|
March 2002 Table of Contents
A View From The Front Lines
News, Views and Travelin' Shoes
By Kirk Lyons
 Greetings again from the land where Interstates end, Waterways begin and time moves slower than many places. That applies to most unless you work for J&J Music, it's January and you have a short window of time until Easter. I was talking with Jerry the other day and he commented on how amazing it was to have a quarterly magazine that seems to have article deadlines due each month. Praise God for busy times.
I need to take a minute to brag on our folks. We have been at J&J just over 18 month's yet still find ourselves amazed by the incredible team Jackie and Jerry have surrounded themselves with. They are the most humble, selfless people I have ever met. They are human and sometimes make mistakes, but know that nothing is more important to them than serving all of you through the ministry of music. This is never more evident than during these busy times. Thanks folks you make my job easy!
I am also humbled each day by all of you, our incredible partners in the ministry. Your love, concern and commitment to this company is unparalleled by anything I have ever experienced before. We are truly the family of God. Thanks for allowing us to be a small part of your ministries around the globe.
I was able to break away from the office this January to attend our conference in Houston for the first time. Seems we've been visiting there for some 20 or so years and this would be our last for now. We had prayed for months about a new opportunity in San Antonio for next year. With that new location being confirmed I did not want to miss this event. I know you always try to end things with a bang and after talking to many of you feel God accomplished that perfectly. It was great to hear that many of you considered it to be one of the best Houston events ever. Melinda and the rest of the team work endless hours on these events and your compliments always heal the tired backs and aching feet. My prayer is that all of you that attended Houston, Memphis or Columbia left different than you came. That in these places you found rest, renewal and encountered the living God through His Spirit that so freely moves about. How awesome it will be to praise God for eternity yet share a glimpse into that now here on earth.
I have some more to say about my time in Houston but before I do I had better mention some things about Easter. As always you will see our most recent top sellers on the following page. Remember by recent, we mean when this article had to be finished. So they are actually our best sellers from January. Congratulations to Chris Machen and all the folks at Lillenas Publishing for their incredible work "Bow The Knee". It is by far and away our bestseller for the Easter Holiday Season. I have seen this premiered several times and am still brought to tears each time. Looking beyond Easter, Alan Publishing has again brought to us an incredible work with the release of their first collection. "Live What I Believe" is a work that can be used anytime of the year and has the versatility to reach a wide ranch of audiences. I have a small quantity of CD preview packs that I can send you for free if you e-mail me at kirk.lyons@jjonline.com. The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir's newest collection "Be Glad" will release the beginning of March. God so blesses the faithfulness of Mrs. Carol and this incredible group of humble servants. Contact your favorite sales rep and order your CD preview Pack today. Similarly, Integrity Music has just released the first collection from Alicia Williamson entitled "We Win". If you have enjoyed the music of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, this collection is a must for your music libraries. More than a collection this work is a worship celebration. Call today for more details.
I'll close with a highlight for me at the Houston conference. I was able to take a few minutes and sit in on the devotion time with Tommy Tenny. While holding a simple octavo in his hand he challenged us to look at it as the key to unlocking the veil separating our people from the presence of a Holy God. People are looking for gatekeepers in our troubled times that can open their lives to the power only God can provide. I pray that I never look at a piece of music the same way again. It is so easy during busy times to rush product in, receive it, package it and get it out. Never once during this process realizing the impact this will have on somebody's life when the power of God is released through worship. What an incredible privilege to be used in this way. I hope we never look at a song as simply a performance but instead as keys that will unlock the veil that separates a desperate people from a loving God.
I pray each of you would have the opportunity to attend an event like this sometime this year. Our Branson conference is back in the month of June and being held at one of their premiere resort areas. Gatlinburg will again be at the convention center but our Hotel location has changed. I think you will love the new facility. New York will be back on schedule also this year in late July. After all that has happened to this wonderful city this past year just standing on its streets will be overwhelming. It will also be great to be a part of the celebration at the new Brooklyn Tabernacle worship facilities.
May God's richest blessings be upon you, your families and your ministries. I am heading out tomorrow for a short term missions trip to Daytona Beach, Florida. Seems there is a large group of folks gathering for something called the Daytona 500 that need to hear about Jesus. Pray that we have an impact on at least a few.
I love y'all
Kirk
Looking for a cloud!
Kirk
email Kirk
Back to Top
|
