Interviews: Megan Mottley

Photos: Megan Mottley, Gospel Music Association, Your Music Zone

The DOVE Awards is coveted as the biggest night in Christian/Gospel Music. The night started with live performances from Mary Mary and Kierra "KiKi" Sheard. The rest of the show was filled with even more inspiring performances, surprise guest presenters, and tributes to artists that have paved the way for others in the music industry. Enjoy the pictures and interviews from this year's DOVE Awards and if you're looking for some exciting new music to add to your Ipod, check out the entire list of winners.

DOVE Awards Biggest Winner

Artist of The Year, Songwriter of the Year

Steven Curtis Chapman with his wife and boys.
Chapman took home 3 DOVE Awards and
shared the victory with his family.

Chapman tragically lost his 5-year-old daughter, Maria, last year in an automobile accident and winning the DOVE Awards was evidently a bittersweet experience for Chapman and his entire family.

"I understand the songs even more now. This experience has made me take scriptures and songs and anchor my heart to them. I have learned that God's strength is perfect in our weakness."

Natalie Grant

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

"Other than performing I am very involved with the Home Foundation, a non-profit charitable foundation dedicated to the eradication of human trafficking both domestically and abroad."

Brandon Heath

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

SONG OF THE YEAR
“Give Me Your Eyes”; Brandon Heath

POP/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG
"Give Me Your Eyes”; What If We; Brandon Heath

Blind Boys of Alabama

TRADITIONAL GOSPEL RECORDED SONG

TRADITIONAL GOSPEL ALBUM

"We always strive to bring hope and encouragement through our music...and this album was especially dedicated to the people in New Orleans, LA."

KJ-52

RAP/HIP HOP RECORDED SONG

“Do Yo Thang”

"Christian Rap & Hip Hop music are at the

best level of acceptance than ever before in the music industry."

Martha Munizzi

CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL ALBUM

Change the World

"When we worship God He changes us and

we can in turn change the world.

Praise and worship draws people to

God and color does not matter."

LaRue Howard

"I was so excited to work with Martha Munizzi

on 'How Great Is Our God'."

Jars of Clay

"I think people should serve in any way that you can.

The choices that we make here make a difference. We

should invest in other humans and in other people's

stories. We have to sometimes endure the pain in order

to embrace the gain."

Founders of the Blood:Water Mission, the non-profit organization launched in 2001, Jars of Clay has funded more than 650 water projects, along with hygiene and sanitation training, in 11 African countries. Source: CMSpin

MaryMary
Opened the DOVE Awards with their high-energy song "Get Up"

By the end of the night, MaryMary won a Dove Award

for Urban Recorded Song of the Year,

“Get Up,” from their #1 Gospel Album, The Sound.

"We have some exciting new things happening in the future...

a Bath & Body Line and a new Book!"

Mary Mary backstage flattered when I told them that I'm glad that they wrote a song like "Dirt" on of their new album. They even began to sing the tune and explained that "We all need a little bit, need a little bit, need a little bit of dirt to grow, we all need a little rain to wash our souls..."

Tenth Avenue North


NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Group 1 Crew



RAP/HIP HOP ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Ordinary Dreamers

Casting Crowns

GROUP OF THE YEAR

Sinbad & His Daughter Paige from Press Play

ENTIRE LIST OF 2009 DOVE AWARD WINNERS

Artist of the Year: Steven Curtis Chapman

New Artist of the Year: Tenth Avenue North

Song of the Year: "Give Me Your Eyes" Brandon Heath, Jason Ingram

Male Vocalist of the Year: Brandon Heath

Female Vocalist of the Year: Natalie Grant

Group of the Year: Casting Crowns

Producer of the Year: Bernie Herms

Rock Recorded Song of the Year: "Lost" by Red

Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year:

"Washed By The Water" by NeedToBreathe

Urban Recorded Song of the Year: "Get Up" by MaryMary

Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year: "Do Yo Thang" by KJ-52

Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year:

"Give Me Your Eyes" by Brandon Heath

Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year:

"A New Hallelujah" by Michael W. Smith

Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year:

"Reason Enough" by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound

Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year:

"They're Holding Up The Ladder" by Jeff & Sheri Easter

Country Recorded Song of the Year: "I Wish" by Point of Grace

Rap / Hip Hop Album of the Year: Ordinary Dreamers, Group 1 Crew

Rock Album of the Year: Satisfied, DecembeRadio

Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year: Never Going Back to OK, The Afters

Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year: Revelation, Third Day

Inspirational Album of the Year: Great God Who Saves, Laura Story

Southern Gospel Album of the Year: Lovin’ Life; Ernie Gaither Vocal Band; Bill Gaither, Guy Penrod, Marshall Hall, Wes Hampton; Gaither Music Group

