BATTLE CRY- A Worship Experience for EVERYONE!

Please plan to join us

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11th at 7pm

for an

INCREDIBLE WORSHIP EXPERIENCE

called

BATTLECRY

 

What is Battlecry Worship Movement?

Battlecry is a worship movement for those who long to come together with other believers for the

 sole purpose of focusing all that they are on Jesus Christ in worship.

Who is it for?

Anyone who wants to dedicate their mind, heart and strength to a night of focused worship is welcome. Specifically, Battlecry is for those who are in the midst of the fight to have victory over the enemy, or over their own flesh. It is a venue for them to worship their way into freedom. Also, Battlecry is for any and all musicians who want to use their giftings - no matter how skilled or unskilled they might be - to worship the Lord.

Please come, and bring your instrument.

What can I expect?

Battlecry is a completely Spirit-led night of worship. We don't know ahead of time which songs we're going to sing. Usually, most of the songs being sung are spontaneous words and melodies the Lord gives us. We have some song books, though, that we pass around so that our musicians and singers can follow along should we feel led to do any of the songs in that book. You can also expect to hear people share scripture, prayers or fresh words from the Lord.

There is no pressure to worship the Lord any certain way!

If you are very reserved in worship, that's great.

 If you are very demonstrative in worship, that's great too.

We seek to make Battlecry a place where all people can encounter the Holy Spirit

 in their own way as they exalt Jesus Christ.

All Battlecry Worship Nights are available for streaming on our website:

battlecryworshipmovement.bandcamp.com

If you have any questions, just ask!

April 2013 BMetro Article: TMI

 TMI:
When the Internet becomes too much of a good thing.
By April Jones
The Internet is without a doubt a double-edged sword. It is a highway of technology that has expedited our ability to explore and expound knowledge. It can not only be an incredible resource, but also a tool of mass destruction.
As most children are more savvy with modern technology than their parents, they are learning to navigate this global realm with ease and efficiency. They can find what they are looking for at lightening speed, but also what they aren’t looking for. It is disturbing to learn of the many dangerous sights that come up in the most innocent of searches. Information is invaluable, but let’s face it, sometimes, it is simply “TMI.” (That’s text-talk, old-timers…too much info!)
My eyes were first opened to some of the daunting links and images that many of our children stumble across when I attended a Girl Spring forum this past fall. The forum’s intent was to hear the voice of the community as the organization sought to implement programs to serve a generation of youth that are inundated with negative self-talk, limited positive influence in modern media, and heavily saturated sexuality.
But the forum’s direction quickly shifted when we were all enlightened to the discoveries made regarding typical kid searches.
I should not have found myself so surprised to learn the bulk of today’s youth gain their knowledge of current events through social media sites and Google. It was an eye-opening reality that our children are fully exposed to the threat of child pornography, highly graphic images, and solicitations for sexual forums when entering something as innocent as a curious search of “girls kissing boys.” If you’ve not taken a moment to search as if a child or teen on a mission, I would highly recommend you do so. Brace yourselves, for the results are not only disturbing, but sickening.
