Psalted TV Interview

"A day in the life of Melissa Hertz..." 

I still cant believe that I will be featured on Psalted, a television show on SABC 3!

The first part of the show was filmed at Green Point Park, Cape Town. Because I am a homeschooling mother, and because most of my days are spent homeschooling my precious children, my children came along too. They played at the park and on the swings and jungle gyms while we did the interview.

On our way to Green Point Park for the Psalted TV interview!

The second part of the show was recorded at the Rhodes Memorial and Cecilia forest Cape Town. 
I was doing a photo shoot that day to promote my music.

The camera man filming my interview with Jolene Michael, the presenter of Psalted.

One of the pictures from the photo shoot taken during the episode of Psalted. 

I was sponsored with a make-up artist from Top to Toe Make Up Academy and was so grateful for the beautiful make-up make over. I wanted a themed shoot so the make-up style was hugely important.

My make-up make over sponsored by Top to Toe make-up academy.

I wanted a ''warrior bride of Christ" themed shoot so I visited prop shops in Woodstock for props. The props, usually used for film shoots,were rented for a good price and were authentic and so beautiful. I rented a sword, a bow and a quiver filled with arrows for the shoot.

The bow and quiver filled with arrows for the "warrior bride of Christ" themed shoot.                       

A sword rented from the prop shop for the "warrior bride of Christ" photoshoot. 

I am so very thankful for the opportunity to share my story and my music on television! All glory to Jesus for even making this possible!

"Warrior bride of Christ" photo shoot.

My make over.

Sword, bow and arrow for the shoot.

One of the camera men filming me in the car. 

An open letter to the Church who follows Jesus...

In the last two weeks two very alarming events have occurred that shook the Church to the core, one in America and one here in South Africa, but both equally disturbing and potentially problematic for our society and for the next generation of youth. 

The first was a horrific video that was secretly filmed, exposing Planned Parenthood's senior director of medical services, Deborah Nucatola selling the organs and body parts of aborted babies.

“I’d say a lot of people want liver,” Nucatola said. “And for that reason, most providers will do this case under ultrasound guidance, so they’ll know where they’re putting their forceps.”

It is unbelievable to think that innocent babies, who are ripped and torn apart, who feel pain and who are usually fully developed by the time the abortion takes place, somewhere around 12 to 16 weeks, are now being victims of human organ trafficking too. 

These unborn babies are shown no compassion or dignity at all.

But on a positive note, the fact that human organs are being sold by the same Organization who says that the fetus is just a clump of cells, means that the Pro-Choicers are admitting that the fetus is more than a clump or a blob...because how can you make profit from "just a clump of cells."

The second shocking incident is that just two weeks ago the Amendment to the "Sexual Offences Act" that effectively decriminalises consensual sex between teens in the age group 12 – 16 years old was signed into law here in South Africa.

So how does the planned parenthood scandal impact us here in South Africa? If affects us because the patterns and trends in social and moral decay that are happening in America, are followed in South Africa too. And if Planned Parenthood can get away with this somehow, and wangle it to make it acceptable, then this could happen here too. 

In South Africa the abortion rate is an alarming. According to Professor Eddie Mhlanga, the head of obstetrics and gynaecology at Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine at the UKZN 256808 abortions have been performed in South Africa in the past three years.

And these are only the figures of abortions that are recorded.

More sex between youngsters, who are able to make and grow a baby, but who are too young to deal with the consequences of having a baby, will mean more crisis pregnancies. 

And higher abortion rates too. Therefore higher suicide and infertility rates.

Down spiral here we go.

Don't believe me? Research the effects of abortion on women.

What will become of this society in years to come? As it is pornography is being distributed by children as young as 12 years of age. More pornography means more pornography addiction, and studies show that pornography use can lead to sexual abuse, so we are literally making South Africa a more dangerous place by not standing up to this.

So dear Church of Christ... No matter what your denomination or what your differences, can I ask you with tears in my eyes to please just stand together, to unite and to fight back.

