Pop Stars

#hopeandlife12 {Night 3}

John Gray @ Lakewood Church

"Power of Potential: Strategic Tactics for A Remnant Seed"

Psalm 24:6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.

1. Jacob carried the stigma of his name everywhere he went: it means "trickster".

• He was raised in house that pushed him toward the definition or his name.

• He wanted to please God.

2. Your potential doesn't give you the victory.

• The youth today are in a microwave generation, thinking it doesn't take work.

• That refers to everything including your relationship with God.

3. Until you see yourself as a solution, you will be a part of the problem.

• Your obedience can be someone's ticket to heaven.

• There is no one else who can do what you do.

4. Israel was the action side.

•  When Jacob became Israel, he quit the life of half-hearted service to God. 

•  We usually don't recognize all our errors, but we also fail to realize when we have made a significant turn for the better but God does and gives us a new name. 

5. This is the Jacob generation: The tricky generation stuck in the middle.

BE A LEADER

***Never be afraid to embrace your replacement. Jesus never prepared the disciples for his prescence, He prepared His disciples for his absence!

CHOOSE TO USE TECHNOLOGY FOR HIS GLORY

***The enemy wants your attention, allegiance, and affection. We have all the tools and we have to choose how to use them.

MAKE JESUS POPULAR

***With 32 tweets you can trend, why not trend #Jesus.

-- Sent from JRochelle's Palm

Giving the Gift of Yourself

Joel Osteen @ Lakewood Church

• The greatest gift is your time, your love, your concern, your attention etc...

• With technology it's easy to cheat people out of the best of me.

• You can't do it for everyone but you can do it for someone and if you keep putting off, then you may miss your opportunity.

James 4:13-17 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money."Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.

• John Osteen and Sam Story: Sam explained Revelation 3:20 and took John to church where he accepted the Lord. They both became ministers but Sam was never stable and John put Sam on staff.

Revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

• Don't forget about the people who helped you get to where you are like David did.

2 Samuel 9:1 David asked, "Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?"

• If you only had an hour to live who would you call, what would you say and what are you waiting for?

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Victoria Osteen Talk

"The peace of God"

Psalms 37:37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright;a future awaits those who seek peace.

• Peace is a benefit of having a relationship with God.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

• It will guard your heart and a "guarded" heart is a strong protected heart. And when you don't guard your heart you leave it exposed.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

•Peace is something that you can grow and develop.

Peace is trust in the storm.

-- Sent from JRochelle's Palm

When You Don't Get the Gold Medal

I started running a race years ago and I still don't have my gold medal...I got a boat load of other stuff though. I honestly don't know if I ever made a specific goal. I always followed the rules and lived peacefully among others so I could glorify God. I wanted everyone to get along and I wanted to help others whenever I could. When I imagined my life as an adult, by this point in my life I wanted to have a career, a social life, and a family. In reality, I've had a lot of random jobs, I guess I have a social life and I just started my family (it's my husband and me). I don't see my life as a "gold medal". I love my life; it's just not what I expected. Not only do I feel like I don't have the gold medal, I feel like I'm not even on the path that I started anymore. Which can get confusing. It's like if you prepare to go to Canada and end  up in Hawaii. That's my life; I planned to go to Canada but ended up in Hawaii, which is why I feel so bad complaining about it. So I talked to a colleague to figure out what direction I should go in, and I didn't get the response I expected.

My colleague shared Hebrews 11:6 with me where it says without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. I had read it before, but she added a footnote to it. She said, "...it may not be the reward you expect". That statement lines up with another one of my favorite scriptures: 1 Corinthians 2:9 “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." So obviously, the reward that God has for me won't be something that I expect. Still not really helping.

