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

Gestation...

Here is a snippet of truth...

Our God given purpose is like an egg cell in the ovary of a woman. When a female is born it is said that we already have all the eggs we'll ever have. Some will ripen to ovulation, most will not.

And just like that egg cell, I believe we are born with the seed of God's given purpose for our lives - lying dormant until ripened into fruition. Sometimes it does... most times it does not.

And like a little girl who dreams of getting married and having babies, we often dream of growing up and fulfilling some grand purpose for our lives. And even though girls dream of a life with children - they almost never dream of pregnancy, morning sickness, labor pains and cesareans. And they absolutely cannot envision exactly what day those children will be born, what they will look like, how they will act or what grades they'll get in school.

And so we grow dreaming of a purpose but cannot actually, truly know what that purpose will be. We must wait for and hope for the implantation of thought that gestates into an idea, that labors into activity and finally is birthed into reality.

Here's some "womanly" information you may not want to know the details of: Some women can "tell" when they are ovulating. They experience some aching, some cramping, moodiness and maybe some spotting. Yuck.

But I say, there is the same kind of discomfort when the seed of purpose is ripening as well.

I was going through this pre-cycle discomfort for a while prior to attending a business seminar in Dallas, TX this past April. And without knowing it - my formerly barren womb of opportunity was actually ovulating my seed of purpose. One thing led to another and wham, bam thank you ma'am - two weeks later I'm waiting on a phone call like waiting on a pregnancy test. Let me back up a moment.

I must confess that when in Dallas I did not fall in love with my future - I did not get a quickie marriage to my purpose. No... instead it was as if I had an illicit one-night-stand weekend! Truth be told, it was as if I had to sneak around whenever I mentioned this possible purpose. It was frowned upon as a no-no and if I am to continue with the analogy, it was as if the leaders of this conference were arranging a marriage for me and were suggesting adoption for my barren womb of purpose. Oh, but the weekend was filled with such passion and emotion and excitement that I could not be lured away from my two-night affair with destiny.

Like an adoptive mother waiting to be matched, I waited for two-weeks for that call that would confirm my marriage and adoption. But admittedly, while I waited... I took care, and continued to do all the right things... just in case I was truly "pregnant" with truth.

Sure enough, days before the call my purpose test turned positive - the seed of truth had ripened, been fertilized, implanted and had begun it's quiet gestation. Weeks later, like a trip to the doctor, a local prophet whom I had only met a few times confirmed my "pregnancy" by confirming my purpose with such accuracy there was no more denying my truth.

It has been a short gestation, but it has not been without it's morning sickness, anticipation, anxiety, excitement and glorious joy at the mere thought of my future.

And now I am proud to say that on this Friday I am scheduled for a Cesarean - a forced birth of purpose, if you will. And I cannot wait! Trust me, I know that after this purpose is born there will still be all the ups and downs of parenting responsibility to contend with. My new "baby" will get sick and will have growth spurts. My new "baby" will grow and get stronger, maybe get ornery, will try to give me trouble and will always be a joy.

It is impossible to envision exactly what my new purpose will look like, but I have a pretty good idea and I am already in love! But come this Friday all things will change as I finally give birth and am able to properly parent my Presidential purpose.

I will upload a birth announcement with pictures of my new baby...

It's Here: I'm Here.

I've been reading T.D. Jakes' "Repositioning Yourself" - I just started.

In reading it so far, I've been faced with two areas of thought.

On the one hand, I'm really proud of myself for what I've accomplished and how much I've done.

On the other hand, I am both saddened and energized at the thought of finally overcoming my barriers of fear! If I had been living so boldly at my first revelation of fear - truly bold and not hesitantly bold - how much more would I have accomplished? How much more can I accomplish and when can I once and for all eradicate the fear that is left??

My angst and anxiousness over this fear is like finding a cancerous lump just below the surface of my skin: I can feel it. I know it must come out. I want it out so badly I would cut it out myself if it weren't for the fear of pain or damage to myself.

