A Man Of God Shouldn't Act This Way...

Leaving your pastor's office, tears streaming and temper flaring. You look to your spouse and ask, “How could someone we trusted and loved do this? He is supposed to be leading us, he's supposed to love and care for God's people. A man of God shouldn't act this way.” I wonder how many church members have left their church feeling hurt. I wonder how many pastors have sent visitors and members running for the hills. I wonder how many of these Christians have spoke (or posted) words of anger.

I have a confession to make... I have talked badly about a Pastor before. If you are honest with yourself, you have too. It's something we all do. We're human, and there's nothing wrong with it, right? WRONG. Regardless of what the preacher or pastor has done to you or someone else, we are not to speak ill of ANY of God's anointed.

I know what you're thinking, “I need to tell everyone of the lies 'Pastor so and so' is spreading!” or “What he is doing is wrong, and I'm sure God wants us to tell others that he is a 'false prophet'.” I know you feel like you are doing what is right and fair. I was there before, too. But that is exactly what God doesn't want us to do.

Why do I think that? Well, God's Word tells us so.

“Saying, touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.” - 1^st Chronicles 16:22 KJV.

David even said that regardless of how far God's men has gotten from His Word, they are still God's anointed.

“Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the Lord had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for his is the Lord's anointed.” 1^st Samuel 24:10 KJV.

Saul tried numerous times to kill David, but when David had an opportunity to kill Saul, he wasn't able to. Why? Because Saul was the Lord's anointed. God had called him. If God has called someone, it is not our job to bad mouth them whenever something happens. If David can't kill God's anointed after he had tried to murder David, why do we think we can bad mouth a preacher? We are doing much more bad than we are good when we choose that path.

I had this point brought up to me the other day: “If they are hurting enough people, then we should be questioning whether or not the person is truly called of God.”

That is a very good point, I have said the very same thing before, but the truth is, we aren't the authority that decides that. What if Israel had decided that David wasn't anointed or called of God? David had ruined lives and even KILLED a man. He had an affair with a woman and killed the man to whom she was married.

Can you imagine the world of hurt that David caused?

I can hear them now, “How could someone we trusted and loved do this? He is supposed to be leading us, he's supposed to love and care for God's people. A man of God shouldn't act this way.”

Sound familiar?

If a preacher is truly called of God, they will realize what they are doing is wrong, and repent. If a preacher isn't called of God, God will take care of it Himself. You don't need to tell people what's going on. If the preacher is out of God's will, or if he is, indeed, a false prophet, the congregation will recognize this if they stay in His Word. It is our job to pray for those preachers who has done us wrong, we are supposed to love them. God will take care of it all in the end. He doesn't want us worrying about it. He has our back, and He will take care of us.

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:19

Lessons From The Inspirations Part 8

Tonight was a wonderful night of singing and praising God. The Inspirations were in Blue Ridge and God paid us a visit too! I don't know why God shows me things through these men, but He does. The "lesson" tonight was a doosie.

Tonight was the first night that I bought an Inspiration CD without two of my three favorites on it. Jodi and David are gone. I had a REAL hard time buying this CD. Jon was still on it, but I knew it wouldn't be the same; and if you know me, you know that I am NOT a fan of change.

As I paid the money for the CD, and waited patiently in my seat awaiting my favorite quartet to take the stage, I caught myself thinking rather negative thoughts, such as: "Why am I doing this to myself? I know it's not going to be the same. Jodi's sweet tenor voice was the part I listen so intently to, and David's smooth lead voice is what tied everything together; NEITHER ONE OF THEM ARE HERE. Sure, Jon's here, but these new guys just won't cut it." (For those of you whom thought I could say nothing negative about the Inspirations, I, sadly, just proved you wrong.)

After these thoughts entered my head, the new lead started on one of my "David Ragan" songs... I was setting this poor man up for failure! But as I listened to him sing a David Classic, I thought, "Hey, he's not that bad, he's actually pretty good!" And then, God entered my mind.

God had to remind me of something tonight, something that I should have had in mind this whole time.

Groups change. "My Inspirations" won't always be "MY Inspirations." God has plans for each of them, and even though MY plan was for them to stay the same forever, it isn't GOD'S plan.

People change. Everyone grows, and learns and starts a new phase in life every day. I can't expect people to be the same from day to day! I, for one, have changed a lot over the course of a year. And I will continue to change as I begin the process of becoming a wife. Everyone will change. EVERYONE.

Situations change. However your life is today, it's going to change. If your life is bad today, don't worry, it WILL change, and if your life is good today.... hold on, because a storm is coming your way.

