Nothing to Fear

People question God’s capability daily, not just atheist, but Christians and non-believers alike. Myself included. You could be in church your entire life, seen miracle after miracle, blessing after blessing and yet still doubt God can deliver you from your current situation. I don’t know why we do that. Well, I do know why it’s called SATAN!! We have got to stop believing the lies he tells us. He comes to steal, kill and destroy, but God…

Oh but God!!!

My husband and I have been married for just a little under 3 years and together for almost 4. In that time we have seen God provide for us time and time again. Just when we thought it was the end, when we didn’t know how we would pay that next bill, when we didn’t know how we were going to have food to last us until the next paycheck… there He was. Providing, blessing and never forsaking. Yet, like most of you, we still live in fear and doubt. Many of times wondering how we are going to pay all the bills that month, or if He will heal our bodies or save our lost family, but God hasn’t failed us yet.

Recently we’ve been praying about something. We feel like it’s the next step in our life we should be taking, but fear is crippling, and our worry overcompensates are faith in God. So we’ve been praying God if it is your will give us a peace about it and let it be, but if not shut the door. Well Sunday he confirmed it to us both that it was indeed time. Monday night he provided in way I would have never even deemed possible, which just added to the confirmation that God is all powerful, all seeing, all knowing. He sits on the throne. Not my fear.

 His ways are higher than my ways, His thoughts higher than my thoughts.

 I can trust when he says GO… there is nothing to fear.

 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 

Make America Great Again

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - Martin Luther King Jr.

I stood in the middle of the busy streets of down town Memphis. Taking in the smells of BBQ from the various restaurants, and taking in all the excitement from the lights, street performers and the neat people you meet down there. I got to thinking, what was this place was like back in its prime? It was founded in 1819 and was named after the ancient capital of Egypt. It was a major trading center for cotton and lumber. The worlds largest in the early 20^th century to be precise.  It was also the center of the civil rights movement and where ultimately Mr. King met his demise. However, Memphis was and still is the home of the blues.  Many great musicians such as B.B King, and Elvis Presley called this place home and I can just imagine the hotels, and nightlife back in the 50's. Now much of Memphis is a historical landmark, but the nightlife is still kicking. A lot of firsts happened in this great city. The first African-American on radio, first all female radio station, the first African-American neighborhood built by and for African-Americans and many more. However, Memphis, although a really neat place to visit and has some cool shows and awesome food, I imagine has lost some of its luster since then. Although racism was very prevalent then, it was refuge for blacks who escaped the rural south and now days its far from a refuge for any race. Memphis' crime rate is one of the highest in the nation. 1 in 58 people living in the Memphis area have either been a victim of the crime or in some way were effected by it and there are over 50,998 crimes reported annually.  And before you get on your high horse it's not necessarily a race thing it's a pretty diverse city. There is more blacks (60%) then white (30%), but there are many other races as well. It's not a race thing. It never has been and this is the point I am getting at. It's a love thing. Racism, regardless of your ethnicity, starts in the home. Whether you're Black, White, Latino, or Asian you've experienced hate. You've seen discrimination or bullying. I wore dresses to school every day and was made of fun of all the time because of it and in high school was treated very poorly by boys because they thought it was easy access.  So I know what hate looks like and guess what I am white…

I hate the term white privilege and I know I am not black so maybe I just don't understand, but growing up in Florida I never saw it. Florida is pretty diverse. In fact in the Orlando area there are more Hispanics then any other race, which is probably why growing up my two best friends were Puerto Rican. When I started applying for colleges and financial aide it became very apparent to me that because I was white I was not a first choice in colleges, because colleges want diversity. I would not receive financial aide because even though my parents didn't make that much they made too much for financial aide. However, my friend who lived in a nicer neighborhood then me and whose parents owned their home and who made worse grades then me was accepted into more schools and you guessed it received financial aide. I don't say this to be ugly. I am just saying there are privileges on both ends. There is hate every where you go regardless of the color of your skin or what is in your pants or what your sexual preference is. It is not a race thing. It is not a gender thing. It is not homosexual thing. HATE IS EVERYWHERE.

