Aroh Lanceur

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the King of Rock N’ Roll, change-maker, hip shaker, and genuine humanitarian, Elvis A(a)ron Presley.

Elvis Presley is a not only world renown man of faith and gifted talent in music and film but he’s also a genuine humanitarian.

Elvis Presley was born on January 8, 1935 during the segregated times of Tupelo, Mississippi; yet, the man himself was anything but a practitioner of segregation. Elvis Presley heavily believed in the important of equality for all beings. Elvis Presley grew up dirt poor in a 2 room house among minority communities in the projects. The influence of Elvis’ neighbors greatly influenced his beliefs in justice and equality while also making a huge impact on influencing his taste in music.

Elvis was quite a strong practitioner of his faith; he became heavily impacted by the power of Gospel music through his frequent visits to Baptist and Pentecostal churches during his youth.

Elvis Presley’s music career began with Sun Records after the simple act of recording a $4 song for his mother in late July of 1853. He was discovered by Sam Phillips and managed (lifelong) by Colonel Tom Parker.

During the peak of his career, Elvis Presley found himself shipped off to Germany to serve in the Army (1958-61). In late ‘68 upon his return to show biz, Elvis originated new mixes of music with the combination of Gospel and Rock N’ Roll.

One of his most preferred songs was “If I Can Dream.” This song was nearly stopped mid-production because his manager and producers felt it was “too political” for him to perform but that’s precisely the reason he felt called to release it. The lyrics of the song clearly demonstrate Elvis’ dream of equality and love demonstrated among all people.

If I can dream of a better land Where all my brothers walk hand in hand Tell me why, oh why, oh why can’t my dream come true

There must be peace and understanding sometime Strong winds of promise that will blow away All the doubt and fear If I can dream of a warmer sun Where hope keeps shining on everyone Tell me why, oh why, oh why won’t that sun appear We’re lost in a cloud With too much rain We’re trapped in a world That’s troubled with pain But as long as a man Has the strength to dream He can redeem his soul and fly

Even more so, Elvis Presley fully embraced the diversity of different people, religions, and ethnicities.

FUN FACT: One of Elvis’ backup singers (1969-1977) from The Sweet Inspirations was ‘Cissy’ Houston, mother of Whitney Houston.

Furthermore, knowing what it’s like to be drastically elevated (Glory to God!!) from Rags to Riches, Elvis was commonly known to buy cars for citizens who couldn’t afford them, houses for those experiencing homelessness and assisting anyone who needed genuine compassion or service. At one point, he even threw his $50,000 diamond studded rings into the audience because “they deserved [to have] it.”

If that weren’t enough, on December 21 of 1970, Elvis Presley flew to Washington D.C., to meet with the current President Nixon to advocate for the drug problem among youth in America. He offered to assist in any way that he could to help promote wellness and rehabilitation to struggling Americans. Sadly, it was due to drug addition that Elvis Presley met his own fate in

Elvis Presley’s Legacy is unparalleled to any other artist.

#1 selling artists in the HISTORY of Rock n’ Roll

1Billion+ records sold and still counting (40% overseas)

14 Grammy Nominations (3 wins all for Elvis’ Gospel recordings)

149 songs appeared on Billboard’s Top 100 Chart

141 gold, platinum, multi-platinum, diamond (10mill copies) awards for Elvis’ Records – still more to be verified.

Elvis one of the few people worldwide to be known by only his first name

Elvis Presley Enterprises (multi-million dollar corp)

makes 50mill + dollars/year (record, merch sales)

Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation

#1/ #2 dead celebrity to still bring in most money

Graceland is National Historic Site – open to the public 1982 (before bankrupt)

New generation of Elvis Fans

Jan 8, 1993: US Postal Service issues Elvis Presley commemorative stamp

August 12, 2015: US Postal Service issues Elvis Presley “Forever Stamp”

Elvis Week in Memphis attended by thousands of fans

Annual Midnight Candlelight Vigil attended

75,000+ people

War hero in the Army

Set new standards for live concerts, fashion, music video, merch, charitable works, films, TV

Epitome of the American Dream

Highway 51 renamed to Elvis Presley Boulevard

1968 – 1977: 1,100+ concerts

Upon his return to ShowBiz in Vegas, Elvis never plays to an unsold seat for the remainder of his career

