When I started this blog years ago, I had a fair idea of where I thought my life was going, but I'm wondering how I ended up here all these years later in the year of our Lord, 2021.
In 2014, I went over to Shiloh Church in Oakland because I was curious and sensed a connection with the church. In 2016 I dropped out of church and then went back, got involved, became part of the Shiloh family, and now I'm a part of the staff as the Interim Innovations Director while my friend is on maternity leave.
Huh? I'm a fitness and wellness person. How am I now on staff at a church?
Two years ago, when I went to the IDEA Fitness conference, I realized that all my training was to be an asset to the Kingdom. Likewise, my marketplace training is for the Kingdom, and the truth is that all of my years of training, working with people, and even my failed attempt at doing online business has been an asset for the Kingdom.
However, my role isn't really just the interim Innovations Director. It's far more than that, but this is my training ground.
Give up your Dreams
This past Fall, Shiloh lost one of its founding pastors, Dr. David Kiteley. I have to admit I was puzzled and shocked. However, he had seemed to make a miraculous recovery on Friday, and by the next Friday, he had gone home to be with the Lord.
I really liked Pastor David because he was so funny and sincere. I loved hearing the story of him and his mother coming to the Bay Area because they dreamed of a church that was for all generations and all races. In its 56 year history, Shiloh has been just that.
At Pastor David's service, I looked over, and there were Black, White, Latino, Middle Eastern, and Asian people represented. His Memorial service was of the "African-American tradition," and Pastor David was as White as they come. His homegoing celebration was long, full of soul-stirring music, and good preaching. I smiled and said, well, that was one testament to the dream of racial reconciliation.
Pastor David's mother, Shiloh founder Pastor Violet Kiteley was a trailblazer for women who have been called by God to preach, teach, and lead God's people. So it makes all the sense in the world why I would end up at the church she founded. Growing up, I was told that women couldn't preach, teach, lead, or even pray in public. Yet men who could barely read and who led ungodly lives were A-OK.
As I stand now ready to preach, teach, and lead, I know it is only by the grace of God that I will get to live out the calling God has put on my life, and it will require a tremendous price but will be well worth it.
Give up Your Dreams and see the Glory of the Lord.
Those were the words from another powerful woman of God, Pastor Mae of Shiloh International church in the Philippines. She walked with Pastor Violet and continues to lead a powerful ministry.
"Give up your dreams and see the Glory of the Lord. Then, there will be an awakening among Young people," she said as she, my friend Marques, and I stood over Pastor Violet's grave.
Pastor May repeated the words "Give up Your Dreams" several times. I knew why she was saying it because I now understand that if you've been called by God, you will have to give up your dreams.
All that you thought you were going to do and what you wanted to happen will be pushed aside for what God will do in your life to carry out his greater plan.
We see it repeatedly in scripture where God calls: Abraham didn't know where he was going, Moses was out in the desert, Mary was Planning to marry Joseph, Peter was fishing, Paul was defending the Jewish religion...Over and over, people got interrupted and had to give up their dreams so that the will of God could be fulfilled.
The same is true for many people I've talked to who have been called to preach, teach, and lead. None of them thought that they would be the ones in the roles they are currently serving in. However, God's ways are not our ways and they said "Lord send Me,".
So here I am now....40 years old and ready for the next big Volume of my life with all that it will bring. I've given up my dreams of career success, comfort, and ease. I am compelled to follow the prompting of the spirit.
Single at 40
This past summer I turned 40 years old. It wasn't nearly as traumatizing as I thought it would be because I've done many things that I wanted to do and I also feel like I didn't miss out on my life because I thought a husband would save me.
Part of me isn't surprised in the least that I am still single at 40. It would have to take someone pretty special for me to want to give up my life and merge it with theirs.
Being 40, I also have a much better idea of what I seek in a life partner and what a healthy relationship looks like. I definitely believe it is possible and I am in a much better position to receive it in a healthy manner.
I attended a webinar recently about freezing my eggs because I would like to have biological children and after I thought, "If God wants me to carry a child, then I'll do it."
I will be perfectly honest and say that even though there is no tangible proof in the spirit "I believe God has solved my problems in this department." I don't know when or how it is going to happen but it will happen.
One of my theme scripture for the year is Romans 10:11, Those who trust in the Lord will not be put to shame.
Perhaps I also gave up the dream of having a conventional American marraige. By that, I mean a marriage that was okay but had an expiration date that wasn't until death do us part. A marriage that would be easy to escape and not worth the investment that God is calling me too. I think deep down I know that as well.
Revival is imminent
Brother Robert Pears has become one of my favorite teachers on YouTube. He has studied revivals in depth and has excellent insight on what revival entails and what we should expect as we see revival happen.
As Brother Robert Pears says revival comes when the church is spiritually and morally bankrupt. When the church is bankrupt of the word and bankrupt of prayer...then revival happens. Revival is not just people rolling around on the floor in church or running around the building. it is a DIVINE ASSAULT on society.
In the revival in Wales, the city was transformed. The bars emptied out and the police were bored because there were no crimes. Everyone was at the church! Our world is in trouble. Our cities are under assault with crime and violence. We need King Jesus.
I believe revival is imminent and it won't look like many of us believed it would look. I know I thought it would be like a Billy Graham crusade. Other people thought it would be like a rock concert. I don't think that's going to be it at all. I think the Nation will be plunged into darkness and chaos...and here comes Jesus much like the Christmas story.
Well all I know is the Revival is imminent and the SPIRIT is getting ready to break out all over this world and especially in the United States.
It has been prophesied that Shiloh will be a lightening rod for revival in our region and I believe it. Shiloh has had many miraculous events and I believe that God will come again.
God is cleaning house and putting strategic people in position for the revival. Many of us have known this was coming but I don't think we understood the magnitiude of how much we would NEED revival. I can honestly don't think I would ever have imagined the world would be completely shut down for almost 2 years when we've faced much worse diseases in our history and that didn't happen.
We're getting to the point where Jesus will be our main hope.
Come Lord Jesus!
Come Holy Spirit!
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