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In some Good News this week, NEWSBOYS, DELIRIOUS?, CARMAN, & JARS OF CLAY; artist birthdays; upcoming concerts and album releases; Christmas Jokes & Riddles; and much more!

IN THE NEWS:

Just in time for stocking stuffers, NEWSBOYS and JUMP5 are featured on Disney’s new “Extreme Skate Adventure” video game.  According to the game’s manufacturer, kids are immersed in a skateboarding adventure through the worlds of "The Lion King," "Tarzan," and "Toy Story 2."  The video game is available for PlayStation2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube, and Game Boy Advance.  The Newsboys’ "Live In Stereo" and Jump5’s "Spinnin' Around" are highlighted on the game along with tunes from mainstream artists such as LIL' ROMEO and SMASH MOUTH. <><

DELIRIOUS? is offering fans a free download of their song "Majesty (Here I Am)" from their new project to be released in the U.S. this February.  On the band's website visitors can also download album artwork, music tablature, and other MP3s for free!  You can link to the freebies at www.delirious.co.uk or directly at www.artists.mp3s.com/artists/284/delirious1. <><

CARMAN’s "House of Praise" tour had planned on stopping this fall in over 30 cities in Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, Kentucky, and other states to promote his latest album, "House of Praise," on Cross Driven Records.  Many of these concerts were set in smaller theatres and churches (in contrast to the bigger venues on his last tour that drew over one million concertgoers) but were cancelled at the last minute.  Now the legendary CCM artist explains in his newsletter to his ministry partners the reason for these cancellations:  “We always promoted our non-profit concerts ourselves and never went to an outside agency.  Unlike in the past, the scheduling and canceling of (this fall’s) concerts was out of my total control.  We had no start-up capital to begin a new tour…so, we tried to use a booking agency. But an agency operates on a simple business model…if it's not turning a profit, let it go.  (But) after further examining the source problems…I uncovered a serious plot to defraud the (Carman) ministry for $750,000.  We were actually sued by this one person, who worked with us on a managerial level, for "another" $200,000 that was a percentage of the money given to us by Larry Jones of ‘Feed the Children’ to help feed hungry children and win the lost.  I will name him and his accomplices later, as the trial progresses…” <><

JARS OF CLAY has released their sixth studio album “Who We Are Instead” that features 12 all new songs.  According to the band, this project marks a return to the “acoustic, soulful sound that launched Jars of Clay's musical journey nearly 10 years ago.”  CCM legend ASHLEY CLEVELAND added her trademark vocals to the album cuts “Amazing Grace" and “Jealous Kid” and the CD also offers a 13^th. tune that is a killer remake of “Lonely People” originally recorded in the ‘70s by pop group AMERICA. <>< 

The controversial new film about the last twelve hours of Jesus Christ's life is still set to debut in American theatres on Ash Wednesday, February 25^th.  “THE PASSION OF CHRIST” was directed by Oscar-winning actor and devout Christian MEL GIBSON and is being hailed by many religious groups as the most emotional and graphic representation of Christ’s death that has ever been filmed.  Gibson spent $30 million of his own money to produce the movie, which has drawn complaints from some Jewish leaders who say it suggests Jews were responsible for Christ’s death.  But after viewing the movie that was shot with Latin and Aramaic dialogue, Pope John Paul approved of Gibson’s rendition of the last hours of Jesus’ life and reportedly said, "It is as it was" (meaning that he believed the film to be accurate in its portrayal) and told priests around the world to "contemplate" the movie. 

Also there was apparently some objections to “The Passion of Christ” by the “Prince of the Powers of the Air” (Ephesians 2:2), when the film’s assistant director Jan Michelini was struck by lighting twice during filming, according to The Associated Press.  The first time, a bolt struck his umbrella, scorching the tips of his fingers, and the second time (several months later), both Michelini and actor Jim Caviezel, who portrays Jesus, were hit.  According to producer Steve McEveety, "I'm about a hundred feet away from them when I glance over and see lightning coming out of Caviezel's ears.  Both Caviezel and Michelini got struck this time.  The main bolt hit Caviezel and one of its forks hit Michelini's umbrella."  Both the assistant director and the movie’s star were unhurt. <><

“In the Name of Love: Artists United for Africa”, the new album benefiting the fight against AIDS in Africa, is set to be released in January.  The project is the brainchild of U2 frontman BONO and will feature U2 cover songs by Christian music artists including SIXPENCE NONE THE RICHER, JARS OF CLAY, DELIRIOUS, AUDIO ADRENALINE, TOBYMAC, TAIT, CHRIS TOMLIN, and SANCTUS REAL.  <><

CHRISTIAN MUSIC ARTIST BIRTHDAYS:

Tues., Dec. 23^rd. - Mike Tubbs (East West)

Thurs., Dec. 25^th. - Mac Powell (Third Day)

Fri., Dec. 26^th. - Bob Hartman (Petra)

Sat., Dec. 27^th. - Matt Slocum (Sixpence None The Richer) & Shaun Groves

Sun., Dec. 28^th. - Twila Paris

UPCOMING ARK-LA-MISS CONCERTS:

12/29 - By The Tree--Mississippi College, Clinton, MS

12/29- Delirious? w/ MATH (formerly Earthsuit), Victory Fellowship Church, Metairie, LA (7:00 PM)

12/30 – Newsboys--DeSoto Civic Center, Southaven, MS

1/11/04 -  Audio Adrenaline & NewSong--Mississippi Coliseum, Jackson, MS

1/15/04 - Everyday Sunday--Bowmar Baptist, Vicksburg, MS

1/26/04 - Louisiana Baptist Conference w/Charles Billingsley--First Baptist Church, Lafayette, LA

2/12/04 – MercyMe, Amy Grant, & Bebo Norman--CenturyTel Center, Shreveport, LA

2/27 & 2/28/04 - Women of Faith Conference w/Natalie Grant--CenturyTel Center, Shreveport, LA

2/28/04 - Gaither Homecoming Tour--Mississippi Coliseum, Jackson, MS

3/20/04 – Selah--McClendon Baptist Church, West Monroe, LA

3/31/04 - FFH w/Big Daddy Weave--LA College, Pineville, LA (6:30 PM)

4/2/04 - Chris Tomlin--Mississippi Coliseum, Jackson, MS

4/10/04 – Kutless, Thousand Foot Krutch, Ryan Dobson--Six Flags - New Orleans, New Orleans, LA

4/8/04 – Salvador--Pentecostal Campground Tabernacle, Tioga, LA

4/9/04 – Newsboys--Six Flags - New Orleans, New Orleans, LA (6:00 PM)

4/24/04 - Big Daddy Weave--Hinds Community College, Raymond, MS

4/30 & 05/01/04—Women's Conference w/ Tammy Trent--First Baptist Church, Bossier City, LA

5/15/04 – Bleach--Downtown Festival Plaza, Shreveport, LA  

6/19/04 - Rebecca St. James & Casting Crowns--Timberwood Amphitheater (Magic Springs), Hot Springs, AR

7/17/04 – Selah--Southside Baptist Church, Stuttgart, AR

8/28/04 - Audio Adrenaline--First Bossier Church, Bossier City, LA (7:00 PM)

UPCOMING CHRISTIAN MUSIC & GOSPEL RELEASES:

12/16 - Maranatha! Worship Band--Our Sunday Best [Orange] (Maranatha!)

12/23 - Paul Baloche--Offering of Worship (CD, DVD/VHS) (Hosanna! Music/Integrity Music)

12/23 - Songs 4 Worship--Songs 4 Worship - Platinum (Integrity Music/Time Life Music)

12/23 - Songs 4 Worship--Songs 4 Worship - The UK Collection (Integrity Music/Time Life Music)

12/23 – Various--The Art of Praise (Integrity Gospel)

12/26 - Kids In The Way--Safe From The Losing Fight (Flicker Records)

12/26 – Various--Here I Am To Worship Kids (Worship Together)

12/26 – Various--Worship: In Christ Alone (ForeFront Records)

12/26 - Matthew West--Happy (Sparrow Records/Universal South)

12/26 – Zao--Legendary (Solid State Records)

1/6/04 - Maranatha!--That's Why We Praise Him: Songs of Celebration (Maranatha!)

1/13/04 – Tonéx--Out The Box (Verity Records)

1/27/04 - Bill & Gloria Gaither, T.D. Jakes, and Friends--Build A Bridge (CD & DVD) (Gaither Music Group)

1/27/04 - Bill & Gloria Gaither, T.D. Jakes, and Friends--We Will Stand (CD & DVD) (Gaither Music Group)

1/27/04 - Hugs Series--Hugs for Daughters (Here to Him Music)

1/27/04 - .Rod Laver--Rudolph Wayne vs. The Man (Uprok Records)

1/27/04 - Matt McGee--Worship Through the Valley (Crowne Music Group)

CHUCK’S CHUCKLES:

Grade School Christmas Jokes and Riddles--

What do elves learn in school? (the elf-abit)

What is the difference between the Christmas alphabet and the ordinary alphabet? (the Christmas alphabet has no “L”)

What Christmas Carol is a favorite of parents? (“Silent Night”)

Why does Santa have 3 gardens? (So he can hoe, hoe, hoe!)

What do snowmen eat for breakfast? (Frosted Flakes)

What kind of bird can write? (a pen-guin)

How do sheep in Mexico say “Merry Christmas”? (“Fleece Navidad!”)

What does a cat on the beach have in common with Christmas? (Sandy Claws!)

What do you get if Santa goes down the chimney with a lit fireplace or if you deep fry Santa Claus? (Crisp Kringle)

Why was Santa's little helper depressed? (he had low elf esteem!)

What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus? (claustrophobic!)

 © December 22, 2003; Glory2Glory Productions; Chuck Halley, publisher; Monroe, Louisiana.  All rights reserved.  No part of this e-zine may be reproduced without prior written consent.  Our subscriber list is NOT made available to any other companies or individuals because we value each subscriber and respect their privacy. 

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