news, hints, and incourage...

There's some big news I want to share with you all, but it'll have to wait until tomorrow. There's so many details I need to sort through and right now, I can't even think straight. Here's a hint: it starts with en- and ends with -gaged. Oh yeah, baby, you heard right!

In the mean time, it's my monthly post on (in)courage, a website of collected writings from different women from around the country. If you've never checked it out, take some time to check it out! The bloggers are amazing and I'm honored to write alongside of them.

To read the post in it's entirety or post a comment, click here:

The room filled will chattering girls, laughing boys, and shushing teachers. It was chapel time. The mandatory, one-hour service where all good Christian kids go and eagerly await a required bible study.

Tough crowd.

They were the Christian picture of scholastic perfection. Pressed uniforms, light makeup for girls, neatly combed hair for boys. I began to share on the given topic for chapel that particular day, but something was amiss. There was an air of hypocrisy creeping into the room and choking hold of the dark truth in hearts and minds.

I've turned off comments here so you can join the conversation at (in)courage!

proclaiming freedom to captives...

Syncopated voices vibrated in the sterile room of the third level of the Los Angeles Women's Jail. It was one of those feelings we all have felt: What did I get myself into?! Shaved heads, tattoos climbing up necks and onto soft feminine faces displaying 'hoods they were from. Loud voices taunting and jesting with each other confused me in the way you would feel on foreign soil; you know what their saying but you can't understand the words.

I clutched my bible and inmates yelled through walls or shouted through windows, Pray for me! My name is Channel and I'm up for parole soon! And, Hey you! My baby's daddy is in court tomorrow. Would you remember to say a prayer for him? I had no clue what I'd gotten myself into.

In my naivete I assumed this would be another speaking event with willing women's heart open to hear the gospel. I didn't expect to be fearful. I didn't expect to be afraid. I didn't expect to pray in the solitude of my mind feverishly for the right words to say. But the fears washed away as a simple guitar lead us into a time of worship.

Brown, black, white. Straight, lesbian, confused. Searchers, seekers, finders.

In one room we sang off beat and out of key to songs I will never forget. The words sung out by the lips of the women gathered in ward 304 dripped with sincerity. Lyrics, sung out with every fiber of their being, meant something more than mere words. It was one of the most moving times of worship I've ever experienced.

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I walked towards the microphone. After getting comfortable with each other, we laughed together, learned together, and felt like a rowdy, motley crew of girls who needed some Jesus up in our lives.

Before leaving I had the privilege of praying with a dear sister who was sentenced to death row that very day. It was in that moment I realized she represented so many women who, though have freedom in the outside world, are prisoners to themselves.

As we go about our day, remember those who are living in an emotional, psychological, or physical prison and give them the One who proclaimed, The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of our Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God to comfort all who mourn... (Isaiah 61:1-2)

InTheNameOfLove summer series...

As a certified nerd, I'm so excited to pass along to YOU [the weekend blog reader] the dates for the In The Name Of Love summer series!

I'm sooooo excited about this years theme, but I'm keeping it a secret until I have all my ducks in a row. [*Side note: American idioms always confuse me. Who has ducks and how do they stay in rows?]

Without further adieu [yes, I try to speak French], I give you the dates:

Tuesdays at 7PM, July 6th-August 10th

Join over 500 women for six weeks of fantasticness and worshipful artistry with guest bands and time in God's word. Holla'! Hope to see you there. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

retreat...

Retreats are as old as Christianity. From Jesus leaving into the desert to the early church fathers who removed themselves for a few days of prayer and penance, retreats have been part of Christian history.

Whether your church calls them a retreat, advance, recoup, getaway, or holiday, the premise should be the same: Creating moments away from everyday life to learn, see, and feel the presence of God.*

I've had the luxury of speaking at a number of retreats and I always LOVE meeting new people and connecting on a spiritual level. But I ain't gonna lie... I have a favorite. Yes, I am partial. But here's the good news: you can come!

If you're looking for a good women's retreat to attend, join up with my church as we head into Murrieta, California for a time in the desert [don't worry, we won't sleep in tents] to learn, listen, and love. Sandy McIntosh from Horizon Christian Fellowship, my pastor's wife, and myself will be speaking and teaching and you're invited! [It's fine! I already asked if you could come.]

