…. as in cocks, envy, men, grass, money, whatever..  there’s been a lot going on in the world of Idol this week, Sir Baldy and pals, that makes me laugh and think green.

Cocks – I saw you posted this as a look at your new sound for the CD -

So the rooster isn’t technically green. He’s black, close enough. What was funny about this is while you meant it as a joke some of the crazier ones took it was an opportunity to spam you about your gonads via double entendres about cocks. You walked right into that one.

Envy – Apparently Chris Sligh got into a twitter war with first Kris Allen fans and then Adam Lambert fans just because he started that Kris was ‘pitchy’ singing the National Anthem for the NFC championship in New Orleans. I didn’t think Kris was anything but awesome in his turn singing.

Judge for yourself. I think he’s right on key to my ear.

Let’s visit this ‘pitchy’ so blithely tossed about by Randy Jackson and now Sligh. It’s not even a real musical term. You’re either off key or on key, flat or sharp, none of bitchy pitchy crapola. Either the harmonics and tonality are correct or they are not. No ‘pitchy’ about it. Sligh should know better.

He obviously didn’t know any better than to engage the Lambert Sparkle Cows from what I saw on Twitter & his blog. I believe Sligh is jealous.

Not only is he suffering from the Green Eyed Monster of Envy those same Sparkle Cow fans of Adam Lamberts are as well. They’ve moaned that Kris Allen got to sing at the UFC game, they took his remarks about going to Haiti on a missions trip as alternately the ravings of a drunk in a city known for drunken rowdiness.  They complained about his almost losing his life on another missions trip, acting like Kris is being the grandest of all attention whores. Only in the Sparkle Cow universe does happy giddy behavior mean drunk and unselfish acts of charity and empathy equal bad.

Chris Sligh is right about one thing. He said that the Sparkle Cows were harming Adam Lambert’s career future. There is no doubt about that. They are tanking it faster As long as they believe that the world revolves around Adam and people that do not believe are evil. At least your crazier fans do not begin to approach Mad Sparkle Cow Disease, Baldy.

Men -  This posted today by the GRO is just too funny. Looks like life on the road has you sporting the beginnings of a little belly there.

psst!! -to L Anne who keeps Googling herself.  I saw a display of the same tiaras you’ve been photographed in down at Wal Mart for a mere 12 dollars. You might want to stock up.

American: A citizen or attribute of or from the United States.
Idol: a representation or symbol of an object of worship.
American Idol: a US reality competition to find new solo musical talent.

Now, I’m not gonna get into a discussion about the good or bad aspects of America’s musical reality obsession, but, it is back for a ninth season, and I must admit, it is my guilty pleasure.

Bad “vegas style” dance numbers, Paula who will be missed, Randy trying so desperately hard to prove he’s black (dog!), Simon (what more can be said), Ryan (who it seems like will someday be hosting every show on television), amusing celebrity mentors, hysterical auditions and yes, even some great talent and performances, pure and simple, American Idol is entertainment, and not a bad way to get through those cold, winter weeknights at home.

Nashville has been infiltrated with a slew of Idols over the past few years, who have experienced various levels of success. Of course there’s the very successful Carrie Underwood and Kelly Pickler, along with Bo Bice, Josh Gracin, Bucky Covington, Kristy Lee Cook and Chris Sligh (who co-wrote a huge Rascal Flatts hit).  Then there’s the newcomers Phil Stacey, Danny Gokey and Matthew Girard, and the Nashvillians Melinda Doolittle and Ricky Braddy, who both did well on the show. Idols are practically everywhere in Music City!

And of course, they are everywhere on the pop charts that have been filled with hits by Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson, Kimberly Locke, David Cook, David Archuleta, Jordin Sparks, Clay Aiken, Katharine McPhee, Kris Allen and Adam Lambert and Japenese Sensation, Elliot Yamin.

But what ever happened to poor Brian Dunkleman?

