A Few Days of Rest

I'm taking a few days off this week prior to the staged reading of our new dinner theater "Getaway to Chipaway" which will be presented in Hinesburg, VT next Saturday, Nov. 8.
What a great bunch of people! It's so nice to come together with talented folks who enjoy using their gifts for the Lord. If you're interested in attending, please call 802-879-7182 to check on seating availability.

More next week!

CT Church Offers 'Choices'

Choices, a family oriented program featuring storyteller George Sarris, internationally known mime Dan Cosette and interpretive dancer Katherine Sarris will be presented Nov. 14 at Calvary Church, 498 White Plains Rd., Trumbull, CT. For more information, and to see a video promo, go to http://www.worldsgreateststories.com/choices.

Damien Performance Tonight

Damien, a one-man play written by Aldyth Morris and starring Casey Groves will be presented tonight at 7:30 at St. Joseph's Church,
371 Sixth Ave, New York

It is based on the true story of a missionary priest who risked his life to care for the outcast on the Hawaiian island of Moloka'i. The performance is sponsored by NYU. For information, call 212-741-1274.

Surround Yourself With Godly and Talented People

What a treat is was to have worship leader Rory Noland here in Connecticut this weekend for a Worshiping Artist Retreat. Worship leaders and artists from New England got to network and find out about the ministries of other Christian artists in the area while focusing on God and worship. What a way to spend a Saturday! For more information about Rory, go to http://www.heartoftheartist.org.

We're looking forward to another opportunity to serve with artists at the staged reading of our new dinner theater "Getaway to Chipaway," a story with original music about three families who find friendship and some answers to jumping life's hurdles when they vacation at a family camp.

The reading will take place Saturday, Nov. 8 at Community Alliance Church in Hinesburg, VT. If you're interested in presenting this outreach dinner theater at your church and would like a perusal copy after available after Dec. 1, contact us at masterworkproductions@yahoo.com.

Here are some other exciting things taking place in Christian Arts:
-- Max McLean's Screwtape Letters has been extended through Nov. 23 at the Mercury theater in Chicago. For tickets or more information call 773.325.1700

-- Jason Hatley, pastor of worship arts at the Journey Church in New York offers a free webinar on how to overcome the Top 3 challenges that Worship Leaders face, including:
1. How to develop a personal growth plan to ensure leadership and effectiveness at the highest level
2. How to Maximize the Pastor / Worship Pastor Relationship
3. How to plan life-transforming worship services every week
For information contact cristina@churchleaderinsights.com

How to Overcome Discouragement

Discouragement is in the air. Last week we had two postings on encouragement and they seem to have hit home with many of you. Maybe it's the election season or the financial chaos on Wall Street (or in your own bill paying file). Maybe it's feeling like you can't connect at church or wondering whether you're on the right career track. Whatever causes you to stumble into discouragement can be counteracted. Encouragement is the cure for discouragement, but sometimes, when your eyes are fixed on what's got you down, it's hard to see other things that could distract you and allow a refocus.
Here's some practical advice from Pastor Rick Warren on how to fight discouragement:

Don’t Quit

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay.” Hebrews 10:36-37 (NIV)

If you’re discouraged because of God’s delay in answering your prayers, understand the delay is NOT a denial. Just because the answer or the miracle hasn’t come – yet – that doesn’t mean God isn’t going to answer or that he’s forgotten you or that he doesn’t care about you. It simply means “not yet!”

Spiritual maturity is knowing the difference between “no” and “not yet,” between a denial and a delay. The Bible tells us, “He who is coming will come and will not delay” (Hebrews 10:37 NIV).

The delay may be a test of your patience. Anybody can be patient once. And, anybody can be patient twice. And, just about anybody can be patient three times. So God tests you patience over and over and over.

Why? To see how patient you are?

No, he does it to show you how patient you are. So you’ll know what’s inside of you, and you’ll be able to know your level of commitment. God tests you so that you can know he is faithful, even if the answers you seek are delayed.

If you’re discouraged, turn it around by remembering God teaches you patience during delay. Ask him to transform your discouragement into patience.

You may be going through difficult times right now and feel like dropping off the planet. You’re discouraged because the situation you face seems unmanageable, unreasonable, or unfair.

It may seem unbearable and inside you’re basically saying, “God, I can’t take it anymore. I just can’t take it anymore!”

But you can.

You can stay with it longer because God is with you. He’ll enable you to press on. Remember, you are never a failure until you quit.

Don’t quit. Resist discouragement and finish the race God has set before you.

© 2008 Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved. Used here with permission.

Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., one of America's largest and best-known churches. In addition, Rick is author of the New York Times bestseller The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose Driven Church, which was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th Century. He is also founder of Pastors.com, a global Internet community for ministers. For a free subscription to The Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotional via email, go to
https://www.saddlebackresources.com/en-US/MyAccount/Login.htm

NY Times Article Explores Conservative Theater

There's a great article in the New York Times discussing the dearth of a conservative voice in theater and quoting Christian in Theatre Arts Director Dale Savidge and "The Hiding Place" star Jeanette Clift George, director of the A.D. players in Houston. See it at http://www.nyttimes.com/2008/10/15/theater/15thea.html?8dpc

Some More Thought on Encouragement

Chuck Neighbors, an actor with a blessed performing arts ministry, Master's Image Productions, based in Oregon, had these inspired words about encouragement this week:

I believe what I am doing is my "calling" both professionally and spiritually speaking. But sometimes I wonder... I wonder "is what I am doing really making a difference?" I think thoughts like: "If I stopped doing this tomorrow, would anybody notice (other than my wife, of course)?" You even start to question the calling... "Did I get it right? What if it wasn't God's voice I heard back then? What if...."

I know the questions are not unique to my profession--I am sure we all have those moments in life.

The other day I arrived home after yet another weekend of travel to find these words in my email inbox:

"I attended a recent performance of your adaptation of In His Steps in 29 Palms, California. I have to tell you that I didn't quite know what to expect when they told me that there would be a performance on Sunday. I didn't know if it would be cheesy, unprofessional, outdated, or just impractical. But I must say that I was not only impressed, but inspired. It was done very well and you definitely got your point across. If In His Steps was that life-changing for me, I can't help but think what it and your other presentations might do for others."

This was just what I needed to hear. When you travel, perform, and then leave--you often miss seeing the fruits of your labor. Don't underestimate the impact your words of encouragement can have on the lives of those around you! Your words could be just what they need to hear!

Find out more about Chuck and his performing associates at http://www.mastersimage.com/