For more information, click here or call the church office at (323) 724-8464 for more information. (Date: February 26-28 Cost: $165 Location: Murrieta Conference Center)

*An added benefit is to be surrounded by other woman who are there for the same reason... without husbands, minus children, sans textbooks and midterms! Holla'. And there's medicinal hot springs on site to soak in until you turn into a raisin.

wonderfully made in san jose...

It still boggles my mind when people ask me questions about--well--me. I'm neurotic and boring and still believe Kid-n-Play is an acceptable dance form in public.

But I've established a relationship with the girls from Wonderfully Made and I'm speaking at their annual conference, so when they asked if I'd do an interview, I openly accepted. If you're in the San Jose area and would like to attend the conference on April 18th, visit the WM website for more information! Those girls are awesome.

Thanks for reading!

We love your blog! What's your favorite thing about blogging?

Well, I’ll be honest and say my favorite things are receiving comments from readers. I know it’s shameless to say, but I’m just keepin’ it real :) 
The only thing I could relate it to is yelling into a canyon and not hearing an echo. Sometimes the echo (even it doesn’t agree with me) is still good to hear ;)

Where do you get ideas for blog posts and where do you usually write them?

Life. I know, I know, it sounds cheesy, but I’m being honest. I’m a firm believer in a God who speaks supernaturally sometimes, but speaks subtly to us everyday. If we lean in, we can hear Him whisper to us. So whether I'm in my pajamas or blogging from Starbucks, I know He's speaking.

Tell us about your ministry.

I’m bi-vocational because I believe in the words and actions of Paul. At times churches blessed him and at other times he had to ability to preach the gospel for free. I’m totally stoked to work for an amazing church which believes in what I do and supports my ministry.

In The Name Of Love is a ministry to spread the love, grace, and truth of the gospel. I speak on theological, pragmatic, societal or emotional issues to anyone who will listen :) My heart most definitely is for Generation Y! This next wave of Christian leaders will control the ebb and flow of the Church. It’s important to teach solid biblical principles.

We can’t help but notice your fabulous style! What’s your shopping philosophy- any tips you want to share?

To read the full interview, click here.

six degrees of separation...

Six degrees of separation refers to the idea that if a person is one step away from each person they know and two steps away from each person who is known by one of the people they know, that everyone is at most six steps away from any other person on the earth. I've always wanted to know how I was connected to a Tibetan monk or Italian clothing designer, but I'm content just to be connected to my own family and anyone else is just a bonus.

Bonus: Two weeks ago at the Se7en Deadly Sins series I'm teaching, we had Dominic Balli join us for worship and it pretty much rocked the house. His dreadlocks swayed back and forth as he sang praises in reggae melodies and rock harmonies. Let's just say that Bob Marley ain't got nothing on this guy!

Rewind: Several months ago a pastor's wife from Lake Arrowhead contacted me to share at a women's event she hosts annually. I was honored that she, never having me heard share, would invite me to the church. When I asked how she heard about me she said, My daughter heard you teach at a retreat in Big Bear this past winter and she told me I HAD to have you come out. I laughed to hide my embarrassment and the wave of nerves that rolled over me. We found a date and moved forward with planning.

Today I made the connection after several months of correspondence. (What? I'm slow, okay?) Dominic was invited to do worship for the Reality retreat in January. Dominic (from Santa Barbara) invited his sister (from Lake Arrowhead) to check out the worship. Dominic's sister went home to tell her mom about me. Mom is the pastor's wife who called to invite me. So crazy, right? Six degrees of separation has come full circle in sharing God's word with people I don't know. If you live or are near the Lake Arrowhead area, join us tonight for Liberty and Lettuce Wraps at 6:30PM. If you can't make it out, please pray for me! Lordy knows I need it ;)

movement...

Dorothy was on the yellow brick road when she met a brave lion with swagger and braggadocio. He purred loudly and said, Put 'tem up, put 'tem! He roared and sang with a vibrato in his throat that would make Pavarroti jealous.... that was until Dorothy and the Tin Man exposed who he really was: a scared, trembling lion who lacked courage. 

