New Church Home
Archive of Random Notes November 2009 | Breaking news to share with you. We are excited about this but melancholy at the same time. We have a new home church – Bell Road Church of the Nazarene, Nashville, TN, pastored by Rev. Brian Russell.
Let me clarify the change has nothing to do with anything negative or bad. I do not want anyone to read something into this that just is not there. God is doing a mighty work at Grace in a mighty way. I have watched Him work so powerfully and it is just going to get better so why leave now right?
Our previous Pastor, Rev Ken Dove preached a sermon on Jan 18th about being “comfortable” in Church. It led to a lot of questions for us about our purpose at Grace vs. our purpose in our community. Bell Road Church of the Nazarene is so close to our house we could almost walk, it is our community. That sermon really convicted our entire family. We realized we were “comfortable” at Grace and not in a good way. God has been burdening our hearts with our community here in SE Nashville for quite a while and we all have just been pushing it a side.
After prayer, family discussions and all the things that go along with such a life changing decision we have transferred to Bell Rd. It teen angels that people and our community. We all sense God is doing something great at Bell Rd! It is confirmation that this is where God wants us to be. I made a video to celebrate the ministries of Grace for Pastor Dove. I came out beautiful! Check it out!
We just have to be obedient and do the work God calls us to do. God is doing great work at Grace and Bell Rd. If you are looking for a good church home Grace or Bell road are wonderful and will welcome you with an open embrace. I believe there has never been an urgency like there is now to be on fire and do something for God to further His kingdom! Can you feel it?
Ministry Updates
In April we made a trip up North to Columbus, Ohio for two concerts. One at Friends Worship Center and the other at Scioto United Methodist Church. May began with a Change of Command Ceremony and a by name request to perform the National Anthem.
Later in May, my great friend Stefanie Coburn Fuller joined me from South Carolina for a concert at Bell Road Church of the Nazarene, Nashville, TN. At the end of the month, James and I made a visit to Memphis for pleasure and were blessed to minister at Eastside Iglesia Church of the Nazarene. Yes, we went to Graceland! Also in May, my mom and the kids made a trek up to Michigan to spend some time with family. On the home front I got a chance to do some impromptu harmonies with Ken Apple
In Summer is moving by so quickly – it made my head spin. June, both kids were in and out of the house with camps, trips and notability – Camp Electric for my daughter right here in Nashville at Trevecca Nazarene University. This kid met Toby Mac and had him leave me a message on my cell phone! Boy do I wish I had answered that phone call. I always tease my family and tell them if Toby Mac, Kirk Franklin or Faith Hill ever ask me to sing back-up with them I am gone.
In all seriousness, I am blessed to have such God-fearing and wonderful teen-angels. Both my kids are following in mom’s footsteps and sing with me frequently. My daughter has already written over 200 songs. A third generation songwriter! Now that makes my head spin. I am not going to mention the songs I have yet to complete.
One of our adventures in June lead us to “Camp Meeting” were I was honored to sing on the Worship Team lead by my dear friend Nathan Rogers. It was great to see so many friends from all over the TN District. Our Speaker, Dr. Leonard Sweet (if you ever get the chance to hear him GO) says – we are either in a storm, coming to a storm or coming out of a storm. From his book “The Perfect Storm” and in his presentation at Camp meeting he gave us these pointers in my paraphrased version of what to do in a storm:
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- Pull up anchor and launch into the deep – boats that stay docked at the shore get beat up
- Steer into the storm – when at sea ships that steer into the storm survive – the ones that try to out run the storm sink
- Get rid of excess cargo – in a storm excess stuff is thrown overboard to lighten the load
- Mast ourselves to the Mast of the Master – the crew will tie the Captain to the Mast of the ship so he doesn’t get thrown or knocked overboard. Jesus is our Mast and we need to tie ourselves to Him.
- ENJOY THE RIDE – you only get one!
July 4th in Chattanooga
For the July 4th Holiday, we spent some much needed family time – all 5 of us and our 2 dogs in beautiful Chattanooga. I was yet again reminded of how much our God loves us. Just to look at the beauty around me. To stand on top of Lookout Mountain and look down into the valley, watching the graceful but winding flow of the Tennessee River all I can say is WOW. By the way my kids are huge and I think my son is now taller than his dad. Well if he is not, before this e-blast is read he may very well be.
Later in July we traveled to the Marcellus Michigan area for 3 events, concerts at Marcellus United Methodist Church, Waklee United Methodist Church and our favorite the Drive-In Bible Church. It was wonderful to have a good chunk of my immediate family with me for these events.
From the events in our world, I hope we all realize how short life is and in a nano-second we can be gone. If you need to make amends with someone in your family or that you care about just do it! Look at how many celebrities we have lost reminding us that no matter how many songs we sing, movies we make and footballs we throw, our life is mortal. “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world,
yet forfeit his soul?” Mark 8:36
JUDITH TEAMS WITH JUBILEE MUSIC ARTIST AND TLC INDIE GROUP
It is always amazing to see how God unites His people for a much greater cause. Jubilee Music Artist Group founded by Nazarene Song Evangelist and signed Southern Gospel Recording Artists Barbara Roach has already opened many doors in ministry for Judith. Judith met Barbara at a songwriting workshop in Nashville a few years ago. Several weeks later Judith found herself singing back-up during one of Barbara’s concerts in Nashville purely by the Hand of God. The two have formed a friendship and a partnership that forges ahead to spread the Gospel though music. Thanks to Barbara in September I found myself singing in a National Quartet, Jubilee Music Artist Showcase an getting a professional critique from Southern Gospel artist Mike LeFever of the LeFevere Quartet.
By the time fall arrived I found myself sharing an event with Dr. Gay Leonard for the WoW (Women of Worth) Conference. We wrapped up the year just before Thanksgiving by hosting a Songwriter’s night. Christmas ministry activities were reserved for Choir at our home Church.
Good Books To Read!
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- My friend and now neighborhood resident, Dr. Naima Johnson is published! Her new book is “Called to Sing, 13 Mistakes to Avoid When Starting in Music Ministry.”
- Another very good guide is “How to” Guidebook for Indie Ministry, A God Booking,” by Valetta Lanier.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
