Calling all warriors!

I am deeply passionate about helping hurting women find healing. Since I know exactly what they are going through and what they are experiencing and have found myself on the other side of that hurt I want them to experience this too. When I am given the opportunity to invest in a woman's life to mentor & challenge her to live her life fully,I can only do that. I invest, love and mentor these women in the hopes that they too will embrace healing and find out what freedom looks like. Let me tell you the journey sometimes is almost harder than the original abuse or past that you suffered but well worth fighting for! It is not easy. It hurts even more. But once you walk thorough the fire and face your past and the hurts that control who you are today then you will find a peace that you will want more of. Here's the thing though, I can only show the way. Give advice and encourage change. Ultimately the choice is there's. I am the only one who sat in that counselors office, the one who read all those books, the one who was on my knees and the one who ran to church when the doors where open. No one could help me if I didn't want to help myself. Addiction and

codependency we're my daily companions but I can say they no longer hold me captive! I had to stop blaming others, take responsibility and seek help to find my new life in freedom. You can find yours too but it's not for the faint at heart. It will take a warrior to fight this battle and giving up isn't an option. I know countless women will read this today that are addicted to drugs, pornography, codependency, alcoholism, women who are being beaten, women in the sex industry and women with severe self esteem issues. Please open the door to freedom today, she is waiting for you with open arms and repays you with a life that you could only imagine. You are the one who holds the key to that door though, so stand up, shake off the dust and get your key and open the door.

SHE

Today I’m linking up with Lisa-Jo for Five-Minute Friday. Join me! The rules: Write for five minutes. No editing, revising, overthinking, or backtracking. Just write. Today’s prompt: SHE Go SHE looks at us in disbelief as we show up to give her a gift. SHE doesn't know how to except a gift without giving something in return. SHE is overwhelmed by the power of unconditional love as it enters the room. SHE is guarded but curious. SHE is Loved, valued and cherished. When we leave the room, SHE will go back to work. SHE works hard for her money. SHE is a daughter of the KING, a precious women, has value far bigger than rubies and diamonds. SHE is the lady of the night. The sex worker, the stripper or the brothel worker. SHE is someone I love and have a heart for as SHE needs to know someone out there cares for her. SHE has been a sister, a mother, a daughter, a mom, a friend. SHE needs more people to understand her and love her and help her in the situation SHE is in. So the next time SHE is in the room with you will you please consider SHE just might need you and a friend. STOP

My worst nightmare

It was like any other ordinary night at work so I thought until the unthinkable happened. I was called to go back to the VIP room. Which if you don't know anything about strip clubs and the way they operate then this is a private room for a client to have one on one with a stripper. For me this was my first time being called. As I walked back to the room my heart began to beat a little deeper and I started to feel as though I could possibly have a panic attack. There was something about doing this that scared me. The unknown of what was to be expected of me and how far do I go and am I ready to do things I swore I would never do. I started this job as a waitress in the club to make ends meet. But after becoming friends with the girls and seeing their wads of cash I though hmmm,I could do this. What's so bad about taking your clothes off and teasing some guys. But as I headed down this hallway I began to think, how did I get here? Demand. I was the prettiest girl in the club the most requested and I quickly started making more money than any of the other girls. Now this! The VIP room. As I opened the door the light was dimmed real low. I could barely see. Hello? Yes I'm here,come in. I walked slowly over to him and sat in his lap. He handed me a glass of champagne and asked,is an hour ok with you tonight? Yes sure,what did you have in mind? I downed my drink in two large gulps knowing I needed to be sedated for this. His hands quickly began to rise up my leg and he told me what he wanted. It began to get real heated and I started to notice his voice reminded me of someone. I asked his name and he replied it's Alex (not his real name). And yours,he asked? I'm Heather but most people around here call me Doll. His drink fell over and I reached down to get it and he quickly stood up. He seemed frightened and I asked is everything ok? Silence. I began to feel very uneasy and somewhat sick to my stomach. Neither one of us moved. Again I still couldn't really see this mans face or couldn't identify him. I thought about reaching over to the dimmer on the wall and turning the lights up but I sat there frozen. He began to get dressed and said I'm so sorry I just remembered I have to be somewhere and he fled out the door! I knew something was terribly wrong and as I sat there trying to remember who his voice reminded me of all of the sudden I remembered and ran to the sink in the room and vomited. This is a true story of a young girl living in the sex industry. Her named has been changed and you can only imagine who that man could of been. So I tell this story for the very reason of letting men know. The girl your about to have sex with could be your daughter or another relative of yours, your daughters friend, a neighbor or someone else you know. The truth is, she is someone's daughter! Please get help and find healing for your sex addiction. www.xxxchurch.com www.getopen.com