I have last night’s season 9 premiere on Tivo, so after I head back from seeing the incredible Will Hoge and other super-talented raw & rootsy artists at a very different and more authentic music experience at Music City Roots tonight, I will enjoy the guilty pleasure of commercial entertainment that is American Idol.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:22-24 (NIV)

This song could not be more appropriate to start out this blog.   It’s a new day.  A new month.  A new blog.  God’s mercy is new everday.  I hope that He will bless it for His glory and that you will also be blessed by this song.   And now… ”Arise.  Arise with the morning.  Arise.  Your mercies are new.”

project 365 entry for March 20, 2009

Had the opportunity to take my 15 yr old daughter to a wonderful Christian concert tonight. I didn’t bring my camera (that’s a shocker). Luckily, my daughter had hers. We saw Natalie Grant. Here’s my daughter with Natalie:
Chris Sligh, of American Idol fame, was an opening act. He really is wonderful and inspiring! Here’s my daughter with Chris. I had just made a joke about how they looked a lot alike because of their glasses.. she was laughing, that’s why her eyes closed:
Okay, I have no idea who that ugly, run down redheaded woman is with Chris Sligh… LOL… and a side note, that maybe I shouldn’t mention: this is the last photo that my daughter’s camera ever took. Yep, taking this one broke her camera. See! There is a good reason that I always try to stay behind the camera!
It was really a nice evening. My daughter was able to do a meet and greet with Natalie Grant. I was able to spend an evening with my daughter!
Hope I made you smile. Until next time…

If you are an American Idol fan like I am, you remember Chris Sligh from a few seasons ago.  He was really good, but didn’t make it to the finals.   He has a new single out right now, called “Empty Me”.  I love this song.  He has such a great voice, and this is a great message for all of us.  Here is a video of him singing it live, and below that I have the lyrics.  I want to begin using these lyrics as a prayer, and pray them daily to God. 

I’ve had just enough of the spotlight when it burns bright
To see how it gets in the blood.
And I’ve tasted my share of the sweet life and the wild ride
And found a little is not quite enough.
I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change.

Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.

I’ve had just enough of the quick bites of the best lies
To know how prodigals can be drawn away.
I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change.

Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.

Cause everything is a lesser thing
Compared to you, compared to you.
Cause everything is a lesser thing
Compared to you. So, I surrender all!

Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.
Oh, filled with you.
Empty me.

This guy, Chris Sligh, a former Idol, wrote the most intelligent blog about the music industry I’ve ever seen. I totally agree with him on everything, 100%.

Read his blog here:

http://frommymindtoyoureyes.blogspot.com/2009/09/to-idols-realistic-look-at-your-career.html

He’s just giving the Idols a reality check about them thinking they will be a star. Pretty intelligent writing.

I don’t play music ’cause I want fame and fortune, I just play music as a hobby and something I have as a passion. I just play guitar and sing songs just for the love of it, nothing more.

In local music, sorry to say but it’s true, even local musicians would have to get out of their delusions and face reality as well. Most musicians around the Capital District are doing it like if this was a popularity contest, most musicians around this area are obsessed with trying to be established and well known. Not worrying about local fame too much, and concentrating on your music mostly is what’s most important, the way I look at it.

There are too many bands and artists that are obsessed with doing radio interviews, articles with newspapers, etc. That stuff is nice but I never worried about any of that. I just cared about playing my guitar and singing.

Kev

Chris Sligh made some comments that were picked up by Perez Hilton.  I follow Chris on Twitter and don’t think Perez’s Bitter Betty comment is warranted.  Chris is just being honest.  His tweets are usually upbeat!  Chris is happy about the things he is doing.  Perez is a tad over dramatic, LOL!

http://www.perezhilton.com/#

We’re so excited to have Aaron Shust, Chris Sligh, and Meredith Andrews here this weekend!  It’s Chris Sligh’s 2nd Annual Back to School Tour – The Stimulus Package, and Aaron Shust is headlining!

Aaron called The Pulse this week to talk about the concert.  With his amazing voice, talent, and musical ability… have you ever wondered why he decided to go into Christian music rather than secular?

You can catch the concert this Sunday (Sept. 20) at Tornstrom Auditorium in Brainerd.  The doors open at 6:30pm and the concert begins at 7pm.  Here’s what Aaron Shust hopes the concert will be like:

*picture via aaronshust.com

Maybe it’s just me…

But I have been challenged with a question that has been weighing heavily on my mind for a while.

A few weeks ago, I sat in my office, putting together the final touches of a presentation I have to make.  The President of the company I work for, is coming in for our First Quarter Business Review. I have worked hard on this presentation.  Reviewing it over and over, making sure I cover all the information that he has asked for.  I was using all the latest tools and tricks of media presentation to communicate the details of my review. In light of the current business condition that my company is dealing with, some of the information is not good.  Sales numbers are down, the forecast of future orders are weak and our raw material cost are increasing daily.  I was not going to let some bad news of poor business conditions get in the way of making a good presentation.

Just then,  a co-worker came up to my desk and said, “Will he be pleased with your presentation?”

