His position on abortion alone should have been a deal-breaker for any Christian.  But the “Born Alive Bill” was more than my mind could wrap around. Then he lied about it and later admitted he lied, it caused me to wonder if the color of his skin was enough to get the “black” Christians vote.  He was found early on to misrepresent the truth on many levels such as implying that his parents met as a result of the Selma march in 1965 when actually he was born in 1961 and breaking his word on public financing, which gave him an unfair advantage over his opponent. 

I know that you serve the same God I do and live by the same Word I do.  Therefore, I had to ask myself how a Christian of any color could give him their vote.  Then I watched in horror as his pastor (Jeremiah Wright) spewed horrific accusations against the very nation that Obama was seeking to lead.  I stood frozen in place watching as a Hammond organ set the tone for those who raised their hands and stood to their feet in worship as if they had just heard him praising God for the blood that was shed on Calvary so they could be saved, set free and made whole.

My Dad has been a missionary to since 1969, hundreds of black starving children have been fed, clothed and ministered to through his ministry.  As a teenager we had multiple discussions on bringing a child to the states to raise as our own.  There is a grown man at this moment in that nation that was found as an infant abandoned in a mud-filled gutter.  My father took a crash course in medication and personally administered life saving measures night after night, speaking life over his frail malnourished body.  We were told he would not survive, but he did.  We were unable to bring him to the states for lack of paperwork, but he was legally adopted and carries our family name. That kind of love left no room for racism in our lives. But listening to racial rants from a black pastor sparked emotions inside of me that felt totally foreign.  I’ve never questioned the legitimacy of the black church.  But the church where Barak Obama had placed his membership for over twenty years created an entire new level of concern for me about the racial divide in our nation and now the church.

While still processing what I had heard coming from The Trinity United Church of Christ, I purposely suppressed my confusion and continued my Christian walk as normal.  I placed a DVD from your series titled “That’s Just Life” in the player and listened to one of your anointed inspiring messages.  Suddenly I was stopped in my tracks again as I saw you tilt your head and peer across your congregation while speaking in a sarcastic tone saying something to the effect of, “Some people get us in wars we don’t belong in too”.   I heard a rumble of agreement ripple through the crowd and my heart sunk to my toes.  I resisted the negative thoughts that were bombarding my head. . .yet they still began to cascade through my mind,  “What does he say when the cameras are off?”

What baffled me even more about your statement was that you, of all people know what day and time we are living in, who we are fighting and the spiritual implications to this war that only the Christian fully understands.  You have read the back of the book!

I immediately repented for any judgment I may have felt toward you but kept my ear to the ground desperately trying to find out if you supported a Barak Obama Presidency.

In my quest to discover your political opinion, I found that Donny McClurkin had been campaigning with Obama and later read an article where Israel Houghton was interviewed about a song he wrote for his inauguration title, “The Power of One”.  The ironic part was how explained having a white mother and Jamaican father who abandoned her when she became pregnant.  Her family advised an abortion and she refused.  At 8 months along someone witnessed to her on the street and she became a Christian, a month later little was born.  One day that tiny baby would write a song for a man who would reversed the “Global Gag Rule” making it possible for mother’s who carry “baby Israels” in their womb to get a government funded abortion anywhere in the world.  How many will be sacrificed because of this President’s action?

As the Presidential Campaign progressed it became obvious that Obama was an excellent teleprompter reader, but little else.  It was apparent exactly how the true Anti-Christ will be able to take over the world as people fainted in his presence while not being able to name a single piece of legislation to which he had contributed.

It has now been documented and established that the media was responsible for his election.  The facts and sound-bites are undisputable and speak for themselves.  There was not so much as a picture released of him smoking a cigarette until after the election, his middle name was over looked until the moment we were “had”.  The Muslim community had received very little attention until election night, then we saw the coverage of them rejoicing the election of someone they perceived to be one of their own.  The media now has so much at stake they are forced to continue to skew Obama’s actions.  But I believe the American people are beginning to wake up.

The next morning I heard you had given an interview on MSNBC.  I looked it up on Youtube and was heart broken to hear your statement and I quote, “Now my son can live in a better than I was born into.”

