Prayers of the Righteous

So... I woke up this morning around 3:40, and I got up and washed my face.  While returning to bed, I started thinking about what I went through yesterday.  I went to the doctor because I've been having issues for a while with my reproductive system.  Long story short; I have what is called Polycystic Ovaries Syndrome, or PCOS. If untreated correctly, it could lead up to cervical, uterine, or ovarian cancer; plus, it could leave me without the ability to have children.  I found out about that in 2004, and have been doing pretty well since then.  Unfortunately, things have been a little hay wire lately.  So I went to get checked out.

The doctor decided that I needed a biopsy.  Yep, you read it right.  Without the disgusting details, I laid on my back, and she proceeded with the procedure.  I thought that I experienced pain before with my chronic back spasms.  HONEY!!!  To have a piece of you pulled and prodded and sliced, while conscious and alert... I digress...  After the procedure, I ended up getting blood work done.  I have to go back later today for an ultrasound so they can see what my ovaries look like.

Today, I'm asking for you prayer warriors to go to the throne for me.  For the bible says that the prayers of the righteous availeth much.  I am a firm believer in the power of prayer, and I know that if you're reading this then you are too.  I am claiming nothing but victory and healing over myself today, and I need you to do the same.

Until next time... be blessed.

WHERE YOU AT?

I didn't realize how long it's been since I've been blogging.  A lot of things have been happening, so let's get started...

As you know, I officially answered my calling (for the 2nd time, lol) to minister. Since September 2009, I've preached two sermons and I've taken Lay Speaking classes, which is a requisite in the United Methodist Church when getting started.  I'm now certified to preach at my own church, although I've preached twice already.  I'll be preaching again in October.  Anyway, after finishing the classes I met with our district superintendent.  We had a brief chat about discerning what my main ministry would be.  Of course, it would be praise & worship.  After our conversation, I became a candidate for ministry.  That means that I will be training for a few years before I am given the title Reverend of Minister.  Either way, I'm excited about the journey God has in store for me.

I've been working on other people's projects in the studio for a long time.  After a conversation with my friend  while in Kansas City, I decided it was time to work on my own project.  I started writing music, but I am looking for other contributors.  If you know someone who can write really well, let me know. :-)

I did a lot of hanging out and relaxing during the summer.  Gotta say; this was one of the best summers I've had in a long time.  I got reacquainted with friends, found new friends, and developed a deeper relationship with a special friend.  It's crazy though, because I've loved this person for years.  At the same time, there have always been females chasing this guy so I stayed to myself and chilled in the shadows while keeping our friendship intact.  Feelings have been revealed, and I think now I'm afraid.  Of what, you may be asking?  I'm afraid of getting hurt again.  Especially by him.  It's crazy how you can have truly deep feelings for someone for a long time, then when revealed you want to go back into the shadows and stay there; like you've revealed an intimate secret, ya know?

Who knows what the future may bring with this beautiful monster of a relationship.  All I know is this:  I've been in a total of 2 failed relationships.  The first guy cheated on me with two different women.  The other (who I dumped last year) was so worried that I would cheat on him with anyone that walked past me due to his past hurt.  I'm tired of hurting, and I'm also tired of running.  It's time for me to be happy.  This person not only makes me happy, but he makes me want to be better; do better.  I'm ready to love again, but more importantly I'm ready to be loved; loved unconditionally.  I deserve it dangonit!!!

Don't worry; I'll let you know what happens as the saga continues...

Disclaimer: all names have been removed to protect the guilty. :-)

New Business

Hey y'all!  I know it's been a while since i've blogged.  The administration in the district where i work is busy wreaking havoc for the staff and students across the board.  Things are going from bad to worse, and i am ready to leave... now!

In other news... i am glad to announce that i am going back to school in January!  I can't remember being this excited to go back to college.  My sister says it's because i'm really ready this time.  I say it's because i get to pursue a degree that is right for me.  Did you know there's a Bachelor's Degree in Music & Worship Ministry?  I'm starting the program with Jesus 101, then i go into more ministry core classes.  I'M EXCITED!!!

What is Worship?

