(July 31, 2017)

(Pic Found Here)

https://www.google.com/search?q=christian+quotes+on+building+a+life+you+love&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiRzvje_u7UAhXNZiYKHWGVDKQQsAQIIQ&biw=1600&bih=783#imgrc=Y0JgkjlnpDqfjM:&spf=1499149410877

Resource Friday: LikeHoneyBlog (July 28, 2017)

What is resource Friday?

Every Friday I feature a musician, poet, author, entrepreneur or speaker who has incredible material. I believe that as Christians we can help one another grow by providing each other with Biblically sound resources. Every resource I suggest is of someone who's work I truly believe in and/or use myself.

This week’s resource: Like Honey Blog

Mariah and I connected online when I was searching for Christian bloggers to promote my e-course. Scrolling through her insta-feed and her blog, I immediately knew she had an awesome blog that I wanted to share. On LikeHoneyBlog, Mariah discusses everything from her adorable family, to her killer fashion sense, to her love for Jesus. Check out LikeHoneyBlog if you want to read the blog of a stylish, Jesus loving momma!
XOXO,
Myah  

Shero-Glitz Item of the Week (July 27, 2017)

As a part-time creative designer, I believe God can provide healing and empowerment through the beautiful things he leads his children to create. I love demonstrating the nature of God’s creativity by showcasing items he has led me to create.  So without further ado, here is our shero-glitz item of the week:

Find headbands like this one in my online store: Lonye' Lynn

(July 26, 2017)

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A Letter to My New Christian Self (July 25, 2017)

April 10th, 2017 was my super-sweet 16th birthday into the body of Christ! So here is a letter to my new Christian self.

Dear Myah at 10,  

One of the things you’re going to learn about God over the years, is that he has a sense of humor. And he’s creative. Like you. In fact that’s one of the things the two of you have in common. Creativity is one of the ways you will relate to him. He’s also persistent; and as you will find as you get older, that’s a trait that he passed on to his baby girl (you). Right now, you’re in elementary school and you have just accepted Jesus into your heart. You know he is real and you have determined within yourself to follow him. And sweet girl, as I write this letter to you from a woman’s perspective, I am so proud that you have and you did.

One thing you don’t know is inside of you, is an ability to stand alone in the face of adversity. You, little warrior, are strong. You are relentless.  And even though you sometimes feel insecure, and small and not good enough, you are so extraordinary. The next decade and a half of your life are going to be joyous, adventurous, painful and unexpected. Those dreams you have of going to Julliard or Columbia, as it turns out, are not a part of God’s plan for your life. That little town that you so desperately want to get away from (yes, even at ten years old) you will still live in at 26. Those friendships you think are forever, well sweet girl cherish them. As you grow older, very few of the kids you grew up with will remain Christian. The decision you make to stick with Christ will cost you many friends. It will even cost you your best friend.

You’ll still be singing. Though that music degree you thought you would get will never come to pass.  And at first you won’t be okay with. Okay, for many years you won’t be okay with it and you will find yourself in a perpetual state of asking God “what are you doing.” Even now, 16 years later, you don’t completely know what he is doing, but if you have learned anything about God, you have learned that he is always up to something and that he loves to catch you by surprise.

In the next decade and a half there are going to be many people who will betray you. There are going to be people who are going to make you question your worth. There’s going to be that guy who makes you wonder if he was in fact the one who got away. Your dreams are going to take much longer than you expected and sometimes that’s going to make you wonder if you are forgotten or if God really loves you. You’re not, and he does. Little warrior you are going to make your grown up self so proud. You are going to overcome an addiction to pornography. You are going to become healed from the pain of rejection and molestation. You are going to stay a virgin though middle school… high school… undergraduate… and a master’s degree. You are going to learn to submit to the leading and guiding of your earthly authorities and you are going to learn how to allow the Holy Spirit to change your compass over… and over… and over.. . and over again.

