Kelli. in real life

We Prepared the Way

Have you ever hiked up a woodsy mountain? Walked on a path of rocks and fallen branches? Or have you ever tried to do something or create something from scratch only to realize you have no idea what you're doing?

A path that has been created by someone prior to your walking on it, or a craft, design, or recipe with instructions and notes is always sure to bring a quicker result than fumbling through it with no direction.

I consider those who have gone before me to be TRAILBLAZERS.

They're not necessarily old or retired. Some of them are just a few years older than me and are continuing to tread the paths they begun in years past. But they're ahead of me. They made a way for me to do what I do, and for that reason I respect them.

I'm big on mentorship. I believe that spiritually and naturally we can gain from those who have learned the lessons that have brought us the wisdom and insight we now consider every day truths.

The more I'm around young people, and endeavor to minister to them and with them in some cases; I've realized there is a plague that transcends genre, occupation, and denomination. There is a lack of respect for the trailblazers.

Recently I read an article which bashed jazz singer Natalie Cole for being upset about famed "REHAB" singer receiving Grammy awards.

"I don't think she should have won. I think it sends a bad message to our young people who are trying to get into this business, the ones who are trying to do it right and really trying to keep themselves together," said Cole, 58. "We have to stop rewarding bad behavior."

The article painted Ms. Cole out as a bitter, "used to be", and even referred to her as a "hater".

I reflected on this article and Ms Cole's thoughts.
Natalie Cole; jazz singer & actress who lost her father at young age, got caught up in hard drugs in her 20's and has been successfully clean for many years. Heartache. Growth. Success. Wisdom.

I'm disheartened that this generation has for the most part been taught that they deserve what they want, when they want it, no matter the consequences or whom it effects. There's only one life; LIVE IT, and step on anyone who gets in your way while you're trying to achieve your dreams.

I think of my grandmothers who worked as nurses and homemakers to help provide for their large families, my mother who went to school and worked full time to better herself, but still provide for me. My pastor growing up; Evelyn Moyer, who ignored those who said it wasn't right for a woman to pastor, and pastored our church during its most fruitful years. I think of those women I dont know who have made a way for me one way or another; Maya Angelou (African American author), Sara Groves (Christian wife, mother, songwriter/singer), Judith McAllister (psalmist and teacher), and so many other countless women I meet, have met, or read about on a daily basis. It would be foolish of me to think that their hard work, their time spent, and their lessons learned have not made the way a bit easier for me to travel on my own journey.

As people of God; leaders especially, I feel it is our duty to never forget those who paved the way for us, and to honor their opinions, wisdom, and insight. We DON'T know it all. We DON'T have all the answers. All the "old" ways of doing things aren't always that bad, and some of them STILL WORK.

I love the new Christian music that reaches the younger generation through multiple styles and genres. But I still love "Carman", Michael W.Smith, The Clark Sisters, Amy Grant, The Winans, and all of those who made a way for gospel/Christian music to be so common and recognized today.

I love the preachers and speakers of today. But I wont ever forget the teachings of Ruth Ward Heflin, Oral Roberts, Iona Locke, and G.E.Patterson.

We can't forget that someone has gone before us.

We must treasure our leaders past and present.

We must teach our young people.

We must respect one another.

We cannot forget.

The Generation That Will Seek His Face

I have a heart for the young people of today.
High schoolers; late teens, early 2O's...thats my heart.
As difficult as some of them may be to reach, I find much pleasure and literal joy in seeing them come to know Christ as their Savior, father, and ultimate confidant.

Friday night, I heard a speaker preach about the enemy of our souls. I watched as hundreds of young people listened to the knowledge she shared. And although it was quite in depth, it was enthralling and kept their attention. Tears streamed down my eyes as she shared a truth that anyone who knows me well will tell you I have said for years.

"We have not learned how to live victorious in Christ, because we don't know enough about our enemy".

Somewhere around 2000, I felt led to start searching the scriptures about "warfare". The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds...for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.....(2 Cor 10:4, Ephesians 6:12)....passages of scripture I would read over and over and over again. At the time I was a worship leader/minister of music for a church of about 300 regular members; primarily young singles and families around the age of 25-30. I took hold to these scritpures and when preparing for worship, I realized I was in battle as well as a time of worship. But even more than that, a burning to see young people "saved" was birthed in me. I began to realize that this is a generation who has the ability to usher in a revival we have not yet experienced. They are bold. relentless. inquisitive, unbelievably gifted. and sadly alot of them are CONFUSED.

I'm only 30 years old myself, and I consider that to be young. But I've been some places. Seen some things.
Made some silly decisions in high school and college. Didn't take full advantage of privileges given to me that would've advanced my life farther than it is now.

I see this generation, and I want to help. I want to be that voice crying out in the "wilderness" of peer pressure, false religion, suicide, perversion, rebellion, etc. That voice that doesn't "preach" Jesus, but lives him.
I long to usher in a wind of God's presence that brings more peace and love than some young people have ever felt and in turn give their lives to Christ. I want to be used by God.

