I attended a Winter Jam tour spectacular last night and it blew my mind! It was definitely one of the best, if not the best, concert I have ever attended! All the artists did an amazing job getting the crowd involved and leading a rocked-out worship experience! I believe there were 2,809 people who accepted Christ into their lives and that was an all-time record for any Winter Jam concert.
Groups that entertained were Mercy Me, Skillet, Barlow Girl, New Song, and Mandisa ~ and more.
People of all ages were in the crowd, which I would estimate to be close to 10,000 ~ it was jam packed and the wait outside in the bitter-winter weather was worthwhile and thank goodness the snake of a line that had many bends leading to the coliseum entrance was slow moving and not standing still most of the time. It was around 15 degrees ~ definitely not over 20 degrees and the journey took about an hour (smile). My friend and I laughed because of creating a memory that would be carved within the recesses of our minds forever and yet not knowing, at that particular time, what awaited in the awesome sound of sanctioned music and spiritual experience.
I might add that this particular concert closed a work week that was one of the most emotionally charged ever; and I give thanks and sing praises to my Lord for placing them together, so I could be lifted to a higher ground. I have two work buddies who hold key positions ~ they are very close friends and have been going through health challenges for quite some time. This week unfolded a complete diagnosis for Carla who had been diagnosed with lung cancer; and we thought it to be not-so-aggressive but in just two months time it has spread from her lungs to her lymph nodes, spine and brain ~ all of this news was going on around us while in a very fast-paced work environment ~ Then Cathy, who has been in the hospital for about a week awaiting a heart transplant, had begun internal bleeding ~ the doctors have been running many tests in a process of elimination and when I left work yesterday, she was still in surgery having a lymph node removed to determine if she might have leukemia ~ if any fatal illness resides in her body, she will not be eligible for the heart.
All in all, God is good and I give him all the glory for my recent experience and continue to pray for my friends who have a fighting spirit to live but have also accepted their circumstances which may bring a different outcome.
I am attaching a Mercy Me link only because they played last and it was so, so wonderful ~ in the sidelines of this U-tube there are additional songs besides "Homesick." "Here With Me" is so awesome also.
And thank you, Nik, my dear Aussie friend, for continuing to bring a glorious closure to my day for posting such a beautiful poem dedicated to me ~ just another affirmation, that you can never out give God ~ he is truly AWESOME ~ in the midst of our sorrow, he never fails to bring us JOY...
I post this because of my love of Jesus and the awesome music he sends our way at the most unexpected moments. Carla passed away shortly after I wrote this article, and I still think of all the things she used to do and say that would have me laughing for days and days ~ she was a rascal and had a strong will to live but God had another plan. My friend, Cathy, lives on with her new heart in an amazing way with her new husband.
I added later another U-tube because of the many people who are barely holding on for one reason or another and that is what this musical video is about ~ I did have a friend that took her life over this past Labor Day holiday ~ amazing how some who are sick have such strong wills to live but die and those that are sick choose to end their own lives. I know that Julie had been to a clinic and was to return for more testing before taking her own life with an undiagosed illness but I am guessing Parkinsons (a very young woman and we just never know what people are experiencing in their lives).
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12.
The author of this article has chosen to make this article available with free reprint rights. Click here to copy this article.
Powerful and heartfelt Suzy. I won't try to add more to what you have eloquently written. I will only say thank you for allowing us a view of this amazing journey that God has taken you and your friends on --- Carla's life isn't over, it's just beginning. Blessings to you sister.
» left by Richard (Ricardo) from MW-USA (10 days 2 hours ago.)
Suz, I have always heard you rave about an Elton John concert you attended several years back and did so love the videos of Mercy Me. I also admire Mandisa (our American Idol Princess). I know that you were experiencing some rough times backthen and find it wonderful that God blessed you with such an event.
(((((Love & Hugs))))) Richard (Ricardo)
See you soon but there will absolutely be no picking of veggies from the neighbor's garden.
Hi Richard ~ I am amazed that you remembered me raving about the Elton John Concert. Truly, truly, it was an outstanding concert but so was the Winter Jam ~ wish you could have been at both and glad you enjoyed the You Tubes as a sample of Mercy Me's part of the concert. I agree about Mandisa ~ I have put many of her songs on my site and presently have a You Tube of "God Speaking." She is an awesome talent and so glad they discovered her. Blessings! Suzy
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
(27 days 22 hours ago.)
(27 days 8 hours ago.)