But the thing that is going to amaze you about God is how much he knows you. He knows you so much better than you ever knew yourself. And every single time you thought he was denying you of something, you’re going to find that he was shifting you and shaping you into who you really are. As I write this to you, sixteen years after you accepted Christ, I want you to know you don’t have it all together. You haven’t lost the weight; in fact you’ve gained more weight than your grown up self would like to admit. But let me remind you that you are persistent my dear and every time you fall down in your weight struggle you get back up. Every time. And one day, you won’t fall. You’ll get up and you’ll stay up and the weight loss, like every other struggle in your life will be a testament to God’s unfailing love and his infinite glory.

Right now you desperately want your own identity. People associate you with Mike and Mallory. You never feel like you own yourself.  While many of your peers are trying to break away from their families and establish their own identity, you want that too. But there’s this thing inside of you that keeps you close. That thing that’s pulling you close to them, that thing inside of you that you can’t explain, is destiny. The four of you are going to pioneer a ministry called One Vision Outreach Training Center. You’re a vital part of it. And it’s an even bigger part of you.  As you age in Christ you will become increasingly more compassionate, but decreasingly less sensitive (thank God, you cry a lot now, lol.) You will fall in love with worship. Yep, read that twice. You will pursue things you never knew you wanted and one day when they are placed in front of you, you will realized that a whole piece of you has been missing and now it’s finally there. Sixteen years after you become a Christian, you’ll still be radically imperfect but you’ll desperately work towards surrender. And God will feel so close.

Oh, and that play that dad took you to that led to your salvation. That was no accident. When you grow up, you’re going to write a lot of plays. Some of them will even have calls to salvation at the end. I told you God has a sense of humor.

I’m so proud of you,

Myah at 26.

(July 24, 2017)

Pic found here

Resource Friday- Lauren Daigle (July 21, 2017)

What is resource Friday?

Every Friday I feature a musician, poet, author, entrepreneur or speaker who has incredible material. I believe that as Christians we can help one another grow by providing each other with Biblically sound resources. Every resource I suggest is of someone who's work I truly believe in and/or use myself.

This week’s resource: Lauren Daigle

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When I think of Lauren's music the first thing I think of is "worship." Not only has Lauren been gifted with an incredible voice but her lyrics point the listener to the heart of God. Some of my favorite songs from her album How Can It Be are: Come Alive (Dry Bones), I Am Yours, and First. For a few hidden gems check out the deluxe edition of her album How Can It Be where you can find gorgeous tracks such as Wordless.
Happy Listening!
Myah

Shero-Glitz Item of the Week (July 20, 2017)

As a part-time creative designer, I believe God can provide healing and empowerment through the beautiful things he leads his children to create. I love demonstrating the nature of God’s creativity by showcasing items he has led me to create.  So without further ado, here is our shero-glitz item of the week:

                                                             

Find headbands like this one in my online store: Lonye' Lynnhttps://www.etsy.com/shop/LonyeLynn

(July 19, 2017)

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Are There Idols In Your Heart?- (July 18, 2017)

So often, when we think of idols we think of carved images made out of wood or stone. While that is an appropriate depiction of idolatry, idols can also be internal and heart centered. Webster’s dictionary (1828) defines an idol as: Anything on which we set our affections; that to which we indulge an excessive and sinful attachment.  Idolatry hurts our walk with God. It makes it difficult for us to hear from him.  God has declared that we should have no other God’s before him (Ex. 20:3 and Deut. 5:7) and that we should keep ourselves free from idols (1 John 5:21). With all of this being said, here are a few ways to know if you have idols in your heart.

1.      Is it something or someone you think about constantly?

2.      Is it something or someone God has told you to let go of, but you consistently justify holding on.

3.      Does it cause you to do things that are sinful or break the law.

4.      Is it all consuming? When you’re with this person or thing is it the only thing you can focus on?

5.      Does it cause you to neglect other responsibilities?

If you found yourself answering yes to any of these questions, repent, and make a decision to make God as the focal point of your heart, mind, and life.

