As I shared bits and pieces of my testimony with the students, their eyes were wide and some of them had open mouths.
“Who is this girl you are talking about?”
“Yea, I feel like I am talking about a different person…”
During our LifeSkillz class that Coraviece and I are conducting in Mounds and Cairo, we have opportunity to teach the students about a lot of cool stuff. I am amazed at how this has all worked out. I mean, come on…I was about to meet with a group of teen girls this summer and do exactly that – teach them about positive decision making, myths of drug use, peer pressure, sex, STDs…and now I can actually get paid for it. Praise Jesus!
God opened the door for me to share a little about some past experiences. My only hope is that they learn from my terrible mistakes and make better ones. Also, that they would see the glory of God in my life. That He is the one that turned me around.
After LifeSkillz, one of the gals was helping us unload our stuff at Cora’s house. We got to chatting about quite a few things. She asks us why we are so concerned about what the teens are doing.
“Why are adults always giving advice, can’t we just learn from our OWN mistakes?”
I began to share with her how I grew up in the church and yet didn’t understand who Jesus was and why he died on the cross and why that mattered in my life. I told her that IF an older woman would have come into my life to share the truth about Christ, maybe I wouldn’t have made such poor decisions. I told her with passion, how much I loved her and wanted to see her make good choices and not suffer the consequences that I faced as a teenager. We talked about a lot of things and prayed before we left. Overall, I am just in awe, watching God touch the lives of these teenagers.
For the past two nights I’ve been getting my praise on in Paducah with brothers and sisters from Eddie James Ministry…okay they have like a million names (like our ministry), but this would be the most familiar. This ministry is raising up a generation in LOVE with Jesus. Taking them off the streets, out of gang life, drugs, addictions, sex, alcohol, hate, bitterness, unforgiveness, fear, shame, guilt, fatherlessness…the list goes on. Basically this family lives RADICAL for the LORD 24/7…at least try to. I LOVE IT! I LOVE THEM! God is soooooo GOOD. Hearing their testimonies made me weep….seeing the Spirit move made me jump…the anointing…the FREEDOM! Sometimes when you worship you feel hindered, because of your own junk, issues, pride…sometimes it is because of the environment…this was NOT the case in Paducah Monday and Tuesday. There was such a FREEDOM to worship – young, old, white, black, Latino, baptist, Pentecostal…they were all getting down! I really did feel like I was at a house party for Jesus.
TUESDAY: The TR staff invited a bunch of youth, filled our cars and took off to Paducah, KY to experience the Lord. Yeah, most of these youth did not have a vibrant/growing relationship with Jesus. In fact, we have been praying for these SPECIFIC youth and have had close relationships with them for the past three years. It was so fun to walk into a church with these kids knowing that they were going to experience Jesus in a different way than normal “Sunday Church”. There’s a spirit of religion in this town, so most likely they have been tainted by that. (I understand this phrase might not make sense to some of you, please email me and I will break it down.) We walk in and shortly after finding some seats right up in front on the floor, they get into it. I’m talking “YOu are Worthy” was the first song…this makes you want to get up and shout. Which I did. The youth are looking at me like, “Ms. Heather, it’s okay to do that in CHURCH?!?!” haha. Some of them were looking like that, others were just bug-eyed and didn’t move for like 30 minutes. What they expected and what they experienced did NOT match up…but I think they were glad in the end. We got crazy in worship, they shared some POWERFUL testimonies of deliverance of all sorts of stuff, and had a type of an alter call. NOT the type that is manipulated by words, pressuring people to come forward, music playing on the emotions in the back…NO! It was the real deal…not a “one prayer” rescues you from hell type of thing either. It was sincere, lead of the Holy Spirit and POWERFUL. Basically Eddie James asked everyone to consider their hearts before the Lord. That title or position DID NOT MATTER. We are all desperate for JESUS! He asked people to just come to the front and kneel before the Father lifting holy hands to Him WHO IS ABLE to save them and give them NEW LIFE. One of the first girls to go up was one that I have been ministering to for about a year and a half. She is precious before the Lord and to me. I have seen her struggle, cry, laugh, smile, question, and yes even surrender. She meant it, it was for real. She is now a NEW WOMAN. Of course, it is a process for each of us…BUT I knew we spoke afterwards that something had shifted in her. A couple other boys also went up….they didn’t make the commitment YET, but something shifted in their hearts too. They are both in 6th grade, my friend Robyn is their teacher. One just asked Stacy for a white Bible and is now reading John as an AR book in SCHOOL! Check it, MANY of the kids in that class are reading the BIBLE as an AR book! haha! LOVE IT! Watch out Cairo…you are about to get rocked by some radical revivalists! There is a stirring at the schools, EACH ONE OF THEM in Cairo. I feel it, I see it, I hear it, I believe it! After sowing nearly four years of prayer in the schools for the teachers, students, administrators, curriculum…he starts to built a little HOPE where there was none. You start to really believe for the things you are asking for…yea! It’s not so far out there, like it was the first day you started praying. A Spirit of faith arises and you PRAISE THE KING! Amen.
