How Bad Do You Want It?

Hey Everyone!

So, a few weeks ago I wrote an entry about the retreat I was going on and how I was going expecting to receive and, my oh my, God certainly showed up!

The group that I traveled with (Team Matt T.!!) worked really hard during the day to make sure that we produced a sincere and real worship experience and because of this, not only were the young people blessed (it was a youth retreat), but we each received a blessing also! Personally, the thing God kept whispering to me over and over and over and over and over again was "How Bad Do You Want it? ...let your faith prove it!"

This is so simple, yet extremely profound. Personally, I'm the type to think things out to the TEE before going through with anything. Everything has to be organized and most importantly, logical, before I go forth. However, this frame of mind, puts limits on God. I'm essentially saying, "God, you can only do A if X, Y, and Z are in order", when in actuality, God can do what he wants, move how he wants, and seriously blow my mind if he wants to, IF I have the faith to see it done.

Since the retreat (we came back on Friday morning), I've been playing with my faith. One of my closest friends, Matthew, said during devotions on the retreat that he is going to set faith goals and believe God 100% that he is going to come through and sure enough, the goals that he set, and that we set as a group, were met on the retreat. I came back home, and did the same thing and sure enough, God came through.

I don't plan on having it stop here. I am going to start making a conscious effort to take God out the box of logic that I have so delicately placed Him in, and instead, HAVE FUN WITH FAITH!

With that being said...
Is there anything that you want really badly? ...How bad do you want it? once, you've answered that question, let your faith prove it!

Be encouraged! =)

Wardrobe Essentials: Shorts

If you haven’t worn shorts all summer, you’re truly missing out on life! For girls and guys alike, shorts offer a simple way to beat the heat. They’re much more comfortable than jeans or slacks, can’t get blown away like skirts or dresses, and are extremely versatile. Plus, nothing feels better than when a rare summer breeze hits your legs! If you’re one of those (strange) people who don’t like to wear shorts, or just want more ideas on how to wear them in all settings, keep on reading!

Casual
Ah, nothing like waking up, throwing on your fave graphic tee, your fave pair of denim shorts, and heading out the door! Denim shorts are an all-American style necessity, and come in a plethora of lengths, cuts, and washes, so girls and guys alike can find one that fits their unique style. Cargo shorts are another great option for guys, as are white shorts for girls. Throw on a fedora and wear your favorite shoes whether they’re canvas slip-ons, Dunks, or gladiator sandals.

casual shorts by ieboh featuring a sheer shirt

Casual chic
Khaki or olive toned shorts build the basis for this look, and the weight of a chambray shirt is perfect weight for late summer. Bold prints and interesting textures make it stylish: for the fellas, (reasonable) plaids are easy to find and year-round appropriate, and printed shorts are a great way for girls to fancy it up just a tad bit. Leave your everyday kicks at home and bring out the boat shoes or sequined Toms.

semi casual shorts by ieboh featuring a pink tee

Dressy
Definitely the hardest to pull off, but still doable. For men, stick with slim cut shorts that stop right at the knee. Pair with a gray or dark blue jacket with no more than two buttons, a crisp shirt (no tie please), and suede or penny loafers. Or wear a cardigan with a skinny tie, undo the top button, and push up the sleeves for a less preppy look. Ladies, choose a pair of tailored shorts in either lace, wool, or leather, and pair it with a blouse with a peter pan or bow tie collar. Or try a playsuit for the all-in-one look, and add a blazer, pearls, and platforms to dress it up.

dressed up shorts by ieboh featuring pearl earrings

Bonus: Transitioning to Fall
The easiest way to transition shorts to fall is to wear a sweater or a cardigan. For guys, choose a cut that shows off that body that you worked so hard for over the summer. Ladies, go for an oversized, off-the shoulder sweater or knit to balance against the length of shorts.

Now that you know all the ways you can wear shorts, make sure you get the most out of them before winter shows up!

Retreat

"When the music fades, and all is stripped away, and I simply come..."

Next week I am going on a week long retreat in Pennsylvania to minister praise and worship with a group that I am part of (Team Matt T.!). At first, I was consumed with the fact that I will be away from work for a WHOLE WEEK and able to chill with a group of friends who literally double as my second family (love those guys).

