Just Singin' for Jesus...

"While I live I will praise the LORD; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being." (Psalm 146:2)

Hear me each Saturday and Sunday Afternoon at 4:00 "Discovering the Word"

My name is Marie Waller and I live in Salisbury, NC.  My husband, Alan, and I have been married since July of 1983. In September of 1984, we were blessed with our son Chris.  We both work full time and are actively involved in various ministries at our church.

I wish I could say, like so many others, that I was brought up in a musically inclined, actively involved Christian home, but I wasn’t.  I did, however, have a grandmother who made sure my brother and I got to church.  As a result, I accepted Christ as my savior at a young age.  She was also the one who encouraged me to sing.  She saw more than the love I had for music and my passion for singing.  I think, somehow, she knew what God had in mind for me.  I, on the other hand, did not.

 While I had given my heart to Jesus, I never gave him my life.  Time passed, my grandmother went home to be with the Lord and “life” happened.  When I did try to serve the Lord, there were always conditions.  I had to be 100% comfortable with what I was doing.  Thank God that he is a jealous God and pursues us passionately (and patiently).

 In 2006, I found myself alone for the first time in my life.  Chris was in school in Colorado and Alan was overseas with the Navy Reserves for the second time.  It was during this time that I attended a women’s Bible study entitled “If you want to walk on water, you gotta get out of the boat”.   During the first class, the Holy Spirit literally knocked the wind out of me when, after reading Matthew 14:25-33, the instructor asked two questions. Was Peter a failure?  What about the others?  Then she said the words I’ll never forget…THEY DIDN’T EVEN TRY.

 It broke my heart because I hadn’t been trying either.  But God is good.  He loves and forgives.  Through this study I learned that Satan was using fear to keep me from serving God.  I also learned that lack of faith was not the problem, but lack of trust that held me in bondage to that fear.  I have since given my fear, and my life, totally to God.  I am now willing to go wherever he sends me to sing. As a result, I have had the privilege of singing at various churches, outdoor events and even for the God Speed Ministry services at IHRA Drag Racing events.  God has even allowed Alan to be a part of this ministry in many ways, from towing our trailer to handling the sound system and so much more! 

Each opportunity is another chance to say “Look what God can do!  There is still time…it’s not too late!”  It is my heart’s desire to show people God’s power to change lives.  He changed mine!  It’s never too late to say “Yes” to what God is asking you to do.  I ran for forty years!  I regret all those wasted years and the fact that my grandmother is not here to see the change in me.  I don’t want others to have the same regrets.  I sing to feel close to God.  I sing to praise and thank him.  And now, I sing to show others how his love, patience and mercy can change a life forever.  As long as you have breath, it’s NEVER too late.  My scripture, my prayer is Ephesians 3:14-21.