SOLEMN LIVE

GOD'S GRACE OVER ME

God's calling on my life has been prevalent since I was a child. The delay in the manifestation of the calling was all part of the package. God gave me the gift of writing songs as a way to express my inner most thoughts and feelings. Throughout my life I kept a journal of my life. The writings were mainly prayers and conversations I had with God. I did not know that He would use that as training for me to become a songwriter. There were many nights that I would wake up from a dream and write a song that I was singing to God in my dream. I would have glorious experiences while dreaming. Being in the presence of the Lord worshiping and singing to Him. During my adolescences I became very close to God. I learn very early on that I needed to depend on God. My father left our home and I was in a lot of pain. It was during that time that I would spend countless hours in my room writing and singing to Lord about how I felt. I would listen to Christian radio and look at Christian music videos that would inspire me and motivate me to find solace in God. Influential Christian singers such as Petra, CARMEN, BEBE & CECE Winans, Tramain Hawkins, Helen Baylor, Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman were the instruments God used to comfort me and bring joy. I did not feel alone during those times they accompanied me. Today, I look back and see how God's hand carried me through one of the toughest times in my life. It is with that foundation that I accepted the calling to minister in song and share my gift of writing with many who may be facing the same challenges I faced. The word of the Lord states, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV). It is for this reason that I can give to others what God so graciously has given to me.