I have the PERFECT Christmas gift for you all! And it happens to be made by me with lots of love!
The Mixstory: Vol. 1, Tales of Love is now available online via iTunes, Google Play, and CDbaby.com!
A few people reached out to me prior to this announcement and have already downloaded and testified of this music to others! Y'all are awesome and please keep it going!
If you are perhaps new to my website and/or somehow landed here, please check out That Beat below. It has been deemed as one of the most loved songs from this project.
As I stated in my last post, this is only the beginning! I am prayerful that God will continue to place the right people in my path to further the visions in my heart.
This song was produced by Tai Habersham. And all vocals and writing done by me! Find Tai online at https://www.facebook.com/taihabershammusic. I love his music too! As a matter of fact, if you click on the "SoundCloud Tracks" tab right above ^ you can check out a song we wrote together, A Better Day (Sit It Down).
-----
For more updates like this one, subscribe via email (to the right)!
Physical copies of The Mixstory will also be made available. Did I mention this would make a great gift for friends and family this Christmas season? Much love to you!
It's almost time...and if you're new to my site, WELCOME! I promised new music this November so I wanted to deliver with at least one song from The Mixstory: Vol. 1, Tales of Love. If you are a consistent reader of my posts, thank you so so much!
There's much more to come...this is only the beginning!
----- The Mixstory: Vol. 1, Tales of Love will be available for digital download via CDbaby.com, iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play music stores. Subscribe via email (to the right) for updates on this release!
Physical copies will also be made available. Did I mention this would make a great gift for friends and family this Christmas season? Much love to you!
It has been way too long since I've given any updates. Interesting thing is, I actually started writing a post back in September but I never shared it. It was a story about my journey to finding a church home. I suppose now I'll save it for a rainy day.
What I would like to talk about is my CD project! I'm sure many minds have wondered when the official release date is.
"So Lena, when's the baby due?"
Oh my goodness, guys....after two years, folks may as well ask me that ha!. It's been quite a journey indeed! As mentioned in my previous post, I've steadily been working on the completion of The Mixstory: Vol. 1, Tales of Love. A few adjustments here and there and we'll be done! My goal was to release this October but oh the winds of change. So, I will now be releasing this November. Like, for real.
Why the push back? Well, the short story is I ended up dropping a song from the project, had plans of adding another as a replacement, recorded that song, aaaand as of about an hour ago decided I should just stick with 8 tracks instead of 9. Yes, let's praise God for decision making.
Seriously though, I've learned it can definitely be tough doing something like this solo. I don't know how often I mention my professional job but I work as a counselor by day. Juggling work, family, church, etc., etc. can be a lot. I'm just so glad I'm not a single mother and my "baby" has been a CD project called The Mixstory.
When it's all said and done, although you may face a few bumps in the road, that doesn't change the worth of what you do and definitely not the necessity.
I really believe this project is necessary.
And literally everything recorded for the album has been the work of 6 hands. My friend Tai Habersham recorded four songs, my sister Sabrina P. Robertson recorded the music for one song, and I recorded four songs. So yes, it's been quite an independent venture. I definitely would like more assistance for the next one but I am proud of what has been created. And more than anything, I'm glad to have had Tai and my sister to be a part of it.
In the meantime, can you do something for me? Will you pray for me? Please pray that God will put this project in the hands of people who really need to hear it. Please pray that doors of opportunity will open wide to share these stories of love. Pray that the message of Christ's love will shine through so that people will come to know what and who Love truly is. Pray that I will be a good steward of God's gifts and remember that I am His instrument. Pray that I remain humble so that God may be glorified.
And while I could simply pray this singularly for myself, I am a firm believer that there is power in the unity of our prayers, Matthew 18:19. We're better and stronger together. It's a "Mixstory" for a reason. The stories are for you and me.
I'll update more frequently in the coming days. Perhaps in the next two weeks, but remember you can always find me on my other social media pages by referencing the links to the right of this post. And if you have any prayer requests, reference the tab at the top of this page.
I am super excited about the birthing of this beginning. And am looking forward to you "pressing play" on me! Love you guys, always!
Officially,
Lena
...oh and before I forget, I usually include a link to a song for you to check out. Today, I present Awe-Struck by B. Reith! B. Reith is an artist I absolutely LOVE. His messages are always pretty well thought out and his music can flow in and out of various genres. And the man loves Jesus. I hope that folks will say the same thing about me! Use this link if you're on a mobile device, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO7k3TU944M.
