Ahhh…. Just what I have been waiting for… SUMMER is finally here!  Well technically not until June 21^st… But my kids are out of school (although I know many in other parts of the country are still in school).  Things are not as hectic and we’ve got a lot of downtime both in my family and with my ministry.  I love the down time. It’s a time to create lasting memories but things around here generally move at a slower pace…

I thought with the down time this year that I might start “working out” a bit. It takes a lot of physical energy to be performing as much as I do and staying “in shape” is part of the process. But the bad thing is…I just don’t like working out…I never have…but nonetheless…I recently joined a gym. This is one of those “circuit gyms” where a little man’s voice comes on the loud speaker every 30 seconds and says, “Move to the next station.”  (Where is that guy hiding?) I can’t wait to move forward to the next station … just knowing that soon, (hopefully, VERY soon), I will be finished with my workout.  So I listen hard for that voice. Then, once I get done, I feel great… it’s just getting there … which is the hardest thing for me.

The other day I really felt that God was showing me something while I was working out.  We are all moving forward in our life. Sometimes it feels like walking on a treadmill than never stops. God asks each one of us to draw closer to him. We may not always enjoy the ride… but he never said it would be easy!  He doesn’t just want us to keep doing what we have always done. That gets boring and monotonous and we often lose focus. God asks us to move forward and take bigger steps so that he can take us to new heights. If we keep doing the same thing day in and day out, we won’t experience what God has to offer. We have to continue to take steps forward and have faith that we are on the path of righteousness.  He wants us to move in a direction where we can be closer to heaven…closer to HIM!  We have different experiences in every direction we turn. But as long as we keep our focus and move closer to the Kingdom of God, we will begin to see things more clearly.  Within the last month, God has introduced me to some amazing people in places I never originally thought I would meet them. I would never have had these encounters if I wouldn’t have accepted HIS challenges and moved forward… in a new direction. This world has so much to offer and it’s because of the people out there that are spreading the good news of Christ in their churches, in their communities and even on these social networking sites, that more people are seeing the light of Christ.

I have had so many experiences lately that have motivated me more than ever to write music.  I have always had writing on my heart but this time it’s different. God is calling me to write about my own life, about the people I meet, about the places I visit, about the joy in finding love, and about the pain of being lost. He wants me to write about YOU and ME and last but not least HIM!  So as I MOVE forward in this direction, I want to thank you for sharing your friendship with me. I pray that all of you enjoy the blessings that Christ has given you and that YOU can move forward and proclaim His glory in your own unique way.

…and if you are walking on that treadmill this week…know that I am right beside you in spirit and encouraging you to keep moving…or better yet, get off and try something new!

One of the things I love so much about the song WITH EVERY BREATH (from my SHARMANE cd) is the very opening line that proclaims, “Alleluia from the heavens”…On this Ascension Sunday I just can’t stop singing this song. Every word, so cleverly crafted by Christine and Mark Byrd (the songwriters), really illustrates the beauty of the risen Christ. So with everything we have, with every breath, we praise the Lord because He is our pathway to eternal life.

I’ve been thinking about heaven a lot lately. I think about it when I look at the beautiful star filled sky at night over the ocean. I think of heaven when I see the puffy white clouds amidst the blue sky. I think about heaven when I see tears of joy and hope in prayer. Sometimes I feel like I’m “in heaven” when I come home from a road trip and my children are waiting at the door ready to greet me, or when my husband encourages me when I tell him about a new song I wrote. Sometimes I feel like I’m “in heaven” when I get a prayer request from someone and I pray for them and they write me back sharing how their prayer was answered, or when I hear good news of a friend who is healing after a life threatening illness.

At the end of April, I had the opportunity to perform my song, I SURRENDER (which was recognized as a final nominee for Song of the Year) at the 2008 KCCM Awards in Kansas City. The awards and “concert of friends” was a multi-faith event held at the Bell Cultural Center at Mid America Nazarene University in Olathe, KS. It was a gorgeous venue and sound check went so smoothly (which doesn’t always happen) that I heard many comment, “wow…this is heavenly.” In addition to performing I was also nominated for two awards. I was so excited just to be there for this event (…and it was fun to get dressed up too!-LOL!) Needless to say, I was shocked when they announced my name as FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR. Suddenly I felt that little piece of heaven…again. I quickly composed myself and went up to accept the award-but not for one minute did I forget to give all glory and honor to Jesus…not only for showing me the light in regards to my music ministry, but more so, for giving His life so I could have that very moment in time.

