The Music of Your Life

I heard Pastor Gamble preach a message a few times on different styles of music and their associations. It was the first part of his THINK.BE.DO series. For example:
Rock 'n Roll invokes attitude
Country music tells a story
HipHop gives (false) street credibility
Jazz is about improv
And the list goes on...

Well, it really did get me to ponder a number of things. It is not to say that listening to other styles is a bad thing, it is just important to understand what you are exposed to, the associations behind them and what affect they can have on you. I have found that music can influence my moods which, inevitably, I choose. If you have been depressed, what type of music are you listening to? I found that listening to something contrary to how I'm feeling is a great way to change how I'm feeling. In the same regard, it can also enhance how I'm feeling. Either way, it is a conscious choice.

When I am depressed or angy, I try to listen to upbeat, victory-declaring praise songs. When I'm anxious, I like to listen to something soothing and peaceful like jazz. When I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel and I wonder where God has gone, I listen to worship songs that offer thanksgiving. If I am in a fun mood, maybe I'll even listen to a little Elvis! (not a word, Jeremy.) Sometimes, I even listen to country...though not something I like to admit either!

But this is where I started thinking...Basically, my attitude is a melody; my thoughts are a melody; my actions are a melody...all influenced by something whether it be positive or negative. All of these things make up my life's song. So what am I singing? What message am I sending to everyone? How is my song affecting someone else that might be listening? Do I need to "put another record on"?

I also posted the following question on Facebook: If your life were a song, what tune would it be playing? For mine, I ended coming up with a medley because I couldn't pick just one. It would start with Holy Visitation (Rita Springer's version) because I can identify with the tagline at the end, and this song also references the urgency I feel for today's generation. Battlecry is the second...see my first post and you'll understand why. Shout Unto God is the third because I have seen Satan defeated over my life and have found victory that I am able to walk in daily. This is not to sound super-spiritual, it is just where I'm at right now. I guarantee that three years ago, I was singing a different song...probably a much more depressing one that would have been concert length!

So here are a few of the responses that I got. I think it is interesting food for thought. Each show where we were at given one point or another.
*Ronny Michel: The Warrior is a Child by Twila Paris. (While fighting cancer, that was the song her heart sang, and 16 years and many battles later, it is still the song of her heart.)
*Rudy McGee and Angie Stocking both chose: Stand in the Rain by Superchick
*Stacy Ojeda: Spilled Out and Broken

So what is the melody of your life song?

James Cohen McGee

Finally, a baby McGee! Last night we all welcomed James Cohen McGee into the world...most of us via Facebook. Thank God for technology. I felt like I was right there with them and didn't miss a beat. You would never have known I was 8 hours away! Cohen, born on August 11th at 12:13am, weighed in at 6lbs. 4oz. and was 20" long.

I thought I was going to jump out of my skin when my brother called yesterday evening and said, "It's game time!" Wow, my little brother was going to be a daddy. I cannot tell you how old that made me feel! I was so excited! Then I realized that my Dad was probably going to be speeding like a mad man to get there from Lake Charles/Baton Rouge! Of course, I called him about 5+ times to make sure that he was being safe. I don't even want to know how fast he was going. I'm glad he didn't have time to stop and get the Porsche!

Well, he made it safely, and all the men wore their Saints jerseys for "game day" complete with one for Cohen. We all eagerly waited for Matt to post the latest update on Facebook or receive the latest text. Man, how times have changed! He didn't even have to have a phone tree set up or anything!

Then came the updates: Game time, delay of game, end zone, 1st and goal, time out, 2nd yard line, touchdown! Praise God for a smooth delivery and a healthy baby!

James: meaning "supplanter"
Cohen: meaning "priest, priestly"; "brave and gallant"; "the direct male descendant of the Biblical Aaron, brother of Moses"

Makes me want to have another one! Just kidding! Almost...maybe...good thing I'm fixed!

Time for a Garage Sale?

I am having a Garage Sale tomorrow. I love and hate so many aspects of it. I love the fact that I get to go through every room, every closet, every drawer and clean out the junk. Throw some stuff out, find stuff I forgot I had, try to find a place for the stuff I want to keep and garage sale the rest. My house looks like it was ransacked by a hurricane! (Well, maybe a 5 and 6 year old...)

Then comes the part I hate. Reorganizing everything, cleaning up everything that is strewn across the floor, changing up the scenery and trying to declutter. It's funny how you accumulate so much so often. Lots of items hold sentimental value while others you can't even remember why you ever liked that, wore that or hung that.

Some of the bittersweet items I came across were my drapes from my home in Charlotte, from our "living" room. It brought back so many great memories. One specific was our LDG (Life Development Group) from Freedom House. Our living room was always packed out with great people and great testimonies. These drapes have heard many of the trials and prayer requests that all of us encountered. These drapes have seen housemates come and go and been with us through the changing seasons in our life. They have served their purpose and now it's time for them to move on. Yet, it is so hard for me to let them go. They are just drapes for crying out loud!!!