It's been more than a month since my last post, actually about 2 months.
I'll give you a few updates on what I have going on. For starters, I not long ago celebrated another year of living (yay me! I'm 24), I'm steadily working on finalizations for my project, and my ministry schedule is picking up. I was just speaking to some folks yesterday who asked me when I'd be releasing The Mixstory: Tales of Love. While I have not solidified the specific date, I will be releasing this fall! Seriously!...I have mastering and graphics that will be completed this August. So get excited and look up ^ for the link to download Heartache.
Do y'all know I've been working on this project since October of 2012? Two years y'all! Sooo I am very ready to release. I've been pregnant for a long time lol...And if you haven't heard me speak on it much, this project is essentially a starting ground. So it's almost like a musical sample of big and beautiful things I desire to do in the future. I've spent a good bit of time writing and praying about the songs, so I am confident it will positively impact!
I have been hopin' and a prayin' for support, but I know God keeps telling me not to stress or worry about that. He's called me to it so I just need to do it! The people will support. The message of the music will be delivered. And my heart songs won't fall on deaf ears. (Encouraging myself in God!)
Where am I singing this August?
I'll be singing in Scottdale, GA on August 9th for their annual youth explosion. The theme is "Breaking Tradition." I'm excited about hanging with you guys for the day!
My church back home, Abundant Life Worship Center (ALWC), will be celebrating 14 years of ministry! I am excited to return to minister with them in song. Plus, I literally only go back to ALWC about once or twice a year. Pastors Hardie and Evett have poured a lot into me since I was a teen, so I am very grateful for the opportunity. I'll be singing some of my original material too!! If you're in Augusta, consider coming. Tickets are $35 for the banquet. There is of course not a fee for Sunday's anniversary service, but you can always give an offering.
...I may update this post should other events be added to my schedule. Or you can simply go to my Facebook fan page for updates, facebook.com/carlenaprophet! And I'll be at Praise in the Park August 2nd. Not to perform but to just go and enjoy the gospel music and hopefully say my hellos to folks from Radio One Atlanta (where I interned in college). If you'll be praisin' out there, let me know! I love talking to folks.
Where was I this July?
Aside from worshiping with my church family at the Tab, thetabonline.com. Some of my brothers in Christ, the REBELS of Homesick, hosted an event on the 19th-P.U.S.H, Praise Until Something Happens in Atlanta. Half the proceeds were to benefit the Kingdom Alliance Orphanage. We had a great time in praise and worship!
Okay, that's it for updates!
If you would like me to join you for a special event, please go to my booking link and fill out the form. I'll be reaching out to different ministries and organizations this fall to promote The Mixstory release.
Before you go, I do have a scripture focus I'd like to share with you!
For the past few weeks I've been listening to Uncle Reece, unclereece.com. He has a song called Have Your Heart that drew me to this passage of scripture about Cain in the Bible.
"When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” -Genesis 4:3-7 NLT
As an ambassador for Christ, this served as a reminder to me that if my actions in ministry don't flow from my heart for God and genuine love for His people, it really doesn't matter. Questions to ask yourself: Why do I do what I do? Who is it for?
...Perhaps that will resonate with you today! Love y'all so so much! Embrace your journey!
Officially,
Lena
p.s. Don't forget to subscribe by entering your email to the right. God bless!
Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. -Psalm 55:22 NLT
Everything is alright. Everything is okay. And it will all work out.
It's words like those that I've had to speak to myself during these past few years of my life. And some day I will share more of my testimony with you, but it's not the right season to do so now. What I do know is that you and I have a choice about whether we choose to remain in a season of contentment during our tests. The only reason our hope is deferred and heart becomes sick (Proverbs 13:12) is because we allow room for the atmosphere to shift in our lives by forsaking our joy, our trust in God and we become impatient.
I refuse to allow that to happen. Not just because other folks have far worse circumstances but because it is by the hand of God that I exist and it is through Him that I have purpose. I think it's on the CoverGirl commercials where they say, "...because you're worth it" or wait, is that Maybelline? Anyhow, that commercial reminds women of their exterior beauty. Well, I can smile knowing that the beauty of my worth is found in Christ alone. Not only does he reconfirm to me daily that I am worth more than any circumstance but I am also reminded that He is so worth it.