Bluegrass Album of the Year: We Are Family, Jeff & Sheri Easter

Country Album of the Year: Around the Bend, Randy Travis

Urban Album of the Year: The Fight of My Life, Kirk Franklin

Traditional Gospel Album of the Year:

Down in New Orleans, The Blind Boys of Alabama

Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year: Change the World, Martha Munizzi

Instrumental Album of the Year: Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Various

Children's Music Album of the Year:

Absolute Modern Worship for Kids 4, Various

Spanish Language Album of the Year: Seventh Day Slumber, Rescatame

Special Event Album of the Year: Passion: God of This City, Various

Christmas Album of the Year: Peace on Earth, Casting Crowns

Praise & Worship Album of the Year: A New Hallelujah, Michael W. Smith

Musical of the Year: God Bless the USA by Sue C. Smith, Brentwood/Benson

Youth/Children's Musical of the Year: An Island Christmas by Wayne Haun, Shelby Haun, Joel Lindsey, Lillenas Publishing

Choral Collection of the Year: I'll Say Yes by Carol Cymbala,

Brooklyn Tabernacle Music

Recorded Music Packaging of the Year: Revelation (Third Day) by Tim Parker, Becka Blackburn, David McLister, R.W. Sims, Essential Records

Short Form Music Video of the Year: Slow Fade, Casting Crowns,

Erwin Brothers Motion Pictures

Long Form Music Video of the Year: "Alive and Transported," tobyMac,

Eric Welch, Tameron Hedge

Congratulations To All DOVE Award Winners!

Nancy Alcorn of Mercy Ministries -Exclusive Interview

In the recent issue of DIVINE Magazine, Nancy Alcorn founder of Mercy Ministries was featured to shed light on her 26-year old ministry to reach and rescue young ladies. To read the article in its entirety, complete the sign up form above to receive the digital version of DIVINE emailed right to your inbox.

Nancy Alcorn, Mercy Ministries Founder

During our interview, Nancy shared her personal thoughts on various topics that you can only read here in our blog:

DIVINE: Who/What is your inspiration in general?

NANCY: I am inspired and extremely motivated by the knowledge that the name of Jesus is above every name, that there is nothing too hard for God, and that He can restore any and every broken life. The knowledge that there is nothing too hard for God is what keeps me going.
DIVINE: How have you grown over the past few years since your ministry has started?

NANCY: There is a scripture in Proverbs that says we gain wisdom through God’s Word and through life experiences. I have definitely grown over the years as I have stayed in God’s Word and allowed my mind to be renewed to think like He thinks and my faith to be built so that I can see the unseen and behold what’s coming with the eye of faith. Through life’s experiences, I can honestly say that the older I get and the longer I live, the more I realize the faithfulness of God regardless of the situation.

DIVINE: How did you handle the times in your life when you wanted to give up?

NANCY: I can honestly say that I have never wanted to give up, but there have definitely been times where my feelings have tried to get me to give up. However, I always go back to the scripture that says His strength is made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). When I am weak, it is an opportunity for His strength in me to be perfected. This is a time when I remember scriptures like we are more than conquerors in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:37), and I go back to the writings of the Apostle Paul and what he went through, and I also look at what Jesus went through. I’m very competitive by nature, and we are told to run the race to win
(1 Corinthians 9:24). Even though at times I may feel like I want to give up, the honest truth is giving up has never been an option for me because I know that God says whom He’s called, He will equip, and where He guides, He will provide, and that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So, if He brought me through last year and even the last 25 years since Mercy first started, He’s still the same and that means He will bring me through whatever I’m facing today.

DIVINE: What scripture/passage is your favorite or is the most profound for young adults?

NANCY: My life verse is Proverbs 3:5-6 which says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He shall direct your path.” I would encourage young adults to know that God is interested in your life, and that He wants to direct your path. If you will take the time to seek Him and to ask Him on a daily basis what He would have you do and then allow Him to order your steps and direct your path, your life will be much different and much better than you could ever imagine.

DIVINE: What advice do you have for people that are just beginning a ministry? What could you share with them about pressing through hard times?

NANCY: The advice that I would give is that whatever you are stepping out to do, make sure that you know that you know that you know that you’re called to whatever it is that you are starting. You have to settle in your heart that you know that God has called you because if that’s not settled in your heart, then you won’t have the faith you need to see and overcome in the difficult times.