Five Minute Friday

Today I’m linking up with Lisa-Jo for Five-Minute Friday. Join me! The rules: Write for five minutes. No editing, revising, overthinking, or backtracking. Just write. Today’s prompt: LAST Do you always feel last? Last in line, last to get that phone call, last to figure out the latest trend. Last last last! You know that scripture in Matthew? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. We'll where's that put you if your always last. Think about it? I'm pretty sure your not missing out on anything if your last and you think your overlooked, invisible behind everything. Sometimes I let everyone go in front of me so I can feel what its like to be last. Last isn't fun. You get leftovers, picked overs & whatever overs. But first isn't fun anymore either cause then you remember what last felt like. Are you tracking with me? If not its ok. Try to be last next time. Let everyone go in front of you and you'll get it. I'm just thinking being first is overrated and being last really means your first. In my humble opinion.

Lisa Jo Baker Blog Post "Small"

Today I’m linking up with Lisa-Jo for Five-Minute Friday. Join me! The rules: Write for five minutes. No editing, revising, overthinking, or backtracking. Just write. Today’s prompt: Small Go: As we are preparing for our outreach this weekend we are reminded of the women in the sex industry that need us. Even though we are small I am reminded we are mighty! Walking into the strip clubs and giving the girls homemade goodies may seem like such a small thing but really its about us just showing up. The gift of presence is how I best describe it. Sometimes in a world where everyone takes from you just having someone come along side you to remind you that you are cared for and loved is more than a small gift. Its a gift that lingers that stays with the soul and reminds these women they are not forgotten and that Jesus loves them more than they'll ever know. So even though we are a small group of women I believe that it is no small gift that we are giving cause in a big world sometimes its the small things that stands head over heals over the big things! So here's to the No Strings attached Girls known as the NSA Girls! You may be small but you are mighty! Stop #stripcluboutreach

The Father's Love "Strip Club Outreach"

Here's a story of one night on our Strip club outreach! Thank you to all of you who make cupcakes, pray & help us!! As my hand hit the door, I slowly opened it to the sound of chatter, heavy metal music, and a strong smell of smoke, perfume & despair. On the surface it looked like one big party was going on. Everyone was happy, having fun, and living it up. My steps led me into the back of the club, and I arrived at my destination for the night. A dressing room. Not any dressing room. This one had all of Gods princesses in it! Yes, you heard me right. These are the women of night. The dancers, strippers, sex workers, whatever you want them to be for the night. They do it all. They are good at their jobs because when you talk with them,the girls are so happy,the money is flowing,and they are seeing their dreams starting to become a reality. It won't be long before they can return to their former life, their normal life. No one will ever know the things they did to get that degree, to raise that child, to pay the rent, to start that business. No, this will be their little secret, and it will be tucked away so deep that no one will break down the walls to ever find out how they really survived in their circumstances. Not until we walk in. We ask the questions that pull on their heart strings. We dig deep and find out who they are. Ask questions to get to know them. Become a friend, a mentor and a positive voice in their life. We look at the root, not the fruit, of their life, and continue on in our relationships this way. We remind ourselves that it's not our job to judge their lives, but to be a light and a Godly influence, to draw them closer to a God that is waiting for His princess to arrive. The Bridegroom is patient, a gentleman, a lover of her soul. He uses us to love on the girls and to show them how valued they are. Soon they sense a deeper and more profound relationship and begin to ask questions. Some come to church, have coffee, attend events with us. Just knowing we gave them another option is so rewarding because then we know they aren't left with the only option they once knew. Darkness. So I sit down and start to watch a young girl do her makeup. I ask questions about what kind she's using and make small chat. I grab a cupcake from the goodies we brought in and ask if she'd like one. Red Velvet I say, just for you! She stopped doing her makeup and looked at me. I asked her, "have you heard of us or seen us in here?" "No,why are you here, she responded?" Well, we want you to know that you are cared for and not forgotten..... and honestly, I don't remember the rest, it was God's words and not mine. He took over and spoke right into this woman's heart. Tears began to pour our of her eyes and you could visibly see she was shaken by the words that were spoken! She ripped off her false eyelashes and ran into the bathroom and went into a stall and bawled her head off. I sat there overwhelmed by what God was doing, and tried so hard to hold in my emotional anguish for this young girl. I felt her pain, I knew what she was going through, and it broke my heart to see her hurting! She composed herself, walked back into the room, and embraced me with a hug. Then she cried some more on my shoulder. Tears flowed all over my arm and my shirt. She was overwhelmed, and didn't realize she had just encountered her Father's love! She sat down and began to share her story. Her boyfriend was beating her and she didn't know what to do. She said her grandpa was sick, and she was in town to visit him and if he hadn't been sick she would of never met me. She began to realize that it was no accident that we met, and was incredibly grateful for this encounter. This is the Fathers love, He knows what the girls need to hear, He knows their needs , He knows what it takes to draw them closer to Him. I love love love watching my Daddy do His work and use me in a way I never even dreamed of. This story is only one of many I have encountered, and there are many woman out there every week doing this exact same outreach. So many ask what I do when I go into the clubs, so I wanted to share one of my stories. As we left the club that night, I walked out into the parking lot with my wet sleeve and the tears still fresh on my arm. I touched them and asked God to dry up His little girls eyes and change her life. I was wishing I could keep them on my arm to remind me of how God moves and loves these women more than we'll ever know. And if we allow God to use us and step out in faith He will do amazing things! Oh and by the way the room didn't smell like smoke anymore, there was new song playing and HOPE filled the room!!