I did a little research on sex laws due to my own personal experiences which were a little too close for comfort involving my teenage daughter. I was shocked to learn some of the things currently protected by our first amendment, and the entitlement allotted to those posing as “harmless depictions,” by way of cartoons and “art.”
Again, if you’ve not read up on some of the federal and state laws, I cannot recommend it enough. I am all about freedom of speech. But be assured, the Internet is not looking out for the best interest or safety of your children and has taken great liberty with said freedoms. Because it is world wide, we need not forget that creeps come from everywhere in the world and seek to prey upon the innocence and susceptibility of our children.
Any opportunity granted to slip into their lives, catch them in their youth, and have them hooked for life, is fully exploited. Predators do not care about their age, economic status, or family of origin. They care not for your belief systems, church attendance, or philanthropy. What they seek is the delicacy of a tender and impressionable heart, a probing mind, and the hungry spirit in search of something — anything. And even if you have the most amazing, intelligent, articulate and responsible child, he/she is not  exempt from the threat.
As cautious and resistant to the advancement of technology, and as protective and mindful as I felt I was to monitor my own with the luxury of technology, I found myself fighting for the safety of my daughter from someone she developed a private relationship with online.
This wasn’t a stranger, mind you, but someone she had met through a friend. Despite being told that this was someone she could not see, she continued the relationship anyway, creating a tear in the fabric of our own parent/ child bond. This tear was not seen by her father and I until someone else chose to rip open the seams. Threats do not come from “strangers” alone. They can come from all corners of our lives and they find the cracks in which they will cram themselves through to gain a foothold in your life.  I say this to you that you might learn from my lessons. If you have internet at your home, put protective barriers and firewalls that cannot be penetrated or accessed by one simple password.
Research multiple options on programs, and allow the entire family to be in on the discussion of why they are there. Express your expectations of media responsibility and awareness. If your children have smart phones, consider blocking their ability to get online. What child needs the World Wide Web at their fingertips, 24 hours? Honestly? If  your children are engaging in social media forums, know their passwords, monitor their accounts, and check them regularly.
We allow our children greater freedom than they are often capable of exercising or in need of. Privacy is a privilege, and let’s face it, until they are of legal age, something that should respectively be limited.
Don’t ever assume you know what your child is doing online. Don’t assume you know what they are viewing, who they are talking to, and how they are spending their time.
Youth is a treasured and short-lived moment that should be full of curiosity and exploration, but within the healthy boundaries and perimeters set by discerning and caring adults.
Be well, friends, and be protective. The enemy is great which seeks to devour our youth, and it grows stronger daily through the unseen airwaves of time and technology.
Guard yourselves and your loved ones by educating, discussing, and doing whatever you can to protect yourselves from the dangers of too much information.

