Open Letter from my sister, Kim Jordan

See video at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1481095124/kim-jordan-uncommon#

Hello Everyone,

My name is Kim Jordan, and I was born to create music. I am blessed to wear many hats, Keyboardist, Producer, Composer, Arranger, Engineer, Educator and Minister.

I have been given the "gift of music." And, what is a gift? A gift is something that someone wants you to have, not because you are deserving of it, but simply because they want you to have it. I know I was given this God-given talent as a tool to convey God’s love and compassion to the world.

The CD project I would like to share with you, and would like your help with, is entitled Uncommon. This project mixes many forms of musical genres such as Jazz, Latin, Fusion, Gospel and others. The message behind the music is simple; “God Loves You Right Where You Are.” Uncommon speaks to those who are broken in spirit, those who are wounded, and, most importantly, those who feel like giving up. This project was divinely designed to lift your spirit and move your soul.

 I don’t feel as if I personally wrote any of the 12 cuts on the project; but, rather, was used as a conduit as each song was downloaded into me to purposely speak to those who are desperately hurting.

Several years ago, I was in a truck accident that caused me to lose a significant amount of my playing ability. I thought my musical career was over, BUT GOD, had other plans for me. He wasn’t finished with me, just like He’s not finished with you.

What I have come to realize is that with every Test, Trial and Tragedy, there is also Triumph! You can’t really have a testimony until there is a test. That accident was my test, but the fruit that has come forth from that accident is a major part of my triumph. God has restored my playing ability, but He has also given me a new mandate and mission.

I believe that one of the reasons that I’m still on the planet is to share with everyone that will listen the message that no matter how bad things may seem, you are loved, you are not forgotten, you still have purpose, value, significance and destiny.

In other words, “Giving Up” is not an option because God himself wants you to know, “He’s Not Finished With You Yet!” The Uncommon CD project is full of life-giving songs of encouragement.

Two years ago, my only brother, Anthony got sick and subsequently died. As I was still grieving, I felt a tremendous urgency to complete Uncommon. I told my business partner and recording engineer of 30 years, Wendell Williamson, that I was ready to resume working on the Uncommon CD project.

Unfortunately, the very next day I received a call that Wendell was in the hospital and within a month’s time, Wendell died. Within 6 months, my musical mentor, Jazz Poet, Gil Scott Heron, also passed away. I’m sharing these stories with you to let you know that Life has dealt all of us some pretty hard blows, and, to be honest, many times I too felt like giving up and walking away.

It was during this period that my production company (Prosounity Music Entertainment, LLC) ran out of resources to complete this project. This is why I am asking for your support.

I am ½ way through the project. As a Producer, I’m aware of the cost involved in producing a quality project from start to finish. For me, asking for money or help with anything is quite humbling; and I am truly humbled by this experience. But, I believe that God uses people to help people; so, I am humbly reaching out to you to help me help others by supporting my efforts to finish the Uncommon Gospel Jazz CD project.

 I am confident you will be pleased, others will be blessed and God will be glorified as a result of your pledges.

From the bottom of my heart, I want to sincerely say “THANK YOU,” and I pray God will richly bless you.
Kim

 Click to help Kim help others thru this project

www.kimjordan.com

Follow me on Twitter @kimdjordan

Kim Jordan: Uncommon by Kim Jordan — Kickstarter

Vicki Yohe - Because Of Who You Are

Oh of my favorite songs!

Many people give up too quickly. And it is for that very reason, they experience little success. Winning in life is not a matter of fate, chance or luck. Rather, it is the result of learning and living by specific principles, principles which are from time memorial, and just as true today as they were when they were first written and given to mankind by the Creator of the universe.

Each of these principles are in The Holy Bible. And even though many inspirational and motivational speakers may not want admit it publicly, it is a proven fact that Almighty God is the One Who instituted the principles which guarantee success, and a life of lasting value.

One of these principles is a major key to winning in life, and that is the principle of persistence, staying with a project or goal until you get what you are after. Sounds simple, right? And yet, this is where most people are defeated. The old saying, "Quitters never win," is not just a saying. It is a fact. Learn how to persist and you will reveal to yourself and the world that you are a winner.

How can we develop the ability to persist and persevere? Here are some things we can do:

1. Ensure that your goals are not opposing the Will of Almighty God, and that they will not bring harm to mankind. You cannot carry out a plan that is offensive to God or that hurts people, and experience true success. Your seeming, but temporary success will prove vain and short-lived. Evil will always catch up with the person involved in and deceived thereby.

2. Ensure that your goals are workable, and that you have placed the order of the steps you need to take to get to your goals in proper sequence. If your goals look too hard or impossible to carry out, it will over-whelm your mind and you will find excitement leaving and fatigue setting in. Your mind will get dis-interested and unfocused, because your plans are not set properly, or thought out well enough.

3. Realize that hard times and times of disappointment will come. That comes with the package. And to be honest with you, the hard places are where character is developed and brought to maturity. Difficult situations or people will either make the man or woman out of you that you need to be to handle the level of responsibility which comes with success, or will stop you dead in your tracks from pursuing your goals and dreams.

4. Keep the picture in front of you of your goal fulfilled or realized. Just keep imaging what your life can and will be like when you have reached your mark.

5. Seek the advise of informed persons who may be able to give you some wisdom. Make sure the person you ask for counsel is successful and speaking to you from his or her wealth of experience.

