March 30, 2009

A few days after I believed on Jesus in December 1976 a guy who I had never really meet stopped by my house and dropped off a few records. I had never heard of the artists but they soon became my life line to another world, a better world for sure. Who were the artists? Paul Clark and Phil Keaggy.

Last week I was invited to jam with both Paul & Phil two of my all-time favorite musicians. I was blessed and stressed at the same time. Bless to be invited and stressed because Phil is in my opinion one of the greatest guitar player alive!!! WOW. But I found both these men to be great men of faith and honor. I had a blast.

During sound check Phil walks over and says “hey Jimmie, you ever do this”? He’s giving me a guitar lesson on the spot. Needless to say I came home and have been practicing that riff and you know it will show up someplace in my playing.

Paul is one of the best songwriters in not only Christian music but in my mind all of music. He for sure has spoken to my life.

One of the lessons I have learned from being around successful people is that almost all of them have this really outstanding attitude. They are kind, gracious, encouraging and willing to give. I think it is the coolest thing. Being around people like that makes me want to try harder and be better.

Anyway, I heard there was going to be some bootleg YouTube clips leaked out and when they do I will for sure let you know.

Peace,
Jimmie

PS, if you don’t know who Paul Clark & Phil Keaggy are here are their links.

I’ve been on the road this month and MAN it was fabulous. Even after I tell you that I’ve never been colder in my life that this month and it was still fabulous!!!

As in 2008 my friend Mark Gungor invited me to Green Bay, WI for three weekends in a row to help him with a teaching series “How to Beat the Blues”. If the cold in Green Bay wasn’t bad enough I spent last week in Winnipeg and man it was really cold there. I was invited to appear on a TV show “It’s a New Day” and that was a blast.

While in Green Bay ministering at the church we were able to do an “Out of the Box” event in prison. It was the first time that this institution has ever allow anything of this size behind the walls. We were able to do two full concert with altar ministry and it was outstanding.

As we cleared security they gave each of us a visitors id card. In a spontaneous moment while speaking I pointed at one of the men who was wearing an inmate id card and said “how about I trade with you, you take my card and leave and I’ll stay here and do your time”. Needless to say I had his attention and the guards as well. I continued to explain that this is exactly what Jesus did for us all “paid the price for our crime so that we could be free”. It was a powerful moment that I am sure every man there will remember.

Let’s not forget that if it we’re for Jesus, if it wasn’t for Him breaking the chains that held us we would still to this day be bound. I am so glad for the gospel that is the power of God for all mankind.

Here are a couple of pictures from Lambeau Field I had lunch at the stadium t a great place called Curly’s. Next time you’re at a Packer’s game check it out.

Peace….. Jimmie

Well I’ve just finished my third fabulous weekend at Celebration Church in Green Bay, WI by preaching a red hot message. Man was it good, or at least I thought so. The message was titled How to Beat the Blues? So how do you beat the blues? Any way possible… here are three.

1. Sing the Right Song – praise changes everything. Gratitude will keep you healthy read the article “How Faith Can Heal” 2/23 Time Magazine

2. How To Beat the Blues – “Talk to Yourself” I know some of you do this already but do you do it right? Many people talk to themselves in a negative way STOP IT. Start building yourself up instead of tearing yourself down.

3. How To Beat the Blues – “Be Content, 1Tim. 6:6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

Get started…. and beat those blue away….RIGHT NOW…

I did three concerts yesterday two in prison one last night a Cup O Joy in Green Bay, preached twice today and now I’m flying home to hang with Sherri, tomorrow is her birthday. Been gone since 2/13 either in Green Bay or Winnipeg doing TV needless to say I’m looking forward to being home.

Peace,
Jimmie

Love Marriage & Stinking Thinking debuts on TBN today and Dish Network Tuesday!  Jimmie wrote all the music and he and the band perform LIVE on all the episodes. Hosted by pastor, marriage and relationship expert– and very funny guy–Mark Gungor.  Throughout the series, Mark exposes the true source of marriage problems and the flawed notions -or stinking thinking- that shape our expectations of marriage.

Co-Hosted by actress, author Nancy Stafford who engages Mark in a lively discussion from a woman’s perspective.

Jimmie leads a killer house band.  Mark answers the question so many have, “why do you have a blues band on a show about marriage?” the answer “Because it’s a show about marriage”

So tune in every week, and get ready to Laugh and Love your way to a better marriage!

***Set your DVR to record the show every week!***
TBN
Thursdays
9:30pm PST
11:30 PM CST
12:30am EST

Sky Angel 2 on
Dish Network [266]
Tuesdays & Thursdays
7:00pm EST
8:00 PM CST
4:00pm PST

I received this story a couple of days ago, “Just wanted to let you know how much my wife and I enjoyed your concert last night!  We heard about it from a co-worker and friend of mine that is a member of the church.” Somebody invited a friend to a concert and they were ministered to. That’s how it works, the kingdom at its essence is a relationship. Someone tells the story, someone hears it and miracles happen.

We are so thankful for your help, without it we would not be able to do all that we do. We are always pressing on and I wanted to share what is about to happen and ask for your help if you’re able.

We have in front of us a huge opportunity. This opportunity will allow more people to hear our story than ever before and what that means is more people will hear the gospel and know Jesus, why? Because they will know who I am and hear our story. But I need a whole lot of help to make this happen.

So, we are hiring a professional storyteller to help us, Lynn McCain president of McCain & Associates a Nashville based public relations firm whose forte is telling stories. She has done it for many years and is considered by many to be one of the best storytellers in the music industry. This is a huge step of faith for us but after prayer, Sherri and I both feel it is the right time for us to take this step. But we need your help.

The campaign will start February 2nd and run for six months. The monthly cost of the campaign will be $3,000.00 per month. OUCH, I know it is a lot of money but how much is one family worth, one couple that hears our story and their marriage is restored, one life that is saved?

Here is a link to our on-line contribution form. If you would like your contribution set up on a monthly debit system please email my assistant Amanda jatrux AT gmail.com. Look it over, pray, give and help tell the story.

For the harvest,

Jimmie