Missing Home

July 24, 2009 – 8:57 am

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It has been 3 weeks since I wasn’t able to go home. Not because I don’t want to, just because I can’t. Since we started with our ‘nesting’ (2nd level in our training as new hires), we are needed to report on weekends. Yes, sad to say, that weekend includes my every joy and fellowship with my family (friends, included) in Bohol.

I really miss home so badly that during Saturdays, I always daydream that I am with them, I always think that I am doing the same thing as I used to: wake up late, practice, go to church, and wash my clothes. But after that, I will realize they are only dreams, in reality I am in my station, wearing my headset, waiting for the next customer’s call to be responded.

I haven’t been into church for two Sundays now, soon it will be three. It’s because I start my shift on Sunday morning at seven. My friends in some time told me to look for a church here in Cebu that has evening services, I’ll quote, “where and how shall I find one”? They will then conclude that I am not exerting much effort in doing so. They just don’t know how much it hurts to be in such a situation that you can’t do anything but sit and shut up.

I always asked God to help me with this schedule. I always prayed that I can have days-off on Saturdays and Sundays someday. I am getting weary. Not with my relationship with Jesus, but with some factors in my Christian life. I miss doing my ministry, really. I miss even the little things like shaking the hands of my church mates or saying simple ‘hi’ to the co-youth people. I don’t know if it’s wrong to think this way, but I think I’m failing to do one of God’s purposes for me, FELLOWSHIP.

I’ve read in 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 when Paul talks about Heavenly dwelling. He says about the longing that we are experiencing because this body isn’t what we want but that with what God prepares for us when we depart from this body. He says that are away from the Lord as long as we are at home with this body. But instead of wishing to be away from this body to be at home with the Lord, just aim what is best, that is, to please Him wherever we are.

I thank God for His words. Lately I’ve been thinking I am not being a blessing because I am not doing my ministry, or worse, I am not pleasing Him because I can’t go to church on Sundays. Praise God for reminding me that He doesn’t mind where I am right now, whether I am home or not, what matters is my heart that longs to serve and please Him in any possible way I can.

Photo from: showmeyours

By Mike Posted in Uncategorized No Comments

40th Annual GMA Dove Awards

June 3, 2009 – 5:33 am

dove_awards_2009

The GMA Dove Awards is tagged as the “Biggest Night in Gospel Music” and remains to be the longest and most prestigious televised awards ceremony recognizing achievements of all genres of Christian and Gospel music since 1969.

This year, GMA Dove Awards tend to give fans the oppertunity to help decide for the winners of the two key categories: the Artist of the Year and New Artist of the Year. Casting of votes started February 26 through their website dove awards.com

Winners were announced live on Gospel Music C hannel last April 23 at 8pm. Here are the winners of the Artist of the Year, New Artist of the Year and all other categories:

2009 Winners

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Steven Curtis Chapman

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Tenth Avenue North

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Steven Curtis Chapman

SONG OF THE YEAR song title; writer; publisher (award to the writer and publisher)
“Give Me Your Eyes”; Brandon Heath, Jason Ingram; Sitka 6 Music/Essential Music Publishing (ASCAP), Peertunes Ltd. (SESAC), Grange Hill Music (SESAC), Windsor Way (SESAC)

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Brandon Heath

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Natalie Grant

GROUP OF THE YEAR
Casting Crowns

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Bernie Herms

RAP/HIP HOP RECORDED SONG (song; album; artist; writer; label)
“Do Yo Thang”; The Yearbook; KJ-52; Jonah Sorrentino; BEC Recordings/Uprok

ROCK RECORDED SONG
“Lost”; End Of Silence; Red; Jasen Rauch, Rob Graves, Chad Cates; Essential Records

ROCK/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG
“Washed By The Water”; The Heat; NEEDTOBREATHE; Bear Rinehart, Bo Rinehart; Atlantic Records

POP/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG
“Give Me Your Eyes”; What If We; Brandon Heath; Brandon Heath, Jason Ingram; Reunion Records

INSPIRATIONAL RECORDED SONG
“A New Hallelujah”; A New Hallelujah; Michael W. Smith; Michael W. Smith, Debbie Smith, Paul Baloche; Reunion Records

SOUTHERN GOSPEL RECORDED SONG
“Reason Enough”; Dream On; Ernie Haase & Signature Sound; Ernie Haase, Joel Lindsey, Wayne Haun; Gaither Music Group

BLUEGRASS RECORDED SONG
“They’re Holding Up The Ladder”; We Are Family; Jeff & Sheri Easter, Lewis Family, Easter Brothers; Russell Easter, James Easter, Edd Easter; Daywind Records

