I'm so excited to bring this 100th Blog to you along with my site which has been re-designed by my wonderful husband. It's amazing to read back over some of the blogs and see how far God has brought us! Thank you Lord!

We had a great Easter weekend! Pop (Danny's dad) & Alice came and spent the weekend with us and we had a great visit with them. Pop said he would come back more often if I would feed him better. LOL! (If you only knew how much we ALL ate!) And also sweet Ally joined us on Saturday night and went to church on Sunday, it was really wonderful to have her with us. (She really needs to get back to Austin, HINT! HINT!)

I'm so proud of my family and want to share them with you, so here we are Easter 2011.      

The Williams Family ~ Easter 2011
Kelsey ~ 17, Abby ~ 10, Kylie ~ 8 and Sweet Jillian ~ 15 months

We had a great Easter service at Oasis. We had a record crowd and we debuted the Oasis Worship Team and they did a great job. The kids and teens did an AMAZING human video and we are so proud of all of them. It's so amazing to see the Holy Spirit move on them. And the best part were the 4 SALVATIONS!! All Glory to God! God is doing a great work at Oasis and we are so excited! We have a GREAT group of people that God has joined together!

My heart is SO full and my spirit has been stirred all day! I look forward to hearing from you my friends and (even though I've said it before) I promise to blog more!

It is amazing how God will bring confirmation into your life. I wrote a blog last week on "Let's give them something to talk about". In one of the morning sessions, one of the speakers used that exact line and spoke directly to some of the things that I wrote about in my blog. I am SO thankful for God's goodness to me as that word spoke directly to me in a room full of 10,000 women. There were lots of other "light bulb" moments and times where the Lord spoke directly to me and it never ceases to amaze me how He works like that in my life.

It was such a wonderful time of refreshing. I enjoyed spending time with my "sisters" and getting to know them better. I laughed so hard my stomach hurt! However, it did amaze me to find out how much my "sisters" are just like me. I spoke of it Sunday at church describing our time together. I found out that the dry skin that I have on my face that aggravates me and makes me self conscious, my "sister" has some too. I found out that the same lies that the enemy tells me, he also told to the Grammy award winning singer that lead us into the presence of the Lord. I found out that although we've all come from different walks of life, we are now in the same place and that we even took some of the same roads to get here. We all face the same struggles and it is the lie of the enemy to make us believe that we are the only one that is going through whatever it is that we are going through.

One of our Oasis ladies, April Alabaugh summed up the conference in her words and I have asked her if I might share it with you.  (Thank you April for your obedience and courage, I love you, my "sister")

HOW WOULD WE DESCRIBE THE CONFERENCE?
awesome , powerful , amazing , eye opening , mind changing , spirit filled and anointed

WHAT DID WE GET FROM THE CONFERENCE?
some of us got....Redemption , Revelation , Affirmation , Confirmation ,Saturation , Rejuvenation
some of us got wisdom
some of us were freed from past burdens
some of us received healing
and some of us got the holy spirit

WHAT DID WE LEARN FROM THE CONFERENCE?
some of us learned to walk with our heads held high
some of us learned depression is a lie
some of us learned to watch the company we keep
some of us learned to lay our burdens down
some of us learned to pray a little longer
some of us learned to worship whowholeheartedly
some of learned the pains of the past don't have to be the pains of today
some of us learned to be free
some of us learned self care
some of us learned not to worry what others think
some of us learned to wait on God

WHAT DID WE FIND AT THE CONFERENCE?
some of us found purpose
some of us found our minds
some of us found peace
some of us found strength
some of us found ourselves
and we all found friendship

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR OUR FUTURE?
it means we are women of prayer
it means we are women of purpose
it means we are women of freedom
it means we are women of faith
it means we are ready to do spiritual warfare
it means we are ready to serve our God
it means we are ready to back our Pastor and First Lady

and at the end we all walked away as Deborahs....changed women of God never to go back and ready to go higher

LORD TAKE US TO THE NEXT LEVEL

We all need times of refreshing and I hope that you will join us as we attend this conference next year! What did you take away from this conference or another conference that you attended? I can't wait to hear from you my friends.

