One of my favorite friends & singers in the world is AYIESHA WOODS. She is amazing and her smash hits “HAPPY,” “BIG ENOUGH” and “LOVE LIKE THIS” have blessed me untold times. Ayiesha sang at my Celebrate Jesus! Texas Crusade in July 2007. We rented out the Arlington Convention Center (near Dallas) and I invited Ayiesha, Michael English and former 1992 Miss USA to minister in music.
Ironically, it was Ayiesha’s birthday that night and following the crusade we all went out for a steak dinner and that is a night I will not soon forget. Her parents came with us and it was an honor to watch her do her thing for God’s glory both on and off the stage. The following year, I was blessed to re-connect with her and minister in the Bahamas with her on PRAISEFEST “Cruise with a Cause” and for the week we witnessed over 10,260 come to Christ.
A GRAMMY® nomination, a Dove Award nod for New Artist of the Year, appearances in a number of high-profile tours, and universal acclaim were some of the highlights of Woods’ initial time in the limelight. It’s a winning streak that is bound to continue with Love Like This, her second Gotee Records release.
Ayiesha took the time to be a call in guest on my radio show “FRANKLY SPEAKING” earlier this year airing on AMERICAN FAMILY RADIO and she is the real deal. Listen how she chased the call of God on her life, discovered by Toby Mac and now singing at WOMEN OF FAITH and REVOLVE tours. She talks about her favorite Bible verse, the story behind her songs and her favorite shopping stops. Ultimately, Ayiesha is filled with life, laughter, love but most important our Lord and Savior, JESUS - the biggest “STAR” of all.
For more info visit www.AyieshaWoods.com
It is hard to believe but it was eight years ago today that America was knocked to her knees. Ironically, I had just flown back to Capitol Hill, the day before the attacks from preaching in Florida. I was also on staff at the Republican National Committee and I was raising funds for the GOP and on the phone with a donor trying to promote President George W Bush’s message on September 11, 2001, when a senior citizen told me a plane had just hit one of the Twin Towers in New York.
Less than 20 minutes later, another donor on the phone told me another plane hit the tower and I thought that they may have got the story wrong and it was the same plane. Instantly, I knew then that we were at war. Our office was one block from the United States Capitol Building and we were evacuated. That is one day I will not soon forget because we literally thought planes were falling out of the sky (especially, now that the Pentagon was on fire).
One year later, I was flown to Sullivan, Indiana at the invite of a couple pastors and churches of various denominations and was given the privilege to preach to a packed crowd at the one year anniversary on 9-11. It was also aired on radio all over the state and when I finished they gave God a standing ovation. The roar from the crowd was almost defeaning and even on tape it sounds like thunder. God gets all the glory but one of the privileges I have enjoyed as a preacher of the Gospel and my background with politics is that when society is hurting. God has allowed me and many others to offer comfort and peace in the midst of confusion and pain.
My message was entitled: “ATTACK ON AMERICA: Fear vs Faith.” The terrorists when they hit the Twin Towers were sending a symbolic message that they were out to destroy us financially. When they considered hitting The White House or U.S. Capitol - they were trying to relay a message to destroy us politically. When the plane hit the Pentagon that was to embarrass our military. However, what they really wanted to do was run a plane at a local church or National Cathedral because what they despise most is our faith in Jesus Christ.
Evangelist Billy Graham eloquently shared with the world: “The terrorists may have torn down our walls but our foundation is in tact. Our faith in Christ allows us to build and re-build.” We were down but not out. That day we saw some in society act at their very worst. However, countless Christians and concerned citizens around the Globe also came together showing acts of kindness in the very best spirit of mankind. Only God can bring triumph out of tragedy.
