Good pointers Tono.
How is it we seem to sing entirely differently when we stand alone in front of that darned mic?
I now try to imagine I'm singing live to an audience who are enjoying what I'm doing - I get a picture in my head of a sea of smiling faces and me being the one who enthuses them.(I try to forget the times when I "fall flat on my face" !
Only problem is when I "let it out" I get peaks in the vocal - that's what hinders me sometimes from being relaxed and natural.
If I had a proper compressor it would help of course(I use ART MP Studio Pre-amp) and a Technica cardoid condenser mic.
Maybe the mic is too sensitive - might be better with a Shure or something simpler?

Blessings,
Mark.
JUMP - you might FLY !
( Gospel songs on www.soundclick.com/mark1000 )
Web site - www.freewebs.com/fishmarkos1