LONELY

The sound of silence. All is calm. Everyone is asleep. You could hear a pin drop in this house. Isn't this what I crave? Then why does it feel so lonely? The first few minutes are my friend. I relish in it. Then as time goes by I begin to long for some sort of contact. As my dog reaches up to me and nestles her head in my lap I'm reminded I am not alone but yet I feel lonely. It reminds me of the widows the fatherless the people who have none. I have family, their sleeping though. So my heart grows a little wider knowing I need to reach out to those I know who feel lonely. Mine was short lived but what about those that it never ends.

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I didn't fall, I fell.

Go. My heart was beating faster than usual as I stepped up on the step stool and took my right leg and kicked it up over this handsome gentle horse. It had been at least 20 yrs since this body had felt the stirrups in my feet and the reins in my hands. I felt a little taller and breathed a breath of relief knowing I was on him. I took in the scenery, smelling the fresh rain misting in the air and listening to the birds singing in the old oak trees. My heart was full as I gently guided my new horse around the arena. I walked in complete peace and soaked in the gift of pleasure to be doing something I thought I could never do again. A back injury kept me away from the things I loved in life and the joy that I experienced that day will never be taken away from me. I am grateful that not only did I not fall off the horse that day but I fell into the gratefulness of the grace of the Lord for giving me back something I thought I had lost. Stop.

A birds eye view!

Sitting at my kitchen window I looked out to see a mama bird starting to build a nest in the bush right within my view. It took her all day and she used everything she could find in my backyard. She was very thorough and thrifty. At the end of the day she laid in the nest and rested. I was astonished to see what she could accomplish in one day. The next day I went outside to check the nest and it was empty. She was out for the day. But later she returned and rested. After a few days of checking and she had laid 3 eggs. Now I was invested. I felt privileged that she built her home right within my view of my new found desk. You see we had a leak in our office and if that had not happened I wouldn't of been by this particular window. So now I had a beautiful scene to watch play out. It was only about 12 days or so and three little baby Cardinals were born. Bright red and so vulnerable. Mom went out in the morning and fetched food as the Red Cardinal Dad watched over the nest. Then Dad would fly out and get food as well. I loved watching the way they worked together. Every night before the sun went down the Dad would sit on a tree high above and sing to his family as he flew away to sleep and leave Mom with her kids. They're almost a week old now and have changed so much and I am grateful for the beautiful view that I have had during this week of trails and loss as it has reminded me of new life and hope. And I couldn't be more thankful for my view! almost a week old & below minutes after being born Want to join or just want to know what Five Minute Friday is all about? Head over to Lisa Jo's blog and find out :) And while you're there, be sure to visit & leave some comment love (no lurking!) for the other bloggers who linked up!

Your on the waiting list, are you coming?