The thing about life is there is no "right way" to do it, you just have to lie. Unfortunately I've reached a point in life where I'm scared to live. I worry about even the smallest decisions because I don't know how I ended up where I am. I don't know which straw was the one that broke that poor camel's back. I think I want to open a studio. Last year, I officially started a business ByJRochelle We provide video, graphics, and photography services. My goal right now is to save enough money to buy a building and equip i with everything I need for 2 fully-functioning video studios and 1 fully-functioning audio studio. Sounds pretty lofty, but I'm sure I an do it if I can just stop worrying about what didn't happen. Oh well...until next time

Jeniro is on the Go! Catch of with her @TheJRochelle

No Learning Curve

Our society was formed through a long process of trial and error; unfortunately those pioneers forgot their mistakes and only accept "perfect people". You have to have the right school, the right training, and the right experience before anyone will give you a chance. In today's society, those entering the work force no longer get a learning curve unless he/she knows someone.

I went into a temp agency and the people who worked there wouldn't send me on an administrative assistant job because I'd never used the software that they use at that particular office. Now I did however take the aptitude test and passed that section; I just wonder why they made me test on the software if it "experience" was the only qualification. Even if I had failed the aptitude test, they couldn't put good faith into a person with a Master of Science? Furthermore, why did the company even post that position; I'm sure there was an able-bodied janitor at the company who could have learned the software. I've learned that some of the people who do the "lowest" jobs are highly skilled; some of them just had to take what they could get.

Speaking of hiring within the company...Someone close to me worked his way up to a lucrative position with a large provider of professional services to energy, resource, and complex process industries base in Austrailia. After he was promoted, you'd think they'd give at least an employee within their company a crack at the position but no, they hired an outside person. If I worked at that company, I'd be a little peeved...

Just a few thoughts. It upsets me that people don't get a learning curve anymore. They put us through torture in school then we grow up and can't even use the information because no one paid us to use the information. I just don't think it's fair.

No Formula for Success

After years of suggesting that the reason I haven't found a high-paying job is because I was doing something wrong, someone finally admitted that it may not be my fault. He is a manager at his company and has recently been charged with interviewing candidates. He interviewed 3 candidates for a position but the company decided to contract the services rather than hire a permanent employee.

I guess I knew this all along but when you don't get what you picture as "success" you start to doubt yourself. In the past few years I've been meeting with people to get their "formula for success" and I've found out that there isn't one. I've talked with 3 people whose situations are similar to the picture I had of success: a PR Manager, a Media Coordinator, and an Associate Producer.

Sydney went to college and majored in English Literature. At the end of her educational career she didn't know what she wanted to do. After Talking to her sister, she moved across the country and worked as a PR Manager's assistant where she "learned the ropes" of PR. She has worked with publications including Elle, Glamour, and Harper's Bazaar. Now she is an internationally known PR Manager. Contrast Sydney with my friend Jennifer. Jennifer went to school and majored in Communication then interned with a local PR Firm. The firm did not hire her and she now works in customer service.

Ashlee went to college and majored in Education. She moved away from home because her husband found a job in another city. Once relocated, Ashlee volunteered at her husband's job for years in creative arts. A manager in the media department noticed her work and she was offered a job at the same company in a different department. Compare Ashlee to me. I went to school for Media Production, have a MS in Communication, I've held 2 internships. I have yet to be hired and am rarely called in for an interview. In the last 3 years, I've had about 3 interviews. I now do contract work through my company ByJRochelle.

Stacey went to school and majored in broadcasting. She worked at a news station in a small town where she did everything because she could not find a job in her hometown. Even though she acquired a plethora of experience at that station since the staff was so small, she still couldn't get hired for a job above entry-level. When she finally did get hired, it was for an entry-level position and the thing that set her above the pack was her personal blog on being a vegetarian. She still is not where she thought she'd be but she's further than I am.

What I learned from getting to know a few people is that there is no formula for success and maybe I should define success as I go as not to drive myself crazy. What do you think?

...Impossible to Please God

I met with my new mentor Ashlee today and she is just such an awesome woman of God. She shared some of her wisdom and experience with me. She also encouraged me and we closed out with a prayer. Our meeting can be summed up into a scripture that she shared with me:

Hebrews 11:6 ...without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD

When you really believe that God is in control, it takes the pressure off and opens you to live in freedom. God has plans to give me a hope and a future, He knit me together in my mother's womb, and his purpose for my life is too big for me to mess up. I don't need to know exactly what I'm "supposed" to do I just have to believe God is who He says He is.


