New Season.. New Month.. Embrace Newness!!

Happy April Friends!!

Can’t believe today is the 92^nd day of the year, exactly 274 days left in 2016!

For me, it’s like I’ve barely accomplished anything I had set out to do. I wonder if any of you feels like this?

I had declared 2016 – Year of Expectancy.  I always try to be positive so I was expecting ‘great’ things. To be honest, it hasn’t been as peachy as I hoped BUT I am really grateful for the season I am in. I am learning so much from the tests and as James 1:2-4  say “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” . 

I believe I am truly being refined as pure gold or better as precious as “Crystal” (yea a bit corny but I crack myself up..lol).

I want to share three (3) lessons I’ve learnt since the year began. They might not be new information but I’m certainly being reminded and I pray you will be encouraged and try to apply them to make your year even better than it has started!

1)      I’m not superwoman!

Yea Yea.. I know that to you that might be a ‘duh’ moment but for many of us Alicia Key’s fan we might have started to take the song literally (lol…sorry I’m on a roll aye). I’m miss-busy-body! I believe I should say YES to everyone, I should try to do everything and I must be everywhere. Since 2016, God has truly been teaching me to slow down or I will burn out. I’m learning I can’t be anyone’s savior ..that’s what JESUS is for. He is THE ULTIMATE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD!

So I am a ‘super’ woman but I don’t have to be everyone’s superwoman.

2)      Expect the Unexpected

I’m a planner.. That’s what I do.. I try to set goals, keep budgets, make lists, schedule things and journal everything but in this life we have to accept that we basically have control over nothing; especially as a Christian. When we say we surrender ALL.. it truly means that GOD is in control and His plans and timing can differ and we have to simply EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED! In three (3) months – I’ve changed church.. sold my car (taking bus).. one of my dads died..lost more friends ..just to name of few of the things that have been happening. It might seem like nothing but when you weren’t expecting these changes then it can truly shake you a bit. But I have to put on my big girl pants and deal with the changes as they come. So I encourage you to do the same!

3)      Do not THINK for people

Yes! It sounds crazy but it’s not! Many times we do this not realizing that’s what we are actually doing. We immediately start thinking how others will respond and start thinking for them and by doing this we are defeating ourselves. We “think” we know the answer even before we ask and that’s too much negativity to deal with. Three specific experiences this year taught me that once I want something, I must ask. Don’t premeditate the response of the other person. Spend your time formulating what you are asking for and come up with necessary ‘arguments’ to make your request valid. Spend no time preempting what someone else will say.  Pray and ask God to lead you, fight the fear of rejection and don’t take anything personal whatever their response might be.

I hope these were helpful as these are lessons I’m truly practicing myself. It might not be a new year, but it’s a new month, a new day and a new season so there is still so much you can still do.

Learn from yesterday, live for today and hope for tomorrow – Albert Einstein

Start where you are, use what you have, so what you can – Arthur Ashe

New Season.. New Month.. Embrace Newness!! 

Thank you for reading this blog.. God loves you and I love you too!! 

Hope you have a blessed week... 

God bless you.

To God to be Glory**** 

Crystal  

Press on.... God is in control!

Hi guys... 

I am not even sure why I am blogging but I just felt led to encourage someone to continue pressing and know God is in control despite how we feel or what we are going through. 

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 

This year has been one of the roughest years I can remember. From one thing to another. It will appear physically that I am losing so much, the constant attacks spiritually and emotionally I have just felt so drained. 

On Saturday my dad died (tears) and you wouldn't imagine how I am feeling but truly I haven't gotten any chance to mourn because so many other things have been happening but one thing I can say the HOLY SPIRIT is truly a Comforter!! I have not been spending as much time as I want in quiet time but I am constantly praying for my siblings and other persons who I've been burdened for that I know are going through so much. I haven't even written in my journal because I just know it will become more real when I begin to write...

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 

To be honest, ALL the things I've been preaching, the scriptures I've been reading, the sermons I've watched and the things I've been praying about .. I believe it's a test to see if I truly will continue to trust God and serve Him even when everything seem to be going contrary to what God has told me about my life, purpose and His promises. 

Will I still have faith when I don't see how anything will work out? 

