Word Praize

Trapeze Flying Without a Net?

Hello Chosen Ones:

I’m usually one that MUST post, full, edited, tightened, rewritten, and retightened pieces or I’m not posting.  But today I’m feeling it way different.  I’m feeling like a for real-for real blog piece.  Hey, I might not even do a spell check.  I’m taking flight here.  I’m flying on a trapeze without a net.

This is my last entry until 2007 so I want to make sure I give you something positive and just some good information and some hope that will float you on to the next piece that God has in store for you.  And he does have plans in mind for you—since the beginning of the beginning.  Read it for yourself in Jeremiah 29:11:13, “God says, ‘For I alone know the plans I have for you, plans for prosperity and not disaster, plans to give you a future and a hope.’”

I’m holding on to that promise right along with you and I am seeing God move on my behalf.  If you’re watching closely…if you’re listening you’ll hear him say, “here, my child, walk this way.” Or “Wait, I got you.  I know the desires of your heart.  I got your tears right here in a bottle beside me.”  Or ‘I know it’s been a long time coming but change is coming…I just want you ready and wise enough to walk tall with the change.”

Some of you, like me…have been digging soooo long it seems.  You been praying and praising, writing and sending, talking, and hushing up.  You’ve been hoping and disappointed.  You’ve been holding on and letting go.  You been watching folk all around you move out into the deep and yet you feel tied to the shore waiting for your ropes to be cut.  You been soaring and then crashing.  You been… you been… bad English and all but can’t stop now…

Perhaps God is saying to some of us right now… ‘you’ve dug long enough now let me bring the oil to you!  You just step up on the escalator and let me take you on up to where I birthed you to be even during Genesis times.

I’m writing to someone out there in cyberspace…you were predestined to be right here, right now…on this page reading this outpouring of whatever that I offer up to God feeling that it is flowing with the help of my Helper the Holy Spirit straight to you.  I pray that God is meeting you within the words.

The scripture beside the one I shared in an earlier paragraph that is the foundation of my writing and speaking ministry is Revelations 12:11, “We overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.”  Thus, here is a testimony that I feel led to share…

If you as a writer, author, author-hopeful—consider setting up a free myspace profile page.  The harvest is plentiful and the workers are few but you are one of them…

At my son’s suggestion, I became actively involved in myspace profile that I had set up some months before but had just laid dormant.  Within two months of taking his suggestion I had over 5,000 profile views, over 1,000 comments left on my page, networking opportunities that have equated to more book sales, speaking engagements, radio and print media interviews, praying with people, leading folk to Christ, singing opportunities, friendships, connecting with old readers and building a whole new audience of readers, the need to go into the studio to create a CD because of demand. To view and to see the possibilities of utilizing your space there go to my profile at www.myspace.com/isayaprayerforme. 

A year ago, I prayed and asked God for a radio show.  In faith, I bought some equipment to at least produce a podcast which would be a start—although the equipment stayed in the box.  Well, I launched my podcast, Faith-Lift™ with Stanice on myspace profile using the free technology at www.gcast.com and a telephone.  In less than two months, there are been over 11,000 downloads.  To listen or subscribe free to my podcast go to:  http://www.gcast.com/u/staniceanderson/main. And now it is also available on iTunes at http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=206994621

About three weeks ago, feeling led, I sent an email to an owner of an internet radio station, Take12Radio.com. (Recovery Talk and Positive Music 24/7) I followed through in about a week, and he said that he was looking through possible interviewees but had not chosen yet.  I let it go and went on to the next thing I felt led by the Spirit to do—finding the equipment the podcasting/radio equipment I bought back in February so I could at least produce a better quality sound podcast product.

I got a call from the radio station owner.  He wanted to interview me on my show. 

The day before the Take12Radio.com show interview, I had read equipment manual and produced my first radio quality podcast installment and posted it.  My interview was at 2:00 pm EST, at the show’s end off-air the owner, Monty-man Meyer, said that the Lord had impressed on his heard to offer me my own radio show.  I gave him an excited, YES!  And told him of my prayer to the Lord for a show a year or so prior.  We both had chill bumps, Holy Ghost was moving and it was soooo clear.  He said all I needed was to tell him if I wanted 45-minute show or an hour; a title, theme song, and of pray about the content.  It was already done.  I took the hour show option.  The show is an extension of the brand God had already made possible, Faith-Lift™ with Stanice: The Radio Show; theme song?  The song, Just an Illusion, I co-wrote with my ex-husband, and it’s content? Here’s the 60-second promo as recorded on my radio equipment in my dining room make-shift studio in the quiet wee hours of this morning:

Hello Chosen Ones:

I am Stanice Anderson, host of Faith-Lift with Stanice here on Take12Radio.com.

In recovery for over 20 years.  One day at a time.  I’m an inspirational speaker, author of I Say A Prayer For Me: One Woman’s Life of Faith and Triumph, published by Walk Worthy Press/Warner Books.

