It's been a while...

Wow.
I just got on and realize it's been a couple of years since I've updated this thing! Wow.
So many changes have taken place in my life, but all for the good. So many exciting things.

A week ago Saturday, I graduated from Liberty University... Master of Arts in Worship Studies. Super excited, and nervous all at the same time.

Lots of changes taking place in my life. Didn't realize how difficult it would be, but God is helping me, and my family and Fiance are also helping me deal with all of it. It's good though

I'm getting married in 52 days... wow, I thought it was so far away but it really isn't far at all. Super excited.

Worship Gatherings

So I'm reading this book for one of my classes at school, and God is majorly showing me things, and placing new avenues of thinking in my mind, so I thought I would share just a few.
So that I don't get in trouble for plaigerism I am quoting from the book Emerging Worship - by Dan Kimball.

Many times in church, we as ministers are constantly thinking of how we can improve our worship services/gatherings. As time & technology progresses, we can easily get in a mindset that we must have the best sounds system, the best musicians, the best singers, the best, media, the best technology. We can sit around and try to impress everyone so much that we sink into the 'American Idol' approach. Dan says; "The American Idol approach to church reduces us to performers and reduces church attendees to mere judges." Wow, what a statement he made. It really makes me want to step back and view how I am valuing ministry, and what emphasis I am placing on all that I do. Everything I do must be for an audience of One, and I must encourage the fellowship to become engaged in worship, and have an encounter with their creator, not just an experience that they will soon forget about. They must encounter Jesus during worship and be "Transformed." "There is great danger if the focus of our worship getherings subtly shifts to our video backgrounds, prayer sttions, ancient creeds, candles, artwork, etc. If tht happens, we'll begin teaching people (without saying it) that the worship service is a service we provide for people."
"*What comments do you hear about your worship service? Do people say, 'I enjoyed that' or 'That was fun' or 'Good job today?' Or do they say, 'I encountered God here today' or 'I appreciated tht people prayed for me here' or 'I felt the presence of Jesus here?' There is a big -No Huge - difference between the two."
What a statement.... No longer do we need to be told that we did a good job... were not there to be told we did a good job. We are just there to lead the people, as the Holy Spirit leads us, in worship. In reading this I got a sick feeling in my stomach, many times people have said good job to me, and thinking back on that makes me sad and sick all at the same time, for I feel as if I have performed and not ministered effectively. Oh God help me to never perform, but to worship you, and lead others in worship together. Don't let me ever turn what I do into a performace.
"We must remember that the church is not about the worship service, preaching, or music. It also is not about any of the multisensory expressions of worship we create. The church is the peope of God on a mission together wherever they are - not just when they arein the meetings we design. We have a holy responsibility to shape people's view of the Christian experience. If we shape it on a faulty foundation, then woe to us."
God help help us a worship leaders, pastors, teachers... to raise up a generation of men and women hungry for the things of God. Never let us fall into the trap of coming to church because it is what we do, or because we were made too. Never let it be a show, or performance, but let it be heartfelt, true, holy, passionate, & intimate, life-changing worship to you Jesus.
I Love You!

Christmas Time...

Christmas with my family....
We had a wonderful Christmas day together, despite me having the flu. We spent the day with my grandfather & grandmother at the Nursing Home, and then came back to mom and dad's and had Christmas together.
We never know when our last time with our families will be. I realize that I must make the most of those moments, and cherish them because I may not be able to do it again.






















Here is mom looking all cutsie in her new jean jacket.















Whitney and Mark!!! They both got each other digital cameras and didn't even know it. haha.
















My wonderful family!!!!















Dad and mom suprised me with a digital camera. This was the first picture we took on it. They did good!!!!

Daddy & I

Magoo & Pagoo ~ They're still in love!!!

Mom & I

Pa & Ma with two of their great grandchildren - Mason & Brooklyn

Profound Words...

"Unless our lives outside of church are filled with worship services that reveal God, our services of worship are in danger of being empty meetings."

Wait! Stop! Read that statement again and again. Just let it sink in to your spirit.

Now go on...

What a powerful statement made in this months edition of Worship Leader Magazine. This statement is so deep that it will cut to the very fibers of your being, if you let it.
What exactly is worship?

The Dictionary defines worship as:
The reverent love and devotion accorded a deity, an idol, or a sacred object.
The ceremonies, prayers, or other religious forms by which this love is expressed.
Ardent devotion; adoration.
To honor and love as a deity.
To regard with ardent or adoring esteem or devotion

The Hebrew meaning of worship is:

to bow down prostrate oneself

This statement really made me stop and examine my own life. As a worship leader it is imperative that I get in the word and pray. Many times we, as fleshly beings, can get so caught up in the daily routines of life, that we may let things slide. Sometimes we may think our prayer or Bible reading can be the thing that slides, but friend we were created to worship the Lord. Our whole entires lives we are searching for something to worship. We ALL worship something, whether it is Buddah, Allah, the t.v., x-box, or God... we are all worshipping something. My youth pastor once said that anything that we place value or worth, is what we spend the most time with. Are we valuing our time spent with the Lord, and our time fellowshipping, and creating an intimacy with the Lord. That's what He longs from us, is TIME!

So now back to the statement I made eaerlier, our lives must be filled with worship. Everything we do must be in worship to our creator. No matter if you are having a bad day or the best day of your life, worship the Lord, and the Lord alone. The more time we spend in worship throughout our week, the better time in worship we will have on Sunday's and Wednesday's in the Lord's house. Now for worship leaders ... we can't expect to take the fellowship somewhere that we haven't already been. It just doesn't work like that. If we want the Lord to show up in His house, then we better do our part outside of the walls of the church, instead of waiting till a Sunday morning or a Wednesday night to worship Jesus.

Honor the Lord, regard Him with the highest adoration, esteem Him and His excellent greatness, and most of all, bow down before Him. Humble yourself in worship to Him. He longs for that time with you and me.

Recital...

Venezualan parents (Annel's mom & dad) came down to support Annel & I. Aubrey Brooke & Amanda Davis were our servers. Here is a picture of my Precious mom and adorable grandmother.

Junior Recital...

Last night was such a fun night. It was mine & Annel's Junior recital at the University of Mobile. We had a great night of music and with friends & family. Annels dad and mom drove down from Ft. Payne, and my mother and grandmother came. Here are some pictures that captured the night.




After our recital, a reception was held in the Foyer of the Martin Hall. April Wesbrooks
& Jeremy Overstreet were our ushers. Teresa Fleming was my accompanist, and
Mrs. Melba Brown is my voice teacher.

Piano Ensemble...

The University of Mobile has a piano ensemble once a semester. It always amazes me how so many people can play the same piece at the same time, stay together, and it sound flawless. It was a lot of fun. Here are some shots of the evening.

Me & One of my best friends ~ Annel

Steven and I making silly faces. Steven & I sing in a group called "Impact" One of the finest young women in America, my best friend Amanda Davis!!!! She played in the Ensemble @ U. M. She is amazing on the piano. "I love ya doll!!!!!"