January 2008

Okay finally! Welcome to the new updated website! I have been trying to get this out for a while and this year I am going to start a new trend letting you all know what is going on. I have a lot of exciting things I am trying to launch. It seems like it has taken a long time to get all the kinks ironed out, but I think we might be on a roll.

2007 for me was a tough year of trying to find the clearing in many things the Lord allowed. I do love that God allows affliction to show more of who He is to us. There is beauty that when embraced, becomes light to the darkness that we feel sometimes surrounds us. In the midst of the confusion though, it is hard to see where He is pointing and why He allows what He does. I have talked with so many of you who had a hard time with circumstances in 2007. I do believe that there is a fresh wind on the horizon and as I push toward this new beginning in 2008, I have a growing faith that I am going to experience some wonderful change this year. I pray that for those of you out there that had to struggle through last year as well will also find a way a breakthrough experience in 2008.

I am launching in March of this year the first weeklong mentoring worship school for a limited number of women. My heart's desire has been to start a mini type school with a chance for a one-on-one encounter with upcoming writers, singers and worshippers who want something more than technical training (although there will be some of that too) and want an extreme challenge to go deeper into the understanding of what God views as true worship. I am so excited about this. Its entitled DIVE and it's an acronym for Deep-Innovated-Vertical-Expression! I am hoping to maybe do about 4 of these a year. The space will be limited purposely to be able to really pour into a small group with intention. So, click on the DIVE information

I am also finally going to begin the phone conference teachings. This is an session by phone where many call in at certain set times and we can have hour long sessions where I can encourage those through worship teachings and really focus on answering some questions that are always on the forefront with regard to worship and the dynamics of leadership skills.

I'm in love with the new CD Beautiful You! I am so pleased with how it turned out. If you are one who loves the live worship vein, I am sure you will love it as well. You can order it online here and soon we will make it easier for those that want sheet music to be downloaded as well. The web site has been in a bit of construction, but we are getting a handle on some things and trying to keep up with the demand of orders and download.

On a personal note Justice is growing up and turned three years old in December. He is amazing and continues to take my breath away daily. He keeps me very busy but it is worth the end of every weary day! He still loves to drum. You can see that on Youtube.com these days if you type in "2 1/2 year old drummer" or my name. Hilarious, and pretty good! Keep us in your prayers. We need them.

Blessings,

Rita & Justice

Journal - Fall 2007

I am ashamed to admit that I have not kept up with my journal for almost a year now. I have been swamped with responsibilities and as Justice grows I have lost a ton of brain cells it seems. I thought I was super woman...oh well.

I have spent the bulk of the year really trying to weed through what the next 10 years are going to look like. If you're anything like me you are one who tries to figure out what God is up to before He does it. In my travels I've tried to find out what kind of turns worship is taking in our congregational settings. I have never pretended to know what the Lord is doing in the church as a whole, but I think our lives and the journeys that we are all on personally seem to be an indication of where we are moving as a body.

I get the honor of being in a new church 2 or more times a month and there are things I am encouraged by and other things I wonder about. I have always been the kind of worshipper that has wanted the experience of God through what I did to be authentic and honest. I want a raw and real experience each time I lead or write songs. I understand the need for order and I have become quite a fan of balance and control even though I know that my passion for the Lord can get radical and loud. I do feel like God is requiring more from us in the natural. More authentic time well spent with Him. In James it talks about drawing near to God and that if we do this firs...He then comes to us. I have loved the image of Him desiring me to want His Company so that He can show me He loves me.

This year has been a year of God's discipline and love in so many ways. Maybe many of you have experienced this. I don't mean a punishment but rather a heart stand to stay focused as the circumstances of life bring you to a place of deep questioning. God may not answer us the way we want, but His answer, however it comes or doesn't, must somehow be enough.

My stretching continues in this area. I want the rose garden...He prefers the dirt pile. I pray for a season of relief, He thinks another hurricane is okay. I ask for the Promised Land, He points to the wilderness. I am learning that it cannot be about what I think I should need or get. It has to be all about Him.

I ended my deal with Found Records or Floodgate, as they are also known. Tim Taber has been awesome and even though that whole era is coming to a close, I feel expectant to what lies ahead. I recorded a new live project here in Charlotte, NC over at MorningStar Church during their March 07 Women in the Kingdom Conference. Rick Joyner was kind enough to allow me to have the recordings of the sets I led and I am releasing that this October. It is called 'Beautiful You." There are some priceless wonderful moments that occurred during those sets and we are in the process right now in September of mixing and mastering the choice songs. I know so many of you love the live stuff as I do. I hope you're encouraged with this release.

Found Records has put together a compilation CD of the "best of" and calling it "Worth It All." They have it scheduled to release the end of October early November. Both are great projects with old favorites and fresh new songs. In 2008 I will go back into the studio and record again, hopefully with David Ruis. I am looking forward to this. If you are in the areas I am touring between the months of September and OctoberÌĉۡcheck out the tour dates and come join us for worship! I will try and get better about the updates.

Blessings to all, Rita & Justice