Writer's Voice Workshop June 2nd

The site is up now where you can register online for the "Writer's Voice Workshop." The cost is $25.00 per person.
Please register as soon as possible and tell anyone that you know who might want to attend this event.
I SO do not know how to totally work this BLOG site yet.....so forgive me, I can't get you linked straight to the site unless you do it on the left side bar of this page. Hopefully, I will figure out all these little details of fine "blogging" soon!
http://healingplacechurch.org/flier.php?id=284

THIS is Africa

What
can
we
ALL
do for
Africa?
We all know something about Africa, wither it is true or false, good or bad.
We've all seen images of Africa on TV or in magazines all of our lives. I've heard stories about Africa for years.

Wonderful, personal, missionary stories of the "Dark Continent." I've read books on the lives of men and women who loved Africa. It seems to me to be a land of phenomenal beauty and mystery. It's a mystery to many of us.

I've heard men and women who went there speak, recounting their experiences for us all to hear. I admired these men and women as their stories unfolded and I listened with great tenacity as they would tell of their lives working, and serving various people groups in Africa. I watched them as they would begin to cry, and groan for Africa as they told of her.
Some even begging God to allow them to go back there again even though they were old, and frail and their bodies could no longer carry them to the lands they loved and labored in for so many years. It was sad and often times, I would cry with them too. Their emotions are still so raw and vivid in my memory. I can't forget them or the land they spoke about because it branded me.

Although I could never actually know first hand what they had burning in their hearts, having never been there myself in person to see what they had seen and lived. I could still sense what they were trying to tell us about it and it was deep, it was something you can't grasp really in your hands yet you could feel it in your Spirit and it was painful. Painful because you felt powerless to do what needs to be done and you KNOW that it's urgently important that someone get there and help to touch and help these various people.

It's hard to understand Africa for many of us because we have never really tasted of her like some have.

Africa. Even the name seems so exotic, and soooooo far away doesn't it? Way, far away over the ocean. Exotic.......yes......animals....all sorts......lions and tigers, and bears. Oh my!
All sorts of wild things roam in Africa.
Wildest of all?
Mankind, I would have to think.

We have all heard all types of crazed tales about Africa ......we have exciting and romantic images in our heads
( many not so true probably)of men roaming around on Safaris in Land Rovers the cool ones that have the racks on the top. I've always wanted one of those things just because of the cool imagery they portrayed in movies. I mean you could go anywhere in one of those. ALL over Africa for sure. HA!
If I ever show up driving one, you'll know why.
These men were encountering elephants, big river crocodiles, going through the vast Sahara desert, climbing the rugged mountains, or viewing the fabulous waterfalls.

Then there was always those naked, tribal people we all saw photos of? Scary "savages," dancing around fires, with bones in their noses waiting to cook you in their big pots.
Oh and don't forget about the Nile river, and the pyramids and the Sphinx.....
Right, magnificent Egypt, with all it's rich history. I have a friend who has been there and he says it is so beautiful and the imagery present there takes your breath away. It's old. It's so old we can't fathom it.

Africa has it all doesn't it? Can you imagine all these unusual places all on one big land mass? Africa has it all doesn't it?

Who hasn't ever read a "National Geographic?" I LOVED reading those things as a child. My Step Dad always subscribed to them so I was always educated on most things of the world due to National Geographic. Just the sound of that magazine stirs up photos of Africa in all of our minds. They ALWAYS had great stories and photos from African countries and rightly so. There is so much to encounter there.

Who can forget great old movie classics like "Casablanca, The African Queen, Lawrence of Arabia, Out of Africa?" Yes, we all know something of Africa. Even if it came from Hollywood, which isn't always the greatest way to learn.

Yet do we really KNOW Africa? We have these thoughts in our minds of Africa, but do we know or understand about the "new" Africa. The one that is in big trouble unless we ALL get involved.

