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Stephanies Music

October 27th, 2008 - Striking A Balance
July 14th, 2008 - Grand Piano Testimony
May 8th, 2008 - Heart, Soul, Mind & Body
Mar 21, 2008 - Unscathed
Dec 21, 2007 - Relevance
Nov 17, 2007 - Trust In The Lord

Striking A Balance

October 27th, 2008

Finding the balance between unconditional love towards non-believers and not condoning or encouraging their sinful lifestyles is something that has challenged me my entire Christian life.

Sometimes I am overwhelmed by such love and compassion it is hard for a moment to even speak up and remind them of their sins, I just want to love and show them God's love. And at other times, I want to scream and say "what are you thinking," or "Stop that! You are destroying your life or other's lives as well!" But maybe, there is my answer... in some occasions I must love, and at other times I must stand for morality and Biblical laws. Allow the holy spirit to influence each and every situation.

What has really brought this predicament to the forefront of my mind is the current presidential election. I have heard both candidates go back and forth on topics because they want to reach every demographic, although it is obvious where they stand. In a recent debate, I heard Sarah Palin get tangled up in her words on her stance on gay marriage and equal rights. We all know what she believes, but with a trick question and the pressure of trying to please everyone and win an election, she stumbled and said she agreed that gays should have equal rights. How could this happen?

I definitely understand her stressful predicament. I have found myself in moments where I must stand for something and speak my mind, but I don't want to offend or hurt. So how do you "Speak the Truth in Love" as Christians often say in cliche? The only answer is to stay closely connected with God and to listen to the Holy Spirit and also seek after wisdom and discernment. This is the only way we will know what to do.

Two scriptural references come to mind concerning this issue:

First, the woman at the well in John 4:1-26, Jesus speaks to a Samaritan woman who was living with a man who was not her husband. Although pointing it out and recognizing her life stlye, Jesus never condemned her for her sin. Instead he offered her the solution, Salvation. He showed her that He is the way and the living water.

The second passage of scripture is John 8 1:11. In this passage Jesus tells the woman who was caught in adultery that he does not condemn her but to go and leave her life of sin. So in following Christ's example, we cannot pretend that sin does nor exist, nor point fingers. Instead, we can acknoledge the sins of others, as well as our own, but we must turn their eyes to Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. What direction they take after that is their own choice and free will.

Sincerely,
Stephanie

July 14th, 2008

Praise the Lord!!! I have a quite a testimony to share with you all. Last Thursday I purchased my first baby grand piano. It is something that I have wanted ever since I began playing the piano when I was 4 years old. I have been saving what money I could and my family and friends have also contributed a substantial amount. So thank you to all of you who helped me achieve my dream of owning a real piano. Up until now I have been teaching piano and voice lessons, and writing songs on a keyboard. This new piano is going to be very beneficial to both my students and my song writing. But most of all I owe this all to God!

Although I had saved money and received money from family and friends, I still did not think I was going to be able to purchase a piano anytime soon, much less a piano that is only a year old. But God had a plan and was already behind the scenes preparing the perfect piano for me at this time of my life. On Wednesday of last week my mom called me telling me that she had received an e-mail from the music minister of a local church stating that someone was trying to sell a grand piano. When she told me about it... and the price they were asking, I immediately knew that this was the piano that God had for me. I told her that I would take it sight unseen. So I soon contacted the owners who were selling it and made the arrangements. The very next day the new piano was moved into my home and I was playing on it. And the best part is that I was able to pay cash for the piano and have no payments. God desires for us to live debt free and he provided the way for me on this particular purchase.

The day after I received the piano I found a note from the previous owners inside of the piano bench. The man who played on it was a fellow Christian worship leader. The note said the he hopes I will use this piano to glorify God like he had done before, and of course I will. And the note was written on the back of a chord chart of a great worship song by Charlie Hall. It is so awesome how God used one of His children to bless another.

What I have learned most from this blessing in my life, is that even when things seem like they are hopeless or that your dreams can never happen... don't give up. God loves you and sees your heart. We don't always see what God is doing behind the scenes. So have faith and trust in Him even when you don't feel like it. Be encouraged! God Bless You all!!!!

Sincerely,
Stephanie

Unscathed

March 21st, 2008

I want to share an amazing miracle that happened to me and how God used it to teach me. Earlier this week I had to visit a town that is about 45 minutes away from Lakeland, where I live. That morning before I left I made sure my two ferrets were put away in their cage, but was not able to find my cat to make sure he was inside. But because I was in such a hurry I decided that the cat would be fine, being that he frequently stays outside for hours at a time.

So I finally arrived at my destination and when I stepped outside of the car I heard the most disturbing noise, a painful meow. My heart sank into my stomach and I immediately knew that it was my cat inside the hood of the car. I was horrified on what I may find on the inside of that hood, so I ran into my destination and started asking for someone to help me get the cat out. Everyone came running out and a lady opened the hood and got the cat out. Once I heard her say that the cat was fine, I was able to look.

