Viewing 1 - 6 out of 6 Blogs.

"Windows to the Soul" is a 5-song EP of Contemporary pop songs, flavored with note-worthy hints of R & B, soul, funk and gospel, interwoven with the Word of God and communicated with a passionate, engaging and heartfelt approach. If you wish to order a copy, send a $10.00 check or money order to: Krissy Gordon Windows to the Soul Project P.O. Box 77342 Charlotte, NC 28271-7007 or from Krissy's official website store @ www.krissygordon.com

I just came from ministering at the men's homeless shelter in uptown Charlotte. As soon as we pulled in, men were standing outside in groups and lined up on the bench, soaking in the nice weather. Some guys were inside playing cards and making most of their time. As we unloaded our equipment, several men volunteered their assistance and we gladly accepted. I met one man named Emmanuel who insisted that he carry the equalizer I was holding. So, I let him. As we walked inside together, he asked me why I(we) was there. It must have looked strange to have 8 women walking into a men's homeless shelter with electronics. I told him we were there to tell them the "Good News" through song, and he agreed to come join us. I noticed that Emmanuel had a cane, and I thought this was unusual for such a young guy. Anyway, it didn't take long for me to see that Emmanuel had a servant's heart, and I made sure I told him that. As we entered the room I asked, "Emmanuel, doesn't that mean "God is with us"? He answered yes, but with hesistation. Then he explained his whole life he got flack for having that name because he didn't always walk with God and he always felt like he fell short when he didn't live up to or display that in his life. I told him that "we are all sinners and we all fall short of God's glory", but that God's Word says that He will never leave us nor forsake us" and that as believers, He lives inside of us and goes with us all the time." I also sensed from our conversation that his father was not a very loving or maybe an absentee dad, and I assured him that the Lord, our God, gave his father the idea to name him Emmanuel and that God knows his name. He, like many of us, wants to do go and be good, but keeps falling back into the traps of this world. He said, "I like what you have been saying to me, and I told him I liked what he had been saying to me too (and I meant it). He is an anointed man of God, and I will be praying for Him. I also told him that God has a plan and purpose for His life and that this wasn't it. You see, the Lord's Word says He wants to prosper us and to give us a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11). I am keeping my brother Emmanuel in prayer and will continue to do so. I pray that the Words that the Lord gave me will be planted in his heart. Next, my friend and co-laborer Trish and I took a walk outside and gave a personal invitation to anyone who was around to come take a listen to our message. I even teased one of the guys who tried to tease us by saying "as long as it doesn't interrupt my dominos game". So, I said, "well, your dominoes are always going to be there, but we won't. Come on!" So, he said, "I was just kidding, and I said, "so was I!"....and he ended up coming. I was so glad!! :)We started our program, and the room was packed. Some guys stood up in the back, some passed through and some walked back and forth by the open back door, listening, but not coming in. In the middle of our program, one of the girls did some tricks with rope demonstrating sin and how Jesus' blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness and how if we confess our sin and have godly sorrow, the Lord is quick to forgive. Then, another group member, shared her testimony of deliverance from an alcohol addiction and abusive marriage being restored by the Lord. It was powerful! Then, we passed out some lyric sheets, and had the guys sing some of our favorite hymns with us. It was such a sweet smelling aroma to our Lord. As our program came to a close, it was my turn to sing the "O Happy Day" solo with the girls backing me up. I love that song and use every opportunity I can to minister with it. It's funny even though the words repeat, I really medidate on what I am saying and really believe it with all my heart and soul. I was thinking about the day I recommited my life to Christ and the joy that filled my soul (and still does!) and what a happy day it was and when I sing "Let us rejoice and praise His holy name"....I am not just singing words here....I really and truly mean it. Anyway, that is such a fun song, and it was so nice to see these guys off of there feet praising the Lord. One African American man named Tyrone came up to me after our ministry time, and said, "you have got to have at least one African American in your family line girl, 'cause you got soul". I laughed and told him, too bad I didn't believe in reincarnation, 'cause if I did, I would bet money that I was a sister in a former life". He laughed. Then we talked and he shared how the Lord delivered him from a drug addiction and how he has been battling staying clean, but the Lord has been speaking to him a lot lately and he is ready to make a real commitment to the Lord. I confirmed with him that the Lord had great plans for his life and it was very evident that the work of the enemy was to destroy his mind and body so he couldn't carry it out. He shared how the Lord called his name and woke him up with a warning as a fire began to break out in his house from a lit candle that had toppled over. He knows the Lord spared his life for a reason and that there is a greater purpose. This isn't just it. I saw excitement and hope in his eyes, and I was truly blessed. He said maybe the Lord will have it that our paths will cross again. I said, yes, and I will be saying, look at what the Lord has done in Tyrone, big things...amazing things.....wow, and he knew that was true, and was going to make sure of it. That blessed me too! Another man, a vet of the Vietnam war, came up to me and wanted to share some poetry that he had written. As I read it, I saw a real gift from the Lord. A lot of his writing was of his experiences, and I thought if he hadn't been going through something, just like any of us do, he wouldn't have this beautiful material to write. How this is going to bless others and glorify God! One of his poems was about nature, and it described how he saw God's creation in such beautiful detail. I really felt that it brought so much joy to the Lord, and encouraged him to keep writing and reciting and it would fall into the right hands and/or ears eventually and the Lord was going to do great things with his gift. I explained to him about the paralyzing fear I had singing in public (why doesn't anyone believe that?) and how the Lord showed me that the only reason I feared is because I made it about me, and it wasn't meant for me. It was meant to glorify Him and bless His people. Doh! All of the men were so helpful, respectful, and willing to serve as well as an encouragement and blessing to us all. A young man named Derek just became a new creation in Christ and one of the girls gave him her husband's information so he could shepard him in his new walk. We all hugged him and welcomed him to the family of God. As we were leaving, I remembered I had a little brochure on salvation, etc. in my wallet. I jumped out of the car and came running to him, calling his name. He was probably like, what now!? I handed it to him and told him that I wanted him to have that...I really pray it helps him. I also told him to stay grounded in God's Word and to daily commune with God, because the voice of the accuser will come trying to sow seeds of doubt and discouragement, but to remember that the joy of the Lord is his strength and that we have the victory because of the blood of Jesus; so, "no weapon formed against us shall prosper". The ladies I minister with are such a blessing, but I have to admit, these homeless men were even more of a blessing. God doesn't see us in dominations, social status, etc., he sees the heart of man. We need to see the heart of man too, and today I really liked what I saw, and can honestly say, I love these guys and can't wait to have the opportunity to go back and fellowship with them again.Krissy