Africa is huge. It's a very BIG continent. The second biggest in our world with a land mass of 11,699,000 square miles. Now that is some land! It's no wonder that it is so diverse, the land the people, the cultures, everything.

Right now, it is very "politically correct" to be involved or doing something regarding Africa. There are many "Campaigns" to raise awareness, many movies that are raising awareness to Africa's plight right now......"Blood Diamond, Babel, The Last King of Scotland," and others, many people raising awareness about Africa, one of whom who is at the fore front of this would have to be "Bono" of the Irish rock band "U2" and then there are the concerts like "Live Aid" and other such events.
These are all good things for the most part.

However, people have been trying to work and help Africa for YEARS! It's not something new. I've read and known of missionaries that laid their entire LIVES down for Africa some dying in Africa. Some burying their children in Africa. It's nothing new yet the thing that is new is the "PR" that is happening on Africa's behalf right now, coupled with the FACT that now Africa is in dire straits due to the overwhelming HIV/AIDS epidemic that missionaries and aid workers of the past did not have to deal with.

FYI...."For your information"......TIA........
"This is Africa......."

Check it out:
HIV/AIDS is at pandemic rates in Africa.
Add in extreme poverty, famine, drought, malaria which is nearly as pandemic and as deadly as HIV/AIDS,wars between countries,and civil wars within countries, and you have a deathly cocktail for destruction of people groups and an entire continent if something isn't done.
In sub-Saharan Africa,( which is any country BELOW the Sahara) there are around 14 women living with HIV for every 10 men.
Last year alone, 25 million people in Africa were HIV positive.
17 million people in sub-Saharan Africa have died of AIDS.
12 million children who have lost their parents to AIDS face a precarious future. That is a terrible FACT. These orphan children don't have much hope for life without some sort of help. Many are raising themselves and their siblings that have been left alone in the world because their parents have died of AIDS and there are so many children in this situation that there are not enough people or orphanages to take them in or to care for them.


Malaria: A Mosquito-Born Disease of the Blood
We don't hear much about Malaria here in America but I've known people that have had it or do currently have it because it doesn't really ever go away. It's a parasite and hard to kill.

Malaria is a mosquito born disease that causes over 2.7 million deaths per year according to estimates by the World Health Organization.

90% of all malaria cases are in sub-Saharan Africa.
3,000 children under the age of five die each day from malaria in Africa.
This is unreal.

A simple thing such as "mosquito netting" can save hundreds of lives. They cost about $10.00 but people who have no food, no health as it is and no quality of life can't afford $10.00. That's more than many make in months working jobs. Check out "Nothing but Nets" a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that helps donate dollar per dollar given towards the supplying of Mosquito netting to African nations.
It's a pretty cool, cheap, and practical way to avoid and help stop the spread Malaria. http://nothingbutnets.net/

Now let's talk "Refugees" for a moment.
As of January 1,2006 there are 20,751,900 refugees in the world.
Africa has 5,169,300 of them according to one report I found. That's a lot of "displaced" people. Over 5 million people without homes......many shoved into refugee camps with primal conditions and facilities.

I've been to refugee camps in Nicaragua and I am sure from country to country they may vary but let me tell you, they are not pretty, nor sanitary. When we were at the ones we were working in, there was a huge "Cholera" outbreak and warning signs everywhere. When you have open sewage flowing through the place, and crowded conditions, you can expect these types of diseases to be prevalent. By the way, if you contract Cholera and don't receive any help or treatment you can die in about
6 hours.
Cholera is just ONE of the diseases that creeps its way into refugee camps along with a host of other nasty things some of which I mentioned earlier, HIV/AIDS, and malaria, hunger, then you can add in next physical wounds, and post traumatic stress and not lest of these..rape, murder, incest, etc. etc.

Maybe you don't understand what a "Refugee" is......or how does a person become a refugee. In a nutshell, a refugee is a person who has been forced to leave their country because it is not safe for them to stay. The reasons why the person has to leave can vary. It could be because of a natural disaster like a flood or a hurricane or because of war.