How do we change that though? For some reason in this great country I call home we have come to think that it can be changed by hate. Looting the streets, burning buildings, killing cops- these are your answers? Refer back to the quote in the beginning. "…Hate can not drive out hate…" Martin Luther King Jr. had a point there and I think we could all stand a lesson from him. Hate is ugly. It is not the answer. Jesus is the answer. I know this is cliché, but here me out. I recently watched this documentary on early education - I urge you to check it. (Link is at the bottom of page) It went on about our founding fathers and their dreams and visions for this country and unanimously, despite how some interpret the law, they wanted God in the schools. However, since we took Him out in the 60's test scores have dropped, academic achievement is at an all time low, and crime is at an all time high. Do you really think that is coincidence?

Whether you believe in God or not I think it safe to say you don't believe in hate. Hating hasn't worked in the past and its not going to work now. The only thing that can change the hate in this country is a change in the hearts of men and women. A president can't do that, and although teaching your children to love and respect will help, parents can't do it alone. It takes a society to teach love and if we show the world the love that Jesus showed them way back on Calvary not only will hate and crime stop, but I truly believe that we will raise a better generation then ones before us.

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly". -  John 10:10

History of Memphis, Tennessee. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Memphis

Link to Video

Calmness in the Chaos

He caused the storm to be still, so that the waves of the sea were hushed. Psalms 107:29

A little over a month ago my husband and I decided we wanted to buy a home. So we set out on finding a perfect home. We fell in love with the first one we looked at. It was everything we wanted and more. So we started on the long and stressful journey of buying it. Between the bank, and the lady that originally owned the home they almost made our dreams a distant memory in a cloud of dust. The bank didn't do their job in a timely manor nor did they do right by us at all. The lady said we could move in early due to the fact that she was out of the house already, and we were supposed to already be moved in if hadn't been for the bank messing up, but then she changed her mind randomly. May I mind you I had already sold my stove and packed up all our belongings. We almost didn't get it all, but I think all and all it was God's will and somehow it pulled through. Now we are the proud owners of a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, and 1,500 sq.-ft. home with a wrap around porch, tree-lined driveway, and a 30x30 shop sitting on almost 2 acres of land. Unfortunately the chaos wasn't over. We had planned a home coming party much earlier because we thought we were going to be in it sooner so we had to get the house in decent order for that, but since we moved in we keep finding problem after problem. From sinks, toilets and tubs leaking to the water pressure messing up in the kitchen it's been one headache after another. Not to mention we work 40+ hours a week (Spencer has been working 55), we have our bounce house business on the weekends, family in town the past couple of weeks, our dog keeps running away lol and of course church takes up time, much needed time, but time nevertheless. So we've been steadily going, going, going. All the chaos has really taken its toll on Spencer and myself. We are little frayed these days, but a few days ago I got to finally enjoy my new home. We have these willows in the back yard that are breathtaking and from the back porch you can see the sun go down with willows in the foreground and wide open farm land in the background and its one of the most beautiful scenes I've ever laid eyes on. The best part? It's in my back yard. The other day it stopped me in my tracks and amongst all the chaos I just soaked in God's beauty for a few minutes and realized one small important factor that I was just too busy to take the time realize. God is in control. He made all this, even the chaos and he holds me in the palms of his hand. The proof is in my life. I am blessed beyond measure and I know it is only because God has had a plan all along.  I just pray I find more time like I did that day to bask in His beauty and show my thankfulness for His constant blessings in my life.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Ask and You Shall Receive

                         

    

 See this here sprayer do dad? It literally made my day. Its hump day and I was feeling dragged ready for the day to be over, heck ready for the week to be over. See my office smells like crap. I am not even exaggerating. Its right by the bathroom and literally smells like doo doo ery' single day. I can spray stuff all day and it does me no good. So I asked about getting me something to make my room smell good and the parts lady shows up with this today. Ask and you shall receive. (Matthew 7:7)