GOD REWARDS THOSE WHO DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM

I may not not get what I'm expecting, but I will be rewarded. My main concern has been that I've put so much work into honing my skills and serving others; I've been blessed tremendously but I don't have the advantages that the world values (i.e. money, high-powered position, etc...). That scripture, Ashlee's personal testimony, and the things that God has spoken to my heart really helped. Sometimes you just need someone to remind you whose you are and who you are.Ashlee recommended that I stay faithful and tell those around me that they need to, "back me up or back off". She also recommended that I become more aggressive with asking people for advice. Not only is it good to get another perspective (in life, in work, etc...) but it helps build relationships. Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-39, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.

So, in conclusion have faith and know that you'll get results. Build relationships along the way because really we're called to love God and love people. When you realize that you have no control, that an omnipresent omnicient omnipotent God has my life in His hands, and that the only thing that lasts is love, it takes the pressure off.

-- Jeniro is on the GO! Follow her @TheJRochelle

Background: I recently asked a friend to mentor me because honestly, I got to a point in life where I gave up; for years I worked hard in all areas of my life but my dreams remained deferred so I figured that there was no point to all my work.

A Dream Deferred

Langston Hughes penned a poem that asked the question, “What happens to a dream deferred?” M. Hughes then proceeds to give a few options: a) dry up, b) fester, c)stink, d) sags, or e) explode. My deferred dream sagged then festered. It started to weigh me down back in 2007 and as of 2012 it’s festering. So, I recently asked a friend to mentor me because honestly, I got to a point in life where I gave up; for years I worked hard in all areas of my life but my dreams remained deferred so I figured that there was not point. 

Like I said, I asked my friend to mentor me, this was Friday June 1. Now, I’m Christian and one thing I love about my relationship with God is that He always talks to me and when I make decisions he gives me confirmation. The very next Sunday, my pastor preached a sermon on “Not Settling for Good Enough”. I was more sure than ever that I was going in the right direction!

My new mentor is a relatively new friend who I work with. I told her that up to this point in my life I have done the “right thing” with no results and she is in a place that I would like to be. She works in my field, she’s a wife, and a mother. The most important reason that I chose her is because she is honest and meticulous. I know that she’d give me the feedback and support that I seek.

In preparation for our first “meeting” I googled questions to ask your mentor and I found a pretty awesome list. At the end, the author said this:

“Okay, are you ready? Here’s the fun part. It’s time to ask yourself these questions. And this is what this post is really about. I mean seriously, how can you justify asking anyone anything about who they are and how they think if you haven’t asked yourself the same questions? And arrived at some honest, introspective answers?”

I agree with that statement, so over the next few days I will answer these questions in my blog and also share my the progress with my new mentor. I’m looking forward to moving into the destiny that I’m supposed to live out! Until next time, I’m on the go!

Here are the questions:

1. What qualities do you look for in the people you hang out with?
2. If you wanted to encourage innovative ideas, how would you go about it?
3. How would you describe your personal style?
4. How do you give credit where credit is due?
5. If you wanted to create an environment where motivation can thrive, what’s the first thing you would do?
6. How do you show others that you believe in them?
7. Who has influenced you the most?
8. What do you do to challenge your underlying beliefs, paradigms and assumptions?
9. What would you do differently if given the opportunity?
10. When is breaking the rules okay?
11. What does working ‘on’ your business mean to you?
12. What does empowerment mean to you?
13. How and where do you find inspiration?
14. If you wanted to find the second best answer to a question or problem, what technique would you use?
15. Why do you do what you do?
16. How do you approach the unknown?
17. How do you keep your feelings from clouding your decision-making?
18. What’s the best way to keep your eye on future results?
19. How do you bring courage and conviction to risky situations?
20. What values are you committed to?
21. What do you do to live a balanced life?
22. What are 5 key books you feel I should read, and why?
23. What dreams and goals inspired you to succeed?

