I, I can't even turn on my phone Without being reminded of the lie That I am alone and broken, unsuccessful I, I can't always talk to my friends 'Cause they've got expectations That I may or may not be living up to I really need to rid myself
Of the pressure, pressure, pressure To be someone else that the world has made Jesus take from me All the pressure, pressure, pressure To be someone that you did not create
Help me be me And only see you Let me decrease And glorify you
I, I thought my intentions were good Just act like a Christian should And hope someone watching would approve And be inspired But you're not feeling my show Then how far could I go Before all of my accomplishment Go down in fire
Just cause of Of the pressure, pressure, pressure To be someone else that the church has made Jesus take from me All the pressure, pressure, pressure To be someone that you did not create
I just wanna live I just wanna live for you Nobody else, but you
I don’t need fame and fortune I don’t need honorable mentions I don’t need a fancy mansion All I need is faith in You Faith in You I Believe in what you said You’d do Faith in You FAITH in you I don’t need it I don’t need fancy cars I don’t need to be called a star I don’t need to be where they are I don’t need it All I need is faith in You Faith in You I Believe in what you said You’d do Faith in You Oh oh oh oh oh I don’t need no pants saggin’ I don’t need no band-wagon I don’t need to know what’s happenin ’I don’t need it All I need is faith in You Faith in You I Believe in what you said You’d do Faith in You FAITH that doesnt waver, that gives me favor, I Believe in what you said You’d do Faith in You FAITH in the midst of it all, whenever I call, I Believe in what you said You’d do Faith in You walk by faith, live by faith, believe I Believe in what you said You’d do Faith in You Oh oh oh oh oh
Oh these hands are tired Oh this heart is tired Oh this soul is tired But I'll keep on I'll keep on [x2] I'll keep on [x3]
Faith is something I am not accustomed to Trusting other people 's something I don't really love to do I've never been a fan of it, I act tougher Really my shoulders they ain't built for this and I don't have nothing It's like I'm standing in the rain and you offer me a raincoat But I would rather stand there being wet than take the handout What's wrong with me? You said, you've always got your hands out And I can't continue on my own so take my hands now I give you everything, God, not just a little bit Take it from me, I am nothing but a hypocrite I hate sin but I built a house and asked to live in it Afraid to open up the door to you 'n let you into it My soul is lost and what it needs is your direction I know, I've told you I do not need your protection But I lied to you, this thing is tiring A man was not created for a God Please retire me now
Trust is something I am not accustomed to And I know the Bible says I should always trust in you But, I will never read that book enough
And when I have a question I don't take the time to look it up Or pick it up It collects dust on my nightstand I'm just being honest Please take this outta my hands I have no control - I am just a person But thank the Lord that I serve a God that's perfect I do not deserve the opportunity you've given me I never knew what freedom was until I learned what prison means I am not ashamed, I don't care if they remember me My life will always have a hold of you and a sense of peace Take me out of bondage, take all of my pride If I don't have a Savior, I don't have nothing inside Take all of my lust, take all of my lies There's no better feeling then when I look in the sky, in your eyes It's amazing
Woaahh Woah woah woah Woaahh Woah woah woah Woaah Woah woah woah I'll keep on I'll keep on I'll keep on [x3]
I want a heart that forgives A heart full of love One with compassion just like yours above One that overcomes evil with goodness and love Like it never happened, never holding a grudge I want a heart that forgives that lives and lets lives One that keeps loving over and over again One that men can't offend because your word is deep within One that loves without price like you Lord Jesus Christ I want a heart that loves everybody Even my Enemies I want to love like you , be like you, just like you did I want a heart that forgives, want a heart that forgives Want a heart that forgives! When the ones that are closest and that I've known the longest hurt me the most; I still wanna love them just like you loved me Even though I'm hurting, Ohhh, want a heart that forgives When the pain is so deep and it's so hard for me to speak about it To any one just like your son , I give up my rights to hold it against them with hatred inside I want a heart that loves everybody, even my Enemies I wanna love like you, be like you, just like you did Wanna walk like you, talk like you, just like you did, Wanna be like you Jesus wanna be like you, live like you, just like you did Because the heart that forgives that is the heart that will live Totally free from the pain of the past and the heart that lets go is the heart that will know so much freedom, Lord I want to let it go Lord I need to let it go Its been holding me back I don't want it x3 I don't want it no more I don't know exactly what to do to get rid of it but Here I am Lord Jesus X3 Oh Lord I need you X2 I know this is me that you're talking to right now this is me x4 Lord I let it go Every person x2 thats ever hurt me God I let it go, every single hurt God I let it go, every single pain God I let it go x3 Lord you can have it x4 You can have it now x2 I don't want it no more now
*Lastly, A Kevin LeVar Bonus:
Lyrics to
Destiny - by Kevin LeVar
This is not a time to get distracted This is not a time to go off course This is not a time to lose your focus
Got a work to do for the Lord, and you can't afford to lose your way
You've come too far from where you started So please don't let the time you've sown be wasted On things that you'll later regret Wishing you never had Once you realize it wasn't worth it. Your destiny It's too important to give up for anything
(Repeat)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Your destiny Said it's too important to give up for anything ... anything ahh ... anything Yeahhh
Said it ain't worth that skirt, Said it ain't worth that tie ... no it ain't ... no it Said it ain't worth that girl And it ain't worth that guy ... naw
Your destiny, your destiny, your destiny is too important to give up For anything, anything yeah ... mmmmm
Waiting on the other side of temptation Waiting on the other side of this test Is everything you ever dreamed, everything you prayed for Everything He promised you that you'd get (Repeat)
So hold on, and don't let go ... Hold on, you're just that close Hold on and never give up, Hold on ... Hold on ... Hold on ... Yeah ... Hold on ... and don't let go Cause you just that close ... Hold on, and never give up Hold on, say Hold on ... you say: It's only a matter of time Cause I can see the finish line My victory is days away So imma get ready
It's been a long time coming but I know it's coming for sure I got a promise from the Lord ...
Waiting on the other side of temptation Waiting on the other side of this test Is everything you've ever dreamed of Everything you prayed for Everything HE promised you ...
“Return home and tell how much God has done for you.”
~ Luke 8:39
Presenting with excitement, I introduce to you Testimony Tuesdays!!! A testimony by definition is: a formal written or spoken statement, a public recounting of a religious conversion or experience. The Bible commands us in numerous places to bring praise, glory, and honor to our God by proclaiming, declaring, and telling about His marvelous works to others. That is the purpose and heart behind this installment for my Tuesday posts. Each Tuesday (more or less), a testimony will be shared here involving the recounting of salvation, redemption, overcoming, and/or healing just to name a few; A story that brings glory to our God and in which we might be encouraged, spurred on, and challenged with at the same time.The stories that will be shared will either be of my own personal experiences, excerpts from books, testimonies I find via youtube or other media sources, as well as YOURS! I would love to know and give you the opportunity to share here with us a testimony of your own, of whatever fashion that involves the Lord doing a transforming work in your life. Just email me your testimony and I will see what I can do about posting it on a future Tuesday! You may choose to have your name be known or anonymous. I look forward to hearing from you!
A lot is happening around here! We are above and beyond excited for what the Lord has in store for our 2016 summer worshop! Please stay tuned for future updates!
↓ For More Optimistic Reads ↓ 