Giving the World a Holiday!

Every year, as I prepare for Portraits of White, I'm always amazed by the new theme that emerges. Certain song lyrics call out to me and say, "this is why you are doing the show".  This year the phrase is; "give the world a holiday that's bright as can be". That's what I plan to do with the concert this weekend. 

It's a crazy, busy world out there and as we get closer to Christmas we all long for a chance to take a deep breath to gear up for the day that is meant to bring joy. But for many people Christmas Day feels pretty empty and lonely. Many folks just "try to make it through" to the New Year. We plan to give folks the breather they are longing for with lots of great music, laughs and even lights, to brighten up the world here in South Central Pennsylvania.

Friday morning I went over to the venue early in the morning to go through the whole concert without all the other players, fancy lights and pretty dresses. I don't know how to turn on the lights in this big auditorium, so I figured I could just walk slowly and let my eyes adjust to the darkness.  I made my way to the platform, in the dark, down the center aisle, up the steep steps to the stage and shuffled across the stage (arms extended to buffer myself from objects) toward the grand piano hoping there weren't any mic stands or monitors that were repositioned after rehearsal the night before.

I made it safely to the piano and decided I'd practice the whole show from that stationary position. No need to be walking around in the dark more than necessary. I turned on the little stand lights at the piano and that was all I needed to get started with the show. I couldn't see a thing except for the piano keys and all the EXIT signs in the room. At least I know where the exits are, even if I can't see how to get to them.

The strangest thing happened though. The longer I played the piano and told my stories to the empty room, the more my eyes adjusted to the dark. In fact, I became so used to the dark that within twenty minutes or so, I could see the stage and felt confident enough to actually walk around. It's always good to take some time getting used to the layout of the stage where you're giving a concert. It's like familiarizing yourself with all the controls in a rental car. It makes the trip a lot more relaxing if you "know" where everything is. I went from shuffling around on stage to actually feeling quite comfortable and confident in the dark.

An hour or two into my rehearsal the facility manager arrived and asked if I wanted some lights on. I was so used to the dark that I declined. I kind of like the solitude and quiet before the BIG weekend. I don't know why a dark room feels more quiet, but it just does. 

As I stood on the stage looking out over the empty seats, I couldn't help but wonder how many times I've allowed myself to "get used to living in the dark" when it comes to some areas of my life. The things is, in the darkness, objects that could be useful to me actually pose as a threat because I don't bother to turn on the lights or allow someone else to turn the lights on for me. In fact, in the dark, everything can be dangerous. But if you sit there long enough, you'll get used to the dark and think it's normal.

I believe that we've created something special with Portraits of White—and I say "we" because there is a whole team behind this extravagant concert experience. People still say, "It's YOUR show"—meaning, do what YOU want, but there are so many people who have come alongside me to make this dream come true and so I no longer see it as "my show". We plan to really give the world a holiday that's bright as can be, especially for those who might have become accustomed to sitting in the dark.

For tickets to see Portraits of White, click HERE!

"The Elephant Diet" Day # 120 A String of Lights

Christmas lights in July at the cabin across from mine at Camp Lamar.

Christmas in July. It's a common expression.

It's a reality for me, here at Lamar Lighthouse Camp.

The cabin across from me decided to hang a string of Christmas lights this week. The owners have all of my CD projects (bless their souls) and seem to be eagerly waiting for the Christmas CD to be done.

Sunday night I ended my concert here with my rendition of Joy to the World on the piano and received a standing ovation. I hardly knew what to do. This is the second time in a matter of weeks that I have ended my concert with that song and received a standing ovation. Guess I better start coming up with an encore.

Next day, as I was strolling across the campgrounds I heard a loud "Christmas in July" cheer and saw my dear fan hanging the lights. Perfect!

It is so symbolic of this Christmas journey. The plastic cord is the vision of the dream. The individual lights represent the people along the way who are lighting my path with their personal flashes of light. Eventually, I will have a complete string of lights to share with the world.

Here are a couple of examples of the way people are lighting my path with their lights:

Before landing in St. Louis, MO recently, I had begun to sense a stirring to start spending 5 minutes a day in prayer about this show.

Light # 1:

* a woman in St. Louis, MO took my card at the breakfast where I led worship and told me she was going to hang it on her fridge and begin praying for the vision of my show. She told me not to underestimate the power of this dream and to not limit God on this journey.

(Her encouragement to me caused me to realize I really needed to take this seriously and begin heeding the urge to pray daily about it)

Light # 2:

* I was riding in a shuttle from the Grand Rapids, MI airport later that same week and met a woman who is now having her book published because she obeyed her nudges. She sensed God nudging her to write her story. She complained to Him that she had a job, a husband and children. When would she ever find time to write her story? When He asked her "how about 5 a.m.", she said "yes", though I could tell that wasn't a great time for her. But she beamed with excitement at the results. When I heard the fruit of her perseverance, that sealed it for me. I was now sure (as sure as a human can be) that God is indeed nudging me to pray, so I have started doing that every day.

How can you be someone's light in their string of lights? You might just be one bulb, but when it all comes together, it will light someone's home and you will have been part of it!

I might hang lights this year with a whole new perspective!