In a strange way, this garage sale has caused me to reflect on my life and not just the "things" in my life. Do I have any "clutter" in my life that shouldn't be there? Is the "clutter" covering up any hidden talents that I didn't know existed? Do I have any hurts that have been tucked away for so long that I forgot they were there? What "items" need to be put away and what needs to be dusted off? The last few weeks, I have definitely been finding out! Be careful when you ask because you are likely to get an answer!

Our lives go through so many seasons and transitions that sometimes it is beneficial to stop and reflect, sweep out the dust and reorganize. Most of the time you have to plow through the mess, the uncomfort and the uneasiness before you can see the big picture again.

But I love it when the Garage Sale is over! Things begin to settle again and there is a fresh new peace both in my life and in my home. Aaahhh...

Phil 4:7 ~ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

A Life of Overflow

When I was thinking today and counting our many blessings, I came across some notes that I took during one of Bro Jesse Duplantis' meetings. I remember when things were really rough for us a few years ago, and I would revisit these notes often. At one point it seemed that these ideas were far fetched, but I claimed them anyway. Now they seem much more like a possible reality. I am so excited about where God is taking us, including our finances which is something many don't like to talk about. God wants us to be blessed, so that we can be a blessing to others. Money is a gift from God; we just have to be careful not to let it become our god. I would like to share with you some of his insight in regards to "A Life of Overflow":

• Never allow dangers or impossibilities to discourage you.


• Unexpected blessings should be the norm for believers.


• We are partakers of divine sufficiency.


• Blessings used rightly bring other and larger blessings.


• Refuse to bow to the pressure of time and people.


• Our lifestyle is not to settle for less than God's best.


• A life of overflow is not a fantasy based life; it is a reality based goal for the believer.


• Whatever affects your focus, affects your faith. Whatever affects your faith, affects your harvest.

Thank you, Lord! I receive it!

Kadi's First Tooth

Kadi lost her first tooth last night. I walked in the door from work, and I could hear her crying in my bedroom. I found her sitting in front of my mirror with a pile of kleenex, probably 20 or so. When asked what was wrong, she said that she was so nervous (and scared) about her tooth and just wanted it out. She said her tooth was too slippery and her tears were making it worse. I tried to have her let me touch it, but no way! Not if I wanted to keep my fingers. Finally, I was able to coax her through it: push it forward, twist to the left, now the right and pull. It worked!!! Poor thing, she was so stressed about it.
Do you remember the emotions that you felt when you lost your first tooth? It all came rushing back, the anxiety, the happiness, the nervousness. However, I don't remember mine being as traumatic. When that tooth came out, I had never seen her so relieved in my life. I felt so bad for her, but I was really trying not to laugh because it was so pitiful.
Well, nighttime came and it was time to put her tooth under her pillow for the tooth fairy to come, yet still knowing all along it was me. She wanted to stay up late; I fell asleep. Suddenly, at 6:30am I jumped out of bed in a panic. I had forgotten to leave her money. I bolted (somewhat quietly) in her room, stuck a $1.50 under the pillow and quickly sneaked back out. She woke up about 10 minutes later. Oh, thank the Lord. I would have felt terrible. Needless to say, I suck as a tooth fairy.

FIRE!!! Wake up!

Wow, where do I begin? My God is so amazing and definitely not in the cliche' sense. He has been doing some incredible things at McKinney. The presence, the miracles, the testimonies and the prophetic are becoming an expectation. And when you expect and prepare the way, God WILL deliver. Over the last month, McKinney has been ignited with the fire of God. There has been restoration in the lives of so many people, and it's spreading! God is providing us with tangible evidence of His existence during pivotal points in our lives. We are going to be able to look back and remember! We will not be shaken by the things of this world and our experience will leave no room to doubt Him in the future.
This past Wednesday night, Pastor Kevin gave me a prophecy stating that I would be like Xena, the Warrior Princess in this great battle. And that is exactly what I've been feeling like lately in my prayer life and the direction of my worship. Then on Sunday, Pastor Michael Gamble prophesied the exact same thing over me and I just started laughing at the confirmation. A WARRIOR PRINCESS...wow, who'da thunk? Well, apparently, God gave my parents a little divine inspiration as well. Do you know what "Kelly" means? It means "warrior, aggressive, defender". And get this! "Anne" means "grace and favor, a name of "ROYALTY". See the connection? How awesome is that! What does your name mean? Step up and take your place!
We are absolutely in a war for our Lord. And we absolutely have to take a stand for our Christianity. Christianity is not a luxury; it is a necessity that we must fight for. It is going to take more than just lazy complacent Christians to make a difference in today's day in age. We need to be prepping ourselves daily, arming ourselves with the proper weapons for battle. What is going to happen if you go into spiritual warfare naked? Do you really want to know? The enemy is roaming...
This generation is looking for something real, something different, something fresh. I believe that there is a prophetic move that has already begun to sweep this nation. I am hearing reports from the east coast, the northwest and the gulf coast that God is moving and signs and wonders are following. But this "movement" can only continue if you get up and MOVE! That's why it's called a movement!
I am ready to be engulfed by HIS undeniable and unquenchable FIRE! Are you?

Recent songs on my heart:
HOLY VISITATION
BATTLECRY
SPEAKING LOUDER THAN BEFORE
HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST

Let's get this party started!