TUESDAY: I knew I was going both nights with a full car. I just didn’t know WHO was going to be coming the second night, until I was doing some work in Ms. Harper’s (Band Director) office. I was minding my own business when a couple girls come up, “Ms. Heather, where you going tonight?” You see, they had already heard from a couple others that went or were invited…they wanted in. haha. I was a bit hesitant because I didn’t know how to deal with the flood of students that would REALLY want to go, when I only had space for four…the other staff were not going the second night, so it was just me. God knew. I had invited about four that couldn’t come, and He invited four new ones. So, it ended up being three gals (including the one that took the plunge the night before) and one guy. It was funny because I just told them about it THAT day, in fact the male student had not even asked his dad until I got there to pick him up…but he let him go…even though I said we’d be back at midnight. That’s cool. I prep. them a bit before we get there, asking them questions about their experience (I didn’t know these kids as well…just see them at school), tell them what to expect…it’s okay to feel weird…blah, blah, blah. We walk in as they have already started the party…the other girl (who had been there Monday) and I start dancing and hopping around. The others are like stiff boards wondering what is going on…they’ve probably never seen white people get crazy for Jesus like this…haha. The great thing about it is, the ministry is a mixture of all different types of cultures and so was the audience. These kids are the majority in Cairo, so when they are around more white folks, it gets a little uncomfortable sometimes (trust me, I have talked to them about this). So, I am aware of their “reactions” they whole time, just allowing God to do what He is going to do. This night I am less concerned about how I respond to the Lord. I tamed it down the first night, but last night I was just me. I think that’s okay too. I didn’t need to wear a mask or try to be what I thought they wanted or felt like Ms. Heather should be.
They did rapid fire testimonies…they had a different type of alter call prayer…they did personal ministry and deliverance (again, ask if you are curious)…it was sweet. The whole time the youth were a bit hesitant, but VERY curious and God was definitely doing something. One girl went up for prayer, Eddie actually had the whole place pray for her…REALITY of the LOVE of the FATHER. Amen. We all need a good dose of that. Next one of the other girls looks real sensitive, I ask if she wants to go up…she says no, but she would have someone come to her. I find a female staff and she prays over her…on target. This girl was so eager for prayer, she says, “I just need prayer. I need all this stuff broken off.” WOW! Humbling. She couldn’t express in words, but God KNOWS HER HEART! It was beautiful. The other girl kept wanting ME to go up for prayer. I told her I NEED it all the time, but didn’t feel now was appropriate. I even asked the youth to pray for me as I go into the school…they wouldn’t. Too much fear of man…
For the male student…I knew that he wanted prayer from one of the dudes, but was too hard to admit it. So, one of the guys was talking to us afterwards and I asked him to pray for __________. He said, “Yea, I’ve been praying for him all night.” He begins chatting with this guy and he does pray over him…some truth, some destiny, sprinkled with the WORD. My type of prayer, love it. Afterwards the student is really hit by the Spirit and doesn’t know what to think. He is breathing real hard and I ask, “What do you feel?” He has a big smile and says, “Nothing, I’m okay.” “Right, you are getting touched by God.” “He’s feeling something.” We all laugh. It’s all good.
Next thing you know God is breaking through in some other areas. The deal ended a bit earlier, but that’s okay we needed to spend time fellowshipping. We are hanging out with the prayer warrior guy, and some other guys…just free style singing and rapping. This is my kind of fun. The youth were in fear and wanted to sing but were afraid. I felt the Lord was going to break off the “Fear of Man” in a big way, through them singing out loud. Yeah, crazy, because I know I suffered from this too about five years ago. Christian (the warrior) starts going ape nuts singing something absolutely beautiful…my youth are AMAZED. WOW! I say, “Now your turn.” Knowing they have all this comparison and fear. For like half and hour Christian, some other dudes and I are singing trying to get them to join in…FINALLY break through. One of my girls starts singing her favorite song, “slow motion.” This girl can sing! My friend Tiffany (who I met at Books a Million a couple months ago) comes in outta no where and starts singing Amazing Grace. I NEVER knew she could sing like that! Talk about anointing! Next, the dude wants to give it a whirl…he starts singing, “This little light of mine.” Then we all start singing together. It was really ___________________…I can’t put a word to it, but basically, “ROCKED MY FACE OFF!” haha. For real, this stuff blows my mind. Here we are at this worship deal in a town 45 minutes away, that the students found out about a minute ago, now they are getting set free of all this stuff and falling more in love with their Creator. Yea!