The Resume of Jesus Christ Address: Ephesians 1:20 Phone: Romans 10:13 Hello. My name is Jesus -The Christ. Many call me Lord! I've sent you my resume because I'm seeking the top management position in your heart. Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my resume. Qualifications: * I founded the earth and established the heavens, (See Proverbs 3:19) * I formed man from the dust of the ground, (See Genesis 2:7) * I breathed into man the breath of life, (See Genesis 2:7) * I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (See Galatians 3:13) * The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through me, (See Galatians 3:14) Occupational Background: * I've only had one employer, (See Luke 2:49). * I've never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful. * My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me, (See Matthew 3:15-17) Skills Work Experiences: * Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised, (See Luke 4:18). * I am a Wonderful Counselor, (See Isaiah 9:6). People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil, (See Proverbs 1:33). * Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse you of your sins, (See I John 1:7-9) Educational Background: * I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, (See Proverbs 2:6). * In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (See Colossians 2:3). * My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path, (See Psalms 119:105). * I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart, (See Psalms 44:21). Major Accomplishments: * I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all times, (See Genesis 1:26). * I laid down my life so that you may live, (See II Corinthians 5:15). * I defeated the archenemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly, (See Colossians 2:15). * I've miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead! * There are many more major accomplishments, too many to mention here. You can read them on my website, which is located at: www dot - the BIBLE. You don't need an Internet connection or computer to access my website. References: * Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healings, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance In Summation: Now that you've read my resume, I'm confident that I'm the only candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your heart. In summation, I will properly direct your paths, (See Prov 3:5-6),and lead you into everlasting life, (See John 6:47). When can I start? Time is of the essence, (See Hebrews 3:15). NOW MAY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF, AND OUR GOD AND FATHER, WHO HAS LOVED US AND GIVEN US EVERLASTING CONSOLATION AND GOOD HOPE BY GRACE, COMFORT YOUR HEART AND ESTABLISH YOU IN EVERYGOOD WORD AND WORK. Amen. ( 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 )

Scaring Machine My pastor shared this story this weekend, and I thought it was so amazing and an awesome reminder that when the robber comes (the devil) to kill, steal and destroy, we need to kick him out of our house and tell him he doesn't belong there! EVANS - Little Jacqueline Castillo woke up early Saturday morning to a blood-covered stranger hovering over her bed. Instead of being scared, she said she was mad. "Because he can't put blood in our house, that's why," Jacqueline said. So, the 5-year-old, who stands less than four feet tall, escorted the burglar to the back door and told him, "Get out of the house." Police say the burglar was an intoxicated 17-year-old who had tried to get in at least two other homes. Investigators say he found an unlocked window at the Castillo house and climbed in, rifling through drawers in several bedrooms while Jacqueline's brother, mother, and grandmother slept. A neighbor who heard the burglar at his home, called 9-1-1. Police then followed the trail of blood to Jacqueline's home and were in the backyard when she kicked the burglar out. She said, "When I opened the door, the cop was there." "I think it was very brave of her," said Felix Castillo, her older brother. Felix says he is not surprised, because even though she looks sweet, "She messes with me. She's tough and she doesn't leave me alone," Felix said. Police are still trying to figure out why the 17-year-old was covered in someone else's blood. Investigators are calling her their "Little Trooper." Jacqueline's brother said, "She's like a scaring machine."