Which is more palpable? The fear of the cancer of fear? The pain and damage of removing it myself? Or the fear that I will not find someone to do it for me in time - has it already spread; latching on to far too many areas of my life to actually remove it all?

I ask these questions because on the heels of excitement I feel the fear lingering; hovering; like a vulture; waiting for the failure so it can pounce, attack and feed on my moment of weakness.

Here I am.

I am living the life of my plans!!

(1) The settlement and the inheritance are finally about to come to a close. I will be able to pay my bills, pay the house, pay off the last of my debt and save for mine and my families futures.

(2) I am working that flexible, fun, daily "job" and once I begin to meet my monthly minimum, I will be able to cover our basic needs and the current bills, groceries, gas and so forth.

(3) I have received leads and a gig for my company. It is slowly growing and will help provide more for our daily needs as well as assist in the growth of the parent organization.

(4) I am boldly building the organization. Stepping out on faith and pushing it towards the goals that exist for it. I am pushing myself towards the goals I have placed on myself in order to bring this organization truly to a viable, fruit-bearing, fruition.

(5) And by pushing myself to do this I have completed some writing and will complete more and have actually finished the calendar fundraiser - my first published literary work of art.

It is Here.

And it is available now for sale: The 2008 Destination Inspiration "What If" Wall Calendar

So, if it is here, and I am here - both of us exactly where I'd like us to be. And more prayerfully, exactly where the Lord intends for us to be. Which means He has been answering my prayers for Proverbs 16:9 "Man devises his plan, but the Lord directs his steps." Yea, me!

And that is why the fear is hovering like a vulture. "For God has not given the spirit of fear; but of POWER, and of LOVE and of a SOUND MIND."

It is the enemy that manufactures my fear and on the tail of my POWER through Christ, he launches a valiant and re-energized attempt to make me think the Lord doesn't love me enough to continue to answer, to bless, to guide me through to the end I foresee and therefore disrupting my peace of mind and effectively undermining and undercutting my power.

Shame, shame. Shame on me. Shame on fear. I must cut you out with a dull butter knife and praise the Lord almighty for the pain and the damage - knowing that it is through His strength that I will prevail!

I am prevailing!

It's Coming!

Oh, Hallelujah!


Remember me saying I'm gettin' it done, y'all?

Here it is for real - it's coming...

The 2008 Destination Inspiration "What If" Wall Calendar.

It's filled with incredible photography - not stock photos - real pictures taken by friends, family and... me. Like this one taken from the front seat of my mother's car while she was driving my son and me to the Sacramento airport.

And, it's got inspirational, scripture related poetry written by... me.

It will be the debut release from Destination Publications - a Destination Christian Services, Inc. auxiliary company. And it will be the 2007 fundraising item. Last year I made inspirational T-shirts and everyone who donated got one. We raised enough money to distribute blankets and personal care kits to teens at a local faith-based homeless shelter.

This year proceeds from our $20 calendar sales will go towards two things: 1) the implementation of our online academy, and 2) sponsoring 9-15 youth at a Christian youth golf clinic in December. Check back here later to find out more!

If any of you are pray-ers, pray for the implementation of the clinic. Or (shameless plug) order a calendar. They will be available for sale November 2nd... Oh, heck - why am I blogging? I've got more work to do!

(I'm gettin' it done y'all!)

Scriptures

For the past five years now I have been living on scriptures like air to breathe, water to thrive and a floatation device to survive.

Sustaining me; engaging me; pertaining specifically to me.

Reminding me, denying me, aligning me with hope.

For five years now I've been living on scriptures: like air, like water, like floating...

For GOD has not given the SPIRIT of Fear, but of POWER and of LOVE and of a SOUND MIND. Leaving behind the same old doubts and boughts of uncertainty.

Pushing myself with power, loving my self anew - each and every hour, reminding my mind it's Ok. Everything will be OK.

For five years now I've been living on scriptures: breathing, thriving, surviving...

