Thank you, brother, for your love for the saints. Huge sacrifice of time, self and family to give us the music you have over the years. Was just listening to All My Life online while my wife’s asleep. Love that song. Thank you.

Keep moving forward, my man.

Got you in my prayers. You’re not alone.

I woke up this morning with your song, “Giving Up Giving Up” on my mind. Not having heard that song in years, I decided to try to find it online (I have the cassette somewhere…).

Anyway, I stumbled into this site. Having read your transparent blog, it reminded me of what I read this morning in my “Professional Executive Director” reading. It’s from Laurie Beth Jones’ book titled Jesus Life Coach. It told the following story (and I quote):

“Roger Ailes became famous as a media consultant not only to the stars, but also to numerous political figures. Perhaps the most famous of his clients was President Ronald Reagan.
Roger was called in to consult with the president in preparation for his debates. In the first presidential debate, Reagan had gone up against his opponent, Walter Mondale, who had appeared more at ease and more comfortable with statistics than the president was. Frankly the staff at the White House was worried.
People were afraid to say it, but everyone knew the truth. If the president appeared too old or out of touch with his constituents, he would lose the election. Thus there was a lot of pressure on both President Reagan and Roger Ailes when the two met.
For the first practice session, Roger merely watched the mock debates and took notes. People who were brought in specifically to be Reagan’s opponents were trying to outfox and outmaneuver him at every turn–firing questions and comments and innuendos in order to prepare the president for any eventuality. They were especially trying to challenge him about facts and statistics since those areas had seemed to be his weaker points in the last debate. Roger could tell that Reagan was getting tired, frustrated, and agitated by the exercises. No matter how many times they brought him around to try to tackle the facts again, Reagan seemed to be flubbing his lines.
Finally Roger told everyone to leave–the staffers, the mock opponents, the sound people, everyone. He sat down with the president and began to reassure him. He said, ‘Mr. President, the people didn’t elect you because of your ability to memorize statistics. They elected you because of who you are. They love your character and your sense of humor and that is what they need to be reminded of. Don’t let anyone get up there and fluster you. Just be yourself, and say what comes naturally.’
The president nodded and smiled, suddenly more at ease with the situation.
When the second debate came around, the president seemed in a much better mood. Although he had certainly heard the doomsayers predict that he would go down in this second round as being too old and out of touch, he seemed unconcerned. In fact, when his opponent dared to bring up the issue of age, Reagan smiled and replied, ‘I have determined not to let the age and the relative inexperience of my opponent become an issue in this campaign.’ Everyone suddenly burst into laughter–the moderator, the reporters, and the audience. Even his opponent couldn’t help stifling a laugh as the wisdom and good humor of the man Ronald Reagan shone forth.
It was a slam dunk for the president. The age issue never really came up again, either in debate or in the election. Whenever it did surface in discussions, the president’s humorous and good-natured one-liner was quoted, reminding people who this man really was. Reagan sailed into a second term…
…Yet God is calling each of us to find, and live, his or her authentic voice. If only we could be who we truly are, this world would be changed in an instant.
You and I are the message. You are God’s thoughts, God’s hopes, God’s dreams, God’s passions, with skin on.
Perhaps you may be like the many of the biblical heroes who tried to convince God that he had the wrong person for the job.
You don’t want me to preach, God–I am a man of unclean lips. You don’t want me to lead the people, God–I stutter. Isaiah. Moses. We love and remember and cherish their names because somehow they came to realize that, despite their fears and shortcomings, they were the message and the voice of God in their situation. It is no different today for you and me.
Jesus knew that He was the message.
And so are you.
Where and how are you trying to be someone else? If someone looked not at the words, but at the theme of your life, what would it be? How would your life change if you realized that you are God’s message in your own world?”

[end quote]

we just gotta “occupy” til He comes. And believing that He will come.
I am hearing lotsa artistschristian and otherwise saying the same thing…its tough out there now…things are changing.
But we serve a God Who does not change.
He is still the Provider and I pray for you and yours everyday…that all your needs AND the desires of your Heart are met in Jesus Name…and let me know when you’re coming back this way…portland or…we WILL get a group together and comeout in force.
luvya tons
Liska

It breaks my heart to hear (read) your words. I hate the pain and sadness. I just tossed a prayer for you; I have no profound answer. I have no idea why God allows some of these things into our lives, except that I assume they are supposed to sharpen us. I look forward to THAT- NOT! Are these the “sovereign-God” moments?

My wife and I first enjoyed your music when you were touring the “Whistling in the Dark” record, and have enjoyed everything since, even to the point that I sang some of your stuff with them sing-along tracks at church, “Strong Medicine” being one of them(forgive me, though, I have nowhere near the vocal range that you have- hello, falsetto). Such precious messages and wonderful catchy music. You often spoke of your personal struggles through your music.

We drove 1 1/2 hours twice to see you- is that good?

Hey, everyone, this guy opened for Petra! How cool is that?

I will cry with you- after all, “Blessed are the tears that fall, clean the windows of the soul…”

Now, where’s this NeHoSoul stuff- alright , alright, I do have iTunes, after all…

Please, hang in.
Rick