QUESTION:When did you get saved? Tell me a little about yourself and your music... (I have been getting asked this one a lot lately.)
ANSWER: To tell you a little bit about my self... I grew up in the church.Saved mom- unsaved dad. So it was pretty much a single parent deal. I gave my life to the Lord when I was in middle school. I have known the truth my whole life, but it was at this time that I realized and decided that walking a life with Christ meant picking up my cross. The next four or five years were awesome and a grew a ton in the Lord. I was in leadership at my church in the youth group and was really involved in worship ministry. I got to a fork in the road when I was about 16yrs. I also grew up in an ice skating rink as a competitive figure skater. This was my life! My identity. God wasn't cool with that obviously, because HE wanted to be my identity..... SO He called me to give it all up. All the fame and affirmation that was associated with it. ONE of the hardest things I have ever had to do. This time in my life is a BIG part of my testimony. It was when God taught me as a WORSHIPER what it meant to bring my sacrifice. Worship is something we do with our life, not just in song...I didn't know this then, but this lesson would continue to play out as God called me to be a full time worship leader and artist.
I was never super great at singing or one particular instrument- but to God that didn't matter. This is what he created me for :) As soon as I gave up ice skating, God began to fling open doors. I began writing music, singing more, playing more,and my heart yearned for the presence of God like never before. I came out with my first CD fall 2007... and the rest is history in the making!
I am so humbled by God grace and calling on my life. Why would he ever used somebody like me for ANYTHING, i dunno. I don't deserve His love,but He continues to pour it out on me. I love sharing this message with the church and especially this next generation of worshipers. We cant help but share our story. More than anything I want to see them encounter the reality of God, who he is first hand, taste His goodness and love. I didn't think God could do anything with my life- after all... all i was good for was ice skating. LIE. I want the church to know that God can and WILL do immeasurably more than we can think or imagine if we just let go. We are all made to play a unique and special role in the kingdom... and this is the message I hope come through in my ministry and music.
My life in nothing but a LOVE song of redemption and grace.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
A Living Sacrifice.
I have been learning a nlot about this lately. There is a:
Sucky truth.
The Christian walk is not cupcakes and flowers all the time. A common misconception. Its easy for people to get that impression... Of Christianity, the church, and the people in it. As believers we are called to a life of worship a life of SACRIFICE. There is a part of my heart that says, "Sacrifice? Who said anything about sacrifice? I didn't sign up for this God." Maybe I don't word it quite like that in "real life", BUT it comes out in my actions for sure. Bottom line I am selfish person and giving up that way of thinking an life is really hard.
So what is true worship? I have to ask myself this question all the time... i get asked this question all the time. To passages int he bible help answer this for me. On my own, this answer in complicated and runs full circle in the ground. I always have to get back to the roots of my faith, the word.
Romans 12:1-2 (New Living Translation)
"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
The NVI words it this way- "Therefore I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer up your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship."
When ever I am doubting what it means to truly worship God the way he desires, it's right here. He wants ME! He wants all of me. All the good parts, all the bad parts. Psalms 51:17 says that, "The sacrifices of God are a BROKEN spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." Whats contrite? (I dint know what it meant for the longest time, I just pretended...) but having a contrite heart just means being repentant- recognizing and desiring atonement for my sin. It come down to this, God wants me leave myself behind and step into NEW skin, a new life in Him.
Luke 9:23-24 says,
"If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For who ever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it."
So all these thoughts began with me stating this "Sucky Truth"... really though, how sucky is it to end up in heaven with God? To really find and experience life while I'm still breathing? Yeah there is some cost involved, but God sees me- He sees you...making the choice to walk this life. Oh mylanta how he will bless it and there is glory, BLISS waiting for us. I promises it's worth it! See for Yourself...
Die Today.
-h
Sucky truth.
The Christian walk is not cupcakes and flowers all the time. A common misconception. Its easy for people to get that impression... Of Christianity, the church, and the people in it. As believers we are called to a life of worship a life of SACRIFICE. There is a part of my heart that says, "Sacrifice? Who said anything about sacrifice? I didn't sign up for this God." Maybe I don't word it quite like that in "real life", BUT it comes out in my actions for sure. Bottom line I am selfish person and giving up that way of thinking an life is really hard.
So what is true worship? I have to ask myself this question all the time... i get asked this question all the time. To passages int he bible help answer this for me. On my own, this answer in complicated and runs full circle in the ground. I always have to get back to the roots of my faith, the word.
Romans 12:1-2 (New Living Translation)
"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
The NVI words it this way- "Therefore I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer up your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship."
When ever I am doubting what it means to truly worship God the way he desires, it's right here. He wants ME! He wants all of me. All the good parts, all the bad parts. Psalms 51:17 says that, "The sacrifices of God are a BROKEN spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." Whats contrite? (I dint know what it meant for the longest time, I just pretended...) but having a contrite heart just means being repentant- recognizing and desiring atonement for my sin. It come down to this, God wants me leave myself behind and step into NEW skin, a new life in Him.
Luke 9:23-24 says,
"If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For who ever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it."
So all these thoughts began with me stating this "Sucky Truth"... really though, how sucky is it to end up in heaven with God? To really find and experience life while I'm still breathing? Yeah there is some cost involved, but God sees me- He sees you...making the choice to walk this life. Oh mylanta how he will bless it and there is glory, BLISS waiting for us. I promises it's worth it! See for Yourself...
Die Today.
-h
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
