Passionate Praise and Worship: I love your presence

One of my FAV worship songs!!!!

Awaken!

I am getting back in the practice of blogging... I am working up to doing it daily again but until then, bear with me! There WILL be writing on this page even if I have to babble!

I've been getting ready to leave for California on Monday. I am anticipating an awakening in ME... I do not have any idea exactly how or what, I have simply resolved to give myself wholly to the Lord and I will respond to Him. This year has only just begun and I am fully persuaded that twenty-ten will be a year of reckoning, awakening and a benchmark that the Church will talk about like the last Great Awakening.

I believe that the manifestation of Joel 2:28, "I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions" is on the threshold of heaven about to spill out onto those who are hungry and thirsty. He is looking for those hungry and thirsty enough to invade the man made culture of this earthly realm with His power and glory.

I've mentioned that Christ Central is about to begin Awaken 21, a 21 day Daniel fast. This is a season of awakening...

"Don't waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It's a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ. Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light! So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!" Ephesians 5:11-16

It is awesome, Awaken 21, the folks at CCD are excited and anticipating an "Awakening" through this act of obedience and sacrifice of flesh! If you have ever done a Daniel fast you may remember that it takes a great deal of commitment and preparation. To hear CCDers talking about the prayer, research and preparation they are doing is exciting and contagious! We are in agreement and there is power in agreement!

I suppose it is obvious that I am excited! I will be sure to blog while in California. This is my first trip out west! Pray for Denise and I, for travelling mercies and for divine, supernatural God encounters and appointments!

He is Moving at CCD!

Last night I met with the two couples who oversee our Student Ministries, Daniel and Christy, Brandon and Sarah (well, Sarah was working). I oversee Student Ministries, which basically means I am their Advocate. We have our leadership structure set up where Craig and I, and our Executive Pastors, Jason and Eileen, each oversee certain ministries. I oversee Student Ministries, Worship Arts, Intercession, Administrative, and Women's Ministries. Each of those ministries have a pastor/s and/or leader/s and a team.

The meeting was a thrill and a joy... as we talked together the ideas started flying, spinning from every which way. I am really excited about the direction they are taking. And we are expanding the leadership team too, adding some more key leaders. We are believing and getting ready for dynamic growth and massive salvations! (To the left is a photo of a few of our SM students)

Tonight was another powerful night at CCD. Our midweek service keeps increasing in number and in anointing. Worship tonight was powerful, when I went to do the transition, I had to just stop, the presence of God was so thick. We finally moved along and Craig shared on preparing for Awaken 21, the fast we begin next week. Several people have acknowledged that they have never fasted before but they are ready to jump in! The expectation and excitement is contagious!

I put the finishing touches on Brad and Heather's wedding ceremony. It is going to be beautiful, spiritual and evangelistic. I would not be surprised if we had a few salvations! That is what they wanted, the life saving power of Jesus to be shared through their ceremony. I am excited for them!

Well, tomorrow Craig and I have a LONG work day so I am going to hit the sack.

Gearing Up for Awaken 21

Tuesdays are generally crazy for me. I have payroll for my secular job out of Chicago among my other duties. We are also preparing for the wedding of a sweet couple at our church, Brad and Heather. God has arrested their hearts and knit His heart to theirs. Today I worked on putting their ceremony together. The vows and readings are so full of love and Him, it is going to be quite a celebration of God's love and their covenant!

We are also gearing up to begin a Corporate 21 Day Daniel Fast at Christ Central, Awaken 21. Yesterday I put together a booklet with information about fasting and included several recipes for use during the fast. We are fasting for supernatural breakthrough and increase in 2010! Becky, our Administrative Director Extraordinaire is compiling the booklets for everyone. Wednesday evening Craig will share on how to prepare for the fast.

The first day is Monday, January 11th and I was am ready... then I realized that I leave that day for California. Denise (CCD Intercession/Staff Pastor) and I are going to the School of Healing and Impartation. Being away from home on an extended leave is kind of difficult when doing a Daniel fast...  I'll just have to bring a few things along in my suitcase!

Well, the night has slipped away and I am sleepy! Tomorrow is another busy day!

No Regrets!