What's the purpose of sex? Of course, sex is necessary for the propagation of the race. But while we are to "be fruitful and increase in number" (Genesis 1:28), sex is not merely limited to the procreation of the human species. Sexual intimacy is designed to reflect the beautiful mystery and intimate union between God and His people ( Ephesians 5:25 ). God gave us sex to arouse and satisfy our innate craving for intimacy, for union ( Genesis 1:24-25 ). A couple who enjoys emotional, relational, and spiritual intercourse with one another will be drawn to celebrate their love through sexual intimacy. That's why sexual intimacy is exclusively reserved for marriage. Sexual experiences outside of marriage mar our enjoyment of the beauty of sexual intimacy in its proper context as God intended. The Bible describes the sexual experience within marriage as honorable ( Hebrews 13:4 ). Some of the most beautiful erotic literature ever composed is found in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament. For some, the idea of verbally inspired erotic literature is difficult to accept. Yet God has frankly recorded for us His view of the delights of sexual intimacy between a married couple in poetic verse: Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer -- may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love ( Proverbs 5:15-19 ). In the Song of Solomon, the husband's description of his bride's body ( Song of Solomon 4:1-15 ) and her description of his ( Song of Solomon 5:10-16 ) reveals the joy of love and sexual intimacy that God extols for a married couple. While sexual intimacy between a couple is not to be observed by anyone outside of the relationship, God, the One who sees and knows all, must smile with delight when He sees two of His children enjoying the good gift of sex He has given to them. God intended sex to be far more than mere pleasurable sensations. He designed it as the intimate union of body, soul, mind, and spirit exclusively shared between a husband and wife. It's about being open, exposed, naked, and unashamed in the presence of our spouse who finds us desirable and yearns to draw close to us. That's how God captures our hearts. Being captured by our lover will give us a taste of being caught up in Christ's love in a way that we feel deeply enjoyed without shame. In essence, sexual intimacy within marriage should draw us to deeper worship of God who initiated sexuality for His glory and our delight. Enjoying sex with one's spouse is always to be viewed as a part of the whole marriage relationship. Sex is never to be singled out as some isolated aspect of our being that is disconnected from the rest of the relationship. Rather, sexuality is a vehicle for expressing our identity as a man or a woman made in the image of God. Sexuality pulsates throughout a godly marriage and is not exclusively reserved for the bedroom experience. A devastating assault on our ability to enjoy sexuality is the perpetuation of the myth, "Sex is just sex. It's just another biological urge demanding satisfaction." But that's not true. God didn't make sex as a mere physical act. Whether we're willing to acknowledge it now, or we face the pain of admitting it after the fact, sex is always woven into our view of ourselves, one another, and God. Each of us distinctly reflects the image of God through the lens of our sexuality as either male or female. How we handle this good gift of sex will either enhance the glory of God's image in us or will mar that glory. If anyone should be enjoying sexuality, Christians should. We should know better than anyone else that sex was never intended to be an end in itself. It is intended to be a joyous celebration of the intimate love that a man and woman share together in the covenant relationship called marriage. It is designed to be a reflection of the intimate love relationship between Christ and His church ( Ephesians 5:25-33 ). Tim Jackson

What a Revelation! Last Thursday, I spent about 6 hours at the studio going over the 5 songs from my upcoming EP "Windows to the Soul". It was really neat to see the songs that the Lord birthed in me start to come to life. Anyway, on Friday morning I woke up and thanked the Lord for the progress we made the night before and for the alruistic attitudes and mad talent of the people involved in the CD production. Then my mind started wondering, "who's going to want to hear these songs?" "where I am I going to perform them? etc. etc. That is when the Lord gave me the coolest revelation. He basically showed me that He didn't need me to get this project done! Now, you may be thinking, wait a minute...God said that. God wouldn't say that. But, let me explain. He showed me that He CHOSE me to do this and that He WANTS ME to do this, but that He doesn't need me to do it and gave me an example: He said, "you have been invited to the party or wedding. The invitations have already been sent, the table has been set, all the food has been provided, I do all the cleaning up. All you have to do is get dressed, show up, follow directions and have a good time." I was like "wow..that's it?" How awesome is that? You see all the times I worry about how I am going to get the rest of the money I need to complete it and about all the logistics and details, He reminds me that this is HIS PROJECT, and I am just His mouthpiece or His hands and feet. Sometimes, we humanly forget this, and start to refer to HIS ministry as "our ministry" or "my ministry". What a loving Father we serve who gently reminds us that He is taking care of every last detail and all He requires is our obedience and humility - knowing that He is in charge and it is ALL ABOUT HIM..not US. I am so grateful and have such a sense of relief and freedom knowing everything is all taken care of already and such an attitude of gratitude knowing that God chose little ole me to do His work. wow...what a revelation!