XOXO,

Myah

(July 17, 2017)

Pic Found Here

My Thoughts on Turning 27 (July 14, 2017)

Today is my birthday! I’m really excited for what this next year will hold in my life. Here are a few things I’ve learned about life, love and Jesus, at 27.

1.      His love never fails: Don’t roll your eyes. This is not a cliché’. This is a promise! If I’ve learned anything about God, it’s that His love for me is inexplicable and unwavering. His love truly provides perfect peace. His love is literally perfect. Being an ex-perfectionist, I’ve found that his strength is truly made perfect in my weakness and it truly is incredible.

2.      You might as well take a chill-pill and learn how to wait: I can be incredibly impatient! Blame it on being a millennial or on sin nature, but I HATE TO WAIT.  Something I’ve learned in my 27 years of life is that no matter how much I scream, cry, threaten to walk away from my faith, and throw an adult tantrum, none of those things move God. God is going to do, what He wants to do, when and how He wants to do it. It’s best to just chill and enjoy the journey, because at some point you are going to have to wait.

3.      Love this season: It’s easy for me to focus on the future and on the good things in my life to come. But, something I’ve learned is it truly best to be all here, right now. No matter how well planned our futures are, when we get there we will find they are still not perfect. In the future, there will be people you love who are no longer with you, friendships that have died, disappointments that have accrued. There is a season for everything and you cannot have the warmth of summer without the chill of winter. So, if you’re in summer embrace it. If you’re in winter embrace it. Whatever hypothetical season of life you are in, be sure to be completely, totally present.

4.      I’m really, imperfect: I’m like super broken. Extremely prideful. Sometimes insecure. Often selfish. And while the realization of those things, does not give me permission to ignore them, it does give me permission to trust that only Jesus can transform me. When you realize how imperfect you are, it’s a lot easier to stop trying to change yourself and instead learn how to rely on the transformative power of Christ.

5.      Perspective really is everything: Choose to see this life as a beautiful adventure. I can choose to see pain as an opportunity to love on someone else. I can choose to see disappointment as a glowing opportunity to be caught by surprise. I don’t have control over everything, but I have control over plenty of things and one of those things is my attitude and how I approach the world.

There are my thoughts on turning 27. I’m grateful to see another year. Heyyyyy 27, let’s do this!!!!

Xoxo,

Myah

Shero Glitz Item of the Week (July 13, 2017)

As a part-time creative designer, I believe God can provide healing and empowerment through the beautiful things he leads his children to create. I love demonstrating the nature of God’s creativity by showcasing items he has led me to create.  So without further ado, here is our shero-glitz item of the week:

Find headbands like this one in my online store: Lonye' Lynn

Ministry 101: Rejection in Ministry (July 12, 2017)

(I created this column to provide insight and encouragement to those who are young and in ministry. I have served on paid ministry staff since I was eighteen years old and there are so many things I wish people had told me about being a very young leader. If you’re young and in ministry (or regardless of age, if you’re in ministry at all) I truly hope this encourages you.

Some of the greatest rejection I have experienced has been in ministry. When it comes to ministry, not many things are promised, but one thing that is promised, is that you will get hurt. In ministry, you are dealing with people. People are broken. Hurting. Selfish. Messy. And so are leaders. When you combine brokenness, and sin nature, at some point someone is going to get hurt and often that someone is the leader. Here are a few tips on how to handle rejection in ministry. 

1.      Remember Jesus was rejected: And scoffed at. And mocked. When you’re feeling the pain and sting of rejection. Read the gospels. Jesus was rejected in ministry. He was doubted, told that he wasn’t good enough, and some places completely refused to hear from him. Yet, none of that pain or rejection could deter him, because he knew he was called of God. He wasn’t called of people, but he was called by the Lord to do the Lord’s work.