Well, here we are three days in to the new year and my excitement and energy are ever increasing! I found the same feeling when I arrived at CCD this morning!!! I thought Granny Ann could help express my excitement so I added her photo from our New Year Celebration over to the left. Isn't she cute!? I assured her that she was, "Oh so attractive in her ensemble... and that any God fearing, Jesus loving, handsome man would agree..." Hence the grin on her face! Hee Hee! she is a GREAT sport and I love her to pieces!

Today was a great day at Christ Central! CCD is really beginning to understand the power of praise, prayer and worship. God is doing some great things at CCD and I cannot wait to get back to work this week! I am refreshed and ready to take on twenty-ten!

We actually held our "New Year Celebration" on Wednesday, December 30th. Kathy Torres and Victoria Blakes knocked out some festive decorations and we partied! It was awesome! There were hats, horns, tiaras and noisemakers available... we were arriving in 2010 ready! There is such an expectancy among the people, a demand on this year for fruit and fruit that remains! I added a few photos from our celebration below....

 

 

As you know, my "word for 2010" is resolve.... and with that word comes my theme quote...

“I believe life is constantly testing us for our level of commitment, and life's greatest rewards are reserved for those who demonstrate a never-ending commitment to act until they achieve. This level of resolve can move mountains, but it must be constant and consistent. As simplistic as this may sound, it is still the common denominator separating those who live their dreams from those who live in regret.”                Anthony Robbins

Sound familiar? Yep, it is the theme quote on my blog page... no regrets here! NO REGRETS in 2010!!!! All or nothing! We are IN it to WIN it!!!! Yea God!!!

Blessings!

 -Tara

Year in Review

 I took this from my friend and sista, Leeanne Weber's blog... I enjoyed reading hers and thought it a great way to commemorate 2009! Enjoy!!!

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?

We moved... TWICE!!! Once from Chicago to Oxford, Alabama and then from Oxford, Alabama to Hiram, Georgia. After being one of four staff who were laid off from the church we served in Chicago we moved back south to Alabama knowing God was up to something... well, "something" required a move a little more south. We became lead pastors of Christ Central Dallas in Dallas, Georgia.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I decided last year NOT to make resolutions anymore!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No, a few friends and a cousin, but no one really close.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My Grandma

5. What countries did you visit?

None. Not even Canada.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

Stability and order... and resolve!!!

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

More like "months"... February was big because we moved from Chicago back south. April was huge because that is when God sealed us at CCD. July was big too because we moved to Hiram, Georgia.

The week of Thanksgiving was memorable because we went back to Clewiston, Florida celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and family we had not seen in 8 years. Christmas was also memorable. My parents gave me and my three siblings and our families a holiday vacation in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee at a luxury cabin. It was such a great time and a memory that I will treasure forever.

In September I spent a few days with my mother's family for my grandmother's funeral in Boston, Mass. I had not seen my aunts, uncles and cousins for at least 15 years.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Paid off some significant debts. Found our place of "resolve!"

9. What was your biggest failure?

I feel like I lost momentum when it came to my home/personal management. I always felt like I was playing "catch up" and never really accomplished much. I need order in my life and without it I am not my best. Our family gives so much I had to be intentional about having "family time," which we did, but is the end something always had to give. In my case it was generally "order" and my home/personal management. This will NOT be the case in 2010.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I battled more physical illness than I ever have, nothing really serious, but just irritating viruses and bugs. I also dealt with some issues with my back which turned out to be with my sciatic nerve and a couple other minor things but all in all, I was in good health.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Some great furniture!!!! New and roomy!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My belles! Those five girls can do ANYTHING... they managed two significant moves in six months with NO complaining and have soared and risen even higher! God has blessed them beyond measure and given us such a gift!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

And this is where I choose to "honor" instead of revealing... are you kidding!? I am NOT going there! LOL

14. Where did most of your money go?

Giving and Living! And paying off come debt and of course two moves takes a lot of money too!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

 Moving to Hiram, Georgia and serving this great region with CCD!

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?

"Change" (Taylor Swift)

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

a) happier b) fatter c) richer [because I have less debt!!!]

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Taken better care if myself and found resolve in home/family management!!!

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Worrying...

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

My parents gave me and my three siblings and our families a holiday vacation in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee at a luxury cabin. It was such a great time and a memory that I will treasure forever.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?

Everyday with my one true love!

