“It’s not only that God just forgives you…it’s not only that He covered me and set me free and forgave me, but He goes so much farther. He crowns me with glory and honor and favor, He calls me His daughter – I thrive on the joy…the presence of God is the fullness of joy…” – Beckah Shae

A few weeks back I heard Beckah Shae’s testimony on the Revolution show on JCTV and was moved by her heart for God and her story. Watch her talk about how she came to where she is today:

“I know personally that I’ve been called to stand. I’d like to see how many people are going to be really, truly willing to stand…Do you know Him and does He know you?” – Beckah Shae

At the beginning of January I gave a message to the teen girl ministry at my church about Esther and how like she followed God’s plan for her life, we should also be bold and say yes to our purpose. One of my inspirations for the message was Beckah Shae’s song from her album “Destiny,” listen to the lyrics below:

Recording artist Melinda Watts, winner of the Gospel Music Channel’s singing competition Gospel Dream, knows firsthand about the power of dreams and the importance of being given the opportunity to grow into one’s purpose. As a former teacher her heart has always been geared toward youth, especially girls who grew up in difficult social and financial situations where dreams often seemed so far away.

Those experiences with young people are what led Melinda to start the Dream Girlz Gathering Foundation which supports girls from underserved neighborhoods and hosts high-energy, power-packed empowerment conferences designed to uplift, inspire, and teach girls ranging in age from 8-18. Full of pampering, fun, worship, workshops, prayer and more, girls everywhere are experiencing a life-changing encounter.

Below: Watch Melinda Watts and the Dream Girlz Gathering in action at one of their 2011 events in Seattle.

In November, during National Adoption Month, Melinda’s charity hosted 75 enthusiastic girls at her Foundation’s G.L.A.M. (Girls Leadership and Mentoring) Camp at the Pinebrook Conference and Retreat Center in Pennsylvania. The girls who attended G.L.A.M. took part in a variety of activities, from swimming and hiking to inspiring workshops and creative arts. Each attendee enjoyed a special time of bonding, sharing, praying, and worshiping, in a fun, safe environment. Testimonials poured in from girls who said it was a life-changing weekend.

According to Melinda, a greater number of girls and their parents desired to participate, but the Dream Girlz Gathering staff was unable to accommodate a larger group—something Watts is hoping to change with donations and support from individuals, ministries, and groups interested in linking up with her cause.

“There are so many young girls who need love and guidance and I want to be able to help as many as possible,” Watts, who is currently working on her new album to be released in 2012, tells EEW Magazine. Through the sale of the charity single and charitable donations of “Dream Girlz Gathering Angels,” the name designated for supporters, Watts anticipates the day when the Foundation will be able to assist more girls.

Click here to find out how you can support the Dream Girlz Gathering Christmas Dream Fund and download Melinda’s Christmas single “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

Just as Mary let the Holy Spirit dwell in her to bring about God’s dreams through her life – plans that were larger than she could imagine – let’s do the same and remember in this season and in the upcoming year that with God, nothing is impossible.

He is a God of miracles, marvels and great love for you and I, represented in the present He sent to live among us – God incarnate, love personified…

May your dreams be merry and bright this season and in the New Year!

- Julene Fleurmond, Editor of Dream in Soul & SOAR

Word: The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.”

38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

Luke 1:26-38 – Read More in Context

Here’s a fun and heart-warming video from Jamie Grace’s Christmas EP, Christmas Together – it’ll get you smiling and in the Christmas spirit! I love how she got her family and friends together on her birthday to shoot the video, and the lyrics and feel of the song are cleverly melded and entertaining. You can get her Christmas EP on iTunes by clicking here!

Jamie Grace Describing the Making of the Christmas Together Video

My birthday (November 25th) was spent with some great people to make this crazy, fun, quirky music video for “Christmas Together.” It features my mom, dad, big sis Morgan and her hubs Patrick and includes some more of my family and closest friends. We had SO much fun! This video wouldn’t have been possible without everyone taking their holiday week to hang out and do this!;) Thank you! Also to my aunt who catered the party haha, SESAC who sent me an amazing cake and Cynthia whose birthday was the same day but still came.;) LOVE LOVE!!

Cameo Appearances by Jonah Limbert and Jane King – two of the most remarkable dancers on this planet.

What’s your dream? How do you feel God is calling you to use your gifts?

If you’re not sure where God is calling you, we’ll be listing resources on how you can get help on discovering it – don’t worry, you’ll still be able to enter this contest…

Stay tuned for more info on how you can win a T-Shirt from Dream in Soul Creative.

Click here to join our mailing list and join the Facebook page for updates.

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” – Maya Angelou

We may look longingly at what may appear beautiful (or successful and esteemed) in our world but many times don’t consider the story behind the person or entity we admire. It’s said that an “overnight success” is never really made over night; it often takes years of toil and trials behind the scenes for every success story we see.

In the life of a believer, the beauty that God intends for us is often molded through a long period of trial, darkness, growth and a period of solitude with God in which our hearts are molded and drawn more intimately to Him. After we surrender our lives to the Potter’s hand the process of becoming more like Him and living His purpose for our lives isn’t always what we expect.

Often before God bestows the blessing He has in store for us, and before He brings dreams into fruition He takes us on a journey that shapes us, a metamorphosis of mind and character. It’s a process that we may not understand and though painful, it graces us to achieve true beauty – a beauty that does not receive its essence from outward appearance but from the heart within that is filled with His presence. Let’s set our eyes on a greater beauty today…

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

Click here for more from my personal journal and blog. – Julene

More Journal Posts

To Boldly Go Where You’ve Always Imagined…

There are those dreams you are responsible for bringing to fruition in a sense; things you want to create, experience and learn how to do. “I want to (insert activity here)… someday.” Why not now, why not today?

