God Will Provide!

The summer is upon us and I know many of us are thankful that the snow and cold are gone and new life is blooming.  As we move quickly towards the end of the year, I don’t want another moment to pass without you being prepared to achieve your God Given Dream.  Last month we talked about facing our fears, this month we’ll address the issue of lack.  We must remember there is no lack in God, He has it all in hand and He has made provision for you.

Have you ever felt that you could not achieve your God given dreams because you didn’t have what you needed to make it all come together?  You feel you can’t go forward because you don’t have the proper resources to do what you know you’ve been called to do.  But God is great and there is no lack in Him!  There is always a way to get started even if you don’t have a million bucks in your hand.  If God called you to do it, then you have what you need in your hand – Read Judges Chapter 6 and use Gideon as role model, I do!

There is one simple fact that cannot be denied when you are facing a lack of resources to move forward in your God given dream.  You know someone, somewhere who has what you need or you know someone who knows someone who has what you need.  All you have to do is pray and then ask.  I’ve gotten more stuff that I’ve needed in the last few months from folks simply by asking!  Staff volunteers, recording equipment, financial donations, assistance in booking just to name a few, just from asking.  The Word tells us to ask and we shall receive, so get to asking.  And remember the universal law of reaping and sowing, if someone asks you, be sure to give it if you got it! Get yourself some paper and answer the following questions:

What are your biggest needs to get started?

Who can you ask for assistance to get moving?  List those folks:

Select a concrete date on when you’ll ask them for what you need:

Remember!

-          Always remember, the first person to ask is the Lord, He has everything you need!

-          Don’t be afraid to ask them for suggestions if they don’t have what you need

-          Take what they are willing to give, God can do much with a little

-          Apply the 2 Step Approach, “Pray and Then Ask!”

How have you been working to overcome your fear?  After you ask for something you need, please share the praise reports as well!  I’d love to hear more about it.  Please leave me comment on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ministryofnaima or here on the blog!

To learn more get the training manual, Go With What You Got!To Learn More Purchase The Book - Go With What You Got!

3 Power Keys

I can be my own worst enemy.  Clinging onto past mistakes, missed opportunities, fear and doubt.  It’s almost as if I forget the God I serve has all power in heaven and earth in His hands. What would it mean to truly grasp the promises of the Lord in 2015, to forget about the past, overcome the fear and move past the pain?  That’s my heart’s desire.  I believe I’ve stopped myself, been my own worst enemy way to long.  I’ve been praying for clarity and asking for wisdom and these three things have come up in my searching for total freedom in God.  I like to call them my power keys!

Power Key One

Leave the past in the past.  We’re always focusing on worrying about tomorrow, but in truth isn’t our worry about tomorrow often based on what happened yesterday?  Let’s all sing a great Disney tune and simply, “Let It Go!”  If you fallen short, God forgives, if you are harboring guilt, you can’t change the past, if you’ve been hurt, more then likely the other party has already moved on.  If it didn’t happen quite the way you thought it would, trust that God has a bigger and better plan, after all, His ways are high above our own.

Power Key Two

Worship before work.  At this moment I have 8 things on my “To Do List” and that’s not counting all the things I have to do on a daily basis that are not on the list.  Important things like, the laundry, quality time with my husband, playing with the puppies, working on my booking schedule, writing, practice, ministry events… you get the drift.  It is easy for me to get overwhelmed and lost under a mound of paperwork, songs that need to be practiced or dinner that needs to be cooked.  And sadly I must admit that I have allowed the pressure to build that I skimp on the most important priority – my time with the Lord.  I justify it with – He’s always there or He understands or I’ll chat with Him as I lay down for bed.  Then I find myself weak, weary, and worn down.

I know from past experience that the Lord can accomplish more in ten minutes then I can accomplish in an entire day.  So I’ve adopted the attitude of putting Him first and what doesn’t get done, just doesn’t get done.  He knows what needs to get done and by when and He is so faithful to always make a way.  I choose this year to worship before I work!

Power Key Three

Victory is right around the corner, if only you believe.  We know faith without works is dead.  You have the faith, you’ve covered it all in prayer, now simply go for it and trust that the power, resources and support you need will be supplied by an all mighty God who has your best interest in heart.  Victory is the ability to overcome opposition – it is the small steps taken consistently that build up to produce breakthrough!  Be consistent, be a person of action, and cover it all with prayer, praise and worship.

What Power Keys or Faith Nuggets are you holding on to for 2015?  I’d love for you to share!  drop me a note either via email or leave me a comment on my blog page or my Facebook page – www.facebook.com/ministryofnaima

Planning a women’s ministry event?  Interested in a house concert or special music for your church event?  Need a guest worship leader?  Please contact me, I’m now taking requests for bookings for 2015 and I would love to be of service to you.  Send me an email at naima@ministryofnaima.com. 