I guess we all have “in heaven” moments, in our lives. For some they come daily. For others they don’t come nearly as often-but we learn quickly how to embrace the moment. But what we shouldn’t forget is that those “moments” are a gift from God and gentle reminders to us of the glory that will be revealed to us when we do get to heaven-if we are faithful to Him.

Do you have a time in your life when you felt you were “in heaven”? Let me know so I can celebrate that moment with you and pray that you are blessed with more times like this in the days to come!

Peace & Hugs-

SHARMANE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Artist wins 2008 KCCM Award!

Pensacola, FL, April 28, 2008-Prayerful Hearts Ministry is pleased to announce that  Contemporary Catholic/Christian performing artist-SHARMANE-was recently recognized as an award recipient at the 2008 KCCM Awards held in Kansas City on Saturday, April 26^th. SHARMANE received the award for FEMALE VOCALIST of the Year. This is the first-time award for SHARMANE-who also was invited to perform her 2007 radio single titled I SURRENDER, (which spent over 20 weeks on the Christian Radio & Retail Weekly I-chart), at the multi-faith awards presentation. I SURRENDER was also recognized as a final nominee for the Song of the Year category.

The KCCM Awards are sponsored annually by KingCat Music based in the Kansas City area. This organization serves to recognize artists who are part of the KingCat Music network in a variety of award categories including Artist of the Year (in each music genre), Group of the Year and Song of the Year.  KingCat Music includes local, regional and national independent artists that perform in the Christian music genre. The awards are held each spring at a Kansas City area venue.  Sponsors for the event include notable businesses, professionals in the Christian music industry, along with several radio stations, and news periodicals. For more information on the KCCM Awards visit www.kingcatmusic.com.

For more information on SHARMANE visit www.sharmane.com or www.myspace.com/sharmaneadams

In Fall of 2007, I released a radio single titled-I SURRENDER. Never in my wildest dreams did I think God would use this song to bring healing and comfort to so many people around the world. I released the single through a partnership with CRW (Christian Radio & Retail Weekly). It was quickly embraced by AC radio and Inspirational radio and spent over 25 weeks on the I-Chart. What a tremendous blessing! This blog is a "recap" of how that song came to be a "gift" from our heavenly Father...

"This week I am releasing a brand new radio single called, "I SURRENDER". Just about a year ago, my girlfriend called me and told me her son was being treated for a life threatening illness. I was scared for her. I wanted to be with her. I didn't hesitate to get on my knees and offer my prayers for them as they faced the unknown. I just knew she didn't want to hear one more person say "Is there anything I can do for you?" I asked God how I could help my friend, and He truly spoke to me by telling me to put my efforts into my passion…music. For me, music can uplift a hurting soul, make a bad day turn good... mend a broken heart and rejuvenate the mind! God speaks through me ... through the lyrics... through the sound. Christ draws me closer to him through HIS music.

"I SURRENDER" was the result of this effort. The words in this song are from the crying heart. A heart that totally surrenders to HIS will. God is in control, plain and simple! …and when we set everything aside…HE can pour HIS grace upon each of us and WE can accept HIS mercy and see HIS infinite beauty!

It's interesting to see that many others have been drawn to this same thought. In a document titled "TOTAL SURRENDER"-Mother Theresa said these profound words…

"Jesus Christ has always told us that we ought to "always pray and not faint." St. Paul says, 'pray without ceasing.' God calls all men and women to this disposition of heart--to pray always. Let the love of God once take entire possession of the heart; let it become to that heart like a second nature; let that heart suffer nothing contrary to enter; let it apply itself continually to increase this love of God by seeking to please him in all things and refusing him nothing; let it accept as from his hand everything that happens to it; let it have a firm determination never to commit any fault deliberately and knowingly or, if it should fail, to be humbled and rise up again at once, and such a heart will pray continually."

Today my friend's son continues to get well and build his strength. It is truly overwhelming to have been a witness to this difficult period but also to have witnessed God healing. Yet, there are so many out there, young and young at heart, who have not fully healed either physically, emotionally or spiritual. For you…I continue to pray that you will soon accept the words "I SURRENDER" and that God leads you to a path of new life. "

Peace Be With You-Sharmane