I Woke Up WORTHY: Words on Worth, Wholeness, Self-Esteem and Healing with Shannon Evette
Shannon Evette is empowering others to know their worth, to know that you were created worthy and have value beyond what the world says you do. Listen to her share encouragement above. Below Shannon speaks with Jay Barnett, therapist and speaker, about love and relationships and how knowing our worth is important when it comes […]
Read More »I Woke Up WORTHY: Words on Worth, Wholeness, Self-Esteem and Healing with Shannon Evette
Shannon Evette is empowering others to know their worth, to know that you were created worthy and have value beyond what the world says you do. Listen to her share encouragement above. Below Shannon speaks with Jay Barnett, therapist and speaker, about love and relationships and how knowing our worth is important when it comes […]
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A Leap of Faith Into Who You Are in Christ – Heart to Heart with Dr. Naima Johnston-Bush
Dr. Naima speaks about how she learned to trust in God as a young woman and gives advice on embracing your identity in Christ…
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Alex G on Overcoming Anxiety and Music with James David and Danielle Bennett
Life can get stressful especially in the world we live in and maybe you can relate to Alex G’s story of how she’s learning to overcome anxiety – I definitely could relate to the frustration, feelings and am inspired by her vulnerability…
“I have had bad anxiety since I was 10 years old. For those of you struggling with it, I understand now that it can be really serious and damaging. Be compassionate towards each other. You have no idea how much it can help those with emotional needs!
“This is my story. I hope that it encourages others who struggle with mental disorders to start the process of stepping away from their shame and fear. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!” – Alex G
Be sure to check out Alex’s amazing music – here are some of my favorites: her passionate cover of “I Was Made For Loving You” with James David (DAVIE) (the original is by Tori Kelly and Ed Sheeran) and her original song Lighthouse with spoken word by Danielle Bennett – so beautiful, heart-moving and relevant to what so many people are feeling in the world today. All of these young artists are inspiring ones to follow, be sure to check out their sites below!
Read More »Music Pick: Beautiful Day from Jamie Grace
Jamie Grace recently shared her new single Beautiful Day that is already a favorite! The song is an uplifting and infectious declaration of love for God (and has references to two of her previous songs, can you catch them?). I found myself putting it on reply and sharing it with the teen girls I lead at church – it’s definitely an awesomely unique tune of worship to the One who loves us the most and who makes everyday beautiful! Be sure to get the song on iTunes and take a listen to the upbeat lyric video below:
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Soul Dreamer Journey Editor’s Diary: Be Free From Fear & The People-Pleasing Snare, Sharing My Story
“The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom.” – Maya Angelou
Imagine being stuck in a constricting cage – then realizing that you have placed those bars of boundary around yourself. People pleasing & fear of man are two snares I have found release from in this season (sometimes in painful and uncomfortable ways) – but it’s amazing how much freedom there is in seeking to please One…
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10
My struggle with anxiety and insecurity started when I was a shy little girl caged in fear that grew as I did. Not knowing where my identity truly originates from I tried to place it anywhere or in anyone elses’ affirmation other than the one that matters most.
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. Proverbs 29:25(NIV)
Being bound to the opinions and expectations of others is like a disease that squeezes the life out of your heart and keeps you from being free – the real you that God created. …Rejection and isolation hurt but sometimes He uses just that to break the chains of anxiety and imprisonment that held you, and shakes the places where you placed your identity so you can have a firm foundation in Him.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Approval addiction may go undetected when we long to belong & be accepted, but the condition’s only cure is affirmation from the Creator of the Universe. There is no greater way of being known and loved then having true validation from above. Look to Him to know who you truly are…
But now, this is what the Lord says—
He who created you, Jacob,
He who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1 (NIV)
Maybe you can relate to my journey to finding my true Identity, watch the video below for a creative summary of my story:
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Teen Sisters Lauren and Victoria Dare You To Make a Difference
Lauren and Victoria are Christian teens and founders of an amazing anti-cyberbullying and positive self-esteem campaign, Think Before You Type. TBYT is aimed to raise awareness about cyber-bullying and to inspire other young people to use the internet for good.
This summer they’ve started a contest through their blog and YouTube channel where every Sunday they post a “TBYT Dares of the Week” video that challenges their viewers to do something that will have a positive impact on those around them. Watch the video above and follow the directions below to enter their most recent summer dare that can be found on their YouTube channel:
Enter the Summer Dare!
To enter you just have to watch the video for each dare and then do something to complete it. When you’re done, you can either send us a picture or write about it. You can post the entry on our FB page, facebook.com/thinkbeforeyoutype or email it to us at tbytsummerdares@gmail.com. We would really love to see what positive things you decided to do this summer!
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Word: Do Not Lose Heart 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
However dark your situation may look, hold on to Hope and don’t lose heart…
“Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day after day…
For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!]
Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting.”
2 Cor4:16-18 AMP
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Inspiration & Video Pick: Through My Father’s Eyes from Holly Starr
He changed my life by changing my mind, He healed all that was broken inside…I’m loving what I can see with His spirit alive in me, I’m finding beauty for the first time looking through my Father’s eyes…” Holly Starr
This inspiring video from Holly Starr “Through My Father’s Eyes” from her album Focus, is a soothing reminder to look at our lives and selves through our Father’s eyes… This song and the video are truly beautiful and moving and I’m sure you’ll be able to relate to the message as I did. – Julene, Editor of DreaminSoul.com
Below in a video blog and an interview on FOX News Holly talks a little about the message of song and why she wrote it, to give hope to anyone who may be wavering in their identity and confidence:
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H.O.P.E. ♥ {Hold On Pain Ends}
If you are feeling down and your life seems dark, know that the Light in you is stronger and Joy comes in the morning. Watch this beautiful, encouraging video by inspirational Youtuber Shirley (FarAwayDistance) who says H.O.P.E. ♥ {Hold On Pain Ends}…
Below Shirley describes a time when she was feeling down ans says “It’s Okay Not to Be Okay”…
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Support a Dream: Staring at the Sky EP by Lynn Cifuentes
We love supporting others’ dreams here at Dream in Soul and SOAR, and this is a project we encourage YOU to support from an artist that inspires.