I tried to rationalize why you would have expressed such an opinion.  I realize the black community has suffered a horrendous and painful past at the hands of the white man.  That is the reason I’ve assumed you’ve been allowed to have your own television network and magazines that are exclusively devoted to the African-American race.  An exclusive white race network would be considered a racial organization and prohibited by law.  Those types of things have been perplexing yet I trust the reasoning is valid. The black friends I have are totally colorless to me.  I love them with a Godly love and have found that my life would be less than what it is without them.

My ancestors were gamblers and horse thieves. There is no doubt in my mind that your ancestors had far more character and substance because of what they had the strength to endure.  My great-grandfather was murdered over a gambling debt. It was shortly afterward that my great-grandmother (Rosy) found the Lord allowing me a heritage of Grace.

I was inspired at the reports of President and Mrs. Obama visiting and specifically the Cape Coast Castle where slaves were held in the dungeon under unimaginable circumstances.  The First Lady of the reflected on her ancestors that were held in those very dungeons awaiting an inhuman destiny.  Romans 8:28 came to mind, “For we know that all things work together for the good. . .”.  While it’s mentally painful to reflect on those that paid that price before her, still because of that sacrifice she was able to one day become the First Lady of the most powerful nation in the world.  I wonder if she could push a rewind button and go back to that place and time and had the power to change the fate of her ancestors, what would she do.  What would you do?  I can’t answer that for you, I just know that someone sacrificed and paid a price for millions of African-Americans to live in what eventually became the greatest nation on earth.

I could not begin to know what it is to walk in your shoes.  But I do know that when you and I accepted the Lord as our Saviour, we became rooted and grafted into the vine and are no longer considered to be Black or White.  But someone paid a price for us on a hill called Calvary that made you my brother and me your sister in Him.

I have heard no opinions from you since the election as I have not sought them out.  But I can only imagine your disappointment on so many levels:    

Now the first “One World” currency has been minted in with the inscription “United in Diversity” and you of all people know what that means.  You are well aware of the end of time that we are living in and the goal for a “One World Government”, “One World Currency” and “One World Religion.”

Obama has continued to blame the situation on the former administration leaving out the detail that the past two years were run by a democratic Congress and House of which he was a part, therefore he himself had something to do with the economy he “inherited.”

Since the election of our first Black President it has been my observation that the racial climate in our nation has accelerated.  If I, being a white middle aged woman, lost my temper (as Professor Gates admitted himself) with a police officer and then proceeded to insult his mother.  I would be arrested.  Yet the President chose to weigh-in on the situation without the facts, knowing (according to his press secretary) the question was going to be asked.  Our nation is in desperate need of more than a beer summit.

I would like to remind you, myself and any reader of theses comments that there is another thing that is sure to come. . . an end time revival!  The one where His sons and daughters prophecy, old men dream dreams and the young men see visions.  The church needs to wake up and remember we are the salt of the earth and we have a responsibility to act like it.

My motivation for writing is to remind you that your mouth is not only to the ear of the church, but it’s to the ear of the “black church.”  I have no voice.  If you have ever heard my name it was most likely mispronounced.  I can only plead with someone of your influence to do your part in calling our nation to turn back to God.

When I heard details of the Obama health care plan, something sounded strangely familiar.  Then I remembered, years ago as a teenager taking a tour with my family to when it was run by a Communist government.  Our tour guide explained how their health system operated.  I was horrified realizing the type of existence the victims of that socialistic society endured. As many nations as I had been privileged to visit, I was never so grateful to be an American as I was after that experience.  I can distinctly recall the oppression on the faces of their citizens and feeling the obvious absence of the presence of God in that Country.  It did not surprise me to learn years later that it was during that time that the Gospel Songwriter, Dottie Rambo penned the song while on that communistic soil. . .”Holy Spirit, Thou art welcome in this place. Holy Spirit, Thou are welcome in this place.  Omnipotent Father of mercy and grace, Thou art welcome in this place.”

Now it is my nation that has this devastating health care crisis looming.  What Obama is desperately attempting to pass will have irreversible consequences.   Know that anything you have heard him say about the bill is terribly slanted and deceiving.  The fine print is where you can find the information that will send us spiraling downward at a record speed.  You have heard the sound-bite where he told a woman that under his plan her grandmother would receive a pain pill rather than a pace maker.  If you think at some point someone you love will not be told that their life is not worth the cost of the life-extending or saving measures it would take, then you are in denial.

