What makes you sing...part 3

And the winner is...We need to challenge and encourage each other to do that which we love not just that which helps us to survive. Below is an article telling about Paul's life before he got the guts to try out for "Britain's Got Talent" show.



Potts enjoys wild ride from penury to opera star
By Michelle NicholsReuters Wednesday, October 24, 2007; 2:34 PM
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Just five months ago, amateur opera singer Paul Potts was mired in debt and selling cell phones in Britain. Now he has a hit album and is due to tour the world.
Potts, a stocky 37-year-old Englishman with crooked teeth, entered and won the "Britain's Got Talent" television show in June in front of more than 13 million viewers and then signed a recording deal reportedly worth $2 million.
His debut album, "One Chance," has topped charts around the world including Britain, Australia and New Zealand.
"I have done more things in the last four months than I would ever have expected to do in my whole lifetime," Potts told Reuters in an interview. "It's mind-boggling."
Now his teeth are fixed, although he vows he won't end up with a "full mouth of veneers," he wears designer suits instead of the $70 suit he donned for his initial audition and he is ready to crack the United States.
"One Chance" was released in America on September 18 and has already sold nearly 70,000 copies. He has appeared on television's "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and filmed an appearance for "The Oprah Winfrey Show" due to be broadcast next month.
"I never believed that I would end up doing this for a living," said Potts. "I wasn't sure whether I really had it because I always felt that to get anywhere in it I would need to have proper formal training and I couldn't afford that."
Potts said he had been singing most of his life and had private lessons "when I could afford them."
He also used hard-earned savings to spend a couple of months training in Italy, where he had the chance to sing for one of opera's greatest tenors, Luciano Pavarotti, who died in September.
CINDERELLA STORY
After his performance, Pavarotti told Potts "not to run out of breath at the end of an important phrase" and then asked him to sing again.
"I was the only one who got to sing twice," said Potts, who used to perform in unpaid amateur operas.
When he returned to Britain, Potts said he sent off some tapes to agents. But nobody even acknowledged receiving them, so he figured he wasn't good enough.
Then he suffered a string of health problems -- a burst appendix, a tumor on his adrenal gland and a broken collarbone when he was knocked off his bike by a car -- that crippled him financially and stopped him from singing altogether.
"We were literally using credits cards to buy food," said Potts, who lives in Port Talbot, in south Wales, with his wife Julie-Ann. He said his success has allowed the couple to pay off nearly $80,000 in debts.
Now he struggles to comprehend why so many people want to see him perform. His appearance in Denmark last month drew tens of thousands of people even though he sang only two songs.
"That's bonkers, that's just crazy ... . Are they mad?" he said.
Next year Potts will tour Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Scandinavia singing songs from "One Chance," which includes "Nessun Dorma," known as Pavarotti's most famous aria.
As well as more traditional opera fare, his album includes some unusual arrangements -- a Spanish rendition of Frank Sinatra's "My Way" and an R.E.M. hit, "Everybody Hurts," translated into Italian and sung in an operatic style.
"At the time I was unconvinced. But I never ever say no to something until I have tried it. In the end it turned out quite well, it's one of my favorites," he said of the R.E.M. song.
As for the next album, which he hopes to start working on next year: "I always used to enjoy doing Queen on karaoke."
"One that would work really well is 'Who Wants to Live Forever,' a classic tune," he said.

What makes you sing...part 2

Here is the second part of the story. The first part tells some of his story and his words are very powerful. During the performance, I find watching the woman judge's face to be very telling. Though there is no mention of God at all and Paul doesn't speak of Christ, the power of the message in these videos is how Paul could have continued to sell phones all his life and not realized the full potential of his gifts had he not gotten a nudge to share the gift that is everything to him when everything else is nothing. It's amazing.

What makes you sing...Part 1

What you are about to see is amazing. I am going to include a couple more videos make sure you look at each of them in order. To me, I hear it saying to trust in God and those whom God sends to us to reveal God's gift in our lives that can be used to bring blessings to the world.
What gifts do you have that God wants you to share? For Paul it was an issue of low self-esteem. How powerful it is when one or many celebrate with us the gifts that God has given to each of us. If it's not singing, what is within you that needs to get out?

What a great day of worship

As part of my leave, whenever possible I like to worship in a local church. Prior to arriving in Lincoln, NH I "googled" for a local church and found some UMC's in Plymouth, Bethlehem, Concord, and a couple of other towns. Upon arriving, as I often do, I looked through some local papers and other information looking for coupons, places to travel, and other activities that might of interest while we rest. Looking through one of the papers I found a listing of local churches and found the Thornton UMC listed. It was a new location for me and I found it to be closer than any of the others. I headed out at 8:15 for a 9 am worship service. Upon arrival I found very few cars and a gentleman outside the door talking with one lady. As I approached the building he extended his hand and greeted me. "We may be small but we've got a big heart" was his comment. There was a smile on his face and he looked happy to see me.

