I'll Be Home For Christmas

Oh my goodness!  9 days!

1 Peter 3:18 "Christ suffered for our sins once and for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God He suffered physical death, but he was raise to life in the spirit."

It was on Christmas night that Gods plan to have a family again was finaly started. When Jesus was born I'm  sure the fathers heart must have burst with joy knowing that in just a few years (well 33) that his family would be together again. As I started thinking about how the father must have felt to know that he could be with his kids again….it brings me to tears. His heart ached to be near his kids. And now it was happening.

It's like the story of the prodigal son. The young son left, he made a choice to leave his father, just like Adam and eve did. But the Fathers never gave up hope because he loved his family so deeply.

God wanted a family for Christmas. Wow ok still crying here. He wanted you in his family. He didn't want extra servants. He has a ton of those.   He wanted a family.

If you aren't apart of Gods family then now is the perfect time. It's crazy how the father welcomes us back. He doesn’t care what we have done, or how long we have been gone. He is ready for you with open arms and the greatest gift…his son…and a place in his eternal family.

If you aren't in God family all you have to do is make a dission to do so. Invite God into every part of your life. Invite his preacence and peace to wash over you.

It's so wonderful….now you can say "I'll be home for Christmas" and it wont just be in your dreams…it's a reality that you can walk it.

Much love my family! 

If you share my countdown be sure to use my hash tag #janellschristmascountdown !

When Disability Becomes Your God

One of my favorite things to see is the look on a person face right after Jesus has healed them. It’s so beautiful and I fall in love with Jesus all over again.  Jesus is a great healer and nothing is too hard for Him. From a simple headache to an incurable disease; it’s all underneath His feet! So when people ask for prayer I’m ready to lay hands on them and watch my Jesus heal again.

But there are a lot of people that won’t ask for healing…they will ask for disability. Now I know I’m wadding deep into water here… but before you get all offensive hear me out.

Here is sample a conversation that I have had with a lot of people:

“Hi Ann! Is there anything I can pray about for you today?”
“Hi Janell! Oh yes! I need prayer! I really need my disability to come through. Please pray that God will give me disability.”
“Oh, ok. Lord I pray that your will would be done in Ann’s life.”

These types of conversations really bug me. Because I know that my God heals and he has been in that business for a very long time. He has never seen anything that worries Him or that can stump Him. So when people ask me to pray that they get put on disability (worse when they say they want God to put them on disability) my heart hurts for them. I would rather pray that they are totally whole in their bodies and never have to think about being disabled.

Over the past few years I have seen a lot of people make disability their God. They rely on disability to take care of them, to pay the bills and so on. Did you know that every month 14 million Americans get a disability check in the mail from the government. (Just to put it out there I think God can take care of you way better than our government can…just saying).  That is a crazy number! I get it, some people are hurt and really can’t work a job and have been deemed medically disable. But it’s when they would rather rely on their disability to care for them rather than God.

 I know these people. I’ve even had one person tell me that they didn’t want God to heal them. They would rather get the check. Wow…These are Bible believing Christians. That makes me so so sad. They really let their disability rule their life. They can’t live the life they were created for because they are severing their disability check (or the lack thereof and live off other people). They actually live in fear because if that check doesn’t come they are doomed. Their whole life is dependent on a check from the government….If we put our dependence in anything but God we will eventually be doomed and disappointed.

So when I someone asks for me to pray for disability, I pray God’s will.  I’m actually praying that Gods will would be done in their lives, that they would be whole in every part of their lives with nothing lacking (if you don’t know what that it is you need to look it up, especially all the people who use “if it’s Gods will” to pray for everything. Like “Lord if it’s your will heal this person”. Um of course it is! Sorry, yeah go look in your bible what the will of god is).

Here in America…the home of the free and the proud….we are all sick, in pain and depressed…the list is too embarrassing and depressing to go on.  I see nothing free or something to be proud of there.

I ask that you take an honest look at your life (remember God sees it all anyway) and see if you have made disability your provider, your caretaker, your god.

I so want people to be free. Really free! That is why I’m breaking the silence. I was afraid of telling people this. But I love you, and so if that means I lose friends over this, ok. My love for you won’t stop if you get upset with me or think that I have no place to talk because I’m not in your shoes. Love is and has always been more powerful than fear.

Maybe you aren’t on disability, but there is something controlling your live and has made itself king over you. You can be free. Invite King Jesus to sit on the place of Lordship. He will break down the walls and let freedom, displace fear and let the light of truth in.