The Numbers of Love

The year of no goals… wow, it’s been a difficult one so far.  I guess I never realized how many goals I actually set.  For example, in one of the online mentoring groups that I am a part of, at the start of each week they ask us to share what our goals are.  Mine usually revolve around the number of bookings I’d like to secure.  How unaccomplished I feel when at the end of the week it’s time for our report back and I have nothing to report. 

Furthermore, how aimless I feel stating at the start of each week, “Well Lord, where would you have me go?” and often feeling like the question is just hanging in the air.  Not to say that bookings have not been coming in or that I am not seeking new connections, networks and new opportunities. I am!  But it’s been hammered in my head so many times that the without a goal I’m unfocused and lacking ambition.  And when it comes to sharing the saving love of Christ, the hope of things unseen, the comfort for the broken… I am not out there just drifting in the wind!

Even with hosting the 1^st Creative Christian Women’s Online Conference this past week.  I had in my mind the number of registrants I wanted to obtain.  This specific number signified to me success, financial success, among other things.  I wrote the number down and placed on my prayer alter and then remembered, I wasn’t setting goals.  My prayer, had to change from, “Lord send 50 people to attend the conference.” to “Lord send the people ordained for this event.”

 Needless to say, we didn’t make my goal, but we sure made the Lord’s goal.  And what was the lesson in all of this?  Things I already knew but often struggle with.  Numbers don’t define success, obedience to the Lord’s word does.  It doesn’t matter how many people show up, you do the same for one as you would for a thousand.  You give your best no matter what the outcome is going to be.

Because the God we serve loves us so much, that He would have someone spend hours planning a conference that might only change the life of one person.  And in the end, with that kind of love pursuing us, isn’t it better to follow His definition of success instead of wasting time setting up our own goals?

How do you define success? I'd love for you to leave your comments!

The Year of No Goals

2014… what a year of trials, valleys and rocky places, I am so thankful that I made it over with my faith and my strength in tact.  And it seems that I am not the only one who had a year that left them just a bit battered and bruised. But let’s not rehash it, let’s shake it off and move forward with our faces lifted towards the sky, standing on the promises of the Lord.

The New Year is a time to set your resolutions, personal, ministry and business goals, mapped out an in depth action plan.  Every year I toil over my personal goals, spend hours making a map, figuring out the plan, and every year I come up feeling like I fell short. I pass through the same places and feel like I’m making no difference.

But not this year… this year is the year of no goals.  I actually started talking to Jon about this several months ago sharing how depressed I felt when I hadn’t actually arrived where I thought I should arrive. 

The Bible tells us in Habakkuk 2: Then the LORD answered me and said, "Record the vision And inscribe it on tablets, That the one who reads it may run."For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.…

Well, I’ve written my vision for 2015 – To use music and education to lift up the name of Jesus so that all men may be drawn unto Him.  I’m not setting any goals, I’m not making any elaborate plans, I am simply going to wake up each morning and ask the Lord, what would you have me do today? 

Now I’m not suggesting everyone take this approach, I think goal setting is good. Goals give focus and direction.  When accomplished they bring great motivation and personal satisfaction.  So do set your goals.  But for me, after years of not seeming to meet my personal goals, I’ve come to realize that either something is wrong with the goals I’m setting, my approach is incorrect, or my goals are simply that – my goals, not the goals that the Lord has designed for me. 

There are still projects and plans in place, don’t get me wrong.  I plan to get back to the basics, spend more time singing and leading worship as the Lord opens doors.  The new CD is coming out and I want to share that with the world.  And the new book is done to, Lessons From The Back Seat or How I Learned to Become a Wife.  But I’ve not set any goals in regards to how many books I want to sell or where I’d like to sing this year.  I’m just going to knock on doors and go through them as the Lord opens them, I going to spend more time praying and seeking Him then promoting things and I’m only going to work on projects that He nudges me to work on.  A different way to approach building a ministry for sure, but I think that if I keep the vision central in my sight – To lift Him Up, I’ll achieve greater things then what I can put down on paper.

I’m off on the adventure of a lifetime, and there will be plenty of updates, so come share in the mayhem and let’s lift up the Name of Jesus.  No goals on paper, just a desire to follow where He leads and bless those He puts me in front of.

Would Love Your Feedback!

What do you think of me not setting goals this year?  I’d love your prayers and feedback, drop me a note either via email or leave me a comment on my blog page or my Facebook page – www.facebook.com/ministryofnaima  I’d love to hear from you and I’d love your prayers!

New Book! 

Don’t forget to pick up a copy of my new book – Lessons FromThe Back Seat (Or How I Learned To Be A Wife) from Amazon!

How Can I Serve You?

Planning a women’s ministry event?  Interested in a house concert or special music for your church event?  Need a guest worship leader?  Please contact me, I’m now taking requests for bookings for 2015 and I would love to be of service to you.  Send me an email at naima@ministryofnaima.com. 