Oasis Women at WTAL



The Oasis Women went to the Woman Thou Art Loosed Conference last week at the Potter's House in Dallas, Texas. The services were power packed and it was an amazing time of refreshing! I am so thankful for my "sisters" that joined me and we are already looking forward to next year. If you did not make it this year, I encourage you to start planning now to attend next year.

I wanted to share a few of the notes that I took at the conference. The Word was strong and they had anointed speakers. On Thursday afternoon when we arrived, they had a "Girl Talk".
"Girl Talk" notes:
Guilt is a useless emotion.
If we don't know who we are, we don't know what we are entitled to.
Give without expectation.
Sin is missing the mark in God's word as it pertains to us.
Dating is not for mating, it is for collecting data.
Leadership is not what you do to people, it's what you do for people.
Don't be paralyzed over your past mistakes.
If you don't recognize your gifts, you can't use them.

On Thursday evening Bishop TD Jakes spoke. It was an amazing service and Governor Rick Perry was in attendance.
Flash Point Notes:
People that walk in the Spirit make decisions based on instinct.
God puts supply by demand.
The gospel has a place when your heart opens up.
The anointing won't abide in some places because you won't open up.
It is never the destination, it's the thing that happens on the way.

On Friday morning Dr Cynthia James was the speaker for the first session. (These notes don't even speak to what the sermon was like, I was so wrapped up in sermon, couldn't take notes. She spoke on the widow of Nain in Luke)
"Are You the one?" Notes:
People won't have a cup of coffee with you, but they will follow you to the cemetery.
Jesus spoke to the widow of Nain and told her "Don't cry"
A mother always embraces her seed.
He will give you beauty for that dead thing.

The second session on Friday morning was taught by Dr Cindy Trimm.
Notes:
Stop asking permission to be and just be.
The best way to get back at your enemy is to be successful.
Crisis and problems are divine announcements that you are going to the next realm.
God will demand you to give some things up.
The devil is a dumb-bell building muscles.

I really enjoyed the service Friday evening where Pastor Sheryl Brady spoke. (Again, notes were not that great, too wrapped up in sermon! She spoke about Hannah from the text of I Samuel.)
A Place called Shiloh Notes:
Victory is relative to struggle.
In the Kingdom, you get what you pay for.
Favor always comes in secret.

And to close out the Saturday session, Bishop TD Jakes spoke a powerful word.
Give the Lady a Hand Notes:
5 principles from the story of Ruth (Hand 5 - grace)
To get where you need to go, you need a hand up, not a hand out.
His graceful hand caught my falling soul.
There is a lot of blame that goes into dysfunction.
The bursting place - where truth & lies collide
It is what happens when new wine is poured into old skins.
Something bigger in you makes you burst.
Place of conflict - bursting place
Identify a sponsor.
You can't do it by yourself, build relationships.
You cannot loose people when you are bound by the same chain.
Change what you need to change to adapt where you are going.
Limited experience will give you a false sense of confidence. (moving from one level to another)
You cannot become what you do not understand.
Until you have appreciation for what you are looking at, you will mess it up.
Work your way out of the corner.
Movement should be a process, not an event.
You can't go further than your own thinking.
The more you get out of the corner, the bigger the view.
Go to bed with a stranger. (LOL)
Get intimately connected with a world that's strange to you.
Make yourself available to opportunity.
Make yourself invisible to the old world.
Your life needs to be challenging again.
Always birth in a safe, healthy place.

I know that most of these notes won't make sense if you weren't there, but there a few nuggets in there. I am curious as to what my other "sisters" heard and the notes that they took. Please comment and share some of them with us. I can't wait to hear from you my friends!