My daughter is just 8 years old and my son 5, and as a parent I cannot turn my back on this and do nothing.

Children should be protected, and this is where we step in.

So come on Church. Let us fight back. 

Let us fight for those who are most vulnerable and in need of basic human rights.

If we do not stand up and speak out for the innocent then the blood of the unborn is on our hands too.

I never want to stand before my Maker and have Him ask, "But why did you not defend those who have no voice? Why did you not tell the younger generation about me?"

Come on Church....

Let us embrace the women who have had abortions, who are hurting and are broken, let us tell them about the hope and the mercy and grace of the One who unites us.

Let us pray for our leaders and for the government as the Bible tells us to.

Let us vote for political parties who reflect the practical values of a well adjusted society.

Let us unite and get involved in Pro-Life movements such as 40 Days For Life. 

Leaders preach on this in your sermons, make your congregations aware.

And not only leaders but all of us who follow Christ because we are ALL called to be the salt and the light to this fallen and dark world.

We simply cannot be passive, we have to stand up, for the sake of our children.

Come on Church stop making things that are black and white, shades of grey.

For more information about 40 Days for Life please visit the website:

https://40daysforlife.com

Motherhood and Stretch marks : 
10 Things I Have Learned

Motherhood has stretched me… stretched my skin, my womb, my patience and the way I think. Motherhood has made me grow and I have learned a few lessons along the way. Here are my most valuable lessons so far.

1. I have learned that every child is completely unique. 

Unfortunately babies are not born with a manual strapped to their chest and each child, as small as they may be, has a unique personality, and has a unique life purpose and plan. What I do for my daughter does not necessarily work for my son. What you do for your son, may not work for my daughter.

It is my duty as a mother to learn who my children are and not try to conform them into who I want them to be. I need to encourage my children to know Him and discover their calling and dreams placed in their hearts by Him.

2. I have learned to trust my instincts.

I had my daughter when I was only 20 years old and had no family nearby to advise me on how to raise and look after this tiny little new born person. I had to learn quickly to trust my God given intuition and am so very glad that I did. Things that I instinctively did, like skin on skin contact, co sleeping, breast feeding and baby wearing all turned out to be very beneficial to my baby and to myself. I didn’t know it at the time and only found out later that these things that I had instinctively felt to do, had been scientifically proven to help my babys' immune system, among many other neurological benefits.

I have learned to question everything, read up and research everything, question doctors and teachers, coaches and anyone else around my children, because although God is the only one who knows what is best for my children, my husband and I know our child better than anyone.

3. I have learned not to judge other mothers.

I have a confession to make. Before I had children I used to judge the way that other parents raise their children. Before I had children I knew so much about how to be a parent and a disciplinarian. I had all these perfect ideas of what it was like to be a mother, and then I became a mother and somehow knew less than I did before. I learned very quickly that motherhood is not a Pampers nappy television advert with perfect smiles and a clean perfect house and a child that is happy 24/7.

I have learned to give other mothers lots and lots of grace, because that is what I need.

4. I have learned that love really is the greatest gift of all.

Yes that sounds super cheesy. But also super true. Holding and meeting my children for the first time was one of the greatest gifts in this life time that I will always treasure. These guys are my treasures here on earth and I have discovered a love so deep and a bond so unbreakable and yet, I will never be able to fully grasp the concept of Gods’ unfailing love for me. But being a mother has given me just a teeny tiny teensy taste of how much God loves me. I love my children with every part of me and all that I am. And yet no matter how much I love my children, God loves me so much more. Mind blowing.

 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” John 3:16

5. I have learned to laugh at myself and not take myself so seriously.

Motherhood is a serious job and if I mess up my child I have to stand before God someday and please explain. But that doesn’t mean that I can’t have fun. I have been vomited on, peed on, I have had my children blurt out the most embarrassing questions and remark in public, and I have had moments that are so ridiculous that I have had to just laugh out loud or I would burst into tears. To gain perspective I have often had to ask myself the very important question; “What will matter more in five years?”