A [Woman's] heart devises [her] plan: but the LORD directs [her] steps. All bets are off, though I may be off in thinking I'll pull this off, I'm pushing on and on and on to the end.

Make plain my plan, don't stray my steps: adhere, revere, sincerely refraining from fear.

For five years now and hope for five more - No Fear, FEAR NOT. Love me, Love me NOT, strength like a boy scout square knot, I'll NOT give into to the knots within my stomach from fear, FEAR NOT.

For five years now and hope for five more - the plan, the steps, like a staircase up; baby steps, step up, step it up a notch; the goal, the dream, that seems undoable: undone; the way and the plan to final completion.

(II Timothy 1: 7/Proverbs 16:9)

"The Plan"

These are the confessions of a talented, hard-working, creative genius with purpose (formerly known as an irresponsible, flaky and distracted "mentally gifted minor" with so much potential).

I'm putting this plan out into the world, out into the "universe" and laying it all in God's hands. I am now accountable if only to the imaginary few whom I believe will see and read this post.

1. I will pursue all efforts to secure my settlement and the sale of my property in order that I can pay off the final amounts of all my outstanding debt so that I can be emotionally and financially free to...
2. ...work hard at my creative, flexible "job" in order to pay my regular, minimum monthly household expenditures of $1000 and have the time and ability to...
3. ...build my "career" and entrepreneurial endeavors so that I will have the foundation and finances necessary to...
4. ...pursue all necessary speaking engagements, pilot programs and fund-raising opportunities that would lay the ground work for and...
5. ...establish the ultimate goal of opening the Destination Christian Arts Academy, its auxiliaries and all the associated D.R.E.A.M. programs.

Proverbs 16:9 "Man devises his plan, but the Lord directs his steps."

"The Accomplishment"

Proverbs 13:12 & 19a: "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul;"

In December 2003, I boldly took the steps to incorporate a non-profit idea I'd had for years. I jumped into this corporation head first. It is so unlike me! Usually I test the water, stick in a toe and yank it out. Then wade to my ankle, shudder and jump right out. Only to repeat the process until finally submerged in the water. Not this time.

This time I took a deep breath and plunged right in. I got my articles of incorporation: Destination Christian Services, Inc. I established my business licenses and the DBA's for all corporate auxiliaries: Jubilation! Full-Services Weddings & Events; Destination Publications; Mommy's Happy Helpers and more. I then got to work on and posted all the associated web pages: www.dcscompanies.com; www.destinationchristianservices.net; www.jubilationparties.com and www.mommyshappyhelpers.com. I got checking accounts, I got business cards, I made all my business documents and established advertising. All of it WAY... TOO... SOON!

Only months before incorporating, I had finally determined this idea was truly the will of the Lord Almighty. Within hours of that determination, I finally accepted that this idea was more than the will of the Lord, but that it was my one true, God given purpose in life. And minutes after that acceptance I was rocked with the magnitude and specific details of that plan and just exactly what was God's intention for it all.

But in one small way, I knew that I needed to jump right in or I would find a way to procrastinate and never get it done. Now I must back-track, jump-ahead and scramble for a way to get it all done and reach my ultimate goal

This is my scattered plan for achieving that specific and detailed, mind-boggling, will-of-God goal - the purpose for my life.

• Create and maintain all associated websites
• Create and complete the academy curriculum
• Create a sample lesson from the curriculum
• Create and publish all manuals and associated documentation
• Create and publish associated works for publication
• Create and establish speeches and evangelistic engagements
• Create and distribute all fund-raising related product
• Create and administer all satellite programs
• Create and maintain the online academy
• Create and produce all fund-raising events
• Create and utilize all scholarship programs
• Create membership programs and establish a solid Board of Directors
• Create and complete all necessary legal and financial documentation
• Create and establish all sponsorship programs
• Create and implement all student recruitment programs
• Create and maintain all aspects of advertisement and networking
• Create and continue; continue to create; create and complete.