I have gone over and over this in my head for the past few days and have finally decided to put it down for you to see. From the numbers on my statistics on my blog, I have a lot of viewers. Someone is looking for something....
My family and I have been under attack the last several weeks like never before in our lives. The enemy would like nothing more than for us to sit back and feel defeated. But, I am here to tell you that I will NOT be moved and neither will I be silent!!! The enemy has messed with the wrong mama! And while I am speaking of my situation in parts of this blog, it's not just my family that is under attack, it is many in the body of Christ. It is encouraging in some respects, after all if we were not being a harm or threat to the enemies' kingdom, he would not bother with us.
Have you ever had an attack from the enemy that was something so far fetched and so far from the truth that you couldn't even speak for being in shock? Have you ever had someone accuse you or someone you love of something that you couldn't even conjure up or wish on your worst enemy? Have you ever had someone say things about you that are the complete opposite of the truth? Have you ever tried to help someone to only have them walk away blaming you? The truth is, we all have. It is the job of the enemy to try and shut the mouths of the righteous and I am here to tell you again, I will NOT be silent!
It's funny that those that accuse you will turn right around and try to "secretly" manipulate your friends, family, etc. to find out....how are they doing? So, I want to give you something (the TRUTH) to talk about and let me tell you exactly how I am doing.
First, I forgive you. That's how I am doing. I am doing just fine!! The truth is I know a lot about forgiveness. I am and will be forever grateful for the forgiveness that Christ gave me and paid the price for, for without Him...I am nothing. But, through the blood that He shed on the cross for me, I AM THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD THROUGH CHRIST JESUS. I came across some sermon notes this week from a sermon my husband preached back in July and so I can't take credit for these great words of wisdom. But, wanted to share them with you because they spoke so deeply to me this week. "God will never require anything out of us that Jesus did not pay for!!!" Thank you Jesus! "We are empowered when you remember you are forgiven!!" This is the part where I say ouch and amen ~ "Forgiveness is separating the offense from the person. If you want to bless someone, you forgive them." You may say to yourself, well...I don't feel like blessing them. And in the famous words of a really great preacher that I love so much, "Who asked you how you feel?" Forgiveness release YOU and let me tell you that is a POWERFUL thing!
You may say to yourself, I still can't forgive. Let me tell you what forgiveness is not:

Forgiveness is not:
1) Not approval for what they did
2) Not excusing what they did
3) Is not denying what they did
Simply put, you let the offense go because the healer is there. 

How do we enter into a heart of forgiveness? :

Answer: Choosing to forgive in the face of wrong – it’s a choice.

