SOAR Magazine's editor-in chief Elder Winnie Walker interviewed Evangelist Goodwin to learn more about the author and the process God took her through to write her first book.

SM: How does a wife, a mother, an evangelist, a worshipper balance her life to write a devotional?

EG: With a lot of submission to God and my husband. My husband gave a lot of his time to allow me to do what I did with the journals and prayers. He did not complain. I literally preached what is in this book to my family.

SM: Why did you write this book?

EG: I believe God tricked me. I had no intentions on writing any books. One day last year there was a song in my spirit entitled, "I don't mind waiting." I needed some clarity on some things. I wanted to walk away from God due to my marital problems. My husband and I separated for about 10 years, and during that time while waiting on God to fix everything, I tried to do my own thing. I wrote the journals because I felt like I was being prompted by the Holy Spirit. Honestly, the way the journal is written is just the way God gave it to me. I added a few additional items such as the "weekends." However, I decided to write the book because I knew it could help someone else. Through my trials, pain and tribulation, I spoke to God and God spoke back to me. There were times when I could not express what I was feeling at that moment when God was telling me to wait. I would have dreams and in one particular dream there were steps and as I tried to climb the steps, I would kick my foot against the steps. Each time I attempted to climb the stairs I would kick the steps. God was telling me I cannot come up another level until I dealt with my issues (attitudes or whatever is not pleasing to God). I honestly believe you cannot go to new levels or deeper depths with God unless you address the things God is telling you to address.

SM: Some Christians believe that once they become Christians that's it but God wants us to be made in His image and likeness. We have to learn to take on His character and so as He is pruning us, He is also burning off things that don't look like Him so we can look more like Him. It is so crucial in this season. This book was definitely written under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. So talk about the process.

EG: When I presented the manuscript to Pastor Trena, I did not think the book was good enough. The book is written in a very simplistic way, not fancy. I truly believe it was God and He gets all the credit. God was dealing with me about being transparent. God told me this is the year I would pass some tests. God got firm with me. He told me I will have to respond to people exactly the way He tells me to respond to them. I needed to be more Christ-like. We are supposed to be ambassadors of Christ so passing the tests were crucial.

SM: This book is a "song journal" why a song journal?

EG: In 1999 I was planning to walk away from God and do things my way. The first song God gave me was "Stay connected." Just like the disc jockey plays song after song after song, this is how God dealt with me. Every morning He gave me a new song. This particular day, God gave me a song and ministered to me minute by minute, hour by hour to tell me that I was not going anywhere. It had been ten years, and now in 2009, the tenth year, I decided to share with people this intimate time with God through the 30-day journal.

SM: So you saw God through songs and music, especially worship music. Here you have journals with songs and scripture to encourage people to meditate on His word and the words in the song. Talk about the format of the book, why did you choose this format? By the way, I love the graphics!

EG: Pastor Trena encouraged me to change the design. I was so scared and so nervous.

SM: The book flows and feels so natural. There are many reasons why I like it, but most importantly because it ends in prayer.

EG:  For all the journals I have, I never had a format. I always had blank pages. Also, I never saw any other journals (except ones with blank pages). God did this! People need a place to write and they need something to prime them out of their feelings. They also need a place to talk to God and hear the truth about what is hindering them from moving forward with God. Sometimes we can put on the brakes and I was one of them. I said I am not going to forgive that person, I am not going to do this or I am not going to do that... God says this is going to break you and you are going to pass this test. Again the songs and prayers in the journal I cannot take credit for them.

SM: Evangelist Goodwin, what I hear you saying is that God led you all the way. People need to know that this is God ordained. There are so many people who are trying to push a product instead of pushing people towards God. In other words, their motive is to sell their product, whether the product is them or a book, instead of leading people to Christ. I believe people are less concerned about the content and more concerned about pushing the product. However, I love the fact that you continue to say "God is pushing this." I believe you are ministering to people and your motive is to share what is in your heart. God was dealing with you and your pain and trying to change your character.

You mention words like "worship, devotion, commitment, and obedience" why are these so important? So, what does worship, devotion, commitment, and obedience mean to you?

EG: Worship - I am a worshipper.

I know what it means to worship. He said to the lady at the well, those who will worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. I feel as a worshipper I sing on the praise team but I know I cannot come before God if I am not right. I believe in higher heights and deeper depths and I know that I stand before a real God. Worship is when I can come before God and be real, you know, talking about my sin. Ask God to help me in truth. If I want God to change my circumstances, I have to tell Him the truth and not cover it up. One of my favorite scriptures is Hebrews 11:6. I must believe that He Is... If I don't believe that God is, why even come to worship? I seek Him because I believe He is! You can take that scripture and put it any way you want it and it still says the same thing. You must believe and know that God can truly, truly, do anything. I can say, in 2009 I passed the test! God was taking me to another level of trust.

Devotion - My devotion to Him is to do what He said do - that is devotion! So devotion is when you have a relationship with that person, you trust them and they trust you.

Commitment - For me commitment is to seek His face. In other words, just don't pray one day then skip a week or two weeks. I must seek His face and commit to get that relationship to where it needs to be. God will take you to the different levels. All you need to do is seek Him. Commit to the seeking of Him! Commit to the reading of His Word! Commit to doing His will! Commit... Walking by faith is another commitment. Be a faith-walker. Committing yourself even though you don't see Him, even when you don't see the problem being fixed and the problem seems to get worse. You must commit to walk by faith and not by sight. I believe this is a big problem in Christian lives - to walk by faith and not by sight. Commit to what His Word says, such as to love your neighbor as yourself. Do good to those who do evil to you. Commit to His Word and His principles.

Obedience -This is the hard one. This is where I stumped my foot against the step in the dream. God was telling me that I was not obedient. He was not going to allow me to move forward until I obeyed Him! One time I had a dream and God spoke to me through my mouth to ask a question. Will you walk upright? Do you hear me, God spoke through my mouth! Obedience is key! We are not going anywhere with God without being obedient. Many people think they can sing, preach or do other things while being disobedient but God turns His back and says He is not listening until we obey. Obedience is when you think you can't do it and then you take the step to do the right thing. It hurts! When I submit to what God says or speaks, God works it out. Here are a few nuggets, do not let the sun go down on your wrath; You can get angry but do not sin. These are key principles in the bible if we obey them...

When people say certain words like trust and obey, I hear songs. Although I am not a great singer but the Spirit of God put songs in my spirit. I thank God He did not let me go on my own merry way! In 2009, God let me see all those past years in increments of 10: 1979, 1989, 1999 and 2009. God said if I don't make it (obey Him) this year (2009), it will be another 10 years. God revealed this to me in Pastor Trena's basement (the Prayer Room). The devil hit me hard in 2009. He brought out the big guns in 2009.

SM: Yes, but look at where you are now! We know that distractions will come. When the heat increases, we know that on the other side is our deliverance, our blessing is coming through. When we are so close to the edge is when things are getting ready to shift. In 2009, when you were being hit all over the place not knowing (in increments of 10 in 2010) that you would publish a book, Most people don't know it is in the "going through" like Psalm 23 says, though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death... People don't want to walk through the valley. I am glad you did because you are better for it and so are we!

SM: If you could list a few things you want people to take from this book, what would they be?

EB: Take God seriously at His Word. God is not going to change His word. Use the journal as an opportunity to seek God about yourself and to tell yourself the truth. Don't let the song medicate you but actually do something about it. Don't have a good cry and be like the man who looked in the mirror but did not change – make the change.

SM: Let's talk about the process of writing this book. What words of wisdom would you give aspiring writers who desire to write a book? How can they work through the fear?

EB: First, just start writing. In one of my English classes, I was taught to write and rewrite. Second, be spirit-led. My writings came from songs and the songs ministered to me. Finally, have a source of inspiration. You have to go through something in order to write (from the heart).

SM: Finally, you have a four part series and this book is the first of the four series! Would you like to share the titles of the entire series?

EB: Yes, this book is one of four. The series is entitled, "Mountain Top Praise – A Song Journal," They are:

1. Let's Take our Devotion to Another Level, December 2010

2. Our God Deserves Glory and Honor, March 2011

3. The Fruit of Our Lips, June 2011

4. Hallelujah – the Highest Praise, Sept 2011

In closing, SOAR Magazine would like to thank Evangelist Beverly Goodwin for this exclusive interview. We pray that the wind of God blow upon this book so all who read it shall be drawn closer to the Father, our God!