My brother and his family live in Annandale, VA, a town about 30 minutes outside of DC. I just love visiting them, although I don’t get to go as much as I’d like. Here are some pics of the cute lil’ duo. I’ll be sure to post more when I get back!

Oh, and here’s a picture of my brother and his lovely wife ’cause I love them, too!

Have a super great weekend everyone. Much love!

Matthew 6:14-15:

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

WHAT? Did I read that right? If I don’t forgive… God won’t forgive me? DANG!

I recently watched a teaching by Perry Noble (from NewSpring Church) on forgiveness and he laid into it! Here are some points I really appreciated:

-“If you choose not to forgive you will be stuck in a prison and you WILL NOT grow in your spiritual walk.”
-“Jesus is saying it is a spiritual impossibility for a follower of Jesus Christ to knowingly hold on to anger, and bitterness, and unforgiveness in their lives.”
-“If you know Christ he will NOT let you be comfortable living in anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness toward another human being.”

If forgiveness is an area you are struggling with, I really suggest watching this teaching. Be warned, Perry has got one RAGING southern accent.

I believe the key to being a christian is being more and more like Christ and I truly believe forgiveness is a huge part in doing so. But, forgiveness is something that is hard, hard, HARD to do. It involves so much of us, our minds, our hearts, our pride, and so much more. And I am continually learning about what it looks like and even what it feels like.

Matthew 18:21-22

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

What does forgiveness look like to you? I am so interested in this subject so share your thoughts.

So for the past 6 days I have had this mysterious headache, kind of like a lightning bolt striking my eye ball every 30 seconds. No amount of medicine, caffeine, or sleep reduces the pain. So I did what any sane and logical person would do… I slightly panicked thinking of all the worse-case scenarios (you know you have all done it too).

I went and saw two different doctors and (boring) they think I’m ok. Just some kind of crazy long headache that SHOULD let up soon. I know, kind of wimpy but I’m so thankful to be alright. I’ll keep an eye on it and if it gets worse we’ll go from there. But as for today I think I’ll live. Thank God for health, for caring friends, and for a husband who has sat by me in every waiting room, made me laugh and didn’t die from boredom.

To those of you who suffer with this kind of stuff everyday my heart really does hurt for you. It’s not fun at all!

So sorry for the long absence but… I’m BACK. Happy belated New Year to you all! I’m quickly learning I really love the new year. First of all, New Years is the most fun holiday to celebrate and I got to kiss a HOTTIE at midnight. What’s not to love?

And of course I love hearing about everyone’s goals and resolutions. I’ve never been too huge on resolutions but I do love making a list of goals. Thought I might share a few things I hope to accomplish this year…

• Be a better blogger and all around writer
• Lead an all chick small group at Christ Fellowship
• Matthew 22:37-39.(Just do it!)
• Go on 2 trips with my hunky husband (Nothing huge, just some fun getaways)
• Successfully complete the 4-Hour Body
• Write 10 songs
• Own a dog
• Read 6 books (I am a very slow reader)
• Run a 5k
• Practice my guitar and piano A LOT more
• Go to a hockey game (I think that’s the only pro sport I haven’t seen live)

I just love lists! Again, happy new year everyone. You’ll be seeing me a lot more around these parts.

Peace and love,
Genie

Tell me about your new book. What is like being an author?

I didn’t set out to be an author. It’s not something I wanted to do. But I process things internally and then I write them. I had all these thoughts that I wanted to talk about with God.

My brother got sick one summer while leading worship at a camp. He was eventually diagnosed with Leukemia and in the span of about 40 days was the journey and he passed away. The book is not a straight re-telling of that story, its more about the perspective shift that it showed us. It was “a shift of perspective that changed nothing but made all the difference.” It’s a book about hope and making sure your hope is placed in the right person – God.

Any advise to someone running after a dream God has given them?

Honestly it’s being faithful in the small things. I didn’t grow up in a big church but I started to get more and more passionate about the ministry part of leading worship – not just singing. So I started doing every little thing that came along and praying for direction. And God just orders your steps. If you know God has given you something in your heart don’t listen to people who say it’s not practical but listen to God’s heart and take the steps you need to get there no matter how small.

–

Candi is just great! It was a blast and honor to sit down with her. Click here to learn more about about the Rick Pearson Memorial Foundation. They are doing amazing things with the legacy he leaves behind.

Here’s the part you’ve been waiting for. In order to win an autographed copy of Candi’s book and album, make your way over to my newsletter sign up form on the right (it will take you literally 5 seconds to sign up) and then leave a comment on this entry saying you signed up. The winner will be selected at random on Wednesday, August 18th at 1pm EST.