It is tough.. It is rough.. It is hard.. But I keep asking the HOLY SPIRIT to help me to endure because He is the Helper! 

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:7

While writing this blog, I just got news that one of my co-workers were stabbed to death during a robbery:-( .. #justlikethat 

This is life.. But GOD is still GOD.. GOD is still GOOD.. GOD is still FAITHFUL!!

So, whatever you are currently facing, whether financially, spiritually, physically or emotionally, I want you to know you are NOT alone. GOD is with you! Yes, I know it feels like He is not but GOD is not a liar and He says He will never leave you or forsake you. Press on my friend!! Press on sister!! Press on brother!! Press on Crystal (saying to self)!!

This too shall pass..  Believe me, I know its hard but every day, we have to decide who’s going to be in control of our life — us or God. That choice is a battle. 

Psalm 46:10 says, “Let go of your concerns! Then you will know that I am God. I rule the nations. I rule the earth

Honestly, I am daily saying GOD.. take control!! 

Be encouraged... Give your concerns to Him!! 

Thank you for reading this blog.. God loves you and I love you too!! 

Hope you have a blessed week... 

God bless you.

To God to be Glory**** 

Crystal  

Sharing God's Love in dark place.. Valentines Mission

This started out as a Facebook post but I had a tug on my heart to blog instead so I hope you are blessed by this testimony. 

It has been a very 'testing' 2016 so far but I am so grateful for the different lessons and testimonies of God's continuous faithfulness in my life. So even as you read this, I pray that you will be encouraged and reminded that GOD LOVES YOU!! He cares about every single detail of our life and He has such a great plan for us so we need to truly learn to trust Him with our whole being! GOD IS SO FAITHFUL!! 

Anyway, a couple months ago I posted this on my Instagram and Facebook page -

"So I'm driving home from the God centered conference and passingNew Kingston and at least 20 half naked women, selling their bodies for the next 'bread'. My heart was heartbroken for these ladies cuz even though it might seem like they chose this life, in the end we know SIN blinds us so many times we just get to the point of hopelessness that we just continue in the depth of the world & it's filth. Then I just had a total rush of gratefulness that led to worship... That could have been my life BUT God's grace and mercy kept me. I'm driving home might not know where the next gas money coming from but I know a Sovereign God who will provide for my needs. I didn't always know Him, or didn't always accept Him or love Him. But He never gave up on me.. I love Him now only because He first loved me. And He loves all those ladies also if they just took the chance to accept it. He loves us, all of us... If we only take chance to accept His free gift of salvation. 

People wonder why I worship as I do, why I praise as I do, why I write about God as I do.. But I know where I could have been, this 'ghetto' girl was saved by the blood.. Lord, you are so awesome.. I owe you my life!! 

#chosenvessel#crissyspeaks #heartofworship#Hisgrace #Hismercy #testimony#prayingforwomenalloverworld#Christlovesusfirst#IfweunderstoodhowworthyGodis#allpraisebelongstoHim#toworshipHimIlive #grateful"

The night I posted this, I went home just giving GOD thanks for my life and for never giving up on me. As I prayed I got an 'crazy' idea that I should find a way to show these women that God loves them despite their lifestyle. I immediately called my friend Desriann (I swear she is going to block me from calling her one of these days ..lol) and told her about the idea to give these women (prostitutes) roses on Valentines Day. I was hoping that she would say NO but of course she didn't, she loved it! (blahh..lol!). Eventually I shared it with my other friends (She's Royal team) - Tashna and Dameikie and they also loved it! 

Honestly, we knew 'Crystal is so not smart or loving' so this MUST be the HOLY SPIRIT that placed this desire in our hearts. 

Approaching Valentines Day, I really wanted to 'chicken out' because I kept questioning if this is me or this was God; but again my awesome friends who are just as 'crazy' insisted we do it. So on Valentines Day, we bought 25 roses to do this evangelistic mission of 'Shining God's Love and Light in a dark place'. 

So, we met and we prayed and we worshiped! We bind up and cast down every high forces and rulers in dark places and prayed for boldness to do this mission.

Boi did GOD truly 'wowed' us! 

Ephesians 6:12 - 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 Timothy 1:7 - For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

We started our mission .. 

Can I say how awesome and faithful GOD is!!! 

