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NEW DIRECTION; OLD PATHS...

This blog has been evolved several times since its inception. It started as a platform for a writer's musings Then it became a witne...

Friday, January 23, 2009

Living Visions

If you were to peruse the many lengthy posts, past the even lengthier permanent post and were able to some how piece together a chronology of truth, you might begin in April of 2008.

For two days I attended a Loral Langemeier business conference in Dallas, TX. NO ONE wanted to hear about my business choices: neither the business directory nor the "public speaking". They were steering me towards Graphic Design or some such thing.

Then upon meeting Loral I blurted out that I was going to be the Loral Langemeier of Christian Education. Good Lord! And my angst was more over saying such a dumb thing to Ms. Langemeier rather than where the heck did that come from?

But on the plane ride home I had my first ever vision and indeed did see myself speaking to masses of women. Women? Check out my non-profit and you'll see I've been primarily focused on teens! Where the heck did that come from?

So yes, I started that directory anyway and began researching the "public speaking" because I was going to do both, daggone it! And the directory led me to the Bishop who agreed immediately to be my mentor in "public speaking".

But still the vision persisted - and it grew! The details became clearer and crazier in my mind - but certainly clearer. And I kept them under wraps convinced I was nuts.

Then a prophet read my nutty thoughts and told them all back to me. Then the Bishop confirmed all those nutty thoughts and told them all back to me. Where the heck did all of that come from?

And so yes, I did my first speaking engagement at the Bishop's church - what a rush! I knew the Spirit of God had anointed me that night but still it was as if I was still saying, where the heck did that come from?

And I spoke again, and did a little something else, and I began teaching at the Bible College and I began pursuing a licence in ministry... hold up... yes, I did say minister's license. Now where the heck did THAT come from?

Somewhere along the way I had to admit that this was not just a career path and a really cool job - finally. Somewhere along the line I had answered and acknowledge just exactly where this was all coming from: God Himself.

I had been called. I had finally recognized the sound I had heard for so many, many years. Finally, every experience, every pain, every joy and every heart ache made sense - this was why: so that that I may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith I have been comforted of God. (2 Cor 1:4)

And I have had to transform myself through the renewing of my thoughts: I would like to be a minister; I am called to be a minister; I am working on becoming a minister; I am a minister elect; I AM A MINISTER of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

And now I must admit I am still being transformed by the renewing of my thinking: The Vision.
Yeah, that one - way back in April.

It's time ya'll... it's 'bout time to begin. It's time to be about my Father's business. Just as prophecies are meant to be told, visions are meant to be lived...

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

SIGNIFICANT SIGNIFICANCE


Here are my hopes for my family, my friends and indeed all of mankind in the midst of today’s significance:

Whether you voted for “the guy” or not… No matter what your political party… No matter what your ethnicity or economic status or religious beliefs are… There is a particular and extremely significant significance to the events of today: The inauguration of our 44th President, Barack Obama.

And yes, part of it has to do with ethnicity – but only a part. And part of it has to do with economic status – but only a part. And again, some of it does have to do with religious belief – but only a part, and only perhaps for those who believe in God and in His Holy Word. And finally another small part does indeed have to do with our political parties.

I will start at the latter. You see, no matter whether you consider yourself Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal, Independent, Moderate or other – there is no way Barack Obama could have been voted into office by just the Democrats alone. And with an 80+% approval rating – or some such thing – there is no way he could reach a number like that through just the Democrats alone. And so it seems his message of unifying the parties has already begun to come to fruition – and that is a fact that is significant. My hope is that it continues.

And you see, no matter what your ethnicity, race or nationality – there is no way Barack Obama could have been voted into office by just the African Americans, Hawaiians and citizens of Illinois all by themselves. And with that 80+% approval rating – or whatever it is – there is now way he could have reached those kinds of numbers with just the African Americans, Hawaiians and Illinois residents. And so it seems as if his message of unifying the American people regardless of ethnicity, race or nationality has already begun to come to fruition – and that is a fact that is extremely significant. My hope is that it continues.

