Triumphant homegoing service!

It isn't often that I am at a loss for words. Well, it isn't necessarily that I am at a loss for words. I am just trying to form the right words to express what I witnessed today at the home going service for Bishop Walter Hawkins. Words that come to mind are triumphant, amazing, soul stirring and abundant joy. I danced, I cried and I praised. What I witnessed today was profound. The spirit of God danced in the theater running through me and the others bearing witness never slowing its pace.

When they anointed Bishop Walter Hawkins' son it was further confirmation for me that I am on the right journey. I am where I want to be but more importantly where God needs me to be. I was in great company today celebrating the life of a man that epitomized the honest, humble, forgiving, understanding and anointed individual God wants us all to be. Bishop Hawkins didn't judge. He just helped worshippers and seekers along their way ministering the word. We witnessed just who God was through the praise and ministry of Bishop Hawkins.

Without asking him, God arranges our steps and directs our paths. I say, "Dear Lord, I plan to continue walking in the steps you've provided for me. Sometimes, I might even dance my way through. Thank you, Jesus!"

The celebration is over but my praise continues... TGBTG!!

Musical tribute to Bishop Walter Hawkins...

My last post was a tribute to Bishop Walter Hawkins as he greatly influenced my music ministry. As I spoke about his influence and ministered my personal tribute to him last week, I never thought of the possibility of flying to Oakland for his homegoing service. God presented me with an opportunity to fly into San Francisco yesterday to attend the musical tribute last night and service today. Ain't God good?

Upon arriving in Oakland yesterday, we drove past the Paramount Theater bearing witness to a line of fans, family and friends extending down the block. The line of people was clearly a reflection of the life Bishop Hawkins led. His life was one of honesty and humility wrapped securely in anointing and faith. He was a light that shined bright exuding grace in all he touched. The power in his praise was always felt in the songs he ministered or in the sermons he preached. On the Love Center Ministries website it discusses how Bishop Hawkins preached about the "Fisherman's Net." Simply, as Christians we are supposed to minister to as many people as we can placing them in God's safety net. Bishop Hawkins exemplified that through his music and sermons capturing millions of people in God's safety net as the scripture suggests. Yesterday the gospel music world thanked him for having such a great influence on the industry and the many lives he touched. It was triumphant!

I stood with my eyes toward the stage and my hands toward the sky, as my heart filled with joy and my feet danced in praise. The spirit of the Lord entered in as I uttered, "Help me, Jesus!" In front of me I heard Ledisi sing "Be Grateful," and then Kathy Taylor sang "Special Gift." Soon after, Melonie Daniels graced us with, "Don't Wait Until the Battle is Over," and then Byron Cage, Ted Winn, and Donnie McClurkin harmoniously gave us "Marvelous." Marvin Sapp, Be Be Winans, and Mary Mary ministered "What is This." I knew and felt what this was. What we all felt was the power of the Lord and the full praise began as we danced for Him.

God loaned us Bishop Walter Hawkins but readily welcomed him back home after a job well done. We are left with our memories of him and songs to sing forever. The world lost an amazing man but to have been allowed to experience him through his music ministry was truly a gift from God. I'm going to keep ministering with the hope of catching more people in God's safety net as Bishop Hawkins did.

Bishop Walter Hawkins allowed the life he lived to speak for him and tonight that voice was extremely loud! The light has burned out as he journeyed home but the magnitude of Bishop Hawkins remains... We love you Bishop Walter Hawkins.

**The Gospel Music Channel will be airing what I experienced on Sunday night at 8p.m. ET and 5:00 p.m. PT. Tune in and be a witness!**

Gospel pioneer Bishop Walter Hawkins...

Yesterday the legendary Hawkins family lost a brother, father, grandfather, uncle, and son. The gospel music industry lost an amazing talent, voice and spirit. Bishop Walter Hawkins was sixty-one years young when he lost his courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was a Grammy and Stellar Award winning artist, producer, songwriter and dynamic pastor. Bishop Hawkins had a great influence on gospel music and ministered to millions through song. His work here on earth might be done but his contributions will live on forever.

Bishop Hawkins had a profound affect on my music ministry's direction. He sparked my passion for gospel music while providing a stellar example of how I desire my ministry to be. His contributions to gospel music and its delivery are instrumental in how my ministry has evolved thus far. With humility and an anointing easily detected, he touched my life and who I have become musically. The lessons I learned from his examples will be held close to my heart as I strive to reach followers and seekers with my music ministry.

I will be ministering at the noonday service at St. James A.M.E. Church in Newark, NJ on Wednesday and again on Sunday at their South Orange site. It is there that I will celebrate the life of Bishop Hawkins who was a friend to many. I will minister a few of his songs as a tribute to this gentle soul who affected my life greatly. He will be missed by many but forgotten by none.