During the first hours and days of hurricane Katrina, people were referring to the people that had to leave New Orleans as "refugees".....well that totally offended those people. I heard it all the time the New Orleans people NOT wanting to be called "refugees" when really in a sense, they sort of were. Many were in shelters, many without direction, many left their homes to never return. Whatever people's circumstances were at that time the point I'm trying to make is this.....THIS is AMERICA and we really don't have "American refugees" now do we?

So, the term for "the people that had to evacuate New Orleans" then became....."evacuees." Which is what they did......."evacuate their city due to a hurricane." Although we would never call a person in the Sudan that has had to leave Darfur because of what's happening there an "evacuee" now would we? So there is a bit of a difference between an "evacuee and a refugee." I guess one is richer? Whoops. Did I say that? It's not cool to be called a refugee I guess.
Not when your American. I guess our pride levels are different.

Okay so there is your lesson on Africa today. Hopefully we have we learned and it will it "stick" in our minds. But is this enough, just to be "up" on a subject?

I think we have to "DO" to retain. You know, like when your learning something say a foreign language, and to learn it, you not only "speak it," you also "write it," to help you "get it," and retain it.
I think it's not just enough to "know" about things such as what's going on in Africa and other places, and yet sit on our bums and "do" nothing to help solve it.

Plus I would hope that we wouldn't want to do these things just to be "politically correct." We should have a MORAL obligation to care about the WORLD and I mean the entire world, but if the politically correct thing is your motivation, just do it. Please do something.

Let me be honest and frank with you.
Africa isn't my "thing."
I love the world and I love culture and countries. I keep abreast of what is going on, I read, I learn, I listen. I love the world, but Africa isn't my "Continent" of choice.
Europe is......and some VERY specific countries and for those of you who know me, you know which ones.
I read about them, I study them, I learn their politics, I pay attention to what is going on in their culture, their current events, I watch their news, I read their books, I learn their history, I pray for these countries and their leaders. I take interest in them and I INVEST in them by giving to either missionaries there in those countries or to missions causes in these countries.
I sow into the people and their land. I believe in this. I have been taught to do this and I have thus taught it to my children and to others.

Yet, dare I neglect Somalia, or Kenya, or Tanzania or Madagascar? God forbid. Nope, I learn, I read, I pray, I stay aware of their current conditions, their politics, their issues, I INVEST in these places, their missionaries, their people, their land their causes.

Why? Why do I do this? Because it's been "commissioned" to me to do so and to you as well.
Matthew 28:19
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."(NIV
Besides, I like it. I want to do it. I LOVE people.......people of all cultures and nations. That's just me. That's how I'm made up. I always find the "foreigner" in the crowd and end up talking to them. HA!

I have "favorites." Please forgive me if this offends you.
I lean towards certain places and cultures more readily than others. That's just the burden I have inside me. It's part of what makes me who I am.
The GOOD thing is God has no favorites in this world. Certainly I admit that I favor certain people groups more than others but I won't neglect the fact that I am obligated to love them ALL people the way God loves them.
ALL nations, races, colors and creeds. This is hard for me at times, but I've done it and will continue to do it. Maybe that is a hard thing for you too, yet we have to get past who we are and see people how GOD sees people. We can do this!

Think about Africa, is there something you can do? We can all do something.
The possibilities are endless because there is so much need.

IF you would like to get involved, there are many legitimate campaigns out there today..."The ONE" organization is a movement that is forefront in the States right now........you can check out their website.
http://www.one.org/index.php

Personally, I would ask all of you to check with your churches first. You should always be able to trust that your monies given to your churches are going to reputable institutions, or to people that will send it that way. If you can't trust your church to funnel your money correctly or ethically......then you MUST find yourself a new church. Find out if you have missionaries or missions agencies in Africa that you can give to or support on a monthly basis. If you do not know of any, contact me I can help you. I know people that are currently serving in Africa on assignment that NEED support right now. There is never enough money to do all that needs to be done because there is SO much to do.