He is worth more than the tears I could pour. More than the heartache I could feel. And worth more than the life that I Iive. Christ is worth more because He saw me as more and demonstrated it through His life, death, and resurrection.
Allow those refining moments to serve as a reminder that He is worth it. He didn't give up on us so what right do we have to give up on us? Life has never been about whether it feels good to go through the fire yet there's beauty in the process. And the fact that you live to see another day is evidence your godly purpose remains.
Today I leave you with J Moss's new single (which I am currently loving). It's called, Alright Ok. Here's the link if you're on a mobile device,http://youtu.be/Y5EpcKJdriU.
...These past few months have been very busy with me moving around Atlanta. But I wanted to make sure I wrote some words for you today and if you're new to my site, "Hello!" I try to share pieces of my journey so that you will be inspired while traveling on yours. And the only road I take is through Jesus.
Thank you for allowing me to speak life into your today...
During the month of March I've spent a good bit of time reflecting on what it means to be beautiful. If we are Facebook friends chances are you've seen the hashtag #IAmBeautiful #30DayChallenge from me. It stemmed out of working with my girls from the campus ministry I help lead at State, Chi Alpha (XA).
We usually assign different challenges when we meet weekly and this time around we decided to try the "I Am Beautiful 30 Day Challenge." You can find it here. It served as a reminder to me of my worth, who I am in Christ, and the woman I aspire to be. I think from a bigger picture view it caused me to reflect on my purpose.
To anyone who stops by my site today, I'd like to encourage you to go to my search box and type in "Beauty Reflected." That's the title of one of my old posts which was also inspiration for one of my songs, Conversations, to be released on my upcoming project.
My hope is that today and every day you will know your worth. You are valuable. You are important. You are worthy. You are beautiful! I could go on and on about how wonderful and amazin' YOU are! ;) So...please don't allow God and Carlena to be the only ones to recognize and speak of your worth. Know it for yourself and be sure of it! We have been indeed fearfully and wonderfully made by God!
BUT... I do want to add this in...
I don't think folks touch on it enough. And everyone may not agree with me...
Ladies & Gents!...I understand folks may say, "It's the inside that matters the most.." While this is true, please don't take that as your approval to walk around lookin' broke, busted, and disgusted. One thing I shared with my XA ladies in March is that even though makeup isn't everything or what I wear doesn't make me, I believe it does say something about me.
It's a reflective representation of what's inside of me put in visual view. And I'm not one of those people who has to wear makeup or dress up every day. But I am someone who believes that when the Bible says in Romans 12, that you should present your body a living sacrifice that is holy and acceptable, that's inclusive of how I present the visible me. Plus, I don't recall ever meeting a girl or guy who DIDN'T smile or feel more confident from knowing they looked great on the outside. ...seriously imagine all these folks who take selfies of themselves. I remember taking the below pic of myself and saying, "Wow, call it a good shot, but I am so pretty." I posted it on Facebook and everyone else seemed to agree because I got a lot of likes. And though I'd already made my own day by just looking in the mirror at how fabulous I am lol, they did help to boost it up for me! ;)
If you are struggling with knowing what to wear, how to do your hair, makeup, etc., it definitely may help to seek advice from people who are supportive. Contact me if you think I can help in some way or if you're a guy I can reach out to one of my male friends to give you some tips. There are many tutorials out there on YouTube as well and I've had convos with the XA ladies about what is and is not acceptable to wear as a woman of God (which tends to be a subjective topic). I've been told I'm pretty conservative but the Bible does speak on being modest, I Timothy 2:9, so I aim to present myself accordingly.
The big picture is that we should always remember that inner beauty outweighs and overrules outer beauty at all times. I didn't make that up or pull that out from the blue sky. That's the Word. Check I Peter 3:3-4. And it's pretty great to know that the beauty of my soul is what God wants me to shine on this earth. #IAmBeautiful #30DayChallenge #Complete. One of the songs I shared with my Facebook family this March was Wanted by Dara Maclean. I hope you'll take a listen.
Also, this week I'm hoping to record my rendition of Bruno Mars' Just the Way You Are. With that being said, be sure to come back to my site soon! I'll post the link on my fan page once it's up. Love you guys tons!!! Oh and please subscribe by email by referring to the link on the right hand side and feel free to leave a comment below. Officially, Lena
That can have its pros but it can also have its cons. I'd say I am a pretty "calculated" person. By that I mean that I typically like to know what's about to happen next in a story. Or I try to analyze the reason behind why certain things have or have not happened in life. So thank God I have Jesus because otherwise I would rack my brain like crazy.