And so, you see, no matter how much money you do or do not make, no matter how affected you are or are not by the current economic crisis, and no matter whether you might or might not be affected by any taxation changes Barack Obama may or may not make, approximately 80+% of Americans (no matter what their economic status is) have a hope that he will make significant changes to the current economy. And there is no way that number of 80+% - or something like that – could have been reached by just poor people with hope, unemployed people with hope or people who hope they won’t lose their houses. And since it seems that hope is very good for the economy – for example; hope can make the stock market soar and fear can make the stock market plummet – it seems as if his message of economic hope has already begun to come to fruition (at least if only in the hearts of the American people) – and that is very significant indeed. My hope is that his actions in office match the hope in many of our hearts.

And finally, you see, (for those of us who believe) that God does indeed ordain and/or choose the worlds leaders, that would have to include the “good” ones and the “bad” ones. The “bad” ones pave the way for the “good” ones and the “good” ones provide a foundation for the “bad” ones. One cannot be without the other preceding or following. And so whether you think the former administration was good or bad, and whether you think the new and current administration will be good or bad – the truth of the matter (to those of us who chose to believe) is that “ALL things work to the greater good of they that love the Lord.” And that is significantly significant indeed. My hope is that in all things – or at least 80+% (or somewhere around there) – Barack Obama (through the will of God) will succeed in all he hopes to do.

So whether he does or not, the significant significance of today is that I am included in about 80+% of the American people whose hope extends towards all mankind – whether you voted for the guy or not; no matter what your political party; no matter what your economic status; no matter what your ethnicity and no matter what your religious beliefs are or are not.

I wish you all happiness and hope and better days ahead for us all.

God bless you and may God continue to richly bless America.

© 2008 Deidre Campbell-Jones (aka – “Min. Dez”)

Sunday, January 4, 2009

New Year Update

So since my last post, announcing that I have accepted the call to preach, and teach and make disciples, the Lord has kept on calling...

- As of September 16 I began teaching at Union University Bible College each Tuesday evening.

- I will be in charge of the newsletter at the Family Church International, Pasadena CA - I will work on them naming and Editorial Department and me as director. :D

- I am also attending classes at the Bible College and, each class I teach; each message I give and all of my past ministry experience works towards the expediting of my ministers license to be administered this year.

- I have officially published my first booklet entitled "The Limitless Power of Faith" and expect to complete others soon. And the second (and far more beautiful) 2009 Destination "Limitless Faith" Calendar is now available!

My new Bishop and mentor has given me the "green light" to pursue speaking engagements outside of the church and I am diligently and passionately pursuing any and all ventures.

This endeavor works toward the goal and vision of my larger speaking engagement and book tour. So yes, it's time to get started on that first full book and get it published!

And, most importantly - the Lord has blessed me with spiritual gifts I did not expect and am so thrilled and overwhelmed by. Any day the Lord speaks is a very good day indeed!

With all that being said, I have also had the visions that I will pastor a church and that the ongoing and ultimate goals of my current ministry (destinationchristianservices.net) will also come to fruition.

As a minister on the roster at the Family Church International, Bishop Donnie Williams has given all of us the assignment to begin a home bible study. I, of course (and for now), have started a "To Your Home" Email Bible Study and will post the messages on a new blog entitled: getliferightnow.blogspot.com. To receive those bible studies and to become a part of the fellowshipping community of GetLifeRightNow, join our online congregation at: getliferightnow.ning.com. My hope and prayer is that these sites will be the forerunner for a future church as per my vision and a prophet's word from the Lord for my life.

Speaking schedules, events and to book an engagement will be found at: GetLifeRightNow.com

Until then, His Love & Your Blessings,
~ Minister Dez

This is a stationary post.

Destiny's Journey


Some journeys are well traveled roads. Common, familiar and easy. We cruise along the path oblivious to the process as we habitually turn each corner, climb each hill and break each slope. Only to arrive, blink and wonder how we managed without incident or memory of the trip.

