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...

Praising God is my responsibility...

God has done so many things for me that I couldn’t begin to tell you about it in a blog or in one testimony. If I attempted to do that, it would be an abridged version or similar to a short movie trailer limiting my time and explanation. It wouldn’t do my Jesus any justice. Therefore, because praising God is what I am supposed to do, it is reflected in what the young folks call my “swagger.” Put simply, my praise is reflected in my journey and manifested in my spirit thus exuded in my walk. And if you talk the talk, it must be coupled with the walk or it will have no meaning or truth.

I find praise in all that I do from sunrise to sunset. I praise His name when the warmth of the sun shines through my window in the morning or through the clouds on a gray day. I manage to find sunshine in the midst of each and every storm. I offer thanksgiving as I cook my meals and am encouraged to continually praise His name as He continually blesses me. God has planted my feet in every place I've desired to go as well as in places He has needed me to go. He has allowed me to survive this journey in spite of the road blocks I’ve faced. God has smiled on me and I'll continue to praise His name today, tomorrow and each day that He allows me to be in His service.

I praise Him not because it is a part of who I am but because it is my responsibility. I can never repay God for all He has done for me but I will praise Him until my last breath…

Believing in me while praising Him!!

I have been ministering at different venues and spending time in the studio over the past few weeks. I apologize for not making any blog postings recently but have redirected my focus toward developing my CD. I am diligently working to bring something to you, the listener, that will reflect how serious I am about using my voice as a vessel. My intention is to explode on the scene with a masterpiece filled with songs that will inspire and enlighten you while also encompassing your spirit.

I offer up the highest praise when I sing and feel the spirit of the Lord in my soul. My life is designed by the love that I have for my Savior. I want to share that love via song and when my CD is released, I will do just that. My posts will continue but may not be on a daily basis. I will keep you informed and updated about my progress as well as where I will be ministering.

I ask for you to pray that the Lord continues to guide my spirit as I work fervently in the studio. I believe in me; therefore, I know what the outcome of all my efforts shall be. I only ask that you make sure you are ready!

Transformed...

Sometimes in life you need that extra push to get things done. God puts things in front of you that you don't always see. He also puts people in your life for different reasons and with each interaction you grow and learn. Whether the individual is passing through or not, you learn from your experiences with them.

At this point in time, God has blessed me with an abundance of positive people in my life. He's created a circle that I am glad to be a part of and welcome into my life. I have been encouraged and am in the studio working on my songs so that I can move on to the next step. I feel transformed. I have been working diligently and now things are moving in the right direction. I am looking forward to the day that my demo is complete as well as being able to share it with others.

I believe in me and my success in ministering to the world. I appreciate God's gifts and splendor. I am in awe at what He has done for me and can clearly see the blessings that are on the way. It is because of His grace, mercy and guidance that I wholeheartedly believe in me!