And now I have the privilege of being here with you for one-hour on Thursdays!  Transparency, hope, excitement, healing, humor, and life stories are the gifts I bring.

Inspiring, uplifting, and encouraging people through personal testimonies of getting real, prayed-up and empowered to discover and live out God’s plans and purposes is what I do.  Infuse that with topic-related music, seal it with a prayer, and you have the recipe for Faith-Lift with Stanice.  Thursdays on Take12radio.com

My first show will air on Thursday, December 21, 2006.  It’s posted to be available that morning and will run until the next Wednesday evening which a new show is posted to be heard on that Thursday.  To listen go to www.Take12Radio.com It doesn’t pay anything, but it doesn’t cost me anything either.  Other than time… and for me it’s all about ministering in the Name of Jesus…my writing, the speaking, podcasts, radio shows, and whatever else God has in mind.  I just want Him to get as much glory as possible out of my life that He has spared over and over and over and over again.

In the meantime, I move on listening and watching, believing God is ordering my steps to His desired rhythm and places.  And grants such favor with people and institutions.  You just have to be open to listen and follow His lead and sometime He leads with the children.  My son, also suggested that I do a show to help pay the bills.  Oh, I wish it wasn’t so but the Lord knows we got to have money to take care of our living expenses and everything…Cesaer looking for his…

So I listened to my son, believing that God is using him to bless me and to get me where I need to be.  My first major show outside of speaking engagements is scheduled for Saturday, January 20, 2007.  It’s more than a show, it’s a One Woman Experience and I gave it the title that the Lord gave me about two years ago (I just didn’t know what it was for until now) –  The result –

Mike Tucker and Moms Present…

Walkin’ On Water When the Ground Ain’t Enuf: A One Woman Experience
Cada Vez Restaurant
1438 U Street NW, Washington, DC (Historic U St. Corridor), Tickets $20 in advance, more at the door (if seats left)
and available online at www.stanice.com and www.myspace.com/isayaprayerforme

I do hope that you are encouraged.  Just be on your way…God will take care the rest.  Trust him.  Don’t go into it looking for money and fame, if that is your due, God will do it…cause I feel like this if God don’t build the plays, the stories, the podcasts, the radio shows, the house even…the builder builds in vain.  But with Him in it…my my my.  I will tell you this, I ain’t missed no meals, and as I take care of His business, He takes care of mine, my hope is in Him and the best is yet to be.  My latter will be better than my former and I got His Word on that and that’s enough for me.

Nope, not going back to spell check or nothing.  This is what it is.  This is for you, with love and wishes for one of the Most Joyous Christmas you’ve ever experienced.  I’m flying on a trapeze of faith and Jesus is my net.

Stanice Anderson

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Delay is Not Denial

"Delay is not denial," my agent said as she assured me that she had not forgotten my manuscript or me. It had been three LONG months since the work was finished, and I ached for publication details. Almost seven months later, her words were more than a haunting hope. They reminded that in God's time, not mine, more will be revealed.

The delay taught me to walk by faith and not by natural sight. Therefore, with the eyes of my faith, I saw the book. I felt the raised letters of the title spanned across the glossy cover. I smelled the fresh-inked pages. I saw myself at the podium of a packed auditorium as I read from sections book marked with neon-pink Post-its peeping over the pages. I experienced the "not yet" as if it already "was." Perhaps spiritual vision is sharpened in the delay.

After we have done our part, we turn all else over to God and stand on His promises while we wait for the results that He alone can orchestrate. His Word reminds us, "... though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely
come."

In this moment, perhaps God is saying to us: "Don't run ahead of me. I AM the Author and the Finisher of your faith. I AM in your past, present and future. My timing is always perfect. In the meantime, trust me and go on to the next thing of your life. When you least expect, I will reveal my perfect will that is immeasurably more than you could ever ask, think or imagine--Creator-made--just for you. Don't curse the delay! I reside in the delay."

Prayer: Father God, we acknowledge that you are still on the Throne. It is you who go before, with and ahead-working together all things for the good of us who love you and are called according to your purpose. Today, we cast our feeble efforts and looming anxieties at the foot of your Throne. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. So be it!

© 2006 Stanice Anderson,Inspirational Speaker and Author www.stanice.com, listen and subcribe to my new podcast, Faith Lift(tm).  Also visit me on MySpace at www.myspace.com/isayaprayerforme - add me as your "friend."

HOW DID GOD MEET YOU WITHIN THE WORDS?
CAN YOU RELATE?  HOW?  SPECIFICS?

Have Faith!

