The Sanctuary

11-16-06

Well, many things have been happening lately that are worth praising God for. So, here I go…

I went on a mountain retreat this past weekend, and I believe that God blessed me with a time of encouragement and freshness in preparation for the days to come (more on that later). I came home and was able to have some pretty good conversation with one of my family members. I am blessed in knowing that God is using me in such an awesome way. But I am also saddened by the fact that not only is Satan attacking me, he is attacking my family. So I ask for prayer in this area of my life.

I also recieved some of the songs from the album with background music. I am very pleased at what I’ve heard so far, and am excited and thankful to be working with such an amazing talent as my friend, Scott Dotta. It has been such an exciting time and such a blessing to hear this project come together as it has.

I also got good news from K-Love christian radio station (out of California). I was pleased to hear that they accept independent artists (which is not the case for most stations). I had almost written the whole radio thing off, when God worked that out! There is a process and criteria to meet, so I ask for prayer in this area, as well.

I sometimes doubt myself when it comes to my music and abilities, but God has really been showing me that He is going to use me in this way, and its exciting and scary. With the release so close, Satan has really been attacking me hard, in every area of my life: I received an email from Scott, and his computer crashed again. It crashed a while back and he got the hard drive replaced and now it has crashed again. I also got news that the company I had planned to do the CD duplication with has a 4-5 week turnaround time, because of the holidays. So, the CD will probably not be out in time for Christmas. Although I was disappointed, I believe God prepared me for that, and I am okay with it. God has really been teaching me a lot about His control, patience, and perseverance.

I’ve also experienced multiple attacks within my family. I won’t go into details, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that all of these “bad” things happening in my life, right now, are not a coincidence. It makes me even more confident in the fact that God is going to use this album, this music, and even me to do great things in people’s lives! I am so excited about that, and praise Him for his amazing love.

So, I’ve updated you on most of the great things and not-so-great things that have been going on. I’ve left out many of the good things, because there are too many to list. But in conclusion, I ask that anyone who reads this post to pray the following scripture for me…and not just for me; for everyone who will be ministered to by this music; for all the lives that will be touched by His voice. I thank God for you, my friends, my family. Be blessed.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:10-20)