6. Motherhood has stretched me and taught me to be brave and strong even when I don’t feel it. 
There have been moments where I have been completely freaked out by this enormous task and responsibility of being a mother. Questions like, “What if my teenagers run away from home” or “What if we can’t afford to send them university” have crossed my mind. But in moments like that I need to control my thoughts and be brave and trust myself and trust God that it will all work out.

I don’t always know what I’m doing but God created these children for me, and created me for these children, so He will give me what I need when I need it. All I can do is take one day at a time, one step at a time, with lots and lots of grace from God.

                     Be brave butterfly….

7. I have learned to grow a thick skin. To hold onto the good stuff and exhale the bad stuff.  I have learned to let go of what people think because it really doesn’t matter in the bigger scheme of things. I have learned to fly against the wind and resistance and not always go with what society says I should do.

                      Be bold butterfly….

"They are not of the world, even as I am not of it." John 17:16 

8. I have learned that it is such a short season of sacrifice.  
My daughter is turning eight next month and it feels like yesterday that she was moving inside of my big pregnant belly. I have sacrificed many things for these children, but I actually can’t even name them because it is irrelevant. They are just so worth it. Soon these days of standing on Lego at 3 am and reading bedtime stories will be over for me. I need to treasure and embrace this season because I will miss it so very much…

9. I have been so completely humbled. 
I really can’t do this motherhood thing on my own. I am seriously desperate for Jesus to guide me and show me and protect my family. I seriously don't even know how people who don’t have Jesus in their lives do it... It is too much stress, too much noise and too much mess to actually cope alone…

Cant. 
Cope. 
Without. 
Him.

10. I have learned that although I am the one who is meant to teach them, the irony is that they teach me… about life, about love and about myself. 

When I gave birth to them they really gave birth to me. They are showing me one day at a time who I need to be, who I am meant to be and who I want to be. And life is so beautiful because they are mine for this short time here on earth…

Yes motherhood has stretched me… stretched my arms so that I can embrace the little arms around my neck, and my heart wider so that I can be filled with love that children seem to naturally bring with them when they are born into this world. 

I have stretch marks on my heart and a few on my body too, best of all I have me these amazing two little people who call me "Mommy". 

And the stretch marks, well they don’t really matter anyway do they?

The Butterfly Song - the story behind the song

At the beginning of this year many of my personal relationships were under strain and I had a difficult time understanding why certain people in my life did not support me in my decision to speak out against abortion and pursue music. I had to seek God for His wisdom and healing because I felt very rejected and misunderstood. And God being the ultimate comforter, comforted me with scripture. Often when I read my Bible I would be gently nudged and told to be BRAVE and BOLD.

One night I had a dream that I was a butterfly with huge glowing wings and I was dancing for the King. And this revelation washed over me like a wave of warm sunshine:

I am His little butterfly. 
Created with this sole purpose: To glorify my Creator.

God started speaking me to me through butterflies and every time I saw a butterfly I would be reminded that He is near.

The Bible doesn't actually mention butterflies at all but does tell us to consider the ways of the ant. How hard he works. How he stores his food for the winter. Such a small but wise creature. And one that we can learn so much from...

But lets consider the butterfly for a moment because there is so much that we can learn from this fragile but fierce creature..

The butterfly is delicate and small and can easily be killed and crushed.
Yet the butterfly is fearless.
The butterfly is bold.
The butterfly goes out, follows the wind and trusts her wings to carry her.
The butterfly is transformed into something beautiful and glorious.
The butterfly brings beauty and life where ever she flies.

Consider the butterfly...

As believers we need to be like butterflies. Bold and fearless and paint the sky and make the world beautiful with His message of hope and love. Glorify Him and shine for Him, and do it wholeheartedly and with flare.

We are called to be the light, and be the salt, and change the world and speak the truth. Lets do it fearlessly and boldly.