Also......."Children's Cup" is a VALID African relief agency that is based right here outside of Baton Rouge. The founders Dave and Jean Ohlerking, are from Iowa too so that validates them for some of us! HA! We have known the founders for years and their kids, so you can send money to them as well and it will be put to GOOD use. Check out the web link to their official web site on the left sidebar of this page.

Regardless of who you are.....or how much you have, you are rich. I am rich.
Maybe not rich by "American" standards, but believe me.....we all are very wealthy if we live here in America. There is no denying this. It's a fact so don't attempt to argue that point. Yes, there are needy people in America but most of us are not them.

Consider, what you can do for Africa. There are still so many issues that need to be addressed that I haven't even touched on.
Child slavery, child prostitution, boy soldiers, civil wars and conflicts, things we can't even imagine that happen on a daily basis in not only Africa, but in many places around the world.
In my own missions travels I've been to 4 countries that had either had or were experiencing some sort of "civil war" and the carnage left over from that alone is something I could not begin to explain to you. The damage that is done to people by their own "countrymen." It is the greatest betrayal. It's literally "brother against brother." There is so much HATE involved in these types of actions.

We must help do our part.
"If we can't go we can send" whither it is money or other people to go in our place, just whatever works out. That has always been my philosophy. There are people there ready to work, people willing to help, they just need the funds to carry out their mission. That's where we come in. WE can help the cause of Africa and help people to fulfill their destiny. It's a win, win, situation all the way around.

Find a source and dig in. There's lots to do and not tons of time to do it in. People are perishing even at this moment.

The Secret Garden

Just in case you were wondering.
"Yes!"
I really do love to do gardening, and I really do have a "Secret Garden."
Don't laugh! It's hidden from the street and all. HA!

I live in the city you know, I can't do as much as I would like to but I do have a lovely "container garden" off my patio that I enjoy working with and another couple of spots in my yard that I work in as well. It keeps me contented enough.
It's been a "healing thing" for me to garden and work in my yard the past year and a half while I've been home "convalescing."

Some of you didn't know possibly that I have been quite ill and it's not been a fun thing at all. In fact, very, very, painful, and quiet depressing some days, but I am now feeling so much better and it's a great thing to be in good health. I have learned not to take it for granted and to praise GOD for it! You don't realize how important your helath is until you nearly loose it. Thank GOD for "second chances."

I'm not 100% yet, but I am so much better than I was. I was in very bad shape this past Decemeber and January....then in Febuary, I had a "break through" and my Dr. concluded out what was going on with me. It wasn't actually what I had been diagnosed with in the begining.

God has been really good to heal me and to teach me (through my wonderful Naturopathic Dr.)what was wrong with my body and how to correct it. We will talk about that at another time because it will take too long right now.

You can't see it because of the shady spot in the photo but there is an entire "Herb" garden as well.....along with some other plants. There are quite a bit. This doesn't count all the plants we have on our patio as well.

The corner shot with the Celtic cross is my "Morning Glory's" and they are springing up nicely. They will be fabulous this summer. I will take another photo then and show you how pretty they are when they are in full bloom. They will be all over the fence and up that copper oblesk that I have in the middle of them.

So it does keep me busy tending to them all, which I am enjoying right now. Everything is pretty lush at this time and flowering, but at the high point of summer.....it will start to burn them up and I will have to really watch them.
I hate that part. Watching them struggle to survive.

I just wanted to show you my garden. One day.....I will have huge, beautiful, gardens like the ones in England. HA! Ha!

Writers Workshop June 2nd

I picked this photo of a famous author for two reasons.
One, I hoped you would recognize him and know what he accomplished in his lifetime or writing.

