I was browsing around a local book store today. While I was thumbing through some books in the music section, I noticed a book entitled, “Blue Like Jazz” by Donald Miller. Being the blues fan that I am, I thought, “how wonderful a book about blues AND jazz.” So I picked it up an opened to the introduction and read the following; ‘I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn’t resolve. But I was outside Bagdad Theatre in Portland one night when I saw a man playing the saxophone. I stood there for 15 minutes, and he never opened his eyes. After that I liked jazz music. Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself. It is as if they are showing you the way. I used to not like God because God didn’t resolve. But that was before any of this happened.’

The statement about “watching someone love something before you can love it yourself.” really hit a nerve with me. It was like God himself asked, “Can others see how you love me?” I feel quite certain that my brothers and sisters in Christ know that I love God. But how about the waiter at the restaurant, the bank teller, the nice lady that takes care of my dry cleaning, the barber, the checker at the food mart? Can they see, without knowing anything about me, that I love God? Others that I come into contact with may be like Donald and not like God until they see how I love Him. So I need to do a better job about showing my love for the One that loved me first.

Pray for me that I will show others how I love Him.

BTW, the book is not about blues or jazz. But I am glad he used the title.

1. The Bible will still have the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people..
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.

God whispers in your soul and speaks to your mind.
Sometimes when you don’t have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at you.
It’s your choice: Listen to the whisper, or wait for the brick.

You have got to hear this little boy. Sometimes children seem to have more wisdom than we adults do.

Logan is 13 years old and listens to KSBJ on Sky Angel because he lives on a ranch in a very small town in Nebraska. He called us distraught because he had to take down a calf. His words have wisdom beyond his years.

Thanks to KSBJ for sharing this with all of us.

UPC Conference Church 2006 De Bron, Who Am I - Casting Crowns/ Performed by the Oslo UPC Youth Group. They got in November a new concert at Oslo, Norway. Video’s will be posted on Youtube.

I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. I had just come from the car wash and was waiting for my spouse to get off from work. Coming my way from across the parking lot was what society would consider a bum. From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money. There are times when you feel generous but there are other times that you just don’t want to be bothered. This was one of those “don’t want to be bothered times.” “I hope he doesn’t ask me for any money,” I thought. He didn’t. He came and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop but he didn’t look like he could have enough money to even ride the bus. After a few minutes he spoke. “That’s a very pretty car,” he said. He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly blond beard kept more than his face warm. I said, “Thanks,” and continued wiping off my car. He sat there quietly as I worked.

The expected plea for money never came. As the silence between us widened something inside said, “ask him if he needs any help.” I was sure that he would say “yes” but I held true to the inner voice. “Do you need any help?” I asked. He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget. We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments. I expected nothing but an outstretched grimy hand.

He spoke the three words that shook me. “Don’t we all?” he said.

I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum in the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge shotgun. Don’t we all? I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare, but enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day. Those three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or a place to sleep, you can give help. Even if it’s just a compliment, you can give that. You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all. They are waiting on you to give them what they don’t have - A different perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, and a respite from daily chaos that only you through a torn world can see. Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe he was more than that. Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise, to minister to a soul too comfortable in themselves. Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him like a bum, and then said, “Go minister to that man cleaning the car, that man needs help.”

Don’t we all?

We certainly DO all need help, and those who recognize it are one step closer to receiving it than someone with an arrogant, self-contained attitude. What is it that YOU need today; financial help, spiritual or emotional healing; physical healing? Let’s not be timid with God when we need His help. If we don’t ask, we don’t receive!

Mr. Gutenberg helps a user with the proper use of the very latest technology - the book!

I entered a song in the RiffRumble VII competition. The song is called House of the Risen Son. It is a jazzy version of House of the Rising Sun. But since I know I have the promise of living in the House of the Risen Son, Jesus Christ, the song takes on a whole new meaning. Please give a listen and then vote for my song by clicking on the vote link and entering a comment. Ask your friends, family and co-workers to vote. Thank you and may God bless each of you.

***UPDATE***
Thanks to all that voted. And congratulations to all the winners;

• POPULAR CATEGORY WINNER: “BROKEN ANGEL” by JIM GOLDEN
• CONTESTANT’S CHOICE WINNER: “DESTINY” by J.J. “THE GATOR” FALKANGER
• SONIC REALITY’S CHOICE WINNER: “REMEMBER SUMMER” by BILL & JOY YOUNG

Read the winners interviews.

***UPDATE 2 (5/1/2007)***

Jim Golden won the Popularity Contest with his song Broken Angel. He told Sonoma to give part of his winnings to someone else. And that someone else happened to be me. I wish to congratulate Jim on his winning and thank him for his generosity. I also thank Michelle Wright from Sonoma that picked me and my song to receive the prizes.

Here is the email that I received from her;

Hey bluesyDude,

Jim Golden won the RRVII popular vote and he would like for me to give some of his prizes to someone I think is “deserving”

Your song had the 4th most popular vote after Jim’s, GatorJJ’s and WedgeBill’s (who already won these prizes). And you got 2 out of the 26 votes we received for Contestant’s Choice vote. Plus I really like your song!

You get these prizes from Jim:

• Disc Makers coupon for $200 off CD replication services (not valid for any other product; expires in one year), and a package of 100 blank CD-Rs - their best, Ultra 16x inkjet printable discs (worth $242).

• CDBaby.com set up worth $35. CD Baby can get your music selling worldwide on cdbaby.com, Apple iTunes, Tower Records, Yahoo Music, Best Buy, Rhapsody, Napster, MSN Music and more (worth $35).

• Recording Magazine one year subscription for US resident winners only. International winners will receive 3 months of recent back- issues (worth $19.95).

What address shall I have your prizes sent to?

Congrats!

Thanks, Michelle