So in closing, do you need healing in your body? Are there things in your life that keep you from really living life? I would so love to pray for you and see you set free. Comment below and I’ll pray with you (God loves working through the Internet!).

With love, as always,

Whatsoever Think.

Reference: www.apps.npr.org/unfit-for-work/

I Have Nothing To Give...Except A Massage

Teaching how to massage the neck  

Right now I am in the Dominican Republic teaching the nationals how to massage. Being able to help provide jobs for the people of the Dominican Republic has been an honor so far (day one of five). Some of these woman don't have any skills, so the only other option isn't favorable and for some even unrespectable. To provide them with a way out of bad situations is humbling.

Learning how to effleuarge

When I decided to go to massage school 3 years ago I had no idea that my education could be used like this. At best I only saw it as a way to make money so that I could go on the mission field. Ha! Oh how we limit God.

Yesterday I taught that we all have something to give. That we all have something. In the Bible a widow had nothing… but a small cup of oil (2 Kings 4:1-7).  She didn’t see what she had as significant. But the prophet told her to use what she had. And when she used what she had in her hand God touched it and a miracle happened (do yourself a favor and go read the story).

They are doing so well learning the techniques.

I kind of saw my massage education like this. I didn’t think that this could be something God could use. It's silly I know…to think that God can't use something! But we do it all the time. For some reason we have been taught that God only operates when we are going something "spiritual". But that is not the case.

I told the people here that if all they can do is just make the best banana soup then that is something God can use. It's doesn’t matter how small. God can make it great.

We all have something to give. It might seem small. It might even seem non-spiritual. Just give God what you have and he will cause increase. He will make things happen that you would have never dreamed! I used to say that I just did massage to get overseas. That I didn’t really love it like I love to minister. Now I see that they are one. Massage doesn’t have to be a separate thing. It's all apart of what I can give God. And it's a beautiful thing.

I'm so excited to use my gift...clearly! 

I'm so excited to see what else God is going to do with what I have in my hand. As I read this back to myself tears start to flow. The goodness of god is so great. Even when I believed that what I did for a living wasn't that special (a lie) God never doubted (truth). He Is a master at taking the things we thing aren't great and making them grand!

What do you have in your hand to give? It's really a easy question. What are you good at? What do you like to do? Whatever It is give it to God. The outcome might be quite hilarious!

Whatsoever Think.

I had 34 students at the night class! this is only half the room!

Love vs. Hate: A Powerful Outcome

Can you imagine being taken from your family and country then becoming a servant to the commander of the army that took you? This happened in 2 Kings 5. A young girl was taken and was given to be a maid.  It ends up being a great story of healing but I want to focus on the impact of this nameless girl.

For most people if they were in this situation the last thing on their mind would to love the people who took you from everything you knew. But this girl sees that her master has leprosy and instead of hating him or talking behind his back, she tells him that there is hope for his leprosy. She tells him that there is a prophet in Samaria that could heal him.

This is crazy! She is literally helping and having compassion on the enemy! What a crazy radical love she displayed. Because she did love, her master was totally healed of leprosy, experienced the power of God so much that he would never serve another God again. What an impact her love and compassion had! He was the commander of an army and friends with the king! I can image her master told everyone what God did for him. Those who knew him before could not help but notice his healing. He was a walking, talking testimony! Generations were impacted…A because of a girl who didn’t let hate blind her. That is powerful!

Do we love those who have hurt us? Are we willing to look past those things and just love? In our

world today we could care less about helping our enemies. Why on earth would we help those people?

Well it could change everything, it could impact generations. When people experience God, change will happen. So we have to be willing to lay down our pride, bite the bullet and love. Our enemies might laugh in your face, totally ignore you or even kill you. With love, nothing is wasted.

We are to love because God first loved us. We love people because God loves them. How dare we not love those who are precious to God?

Whatsoever Think

Have you ever loved your enemy? What happened? How did you feel? Comment below!

P.S Happy International Woman's Day!

Put Off The Robe & Grab Those Nikes

Ah the weekend! I’m drinking coffee with the windows open, eating my sisters’ wonderful homemade granola and I’m wearing my red snowflake robe. It’s a good morning! Once my coffee is gone I realize the rest of the day waits…or not.

Here is a little tidbit about myself: If I am in my robe I could win an award for most lazy (ok maybe not an award for 1st but maybe a close 3^rd?). I mean I will get like nothing done, then at the end of the day I’m like “Wow a whole day and I’ve done nothing.”

