Category: Featured

Inspiration: William McDowell on I Give Myself Away

By Julene Fleurmond • November 2010 • 1 Comment

As we enter the season of giving to others and celebrating God’s gift to us, let’s reserve what we often hold on to for ourselves – our dreams, our hearts, our lives – for the One who deserves it all. The song “I Give Myself Away,” from the album “As We Worship Live” from William McDowell, reminds us of this surrender. givemyselfaway

William McDowell on “I Give Myself Away”

McDowell wrote a powerful blog entry on his website speaking about the intent and story behind the song…

“I Give Myself Away is a dangerous song to sing.

“A few months ago I wrote in my Facebook status that I am really being challenged by the lyrics of my own songs. It’s much easier to sing about giving yourself away than it is to make it a daily reality. Help me Lord to make it a reality and not just a melody. There were a lot of responses and of course when one opens their heart the way I did there is a lot of room for interpretation. Let me clarify what I was saying. I believe that some understood and some maybe didn’t quite understand what I am saying…”

“I Give Myself Away” Lyrics

Here I am
Here I stand
Lord my life is in Your hands
Lord I’m longing to see Your desires revealed in me
I give myself away
I give myself away so You can use me

Take my heart
Take my life as a living sacrifice
All my dreams
All my plans
Lord I place them in Your hands
I give myself away
I give myself away so You can use me

My life is not my own
To You I belong
I give myself
I give myself to You

This December William will be recording his upcoming album ARISE live in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, with Martha Munizzi, Mary Alessi, and David and Nicole Binion as special guests. He says of the new project via his website, “While many are still being blessed by “As We Worship” God has been giving me songs for the next season and I am excited to be able to release what is inside of me soon. It will be released sometime in 2011. Stay tuned!”

Embracing Your Purpose & Doing What He Said – Interview With Dianna Hobbs

By Julene Fleurmond • November 2010 • 3 Comments

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When you have a divine urging inside of your heart it can be hard to ignore it, but can sometimes become difficult to press forward to what God has called you to do. Purpose often doesn’t come without its detours especially when obstacles and disappointments blur the vision God placed in our heart.

Dianna Hobbs can attest to facing obstacles when pursuing music, her buried passion. As the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of EEW Magazine, the premiere Christian publication for African American women, she has paved a path of influence in media throughout the years, along with pouring out daily encouragement on her blog.

diannaipod Behind the scenes though she felt God drawing her to begin her music ministry. It was only recently that she got the courage to do what He said, and thankfully she did. Now Dianna is inspiring many hearts through her music, which blends CCM, pop, R&B, and sometimes, soft rock along with encouraging messages. In this interview Dianna talks about her journey and gives advice to others who may need direction in bringing their God-given dreams into fruition…
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Soul Dreamer Resource – Courage & Calling: Embracing Your God-Given Potential

By Julene Fleurmond • November 2010 • No Comments

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God has called you – first to Himself, to know and follow Him,

but also to a specific life purpose, a particular reason for being. This second call, often termed a vocation, has implications for our work or occupation, but its ramifications reach far wider. It includes our giftedness, our weakness, our life in community, what we do day to day.

– From the description of the book “Courage & Calling: Embracing Your God-Given Potential” by Gordon T. Smith

Click here to read an article and listen to an audio interview with Gordon T. Smith, giving a look at how believers can embrace their God-given calling and identify what vocation they are called to…

SOAR Young Artist Snapshots: Interview With Lauren & Lucas

By Julene Fleurmond • September 2010 • No Comments

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On SOAR we feature young people (from those beginning their ministries to those more established) who are using their talents to bring glory to God. Check out our interview with brother/sister music duo Lauren & Lucas Gandy who began by posting creative videos on Youtube showcasing both their musical and production skills and their love for Jesus. By creating acoustic covers of songs by Christian artists, from Lecrae to Kirk Franklin and Skillet, Lauren and Lucas’ videos show you can have fun while bringing glory to God…