31 Films, 2 concert documentaries, soundtracks

2020 has been the most tumultuous & spiritually-testing season I've yet endured. God has used this year to teach me about the depth of value in laboring fruits of patience, faith, and perspective. As Christians, a prolonged season of singleness can often feel draining. Sometimes it feels eternal, mentally writhing, hopeless, depleting, and absurdly confusing. It can be seemingly agitating and infuriating to feel we’re not *doing* enough to progress unto the next season or to furthermore *prove* our “enjoyment” during this lonesome season. Due to the sake of our vulnerability, the devil thrives and capitalizes on this time for his enjoyment in our turmoil. That said, our dependency on God may drastically drop frequently due to mere mortal exhaustion. And that’s okay. We’re human, with a genuine and diehard desire for companionship, for marriage, for building a life that will honor and glorify our Lord. Often times we may even feel our own Purpose is tied into this vision for marital unity. That said, waiting on His Timing can seem near impossible. We question “how much longer? How many more lonesome birthdays, life celebrations, holidays, without the one I’m meant to love? How many? How much longer?” Abraham said the same thing after God delivered His Promise. "The LORD said to Abram: Go forth* from your land, your relatives, and from your father's house to a land that I will show you. 2* I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3c I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you.” (n Genesis 12:1-3). Abraham was 75 years old when he received this vision. He waited 25 years for the deliverance of God’s breakthrough. That’s just one of numerous Biblical examples to demonstrate the labored fruit of patience (and irritability) of waiting on God’s Timing.

Additionally, as single Christians it can be highly agitating to hear Godly couples continue to claim “all in God’s Timing!” without further testifying to their journey of faith. I know each life path is individualized according to our call for His Purpose, but I can promise you, their path of faith wasn't easy either. The devil fights tooth and nail for anything remotely threatening to him, and spiritual alignment of God’s Ordained is the top of his hit-list. That said, have ease on yourself. Take care of yourself first. It’s taken me quite a long journey to realize the value and directed steps into a path of pursuing self-love. Furthermore, it’s taken that much deeper of a dive to fully embrace the Reckless Love that God had in the intricate fabrication of my own character. Every flaw, every mistake, every minuscule detail of my personality was intricately woven through the mind, spirit, and experiences of growth that God used to cultivate my enrichment. I am, at most, His Kingdom Child and there is no greater honor to ever come above, near, or beyond that.

To pursue a path of self-love is to fully learn, embrace, and intimately meet the masterpiece of your Spirit by the hands of our Creator, Himself. The relationship that we have with him, particularly in our season of singleness, allows us that vulnerability and opportunity to fully indulge in discovery of his craftsmanship within the cultivation of ourselves. I’m not saying it’s easy. This is hard, delicate, progressive, ugly, convicting work. But it’s a progression that not only builds our own self-confidence and sense of security, it profoundly demonstrates the *identity* of Christ that dwells within us. That’s why the devil attacks the hardest when we are the most vulnerable in our season with God. Because this, THIS is the time, in which we learn WHOSE we are. We grow in our endurance, our strength, our determination of being a Kingdom Child. We begin to break down each part of ourselves in order to learn our genuine Purpose. We begin to identify flaws and weaknesses that the devil may use to project guilt and temptation upon us. (When you know your weaknesses, you can better defend attacks that come against it). Above all, we learn of our Kingdom Power as a child of God. We learn of our inheritance within the Kingdom through the sacrifice of Christ. We not only begin to learn and utilize the depth of His Word in scripture, we learn of its defense in demonic attacks. We begin to *thoroughly* implement His Word into our daily lives, mindsets, and patterns of behavior. In this season of singleness, we realize the definitive promise that *NO weapon formed against me will EVER prosper, in His Name.” In your season of singleness, there is no distraction. There is no barrier between you and your Creator. In this season of singleness, your learn the extent of your devout invincibility through Christ and that is above all the *greatest attack* against demonic terrorism.

If this is your season, I ask you to pray. I ask you to be raw, be real, be vulnerable, be authentic with the expression of your emotions. Trust that God sincerely knows. Above all, I ask you to hold on for every season has its expiration date. "For everything there is a season, and a time for every [a]purpose under heaven…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). This season can be ugly, prolonged, exhausting, seemingly hopeless, and wrought with a daily deliverance of repetitive mundanity. Change seems impossible. I ask that you hold on. If you seek first the righteousness of God and He has instilled the somewhat desperate desire for marriage within the depths of your spirit - know that he IS working it out for your good (Romans 8:28). For a long while, you may not see of it; you may not feel of it; you may doubt, try to quit, take back directional [life] control, and lose faith in Him. That’s okay. He knows. Remember that even an ounce of faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. Even if you quit on trusting Him for a short time, He will still deliver you in His time. Just *hang* on, even if by the fraying of a thread.

