Standing Invitation: I'd Like to RSVP

By: Payton M. Ishmael
Sometimes I serenade my family and they laugh. They think I do it only for their entertainment. …if they only knew. Additionally, I’m a runner. My daily workouts zoom by as a sing along to the most random assortment of tunes on my iPod. As my playlist shuffled its ways to The Hinson’s, I couldn’t help but get excited about the Hallelujah Meeting. Let me break it down for you.
I’ve grown up Pentacostal. I’m not sure how I would have turned out if I had been raised any other way. I hear stories about holy ghost meetings that took place long before my time. I can remember being in middle school asking questions about how to get back to the ‘the old days?’ I deeply desired an experience of my own like the ones I heard so often of.
Although my experiences have been different than the history I’ve been told of, I’ve seen an outpouring of the spirit. I’ve witnessed God work in incredible ways. I’ve experienced God, His presence, and His companionship.
As I ran and sang along on my treadmill, I put the song on repeat, and each time it was a different line that gave me chills all over.
“I got more than just religion when Jesus saved my soul.”
It’s true. For at least, the first 20 years of my life, I felt sure that if you were affiliated with the Church of God, you got valet parking and VIP service in Heaven. However, denomination becomes no more than a logo and a doctrine to argue about in the grand scheme of things. Instead, it’s the salvation found deep down in our soul that provides the opportunity to the pass through the pearly gates.
“…and a standing invitation to a hallelujah spell.”
Can you imagine? I mean, really imagine. Not only will all the bad stuff go away; loneliness, hurt, worry, loss, pain, sickness. We get a daily dose of the good stuff; a standing invitation. That means it never goes away. We can bask in the presence of the Lord all day every day, we can experience daily a hallelujah spell!

I Will Not Go Quietly: Standing Up & Speaking Out

By: Payton M. Ishmael


In the 1960’s, the Supreme Court banned prayer in public schools. Today, the name Madalyn Murray O’Hair, founder of American Atheists, Inc. makes my blood bubble. The same sick feeling overwhelmed my being again this week when I read an article with the headline; “Students Kicked Off Campus for Wearing American Flag Tees.”
Before I get started, allow me to defend myself. The number one argument posed at people taking a stance for Christ or in favor of America is that we are not ‘cultured’ and we are not ‘open-minded.’ I’ve been sent completely around the globe to be ‘cultured.’ I’ve chosen to sit in churches outside my own denomination to learn about them. I love learning about people different than myself; those of different nationalities, religions, cultures. Just because I sometimes disagree with them, I’m not going to ridicule them or burn them at the stake. That being said, no, I do not take an offensive approach to those who live and believe differently than I do. By all means, embrace your differences.
That doesn’t mean, however, that I do not play defense. I love Jesus and I’m not intimidated one, single bit to tell anyone who asks me. I also take great pride in my country and feel a great deal of respect for the people who have and are protecting my freedoms as an American. Christianity isn’t perfect, but Christ is. Our government doesn’t always uphold the values we were founded upon, but that does not change the noble conception of this nation.
After reading the article, I learned that five high school students were sent home from school for wearing shirts with the American flag on them. I was livid. Kids get sent home from school? That’s not the worst thing that could happen, but if we allow this to pass, what’s next? If we sit back and shake our heads disapprovingly, what are we accomplishing? Benjamin Franklin once said that “Well done is better than well said.” We cannot go silently. If we’re going to see our kids, grandkids, and so forth grow up in a Patriotic America where they are not chastised for living for and loving Christ, we have to defend those values on our own. We can’t rely on state law makers in Austin nor politicians in D.C. We are responsible for being defenders of our own personal values. Take the first step, remind the leadership of Live Oak High School of the freedoms promised us.

Live Oak High School
1505 East Main Avenue
Morgan Hill, CA. 95037

A Generation Cries Out: Find Comfort in Your Own Skin

By: Payton M. Ishmael


Hurting hearts cry out everywhere and for some reason my ears are magnified to the cries of young girls. I know wonderful young ladies of all ages, a once-family member recently finished up her time as a sixth grader. Every couple of weeks, I used to get phone calls or text messages from her or one of her friends pouring out their precious, little hearts. I can’t help but hurt for them. Already, they are defining themselves by who their best friend is, which boy they are “going with” or the latest trends that clad their eating disordered bodies.
There are terms in our society loosely thrown around that shouldn’t be because their definitions have been warped and improperly used which has in turn produced a generation of amazing young girls who have no self confidence and who can’t find their self worth. Allow me to set the record and definitions straight.