It's not about the bunny,the Easter eggs nor the chocolate or the ham. It's about a man, a man that God sent so we could understand the Love He has for us. It's the greatest love story ever told. How many people can say a King died for them? Well truth be told we all can because God sent Jesus so you wouldn't be left out in the cold. He wants you to be a Kingdom Dweller you see, He built a mansion just for you & me. Please don't let your heart grow cold and let another Easter go by as you listen to the story being told. Open you heart, your mind, your soul and let your Father redeem it all! He's waiting for you, you see for all to join Him in Eternity. You've been given the invite will you join the party and be free. So know you are loved more than you'll ever know and are on the waiting list for the greatest event that you'll ever go!

Comparison is a thief of joy!

Comparison, a dirty little word most women don't like to admit is an issue in their lives. You know the woman in your life that you look at and say I could never be friends with that girl! I found myself doing that recently, those exact words came right out of my mouth to my husband after he met one of our neighbors and told me about her. I told him, I know who she is and we could never be friends. He looked at me in confusion. Why, he asked? Because she's got it all together and I could never keep up with her. Now I couldn't believe those words were coming out of my mouth. You see I saw her on my friends fb page and glanced over her profile then I saw her at certain events and decided that is a woman I must stay clear of. Wow,what was I so afraid of. Why would I judge her from the outside? What is it that's in me that this emotion rises up. I know most of us have had this reaction to someone in our life but have you ever asked why? Lets get real for a minute and dig deep. So as I reflected back on this woman and I asked myself, why did I not like her? She was pretty than me, her home was decorated perfectly, her kids always had the right outfit on, her marriage looked great and who has that clean of a car? Come on tell me you haven't quietly said these things to yourself when you came across that threatening woman. We secretly size up other women around us and judge our lives accordingly. STOP!!!!! Honestly this kind of behavior will put you in a full spin meltdown! Depression will slowly creep its way in, shame,guilt and a sense of not measuring up will be your constant companions. Your self esteem will slowly rot away because your right you can't measure up to something that isn't real. You see you have created this illusion of the perfect woman. Yes her house may look beautiful, her children dressed accordingly and whatever else you've decide about this person may be true. But what your saying is she's better than you because of her circumstances and comparing her life up against yours makes you believe your not good enough. So let's find out why we compare. 1. IT'S A BAD HABIT. Your thought patterns determine your future. So let's get your mind off the external things. Focusing on others will suck the joy out of life. Colossians 3:2 says, Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 2. YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD NEEDS SOME WORK. You've lost you inner self confidence in the Lord. Your focus has shifted to the outer world. Finding our deep self worth in the Lord will put a stop to comparison. Our self worth is not about our looks, the clothes we wear, our performance or your dress size, etc.. 1Peter 3:3-4 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.3. God has a plan for your life. Focus on what He wants you to do and not what others are doing. Every life is different and perfect in His will. My prayer for you is that you find peace in each and every person you meet and embrace their lives without comparison and wish and pray nothing but the best for them and to focus on your relationship with the Lord to stay grounded in what is important and true. Adieu

Excerpt from Lisa Michelle's Book (Untitled)

Today is Easter Sunday. This is a day of celebration for children all over the world. Easter eggs, Easter baskets, Easter Egg hunts and oh yes the once or twice a year dreaded visit to Church. At least that was what it was like for Sara's family. Well this Easter found one seven year old girl sitting on the sidewalks edge halfway in the gutter. She was all dressed up in her pretty little dress with her basket full of eggs. One by one Sara started to slam her eggs into the street, smashing them into pieces. She felt so good letting all her anger out. Why does he treat my Mom like this?!! Why does he have to drink so much alcohol? Why does he ruin every Holiday? Sara just kept going till all her eggs were gone. Oh now I've done it , I have nothing left in my Easter Basket,Sara started to cry. Suddenly her anger turned into sadness. Sara knew her older sister Lacy had gone to so much trouble to get those eggs for her and her younger sister Dawn. Lacy bought those baskets with her own money and put them together for her sisters trying so hard to give them a reason to celebrate. She knew the holidays were no fun and Lacy always tried to figure out a way to protect and rescue her sisters. But this time no Easter baskets, candy or anything else was going to cover up the rage that entered Sara's family that day. You see the family dog Bear had gone to the bathroom in the house. Sara's Dad Tom came home to find the dogs feces in the house and went into a rage. He pulled his magnum out and grabbed Sara's brother Trevor by the arm and said bring Bear into the backyard now! He's not going to crap in my house again! Trevor was filled with complete horror. Fear began to consume him. He started trembling and he knew he better act quick. Tom waited outside for Trevor and Bear. Thoughts began to run through his mind, maybe I can let Bear out the front door and he'll run. No, then I'll get killed! Tom wasn't even Trevor's real dad you see Eva (Sara's and Dawns Mom) had been married before. This was Eva's second husband. Trevor was from her first marriage. Trevor was only around on visits and hated the thought of being around Tom, for this very reason. His rage filled the house. He scared all the kids so much they weren't sure how to act in his house. Finally Trevor grabbed Bear by the collar and bent down and gave him a huge hug. He looked at him in the eyes and said I love you Bear and I am so sorry for what is about to happen to you. This is not my choice and I'll always love you. Trevor took a deep breath and mustered up the courage to head toward the back door. TREVOR!!! Where are you, get that stupid dog out here. Suddenly Trevor felt himself holding Tom's gun in his hand. Well go ahead, you heard me, shoot the dumb dog, Tom said. Tears started to roll down Trevor's face. Tom please don't hurt my dog...

