In Honor of the Good Folks of Middle Tennessee

OK, so I guess I have been a blogger fail, since this is my first post since April of last year. I let things get in the way, but I am going to do better. Promise.

The following was not written by me, but is borrowed from an article by Greg Clark, our minister at Sylvan Hills Church of Christ in Sherwood, AR. I thought it said things that needed to be said about our brave TN neighbors. This is for my Nashville friends and for many other friends who have a special place in their hearts for Nashville and the surrounding area. Because WE ARE NASHVILLE.

Nashville Rising

Losses from the May 2nd flooding in Nashville have been staggering It has been called "the single largest disaster to hit Middle Tennessee since the Civil War." Some have speculated that it may be the "costliest non-hurricane natural disaster in American history." There is still no definitive answer on how many people have lost their homes. In the region, twenty-three have lost their lives. One couple got in their car to flee the rising waters but were swept away on the road. The man died because he couldn't get out and into his wheelchair, his wife because she refused to leave his side.

Nashville is rising again. Not the floodwaters, but the spirit of a heavily churched city with middle America values. Their strength has been an example to the world. Stories abound of courageous rescues and generous neighbors helping neighbors. One woman's house was on fire and she had a choice of either dying in the fire or dying in the flood. At exactly the right moment, a man on a jet ski pulled up and rescued her. She exclaimed, "God sent me an angel on a jet ski!"

One church sent out a tweet asking for volunteers to help with the clean-up and had over 1,000 people show up. Country music stars stepped up to help their beloved city even before the national media decided it might be time to give the disaster a little coverage. Taylor Swift donated $500,000 herself.

Jesus taught that each of us have a responsibility to look out for our neighbors well-being. Loving our neighbors means physically and financially being there for them during difficult times. In the sotry of the Good Samaritan, the victim needed more than good wishes. He needed someone with compassion. Someone who would bandage his wounds, pour wine and oil on them, transport him to safety, and pay for his care. (Luke 10:30ff)

Often times, the Bible Belt is accused of not behaving much differently than the rest of the country. Maybe folks will notice, however, that looting and rioting haven't been a problem in Nashville. Rescue workers were not shot at and no one is blaming the President for global warming. Perhaps there is a correlation between the outstanding way Middle Tennessee has responded and the moral values generally embraced by its inhabitants.

Greg Clark

What are your thoughts? Send your comments to clarkg6@sbcglobal.net.

ROAD TRIP!!

Well, the time has flown by, and the Blogger Girls, friends of Chris Sligh, are on the road once again, this time meeting in Nashville, TN for the Dove Awards, which take place Thursday, April 23rd. For those of you who don't know, the Doves are the equivalent to the Christian Grammys. The Blogger Girls are a self-named group of ladies who met on Chris Sligh's blog, most around two years ago, hit it off, and have become life-long friends. Some of the group planned his fan picnic in Nashville last summer, and are working on another one for this year. (Go to www.fropatropicnic.webs.com for the info-it's once again a fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital). Chris is nominated for New Artist of the Year, and Best Song ("Empty Me")

For this trip, we've got a condo waiting for us not far from the venue, the Grand Ole Opry, and we're thrilled with getting together again. (part of us were last together in January, when Chris did a concert in North Little Rock, AR). We've got several events to look forward to in the 48 hours we'll be in Nashville!

This has been an amazing two years for a lot of reasons. Who would have thought we'd meet such great friends in a way we always told our kids to stay away from: on the internet! There's not a day that goes by that we don't exchange emails (usually several!) or talk on the phone. And then of course, there's Chris. Talented singer, songwriter, a heart for Jesus, and he puts up with us. : ) We are honored and privileged to call him our friend. We love his family, too!

Those of you who know anything about Chris, know he got his big break when he was a top 10 finalist on season 6 of American Idol. There's another Kris, Kris Allen from Arkansas, who is a favorite contestant of mine this year. Besides the fact that he is a fellow Arkansan, he reminds me a lot of Chris S. Not in looks, but the fact that they are both great musicians, not just singers, both songwriters, and both previously active in the music ministries of their respective churches. Think about voting for Kris Allen on Tuesday nights! : )

Oh, one more thing about voting....the public is voting on the Dove's New Artist award, one of the two that Chris is up for. You can help him win by going to www.gospelmusicchannel.com/dovesvoting and casting your vote AND/OR text DOVE CSLIGH to 72648! Vote up through April 23rd!

Just a few more days and this Blogger Girl becomes a Dove Diva! : )

Empty Me-the fan video

So, last Oct., Chris Sligh asked fans to submit themselves lip-synching to "Empty Me", with the idea of compiling the submissions into a video. The creation is done, and the JLNLR girls appear at about 1:46, performing in the Heaven's Loft store (the project that will benefit from Chris's appearance at Central Baptist Church, NLR, this Sat., the 17th at 7 p.m. Go to http://www.jlnlr.org/ for $10 tickets or you can get them at the door for $15). My niece also makes an appearance, but sadly, my nephew got cut. I'll let Chris explain that to him at the next fan picnic. LOL Enjoy!