I  blurted out, “Of course, I have tried so hard to practice it and I am going over the timing and I have included all the information he asked for.”

Before I could go on, my wise co-worker stopped me and said, “I did not ask you if you included all the information.  I did not even ask you if you practiced it.  What I meant was, is the information your presenting everything he wants it to be?  Will he be pleased by the information?”

I understood what he was asking.  No, he was not going to be happy about all of the information.  Suddenly it hit me that, no matter how much I dressed it up and made it look good, I could not get away from the fact that the information is not good.   My focus was on the presentation and not focused on how the information was going to be received.  As I sat at my desk trying to place myself in the seat of the person receiving the information, I came to the conclusion that I needed to review the information more and stop working on just the presentation part.  I needed to know the information inside and out.  I needed to be able to answer the hard  questions of where we are going in our business and what we need need to do immediately to ensure our company remains solvent.   Information about bad business conditions no matter how it is wrapped up in a professional media presentation is still “bad”.

That night after working late to get myself prepared for the “information” part of my presentation.  I started my drive home.  I flipped on the radio like always.  At first, I thought there might be something wrong with the radio because nothing was playing.

Then this song came on…

As I listened to Chris Sligh sing this song, I had to pull the car over to the side of the road.

Could I ask God these questions?

Are You pleased with me?  Am I everything You want me to be?

Sitting in my car, I tried to rationalize it by saying, “Well, I try to please You.”  Then the lyrics of this song cut through to my heart like a knife…

Can you see through all these filthy rags
That I like to call my good
And see the mirror of my heart reflecting you
I know you listen to me, but what do you hear
Am I lovely to your ear?
All I want is to hear you say “well done”
Are you pleased with me?
Am I everything you want for me to be?
Are you pleased?
I know that I am nothing
Outside of who you are
And it’s you I should be striving to become
I know you’re watching over me, but what do
you see?
Am I moving towards the grace that covers me?

Are you pleased with me?
Am I everything you want for me to be?
Am I drawing closer to you?
Is my heart deciding you are all I need?
Are you pleased?
Oh, I know I could never do enough on my own
But still you see me through the precious blood
Oh, it’s only the blood of Jesus…
All I want is to hear you say “well done”

For the first time in a very long time, I realized that God never wanted me to “try” to be like Him. He wants me to “be” more like Him.

How often do we hear, or are exhorted to “TRY to be more like Jesus”? –but  I am learning that’s not what the Christian faith is about at all.   Its not all about us “trying” harder.   I try, and most of the time I fail  – just like I might sit down at the keyboard and try to play it, and if I haven’t trained to play it, I will also fail miserably.  There is an immense difference between training to do something, and trying to do something, and this principle especially applies to our spiritual walk.

Unless I have developed some of the skills and abilities in life which Jesus had, then try as hard as I may, I will still not be able to live like Him or respond to life’s challenges as He did!

This is what the apostle Paul means when he encourages his young protégé  Timothy to “train yourself in godliness.”- He didn’t say “try to be godly”!   Paul uses the familiar imagery of training for athletics when he writes to the Christians in Phillipi when he says how he is “striving to win the prize” – and how he is running straight towards the goal  in order to win the prize.  Inherent in this imagery is the strong understanding of the necessity for training.

So spiritual transformation is not a matter trying harder, but of training  wisely.

It’s a time to get serious about my spiritual training.

I also realized that I was no different than the presentation I was working on all day at work.  For years I have worked on the outside…the presentation part and avoided the reality of my heart.

The reality of trying to make the message of this song real in my life is daunting. There is a lot of baggage that surrounds my heart.  It is time for me to “let go” and forgive as I have been forgiven.  Time to make things right between a few folks in my life that I have been harboring bitterness towards.  I am challenged to come to peace about my failures in my Spiritual walk.  I need to be used of God again.

So, what about you?  Is God Pleased? Are You Everything He Wants You to Be?

I am the last person to place judgment on anyone.   It is more of a question to be answered in your heart, because the truth be known…not very many people would be able to answer “yes” to the question.

So to answer my own question….No…I am not everything God wants me to be.

But for the first time in a long time…from the depths of my heart…I want to be again.…

But then again…maybe it’s just me.

Anyone else want to add their perspective?

It is hard to believe but I have to admit that my favorite album I have listened to in 2009 comes from an American Idol alumnus from Season 6.

Chris Sligh is a genuine original, blessed with a golden voice, a style of songwriting that communicates even as it defies the commercial “rules,” and a world view that encompasses edgy humor, rebelliousness, and rocksolid faith.

