Combining spiritual and natural benefits of praise along with the benefits of dance gives us a beautiful language artform to the Lord.

If it gave no other benefit, the praise of God would still be a most worthy worship endeavor. Nevertheless, aside from the spiritual advantage of enabling us to relate to the Lord in a proper way, praise provides certain psychological "side benefits" in the midst of life. Praise is a key component of spiritual health. 

Praise is a key component
of spiritual health.

1. Praise helps us avoid distress & depression. Letting our minds dwell on our problems can lead to distress. Distress, in turn, can lead to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. When we fix our minds on God, who loves and cares for us, we magnify our sense of his presence. Then, though we might still feel weak, our hope is renewed as we consider the One who has been our help.

2. Praise helps us feel secure. Our troubles often involve relationships.  People have let us down, or we have disappointed others. When we praise God, we can remember that he never fails, and even if we have failed him, we can be forgiven. A good beginning for a praise session is to extol our heavenly Father for his faithfulness. By celebrating his faithfulness and resting in it, we become inwardly secure.

 3. Praise helps us gain perspective. Usually when we are thinking about our problems we are not really seeking to solve them, but are involved in self-centered pity. When we let the praise of God fill our minds, we think of his worthiness, not ours. Dwelling on the thought that we don't deserve a particular evil that has befallen us, or that we  deserve a particular good that has not come our way, only makes us more self-centered and unworthy. Contemplating God's worthiness as we praise him humbles us and makes us see things in proper perspective and degree of importance.

4. Praise helps us appreciate God's greatness. Many think of praise to God as some kind of obsequious flattery whereby God is so pleased that he will do as we ask and grant us our petitions. That would be no more than manipulation. God cannot be flattered into doing what we want. God is not mocked. He wants us to contemplate what is real about him and confess those verities in prayer as we consider them. In the course of prayer anything that can be said without much thought has little value. Part of the purpose of praise is to enable us to discover what is praiseworthy in God.

5. Praise raises our awareness of God's presence. Jesus said that we should not use vain repetitions, as the heathen do. "For they think they shall be heard for their much speaking." But we are assured that our  heavenly Father does hear, and that he knows our needs before we speak them. The prayer pattern given by our Savior is fairly simple, with comparatively few words. When it comes to praise we must be careful to strive for quality rather than quantity. Thoughtful praise is a celebration that raises the level of our awareness of God's own being. True praise comes from events, even if those events are only inward realizations and recollections. True praise brings our hearts (emotions) and our minds (intellect and understanding) to the place where we can view God from a more intimate vantage point.

When we devote ourselves to responding to the  situations of life with some word of praise to God for everything that happens, we begin to realize his place, his power, his presence and his purpose, and we acquire a proportionate sense of  values as to what is truly important.

On Our Behalf

As teens and young adults, our lives quickly become filled with more responsibilities with each passing year. Our independence grows equally with our responsibilities. As believers, we strive to do what we need to do to reach our goals and take care of what is entrusted to us. But there is one need in our lives we will never be able to take care of alone without the help of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Our need to be loved unconditionally and be capable of giving that love is only through the grace of Jesus Christ. He went to the cross on our behalf. He took our place. He made a way where there was no way - to bring us back into relationship with our Heavenly Father. His blood that flows from the cross blots out our sins and past and says "no more". So in all the striving to be excellent, to obtain goals, and work towards making a difference on earth, never forget the key ingredient: Jesus Christ. His grace is made perfect in your weaknesses. His love is enough when you fall short. He will make a way where there seems to be no way. He is on your side and cheering you on.


To those who do not understand your faith, this will seem religious. Believe anyway. To those who are still holding on to their will more than heaven's will for their lives, you will seem ridiculous. Trust in Jesus Christ anyway. To those who think there are many ways to heaven, you will seem narrow minded or overzealous. Stay strong in your faith anyway. Spend time in God's presence and love all those with whom you have contact. They need your love and God's love through you. That's the only way you will ever see supernatural change in your life and your surroundings.

