Testimony of "How God Births A Songwriter" 5/7/09

The Heart of North Carolina is home to Diane Guy Barnes, an American songwriter. This songwriting comes as quite the surprise as God leads her down unlikely paths, never having aspired to be one. She is amazed at God for doing this! Due to much prayer of her mother and other loved ones during the dark years of a downward spiral into drugs, alcohol, abuse and being the party girl, Diane did reach out to God finally and experienced Him first hand. It was a life changing experience as he began to show her His love, restoring her layer by layer. In a world of temptation and hopelessness she sees God still working in her life, teaching her, strengthening her, restoring joy -- propelling her forward into her destiny of His design. She compares herself to the woman at the well who spoke with Jesus. He saw her worth. She who has been forgiven much, loves much. In this freedom, she is very thankful to have a deep abiding love and trust in Him.

Much like a child, she calls herself God's girl...and like a child she gives herself freely to Him to do "whatever, Lord."

"God is found in those dark broken places, just waiting for us.", says Diane. It was there he began to chase her down as she ran away. BUT GOD began to give her songs in the night. Struggling with her inner demons she learned to fight, to sing, to realize praising God was truly her lifeline in drowning waters. Writing became a beloved creative outlet for her. She has lived the songs that are coming forth. Back then, she had no earthly idea where God was going with all of this and never even gave it a thought. The songs were so personal and strictly between her and Him. She sang to God alone; Singing to Him under the starry sky became her source of joy.

Soon, she received the Holy Spirit and became connected with an Aglow Lighthouse, which is a caring network for hurting women. "I was such a 'hard case' but they loved me no matter what. I gave them reason enough to not love me but they did carry God's love. I had found where God hides those Proverb's 31 women and the desire to be as such grew with tenacity.", says Diane of herself. These women are no strangers to the moving of God. Prophetic words were spoken over her many times by those God would send, revealing a miraculous plan for her future concerning her songwriting and music ministry. God began to give her dreams and visions to encourage and propel her forward.

Being hired by Bytewyze Computer Services was a miraculous thing and now an awesome testimony. She, at God's leading, timidly stepped out in faith to procure this job, having been told it would be the biggest miracle ever if she did land this one. Hearing these words she recognized as hard core truth, her confidence sank but yet something rose up within her as she softly stated, "I hope I do get this job so you will see how big my God is." Knowing God Himself was presenting this opportunity, she followed through, "doing it afraid", as Joyce Meyers had taught. During this interview, Diane was asked by the owners of the company, "Mrs. Barnes, why do you feel qualified for this job?" Out on God's limb, she smiled and humbly admitted she was not qualified at all. Realizing the full impact of this potential growing testimony, she became even bolder revealing she knew not so much as how to turn a computer on, then added the fact that she did not know how to type either!

These men were the best in their field. The go-to guys with 30 plus years IT experience. "I questioned my own sanity at this point", says Diane, "realizing they had no earthly reason to hire me." She got the call inviting her to lunch the next day. The whole company was there as she was welcomed with favor into their company.

God placed an angel named Liz to give her hands on training. Ever so patient, Liz taught Diane how to use a computer; how to do the job of receptionist and inventory control. It was quite the learning curve as she swam in waters way over her head as their company grew by leaps and bounds. "The Word says God never puts on us more than we can bear, so I was actually thankful when they fired me 3 months later!", Diane admits. "I did not know why God let this happen however. I was unaware of God's intentions."

Soon after, Diane found herself laid up in bed with a broken ankle and badly torn ligaments. Following Dr.'s. orders, she remained chained to that damnable bed, developing a love hate relationship with it-- as she would eventually try regain her mobility. The pain sent her scrambling back into it's comfort and she, with time on her hands began to remember those songs. So alone and dealing with depression she began to longingly look across the room at the computer, seemingly miles away. A definite desire grew to connect with someone, anyone at all, as she wondered for the first time if there were others like her, Christian songwriters. An idea to google this came. Eureka! She found CSO, where she was immediately welcomed into the community. A whole new world was opened up to her as she found her peers and mentors, timidly putting her first song lyric up for critique in 2004. It was well received, giving her confidence. "They were good friendly Christian people, so willing to go above and beyond, just to help me. I was home! God did that!", Diane states, "They said my song was good and simply said 'GOT MUSIC?' and she admitted to them she did not know how. So they walked her through the 'how to' aspect.

