If you knew me during my teen-age years then you knew one thing about me for sure, I loved Anne Rice. I consumed her vampire novels one after the other, having my parents sometimes pay top dollar for the hardcover version the first day it was released. To my delight today I found that she made a "I Am Second" video. While listening to her, as she speaks about what it was she was going through while she penned down her famous works is quite interesting and amazing. They are both of those (interesting and amazing) as I recollect what I was going through, what I felt and was dealing with in my own life at the times when I read them. Not to mention as I near my 30th birthday, and it was been almost a decade since I have picked up one of those books (albeit I have read her Christ The Lord novels since). It is when we look back, we can see how far we have come ... how far God has lead us into the greatness He has in store. 

I recommend you to listen to her story, if you have a spare ten minutes or so. 

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:37-39

I am delighted to call this woman a sister in Christ, uplifter and friend, and additionally that she allowed me to share this here. You can find this lovely lady on Facebook, if you would like to reach out to her directly. SIC!

My love story

I was born and raised in Durban, South Africa into a very strict Islamic household. My mother was and still is the religious leader in our community. She converts people to Islam and runs a Madrasah (Islamic school) out of her home.

One of my earliest memories is being at Islamic school, covered from head to toe, reading the Quran. I remember distinctly sitting on my mother’s lap reciting the Quran and every time, I got to a particular phrase that I could not remember, and I was beat continuously. That’s when the fear began. I had to be perfect. Because I wanted to please my parents, I became one of her best students. My mother was so proud of me and there was constant chatter that I would continue this family legacy when she passed away.

In 1995 I came to the United States to attend University. In 1998 I had my first supernatural experience with God that completely transformed my life. That is the day that I realized that Jesus maybe more than just a Prophet. (In Islam Jesus is revered as of the Major Prophets.) I remained in a state of confusion and turmoil for 8 years. Could my entire life be a lie? I kept asking myself how this could be. I didn’t know who I was anymore! I had to find out! But, I was afraid to denounce Islam because of my family. Fear and loyalty had been imputed into me. As I child I would always say, “I was born a Muslim and I’ll die a Muslim.” I struggled to wrap my head around the fact that Jesus was God. It was against everything I was ever taught! Deep down inside, I knew that Jesus was way more special than what I was taught. He just felt right! But fear had a stronger hold. This was the beginning of my spiritual journey.

In June of 2006, I had another experience with God and He revealed to me in a vision: Proverbs, 3:5-6 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. [a]. There was no more doubt! I believed with all my heart! I wanted the world to know On June 13th, 2006 I was baptized.

My life has changed drastically since I have been born again! Has it been a smooth transition? Absolutely not! Was my family accepting of my conversion? No, they were not. During the early years, did I ever consider going back to Islam? NO! Never entertained that thought! You see, God became a very close companion. He was so real to me! He delighted in me! I did not know much back then, but I was certain of one thing: He loved me! I had never experienced a love like this! He was always near! We were in constant fellowship. I fell madly and deeply in love!

I began to meditate on the WORD of God and my mindset began to change. I learnt my rights in Christ! I became Christ conscious! I knew my identity! My mind was renewed! The fear that had bound me my entire life; left me! I knew who I was and the more I studied the Word, the stronger I became. The Word had taken root in my Spirit. I began to eat the Word veraciously! My thirst for the Word became unquenchable! I simply CAN NOT get enough!

One of my favorite scriptures is Hebrews 4:12, “that the Word of God is alive and active, sharper than any two edged sword, it penetrates even dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart”. This scripture really touches me deeply. You see no matter what walk of life you come from or what your past looks like, you are now a new creation in Christ. This Word of God, builds, breaks, removes, cleans, fixes, empowers, transforms and molds you into who God says you are. When this Word gets into your spirit, remnants of your past will not be visible. Your life becomes a wonder! No longer will you be bound by the opinion of man. The Word of God establishes you! I am unashamedly in love! A woman after Gods own heart, just like David. I would change nothing, irrespective of all the relationships I’ve lost. I’ve gained so much more!