FOOTSTEPS of FAITH

Being a dancer involves always being aware of what is going on in the body and how the dancer can tweak something in order to become better. It’s a constant growing process which involves changing and adapting so the dancer can have her body do some pretty incredible movements, stretches, and other dance steps that seem nearly impossible to the non-dancer. A dancer learns very quickly that they cannot do the same thing over and over again if they are trying to become better and change the outcome. If the dancer doesn’t apply the correction the teacher is giving her, she will never see a change in that particular step in order to get better. Just think, if a dancer can’t get around in a double turn because she is consistently using a bent supporting leg, what’s the obvious solution to her double turn woes? Make some sort of change, because what she’s doing now is not working! If she were to get upset and frustrated because she kept practicing her turn multiple times without getting any better, anyone could tell me her she needs to make a change in order to get better. No matter how much she believes in her mind that she can do her turns, she won’t succeed without making a change.

In the same way, as Christians, the Bible tells us there needs to be action that goes along with our faith. Essentially, it is telling us that our faith is dead without showing it through different works (James 2:26). What is so great about the God we serve is He tells us we need faith only the size of a mustard seed , and nothing will be impossible for us (Matthew 17:20). If we want to get closer to God, some sort of change or adjustment to our daily routine will need to be made. It may not be anything drastic, but making small adjustments here and there end up making quite the difference! Add some quiet time 15 minutes earlier than you usually get up every day and spend time with Jesus! Make it a point to replace a song you listen to on the radio with a praise and worship song on your iPod. Start talking about a favorite church service with the youth group on Wednesday night and start inviting some people that don’t go to church. If you see a girl upset or struggling with something at school, go up to her and ask her if you can pray for her. If you want to be bold about your faith to friends at school and share Jesus with them, make some changes! These small changes may feel uncomfortable at first, but that’s where faith comes in! Have faith and ACT on what Jesus tells us and see the difference happen!

Waiting in the "Green Room"

On occasion our dancers will be invited to dance at an event that utilizes a “green room”. Recently our high school teens ministered at a large women’s conference. We were escorted to the green room. Decorated beautifully, we found many hospitable amenities: waters, sodas, coffee, gourmet brownies, candies and gums in dishes, a large bathroom and changing room, and a huge table and comfy chairs in which to dine. The Lord began to speak to me after the event concerning the “green room”. What a blessed place to be, yet not intended for a long stay. The “green room” is a place of holding until it is our time to take stage and do what we were called to do.

Just as our guest provided us a wonderful atmosphere and our needs were met, the “green room” for our dancers was also used for other purposes. After we ate and relaxed, we studied the detailed schedule of the service so we would know when to move to the wings. We prayed with the musicians and speakers and maintained a spiritual focus. Too, we stretched and warmed up our bodies, making certain we were going to do our best when the time came for us to “go on”. As the service began, we had to keep our ears and eyes open as to be alert to when our time was drawing nearer.

And such is life……

There are times in our lives where we might feel like we are in the Green Room. We have spent years training and preparing, and now the holding place before we take stage. It is a place of pulling everything together and becoming focused on what is set before you. It is a place of being set apart from the crowd and not distracted – a place of spiritual focus, of stretching and review.

Perhaps you feel like your training and hard work in various areas of your life is ready and you are in a holding place. You are not there to sleep or to walk out aimlessly and enter the audience. You are there in final preparation for what God has planned for you. Use this time and be filled with anticipation. Be level headed and look to heaven for His presence for your future and His timing. Soon you will hear the stage director peep his head in the door and beckon you forward with these whispered words – “You’re on!”

“My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.” Psalm 62: 5 & 6

BALANCE

As dancers, one of the first elements we learn is how to balance. As a young student, it begins with a game - balancing on one leg. In elementary ballet, we learn to balance on our tip-toes in releve while our arms are in first or second position. Learning to balance in dance has similarities with being spiritually balanced as well. In order to balance for any length of time, one must be focused on a specific direction - and most usually straight ahead or where you want to end up. Even moving one's focus another direction for a moment and losing alignment can cause an imbalance. The scriptures tell us to keep our eyes focused on Jesus Christ and His plans for us. We fix our eyes on what lies ahead, in front of us - not behind or around us. “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8

Another quality in balance is finding your "center" and having the strength in the surrounding muscles to dance from your "core". Although audiences enjoy the movements of the arms and legs of a dancer, students learn quickly that it is the core of dancer that makes all other movements a possibility. The "core" muscles not only give strength to hold on to center, but balance and stay there. Scriptures encourage us to find strength is God's Word (Psalm 119:68), His grace (2 Corinthians 12:9) , His love (Psalm 32:10), and His joy (Nehemiah 8:10).