While nothing days are great and well needed everyday cannot be. So knowing myself, if I want to get anything done I have to go put on my Nikes. It’s a proven fact; there will be more productivity if I simply get out of my robe!

So as Christians sometimes we are be in our “robes” too long. We get comfortable and lazy (note I’m not talking about resting in the Lord, our work in the Lord should be done from rest) sit back in our armchair with our coffee and wait for the Lord to do something. When really the Lord is always doing something and has already given us a list of things to already do. It’s like we want a personal invitation from God, to get up and do something. I am preaching to the choir! I can get the mindset of waiting, but doing nothing in the process. He calls us to:

• Pray for the sick
• Cast out demons (there are demons in America FYI)
• Care for orphans and widows
• Love all people with your time, money and energy
• Encounter Him daily

And that is the short list! We don’t do these things to earn favor or love. We do them because of love. He loves us, we love him and then we love people. No matter if you are stuck at home or traveling the world you can do something for God. It doesn’t have to be in front of thousands. Love the one in front of you. Get on Facebook and look for people who aren’t feeling well and pray for them! I love praying for people over social media! When you’re at games or at the store be aware of Love! God is big inside of you…let Him be big on the outside of you too!

So metaphorically speaking…get out of your robe and put on your Nike’s and see what God will do through you!

Whatsoever Think

What are your favorite ways to love people? Comment below!

Are Passive Christians Doing a Disservice to the Homosexual Community?

Note: This is my belief. I am not pushing this on anyone. All I’m asking is for you to simply think about what I am saying. Hear me out. I am not a hater. Actually I am a lover and love speaks the truth, even when it is hard and unpopular. However if you do read this and totally disagree, then that is your right as it is mine to simply share my belief. 

Let’s say you are being chased by zombies. They are closing in fast but you aren’t afraid because you know that just ahead is a force field dome that you can take refuge in. You are close to safety when you see someone looking for a hiding place. You call out to them to join you. They agree and start running with you. Now the zombies have you both in their sites. Just a few more feet! You reach the dome and you run right through the force field into safety, your new friend bounces right off the dome though!  You try to pull them in. But it’s too late. You new friend is now infected…slowly they turn into a zombie.

Death chases each one of us down hoping to take us out. As Christians death has lost all power over us because of the blood of Jesus. So when the end of our lives comes and death is closing in we don’t have to worry. We just enter into our rest. For those who aren’t washed in the blood they will not be able to enter in. They will face death for eternity in hell. It’s pretty black and white.

So what does this have to do with homosexuals? I believe that passive Christians are doing a disservice to the homosexual community. How so? Well let’s look at scripture first.  The Bible is clear that the unrighteous (or those who do wrong) will not inherit the kingdom. 1 Cor. 6:9-11, 13, 18-20 says:

“9 Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality,10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 13But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies.

18 Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. 19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”

And Revelation 22:14-15 says: 

"Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. Outside the city are the dogs-the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murders, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie."

Like I said before, I believe that passive Christians are actually doing a disservice to the homosexual community. By saying things like “We love you, we accept you. “ “You don’t have to change because God says don’t judge” Christians are being just like the one headed for safety, inviting the lost in only to have them killed in front of the dome.

This revelation of falsely leading people to heaven only to have them die forever and ever really makes me sick. I love these people who have chosen this lifestyle. So much that I can’t deceive them by saying they don’t have to change. Then one day they don’t get to enter into the kingdom of heaven because I was afraid of telling the truth.

Now, I am not “hating” on the gay community. Take a look at those verses again.  Who else is mentioned? That list is pretty steep and covers a big group of people. But in our world if someone is a thief or has terribly abused someone then we say it’s wrong and they need Jesus.  If you are gay though? No problem! But homosexuals are in the same list as liars and thieves of those who will not enter into heaven.  Why are most Christians waving it off? Also how is it that we get to decide what is a sin and what is not? Especially since it’s right in the bible?  

Did you notice that Revelation said that they are living a lie?! They are deceived. That is the beauty, if you will, about deception. You don’t know you are deceived. You need someone to tell you the truth in love.

We are to welcome people into the family of God. And part of that is to tell them the truth in love. The life style that they are living isn’t right, they need to change the way they think (true repentance).  Once true repentance has taken place then they will be able to enter glory with you.  We have become afraid to tell people the truth, because it’s not “loving”. But how loving is it to lead people to an eternity of torture and never ending death? That isn’t love!

