Church Musician

Stand Up

2009-04-21T17:59:00.001-07:00

Greetings everyone! I pray all is well with all of Gods people.
I woke up this morning and opened up the paper and read about a young lady who stood up her christian beliefs and denounced gay marriage. I was shocked at how much backlash is receiving. For those who don't know what I am talking about I am talking about Miss California from the Miss USA Pageant. She made it to the final round and was well in the lead for the crown. In the question and answer round, her question was from openly gay judge Perez Hilton. His question to her was, "should every state legalize same sex marriage?" And she replied, "We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite. And you know what, I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised." Well the judge gave her a zero because of her answer and has went onto blast in the media along with other homosexuals. First of all that is her opinion, if you don't want to know someones opinion about a topic, don't bring it up! Second of all who made this guys opinion law, the reaction from him and his counterparts has been brutal. Because this young lady does not agree with his way of life, she is all of sudden the scorge of all humanity. It should be noted that he himself stated that because of her answer she lost the pageant, he liked her until she spoke her beliefs. And most of all, My God does not ordain same sex marriage or homosexuality, so it ought not matter what this judge thinks, it ought not matter that his feelings were hurt. The truth hurts sometimes! Now I recognize that I myself have flaws, for I am not a perfect man, but I believe the people of God should stand together on this issue. Because right now, the homosexuals are making more noise about this than the believers. I applaud this young lady for standing before millions of viewers and a sold out auditorium to stand for the word of God.

Peace and Blessings

The Project

2009-03-14T18:08:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to give an update about my upcoming project. We have made great progress on the completion of this project. This project comprised with great singers, musicians, and preachers. We are wrapping up production of one our most powerful songs. It is absolutely amazing watching what the Lord has done for this project. One of my most reserve members leads a very emotional and powerful song called 'Thank You'. This member rarely ventures outside of her "box", but during the recording session you could feel the spirit enter the place and she opened up a side of her I don't think many people have ever seen. The engineer and myself had difficult time trying to keep ourselves composed because we are men and didn't want to look like punks by crying! We literally had to stop in the middle of our session to get ourselves back together. I look forward to releasing this song in the very near future. Pray for m e and the rest of my members as continue to lift up the name of Jesus in song! For His Glory! Peace and Blessings!

God in the Schools

2009-01-23T13:32:00.000-08:00

I was at work last night and I happen to walk by a few of my co workers who were talking about religion in schools. Most of them were saying that it should not be allowed. When I asked why they replied, I don't want my child to be forced to believe in something or that there is no point in having a part of the curriculum. So I asked them, "Are you a believer?". That's when it got interesting. A few of them said YES! So I asked them why in the world would they would want it to be a part of the school. They responded, "They get enough of it at church on Sunday", or "My child has too much homework already". And the few that replied that they did not believe said "Religion is a matter of opinion and God is not going to help my child get a job once they graduate". I was getting a little upset at this point so I needed to remove myself from the conversation, so I closed by telling them my daughter who is in 7Th grade in the public school system is right now working on a project about Buddhism, Judaism and Hinduism. And I asked them, "Why is that acceptable?".................................................................................No response!

Wrong Perception

2008-12-01T22:35:00.000-08:00

An old Lady had just finished her time at the slot machines in a Las Vegas casino. She steps onto an elevator with her bucket of quarters and just as the the elevators doors were closing 4 large black men walked on the elevator and stood beside her. She at this point is paranoid and is really nervous and shaky. One black man says hit the ground floor for me lady.... The lady then falls down and drops all her quarters scared out of her mind and shouts "Take it all just don't hurt me!"..... The black men start rolling and exit the elevator when it opens. The next morning the lady is awakened by the manager and he has a dozen roses and a envelope. She opens the envelope and there is a letter that explains that they meant only to hit the button for the ground floor but thanked her for the best laugh i have had in years. Sorry to scare you -Michael Jordan. Enclosed was a 10,000 casino marker.

Tell the Devil I'm Back

2008-11-11T00:23:00.000-08:00

I have been in hiatus for some time in the blogging world, but I am back and ready to share with the world all the many great things the Lord has done for me! I want to thank all who were praying for me during my struggles.

It's been a lovely week, Obama is our next president, gas is under $2, Florida State won and Notre Dame LOST!!!!!!! (I Look forward to the responses of the ND fans!)

Peace and Blessings

Prayer

2008-09-22T08:24:00.001-07:00

Hello all! It has been some time since my last post. I have been going through some very rough times in my life. It seems like the things that could go wrong did, the things that you think should NOT go wrong did. Physically, mentally, financially, and spiritually I am exhausted. Its hard to work through all of those things all at once. I know others have been through what I am going through, but it is so much different when you are the one that is going through. If it wasn't for my wife and kids, I probably would have lost my mind by now. Pray for me my friends, that this storm may soon pass.

College Football

2008-08-18T11:02:00.001-07:00

I love college football and a fan of Florida State, and I came cross this funny story. Of course I changed the names in the story but it works......for me!!!!!