Tiandra Bland, De-Rance (me) & Craig Towns

I look deep, don't I?  lol  This was taken Monday evening during our national CD release concert at Trinity Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis.  We were singing "No One Like You" that moment.  The song was written by one of our fearless leaders, Chris Watkins.  Chris brought this song to us in late 2008 when we were about to release the FIRST second CD (I felt confused when typing that) titled The Truth.  When we performed it at that CD release concert, everyone wanted to get the disc for that song.  Of course it wasn't on there.  So we recorded the song, repackaged the product, and we now have a SECOND second CD.  (The first CD was released in 2002.)

While looking at this picture, I was wondering if people understood why we worship.  Do you know why it's imperative to worship God?  Of course we praise Him for the things he has done. However, we should worship Him for WHO HE IS.  God is God.  God is omnipresent, meaning He can be with me in STL and with you in China at the same time.  Know anyone who can do that?!?  God is THE creator.  He created heaven, earth, man, sky, clouds, grass, trees, animals, angels... you get my drift.  Sure we are inventors, but God is the ultimate inventor.  Because we are existing, that right there is enough to worship Christ.  Who else could be a father, son, and spirit.  NO ONE ELSE!!!

Ever notice that during worship you see people with their hands in the air?  This is an outward sign of surrender.  Instead of surrendering to a guy with a a firearm, we're surrendering to God, our Father.  We're showing Him, and telling Him, that we want to dedicate our lives to Him.  We want God to use us for His work.  It's not about our agenda, but what His will is for us.  In the Lord's Prayer, it states, ...THY will be done on earth as it is in heaven...  That means the work He has for us, and the reward is incomparable to what we plan to do.  GOD is incomparable! 

Of course after surrendering, we will still have challenges in our everyday lives.  The wonderful thing about it now is this:  we have help.  Ever read the poem "Footprints in the Sand?"  The poem is a conversation between God and man.  The man looks at the footprints and sees at first two sets of prints, then he sees just one set.  He became angry because the one set of footprints is shown during the trying times in his life.  He didn't realize that those were God's footprints.  God carried the man during his tough times.  No matter what happens in our lives - good and bad - we can get through these trials with God on our side.  The best way to keep Him in our lives is through prayer, praise and worship.  So go on, and lift those hands.  Sing your favorite worship song.  Recite your favorite scripture.  Tell God how awesome He is!  If you can't think of what to say, tell Him "There's no one like You!"

Aloha from Hawaii!!!

Aloha!!!  It's been forever since I've blogged on here.  A lot has been going on.  I'll start with the Hawaii trip.  I had a blast!!!  Chris & Kyle with True Spirit went to the island of Oahu to minister at the World Baptist Alliance Conference.  The conference is held every five years at different places in the world.  It'll be held in South Africa in 2015!

We stayed for about four days, and ministered for one.  We sang at the beginning of Thursday morning's service, then we had our own showcase that afternoon.  Later that evening, we all went to a Luau off the coast of the Pacific Ocean.  It was sooooo beautiful!  The vibe was wonderful; we swam in the ocean, had fun at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, and made time to minister to the people. It was an experience I will never forget.

Happy Birthday!!!

Hello people!  It's June 7 - Prince's 52nd birthday.  I've been a huge Prince fan since I was a little girl.  I remember seeing a concert of his in the mid-eighties, and I saw Prince & the Revolution playing their hearts out.  Then suddenly, Prince got on the drums and started playing like he didn't have any sense - in a good way.  I knew that he played the piano and guitar.  I fell in love when I saw him on the drum set.  This was a real musician playing real music!  As I got older, I started playing music myself.  Because of Prince, I graduated form high school playing eight instruments - piano, violin, trumpet, flugel horn, percussion, bass guitar, acoustic guitar, and voice (you know that our voices are instruments, right).

I hate that I can't play all those instruments now, but I still have an appreciation for the musicality that is used - sparsely - by the real musicians that are still out there.  This new 'cRAP' music that's out now is not real music.  They find a beat, add a stupid dance to it, and make it music.  I wish that kids today had idols like Prince, Mint Condition, Babyface, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Marvin Gaye, and other 'real' musicians.  Thank God I born when real music was still being played.

Hey everyone.  A lot of people have asked me what the United Methodist Women are all about.  Here's a YouTube clip that describes the organization.