 Now I realize this is just a silly story and this is just smelly good do dad, but that scripture is become more and more real and evident in my life. See awhile back my husband started praying that we could give more in tithes and offering. Seems like a simple prayer, but what that meant for us is that we would be making more thus able to give more. And guess what? God answered that prayer. Back in June we were blessed with an awesome opportunity to start our own business. Spencer's dad started this bounce house business a few years ago, and Spencer had wanted to get started in it as well. His father now lives in Florida and we live in Arkansas and there was niche for it. Well we prayed that God would open the doors for us to do that, which at the time we thought that meant his dad giving us his business, but then! God did it. He answered our prayers and opened the door for us to start our own business. (We got an awesome deal.)

 We've been running this business we call "Raisin' Cain's" for almost four months now and business has been pretty steady. It's really something. Right when we start fretting about bills or where the money is gonna come from someone calls wanting a bounce house rental. God works in mysterious ways. Well back to our prayer. We asked God to bless us so we could bless Him more, right? Well, just yesterday my husband went to take a bounce house down here in town and as he doing that a man came up to him and began to talk to him. This man is the only competition we have in town. He too owns a bounce house business and has been around for a while so he gets a lot of business. He began to tell my husband that he doesn't want the business anymore and he'd like to hand it off to someone who knows the business not just wants it. He basically in so many words told us that he wants to give it to us and will figure out any way to do so. He also said he is going to start directing business our way.

See what I mean God works in mysterious ways and when you ask, He answers. He may not always answer the way you thought He would and sometimes His answer will be no, but rest assure there is always an answer at the end of prayer.

The crazy thing is this isn't all God has done for us recently. I will definitely be sharing more with y'all soon, but for now I'll just keep you on your toes until next time!

Why I Didn't Marry A Preacher

I am Apostolic Pentecostal. Born and raised. I've seen the good, I've seen the not so pretty. When I was 12 I felt called into ministry. What that all entailed I wasn't too sure, but as time went on I knew God had big plans for me. One of which was to preach.  As I got older obviously the desire for a relationship became a priority and one I took very seriously might I add. I had my heart set I finding a preacher. Not because I wanted the name or had some wild desire to be a pastors wife, but because long ago I heard preacher, by the name of Tim Gaddy, preach this message on the 2^nd Most Important Decision You'll Ever Make. The first most important decision you'll ever make is the decision whether or not to serve God. The second most important decision was whom you would marry. He told story of young girl who fell in love with a boy who was not in church and ultimately it was her demise, but he went on to tell us that you need to marry someone whose ministry matches yours. So I had always assumed I'd marry a preacher.

Now that is my story, but lets be real here. Anyone, who is in Pentecost, especially the men know it to be true that Pentecostal girls have the hots for preachers or inspiring preachers. It's like cops and firefighters, they love the uniform. I think it's more the name that comes along with it, which is sad, and not to mention it's not all about traveling the world and meeting people or heading up a department in the state. Being a pastor's wife is a job and not an easy one at that. Anyhow like a lot of you I was one of those girls, but like previously stated I had good reason.

I ended up getting the privilege to go to Bible College and while there I came to a riveting to discovery…

Boys who feel called to preach don't like me. Yep, true story. I'm too much for them. Too aggressive, too loud, too independent, you name it. They want a sweet spirited, quiet, proverbs 31 woman. And although I have a great personality and do hold some Proverbs 31 traits, I am far from quiet. I'm ok with that, but these boys were not and they didn't mind letting me know. I came to the realization that my calling interfered with theirs or at least they felt it would. They felt that I wouldn't be submissive or wouldn't be a helpmate, which isn't factual, but that's what they assumed thus relationships never did get very far. Not to mention if wasn't that it was me. I was far too picky!