2.      Ask God how he can use your pain for His glory: Each time I experienced rejection in ministry, it took me deeper into my walk with Jesus. Because I was going deeper in Christ and in the process of transformation, my light shined brighter and Christ became even more glorified. Ask God how he can use your rejection in ministry to shine his light even brighter.

3.      Don’t use pain as an opportunity to gossip: When a parishioner rejects you, this is never an opportunity to gossip about them (not even with other leaders.) I understand when you’ve been hurt you want to get vindication, but gossiping is not the way to do it. Instead, if you are feeling the urge to gossip, cry out to the Lord on that person’s behalf and ask the Lord to heal your heart.

4.      Remember that we battle not against flesh and blood: When you are rejected in ministry, always remember this. Usually the rejection is not personal (even when it feels very, very personal). Most times, it is a reflection of a spiritual battle that person is facing.

5.      Know that it’s okay to set boundaries: If someone has rejected you in ministry it is okay to set a boundary with them. There was an individual in our ministry who was slandering the leadership. The slander was causing division in the church and was greatly impacting some of the younger Christians in the body. News of the gossip had gotten back to the leaders and this person was lovingly, but firmly confronted and told to stop the slander. The person was told that if the slander did not stop, they would be asked to find a new church home. There is nothing un-Godly or unloving about this. If you have someone who is consistently hurting or rejecting you in ministry, you have a right to set a boundary.

6.      Have a tribe that loves you unconditionally: Be sure to have friends, family and other pastors who love you and encourage you.

7.      Take a break, but don’t walk away: Ministry is great, but very hard. Sometimes, you need a break so you won’t become bitter. That’s perfectly fine! If you are feeling emotionally depleted due to ministry rejection, take a break. Ask an assistant pastor to fill in for you. Have someone else lead worship that week. Disconnect from social media for a while so you don’t have to hear comments from parishioners. It’s okay to take a break from ministry to re-coup and keep from completely walking away.

I hope this helps!

Myah

Fertility, Sacrifice and John 3:16- (July 11, 2017)

John 3:16 is the first scripture I ever learned. From what I know, I can almost assure you it’s the first scripture many believers learn. When I was a child, as soon as a little tot said they’d accepted Jesus into their heart, the Sunday school teachers would teach them John 3:16. It wasn’t much different for adults at our church, when they came to know the Lord. Our discipleship program was very popular at my old church and one of the first scriptures people learned was John 3:16. This verse, so powerful and such a reflection of God’s grace and mercy is so commonly quoted, it’s sometimes referred to as cliché. Yet I can tell you when it comes to the word of God, nothing is cliché’.  As I look at this verse with woman eyes, I can say the power and beauty behind the scripture leaves me feeling so humbled.

Several years ago I was diagnosed with PCOS. It’s such a weird feeling to be a woman and confronted with the fragility of your fertility. Conceiving is not out of the question for me, as many women with PCOS do conceive. But the idea that it could be a faith walk, when the time comes is scary… and heart-breaking. I want to be a mother. In fact one of the meanings of my name is “mother.” So the idea that I could possibly be faced with fertility challenges is something I desperately try not to think about. When I look at John 3:16 and I consider my own desire to be a mama one day, I wonder: could I, for the sake of the salvation of humanity, have given up my child (or fertility?)  Could I have sacrificed my only son to save the souls of others? I’m going to answer you outright and tell you, I could not. Thankfully, I’ll never have to; but what astonishes me is the fact that God was so willing. He was willing to give Jesus up. To sacrifice his baby for my soul. The selflessness that took astounds me and leaves me feeling grateful.

I’m an unmarried woman, so for the time being having children is not a concern. However, I trust that in God’s timing I will one day conceive and birth children of my own. When I do, one of the first scriptures I will teach them is John 3:16. I want them to see how God surrendered His baby for them; so they know to never take his sacrifice for granted.