I pray that God embraces his family comforting them at this time. I am certain that God welcomed him home and know he is safe from illness and harm. Thank you Bishop Walker Hawkins for simply being.

Am I dreaming big enough?

I know what I want for myself and for those who witness my praise and worship. However, yesterday I wondered if I was dreaming big enough to accomplish what I wanted to happen in this next phase of my life. Of course, I want to stand next to the Kobe Bryant's of the Gospel music industry. I want to stand alongside Marvin Sapp, Kirk Franklin, Karen Clarke-Sheard, Shirley Caesar and other amazingly talented artists as they offer praise to the Lord. They minister via song to the masses and I want to do the same. I have to because I feel it in my spirit...

I want to grace the stage accepting numerous awards for successfully ministering to worshippers and saving lost souls as they have. I enjoy the idea of the awards but the praise extends beyond that. I want to change lives first and foremost. Yet, I can visualize standing on stage accepting my awards beginning my speech with, "I'd like to first give honor to my Lord and savior Jesus Christ..." Is that dream big enough? I am beginning to think that it is right on point. I am exactly where God wants me to be and will allow Him to direct my path.

I am getting ready to take a great big step. Each moment on this journey reflected in the songs I'm recording in the studio. Each step bringing me closer to my goal of creating a collection of songs that will clearly show my love for God. I hope to communicate the love I have for God reaffirming His power to worshippers while educating seekers. Yesterday I realized that I have to dream big. I desire more and that constitutes something bigger than I initially planned for myself. God knows what's best for me. Although my sight reaches the horizon, Gods vision extends well beyond it.

Preparation is the key...

The amazing thing about life is that you never know the exact moment when God is going to change yours. We walk with a plan in our head not knowing if our dreams will come true. Yet amazingly we keep working toward our dreams and goals as if we know that things will come to fruition. We choose colleges, careers, and do all that we can do direct our paths. We, in essence, walk by faith as we make efforts to map out our future.

From a very young age children are asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Some have absolutely no clue but there are those that are able to recite exactly who or what they want to be when they get older. They have a plan. More importantly, God has a plan for us. We may think we are in control as we choose a profession and take the necessary steps to acquire a specific career. The reality is that God has ordered our steps. He places opportunities in front of us and we have to take advantage of whatever He gives us. Our plan may not be the same as His. Sometimes He gives us more than we are capable of dreaming. However, He places things strategically for us to become successful members of society.

For me, my career goal is to minister via song. My purpose is to educate worshippers while also saving lost souls. I have been working solely on ministering through song while educating others for many years. Like a politician prepares for his office, I’ve prepared to minister. I knew from a very young age what God had planned for me. I’ve never been sure when God would direct my path to another level--ministering nationally and internationally--but I have always prepared for that time. That time is now.

Despite the challenges I’ve faced or changes that I’ve had to make, my mind has stayed on my goals. No matter how many times the devil tried to block my path, my focus has never changed. Preparation is the key to success and I am prepared. My entire life is based on my love and faith in God. I know that He is guiding this process as He has directed every aspect of my life. God gave me ample time to prepare and I am ready to see where He plans on taking me.

The time is NOW!!

As I stand in the studio perfecting my sound, I realize that I planned for this moment all of my life. From the first time I stood and sang my first song God was preparing me. God was preparing me for this season in my life as He has prepared me for every other season. I’ve been working hard for this moment sometimes wanting it to happen yesterday but knew it wasn’t time.

People are always asking me questions in regard to my singing: why aren’t you overseas sharing the word or why haven’t you done this so you are further along? My answer is always a resounding, “I am exactly where God wants me to be.” No matter how great our desire is things don’t come in our time but in His time. I put in the work through prayer and ministering and now, its God's time for this moment in my life.

God knows my heart. He has prepared me and I am answering His call. I will sing until my last breath knowing that He has afforded me the gift of ministering through song. It is time to stop thinking about it and putting things in to action! Are you ready for an anointing?

A brief update...

I ministered at Symphony Hall in Newark, NJ on Saturday at the memorial service for the "Clinton Avenue Five." It was a service for five teenage boys who were last seen together thirty years ago. They disappeared after playing basketball in 1978. Two men were recently arrested and charged with their murders. The service was uplifting and I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of it.

I am still putting in studio time working steadfastly on my CD. It sounds great and I am eager to bring it to light. I look forward to sharing it with everyone. So, I must say to God be the glory! He is smiling on me and blesses me more and more each and every day! To God be the glory!

*****REMINDER: The 5th Annual Lincoln Park Music Festival in Newark, NJ is coming up. It is from July 30-August 1, 2010. Go to this website for more information... http://lpccd.org/ ***** This is an event that you don't want to miss...