The Merchant's Cross Blog » Christian

My Most Memorable Experience Singing for God

editor — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 04:39:11 +0000

The most incredible experience I have ever had singing Gospel… or singing anything for that matter was at a Christian Life Centre Penticostal Church in Ajax about 8 years ago. I was new to this church and the choir. My sister Ada and I were both in the choir and Margie, the Pastor's wife and Choirleader played a song she wanted us to learn. She asked if anyone wanted to try out for the solo. Since I was new, I didn't think it appropriate to jump up and ask for it, so I stayed quiet. But that week, the song haunted me. I couldn't get it out of my mind! I had only heard it the once but strangely, I could sing and recall most of the words. This song just spoke to me, as if I had penned it myself.

I was really freaked by this and told Ada, who said, "maybe you are meant to sing it." "Naaaa.. I said. I"m too new, it's not my place.

The next week at choir practice, Margie asked who wanted to try it.. no one spoke up (which was also strange, since people were usually asking for solos every week). After a few minutes of silence Ada piped up and said, "let Sally try it" (I will always love you for that Ada, thank you xo) I was stunned! :O I was singing alto in the choir because most of the women wanted to sing soprano (like most choirs) and the alto section was small and needed more voices to balance it out. "It might be too high for you Sally, it's not an alto part". I told her that I was singing alto because that's where I was needed but that I was really a mezzo soprano & alto. Surprised..she gave me the sheet music and to my shock and amazement, the words on that page were exactly the same words I had been singing all week!

The first time I sang it with that 35 piece choir behind me, I was so totally captivated! The more power they had, the more it drove me to sing with every fibre of my being. I found a source of power in my voice that I never knew was there, yet it flowed so freely. We performed it next week. The Christian Life Centre holds about 600 people and the place was packed! By the end of that song, nearly every one of them was on their feet, praising God and then there was me, literally floating high above the rafters with the angels that filled that wonderful place. At that very moment, I was totally zoned out and in such alignment with God. The Pastor came over to me and all I know is that he touched my arm and it was like I woke up, with everyone on their feet praising God. What power! Pastor Dave was chuckling .. I think he had been talking – but I was not aware of what he said or even of his existance because in that moment I was with my maker! WOW!

That was the most incredible experience of my singing life. Even as I write and re-read this (checking for errors of course) words cannot capure that extraordinary moment in time. At the end of the service, Pastor Dave said that he'd never done this before but if everyone agreed, he'd like to invite the choir back to sing that song again! The room went CRAZY.. I was so humbled by the whole thing but so honoured as well. The story actually begins even before that with how I ended up at the CLC in the first place but it was all in God's plan and it happened because I allowed it to and opened myself up to His leading..

Thank you God.. for loving me and leading me and wanting only the best for me. Listen here >>> Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir – Praise Him

The video below is a beautiful rendition of that same song that touched my heart 8 years ago … and continues to hold a special place in my heart today. This video version is performed a little differently but still very good, by the Yale Gospel Choir. Enjoy!

Prayer for Direction and Focus

I AM ZELDA — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:09:47 +0000

"Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters … so our eyes look to the Lord our God…" (Psalm 123:2) Our spiritual strength begins to drain when we stop lifting our eyes to Him. Our stamina is sapped, partly from external troubles surrounding us but more through problems in our own thinking. We have to realize that no effort can be too high. God will make good in all things we do.

Father God in Heaven, Thank you for this day. Thank you that you are the All Mighty, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, and that you love me. Your Word is Truth. As your Word commands, I look to you oh God to direct my steps, shield me from my enemies while you light the path under my feet. Dress me in the armor of God and set me on the path that you have laid our just for me. I pray you open doors I am meant to walk through. Lead me not into temptation and close those doors I am not intended to venture into. I place my faith and trust in you oh Father. In Jesus Holy name I pray. Amen.

Prayer of Saint Francis

I AM ZELDA — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:14:27 +0000

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. Oh Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen Saint Francis of Assisi

The History of Passover

editor — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:51:37 +0000

An interesting video that depicts the origins of the Passover. And the significance of Passover on Christianity.

Palm Sunday – Who is Jesus to You?

editor — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 19:23:46 +0000

I had the privledge of singing special music at church service today. It was a very uplifting experience, after attending Bayfair Baptist Church for over a year, to be able to tell my church family how much they have all touched and impacted my life, how great the church is – and how special it's members truly are. My spiritual growth over the past year has been incredible and I thanked each of them for the part they played in that.

On this Palm Sunday, I pray that you find out for yourself, who God is to you. Don't allow the misconceptions of others, or what you've *'heard* about God, Jesus, or the Bible, turn you away or disuade from discovering Christ for yourself. You can't have an opinion on something you know nothing about. I"m not asking you to believe – I'm asking you simply to find out what it's all about. And hey, don't take my word for it…all you need to do is ask Him to reveal Himself to you and then listen for God's still small voice – and He will respond. For the Bible, which is God's word, tells us to

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." - Matthew 7:7-8

Here is a wonderful new on-line ministry I recently discovered. The message supports my thoughts this day for your own personal self reflection and discovery so I thought I'd share it with you now.

I pray our Lord blesses you and your loved ones this day, and brings you joy, peace and happiness. Shalom!