Tashna and Desriann being the 'brave' ones who started to hand out the roses first. The first two women we met, we simply gave the roses to them and told them God loves them and have a Happy Valentines Day. 

The women were so thankful and receptive, they asked us to pray with them and we encouraged them and shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them. 

This gave us so much encouragement for the rest of the mission...  

Honestly, what we thought would be an half hour of just handing our roses turned into two hours of praying, encouraging, evangelizing and simply showing love to these women. 

All the women were so grateful and responsive to us. They expressed how lovely it was that we could do this and they did not feel judged at all. They told us their names and said we should continue praying for them and their family and hopefully one day they will come to Christ. One of them said she will be praying for us to continue doing this and one was even crying because she needed to hear that God still loves her. 

It was really an awesome experience.. We could not imagine this type of reception but we were even more humbled that GOD could use 'unworthy' vessels like us to share His love and shine His light in the dark places. 

It was so much fun also.. We smiled and laughed and they teased me for wanting to back out..  The evening was such a blessing.. We prayed and worshiped after because we knew God was pleased with us. 

Royalties... I love them loads:-) 

With so many changes going on with the She's Royal Movement, this was an encouragement for us as we prepare for a new direction where God is taking the ministry. 

God used our different gifts and passions to come together to fulfill His God-given mission and He deserves ALL the glory and the honor!!

I am so grateful for this team of godly friends God has blessed me with, their support, loyalty, their prayers and frankness is exactly what I need to encourage me to continue trod this journey of obedience. 

Hugs to our body guard for the night, my friend Dawit-) 

My main reminders from this experience are... (a) God can truly use us if we allow Him (b) We are truly called to be light and light must go in darkness to be effective (c) God loves each and everyone of us despite our situations, background or past experiences  (d) Who we have in our inner circle can either push you to our destiny or pull us away from our purpose  (e) Fear is NOT of God, in everything we do we should walk by FAITH 

Thank you for reading this blog.. God loves you and I love you too!! 

Hope you have a super blessed week... 

God bless you.

To God to be Glory**** 

Crystal  

Happy 1 year Blog Anniversary:-)

WOW... It's been 1 year since I posted my first blog and God has truly been so faithful!! 

Happy 1 year Blog Anniversary:-)

I've always been a writer, I don't know where I get so much thoughts from but as far back as 11 years old, I remember keeping journals (I still have them). Even though I love writing, I never thought it was good enough to share with others. I had dreams of becoming an author (in far future) but it was never something I tried pursuing or even thought about. But I can say God truly sees our deep heart's desires and He will use our gifts and passion to bring Him Glory!  

My journals from age 11 years.... 

Why did I start blogging?

I remember in August 2014, when God told me to come off social media for 3 months.. I was like why God come on, I am sharing the Gospel on Facebook, sending devotions on whatsapp and all these things for you. Then He said.. 'Crystal you are not their Savior, I AM".. I was so embarrassed! 

Then I shared with a friend that God had told me to take a break from social media and my he said he agreed because my phone is an idol. I was so insulted but it was true. 

So I had to be obedient to God!!

During my 3 months fast from social media, God truly worked on me! I sought God with all my heart.. Read many books, blogs, listened 4-5 sermons daily, prayed, fasted and just begged God daily to work on me and reveal my true purpose. It was during this time, God placed the blog on my heart along with many ministry ideas. It was such a blessed season even though it was a bit scary some of the things He was telling me to do.

I struggled to step out in faith and not worry about what people would think of me, so I asked many persons to pray for me so I would be obedient to His commands. Honestly, I wasn't sure if I wanted people to know so much about me. I am not very secretive but I was just not at a place where I wanted others to judge me. But.. I had to be obedient to God!!!! 

How did I get the name 'Chosen Vessel'? 

One day as I sought God about the blog thing, I heard the Holy Spirit clearly said 'You are a Chosen Vessel'. I did not know what that means so I started to research because I didn't think there was anything super special about me for me to say I was "Chosen" and even though I am special.. I didn't know what I was chosen to do! That same afternoon, I went to prayer meeting at church, nobody knew my about the blog idea because I wasn't sure I would do it but at the prayer session, I got paired with the Prayer Team leader, Sis Lola. She shared her prayer request with me and when it was time for me to share, I simply told her that I believe God is leading me to do something and I just needed prayer to be obedient.So, she interceded on my behalf. She prayed about God using my gifts for His glory and said God will use me to touch many lives.. I WAS SO SHOCKED! It didn't stop there.. when she finished praying.. she said   "God says you are a Chosen Vessel and He has called you for a purpose".. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT! THAT WAS MY CONFIRMATION!!