I do want to send first my heartfelt apologies for being a bit of a "slacker" as of late with writing for the blog (and book #2). Though details will not be shared, I can say that I have been graced with a lot of new material for both, so stay tuned, for writing has not been forgotten! As such, I know how you all enjoy reading the writing by my good friend Gina, so here I give you her latest posting and her first vlog testimony. May you be blessed by her words! 

Freedom

There is a vast difference between the freedom the world offers you & the freedom Christ offers when we submit to Him. The world’s freedom sounds enticing, thrilling…even comfortable. It gives the permission to do as you please without the afterthought of heaven. It doesn’t pause to weigh the consequence of the moment. The freedom the world offers is temporary bliss. Jesus extends to us a different type of freedom. The freedom from sin…the freedom from guilt…the freedom from death. Nothing else compares. The two choices of freedom have two completely different sources. One is the Lover of your soul & one is the enemy of your soul. The enemy disguises himself as the good guy, promising his way will be more enjoyable and pleasurable. This is deception at it’s finest. Jesus is clear in His message to us, with no deception & no ulterior motives. He promises Paradise…spiritual riches…His presence…but we must surrender ourselves. He is clear that while we are here, we will join in His suffering. He’s doesn’t try to sugarcoat it. But satan will lie through his teeth to make you believe that there is no life after death, that there is no punishment for living as you please. His goal is to keep you blind and in your sin. Who will you surrender to?


Awakened

The Holy Spirit led me to share what was on my heart and what He has done in my life. Hope it blesses and encourages you!

A documentary by Issac Deitz on Family Force 5's member Fatty (real name Joshua Olds) when he battled with kidney failure in 2009.

Praise the Lord, my soul; 
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 
Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins 
    and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion, 
who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 103:1-5

*Thank You Father God for healing and restoring Joshua, may his story be a witness to Your ever-abounding grace, love & sufficiency.* 

So the stage has been set ….

One day long ago someone (or more than one someone) hurt you and while you have in your heart have sincerely forgive said people(s), to be around them is not your first idea of fun. Yet, a circumstance has presented itself where-as the aforementioned are linked to a happening of some significance and your presence is required. What perchance do you do? Well, if you are like me, initially you may have an emotional panic attack, retorting inwardly (or to a confidant) that your appearance should be requested, not demanded – that you are an adult now and don’t have to take orders from no [bleep] one except God, all the while you see-saw in your head-space about how unfair the whole situation is. Yet, then you realize exactly what thoughts are going through your head. Valid, very valid … no one can make you do anything you wish not to do, so what will you do?

 You, if like me, proceed to carry forth as with this crossroad as with all decisions in your life (or at least you try to) and you talk it over with God. It never will cease to amaze me how speaking to God eases one being, communing with the Father, the creator of all things truly does bring things into perspective.

So you ask yourself, not what would Jesus do, but what DID Jesus do …
Jesus, the Son of God, taught, traveled and ate with, even washed the feet of, the man who was set to betray Him and hand Him over to be crucified. Jesus never showed anything but love to Judas.  

Ouch, conviction eh?

So now you may be saying to yourself, He is the Son of God though, how can I even begin to do the same? (As this part was given to me after my own revelation of the above from wise counsel), by means just as Paul wrote about his when referring to his “thorn of the flesh” that God would not remove.

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

So what does this mean? It means that the GRACE of the Almighty is ALL that is NEEDED for ANY and EVERYTHING we must encounter, that means sickness, broken hearts, imprisonment, showing compassion to those that have wronged us, etc … 

We have all read the verses, now we must just start living the word – we must have faith that what we read, speak and teach is true. We have been called to be a light unto a broken world (which is on a rapid spiral down into the uttermost pits of decay).

Do not lose heart though friend, family member in the kingdom of Jesus Christ – should there be a time (or times) in which you stumble; we are all works in progress in this lifetime!

Dear Heavenly Father – We thank You so very much for giving us Your word, for allowing us to hear and read the stories of the saints that have gone before us. For allowing us so much knowledge into who You are and who You want us to be. Allow us to grow stronger in You Lord. Allow us to rid ourselves of any malice we have toward other people and show everyone the same love in which You have shown us. In the name of the Perfect One, Jesus Christ, ><>

SiC <3