-Jeniro is on the GO! Follow her @TheJRochelle

Not Settling for Good Enough

Joel Osteen @ Lakewood Church

Too many people are living with things that are less than God's best.

•1 Corinthians 2:9 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
-"Good enough" is not my destiny.

•Genesis 38:27 When her time came to give birth, it turned out that there were twins in her womb. As she was giving birth, one put his hand out; the midwife tied a red thread on his hand, saying, "This one came first." But then he pulled it back and his brother came out. She said, "Oh! A breakout!" So she named him Perez (Breakout). Then his brother came out with the red thread on his hand. They named him Zerah (Bright).

-We all have 2 people on the inside of us: 1 wants to settle and the other wants to stretch.


•Deuteronomy 1:6 Back at Horeb, god, our God, spoke to us: "You've stayed long enough at this mountain. On your way now. Get moving. Head for the Amorite hills, wherever people are living in the Arabah, the mountains, the foothills, the Negev, the seashore—the Canaanite country and the Lebanon all the way to the big river, the Euphrates. Look, I've given you this land. Now go in and take it. It's the land god promised to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their children after them."

-Just because I give up doesn't mean that God has given up.

-J.J. Watt settled delivering pizzas and remembered that he was destined to play football


• Genesis 11:31-32 Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot (Haran's son), and Sarai his daughter-in-law (his son Abram's wife) and set out with them from Ur of the Chaldees for the land of Canaan. But when they got as far as Haran, they settled down there. Terah lived 205 years. He died in Haran.

-Don't build a house where you should be pitching a tent.

-The first place I lose the battle is in my mind.

-If you don't see what God has placed inside you, see that as temporary...dont settle there.


Numbers 13:28 "We went to the land to which you sent us and, oh! It does flow with milk and honey! Just look at this fruit! The only thing is that the people who live there are fierce, their cities are huge and well fortified. Worse yet, we saw descendants of the giant Anak. Amalekites are spread out in the Negev; Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites hold the hill country; and the Canaanites are established on the Mediterranean Sea and along the Jordan."

-They saw God's goodness in the wilderness; they were too easily satisfied.

-- Sent from JRochelle's Palm

Pitching a Tent

The recent message "Not Settling for Good Enough" got me asking myself, "Self, have you settled for good enough?" Today I'm sitting in the Library editing a video for The Fashion Group International Inc. of Houston as part of a series entitled "Why Do I FGI?". I teamed up with Jaxon Entertainment & Production. They came up with an idea to promote The Fashion Group International Inc of Houston. I feel like FGI is an excellent resource for professionals and students; additionally, I love video production so even though this was an unpaid project I signed on to produce this series. I tell myself that I feel fortunate to be able to exercise my craft and hone my skills but this is definitely not what I want to do for the rest of my life.

I worked for years gaining skills, education, contacts, and everything else I thought would lead me to success. As I pause briefly to look around, this is not the picture of success that I had. I'm sitting at a table with a family: 2 teens working on their summer reading and their mom doing something on her computer. In the distance I hear the loud librarian explaining how the automatic light works to a patron. As I glance a little farther I see a mentally disabled woman cringing on the sofa and behind her a team of Mormons. I want to finish the video but I can't stop thinking that this is not what I want to be doing.

I'd like to be in MY office with at least 3 employees. Maybe I'd be editing...maybe I'd be leaving to take a meeting with a perspective client where a recent college grad edits away on a PAID PROJECT. I get a few paid projects now, but no where close to enough projects that would bring in enough money for me to live a the quality of life that I desire. So what do I do? Pastor Joel said, "Don't build a house where you're supposed to pitch a tent." I here by declare this a tent and it's high time for me take my stakes up and move on.

Where will I go? TBD I guess I'll get back to this video. I do after all believe in this cause and keep my commitments. But It's still just a tent. :-)