Celebrate the Lord through the dance!

2 Timothy 2:15

"Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth"


This weekend I visited a church in Baltimore for a youth event they were having. Apparently, they newly started a dance ministry for the youth and young adults. The young ladies really did a beautiful piece about being renewed and redeemed by Jesus!

What stood out most about this is after they ministered, the pastor discerned that some did not approve of dance in the church or understand it. He took about 5 minutes to explain the biblical significance of dance. He talked particularly about how dance was very important in the bible and the feasts of tabernacle. This is Israel's Thanksgiving feast in which they acknowledge the fall harvest and God' provision. It is a happy celebration and a time of joy and rejoicing (including dance).

I really was glad that the pastor did that and even though everyone may not have received it, I'm sure that others had a better understanding of praise and worship dance and it only took Him 5 minutes! This also made me begin to think, as dance ministers it is our responsibility for us to:

• Know why we praise and worship through dance


• What the word of God (Bible) says about the dance


• Educate the body of Christ on the biblical significance of dance (not a performance).

Amen,Amen, Amen! It is such a joy to dance for Jesus and when we study before we do it, it makes an even greater difference in our worship! Just like pastors, teachers, evangelists, psalmists study before they minister, we must to!

FINISH STRONG!

Let me share with you a word from God:

Finish Strong!

Everybody has something going on in their life and God is completing some things in the life of His children. It could be the end of a test, an assignment, a trial, whatever it is He wants us to FINISH STRONG.

You know how in the beginning of things it’s easy to work hard and to trust God, but as time passes we get tired, frustrated, sad and even irritated about the situation? Doubt may began to slip in and Faith becomes weary. We wonder what God is doing and how He allows somethings to happen or not happen. Whatever you are “finishing” in this season: it could be school, ministry, relationships, etc. God wants us to FINISH STRONG.

As we approach Ressurection Sunday, think about Jesus and his journey to calvary! I know He was tired, I know He wanted to give up, I know it was painful and He was weary and bewildered, but He finished and He finished strong, because He got up with all power in His hands and because He finished strong, He still to this day is the greatest person that ever walked for on this earth! Things will not always be this way. But God is shaping you and molding you right now and sometimes that hurts and it’s hard. But praise Him anyhow and when you feel like giving up, ask God to strengthen you. Ask Him to send you help, He will. He is faithful, He loves you and He sees you.

Don't give up- FINISH STRONG!

God Bless :-)

God's will for our life- Seek the creator, read the manual!

One question that almost if not every believer has or will ask in their life is: "What is God's will for my life". Even those who do not know Christ have asked themselves this question. "What on earth am I here for?" It is clear that people want to have a sense of purpose for their life and even success and there is nothing wrong with that. My brother and sisters, let me share with you that your identity is in Christ. He is the one that created you and formed you, knit you together in your mothers womb.




Think of it like this: If you by a brand new t.v., how can you really know how it works? You may know the basics like how to plug it up and connect it to the dvd and remote, etc. However, I guarantee you that there are some special features that you will not know about unless you read the owners manual. Although you think you know all about that t.v. you do not, because you did not create it. Although it's your t.v., you still need that manual to tell you all about it. That's how it is with God, if we don't know Him (the creator) and seek Him (through prayer and His word) about the purpose of our lives, we will never know.




I encourage you to seek the Father and instead of asking what is His will for your life, ask Him what is His will period. The focus needs to be on God, not our life. Henry Blackaby, the author of experiencing God says: "Once you know God's will, then you can adjust your life to Him", not vice versa. " Once we know what God is doing, then we will know what we need to do!

Worship Him in Spirit and in Truth- Being a light

Happy Spring!!! One of my favorite seasons :-). It's a NEW season ya'll! New beginnings! Below is a short video on a discussion on living a lifestyle of worship, by being a light even in the workplace! I know you will enjoy it, as my guest had some really good wisdom to share!




Watch it here:

"Do this because you love me"- A lifestyle of Worship

Colossians 3:17 "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him".



When you ask God to teach you something He will and it more than likely will not be in the way you thought He would or wanted Him to. I asked God to teach me how to live a lifestyle of worship. Well, my brothers and sisters, He is doing just that!

So, after much himmin and hawin today and basically on and off for the past few years, God has really turned the mirror on me. My pastor has been doing a series on family and the importance of unity in the family. I'm sharing this because God has been showing me SO many areas that He is working on and I know He desires this for all His children. But here it is:



A lot of time, as saved folk we do such a great job of joining all the ministries and being on this board and that board at church; we say the most anointed prayer, lift up holy hands and so much more. We look real good on the outside and people at church, maybe even people at work, think that we are these awesome individuals. But when we get home all these spiritual acts seem to cease. Sometimes we join so many ministries and are doing everything for everyone else, that when it comes to the ones closest to us and dearest to us; our families, we get tired and a lot of times even grumpy, basically we give them our last. Some people aren't talking to family members that live in the house with them; maybe an occasional hello and then close the bedroom door without even asking them how they are.



