We played many songs- among them were “You Are Good” by Isreal Houghton, “Shout to Lord” and “At the Cross” from Hillsong, “Mighty to Save”- the Newsboys version and more! We even got to pull in a wonderful Latin percussionist and a Spanish singer from “open the Eyes of My Heart” in English and Spanish.

I had spent time teaching and directing “You Are Good” with children to sing around Thanksgiving- and I finally got our band leader, Bryan, hooked in to do it with the adult band! It jammed! So joyful!

I also got to do the lead vocal part on “Shout to the Lord”! I love that song! I can really give it my heart!

The service was inspiring, the worship powerful- and there were 2 baptisms to make it a perfect Sunday!

If there was a downside- it is trying to get up at 5:30- something our bodies don’t do easily! But God gave us the strength!

To Him be the glory.

Recording begins at Jharck Records (Our studio!) on March 21st, 2012! (God willing!)

My amazing drummer brother Gary Gibbons

Gary in the studio

will be flying in from LA; my funky bass brother Chris Gibbons

Chris in the studio on Grace With Jazz On Top CD sessions

will be driving up from Ithaca NY (with my Mom to help with the kids!),

John V jammin' on Grace With Jazz On Top CD release concert

our bluesy lead guitarist John (Johnny V) Vicaire will be joining us from beyond Springfield; my handsome and talented hubby Ralph Kinscheck

Ralph, chief engineer for Grace With Jazz On Top

will be playing keyboards and engineering and yours truly will be singing and playing her little heart out!!!

I am SUPER excited! I have LOTS of great new songs I am dying to share with you and Ralph and I are working on some co-writes, too for the CD!

There is much pre-production work to do… picking the songs and writing charts, finishing the studio wiring and testing the drum mics etc! Choosing the photographer, graphics- oh my! And the COST!

The good news is we did sell quite a few of the first CD- though we still have a few left (get them before they’re gone!)Click here to purchase

Grace CD Cover

But we could use all the help we could get to get this next project off the ground- starting with paying for the Drummer’s airfare to Boston!!!! If you are a fan and have the ability to help out- any small bit is appreciated!!!!

And keep us in your prayers to create the most wonderful (and marketable) CD- that will be excellent, heart moving and glorifying to our God!

“Apart from me you can do nothing”- Jesus John 15:5

in Joy!

Julie

Kinscheck Family on top of Mount Monadnock spring 2011

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ took hold of me…. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:12-14

I have great hopes for 2012!

I pray to record basics for my next CD! I have LOTS of new material and Ralph and I are planning to write some more together!

We hope to travel to San Antonio Texas in July to worship and play music with and for over 15,000 disciples from around the world!

Julie rockin' out!

Our recording studio and rehearsal studio are basically finished; major construction on our home is almost done and my teaching business is booming!

I am starting the pre- production for a Europe tour for summer 2013!

Caleb- The Little Drummer Boy!

My children are healthy and beautiful and loving life- and playing music: Hannah sings and plays some keys and Caleb sings and plays the drums!

Hannah Wins First Prize singing "These Boots are Made For Walking"!

My husband works in music at Berklee college of music, freelances teaching Apple classes (for video editing and recording etc on the Mac) and consulting- and looks forward to recording people in our new studio!

Part of Jharck Records new control room

Ralph with Kurt Beiderwolf presenting an award in the Electronic Music and Design department at Berklee College of Music in Boston

Ralph and I are honored and loving playing with the Church praise band!

Ralph, Julie, Dana, John, Bryan and Josh-playing for worship for 1500 Christians at the lawrence Field House

God Is So Good!

Our theme for our church this new year is : EPIC: Everyday People Imitating Christ!
I’ve just written a song about it that I hope to perform and put up on Youtube soon, too!

And like most of the world- I want to lose some weight!

And through it all- I desire to grow closer to my Lord and be used by him in even greater ways!

I refer to the prayer of Jabez “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!”