When I graduated from college in 2012 I had a good bit of time to think about my next moves in life. Where would I work? Where would I live? Where would I be in 5, 10, 20 years? What would I wear the next day? How could I save the world? Seriously, my mind was just running around in circles.
It was during that time that I realized there was only so much I could do. I actually wrote a song called Control to serve as my reminder that God had the final say. See, He has this great and fascinating ability to add his SUPER to my natural and I found that to be pretty amazing.
I know this full well but even after 2 years in what is now 2014, I still have the tendency to think SO MUCH.
I know it's sad, but I'm human and chances are you probably face the same battle. I think we all do at some point on this journey. We lose sight of the fact there's only so much our sight can do for us. God doesn't operate in the same way our human eyes do. He's SO beyond that. And that's good news for you and me!
So earlier this week when I was ministering to my Chi Alpha ladies at State, we arrived at the words of Jesus. We've been focusing on beauty for the past month but this passage dove beyond beauty and into my current circumstance. Perhaps it wasn't just for us but was meant for you to read today.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life ? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. -Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV)
The message of this blog post is simple.
Do not worry about your life. Be still and know that He is God. He is more than capable of taking care of you.
I will probably be reading this post a few times as a friendly reminder to my busy mind. Here's one simple scripture to hide in your heart today...
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” -Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
Mary Mary has a song I love that serves as a musical reminder for me. Check out Stand Still and follow this link if you're on a mobile device, http://youtu.be/r2_p2Ck9uk0.
God loves you and I love you! Have a stress-free day!
Yesterday there was a major storm impacting metro Atlanta. Well I guess when you look at it, it may have not been so much about the snow and ice of the storm as it was the chaos of vehicles everywhere on the roads. Fortunately, I was able to get home in 30 minutes time. THANK YOU JESUS!
I've been trying to think of what to write for my blog entry and I figured this would be worth mentioning. During the course of this chaos, I've thought about what I feel could've and should've been done. But ultimately, the fact is the past cannot be undone. We can only move forward, learn from human error, recognize that which is beyond us and ask God to help us make wise decisions in the process.
At some point, the storm will be over. As I'm writing this, the snow has stopped and many people have made it safely to their homes. BUT there are so many others who have not and a number of the roads are still very icy. Therefore, this storm is still in operation.
One thing I hope we'll gain from this experience is a larger capacity to face tough times. And also while this storm was uncomfortable and likely sped up many heart beats, I don't believe people found it to be insurmountable. I don't know what all will happen over the course of my life, but I doubt this is the biggest trial that our world will face. I pray that we will weather the storms with full confidence! May we overcome our trials safely and as winners!
We are fully capable of overcoming when Christ lives within us! So whether you experience a nice sunny ride to your home or if you get stuck in traffic for 12 hours with wheels that won't take you forward and NO food in sight..you are more than equipped to overcome! Even if you have to pee on yourself (yes, I really did say that), you can get through this!
Through good and bad, remember life's storms are only for a moment. Better is upon the horizon.
...Now, I would like to share with you guys my new favorite song by Jessica Reedy. It is soo beautifully powerful to me!
Okay so I am technically now two weeks behind in my blog posts which means I'll either write one or two more this week. Anyhow....I was trying to think of what to share with you guys yesterday morning at 6:17am. But now with another winter storm on its way, I've had time to search my brain for ideas.
Today I've chosen what has been a checklist for my journey to a godly relationship. I guess you could call it my "husband list" or "the one list" or my "destiny list."
I think that last quote has a nice ring to it- my "destiny list". So as many of you know or should know, I've spent the last year of my life working on a CD project titled, The Mixstory vol. 1 Tales of Love. Through this project my perspective on relationships has led me to be a wiser and more mature individual. And through it all, I've been single and loving it!
After my first failed relationship, it became my prayer that my husband would be the next guy I entered into a relationship with. That continues to be the prayer of my heart today.
So if you've ever been told or maybe just assumed you must go through five relationships before meeting "the one", recognize that's a lie. See, not everyone is supposed to have residence in your life. The Bible says, "Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23 AMP)
So if a fella doesn't check off on my list chances are we won't even make it to the first date.
I read a book a few years ago which I loved by Sherri Lewis titled "The List." I'd encourage you guys to check it out. It's a Christian fiction novel.
