Our Passion for Christ!

For 6 months, the girls and I planned for the Passion Conference, hosted by pastor Louie Giglio, which took place just this past weekend! My husband, my brother and his girlfriend also joined us, and it was an amazing time in the Lord! It was an experience to be shared, and so we want to update you all on our adventures and experiences that we learned from this weekend!

Upon beginning this trip, our hearts were filled with great expectations! We engaged in all out worship with Matt Redman, Crowder and Chris Tomlin; sat under speakers such as John Piper, Judah Smith, Lecrae and Christine Caine and met some really inspiring Christians from all over the country. In my heart, it was like a little taste of Heaven... But now we're back, so what are we left to do? Christine said it best: we are called to work! "God is not interested in co-stars", she said in her lovely and riveting accent. "He is looking for co-laborers". 

I want to work to the glory of God and be used to enhance His kingdom, don't you?Upon beginning this trip, our hearts were filled with great expectations! We engaged in all out worship with Matt Redman, Crowder and Chris Tomlin; sat under speakers such as John Piper, Judah Smith, Lecrae and Christine Caine and met some really inspiring Christians from all over the country. In my heart, it was like a little taste of Heaven... But now we're back, so what are we left to do? Christine said it best: we are called to work! "God is not interested in co-stars", she said in her lovely and riveting accent. "He is looking for co-laborers". I want to work to the glory of God and be used to enhance His kingdom, don't you?

Many of us went to Passion for different reasons, but all of us left with a new energy for the Lord. This weekend was much needed for me. I'm realizing more and more how much I need Jesus and His mercy and grace over my life. We all have high hopes and good intensions, but if not driven by love and compassion, we will miss the mark every time. The Lord really spoke to my heart concerning this. I know that I have an incredible work to do for His glory, not mine! I have a promise over my life to make His name famous and to share God's love with others, but in His timing and not mine. I'm learning everyday- it is a process that I am joyfully and humbly experiencing. I'm so thankful for the people that are sharpening me like iron and who love me and are supporting me through my
journey with Jesus. He has great plans and I am willing to do the work and continue to plow like
Elisha! All of this is for the Savior! All I have is only for Him! Our attempts to do better or to improve our lives is only a form of powerless religion. We don't have the means to correct our own mistakes, because sin brings death and a dead man can't change their circumstances. When we come to Jesus, he brings new life and begins to live in us, providing the power we need to live pleasing lives for God!

Lord, give us a Passion for you!

~Pearls

We are BACK in session!!!

Last night was an amazing beginning to our first new Bible Study of 2015: Children of the Day, by Beth Moore. I cannot begin to tell you all how excited I was to reconnect with my old Pearls and welcome in new visitors and guests! For the past 2 months, we took a break from our weekly meetings to enjoy the holidays with our families and to just rest in knowing that God's grace is sufficient. During our time away, we did not eliminate meeting all together, as you well know! We enjoyed Birthday parties, movies, carnivals, random nights of nothing at each other's homes, snow tubbing and church serving. It was a much needed break, but I'm so glad to say that we are back in session!

As the days continued to roll over and as we drew nearer to the night of this new study, many of our girls expressed the interest of other girls who had visited our blog, our Facebook page and our instagram page. They felt as if they wanted to be a part of what we are striving to do- which is to simply create a community of women who have the desire to grow in Christ, provide encouragement and accountability through Christian friendships and to be used by God to serve others around us. It was my most greatest joy to not welcome one new guest...not two new guests... but 7 new guests, with 2 more who are planning to attend next week!!!! Let me tell you, a living room full of 15 girls is a very exciting sight to see!!!! We had to move tables and pull in chairs, with no room to spare! It was incredible and wonderful and every other good word that you could ever think of!

The house was full of joy! There was so much laughter and jokes, flashes from camera's and plates full of food! We talked, we read scripture, we prayed and we hugged. Last night couldn't have gone any better and I am so thankful to the Lord, because our growth is the evidence of His Spirit at work through us.
As I looked around at all the old and new faces, I realized that being a Christian is truly a state of living and experiencing. We are called to reach out, connect, encourage and to love; not just quote scripture or maintain traditions. The life of a Believer is the most beautiful existence, because we are moving and thriving and producing that which is eternal.