Additionally, please remember that “what is for you will always be for you.” As it’s often been heard, God is not in the business of delivering a package to the wrong house. No amount of witchcraft, peer manifestation, universal begging, or prophetic exercise will change that. God is the most High. Entrust in Him with this gentle reminder that perhaps while you’re developing in your season of singleness, your future spouse is praying for you to remain in a state of solitude until divine timely reunion. I have heard this gentle whisper from God myself for nearly two years now. Every time the devil tries to rile me up with rumors, doubts, questioning, *heavily* bestowed anxiety, mental scenarios of potential heartbreak, and reminders of our cultural dating patterns to deter me from my trust in God…. my Father reiterates this limitless, gentle whisper. “He’s waiting for you. He is divinely protected, and saved, by My Hand for your spiritual unity. Do not question, do not doubt. Be at peace. He is my Promise to you, and the answer to your Prayers. He will be for you, as I am for you. He will soon be with you. Trust in Me.” This has been the most refreshing *daily* reminder from my Provider.

If you’re enduring this tumultuous season of singleness, or you’re in a tiresome (seemingly obliterate) season of waiting on God, know that we’re in different boats enduring the same storm. The boat that carries you may be structurally assembled different than mine, you may be carrying a different weight, enduring a different depth of emotion or frustration, and weathering a different duration of this season; however, you’re not alone. We’re all lost in the same direction, trusting in the One who calms the storm. For what it’s worth, for however far you’ve made it, even if you’ve found yourself retracted into old habits and patterns, or feeling dismayed by a stump in the road… know that I understand, I am immensely proud of you, and you are doing an incredible job. This journey is not easy. At times we find ourselves in a Boston Whaler confronting a tsunami. You’re doing good a good job. You’re still doing good. And I promise you God has not quit on you. Even in times when you’ve quit on yourself. He will make a way. You’re doing good, and He is so proud. He gave you the endurance to outlast this trial because he knew you would conquer the quest. Just hang on. Remember to breathe. Rest in Him.

In 2016 (fairly recently), The Huffington Post published another article concerning the relationship between academic rigor/achievement and its toll on mental wellness of students from undergraduate level to graduates.

I’ve compiled a few of the most impactful quotes & statistics that stood out to me.  

college students are united by the ‘unprecedented stress levels’ we all share.

“According to the Anxiety and Depression Society of America, about 62% of students experience anxiety.”

the APA recently reported ‘sharp increases in severe psychological problems being reported amongst students.’

It does more than ‘disrupt the learning process.’ it’s detrimental to our health and our sanity.

Mental health is the #1 culprit ‘to impede academic performance and persistence.’

prevention is critical, and getting help and engaging in proactive, healthy behaviors made a difference, and was key to avoiding extreme distress.

Please take the time to read this incredibly insightful article. It highlights the danger of putting academics before one’s own mental wellness. It also emphasizes the culture we cultivate in regards to competition, basing our worth (and the fate of ‘the rest of our life’ really) on the calculated GPA that we earn throughout our educational career.

It’s dangerous.

I have the utmost respect for students that push themselves to strive for nothing less than the best of the best academic achievements. I was personally more of a “I’d rather have a B+ if it means I get to sleep more at night” kind of student.  My younger sister however was quite the opposite. She had the need to earn herself the honor of being valedictorian even since before she entered high school. I’ve watched that young (and super brilliant) woman push herself to the point where she made herself physically sick to her stomach on a daily basis.

So, if anything, please read this article & just challenge your own perspective on the matter.

Take care of yourselves, friends. Numbers don’t define your worth, I promise. You’re still gonna make it.

Pharrell Williams gives the 185th Commencement Speech at New York University for the graduating Class of 2017. During the speech, he emphasizes the importance of female leaders, and the power women have in making a global change.

“In today’s day and age, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that it’s the people who serve humanity that make the world really go ‘round.”

“Think about it: These great scientists, public servants, and activists cannot be bothered with building their instagram followers, or how many views they get on youtube. But they are the real influencers... their work is to improve the quality of life for all people, not just themselves. They are not motivated by attention, but rather, they’re motivated by the idea of creating change. For the better.”

“As you find your ways to serve humanity, it gives me great comfort knowing this generation is the first that understands that we need to lift up our women. Imagine possibilities when we remove the balance from the ether. Because it’s imbalanced right now. Imagine the possibilities when women are not held back.”