Read More »

Dreamfleur Diary – Stretch & Grow

No matter what creative field you’re in I think it is always a good idea to stretch and grow yourself in what you do…

Read More »

B. Reith’s song Antidote is beautiful and moving; in the second video below (also an acoustic version) B. Reith shares the meaning behind “Antidote” – how we often try to mask and replace the hurts and heartache in our lives, but how the one true “antidote” for our pain is God…

“I believe the most necessary thing in order to share God’s love, is to first truly receive God’s love… to spend time in His presence where He can remind us of who we are and how He sees us. That’s where I find my strength to share. We can’t pour out anything unless we’ve first been poured in to.” – Beckah Shae

Check out Beckah Shae’s video for her song #putyourloveglasseson from her album Destiny, which debuted in August:

“Love is the universal language of God. Paul urges us, ‘Make love your highest aim.’ This is what we have to be after. Love should be everything we’re seeking; for without it, everything means nothing. I wanted to create a movement that will stir up love and good works…

“I know God’s allowed me to endure all the things I’ve gone through in life just to know Him better and develop a true compassion and genuine love for people. I’m on a mission to dive deeper into the heart of God, and I’m committed to sharing the truth and treasures I find while I’m in there! I am just one voice rising up to proclaim God’s truth and power for such a time as this. A great and terrible day is at hand, and it is my desire that through songs of victory, we will usher revelation and courage to those who are hungry, thirsty and willing to follow the narrow road.” – Beckah Shae

“When we give our dreams to God, putting them all in His hands, and realizing that we need Him, that’s when He begins to work in mighty and powerful ways through us. Let us be a generation who stands for Christ, and love as He loves us. Young and old, let’s make an impact on the world together, as we join as one in Him.” – Tiffany Stanley

In SOAR’s Artist Snapshots Series we love to feature young upcoming artists who have inspiring music ministries. I came across Tiffany Stanley’s music one day and was encouraged by the candid messages in her songs, and the soft acoustic sound she brings.

I especially loved the lyrics of “Break Me Down” the first track off Tiffany Stanley’s new album ‘Revival’:

Visit Tiffany’s website at http://tiffanystanley.com to learn more about her ministry and to purchase her music. You can also connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.

Tiffany will be singing at an upcoming event, The Dream Girlz Gathering, hosted by music artist Melinda Watts. If you are in the Seattle area August 26th and 27th be sure to visit the Dream Girlz Gathering Facebook page to get updates.

More About Tiffany Stanley

Ever since she was a little girl, Tiffany dreamed of being more than a musician. It was in growing and developing a close and personal relationship with Christ that she knew music was more than the lyrics, chords, and notes. “To me, music is lifting up songs of worship to the Lord.” Tiffany is a musician in pursuit of Worship. “I want this music to promote the most important thing: Jesus Christ.”

Tiffany longs to share the love of Christ in her music, and show others His goodness, grace and mercy. She believes God is going to pour out revival among the nations, and prays that we as believers would rise up to encounter Christ in a whole new way. At 18 years of age, she has spent her first year after high-school enrolling in worship classes and letting God make the dream of making this album come true. She is extremely excited about what the Lord has planned, and knows it is all in His hands for the glory of His name.

Her independently released album Revival talks about exactly what it’s named: Revival. It’s about being justified in Christ, surrendering to His will, letting Him open your eyes, and coming boldly into His presence. “I didn’t want to just make an album, I wanted to tell a story of what a life in Christ is. Of needing Him every second of everyday, knowing one can’t be fulfilled without Him.” She believes in dreaming dreams, surrendering to Christ, and living in His love. “When we give our dreams to God, putting them all in His hands, and realizing that we need Him, that’s when He begins to work in mighty and powerful ways through us. Let us be a generation who stands for Christ, and love as He loves us. Young and old, let’s make an impact on the world together, as we join as one in Him.”

Above: Plain Jane Project’s founder Rowena Rodriguez and a flier from one of their “Save the Date” events.

While I was watching JCTV’s Top 3 show a few weeks back I learned about a great movement encouraging purity and confidence in Christ, called The Plain Jane Project. The Top 3 hosts interviewed the movement’s founder, Rowena Rodriguez, who shares her story of a period where she felt God was calling her not to date and to pursue holiness. During that time she felt called to minister the message of purity to other young Christian singles. Watch the episode below where Rowena and Top 3 hosts Reba Toney, Larissa Lam, Rich Wilkerson Jr., and Jordan Wagner talk about dating, courtship, purity and “the significance of being ‘equally yoked…’”

You can find out more about the Plain Jane Project at www.plainjaneproject.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/plainjaneproject and on their blog www.plainjaneproject.blogspot.com.

Watch the JCTV episode with Rowena Rodriguez of the Plain Jane Project below:

More About The Plain Jane Project

PLAIN JANE PROJECT is a Christ-centered ministry that inspires women through inter-generational conversations of empowerment. Through prayer, teaching, coaching, and mentoring Plain Jane Project introduces and encourages practical living by building on faith, trust, integrity, communication, and listening. Growing strong and purposefully, individually and in community, as members in one-body-of-Christ.

About Rowena Rodriguez
Rowena is the Founder of Plain Jane Project, who launched its first ministry event in 2007. After six years of volunteer service in the Junior High ministry at Bel Air Presbyterian Church, she seeks to bridge the generational gap among women. A Senior Fashion Designer by trade, Rowena’s personal journey of purity is both wonderful & horrible; filled with struggle in past sexual sin, spiritual growing pains, & the overwhelming redemptive grace of God.

To contact, email: info@plainjaneproject.com

Watch Rowena speak at one of the Plain Jane Project’s “Save the Date: Courtship vs. Dating” events: