43rd Annual GMA DOVE AWARDS & Kim Burrell

The Gospel Music Association (GMA) today announced the 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards nominees at a press conference held at The Georgian Terrace Hotel in Atlanta, GA, which was streamed live at HearItFirst. Nominees were announced by GRAMMY nominated R&B artist Montell Jordan, known for his iconic hit “This is How We Do It,” BET “Lift Every Voice” host CoCo Brother, Daytime EMMY nominated comedian Chonda Pierce, and World Heavyweight Champion wrestler AJ Styles.

Atlanta will host the Dove Awards for a second time at the Fox Theatre on April 19, 2012, following a sold-out show in 2011 hosted by Sherri Shepherd which aired on the Gospel Music Channel and garnered 1.5 million viewers.

The 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards nominees include:

Male Vocalist of the Year

• Chris August
• Chris Tomlin
• Jason Crabb
• Kirk Franklin
• Steven Curtis Chapman

Female Vocalist of the Year:

• Francesca Battistelli
• Kari Jobe
• Laura Story
• Mandisa
• Natalie Grant

Urban Song of the Year Recorded:

• Kim Burrell for Sweeter
• Windows; ; Canton Jones; ; ; CAJO International
• SOVEREIGN KING; FROM THE HEART; DEBORAH; ; ; ZOE RECORDS

Traditional Gospel Album of the Year:

• How I Got Over; Smokie Norful; Jason Lyson; EMI Gospel
• If you didn't know Now you Know; Norman Hutchins; Michael Bereal; co-producer, Vicki Lataillade; Sueekey  Entertainment/IR Music Group
• Promises; Richard Smallwood; Steven Ford; Verity Gospel Music Group
• The Legacy Project; John P. Kee; ; Verity
• XV Live; Chicago Mass Choir; Percy Gray, Jr.; Jeral Gray, Sr.; New Haven Recor

Ash Wednesday: I am Ash

Lent 2012: 40 Days of Writing to God

Father,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another year.

Thank you for granting me the gift of full family. My mom and dad are still alive and in good health. My sister and brother are still alive and in good health. They are living in the way that makes them happy. We are not fighting. We enjoy each other’s company. I’m thankful for that, because I have friends and other family members who cannot say the same. I am most thankful for Selah. She is healthy, happy, all A student, sweet as can be and growing into the kind of woman you have entrusted in me to rear.

Forgive me for not writing to you sooner. Forgive me for putting my pen, my thoughts, my passion before you. You are always first. Thank you for reminding me. I am ash.

Thank you for my health and continued healing. At times when my body doesn’t want to cooperate with your will, it manages to get back into line. Thank you for doing that for me. I have lost dear friends and relatives this year, whose bodies had run their courses.

Thank you for Whitney Houston. Even in death you were glorified. She will rest in bliss with You. Her legacy—despite her stumbles and her struggles—end with Glorious You.

Her death reminded me of my struggle with Grandma. How sweet and how troubled; how despite the love we showered over her and the love she gave to us back, she couldn’t beat this shadow that wanted to step out of place. Grandma’s life made me understand that our soul’s are precious and there are things that we don’t or yet understand that our determined to take our unyielding joy, if we are not careful. And that we need the prayers of many and the presence of the Body of Christ to carry us when our soul’s are weak.  I thank You that I am in my right mind today. My today could easily be a tragedy, because I am ash, no different than she. I thank God  for the people who you have placed in my life for me to lean on and love me and shine your light to me when I can’t see you through my muck. I thank you.

I thank God for motherhood. It has taught me that life goes on and will go on when I’m gone. What I must do is to make the most of my life, to not squander this precious time. To leave a legacy that ends with Glorious you.

Psalm 103:8-14 (New International Version (NIV)

¹³ As a father has compassion on his children,
   so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
¹⁴ for he knows how we are formed,
   he remembers that we are dust.

CHRISTIAN FICTION: Pat Simmons Guilty by Association

BLACK CHRISTIAN FICTION

Bad boy Kidd Jamieson hates his last name because it reminds him of the father who abandoned him. But when his cousin Parke invites him to St. Louis, he accepts---and allows Parke to walk him through his royal heritage. Will his newfound knowledge of his background---and Eva Savoy's love---help him overcome his anger and resentment? (Feb, Lift Every Voice) Click here to purchase