March 2013 BMetro Article: Good Fences Make Good Neighbors

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors

And healthy boundaries make for healthy relationships.

By April Jones

Spring, the time of year when nature and humanity begins to emerge from a deep slumber, stretching limbs, and regaining a breath of energy and awareness. It’s the time when many begin to prepare and plant gardens, plan outdoor projects, and purge the unnecessary layers of protection given to their seed and flowers. This is also when many begin to construct fences; lovely boundaries that mark ones territory-the edges of climbing foliage, the back posts to many a strong and sturdy stem, and the perimeters to vivid imaginations that dominate the yard. These fences provide purpose: security, ownership, and respect.
Some of us use fences as a decorative piece, giving the final touches to our dream home with picketed grandeur. Some of us use fences to prevent running children and pets from moving too quickly into harm’s way. And some of us use fences to keep others out. We post “no trespassing” signs and lock gates to ensure no one gets too close, and no one gets hurt. All of which serve valid purposes, and don’t differ much from the emotional boundaries we construct.
We all know the person who has no boundaries. You know, the one who will always answer a call, never says no, and is continuously exhausted because they spend so much time and energy giving everything they have to others. This person is often broken-hearted, feels betrayed, and finds it difficult to bring balance to anything in their life. We also know the person who has too many. You know the one who will always be alone because no one ever loves them enough. This person will say no to most invites, is “too busy” and is continuously complaining about how unhappy and unsatisfied they are. Everyone and everything always ends up disappointing, so why bother? We know those that only seem capable of expressing what it is they don’t want, don’t need, and know exactly what displeases them—everything! We all know people (it may be us) that struggle with boundaries – they’ve built too many fences, or not enough.
Have you ever considered the phrase, “Good fences make good neighbors?” Fences create boundaries, and boundaries provide stability and safety. The question is, what are you communicating, and why? Did you construct these fences to protect, or did you construct these fences to preserve? It is possible to do both. When boundaries are clear and well-defined, everyone knows what to expect. There is no confusion about what is mine, and what is yours when I have taken the time to survey, measure, mark and post my perimeters. But when no time is taken to examine or determine what belongs to us, we have no concept of where to begin, much less end any tasks within our means, because we have no clear definition of our confines or constraints.
This same truth applies to our personal relationships, be it business, family, friends, or lovers. If you step into a business agreement and have not taken any time to define, discuss, and sometimes even negotiate terms, you may find yourself feeling either overworked, under appreciated, feeling betrayed, or most often feeling used or taken advantage of. It is no different with our personal relationships. Relationships are a bit like elastic — they can shift, stretch and even pull past repair, but require flexibility. We need not sit down and negotiate a contract, signing on the dotted line the static perimeters of what will be, how it will work, and what it will look like when we are done. But we do need to sit down, first with ourselves, and consider what it is we want and expect out of ourselves, our lives, and our relationships. Taking the time to ask, “What do I want? What do I need? What do I like? How do I feel? Where do I want to be? What do I want to become?” and “What do I want my relationships to look like?” can not only empower us, but empower the relationships we are in, or aspire to obtain.
As parents, we must define our roles as mentor, provider, and comforter as well as disciplinarian, leader, and ultimate decision maker. As friends or lovers, we must define ourselves as confidants, encouragers, and supporters as well as accountability counselor, and sometimes the voice of reality. Every relationship has components of all of these, but many times we forget what role we play, and what our needs are, or were, when we get caught up in the fleeting issues of anger, weariness, betrayal, frustration, hurt, confusion, sadness, and disappointment. All of these are very real emotions. But all of these can be blown out of proportion when we feel expectations were left unmet.
When expectations leave us disappointed, most often those expectations were never communicated but assumed; assumed that the other would just somehow figure it out- through listening, paying attention, or asking us. But, most often, this isn’t the way it works. People can’t read our minds any more than they can read our hearts. And although many are sensitive, and do try to listen, the reality is that unless it has been clearly communicated, people are simply going to treat us the way we teach them. How do we teach them? We teach people how to treat us by what we allow in words, in action, and in time.
Boundaries, like fences, can be a beautiful thing. But understanding their purpose and perimeters is where the real beauty happens. Boundaries have to be about you. Take time to evaluate your fences. Maybe some were constructed without direction or purpose. Maybe some were simply inherited. Maybe some need to be repaired. Maybe some need to be relocated, and maybe some just need to come down. Setting boundaries doesn’t mean you want to keep people out. Remember, boundaries establish ownership, purpose, security and respect. Setting boundaries means you have a clear understanding of you and your space. And what you must determine is who and what you want in it. We all have room to grow, and grow together. It takes many a blossom to create a glorious garden, so let’s create a space that we might most fully realize our blooms!

