The Original Praise Party... 2007

In 2007, I was having my own personal pity party in Panera. I was whining to God about all the things that were overwhelming me in life and ministry (finances, car problems, housing for a move from Ohio to New Jersey, etc…) . In a quick minute, I sensed God asking me to turn my pity party into a praise party. I had no idea what a praise party was, but as I prayed the Lord spoke to my heart about the details. I invited friends, made a taco dinner, hung streamers, blew up balloons, hung verses about praise, and played songs about praise. We spent the even sharing about our lives, casting our cares in a creative way and most of all just had a wonderful evening focusing on Him. I was amazed at the peace and joy that welled up in from that evening. Within three weeks all of my cares and prayers had been answered by the Lord - financial support for ministry flowed in, car ended up having no problems miraculously, and God provided my housing in one phone call). Let me be clear that just because we praise Him - call attention to His greatness - doesn’t mean everything will always happen so suddenly or like we think it should, but it surely always brings a peace and new perspective in the midst of whatever I am walking through.

2008 brought a huge opportunity to choose to praise the Lord and trust Him through the unexpected death of my only sister and I believe that the praise party in 2007 set a perspective in my heart that caused me not just to survive this year of grief, but thrive and see God through it all.

I have continued the past 10 years to host praise parties, facilitate leadership praise experiences (see Experience It section of the website for more information), and live with a passion to speak and to personally coach people how to live with a practical perspective of praise through out their days.