Lynn Cifuentes kicked off a Kickstarter project to help fund for her Staring at the Sky EP, her first release. I first came upon Lynn’s Youtube videos a few months back and was inspired by her moving covers and recently original songs that she’s shared. Here’s what Lynn says about her upcoming project that she needs your help to produce:
Note from Lynn on Staring at the Sky
Hey Everyone!
I am so excited about the great opportunity that I have before me to make this lifelong dream of mine a reality. With your help WE can make this record happen. The EP titled “Staring at the Sky” comes from a very deep place within my heart. It was the tragic death of a very dear friend Timmy in 2008 that got me questioning God about who I am and what purpose I serve in this life. I turned to my journal and started writing down my feelings, anything I read, heard or felt bled out of my pen and onto the pages. It was my way of dealing with my feelings and those simple words turned into melodies and it was as though music and writing were the only two things I was absolutely sure of. I started looking deeper within myself and cried out to God one night and I distinctly remember Him reminding me that my life had a purpose and I would only discover it in Him. That purpose was to just WORSHIP. So I linked up with my pianist and my simple words became songs that I hope will be a blessing to everyone that hears them, and brings worship to the heart of God.
This EP contains 7 tracks that are a mixture of love songs to God as well as worship. This will be my first ever EP and it’s an exciting season of my life, one that requires that I place my complete trust in God. After searching for the right producer I found one who understands the vision and passion I have for this EP. He is located in Nashville, TN and if I accomplish my goal of $5,000 (with your help, of course) I will be able to lay down my vocals, pay for studio musicians, pay the producer and ultimately have a mix and mastered product.
The goal of reaching $5,000 when you look at it, it looks intimidating and at first I thought “Wow, this is too much”. The truth is, it’s not. I believe that if you have a desire in your heart and God places a Dream in you, then you should give Him everything you’ve got to reach the places that He’s carved out for each of us. I want the production of my work to reflect the gift that The Lord has given me and for Him to get the glory for it.
As I write to you all and I reflect on the start of this journey I can’t help but to be thankful and feel blessed. I never thought that I would find the courage to even create this Kickstarter page and invite all of you into the journey with me. I know that this whole thing is a result of Gods leading on my life and that I truly am nothing without His grace.
So with your faith in me and my faith in God we can make this a reality. My motto lately is DreamBIG and I truly believe in this, so if you have dreams, then I pray you do something about it and make it happen
Thanks for reading.
God Bless,
-Lynn
Click here to visit Lynn’s Kickstarter project page and show your support with any amount that you’re led to give. Keep following your dreams Lynn, you’re an encouragement to others to do the same!
Check out some of my faves from Lynn’s Youtube channel a cover of “I See Heaven / Holy Spirit” by Bryan & Katie Torwalt and the first video I came across from her, a cover of Kari Jobe’s “I Know You Are For Me”:
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This Is Our Love Story…
Once upon a sacred union there was a woman who had perfect Love in the beginning- but she was deceived and let her eyes wander. She disregarded Love’s truth and faithfulness for a taste of the forbidden, and in a bite of weakness she became blinded, disillusioned…
Even in her infidelity her True Love kept pursuing her, continuing to draw her in to be reunited, not letting her be consumed by the darkness of her mistakes. Her Love calls to her out from hiding, gently beckoning her seek and be found. He gave up the most prized of all, and gave the greatest gift so that their relationship could be restored even deeper and more passionate than before…
Because you see, once upon a perfect place before there was time, there was Love. He gave His life for you and I so we would know what True Love is…ultimate sacrifice, never-ending faithfulness, laying down one’s desires and life for another. We can never be fulfilled or know True Love until we fully embrace Him.
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him…And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them…”
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4 (Read more in context)
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Girls of Grace Conferences for Teens
Girls of Grace is the “Can’t-Miss Event for Teen Girls!”
Girls of Grace is an interactive high-energy event for teenagers full of exciting live music and speakers. This year’s event includes performances by Point of Grace, Meredith Andrews, Jason Castro, Chris August, Sidewalk Prophets, for KING & COUNTRY and Britt Nicole and renowned speakers such as: Chris Wheeler, Annie Downs & Constance Rhodes. Girls of Grace teaches girls (6th-12th grade) how to live past the lies of pop culture and discover who they are in Christ. This is the perfect experience for teens and their leaders to build lasting memories and learn how to live life as EXTRAORDINARY individuals!
Founded by Point of Grace in 2002, Girls of Grace grew out of their desire to bring teen girls together to talk about issues that affect them, and share that a relationship with Christ is the true source for peace and assurance in their lives. “At times girls feel like they are the only ones who struggle with certain issues,” says Denise Jones of Point of Grace. “With a Girls of Grace conference it gives them the opportunity to come together in a large group and realize that we all have our own struggles, and yet, we are in this together.”
To learn more visit: http://www.girlsofgrace.com
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Dream in Soul is a new media site for the young-at-heart and purpose-full, inspiring you to live and use your talents passionately for God. To learn more, 
Click Here for our Interview with Music Artist & Producer TJ Pompeo on Dreams, Faith & Trust
