lola21st

wow... yes, I read about it and thought of you, good to hear from you...are you impacted? Do we have any other Kiwi's on the site who might be impacted? Unfortunately, I can empathize with you being in shock, everything seems surreal.... Will lift the people up in prayer...

Sorry, to hear the news Connie, I will certainly keep you and your family lifted up in prayer!

That's fine, I'm cool with being Betty!

I saw the title of this thread and had to check it out because I'm still a Fred Flintstone fan - they don't make cartoons like they used to!

Praise the Lord, congratulations!

Father God, I thank you that you are a God of justice and righteousness and that you protect your faithful. Thank You for the protection that You've provided Hind'sfeet in this situation, thank You that no weapon formed against her can prosper. In Jesus' name, amen!

I did..I put it on my 'favorites' list so that I can listen to it again! They are both anointed singers!

Excellent! Keep studying the DVDs regularly and taking the practice exams to build your confidence. You are a bright woman of God, stand confidently in who you are. FEAR is False Expectations Appearing Real. In 1 Timothy 1:7, Paul tells Timothy "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." I will keep praying for you. When will you take the exam?

Unaday - Did you post this from your phone? It may be the m. in front of youtube that is causing it, when I took it out of the URL, the link worked. Here it is again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=CA&client=mv-google&hl=en&v=qceQsAAyah0&fulldescription=1 Thanks for sharing!!

Good thing I put the disclaimer in at the front end! Are you taking any of the SAT/ACT prep courses?

Hi Destine - At 15, that means you're either a freshman or sophomore, right? Speaking on this assumption (if you're ahead a grade or on track to graduate early, then what follows may not be applicable to you), I agree that seems a little early to take those exams. On the one hand, you get to practice them and get used to the content, test enviroment, etc. so your mom has your best intentions. Keep in mind though, that the scores stay on your record...colleges will see them. More selective colleges could even use the early scores to determine your acceptance even if the more recent scores are much better. (Given the tens of thousands of applications that some colleges receive for a few thousand (or hundreds) of slots, minor things can weed out applications). Not trying to scare you unnecessarily, one score this early most likely won't have an impact, but if there are several scores then they almost have to consider them. It might be better to practice them now, take study courses, get a tutor, study and then take them in your junior year up through the fall semester of your senior year. Having said all that, I will pray that the Lord gives you an anointing of wisdom and a clear mind so that you can understand the concepts more and that you perform well on the exam in the name of Jesus!

i am begining to see some results... God is good!

I don't have a testimony like Cholette but I was going to say something similar...man can't block God's will in a situation no matter how hard he tries. I agree that your husband may be feeling the brunt of an intimidated worship leader and over time things will change. Is your husband otherwise satisfied with the church? If this is the only issue then wait it out and pray/fast together about it. Then wait for confirmations regarding what God's will is in your situation. Will be praying for you as well.

Hi Owen - I remember the power outage dream and recall that the owners are relatives which makes it that much more complicated... I agree with the advice that you've received so far - I would enter a period of fasting/prayer over the situation and continue to seek the Lord's counsel. If you aren't receiving any new revelations, it may just mean that you should be still and continue to do what you're doing. The worst thing that I have experienced so far with in seven months is that sometimes I have to resolve the consequences of their wrong desicions. I am always trying to suggest what is best, but I dont have the last words to say. This may be your purpose there for the time being - to offer the righteous suggestion and 'clean up' the messes that they create. This can be a draining and frustrating period, especially when the people involved are Christians, but it's a reminder that we're far from perfect and still operate with serious flaws. Thank God for His grace! Also, this is good training/refining should you ever want to become a pastor - offering people advice and watching as they don't take it.... I will keep you in prayer that the Lord shares His wisdom with you and equips you with what you need to move through this period...

(plural)

I really felt like God said today that if He is showing me these problems, then I should be a leader and go show the rest of His body that we should be getting out there and living the Word not just being 'fed' all the time. And maybe He wants me to go to church and welcome those whom noone else will welcome too. Anytime we feel a burden on our heart regarding something that's often a sign that He wants us to move/act in relation to it... Keep us updated and let us know how God handles this situation...