Last night, we learned from the first session that God wants to do a "Remix" in our lives and in our hearts. He isn't interested in us just re-doing and re-playing the same conversations and the same events over and over again. He wants to be alive in us! He wants to use us to reach others and to love without limits, share His truth with confidence and engage others in the knowledge and hope of Jesus Christ! God wants to bring in new people, new events, new challenges and new victories, but we must have a willingness to follow Him where ever He may lead us. I pray that we all are willing to arise to that calling:

"Lord, have your way in me"!

I'm so honored and so thankful to be a part of such a loving and dynamic group of women! We are all different- coming from different backgrounds, different careers, different forms of education and different places in our walk with Jesus. But one thing we have in common- the only thing that truly matters- is that our hearts are joined together in anticipation for God's promises and with an expectation to receive more of Him in our lives! I am amazed at my God and I look forward to the weeks ahead, learning, serving and loving with these beautiful sisters in Christ!

Let's get started on the next path of our journey!

~Pearls

Giving Praise

"Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart"- Psalm 111:1

Good morning, everyone!
We wanted to just encourage you all in the Lord, today! Our God is so majestic and wonderful and His love is never ending!

Last night, our friend Anthony Foster, from CTS, was so kind in featuring us in his Open Mic Showcasing! We were able to minister and be ministered to! We sold some sweet snacks and were able to raise a few extra dollars for our Passion Conference trip and we met a lot of wonderful people, who encouraged us and prayed with us. It was so refreshing to be amongst other people and other hearts who are crying out to praise and please the Lord. It was a true blessing and testimony of how great our God is!

As you go on throughout your days and week, we pray that you all will find moments to praise the Lord for all the good things he has done!

Happy Sunday, everyone!

~Pearls

Children of the Day, by Beth Moore

I'm so excited to begin our newest Bible study, this Tuesday evening! It's called, Children of the Day, by teacher Beth Moore of Living Proof Ministries! This study is on 1&2 Thessalonians and the community of Believers in that ancient time who lived their lives in remembrance of Christ and anticipation for His return. Isn't that not a most beautiful way to live?

In our culture, we pray prayers and regard God when it is convenient, or when we want something. Celebrities cultivate sin for fame, yet feel satisfied with a brief mention of "the Man Upstairs", when rewarded for things that dishonor the Lord. Our government is so quick to remove God, yet run to churches and scriptures when we are faced with a national tragedy. Even we ourselves dismiss His leading, only to need Him when our lives begin to spin out of our illusions of control. So many people speak of God, but how many are truly LIVING for Him, on a daily, moment-to-moment basis?

This is the call for this Bible Study, not to merely mention Christ, but to acknowledge Him in every area of our lives, relying on His Spirit to perfect our hearts and navigate through the moments and mission of our lives, for the glory of God!!!

I am so excited to start on this journey with my friends and fellow sisters in the faith. I pray that we continue to learn so that we can become a blessing for those around us. I hope that any new girls that might come will feel welcomed and experience Jesus through us; but most importantly, I pray that God is pleased!

It's going to be an amazing new year for us, and we cannot wait!!!

~Pearls

Who Am I?

It's an age old question and trend. "Who am I"? Individuals travel the globe to 'find themselves'. People change religions, change careers, and even change spouses to discover or re-discover themselves. There are quizzes one can take, quotes to inspire you, millions of books and self-help seminars on the matter, songs and more songs, there are even coaches you can hire to help you answer the question: "who am I?".

In 2013, the Huffington Post published an article, Finding "Yourself". I thought it curious that the word, 'yourself' was in quotations and it made me wonder... Those who are seeking themselves are doing so from the perspective that they must create themselves. But scripture tells us that not only were we created by God, for God (Romans 11:36), we were also already created with a specific assignment and destiny to fulfill within our lives (Joshua 29:11). No re-inventions necessary!