I figured I'd be like Sis. Kim the missionary to South Korea who never married or woman version of Bro. Lee Stoneking also never married. I had come to terms with it. That was until I met Spencer. I was on a home missions trip to Jonesboro, AR with Urshan. We were in their fellowship hall working on our cardboard testimonies and in walks this 6'2", fit and very attractive young man. My first thought was "Man, Arkansas has some good looking men." And much to my surprise this young man came and sat right next to me. Come to find out we had a lot of mutual friends. Then that Sunday I sang and he was hooked. I soon came to know him very well. He loved God, been in church is whole life, Holy Ghost filled, baptized in Jesus name, never done a thing wrong, which was more then I could say for myself.

He also did not feel called to ministry.

I slammed the brakes. I figured this was deal breaker and I was about to end it. And let me tell you something I really didn't want to. He was awesome and such a good guy and I was attracted to him, which is a big plus, but I was scared. I didn't want to ruin what God had in store for me because I chose the wrong man. Plus I had various people tell me they were worried about it for whatever reason. So like all good children I went and talked to my pastor, which was the smartest thing I ever did. He asked me some questions. He asked, "Is he filled with the Holy Ghost?" I replied, "yes". "Have you talked to him about your calling?" he asked. "Of course" I said. Then he asked, "Well what did he say?" I replied, "He said he'll go wherever God leads me!" W hat my pastor said next has stayed in my heart. He told me I had a keeper and that God knew exactly what he was doing when He brought Spencer into my life. See for the past couple of years I've been chasing after men who wanted someone to back their ministry, but I needed a man who would be willing to back mine and be ok with sitting on a pew cheering and praying me on. Spencer was willing to be that man.

Since that moment and since we got married God has molded and shaped Spencer and I into a godly couple. Spencer may not feel "called to ministry", but he does ministry better then anyone I know. (He also is starting to feel that tug from the Almighty)

 He has a heart of Gold, he is a servant of God willing to do whatever is asked of him, and truly cares for the souls of men and women. He loves God and loves people and people love him.  He is the perfect helpmate. And I am his perfect helpmate and for all you wondering nosey individuals I am submissive to him and he is the head of our house hold.  

I say all this to say just because a man is not a preacher or a woman doesn't play the piano doesn't mean that they are not ministers. The church is the body of Christ. Not everyone can be pastors and music leaders some of us need to be door greeters and bus drivers and we are all an important part in the kingdom. So don't ever turn someone down because they don't fit this cookie cutter version of a man/woman you see yourself with.

I would have never thought I would have married an Arkansan, but here I am rocking it. 

But First, Let Me Take a Selfie

In 2013 an Australian man invented the word selfie and it went viral. 

Since then it has been used across the world and even inducted into the dictionary. 

Webster describes it as 

1. an image of oneself taken by oneself using a digital camera especially for posting on social networks

Since this word, concept or whatever it is became a thing, preachers and youth committees from every religion have used it in sermons and at conferences around the world to promote selfless behavior. Less of yourself and more of God. 

Which is a great concept and I agree with %100, but I'm about to propose a whole other concept. Unlike most, I'm all for this selfie generation and here is why... 

Over 80 percent of 10-year-old girls are afraid of being fat.
By middle school, 40-70 percent of girls are dissatisfied with two or more parts of their body, and body satisfaction hits rock bottom between the ages of 12 and 15.
7 out of 10 girls believe they are not good enough. 
And it's not just girls. 40% of boys work out or take supplements to approve their muscles. 

 20% of teens will deal with depression before they even hit high school.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death not just in teenagers, but in college age students as well. 

SELF ESTEEM IS A PROBLEM

We don't live in a world full of egotistical self righteous kids who think so highly of themselves that they feel the need to take pictures of themselves all day, everyday. 
No, we live in a world full of children who are dying on the inside. Who think they are not good enough and that they are worthless. The only reason they take so many "selfies" is to get attention from someone, anyone who will give it. 
Why? Because the world has fed them this lie. This lie that they will never be good enough. that they are not pretty enough, they will never fit in or amount to anything for that matter. The world has fed them this lie that they can only find love at the end of needle, or bottle. This lie that true love doesn't exist or that they are not worthy of such love. 

but that is just it...
IT IS A LIE!!! 

You are loved. You are beautiful. You are worthy! 

