I am defined as a lover of God and one whom God loves.

Continually I am amazed at how crazy in love my Lord is for me. I have a romantic Lover whom will never fail me, how cool is that!? Way more fulfilling than the fleshy love that we think we yearn for. I am my beloved and He is mine. (Song of Solomon 2:16) Such a sweet romance the Lord has written for us, but how sad that only few of us live in that love while the rest of us are waiting for it and missing it.

Christianity today has become based on souls instead of the true intimacy of a relationship with God. We end up being a church that does things FOR God when we should be doing things WITH Him! “He does not ask for a sacrifice or I would give it; He is not pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. He will not despise a broken and humbled heart.” (Psalm 51:16-17) He wants us to come to Him broken. Our mess is beautiful to God. He doesn’t want us to have it all together. He loves us just the way we are. When we are at our weakest, falling apart, that is when we realize how desperate we are and it shows our true need for the Lord. When we allow Him to make us broken bread and poured out wine we are closest to His heart; leaning, dependent, and trusting completely in Him. Our personal God doesn’t just wait and expect us to do things that please Him. He wants to be in the midst of everything we do, doing it with us. He desires an intimate relationship with us! Whoa! He is enticed and enchanted with who we are! We don’t even HAVE to do anything …just Be. His love for us is fervent and ardent like an ocean. We cannot even comprehend the depth of His powerful, unending love, it would be too much for us to handle!

“You have captured my heart, my sister, my bride. You have captured my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace. How delightful your love is, my sister, my bride. Your love is better that wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than any balsam, your lips drip sweetness like the honeycomb, my bride. Honey and milk are under your tongue. The fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon. My sister, my bride, you are a locked garden- a locked garden and a sealed spring. Your branches are a paradise of pomegranates with choicest fruits, henna with nard- nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all the trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the best spices. You are a garden spring, a well of flowing water streaming from Lebanon. Awaken north wind- come, south wind. Blow on my garden, and spread the fragrance of its spices. Let my love come to his garden and ear its choicest fruits.” (Song of Solomon 4:9-16)

Ah! So beautiful. This is one of the most dramatic unveilings of God’s heart! We captivate His heart; we overwhelm Him and make Him CRAZY! We are the most exhilarating thing He created! He says we are unspoiled and there are no blemishes on us. He mentions us as a locked garden. In other words keeping our heart locked from the spirit of the world nourishes and strengthens our King. When we choose to save and seal our heart for our Lord, then no thief can come in to destroy, trample or steal the beauty that is blossoming within. The Lord feasts in the garden of our worship and we become fruitful in ministry. Once ownership changes and our garden becomes His garden, love abounds. Awakening the winds of adversity to blow on our garden not only strengthens us to stand firm but also spreads the fragrance of our garden to others. How rich and sweet His words are to us!

(Most of this revelation came from Ms. Ann-Marie Heilman's Song of Solomon teaching)

A new season...

As I begin this new season of my life in Dallas, Texas I look back and stand in awe at how far the Lord has brought me. Continually, I am amazed at how intensely the Lord has worked in my heart and life. This will be my second year with Dance Revolution. I am now an Ingredients Company Apprentice. We currently finished the sixth week in this nine month program. I feel like coming back this year I am more confident and free not only as a person but as a mover/ dancer.

Ingredients consists not only of dance technique and choreography classes such as ballet, modern, jazz, contemporary, and hip hop but also includes biblical application, leadership, ministry and worship opportunities. As a dance company we get to tour with Dance Revolution, a convention/weekend workshop for other dancers. This year we will be touring in Orlando, Florida; Dallas, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Throughout these weekends we get to share and minister to those in attendance through the beautiful art form of worship called dance. We put together several pieces and a production that displays messages and truths of our Savior Jesus Christ. Recently, we have finished two of our pieces which are to be incredible and powerful! Please pray for the Lord’s anointing to be in each dance that is presented anywhere we are called to and whomever the audience may be!

Entering into this season I honestly was confused about my position, uncertain, negative, prejudice and had an expectation of how I thought this year was supposed to play out. The Lord definitely nipped it in the bud by showing me that my first lesson in this season is on humility. Humility is something rare in this world because it calls for complete selflessness and full surrender of my will. The more I think, the more I realize how much pride and selfishness I have in my life. And the more I understand humility, the more I realize it’s not about me! Such a simple statement, but so hard to comprehend and live out. Though sometimes being humbled feels like a time of suffering…it really is NOT. It’s not something we should suffer through instead it’s something we should delight in. It is a sweet, intimate time of servant hood and really getting to know God’s character while strengthening our own to become more like He truly is.

 “We are not made for the mountains, for sunrises, or other beautiful attractions- those are simply intended to be moments of inspiration. We were made for the valley and the ordinary things in life, which is where we have to prove our stamina and strength.” “We SEE His glory on the mountain, but it’s in the valley where we have to LIVE for His glory.” “It is in the place of humiliation that we find our true worth to God- that’s where our faithfulness is revealed!” (Oswald Chambers, Utmost for His Highest)

“Humble yourself and you will see that Love is spreading a carpet of flowers beneath your feet.” “Nothing my Father has made is ever wasted and the little wild flowers have a wonderful lesson to teach. They offer themselves so sweetly, confidently, and willingly, even if it seems that there is no one to appreciate them.” (Hannah Hurnard, Hind Feet in High Places)

One way the Lord has challenged me in humility is by my obedience to do a few college classes. I really don’t desire to do college, but I am learning that sometimes God calls us to do hard things to test our obedience and to refine/strengthen our character. I’m really working on and trying to keep good time management with my schoolwork, stay positive, and do everything to my best ability for the glory of God. Prayer and encouragement our very much appreciated in this particular area of my life.

Apart from school and Ingredients, I have a job. I am so blessed to teach two hip hop classes, a jazz class, and three solos. Teaching is my passion and going a year without it has been dehydrating! I love being able to help others grasp concepts of movement and how to worship through movement. Teaching has also made me realize how much I have learned throughout the years. Being able to pass it on and help others attain it brings me great joy! I am eager to see what each new day holds and what God will do in and through me this year. Praise Him for His goodness and faithfulness!