After Christmas Thoughts

Hard to believe Christmas has come and gone and the new year is upon us. I am praying for a blessed 2009 and the Lord's guidance in all things this coming year.

My fave American Idol, Chris Sligh, just got through playing a gig in NY with two other AI alums, Brandon Rogers and Blake Lewis. Luckily, for those of us in AR, you don't have to go that far to see Chris. As a reminder, he's coming to North Little Rock with his band on Saturday, Jan. 17th, 7 p.m. at Central Baptist Church, 5200 Fairway, NLR as a benefit for the Junior League of North Little Rock's signature project, Heaven's Loft.

Tickets are just $10 in advance ($15 at the door) and you can get them online at www.jlnlr.org or call 501-372-1436. You can also get them at the Mardel's in NLR. There's also a diaper drive for youth groups with the chance to win a pizza party and meet and greet with Chris. That ends Jan. 9th, so start collecting those diapers!

Newsong Christmas Celebration with Chris Sligh, Rush of Fools and Ayiesha Woods

If you get a chance, you need to go see the Newsong Christmas show. I got to go see it in Paragould, AR on Dec. 3rd and it was awesome. The harmonies were out of this world and it was a magnificent way to start off the holiday season.

Of course, followers of this blog know I'm a Chris Sligh fan. He sang his new original Christmas number, "When You Come Home Again", a wonderful tribute to our men and women who are overseas, away from their loved ones. I've put up a couple of videos if you'd like to catch them:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82Z2TUyTRwI and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OOo8e76nZs.

As a reminder, remember that Chris is coming to North Little Rock, AR on Jan. 17th. Go to http://www.jlnlr.org/ to get your tickets or email me at mkismybiz@aol.com. It's for a great cause--Heaven's Loft, a project that helps low income families with young children, and it's only $10, which makes it a great show to enjoy with your family.

This and That

Well, I'm not doing a super job of keeping this blog updated. Life has been too crazy and busy as of late. But here's a few tidbits....

The tickets for the Chris Sligh concert on Jan. 17, 2009 at Central Baptist Church in North Little Rock are now available at www.jlnlr.org. You can also get them on itickets.com. We are mailing over 500 letters and posters to churches in the area this week, along with info on a diaper drive contest we are doing for Heaven's Loft, (the beneficiary of the concert ticket sales). We want to sell out the house, so if you are in the NLR area or in driving distance, please consider attending. Tickets are $10, so you can't beat that with a stick, and it makes a great family friendly event. And the youth group that donates the most diapers gets a pizza party and a meet and greet with Chris. It will be a great night...don't miss it!

And on another note entirely, I guess I get to cook twice next week. My oldest is coming in on Tues. night as he has to work on Thanksgiving Day, so I'm going to try and cook a mini Thanksgiving meal for him. Then we have to take chicken and dressing to my MIL's house, as it is a request from my family. So lots to do, in addition to two reviews I have scheduled for Mon. and Tues. ARGH!

I have to teach my first workshop tomorrow night...I'm a little nervous about that. It's a 6 hour workshop I have to cut down to 3 hours, so it's going to be a bit challenging. My co-worker, Betty, is going with me to assist, so I'll have backup, which is always good.

I spent some time tonight consoling a dear friend who quit her job after taking much berating from her boss from the last several months. This was her re-entry into the work force in a new field, and this has not been a good experience for her. I'm hoping and praying a fresh start after the first of the year will be just what she needs to renew her self-confidence and get her back in the game.

OK, that's all the time I have for this evening. Back to my workshop preparation. More later!

I'M SO EXCITED!

Well, folks that know me know I am a fan of Chris Sligh, a top ten finalist from season 6 of American Idol. He's writing and performing in the contemporary Christian genre, and has put out an incredible album called "Running Back to You." You may have heard his hit single, "Empty Me" on K-LOVE and other Christian radio stations. I've been wanting him to come to Arkansas for awhile now, especially after making drives to OK and AL to see him perform.

My wish has come true! I'm a member of the Junior League of North Little Rock, actually a sustaining member, as I "retired" from active service in May. I've been in for eleven years, and it has been a passion of mine. I love the League and what it has done for the community through the years. Nancy, our president, asked me one day if I thought we might could get Chris to come and do a concert for a League fundraiser, and I told her I had no idea, but I'd ask.

Long story short, he said yes! Chris and his band will be coming to Central Baptist Church in North Little Rock on Saturday, January 17th, 2009. This is an incredible opportunity for the Junior League....this will actually be a benefit for our signature project, Heaven's Loft. We have a store where low income families of young children can spend vouchers (received at pre-natal visits, well baby checkups, immunizations, etc.) on items such as diapers, wipes, infant and toddler clothing, etc. Diapers are our number one most requested commodity, and we're also having a diaper drive for church and school youth groups and the winning group will have a pizza party the night of the concert and Chris will make an appearance.

On top of all this, several of my friends from Chris's blog are going to make the trip to AR for the event. Which means, this girl has got to get off the computer and get started with some major housecleaning. Yes, I know we're three months out. I hope it's enough time. 'Nuff said. : )