Now, let's rewind - Earlier this week, I was chatting with the mister about some things that have been troubling me and he encouraged me to RETREAT during the RETREAT! I don't know why, but that hit me pretty hard as I realized that the time away is going to be more than a mere vacation, but time to really seek God and spend time in His presence.

I plan on challenging myself spiritually on this retreat. As a praise and worship singer, most of the time when I worship, it's through song. This is definitely great, however, I want to seek God in a new way. I want the music to be gone and I want to communicate my heart's deepest desires by simply talking to God.

I did my devotions yesterday and today on a passage of scripture that really encouraged me (and I hope it encourages you too) - Psalms 116:1-2 "I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live."
God WANTS to hear our voice, He WANTS to know our hearts desires, He is WAITING to hear what we have to say. As a result, I'm going to pour my heart to Him!

I say all of this to encourage you to spend time with God. You don't need to go on a retreat to actually retreat from your every day life and seek God. Turn your phone off, seperate yourself from the internet, or anything else that can serve as a distraction, and spend time in God's word and in His presence.

=)

Trend Watch: Crop Tops

Hey guys, it's Ije here and I'll be your Gospel Unplugged fashion correspondent! I will be writing about both men and women's fashion trends, outfit suggestions, and stylish saints so don't hesitate to ask if you have any fashion inquiries. Let's get started on today's topic: crop tops!

One of summer’s biggest trends is the crop top. While it might be inappropriate to wear a belly-baring top to a Sunday church service, you shouldn’t shy away from buying them. Crop tops aren’t for the faint of heart, so only wear them if you’re comfortable with your body. Before buying, try the top on and do the “hands raised in worship” and the “bow before the King” tests. Raise your hands as you would in worship to see how far the top rises, and then bend over as if you are bowing. If too much of your stomach shows, your crop might not be appropriate for church wear. You can also consider wearing a tank top underneath your crop top, either in a flesh tone color or one that nicely contrasts with the top. Once you’re ready to buy, here’s how to wear crop-tops without baring it all:

Hanging with friends/bible study:
Pick a crop top in a simple color but with a cool detail like embroidery, stitching, or a pocket. Try to find one with an asymmetrical hem that’s longer in the back. Pair it with your favorite pair of skinny jeans, and go for a high-waisted pair for even more coverage. Finish off your simple outfit with statement jewelry and jeweled sandals, and you’ll look super stylish without being forced.

Church picnic/midweek service:
Choose a skin-tight crop top, even a bustier top might work for this look. Keep the color simple, but experiment with different materials such as denim or lace. Pair it with a knee-length or midi pleated skirt in a bold color like yellow or red. Top off your look with a wide belt placed right where the skirt and top meet, and throw on a pair of wedges to finish it off.

Church service:
Find a crop top with a colorful print; try graphic prints, animal prints, or flowers, which are all on trend this season. Throw on your trusty black pencil skirt and pull it up as high as necessary so that no skin shows when you raise your hands. Complete the look with an envelope clutch in a contrast color and nude pumps. For extra protection, wear a long necklace which will keep your top close to your body in case the church fans are on overdrive.

Crop tops by ieboh featuring a geometric necklace

Now that you know how and where to wear crop tops, go and get yourself one (or a few) on an end-of-summer sale from your favorite store, or click any item above to see where you can purchase!

Enjoying Your Summer

Hello my darlings!

I hope you all are having a wonderful day thus far :)

I was recently thinking about something that my pastor has been saying for the past few Sundays that is SO simple, but SO profound: make sure to enjoy your summer.

A lot of times, we get caught up in our day to day lives; whether it be school, work, rehearsals, chores, etc. and forget to take time out to have fun! It's important to make sure your life is balanced with work AND fun. My pastor encouraged the congregation to go on vacations and if you can't do that, then do what he calls a "stay-cation", which is pretty much doing something fun right here in NYC (and there's TONS of stuff to do if you look into what's available, and lots of the stuff is FREE too!).