Two, I'm prejudiced because I have a connection with him.
Well, somewhat.
We both have the same hometown, and we both like (liked) to write.
Although, he was very famous and I am not! HA! For those of you who know me, you probably have now figured out who he is. If you didn't recognize the photo you at least know where I hail from. For those of you that don't know me or maybe know him, or vice versa, let me fill you in.

I was born in Hannibal Missouri, and lived there until I was 8 years old at which time my family moved to Iowa. The man in this photo was born about 30 miles down the road in Florida Missouri, but moved to Hannibal when he was 4 years old with his family. Hannibal, is where many of my family still live.
I call it my hometown.

Hannibal Missouri, is where he lived until he was 18 years old and then left to see the world and make his fortune. However, he never forgot this town and even set his most famous book
"Tom Sawyer" and a few others there.
If you still haven't gotten his name by now.....
let me help you.
He is and remains one of America's most famous writers.
Mark Twain.
Which by the way was his "pen name," his real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens.

Now I have said all this to help to promote the "Writer's Voice Workshop" that will be happening Saturday June 2nd at the Healing Place Annex, 14141 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge, LA. The classes will begin at 8:30am lasting until 2:00pm.
There will be several featured writers speaking at this and many aspiring writers attending as well.

I have been a part of the "Writer's Voice" writer's group for over a year and a half now and it has been a fun. Both a joy and a blessing. I have made new friends, learned many new ideals and techniques, and have been challenged in my writing.
However, most of all, I have been around a group of "like minded" people that share my passion for writing and that makes all the difference.

IF you like to write, or would like to start writing, consider not only joining a writer's group where ever you are, such as the "Writer's Voice" group that I attend here in Baton Rouge, but seriously consider attending this "Writers Workshop."

Pre registration for this event is $25.00......cost at the door is $30.00. Contact Healing Place Church to register. 1-225-753-2273 Lunch is included in the price.

Coming from a "river town," the love for the river is in my blood.
There is just something about being up on a hill and watching the river below you. It's mighty, and swift, and powerful. Almost majestic to behold, yet it's fearful too. You have to respect the river.
I think that is what Mark Twain and myself both share in common when it comes to writing and loving our hometown. There's a "presence" there and it's hard not to love the town we're from because of the river and what it means to us, and it's easy to express the emotions you have and the things you see through writing.
The feelings I have for my hometown have never left me though even though I haven't lived there in years and even though I live far away from my birthplace. I know it was the same for Twain as well.

Now I live in another "river town," but the feeling is a bit different here for some reason. I don't really know why. But there is another "river town" that I LOVE to go to and it's Natchez.
I dare say I think the reason why I LOVE to go to Natchez Mississippi and hang out so much is because it's another sleepy, old, "river town," much like my hometown.

Natchez has that small, river town atmosphere, it's up on a hill looking down at the Mississippi, and there are tons of cool, old houses everywhere. It's a slower pace there and I like that.
It's not like the bustling Baton Rouge where I live now.

I believe that Mark Twain never lost his love for his "river and his river town" and it's evident in his writings. I know in my heart that all of us possess "good things" that want to come out of us in creative expressions wither it be in art work or dancing or writing or crafts, or whatever.

Why not give writing a try? Don't be scared, there are people that can safely nurture you into becoming the writer you may have always dreamed of being. You can't fail in this kind of environment because no one will judge you or your abilities. They will only encourage you. Plus you don't have to be in the league of
Mark Twain to come.

If you want more information, on joining the "Writer's Voice" writer's group, or about coming to the "Writer's Workshop" in June...... contact me and I will fill you in on what you need to do for both or either one.

People you need to know!

The couple in the middle are Norried and Doris Chaisson. They are one of the most precious, dedicated, hardworking, couples you will ever meet.

PLUS.......they love people, and so much so that they have given up living in America like we all do and they have lived all the years I've known them and more in the South Pacific, working with people in various islands. They have lived and worked in the Marshall Islands, the Chuuk Islands, formally known as the
"Truk Islands," and for the past 15 years or so their family has been on various island posts on the Solomon Islands.

