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June 2009 Vol 1, Issue 17
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Keynotes from Carole
Mentionable Ministry Mishaps
Humor is the great
thing, the saving thing.
The minute it
crops up, all our irritations and resentments
slip away and a sunny spirit
takes their place.
Mark Twain
(1835 - 1910)
Putting yourself out there has its
risks. The heart is pumped with
excitement, the brain is focused, and then, wham! The unexpected attention-grabber turns a
well-prepared message into a comedy routine! Laugh with me as I share some hilarious
experiences.
Several of my mishaps have occurred on
live TV. While cameras were rolling, I've had
earrings drop off, moths upstage me in front of the lens, and a set backdrop
crash to the floor. During one of my
tender-hearted ballads, viewers were distracted by my fluorescent red tongue;
the result of finishing a cherry cough drop before going on. When attempting to sing with cue cards, the assistant was
behind in displaying the words to my first verse. I proceeded to make up my own lyrics on
the spot and when the lyrics did appear, I made them rhyme with whatever words I had
just sung.
In contrast to singing
on camera, a live audience is right there in front of you looking back!
A church, located next to a fire
station, picked up a distress call and mixed the audio in with my solo. An event planner got confused with the
schedule so I heard my introduction with huge welcoming applause over the small wall-mounted
speaker in the rest room. In less than a
minute, the congregation saw me bolt through the side door with paper towel in
hand chirping, "Yoo hoo, I'm here!" The
audio tech worked around me to attach and thread the mic while I attempted to
make gracious opening remarks.
Such mentionable mishaps can only be
rivaled by my close encounters with critters.
During a Sunday morning service, a ground
squirrel tore straight across the sanctuary carpet to the front pew where I was
seated. Jetting my feet straight out, I voiced
"Whee" as the petrified fuzzy ran
directly under my seat. Somehow, the
dignified introduction that I'd just received had lost its credibility.
Aviating bugs lodged in my teeth at a Fourth
of July concert in the park. At another
event, this time in a long formal, a fly darted in as my jaw dropped for the magnificent
high note. It buzzed around and zoomed
out. Was that a critique?
Cows on the other hand, love my
singing! At a small country church
surrounded by a large field, the local herd gathered just outside the open
windows. Contented and seeming to sway
to my music, they were obviously mooooved.
At one of my most memorable Sunday services,
I had just finished the last note of a very sensitive and meditative song of
worship. My eyes were closed and the
congregation softly voiced an appreciative "Mmmm." That serene and reflective moment was suddenly
disrupted by a POP! Stunned by the
interruption, I also realized that I had just received a big smack on my rear
and immediately looked to my left. A
deacon was alternately bowing and backing off with a rolled up church bulletin
in his hand. I skittishly turned forward
to the motionless dropped-jaw congregation and rather dazed myself, turned back
to the deacon. He continued to bow and back
away apologetically explaining that he wanted to protect me from that bee! My timid voice responded, "Oh, thank you.............I
think." The congregation, still half
shocked, slightly tittered. Considering for
a couple of breaths what had just happened, I slowly rotated forward and proclaimed
with my loudest voice, "All I can say is.....I BEE--LIEVE!" The entire church, except for the swatter,
broke into uproarious laughter that lasted for several minutes. I, the
swattee, upon exiting the platform noticed quite a few dead bees on the floor in
the choir loft. It made me wonder if, at
a previous service, the entire choir had been rear-ended.
I have yet to hear a dog howl in one of
my concerts but since I've set off several in rehearsals, it's always a
possibility.
Crashing sets, unplanned
introductions, or misguided squirrels and bugs can't fully prepare us for
whatever may smack us next. Putting yourself
out there does have its risks but I've found the attention-grabbing mishaps to be
great blessings that add immensely to the entire adventure of serving God.
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart
trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song.
Psalm 28:7 NIV
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Receive one FREE copy of CELEBRATE THE LORD - Contemporary Christian Classics (a $15.95 value)Enjoy this fabulous re-release of Carole's popular ten-song collection including Praise to the King, Sing to the Lord,We Will See Him as He Is, Amazing Grace, People Need the Lord, Somewhere It's Snowing, and How Excellent is Thy Name!Celebrate the Lord will automatically be sent with
your online order of $29.95 or more plus shipping at: Carole Brewer Products
Offer valid for orders received on or before June 30th, 2009.
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Visit online for audio samples.
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