Striving To Be "Christ-Like"!

So many emotions from this video memory from my YouTube account, from last September 2018, for so many reasons. Though I have played piano in church lots, as well as nursing home ministry, over the past 20 years since first taking piano lessons and earning, I had become perfectly content with only playing for occasional specials. I needed my freedom and ability to raise my hands and freely praise the Lord during worship service. But a year ago that all changed, and I took the weekly piano position at New Life Assembly of God. He has been so faithful to keep me physically able to be there every Sunday since filling in last April 2018. I have only missed one Sunday morning in that timeframe due to sickness. God has restored my desire and talent to play the piano for His glory and reminds me that it is another form of worship to Him. I am thankful for the previous pastor and his wife, as well as the people here, for giving me the opportunity to teach the youth, play the piano, and sing fo...

Paul had many difficulties and problems as he served the Lord. Nowhere in the Bible are Christians promised they will be free from problems or suffering. Rather, Jesus said in this world you shall have tribulations but take heart for I have overcome the world, John 16:33. God allows us to have suffering and problems so He may deliver us through faith. God allowed Joseph to be sold into slavery so He could turn his dilemma into victory. God allowed Daniel to be put into the lion's den that He might deliver him. God allowed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be thrown into the fiery furnace that He might deliver them. And, God allowed Paul to be shipwrecked that He might save him. Our God is able to take care of us in the most terrible circumstances, don't forget that.

On May 12th, 2019 on my way home from church that morning, God spoke these words to me, "speak life". Since that day He has taken me on a journey of learning to speak life again in the middle of tough situations. It's been a spiritual, emotional, and physical  battle the last 2 weeks but I've buckled down, stayed the course and kept pressing on. May 26th, 2019 I shared this word with the people at New Life Assembly of God. Through this blog, I share this word with you. If you're discouraged and in a hopeless state of despair, challenge yourself to begin speaking life this week. When you make speaking life a habit (like prayer, bible reading, church attendance, tithing or fasting), you will begin to see God at work all the time in your life. You will become more aware of His presence, goodness, mercy, grace, etc. Speaking life daily and refusing to entertain negative conversation helps build your trust in God, so that when trials come, your faith is strong and your...