Yes, those ARE the islands that were just hit by the recent earthquake and tsunami.

Every single island the Chaission's had worked on was hit by this natural disaster, much to their dismay and all of ours. Thank heaven they were home at this time. They have been back in America on "furlough" raising funds to go back to the South Pacific for another four years of missions work. Whew!

They leave in June for a new missions assignment to a tiny Island called...
"The Republic of Nauru."
There are no church buildings, no missionaries, the country has no water system. The land mass of this island is about the size of Washington D.C....they will have to put "rain barrels" on the roof of where ever they live (that isn't worked out yet either so PRAY about this!) to "catch water" so that they can have it to use.
Can you even imagine this? Nope not us.....we turn on the tap and get a glass of water in a moment, they will have to "purify their water" before drinking it.

My husband Don and I love these people. They are some of the "hero's" in our lives.
I wouldn't say that about many people but if you knew this couple like we do, you would say the same thing.
Pray for them, and please consider supporting them even......they will need all the prayers and help they can get for their new missions assignment.

IF you are interested in learning more about this couple and their missions work, or would like to help in their endeavor, PLEASE contact me.

"Ut Prosim"

"Ut Prosim"
"That I may serve."
This is the motto used by Virginia Tech University.

I found myself stunned today, when turning on the news, as probably most of you did as well. That this University that has such a powerful motto for it's school, had come under "seige" and had to "be served" today by vast numbers of police officers, ambulance workers, Dr.'s, nurses, counselors, and a host of other "service" people.

Today's tragic reports of 32 innocent people being slaughtered on the campus shocked us all in America and beyond. The Queen of England has even extended her regards to the University and the people's whose lives have been effected by this one single event of mass destruction. She is just one of many dignitaries that are expressing their thoughts to our nation at this time.

All over the world, I know we are all deeply saddened by this news and all wondering the same thing. Why?
How is it that parents can send their kids off to school to live and study and teachers and professors go into their classrooms to teach and end up hiding behind locked doors fearing for their lives because some crazed gunman is on the loose on the campus, shooting everything and anything that moves into his sight? Even hunting them down like animals. Why?

What made this person, the gunman snap like he did? We may never know.
It's something that haunts you though to the core of your being. For me as a parent, I dread hearing news such as this. I put myself in the place of those parents whose children might be involved in such a thing as that which happened today at Virginia Tech.

How does a person get over something like this? Of this magnitude. When someone that you don't even know, takes it upon themselves to kill or attempt to kill your child who was doing nothing more than just going to their classroom to study for the day. They didn't have a clue what was about to happen to them. They didn't see it coming. They fell victim to someones rage.

God only knows how these people, the survivors, will recover, and we are praying and asking the Father to help them through this time. Words can't express the deep pain we all feel for these students and the families of those affected.

To the students and staff of Virginia Tech...... I pray you remember to fall back on your motto in the days ahead. As you "serve" one another, this will help ease your pain and help you to recover.
God knows and sees your pain, He lost a son that came to this earth to "serve" too.
We are praying for you all.

Delirious

Martin Smith,
lead singer
of Delirious, doing what he does best. Smiling and singing.

We LOVED the boy's "Posh" new outfits!

Tuesday night's "Delirous?" concert was AWESOME!

I will try to give a bit of a review for those of you that could not be there.
All I can say is....."I'm GLAD I was!"

First off, I "borrowed" these photos. NO cameras were allowed into the concert the other night and I would not break the rules. However, I know there are always "ways" to find such things on the glorious Internet. So here we have it.

Secondly, a "HUGE THANK YOU" to the person from Healing Place that hooked me up with some tickets. Four, exactly. I took Ariel and two of her friends from school along. I am sure they didn't know WHAT to think of "Ms. Joyce" that night because I was crazy! HA! I hadn't danced that much in years. Whew!
I was very WORN out by the time that concert was over.