The beginning of 2009 is the beginning of 26 years at Mercy Ministries for me, and I’m still standing because I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that I am called and that God is faithful. He spoke to me in the beginning that if I would do three things that every need would always be met. So because He spoke that to me 26 years ago, I always go back to it. Those three things are:
1) to take the girls in free of charge because we want them to know that we are not trying to make money off their problems,

2) to tithe 10% of everything that comes in to other ministries,

3) and to not accept any state or federal funding or any money with strings attached that would limit our freedom to share the Gospel. Because I know that God said if you’ll do these three things, I’ll meet every need, I always have faith because I know I’m doing what God has told me to do – even after all these years. There have been times during times of lack that the enemy will try to tempt us not to tithe or to decrease our giving to other ministries, but I refuse to do it because I know that our needs are met through our giving and not through our asking.

2009 Projects In Store For Mercy Ministries:

· Opening of first West Coast home in Sacramento, California
· Raising funds to build homes on land in Charlotte, North Carolina and Destin, Florida
· Traveling and speaking in churches and conferences around the world,
· Increasing Internet presence to Myspace and Facebook along with our current sites: http://www.mercyministries.com/

http://www.nancyalcorn.com/

http://www.nancyalcorn.blogspot.com/
· Making more tools available to young women who are unable to come to the Mercy
Ministries program (Internet resources, our Mercy For book series, and more).

DIVINE MAGAZINE

IS NOW AVAILABLE IN DIGITAL!!!

YOU CAN NOW VIEW THE LEADING

INSPIRATIONAL MAGAZINE RIGHT ONLINE!

SIGN UP TODAY & THE MAGAZINE WILL BE

DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

ANNIVERSARY ISSUE NOW AVAILABLE

"Celebrating Two Years:

Exercise Faith,

Expect Greatness,

Experience Breakthrough"

When Mercy Triumphs: An Inside Look At

Nancy Alcorn's Mercy Ministries

A Healthy Change You Can Believe In

Upcoming Conventions for 2009

Drinkable Delights

& Much, Much More!!

To receive your FREE DIGITAL copy
Contact DIVINE

(If link goes to a blank page, hit refresh and contact form should appear)

Want To Read the Men's Issue?

5 Nutrients Every Man Needs For Good Health

Men's Guide To Leisure

Neely Brothers Macho Meals For Men

& Much More More

To Receive Your FREE DIGITAL Copy

Contact DIVINE
(If link goes to a blank page, hit refresh and contact form should appear)

Balancing Act

No matter where you are in life, no matter what level of education or level of prestige the answer to how to balance life is a question that everyone ponders at some point or another.

Our lives consist of most of the following entities:

Church Life
Education
Family
Friends
Career
Relationships
Leisure
Travel
Finances
Business

The order that we place the abovementioned entities depend on where we are in life. No particular order is right or wrong it's just a matter of balance. Too much of anything is not good while not enough of something else can be problematic as well. So how do you solve the too much/not enough situation: BALANCE.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." Proverbs 11:1 reminds us that "The LORD abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight." Proverbs 16:11 also states that "Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making."

If we don't learn how to find balance, God will certainly teach us! If we don't spend enough time with our spouse an extramarital affair may creep into a marriage. If we neglect our children, a serious peer pressure situation may turn into a major issue. If we forfeit the opportunity to spend time in God's house we may miss a word from God that could help us cope. If we're too lazy to pursue education, it could keep us from a pay increase and necessary knowledge. If we don't learn to take some time to travel and get away, bitterness and a spirit of weariness may set in. The list can go on and on but the ULTIMATE point is that we must embrace the benefits of BALANCE.

How do balance things in your life?

Movies!!!

Has anyone seen any good movies lately?

Share the latest movie you've seen, the rating, and whether it was worth the money...

Seasons Change

This weekend's sudden weather change made me think about how fast seasons can change in our lives. One minute it was raining in Memphis and the next minute it was snowing and snowing and snowing until 8 inches accumulated. Soon the sun came out and after a few hours most of the snow had melted away. Now weather reports predict that by Wednesday it will be up to 70 degrees. Wow! I'm reminded of an old Kirk Franklin song "There must be a God Somewhere".

There isn't anyone but a mighty God who can be in control of the unpredictable weather that was demonstrated in Memphis this weekend. Just the same, God is in control when we experience a sudden change of seasons in our lives. One minute you have a job, the next minute you're laid off. One minute you're the picture of health, the next minute the doctors have given you a few months to live. One day you have a bank full of money, the next day the money's all gone to cover debt, medical bills, and other emergencies, etc. One day you're carrying a child and the next day you discover you've miscarried. One minute you are believing for a breakthrough and the next minute you are experiencing your breakthrough. One day all the faith that you've exercised for healing for months has finally come to pass and you've been healed. In one moment the job you were praying for, the house you were fasting for, the debt you have strived to be released from has been settled and given to you in the blink of an eye.