This journey - my journey - is not like that. This journey is one of reluctance, hesitance, unsurity, insecurity and yes, a moderate amount of fear.

As I open the window for you to view my progress, you will undoubtedly come to your own conclusion based upon the progress of your own journey - and your observations will be varied.

Some might say that I am making slow but steady progress toward a clear destination. Others may say that I am floundering and wandering aimlessly down a muddy road with too many directions to choose from.

I say my journey has just begun, although it started more than 10 years ago. I say I still have such a long, long way to go, although I am teetering on the precipice of completion. I say the journey has made me weary, leery and weak, although I trudge on with a strength and endurance that is beyond me. I say the path is muddy, with many obstacles, directions and difficulties still yet to come. However, my destination is clear - crazy, unimaginable, overwhelming and clear.

When this path first appeared it was like a hazy, dirt road on a foggy day. I peered at it without knowing what it was or where it was going - then tried to ignore it as inconsequential. When the path persisted I joked as to where it might lead, then still tried to dismiss it as a path not meant for me.

It was years before the view of the path cleared and I was able to see the destination more clearly. It was absurd to think that the reality of where this path could end up would be in a place far more outlandish than even my most absurd imaginings! OK, maybe - just maybe this path ended up in a very good place - but a place still not meant for me. Definitely not me.

Why not me? Who else but me, since I was the only one to see? Please, Dear God, not me! Yes, me. This path was meant for me.

And so I watched it, argued with it, denied it and tried to imagine a life without pursuing it.

Four - no five, has it already been five? Five years ago I accepted it. I stuck out a big toe like testing the cold water of a pool - then yanked my foot back like I so often would. I wrote about it, dreamed about it, and tried it on for size in the privacy of my dressing room of life. And by the way, I still watched it, argued with it, denied it and tried to imagine a life without pursuing it.

Three - sorry, I forgot - Four years ago I made up my mind. I packed my bags, said good bye to the sanity and sanctuary of friends and family who always had thought they understood me, and I took my first hesitant and frightened step.

In these last four years I have walked, sometimes trotted, but never quite run toward a goal I think is crazy. I have stopped, I have even sat down and I have wistfully looked back to a time when I did not know and could not see what was meant for me.

But I will not stop. I packed my bags (all my baggage), and made up my mind. Armed with nothing but 2 scriptures and a great deal of hope, I continue to trudge on driven by the surity that if - just if - I happen to arrive at this awesome, fearsome destination, it will be extraordinary, phenomenal and inconceivably wonderful. This destination...

A destination, a journey to a place that is called destiny. My destiny. Destiny's purpose in life. My God given purpose.

Sometimes while we travel, we see another driver, glance in that direction and never take note or give them another thought. Perhaps that is how you will see me.

Sometimes we see another traveler and something catches our eye. We may watch a moment, muse a moment or even briefly wonder... Then they continue on their own separate way and thoughts of them fade as quickly as they do. Perhaps that will be how you see me.

Other times we get caught in traffic, bunched up with drivers because of fate. And whether we cruise along peacefully or struggle with road rage, we share a community of progress, each with our own destination. Perhaps that will be how you experience me.

And on rare occasion on our own individual roads of life, we travel a path where we encounter another driver - seemingly traveling to the same basic place. At times they follow us and then we follow them. We may take note of who they are and what they drive - possibly even read a licence plate. We'll share a moment or even a long while - silently and separately together, with maybe a glance, a smile or a brief a wave of acknowledgement. Perhaps that will be how you experience me.

I cannot say how long this path will be for me, so whether you glance and move on - never to take notice; or whether you wonder a moment at who I am and where I'm going; or whether you follow a while, smile and wave or better yet, if you decide to stay for the journey, I invite you to come along for the ride.

***
Please click on the "Stuff From Before" link to Destiny's Journey to make your comments.