A Little Lesson in Prosperity

Wow I have favor! I know that God has been working over time on my behalf this summer. When Pastor Julia declared it was going to be a supernatural summer I was happy. From a strictly logical stand point it’s a great slogan. However, once I deposited the word in my spirit I began to get excited.

God has blessed both Vincent and I incredibly in that past few months. I received my dream job, Vincent and I got a brand new car, our relationship with each other as well as our relationship with God has grown leaps and bounds. How come we have such favor? It’s simple we live to give.

This summer we took our giving to the next level. So we gave his sister his car (we didn’t give it to her discounted or with extra hidden expenses we GAVE her the car). So far we’ve given a Kenneth Cole watch, expensive Nordstrom jewelry, gift certificates ranging from $10-$50, build-a-bears, books, and tons of Starbucks teas and coffees.  

Why am I telling you this? Not to brag trust me, I could care less if you learned of any of this. This is more of a record of things we have given so when someone gives us a car, a nice watch, expensive jewelry, gift certificates, teddy bears, books and Starbucks I will be able to pull this up to prove a single point. You reap what you sow.

It’s a Biblical principal that I think so many people don’t take past their Sunday offering or behavior towards people. Yes it counts there but just wait and see what God is going to do for my almost husband and I. And what he will surely do for you if you grasp the concept of reaping and sowing. Linz

5:49 PM - Sep. 12, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

I'm Getting Married in 100 Days...

... weird. Are you freaking out? I'm actually quite content. I know I havent sent out any invitations or save the date stuff yet but oh well. I'm still getting married in 100 days; and I got my dress last week... I'm almost married and I am very excited! Linz

PS Dont hate

5:07 PM - Sep. 7, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

It's Long and Possibly Offensive... Enjoy!

In Christian Education Pastor Julia has been teaching on holiness. On top of that, I’ve been reading Matters of the Heart by Juanita Bynum again and God has been speaking to me. Pastor Julia gave us homework to study some scriptures on holiness and turning from the old man and embracing the new. While I’m rarely in class, I still wanted to be a part, so I wrote a paper. I don’t think we have to write a paper, but I did anyway. It’s kind of a paper/blog entry. Either way it rambles on a bit, which is exactly my style! Enjoy!

The more I go deeper into God this week the more He has been revealing to me the importance of holiness. If there is anything unclean in my heart, even something I may categorize as small and meaningless, God cannot dwell there. Without God my daily life, ministry and even my relationships are meaningless. Holiness isn’t a good idea, or extra credit points with God, it is a requirement. When people play around with holiness/unholiness they are going to fall. God requires 100% commitment. You can act holy all day and night; but if your mind/heart are perverse (in any sense of the word) it’s over. Then really did you commit yourself completely to holiness (or God for that matter)? So you didn’t have sex with her, did you want to so bad it distracted you? So you didn’t act rude to her, but did you say something disrespectful in your mind? What is in you is more powerful then what comes out if you. So if it’s in you it’s only a matter of time before it comes out.

For a month of so, Vincent had been irritating me. He’s been on this kick lately that has caused him to focus more on God than anything else (so annoying I know…). Anytime I have been frustrated about something or someone he has asked me if it is going to matter when I’m 80. For the first month or so, it drove me crazy. I wanted to be upset and possibly cry. I wanted my pity party and he wouldn’t let me have one. After the frustration wore off, I began to evaluate what he was saying. Really are the things I worry about, or the things I get upset about something that will really upset me in 60 years. Will I care that sister so and so is mad at me or that this event didn’t go the way I planned? Will I be upset that Vincent didn’t go out with me after rehearsal or that I didn’t make an extra $100 in my paycheck? Or will I wish I spent more time with God? Will I be mad that I didn’t go visit my parents more? Or that I didn’t discover an anointed CD earlier because I was too busy with secular music (it’s happened). For the past month or so, my focus has been on the things that truly matter to not only God but also to me in the long run.

Once I have experienced life, will I care that at one point Christina Aguilera had a song out called Dirrty and though it was vulgar had an amazing beat? Will it really matter that at one point I felt I needed to cuss to be cool? I doubt I will even think about those things. I’m sure I will look back over my life and be proud of the time I spent helping make life better for others and myself. The time I spent in my word, the time I spent worshiping God (without a mic in my hand). The hours I spent with kids who just needed love and attention. Those are the things I will care about.

It’s easy to care for the things of this world. However, that is not what pleases God. I’ve learned this month that if you focus on what matters in the long run your life will be happier. I cant be torn up for days because so and so is upset with me. I can’t be so driven to watch a scary movie that will only give me nightmares and leave me scared to be home alone. I cant listen to songs about sex and then expect to have a holy thoughts towards my fiancé. This may be a bit harsh for someone to read but it is what God requires of us: To leave the cares of the world behind is to truly focus on what matters.