Last stop is the basement before we leave. It was really going to be a quick convo…that doesn’t EVER happen with me…I should know better by now. We go downstairs where the 40 EJM peeps are eating. It is really “supposed” to be off limits because they need a break from people (I totally understand). But, I was trying to get in contact with the head dog in charge to set up a Cairo worship deal. The youth come with and I am talking to this brother…telling him about Cairo and why I think it would be a blessing for them to come. THey are going to pray about it. Actually they are doing an IL tour starting in the south…what town do you think they should start in?!? HA! Let’s see, maybe that little one right at the southern tip…hmmmmm….we’ll see.
People are eating, fellowshipping, laughing, singing…I get held up in the room where a man is playing all these Misty Edwards and Rick Pino songs on the piano. A couple other brothers are singing their hearts out, so I join them, why not? Ha. Talk about a unique blend of voices, it just worked. The youth were cool, they were dancing in the hallway with some other people. It really just felt like a big family reunion to me. After an hour or so, we are needing to head out…it’s 11:00 already!
One last thing, I had talked to Eddie the night before and asked if I could pray over him and some of the team. He is on his way downstairs to rest and I stop him and his PA in the hall…”Can I pray quick.” Of course. Beautiful. We all join up (some of their team) and pray. Holy Spirit inspired words, I have nothing.
God is good. I love my family. The end…or the BEGINNING!
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Christian…I think you need to teach me these dances…lol.
Shawn Boltz…a passionate man called to minister in Hollywood. Watch out, the Holy Spirit is sending a new wave of power, love, compassion, and revival to the Hollywood scene. Sound unlikely? Why wouldn’t the King of Glory transform one of the most INFLUENTIAL mountains of our society. It’s not too big. He’s too big!
Isaiah 58
“Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the house of Jacob their sins.
2 For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them.
3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,
‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?’
“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.
4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD ?
6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness [a] will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
13 “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the LORD’s holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
14 then you will find your joy in the LORD,
and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.”
The mouth of the LORD has spoken.
I have been stepping back onto the mountain of Education recently. I’ve noticed quite a few things at the high school that I really dislike. One, a lack of a desire to learn. Hey, I’m not even pretending to say that when I was in high school I LOVED learning. Certain subjects, yes, not all. The students lack motivation, because they lack vision.
Here is a tool that I think would help – the ActivBoard by Promethean. Perhaps I love technology a bit too much [cue song from Napolian Dynomite…”I love techonology”] but this activboard would be stinkin’ amazing to have in class. Check it out.
So, yeah, let’s pray it in since I am pretty sure I don’t have an extra 2 grand sitting around, and I don’t think the Cairo School District does either. Jesus, hook us up.
A couple summers ago Kristy, Jess and I took a little road trip to South Dakota for a music festival to sell our Kingdom Fuel necklaces. While there we hooked up with some amazing people. Other folks who were selling “christian merchandise”. One really stuck out to me, this young guy about my age designs and sells t-shirts for a living. Really, he has lots of passions, and one of them is mobilizing youth for battle. I’m not talkin’ bout crazy Jihad stuff, I’m talking about the real spiritual battle we face everyday. Most saints don’t even recognize it in the first place, that’s where the enemy catches us off guard. If we don’t even believe we are in a battle, where is the sense of fighting? Check out Ephesians 6 if you are confused about all of this. The battle is NOT against flesh and blood – but against the principalities, the evil forces. Stand firm saints, the road is about to get rockier. Our nation is about to go through some difficult times. BUT, we know the ONE who has already claimed VICTORY over death and the grave. So, have no fear and walk in love as we see tribulations coming (Matthew 24).
Okay, back to this “Live Offensively”. This brother travels a ton ministering to youth – at schools, at music festivals, pretty much wherever the Lord opens a door, he’ll walk right through.