BEAUTIFUL: YOU are beautiful. That’s right, you who are reading this; male or female; young or old; big or small. We were all created with a DIVINE hand, do you understand this? Embrace the features that make you unique. It doesn’t matter what anyone in the whole world says – beauty is more than skin deep.

COOL: Originally, this term described temperature. Now, it describes a certain type of people that everyone wants to be. Fortunately, we’re all so different… and that’s incredible. Just be YOU. Give up trying to be cool! I’d much rather be hot. J

LOVE: I explain the following after learning my own lessons. The cute classmate in middle school is probably not your life long companion. Yes, you may like a person enough to make your heart hurt. That’s precisely why the Bible tells us to guard our hearts. We can only be broken so many times. Take care of your heart. Don’t entrust it to just anyone.

Most importantly, live your life in a way that makes you proud to be you

Half of My Heart: I Can't Keep Loving You

By: Payton M. Ishmael


I enjoy a wide array of music; little bit of this, little bit of that. My favorite songs aren’t always the most uplifting, or the best musically, but rather that of lyrics to which I can relate. Guinevere by Eli Young Band, He’s Still Working on Me by The Hemphills, and Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison are just a few among many of my most favorites. Often times, I’m sure my interpretation of a song’s lyrics is much different than the artist’s intent. A prime example of this would be Half of My Heart by John Mayer.
“Half of my heart’s got a grip on the situation…” goes the song. Half of my heart truly does. Half of my heart trusts in the Lord. Half of my heart has faith that everything works together for good. Half of my heart is completely surrendered. Half of my heart is willing. Half of my heart is hungry for more. Half of my heart aims to be a blessing to the King. Unfortunately, it takes two halves to make a whole.
You see, the other half my heart wonders, “God, can you hear me up there?” The other half questions why bad things happen to good people. The other half of my heart has become a bit hard and bitter. Half of my heart seeks self advancement, as opposed to Kingdom advancement.
The song continues, “…I can’t keep loving you, oh, with half of my heart.” Although I feel certain that John Mayer wasn’t talking about his relationship with Christ, parts of that song became very real to me as I drove to work this week. I can’t continue to offer only half of me to God. He wants all of me just the way that He wants all of you.
How would life be if we were only half-way forgiven, half-way loved, half-way breathing? Just like everything else, our relationship with Christ really isn’t a relationship at all if it’s only ‘half-way.’ It’s time to search our souls to the deepest depth. Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart… There’s no small print at the bottom of that verse. It simply says ALL. In my journey to lay down more of me and find more of Him, I know that I can’t continue my journey to the King with only half of my heart.

One Worthy Woman: Meeting the Expectations of Proverbs 31

By : Payton M. Ishmael

“Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, riiiinnnngggg!” I walked in to my grandparents’ (Bro. & Sis. Ishmael) house only to hear the loud and obnoxious sound of a bell. I immediately found my way to the place the sound was coming from to see Poppy ringing a huge, brass bell. I wasn’t sure if it was acceptable to laugh, but I did anyway. “Poppy! Why in the Heavens are you ringing that bell?” I asked. Before he could answer, I was already thinking of ways to protect him from Anna. She has never come across to me as someone that you beckon with a brass bell. …but then he replied.

“Well, your Anna brought this in here in case I need something,” he said. This, in accord with the role she has played over the last week leaves me in complete admiration. All I can think about is the woman of Proverbs 31.’

Throughout his four day stay at the hospital, Anna never left Poppy’s side. I imagine that it takes great strength and courage to watch your husband wince in pain. Tears were the evidence to my heart’s ache. Anna, though, did her best to remain composed, serving as a good dose of optimism for our family and friends.

To confirm my suspicions that my grandmother is indeed THE Proverbs 31 woman, I flipped to the chapter and took a journey reading about all the attributes that compose this ideal woman.

In my opinion, Anna comes across as very classy and put together. Even at first glance, I feel certain that people can draw the conclusion that she’s a special lady. It’s truly extraordinary, though, that I find her description as I delve into scripture.