Umm.......where to begin.
Two female artist sang the pre-show, one from London England, named "Vicky Beeching" Ariel and I really liked her. Plus she talked about how she liked going to the "IHOP" (International House of Prayer) in Kansas City, which is one of our favorite places too! So we knew she was cool.
Check out her website on Myspace: http://www.vickybeeching.com/

Next up Rebecca St. James. I had never seen her perform before. She has an awesome heart after God you can tell. She gave a good performance too.

Of course we had a strong "expectancy" for Delirous and they didn't disappoint anyone, let alone ME!!!

I've been listening to Delirous since they hit the airwaves and have seen them in concert before so I can tell, they are just some neat guys. You could feel an anointing as they sang and spoke and ministered.
Martin Smith and Stu G. both ministered to people at this concert at Bethany World Prayer Center, touching people and speaking over them even. At one point I saw Martin Smith, pouring water on kids heads. Cool!!!

I was just as impressed with them then as as I ever have been, in fact, probably even more because I've seen an even greater maturity in them over the years.

PLUS, they were traveling with their "Five wives and 16 CHILDREN!" Can you imagine? It was such a highlight I felt when they let their kids come out on the stage.......they were so CUTE! They danced and danced while the "Dad's" played for a bit so they could be showed off. Then they scooted off the stage again, and into the back.
I loved it! I think everyone did.

Wonder why the wives didn't come out and jump around too?

I do have to say......this says A TON about the "unity and the friendships" that must be within their group. They said they have Four busses, 1 big semi truck and trailer and some 60 people on this tour. WOW! Now there has got to be some major prayer going on there! HA! I just think it's neat that after all these years working and ministering so closely together, that they are all still getting along. HA! HA!
It speaks well of them all.


There are alot of "singers" out there, but these guys are "worshipers" and anyone who sees them would know that. They have written most of the "modern day hymns" for the church world. It was amazing as was the time I saw them before, when the entire crowd could sing their music without the words....why? Because they KNOW it. They know it because we sing their songs in our churches and their music is relevant to this generation. All shapes, sizes, races, and ages. Everyone loves their music.


What I also like is that they do charitable things. Like they care about people besides themselves. Imagine that! They give to the poor and such. They go into foreign countries like Rwanda last year with Joyce Meyer's and her team to help put balm on a hurting, yet recovering, people there. That was neat.

The only regret I had for the night was that the crowd was so LOW! This should not have been the case in Baton Rouge. Something definitely went awry.
This band PACKS huge Soccer stadiums in the U.K. and Europe.......like they played last year at the World Cup in Berlin. So there was no reason why there couldn't have been a better turnout here in this city. I saw them before in New Orleans it was an "open" concert, and we had to buy tickets but it was a PACKED HOUSE and so worth the money which wasn't all that much. I don't know what went wrong here but it was too bad because more people in the area or local cities should have and would have been encouraged by these guys!

I DO appreciate Bethany and Healing Place picking up the "tab" for the concert. Kudos to both places.

Check out the Delirious? website for yourselves on the lefthand side of this page, I use the U.K. one but it's pretty much the same. They also have a "MYSPACE" page for all of you that do the Myspace thing.

A new C.D. and a new book are also newly released so you might want to purchase those things as well for your continued Delirious experience to enjoy in the days ahead.

Happy Easter!!!!

Today is a very CHILLY Easter!

Living in South Louisiana we are used to warm, and even HOT Easters, this is one of the first years I can remember it being this cold.

However the weather, the day is still the key to our remembering the "finished work" of Jesus. His going to the cross to die for our sins and on this day, Easter Sunday, we celebrate His "Resurrection"....the day He came back to life.
He didn't stay dead in His tomb.

That my friends, is the FACT that makes the difference between our faith and the faith of others, their "gods" or their "prophets" whoever, died and stayed DEAD. Ours didn't.
Now that is something to SHOUT about!!!!
May we NEVER forget what Jesus did for us all!

I am wishing all of you a very
"Happy Resurrection Day."