Sylvia Green ~ A Rifle, And A Song At the age of three her parents stood her on a chair making her tall enough to reach the microphone. Her little voice was broadcast over the airwaves for all to hear. Being from a ministry minded family, Sylvia has spent her life on the road. At the age of fourteen she began travelling on a bus, after her father resigned as pastor and began doing evangelistic work…holding revivals, concerts and crusades. Eventually they came off the road and her dad returned to pastoring, while Sylvia went on to sing with two groups, one being in Tennessee and the other in Maryland. Feeling it was time for her to leave the group in Maryland, she returned home to Alabama where her brother-in-law told her about a group called “The Bradys”. He went on to tell them about her also, at which time they contacted her, she went to a practice session and it all began. Her journey began with the Bradys twenty four years ago. She remains a vibrant part of the group serving as the alto voice and writer of a huge part of their songs. Sylvia has always had a heart for, and lived a life full of ministry. It’s only recently that she was brought to my attention, on Facebook, and I began to “see” her heart through so many encouraging and uplifting posts on a daily basis. Her love for Him shines through her page and His love for her manifests itself in her work. Leading a very busy life, Sylvia has very little time at home. Used to she enjoyed a round of golf, helping her to relax a bit. Cooking, baking and, of course, shopping for shoes were other things she loved to do. She says “Of course what woman doesn’t like to shop for shoes…lol!!!”. We all do, right? These days Sylvia just enjoys curling up in her big overstuffed couch, sipping on a cup of coffee and spending time with her mom, sisters and their families. Sylvia is not only an aunt, but a GREAT aunt now and enjoys spoiling them just as much as she did their moms when they were little. She says, “And I refuse to accept that my simplistic home life I lead now has anything to do with my age…lol!!!”. Asking Sylvia to share a little something we may not know about her, I just had to share her words, “Believe it or not, although I love to shop for purses, shoes and clothes…and I thoroughly enjoy cooking…I’m a pretty good shot with a pistol and rifle..lol! My dad taught me how to handle a gun and I have been known to shoot a pine cone out of the top of a tree, right where the stem connects the pine cone to the tree…with a rifle…lol!! (but shhh…don’t tell.lol!). Whoops Sylvia! The word is out! They’ll all know to watch out for you now, girl! Who of us would not like to be able to boast of that ability? Who knows when we may need to use it?! ;) We all have those in the scriptures whose virtues or faith just stand out to us more. I, myself, have just imagined what it would be like if I could have the commitment and favor of Naomi, the faith of David, the strength of Samson, the determination and courage of Esther, and the unwavering obedience of Noah, just how much could I really accomplish? Often times I love to put myself in the shoes of Esther and say I’ll go, Lord, even if it means my life, I’ll do whatever it takes. I believe He sends us all out “For such a time as this”. Naomi is another one of those that stood faithful, and the Lord honored her faithfulness. I’ve prayed many times that the Lord find me just as faithful. As Naomi, I’ve found myself gleaning in the fields of Boaz and finding favor on every side. If we all could just find that one person from scripture and follow their example we might be surprised at what we could accomplish! Sylvia shared that although it would be hard to pick one, her favorite would be Esther. “I think I would like to have the courage and calm ASSURANCE of Esther! She didn’t know what the outcome would be for her people when she went before the King…and yet she went! She believed that even in a life or death situation, GOD could change the heart of a man! Now that is FAITH! There have actually been times when I was praying about a certain ‘thing’ where other people’s decision would ultimately affect MY life and future…that I’d ask God to help me have the faith of Esther, and for Him to go before me and give favor with the people making those decisions, just as He did in the Bible when Esther went before the King. She was such a courageous woman! Oh I’m sure that inside she had the normal fears associated with such a scene, but she chose to not acknowledge them! Her strength of character by overriding those fears, simply because she TRUSTED a higher power, is a trait I would love to have more of! The calm assurance of Esther is something I admire!”. There have been so many artists out there who are the REAL deal and have inspired many of us to live a life pleasing to the Lord and to pursue their calling of singing for Him, and have just been an encouraging voice through difficult times. I’ve seen many of them who have personally ministered to and touched my life, The Perry Sisters, Donna and R.W. Blackwood, John Darrin Rowsey, Karen Peck & New River, Libbi Stuffle…just to name a few. It’s hard to narrow it down to just one favorite overall, and it was a very hard question for Sylvia too. I’ll just share her response to the question, “Is there an artist (living or dead) that has inspired you in your walk? How?”. “There actually are several and there probably isn’t room to list them all here! But Chris Freeman is one of those! The first time I heard her back when she was with the Hinsons, she blew me away with the range she had! Yet all the while she maintained that ‘Full’ vocal sound when hitting those high notes, which you just don’t hear too often anymore! But, the very first female vocalist that influenced me to want to SING, was Vestal Goodman! I was about 11 years old the first time I heard her…and I was hooked! I’ll never forget when I first met her! Someone from our church introduced me, told her I sang, and she so graciously chatted with me, asking all kinds of questions! And that little 11 year old singer ‘wanna be’ felt for the first time a CERTAIN stirring in her heart that THIS was what she was supposed to do! Vestal encouraged me to SING! And before I left her side that night, she handed me one of those theater box binoculars the Goodmans were selling at the time, to keep as a souvenir from her, and she said these words, ‘Honey…always SING for JESUS!’”. Hot off the press, the Bradys have just released a brand new CD entitled “Entirely Possible”. They are excited to get it into the hands of everyone! Although the project itself is just coming out this week, they have already been blessed by the reactions of people as they present these new songs. “This Time I’m The One” is one of the songs from the project and Sylvia says the effect it is having on people just blows them away. “It brings home the fact that as we pray for so many others who are facing such hard trials in life, sometimes we just have to say, ‘But Lord, this time I’m the one needing a little grace, this time I’m the one with tears rolling down my face!’. I can’t begin to tell you, how thankful we are to SEE how this song is ministering. It’s honestly touching people like NO other song we’ve ever done and we are just so very thankful! It’s actually our first single to radio off the new project and we are praying that God will just bless it, anoint it, and use it to minister to those who hear it on radio all across the country, just as it does in person! We are excited about it!”. I’ve tried to share a little of Sylvia’s heart for you here and hope you have enjoyed learning about her. Try to make it a point and go out and see them when they are in your area. Their website is currently under construction, but you can look her up on Facebook to find out a time when they may be near you…and tell them we here at Southern Gospel Times sent you! You’re sure to be blessed. :) Back to Features... No comments have been posted yet... you could be the fir
Posted on: Tue, 06 Aug 2013 03:25:26 +0000
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