As I headed in the door I was greeted by the pastor, Rev. R. Hanson. I had no idea that he was serving as pastor in this church. We've known each other for years and after greeting each other I met his wife, we talked about the church, and a few other things. I then moved through the small entrance area and entered the wonderful and simple sanctuary that was built in 1866. I immediately felt the warmth physically (they were anticipating a cool fall day) and fellowshiply (a new word) of the people. I took up my place, it looked unclaimed, and waited with the other 15 people in attendance. The service began and Rev. Hanson introduced me and explained that though they were a small church they were indeed filled with the Spirit.

During the worship service we sang many songs, prayed for a variety of folks - local and internationally, and listened to a sermon about "hitting the brick wall". The organist told me after the service that he played all of the wind instruments and loved Jazz. During one of the songs we sang I found myself caught in the emotions of the song just as the author had intended and it was a great feeling. When it was time to leave I felt that I had definitely worshiped and that God had blessed all who were present.

What did I learn from this experience?

1. Publicity, even if only in a free publication is essential. Had they not placed their information in the paper I would not have known they existed and would not have had the honor of worshiping with them. We need to let people know we are out there so that those who are searching will be able to find us.


2. Google maps is a good way to find a location but having signs along the road is also helpful. Again, they had one just when I was beginning to wonder and as a result I got there without getting lost.


3. Many churches have greeters but how many are outside the church holding the door for people to enter. Instead of asking people to come in alone to where we are willing to greet them, how much more open is it to meet them before they have to cross that thresh hold alone?


4. Celebrate your church. When the young man and the pastor acknowledged that they were a smaller church they didn't stop there but rather said with joy that God was definitely in that place. It wasn't just words, it was real. How do we tell people about our churches? About our programs? If we don't have anything to celebrate, why not? What is God calling us to do with what we have been given? God asked Moses what he had in his hand and with that staff Moses led the people to freedom.


5. Worship doesn't have to be perfect but excellence is something that we should always strive for. We may not sound like an amazing choir but if we are singing with our hearts God hears only the beauty and glory of the notes!


6. Smaller churches can't be measured in the same way that larger churches (over 75 in worship). So how do we do that? We need to find out just how to measure the importance of the presence of a worshiping community in a small town and not get caught up in whether or not they can afford to pay for a pastor.


7. If we are willing and open, God not only walks with us but lives in us and through God does amazing things. God certainly blessed this individual on Sunday in a very special place. As was noted, it's not about the size it's about the Spirit.

Again, a very special thank you to the folks of the Thornton UMC for welcoming and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with me through their words, worship, attitudes, and actions.

Ok...enough talking...it's time to walk the walk. Are you ready to go?

We're in the White Mountains for a week...

Over the past couple of days we've taken a couple of walks through the White Mountains and I thought I'd share a couple of pictures. The first day we went to the Norway Rapids and yesterday it was the Greeley Ponds. We are so blessed by all that God has created!

Enemies....

"I would like for you to pray for those who are currently attempting to do us harm in our business and marriage. This is a hard prayer request but God says we should pray for our enemies." ~A prayer request from Jean, NV~ Although Jesus says it and we've gotten countless thousands of prayer requests, this was the FIRST one that followed the command at "Wings over the mountains of life", an electronic daily devotional.

This morning as I turned on the television I came across Newt Gingrich (Speaker of the US House from 1995-1999) talking about Franklin Roosevelt going on television and inviting the people of the nation to pray with him, which he did for over 9 minutes. Newt noted that FDR asked for prayers for the US men fighting in WWII but he also noted that the enemy was evil. I then went into my daily devotionals which I receive each morning when I open my email and this was there. I felt it was a message that I needed to share.

Here are some questions on this morning...who are our enemies? Who are those we believe are trying to do us harm as individuals, communities, nations, etc? When was the last time we asked God to watch over them, to guide them, to breakdown the walls of evil that may surround them, to heal them, to give us clarity to understand why they are doing such things?

To whom are we being enemies? Who feels threatened by us? When was the last time we asked for forgiveness for feelings that oppress, that hurt, that silence, that frighten those around us? Not just as individuals but also as a church, a community, a nation.

Today may we pray for all people, not just friends for that is easy and not just for ourselves for that can be selfish but for those with whom we are angry or afraid or oppressing and those around us for whom a prayer will be the most positive part of their day or may be just what changes their entire life.

Waiting for our souls to catch up...