But you know what, God, He never changes. In a world full of change, we can hold on the promise that God will ALWAYS stay the same. God isn't going to forsake you. God isn't going to leave you hanging. God isn't going to leave you without an answer, and God will never, EVER leave you alone. He stood by, guided and held the people in the Bible, and if God never changes, He's going to do the same for you and me.

I'm thankful for that. I'm thankful that even when I mess up, even when I change and even when I do the right thing, God will ALWAYS love me. "He loves me, He loves me, Jesus loves me!"

Verse: Hebrews 13:8 " Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. "

PS The Inspirations are still my favorites! And they were amazing tonight!

We Will Sing!

I started this blog on my facebook status today. For those of you who didn't get a chance to see my status, don't worry! You'll be filled in by the end of this blog.

The idea for this blog came from a song that played on my Pandora Radio (Brian Free and Assurance Station) this morning. The song was "We Will Sing." I love this song. It is one of my favorite BF&A songs. It always makes me think of Heaven and how I will get to see my loved ones who are already with Jesus again.

But before I get ahead of myself, I need to fill you in on some stories.

I go to music school every summer. I absolutely love it there. I honestly think most of friends are people I know from music school. Two weeks out of the year, I get to spend all day and night with the people I love so dearly! We make the two weeks count, too. We always have so many memories to take home! The hardest part of music school is leaving. Although we keep in touch the best we can, and try to get together periodically throughout the year, life still manages the get in the way and we become too busy to talk on the phone every night, text or even Skype each other.

Another summer event in my life is the Carolina Mountain Youth Retreat. This is a church youth retreat that our church holds each summer. Even though this event is only a weekend long, I always manage to make some life-long friends. It's the only time of the year I get the opportunity to see my best friend, Breanna Lewis! The weekend that we spend together is full of laughter, fellowship and worship. It's one of my favorite times of year. I hate that it ends just as quickly as it started!

November 25 of 2010 and November 25 of 2011 were two dates that altered my life forever. 11/25/10, my best friend, Jessi Patrick, passed away from cancer. My world fell that night. I couldn't believe after all the prayers we prayed that the Lord decided to take her home. Then, exactly a year later, the Lord saw fit to take my Nana Nix from this Earth. She, also, had cancer. Although I miss them very much, I have the assurance, by their testimonies and by mine, that I will get to see them again! The best part is that they will be cancer-free! (:

In Africa, there lives a special girl. Her name is Corina Anne Spinizzola. Although we always fought and never saw eye to eye while she was in Blairsville, I miss her very much. Corina felt God leading her to Africa to be a missionary for Him. I have my days where I miss her a lot, but her absence is ALWAYS felt. I am praying for her, as should you!

May 25, 2012. Graduation Day. The day that my friends and I became 'adults' and would move on to college. So now, the friends that I've spent my whole life with, are all across the country.

And finally, this past week, two VERY important things happened.

First, I found out that the McGaha Family is moving back to the North Georgia area and are coming back to church. They moved when Gerald (the father of the family) accepted a Pastoral job HOURS away from Hayesville. Gerald, Sheila and their two boys, Jordan and Peyton, were a big part of my life. I spent all the time in the world with them. They were always there for me. So when I heard that they were moving back, I was super excited! I had missed them so much.

The second major thing that happened was that our church found out that our Associate Pastor, Randy, was going to be pastoring another church. He announced it Sunday night. I'm not gonna lie, I was upset. I love that family very much. I know I probably drive them crazy, but it is because I love them so much. They have always helped me, prayed for me and they have always made me laugh. Although I was upset, I knew that they had to go where God was leading.

As you can see, I have friends and loved ones who are spread all over the place.

There is a line in "We Will Sing" that says: we shed our tears from sad goodbyes, joy disappears as we search for reasons why. I always thought of death when it referred to sad goodbyes. But the older I get and more experiences I have, I realize that there are different types of sad goodbyes. There are goodbyes when we leave a summer camp or church retreat, deaths happen, graduations, and when people follow God's call.

Like with the McGahas, God may bring some people back into our lives, but others we may not get a chance to see again due to our busy lives. Which brings me to the next line in "We Will Sing": but glad reunion, oh what harmonies will blend. Better now than ever and the song will NEVER END!

While we're on Earth, we may be too busy or too far to get to see each other as much as we want, but one day, if you are saved by God's Grace, we WILL be together again. There will be no separation for eternity! The older I get, the more I long for that time. I am ready to go to Heaven and be with everyone I love forever! We will sing and worship God together! I am ready to sing the song that will never end!

We Will Sing

Brian Free and Assurance

 

There is a choir now being formed,
White robe attire with harps, and tambourines and horns
From every nation listening for the trumpets cue,
The only thing they're waiting for is me and you.