Seasons change. One thing that is constant is change. One day it may be raining, the next day the sun is shining and the next day brings snow. Just be prepared. Be at peace. Trust God and know that He is in control. Be confident that He has equipped you with the tools (spiritual, physical, mental, emotional) that you need to endure the effects of each season.

Shout It Out!

The other day I hit my toe on a piece of furniture and it was a painful moment. I grabbed my foot, put pressure on my toe and rocked back and forth to relieve the pain. Surprisingly, it wasn't until I let out a big, long "Ow" that I experienced relief. I thought to myself, "Hmm!" Just the act of crying out loud brought more relief than everything else that I had tried.

This situation made me think about life. When we go through painful situations in life, we need to cry out to God. Doing so may bring much more relief that complaining to friends, worrying, making poor choices, etc. We need to talk things over with God and sometimes "Shout It Out" of our systems in order to bring that breakthrough experience.

Remember this the next time you encounter a painful moment in your life. Cry out to God about your needs, your frustrations and your concerns. It may prove to be the anecdote that you never thought you possessed.

Shouting is in fact a biblical practice that had real purpose. In Joshua 6, shouting was exactly what the people were instructed to do in order to bring down the walls of Jericho. "Joshua commanded the people, "Shout! For the LORD has given you the city!" (Joshua 6:16) Once the people marched around the city seven times and SHOUTED aloud, the walls collapsed. There's power in shouting. "When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city." (Joshua 6:20). Read the entire book of Joshua to get a complete understanding of the story.

In essence, Shout, Shout, Shout--through the pain (because it will come), when you need a breakthrough (a wall like Jericho to fall) and especially when you experience life's joys.

Be Blessed

How Are Those Resolutions Coming Along?

For those of you who started the new year off with resolutions, how is it going? We're two months into the new year and since it's a new month now is a great time to review.

My resolution isn't that hard to maintain since I tried to set a low bar so I wouldn't fail at it. As a result, yes I can say that I am doing a great job so far!

What's was your New Year's Resolution or goals for the new year and how's it going?

STELLAR AWARDS

2009 Stellar Award Winners Announced

DIVINE Magazine was there to bring you all the news & photos!

Photography by Courtney N. Long.Memorable Moments Photography www.memorablemoments1.com

Gospel music’s brightest stars arrived in Music City on Saturday, January 17, 2009 for the 24th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards. The Grand Ole Opry house in Nashville, TN overflowed with talent with powerful performances by Kirk Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC’s. Hosts were Dorinda Clark-Cole, Sinbad and Donnie McClurkin.

STELLAR AWARD WINNERS:

Artist of the Year- Marvin Sapp; Thirsty
Song of the Year - Marvin Sapp /Matthew Brownie "Never Would Have Made It"
Male Vocalist of the Year -Marvin Sapp
Female Vocalist of the Year - Dorinda Clark-Cole; Take It Back
Group Duo of the Year - Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose; Right Now Praise
New Artist of the Year - Jessica Greene; 4 The World; Habakkuk Music
CD of the Year - Marvin Sapp; Thirsty
Choir of the Year - Ricky Dillard & New G; The 7th Episode: Live in Toronto
Producer of the Year - Aaron Lindsey; Thirsty
Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year - Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose;Right Now Praise
Traditional Group/Duo of the Year - The Canton Spirituals; Driven
Contemporary Male of the Year - Byron Cage; Live at the Apollo: The Proclamation
Traditional Male of the Year -Marvin Sapp
Contemporary Female of the Year -CeCe Winans; Thy Kingdom Come
Traditional Female of the Year -Beverly Crawford; Live From Los Angeles
Contemporary CD of the Year - Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose; Right Now Praise
Traditional CD of the Year -Marvin Sapp; Thirsty
Urban/ Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year- Kirk Franklin;"Declaration:

(This Is It)"
Music Video of the Year - Marvin Sapp: “Never Would Have Made It”
Contemporary Choir of the Year - Ricky Dillard & New G; The 7th Episode: Live in Toronto Traditional Choir of the Year - Bishop Paul Morton & The Full Gospel Baptist Church Choir; Embracing the Next Dimension
Instrumental CD of the Year -Angélla Christie; The Breath of Life
Special Event CD of the Year - The Clark Sisters; The Best of the Clark Sisters Encore
Rap/Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year - Da’ T.R.U.T.H; Open Book
Children’s Performance of the Year - Kaira Miller; In God’s Time/It Ain’t Over
Quartet of the Year - Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’s; So Much To Be Thankful For
Recorded Music Package of the Year -Michelle Lukianovich (art direction/design); Keith Major (photography); Thirsty (Marvin Sapp); Verity/Zomba Label Group
Praise and Worship CD of the Year - Shekinah Glory Ministry; Jesus
Congratulations to all of this year’s Stellar Award Winners!