Recently I found the shirt in my closet that he had given me. We traded, some guitar pick necklaces for a shirt. Sounds like a deal to me! I love this shirt because it is pretty bold in your face. I like the shock value. People don’t expect me to wear a shirt that has the word, “porno” on it.
(Every porno has somebody’s daughter in it)
I really want to get a couple shirts about being a Virgin and wear it at the high school here in Cairo when I am volunteering. A couple of the teen girls saw my anti-porno shirt and were wondering about the others that were sold on the website. I told them about the “Virginity Rocks” shirt, and one of the students said, “I want to where that to school!” Coming from a girl who has not committed her life to the Lord, a girl who is saturated with an environment that is completely sex crazed…pretty much a big deal! I told her that if I got permission from the principal (he should have no problem with it) that I would where the shirt on the same day that she wants to where it – making a statement. She said, “We need to have other girls where these shirts, we need to start something!” This was exactally my thought, get a bunch of righteous (only by the blood) students to where these shirts, declaring PURITY in the halls of Cairo High. Warfare baby! Remember, I’m talking about the spiritual warfare, no school violence here – only in the SPIRIT realm.
(I’m loving my husband and I haven’t met him!)
So, I had an idea…find people who want to support the teens in Cairo (remember, they are economically challenged) by purchasing a shirt or two (av. cost is 16 bucks) for them to where to school. Really, it WILL change something in the spirit realm and the natural realm. If you only heard what the boys say to the the girls and how they brag to their boys about you know what. It really makes my heart sad. Just the other day I was subbing and hanging out in the gym with some students. One boy was sitting with six girls and he began to call them “whores, sluts and Bs”. In front of ME, a teacher! What the heck? Seriously, there is a major demonic force at this school. The light of Christ is entering and crushing the enemy. After I told that boy to get out of my face, I calmed down and had a conversation with him about the power of words. He is a leader at the school, he has the power to influence…for good or evil. Once I broke it down to him, I think he understood a little bit more. Pray for him. God wants this one.
(I heart homosexuals)(Jesus has compassion for those who are looking for love in the wrong places)
(it was me)
(check out the website for the writing on the back of the shirt)
If you are interested in supporting this minsitry (purchasing a shirt for a teen to wear), please comment or email me personally at: heathercarn@gmail.com. If 15 people committed to doing this, I believe we would see SIGNIFICANT change!
Purpose
To partner with parents, educators, and community members to encourage, motivate and guide high school students in seeking out their destiny.
Start Date
After the levee run (Nov. 8th) is finished, I will have time after school (Tuesdays and Thursdays) to meet with students after school for about an hour.
Time
Tuesday and Thursday 3:00-4:00pm
Resources http://www.careerlive.com – A website that offers a test of 100 questions, giving you an accurate breakdown of your personality type, careers you would most likely be interested and do well with…
http://www.myersbrigss.com -The Meyers Briggs test is a wonderful assessment of personality types (Choleric, Sanguine, Melencholi, and Phlagmatic)
http://www.gifted2serve.com – This is a great tool for those who are interested in seeing their spiritual gifts.
University Websites
Shawnee Ext. Office
Set Up The ideal situation would be to meet with students one-on-one or in small groups.
First students could come in a small group and basic introduction/cast vision along with instructions for completing the assessments.
Next students would schedule a time to come in individually (in the computer lab) to discuss the results of their assessment. At this point the students would be asked if they were interested in additional sessions to discuss post high school options: Community College, University, Scholarships, Financial Aid, Application Process, Jobs…
The process is truly designed to meet the needs/desires of each individual student and work alongside of parents, teachers, and other community members who are offering the same types of leadership.
Hopes My hope is to help students jump onto the next stepping stone in their future.
To walk alongside of students, families, and educators to assist students in making informed decisions about their future.
Most students at Cairo High if attended college would be the first generation in their family. The application process for college and financial aid can be overwhelming for families who are unfamiliar; my hope is to give additional assistance for them.
To build a bridge between the high school and the computer lab (located at the Shawnee extension room 209), so more students will access the lab for academic and personal purposes.
To build favor and relationships with students in order to be a witness for Christ in their lives in whatever way the Lord calls me.
Notes
This proposal will be modified for the women’s shelter in offering similar services along with Resume writing.
Options for Saving Information Students can purchase a disc in order to have their information on a digital file.
Students can keep a printed copy of their documents in a folder.
Students can keep an online copy of their information on a password secured blog website (www.wordpress.com)
**Please give me feedback if you have additional resources that would be appropriate for this ministry!
My classroom called life...Kingdom lessons 