Ruth Fry was a distinguished explorer who was working in the Amazon with natives as guides and bearers. On one trip, the party made extraordinary progress through the jungle for the first two days. On the third day, however, the natives were just sitting around looking solemn and making no preparations for further travel. The chief explained that the natives couldn't go any further because," they have to wait for their souls to catch up to their bodies." (Sent to me by a friend with whom I traveled in Turkey)

Traveling 3000 miles through Turkey in 12 days with all the sites to see was amazing. At times we be in bed early hoping that a little rest would make the next day's journey a little easier. Other times we sit in the bus for hours wondering if we'd ever get to where we were going. Still, at the end of the trip I felt that my soul needed to catch up. I needed that time to rest, to reflect, to connect with my home, my family, and my friends. As I get ready to return to work in just a couple of weeks I am afraid that I will return to some old working habits and never allow my soul to catch up with my body. God rested on the 7th day. John Wesley always took time to read and to pray. I've got friends who always make time to slow down even in their hectic lives. Is it possible in mine where chaos seems to bring out the best in me? I'm working on a schedule to make time and to break old habits. It won't be easy, but as always, just as God provided the friend who sent the message, God has provided phenomenal leadership at the church so that I can focus on what God has, and is creating, and not just the chaos that is floating out there like a formless void.

We need to take time each day to let our soul catch up to us and more importantly to feed that soul on the Word of God, which quenches all thirst and is indeed the bread of heaven.

A woman...

This is written in the Hebrew Talmud, the book where all of the sayings and preaching of Rabbis are conserved over time. It says: "Be very careful if you make a woman cry, because God counts her tears. The woman came out of a man's rib. Not from his feet to be walked on. Not from his head to be superior, but from the side to be equal. Under the arm to be protected, and next to the heart to be loved."

I remember hearing people quote the scriptures years ago as to how a man and woman should live as husband and wife. It seemed that the woman was supposed to serve the man, not as an equal but rather as a "wife" (as though that was a lower class of humanity...). I even used to make jokes of where a woman's rightful place should be and now I understand why most women were offended by such language. Oh the misdirected ways of youth!

I've since come to know that the texts talk of how a man should love a woman as Christ loves the church - unconditionally, always serving, listening, holding, sharing, and so many other things that Christ does for us. But the words above speak to more than just the woman we marry, it speaks to how we should treat all women. How are we doing in that area? How is the world doing? What are we doing about making it better? About making it equal? Anyone got any thoughts?

Celebrating two women...

This past Sunday at 2pm in two different towns the lives of two women who never met were celebrated. One I have known since my youngest memories and the other only came into my life over the past three years. Both brought gifts that blessed my life in ways that I am still opening and enjoying to the fullest. Linda Ellis wrote a poem years ago that I thought of when I tried to figure a way to celebrate these two ladies. You may have read it but maybe not. To me it's a call for each of us to live our lives in a way that honors and praises God who created us, Jesus who loves us, and the Holy Spirit who guides us. Today I celebrate Esther and Joyce with these words...thanks to both of you!

"I read of a man who stood up to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone

from the beginning to the end.
He noted that first came her date of birth

and spoke the following date with tears.
But said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time

that she had spent alive on the earth.
And now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash --
What matters most is how we live and love

and how we spend our dash.
So think about it long and hard . . .

are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough to consider what is true and real,
And try to understand the way other people feel.
Be less quick to anger and show appreciation more,
And love the people in our lives like we've never loved them before.
Treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile,
Remembering this special dash might only last a while.
So when your eulogy is being read, with your life's actions to rehash,
Would you be proud of the things they say,

about how you spent your dash?"

We made it home!

Sorry it's taken so long to write again!! I do want to report that we made it safely back to the US on the 30th of September arriving at JFK airport at about 4:30pm Belfast time or 11:30pm Turkey time. Our luggage weighed considerably more on the return trip though we didn't go overboard in buying gifts. Some we will be sharing with the church and others with friends. As we walked into the airport I was struck by the many different languages I was still hearing but also by the signs and conversations that I could now understand. I loved the experience of being in someone else's home but it was really good to get back home!

We made it through customs without a problem - though just like in Belize they asked if I had ever been to New Mexico because evidently a "David Abbott" has and they want to talk with him - and headed to Jet Blue to wait for our flight to Portland that was leaving at 9:55pm. Talk about a long lay over!

Being hungry we went to "cheeseburger, cheeseburger" and ordered cheeseburgers!! Greasy, fatty, and delicious! I got the serious one and Lisa was far smarter and went a little smaller. The clock finally ticked 9:55 and we headed for Portland. I am assuming we had a smooth take off because after being awake for some 22.5 hours I fell asleep before we left the ground and didn't wake up until we were over Maine!

We loaded the car and drove to Belfast, arriving at 1:35am - just short of 18 days after we had headed for our adventure in Turkey. It wasn't until 3am that we went to sleep and then got up at 9am with the hopes of readjusting quicker....needless to say it has taken a few days to really get back in the swing of things...

Don't worry, I've got plenty of adventures from Turkey to share and a few reflections as well. I am still trying to understand the impact of this adventure and blessing that we had from, and with, God.

On a note...thanks to the many who have followed along and kept us in your prayers during this time. It's been very powerful to be able to share it with you and to feel surrounded by God's love through you!

Second note - the picture is taken on one of the roads that Paul would have used in the community known as Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22). There are chariot tracks that have worn into the stones! It's also hear that we found a great many sea shells...which is amazing because the place is so dry! However in the first century it was a very fertile place with the water much closer than today!