My final thought on balance is a picture of a pas de duex - a duet. When one desires to go further than where his/her body can take them - to balance longer for a specific movement of task – a partner is needed. Having a partner gives a ballerina the ability to turn multiple times, extend the leg, or sustain a leap in the air and defy gravity. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 The scriptures tell us that Jesus is with us as well as His Spirit. We are never alone on the stage of life. God is always with us, giving us the ability to do far more than we can ever do on our own. Many times movements in contemporary dance involving two dancers is referred to as "weight sharing". Likewise, He gives us relationships that bring us "weight sharing" capabilities when needed. As we join the dance of life with other believers, we can move and travel on life's stage in ways we never could alone. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:10

Gracious Words

"Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips."
Luke 6:45


Just a dance is a language for others to watch and capture a glimpse of our hearts, so are our words. Luke 6:45 reminds us, "A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." We live in a country that encourages us to speak freely. For this right, I am grateful. However, God's Word, the Bible, instructs us otherwise. We are to be thoughtful with our words, honoring the Lord with our conversations, comments, and even small talk or chats with friends. Here are some pointers that helped me in my teen years:


1)Girls, don't engage in discussions about another girl in a negative fashion while she is not present. If you have a friend who is stirring up this type of conversation, graciously change the subject. If she has a genuine concern or hurt,encourage your friend to go to the girl directly and discuss the problem. When it comes to gossip, what you say about someone will almost always get back to them eventually.


2)Be an encourager! Your words have the ability to strengthen, heal, and comfort those around you. You don't need to spend money to give some of the greatest gifts to a person you love. Words of encouragement are priceless. Seek out relationships that encourage you as well. Everyone needs encouragement.


3)Times to be silent. There are times when we are to be silent and still. This gives our spiritual ears moments to hear God's voice more clearly. Our opinions don't always need to be heard about everything that comes our way. It is okay to answer at times, "I have not formed an opinion on this." There are times when our best answer or verbal response is the actual word of God. Passing along a scripture to a friend can be as valuable as a thought out opinion or answer. As we direct others to listen to God's voice and trust His word, we can be confident in our advice.


4)Times to express. There are times our words are desperately needed to express how we are truly feeling. As Christians, we are raised to be led by God's Spirit in all we do. However, we are human. The Lord has given us emotions, desires, laughter, dreams - which give the passion and love for life He wants us to enjoy. If you need to express your heart to a person about a matter, it is okay to go to them. "Talking it out" in privacy and love can save friendships, keep yourself or a friend on track towards a dream or goal, and so much more.

Are You a Sold Out Show?

Growing up in Christian circles, I had heard the phrase “Are you sold out for Jesus?”. While recently buying tickets for a performance, I thought about being “sold out” in greater depth. Before a large theatrical performance or sporting event, tickets go on sale for each seat. Once the seats are gone, the only way to get a seat for the event is to find someone who already has a ticket they want to sell. 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 reminds us “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” Jesus gave His life and blood on the cross in our place as a sacrifice for our sins. If we accept him as our Lord, we are no longer our own, we belong to Him—every last place of our heart and our steps we take daily. At times, some seats may look vacant, but if the show has been sold out, you can rest assured a price has been paid for the seat. It was left vacant by the purchaser for some unsaid reason. If we give our lives and hearts fully to Christ, He has purchased each and every place (seat) in our hearts. There is nothing which has gone unpurchased or taken care of in our lives. If you are at a place in your life where you feel devalued or empty in a place or corner of your heart, consider this, “Are you sold out?”. If you are, then every part of your life, heart, and future are surrendered to God’s will. You walk in obedience to His Word. When you fall short, His grace is enough. You can rest in knowing that all of the places (seats) in your life are occupied by the Lord or His guests. Allow God to fill your life with His desires, callings, relationships, timing, and destiny.

