Thoughts on the Stellar Awards

Well, Stellar Weekend 2K12 has come and gone. We had a great time. It was interesting to make this trip at this time, because at one point I was ready to call the whole thing off because funds were that tight. We drove the 670 miles instead of flying, cut back our wardrobe budget and ate on the cheap as much as possible. As far as my thoughts on the weekend:

• You don't have to spend a fortune to look good. (Unless you need to)
• The right vehicle makes a 10 hour drive so much more bearable
• Toilet paper in a swag bag? Really...?
• It's a long stretch of wilderness between Manassas VA and Knoxville TN
• I love Marriott's consistency. They'd make a great tour sponsor (Anyone at Marriott listening?)
• I'm so glad fast food turkey burgers are getting easier to find. Hardee's has some of the best out, and the price is right
• Shirley Murdock is a hoot
• For all the talk of artistic diversity in this year's broadcast, instrumental and spoken word were left out (again). An oversight I hope will be corrected in the future
• The Chicago gospel community is like the mafia
• OK. I'm actually starting to look like a PREACHA. I gotta loose some weight.

Thanks to True Way Church for hosting us on Sunday with an outpouring of love and spirit. Even though I didn't win this time out, I'm thankful for all I've been allowed to see and do. Hopefully this won't be my last trip to the Stellars, but as interesting as it all was, it's still the work that matters.

2012- The Year of Purpose

The new year always brings in a rush of optimism and enthusiasm. Nothing like a fresh start. A new leaf. 2012 is no exception for me. I have high hopes and big goals for the year.

The year starts out with a bang. This weekend I will be my first Stellar Award Weekend. I'd be lying if I said the nomination wasn't exciting, but the real exciting part is the opportunity to bless more people with this music. So win or loose, I claim victory.

This year I also plan to release a new project. A lot of pieces have to fall into place for this to happen, but I'm moving forward faithfully. The music we've developed so far is... I'm looking for an appropriate adjective. Anyway, I think you're really going to like, it and I can't wait to share it with you.

The year has its share of challenges. Business as usual. But I'm hopeful that things are coming together in divine order.

I'm using the devotional Jesus Calling by Sarah Young this year. It's excellent, and it's already deepening my relationship.