I choose to forgive, how dare I withhold forgiveness after what Christ did for me.
"You don’t need to splatter blood on people, you need to cover them. The church is powerless if we don’t forgive."
Secondly, before true forgiveness entered my heart, I wanted to counteract everything that the enemy said with what is the truth. But, then I was reminded people will believe what they want to believe anyway. Isn't it always easier to believe the worst about  a situation or someone instead of the truth? Case and point....Brett Favre. We love football and I like Brett Favre as a football player. But, he is facing some ugly allegations that are not for me to judge. However, isn't it human nature to hear something and automatically jump to the conclusion, "Is that really true?" God forgive us. The truth is I could refute everything that was said with the truth along with giving answers as to why this person would say all these things (as could many others who are very well aware of the situation). However, I also realized that the battle belongs to the Lord. Goliath taunted Israel for 40 days and the only answer that David had to give was, "I come to you in the name of LORD!" What more needs to be said? David is submitted to God, therefore he can "rebuke" and the enemy has to flee. I have God on my side and the battle belongs to Him, not me. If I get in there and try to take things in my own hands that sling shot may backfire and I might just take myself out! God is doing too much inside of me, my family and my church for me to get in there because of pride and mess things up. I say take it all Lord, burn it all out and have your way in my life. It is a painful process but at the same time it is the most exciting and rewarding thing in my life. God has a perfect plan and who am I to get in the way of that. 
So, I am concluding with this. This has nothing to do with my feelings, I have gotten over it. There is much more at stake here, people's lives. Plain and simple. You can always get more money, houses, cars and "things" of this world. But, one thing I've found to be true, there isn't a price on the anointing of God. Say what you want, say what you will......God has called us. If I weren't called I would have quit a VERY long time ago. I found out that sheep and people bite and when they do, it hurts. My trying to fight against flesh is not worth the cost of the anointing. Danny and I have fought too hard for the favor and anointing that God has given us to waste it away with fighting others in the flesh. We went through almost 2 years of restoration, cried many tears and said many prayers along with going through the fire and the flood (twice, literally) to get to where we are. And let me tell, I would not trade any of it, not for one second. When we started this ministry, we said if we could help make a difference in just one life by showing them Jesus, then all the "hell" that we have gone through would be worth it. Can I tell you, it's worth it!! Those 2 people that raised their hand for salvation in service Sunday morning were worth it. God is doing a great work at Oasis Church and I am so proud and feel so privileged to get to be just a small part of it. I'm honored beyond words that God would choose to let someone like me turn my mess into a message that would help others. I'm not only honored, but forever grateful. The enemy has silenced me long enough and I am here to proclaim and declare "VICTORY" in Jesus' name!
I plan to blog more often as it seems as if there is a huge interest. I promise it won't always be so heavy. I love the original intent of why I started this, to share with friends and family that we don't get to see very often what is going on in our lives. But, I also feel a stirring in my spirit of what God has specifically called me too. I hope that I will be able to encourage you not to quit when you feel down and I hope that when I'm down, you will be there to pick me up, and when I rejoice, I hope that you will rejoice with me and when I cry, I thank my God for all my "sustainers" who are there with me. I'd like to leave you with a couple of encouraging thoughts from our "Victory" series. "Don't look at the enemies' threats, look at the GREATNESS of GOD in YOU!!!" These are the last words that this enemy will have over me, because the next step is (check out the story of David & Goliath)......heads are going to roll!!!
For those of you in the Round Rock, Austin area...I hope you will join us for worship at Oasis!! God is doing a great work!!
I love each and EVERY one of you and can't wait to hear your thoughts my friends. I hope I've given you something to talk about. 

 

 

 

 

 

I know I haven't blogged in a while...sorry guys. But today, I pulled out an old one from September 2008 and am re-posting it as I felt it worthy.

Why is that people automatically jump to believe gossip and criticism? I'm SO very thankful for the "sustainers" in my life and I pray that you have some in your life as well. I am SO grateful for "THE SUSTAINER" in my life, Jesus. 2 Chron 20:17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.” The LORD is with me.

I am looking for a great week ahead. I have God on my side and I am declaring and proclaiming that God is going to turn "that" situation around for you! We have been in our "Victory" series at Oasis and it has been POWERFUL. Resist the tempation to procrastinate and resist the tempation to become discouraged. Breakthrough is coming!! We have just come off of our 21 day fast and let me tell you chains were broken, truth revealed and our hearts are ablaze. We continue to have salvation week after week and are so thankful for all God is doing! I know that the process may be painful at times, but can I encourage you to not let go. We will stand and see the salvation of our God!!!!

I can't wait to hear from you my friends!!!
Blessings,
Cheryl ~ 10/18/10

Here is the post from September 2008: (I hope you enjoy it!)

I got an e-mail from our home office communications manager this week at work. This is what it said:

Sustainability…it’s buzz word in corporations around the world these days, but what does it mean?

 

Sustainability is the business practice built around social and environmental considerations…

it’s how we work together to change our society and company to support a healthy economy, community and environment.

 

So, what have you done lately to “sustain”??

I was at my mom's house this afternoon and picked up the local paper and also found an article in there about Sustainability. They are coming from the stand point of what we are doing to sustain our environment. I am all for that & we do what we can do to help with recycling, etc. However, I started thinking about it from a spiritual perspective and the last sentence is what got me, "So, what have you done lately to "sustain"?" It got me thinking about people, family and the body of Christ. I looked up the dictionary in Merriam-Webster's online dictionary and here is what I found:

1: to give support or relief to2: to supply with sustenance : nourish3: keep up, prolong4: to support the weight of : prop; also : to carry or withstand (a weight or pressure)5: to buoy up <sustained by hope>6 a: to bear up under b: suffer, undergo <sustained heavy losses>7 a: to support as true, legal, or just b: to allow or admit as valid <the court sustained the motion>8: to support by adequate proof : confirm <testimony that sustains our contention>

Can I ask you, what have you done to help "sustain" someone in need this week? Have you been there to give support or have you been there to give criticism? Have you been there to help support the weight of the burden, to help carry it and withstand it or have you been there standing on someone's neck while they are trying to get up?