Scriptures for Competition Season

I AM NOT ALONE “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them (your opponents), for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."- Deut. 31:6 I WILL KEEP A SMILE OF JOY AND BE CONFIDENT “the Lord will be your confidenceand will keep your foot from being snared.”- Proverbs 3:26 "A joyful heart makes a cheerful face"- Proverbs 15: 13 I AM STRONG Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."- Joshua 1:9 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might" -Ephesians 6: 10 MY FOCUS AND THOUGHTS ARE ON BEING A LIGHT THIS WEEKEND "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”- Matthew 5:16 I WILL REMEMBER TO ENCOURAGE THOSE AROUND ME “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma." - Ephesians 5: 1-2 I WILL BE FRIENDLY TO EVERYONE “If one falls down, hisfriendcan help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” - Ecclesiastes 4:10 “Dearfriends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone wholoves has been born of God and knows God.”- 1 John 4:6-8 “He who lovespurity of heart and whose speech isgracious, will have the king for his friend.”- Proverbs 22:11 "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." - John 13:35 I GUARD MY WORDS AND USE THEM WISELY "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person." - Colossians 4:6 I WILL KEEP A THANKFUL HEART "Be glad in the Lord you righteous ones; and give thanks to His holy name."- Psalm 97: 12 MY VICTORY COMES FROM CHRIST, NOT A COMPETITION WIN. "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." - Colossians 3:2 I WILL STUDY MY INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND RESUME DILIGENTLY "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men."- Colossians 3: 23 I OPEN MY HEART, BODY, AND SPIRIT TO BE USED BY GOD IN EACH STEP THIS WEEKEND: TALENT PREVIEW, INTERVIEW, AUDITIONS, SOLO DANCE FINALS, AND OFF STAGE EVERYWHERE I GO. "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus , giving thanks through Him to God the Father." - Colossians 3: 17 LET THE PEACE OF GOD RULE IN MY HEART. "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body and be thankful"-Colossians 3: 15 MAY ALL MY ACTIONS,THOUGHTS, AND THE ATTITUDE OF MY HEART BE PLEASING TO GOD. "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." - Psalm 19: 14

INITIATIVE

"Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who ask receives, he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Luke 11:9-10

Notice that this verse is very promising, but with each desired result, there is an action which comes first from us! We have to ask before we are given, we have to actively be seeking before we find, and knock before the door is opened. How would someone know to open the front door of their house for their friend if the friend never knocked? Imagine if we just walked up to a door and stood there waiting for someone to magically appear and open the door. Just picture that scene for a minute. Of course, we are laughing at the very thought of thinking someone would be silly to enough to try this and expect a door to open! Even electric doors are triggered by movement or weight when we step near the door and pursue moving forward. The same truth applies when we go to God with a need or desire. Of course He wants to give us the desires of our heart, but are we going to have the belief in God enough to take the first step and ask.

Sometimes we need to simply take initiative to see greater things happen in our lives. It’s important to remember that God will order our steps. The Bible says He is a lamp unto our feet, as well as a light unto our path. But, how can the light on our path be utilized if we remain still or stagnant? The only way we can continue using the light God provides for us is by moving forward and trusting where the Lord is taking us. He will not allow His children to fall. So no matter what the circumstances may look like in the present, remember that He can see the full picture and will take you to a place you could not reach in your own power.

Psalm 55:22 says “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” This verse is a promise the Lord has given us. So take hold of His promise, move forward, and see the greatness of God abound in your life!

GRATITUDE: repost from 2010

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and uplift one another with all wisdom, and as you sing songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16

Gratitude is an attitude of being thankful for what God and others have done for me. When I fully recognize that my greatest problem is solved, my debt of sin, I can feel and understand gratitude. This leads me to desire to live a life of response to what the Lord has done for me - a life of honor and thankfulness to Him. A grateful heart keeps us humble, teachable, selfless, and so much more.

One key experience which deepened my gratitude was our dance tour to Beijing as God opened the door for us to recieve an invitation to perform in the 2008 Olympic Festival. It was a very eye-opening experience that showed us the reality of what being a Christian is like in other countries. The feeling of the atmosphere in a country where it is illegal and dangerous to speak of Jesus Christ or "God" is something very
different than what we feel in America. The relaxed and free environment we
experience daily concerning how we talk and share with whoever we wish about our
relationship with the Lord was nonexistent in China. It felt as if my spirit was
being suffocated and "spiritual oxygen" was not easily found nearby in churches,
Christian book stores, television, topics of conversations, music options etc.

As Americans, we should be extremely thankful for basic health. opportunties for education, and financial freedoms. When entering an orphanage for children with disabilities in Lang Fang, China, we came upon one of the crowded preschool rooms. I quickly noticed two boys with very outdated hearing aids. We recognized the models which were used by my deaf sister, Lydia, almost a decade ago back in America. This old model of hearing aid would have most likely been thrown away in America.