Some say that homosexuality was only not permitted in the Old Testament. So that means since Jesus got rid of the law then it’s ok! That is just silly. I just gave two New Testament references that say homosexuality is a sure way not to enter heaven. But the church is saying “Come one come all! Free ticket to heaven! You don’t have to change, you won’t be judged come join the party!”

There is also a belief that since Gods word is alive (it is living and powerful) he isn’t done speaking. Meaning he could evolve and change his mind. So my question is what about when the Bible says that God is the same yesterday, today and forever? Does forever only mean a few centuries? Um, no sorry. He never changes.

What about gays who say they are Christians? The very word Christian means little Christ or like Christ. It was a word to describe those who followed Jesus… it wasn’t a nice word. Why were they being called that? Because they were resembling and being LIKE Jesus. Jesus was pure and holy and the perfect image of the Father.

Another belief is that those who are gay were born that way. To me this is the silliest of beliefs. If God says that homosexuality is wrong (he did) and if God created people (he did that too) why then would a loving God make them gay only to kill them off? They would be created with no chance of having a relationship with God and spending forever with him. That would be a total opposite of the gospel. Jesus died for all, so that all could be saved. Why would Jesus disobey his father by saving those who God created gay?

Some people like to quote John 3:16 and that is their answer. Just because Jesus died for the world doesn’t mean the whole world is saved. We have to accept the gift Jesus died for and then walk out the life he has called us too.

We have all sinned. ALL. Our sin just has a different name tag. Sin is sin however you look at it. So why do we sugar coat it?

“We aren’t to judge people though! That’s in the bible too! Only God judges! It’s not our place.”

God has already judged homosexuality as wrong (along with the greedy and drunkards). So it is our place to declare the truth in love. You have a responsibility to the world. They need the truth. But we are often too scared to offend anyone or feel uncomfortable or be an outcast.

If we don’t tell them and give them a chance to repent and change they will not go to heaven.

I don’t beat people with the truth. I do tell the truth though. If I don’t then it is like my zombie story. So I say the truth, at the risk of being called a “small minded hater of the gay community who has totally missed Christianity all together”.  I was called that after sharing my belief and in the same paragraph they said we are to love all people (side note: calling me a hater and then calling me names does nothing to prove your point). We are to love people. Never are we to look down on people because of sin. In fact if we aren’t loving people then we are against God.  We are to love one another yes…but were does it say we are to promote sin?

The truth is sometimes uncomfortable, unpopular, and underrated. But it’s the truth. So I will show love, which leads to truth itself…Jesus. He is the truth and what sets us free.

Don’t be a passive Christian. Don’t be afraid to tell the truth. Jesus was never afraid to say something. So be like Christ…

Whatsoever Think

God Gives Pain and Sickness To Those He Loves

Today my mom, sister and I were out shopping. A man was highlighted to my mom so she asked him if he was in pain. Come to find out the man had bad sciatica pain( and a lot of other problems). My mom asked if we could pray for him. He and his wife both said they believed in healing and that they had been pastors. We were also in a Christian book store, standing by the bibles and worship music was playing. We thought that you couldn't ask for anymore! This will be easy then!

We prayed and asked him to check it out and his pain went down! But immediately the couple said that they believe that sometimes God chooses to not to heal people for the purpose of teaching the afflicted and others around them.  They then continued to preach their warped belief of God. But wait there is more! The man said that in a few years everything would be ok because Medicare would kick in and everything would be ok and he would be "fixed".

The three of us just stood there…the man felt God take away some pain, but decided to believe that God had given him the pain and that in a few years Medicare was going to heal him. Wow.

This belief is common in the church. The church believes that our loving God would hand out sickness and pain. And what puzzles me is that the church defends this belief! They say "Well Paul had a thorn in the flesh so that must mean it was from God." I'm sorry, but would please go read your bible? If you took the time you would see that the "thorn" was not from God but the devil (2 Corinthians 12:7).

Even so the church wants to say that that one verse trumps what Jesus did on the cross. I was under the impression that Jesus paid for everything on the cross once in for all. He defeated death. Sickness and pain is slow death.  So why would one verse from the bible cancel out all that Jesus did on earth and the cross? Why would you even follow the belief system that states  that God punishes people with pain and sickness in order to teach you something?

Another thing the church has done is say that their pain/sickness has been given to them so that they can have a ministry. Ok if that was the way it went, why didn’t Jesus have pain and sickness all the time? Think about it.

Why would a unbeliever want to join a belief that says God puts cancer on those he loves? Just to simply "teach" them a lesson?