Kicking It Will Get You Kicked and Other News from the Homefront!

The Calling, January 2014 The Official Newsletter of Broken Box Ministries and the Ministry of Naima

Did You Know!?
Happy New Year! I pray that you had a wonderful Christmas. I am looking forward to 2014, I believe that there are great things in store for the people of the Lord. Would you pray for us, that the Lord would use us to evangelize, encourage, uplift and educate all those we come into contact with this year? It is our desire to impact the world with the truth of who Christ is and see many people inspired to a worshipful relationship with Christ. We love you all and we are thankful for your continued support in 2014. There are lots of exciting things going on and we want to encourage and meet your needs! Hang out at www.facebook.com/ministryofnaima and www.twitter.com/NaimaJohnston.

Dr. Nay’s Random Life Lesson for January
Have you ever heard or used the term kicking it? It means to be hanging out, messing around, having a good time, just chilling. We all need to kick it once in a while, rest is good for the soul and spending quality time with loves ones always is a blessing. But sometimes when we know we’ve been called to do a great work for the Lord we find ourselves kicking it to much and not working on the things that we have always dreamed of achieving. So if you want to achieve your God given dreams in 2014 and not be kicked off your assignment remember, “Too much kicking it, will get you kicked!”

Report of the Ministry
This year we are on a mission build this ministry and employ new programs and projects that meet the needs of the people we are called to encourage and uplift. Through much prayer and wise council we have revamped our ministry tagline and mission statement. We are also recording new music, having a new logo designed, launching our T-shirt line and putting together a new website! Please let us know what you think about our new mission statement and tagline – do you feel it accurately describes who I am and what Jon and I do with Broken Box Ministries? Our new tagline is: The Ministry of Naima, Worshipping God, Encouraging People. Our new mission statement: Inspiring the world to a lifestyle of worship through music and ministry.

Did You Miss?
I know Christmas has passed, but if you missed the last Worship Note or the Broken Box Ministries end of the year please take a peek!

Are you in the Year in Review Christmas Video!? http://youtu.be/7xHL4zFG3Ds  

Check out the Worship Note, Christmas Everyday for a worship reflection on the true meaning of Christmas. http://youtu.be/e1GjpVzy5iU

Don’t Forget!
Are you a Creative Christian Woman? Are you seeking support, fellowship, educational opportunities and spiritual growth? Then join the Creative Christian Women’s Network with both online and in person meetings and educational seminars! For more information email me at naimasbrokenbox@yahoo.com for more information!

We are now booking for 2014! George or Kim would be happy to book a date! Call 901-409-5505 or email them at info@vincentcreativegroup.com if I can be of service.
Praying blessings on you all! Now go out and achieve… Your Calling!

© January 2014, The Calling is a publication of 7thirtyseven Logos, a division of BBM, All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication can be republished without express permission from the publisher.

Time for the Broken Box Ministries End of the Year Sale!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

It’s that time again – time for the Broken Box Ministries Annual End of The Year Sale!

Check out the products and if you’d like to order, simply go to: www.paypal.com, list in the notes section the product you are requesting and then make your payment to naimasbrokenbox@yahoo.com using the PayPal website. If you’d like to use snail mail – feel free to mail the payment to BBM 48 S. Second Street, Fairborn, OH 45324

Please make all checks and money orders payable to Broken Box Ministries. MP3 and E-Books will be delivered within 12 hours of receipt of payment. Hardcopy items will be mailed out within 24 hours of order and payment receipt.

Music MP3

Everything Album MP3 - $10.00
This Place Album MP3 - $10.00
Everything CD - $14.00
This Place CD - $16.00

Audios

The Dream Development MP3 Series - $25.00
The Dream Development CD Series - $40.00
Includes: How To Achieve Your God Given Dreams, The 12 Steps To Achieve Your God Given Dreams, What’s In Your Pots!?, and How to Achieve Your God Given Dreams in 30 Minutes a Day.

Individual Class MP3 - $7 (Indicate which class you would like):

How To Achieve Your God Given Dreams
The 12 Steps To Achieve Your God Given Dreams
What’s In Your Pots!?
How To Achieve Your God Given Dreams In 30 Minutes A Day


Books

The Dream Development Manual E-Book - $10.00
The Dream Development Manual Hardback - $22.00
Called To Sing, 13 Mistakes To Avoid When Starting In Music Ministry E- Book - $5.00
Dr. Nay’s Random Recovery Life Lessons E-Book - $5.00


Classes

Sing It Girl/Guy Christian Artist Development MP3 Series - $30.00
- Six 90 Minute Audios
- Artist Development Work Book
- 2 Bonus Audios on Marketing and Artist Development
- 2 Live 45 Minute Artist Consultations via SKYPE or Phone


Personal Development

One Hour Dream Development Consultations via SKYPE or Phone - $25.00

Email naimasbrokenbox@yahoo.com for more info!