BACKSTAGE AT THE STELLARS

STELLAR AWARD NODS (Up & Coming Artists)

STELLAR PRESENTERS & PERFORMERS

FOR MORE BACKSTAGE ACCESS INCLUDING PHOTOS OF

SINBAD, TYE TRIBBETT, KEITH WONDERBOY JOHNSON, SHIRLEY CAESAR & MORE!!!

CLICK HERE

BLOG QUESTIONS:

WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE GOSPEL ARTISTS? WHY?

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOSPEL SONG OF ALL TIME?

POST YOUR COMMENTS BELOW

Children In Need of Mentors

There are so many children in desperate need of mentors. I teach 8th grade English at an inner city public school and my students and I have the most memorable moments when we just get to talk. These magical moments don't occur when I'm making them write a 5 paragraph essay or forcing them to understand subject-verb agreement. Only on the days when we have a little free time, which isn't too often thanks to standardized tests week in and week out, but every now and again we have these moments. Today was one of those days, I had a young lady to hit a young man and so he with all his might he proceeded to hit her back. So instead of sending them immediately to the office I decided to just talk to them both seperately and then collectively. Their exploratory class was cancelled so we had a little free time to talk while the other students either eavesdropped on our conversation, were on the computer or were leisurely reading. After talking to the boy and girl seperately I made them come together and both tell each other what they had learned from our one on one conversation. So the young man shared with her that he had learned that it's not okay for anyone who calls himself a man to hit a woman, that men are naturally physically stronger and that he could've unintentionally but seriously hurt her, he also learned that when he aggravates people he risks the chance of them retaliating and that he must learn not to aggravate so much,etc. The young lady informed him that she learned that she should keep her hands to herself because her stingfire slap could cause a young man to seriously injure her from a hit that comes out of retaliation. She learned that she shouldn't assume that all young men will resist hitting back and she also learned that all young men do not have someone at home telling right from wrong. So the conversation went on for a little while longer but ultimately ended in them both admitting where they went wrong, how they can handle the situation better in the future and with two heartfelt apologies.

I said all that to say that rather than send those two to the office with an end result of suspension, it had a much greater effect to call them both together and mentor them for a few minutes. I realized that so many of our young people need someone to help turn the light bulb on in their heads and especially about social interaction, what's appropriate and not appropriate in society. We can't assume that all children have mentors in their lives. When an opportunity presents itself where we as adults can drop a nugget of wisdom into a young person's life, we should jump at the chance!

Do you have an example of a time where you changed a young person's life? Do you know of any good mentorship programs?

Setting Goals for 2009

My pastor (John Seibeling) recently delivered a message about setting goals. I was very impressed by his instructions on how to set goals and want to share them here with you.
He suggested that your goals be:

• SIMPLE
• SPECIFIC
• MEASURABLE
• ATTAINABLE

Also meditate on Psalm 90:17 in regards to your goals. 3 goals is sufficient and refer back to your goals throughout the year. Stay encouraged!!!

With these ideas in mind what goals have you set for 2009?

2009: THE YEAR OF DIVINE

It's a new year and there are so many wonderful things in store for us. People all around me are being greatly blessed with jobs, finances and blossoming relationships and/or making major transitions in life to progress their business, career paths and so on.

DIVINE Magazine is also being blessed by being a blessing to so many people. We will be celebrating two years in publication at the end of this month and the road to this point has been trying but amazing.

I encourage everyone to really press in this year to follow your dreams, to go somewhere you've never gone, do something you've never done and to be a blessing to someone in the process.

I have coined 2009 as the year of DIVINE not because I don't believe that every year hereafter won't be rewarding but because I feel that many of the seeds sown in 2007 and 2008 will come to fruition in 2009. I believe that this year will be one that many lost souls will be saved through reading something in DIVINE. I believe that God will allow DIVINE to touch many more people and that hundreds more will have access to DIVINE.

I believe that this blog will be one of the many outlets to reach more people and that this blog will provide a place for people to share their thoughts, fears, dreams, accomplishments, needs, wants, etc. So make yourself at home and share your testimony:)

What are you believing God for in your life? What seeds did you plant in 2008 that you believe will come to fruition in 2009?