Lets go out in the world and be like butterflies... let our existence and beauty that we shine from within bring glory to the Creator, and let the joy we radiate bring delight to this dark world we live in.

As believers we are like the butterfly. Once a caterpillar, unable to fly, our salvation renews our spirit and we are transformed into a new and beautiful creation. We are able to fly and be free and dance in the sky. All we have to do is trust... that the wings He bled for us to fly will carry us.

Consider the butterfly...

The Butterfly Song

My butterfly
Delicate velvet
My butterfly
Fearless spirit

Ignite your wings
And dare to dream
Light up the night
Light up the sky
Ignite your wings
Embrace your dreams
Dance for me tonight

Butterfly
Be bold
Butterfly
Be brave
Butterfly
Be bold
And paint the sky

My butterfly
New creation
My butterfly
You are a revelation

Ignite your wings
And dare to dream
Light up the night
Light up the sky
Ignite your wings
Embrace your dreams
Dance for me tonight

Butterfly
Be bold
Butterfly
Be brave
Butterfly
Be bold
And paint the sky

You were created
To glorify
The world is faded
Go paint with fire

Arise. Butterfly. Pray.

I never thought I would ever step into an abortion clinic again.
After the trauma of my abortion fourteen years ago, I vowed never to go back.
But this morning I did.

I wore my pro life badge in honor of the "40 Days For Life" prayer movement.
My badge is of a babys' hands - to scale of a twelve week old in the womb.
In 559 cities around the world, believers pray and fast for forty days, some standing outside abortion clinics and peacefully pray for the mothers and children killed and scarred by abortion. And to ultimately end abortion.

I felt very strongly that I had to go inside the clinic. I had vowed to never enter an abortion clinic again after the pain I had gone through as a scared and desperate teenager. But in I went and sat quietly in the waiting room. They would throw me out if I tried to convince one of their potential clients not to have an abortion on their property, so all I could do was pray. 

I sat watching each person, not judging, but just compassionately praying over each and every one. 

Not everyone in there was there for an abortion because Marie Stopes also provides other services like sterilization and HIV testing. But I still prayed for everyone. And then I left. And I didn't feel profoundly spiritual or like I had achieved much.

Part of me felt like I didn't do enough. All I did today was go and pray.
I wanted to tell the mothers who had abortions that if they turn to Jesus, He will forgive them. I wanted to tell the girl considering an abortion that it is not a quick fix.

Then a very special friend messaged me to ask how it went. She was praying for me from her home. I told her that I felt like what I had done wasn't enough. I didn't see the effects of my prayers. I believe God heard them, but I didn't feel super spiritual.

She reminded me of this amazing principle: 

Darkness always gives way to light. It has to. It is a basic principle and law. My presence wasn't there for nothing, and the life I spoke in the walls of death were heard by God.

The next "40 Days For Life" will be in February 2015, I am praying that even more believers will take part.

God hears me ask for this.

He hears all my prayers. 

He hears all of your prayers too.

Every prayer.

Always.

"God's there, listening to all who pray, for all who pray and mean it. He does what's best for those who fear Him - hears them call out, and saves them." Psalm 145:18-19 MSG

For more information on 40 Days For Life visit: http://40daysforlife.com/

Tips For Busy Mamas: How to spend more time with God

We live in a time where we seem to have no time.

Yet we also live in a time where we have so much information and so many Christian resources at our fingertips. Christian radio, television programs, movies and magazines have made it so easy for us, as believers, to enrich ourselves and move closer to God.

We have the resources but not the time to invest.



Here are a few tips to make time and to ensure the time you have with Him is quality time:

1. Wake up 30 minutes earlier to ensure you have quality time with God before the hustle and bustle of the day begins. Starting your day off with a quiet time will help you in the day ahead because your mind will be renewed, you will be more focused, prepared, calm and centered.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

2. Read your Bible. Seems pretty obvious doesn't it? But read it out loud and try reading the different translations to fully appreciate the richness of what is being said.

