Today, I’m back home in Virginia Beach.

Oh my God!! What a fantastic trip. We had so much fun doing the Christian Artist Talent Search. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment I spent at the facility. The judges were so amazing! And the contestants… I just love all of them.

World, get ready for Radial Flight, Serenity, Brii and Emma! They are going to blow you away. I’m sorry that you have to wait until January before you get to see the show but trust me, you will love these artists.

What blessed me so much was receiving confirmation that I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing. When I took the stage on Wednesday evening, I really sensed the power and presence of the Lord. The reaction of the audience and the response from the judges confirmed what I felt.

After we wrapped up taping, I had the opportunity to speak with all of the judges. God gave me great favor! The purpose of the trip was really wrapped up in the events that took place on Wednesday night. Great doors were opened. When Sharon and I left that night we were so happy with God. His favor is better than life.

I wish I could tell you more about what happened but I can’t. Just know that the show will be great to watch. I’ll remind you as we get closer to January.

Well, I’m still in Charlotte!!!

So far this today, I’ve been going through my music… listening to my tracks and planning out the rest of my performances. Oops, I may have said too much already. Let me go to another subject.

My niece is a hair stylist with her own salon in Charlotte – D’Paul’s. My wife is there to get her hair styled – or as we like to say it, "to get her hair did." Jinel’s been styling hair for many years and is quite good at it.

I’ve met some wonderful people at the CATS competition. I met a young lady from North Pole, Alaska who is a wonderful singer and songwriter. You will love her when you see the show. By the way, the show won’t air until January 2008. Sorry! But you will definitely appreciate the artists. I met another young lady from Florida who is so much the Christian version of Christina Aguilera. And she is a sweetheart with a great testimony. I’ve met some wonderful worship leaders who really love God. It is great being around so many people who share the passion that I have.

Thank God for my prayer posse!! There are so many people praying for me through this competition. It’s wonderful having so many great friends "texting" me to let me know that they’re praying for me. Keep praying. I’m still here.

Today is the big day!!

How do I feel? Nervous! Excited and nervous. Sometimes people think that I’m kidding when I say that I get nervous when it’s time to sing. But, I really do. For me, it’s reassuring that I still get nervous. I don’t want to ever get to the point that I am so self-confident that I don’t get nervous. My nervousness tells me that I still realize that my sufficiency is not in me. It tells me that I need to rely on someone greater then myself to do what I am about to do. It tells me that I have not taken on the position of being a star. I am only a moon. I don’t shine a light of my own. I reflect the light of Christ. And if He doesn’t shine at this moment, I won’t shine at all. So I need God. The nervousness reminds me to pray and seek God for direction. So, I’m glad that I’m nervous.

It’s been an interesting few weeks. My wife and I are hosting our family reunion in Virginia Beach beginning this Friday but I am in Charlotte today for the INSP Christian Artist Talent Search. So, I’ve had to split my attention between preparing for the reunion and preparing for the competition.

I don’t like music competitions anyway! They can bring out the best and the worst in Christians. Often they cause artists to leave the ministry in music and move completely into the performance of it. It’s important to me to remain focused on ministering the music. If there is any way in which I stand out in the industry I would say it is my passion for leading people into worship through effectively ministering the music. So, pray for me that I won’t minimize my role to singing or competing but that I will be the worship leader that I’ve been designed to be. Pray that I will effectively minister to the people that will be in the studio audience as well as the thousands that will be watching on TV.

The taping of the competition takes place over a 4-day period. I started yesterday. If you make it through a round, you get to stay in Charlotte another day for the next round. However, we cannot divulge the results of the show until the show is aired. And the show won’t be aired until probably November. So I can’t tell you whether I win a round or not. But, I can tell you which city I’m in. So, as long as I’m in Charlotte, you know the deal!

Speaking of Charlotte… this is our first time visiting the new home of my niece and nephew. It’s beautiful! Way to go, Paul & Jinel! They are wonderful Christians with a heart for ministry. And Paul is a real sports buff… my kind of guy!

Okay… I’m going to get ready to leave for the studio now. If I’m still in Charlotte tomorrow… you’ll know why.