We have to stop trying to find our satisfaction and worth in this world and what is has to offer. Instead look to your Creator- He thinks the world of you! 

God loves you. He doesn't make mistakes and he thinks you are so worthy that he died on a cross for you. No greater love hath a man than this. 

So that is why I am all for this "Selfie" era.
It promotes self worth and confidence. 
Something this generation longs for. 

So go on girl take that selfie and share it with me. I wanna see your beautiful smile!!! 

Proverbs 3:15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

When there is nothing left to say or do...

       Life will never be easy. 

Even if you start coming to church and living for God. 

Life is not easy. God never said it would be. 

But some of us have, and are, going through things that are harder than others.

I don't know your story, but I know mine. 

And like me, some of you believe this to be one of the hardest things you have and ever will have to go through.

You've prayed and cried your eyes out to the point that your knees are bloodshot red and aching from being on them for so long and your eyes burn from all the tears. 

You've fasted, searched the bible for answers, and sought out guidance. 

But nevertheless none of it seems to be bringing you an answer or any peace. 

You are at a crossroads in your life. 

You're flesh and spirit are in battle with one another. 

The ultimate choice, the only choice you think you have...

Stay in church or leave and give up. 

I have a friend who is going through some spiritual battles that have been laying heavy on their heart. They have prayed the same prayer for the past 13 years. 

Yet, no answer. No peace. 

And now they have lost hope. 

Some of you are in the same battle 

or have been an a similar battle yourself. 

Unfortunately,

I do not have an answer! 

I've been praying, fasting, reading the word trying to come up with some answer to give my friend, but I haven't found much to say. 

I've said all I can.

And all I've said is words that have been said before. 

But I can't help to think about the story of Joseph. 

Do you know he was just a young boy when he saw his first dream. 

His dream about what God had in store for his life. 

It was 13 years before he ever saw it come to pass.

And in between that time he was sold into slavery and thrown into jail. 

I have to wonder if he ever lost hope too. 

Or if Job ever lost hope when everything he owned was stripped away. 

Or if the Israelites lost hope after 40 years of wondering. 

I imagine so. 

I think it's okay to lose hope occasionally, but I think one thing to always remember is

NEVER GIVE UP! 

If Joseph would have just gave up while in jail, he would have never interpreted Pharaoh's dreams, and he would have never became second in command. 

If Job would have gave up on God he would have never been blessed with twice as much as he had before. 

If the Israelites would have given up after 13 years they would have never seen the promise land. 

God's timing is better than ours. 

It may never make sense.

It may seem hopeless. 

But God is bigger than that. 

I remember seeing this picture of what we see at ground level, but what God sees up above. 

His view is better than ours. 

He is the beginning and the end and the author of  our story. 

Stop trying to take over and let God be God! 

He has enough hope for all of us. 

While I Wait

 Have you heard of Joseph? He's the one who interpreted dreams and was sold into slavery by his brothers before he became Pharaoh's right hand man, but before all that he had a dream of his own. He spent 13 years as a slave and prisoner before he ever saw his dreams come true though. 

It could have been really easy for Joseph to be angry, bitter and upset with God, but he never was. In fact he always had a good attitude and although he was waiting on his promises he allowed God to use him countless times. Genesis 37-41 

He waited 13 years to see his promises fulfilled.

How many years have you been waiting? 

How has your attitude to been about waiting?

What have you been doing while waiting?

When I was 12 I felt called to ministry.

For the past 11 years I've been trying to fulfill that calling, but failed.
I was hurt, led astray and fought so hard to prove myself too many times.

But yet this dream that I once had was becoming less of a reality.  

It could have been really easy for me to be angry, bitter and upset with God. 

And honestly at times I have been all three of those things. 

I'm 23. I've attended Bible School, gotten married and followed after Christ in everything...

yet still waiting for God's promises. 

Some of you have been waiting for months, or years for God's promises. 

You've questioned God, you've questioned God's existence, you've even questioned yourself 

and it's easy to allow bitterness to crawl in and destroy what God has planned. 

How you react in this time in your life will make or break you.

