What makes a good worship song?

I hear so many beautiful worship songs. If I tried I probably could choose a favorite every month. Are they always slow? I would have to say most are but I do know of a song that has taken me into the presence of God and its not slow at all. Quite fast to be honest. Tye Tribbett's song, Still Have Joy does. The praise evokes worship for me. During the time that I was going through struggles on my job I listened to this song almost daily when I got home.

This morning while getting ready to go to work I began praising God with my frog lady voice. My sister and I joke about the frog voice that we both have in the morning time. The frog lady was praising God this morning and I could feel his presence. That's when it hit me. What makes a good worship song? It's me, the worshipper.

We have not because we ask not?

About two months ago I was praying about wearing more accessories. I'm not really in a position to purchase a lot but I was going to start trying to build my accessories, one pair of earrings at a time. Well I purchased my first two pair the day after I prayed.

The very next day someone gave me this necklace. Its long and fits nicely over a button down shirt. It looked perfect with the outfit that I had on at the time.

The next day that same person gave me another necklace, right off of her neck. God bless you, Mrs. Bea!  She is such a DIVA!

Here are the rest of the accessories that I've received within the last two weeks. I was very excited when I got these round turquoise blue earrings. I LOVE this color. I wore them today with a dress in the same color.

I can't wait to wear these. They are so unique to me. 

I wore this necklace with another pair of earrings the other day. It goes perfectly with a black and white sweater that I have. 

This necklace is much prettier in person. The camera doesn't really capture the beautiful colors.

And here is what I got as a Christmas gift from my job. 

God answers prayer even when what we are asking for seems insignificant. I want to always look sharp and wearing accessories is a part of that. 

Testimony #1

I love testimonies about the goodness & faithfulness of God. I have been in some very tight situations in my life and God has always shown up to take care of me. I mean TIGHT SITUATIONS. I will always give God the glory for what He does and has done in my life. I don't really understand the concept of people giving 'braggi-monies' or 'testi-lying'. I have heard those terms before. If I give a testimony I'm not bragging on myself, I'm bragging on God and how He came through for me. I tell people about what He has done because I know that He can do the same for them. There is nothing special about me. I mean, I think I'm special, but he made me the same as he made every other person. Mind you, I believe that people's faith level can be different. For example, God has always come through for me financially. I know that some other people's faith level may not be to the point where they can trust God to provide money for a bill, etc, but I've LEARNED to trust Him when it comes to my financial concerns. When those times come around that I'm in need, I may not have the money but I definitely have the favor of God. I call those folks up and its worked out until the money comes in. We must never discount God's favor working in our lives.  

Testimony: I got a bad credit start in college because I signed up for all the credit cards to get the free Skittles candy and Tee shirts. How sad. Why didn't someone stop me? I had two credit cards, a Discover and American Express (AE). I didn't even understand the concept of the AE. You are not suppose to carry a balance on that. Well as you may know my credit became so jacked up. Thank God its finally coming around. Now, I'm very cautious about using charge cards. I just got an Express card and received the first bill. I was disappointed when I had to pay half of my balance which was only $50, but I didn't want to pay $25, I wanted to pay $10. Anyway, I could pay the $25, but it was going to be a day late which was going to cause me to have a $15 late charge. I didn't want that to happen because I want a good credit rating. God knows my heart's desires. Well guess how He worked it out? I went to work and was blessed with $40 out of no where. Totally unexpected. So I was able to make the credit card payment on time.

God is no respecter of persons. My testimony may not seem like much to some people but I was in awe. When God does something great in our lives, big or small, we must remember those times. That's how David was successful when he went forth to slay Goliath. He had courage & confidence in God. He said that God gave him the victory over a lion and a bear so he knew that God would give him victory over Goliath. 

I am also a tither. I know that some people, Christians and non-Christians, don't believe it's for today. The prosperity message has gotten a bad rap because some preachers have really made a mess out of it. But I know what works for ME and has always worked for ME. But having your needs met is more than tithing. It's about truly trusting God; listening, hearing and expecting Him to give you direction and doing what He tells you to do. 

Are You Thirsty?

