MONTHLY MANNA

from Grace & Glory December 2021

TRINKETS TO TRIUMPH

Min. Carenda

Deonne

For It! Can you believe it? We are in the last month of the year. Just take a moment and reflect on all that God has not only done for you but also within you. It is my prayer that the things you contended with in 2021 you will not contend with in 2022. It is also my prayer that your level of spiritual maturity has shifted and elevated. You can not cross over into 2022 putting new wine into old wine skins. I want to encourage you in this last month of the year to reach for it! It is not too late to finish this year well. It is not too late to finish this year strong. I need you to reach for it no matter what it feels like or looks like. Keep your eyes on the Lord and see yourself stretching higher in this month. We all have a natural ability to reach, but I want to speak to you beyond your natural ability. I want to speak to the spirit of God that dwells within you. I want every gift in you to be stirred. I pray that your testimony in this last month of the year is that God exceeded your expectations. Let me encourage you once more, it is not too late! Your story can change quicker than you can blink. Trust God now that He is bringing

you into divine alignment. That means some things in your life this month might shift and some people in your life might be shifted, but trust God! I want to remind you that in this hour God is saying, “Reach for it!” Now if man was making that statement, we already know that statement would yield limitations, but God is saying reach for it. That means, what is impossible with man is possible with God. That means God is speaking from a place of security because He knows the plans that He has for you. That means even when you think the Lord is not near, He is closer than you could imagine. Best of all, when God tells you to reach for it, He says it with love; and because we know that perfect love drives out all fear, I need you to stand in your God given authority and REACH FOR IT! You can accomplish that goal. You can write that book. You can go back to school. You can be the first in your family and nationally to achieve something. You can share your story without shame! When I launched my business, Carenda Deonne LLC, it was from a place of pain. I wasn’t on the mountain top. I wasn’t even

Reach in the hills; I was in the valley. I had lemons coming from every direction. Truth be told, I had more internal lemons than external lemons. Nevertheless, I decided to reach for it. I decided to embrace change by building my inner man. I decided to shift my mindset and I speak the word of God over my life with boldness. I decided to heed to wise counsel. I didn’t just need to talk about my pain, but I needed layers of hurt to be uprooted. I tell people all the time making lemonade is a thing of the past. Now I am taking aim, by throwing those lemons back. What are you going to reach for this month? What is it in your life that you need to completely and totally surrender to? Can you hear the voice of the Lord speaking to you? Will you obey Him? Will you answer the call? Will you say, “Yes Lord?” Do not allow your pride, stubbornness or selfishness to hold you back? God is calling you to greater works, now is the time to REACH FOR IT in Jesus Name!

Merry Christmas! Min. Carenda Deonne

Your #1 Change Agent www.carendadeonne.com

Kanye West

Jason Nelson

Maverick City Music

Kanye West I don’t think any of us saw this coming! I know I didn’t! It’s definitely safe to say, Kanye West has made his mark in Gospel Music, he began with his Invite only Sunday Services movement, featuring some of gospel music’s greatest hits, remixed, remade, and urbanized the Kanye way. This move has obviously paid off for him; he is sweeping the awards this year! At last month’s American Music Awards, he won “Favorite Gospel Artist” dominating the category amongst Gospel Music’s A List and legendary artists, Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music, Tasha Cobbs, and Koryn Hawthorne. Earlier this year, he won his first gospel Grammy, for “Jesus Is King”, his first Grammy in 8 years. Back in June, he took home, “Songwriter of The Year” at the BMI Trailblazer Awards.

Jason Nelson Let’s Give It Up For The Home Team! Jason Nelson’s latest single “Residue” hit #1 on Billboard Gospel Airplay Charts. The project has also garnered Grammy attention for the first round, “Close” for “Best Gospel Album” and the single “Residue” for “Best Gospel Performance/Song”.

Maverick City Music I’m beginning to think, if you don’t have any knowledge of Maverick City Music, you must be under a musical rock! These SOLD OUT SHOWS in all these MAJOR arenas all across the country, has been mind blowing! Nothing but amazing things about the entire experience, from the opening of the show to close. To call it a concert, does not speak to what takes place when they hit the stage. Chandler Moore spearheads this all-star team of worshippers, Naomi Raine, Aaron Moses, Dante Bowe, Tiffany Hudson, Brandon Lake, Maryanne J George, Alton Eugene, and Harolddd. The tour also included spot date appearances by Kierra Sheard-Kelly and LaCrae. With this kind of crazy buzz, needless to say, they’ve entered into the first round of Grammys, and won quite a few awards. They even have holiday music being released, as well as a special Christmas Tour Date.

Kirk Franklin Kirk Franklin is premiering his movie, “A Gospel Christmas” on Lifetime Movie Network, on December 4th. The movie is about a young assistant pastor that gets promoted as head pastor, at a new church. This takes place as they are gearing up for the annual Winter Jamboree. All the songs were written and arranged by Kirk Franklin, who will also be making a special appearance.

JJ Hairston JJ has released a single titled “Thankful”, most befitting not just for the holidays but it also speaks to giving honor and praise to God for what we’ve been able to survive in this current climate of the pandemic and the loss of loved ones, employment, sickness, etc. It’s available now at all digital media platforms.

Vincent Bohanan Vincent will be releasing his new album “Live in Chicago” on December 3rd. In addition, last month, Thanksgiving week, he premiered the Official music video for his single, “Oh Give Thanks”, that’s literally being sang all over the world. Check it out!

Follow me on twitter, www.twitter.com @MissEricka J, facebook www.facebook.com/ErickaJohnson, or via email missericka75@yahoo.com

Stellar Awards The Stellar Awards “Tribute to the Holidays” hosted by Jekalyn Carr is airing from November 21- December 31 with performances by VaShawn Mitchell, Kierra Sheard-Kelly, Charles Jenkins, Mali Music, Leon Timbo, Janice James and others. Check your local listings for air times; it will also be on Bounce TV, Christmas Day or via www.stellarawards.com.

Phillip Bryant DMV’s Own Master Producer Phil Bryant is making a lot of noise right now! Not only is he behind the music and production of Tamela Mann’s latest project, “Overcomer”, and the single “Help”, but he’s also Producer of the soundtrack for Tamela Mann’s first movie, “Soul Santa”, which released November 26, on BET Network and BET+. Phil is also behind the single “What Christmas Really Means” from the movie which is currently available at all digital media outlets. I have been a fan of this man’s work for quite some time and he definitely has the magic touch.

Nadja Scott & Divine Anointing This musical aggregation is absolutely masterful! Another one for the Home Team, Baltimore! Its leader & founder “Girl Director” Nadja Scott is skillfully trained in multiple music genres and is a musician, as well. The group just recorded their reunion project last month and just released an incredible music video for their single “The Promise”, which happens to be one of my favorite songs, also featuring Phillip Bryant. The group is also signed to his label, Writerz Blok Music Group. Definitely check this video out, I love it, grab the album! Available at all digital media outlets and the video is available via You Tube! Congrats on making round one for this year’s Grammy nominations!