We signed to the boys, but they just smiled. In addition to not being able to speak, they had never been exposed to sign language and had no idea how to respond. They too, most likely will never receive the benefits of higher education, a cochlear implant, or know the dignity of a career. A nurse explained to us that the boys would live in the orphanage until age 18 and then most likely learn to work in a field. So many opportunities and everyday privileges that we take for granted are not even
options in many countries.

Student Story, Brooklyn Bennett, Age 10: Returning from a recent mission trip from Nicaragua, one of my ten year old students shared her most memorable lesson. She said "I lost my ipod on the plane on the way there! But when I got there and saw that the families did not even have electricity, I realized that not having my ipod was not really that big of a deal".

What moments in your life have made you realize how blessed you truly are? We would like to hear your story!!

CONFIDENCE

Confidence is so important because it gives us the ability to push through any situation and reach the desired outcome. It gives us the strength to go after and strive for the calling and path God has placed in our lives. Unfailing confidence is found in Jesus Christ versus confidence in our own abilities, knowledge, wealth, or good deeds. Our confidence is only as strong as that in which it is founded. Even in all of our greatest accomplishments and strengths, we know we are going to fall short at times. However, if we put our confidence in Christ, we know He will never fail us. Our confidence will be solid - even in our weaknesses. It is by His grace and favor that we can steadily run the race and know that we are not alone. God's love is unconditional, His mercies are new every morning, He desires to see us succeed, His Holy Spirit counsels and comforts us. The Bible directs us to be confident in our salvation, our prayers & requests, and our future. His plans for us far surpass anything we could imagine or plan on our own.

Proverbs 3:25 & 26 “Do not be afraid of sudden terror, or of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.” Reading and meditating on this scripture will give you a sense of security. What a great promise that we have been provided! Begin to put the situations you have always tried to control in God’s hands and let your confidence come solely from the Lord. You will start sensing such security and faith when you place all your confidence and trust in His hands. His love is never failing.

Humility

"Humble yourself under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time". 1 Peter 5:8

One of the first moves a dancer learns in class is the plie. Plie means "to bend" or "to bow". The bending of knees in small and large plies is the first exercise of each ballet class, whether a beginning or advanced dancer. The plie, bending of the knees, is one of the seven movements of dance as it connects large movements as well as begins and ends every type of jump. Without the plie, jumping in to the air or jumping forward is virtually impossible. Likewise, landing without a plie after being airborne can cause damage to the body.

This ideal of bending before rising is also a spiritual truth found in the Bible. "Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up." Prior to God lifting us up to a new level in our lives, we must bend/ bow, or hearts and will to Him. And in order to not allow pride in our hearts, we must cushion our mountaintop moments with a continued bowing of the heart thereafter. As we bend our knees, our hearts, our will, before the Lord, we are showing Him honor, respect, and ultimately a submission to His will in our lives. Before Jesus was raised up on the cross or ascended to Heaven, He bowed in the Garden of Gethsemane and submitted to His Heavenly Father's will. In humility, we acknowledge that the Lord is better at handling our lives than we are. Through this, our greatest rewards and joys are found. God fill us with HIS strength and HIS grace. "God resists the proud but gives GRACE to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5 We are not alone.

HONESTY

"Kings take pleasure in honest lips" Proverbs 16:12

Websters dictionary defines honesty as: freedom from deceit or fraud, truthful, sincere, and fair. As Christians, we grow up learning the importance of truth. We realize the Word of God is the truth, our sword for spiritual warfare. Too, the truth sets us free. As a young adult, I am understanding the great value of honesty in others as well as myself in normal everyday affairs. As a believer, the need for me to be honest with myself before the Lord is crucial in growing in areas of my life. Too, the need for honest love and acceptance continues to be something I need each day. There is no other love more honest and pure than the love from Jesus Christ. Honesty is mentioned quite a bit in the Old Testament in reference to the way the Lord desired his people to run their business affairs and relationships. God desires for me to live both honestly in my lifestyle as well as my speech.

"Kings take pleasure in honest lips, they value the one who speaks what is right." Proverbs 16:12. Being honest is key in gaining honor and respect to those in leadership positions. Proverbs 24:26 reads, "An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips". Honesty is also a key in closeness in any relationship. Again, as I am honest before the Lord and others, closeness and intimacy grows. God never asks me to be perfect but He does ask me to be honest. Being honest can sometimes be very humbling. Proverbs 22:3 tell us "Humility is the fear of the Lord, it's wages are riches and honor and life." It is my heart's desire to be known as a honest woman and be trusted. Yes, I am flawed and still maturing. But as I accept God's unconditional honest love for me at deeper levels, it gives me the security to be honest and transparent to others.

