Get ready for my shortest blog to date . . .

“Live well, laugh often, and love much.”

(Inspired by my Dove rasberry and dark chocolate swirl candy wrapper…it was either that or “dazzle your sense of flavor” so I went with the above).

Toodles!
Cheri

One of my childhood memories is of singing “Crown Him With Many Crowns” in church on Easter Sundays.  It is a regal song and should be performed with horns a’blaring and choirs a’boasting with the pungent aroma of Easter lilies in the air and glorious banners of satin and gold cording raised high. Nothing but the best for our Risen Lord and King.  This is, after all, the best day of the year.

Tomorrow I will do my best to lead this timeless, traditional hymn sans all the regalia.  I will stand by myself at a keyboard set up in a church parking lot.  Due to the early start time (“sunrise” has all kinds of implications), it will likely be a smaller gathering with little spring dresses covered up by heavy coats to cut the morning chill.  Dressed in my Easter best, a cool bohemian outfit by Free People, I will not forsake this beautiful gathering of saints.  I will play as hard as my hands will let me and sing as loud as my voice will allow in order to proclaim the good, Good News that our Redeemer lives that death may die. I hope He will be pleased.

What will you be doing on this the best day of the year?  Wherever you are, whatever burdens you’re carrying, you can choose to worship. Crown Him.  Sing praise in a parking lot. Rejoice loud and long in celebration of the One “who triumphed o’er the grave.”

So we could be a Free People . . .

Cheri

At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, singers and musicians were brought together from surrounding regions to celebrate “because God had given them great joy.”  Nehemiah assigned two choirs to give thanks.  One was to proceed on the top of the wall to the right and one proceeded in the opposite direction. There were cymbals, harps, and lyres, and even priests with trumpets. The women and children also rejoiced.  It is said that the sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.

If I could assign two choirs and a group of musicians and priests to assist me I would do it, because I have reason to celebrate. I have reason to give thanks. And with this blog, it is my distinct privilege to give it publically, to thank those who gave financially to bring my new album to fruition. . . so I can tell. You might call it my own Wall of Thanks. So, here it goes, in no particular order, Jehovah-Jireh at the top:

Jehovah-Jireh, William and Crista Albertson, Thomas Berry, Mike and Donna Anderson, David and Laura Mee, Brian Trigg, Diane Sigler, Dallas Paetzold, Nora Carney, Pam Prevost, John and Carla Lambert, Dell Elias, Jane Brewer, Sharon Menini, Edna Gjertson, Anne Adams, Sandy Boosel, Sarah Frazer, Keith of Taken620Ministries, Bruce Balbach, Joyce and Pat Ashley, Scott and Shari Faubion, MarLo Huffington, David Breen, Linda Underwood, Alan Paine, Bill Kim, George and Lisa Casario, Chris Hauser, Amber Womack, Larry and Gayle Freude, Jim and Nanci Zander, Dave Maurer, Phil and Joanie McLeod, Christy White, Karen Ehman, Mitch and Kala Ady, Sara and J.T. Olson, Kathleen Peters, Kendra Smiley, Kathy Miller, Richard and Suzanne Craig, Katie Phelan, Michael and Doreen Weil, Jeff Dailey, Dave Smith, Ty and Nancy Osman, Jai Ammons, Carter Trigg, Rick Giovanetto, Julieanne Bartlett, Sally King, Buzz and Jicki Carter, Ashley Goins, Jill Stuckwisch, Renee Affinati, Robin Affinati, Keith Fentress, Kristina Bennett, Collette Sawyer, Kathleen Reese, Kent and Joyce Johnson, Melanie Hurley, Bev Bosch, Missy Rolfe, Mike and Cheri Berry, David and Susan Tuttle, Paula Schmidt, Ryan Hubbard, Julie Reed, Donna Bannister, James Messick, Julie Gill, Kathy Petty, Debbie Downer, April Cox, Bonnie Durham, Jean Manhardt, Gayle Happell, Jonelle Gillette, Jennifer Robaczewski, Nancy Klopfenstein, Heather Conrad, Ondrea Buckley, Julianne Carr, Colleen Hoagland, Doris Dill, Janine Rosenhamer, Marya Elrod, Kim Brewer, Stan and Ginny Smith, Greg Johnson, Jessica Wheeler, Larry and Dee Carlson, Rich Renken, Shelley Michel, Corrine Davis, Eric Sturm, David and Becky Reed, Elizabeth South, Paul Martin, Cynthia Jimenez, Mark and Nancy Hall, Terrence Allen, Jeffrey Foley, Roy Bisese, Lisa Pearson, Caroline Thompson, Betty A Van Horn, Carrie Macias, Jill Hart, Rodney Duttweiler, Karen Daniel, Lori Boruff, Janis Dusenbery, Richard Turner, Melissa Mott, Erin Rodgers, Nancy Chandler, Lou and MaryAnn Carmellini, Sue Beal, April Southerland, Debbie Kay, Marla Graham, Christina DeLisle, Carrie McIntire, Laurea Diemer, Larry Smith, Christina Reese, Julianna Feher, Sheri Jones, Barbara Paine, Carey Rinke, Jane Pikarsky, Keith and Jan Kahn, John Hohe, Melanie Hall, Karen Nichols, Sandy Vowell, Margaret Hollingworth, Emily Ngui, Melanie Binswanger, Ken Loschiavo, Mary Jo Major, Bernice Clark, Connie Morkel, Danny Dardeau, Curt Hoagland, Karen Cater, Sylane Mack, Mark Lanier, Carol Davis, LeAnn Rice, Rene Evans, Jerene Olson, Makabu, Lenny LeBlanc, M Wolf, Loni Gordon, Brian Mason, Nancy Buck, Steve Carlson, Denise Palazzolo