Miraculously there was a veterinarian office right across the street and we were able to take the cat there to have him checked out. The only injury that he had was a high temperature and slightly burned paws. Everyone at the veterinarian office was in amazement that he made it out alive and called him the "Miracle Kitty." I am amazed as well, he could have jumped out or fallen out while I was driving, or gotten completely burned, but there was a plastic covering over the motor that protected him.

On my drive home from the vets office, with my kitty in my lap, I was thanking God for His protection when I heard Him speak to me. He said, "Just like I protected your cat from being burned, I will protect you. When you go through the fire you will not be burned. And when you get yourself stuck in situations I will be your plastic covering." Later that evening I was telling one of my best friends about the situation and her response was just what God had spoke to me. She told me that the miracle that happened to my kitty, was the same as what God does for us. Isn't that wonderful that God's protection is on us when we are serving Him and that even when we mess up he is there to pull us out unscathed! So needless to say, I learned that I need to find my cat before I leave the house, but also that God is always there watching out for us, and walking with us.

It reminds me of the story about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that most of us heard when we were kids. If you would like to read the story, it is found in the book of Daniel chapters 1 through 3. But the synopsis is, even when the three praying men were thrown into the fire, for not bowing to worship a statue of the king, they were not burned. God was in the fire with them, and the people that were watching saw four men in the fire instead of the actual three that had been thrown in. God will show himself to you through situations in life, and he will also show himself to others by what he is doing with you. But remember, he is always there with you!

Sincerely,
Stephanie

Relevance

December 21st, 2007

For this month's devotional I wanted to address a new wave that seems to be sweeping over the church today, and it is called relevance. It seems that in the quest to be relevant to the world today many Christian leaders have sacrificed Biblical standards. Please don't confuse what I am saying. Yes Pastors should preach and teach messages that are relevant and can be applied to our everyday lives.

However, what I am talking about is different. Leaders all over America are breaking down their standards and morals by going to have a few beers at the local bar to minister to someone, or to inlcude media material in a sermon that comes from a movie or show containing perverse content. Also, the new typical "Christian" bands are playing in clubs and bars to a captive audience of drunk people and end the show with nothing more than God Bless You. I hardly believe this is what Paul was talking about when he said to be all things to all people. So what is this saying to the world? I think its saying that we are no different than they are.

People of the world know what Christians should act like, that is why they are constantly calling us out on being hypocrites. Remember the old saying, if it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then its a duck? How can we expect to be a light in the darkness if what we are clothing ourself with, is darkness itself? As we are approaching the new year, take this time with me to examine our hearts and our lifestyles. Are we living as a light in the darkness or are we blending in the shadows?

2 Corinthians 6:14 -18 "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common. Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there betewen the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 'I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.' Therefore, 'Come out from them and be seperate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.' And, I will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.' "

2 Corinthians 17:1 "Therfore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contamintes body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God."

Sincerely,
Stephanie

Trust In The Lord

November 17, 2007

My whole life I was taught to trust in the Lord, but only recently have I learned what that really means. And as the seasons of my life change, I'm sure I will learn to Trust on a whole new level. Right now the season of my life is very exciting, very busy, but can be stressful at times. I tend to be a worrier about everything from people's feelings, and how I'm going to get all of my responsibilities done, to finances, and if I am pleasing God. But one thing I am learning is that the only thing I have to fear is God himself, and not fear in a scared way, but fear in a respectful and honoring way.

If I am not trusting God then I am in fear of man or external circumstances. In Timothy, the Bible says that He (God) did not give us a spirit of timidity or fear, but of a sound mind 2 Timothy 1:7. God wants us to put our trust in Him and Him alone, not ourselves. The Bible says that God is faithful and he never changes, so why don't we trust in Him? As Jesus was speaking to His disciples in Luke 12:22-31, He says that God takes care of the flowers in the field and the animals, how much more will He take care of us. I encourage everyone to read that passage and really let the Holy Spirit speak to you and give you rest. The most important scripture to point out is Luke 12:31 "But seek His kingdom first, and these things will be given to you."

One night as I was lying in my bed in severe pain from a miscarriage, I asked God where are you? Why is this happening? God spoke to me, just focus on me, seek my face. That was very hard for me to accept. Being in pain, scared, sad, and disappointed , I just began to Trust God fully with me and my babies life. Amazing peace and strength like I've never known began to overcome me.

As I have been seeking out how to trust God more, He has proven His faithfulness time and time again. It is almost as if he has split the sea of complications and obstacles and allowed me to walk through to the next place he is taking me. Everyday I am learning to not trust myself, because without Him I am nothing. It may not always be easy, but He is always faithful and always there. If you are going through a difficult time in your life, I encourage you to seek God first and accept His rest and peace. Just trust Him!

Sincerely,
Stephanie