Chorus:
Then we will sing, yes, we will sing,
While tiers of angels gently fold their wings,
Bells will ring, we will cast our crowns before our LORD and King,
When death has lost its sting, we will sing

We shed our tears from sad goodbyes
Joy disappears as we search for reasons why
But glad reunions, oh, what harmony will blend
Better now than ever, and the song will never end.

Chorus

Tag:
Not one voice is trembling, no one will miss a note
No other song resembling, for it's a song redemption wrote.

Chorus

I Can't Keep From Singing!

This past weekend, I got the chance to spend the whole weekend with two of my best friends: Katie Duncan and Ashlee Gormer. Katie and I have been planning this weekend for at LEAST 3 years. When the weekend finally came, I was beyond excited! We had so much fun. We rode around Monroe, played Wal-Mart Bingo, danced to Payphone, and went to church. Katie and Ashlee go to Bible Baptist Church in Monroe, Ga. This is also the church that our music school teacher, Stephen Butler, holds the position of Choir Director. He had NO IDEA I was there, we were planning on surprising him. To be honest, I was surprised that we had kept this a secret! When we walked into our Sunday School room (he taught our class), he freaked out. I was so happy that he was happy to see me! haha. To some people, that would've been a horrible surprise.

I ended up staying til the night service and sang with Stephen and Ashlee. We sang Justin and Jason Myers' song "I Love To Sing." Man, they didn't know when they picked the song, but I needed to be reminded of that fact alone: I love to sing! We rocked it and then I had to head back to little ol' Blairsville shortly after.

While I was "on the road again," a song came on my iPod entitled: "Remind Me of The Cross" by Brian Free and Assurance. This song talks about whenever we feel like we need to complain, that God would bring the Cross back into our minds. Well, that Sunday afternoon, I took it a totally different way.

While listening to the song, all I could think about how truly blessed I am, and how much I don't deserve anything I have. My mind travelled through the weekend. I had so much fun and many memories were made. I just couldn't understand why Jesus would go through all that pain just so I could have blessings like Katie, Ashlee and Stephen (just to name a few of course). So, being the emotional person I am, I cried and prayed. I prayed for Katie and her family, Ashlee, Stephen, their church, and their choir. I prayed and cried until I had to look at my GPS on my phone.

Now that car ride home was an experience on it's own. God showed me so much in that car ride, but little did I know that I was gonna need that weekend later through the week.

This has been a trying week. We have no money. At all (the man daddy was working for wouldn't pay him...). I saw my daddy cry because he didn't know how we were gonna make it. I decided it would be better to go and work this semester instead of going to college to save for college and pay my way through and help the family. And today mom just told me that we may not be able to drive to Hayesville to go to our church anymore because we can't afford it. That was a hard blow.

After knowing most of this story, I just didn't know what to do. I texted Katie Duncan and told her most of what was going on, and she promised that she would be praying. After that conversation, I decided I was going to go to bed. I laid down and was listening to my iPod. I put it on shuffle and listened for a while.

I was about to take my headphones out of my ears and go to sleep when this song I had never heard came up. I looked at the song title and artist. It was "I Can't Keep From Singing" by Sisters. I decided to listen to it because I love Sisters and it seemed like a song I would like. The song talked about how they knew that life wasn't a bed of Roses but they couldn't help but sing because of all the things God has done in their lives.

As I laid listening, I thought about the weekend I just had (before I knew all about the stuff at home). It was the BEST. I knew God had orchestrated the whole weekend to remind me that He loves me. Even if I am going through a valley, I still have a song to sing (which reminds me of another Brian Free and Assurance song)! Everything will work out the way it's supposed to, but until then, I have my family, my friends, my music school family and church to lean on. "I can't keep from singin', dancin', gotta tell the world about the freedom that I've found!"

NGSGM 2012 - I Have Been Changed!

Summer 2012 had finally arrived. And I, for one, knew what that meant. The North Georgia School of Gospel Music was just around the corner. I couldn't wait. After working a few weeks, the week of NGSGM had found it's way to my front door. When I eagerly opened the door to a dear "old friend," I realized that music school wasn't exactly how I remembered it.

In years past, NGSGM had been a haven for me. A place to go and see friends that I had special bonds with. I got to see the sweet, loving faces of the teachers I had grown to love and the "older kids" that I had FINALLY became a part of.

But this year... this year was different. I arrived to the Truett-McConnell campus and EVERYTHING had changed. The college was being extremely strict, dorm parents became a little more uptight, there were teachers who had gone missing and new teaching faces that I had to learn. I was already overwhelmed and I had only been there for about five minutes! Then came the first of many roll calls. I walked into the Otwell dorm expecting to know almost everyone, just as I had in years past, and realized that I knew NO ONE (with the exception of a few familiar faces of course)!

