"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. " - Melody Beattie HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Something New....

So many people have been wondering and asking, "So what's up? What's happening with the music?  Doing anything new? 

The answer is yes.  While I have not completed any full recordings. I am writing. There is a new sound in my spirit and God is putting it in song - His sound, the harmony to my melody. I know it seems to be taking a long time, but God knows what He wants to do, first in me - and then through me. 

In Exodus 17 (when Israel needed water) God asked Moses to strike a rock.  Moses was obedient and they had water, but in Numbers 20 although the need was the same, the instructions were different.  God told Moses to speak to the rock and he struck it.  He used the old instructions that were given in a different time and place. In short, Israel got what they needed, but Moses lost out on a part of his destiny to enter into the Promised land.

I am striving continually to be sensitive, not only to the assignment, but also to the timing, the changes in spiritual location and to accurately receive and follow new instructions. I pray that you understand and will continue with me on this journey.  Sometimes it's hard to stand still, but often that is when God is carving out a deeper capacity in us - that is when He is refining the gift.  His footprints are the steps I'm walking in...and they are leading somewhere.

There is a joy, a depth of worship and celebration in each new song. I have been pleasantly surprised by what is being creatively produced in my writing. I don't want to prematurely make a move to meet a need and miss destiny.  I believe the second Moses' staff hit that rock he wished he could take it back.   I don't mind waiting.

There are some other things in process that I will share with you as soon as I can.  Until then I humbly ask that you continue to stand with me as I journey into "something new." 

Pursuing Destiny

The wrong choice can delay or abort destiny. Whew!  That realization is sobering at first, but it eventually becomes liberating. The end goal is purpose and DESTINY. We’ve got to live right to get there. How do we maintain in the face of—well—in the face of life, people, situations beyond our control?  We maintain by subduing the flesh/self and focusing on purpose. Last night my Pastor said, “If we conquer the territory within, the territory without has GOT to bow. Don’t give away the self you are supposed to protect and preserve the self that needs to die” (Apostle Trevor Banks).

The self I’ve got to protect is the one that purposed to “Live Right”, the self I’ve got to kill DAILY is the one that would be tempted to react in ways not pleasing to God. I am not interested in delaying or aborting my destiny.  No way!  When all is said and done, I need to know I’ve fulfilled purpose.

Walking in destiny and purpose can present challenges we wouldn’t otherwise face.  Look at Joseph. He had to forgive brothers who hated him,  threw him in a pit, then sold him into slavery.  He had to look beyond the lies Potiphar’s wife told after he refused to betray his Master, himself and his God, lies that got him thrown in jail  - and not become angry and bitter after Pharaoh’s Butler forgot him in prison after the help he gave him. Whoa… where is this going?

Each time Joseph made the right choice he received God’s favor.  Where else have you ever heard of a slave being trusted with all the wealth and the household of his master, or a prisoner being given the keys to the jail?  Joseph’s choices earned him a place in the palace of the King. My choice to “Live Right” is the only choice in my pursuit of Destiny. Make it yours too.

What Does Ministry Mean To Me?

It would be so easy to compromise myself—all in the name of ministry advancement.  I want my songs played both on Internet and Terrestrial Radio, but I am not willing to make wrong moves to accomplish that. I truly believe that God makes a path for me.

I could insert myself where I want. I could do any number of things to seek to oblige or compel others to put me in places that would provide added exposure. The truth and the fact of the matter is—I don’t want anything for myself that God does not want for me. That often means simply being okay with the fact that responses will not always be favorable. When they are not, I am not broken up about it.  This is where peace comes in - Trusting God to make the moves for me.  

I have assurance that seeming setbacks, slow pace,  rejection, unexplained cancellations, airplay, no play, ministry events that touch a heart, change a life, favor, are all controlled by my heavenly Father who is my beginning, my ending—the sole author of my story.

  

I want to share God’s heart, His nature/character, His amazing love  - in all I do and say.  That means my life, not just a ministry event where I have a chance to sing and showcase my gift, but my entire life must always be a reflection of Him.  

He is the   author of your story too. Hang tight!  He’s working it out for you.  Have peace in the midst of that process, because only then can you offer real ministry from an unpolluted stream. Trust God!