Gospel Artist Travis Greene to Perform at Inaugural Ball

      

      A few hours ago Gospel Artist Travis Greene announced on his social media accounts that he will be performing at the Inaugural Ball welcoming in President Elect Donald Trump as the  President of the United States. At first, the human side of Crystal was upset. I did not understand how such a spiritual man of God could celebrate a man who ran his campaign in a way that I did not support. I am really not here to express my political views but to express the anger I felt the second I heard it. I had to take a step back and look at this situation with my spiritual eyes and had to ask God for his forgiveness. 

      The 2016 presidential election was one of the most controversial elections of our time. Everyone has their own feelings about our president elect, even I did; however, I had to realize that my God was bigger than Donald Trump. Again, this post isn't meant to be a "political post", however, I had to let you all know how I was feeling as the time when I heard the news from Travis Greene. But this is a season to continue to be a light during a time when the United States has been filled with so much darkness. Ecclesiastes 3:1 lets us know that there is a purpose for everything that God does in our season. 

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven

-Ecclesiastes 3:1

When we accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior we agreed to live for him and be the light. I know I saw that a lot over his posts. For him to be the light in the darkness. There were a few angry people;however, if he consulted with God and God said go, why does our opinion matter? The Holy Spirit could sometimes lead us to places that don't always make sense to us; however, we soon figure out why he places us in certain situations.

      I pray for President Elect Trump because he will now be in the position to not only be our President but to make important decisions that can impact myself and the people that I love. As much as it pains the human side of Crystal to say this, we have to stand behind the President and pray that God can lead him to make the right decisions to benefit all Americans. What if Travis Greene's assignment will touch the heart of Donald Trump and bring him to Christ? At the end of the day it is all about saving the lost and any cost. Travis's ministry is conducted through his music. I play his CD in my car everyday and it takes me to a different level of worship every time I listen to it. What if this happens at the inaugural ball? What if his performance leads to a worship experience like we have never seen during such an event? 

      Yes, many artist may have passed up on the opportunity to perform, but what if the decline of others was actually God making room for a worship experience that lights a room filled with darkness? 

A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

-Proverbs 18:16

The Bible talks about our gift making room for us. God will create a space just for us to make his way known to everyone. A lot of these people  may have never heard of Travis Greene or believe in God period. We have to pray that God covers Travis Greene and lead him to a place that will make people thirst for Christ. Although we may have varying political views, our goal is to reach the lost. We cannot always reach the lost in church, we have to go outside of the walls of the church where the lost reside. What are your thoughts? Comment below.

17 Scriptures For Every Woman in Need of Encouragement in 2017

     

  
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

-1 Corinthians 10:13 

 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

-Jeremiah 29:11

Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.

-Psalm 3:2-6

Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

-Psalm 37:1-4

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you,  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

-Isaiah 41:10

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

-Romans 8:31

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;  great is your faithfulness.

-Lamentations 3:22-23

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.

-1 Peter 2:9-11

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

-Deuteronomy 31:6

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

-Romans 15:13

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

-Philippians 4:13

The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?

-Psalm 27:1

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

1 John 5:14

 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

Revelation 21:4

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:37-39

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?

-Psalm 27:1 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

-James 1:2-4

NO DATE 28: A Year Dedicated to the Lord and the Preparation

   

      A few days ago I sat back and I knew that I heard God clearly when He told me that this year was the year that I would completely dedicate to him. I turned 28 on November 30th and I started to feel as if I wasn't where I needed to be. A lot of the people that I know that are my age are either married, getting married, have children or already have children. Approaching 30 seemed scary, especially since I did not have anyone that I felt as if I would be married to in my 30's.

      When God spoke to me, it was one of the most refreshing things that I had ever heard. Sometimes we as people put a timeline on God. We have to graduate college, find our dream job, get married and have children by a certain age. We have these plans when a lot of the time God's plan is different.  His plan is for us to have the best life possible. God orchestrates our lives on a level that we will never understand. If you take a look in your rearview mirror of life and think about every heartbreak, rejection and failure it eventually made you better. God wants better for me and he wants better for you.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

-Jeremiah 29:11

       When God put it on my heart to not date this year I thought about it for days. I then realized that I am not in the position to be a wife no matter how much I desired it. There are things emotionally, spiritually and mentally that I have to resolve before marriage. I have to fix me and love me unconditionally before I let anyone else in.  In the past, relationships distracted me and I found myself venturing away from my faith because I never dated with a purpose. I dated to please the person that I was with because I wanted to feel accepted and loved. I wanted to hear that I was beautiful and that I was the best because I did not feel this way about myself.
      I am so excited  for this upcoming year! God is teaching me how to really love myself, live with a purpose and love with a purpose. I know that what God has for me is far beyond my wildest imagination. And if God is calling me to fast from dating I will, especially if that means that I will grow closer to Him.
      This doesn't mean that I am giving up on love or never dating again. I know that God has someone special that he is preparing for me. If God is preparing my husband for me, why not allow God to prepare me for him. I don't want to baggage of my past to weigh down my marriage. I want to be free throughout this journey and know him like never before.  I believe that I can and I believe that I will.

New Mercies Who Dis?

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness"-Lamentations 3:22-23

       I woke up this morning feeling vibrant and ready to attack my day without hesitation. I got a full eight hours of sleep, I went to bed last night completing all of my tasks and I felt confident that today was going to be the best day yet. It had me thinking about how refreshed I feel with my relationship with God. I am working daily toward my relationship with Him, pushing toward my calling and purpose.