The truth is our security as a Nation comes only from the salvation offered by Jesus. Our hope is in Him and not ourselves. Ironically, the numbers 911 are the same numbers we are taught as children to call in case of an emergency. That day our strength was not in ourselves because we were gasping for air. It was not in our communications because phone lines were shut down. It was not in our finances because the banking system came to a halt and the lives that died that day reminded us all that the soul of man is more valuable than stocks and bonds. Our own President was diverted at the instruction of the U.S. Secret Service to fly away from Washington, DC. Our hope was and still only found in the Person and Power of Christ. No one would have ever bet that the massive Twin Towers would ever have crumbled to the ground before our very eyes. However, what we can see is temporal but what we cannot see is eternal.
Today, I pause and pray for the victims family who suffered such loss then and today still learning to live without their loved one(s). My friend, Tammy Trent (who tours with WOMEN OF FAITH) also lost her husband that day on 9-11, but she was overseas on a missions trip when he died while snorkling. As America was crumbling back home, her world was also coming apart. In honor of her husband, Trent who also passed away eight years ago today, I would like to encourage you to click VIDEO on my left side bar and listen to my past interview with Tammy sharing her amazing story of God’s grace in the midst of life’s storms. Below is one of my all-time favorite songs: “God Bless America” by Lee Greenwood. It is great to listen any time of the year (especially today).
God spared America that day and He continues to bless us more than we deserve today. Regardless of your political background, race or gender I would encourage you to pray for our President, pray for our Congress, public servants, our soldiers fighting for freedom and celebrate with humility that we still live in the greatest Nation on Earth. God bless America and as Americans may we live a life that blesses God.
One of my favorite Christian singers of all-time is multiple Dove Award Winner - NICOLE C MULLEN. Her smash hits: “Redeemer,” “I AM,” and “When I Call on Jesus” have ministered to millions and her tracks exalt Christ while breaking down barriers.
It was my pleasure to meet her on the PRAISEFEST “Cruise with a Cause” in 2007, to the Bahamas and she was a featured singer and it was my pleasure to preach on the ship. This interview aired in May 2009, on my radio program “FRANKLY SPEAKING” on American Family Radio and Nicole was so gracious to be a guest to share about life, love and the Lord.
A special thanks to her husband, David who made the connection for Nicole to call in. Nicole is not only an amazing singer and song writer but quite the preacher too! She gets rolling during our interview. LOOK OUT Bishop TD Jakes! Visit www.NicoleCMullen.com for more info. The video below is Nicole singing at a WOMEN OF FAITH event and you better put on your seatbelt because this sister can flat out sing. God bless you & Enjoy!
This month marks the 30th anniversary of my accepting Jesus as my Lord & Savior. Outside of prayer and reading God’s Word daily and applying it to my life (outside of God’s great grace) I believe “PERSEVERANCE” has aided me more in my walk with Christ than any other element.
Christianity is not a spectator’s sport and you will encounter various trials, temptations and tough times. The first recorded interview I had the privilege to host on my radio show “FRANKLY SPEAKING” on American Family Radio was my friend, TAMMY TRENT. When I think of Christianity, class and composure I think of TT. Her story is simply AMAZING and she has endured more in her life than most would in five life times.
She is a Christian recording artist, author, dancer, tours with WOMEN OF FAITH and on 9-11, she and her husband, Trent were vacationing overseas on a missions trip. The very day America was crumbling back home, Tammy’s life began to crumble abroad when she got word that her husband had died scuba-diving. All flights were cancelled to USA and phone lines were down. Her husband was dead, she couldn’t reach her family and she felt like a “woman without a Country.”
Listen to Tammy share her tragic yet triumphant story through tears, laughter and despite the pain she still sings and dances for her Savior. In a world of cubic zirconia’s - she is the genuine article. Listen to the audio clip of our interview and may it bless you like she has me and many others. Tammy is a testament that God uses not only the “blessed” but the broken. Those that have been hurt the deepest are the very folks that God uses the greatest to bring hope, healing and Heaven to those hurting and far from Jesus.
God bless you and God bless Tammy Trent.