"If you believe that God wants you to be in pain so He can teach you a lesson, then you have a twisted and warped view of God. Just saying it how it is."- J.M. Schiele

 God is love. He has always been a God of love. There is no evil in Him. He is a father who loves His children. 

My heart hurts for people who believe this.  As Christians we hold the answer to all sickness and pain. That is Jesus. He lives inside of us!  There is hope for every single person. His life paid the price so we could live a full healthy life.

Whatsoever Think.

Anxiety: A Part Of Life

Last week I was told that anxiety was a way of life whether I realized it or not.  I was also told that since I’m young I probably haven’t experienced it yet…but just wait it will come.

Once I heard this I knew it wasn’t the truth, that we can live in as sons and daughters of God. But I also recognized that anxiety has touched my life and so many others. So what’s the deal? I decided to look up what “anxiety” really means:

[ang-zahy-i-tee]
noun, plural anxieties.
1.       distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune.
2.      Psychiatry. a state of apprehension and psychic tension occurring in some forms of mental disorder.

Synonyms
3.      1. fear, foreboding; worry, disquiet.

British Dictionary definitions for anxiety
1. a state of uneasiness or tension caused by apprehension of possible future misfortune, danger, etc; worry
2. (psychol) a state of intense apprehension or worry often accompanied by physical symptoms such as shaking, intense feelings in the gut, etc, common in mental illness or after a very distressing experience.

So what I am seeing here is that anxiety is fear based and it can become so bad that it is a disorder!

This is not the life we were meant to live. Yet anxiety is a large part of people’s lives. I looked up some facts and I can’t believe what I found: 

•   Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older (18% of U.S. population).

 Wow! That's crazy! So next I looked to see what the Bible says about anxiety I love what the Bible says about it!

^“ Don’t be anxious about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.  And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” - Philippians 4:6-9

The Bible also says: 

“No fear exists where his love is. Rather, perfect love gets rid of fear, because fear involves punishment. The person who lives in fear doesn’t have perfect love.” -1 John 4:18

The Bible  is clear, we don’t have to live in fear because we have a perfect love that gets rid of fear in our lives! Anxiety as no hold on a person who lives in love. 

And what about mental illness? There is power in the name of Jesus. There isn’t a mental illness out there that cannot be healed. Jesus died once and for all, for every sickness. 

So know that I know all of this, I am going to have to change the way I think. If I start to feel anxious than I know I’m not living in love. I’ve moved out from under that love. It’s easy to step back into. But a lot of times I think we like living with problems. …Weird stuff!  You don’t have to live with anxiety, you can live in the opposite which is:

 certainty, serenity, tranquility.
 

You can live anxiety free! It doesn’t have to be a way of life. It’s not a grown up problem that you just have to deal with. It’s a lie from the devil. You don’t have to spend countless dollars or pop a pill to be free. All you have to do is live in the Love of God. Get into His presence, learn to rely on Him for everything. I still have times where I don’t do it right. But this week I was reminded that I don’t have to live this way and neither do you.

Whatsoever Think…

Below is a song I did for anxiety and any other darkness:

https://soundcloud.com/janellschiele/darkness-is-bound

Facts from: Dictionary.com , ADAA.org  and Biblegateway.com

Times Change: Be On Your Guard

“If you were to move to another country you wouldn’t be able to meet your future husband.”

 This morning I was getting ready and I had this thought. At first I was like oh my goodness…what if? Not even a minute passed and I realized this was not a thought from my Abba Father. No this was the voice of a major looser…and I almost fell for it.

In this season of my life it is all about change. This year alone I have been to Australia, Mexico, Belize and in a few months I will be going to England. I am being stretched and taking a step into the unseen, a place where true faith is required. And the loser doesn’t want us stepping out because of what we are capable of.

That looser knows how to push our buttons, hitting us in our weak spots. But when you spend time with the Father God you can learn the difference from the Fathers voice and the voice of the ultimate loser. I know that one day I will get married! God has the right man for me, I have no doubts. As a single girl though, this topic is close to my heart.

So I turn to what the bible says in John 10:3-5:

"The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”

As sheep we learn our shepherd voice and when a stranger’s voice comes we can run from it! We can stand firm.

So as the times change I have to make sure that I am staying close to my father so I know his voice.

The devil cannot tell the truth. So when he tells you something you can just throw it in the trash and laugh in his face.

Times are changing; we have destinies that God wrote from the beginning. Inside each of us is the ability to change the world. Inside of us is a part of God that the world has yet to see.