Boy, was last week tough! Started out great with  Sunday service, but then come Monday—look out! First thing that morning, I delved into my Philosophy mid-term. Had all my notes, thought I was fully prepared and then read the questions and “Wham!” Seemed as if I had not even read some of what he was asking. He did what  some instructors do and tested us on material he had NOT covered in class and though I took really thorough notes from my reading, Philosophy requires some serious ‘breaking down’ for me. In fact, I’ve determined that deciphering these guys’ words actually makes my brain hurt. And, though I know that it’s good learning for me to think in a linear way and work outside of my comfort zone, the ‘sista-girl’-practical side of me, just wants to ask these fellas, “What’s really going on? Don’t ya’ll have nothin’ better to do! Then think, and think and think some more?”

Well anyway, I digress. Wading through the questions (to the best of my ability), I kept an eye on the time. Finally, only one question to go with twenty minutes left and what happens? Evidently I pressed a key I’ve never pressed before and instead of letters, my keys begin to type symbols and I couldn’t fix it!! So, I run upstairs, boot up the desktop computer and by the time I get back online and on to WebCT I have about 10 minutes to answer this question. So, figuring something is better than nothing, I put in something. Now, that was Monday morning. And, let me just say things got even more complicated as the week went on and on top of all of it I was slogging my way through my Philosophy (yeah, I know more Philosophy) mid-term paper. Most other changes were inward, emotional reactions to unexpected situations, but I’d already determined it a blessing, and decided to “Count it all joy".

As a student, I have financial aid and like most who are eligible to receive it, really need the money. Well, those funds were supposed to come Saturday and of course in keeping the pattern of this particular week, they did not. And, after nearly panicking, I realized that too many times in my life, when I'm in difficulty I don't respond with faith. Instead I react in fear and I felt this a revelation of sorts. Something I should’ve known, and been practicing but didn’t know and had not. Or maybe it's something I’d forgotten and needed to remember. Anyway, come Sunday morning, I was ready to go to church and praise the Lord and receive His word. Well mostly ready. So, at 5:15 I got up, through on the sweats, went to walk at the track and on my third lap, what do I see at 5:45 in the morning right outside the fence? A dog. Now, I have a dog, but I’m still not fond of loose dogs because when I was younger I got bit. And, this wasn’t a small dog. So quietly I hurried to my car, but then determination set in and I rounded the block once and came back and finished the walk. By the time I was headed home, I was sure more drama was on the way.

Once home, I took the dog for her walk, made coffee, showered, had my clothes and my son’s ready and as I meditated what did hear?  Sleet!! For only about a second I contemplated staying home, because I knew then God had a blessing for me in the service. I just had to make it there. Next, I told my son to start the car and here we go again! He’d been trying to get some drama going all weekend and I’ve determined ‘peace’ will exist in my home. So, because of that he’s already in his room and unhappy and still trying to get something going so I can be miserable as he. By now, I’m stressed cause it’s snowing and it’s getting late and I know it’s going to take me even longer to make it down the highway because of the weather and I still have to get gas! To cut to the chase, brotha' got smart one time too many and got left behind.

So, I get gas, drive down the sloshy highway and finally make it into the Sanctuary. Man, I'll tell you, I’ve never been so happy to sit down anywhere as I was to sit in that pew on Sunday! The hugs I gave folks were genuine, because I’d gone through much to get there. And, then it was God’s turn. First, the choirs all sang songs that touched my heart and situation and then there was a praise dance and the song they danced to was, “He won’t give you more than you can bear!” By the time Bishop came up I knew something good was going to happen. And, sure enough after we’d greeted each other, he asked that we turn in our Bibles to Hebrews 11:1. For those of you who know what Scripture that is already, I kid you not; this is where he asked us to turn!! Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. And, this was the Scripture he based Sunday’s message on and ya’ll know that was JUST the message I needed to hear that morning!   

And, so the moral is folks, while philosophers "philosophize" over if God exists, their rhetoric gives me no pause to question. Instead, God reminded me that the test during difficulty is to remember, when times are rough and the going gets tough to “Have Faith!” As Bishop sang at the end of service, “His eye is on the Sparrow and I know He watches me”.  Thank you Lord…

Cheri Paris Edwards is the first-time author of “Plenty Good Room”, published in hardcover by Walk Worthy/Warner Books in Spring, 2005. She is 49-years old and the mother of two boys. She lives in East-Central Illinois. Her website is www.cheriparisedwards.com

Thursday's Theme:Joy

Question: What brought you joy this week?

Nothing brought me joy this week, but that's only because joy never leaves. On Thursday it rose like bubbles, up and out of my mouth with childish exuberance, as I watched my son perform at a concert, but mostly, it sits quietly with me, as present as the breath in my lungs.

This morning joy sang softly to me, a ballad of remembrance. Joy sang of God's deliverance in everything, and murmured to me that the darkness I believe is depression, is merely His womb, and He will give birth to me, in His time. But for now, to just rest in the tender circle of His walls, nourished through the cord of grace that connects me to Him.

Joy never leaves us. Like love, it never fails, though sometimes it stands in waiting. Letting patience perfect us. Letting God prune us. Collecting our leaves and branches, as they fall, swirling in circles to the ground. Ragamuffindiva@hotmail.com