3. Pray. To prevent your mind from drifting and getting distracted whilst praying, kneel beside your bed and close your eyes. It really does help, try it.
And make a prayer journal... Make a list of the thing you are currently praying for so that you can stay focused. Fast when you pray. Give up food or something that you love, like television or social networking and spend that time in prayer or reading your Bible instead.

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:7

4. Make Jesus a lifestyle. Include Him at mealtimes. But not in a weird way. Have family discussions around the dinner table about what you are praying for and what amazing testimonies you have witnessed. Ask questions. Encourage your children to ask questions too. Make speaking about the Bible and God, and praying together at meal times, such a natural routine in your family, that your children don't become defensive when you mention Jesus. Teaching His Word should not feel like a trip to the headmasters office. Although as parents we are instructed to teach our children, we should be humble in doing so.

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

5. Involve your children. You do not need to lock yourself away from your children just to spend time with God. And for many mothers (like me) the children are around 24/7. Get a childrens' Bible with beautiful illustrations and read to them. Teach them to pray. Encourage them to take turns saying grace at mealtimes and praying at bedtime and let them see that prayer is as simple as talking to God.

6. Give thanks in a "Things I am grateful for" note book.  Last year January, after being inspired by the book, One Thousand Gifts by Anne Voskamp, I decided to carry a notebook and pen in my hand bag and write down all the small things that I am thankful for as I would observe them. Small things that I took for granted, like the smell of rain and the doves singing on my windowsill became apparent and I became so aware of all the miracles around me.

7. Listen while you are busy cooking or busy with chores. Get a radio in the kitchen or speakers for your phone. Listen to Podcasts of sermons or get them on C.D at your local Christian bookstore. Many Churches record their sermons and then allow them to be downloaded in MP3 format. YOUTUBE also has many sermons available.

shoX portable speakers are great for moving around and can be plugged into your Mp3 player, Iphone, laptop, Ipad, or Ipod.
Retail price starts at R180.00 in South Africa and available at most electronic retailers.

8.  Memorize verses. Write them on little pieces of paper, or on a chalk board , mirror or on your fridge. Write it somewhere that you will see often. These verses are your weapons in spiritual warfare.

Keep my commandments and live, and my teaching as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart.  Proverbs 7:2-3

9. Read a chapter in Proverbs according to the date.
There are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs. Therefore a verse in Proverbs for each day of the month. Proverbs is the book of wisdom after all!

10. Christian-ify your media. Consciously decide what you and your family will watch, listen to and read. Choose Christian Magazines, radio and movies over secular ones and Christian children's programes for the little ones.

In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6.

11. Fellowship with other believers. Sharing testimonies around the dinner table with friends, praying together as friends, going to Church and Bible studies and simply keeping our conversations about Him all bring us closer to Him and to each other.

12. Take a walk in nature. Marvel at all the beautiful things that He has created.

13. Make a list of miracles that have happened in your life and stick it next to your bed or in your car where you can see it daily as a reminder of all that He has done for you.

Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. Psalm 103:2

14. Worship. Find worship music in the genre that you like. Not everyone likes the same style of music and that is wonderful. There are many Christian artists with many different styles of music out there. It is the heart behind the song, not the style that matters to Him.

But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve." Jeremiah 17:10

15. Sing to Him. Even if you feel that you sound like a squealing pig. God wants to be worshiped.

16. Dance in the spirit. Dance for Him as if you were dancing before His throne. Let the spirit guide you and set you free.

Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp. Psalm 149:3

17. Talk  to Him. Continually. About everything. Run to the throne and not the phone. Jesus wants us to speak to Him. And He really does care about every detail of our lives.

18. Make a sin list and burn it. Write down all the things that you feel are sinful and  that are holding you back from living in victory and BURN IT.

He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. Psalm 103:2

Remember. God will never leave nor forsake you and His Holy Spirit lives within us and works through us. If you feel far away from God, ask yourself, who moved?