XOXO,

Myah Lonye'

Design a Life You Love: Who's Your Tribe (July 10, 2017)

You’ve probably heard the saying “even the Lone Ranger had Tonto.” This essentially means that we all need someone. It’s impossible to get through life without connection. We were made for community and interconnectedness. I think it’s healthy to periodically reflect on our friendships. Ask yourself the following questions about friendship. Once you’ve completed answering each question, take a little time to pray your answers back to God.

XOXO,

Myah

Who’s Your Tribe- Friendship Questions

1.      Outside of your spouse and your immediate family, who are your 3 closes friends?

2.      What do you love about these individuals?

3.      How do these individuals bring you closer to Christ?

4.      How do these individuals help you pursue your dreams?

5.      How are you a good friend to these individuals?

6.      How can you become a better friend?

7.      If you do not have any friendships outside of your spouse or immediate family, how can you develop new friendships?

Resource Friday: Nioby Trivett - (July 7, 2017)

What is resource Friday?

Every Friday I feature a musician, poet, author, entrepreneur or speaker who has incredible material. I believe that as Christians we can help one another grow by providing each other with Biblically sound resources. Every resource I suggest is of someone who's work I truly believe in and/or use myself.
This Week's Resource: Nioby Trivett

I first discovered Nioby, several years ago when her blog was entitled "The Chicest Ambry." Nioby has undeniable style, but what is so lovely about her is her love for Jesus. Find out more about this sold-out fashionista by following her on insta or by checking out her blog.
XOXO,
Myah Lonye'

Shero-Glitz Item of the Week: (July 6, 2017)

As a part-time creative designer, I believe God can provide healing and empowerment through the beautiful things he leads his children to create. I love demonstrating the nature of God’s creativity by showcasing items he has led me to create.  So without further ado, here is our shero-glitz item of the week:

Find headbands like this one in my online store: Lonye' Lynn

Ministry 101: Your Ministry Identity (July 5, 2017)

(I created this column to provide insight and encouragement to those who are young and in ministry. I have served on paid ministry staff since I was eighteen years old and there are so many things I wish people had told me about being a young leader. If you’re young and in ministry (or regardless of age, if you’re in ministry at all) I truly hope that this encourages you.)

I love being in ministry. I. LOVE. IT. I think it’s so amazing how God uses his children to bring others into the body of Christ. During my time in ministry, one thing I’ve learned is how imperative it is to know the identity God has given you as a minister. During my time in ministry, I’ve had many different assignments. I’ve done everything from developing children’s programs, to cleaning toilets. If I’ve learned anything, I’ve learned how to bloom where I was planted and how to embrace every season. But, I didn’t always know how to capture the vision God had for me in that season.

 Several years ago, I was given the assignment of being a worship leader. I’m a classical trained singer and I love to perform, so I thought “this should be easy.” Boy was I naïve! Becoming a worship leader was hard. When I was promoted to worship pastor it became even harder! One thing becoming a worship pastor led me to do, was to get before God and ask him to give me a real vision of how he wanted me to lead worship. I needed spiritual guidance on who I was as a worship leader. I needed to develop a ministry identity.

When you’re called into ministry, it can be easy to think “I’m going to be a worship leader or a pastor or a youth leader.” And feel like the meaning behind that is cut and dry. But every leader must get before God and find out how He wants them to lead. I had to get before God and say, “Dad, what do the people who come to One Vision (my church) need when it comes to worship? What songs do we need to bring to you? How do you want the songs to be performed? What does this body need in terms of worship” It’s easy to think “I’m going to preach like T.D. Jakes,” or “I’m going to lead worship like Kari Jobe.” Yet the thing is, no one can preach like T.D. Jakes and no one can lead worship like Kari Jobe. Only they can lead like them and only you can lead like you.

It’s so imperative that you sit before the Lord and ask him how he wants you to lead in ministry and what your ministry identity should be. There’s a group of people who need what only you can give.