Below you'll find my list! And you won't find anything considerably ridiculous here. Some folks think it's a bad idea to have a list but let me ask you this...Is it a bad idea to have standards? And is it a bad idea to have godly standards? Essentially, that's what this represents-Lena's Standards for a Good Godly Man. Do you have a list too and what are your thoughts on mine? And just so you'll know, this list isn't all inclusive, but it does encompass a lot of my heart's desires.
1. Lover and Friend of Jesus
2. Confident
3. Protector
4. Financially secure (yes A-men!)
5. Like minded visions in ministry
6. Unified purposes, what we aspire to do must sync
7. Humble
8. Spiritually mature
9. A clean cut cutie
10. 20s like me!
Okay, so the last two may be considered personal preference but hey one of my best friends told me this...if you marry someone you'd better like the face that comes with it, otherwise you've got to look at it for the rest of your life. So I'd rather be single than feel like I've settled for a face I don't like. Lol (but I'm serious)
Please check out the video below from Heather Lindsey. Interestingly, one of my guy friends shared it with me and I felt it was definitely on point and appropriate for today's blog! Here's the link in case you are unable to access via mobile view: http://youtu.be/Tvctz6dlsqU
Officially,
Lena
p.s. If you don't completely understand my view on love and relationships, well I just can't wait for my husband to find me so that our love may be a testimony for you!
I mentioned in my last post that I would be sharing pieces of 2013 with you all. It was definitely an opportunity to learn and grow. So this week my topic is: The Pieces Fall Into Place. Well technically it was supposed to be my post for last week but since it's now Tuesday January 21st, I'll write again later this week.
I was sharing with someone that my 2012 was very much so connected to 2013. In 2012, I graduated from college, started a new job, and sought out a church home. Now there were other events but those were my "big three." From those three things alone I am constantly reminded that our life events are threaded together. It all ties and connects in some way.
I remember in my last semester before graduating seeing my friend Jamila and telling her I hope I'd land a job. She said to me something to the effect of, "What do you mean? You already have a job." And I thought, did she not just hear me? I am looking for jobs. She then repeated herself and it was like the light bulb came on. She was speaking victory over my life more than I was in that moment.
So through the process of getting a job in 2012 and God bringing me to my church home (The Tabernacle, thetabonline.com) in 2013 I am reminded that the pieces of our lives, our stories, the journey...they all come together in such an amazing way. I've now made it a saying of mine through joy and hardship that things will work out because it always does. And Jamila is that reminder in my heart and head that things are worked out because God's already done it.
Well, that's it for now! I'm thinking my next entry will be about my journey to finding a church home, but we shall see. I leave with you this Anita Wilson song I recently sang for an event this January. Here's the link if it won't pop up on mobile devices, http://youtu.be/ddrA_PvMy-0.
p.s. The Mixstory is almost complete. Just a few final touches. And if I may have a prayer request of you, please pray that God will help me to keep focus on His purposes for my life and to focus on Him alone. And pray that my mind will not wander. Thank you!
Well, it's the beginning of 2014! It's crazy to think of how long it's been since I last wrote a post on my blog. Actually, I'm having to rewrite this because everything I just typed did not save. Can you feel my pain?
Perhaps this post was just meant to be shorter in length than originally intended. Well anyhow, I'm looking forward to what this year has in store. I took some time last year to refocus my attentions as some of you may know.
In 2012, I graduated from college and continued hosting my online radio show, The Lighthouse, blogtalkradio.com/thelighthouse and led a virtual accountability group called the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), icualive.com. That came to a halt in 2013 because of other priorities.
Those other priorities included attention to God, my family, friends, myself, finding a church home, music, my job, and well I think that about covers it. From all those "attention getters", attention to God and myself is where a lot of the growing process took place.
I will be blogging weekly for the next month or so and will share with you pieces of my journey through 2013 and my visions and expectations for 2014. And if you're wondering if I'll jump back on the Lighthouse and ICU, I'm really not sure at this point. To date, I am not being led in that direction but I am in expectation of a lot of change within just the first quarter of the year so we shall see.
2014 will be an incredible year because I serve an incredible God. There will be joy. There will be sorrow. Yet there will be JESUS. And that's good news!
I love Jesus. I love people. I sing. I write. I speak.
The songs I sing, the words I write, and the words I speak reflect the life I live, the love I give and the God I believe in.