Be on your guard! Judge your thoughts; make sure you are believing in the right voice.

Talk to you later I’m going to go laugh at the loser now! Haha!

A Response: Why People Don't Sing In Church Anymore

We all have passion and one of mine is worship. Bring up worship and we could talk for hours. Bring an instrument and you will make this girl happy! We will worship for hours. I love being able to worship the creator of the universe. It makes my heart so full!

Recently I saw a blog about why people don’t sing in church anymore. I found the title interesting so I clicked on it. After reading it I was so upset and baffled that I went to my room and worshiped God and prayed “God where are your worshipers?”.

Worship is not a song. Countless blogs say why people don’t sing in church. In my option if our focus is to just get people to sing, making worship just a bunch of songs to be sung, then we are worse than I thought. When worship becomes just another song it’s likely you’re lacking relationship with the one that your called to worship.

Worship is and has always been a lifestyle. Singing songs to God is just one avenue. You can worship him with your life, money, relationships…well everything! Worship looks like a lot of different things. The woman who poured expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet and then wiped them with her hair was a act of worship. She did it because she was so in love with him. Some might think it’s over the top. But Jesus loved it.

I have traveled around the world and been in countless worship serves. I don’t speak all the different languages but that doesn’t stop me from giving my god adoration. People say songs now days are hard to sing, cheesy, aren’t the “original” songs and unbiblical. So they don’t “sing”. Haha have you gone through a hymnal lately (I love hymns don’t get the wrong idea)? Just saying… There shouldn't be any excuses.

I have been around lots of people like this: “Oh I wish they would play that one song, then I’ll sing". So here is my question: Is your worship to God dependent on what song is being played?

I’m ready for a generation to rise up and truly worship God selflessly. No matter the song or circumstance, that they consider it all joy to exalt him. I’m ready to see worship like it was in the tabernacle of David. There were people worshiping all the time with excellence and with a heart toward God (proof that excellence in worship is ok).

My heart burns for God. I long to worship Him not only on Sunday mornings but every day! We should worship because of who God is, plain and simple. He alone is worthy of all our praise. He the reason we even have songs.

I will be His worshiper and I will be a voice to this generation. It is time for the true worshipers arise. I see a people who will hold nothing back because they are so in love with Jesus.

Whatsoever Think

Get Better Results In Your Health And Spirit

Have you ever been to the gym and you see  people who are getting fit and loosing weight? Then those you can't tell at all that they have been working out? Well I thought about this today as I people watched at the gym today. I saw one man who I had seen before and noticed that after all I time I had seen him at the gym he looked the same. Then I thought about myself. I was the same way when I first joined. But then I changed the way I ate and eliminated gluten I lost almost 15lbs just by changing my eating habits. 

Then Holy Spirit started talking. As a human race we want easy and fast. So when we want to loose weight we will get a membership go to the gym (maybe) get our sweat on then go home and eat the same way we have always eaten (cake, candy, chips and large portions) But in order to see a real change and to truly get healthy we have to make sure we not only exercise but also change our eating habits. 

It's the same way in our relationship with God. We say we want to live for God, so we do the expected thing...get a "membership" at church. But then when we go home we don't change our "eating habits". We continue to do the same things that we did before we decided to live for God. Going to church will not change us for the long run. We have to change our everyday lives. Imagine your weight loss plan is to go to the gym once a week and that's it. Your eating stays the same, but you at least your going to the gym right? Um no that is crazy! You will never see results! Same with our relationship with God. We can't expect to go to church once a week then then feel good about our selves because its the "right thing" to do. 

Only when we make the decision to follow God and make good choices everyday will we see our relationship grow and strengthen.

I have lived this way both in the physical and spiritual. And let me tell you it sucks! It's frustrating, and then you want to give up and eat a big bowl of ice cream.  

Do you want to see awesome results in your health and spirit? Then change how you live everyday. Yeah it hard to kill the flesh. But once the results start to show you'll know it was worth it. 

Change the way you think and live your life to the fullest. It will save your life in both arenas. 

Whatsoever Think...

5 Ways To Rise Above Negative Thoughts

Lets be honest for a minute. We have all felt unimportant, insignificant and just all around different. In my case these false feelings and thoughts seem to come at the most inconvenient and random times! 

Picture this, you're standing on the beach enjoying the view. The sun is shining,  birds flying over head, children are laughing …Then the whole scene changes. Massive waves crash down on you out of no where. And if you don't know how to escape then you will get caught in yet a another set of waves.

