The Deeper Project!

Last year I found myself in a place where I was so desperate to discover God’s perfect will for my life that I determined that the only way to find it was to get so close to Him that we were face to face. It seemed to me that if I could get that close to the Lord I could actually get past all my fears, frustrations and issues and live in the center of His will.  And if I could live in the center of His will, I could accomplish anything and everything He had created me to do.  I wanted to get past the surface and get as deep into the Lord as I could. And in the midst of that moment I started to sing the song that became, Deeper (Center of Your Will) the title track of my new EP releasing winter 2014.

As a songwriter I express myself best through lyrics and music.  In the melody, meter and rhyme I craft the things I want to say but often don’t, share the secret desires of my heart and present it to the world in hopes that they will understand.  I want to sing to the world in hopes that they will see that in the middle of all the messiness of life, there is a God who can heal, restore, give hope, love and keep them.  I want them to meet the beautiful Savior who died on a cross so we could have a true relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ.

Jon and I decided to start recording this project two years ago, as artists and ministers we don’t often have extra money, and although sometimes it’s difficult, we would not trade the life we live for anything.  We found things came to a standstill as we transitioned back to Nashville and had to find a new producer.  But the scripture that tells us that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8 Verse 28) is so true.  In what first seemed like a delay, I wrote new songs that were much more suited to the current place I was in – a place where I was learning joy, to overcome fear, to see the Lord work his marvelous wonders in my life.

I now have a collection of songs I humbly ask for your assistance in recording.  Although we’d love to do a full length album at this time, we are starting with an EP of 5 or 6 songs that both Jon and I truly believe will encourage all who hear them. We’ve tried to come up with some fun gifts to give back to you for believing in us so much that you would donate to this new project and any donation of any amount you make is more then appreciated.

We face some possible challenges, anytime you set off on a journey; you can do nothing but your best to get to where you are trying to go.  And I promise to do my best.  There may be delays in the recording process and other administrative hold ups and life moments we may need to pause for.  But we go forward trusting the Lord and relying on Him to get this new project into your hands.

I’m working with a dynamic producer, Evan Sieling who has seen past my insecurities and musically pulled out the best in me.  Between Evan and the constant encouragement from Jon, I am facing my fears head on, singing with a new found freedom and from a perspective that truly understands who I am and whose I am.  Before I sang because I was compelled to, now I sing for joy!

Our plan is use the money raised to record 5 to 6 songs, duplicate the project, shoot a video and do some basic promotions.  If we exceed our goal we will record more music then we originally planned.  I always have more songs then I have resources to record.

Thank you for taking the time to consider donating to the Deeper EP.  Words can’t express my excitement about sharing these new songs with the world.  I hope that you will partner with Jesus, Jon and I so that we can encourage the world to go deeper and explore the riches of our matchless God.  And together we will live fearlessly, singing for joy, in the center of His will.www.gofundme.com/Naima

Lessons I Learned While Waiting on Boaz

Lessons I Learned While Waiting on Boaz…

I was single for a long, long, long time!  And I learned many lessons while waiting for Mr. Right to appear.  I often get to minister and share with single women waiting on their husbands.  So I thought I would share with you the Life Lessons I learned while waiting to be found by my husband.

Lesson One - Tell Jesus the Truth

I often heard when I was content being single my husband would show up – just appear out of thin air.  I spent years trying to be content and feeling extremely guilty that even after much prayer, reading every singles book out there and fasting, I couldn’t find this elusive contentment.  So I decided that I would just tell Jesus this truth.  I knew that the Lord knew what was best for me and I came to understand that if I never got married then somehow that was what was best for me, even if I didn’t like it and I sure wasn’t content. 

Finally I surrendered and shared that with the Lord.  “Father”, I said, “You know I don’t want to be single, I don’t like it, I’ve been single a long time, but if I truly trust you, I know you will do what’s best for me.  And if that’s being single, then You will sustain, comfort and walk with me. True Story, I met Jon within the next year.

Lesson Two: Be About Your Father’s Business

Don’t wait to do the things that you desire to do for the Lord because you are single.  Pursue your passion, live your purpose, walk in the calling the Lord has placed on your life.  Spend your time doing two things, being about the business the Lord has called you to and becoming the best wife (or husband) you can be.  Be focused in the Lord, get your finances together, learn to communicate, clarify your needs, fast and pray – become that Proverbs 31 woman or that wise man of integrity like Boaz.   Jon and I met because I was I was doing the Lord’s work.  He booked me for a concert after finding me online while he was researching artists he wanted to book for a church event.  If I had never stepped out on faith and left my GOOD paying job at Wright State University to obey the call of God to sing His praises, I’d still be in Ohio, single…

Adventures of the Wee Wee Monster!

This is a blog that has no deep meaning in any way, shape or form! Except for the fact that I've learned a number of valuable lessons from my dog such as:

- Be mad for a moment and then let it go

- Love doesn't care if you don't share your dinner

- Life is not meant to be lived off leash

- The love of a pet can be deep and meaningful and they never talk back

- If poop on the floor is the worse that it gets, then I've got it made

Anyway... Bianca, also known as the wee wee monster due to her use of puppy pads that once soiled she somehow manages to kick up against the bathroom wall neatly folded, has been the subject of many of my status updates. She's always doing funny things, so I started shooting some video - not very good quaility, of her and her ongoing adventures.

Since today is National Dog Day, I thought it only fitting to share this first video with you. Hope it makes you smile!