Patience

Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.”

Patience: definition - bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint

In America, we are use to getting whatever we need or want almost instantly. Whether it be food where we have drive thru’s, or talking to a friend through a quick text message, everything we do can be done in an instant. Yet, when it comes to our Christianity or dealing with other people and their decisions that affect us, we may not be able to control how quickly something is accomplished.

There are many instances in the Bible where we see patience exercised. In the story of Joseph, he was falsely accused of a crime and put in jail for years before he was let out and then promoted to 2nd in command over all of Egypt. In this story, it first seems like there’s no way that anything good could come out of Joseph being stuck in prison. But, during that time of waiting and patience, Joseph met some very important people who would help him make his way up to second in command. Also, while he was in prison, he was helpful to other prisoners by interpreting their dreams. When one of the prisoners got out before Joseph, the prisoner was able to tell Pharaoh about Joseph when Pharaoh needed one of his own dreams interpreted.

We can learn from this story that there is much good that can come out of waiting and being patient. God can be setting the stage for a future destiny through circumstances or relationships we may not currently understand. When we are at a point that exercises patience, we build our trust in God. Sometimes it seems that the longer we wait, the more trust we have knowing that God will provide and do just as He promises us in His word. During the time that we are waiting, there are truths and understandings that God can reveal to us that will help us in the future. The Bible reminds us in Psalm 46:10 to “be still and know that I am God.” The times that we are waiting patiently for a breakthrough, although it may be difficult, are the very times that God can reveal to us an understanding and revelations that we have been waiting to hear.

Whatever may be testing your patience, remember that God is still near in every situation. Know that your patience is only making you stronger and preparing you for a great future!

HOPE

Psalm 39:7- “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.”

Definition of HOPE: to expect with confidence

The entire chapter of Psalm 39 reveals to us the power of hope. Hope helps us to know what to do when our world seems to be a whirlwind around us. When there is so much going on and we feel like we are on our own, this is when it’s very important to continue hoping in the Lord. He will renew and refresh us daily! His Word says that we should not worry. We can be confident in Him! He takes care of the single sparrow, and all the lilies in the valley. If he cares for them, we can rest knowing that He cares for us all the more as His children. Put your hope in something that will never fail! Hebrews 6:19 says “We have this hope as an anchor for our soul, firm and secure.” This scripture speaks of the hope of God’s blessings and encouragement, originally promised to Abraham. We can rely on God and rest in Him no matter what stage of life we are going through. His hope will keep us secure and at rest.

MOTIVE

This note is a reprint from two years ago. I realized that MOTIVE truly is a virtue. What makes this virtue different than most is that it cannot easily be seen by others, but by the Lord. Yet, it is one of the most important issues of the heart and our destiny. It is wrong motive that caused Lucifer’s fall, Judas’ betrayal, David’s quietly contrived murder of Uriah. It was pure motive that led Moses' mother to set her baby into the river, Jacob to pursue Rachel, Esther to be queen, and Jesus to conquer the cross. The Bible clearly states that our motives are not to be judged by others. Yet, we are to hold ourselves accountable to the Lord in our quiet time as well as spiritual relationships of accountability. And though motives cannot be seen by onlookers, our fruit will eventually tell the world what substance we truly possess. Only the Holy Spirit can help us to understand and see the motives hidden within the most personal and deepest parts of our souls.

“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

What motive is driving us to achieve our goals? Is it status? Are we only wanting to gain acceptance from our peers or superiors? Is there rhyme or reason to some of the things we strive so hard and long for, only to appear “better” to certain people? How far we will go to appear to be something we truly are not? Once we have gained this status, how is it going to catapult us further? With this question in mind, it takes us to another question. What is our ultimate goal in life? Is it to please Jesus with everything we do in every aspect of our life? Or is it to do whatever needs to be done to “prove ourselves” to gain someone’s respect and love, or to gain status? Do we prove ourselves only to prove someone else wrong? Why is it we feel we have to prove ourselves? Our lives are not lived to merely prove ourselves to others, but to advance the Kingdom of God. Are our actions kingdom-driven, or are they “what-will-give-me-self-gain” driven? It is important that we realize our motivation behind each action.