I couldn't believe it. There were young kids coming from everywhere. It was crazy. My friends and I couldn't believe how many new kids we had. It was a blessing and a curse all in one. We were blessed that so many new kids had decided to join the "family" that we loved so much, but it was a curse knowing that so many of our friends hadn't returned.

I try my hardest not to be a "Debbie Downer" but I couldn't help but think: "Where is everyone? Why did I come back? I should've went on the missions trip! I miss Jason and Maria! It's not the same without them!" Needless to say; I was bummed.

The first week came and went, and I had a lot of fun, but I was kinda disappointed that I let the Devil get ahold of my mind as strongly as he did. Because looking back now, I know God had so many blessing in store for me, but I let the Devil remind me of everything that was going wrong. I wasn't focused.

When it was time to return, I went back with a totally different attitude. I went back with a mission to let God use me. I went back with the mindset that I was going to make a difference. I was going back, and I was going to serve the Lord with all I had, and hopefully have fun while doing it.

Boy, going back with THAT mindset changed everything! I think I had more fun than I have ever had at Music School (and that's saying a lot since I've been there for around 11 years)! Everyday it just kept getting better!

Tuesday night during devotion, God poured out His blessings on Otwell. All the girls shed some tears and got to share the things God had laid on their hearts. Most of the older girls still felt the Spirit after roll call and it spilled on over into the dorm room! Thursday, we had two saved! It doesn't get much better than that, folks!

By the end of the second week, I started to realize that everything that had went "wrong" in the past week, were things that I was letting take my focus away from God. I probably wasn't the most pleasent person to be around that first week, and I am ashamed of that, but I can't change it.

The Katie that went into NGSGM thinking it was just going to be a normal year, left as a totally different person. I learned that God truly works in mysterious ways. Sometimes He has to get us out of comfort zone to truly use us. During those two special weeks of NGSGM, God had showen me not to be afriad of the call He has for me. He renewed my love of Gospel music and my love for Him and His people.

I wouldn't trade a thing for those two weeks. NGSGM has always held a special place in my heart, and always will. The North Georgia School of Gospel Music has shown me that I am called to the music industry (whether it be working in the office for a gospel group or being used as a sound engineer, ect.), that I am part of a wonderful musical family and that I am not alone in this crazy world.

NGSGM: we will ALWAYS have music to tie us together, but if one day we ever forget the songs we've sang together, or maybe even the memories we've shared, the greatest tie we have to each other is the Savior we serve. I love you guys! <3

"I have been changed! Yes, I know that I have been changed! And all that I was before has been rearranged! For I have been touched by God, transformed inside and out! I have been changed, praise God! Yes I have been changed!"

FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY Made with an ACCENT

Do you have something you wish you could change about yourself? EVERYBODY has something about themselves that they don't really like. For me, it has always been how white I am and that I can't tan. But here lately, I have been wanting to change some other things.

If you haven't noticed when you have talked to me, I have a rather thick country accent. I always have, but I never noticed until people started picking on me for having one. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind people picking on me when I talk, I am totally used to it by now. But the reason I wish I could change it is because some other people want to change it, or they don't like my accent.

Ever since I started realizing how much of an accent I have, people have always told me to be proud of it, because "not many people talk that way anymore." I try hard to be proud of it; I love my accent. But then someone comes and reminds me that it's not "correct" to have any sort of accent.

This is hard for me, because I love to talk and sing. I love those two things (and Jesus!) more than anything in the world. And when you love to talk and sing, it's hard to have an accent and still remain proud of how God made you.

For example, in ensemble today at music school, we were practicing our song and Jessica kept saying that we needed to get rid of our twag while we sang, and naturally, everyone in the room looked at me and/or said: "Katieeeeeeee! Gehh' rrrrriddda yourrrr twwwwagggg!" I'm used to hearing these comments from Mrs. Covington, Evans, Alex and the rest of the Union County High School students, so I just laughed and tried. It really didn't  really work the way we wanted it to.

Then in group singing before lunch (which is probably where I should be now), Jessica got up in front of the whole group to lead some songs. AS SOON AS SHE GOT UP THERE, she starts in on how we need to change the way we speak when we sing. Guess what happens next. Everyone, even the piano player (whom is one of my really good friends) looked at me. At that point, I knew I couldn't take it anymore. I was officially fed up with everyone talking about my accent.