Here is a quick recap of 2011:

2011 was a year of Great Worship! Ralph and I played with the local Northern Region Praise band all year at many large and meaningful events and services! Some of those events included: The BCC Olympics, a powerful Easter service and a glorious Christmas presentation for which I also directed and led children singing. Even my little Caleb was the Little Drummer Boy! I was also able to lead women singing several of my newest songs at a marvelous brunch event for 300 women at the Shriner’s auditorium in Wilmington.

Theresa, Jessica, Diana, Julie & Melanie at Womens Day 2011

In addition I felt it was a great time of spiritual growth for me and learning more about parenting keeping God in the center! I have much more to learn for sure- but I am grateful for the journey. I am also thrilled to be actively leading Bible studies again! It strengthens and renews my heart and faith!

Julie Singing praiseds at the NECC 2011

I also was honored to Sing and play for many events at the NewEngland/ World Leadership conference at the Hines convention center in October which brought in disciples form around the world. I wrote a whole blog about how God worked in me that weekend!

Julie, Jerry, and Scott playing "Lamb of God" at NECC 2011 Sunday service

Julie and Ralph at the NECC 2011

2011 was a great year of serving with my gifts! We had our second annual Night of Hope Billerica at the Bennett Library in September and raised funds for Hope Worldwide medical missions to Honduras and Guatemale as well as a needy family in Billerica! The talent- Including RIA, Kasia and others, the food, the MC, Gail Scot Key- everything about the event was top shelf!

Jessica, Melanie, Kenny (bass), Julie (guitar), Diana and Ralph (keys) at Night of HOPE

Gail Scott Key MC with Julie at Night of HOPE Billerica 2011

I was also pleased to be a guest artist at a fundraiser for Liberty Hill Farms in VT- helping to provide food for 1500 dairy cow that had lost their crops during the floods of Katrina.

Lois Lane and Julie at LHF Fund Raiser

Ralph and I also played jazz as Moon Glow

for the annual Cat Care Coalition Fund raiser to help lost kitties!

Peter and Sharon Dubois with Moon Glow Jazz duo (Julie and Ralph) at BCCC Funraiser

Finally, I got to bring music and joy to many first and second graders at the Hajjar elementary school in sing-a-longs three times last year-

Happy Julie sings for Hajjar School second grades for Christmas 2011!

and to the elderly at the Life Care Center in Billerica and more.

Julie takes some students to perform at the Billerica Life Care Center

2011 was Full of Community!

I managed to play the “Coffee Song” and get interviewed on Fox News when they did their Zip Trip to Billerica! That was a gas indeed! I got to play twice for the Billerica Farmer’s Market and also for the Billerica Yankee Doodle celebration! I played for schools and elderly and more!

Julie with Cindy Fitzgibbon of Fox News!

In Addition to being on TV, Songs from Grace With Jazz On Top played on 1000′s of international radio stations through TSproductions promotion!  Me and my original band played at All Asia and various other area venues, too!

Ralph, Julie, Ogechi, Jessica, Johnny (with Kenny and Brian in the back) at All Asia in Cambridge, MA

It was a great year for writing music! Some of my newest songs include: “Waiting on You”, “Fire in my Heart”, I Trust in You”, “Time to Call Mom”, “I’m a Mess”, “Love Life Like I Should”, “I’ve Got it All” , “Galaxy Ride” & “EPIC” to name a few!

It was a year for travel- For gigs and pleasure I went alone or with family to Chicago, IL,  Ithaca, NY, Sweden and Portland, Maine, Bowens Mill, GA, Providence, RI and all over NH.

2011 was a great year with my students! I directed 3 student recitals of my home studio guitar and voice students at the Billerica Bennett Library in spring, summer and at Christmas time. I also led students performing at the Calvary chapel for two BLT Music School recitals this year. Two favorite group songs that I did with several groups of kids this year were “Do Re Mi” from Sound of Music and “The Little Drummer Boy”! What fun! I have the most students I have ever had! Thank you to all of them and their parents!

" Do, Re, Mi" from my home studio Spring recital 2011

I also directed several choirs of children singing for special church events. It is so exciting to see students grow and learn to love music and performing like I do. I am so blessed!