I hope this helps,

Myah

Happy Independence Day! (July 4, 2017)

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Allowing God to Change My Compass- April 18, 2017

I was sitting in my senior English class when God told me to stay home for college. While it was nearly a decade ago, I remember it so clearly. I sat in the back of the classroom and cried as I realized that God, the dream giver, was asking me to lay down a dream I’d had for many years. That afternoon, he spoke to me so loudly. I spent the next month crying and debating on whether or not I would obey. I heard him, but the choice was mine: keep my dream, or submit to his will. I submitted; but unbeknownst to me, I would have to submit many more times along the road.

A year later, he asked me to lay down my music aspirations, voice major included. I remember feeling like such a loser when I changed my major from English/Music to English/Sociology. I didn’t know why God was making me lay it down, but here I was feeling prompted to lay down another dream. But that wasn’t all. Don’t worry sister’s, God didn’t let me off that easy. Nope, he asked me to lay down my dream to be a business owner.  Owning a business was a dream I’d been working on since I was 14 years old. I’d watch my crafting colleagues become successful selling their wares online and at craft shows. People would see my items and comment “wow, such talent. These items are beautiful.” Then they would sit them down and go shop from the vendor at the next booth.

Everything I ever wanted, I felt like God asked me surrender. The surrender became so common that there were times I became afraid to even want things (marriage I’m talking to you.) I associated surrender with God stripping me from the opportunity to have my hearts' desires. What I didn’t see, was how every time I allowed him to change my compass, he was really shaping me into the person I really was. Now all these years later, I can see some of what he was doing. For instance, music (and let’s be real, fame) were such an idol. I never knew I had a desire or a call for worship until that idol was out of the way. And who knew I was called to get a P.h,D.?  Me? The girl who couldn’t wait to be done with college so I could be a full time business woman? If God had of given me some of the things I so desperately longed for, when I longed for them, I wouldn’t be in the center of his perfect will for my life.

Something that is so lovely about God is that he never “forces” us to surrender. In each of these instances, he kindly asked and kept asking me to surrender. I can’t tell you that surrendering to God’s will is easy. For the most part, it is not. I also can’t tell you that it will be easy to allow him to change the direction of your compass. Generally, It isn’t. But when we allow him to lead the way, the journey is so much more beautiful than anything we could have ever imagined on our own.

XOXO,

Myah

Help, I'm an Outcast- April 17, 2017

Have you ever felt like the black sheep?  When you are radical in your faith, it is not uncommon to be outcast. I have been outcast by friends before. I’ve been outcast by family. Being an outcast is painful, but it is something you can survive and use to glorify the Lord. Here are a few tips to help you if you are in a season of being “out-casted.”

1.      Begin to pray and fast on a regular basis- This will strengthen you mentally and emotionally (and of course spiritually.)

2.      Find older Christians who can cover you in prayer- the longer you are in the faith, the more likely you are to have had a season of being a spiritual outcast. Finding older Christians to lean on can help you get through this season, because more likely than not, they have been where you are at some point or another.   

3.      Ask God, what He wants’ you to learn from this season of solitude- There is never a season we go through where God does not want us to learn something. If you are going through a season of being outcast ask the Lord what he wants you to learn.

4.      See if you can find people who are accepting of your faith outside of your family/friend circle. Sometimes finding a new circle of like-minded people can help you through this season.

5.      Get comfortable with the idea that you may lose friends. There is always a possibility of losing friends as you go deeper in your walk. Learn to accept it and trust that if you lose friends God will eventually restore you with even better friends.

6.      Began to confess scripture about your God given identity. Confessing scripture out loud helps to remind you who you are as a child of God.

I hope these tips help!

XOXO,

Myah

Welcome 2017!

Hello Everyone! Welcome to 2017! I pray that this year brings all of us into incredible intimacy with Christ and an unwavering pursuit of holiness and healing. I am so excited and hopeful for what lies ahead.  This year, I hope to finish what I’ve started  in different areas of my life and to be present! What are some of your  hopes and goals for the new year?

XOXO,

Myah