How has blogging impacted me? 

When I read the blogs I've written over the past 1 year, I am in total awe. I know I did not write those blogs.. Every single blog has been written by the Holy Spirit! I told God I won't blog because I seeking to be popular or just to tell people my business. I only write when God has truly burden my heart about a topic. So when I read over the blogs, I am so encouraged, blessed and sometimes so convicted. 

It is also such an overwhelming feeling when persons email me to tell me that my blog has truly blessed them. I get many emails from women from places like United States, Nassau, London, Canada even Ghana. I had no expectations at all when I started blogging but I simply wanted to be obedient. I've truly learnt that it is never about my feelings or my desires but it is always ALL about God's glory! 

I want to say THANK YOU.. THANK YOU.. THANK YOU TO ALL THE PERSONS WHO READ AND FOLLOW MY BLOG... I truly appreciate the support, the love and encouragement  to continue walking in God's will. I LOVE YOU ALL VERY MUCH! 

Thank you so much for reading my blog:-)

My encouragement to someone today -- Don't delay one more day! Whatever God has told you to do, JUST DO IT! I have learnt that someone's breakthrough might be dependent on our obedience. We are called to help each other so don't think your story is too small or too dramatic to share. BE OBEDIENT! 

My joy.. My passion.. My gift.. WRITING!! ALL FOR GOD'S GLORY:-)

This advice is not just for you but again, everything I write is always for me also. So after seeking God for months and months, I am being obedient and writing my first book - 'Living a Royal Reality'. Last year, as I prepared my sermon for the She's Royal Empowerment Conference, God downloaded so much information that He said its more than just a sermon but it is also my first book title. I was a bit overwhelmed but I know I just need to stay in His will and He will work out all the details. So look out for it before the end of the year* yikes!!! 

At She's Royal Conference 2015

Sharing at the Royal Within Worship Experience 

God loves you.. and so do I!! 

God bless you.

To God to be Glory**** 

Crystal  

Diary of a Single Woman (Singles Blues!!)

Is it me? Or does it seem like this Christmas everyone is getting engaged, getting married, celebrating anniversary or simply coupling up? 

I've heard about the Holiday Singles Blues but I truly never experienced it until this Christmas!! 

Normally, I would be so busy over the holiday but this Christmas I decided to spend my time home just chilling with Chrissy, reading and spending time with God. I didn't go on social media very much either, for most of the days I turned my data plan off so I can truly chill! 

During the days, I am good but then the few times you go on social media... bam!! Couples!!! 

I thought it was just me being dramatic until a friend messaged me and say why does it seem like everyone getting 'hitched' this holiday .. (so I know this was just not in my head since someone else mentioned it). 

I went to Half-Way-Tree with another friend on Christmas Eve.. I think that made it worst... Almost every teenager was holding hands, hugging, window shopping or something. Like seriously?? And I can barely get a date!! 

SINGLES BLUES .... IT IS SO REALLLLLLLLLL!! 

Again, I really never felt like that before. I've heard of it but don't remember experiencing it before. 

So what to do when you find yourself with the Singles Blues:

1) Accept it-- Yes that's what I said.. ACCEPT IT!! 

   

As singles especially believers, we tend to pretend that we don't have these feelings. We say 'God is enough' or 'I am so contented in my single season' so often that it becomes a cliche and really and truly even though GOD IS MORE THAN ENOUGH... He still made us with these desires of wanting a mate, wanting a family and companionship. So I don't believe He wants us to lie to ourselves and others that we don't have these desires but it is really what we do when they come upon us. 

"God sees your desire for a spouse deep down,no matter how much you tweet you're content. Contentment in singleness doesn't mean you have to say you don't want a man. It means until God sends you one,you chilling" -Stephanie Sims

2) Share it -- This is simply talking to someone about it. 