       Many times and I mean many times I have fallen not knowing how to pull myself out of what I pushed myself into. God then reminds me how His grace is sufficient for me and his power is made perfect in my weakness. When I sin and come to God He forgives me and bestows his mercy upon me. I feel like a new person and as vibrant as I felt this morning. I don't dwell on the choices that I have made in the past because God doesn't. Why do something that God does not do? This is what I asked myself and I want you to ask yourself. 

     When you are forgiven and redeemed you are a new creature. People will look at you knowing something has changed but they cannot put their finger on it. Your mind changes, the way you approach situations changes and how you treat others and yourself ultimately changes. Isn't that amazing? Coming to God with a sincere heart asking for forgiveness can do all of that. 

      When you are made new you cannot engage in old things. It is hard, I know first hand. Let me give you a few tips on how to go about living this new life of yours. I work in Underwriting and while reviewing documents we develop a process so we will not miss important details that may negatively impact our loans. In our own lives we have to have a process that causes us to be proficient in our Godly lives. Read the Bible daily, journal, pray, read inspirational books, develop new habits, fast etc. Strengthening your relationship with God impacts how you approach the negative things that may come about that once pulled you down.

      I know I have a long way to go but knowing that God is peeling off the layers to reveal his diamond is so amazing to me. To serve a God that incomparable was the best choice that I have ever made and I hope this is a choice you are making as well. 

Flourish Church Girl. Flourish

     

     When you google flourish you find out that it means to grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way. I took a step back and wondered, how does God want me to flourish? As I pondered on this question I thought about how the Bible mentions that my eyes have not see or heart or even entered into my thoughts things he has prepared for me because I love Him. 

 However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him- 1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV

      I want to be transparent with you guys since it has been a while since I have posted. I am the type of person that has so many ideas that God continues to bless me with. However, the fear of failure and rejection takes over and I began to stick to what is "safe" and "comfortable". I totally forget the promises that God has made. I was sitting back today and God just told me to "FLOURISH". I knew I was going to get back to blogging and have planned all of my post for the rest of the year. This was supposed to be a totally different post but God told me to FLOURISH. 

      I just want to let you know that whatever you planned for 2016 don't wait to start it in 2017 because 2016 is not over yet. Whether you were going to start your business, enroll back into college, lose weight, go for that promotion, do it girl! The creator of all things has our back. Through every trial, mountain highs and valley lows the creator guides us. He keeps us on the path of our purpose.  I know I have told you all this before but Church Girl Chic is my ministry. Church Girl Chic may never be popular or known by many but this is what God has destined for me to do in this season of my life

     I want every person that I know to flourish in life regardless of the year we are living in. God has created us with greatness and has anointed us for his purpose. 

   

2016 New Years Workout Playlist

Hello everyone and Happy New Year!
    I am so excited about 2016 and all that God has in store for not only me but all of us. One of the things that is on my list and many others is not only to continue my weight loss journey but to also have my best body yet! One way that I am going to do this is by working out. Now, I don't know about you all but I love listening to music while working out. Last year was a great year for Christian and Gospel music. I have compiled a playlist of a few of my favorites from the past few years to make your workout experience the best yet!

Warm-Up

Charles Jenkins and Fellowship- War
Brian Courtney Wilson-Worth Fighting For
Tim Bowman Jr.- I'm Good

Cardio

Tye Tribbett- He Turned It
Erica Cambell- I Luh God
Michelle Williams- Say Yes
Hillsong-Alive
Toby Mac-Beyond Me(Phenomenon Remix)

Strength Training

Lecrae-Jesus Muzik (Dubstep Remix)
Mali Music-Heavy Love
Hillsong Young & Free- This is Living
Needtobreathe-Brother

Cool Down

Mercy Me-Flawless
Tasha Cobbs- Jesus Saves
Anthony Brown & Group Therapy- Worth

  

 These songs should encourage you while in the middle of that run when you feel like you want to give up. You will be reminded that you are indeed worth fighting for! Happy workout!

Life hurts but God heals every single time

   When life continues to beat us like we are in the middle of the boxing ring with Floyd Mayweather it may seem as if no one is in our corner supporting us as the punches continue to hurt and bruise our souls round by round. You all know how life has given me my fair share of beatings but through it all God was always standing in front of me, taking those punches for me.
   We all know that we are going to go through things in life and sometimes those things may seem unbearable. I met a 75 year old woman today named Jo. She was one of the sweetest people that I have ever met. I sat down with her thinking that I was going to sale her a life insurance policy, however, I was able to give her so much more than a policy, I gave her hope. Jo was abandoned by her children, abused by her ex husband and was forced to live with her best friend with no real income. Jo was a believer so I sat and spoke to her about life. After our conversation which only lasted for about 20 minutes, Jo reached me and gave me the most heartfelt hug and kiss on the cheek. I had never met Jo before, however, we looked past our age differences, background differences, and race differences and were able to connect on a spiritual level. I prayed for Jo that she would continue to trust God throughout the hard times, throughout her family separation and the emotional pain because God is a healer!
   Speaking with Jo made me think about my life experiences and the experiences that all of you may be going through. God did not promise that life was going to be easy. If it was so easy, how would we trust him? Proverbs 3:5-6 states:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight

     You may not understand why God has allowed you to endure what you are going through today of what you have gone through in the past. However, remember that he will make it all make sense one day.