February 2013 B-Metro Article: Find Your Partners, Ladies & Gents

Find Your Partners, Ladies and Gents

But understand how to look for them.
By April Jones
There has always been, and will always be a constant struggle to figure out where and how we fit into one another’s lives—especially between man and woman. It is a complex dance. Once established in the footwork, which can initially appear awkward and unsightly, we find we can execute the dance with grace and pleasure.
“Men are from Mars.” Why Mars? Mars is the planet that governs war, aggression, and power. Men are strong, spacious, and dynamic in their ability: hunters, fighters, and champions. They are hungry, and provide the ability to comfort, often in their presence alone. Usually grapplers by nature, appreciative of a struggle, with an innate need to participate in “the fight,” they are warriors. They want to defend, protect, chase, pursue, and compete. They are the ones that stand the ground, fight off the threat, and defend the turf come hell or high water! They are tough, engaging, always curious, and require space for adventure and reflection.
“Women are from Venus.” Why Venus? Venus is the planet that governs sensuality, movement and allure. Women are complex, often described emotional, at best. They feed the appetite by way of inspiring, seducing and nurturing. Women seek to create a place of security, comfort, and support. The gatherers who will lovingly shove you straight out of the nest—they are avengers. Women seek a strength they can lean against. They desire understanding, empathy, and the exhilaration of pursuit. They are the ones that most often assure because they are the ones that plan and dare to dream. They want companionship, an ear, a voice, a touch. Women are soft, sensual, ever expanding, always shifting, and require space for energy and emotion.
These counter roles serve to strengthen and enhance, while depending on the presence and balance of one another. There is a place within us all for the other end of this personal spectrum that can only be found in a partner. A partner that was consciously created before time began that would satisfy, strengthen and solidify your very essence! Someone that speaks the same love languages, reciprocates your desire, understands your emotions, longs to encourage and engage you, and believes in the same things you do. I’m not saying you “need” the other person to complete you in the codependent context. But if you are to look at the perfectly balanced, never ending circle to which the yin and yang of all things is shaped, the being and presence of Mars completes and compliments Venus, because the galaxy depends on the presence of both.
Consider what men and women are drawn to? Think of movies, music, media, and marketing (what continues to sell can not be overlooked). Let’s start with men. Where do you see the permanence for a man’s time and attention? What is it that calls to our men; compels them? Sex. War. Violence. Aggression. Assertion. Activity. Consider the best selling “men movies” (don’t be hatin’—you know you call’em “chick flicks”). They all contain a spirit of adventure. Desire. Potential. Promise. Chase. Speed. Men need to seek something bigger than themselves. Something to set sight on, work towards and claim. It is what men were wired to “want” and “do.” And the ‘lover’ comes in many forms. Seeking liberation, blood and conquest, they want to overcome, and often times, they want to do it alone. A hero does not share the glory and he is always recognized for his accomplishments! It isn’t to be mocked or sneered at as macho or ego-driven. When men are moved to pursue, it is because they have been moved by desire, hunger, longing, and thrill—the challenge, chase, and possible capture is what sets the stage of great interest.
We are inundated with all kinds of equally stimulating and collective things that could give an idea to the wiring and working of a woman’s desire. Consider novels, soap operas, talk and reality shows, magazines, malls, manicures and makeup. Women like beauty and passion—feeling it and creating it-period. They like the dream, the drama, and the demand required to be apart of making it unfold. Women desire to be beautiful, sexy, admired and adored. They have a need for communication and dissection. Women need support-involvement. They are rarely ones to process or fight alone. Sometimes it is for the sake of intimacy, but it is often for security, advice, and assurance. Women are drawn to romance. Relationship. Drama. Tenderness. Strength. Risk. A woman has need for her own adventures, but they are often very different from mans! The pursuer that would climb the tower, slay the dragon, dare fight for our company, and of course our beauty is always welcome! We don’t want a “savior,” but we do want someone willing to fight for us—better yet, with us. Women enjoy being swooned, romanticized and invited to be apart of the dance. We are heroines because we fight for the dreams, keep them alive, and encourage the dreams in our lovers.
Couples get bored by the loss of the excitement that comes when there no longer seems something to strive for. It is a most beautiful relationship when each is given the opportunity to play out the dance of intimacy through being one’s greatest self. When we can encourage the men and women in our lives to experience love and life authentically, we find our understanding and the ability to connect with one another strengthens. Not only does the connection strengthen, but the desire does as well! When desire is present, there is an ongoing invitation by both partners to woo the other back into the dance. That desire gives way to a most beautiful and intoxicating number. Now here’s the catch—allowing the music to last. Don’t rush it. Don’t squelch it. Don’t fight it. And don’t give up on it. The best partners didn’t become so by accident, but by practice, intention and dedication. Be open to ad–lib and freestyle. Now grab your lover; let’s dance!
Tags: Alabama, April Jones, B metro Magazine, Birmingham, intimacy, love, partners, relationships