All these elements breathe life into every moment of his new album, Running Back to You.  From the soaring resonance of “In a Moment” to the sly rhyming of “Love is Raining Down,” his music is rich in character; his character overflows with music.

From the beginning, Chris Sligh’s story didn’t conform to the norm.  He was born into a musical but conservative family. His father was a gifted guitarist, singer, and songwriter who nonetheless banned non-classical music from his household.  At night he would play recordings of works by Mozart or Beethoven as bedtime music; Chris, at age four or five, would listen, picking out and singing along with individual parts of the composition – maybe the second violin or lead viola – until finally falling asleep.  Growing up in Germany, where his father worked as a chaplain among American troops, Chris was in his own words a “typical jock.”  His enthusiasm for sports mirrored that of millions of guys his age back in the States – yet being far from home, he also developed a complex way of looking at life, in which elements of skepticism and worldliness tempered his church-based upbringing.

Beginning his college study in pre-law at Pensacola Christian College in Florida, Sligh transferred in his sophomore year to Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, an equally fundamentalist institution but one that also offered more advanced opportunities for achieving his goals. “I wanted to major in music,” he says. “This freaked my parents out, because music is the most unmarketable degree there is. But I told them, ‘I don’t need jobs. I’m going to be a singer!’ And of course, that freaked them out royally.”

All these efforts came to a sudden end in December of his senior year, when Sligh was expelled for attending a Christian rock (4HIM) concert, apparently as great a transgression at Bob Jones as joining a coven.  Looking back, though, he believes now that it was the best thing that could have happened to him: “Probably a year before that, I’d realized that I’d wanted to leave,” Sligh says. “So getting kicked out was a blessing in disguise.  And four months later, I recorded my first album.”  That debut, Vessel, was a solo acoustic project, self-produced and self-released.  Touring at first on his own, building a following through coffeehouse gigs and word of mouth, he stretched his musical and lyrical range.

In 2006, Sligh auditioned for American Idol, more or less on a whim.  To his surprise, his performance swept him onto a fast track to the final rounds.  His willingness to take chances, his ironic wit, and his startlingly powerful vocals embedded him into the popular imagination.  And his distinctive blend of talent, humor, confidence, and unpredictability led to an exchange with Simon Cowell that astonished and delighted the other judges, host Ryan Seacrest, and much of America.

Though he didn’t win, Sligh did captivate and stir discussion among the millions of American Idol viewers.  He also demonstrated that he knew how to do whatever needed to be done to turn a performance, whether through singing or spoken words, into a home run.  “With a song, you have three minutes to cram in as much information as possible,” he observes.  Sligh’s willingness to challenge convention and to take creative risks is evident throughout Running Back to You.  Produced by Brown Bannister (Amy Grant, MercyMe, Steven Curtis Chapman, The Afters), with guest coproduction from renowned musicians Will Owsley and Stephen Leiweke the project will evoke other artists of passion and commitment, from Switchfoot to the Killers.  In the end, though, the lesson is reaffirmed – namely, that Chris Sligh simultaneously touches the heart and rocks the house.

And so it is…another great artist and song …”For those who have ears to hear”

Lord knows I love my Haggard and Jones with my Johnny Walker…and after a few I hide nothing back when I want to comment about TRUE talent and plug my ears when I hear crap like Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift.  Those two are real life Disney Characters on stage.  If you watch one perform and then the other, you will see identical moves and head throws!  Plus if you really listen closely…they have the same pronunciation in pitch control!  These two are like bad mushrooms from my friend Kelly’s blog…”Mushroom’s Kill!”  Yes they are bad for you but they still cram them down your throat!

After I tossed my salad on their music I put on Rascal Flatts new Cd “UNSTOPPABLE” and kept it on repeat!  Gary LeVox’s voice keeps me listening…and the production is old school “in your face” music.  There are at LEAST 6 hit songs, but what do you expect from a multi-platinum – Grammy winning band?  If your NOT a country fan…you’ve heard of them and I promise you will be hearing a few of these tunes on ALL genre radio stations.  My personal fav tune on this album is “Thing’s That Matter” and “Here Comes Goodbye” which was co-written by Chris Sligh, Season 6 of American Idol.

May this be your prayer as you celebrate the Easter Season.

Charles Christopher Sligh (born July 20, 1978) is an American singer/songwriter who was a finalist on the sixth season of American Idol. He was eliminated from the competition on March 28, 2007 finishing in tenth place.