  

I hope you have accountability partners that you can be honest with and just tell them this is how you feel. When I shared it with a few persons I knew (males and females) I realized I wasn't the only person feeling like that. So we could actually encourage each other.

3) Pray about it -- The struggle is real but God understands.

 I know many of us might be praying for a spouse for years yet nothing seems to be looking possible  but God knows our hearts and we truly have to trust His timing. It does get challenging and every year you watch other persons getting their dreams come through but I encourage you to not get weary because God hears your prayers and I really believe that He is molding us for that special someone as much as He is molding them for us. This is why you have to talk to God about it and spend time with Him because in His presence there is fullness of joy!! God gave us these desires so talk to Him about it. 

I know it is not easy as I said.. This is what I have to be living daily.. Hello!! But I am grateful for my friends who reminds me that God is faithful and He has great plans for my life and everything will happen in time. 

One thing I will also say, it is during these times the enemy send your EX. I mean all year round, you were strong enough to tell him/her no until the Singles Blues kick in then they become most appealing and desirous. It is so easy to start to entertain the conversations and let your guard down because of the attention. But I will encourage you, once you realize what's happening SHUT IT DOWN! Sometimes we get caught up and if you have already don't be too hard on yourself but cut it off now! He/She is so so not worth it!!

You know why it had to end and You know God has better in store so don't let the flesh lead you into a dangerous path. 

Shut it down! 

This blog is not just for you..Believe me, it is for me too! As I shared over the past week I had to be dealing with this feeling of 'God just send the husband already' but thank God that I was able to Admit it.. Share it.. Pray about it.. and Shut down the temptation/attention!! 

God knows my desire and I really just don't want a relationship because I want company or because I desire sex.. I want a God-ordained marriage and I share the reasons I want to marry in a blog previously Why I desire to Marry (check it out)... Know that God will honor you, if you honor Him and keep yourself holy and be obedient and trust His timing. 

God loves you.. and so do I!! 

God bless you.

To God to be Glory**** 

Crystal 

Feel free to email me with questions or concerns at shachene@gmail.com 

 

Merry Christmas Friends!!!

It's been a while that I've blogged .. actually it's been awhile I've even written in my journal and it is not because I've been busy. For weeks I've been feeling like God is simply just not talking to me... I keep asking "God are we in malice?"

It has truly been a going 'through the motions kinda season' and I am just being still because God has not given me anything to share.

Last week, the She's Royal Movement had its last event for the year in the form of a cocktail party and worship experience.. I was supposed to do the exhortation but I just couldn't because I refuse to share anything from my limited wisdom and God did not tell me anything to tell His people. So thank God for my brother in Christ, Dunamis Reignz that shared the exhortation and the night was truly a blessing.

This is my last blog for 2015, I want to say thanks to all the faithful readers and followers of my page. I truly pray that you were inspired, blessed, encouraged and even convicted by my daily posts and monthly blogs. One thing I can truly say that even though I feel like God is not 'talking' to me, I know for sure that He is always with me .. and guess what He is ALWAYS with you too!!

It is so comforting to know with all our hearts that even in His silence, even in a drought, even in the tests, even in the valley .. NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD!!

As we a celebrate this Christmas season with just about a week to go for the New Year.. I pray that we will not be so caught up in the festivities that we don't get time to truly reflect what this season is about...
Jesus Christ came into this world, not just to free us from eternal punishment but also to give us hope and purpose in this life! So I truly encourage you to spend some time with God before the end of the year and just thank Him for just keeping you, providing for you and most importantly saving you; through His birth.. we have been given LIFE!! 

I know everything may not be going how you would want it.. maybe 2015 has even been your hardest year.. but God continues to take us through and He has brought us too far to leave us now! 

There is so much that I need to share with you guys but when God has release me then I will do so.

2015 was truly a Year of Promotion... and I declare that 2016 will be a Year of Expectancy for us ..because we serve a Great Big Wonderful God and we know that His plans for us can only get better!! 

I love you guys very much.. God bless you.. I pray that you will have a safe, joyful, peaceful, lovely, restful and merry Christmas and super favored and blessed New Year to come!! 

God loves you so much... and I do too:-)

To God be the Glory****

Crystal 

Feel free to email me: shachene@gmail.com