January 2013 B-Metro Article: A No Excuse New Year

A No Excuse New Year

Start this year fresh. Start it right.
By April Jones
New Year’s….just saying it brings about a sense of excitement, hope and promise. There is something so gratifying to closing a year, whether good or bad, and beginning a new one. We celebrate the arrival with glitter and glamor, champagne and noise makers. It’s like a pep rally for potential.  We await the time with baited breath to count down the end of a chapter, a season, a year. We shake our rattles, pop the confetti, then seal it with a kiss, often times in inebriated bliss.  It is a most auspicious celebration with foods to invoke good luck and the tradition of creating a “Resolutions List.” We sit down with the very best of intentions to develop a list—a guide, if you will—of all the things we would like to see ourselves accomplish and/or “do” throughout the year. Since there are no “rules,” we can be as conservative, or as outlandish as we want to be.
For some, sincere time and dedication is given to develop a plan for accessing the power this New Year brings. These are the ones that will actually set out to accomplish the list. They might not do them all, but they get an A for effort. They are focused, determined, and use the list to remind them of the course they need to follow. For others, and quite frankly, probably the majority of us, the list is made half-heartedly, if at all. We might find the same “projects” or “ideas” on our list that we have had for the past seven years, maybe even the past 20.
What is it that holds us back from fulfilling our lists, creating them even? What keeps us from finding our purpose? Following through? Committing? Could it be that we pile up a list of excuses? Reasons we “can’t,” we “shouldn’t,” or heaven forbid that we simply “wouldn’t?” I hear all kinds of excuses for why people can’t make change. I don’t just don’t deal with the body here- I deal with the spirit too. This “why” is what I like to get to the bottom of. Many couldn’t tell you the true reasons “why” they feel or believe the way they do, but they do know the lines they’ve learned, repeated, and continued to use have worked. These excuses have allowed them to evade and/or avoid making change.
Many have had their spirits broken, crushed, or suppressed. Many have been told for so long what they can or can not do, or who they should or should not be, that they begin to believe those things as truth. Now I’m not saying people don’t have legitimate reasons for not doing things. We all know there are very real limitations that can be caused by a variety of circumstance. But that’s not what I’m talking about. What I’m talking about are the excuses we make to hold ourselves back. Isn’t that really what we are doing? Isn’t an excuse given in exchange for an action? If my kids miss school, I must provide and excuse. If you’re late for dinner, work, or a social event, you must provide one. And because we’ve become so accustomed to offering them, many times, we begin to simply create them whether they are needed or not.
The most common: “But you don’t know what I’ve been through in my life! Where I’ve come from! What I’ve done; what’s been done to me…blah, blah, blah.” You know what? We’ve all been through the muck. Every…Single…One of us. Have you read the statistics for domestic/childhood/sexual abuse? Forget statistics, how about headlines? Divorce?  Addiction? Disease? Homelessness? Bankruptcy? Seriously? Do you not think, for a moment, that every single one of us could fall back upon our own personal histories and choose to believe that what was is what determines what can be.
All of us have something in us that has the “potential” to hold us back. But the very REAL truth of the matter is that unless we want something, we aren’t gonna go for it. If you don’t want to dedicate yourself—you don’t. If you don’t want something different—you don’t seek it. We inhibit many of our best efforts through negative self-talk, limiting beliefs, and inherited ideas. We are own worst enemies. We will talk ourselves up and then tear ourselves down. If you can raise your hand to be apart of the class that says you’ve got some issues, then BRAVO! I applaud and commend your bravery to acknowledge your imperfections. You, my friend, have the greatest potential of all, for you can see you are flawed and have needs. If you want to make change, real change, commit to simply observing your approach to new ideas and opportunities. Enlist the help of a professional. There are countless people that are gifted with insight on our behavior and have a genuine desire to see you improve your life. Psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, and life coaches are all dedicated (without any attachment to your excuses) to helping you move PAST your limitations. “But, April—those are expensive! That takes time and money! Neither of which I have.” Really? Insurance, sliding scales, and payment plans are all options these days. If you are serious, and you want it, you will do whatever it takes to make it happen.
What conversations are you having with yourself when you make plans to do something new? Something uncomfortable? Something risky? Do you accept the challenge to step on uncharted territory, or do you immediately begin to find ways to stay cozy in the carriage? If you’ve found your self stuck, know you don’t have to stay there! Start this year fresh. Start it new. Start it right by deciding you will confront your excuses so that you no longer need them. Start this new year with a BANG, not a barrier! Namaste, ya’ll.

Tags: Alabama, April Jones, B metro Magazine, b-well, Birmingham, lifestyle, positive thinking, resolutions, self help