In April of 2008, Sligh co-wrote a song called “Here Comes Goodbye” with Clint Lagerberg (also the cowriter of Chris’ first single “Empty Me”). This song was released by the country music group Rascal Flatts as a single in January 2009.

Vote for the Dove Awards Starting Today: You may vote for the winner of Artist of the year along with New Artist of the year!  New Artist nominees include Addison Road, Francesca Battistelli, Fee, Jonathan Nelson, Remedy Drive, Chris Sligh and Tenth Avenvue North.  Vote by going to either www.gospelmusicchannel.com or at www.doveawards.com .  The Online voting begins February 26th! Your votes will account for one third of the total vote for those two categories.   Other nominees include Chris Tomlin, Natalie Grant, Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, Third Day, TobyMac.

American Idol: Who did you vote for? 1-800-944-8443

Get Organized: Simple Ways to improve your life and cut stress (ahealthyme.com)

1. Keep only one project or file open on your desk at any time. This reduces the likelihood of stray papers becoming attached to the incorrect document and misfiled.
2. When unsure about a what to do with a document, ask yourself, “What would I do if it were one week before vacation?” Act accordingly.
3. Clear the top of your desk at the end of each day. It makes a clean space for you to see the next morning and stops paper buildup.

Anger Really Can Kill You: Study finds  anger and other strong emotions can trigger potentially deadly heart rhythms in certain people (Fox News)

Burglar-Proof Your Home With These Safe Home Tips: From Tricking Robbers From Afar to Catching Them If They Make It in (ABC News)

Study: Weight Loss All In The Calories – Scientists say the kind of diet doesn’t matter … it’s all about cutting calories and sticking with it. (The Associated Press)

Get Organized: Simple Ways to improve your life and cut stress (getorganizednow.com)

1. USE ONE CALENDAR: Keep personal, professional and family items on one calendar. It will help to eliminate scheduling conflicts.
2. REDUCE TELEPHONE TAG: Plan telephone calls whenever possible. Have all necessary materials in front of you. Write key questions down in advance.
3. SET UP FILES FOR PROJECTS: Keep all paperwork that pertains to a certain project together in one large folder.
4. SET TIME LIMITS: Say, ‘I’ve got only 5 minutes to talk.’
5. MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF:Make at least one screened appointment with yourself each day. Allowing time to catch up or concentrate.

2009 Dove Award Nominees: Which of your favorite Christian artists have been nominated (Doveawards.com)

Wanna Vote for the Dove Awards: You have the chance to vote for the winner of Artist of the year along with New Artist of the year!  New Artist nominees include Addison Road, Francesca Battistelli, Fee, Jonathan Nelson, Remedy Drive, Chris Sligh and Tenth Avenvue North.  Vote by going to either www.gospelmusicchannel.com or at www.doveawards.com .  The Online voting begins February 26th! Your votes will account for one third of the total vote for those two categories.   Other nominees include Chris Tomlin, Natalie Grant, Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, Third Day, TobyMac.

Other Oscar winners: Who won in the fun catagories like animation (FoxNews)

Breakfast with a twist: IHOP giving away free pancakes in exchange for donations (The Lufkin Daily News)

Comet Sky Show Arrived This Week: A fresh new face has moved into our neighborhood, but once this green-colored comet swings by Earth tonight, it may never come back, click here for more on the story. Click on the picture for a sky diagram on where to look. (Sky And Telescope)

Friday morning, GMA announced this years Dove Award Nominees…

The Third Coast roster got 28 nominations!!!! Congrats to all!

You can check out the Dove Award website HERE for a complete list of nominees.
Here  are some of our highlights:

Song of the Year:

-”I Will Not Be Moved”; Natalie Grant  – www.nataliegrant.com

-”I’m Letting Go”; Francesca Battistelli, Tony Wood, Ian Eskelin — www.francescamusic.com

Male Vocalist of the Year:

-Jeremy Camp — www.jeremycamp.com

Female Vocalist of the Year:

-Francesca Battistelli

-Natalie Grant

Group of the Year:

-David Crowder*Band — www.davidcrowderband.com

-MercyMe — www.mercyme.com

New Artist of the Year:

-Addison Road — www.addisonroad.com

-Francesca Battiselli

-Fee — www.myspace.com/stevefee

-Chris Sligh — www.chrissligh.com

-Tenth Avenue North — www.tenthavenuenorth.com

Rap/Hip Hop Album:

-Grits, Reiterate — www.myspace.com/officialgrits

Rock Album:

-Pillar, For the Love of the Game — www.pillarmusic.com

Pop/Contemporary Album:

-Bebo Norman, Bebo Norman — www.bebonorman.com

-Francesca Battistelli, My Paper Heart

-Natalie Grant, Relentless

Praise and Worship Album:

-Meredith Andrews, The Invitation - www.meredithandrews.com

Thanks for your continuing support of these artists!!