To God be the glory!

With humble gratitude . . .
Cheri

I sent the new album to one of my long time spiritual mentors.  I have many wise people in my life, but few have had as much of an impact on me as this woman.  She was the Teaching Director at the Community Bible Study I was involved with for many years.  She loves God’s Word and handles it rightly.  In fact, God so used her in my life that, honestly, I often wonder what I would have done without her.  She is the friend I’m singing about in verse two of track three on the album.  That’s why her email response meant so much . . .

Dear Cheri,

I love it!  Thank you very much for sending a copy to me and for dedicating “When You Were Jesus to Me.”  It brought tears to my eyes as well as many memories.  It was an extremely difficult time for you, yet you faced each day with strength that only our Lord could have given you.  You have/are moving on with His joy and grace.  Each song exposes Him in you.  You are a treasured friend. 

Much love . . .

Each song exposes Him in you . . . I wonder at the miracle and mystery of that statement.  I may not fully understand it, but I can’t think of a better compliment.

Jesus, I don’t know why You’ve seen fit to dwell inside of me.  To birth this music in me.  To allow Your relentless love to be proclaimed in this way.  But, if all the glory, honor, and praise goes to You, than who am I to question?  I am Your humble servant.  Be found in me, I pray.

Forever Yours,
Cheri

 
*To find a CBS class near you, visit www.communitybiblestudy.org.  I highly recommend it!

This weekend I had the privilege of ministering with a great team of women at the Encouragement Extreme conference in Destin, FL.  I was in Georgia the weekend before and was running all week with a to-do list longer than should be legal.  Suffice it to say, I was very much in need of a good soaking in the Spirit at this special beach retreat. 

After a delayed departure from Nashville and a rerouting through Memphis, I made it to Pensacola and, finally, my DESTINation in Destin (hee-hee).  With barely an hour to sound check, set up, and get pretty, I scrambled to pull it together before our seven o’clock start time.  And, true to form, God sent His Son-rays to warm the hearts of His weather worn daughters in our evening session.

Saturday morning came and more ministry continued.  Though the venue was very close to the beach, I found myself wondering if I would get the chance to feel the warm sand between my toes at all.  It would be a sin to be that close and not soak in a bit of God’s big ocean.  So, when we broke for lunch, I broke for water’s edge, kicking off my heels and rolling up my jeans knee-high.  In this moment of carefree bliss, I looked up to see a flock of seagulls flying in perfect formation above.  Feet-soaked and heart-satisfied, I returned to the restaurant to enjoy some fish tacos.

During our afternoon session, speaker Ramona Davis told of a season of complacency in her walk with God and how He eventually brought her to a place of greater passion and commitment.  Word freak that I am, I got up after her and joked with the ladies that our complacency is God’s invitation to “come-play-some, see?”  They all laughed, even me.  Sometimes God’s girls just get silly.

Maybe you’ve got a long to-do list of your own.  Maybe, like me, you’re in need of a good soak in the Spirit.  Listen to the waves.  Can you hear it?  It is Creator God inviting you to come and play.  He’s got an ocean to show you.  What are you waiting for?

Surf’s up,
Cheri

*To learn more about Encouragement Extreme weekends, I invite you to visit www.EncouragementCafe.com.  We’ll be in Winston-Salem, NC in April.