2011 was a year of progress! We built a new recording studio out of what used to be a garage! We fashioned a live rehearsal, recording  and teaching space for me; we rebuilt our shed into an office and two new rooms for our children (after they had to be taken apart after major ice dam leak damage!)- and finally we overhauled the upstairs bathroom! Feels like a new house! (Only it isn’t quite finished- have to do all those finishing touches- like hang the tv’s the towel racks etc and de-clutter!) I will be so excited to get my house in order and have a BIG party!

2011 was an incredible year with friends and our church family! We spent many birthdays including Thanksgiving with our good friends the Wicks, the Proventures, the Cadets and the Roscoes and others! Then we joined a new family group at church and made more best friends with whom we share our hearts and common bond in Christ like the Sogades, the Drakes and the Banks!

Ann Marie, Julie and Diana on my birthday 2011

We had our annual Superbowl party, too- and Ruth and Dick were there as always (with Deviled eggs! And I even got to spend one awesome evening with Oberlin best friend and matron of honor Sharon Dolph when she came to town for a conference!!

Finally, 2011 was a great year for family! My twins turned 7 and entered 2nd grade at the HAjjar elementary school! Hannah won the Billerica Town Talent Show and became a local star with her rendition of “These Boots Are made For Walkin!” Caleb became a drummer and performed the Beatle’s “Drive my Car” on the drum kit and was the little drummer boy on 4 performances at Christmas time! We had fun vacations  at our beloved cabin in Maine, camping and climbing mountains- See the first picture above from the summit of Mount Monadnock! We enjoyed great hikes and hang time with cousins Jenny and Greg and Soleil-

The Haung-dale family on Little and Big Deer Hill 2011

even got lost on Big and Little Deer Hill- that was an adventure!!!

Gisela (Oma) Kinscheck at Calloway Gardens, GA

We enjoyed time with Oma (Ralph’s Mom) in Chicago, Georgia and Billerica; with,Keith & Ingrid and Renata in Georgia (Ralph’s sisters); With Grandma Polly and Grandpa Charlie in Ithaca and with Grandpa Paul and Grandma Diane in New Hampshire and Billerica- and topped it off with seeing both my brothers Chris and Gary (who played bass and drums on the Grace With Jazz on Top CD) with their families at Christmas at Mom’s!

Ralph's sister Renate with her dog

Twins with Grandpa Paul 2011

Ralph's sister Ingrid and husband Keith at the Butterfly Place at Calloway Gardens 2011

My brother Gary, Julie, Polly (Mom) and my brother Chris

And we watched through all the Dr. who episodes form the 1st through the 4th Doctor! We even had a Dr. who birthday party!

Dr. Who and the Battle for all time play!

Caleb, Julie, Hannah, Ralph at the NECC in Boston 2011

Thank you Lord for an amazing 2011- now for the sequel-

Here we come 2012!!!

To God be the glory!

Jesus was a miracle from conception on. He was born in humble circumstances- but was the fulfillment of thousands of prophesies from Isaiah, David and many others in the old testament. He was the chosen Christ- the son of God and man (woman actually!) – destined to free his people- not only the Jews- but all of us who would believe and live his commands. Wow! What a baby!

This Christmas I want to pray that my life can glorify the man this baby grew to be- and that the love, that was central to His message of salvation will be reflected in me, my family and my church. I could pray for peace on Earth- but my faith is weak- there are so many who hate Christ; Lord give me faith.

And as I sing and praise God at church this Sunday at our wonderful Christmas celebration, let our songs resound with the joy of new birth- not only the Christ child- but of new hope in our hearts that only he could bring!

Merry Christmas!

Kylie, Rachel, Lydia, Sarah, Fiona and Julie

With singers of all ages singing in sweet harmonies on “Silent Night”- led by young singer “Fiona” including a feature instrumental section with Jason Daniel and I playing the melody in harmony on guitars.

Jason Daniel on guitar

Lynne Santos Serenaded us with her rich versions of “Mary Did You Know” and Adell’s “Make You Feel My Love.”

Lynne Santos: "Make You Feel My Love"

Sarah Daniel maintained her marvelous reputation singing “Christmas in My Heart” backed up by 5 young singers and by singing and playing guitar on “Never Let Go.”

Sarah Daniel

New Guitarists Cheyenne Banks and Ana Marie Sogade played on Debussy’s “Au Claire De le Luna” and “The Little Drummer Boy”

Speaking of the Little Drummer Boy- It was my 7 year old son, Caleb. What a cutie-pie! But I guess he thought it was too easy- so he acted cool and put the drum sticks in his sleeves for a section!  He has been given the challenge to prove his seriousness on the drums at our upcoming BLT Student recital on December  12th… Before he will be the Little Drummer Boy at the big church Christmas service for 500 people at the Lawrence High School on December 18th! Then he will have 50 kids singing with him instead of the 6 we had last week (who were wonderful BTW!)

Caleb Kinscheck- The Little Drummer Boy!

Continuing  with my children- my sweet Hannah sang “Away in the Manger” – she is so precious- I had to follow her song with my song “Precious” from my Grace With Jazz on Top CD!

Hannah Kinscheck

Other highlights of the performance were Jason playing the “Star Spangled Banner” and a solo on “the Blues” accompanied by Ana Marie Sogade; Rachel Mathew and the Girls on “The First Noel” and “You Are My All In All”; Kylie Cadet leading “Go Tell It On The Mountain” and singing Louis Armstrong’s “Wonderful World”; Jessica Lewis on “O Holy Night”; Lydia Colon on “Last Christmas” and the sweet Emma Miller singing “When Will My Life Begin” from Tangled!

We did have some technical difficulties… My keyboard didn’t want to work when it was time to play Fiona’s “Love the Lord”- and the track was breaking up on “Joy to the World”- so both songs got pushed to the second act. During the intermission (and feast!) we figured out that the polarity had gotten reversed on the power chord to the keyboard (Ralph is a genius!)- so we were able to do Fiona’s song in the second set. I played piano on it (I was nervous- but proud that I figured out this beautiful song- I am not accustomed to performing on piano- I play guitar and sing!)- but I guess it was a bit different than the track and it through Fiona off a bit- but she sounded lovely as always.

Julie Kinscheck Rock's Out!

Lynne, Melanie and Jessica backing me up!

Will Cox- my marvelous sound guy and previous voice student figured out how to get my tracks working again with my iPhone and we were able to rock the house with “Joy to the World” funky Hillsong style and the Go Fish song “Christmas With a Capitol C” also in the second set!  On both songs I had Melanie Singh, Jessica Lewis and Lynne Santos backing me up! They were awesome! The Go Fish song is rather ‘In your face’ about why it is Christmas and not just the Holiday season. I LOVE it!

The night ended with me awarding special honor to the Daniel family for studying with me for 4 years now and referring so many students to me!

Thanks also to Ralph for doing the video- And Nicole Roscoe for the pictures – and for all the folks who stayed to clean up and the Gert and Terry of the Bennett Library Association for providing such a lovely venue for our shows!

The Bennett Library is that antique little red building in the Billerica town square: 3 Concord Rd, Billerica. It is 3 doors down from the big new Billerica Public Library (that is where you need to park for our show!)

Students from 7- adult will be sharing their favorite Christmas songs- plus other special treats including Lynne Santos singing “Make You Feel My Love” by Adelle and Jason Daniel playing an instrumental “Star Spangled Banner”!

And you don’t want to miss Caleb as the Little Drummer Boy or Hannah singing “Away in the Manger”- too cute!

I have some surprises for you of my own, too!

Cover is $5 at the door! See you there!

Julie singing at Fundraiser

There were silent auctions and even a raffle for two free nights at a resort in Martha’s Vinyard!

I was one of 8 musical acts for the evening. My set went very well… I was solo that night, but I did invite Lois Lane of the Daily Planets up to join me on my version of “Something to Talk About.”

I sang “I’m a Mess”, “Precious,” “Coffee Song”, “Something to Talk About” and “Love Life Like I Should.”

I noticed one woman crying when I shared about my struggles getting pregnant and my joy to have twins. I then had to share about god’s timing in it all- how if we had had children when I first wanted them it would have been terrible because of Ralph’s health- and that God knew what he was doing!

Jamming "Something to Talk About" with Lois Lane

The other acts were great. Lois Lane was backed up by a pull together group and sang some favorite covers with her powerful soulful voice. The Liberty Bell Choir wowed me with their variety of 40′s standards with tons of personality- loved them! It was a fantastic night!

Congratulations Meg!

This Thanksgiving I want to make a special effort to Thank all the dear friends, family members, band-mates, co-workers and others that mean so much to me!

Please join me in celebrating Thanksgiving in song at the Lawrence High School Auditorium on Sunday, 10am, November 20th for a special Thanksgiving Worship service!

I will be playing and singing with the praise band and team and there will be an inspiring message for all who attend!

70-71 N Parish rd, Lawrence- just off exit 42 off  Rt 495

“We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.”- 1 Thessalonians 1:2

The party is taking place at !st Congregational Church, 25 Woburn St., in Reading, MA from 6-10pm. I go on around 8-ish- but the talent line up is fantastic- so come all night for only $1o!

The Acts Line up includes:

Wendee Glick & Bob Ulman – 6:05-6:25
Mark Michaels  – 6:30-6:50 (w/Lois Lane???)
Liberty Belle Chorus – Directed by Barbara Braxten 7:00-7:25
David Roth – 7:35-8PM
Eric Aubin & Bill – 8:05-8:25
Julie Kinscheck – 8:30-8:50
Mike  Skinner – 9:00-9:20
Red Hot & Blues — 9:30-10+   -Linda Picceri, Michelle Tanguay and ….

Please join us!

Detailed DIRECTIONS: 1ST Congregational Church of Reading, U.C.C., 25 Woburn St., Reading, MA  01867  (one block off Reading center/Rte. 28 – at the corner of Woburn and Sanborn Streets, behind Town Hall)

From I-93 north or south take exit 38: Rte. 129 east to Reading. Follow for 1.5 miles to Sanborn St. and turn right**

From 128/95 north take exit 38B: Reading/Rte. 28 north.  Follow to Reading center (about 1.5 miles). Turn left onto Rte. 129 west at the top of the center, in front of the white church. Take your first left after leaving the center, and passing Town Hall, onto Sanborn St.**

From 128/95 south from Peabody take Exit 40: Rte. 129 west to Reading center, passing straight through the center and take your first left after leaving the center, and passing Town Hall, onto Sanborn St.**

**On Sanborn St., drive half way down the block and park.  Enter the church on the left through the “OFFICE” door facing Sanborn St.

One Nation Under God- ALC/NECC 2011

What an AMAZING FANTASTIC WOW weekend! But it was more than an inspiring time of worship- God used this conference to work on my character, too!

I had the honor of singing/ playing guitar and leading worship at the American Leadership/ New England Christian Conference for the International churches of Christ this weekend! Dressed in our black with flag blue accents on Friday night we took the stage with 8 front singers (I was on the soprano mic), a song leader, a full band, a choir. We started with the uptempo gospel “They That Wait”- it ROCKED! In addition to everything else there were dancers as well! From there the praise soared including Christian rock, island jams and Spanish songs as well,  interspersed with spoken word and an opening message for 1000 or so Christians.

On Saturday, once again I was blessed to help lead the worship for around 1000 women

- later there were classes, workshops and concerts. I got to sit and watch Saturday night during a stirring presentation about the Christian heritage of the USA.

After numerous rehearsals- some going late into the night- others taking over meal times (I did sneak away for lunch with my family:)) We finally came to the climax of the weekend: Sunday morning at the Hynes Auditorium with some 3000 Christians. The short story was that it was GLORIOUS! The true zenith of the weekend- and I was so tired and satisfied in my time with the Lord when we went home. But then there is “The rest of the story!”

Adorned in black and flag red we arrived for a 7 am rehearsal and sound check. I was among the first there- a miracle given my reputation for punctuality- NOT. I then skipped quickly across the hall to Starbucks for a hot tea. I should have realized I wasn’t starting off well when I tried to discreetly put my tea down on a chair- and it fell over, the top popped off and spilled hot tea all over the chair, the floor – and worst of all- it was almost gone!

OK- no biggy! Out onto the stage we go. Time to back up here…

Months earlier I was shoulder tapped by one of the conference organizers and chief administrator, Jeff Todd. He wanted to give me a heads up that we were planning this huge conference with people from around the world and I would be needed to sing on the praise team. I felt special- and also a bit vindicated, I guess, because due to inner church politics and some sin (and ultimately the will of God) I had felt neglected as a musician for years in the Boston church. I was  appreciated more by those in Chicago or Maine or anywhere else… but then a prophet rarely receives honor in his home town- look at Jesus.  OK- so it felt really good to be asked. Don’t tell me you’ve never felt good when your ego gets a little stroke!

At last I get a rehearsal schedule- daunting to say the least. But I reschedule classes I am teaching and turn everything upside down to make sure I can be at every one. A good friend of mine is told he cannot participate even in the choir since he could not attend all of them. WARNING! Then the schedule was changed and I couldn’t make it to 3 rehearsals- I got insecure that I’d be cut from the team and I frantically tried to reach the woman administrating the calendar! At last we connected and I was re-assured that they knew I was a good musician and would know my parts in time- no worries! I was still in! PAUSE- Does your mind ever work like this? At one moment you are so confident- and then the next you think noone values you at all! PSYCHO!

Julie With Tony Martin

Do you see how important this all was to me? Why? One because I really love to worship God in song and feel that leading in worship is a big piece of my personal purpose- as a Christian and in life- Wow! But it is so easy to get wrapped up in “My purpose” and what I love to do- And of course I feel my contribution will be very important and make the whole event better- Yikes! As if this is about ME!!! This is a trap I hear many of us get in who have some gifts and talents blessed by God. Please tell me I am not the only one!

Crazy- and we haven’t gotten too far in the story yet! Fast forward… weeks of rehearsal later.  We, the Boston praise team are told that there is also a national praise team chosen and that we may not sing on the front mics at all.  Say what!? OK. I really stopped a second- Why am I doing this anyway? Yes I am a servant of God and the church- I will give wherever I am needed. Period. And all was good with the world, for a while. I even got to since some solo parts at a rehearsal and ended up singing them at a practice performance at our home region. cool!

A couple weeks before the conference I got a cryptic email- once deciphered I understood that a talented worship leader and arranger from the church history wanted me to put together a guitar choir for two of his songs. I should probably have said no- with life as it is- but I decided that here was a special way I could serve even if I was not up front singing. I spent hours and several weeks getting the 8 guitar players together… then the ceiling caved in on the project and we ended up using only me and two others on one song at the last minute. What happened to being super prepared? But it can be so easy to miss when we are being blessed in one area when we want it somewhere else! Ever been there?

Julie with Jerry Maday and Scott Hopper playing on "Lamb of God" NECC 2011

Now we are at the conference. I arrived on Friday morning by subway so Ralph could come in later… I brought with me a bag full of CD’s to sell at the book tables. Even though there were no showcases this year… I need to move those CD’s and these conferences are the best time to do so. I gave the CD’s to my friends at the book table a while before they would be moving them to another location- they said they bring them with them. GREAT! So I put my coat in the bag with the CD’s (Less to carry) and headed off to be enlightened by some classes!

You may think I am way off track here- but as I have been learning in my marriage class- this is called “Spiderwebbing” (something that drives husbands crazy!) but I will tie up all the ends soon enough.

I walk into the green room before our Friday night rehearsal, inspired and surrendered. I see an old friend, a talented singer herself, form the Chicago church. “Are you showcasing this weekend?” she asks? “No- I am only in the choir this time,” I answered. “But you are great! I get your emails, too- Why aren’t you being featured?” I shrug and honestly point upward “I am but the Lord’s servant.” The women’s ministry leader, Melanie, was right there when I said it, too. And I meant it- no show going on there. It sure feels good to really be surrrendered- why is it so hard sometimes?

Melanie Singh-Womens ministry Leader Northern Regions, Boston and fellow singer

Then we went out onto the stage to rehearse- and wouldn’t you know it- there was a soprano missing and I got chosen to be on the front mic- for the whole evening! I got to do my solo in “I Hear God Singing to Me”, too. As Melanie said to me later: “You humbled yourself before the Lord and he lifted you up!”

Julie on "I Hear God Singing To Me" at NECC 2011

Worshipping with the praise team Friday night at the NECC 2011

I felt blessed, joyful, FANTASTIC! And I worshipped with all my might! I could end here and everyone would smile and nod and click the X to close the page… but it AIN’T over till the FAT Lady sings- again! (Did I just call myself fat? Another can of worms completely!)

OK- Friday turned out magnificent! Saturday was filled with challenging child-rearing classes, inspiring women’s worship and more rehearsals for the guitar song  and Sunday morning in general. In the back of my mind I thought “I was up front on Friday- they will put me up again on Sunday morning- right?”

At last I sent my children home with their Dad and I went to sleep in a shared room with some good friends at the hotel so I’d be there for the crack of dawn rehearsal- and oh- my CD’s and coat had not turned up at the book tables yet either- but, though disappointed about the lack of sales- I was too busy to do anything about it then. DO you ever get that niggling sensation in the back of your neck that “Gee, I should do something about this…” but you just have no bandwidth left to do so? yeah- it was like that.

Happy Family at NECC 2011

OK- we have caught up- up on the stage for Sunday morning rehearsal at 7 am. The songs chugged on- with me in the choir. Several times parts were switched off from the front mics- but no one suggested that I should go up again. And there was that unnamed sister from Boston who was up there the whole time- and I was jealous of her. What made her so special? Why was she up there instead of me? Ugly thoughts raced through my head. Of course you’ve never been jealous that someone else was picked instead of you… never felt like “I could have done it better!?”

Even though I got to go up front for the guitar piece- that wasn’t good enough for me. “Consider others better than yourselves, Consider others better than yourselves, Consider others better than yourselves…” I kept reciting over and over in my mind as my attitude degenerated completely. I started to get mad- tears peaked behind my eyelids and I began to hear the lying voices in my head of demons saying “Maybe they didn’t think you did such a good job on Friday night after all”, “You are just deceived about your talents- you’re not as good as them.” and “If people don’t see you up in front now- with the bigger audience, they won’t think of you as one of the lead singers in the movement and you won’t be asked next time to do anything either.” OUCH! SHUT UP!

As soon as the sound check was over I grabbed Melanie by the arm. “I need to pray! Can you pray with me now?” “Of course.” And we moved to a quiet spot off stage- immediately the tears began to flow as I confessed the ugliness in my heart. We prayed fervently to exorcise the green demons of jealousy and pride in the name of Jesus Christ.” – just a moment here- as serious as I am about this- this was not ‘The Exocist” movie- no green spew or twisting necks please! This was honestly calling on the power of Jesus to free my spirit! And he did. I washed my face and went out a worshipped in the choir with all my heart.

Julie at NECC 2011- Sunday

It was a glorious day! We all played and danced and sang as one voice before the lord and the assembly! I would do it again as soon as possible! Though honestly- I did need a few days to recover physically from it all! But you know- not only did I have a battle with my pride that weekend- but my CD’s (and coat) never showed up either. God really didn’t want me distracted by my own career and success that weekend.

Any of you who are worship leaders or singers for the Lord or of Christian music, who are also trying to make a living in music- how do you reconcile needing to sell music and concert tickets and do promotion with being humble and not making it about you? I’d love to hear your story!