This summer I've become addicted to spades (whoot-whoot! lol) and as a result, I gather with a few friends maybe once a week and we get together to play in a backyard, basement, living room - pretty much wherever we can fit a table and 4 ppl lol. Also, I've made a point take advantage of $6 Tuesdays at movie theaters and other simple things that can totally enhance my days/summer.

If you know of any simple [or even more elaborate] things that can be done this summer, feel free to share it with us! We'd love to know.

Ok - I think that's all I have to say for now :)

ENJOY YOUR SUMMER!! =)

Danielle Lewis - Surrender

Hello my darlings!

So, if you follow us on twitter and/or facebook then you should know by now that TODAY DANIELLE LEWIS' NEW SINGLE OFF OF HER UPCOMING WORSHIP EP DROPS FOR FREE!!!!

Ok, enough shouting, lol.

When I first heard that Danielle Lewis was dropping a single, I got SO excited. As a person, I admire this young woman of God SOOOO much; she is truly inspirational and she has SUCH a big heart (I LOVE YOU DANNI!). As an artist, she is creative and her voice is O-MAZING! So, knowing these things, I knew that whatever she released was going to be great, especially since it's coming off of her worship EP (she's a serious worshipper too!). After I really sat down and listened to the song, I realize, it EXCEEDED my expectations!

I think one of the most important parts of any song are the lyrics and the lyrics to this song are SO powerful and relatable. Then I remembered that Matthew Thomas (most commonly known as Matt T.) co-wrote the song! (If you've never heard of his ministry, then I'm going to shamelessly plug it in now (and not only because I sing back-up for him lol) - check out his facebook page when you get the chance - www.facebook.com/PsalmistKing). The words are something that just about anyone can relate to if their hearts cry is to totally surrender to Christ.

Overall, it is a very powerful, well-written, intriguing, heart song that you ALL should listen to if you haven't already.

To download the single for FREE, go to Danielle Lewis' website! Enjoy!! :) http://www.purelydanielle.com/

Let it Rise

One thing that has always intrigued me about the kingdom is it's diversity. It's so awesome that anyone from any race or any nation has the opportunity to call upon the name of Jesus. This shows in many ways, especially through music. I love the fact that we can worship and praise God with a full band, a multitude of voices with singing and dancing, or even on the flip-side, we can worship him in the stillness, just by ourselves with our one voice. Whether it's to a soft acoustic feel or a hype "gospel" groove, we can give glory to God depending on the occasion. I have two videos demonstrating that for you guys today. Both videos are of the popular worship song "Let it Rise" but are done very different. I love them both and I think both worshippers did an excellent job with the song. Check em out and feel free to comment back. Did you prefer one version over the other? Does your church do it like this? Let us know! =)

Now Introducing to Some and Presenting to all E2VG!

So the other day I was searching for YouTube clips of a musician named Anthony Nembhard who has become one of my favorite bass players. His style is very different yet very musical. So when I searched his name, videos from the Berklee Files came up because he played bass on the 'Bottoms Up' and 'Over' Live Arrangements.

Something that did come up was a video entitled, 'E2VG Throne of My Heart As The Deer.' I watched and listened to this video and the worship is amazing! You can feel worship in all components of the video. You know, recently I've been going through a lot in my personal life, and this video has been a tremendous blessing. When the words 'You sit on the throne of my heart God' are sung, it reminds me that Christ lives in me and that even though I am facing difficulties right now, that God is indeed at the throne of heart with me always. I listen to this video at least 10 times a day as I work. You must be wondering where this video is, it's right here:

After watching this video I wanted to know more about E2VG. So I continued searching YouTube, and I was blessed. One thing that blessed me was the fact that in EVERY video that has them in it, they are worshiping. This is amazing, because we live in a time period where older church goers don't think people of this generation worship, they bad talk artist saying they are too wild plus many other things. (I grew up in a west indian church lol) But, E2VG definitely worships! Each video I watched ministered to me and blessed me.





If you want more on E2VG you can search on YouTube, you can find them on iTunes (http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/e2vg/id385801008), and twitter at @EV2G. Their music is really great and the worship is incredible, I hope that you are blessed as well. Let's continue to #unplugthegospel

T. Charles