Have you ever played sports?

Many times when playing sports you will spend time on the bench.

And although it can be really easy to be upset while there,

there are things you can learn while there as well. 

You have to work a lot harder than the player that's starting.

This means instead of complaining  on the way home from church, you're having a prayer service in your car. It means cleaning the church or driving the bus. It means studying the word and letting it shape who are. It means giving a little extra in everything. When you allow God to use you in spite of your set back you will be blessed. 

You learn how to be mentally tough.

In this time of waiting you will overcome trials and tribulations and in those times you will become strong. You will learn to pray and trust in God like you never have before and in the end you will be better person and christian for it. 

You learn how to be the best support system for your team.

While waiting you will see brothers and sisters in Christ getting blessed and getting their promises and this is when the bitterness creeps in, but the bible says to love thy neighbor and to not covet what they have, but rather rejoice with them.  Be happy for them when God blesses them, If you can't be happy during their moment of blessing then how can God bless you?

You learn how to be patient.

Patience is a virtue. I know so cliche, right? But seriously wait your turn. Waiting is okay. In this day in age it is so hard to slow down. Everything is fast pace. You can get food in minutes, find information in seconds, or go see a friend that lives 30 miles away in just a few minutes drive. But we don't live on our time we live on God's time. He knows whats best for us and the sooner we realize that the sooner we will be content in waiting. 

You will get your opportunity to play and you will have nothing to lose.

The day will come when your blessing or promise will be fulfilled and when the day comes you will have learned so much on this journey that you will be able to not only enjoy it more, but you will appreciate it more as well. You will have nothing to lose and everything to gain. What a glorious day that will be. 

You learn to enjoy the time you’re there.

This period of waiting isn't all bad. You will learn a lot and grow a lot and one day will look back and be okay that you had to wait because in your waiting you gained a testimony and God got the glory. 

You are still a vital member of the team.

Remember that just because you are not yet a minister or not yet healed, financially blessed or what ever it is God has promised you, it doesn't mean that you are not important. Cleaning the church is just as important as singing a solo Sunday morning. My pastor said it best last Sunday. You may be troubled, but you are not distressed. You may be perplexed, but you are not destroyed. You may feel trapped, but this is not the end of your story. It is only the beginning. Give your life to the Author of life and see what all He has planned. You will see it is much better then what you have planned. 

I end with this...

One Sunday morning at a small southern church, the new pastor called on one of his older deacons to lead in the opening prayer. The deacon stood up, bowed his head and said,"Lord, I hate buttermilk."
The pastor opened one eye and wondered where this was going. The deacon continued, "Lord, I hate lard." Now the pastor was totally perplexed. The deacon continued, "Lord, I ain't too crazy about plain flour. But after you mix 'em all together and bake 'em in a hot oven, I just love biscuits."
"Lord help us to realize when life gets hard, when things come up that we don't like, whenever we don't understand what You are doing, that we need to wait and see what You are making. After you get through mixing and baking, it'll probably be something even better than biscuits. Amen.
Romans 8:28
~And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Don't ever pray this prayer...

A while back I prayed a prayer that forever changed my life. 

I prayed for God to mold me and shape me into His image. 

And he answered my prayer. 

For the past 6 months or so God has be chiseling away.

So don't ever pray for God to mold you....

It hurts. 

It's not fun. 

I'm learning that I am further away from perfection then I had realized. 

but in my weakness God is made strong. 

And I know that in the long run it will be worth it. 

God has big plans for me. 

Bigger then I'm willing to admit sometimes. 

Bigger then I really believe. 

And I can't get there with the old me. 

I can't get there on my own at all. 

God is equipping me. 

It may hurt. 

It may be no fun, 

but a masterpiece is being formed. 

God's masterpiece. 

Don't ever pray for God to mold you...

unless you're ready for your brokenness to be made beautiful 

and to be used of God beyond what you ever deemed possible. 

Ephesians 2:10 

We are God's workmanship. 

Also read Jeremiah 18:1-11

Clay in God's hands. 

With Love, 

Ally