Danny brought a great word this morning on "The Breaking Point", there was such a sweet presence of the Lord here this morning. Hopefully, we don't wait till someone is at their breaking point before we decide to help "sustain" them. That's what we as the body of Christ are supposed to do, we are to "sustain" each other, lift each other up in prayer, encourage one another and love each other.

Thanks for letting me share my heart. Danny & I have a major opportunity this week to help "sustain" someone very close to us this week. It doesn't end here, it will be an ongoing process. Danny has his mother's grace and the words that he has spoken this week have been life giving and I couldn't be prouder of the man that he is. I am so honored that he is my husband and is the head of this house.

I hope you all have a blessed week. I am so excited to see what God is doing at Oasis Church and the people that He is drawing to join with us. I am looking forward to Wednesday night service. I have so many things that I want to share with you and will do in time over the next few weeks. Life has just given me a few unexpected detours and that is the reason why I haven't been writing as much. However, I want you all to know, my dear friends, that I love you and have missed you all so very much. I can't wait to hear your thoughts and comments.

We went to San Antonio yesterday afternoon and spent the night. We had a great time! We walked and walked (did I mention that we walked?) down the Riverwalk and over to the Alamo (or "Outletmo" as Kylie would say). We ate some good Mexican food and just enjoyed being with each other.


Kylie, Danny, Jillian & Kelsey on the Riverwalk

As we were walking around the Riverwalk there were at least 2 different areas (maybe 3) where live music was being played. As we were walking by one area, we immediately stopped and stood still. A young man was playing his guitar and singing about My Lord and Savior, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. We stood there for a few moments captivated by this worship. There aren't many places you go out in public (except church) where there is a proclamation of the Good news, much less pure worship going on. My eyes immediately teared up and in that moment we all had our own worship session giving praise to the Lord. It was SO refreshing.

I am SO grateful and thankful for all that He has done in my life for without Him I am nothing.

This song sums up how I am feeling today:


For The Cross
You gave Your life for me
You wore that crown for me
And now I live for You

You gave Your all for me
You gave so I am free
And now I live for You

Thank You for the cross
Without You I am lost
It is for Your cross I live today
Living for Your love
Lost but now I'm found
It is for Your cross I live today

My Father, Creator
All glory to the King
So worthy of all honor
All glory to the King

I'm looking forward to our corporate worship session tomorrow. For me, it will just be an extension of what has gone on in my heart all week. Won't you come and join us?

Lord, Thank You for the cross!

It has been a very busy week for us! In fact, I am so excited that it is Friday, but also can't hardly believe that it is already here! We have been continuing to get some things done around the house and it feels wonderful to get it done! I still have several more "projects", but we are making progress.

Today is Kylie's last day of school and she is SO excited. It's always amazing to me when you look back at the end of the school year, how fast it seems to have gone by. We will celebrate this afternoon with her end of year party. She told me yesterday that her teacher had made been taking pictures of them all year long and that she made a video of all the pictures. She said that she had cried when she was watched it, she said "it was so touching". I couldn't help but laugh, that kid is SO funny. She was serious though, she has a tender heart.

We have a fun weekend planned and I am so excited. What are you doing for the holiday weekend?

I'm looking forward to a great weekend at Oasis as well. God is moving and is continuing to bring in new people. I am so thankful for what He is doing in the lives of our Oasis family.

We are looking forward to the summer. How about you? There are lots of things to do in Austin for the kids. For all the Austin, Round Rock people, what do you and your kids do for fun? I can't wait to hear your thoughts my friends!

Have a great weekend and bring on the summer fun!

The main road next to our subdivision has been under construction for quite some time. It has been very annoying. The work was supposed to have been completed by the end of February, but was not. They FINALLY striped it last night and opened it up and it is SO nice. Thank you Lord!