You can call me religious, you can call me crazy, but I know what my God requires of me. Though I know I don’t/wont always get it right it is my life gold to strive for holiness and leave the cares of this world behind. Love me or leave me that’s who I now am!   

11:13 AM - Aug. 31, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

You All Dont Read But It's Cool... I've Moved on!

Hello readers… if you still are out there. I had been feeling as though I was writing to the air. It’s fine that very few people read this. That has, however, made my writing less entertaining and my entries few and far between. It’s all good though because your timing couldn’t be more perfect. I finally have my perfect job.

Now don’t freak out I’m not a mom yet! I am, however, the newest paid staff member at Seattle International Church. I was shocked when they offered me a job. I had just started a new job that paid more that I had ever made in my life. Then the church came along and made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.

I just feel blessed to be favored by the Lord. Hopefully I’ll be able to update you all every once in a while but don’t hold your breath. Thanks for reading! Linz

4:45 PM - Aug. 1, 2006 - comments {4} - post comment

Curious? Here's the Update!

Okay so I know it’s been a while since I’ve written anything at all. I’ve been so busy it’s exhausting. I don’t think God created me to be this busy; but until the end of the month this is my life: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday I work for my Dad from 8:30-1:30. After that I hop in my car and drive 30 minutes to my second job, which I generally work (mon, tues, thurs) 2:00 till about 5:00 depending on if I have church or choir that night. On Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays I work 10-4 and then Sunday is church. It’s definitely been a challenge for me, but I’m making it work nonetheless. Hopefully that excuses my recent absence from the blog. Well I guess now I should do my best to bring you all up to speed at what’s been going on in my life.

Last Wednesday I turned 22. I don’t feel any different or older, not that I usually do. Most of my friends told me that they felt so much older after their 22 birthday. I guess I’m not like them in that manner though. I think that if you go out and drink and party on/after you turn 21 a year of that will make you feel older. Stuff like that grows you up quickly. Since I chose not to experience that I think that there is still a lot of innocence left in me; and I like it like that.

I’ve been dealing with a lot of emotions lately. It’s funny what getting married will do to you (or I guess I should say preparing to get married). Before Vincent I rarely cried and was hardly ever upset about things. However, once your life begins to drastically change it’s only natural to be a little emotional. To be honest though it’s madness. I haven’t been this sensitive since the 7^th grade… and those are some days I left behind for real! That’s what I’ve been working on lately. Yes getting married is a big change, so naturally some stress will result from all the mental, physically, spiritual and emotional changes. I am, however, determined to gain more control over my feels… wish me luck.

Really nearly everything in my life is different then it was the last time I posted… and it’s only been what… a few weeks? Minister Paul has moved to serve in a different ministry and now we have a new minister of music Pastor Charles Hill. It’s funny because I’ve grown up hearing about him since I was about 15. He’s anointed, talented and has experience running a ministry. I’m so excited because I know he’s going to be such an asset to the kingdom and I’m looking forward to working with him and his family.

Last Friday I had my first real TBN experience. Bishop had told me a few months ago that they were going to be hosting Praise the Lord on TBN and that I was needed to lead worship. To me that’s no problem, leading worship is leading worship, I am rarely intimidated by numbers or cameras so I was actually excited for the new experience. I made my way to Tacoma bright and early Friday morning. I was the first one there, which wasn’t a surprise. I actually go there early because I have a tendency to get lost and I didn’t want to be late (PS I still got lost). Once everyone got there we went to the green room to get all the information and to relax. It was there, 20 minutes before the show was to start, that I found out that I was one of the special guests. Bishop had said things a few times but never to me directly so I wasn’t really thinking I would be there to do anything but worship. Now like I said before leading worship is so easy for me, speaking on the other hand is one of my weaker points. Don’t get me wrong I can work it out, but my gifting is much more in the music realm then anywhere else. Regardless the program went well. My voice wasn’t in the best condition but really all that is vanity so I really did my best to avoid dwelling on it. It was definitely a new experience though and I’m sure I’ll do it again.

That’s about it. My Fourth of July was great. We almost set a tree on fire when a renegade firework crashed and exploded in it. Also I’ll have you know that Mr. Juice of Jamba Juice has brought back my favorite drink (Peanut Butter Mood). See it does help to write letters. Well that’s it. Like my mom said if you want funny posts then comment something you know I’ll get fired up about. Regardless keep checking. I’m going to do my best to at least post once a week… life is just life right now so what can you do really? Linz

9:47 AM - Jul. 11, 2006 - comments {1} - post comment