It's a lot of people walking around thirsting for God and don't realize it. I have been there myself. Doing all the right things, church, bible study, etc but really neglecting God. Not spending time in the Word or praying at home but going through all the motions at church. During these times, I get so frustrated because things are not working out in my life. Or shall I say working out the way I would like them to. I remember a mentor talking to me about how Christians can starve from not reading the Word. She said when believers go without reading their bibles their 'spirit man' begins to starve. Initially, they don't even realize it. Days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months and they haven't touched their bibles. The 'spirit man' just starves because it grows from you reading and meditating on the Word. Can you believe that many go and try to pray for someone else in this condition? I have to raise my hand because I've been there and done that; pouring out and not replenishing myself with the needed prayer, worship, and bible reading. Talk about running on "E". That's when the frustration comes in and we begin to carry burdens that should be casted over to the Lord. His yoke is easy and His burdens are light. So if you recognize that you are thirsting for God's presence when you are doing all the 'church' stuff, take an inventory to see if you're doing what really matters. What really matters is spending time with God. If you're thirsting, then He is missing you, too. Listen to Marvin Sapp's Thirsty (Reprise) to get a feel for what I'm talking about.

I can't hold it! Praise is the way I say THANKS!

When I hear J Moss' song Praise on the Inside it excites me so much that I sing it as HARD as I can and SCREAM it as LOUD as I can. Sorry neighbors. I just can't help it! This maybe because I pick up on the excitement of J Moss as he worships. A shout bursts forth from me because that is the spirit of this beautiful song. This is the way praise should be. It shouldn't be constrained or stifled but free to come out whenever, where ever, and however it needs to. Its militant in nature. When the Israelites went into battle the praisers were first in line.

²¹ And when he [Jehoshaphat, the king] had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the LORD, For His mercy endures forever.”

The Israelites won the battle afterwards. They were triumphant. And as they were so are you! Praise breaks down everything that the enemy can present to discourage you. We are not to be ignorant of the enemies devices. During these times you have to praise your way through as my former pastor used to say. Its so important that when we go through trying times that we keep praise music playing in our environment. Music changes the atmosphere. You will have hope and have the faith that God is going to strengthen you and give you peace as He brings you through your situation. You can't listen to this song and not be pulled along into the shouts of praise that it inspires. PRAISE IS THE WAY WE SAY THANKS!

I'm still a winner.

I am grateful, thankful, and blessed. I went to an Adobe Photoshop seminar on yesterday. It makes me almost sad to think that I almost missed out on this opportunity because I was concerned about money. What I learned at this conference was so worth the money spent. Much of the time that I was sitting in my seat I was worshipping God on the inside. He was there with me. I felt like I was going to explode from sheer excitement from being there and seeing how I could use the tips demonstrated to create my greeting cards. Wow...Jesus is amazing! I kept hearing in my spirit Israel Houghton's rendition of To God be the Glory. Goodness and mercy is following me everywhere that I go. Isn't it wonderful when you take steps and you know 'without a shadow of a doubt' that God was leading you in that direction after the fact. I know He orders our footsteps...I've been told that, I've told people that, and it's written in the Bible, but it ALWAYS excites me when I see that I was lead by Him. Its not hard to hear from Him, but I still want to be sure that I'm not just doing something that I really want to do. The fact is, I try to be wise with my money. I don't just spend just because I have it to spend and all the bills are paid for the month.

At the end of the conference they gave out door prizes. I was praying and believing that I was going to win a door prize. Thinking surely God is going to allow me to win a free training DVD. I've felt his presence during the conference...I'm a CHRISTIAN...I HAVE FAVOR...I kept waiting for them to call my name. It baffled me when they never did. What? I didn't win? But I'm a Christian and I have God's favor on my life. WHAT?

I'm still a winner. As my sister said to me referring to the results of my 4 year old nephew's first soccer game, "They are all winners." Now I get it. I'm still a winner!

Music that changes the atmosphere.

I was introduced to a wonderful worship artist last week. I went to our morning prayer service and arrived about ten minutes before the end. I know what you are thinking....I might as well have stayed home. But I'm thinking, "BETTER LATE THAN NEVER." Anyway, I heard two of the most beautiful songs playing. At that point I thought, I am so glad I did come. Grace Williams Fire Fall cd was playing Spirit Come & Don't Ever Let Go. I fell in love with these songs and downloaded them from Itunes as soon as I returned home. These songs bring a beautiful peace to the atmosphere. Listen & enjoy!