This Day

I am grateful for this day. I never would have made it without the Lord. When I look back on the last 2 years of my life and how God pulled me through when I was feeling stretched beyond my ability to go on. .. I know it was God. Like the song says "I'm stronger, I'm wiser, I'm better, much better" Four years ago when I prayed for my sick brother, I thought my insides were being stretched like rubber band to its farthest point. I had never felt my insides do that before and it was really my faith growing. I have had to stretch like that many times in the past 4 years.

I am encouraged this day by my former students who have written back in reply to my questions to them. I think of them as "my dancing daughters." How wonderful to hear how God has used what He has deposited in me to bless them so they could bless someone else and build God's Kingdom. And how wonderful to know specifically how to pray for them.

I feel really inspired today. I just got home from the movie "Julie & Julia" and saw the life of 2 women driven to cook their food with excellence, meet deadlines, and find purpose in their life. I want to fulfull God's purpose for me life even when it is not easy, is demanding, exhausting, and sometimes seems disappointing.

I am empowered today to cultivate a better marriage. It can't all be about ministry. Right. This minister has a husband and I thank God for the precious gift God has given me in this man. I thank God for the marriage ministry gathering at the Pope's household and being invited to be a part of that even though it is not our church. Good word, good food, good salsa (food and dance lesson). A precious night of sharing we won't ever forget.

I am who God is shaping and molding me to be. I am in transformation this day...a better wife, daughter, liturgical dancer, mentor, minister, and child of the King.

THE BIBLE

The Bible is often referred to as The Word. Seasons of Purpose was given the challenge of interpreting Isaiah 55:10-11 through movement. Martin & I came together and created something for Melodie Thompson's annual Gospel Dance Concert in Providence RI. In addition we choreographed to "Speak Lord" and "One Word" from Kurt Carr's One Church CD. When we ministered this at our home church (Primitive Christian Church), we dropped the "Speak Lord" section. I am forever changed, transformed, challenged, comforted, strengthened, empowered and built up by God's Word. It is a privilege to bring this powerful message to people through movement. People all over the world from every culture and belief have been touched by the truth found in the Bible. Even people who don't follow the Bible for spiritual reasons have used its princples and have found success. God does watch over His word to perform it.

Sistah friends...a.k.a everybody needs a posse

THE SISTAHS

I love the month of August because I get the chance to celebrate my birthday for about 2 weeks long. I think it is because most people forget the real date so I get phone calls, cards, sweet treats for a number of days...not bad? I want to praise God for the sistah friends (Jacqueline, Patricia, and Rachael) in my life. This is the group I call my posse. They maybe your peeps/crew/entourage/bff's....whatever you call them...but it really helps to have some. These are the folks you call after you've called on the Lord, consult with your husband (if you are married), and you need some girl talk. There are some conversations that only another sistah can help. YOU know that's right. I am sorry that Rachael is missing from this picture but you will find her in an earlier blog post. These are the sistahs who stood with my when I got married and have prayed me through when I thought I had lost hope. I thank God for them. They are some of the most creative sistahs on the planet and constantly feed me ideas when and even when I am not out of ideas, because their ideas are plen-ti-ful. Dance for Joy Ministries enabled me to meet some really great people, and a wonderful master teacher Iris Cloud. I don't think she will ever know how many lives she has touched and people she has brought together by the sheer act of being obedient in using her gifts.

Cousin Melodie

A Birthday celebration is in order for my cousin Melodie. She hits a big one today and we want to bless God for her!! I was so glad to marry into this family because I not only got a great husband but a great family as well. Cousin Melodie is a great mother, wife, dancer, choreographer, and dance ministry leader. She truly inspires me with her annual Gospel Dance Concerts. New England is truly blessed by her passion to bring dance to her area. We look forward to watch God fulfill the destiny He has for her as she walks in obedience.

Artistic Expression

Today I'm thinking about the importance of artistic expression. We may see the world in black and white, but there is such an incredible spectrum to behold. The first creator is God Himself so He is the very author of creativity. He said "Let there be light." Until God spoke light into existence, there was no color. It is the light that enables us to see, identify, and experience color. Take a prism and hold it to the light and see the colors burst forth. It is from God alone that we can experience the rainbow splash of color that He wants us to behold. So how is it that sometimes we close ourselves off from the freedom of creativity.

At our recent drama intensive at our home church (Primitive Christian Church), we asked the participants on the graffiti board, "are we doing plays that are safe because they are in the church (meaning inside the church building)." And answers come back that no...we challenge the people, and another...we have to be sensitive. So I want to be that sensitive Christian but Seasons of Purpose wants to challenge the community to take a deep look and not try to sugar coat. The people I want to tell my story to live in a harsh reality, I want to be able to communicate but not compromise. This is a fun challenge to meet and I see that artists trying to communicate in relevant ways all face this challenge. So paint your world with color! Enjoy the creativity God has put in you. Don't be afraid to wrestle with the tough questions and push the envelope without compromising your faith.

His Banner Over Us Is Love

Saturday, July 25, 2009 Summer Banner Intensive
I have had a blast preparing to share what God has taught me in the arts. The first week was the dance ministry intensive, last week was the banner intensive, and the final week will be for drama ministry. Saturday was an incredible blessing of learning about the banners, developing skill in using the banner, and ministering to each other in prayer with the banners.
The group prayed for Martin & I at the workshop and we were greatly blessed. Sometimes you give in ministry and receive back one hundredfold. This was one of those days...Martin & I received such a loving prayer from our brothers and sisters that focused on our marriage. We were wrapped in the glory of God as the banner of peace, healing, at the name of Jesus...and holy fire was waved over us. I thank God for my loving brothers, sisters, and my loving husband. Our marriage and faith-based arts development ministry is under His banner. Thank you Jehovah Nissi!

Dancing Children in the Spirit

I celebrate the former students of mine from Nyack that continue to grow and expand their horizons. Even though I have never had my own children, I am excited as I see my "children in the Spirit" in the dance ministry step up to the next level.

When I see my "children" dance, develop their own dance ministries, and choreograph, I'm so happy for them!!! Recently, I looked at pictures from another student's dance ministry. I felt like a spiritual grandmother.

I would like to thank Iris Cloud (Dance for Joy Ministries) for her years of pouring into my life so I can pour into the lives of so many others. In addition, I have been effected and inspired by leaders in dance ministry including Min. Kathleen Turner, Rev. Eyesha Marable, Dr. Pamela Hardy, and Min. Rae.
Today I went to Lea's wedding (see above) and a stranger asked me who I was. I admitted to be her professor in dance and the stranger said I must have had an impact on her life. I'm so glad that God choose me to be part of this legacy, at such a time as this. I am part of the end times servants that will use the arts to mightily showcase the glory of God.