Tomorrow is the Movement and I'm sharing at a workshop and could have one, one hundred, or one million people staring at me (I say this as I raise my pinky finger to the corner of my mouth and lift an Austinian eye brow). I'm so nervous and cowardly right now, I feel like grabbing my long, liony tail and crying, I do believe in Spooks, I do, I do. I represent the Lion of Judah and right now I feel like meow meow cat from the Kitty Litter commercial?! So, if you're not doing anything tomorrow at 4:00pm, come by and let's chat about missional living, the Samaritan woman, and how the Wizard of Oz gave me a badge of courage. If not, I'll be the one in the corner, wiping my tears with my eyes saying, I do believe in Spooks, I do, I do. 

Put 'tem up, put 'tem up,

B

one of these things don't belong...

Circa 1986 I laid on the wooden floor of my living room with my chin resting on the grooves of my knuckles and watched episodes of Sesame Street until my eyes glazed over and I discovered that the specific episode of the day was brought to me by the letter R. Ernie and Bert were like my cousins, Big Bird was like a dorky neighbor, and Snuffaupagus was like my peppy friend who had eyelashes to D.I.E for. I loved watching every episode and owe much of my early childhood education to Mr. Hooper, Oscar the Grouch, and Olivia (the resident Puerto Rican).

Well, it's 2009 and I still feel the effects of 1234 Sesame Street. During almost every episode a song would come on that I could still quote for you today:

One of these things is not like the others.

One of these things just doesn't belong,

Can you tell which thing is not like the other,

By the time I finished singing this song?

A few weeks ago I got a phone call informing me that I was invited to speak at an event for over 10,000 youth in the Southern California area. I tried my best to sound calm, cool, and collected... but I sounded more like Screetch Powers from Saved by the Bell. The person on the other end of the phone rattled off the names of the other speakers and I casually let out an audible um hm every now and then to make it seem like I was writing down pertinent information for the workshop I'll do doing. But the truth was that I was only thinking of one thing: How in the world did I make the roster?! I am SO not at the caliber of these people?!

After I hung up the phone, the melodic tones of 1234 Sesame St. crept into the crevices of my mind.

One of these things is not like the others.

One of these things just doesn't belong,

Can you tell which thing is not like the other,

By the time I finished singing this song?

Then I shoved that song out of my mind and realized that this is an opportunity to connect to the hearts and minds of the next generation. Who gives a rip if I don't belong?

If you're a teen or young adult in the OC area on Saturday, May 30th, check out the Movement. It's going to be epic!

she...

She chose to hold life sacred.

She chose to love me before I was born.

She chose to let the stretchmarks mark my growth without care to her physique.

She changed my diaper with joy when no one else would.

She rocked my fever away when no else could. 

She taught me how to complete chores as I should. 

She taught me how to fight for what is right. 

She taught me how to be strong when things were wrong. 

She taught me the value of life, the value of a dollar, and the value of tithe. 

Yesterday afternoon I sat at our mahogany colored table surrounded by my family members and inhaled deeply and smiled. No it wasn't my dill-infused potato salad, maple baked beans, or turkey burgers that brought satisfaction to my soul. Satisfaction bubbled inside of me like the Perrier on our table as I watched my mother smile as her children took turns in honoring her, her life, and her legacy to our household. 

It was a special day in our household, not because it was Mother's Day, but because my mother is alive. Five years ago my red-headed Boricua mother laid feebly on her bed, unable to walk, on some days unable to talk, moaning and writhing from pain as Chemo and Cancer waged a war against each other in her body. In the middle of her battle with cancer, she lost control of bodily functions and we would wipe her chin from the drool which hung from her lip, change her clothes if she urinated them, and on rare occasion, help her change her soiled pants with great sensitivity to her shame. We all looked pitifully at a shell of a woman who once was and we prepared ourselves for what life would be without her.

Yesterday was a fulfillment of Proverbs 31:28 as her children and husband surrounded her and called her blessed. When her red hair fell out and her face swelled from the steriods, we knew that charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who loves the Lord shall be praised.

I had the honor and privilege of taking my mother with me as I spoke to a lovely group of women about honoring mothers (Exodus 20) this past Saturday. I stood brazenly before the crowd and proudly stated that I have one of the best mothers in the WORLD!