A Notre Dame Irish fan, Michigan Wolverines fan, Florida Gators fan, and a Florida State Seminole fan all went to the top of a mountain. They were enjoying their time on the mountain until they started arguing about who has the better football program. To prove that Michigan had the better program he jumped up and said "This is for all Wolverines fans!" and jumped off the mountain. The Florida fan jumped and said "Oh yeah... well this for the S.E.C. and Gator nation!" and jumped of the mountain. Not to be outdone by his rival the Florida State fan jumped and said "This is for the Seminole fans, the A.C.C., and all of college football!" and then pushed the Irish fan off the mountain!!

I Must Tell of the Goodness

2008-08-13T17:23:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to be more vocal in my convictions for Christ. It used to be that once I leave after Sunday morning worship, I felt I did my part for the week. I didn't leave there and share what I have learned with anybody else. It was not because I was ashamed of being a christian, but I guess you could say I was trying to be "politically correct". I didn't want to offend any non believers or force my beliefs on anybody else. But my Pastor has challenged our congregation to be more vocal and active in our walk for Christ.

I have been telling my co workers, friends, family and sometimes strangers about the goodness of Jesus! I don't worry anymore about what people may think of me. Friends of mine often ask me, "how did you become so churchy, I remember when you used to do some not so churchy things." And its true, I haven't always been saved, I used to do a lot of things that I wouldn't do today. But I have come to the realization that I can't do the same things I used to do. I understand that since I am a believer, everything that I do will be scrutinized by the unbelievers. I used to think that all I have to do is just show up on Sundays, play the organ, say a little prayer and go on about my business. But there is a lot more that I can do!

As I look I see crime rates around the world go up and the ages of the perpetrators getting younger, I often wonder if these young boys and girls are receiving guidance from not only their parents but there local churches as well. I remember there were times where I would act up in school and I would be just as afraid of Mother Taylor, Deacon Gathright or other members of my church, then I was of my own parents! Now my parents didn't play around, but I would expect that from my own parents. But when it comes from people outside your house, in particular your church home, it is reinforced! I understand that we live in a different time then it was 15-20 years ago, but I just believe if all of us believers would do our part outside of the church, the world would be a better place.

Pray my strength in the Lord as I try to do my part! God Bless

Just Another Servant

2008-08-11T17:14:00.000-07:00

My name is Avery Minor II. I am not a preacher, I am not a deacon, I am not on the trustee board, I am just another servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. I do, however, serve a Music Director (Organ/Keyboard) for Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church of South Bend, IN under the leadership of Senior Pastor Keith D. Witherspoon.

I never really thought much about blogging, but I found reading and responding to other blog spots such as Pastor Witherspoons, Pastor Andre Mcgee, Pastor Lance Mann, and others was very relaxing and fulfilling, so I thought that I would give a try with my own blog. Now again, I am not a preacher, so my blogs will not be as deep as the fore mentioned bloggers.

I have organized a gospel group, we go by the name Avery Minor II and the Temples of Praise. We recently opened for national recording artist Vickie Winans this past Saturday. I was excited to be able to be apart of such a dynamic event. The concert was held in the auditorium of Washington High. They have beautiful auditorium and it seats about 600 people. When we arrived for sound check, I stood on the stage and just looked around the auditorium overwhelmed that we were about to take the stage in a place such as this and for a such notable artist! We were one of two groups to open, the first group was Debra Givens and High Praise. I really couldn't tell what they were singing, but I could tell the people were really getting with them, and that's when the nervousness set in for me. I begin worrying about that Sis. Givens had the audience at such a high level how can I keep it there? Am I really ready for this? I began doubting myself and second guessing my song list. Before I knew it, Sis. Givens and her group were done with their set and the M.C. was introducing us and I panicked. Then my wife said, "Hey! We haven't prayed yet!" In the heat of everything I totally forgot to look to God about what we were about to do. We circled up and Lady Tina Patton lead us in prayer. And at the end of that prayer, my mind was clear, I knew what I wanted to do. I recognized that the concert was not a show, but another opportunity to praise God and that's all that matters. We took the stage and it was such beautiful thing! I had not been out to the auditorium since sound check when no one was there. Now I am walking on stage to an audience of about 450-500. It was tight!!! I spot my Pastor and his wife, along with other minsters from my church. They all were standing applauding, and that made me feel great, because I knew no matter what happened, they had my back. This was actually going the first real test for songs that are going to be on our CD. We did three songs, my version of 'Lord, I Lift Your Name On High', 'I Need You Jesus' and 'Lift Him'. On every song we received great response from the congregation. The spirit of the Lord was in the place! At the end of 'I Need You Jesus', Pastor Witherspoon came to the stage and began ministering to the people and tore the place down in 5 minutes! People were falling out, screaming, shouting, dancing, just praising the Lord!! I have received multiple posts on my website asking about Pastor Witherspoon! He really brought home that song!! He likes to down play his preaching ability, but I don't know how he could think that way after a night like that!!!

So finally Vickie Winans took the stage. She did her thing! And she really made a connection with the audience with not only her songs, but with humor as well. She is hilarious!!! I count the whole program a success!!