Likewise, it is important to be excellent in all we do. It’s not that we need to be less than others in order to be humble. I once heard someone say that being meek is not being pushed down so people can walk over you, but it’s having power under control. With that said, are we excellent so we can give God our best, or are we excellent so we can prove something to the people we see here on earth? Will our actions here in the present affect our impact in the kingdom of God? Do we honor God in every area of our lives, or just where it’s comfortable and easy? As Christians, it’s easy to keep our relationship with Him in a separate box away from everything else that goes on in our lives. But we should do whatever it takes to allow God to infiltrate every aspect of our life. We can’t pick and choose certain times to honor Him.

In your everyday walk, take a step back every once in a while and look in. Look in to your life and meditate on your reasons and motives. Make adjustments of the heart as the Lord directs you. Ask Him to purify your motives. If you stay close to the Lord, you will allow Him be the motive of every decision in your life.

FAITH

Definition of FAITH: Firm belief in something for which there is no proof.

If you grew up (or are currently growing up) as a Christian, faith is something that you probably heard about very often. Some phrases such as these may sound familiar: “If you just have FAITH you can do anything!” or “Put your FAITH in God and you’ll be secure!”. To be completely honest, I have heard the term “faith” so often, that it hasn’t been until recently that I’ve really understood faith and allowed the meaning to sink into my heart.

Understanding thoroughly about faith has given me a greater amount of peace. Over time, I have found two of my favorite verses regarding faith. The first is 1 Corinthians 2:5 “...your faith may not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” That scripture is very powerful to me! Even though we may not be certain of what is going on in our life, or how things may turn out in a certain situation, we know that our faith is safe if it is rested on God’s power. It’s easy to have faith in men’s wisdom (just as the previous scripture states.) But, I then begin to ask myself, is that REALLY having faith? Faith is belief of something that there is no proof. Most likely, men’s “wisdom” will seem pretty reliable because they can explain WHY or HOW something will work while they are standing right in front of me, being extremely convincing. With God, we may not always get answers in their entirety or answers that are understandable right away! It takes us falling away from our flesh and understanding to have true faith in God.

Regardless of what people around us might say, you can be secure in Him, because all things work together for the good of those who love Him. He will show Himself faithful to you. Faith enables you to follow Him more easily here on earth. Faith makes it easier to hear and obey His voice, even when it seems tough. The ultimate reward of faith is our salvation and eternal life! It takes FAITH to follow Him and rest in the path on which He is leading you.

I encourage you to trust God, and put your faith in Him and His power. I want to leave you with my other favorite verse on faith: Hebrews 11:1- “Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see.”

Perseverance

James 1:12- Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Definition of PERSEVERANCE: 1.) to persist in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement 2) continuing in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation.

Perseverance is such an important part of our lives, not only in day to day activities, but in our daily walk with Christ. Situations and tough times will come our way, but James says that it’s all about standing the test. Earlier in James 1, he says that the tough times just build perseverance and that after we persevere, we will not lack anything.

Think of our life as a giant football game. There are the players who train for months just for the games that equate to about three hours per week. You have the coach who is in charge of making sure all the team is working out every day, coming to practice, etc. Both the team and the coach not only have to answer to their sports conference, but they hear about the details and results in their games from the media, fans, family, and other football teams. They spend time, energy, and emotion in order to have a successful stream of games to ensure a strong season. But, what is a football game without the crowd? These are the people that buy a ticket, take a few hours out of their day, and go sit down to watch the game. Out of these two groups of people, who do you think is feeling more pressure on game day? Pressure to “show up” on the field, making sure they have all the right plays in order to win? When the fans leave the stadium, thoughts of the game soon fade as they continue on with life and go back to their own business. But, the team and the coach have to assess their last game, good or bad, and make any necessary changes in order to make their next showing better. Their livelihood and future depends on these games. They experience the huge emotional rush of a win and other perks of being on the team. Furthermore, they also experience the crushing feeling of a loss, the weariness of the physical demands, and the sacrifices in other parts of their lives. They are physically and mentally committed 100%. Their heart never leaves the game.