6. Pray. Remember that the Lord promised He will direct your path if you acknowledge Him. Yes, there is a God. Get acquainted with Him.

7. Just stay at it, pursuing your dream, day by day. YOU CAN DO IT. YOU CAN BE IT, YOU CAN HAVE IT. So, NEVER QUIT.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6413171

RIP: Valentine's Day Whitney Houston Tribute (1963-2012)

www.facebook.com/teampw to post your comments

God bless you. Enjoy the ones you love while they're here. 

Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You (Live)

Watch Whitney Houston singing "Yes, Jesus Loves Me" with Kelly Price during her last performance this past week. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0pIv4mpGQt8

What Do People REALLY Want?

I ask this question often because as a publicist working with authors, speakers, business owners and the like – they all yearn for something. Besides money…. it goes deeper than that.

I have a theory, which I test by people watching and social media observations, that people basically want four things:

1. Be known. They want fame. They want “rock star” fame actually. Most people dream of being recognized on the street and having fans ask for their autograph. They want their pictures on the front of magazines (not Tabloids) and seen on TV – and heard on radio. They secretly dream of being so famous that they can go anywhere and get “star” treatment.

2. Be rich from one “big” thing. We all need money to survive – that’s a given. But the driving force behind most people is to be RICH doing what they love. Everyone wants to be paid well by having their “idea, product, service” so in demand that it makes them stupid rich. Like Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg, where they don’t EVER have to worry about money. Cash flow is always positive and their barns are always overflowing. Most business owners strive daily to be so wealthy that they don’t have to “work.” Only when they choose to.

3. Be powerful and have influence. People want the kind of power where they move “to the front of the line” and be allowed in VIP places because of their status. People hunger for the kind of power where they can set trends and have their words quoted often in newspapers and magazines. Most want the “thought leader” position. Kinda like Seth Godin. He’s an author/blogger that speaks on marketing. And just about anything he says is “gold” and is retweeted hundreds and hundreds of time. Basically, just his random thoughts – but they are weighted by the world as REMARKABLE. Now that’s power. He can command a bunch a money to speak too by the way.

4. Have the “Good” life. People want cash, cars and a career that esteems them to “rock star rich” category. People want the easy life. They want fun. They want favor. They want freedom. The Good Life is filled with good friends too. People who love them. People also want health and beauty. The Good life looks a certain way. It looks like “Red Carpet” everyday. People who want the Good Life may appear vain or shallow – but really all they want is to look good, feel good and have good people around them to affirm them.

Yes, basically people want (no, need) public AFFIRMATION. Now, this is different from being “known” or having power/influence. Affirmation is really having people like you and speak will of you. People want to be heard, recognized and seen in positive light. It’s almost like being high school. People want to fit in and be liked – or at least thought well of. You’d think adults would grow out of this – nope. Take a look at social media – it’s like a popularity contest. People striving to be seen, heard, acknowledged – and given a “thumbs up.”

WOW. People want to be “liked” so badddddddddd. More like Junior High instead of high school.

Now, don’t get me wrong. There is nothing WRONG with wanting to be known, rich, have power, have the good life and have people like you and affirm you.

What’s crazy is wanting it – and NOT willing to work for it!!!

I love the saying, “You see my glory, but you don’t know my story.” People who have all the above paid some dues. The bigger the success – the more sacrifices they had to make.

An “overnight” success usually takes about ten years.

So, what does it require in order to be a SUPER STAR:

1. Talent or at least passion

2. Courage. To be brave and not CARE about what people say or think.

3. Commitment. To be willing to sacrifice some sleep, some money and more to make it.

4. Discipline. You want the “easy, fun” life but you can’t be lazy and undisciplined. You’ll never get there.

5. Faith. You have to have an unwavering faith and belief in GOD. Depending on God is really the key to success. He is the Creator and if you follow His road map, success is guaranteed.

6. Education. You have to have information in order to live life on the next level. Either you learn from school or from self-study methods. Most successful people are AVID readers.

7. Support. Having a loving support system is key. Whether it is your family or a BFF like Oprah’s Gayle. Having several key people in your corner is all that is needed to propel most. (Could this be why theCoaching industry is booming?)

8. Sales skills. Yes, you must have GREAT sales ability and not afraid to speak and put yourself out there! Be masterful at networking and marketing. This will take you to the head of the class every time.

So, what do people really want: To Be a Superstar! Hey, it is possible – especially if you are willing to do the work and not just wishing and wanting. Do something.

Know you were meant to live bigger?

Then check this out. Click here ==> Launch Like a Superstar!

Pam Perry, is a PR Coach and Social Media Strategist, follow her on Twitter or visit her online brand atwww.about.me/pamperry

What do you think people REALLY want? What makes them tick?

Her website: www.PerryWilliamson.com to get free Thought Leader webinar

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And Still I Rise (video) in Honor of Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month, my favorite poem by Maya.

Hope is patient expectation and eager anticipation.

Not excitement. Even though we are excited when we hope. In Proverbs 10:28, it says “The hopes of the godly result in happiness…” But excitement can waver. Hope is to be placed in God’s unchanging hand. We are to completely rely and depend on Him. And hope gives us courage (Job 11:18) so that we are not afraid, worrying or fretting about things out of our control.

Now, I know that true hope is: complete assurance of victory through God. In Romans, it says, “…Hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we HOPE for what we do not yet have, we wait patiently for it.”

RISE. You have HOPE. Believe.