Songs Of My Heart - HEAVEN IS THE PLACE I WANT TO BE

Gospel, spirituals, jazz, country, and blue grass; I thank God that He gave me songs. 2009 is gone on bye, and we've entered into a new adventure for 2010. Christmas Eve night my pastor, Baron Miller talked about the bitter and the sweet of the past year. So as I started writing my thoughts two weeks ago, I've been doing more reflecting and prayer about the past and future. I've spent a lot of time asking the LORD for stuff, even spiritual stuff. But what I've really wanted, and he has granted my request is to be used by Him. I want to live so that God can use me, I want to walk in His presence and feel His tender touch, and be guided by His Holy Spirit.

This year He allowed me setbacks in ministry (getting my pastoral license), which was a good thing. Not getting it when I first applied took me into further study of the Bible, my relationship with people and Christ, and His with me and His people. Not getting my license caused me to really think about the why's and the costs of my decision to pursue ministry, and follow His leading. I did get it on the second try. Failure lead to more growth.

2009 has been a year of acomplishment; I finished my second book, "Lord, Take Me Back." It's being edited. My third book (Poetry) is almost done, "Somebody Prayed For Me." He has allowed a very special friendship to form with Pastors Anthony and Christina Westbrook, who brought me back to an old love - teaching, doing workshops for women. With Christina, we've seen the The Bellingham Community Gospel Choir continue to grow, and the gospel be spread through music. This year, I've been able to minister with people from various churches throughout Washington, and from different countries (Canada, Africa and Japan).

2009 has not been without its devastating moments. Sickness struck my family in a big way; my mom, gramma, son, the deaths of folks at the nursing home who were there in 2001 when I first came out here, and the death of my best friend for over 50 years. Sickness in my own body, finances and financial opportunities have come and gone. Yet through it all, I have seen His love well up in the hearts of those who love and trust Him, and God has given me a song to sing and a sermon to teach in every situation.

I'm learning not to take this life for granted. I'm grateful for the people He has put in my life this year; men and women, young and old, acros the nation. Some of these people we've never met, but we are family just the same, who love the Lord, and they also are learning to grow in Him, trust Him more. I'm grateful for the relationships I have with non-believers, and always praying that one day they too will not only seek but receive Jesus who lives in me.

Whatever 2010 brings I know Jesus will be with me, I know I will have a song to sing, and I know that the end result of my praying, singing, teaching and preaching is to win souls for the Kingdom, to one day be gathered in Heaven, hearing Him say to each of us, "Well done my good and faithful servant." In 2010 I will say and sing with my whole heart, "Where He leads me I will follow."

Songs Of My Heart - SATISFIED WITH JESUS

Satisfied with Jesus link would not come up. Go to You Tube, Dr. James H. Tucker, Satisfied with Jesus. It will bless your soul.

Sometimes I just have to go back home.

Sometimes, I have to refresh the memories of my heart, of the old folks who encouraged me on with their simple songs like these two, "Satisfied With Jesus" or "I Thank You Jesus."

Sometimes, like this morning I just have to stop and say, Thank You Jesus, my soul is satisfied. Thank You Jesus, You're here today. Whatever happens on today, the world and all of its trials cannot make me doubt You, I know too much about You, and my soul is satisfied with You. They sang with the conviction of years of leaning and depending on Jesus. They sang with the knowledge that there is only one who saves, only one they can call on and know He will answer, only one who can do them like no other. They would throw back their head or sometimes even, bend their heads in their laps and sing like nobody was there but Jesus. The old folks would add in

I thank You, thank You Jesus
I thank You, than You Jesus
I thank You, thank You Jesus in my soul

I thank You, thank You Jesus
I thank You, thank You Jesus
I thank You, thank You Jesus in my soul

I feel the fire burnin'
I feel the fire burnin'
I feel the fire burnin' in my soul

I feel the fire burnin'
I feel the fire burnin'
I feel the fire burnin' in my soul

It burns like the love of Jesus
It burns like the love of Jesus
It burns like the love of Jesus in my soul
Oh, it burns like the love of Jesus
It burns like the love of Jesus
It burns like the love of Jesus in my soul

The tune would catch and somebodyelse would add something else to it, and before you knew it the song turned into a history of livin' - Ya Lord!!

This morning before I left for work I just couldn't let go. I sang these two songs getting ready for work, driving to and in between jobs. My car was filled with worship as these songs penetrated my heart. It's so good to feel the fire of His presence, and be assured in His love - Ya LORD!!!!

Songs Of My Heart - THANK YOU JESUS

My phone rang today at 5:10 AM, usually no one calls at that time of day unless there is a death or sickness. But it was my mom. She said she had been troubled during yesterday, and had a dream last night and she knew she had to help me. There was a situation in my life, and the Lord showed her what to do. Last night driving home from work, I was crying and singing, "Guide me oh Thou great Jehovah, pilgram through this barren land, I am weak but Thou' art mighty, hold me with Thy powerful hand." Tho' I had prayed and done all I could, it wasn't enough to make things right, so I was still seeking direction. So I sang a prayer. The Lord hears His children, and even though I didn't know how this situation would end, He was already working it out through my mom.

There are times when nothing else is appropriate to say except THANK YOU JESUS. THANK YOU to the Lord, and THANK YOU to people He has put in our path to help us on our way. From the core of my soul I know that had it not been for the Lord, I would not have come through yesterday unscathed, and made it to today whole. This is one of those days that I cry,"Thank You Jesus, for You brought me from a mighty long way."

The song says,"You've been my mother, You've been my father, You've been my sista'. my brother too...You've been my doctor, my lawyer, my bread and water too."
His Word assures us over and over again that He'll be there for us; Seek Him first, trust Him to never leave us alone, and don't forget to say, THANK YOU JESUS!!