As Christians, the **Apostle Paul wrote that we are constantly in a race of imitating Christ in our daily living. Our hearts are 100% committed to His love and grace at work in our lives. At times, it feels like everyone is watching, just waiting to see someone make a mistake (as we all do). But, on the other hand, there is always the feeling that we are to do something bigger and better than what we have done in the past. Either way, there is a level of perseverance that must be present for us to push through and be all we are called to be. It’s easy for the “fans” or the peers in our lives to sit back and watch, and even sometimes be critical towards how we are living as Christians. Don’t let that discourage you though! This is when perseverance comes into full swing! Onlookers that aren’t in this race may be critical and judgmental at times. Truth is, this is just a part of life. So, as James says, consider it pure joy whenever you face a trial or hardship. It just means that you are moving in the right direction of what God has for you. Remember that time won’t last forever. It’s just a season. Even when you are discouraged, persevere. Even when it seems that everything is going in the opposite direction of what God is leading you to do, persevere. After understanding perseverance, you will see that it is possible to get through any situation with God by your side, regardless of what others may say or negative feelings. You are never alone and "you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength." Philippians 4:13

**Hebrews 12:2-3 (Message Bible) "Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!"

Love

“And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.” Ephesians 5:2

The love that God has for us is perfect. As humans, it’s difficult to understand what “perfect” love looks like. But, His love covers a multitude of the wrong things we do each day. Just like a natural father here on earth, He loves us as His children and will love us through anything that we may do, whether it be good or bad. Since we have been shown so much love from God, He wants us to show love to others here on earth. Paul writes to the Corinthians about this exact topic. It’s obvious that he is trying to relay to them the very important message about the importance of us showing God’s love to others.

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1. So, Paul is telling us that if we don’t have love, it doesn’t matter how great of a person we think we are, being a “great person” without love just doesn’t cut it. Let the love of God infiltrate your life, and you will see results!

Gratitude

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and uplift one another with all wisdom, and as you sing songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16

Gratitude is an attitude of being thankful for what God and others have done for me. When I fully recognize that my greatest problem is solved, my debt of sin, I can feel and understand gratitude. This leads me to desire to live a life of response to what the Lord has done for me - a life of honor and thankfulness to Him.

One key experience which deepened my gratitude was our dance tour to Beijing as God opened the door for us to recieve an invitation to perform in the 2008 Olympic Festivals. It was a very eye-opening experience that showed us the reality of what being a Christian is like in other countries. The feeling of the atmosphere in a country where it is illegal and dangerous to speak of Jesus Christ or "God" is something very different than what we feel in America. The relaxed and free environment we experience daily concerning how we talk and share with whoever we wish about our relationship with the Lord was nonexistent in China. It felt as if my spirit was being suffocated and "spiritual oxygen" was not easily found nearby in churches, Christian book stores, television, topics of conversations, music options etc. Even our Christian dance school's website was "blocked" in China for it's content.

Overall, meeting people one on one of all ages and backgrounds and simply sharing the love of God was extremely rewarding! These opportunities were the ones that made a difference in the people's lives. And, it helped me to realize that no matter what country we are in or government we are under, the best way to bring someone to Christ is to build a relationship with them. The people of China were extremely kind, which made my heart ache all the more for the oppression they experienced to practice their faith. They were so hungry and eager for the love that we were showing them.

Having our actual speech restricted in China made me more passionate about "speaking out" our thankfulness to God and to others. It reminds us daily what is truly valuable, and what is not. A thankful heart is fertile ground for a garden of other virtues to take root and flourish. From a thankful heart grows humility, selflessness, a sense of destiny, hope, joy, a gentle spirit, and so much more.

We also should be extremely thankful for basic health and opportunties for education. When entering an orphanage for children with disabilities in Lang Fang, China, we came upon one of the crowded preschool rooms. My mother and I quickly noticed two boys with very outdated hearing aids. We recognized the models which were used by my deaf sister, Lydia, almost a decade ago back in America. This old model of hearing aid would have most likely been thrown away in America. My mother signed to the boys, but they just smiled. In addition to not being able to speak, they had never been exposed to sign language and had no idea how to respond. They too, most likely will never receive the benefits of higher education, a cochlear implant, or know the dignity of a career. A nurse explained to us that the boys would live in the orphanage until age 18 and then most likely learn to work in a field. So many opportunities and everyday privileges that we take for granted are not even options in many countries.

Student Story: Returning from a recent mission trip from Nicaragua, one of my ten year old students shared her most memorable lesson. She said "I lost my ipod on the plane on the way there! But when I got there and saw that the families did not even have electricity, I realized that not having my ipod was not really that big of a deal". What moments in your life have made you realize how blessed you truly are? We would like to hear your story!!