This is how I think these feelings come some times. I know you can feel like your are on top of the world then BAM! The kicker here for me is that I know when I feel this way it's a lie. But that’s the thing with lies…they a lot of times "seem" to hold truth.  How do we get past these feelings and thoughts? How can we rise to the top victorious? Here are 5 ways to rise above negative thoughts:

1. Acknowledge that what you are thinking and feeling  is indeed a lie. Here is the deal, you are so important, very significant and well you are different and that's OK. Realize that the enemy is up to no good and fight back! You don't have to take it.

2. Talk with someone you trust. We can't walk this life alone and we need people in our lives that build us up and encourage us in who we really are. This may be your parents, your best friend or pastor. Whoever it may be tell them what your feeling. They will jump into action to help you smash the lies.

3. Speak the truth over yourself. One you have identified that what you are feeling is a lie speak the opposite to yourself. Look in the mirror and shower yourself with words of encouragement. No really! Stand there and watch as your face stars to change. Good words bring life!

4. Spend time with God. Although people are good and all God is the best one to go to when this stuff happens. God will never run out of good things to say about you. The bible says that his thoughts for us out number the grains of sand. Wow! Mind blowing right? God loves you and because of that there is no way that you are unimportant, insignificant or that you don't fit in. The one who knows the stars by name just so happens to love you more than you can think or imagine.

5. Enjoy life.  When you know that you are so loved by God you can't help but enjoy life! When those false feelings and thoughts try to come you can laugh in their faces. What's really fun is that when those attacks come that means something good is about to happen. The enemy wants to get us off our game. Don't give in to their bag of tricks.

So what are you waiting for? Are you believing lies about yourself or others? Don't live in that mess because "Ain't nobody got time for that!"!

Whatsoever Think...

Do you need prayer for anything? Please comment below and I will pray with you! 

 Photo: media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/e6/a1/9e/e6a19e25c7dc1f80ca7435f70fb8af2e.jpg

You Have Won Me

I just got back from a three week mission trip in Australia. Some would say that it was a once in a lifetime trip...Although I refuse to live and think that small. The whole trip, from start to finish, was a testimony to the goodness and faithfulness of my God!

So if you tried to convince me that God isn't real, you would definitely have your work cut out for you. I have seen too much. You can try... but I can guarantee that it won't work. 

Because over the past three weeks in Australia, my heart was stolen by God every time another person was healed or glory dust and angels appeared or when He would do something so sweet for me. *sigh* Ha-Ha!  The Father God loves to show off for His kids 'cause He can....and I love it! Day after day I fell more in love with my Creator. It's such a wonderful feeling knowing that the One who created the universe wants to use me to heal, prophesy and sing over people for Him. What a honor and a privilege! It just makes me giggy thinking about it. God wants to work through me, even when I'm not "feeling" it  or when I'm intimidated! He doesn’t care, He just longs for a heart that will say "yes" and then put the "yes" into action.  What is on the other side of your hearts "yes"?

My life has changed again, like I said I have seen too much of the goodness of God to stay the same. I saw a woman who hadn't had clear vision for her  whole life (75 years) totally healed. I felt one mans patella (knee cap) move and shift  underneath my hand, years of pain gone! I've seen a gay gentlemen give his heart to Jesus (because he felt true love) in a mall.  One woman's leg grew out to match the other! A man who hadn't been able to smell for 50 years was restored! A young teen gave his heart to Jesus after he had been totally healed from asthma! A young girl ran up to the stage with her crutches, she was made whole in her legs. A man with 40 years of back pain healed! Then God shows up in a living room and causes  my friends and I encounter Him in a whole new way just because He can. Oh He is so wonderful and good! He has truly won me.

I have so many stories of what God has done and one day I might get to tell them all. But I just wanted to tell you just a bit, and to thank you for praying for me and giving toward this life changing trip. And for you to know that whatever you are walking through it's not too big for my God. Even the smallest thing matters to Him. Daddy God is so personal and He cares about your heart.

Do you need healing in your body? Do you need someone to agree with you in prayer? Please comment below and I will pray with you! Whether be a headache or cancer nothing it "too small" or "too big".  May my God bless you! 

Whatsoever Think...

A big shout out to all the "Heaps Gorgeous" people of Australia! Love you and can’t wait to come back!  

The Parable of The Blue Door

There I stood, after months of searching; I was facing the Blue Door. It was beautiful in an enchanting kind of way. Where would it take me? What opportunities and adventures were beyond? How would it change my life?