22. How many one-night stands?

Nah... I am happily married!!!

23. What was your favorite TV program?

The Office and LOST

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

There is no room for hate when you choose to HONOR

25. What was the best book you read?

"The Happy Intercessor" (Beni Johnson) (I have more too... this is the most recent!)

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?

iBethel.tv where I watch/listen to their worship sets from every service!

27. What did you want and get?

To find our place of resolve...

 

28. What did you want and not get?

The opportunity to write more... totally my fault... fault...

29. What was your favorite film of this year?

Julie and Julia

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

At the new age of 37 I went to dinner at The Oliver Garden with new friends and celebrated my birthday and new beginnings!

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

A second car! We sold mine prior to moving and wow... the difference that makes is astronomical especially with a family of 7 and our schedules!

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

Freedom to be ME! Sometimes casual, sometimes dressy, sometimes business.... and I think I've become a little "edgy" too... lol! (Of course there are many who may or may not agree with my conclusion!)

33. What kept you sane?

God!!!! Craig and the belles and my sistas!

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Still loving Sarah Palin!

35. What political issue stirred you the most?

Abortion and health care

36. Who did you miss?

I think I have seen most everyone in my family except a few I miss immensely... and oh, how I miss my sistas!!! Deanna, girl I miss you! And Melissa and Jessica, and LaDonna, Jenn, Sandy, Leanne, Judi, and all my Unstoppable pals!!!

37. Who was the best new person you met?

All my CCD family and staff.... and there are many adding to them daily!!!!!

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

HONOR and GRACE

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

"I know that you are for me, I know that you are for me, I know that you will never forsake me in my weakness. I know that you have come down even if to write upon my heart to remind me who you are..." ("You Are For Me," Kari Jobe)

One Word for Twenty-Ten

Create

Last year I chose a word for 2009, one that defined what I could center almost everything I desired for 2009 around. That word was "CREATE." Indeed, 2009 was a year of "creating"... a new life, new ministry, new friends, new home, new opportunities, new dreams, new relationships... I could go on, and on.

This past year has not been easy, no, not by any means. Recovering from Craig being out of work for seven months "created" challenges and "created" more debt. STILL God provided after our savings were depleted, credit limits reached and bills continued. He's SO good!

One Word for Twenty-Ten
I spoke to my Driven ladies (Driven is the CC Ladies Mentoring and Life Coaching program at Christ Central) about the "one word" initiative. I challenged each of them to choose one word for 2010. At the time, I felt that my 2010 word was to be the word "authentic"... meaning: made or done the same way as an original; not false or imitation. A great word and fantastic commitment to make for all 2010 endeavors, still, as I prayed and pondered, I felt pulled into a different direction. I toyed with "stabilize", "surrender", "purpose", and "intentional." Again, all great words but none of them MY word. And then it came to me...

It was really right in front of me all along, why it took me so long to "get it" I will never know. My word for twenty-ten is.... RESOLVE!

Resolve: : to deal with successfully; to make clear or understandable; to reach a firm decision about; to declare or decide

When I started this blogsite, "Seasons of Resolve", I explained that Craig and I, along with our belles had finally found our, "place of resolve..." This region is one we will gladly give our lives to. We believe in the people of this area, we believe in the vision and mission of the House we've been called to, and we know that we are home.

I desire to find resolve in many areas of my life in twenty-ten. My quest and journey to "resolve" will be an exciting one, that I promise. It will require me to use my decisive nature and it will require action and life changing habits. I've already started...

I resolved to be more hospitable in my home... regardless of whether or not my house is "perfect..." something that is hard for me... BUT... I had my first family and friends dinner tonight and had 30 people (including my family) over and it was glorious! No one noticed that I am still getting the house decorated after our recent house painting! So, now I am ready to tackle my desire to entertain large groups every other month in our home! Be watching for an invitation soon!!! :)

Another thing I desired to resolve is to visit and experience new places, and a secondary desire was to go to Bethel in Redding, California and get some hands on training and experience what God is doing there. Well, a week from Monday, our Intercessory Prayer/Staff Pastor, Denise and I are headed there. So, I knock out two in one week!

I know in my heart that this year is full of promise and divine order... and I resolve to make the most of it!

Kelanie Gloeckler - Open Wide