She’s trustworthy. She takes care of everyone. She provides the very best for her family. She works hard and always does her very best at everything she puts her hand to. She’s wise. She reaches out to people. She’s crafty. She keeps all of us in line and together. Her children (and grandchildren) respect her. Her husband cherishes her.

Many of us have amazing women in our lives just like Anna. We don’t give them near enough credit. As I watch Anna in action; carrying on with her day-to-day duties while also making sure that Poppy is well taken care of and as comfortable as possible in his recovery, I know that she is a Proverbs 31 woman. As Christian women, we have a standard set. We have a very specific description of the role we are to play. Just like many of you with your mothers and grandmothers, I feel truly blessed to have a Proverbs 31 woman to admire. Her shoes are entirely too big for me to fill, but I’ll certainly do my best to try.

Written for House of Prayer newsletter// May 2, 2010

Confessions of a Fallen Heart

By: Payton M. Ishmael

I’m probably the absolute world’s worst to admit when I’m wrong, to fess up, face the music or count my losses. I would go so far as to deem myself stubborn and bullheaded. But when spirituality, or even life depend on a humiliating confession, it’s time to stand tall and speak loudly.

“I don’t want go somewhere, if I know that you’re not there. Because I know that me without you is a lie.”

- Avalon

I’ve always considered the lyrics to that song as my personal mission, if you will. It’s the truth. With each new turn and decision I make there are two routes; with Christ or without Him. With my mouth, I choose to live life for and with my Savior. With my lifestyle and my thought process –, however, I’m sometimes ashamed.

My life without Christ, your life without Christ, anyone’s life without Christ is a life without joy, without hope, without eternity, without everything. We are created in His image to represent Him. Let’s be honest with ourselves, how great is that representation? I’m definitely not pointing the finger at you – but all ten fingers at myself.

The song continues… “So come what ever. I’ll stick with you. I’ll walk you, you’ll lead me."

What a lofty commitment, but one so desperately needed. Think of all the heartache, sickness, bitterness and of all the messiness of life that “what ever” encompasses. How bold, how crucial for us to decide in our minds, with our hearts and throughout our souls that no matter what we may face and regardless of what we are going through that our faith, hope and trust still lie in the mighty hands of the Father. It’s so simple to take my own path, remove the filter from my mind and live for me, but I get a sick feeling in my stomach when I think about all that I’ll have to account for when I reach Heaven. No matter how great or small the injustices I’ve dealt, I’ll reap the shame before the gates.

Most things on this Earth are temporary. I see it more and more everyday. Computers and cell phones are lucky to make it to their first birthday. Many churches remain relatively young. Relationships are thrown out just like yesterday’s news. One thing is permanent though and that is eternity. Although we haven’t yet arrived at eternity, our current life is our preparation for our ultimate destination.

I hope you’ll work so hard with me to store up treasures, add jewels to our crowns and souls to the Book of Life. I don’t want to have to answer for sliding down into selfishness time and time again.

There you go. Nobody has reason to be embarrassed or ashamed. I admitted first that my life does and will always need to be closer and closer to the Lord. I assume we could all use some intimacy with our Creator. Find that time with him starting now. Improve that relationship beginning today. See you there.

Written for House of Prayer newsletter// April 25, 2010

Kisses from Heavens: Reminder's of God's Grace

By: Payton M. Ishmael

Tomboy was the best description of me as a child. Since then, I’ve become somewhat withdrawn from my favorite hobbies of yesteryear. With the arrival of spring, though, came new found happiness in old time interests. Throughout this discovery, I’ve felt kisses from Heaven.

It only takes a few moments outside the shelter of a roof to realize all of the ‘kisses’ Heaven sends our way; Daily reminders of God’s magnificent power and His endless love for us. As soon as my front door opens on a sunny day, I already know that for some unbeknownst reason, Heaven is smiling down.

I can’t get enough of being outside in the beautiful weather that we’ve been having, minus the allergies. Feeling the sunshine beam down might possibly be the best feeling in the world. How could we not feel His presence? Don’t get me wrong, mowing isn’t my favorite chore, but there’s something about the scent of a freshly cut lawn that adds to this season of life. How could we not sense His greatness?

I can’t put in to word’s the beauty of creation. I can't express the overwhelming feelings of peace and serenity that come with spending time with the Lord while meddling in the very Earth He created.

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.

- Anne Frank

Written for House of Prayer newsletter //April 18, 2010