 I looked back behind me to see if they had caught up yet. I could hear them nearing. No! They cannot have me. I will be free! What was I waiting for? I couldn’t move. It was like something was holding me still, forbidding me to take a step in to the new world I had dreamed about.

                           

I looked around me; there stood statues of men, woman, and children.  All of them had the same look on their faces, the same look that was on my face right now. They too were reaching for the door. 

Everything in my life up to this point has been meaningless. I remember hearing stories about the Blue Door and how on the other side there was something so wonderful, it must be a dream. I was told that not many make it past the door.

The master’s beasts were getting closer.

My heart was racing. I didn't want to end up like them. I was able to take a step forward and another. I was going to make it! I was going to walk through that Blue Door. As I drew closer the door began to open a bit. I felt like the door was inviting me in, encouraging me to step through into my new destiny.

They were so close now, too close. The hair on my neck rose. I was able to take another step.   The beasts were just a few yards away. They dismounted their dark horses.  Some laughed and others glared at me. I had come so far. I looked up at the Blue Door.

“Ha! You thought you could run away? What a joke! You will always be our captive!” The beasts laughed again.

The stone statues began to wail and cry out things I couldn’t understand. The beasts laughed even harder. Fear started to fill my heart.

The beasts moved closer while cursing and laughing at me. I couldn’t move.

I looked back at the door. If I was going to die, I was going to die looking at something beautiful. My life had never been beautiful. Darkness and fear was all I knew.

I screamed for help and a light burst from the door.  A small, red bird came and perched itself above the door. I felt hope and strength in my heart. At first the beasts took a step back. They were afraid. I was able to take another step. But my victory didn’t last long. One of the beast grabbed hold of arm, its claws sunk in.

I fought with all I had. I was going to live and be free. The beast seemed to be losing its strength as I came within inches of the door. I reached out and grabbed the door. The beasts and statues shrieked.

I was standing in the door way.

Looking back I saw the beast shrinking back. I screamed that I was never going to be their slave again. I walked through and shut it behind me.

I could feel a wonderful heat on my back. I turned and soaked in the wonderful sight. It was full of color and life. I saw a light shining through the trees and somehow knew it was meant for me. I walked toward the light. My life was about to change forever.

Freedom in Christ is a choice. DO you want to be free? Walk through the door and into Jesus’ marvelous light. It’s not too late. Take that step. It will make the enemy furious. They will try and stop you. The great part is that Jesus has already won. His blood paid for everything. So freedom in any area in your life can be yours. It’s as easy as walking through a door. Just ask Jesus for help. And you will be able to walk in a whole new world. Are you ready? You have the opportunity to change your life forever.

Take that step…Walk through the door into marvelous light

Whatsoever Think…

Do you need prayer today? I would be honored to pray for you. Don’t stay where you are right now. 

Special thanks toJ.M. Schiele for helping me edit this story! Go check out her website( http://jmschiele.jimdo.com) you won’t be disappointed!

Crazy Adventure

I used to think I couldn't have a favorite song. I would say "I could no sooner choose my favorite star in the heavens!". Haha a little dramatic right? Well right now I have a favorite song! It's called "Chasing You" , it's on the album "Tides" from Bethel Music. If you have never heard of their music, stop everything and go take a listen!

The reason I love this song so much is because of it's wonderful message of love, adventure that's in God. It's total love song and well I love it. The last part of the song says:

"This life- this love- was always meant to be- a crazy adventure discovering- the thrill- the rush- the more of you I see- the more it leaves me wanting Your everything...I'm chasing you."

I burst in to this part of the song after I prayed for my sick neighbor, I laughed and felt the joy of the the Lord wash over me. And the thought came " If I'm not having fun, a adventure, with God, this Christian thing would really drag!". Life with Christ is meant to be awesome! When was the last time you felt a rush or thrill doing something with God? If you can't think of one, it's time for a change. Doing things with God is like a drug... it makes you feel high! haha God is so much fun. If you feel like life isn't fun ask God to show you His fun side. I think you will find God has a great sense of humor! 

My prayer for you is that you would have such a fun life with God. That you would just be so crazy in love with God everyone knows. Have fun with God, dream with Him! Haha laugh with Him (Ps 2:4)! 

Check out this song Chasing You .Use it as a picture of what your walk with God can be. Let the passion motivate your heart to chase after God like never before. He is chasing you. He loves you so much! 

Whatsoever Think...


Let Your Voice Be Heard, Comment!

How do you have fun with God? How does it make you feel? What is your favorite song right now? How is it affecting your life?