Good luck to you!

This weekend I had the amazing opportunity to sit down with singer/songwriter, recording artist, worship leader and all-around cool chica, Candi Pearson-Shelton. She has toured all over, recorded and led worship with the Passion conferences, and now she is an author to a new book: Desperate Hope. I will be real honest here I’ve been a pretty big fan for a while now. Candi has an amazingly pure and beautiful voice that just makes my little ears happy. Not to mention she is a super authentic woman who will open her heart and share the journey and path God has led her down. And even after her seeing what a big dorky fan I was she graciously sat down, chatted and answered a few questions for me. Yeah, she rocks!

When you were little what was it that you wanted to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a singer. But also if the singing didn’t work out I wanted to be a marine biologist. I don’t think I even knew what that was I just knew it had to do with the ocean. But the older I got the more I knew what was in the ocean and the less I wanted to be a marine biologist and the more I wanted to sing. But, I have been singing since I was two so I can’t ever remember not singing.

If you could meet any one person who would it be?

Bono. I would just want him to talk about his journey. I feel like it’s so interesting how he got to where he is and knowing that he has a relationship with God. I love the way he can command an audience and point them to a bigger cause better than anyone I know of. Yeah, I’d want to hang with him.

What is it that you love and enjoy most about being a worship leader?

I guess because it’s such a personal thing for me I always have to engage the heart of God first, because if that doesn’t happen it doesn’t matter how well I get the audience wrapped up with me, in the end of it all I have to offer is myself and that is just not going to cut it. The personal part is: it’s just me and God, and that’s the first level. If that path is unhindered then what can come out of it is amazing. People respond to authentic worship no matter who they are, it draws you in. And I love doing what I get to do because I get to see these authentic experiences of people seeing God in new ways and in bigger ways and its through music. It’s the best of all worlds.

This is just part one of my interview with Candi. Click here for part two.

-Genie

I am so pumped and excited about this and all the new beginnings in my life. God is so good and His love endures forever. I hope you know He will NEVER leave your side. Even in your darkest hours He is still faithful and even when you don’t know where to turn next He is right there to guide you.

I hope this website gives you a tiny glimpse into my heart. It has been such a joy to help produce and I can’t wait to see how God uses it. ENJOY!

I hope you like it! Thanks again for visiting!

1. Hometown: Miami, FL

2. Hobbies: Writing music, watching movies (the good ones), Doing anything outside, hanging and laughing with my husband, family and friends, meeting new people, eating good food

3. Favorite Movie: Forrest Gump, Garden State, Office Space

4. Coke or Pepsi: Diet Dr. Pepper hands down!

5. Mac or PC: “Hi, I’m a Mac.”

6. Favorite Food: Sushi, Chipotle, Thai food, Chicago style pizza

7. Where would you like to travel: India, Brazil, London, Australia

8. First CD you ever owned: DC Talk’s Jesus Freak. I “borrowed” it from my brother. I wore that cd OUT! Still one of my favorites to this day.

9. Favorite Book of the Bible: James

10. What are your strengths: encouragement, creativity, adaptability!!!

11. What are your weaknesses: I tend to be a bit unorganized (typical musician) Getting better day by day…

12. Favorite quote: “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.” -Jesus

13. What books have changed your life:
-The Bible
-“Crazy Love” by Francis Chan
-“Praise Habit” by David Crowder
-Psalms

14. What do you like the most about leading worship: I love knowing God is using me to point people to Him and bring them into His presence. I love to watch people worship God with no fear and no inhibitions. TRULY AMAZING. Living out His plan and purpose it can’t get any better than that.

15. Most shocking experience while leading worship: My first Sunday at Flamingo Road Church: Doral campus I fell and broke my guitar. Totally cracked it in half! Thank goodness it was only during rehearsal. I will NEVER forget that moment.

16. Favorite praise/worship song:
-How He Loves Us -Jesus Culture
-Mighty To Save -Hillsong

17. What gives you the greatest joy in being a leader: To see people get it and begin to take initiative and lead on their own. SO COOL!

18. What is God teaching you right now: “For since the world began, no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!” -Isa. 64:4
-God is teaching me what it really looks like to wait for Him and trust fully in His promise. This is so much easier said than done.
19. Who made the biggest influence in your life as a worship leader:
-Dr. Marvin McKisick- one of my professors from college who helped me fall in love with ALL types of music and using it to worship God.
-Matt Benson- a worship pastor I served under. He truly modeled a LIFE of worship.

20. Where do you see yourself in 10 years: Singing and playing my heart out for Jesus. Maybe some little Uribe’s running around… we’ll see