Oprah Winfrey will not be able to buy her way out of the heart break this could cause for those around her.  Ellen Degeneres will be faced with the sorrow of seeing so many in her community die because of the costly medications required for victims of AIDS.  I predict mothers that learn their unborn baby has a medical condition in the womb will be forced to abort it. The mother will then have an induced labor where the law will only allow the hospital to give “comfort care,” keeping the baby warm and fed, with its life expectancy between 4 hours to 2 days.  We simply can’t go down this road.

I beg you to tilt your head and peer across your congregation and confidently mention how some people do not need to dabble in our personal business such as health care. You could merely make phone calls to the numbers stored in your cell phone and get powerful black leaders to call their Congressmen and Senators.  The clock is ticking, for the sake of our nation and its helpless citizens, take a stand.  You are in a position that you can make a difference and “to whom much is given, much is required.”

Secondly, I appeal to you to stand with me in prayer that revival will cross every religious and racial barrier and we come together as the church we were meant to be, collectively calling out to a merciful God knowing that He holds the heart of the King in His hand and turns it whithersoever He will (Proverbs 21:1).  This is no longer about the right and left, but right and wrong. For the sake of our children and their children, we have to believe that God will help us be the nation that our founding fathers intended (http://www.wallbuilders.com). We’ve got to stand shoulder to shoulder and fight with weapons that are not carnal but mighty through Christ.  Let’s reflect on all that Rosa Parks was and just like her, refuse to take a back seat to the government while singing in unison, Holy Spirit Thou art welcome in this place. . .

Thank you for your commitment to your service for the Lord and may God Bless .

Lona Walker

Lona@Lona.org

www.Lona.org

Fact Sources:

Obama lies about the Born Alive Bill: (http://www.jillstanek.com/archives/2008/08/obama_continues.html)

Obama admits lying about the Born Alive Bill:  http://constitutionallyright.com/2008/08/18/obama-campaign-admits-he-misrepresented-born-alive-act/

Misrepresented statements on Selma, Alabama march:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95KC7CF5B9E

How can Christians vote for Obama: http://pursuingholiness.com/2008/10/how-can-christians-support-obama/

Obama repeals the Abortion Gag Rule: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1873794,00.html

Israel Houghton interview: http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur52171.cfm

We are no longer a Christian Nation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmC3IevZiik

Obama says we are one of the largest Muslim countries: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwBf69OVqyE

Obama’s admission on “Cap and Trade”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlTxGHn4sH4

One World Currency: http://right-mind.us/blogs/blog_0/archive/2009/07/11/68409.aspx

Obama hanging on a cross: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2009/04/artist-cancels-showing-of-unconventional-obama-portrait-.html

The scary truth about the Obama health care plan:  http://wizbangblog.com/content/2009/07/26/ezekiel-emanuel-deny-coverage-to-elderly-and-disabled-for-the-greater-good.php

 Click Here for a copy of this letter.

      I am sharing one of the strangest events of all time with the readers of the Gospel Music Times.  Through our lives, we have all heard about people that "hear voices in their head."  That has been taken one step further as we introduce you to Lona Walker.  Lona is quick to tell you she hears "musical arrangements with full vocals and orchestra."  After listening to some of the songs she has written I can say the world of Gospel Music is better off because of this "gift."

GOSPEL MUSIC TIMES--- How long have you been writing songs?

 Lona--- I wrote my first song in High School thinking at the time that I was in the deepest valley of my life. I was the “religious” girl in the jean skirt that couldn’t go to movies and that made me somewhat of an outcast. I was lonely and consumed with rejection. That first song was birthed directly out of my pain titled “The Storm”. Little did I know what storms would lay ahead for me and the songs that were to follow. For this reason I have often referred to myself as a “songwriter by accident”. But to answer your question, around 30 years.

GOSPEL MUSIC TIMES--- How do you go about writing a song? Do you come up with a melody first, or do the lyrics come to you first?

 Lona--- I know I break all the rules when it comes to song writing. For the most part, I just hear them in my head. Not just lyrics and melody, but I can hear the arrangement with full vocals and orchestra. I’m careful not to try to work the melody out on the keyboard until I have the song secure in my spirit. I’ll use a hand-held tape recorder to memorialize the structure of the song. Then when I feel it’s ready, I’ll go to the keyboard and work out the chords according to what I recorded on tape. If I didn’t do that I would feel a tendency to follow a familiar chord structure and all my songs would sound alike. I believe this method has helped me accomplish the task of giving each song a unique sound. 