Don't get me wrong, I know that when singing in a group, we need to sound the same. But what I think people forget is that I grew up sounding this way: loud, proud and country. I try to change it, but the more I try, the less it feels like I am singing for Jesus and for me.

Today, I realized just how much I wish I could just drop the accent. I was fighting back tears the rest of group singing. I just sat there wishing that I could sound like they wanted me to, wishing that I could lose the accent so that they would consider me a "good singer."

In the midst of tears, a verse came to mind. "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." Psalm 139:14. For those of you who don't know this, Psalm 139:14 is my favorite verse. I quote it to mom all the time when she talks about how white I am. But when God reminded me of this today, it wasn't about my skin tone, it was about my accent.

That verse doesn't just talk about how you were physically made, it talks about your personality, likes, dislikes and yes, your ACCENT. I was made fearfully and wonderfully, why should I be ashamed of my accent? God gave it to me! It's something that's special, because not everyone has an accent like mine.

And as far as ANYONE at NGSGM thinking that I am a "bad singer" because of my accent, PLEASE go Google "Karen Peck." God can use people with accents too! I choose today to be proud of my country accent, because it's a gift God has given me.

Mary For A While

It's a Friday night, and you have very important people coming over to your home to eat dinner and have a fun time. What is the first thing you do that Friday morning? Well, it could actually be a number of things. Some people clean or go shopping for groceries. Personally, for my family (mostly my mother), we clean and clean and then clean some more! After all of this cleaning is done, we make many last minute trips to Walmart searching for odds and ends that we have forgotten while going through the hustle and bustle of cleaning and preparation we must go through for entertaining guests.

When it finally came time for us to get all dolled up and smelling fresh-like, I was playing music on my iPhone in in my room. While doing my hair (which take forever when you have as much hair as I do...), the Perrys came on. This is one of those songs that you have to be in the "mood" for. It's not a summer, roll down your windows and cruise song. It's an amazing song that deserves alot of thought when you are listening to it. This song is called "Mary For a While." It's about the story of Mary and Martha.

Those of us who have grown up in church, have heard this story all our lives. We know about how when Jesus came to the home of Mary and Martha, Martha kept cleaning and preparing things while her sister, Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus and taking in the divine moment she had with Him. Martha, like most of us probably would've reacted, went to Jesus and complained about how Mary wouldn't do the "womanly" job and come help her clean and cook for the guests. Jesus replied with a simple answer: "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:41-42)

Now, I have tried to put my feet in Martha's shoes (which if we are all honest with ourselves, placing ourselves in Martha's shoes isn't too difficult because some of us are always there), and I asked myself: "What would I have said to Jesus if He has told me that after I had done everything around the house and my sister did nothing, that SHE was the one doing what she was 'supposed' to?" My answer came back a little too quickly! I'm gonna be brutally honest with myself here; I would've cried from anger. I wouldn't have understood why Jesus didn't want me to be a good host like my mother taught me to do as a child. I also would've asked Him why. Why wouldn't Jesus want us to have a presentable home or to serve our guests whenever they needed anything. I wouldn't have understood!

We are all born with a "Martha Mind." We all want to impress and serve our guests. Which isn't wrong! There is a time and place for that! But.... what is the point of having a clean house, fantastic food and great company if you can't take time to just sit back and ENJOY IT?! We all need to become like Mary! She knew the importance of spending time with a guest. Mary knew that she didn't need to continually cook and clean and serve her friends for them to have a good time.

Most importantly, Mary knew how precious her time with the Savior would be. She knew that His presence shouldn't be interrupted but the trivial things of this life. Mary knew alot of things that I am still trying to learn. She knew she needed to be still and listen. If we all became like Mary, not JUST during church services, but during our daily walk with Christ, imagine how much better our lives would be.

I want to be Mary For A While! Shoot, I want to be "Mary Minded" for the rest of my life!

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42
Song: Mary For A While
Artists: The Perrys

Verse One: A quiet afternoon in Bethany, Mary sits alone at Jesus' feet. But in the other room, Martha has so much to do, she's missin' out on fellowship sweet. And I know I could be Martha all day, let my chance to be with You slip away!

Chorus: I want to be Mary for a while in all that I do! Close the door to everything that keeps my heart from You! Lord, I want to rest here and feel Heaven smile! I want to be Mary for a while!

Verse Two: I know I'd make Martha proud of me, with lots to do and places I must be. Yet I need this time to refresh my heart and mind; Your presence Lord is just want I need! 'Cause I know I could be Martha all day, let my chance to be with You slip away!

Chorus

Tag: Draw me nearer, Draw me nearer, precious Lord, draw me nearer to Your side! Lord, I want to rest here and feel Heaven smile! I want to be Mary for a while!