II Corinthians 9:7-15 "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."

Overcast Overview

There is a well known phrase that begins: "The best laid plans..." Perhaps it is not so well known, because I can't remember the rest. Perhaps it is significantly related to the accomplishment of my plans that I can't remember the rest.

I have a plan on how to reach a goal and that particular goal has its own plan of accomplishment and an entirely separate plan of procedure.

All Clear?

For the purposes of this blog, I want to track the "The Plan" and "The Accomplishment" because "The Procedure" is already established and waiting for the rest to get a move on.

"The plan" is my life plan - my own individual goals, necessities and desires for how I want to structure my world.

"The Accomplishment" is my ultimate plan of attack for how I want to accomplish the ultimate goal included in "The Plan."

Together, these two plans encompass the journey I've referred to in "Destiny's Journey." And this blog is the daily record and accountability of actions taken that are related to those two plans.

All clear?

Here's the plan for this blog...

• To be an outlet of creative expression as I follow through with my plans.
• To be a public, legitimizing, undeniable record of my dreams, goals and plans
• To be a daily accountability structure for getting things done and accomplishing all plans
• To be an avenue of networking all aspects of my plans with other, like-minded plans and/or planners.

In that order.

All Clear? Yeah, me either.

In The Beginning...

In the beginning... more than just the words to the beginning of the Bible, these are also the words to the beginning of one of my favorite songs. A song I performed back in the heyday of my life - like a has-been who dredges up stories of high school and that great pass, that great shot or that great prom as the highlight of their life.

I started out a singer, you see. The beginning of a me I'm still destined to be.

Back then the plan was to become a famous singer and then "they" would let me write and star in and do the soundtrack for my own movies.

I was multi-talented, multi-tasking and creative even then, but it was labeled as flaky, irresponsible, indecisive and flighty.

I began to buy the hype, believe the lies and diminish myself - striving or actually settling for security, safety and the slightest portion possible of what I was really capable.

You would have thought my environment breathed a sigh, finally I fit their box, stuck to their rules and maybe would now amount to something, anything really, because, as they acknowledged, I had so much talent, so much potential - I could do anything I wanted. Really?

That's not what I wanted! And like the opposite ends of a magnet - the friction, discord and dissatisfaction was too much for me; too much for them; and simply just too much.

And so I finally accepted me; learned to love me and re-prioritized the me I wanted me to be. I accepted my purpose and set out on the path toward my destiny. On the path to Destiny. The me, I was concealing was now a me living out loud. A me they refuse to acknowledge or understand.

I gathered up all my talents, abilities and skills and carried them into the core of me - straight into the very depths of Destiny to discover just what was my true destiny.

To be me. To give others all my missed opportunities. To teach teens how to live their own destinies. To recreate reality. To build an academy. To wake up a DREAM.

Like Noah and his arc I was given details, a design, specifications and goals. Given or got, made up or not, I had a plan. A wildly inconceivable, impossible plan.

Like Moses I was given a people with a task and a place and a message to lead them out. Given or got, made up or not, I could see a promised land. A wildly inconceivable, impossible to get to Promised Land.

And all by myself without one helping hand I've got to be strong and stand: on faith, on principle, on belief, on hope, on God - the way, the truth, the life. My foundation, my truth, my way and my life - that I can provide these kids with a foundation for their own truth and an ability to find a way to live their true purpose, their abundantly best life.

It started with an adamant joke of an idea for a small growing community. Don't build a library I thought at each sign for support on the corner posts. There's one so nearby that all the kids already utilize. Build instead a center, where kids can really commune and do the things they really like instead of just what adults decide is right.

This seed took root and grew deep and strong, drawing nourishment from the wellspring of life until finally the first leaves have appeared. It grows ever still and if this sapling can survive the coming storms, the trunk will then be strong enough to sustain and withhold. And the branches will spread and shed more seed, more shade, safety and protection. If only I can see it through to completion.