She set up a crude home recording studio, recording her songs 'a capella'; "Just to get them out of my head and into someone's ears! I'd never had so much as one voice lesson and never considered myself a singer but I did it anyway, as God led me", says Diane of her small humble beginning. "It was enough however to spark interest in those God sent to actually take on my songs." A lovely new friend from Texas, Cindy Mace approached her with a desire to record her first song, "Send The Rain". This song became the cover song on a benefit CD used in raising funds for those devastated in the Texas wildfires of 2005.

Having used those new-found computers skills Diane became a digital artist too, producing the artwork for this CD cover. She looked at this as her "first fruit to God" and lovingly dedicated it to Jesus. Cindy and Larry were God- sent, giving her much encouragement. Then there came others such as Marty & Marcella Ward, Cindy Peterson, Douglas Moore, Rachael Van Hoek, Deb "Dodie" Rempel, Yvonne "AngelVon" Bach and Art Elswick of ART N Von.

In 2004, Diane received an invitation to join a fledgling new web-site founded by James Moore, Yvonne Bach & Michael Meyers- CSN, Christiansongwriters.org., as a charter member. God gave her a ministry there as a moderator. Much like a bird learning to first fly, she took on the volunteer work of mentoring newcomers, helping to launch them and overseeing the CSN/ Soundclick radio stations weekly Top 100 charts, a compilation of CSN members' songs. This remains a useful tool in getting God's message heard, through these new talented CSN indie artists. "It's been a privilege and an honor to do this behind the scenes kind of work!", says Diane.

The job there has been one of encouraging others while mostly putting her own songs 'on the back burner' for a season. CSN has been a major blessing in the life of Diane Barnes aka "Godzgirl7", where God's teaching her to wield words carefully, to refine skills and to persevere.

ALL of these things have been a directive from God leading Diane on a blind faith walk, step by step, bathed in prayer.

"God's hand is evident in revealing milestones on this journey into songwriting", Diane proclaims, "I give Him PRAISE, credit, honor and all the glory. Without Him, none of this would be happening!"

Godzgirl7 has been called to facilitate God's praise. "This call has blown my mind...grown my mind, to make me realize just what a beautifully blessed and privileged place God has put me. I am beginning to walk this out as He refines me in the fire. I am weak but in that... His perfection is manifest. Thank you, Father" ...

She says, "The rocks would cry out, should I be squelched or quiet. He mines yet another desire of my heart, to sing!" God has led those who encourage Diane to do some singing herself, especially her dear friends, Aaron Bewza, a mentor and Von-- who opened her home graciously for as long as needed; against all odds, arranging miracle trips and making a way where there was no way. Her first song as a 'lead' singer, recorded in Ohio in the studio of Art N Von, will become public soon. Seems ALL HELL has come against this endeavor in every way possible.....BUT GOD.....

"This song is called LIKE A BIRD and is the epitomy of my life's circumstances and this beautiful thing God has wrought in me. He plans to use my voice for Himself in doing a special creative healing work in those whose ears and hearts it enters. He said He would heal people around the world through these sounds that will permeate the air and I for one, believe that.", says Diane. "Seems He is already doing this; during a conference in Washington DC singing with the NC Aglow Choir-- The very atmosphere was electrified during our performance, when we sang with everything in our beings-- TO GOD. FOR GOD. In complete unity. I felt born to do this. Afterward, we began getting excited reports of extreme pain, simply disappearing as we sang ...Oh, My God....I am so humbled and deeply grateful." Diane says. "I am
still a work in progress and I thank God he's not done with me yet. Take hope. If he can use me, He can surely use anybody."