As I began to read the article, a young woman explains that, in order to find one's self, one must not allow anyone else to interfere in your self-seeking process. Instead, you must consider your wants, create dreams that will satisfy you, and avoid those who will not support your decisions. Of course, the article wasn't written so candidly. Actually, it was an amazing article! It was well written and well thought of. The author gave some amusing examples and some very positive suggestions. But the truth and issue of the matter is that, much like the books, the songs and the quotes on the subject of Self-Discovery, it's all about you.

The problem with this take on life is that it opposes the Word of God. Our God celebrates community. He is a relational God who has commanded His church to stay connected with each other (Romans 12:4-5), to inquire for wisdom and godly council/advice from others (Proverbs1:5) and to seek direction that is pleasing to The Lord (Psalms 32:8-9).
Our culture tells us that we should be independent, considering our needs first, deciding what is best for us and pursuing what we want, without regard to others. It is a social norm, expectancy and a generally accepted belief that you will be a happier person if you do things your way, for your pleasure and for your own fame. But, if that is truly the case, then why are there so many of us who are unhappy and without true identity, constantly searching for ourselves and for our purpose in this life?

In the scriptures, Proverbs gives us the solution to the problem of Self-Discovery:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

-Proverbs 3:5-6 

You see, our lives are too grand and to delicate to be trusted within our own care. When we give our lives to God and put our trust in Him, the way in which we should go and the person that we were created to be becomes so clear. Our existance isn't accidental, and our lives are not made without order. Scripture says that God is the Alpha  and the Omega- the beginning and the end of all things and He has already created those plans for you! Many of us miss it because we're asking the wrong questions and walking shambled paths that we have tried to create and layout for ourselves. I wonder, if instead of asking, " Who am I?", what if we began to ask, "Who are you, Lord?", because the answer of our
identity lies in the knowing of our God! In Him
lies all the answers and all of the wisdom and all of the plans for our lives. When we look into ourselves, we have uncertainties, but when we look to Heaven, and seek the word of God, we find truth that is applicable to all of our questions. We are limited. He is limitless. We are inconsistent. He never changes. We make mistakes. He never fails. We ask the questions. God has the answers.

Let me end by challenging you all to stop looking inward, and start looking upward. The Lord has great promise for you, but you have to trust Him in who He is, what He says and where He leads. I promise you, if you follow Him, you will never get lost! He knows the way, because He made the path! As you grow closer to His heart, you will begin to discover yours in the process!

Your true identity is in Jesus! Follow Him!

~Pearls

Happy 2015!!!!!

We pray that you all enjoyed a safe and fun NYE last night! We surely did! A group of us Pearls, joined with other friends, brought in the New Year with amazing worship at Elevation Church, in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was such an exciting evening to enjoy together because we know that greater things are yet to come!

Over the last 12 months, we've accomplished some great things for the Lord! We made new friends, over came some tremendous difficulties, endured losses, breakups, new jobs, new relationships and a stronger love for the Lord.

2014 had its ups and downs, just as we can anticipate for 2015, but through it all, our Redeemer lives! He has great things in store for us, whether we find ourselves on top of the mountains or at the bottom of the valley! Our God is creating His masterpiece within us, and we pray that you are also experiencing His love and His leading in you lives, as well!

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
-Jeremiah 29:11

2015 is full of so much promise and possibilities! There is nothing we can't do for Jesus! The mere thought of what can be is so powerfully overwhelming and exciting and we cannot wait! So, on this day, January 1, 2015, our hope is elevated and our eyes are on Jesus! Our hearts are opened and our faith is willing! Our prayer is simple, but strong! 

Dear Lord, thank you for the beauty that this new year will bring! We ask you to take us to new heights and depths in you! Let your living water and your holy word flow through us as we continue on our journey of salvation. Equip us to know your voice and obey it. Bless us with courage to live for you, power to speak the truth in love, humility to correct our wrongs and favor to live out the calling you have in place for our lives! We love you, Jesus! Amen

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

~Pearls