-Team Shack

This year we will have GMA New Band of the Year, Rough Draft playing.  The concert will be held in the Woodland Park High School gym. Rough Draft is from Ft. Collins, CO and just finished producing a new EP with American Idol Chirs Sligh in Nashville, TN. Known for their high energy shows and relentless tour schedule (they were doing over 100 shows a year while still in High School), Rough Draft is sure to get you rocking!  Want more information on Rough Draft, check their website. They’ve also got a MySpace to listen to their tunes.

We just finished our second week of the year but it feels more like a month.  Let’s see…  What all have we done????  Let me list a few things…

1.  Recorded three new worship songs and starting transcribing the sheet music.  “Show My Love” from Ronnie Freeman and Tony Wood.  “God is Moving” from Jon Abel, Chad Cates and Lee Black.  “This Is Our Song” from Jeromy Diebler (FFH), Carl Cartee and Jason Ingram.  Look for these soon on GreatWorshipSongs.com.

2.  Partnered with Travis Cottrell to release a live DVD featuring, of course, Mr Cottrell, Beth Moore and Max Lucado. By the way, good luck Travis on blogging more this year! We’ll be recording the DVD Jan 24 and 25.  Release date to be sometime in April or May.

3.  Approved the final master for Worship Arising, a compilation featuring Aaron Shust, Laura Story, Carl Cartee, Jon Abel and Andy Kirk.  This record, which I refer to as a worship resource, is enhanced with PDF lead sheets and song devotions/stories per song.  LOVE IT!  Look for www.worshiparising.com coming soon.  Hopefully, this will become a popular site to discover new worship songs for FREE.

4.  Finished mixing the new Carl Cartee live worship album Everything You Do.  Mastering will be next week and then we’ll release March 17!  Finishing up artwork now!

5.  Preparing to host an evening for the Re:Create worship conference Feb 4.  We’ll be dinning at Safire in Franklin, TN and enjoying live music from Travis Cottrell, Aaron Shust, Carl Cartee and Chris Sligh (American Idol, Brash recording artist and writer of “Here Comes Good-Bye,” the new single from Rascal Flatts!!!  CONGRATS CHRIS!!!!). And yes, this is a closed event…

WOW…  09 is going to be more than fine!!!!

Oh…  We have a FaceBook page…  Search for us!

John

I can’t tell you how much I can’t wait!  It is going to be an amazing year!  On January 26th at 7:00 PM we are going to unveil a vision for this year that is going to be amazing.  We are believing God for some big things!  This year we are going to pursue God’s presence like never before, fellowship, develop core values in our lives, and be a part of an amazing mission God has laid out for Eagle’s Nest.

Who would have thought that Last year would hold so many powerful things?

• We’ve seen a large number of people come to Christ
• We’ve seen people healed and restored
• We’ve seen our Church grow by nearly a hundred people
• We’ve baptized over 30 people
• We’ve seen our youth and children’s ministry grow
• We’ve new faces and talents fill up our Worship Department
• Our Sunday Night Service, ethos, has grown and taken shape
• We’ve defined our goal of becoming an Authentic Biblical Community
• We’ve defined our core values
• We’ve had a huge Easter Production, Camp Meeting involving other Church’s Worship Teams, A Volunteer Banquet, New Song Concert, Training Days, Fellowship Dinners, Nights of Worship, launching of WKNZ, a new Christian Radio station to be opened in the coming months, Chris Sligh Concert, a massive Christmas Program that involved over 40 people and saw people come to faith Christ!
• We even had a Wii Bowling Tournament
• All of this is above having 104 worship services (ethos and Sunday morning), small groups, over 20 ministries in house, supporting over 8 missions outside the church, running a Christian school of nearly 500 students, and ministering daily to families in the community through benevolence, counseling, and outreach ~ and I’m sure I am missing some things.

None of this would happen without the move of God and your willingness to be used by Him!  Can you even begin to imaging how much more amazing this year is going to be?  I just can’t wait!

Go pick yourself up some free Christmas music from Aaron Shust and Chris Sligh at
http://aaronshust.blogspot.com/