“It’s not only that God just forgives you…it’s not only that He covered me and set me free and forgave me, but He goes so much farther. He crowns me with glory and honor and favor, He calls me His daughter – I thrive on the joy…the presence of God is the fullness of joy…” – Beckah Shae

A few weeks back I heard Beckah Shae’s testimony on the Revolution show on JCTV and was moved by her heart for God and her story. Watch her talk about how she came to where she is today:

“I know personally that I’ve been called to stand. I’d like to see how many people are going to be really, truly willing to stand…Do you know Him and does He know you?” – Beckah Shae

At the beginning of January I gave a message to the teen girl ministry at my church about Esther and how like she followed God’s plan for her life, we should also be bold and say yes to our purpose. One of my inspirations for the message was Beckah Shae’s song from her album “Destiny,” listen to the lyrics below:

In her new single All This Time from Britt Nicole in which she reflects on part of her story and inspires us to share our stories too:

Britt Shares a Message from the Studio

Britt’s story behind the song:

“All This Time is my salvation story. It is the story of how I met
Jesus, and a reminder that whatever we face in life, we don’t have to
face it alone because Jesus promised to never leave us or forsake us.

Here is a glimpse at my story and I hope one day I can hear yours.

When I was seven years old my parents were going through a divorce. I
remember running to my room with tears running down my face and opening
my big, pink, Precious Moments Bible (I know some of y’all had one of
those too! haha). I grew up hearing my grandpa preach about Jesus and
in that moment I needed Him to rescue me. With barely any words I cried
out to Jesus and right away I felt His presence fill my bedroom. I knew
that He was real; I knew that He was with me and that He would never
leave.

Ever since that day there has never been a moment that I have walked
alone. Jesus has walked with me through the good and the bad. He is a
loyal and faithful God; the God who sees our heartache and knows that
the picture is much bigger than what we can see. He restores our
brokenness and redeems what we thought could never be redeemed.

But, this isn’t just about my story, it’s about yours. Your story
will reach people that I could never reach. Your story could be the
beginning of someone else’s. So I encourage you to tell your story. No
matter how painful, how dark, how broken it may be, let people know that
our God rescues, saves, and restores and turns our pain into something
beautiful.

Together our stories will change the world and people will know that
God is real not because of the mere facts, but because we have
experienced Him. I once heard a writer say, “Facts stay lodged in the
mind, but stories speak to the heart.” Stories disarm the heart. No one
can argue with your story. It is real, it is powerful, and it is life
changing.

When someone asks me why I believe, I simply say, I believe in Jesus
not because someone told me to or because it was the right thing to do,
but because I met Him when I was just a little girl and He has been my
best friend and Father since. He saved me from a broken life and gave me
something to sing about. He restored my darkest moments and I know what
the enemy meant for bad, Jesus will turn for good.

It’s not always easy to see in the moment, but if you take a second
to stop and look back over your life, you can see how God has always
been there watching over you, protecting you, and guiding you all the
way up until this very morning. From the first tear cried till today’s
sunrise, He’s been walking with you and with me, All This Time. “

Download the single “All This Time” from iTunes January 31, 2012. “All This Time” is the first single from Britt’s NEW album GOLD coming March 27, 2012.

This spoken word piece from Jefferson Bethke where he shares his views on religion has been making waves around the web:

Hawk Nelson’s song “My Next Breath” is from their latest release Crazy Love and speaks so much on how much we rely on God for life and redemption:

Lyrics:
Just when I thought I was gone,
Too far, too far gone and no one cared
Just when I thought I was lost,
So lost I’d never be found
I turn around and you’re right there,
You’re right there

You open up your arms and give me a new start
I need you, I need you more than my next breath
I know that I am loved, cuz you bought me with your blood
I need you, I need you more than my next breath…

Ashamed of who I’ve become,
Afraid that if I look up I’d see your tears
But you have called me by name
And you have loved me the same
I’m forever changed and you are here,
You are here

You open up your arms and give me a new start
I need you, I need you more than my next breath
I know that I am loved, cuz you bought me with your blood
I need you, I need you more than my next breath yeah

I surrender my soul,
To your love, to your hope
Where you go I will go with you

You open up your arms and give me a new start
I need you, I need you more than my next breath
I know that I am loved, cuz you bought me with your blood
I need you, I need you more than my next breath yeah

“You are not to young to find out and seek what God wants you to do with your life right now…your voice isn’t too small…” – Phil Wickham

Each day is a new opportunity to pursue purpose and use our gifts to serve God and others. I’m inspired by this interview with Phil Wickham on Seeds TV where he talks about how he hopes to use music to move others and how young people can find and follow their purpose right where you are:

“It’s more than just knowing who God is, it’s seeking Him with your heart…”

Phil’s latest project is Response and he’s gearing up for another Singalong live recording which will take place on March 30, 2012, in Cosa Mesa, CA. Find out more about how you can attend at http://www.philwickham.com/singalong2, and watch Phil talk about the event below:

Started as a part of the Impact Movement (a ministry geared toward college students) and now in partnership with Cross Movement Records comes Level 3:16 bringing a fresh, energetic and spiritually uplifting sound. The group blends the sounds of Hip Hop, R&B and urban gospel, and is made up of six members – two male MCs, a female DJ and three female vocalists. I love that their music brings beats that you can enjoy and move along to, and still is lyrically full of substance that can move the heart. It’s also not just about the music for Level 3:16 – they see themselves as missionaries who are called to creatively share the Gospel where ever they go.