Kylie is on the final countdown, only 2 more days of 2nd grade! She said that she had a headache today from carrying her backpack since it was so heavy. Bless her heart! LOL!

They started framing the house next to us today and is it ever loud!!! I will be glad when they have completed the building!

Kelsey & I have been doing some "major" cleaning around the house. We have gotten a lot done, but still have more to go. It is so nice to have some of things done. When I was pregnant, a lot of stuff got put on the back burner and piled up. But, mama is back now! LOL!

The Lord has really been speaking to me about some things. I love it when He does that. Last night as I was trying to go to sleep He was doing just that. I did not get up and write it down right at that moment and I now regret that. I am so bad about that, I mean after all, this girl needs her sleep. Danny on the other hand keeps a note pad and pen by the bed and after he reads this, he will probably get on me for not getting up and writing it down. Sorry Lord! I remember most of it and it was SO good. Hopefully, I will get to share it with our women at some point in the very near future.

Danny wraps Jillian up like a little "burrito" every night. He always brags about how she doesn't get out of his wrap. (She always gets out of mine). When I went to check on her this morning, this is what I found:


Sweet Jillian got out of daddy's wrap 05/26/10 (I love those little lips)

She is so silly. Now, before I get any e-mails telling me to not put blankets in the crib, etc. She was completely bundled up when we put her in there. She is also big enough now to move them off of her face. If she cannot move it, believe it, she will let us know it with a nice loud cry on the monitor.

I'm looking forward to our service tonight at Oasis. We are on the Tabernacle and it is so enlightening and informative. Hope to see you there!

I can't wait to hear from you friends! Love & Blessings!

We had a little taste of summer this weekend and it was SO nice! Abby had her last day of school on Friday and she was home for the weekend. With the warmer temperatures, the girls were ready to swim. They went swimming Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. They all LOVE the water!


Abby, Jillian (couldn't get her to look with the sun shining), Kelsey & Kylie at the pool

It was Jillian's first time in the pool and she loved it! She was so cute in her little swimsuit. When I walked up with her, everyone in the pool stopped and were looking at her. They all said how cute she was. Abby said that Jillian was so precious and that she looked just like me. I asked Abby if that mean I was precious too; she was sweet enough to say yes. I love that girl.


Sweet Jillian in her swimsuit and hat ~ so cute!

Jillian turned 4 months old on Saturday. She is such a joy and is getting big enough where the girls can hold her a little bit more. They really enjoy talking to her and having her "talk" back to them. She is really filling out and is such a happy baby. She is so peaceful. She has really started to grab for things and has found her hands. It is so cute when she holds her hands together, it looks like she is praying.


Sweet sisters playing: Abby, Jillian & Kylie

We had a very busy weekend, Monday rolls around all too soon. Kelsey is still trying to get a few of her classes wrapped up and will be taking a final for one in the next week. Abby had a ball game again tonight and they won 16-2. They have not lost a game! Go Abby!!! This week is Kylie's last week of school, she is so excited! We are looking forward to a great summer! How about you?

I love our Oasis family, they are such a blessing to our life. It's always amazing to see who God brings to Oasis along with their stories of how God brought them there. We have a great group of people who love the Lord. I am continually blessed by watching them as they grow in their walk with the Lord and I count it such an honor to be a part.

The Lord has really been doing a work at Oasis. We had 3 salvations last Sunday and 3 more on Wednesday. Praise God!!

The Oasis ladies had a great luncheon today. It was so much fun to relax, sit and visit. It was a great time. Thank you friends!!!

The Oasis men have a breakfast next Saturday and I know that they will have a great time as well. 

Thank you Lord for your faithfulness. I confess that it hasn't always been easy to follow what YOU have called us to do, but it has been worth it to see people come to you and have their lives changed. Thank you God for allowing me to be a part of something so special. I give YOU all the glory and all the praise. I bless your name Lord! 

I don't know about you my dear Oasis family, but I can't wait to see what He has in store for us! I'm really looking forward to a great service tomorrow! Won't you come and join us?