This grieves God, did you know that the way we treat our families is an act of worship? Who are you worshiping when you go home, is it the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords? If so, it should show in the relationships closest to us. If we are doing one set of things at church and then get home and don't want to do anything for and with our families, that's a problem. God knows who we are when nobody else is around and His thoughts of us are what really matter.



If we a praying in church, we need to be praying at home.

If we are worshipping at church, we need to be worshiping at home.

If we are teaching at church, we should be teaching at home.

If we are serving at church, we should be serving at home.

Most importantly if we are exhibiting the love of God at church, we should be showing the love of God in our homes.



Worship is SO much more than singing, dancing, going to church once or twice a week and so on, praying or speaking in a microphone; it's also how we treat others and those who are closest to us. This is how we can and others can know if we are true worshipers or true wanderers.

Another thing when it comes to living a lifestyle of worship; we are always believing God for
something, but how are we doing with those possessions and relationships He has already given us. Let's do these things because we love God, that way our service and our relationships will last.

Do you Trust Him? - Barriers of living a lifestyle of Worship

David, was truly a man after God's own heart! Have you read Psalm 20 lately?

Psalm 20

1 May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob defend you; 2 May He send you help from the sanctuary, And strengthen you out of Zion; 3 May He remember all your offerings, And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah 4 May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, And fulfill all your purpose. 5 We will rejoice in your salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions. 6 Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven; With the saving strength of His right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. 8 They have bowed down and fallen; But we have risen and stand upright. 9 Save, LORD! May the King answer us when we call.

This Psalm was written right before David was about to go into yet another battle! I really admire David and I think He was a living testimony of God's grace, mercy, forgiveness and love. Verses 1-5 were the people supporting him and praying for prior to him going into battle. Verses 6-8 are David's response and what he recalls to know about the Lord. Although he had plenty of resources, weapons, horses and so on that he could have been focused on winning the battle with, but what does David say his greatest source is? "Some trust in Chariots and some in Horses, but WE trust in the name of the Lord our God".

David clearly trusted God, and I truly believe this is why he wasso successful as the King!

If you have an area of your life that you are having trouble trusting the Lord, meditate on this chapter. If David can trust Him in a physical battle and come through victorious, you can to!

It’s not always “that deep”- Barriers from living a lifestyle of worship

One of the best moments are when we have teachable moments and we are open to learn from what we are taught through simply living. Lately, I’ve had the mirror turned on myself about some areas where I am being stretched, it can hurt a little sometimes but it’s really for my good. It’s easy to try and think things through and make sense of what God is doing in our lives before we reach the fulfillment of a season. But who in the world can figure out the ways of our MIGHTY GOD (Isaiah 55:8-9)!

One of the most common questions or concerns in the life of a believer is if we are in God’s will. This is very important and we certainly want to remain in His will, HOWEVER we can’t try to “figure” everything He is doing or going to do out (hence proverbs 3:5,6). I know for a fact that one of the enemy’s tricks and distractions is to have us living in fear, doubt, worry and unbelief; none of these emotions are from the Lord. I was talking to a co-worker about some things that I have been experiencing lately and why they were concerning me. She simply smiled at me and said: “Lynnea it’s not that deep”. “God, do you want me to take this job offer”, “Lord, is this the church you want me to join”, “Father, should I stay in this ministry”, “Daddy, is this the person you want me to marry”, “Jesus, should I move out of this state”. All of these are very important questions and God certainly wants us to remain in His will and make the right decisions, even when we don’t, if we allow Him to He will re-direct us. God wants to help us, He understands all and nothing surprises Him! Let His peace follow you and trust Him as you move forward in life.

Whatever we experience and whatever decisions we have to make, we CANNOT allow this to silence us from praising and worshipping the Lord in the process of receiving His answer. Praise and Worship silences the devil and even our own opinions.

With all this being said, if we are always worried about the decisions we have to make in life, we will be focused on our situations and not on the Mighty God we serve and what His word so plainly promises us. I’m learning to trust God and every time a worrying feeling comes, I think of the scriptures He has given us to help us along the way. So, don’t wait to PRAISE HIM until every question is answered or problem is fixed. If this were the case, we would be waiting forever. Don’t idolize your situation, worship the Lord God almighty in the midst of whatever! We will always be believing God for something; even if it’s our next breath. Don’t let your concerns and questions hinder or cripple you from giving the Lord the praise He is due. You never know, Praise may be the very thing He is waiting for you to do before He gives you that answer to your question, that answer to your prayer or delivers you from that situation!!

Thank you Jesus!

SPECIAL UPDATE: The Praise and Worship Him blog has some exciting things coming up. Starting March 2011. There will be at least 2 posts a month, one being a video. There will be some mighty men and women of God featured on the blog and I am SO excited to see what they have to share with us! Stay tuned :)