You can connect with Level 3:16 on Facebook at www.facebook.com/level316. They will also be at the upcoming Impact Conference 2011: The Remedy, taking place December 28, 2011 through January 1, 2012. Read more about the conference here on SOAR, and visit www.theremedy11.com to find out more. Click here to watch Impact 11 streaming live during the conference.

In the video below the members of the group talk about what inspired their song called LOVE.

Watch the video for LOVE below:

More About Level 3:16

Answering the call of Scripture to use their God-given talents for the purpose of promoting the gospel as urban missionaries, new group Level 3:16 enters the scene focused and determined as musicianaries (music-missionaries). Uniting this unique collection of young, energetic artists from all across the country is one common mission: to elevate their culture and generation to the next level of reality that goes beyond what is seen to what is unseen; that level begins with embracing the gospel message of the quintessential/renowned Bible verse John 3:16 as both the means and goal of life itself…

Offering an eclectic fusion of Hip Hop, R&B and urban gospel, Level 3:16 is comprised of 2 male emcees, 3 female vocalists and 1 female DJ. Skillfully combining melodic Hip Hop and hard-hitting beats with the musicality and 3-part harmonies of R&B, topped off with classic lyricism, a strong vocal blend and spoken word, the versatility of the band is inspiring and impressive.

The inherent focus on missions rooted in the purpose of Level 3:16 is based in the group’s origins and formation. Each summer, The Impact Movement conducts a music-oriented mission trip near Indianapolis, IN at the headquarters of Keynote, which is the music, creative and innovative ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. As the college students and young adults gather together, Impact takes them through an intensive training and development program, preparing them for a tour comprised of outreach concerts in various parts of the US.

The 6 members of Level 3:16 met on the 2009 summer trip, where The Impact Movement assembled and developed the group. Now, they have each committed to return as full-time musicianaries, where they are required to raise their own financial support. As they embark on this journey to help their culture aspire to the next level a docu-reality show will be filmed that documents Level 3:16′s music and ministry training, recording of their new album and summer outreach tour.

Recording artist Melinda Watts, winner of the Gospel Music Channel’s singing competition Gospel Dream, knows firsthand about the power of dreams and the importance of being given the opportunity to grow into one’s purpose. As a former teacher her heart has always been geared toward youth, especially girls who grew up in difficult social and financial situations where dreams often seemed so far away.

Those experiences with young people are what led Melinda to start the Dream Girlz Gathering Foundation which supports girls from underserved neighborhoods and hosts high-energy, power-packed empowerment conferences designed to uplift, inspire, and teach girls ranging in age from 8-18. Full of pampering, fun, worship, workshops, prayer and more, girls everywhere are experiencing a life-changing encounter.

Below: Watch Melinda Watts and the Dream Girlz Gathering in action at one of their 2011 events in Seattle.

In November, during National Adoption Month, Melinda’s charity hosted 75 enthusiastic girls at her Foundation’s G.L.A.M. (Girls Leadership and Mentoring) Camp at the Pinebrook Conference and Retreat Center in Pennsylvania. The girls who attended G.L.A.M. took part in a variety of activities, from swimming and hiking to inspiring workshops and creative arts. Each attendee enjoyed a special time of bonding, sharing, praying, and worshiping, in a fun, safe environment. Testimonials poured in from girls who said it was a life-changing weekend.

According to Melinda, a greater number of girls and their parents desired to participate, but the Dream Girlz Gathering staff was unable to accommodate a larger group—something Watts is hoping to change with donations and support from individuals, ministries, and groups interested in linking up with her cause.

“There are so many young girls who need love and guidance and I want to be able to help as many as possible,” Watts, who is currently working on her new album to be released in 2012, tells EEW Magazine. Through the sale of the charity single and charitable donations of “Dream Girlz Gathering Angels,” the name designated for supporters, Watts anticipates the day when the Foundation will be able to assist more girls.

Click here to find out how you can support the Dream Girlz Gathering Christmas Dream Fund and download Melinda’s Christmas single “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

Just as Mary let the Holy Spirit dwell in her to bring about God’s dreams through her life – plans that were larger than she could imagine – let’s do the same and remember in this season and in the upcoming year that with God, nothing is impossible.

He is a God of miracles, marvels and great love for you and I, represented in the present He sent to live among us – God incarnate, love personified…

May your dreams be merry and bright this season and in the New Year!

- Julene Fleurmond, Editor of Dream in Soul & SOAR

Word: The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.”

38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

Luke 1:26-38 – Read More in Context

I love the funky rendition of “The First Noel” with Owl City from tobyMac’s album Christmas in Diverse City (click here to get your copy):

Matthew West’s new Christmas album The Heart Of Christmas features this beautiful song of the same title, reminding us about the most valuable gifts God has given us – life, family and loved ones and most of all Jesus who came to give us life eternal.

The song is also featured in the movie The Heart Of Christmas, also starring Matthew West along with Candace Cameron Bure and Anita Renfroe airing on GMC throughout this month. The movie is based on a true story of one family’s desire for their seriously ill son to experience an early and memorable Christmas, and how an entire community came together to make it possible. You can watch the trailer below and visit http://theheartofchristmasmovie.com to find out more: