Monday, June 9, 2008
A Message from Mandisa
Hey girls! I can't wait to be with you in Atlanta in a couple of weeks! I've been looking forward to this weekend for quite some time now. I traveled on Beth's praise team for 4 years before doing American Idol, have done countless Kay Arthur studies, became quick friends with Priscilla 5 years ago, consider Travis to be one of my best friends, AND worked at LifeWay for 3 years! Needless to say, our weekend together in Georgia will be a little bit like coming home for me! I'm already asking God to not just speak (and sing) through me, but to speak TO ME!!! I don't know about you but I'm in need of a word!
It's been an interesting few weeks for me. I'm reading a book by Randy Alcorn called Heaven. Let me tell ya...it is blowin' my mind (I'm from California but I hope you can detect the deep southern accent in that last statement)! I've often thought that the Bible doesn't have a whole lot to say about Heaven, but boy was I wrong! There is actually quite a bit that can be gleaned from the pages of scripture that address our eternal home. Needless to say, it has made me extremely excited to get there but in the meantime, it has set my mind on what matters most here on Earth.
Right around the time that I began this book, people around me started being ushered from this world to the next left and right! In the last month I have found myself praying for 6 different families whose loved ones have gone home. As a matter of fact, as I type this, I am preparing to do a show at Bell Shoals Baptist Church in Brandon, FL. The pastor of that church and his son were in a tragic accident 3 weeks ago and were killed immediately. When I heard the news I wept for them and mourned with them. It's interesting. I have never met the people of Bell Shoals before. Have never stepped a foot in their building. I don't know the names of the members in their congregation. But what I feel for them is a deep love that can only be explained by the fellowship of the Spirit.
A couple of weeks ago as I watched the finale of "American Idol" from my home, I got a phone call telling me of the tragedy that Steven Curtis Chapman and his family were facing. His 5 year old daughter, Maria Sue, had just been pronounced dead and some people were gathering at their church to pray and comfort the Chapman's. It was about 10:30 PM and I threw on my clothes and began the 30 minute trek to Christ Church in Franklin, TN. When I arrived I was amazed to see the parking lot full. As I walked into the church lobby my heart was warmed as I saw the standing room only crowd praying, crying, and embracing. It was in that moment that I witnessed the beauty of the body of Christ and vowed to never take it for granted.
I've stood on stages before thousands on sold out tours. Walked the halls of the White House and held hands with the president of the United States. Sung on television before millions. But I can honestly tell you that, apart from Heaven, there is no place I would rather be come June 27-28 than with you, my sisters in Christ. When you look at life in light of eternity, the blessing of fellowship with the saints is something to be cherished. I can't wait to see you! And if we don't meet face to face in Atlanta, let's me and you grab a cup of coffee with our King of kings when we make it to our Promised Land!
Love you,
Mandisa
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://blogs.lifeway.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/883
Comments (19)
Ashli Watts said...
Hello there, I am very excited to share that I am traveling from Rock Hill, SC with my mother, as a belated birthday gift to me from her. I am super excited, as this is our third Beth Moore-related conference that we are joyously attending together. I am feeling so blessed to have a Christian mother today, and that we can enjoy a 'fresh' word together. I am needing a lot of fresh words in order to get inspired for Sunday School teaching this summer.
Anyway, if we do not melt before we get there (can you spell "heat wave"? We are looking forward to putting on our "cute clothes" and meeting ya'll!
PS. I had cute sandals, but I am not sure they will stay on my feet in the Atlanta heat!
Alison Wills said...
I need to see if anyone is interested in buying several tickets. We purchased 23 tickets for the women at my church and we have had about 13 sign up.
Kelly S. said...
Mandisa,
I just want you to know that I think you are so precious!!! I love your ministry and your music. What a beautiful post, thank you for that picture of the body of Christ. I will not be at DS-Atlanta, but I did get to go to Nashville last September, and I also got to see you in Johnson City, TN in May. You were fabulous!! I work with a group of children that used your version of Shackles in a black light routine for their school talent show. It was awesome! Thank you for your courage, and for sharing your journey. I am so glad to hear how God is continually working in your life. I love you and will be praying for you!
Sincerely,
Kelly
Anonymous said...
Mandisa....thank you for sharing. I was blessed to read your words! I will be going to Deeper Still in Vegas...I was so sorry to see that you will not be there....I would love to see you perform...loved cheering for you on AI! May God richly bless your time in Atlanta and be glorified through your voice and your life!
sher said...
You are awesome Mandisa! We saw a glimpse of you in Cincinnati at Winter Jam, but I could have listened to you all night! Your song is such an encouragement to my soul and my heart is uplifted everytime I listen to your CD. It's such a comfort to know that "it's only the world I'm livin' in". Sure wish I could be there at the end of June. May God continue to bless your ministry for Him. Love you girl!
Emily Cassetty said...
Oh girl. You just don't know. I rocked out with you last September in Nashville... okay, so I rocked out with you on the inside. Twelve weeks before, in that same city, my baby girl went on home to Heaven after spending five days with our family on this earth after her birthday. That's right. June 28 is her Heaven day. I am so looking forward to praising her Maker right along with you - and five other friends who have lost their little ones due to a variety of reasons and conditions ordained by the hand of God in the last year - in Atlanta!! Between now and then? Well, I think you've sold me on my next book purchase.
Be blessed, sister. He is good.
Donna said...
I was taken back by your email about Bells Shoals pastor. Was that Dr. Pollack? We did a Missions Conference there several years back and my husband just spoke there last year. That church has an incredible prayer ministry. I know God will comfort and extend grace.
Katie said...
Hey Mandisa,
You are the sweetest! I am touched. I am with you, I am so looking forward to Deeper Still. I know that God will use you mightily to lead us in worship! It is exciting-VERY exciting! Blessed to meet you via Deeper Still blog world:)
Katie
Psalm 84:4 (Amplified)
Jodi Epps said...
Mandisa,
Thanks for your blog; I love you, girl! I was first blessed by your beautiful voice many years ago at a Beth Moore Live event, and I followed your progress on American Idol. Keep singing for Him! Can't wait to see you in Atlanta. Love, Jodi Epps
melinda hicks said...
I am traveling from fort worth texas.to atlanta driving with my sister Raeann Cline and her husband Jim Cline. l will be meeting up with by best friend Lisa kirkpatrick. and she will be driving in from Hartwell georgia. we are looking forward to deeper still. at
the first of the year she and I talked about 2008 being a year of deeper still and drawing closer to the lord.on march 7th her husband was killed in a car accident and he was buried on march 11th 2008 the one year anniversary of my moms burial.so were looking for a word and direction from God thru deeper still.we are from Atlanta so we will be visiting family and friends.moved parents to texas in 2002 to be closer to my older sister so she could help me take care of my parents.both have passed away as well as older brother. We are looking forward to the deeper still event.
Miranda said...
Girl!!! .......You rock!!!.
You are a wonderful inspiration babe!!! See you in a couple weeks!!
Hey... I LOVE "Voice of a Savior".. I sure hope you'll incorporate that song somehow!! *wink*wink*...
Deborah Dominy said...
Mandisa!
Love you!
A request...I would love to hear you sing Dottie Rambo's song...He Looked Beyond My Faults. Julianne Johnson has a beautiful rendition on iTunes, but I just know in my heart that you could bring us to our knees with that song.
Bless you as you serve Him!
Michelle Hicks
said...
I agree with Deborah--WE LOVE YOU MANDISA! What a fun idea for us all to post our requests for Mandisa! Do you think we can get her to sing them all?!
Posted by Michelle Hicks | Jun 9, 2008 at 07:27 AM
Michelle Hicks said...
Melinda--thanks for sharing through the sorrow how God is taking you deeper still in relationship with Him. Praying that you will have special moments with family, your sweet friend who lost her husband this year, and most of all, with the Lord. So thankful that through all the loss you've experienced, you've not lost your passion to know Jesus at a deeper, more intimate level. Praying for you and so many other women who need a special word from God. I know He has something wonderful planned for you.
Posted by Michelle Hicks | Jun 9, 2008 at 07:27 AM
Kristi Brewer said...
Hello Mandisa
Can't wait to hear you bring it! I am asking for prayer as I struggle with weight issues. I know you can relate. You are so beautiful and self confident and I want to be that way too!
Much love!
Kristi B.
Mishababy said...
Girl!! If you do Shackles..I think I will fall OUT!! One of my favorite songs as well as your "It's Only the World"..which I have both as a ringtone on my celly phone!! :-)
I truly cannot wait to attend my first ever DS conference!!! So excited!
Michelle "Mishababy" Johnson
Deborah said...
Mandisa,
Your singing was a blessing! Thank you so much for the testimony and the glorious singing. May God bless you more than you can even imagine!
Love,
Deborah
Nayla Canellas said...
Does anyone have a list or at least some of the names of the beautiful songs that were played this weekend in Atlanta by Mandisa or Travis Cottrell?
What a wonderful weekend that was! I was lucky to attend with a group of friends from church and I would like to get some of the music, which keeps playing inside my head, in order to continue hearing them later. Thanks and God bless you all!!!
Nayla
Patty said...
Mandisa,
How great to hear from you!! I am so happy at how God is blessing you and your ministry. I am so blessed that I got to see you on stage in Knoxville, Tennessee with Travis and the praise team singing Shackles and last year at Deeper Still. I really wish I were coming to D.S. in Atlanta. I have read the book Heaven by Randy Alcorn and a year ago I taught from his book in my former Sunday school class. We moved to the Nashville area 6 months ago and I couldn't find my book until the other day and I was so excited. This is the best book I have read about Heaven. Praying for you as you minister to the church congregation going thru unimaginable grief. May God give you the words to speak to this sweet church family. Thank you for stopping by and you are beautiful inside as well as outside!! Have a blessed day!!
Blessings,
Patty
Posted by Patty | Jun 9, 2008 at 07:27 AM