I feel that I will obtain fellowship with the members of the church if I become involved in helping others...........sounds noble right, but really in black and white it is out of my hunger for connection and desire to meet people that I am doing this, and it just feels ..........wrong! My advice to you is to do it anyway. While you may not feel that your heart is coming from a "right" place, that may change. And actually I don't think it's wrong to want to meet a personal need in this instance because we are created for fellowship, to me you are seeking a healthy, non-destructive, Godly way to fill a personal void and others may be blessed because of it. I understand the superficial fellowship dynamic, I've seen it and experienced it firsthand in churches as well but what has worked for me is to get involved anyway. Get involved in ministries or a bible study, volunteer for one-time or short-term needs to help out, etc. The smaller the group, you join, the more likely you'll experience a more genuine connectedness. If you join the praise and worship team, you may still feel isolated if it's a large choir. But if the team is a small group (e.g., less than 10), then you have more opportunity to dialogue and engage in conversation. It may also take several interactions before you find someoone that you connect with. Eventually you will make a 'real' connection. Another opportunity is a group bible study. This setting was very good for me because the group started out between 6-8 and the way it was structured, it offered the opportunity for everyone to talk and share their ideas, bible understanding, personal situations, prayer needs, etc. For me, it was in this particular setting that the genuine bonding occurred. If you don't have this at your church or you've tried it without any succcess, see if there's a local bible study ministry. In this area, we have a Bible Study Fellowship that isn't tied to a specific church and is located in several cities in the US and internationally, there are even locations in Australia...here is the website, this might be another option? http://www.bsfinternational.org/Home/tabid/53/Default.aspx

I totally understand, I'm going through something similar...not sure what region you live in but now through the next few weeks, you can find great clearance sales on winter items...I did something similar last weekend...got fed up that I wear the same outfits to work everyweek (and I work with two fashionistas so I sometimes feel self - conscious though I shouldn't - we're all at different life stages) and always put myself at the bottom of the priority totem pole, so I went to a store and found sweaters for $19.99 that were regularly prices at $60-$70... and a nice pair of dark jeans for $21.99 (around half price).. I've resolved that with each paycheck, I'm setting aside an amount so that I can can buy something for me. It doesn't have to be pricey nor do I have to spend a lot but I've forgotten that I don't have to spend a lot, I just have to spend wisely and consistently....

Hi ja1721 - In my opinion, I think it's safe to say that it is evident that God's purposes for you don't involve the office/courtroom/doctor's office! I mean this in the most positive way...while professions in those settings are honorable and fine for some, the Lord has other things in store for you. Your gift of wisdom and your talent for writing are not to be taken lightly. Your love for the Lord and your insights at age 13 are beyond your years - I have a 14 yr old so am around kids your age and your posts/compositions are light years beyond them in terms of insightfulness (and they're good kids, most of whom still have Jesus in their lives). Being at the beginning of high school and knowing you don't want an ordinary life, use this time in high school to expose yourself to as much as possible academically and through extracurriculars and other enrichment programs that your high school will offer so that you can discover your purpose. You are in NYC so have access to virtually any interest that you would like to explore - the local arts community groups have programs for high schoolers to get exposure to performing arts, writing, drama, music, etc. When you get to high school, see your guidance counselor to see if they can direct you, that might be a good starting point. At the same time, don't discount this period in your life - it is a period of exploration/exposure that will lay the foundation for the next season in your life. This period is actually a blessing because you can try things and fail at them or determine that they're not really for you without having significant risk/repercussions (i.e., you can stop pursuing something without worrying about getting another job, paying bills, supporting a family, etc.). Regarding the movie that you want to make, outline it - moviemaking isn't my area but what I mean is write the script, research what would have to happen to really produce it, and if it is a script that you really have a passion about then pursue it or get it copywrited and keep it filed for a future opportunity to bring it to the screen. Pursue opportunities to develop your talent through your church, your school, community programs, the arts community in the NY metro, etc. Father God, I thank you for ja1721. Thank You Lord, for this gift to the Kingdom. Lord, I know that you have plans for ja1721 and will use her mightily in the Kingdom. Father, I pray that You reveal Your plans to ja1721, thank You for the people that You're bringing into her life to help her move into her destined place in the Kingdom, that you for the opportunities that You have ordained for her to experience that she may grow in the talents and giftings that You've given her. I pray that she grow in these talents and giftings and use them in a way that gives You glory and brings others to know You and be encouraged in You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Hi HK - What type of work setting would you be working in, e.g., corporate, non-profit, school, etc.?

God is great and greatly to be praised! I am always awed by His goodness and faithfulness! Thanks for sharing, this was a blessing to read!