Has the World broken you down?

Has the world broken you down?
I recently met this girl that was really down on her luck. Everything seemed to
be going against her. The world was sucking the life out of her or so it seemed.
Her husband had just left her. She had never worked before and had a one and a
half year old baby to care for. All at the ripe age of eighteen. So she was
forced into finding some sort of a job to pay her rent and feed her baby. She
didn't explain how but she ended up finding work as a dancer at a strip club and
this is where we ended up meeting. I became a listening ear for this young
woman. My heart broke for her. I wanted to help her anyway I could but it seemed
every circumstance worked against that happening. So here's the thing. To this
young woman it seemed like the world was breaking her down. And truthfully it
was. The world and all it's offerings, security, love, money, fame, etc... They
are all temporary. They leave you empty handed. How do I know this? I spent
most my life searching for the same things. They leave you feeling empty inside.
With a big void and no sense of real purpose in life. All the world has to offer
comes and goes with the wind. Nothing is concrete. Only when we surrender our
plans, our circumstance and our dreams to the one and only God do we begin to
feel like we belong. If your looking for a solid foundation, something concrete
that doesn't move with the wind then surrendering your life and plans to God
will put you on that journey to turning away from the world and starting a new
life in Christ. Now looking at this young girls circumstances and seeing what
the world is offering to her actually inspires me because I know that "The
world" has nothing to offer her, so it's good she finds this out for herself.
Because once we are broken down, we get desperate enough to hear about another
option in this journey called life. The option of surrendering it all to the One
who created this world and has a special purpose for each one of us. So if you
feel like the world has broken you down maybe its time to let God build you up
and create you to be all He planned you to be. Adieu. Lisa S

Poem about a little girl in slavery

Where is my jump rope, where is my hopscotch,where have they gone? Someone turned out the lights and won’t let me come out til dawn.An empty shell I have become, numb and not aware of the pain.Theres got to be more to life than this, while all they do is gain. Beaten ,battered and broken will I ever stand up again? This is not my choice but here we go again.Someone said there’s a movement out there where Angels will come and rescue my soul. Tell me this is true, tell me there on their way. All I need is for them to show up and make these people pay! Will you be her voice she needs you! #Enditmovement #madeinafreeworld #a21campaign #fairgirls #lilynco.net Please tag yourself if you are in the movement! Lisa Michelle 2013

Capturing Gods Glory

So yesterday I went to pick up my teenager at school while my 8 yr old was riding along. She says I wish I brought my iPod so I could capture that sunset right now. I looked up to my amazement and it was gorgeous! I quickly pulled out my phone and snapped a few shots taking in the beauty. We stopped and took some more. It was unlike anything I've seen before. My daughter says, you know Mom its ok I don't have my iPod because when moments like this happen I ask God to paint me a picture and save it for me when I get to heaven. I was speechless! I looked at her and asked how did you come up with that Lauren. She said I don't know I just know there is so much beauty in this world and it's hard to capture so I ask God each time if He will paint for me and He does! Wow from the mouth of babes. I wouldn't even have thought to ask God for something so amazing. She started to recite off the moments in life she asked Him to make pictures of and I was blown away by her memory and that she knows when things are not Ordinary and wants to capture them.