Friday, I saw young people run to the altar for deliverance and salvation. The Word "pricked" their hearts, and made it soft and ready for change. I've seen it before, and I doubt I'll ever get tired of seeing it.

This is the generation that will seek HIS face........

This is me in real life.....KELLI

Bold! Right! Life!

This is Ms. Kierra Kiki Sheard.
She's a recording artist in the gospel music industry.
She's the daughter of legendary gospel artist Karen Clark Sheard of the famed Clark Sisters.
She's got a voice that can calm an anxious soul and and send a waiting crowd into a frenzy.
But most importantly, she's in love with God, and his hand in on her life.

This week Kiki is embarking on a new era of her ministry. She started a movement called BOLD! RIGHT! LIFE! designed to empower the youth of today to boldly live a life that is right in the eyes of Christ. Already, many young people's lives have been changed through her willingness to be transparent about her own struggles, but consistent in her progress to be more like Christ.

If you're in the Detroit area, swing by Greater Emmanuel Institutional COGIC August 6-9. Such speakers and artists include Tye Tribbett, Prophetess Kim Daniels, Bethany Dillon, and many more!
Visit myspace.com/boldrightlife for more information.

Wherever you are, visit itunes and check out my "lil sisters" music. She's definitely a light for this generation.

This is me in real life, Kelli

When I Grow Up

I'm 30 years old.
I don't mind saying it because I'm proud to be 30.
God has brought some dreams of mine to pass in these 30 years, and in spite of the things I've gone through and lost, I'd say I've had a good life so far.

But in a few months, I'll be 31.

I don't want to be the same person I was at 30.

I want to be better.
smarter.
nicer.
closer to fulfilling my purpose.

In my lifetime, I've always had someone to sort of "root me on".

My 2nd grade choir director (Mr Shepherd) cried when I sang. "I can't believe your in 2nd grade, and you know how to control your vibrato." I had absolutely no idea what vibrato was, or how I "magically" controlled it. But his encouragement caused me to look deeper into music theory.

In 8th grade my choral director (Mrs. Jingle) gave me a good talking to before I went to high school. She told me I was one of the most talented kids she'd ever taught. But high school was going to be a lot harder work than junior high. She told me to take care of my voice, and study hard, and maybe I'd get a vocal scholarship to college.

My freshman year my choral director (Mrs. Garrett) told me I had amazing talent. But I lacked discipline and determination. For all four years of high school she was terribly hard on me. But I learned how to control my vocal abilities, and how to discipline my voice to do what I wanted it to do when singing.

While in college, I started a worship group called Latter Rain. It was through our singing engagements that I met "Mama K", and ended up traveling with her as an armorbearer. I got a first hand look at what it meant to be a woman in ministry. Other women like Evangelist LaNita Jackson, First Lady Moore, and Dr. Bevery Jackson, passed on tidbits of knowledge and wisdom, grooming me for the ministry I would one day walk in myself. There were hardships, misunderstandings, and hurts I endured. But I love these women dearly,a nd treasure all that they taught me through word and deed.

Since I've been here in Michigan I've entered the gospel music industry, and Ive traveled the world as a background vocalist with artists who have sold out to the cause of Christ. Deitrick taught me the business, Dorinda taught me the ministry, and vanessa has taught me the "protocol" of the music industry.

It's been about 3 years since I've been without a mentor in my life. It's been a hard 3 years; learning and deciphering things for myself. After my miscarriage in March I yearned desperately for a woman to teach me how to go through the grief and eventually overcome it. As I search deep within myself and strive to get rid of those things that hinder me from being the wife, mother, and woman God called me to be; I long for a mentor to walk me through the process.

I'm thankful that until God places that mentor in my life, he has given me women in the faith like judifree, jennicatron, brandiandboys, and smiling sally; who have blogs I can venture to and leave encouraged, convicted, and challenged.

When I grow up, I want to be a woman who has felt the sting of an open wound, but has allowed a God who is all powerful to close those wounds and heal them.

When I grow up, I want to be a woman who is not afraid to get real with teenage girls who are confronted with sex, drugs, gossip, bulimia, and other things.

When I grow up, I want to be a wife who "fights' for her husband and marriage in spite of her own feelings. I want to be the one to hold up my husbands arms in the heat of battle, and intercede until victory is one.

When I grow up, I want to be a mother who speaks life into her children; teaches them the Word daily, and lives a life of commitment to Christ in front of them and behind closed doors.

When I grow up, I want to lead thousands in a song of worship, and watch as the lame walk, the dumb talk, and miracles happen for Gods glory.

When I grow up,
I want to walk fearlessly in the mandate God has placed in my life.

Without fear, without doubt, without hesitation.

I know the time will come again that God will place a mentor in my life. The process I may learn under their guidance may not be an easy one, but it will take me where I need to go.

I'm ready for the process.

"But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their sense exercised to discern both good and evil"
Heb 5:12-14

This is me, in real life. KELLI