GOSPEL MUSIC TIMES--- Do you usually write an entire song at one sitting, or do you leave it and come back as more words come to mind? 

 Lona--- For the most part, I write them at one sitting, but that “one sitting” can spread over several days. It can take time to tweak it and fully feel that I’ve taken the song where feel it should go. I just know when it’s done.

GOSPEL MUSIC TIMES--- How do you go about getting your songs into the hands of people that will record them?

Lona--- Over the years I have manage to prefect that process to what has worked for me. I have a home studio where I do a basic “scratch demo” just enough to let someone know how the song needs to sound. I’m not gifted enough to make my own tracks, so I leave that to those who are talented in that area. Then I send my demo off to have a track recorded. When it comes back to me I will go through the vocal recording process. Sometimes I bring someone else in to record the vocal or do it myself. I am a better writer than vocalist, but I’ll do what I have to do to get the song “pitchable” (if that’s a word). Then I start sending them out by request or through resources I use on the internet.

 GOSPEL MUSIC TIMES---Do you record demos of all the songs you write?

 Lona--- For years I only focused on the songs I thought were strong enough to invest in. Many of my songs have ministered to me and pulled me through personal battles that would cause me to keep them to myself. But I finally decided not to be the judge of that. I have had songs become a success in their own way that I would have never given a second thought about. What I consider a weak song, someone else can hear differently. So for one reason or another I have to say “yes”, I do record demos for the majority of my songs. 

GOSPEL MUSIC TIMES--- Are you pretty successful in getting your songs recorded?

 Lona--- I’m not where I want to be on the “success” scale. But I feel I’m doing my part in the Kingdom. Songwriting is a “faith walk” in itself. I’m not in the pew at churches across the country on Sunday nights experiencing the impact a song of mine might be having on a young abandoned mother who needed to be reminded that it’s all “In This Room”. But I hear and know enough to keep me doing what I do. 

GOSPEL MUSIC TIMES--- What are some of your songs that have been recorded that the readers might recognize?

Lona--- I have to say that still to this date my most recognizable song is “I Plead The Blood” recorded by The Lesters. It was nominated for a dove award and recorded by many others such as The Gateway Choir and Mike Purkey of TBN who took it to another level and gave the song the opportunity to sing around the world. Others that may sound familiar to your readers might be a song released by Living Sacrifice titled “It Feels Good To Feel Good” and The Browns released “I See Two”. 

GOSPEL MUSIC TIMES-- -What do you do when you are not writing, do you have some hobbies?

 Lona--- I’ve often said my favorite hobby is collecting friends. But I’ve always expressed myself in other forms of writing such as poetry and a book I’ve written on my life and music titled, “This Is My Story, This Is My Song”. I constantly keep articles flowing through my website and I co-host a local radio program titled “A Song And The Word”. I’ve also been the organist at Joplin Family Worship Center in Joplin, Missouri since 1995. On top of that I manage to fit decorating in when asked to transform a space for various events like weddings, Ladies Conferences and Church Christmas programs or themes. But my favorite pastime are my two adorable grandsons. Brooklyn is three and Hudson is one. I cannot begin to describe the level of fulfillment they have brought into the lives of my husband and I.

GOSPEL MUSIC TIMES--- What suggestions would you give to those that want to write or that have written some songs they consider to be pretty good? 

  Lona--- Many years ago I had a “divine encounter” with Dottie Rambo in an airport. I desperately asked her for direction and she said something to me I have applied to my life every day since. I have past it on over the years to many hopeful writers. She told me, “If you throw enough mud against the wall, some of it is bound to stick.” I’ve been throwing mud ever since. Many times as I’m trolling for contacts and compiling demos I’ll remind myself, “I’m just slinging some mud”.

GOSPEL MUSIC TIMES--- Thank you for taking the time to do this interview giving our readers an insight into the life of a Gospel Music songwriter.

  Lona--- My motto has always been, “It doesn’t matter if I’m touch one or a million and one. . . as long as I’m touching”. Thank you for an opportunity “to touch".