COUNTRY RECORDED SONG
“I Wish”; How You Live Deluxe Edition; Point of Grace; Cindy Morgan, Phil Madeira; Word Records

URBAN RECORDED SONG
“Get Up”; The Sound; Mary Mary; Warryn Campbell, Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, Eric Dawkins; Columbia Records, Integrity Music

TRADITIONAL GOSPEL RECORDED SONG
“Free At Last”; Down In New Orleans; The Blind Boys of Alabama; Traditional; Time Life Music

CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL RECORDED SONG
“How Great Is Our God”; How Great Is Our God; LaRue Howard; Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Ed Cash; EMI Gospel

WORSHIP SONG
“Mighty To Save”; Ben Fielding, Reuben Morgan; Hillsong Publishing

RAP/HIP HOP ALBUM (album; artist; producer; label)
Ordinary Dreamers; Group 1 Crew; Andy Anderson, Christopher Stevens, Sam Mizell; Fervent Records

ROCK ALBUM
Satisfied; DecembeRadio; Scotty Wilbanks; Slanted Records

ROCK/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM
Never Going Back To OK; The Afters; Dan Muckala; INO Records

POP/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM
Revelation; Third Day; Howard Benson; Essential Records

INSPIRATIONAL ALBUM
Great God Who Saves; Laura Story; Ed Cash; INO Records

SOUTHERN GOSPEL ALBUM
Lovin’ Life; Gaither Vocal Band; Bill Gaither, Guy Penrod, Marshall Hall, Wes Hampton; Gaither Music Group

BLUEGRASS ALBUM
We Are Family; Ricky Jeff & Sheri Easter, Lewis Family, Easter Brothers; Jeff Easter, Sheri Easter; Daywind Records

COUNTRY ALBUM
Around the Bend; Randy Travis; Kyle Lehning; Warner Bros. Records

URBAN ALBUM
The Fight of My Life; Kirk Franklin; Kirk Franklin; Zomba Gospel

TRADITIONAL GOSPEL ALBUM
Down In New Orleans; The Blind Boys of Alabama; Chris Goldsmith; Time Life Music, Integrity Music

CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL ALBUM
Change the World; Martha Munizzi; Aaron Lindsey, Israel Houghton; Martha Munizzi Music

INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM
Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian; Various; Harry Gregson-Williams; Walt Disney Records

CHILDREN’S MUSIC ALBUM
Absolute Modern Worship for Kids 4; Various; Chance Scoggins; Fervent Records

SPANISH LANGUAGE ALBUM
Rescatame; Seventh Day Slumber; Alejandro Allen, Susana Allen; BEC Recordings

SPECIAL EVENT ALBUM
Passion: God of This City; Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall, David Crowder*Band, Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill, Fee, Matt Redman; Nathan Nockels; Sparrow Records, sixsteps Records

CHRISTMAS ALBUM
Peace on Earth; Casting Crowns; Mark Hall, Mark A. Miller; Beach Street

PRAISE & WORSHIP ALBUM
A New Hallelujah; Michael W. Smith; Michael W. Smith; Reunion Records

MUSICAL (title; creator; publisher (award given to creator)
God Bless the USA; Sue C. Smith, Joel Lindsey, Russell Mauldin; Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing

YOUTH/CHILDREN’S MUSICAL
An Island Christmas; Wayne Haun, Shelby Haun, Joel Lindsey; Lillenas Publishing Company

CHORAL COLLECTION
I’ll Say Yes; Carol Cymbala; Brooklyn Tabernacle Music

RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING (product; art director; graphic artist; illustrator/photographer; label)
Revelation (Third Day); Tim Parker, Becka Blackburn; Tim Parker; David McClister, RW Sims; Essential Records

SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO (title; artist; director; producer; production company; label)
“Slow Fade”; Casting Crowns; John Erwin, Andy Erwin; Erwin Brothers Motion Pictures; Beach Street

LONG FORM MUSIC VIDEO ( title; artist; director; producer; production company; label)
Alive and Transported; TobyMac; Eric Welch; Tameron Hedge, Dan Pitts; Broken Poet Productions; ForeFront Records

Source: dove awards.com
Congratulations to all the winners! Keep shining for Jesus, God bless everyone.

By Mike Posted in Catchy Sounds No Comments

God’s Favor

May 21, 2009 – 11:13 am

I made it! I got hired as a call center agent. I thank God for His help. I know He is always there from the very start. I’m so happy. I feel very blessed. Glory to God, Praise His holy name.

By Mike Posted in Uncategorized No Comments