Newsflash...

Hello everyone...

 

I was selected as a guest writer for Blogs by Christian Women to have one of my articles featured on their website. I consider this a honor to share the Word of God to empower women on such a great platform. Check it out and feel free to leave your comments as well. Blessings on you all.

 

http://blogsbychristianwomen.blogspot.com/2014/06/humilitynot-for-wimps.html

 

 

(c) 2014 The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House

 

 

Let It Go

As I was sitting at work one day, I kept hearing this song in my head, "Let It Go" from the animated movie Frozen. It is really an uplifting song. I must admit even as I have grown up that there are still some things I have to let go. In life, situations will happen to challenge you to look into the depths of your heart to help you to see what you need to change. It is God's way of showing us that He loves enough to help us to be our best.

There is a power you gain when you let it go. It allows more room for God to do greater in your life. I remember my counselor once telling me that I had to learn to accept that there is nothing in this world that can make up for whatever happened in my past. I was able to do that concerning what others had done to me. But I had yet to do so concerning things I have done toward others, especially people who are close to me. Truthfully, there were some past actions I had yet to forgive myself for. I knew it was time to change my mind and heart about it.

Philippians 3:13-14 says: "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,  I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

I chose to accept God's love in place of my past because I have received His forgiveness.  And I have also forgiven myself.  We have to understand His grace is much more sufficient in our weakness and to cover those things from our past and more (2 Corinthians 12:9).  I have made a fresh start to do better. So I encourage you to do yourself a favor. Free yourself and let it go...

Leading Ahead...

Recently, I heard this quote from one my classmates in a course I am taking online. She said "the tail is nothing without the head." We were discussing effective leadership as it relates to employee empowerment. It can also be applicable in our Christian walk with God. We have to allow God to be the full head of our lives so that we can go in the direction He is leading us.

I have found that I have grown and become more successful when I have submitted myself to proper leadership. However, it was not easy. In the church, solid and faithful leaders are becoming more of a rare breed than the norm. Their examples have been marred with negative circumstances and issues not reflective of the true character of God. That does not excuse Pastors and Leaders in their responsibility to following the sound doctrine of the Word of God in how they lead God's people.

You have to examine the scriptures to see how God connected us and how important leadership is. "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith." - Hebrews 13:7

It does start with the head and then flows down to the body. In marriage and family, the man is considered to be the head of the home. If he is not fully submitted to God, then everything connected to him becomes out of order. If you think that you can easily operate without proper leadership, it would be quite foolish. No one can be at their best when they are an island to themselves. God did not design it that way. Through godly leadership, you receive correction, counsel, wisdom, and support that ensures safety in your purpose in God. "Without wise leadership, a nation falls; with many counselors, there is safety." - Proverbs 11:14

I am grateful for the great people of God that have been effective leaders by their example in my life. One in particular, Apostle Designate Derian A. House, has been very instrumental in my growth in God. As a Pastor, leader, father, and husband, he has shown by example on how to lead in his labor of love for the people and ministry. Most importantly, I do thank God for being the true head of my life. For without Him, I would be nothing.

Elder Twanna House and Apostle-Designate Derian A. House

 

 

 



(c) 2014  The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House

It's Your Responsibility...

On Saturday, March 1st around 10:25am, a tragedy occurred here in my hometown, Pensacola, Florida. A 2-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed himself in the head. When my husband (also my Pastor) and I heard about this, we decided to show forth our love and concern as a church to the bereaved family. We raised an offering to give to the family along with a card. Then, we contacted the County Sherriff's office to reach out to the family who lost their child. The Victim's Advocate was so pleasantly shocked that we wanted to help. In fact, they said we were the first ministry in the last 30 years to make an effort to do anything like this. The family was so shocked when we told them that they did not know how to receive it. Wow!! 

Pensacola is a city that has over 600 churches and ministries. It is amazing to me that we were the first ministry to reach out to this hurting family. Now, this makes me wonder if the leaders in the body of Christ are mindful of this gospel that they carry. We do have a purpose to minister Christ to all. Not just at church, but to everyone. Have we lost sight of the fact that we as believers have a responsibility to those who don't know Him?  "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16

It is our responsibility to show forth the light of God's love through our lifestyle. But some of us so-called believers have allowed life and worldly ideals to overshadow that light. We, as the church, need a reality check and accept responsibility that comes with being true believers of God. Guess what? You  are responsible. You don't have to be a Pastor, Bishop, Elder or have any title. Once you accepted Christ, you now are a carrier of His Gospel in your heart and have the responsibility to share your great testimony for others to hear and see. Remember, we do have an audience that is watching and waiting on us to own up to our responsibility. Let's rise up church and not keep them waiting.

(C) 2014. The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House

Happy Anniversary...

This a very special day. Not only because it is Valentine's Day. This is also our first anniversary for our blog, The Chronicles of a Strange Girl. Yes, we made it one year. So check out this video below as a thank you and in celebration of what the Lord has done...

Thanks so much and I love you all to life...

(c) 2014 The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House

Unspoken Witness

Let me be transparent for a moment...

I am beginning to wonder if we are fully taking responsibility as Christians for how we carry ourselves in the midst of others. Frequently, I have seen those who profess to be Christians one day and then post on Facebook something that completely contradicts their witness and is contrary to the word of God. Look, I am not judging anyone. But the word of God is clear. 

2 Corinthians 6:3 says "We put no stumbling block in anyone's path so that our ministry will not be discredited." Until we as believers realize our ministry is our life, then we will not be taken seriously because we are not consistent. We have a responsibility to those who are our family in Christ and those who do not know the Lord to mindful of our actions. 

Ministry is not like your clothes. You do not just put a dress on and then take it off when you get home.  You don't live for God on Sunday and put it down when you get home from church. Ministry is how you treat people, your character, and your actions (also reactions) beyond the church. Remember, your greatest and most powerful witness of God to someone is when it is unspoken. Don't be careless about it. It's your responsibility to represent Christ at your best.

(c) 2014  The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House

Humility...Not For Wimps

2014 is finally here. I can say that already it has presented its set of challenges. However, I have come to understand that tests and trials are necessary. Through them, you find out where you really are and how much you have grown. Well, some I have passed. And some others, I see I have growing up to do. Ironically, I gained a very powerful key to access great things that God can manifest in my life. So, what is it? Humility.  I promise you I did not just curse at you (LOL). I'll say it
again, "humility" - the quality or state of being humble; modest opinion of one's own importance or rank; meekness.

How is humility a powerful key? Well, let's look at James 4:6, "But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."  The word "grace" in this passage comes from the word "charis" in the Greek meaning "favor, grace, wisdom and strength." So, humility is not a sign of weakness. I am quite sure Jesus was not a wimp in all the persecution, anguish, and suffering He endured all the way to cross. And yet, His humility towards God was the key to access the unquestionable strength and grace needed to carry out His purpose.
 For me, I have learned to humble myself willingly as much as possible rather than being forced.  You know what I mean. Especially when you have been tried by someone that don't even know you, they curse you out when you have not done anything intentional to offend them. Help me Holy Ghost!! I had to humble myself in the moment and think, "God could fight a lot more battles for me if I keep my mouth closed (so as to avoid saying something foolish).

It takes great strength to humble yourself to access the power of self-control, a slice of the fruit of spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Therefore, I chose to keep a calm demeanor, walk away from the situation, and say nothing else. When I did, I realized that God had done a great work in me. It was through the testing of my faith that God showed me I was not so weak after all. In fact, it is usually the person that acts out of character that is weak more than the person that shows self-control and humility. So, humility is not for wimps. It is for those that know where there true strength resides...in God.

(c) 2014   The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House