Making a Difference.

We have all had the thought run through our mind: "Am I really making a difference in (fill in the blank)?" I really don't know, and I'm not trying to answer that question for you....sometimes we probably are, and sometimes we probably are not.

I recently read something about how Christians sometimes think, "Oh, I really want to do something great for God". Or, we even ask God to have us to do great things for Him. Well, then we've missed the point. What I was reading pointed out that "the purpose of our being here is for God to use us for His greatness. A wiser prayer is probably to ask God to do great things. Then, we can be profoundly humbled if we get to participate in the process in any small way."

That way certainly is a different way to think. But, I like it.

Sometimes, what God is doing is like a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle...and we're just suppose to help with one or two pieces in the whole puzzle....not necessarily knowing what the puzzle is even suppose to look like in the end. [If you haven't read our September Newsletter update, please do. Our friend, Scott, talks more about this. Click here to download a .pdf]

All said, hopefully you are encouraged! Here are a couple jigsaw puzzle pieces currently happening....ask God if you're suppose to participate in any way:

*A Keynote band is gearing up to spend a month in Asia - Click here to take a proactive journey with this team, covering them in prayer throughout the month they will be overseas.

*Buddy Walk - Click here to meet our nephew, Connor, and see what we're so jazzed about this weekend! We'd love for you to pray for this event as you think about it on Saturday. If you are able to give financially, there's a place off of that link to do so also.


Thanks for listening!
Love,
Tony & Jonelle

Make a difference on the other side of the Earth!

Really? Yep!

One of the Keynote bands, blue sky nine, is heading to Asia for month long tour to partner with different ministries and help them connect with their target audiences! They fly out next Tuesday, Sept 29 at 6am!

Thank you for joining us in praying for Keynote and things that we relay to you. Your prayers certainly do make a difference! Here are some highlights about this trip [and how you can pray specifically]:

***One concert on a campus will possibly be recorded for a local TV station. Pray that this will happen and will be used throughout the country.

***The band will be helping a local music ministry with training [sound tech & music evangelism training]. Pray for clear communication and that 'blue sky nine' can help equip the local ministry.

We look forward to letting you know how God moves while they are on tour! Do you want to have a bigger investment? CLICK HERE ...to download a prayer calendar that highlights each day that the band is on tour and how you can specifically pray for them!

blue sky nine thanks you for being intentional....

Buddy Walk for Connor!

Meet our nephew, Connor:



Connor is a funny little dude. He just discovered the dog’s water dish. He also recently discovered the drawer in the kitchen where his mom keeps her Tupperware. ☺

Our family is walking in the Buddy Walk this year on September 26 to show our support for Connor and the other 400,000+ individuals with Down syndrome in the USA. The money raised goes towards advocacy programs that benefit and serve people in the Miami Valley with Down syndrome and their families.

The walk was started in 1995 to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. There are now 260 walks – at least one in every state and in five different countries!

Please consider making a donation towards our Buddy Walk Team for our little Connor-Man! No donation is too small - seriously! Click here to donate online!

September Update!

Click here to read our September update!

Just a Story?

This summer, one of Keynote's summer project bands Young Isaac had the exciting opportunity to connect with ministries and people in Australia! During concerts, one of the band members, Ryan, talked about how he learned to trust God after the death of his best friend.

Here is a snapshot of what students wrote on comment cards about Ryan's story:

“I know what it’s like to be mad at God, since my dad died it hasn’t been the same.”

“I really liked your show and Ryan’s story changed my perspective on life.”

“I still don’t understand why God takes our loved ones away from us, especially when they are young. This is what annoys me.”

“I liked your music. Ryan’s story was touching—made me realize the importance of life.”

“Thanks Ryan. You have opened my eyes to things I didn’t realize before.”

“Ryan’s story was very inspirational—gave me a lot to think about. I have a lot of problems with God and religion since my mom died.”

It is really neat to see the impact of what a story can have. This story, this piece of Ryan's life that he shared with others...it opened doors into comments and conversations that don't typically happen in your " 'hi, how are you doing'...'fine'...'okay great' " conversations. This summer, Ryan's story probably didn't help every person who heard. But, I bet it did encourage many people to think. To think about their life - to think about the questions they have about life - and to think about how God fits [or isn't fitting] in their life.

Don't be afraid to share your story. You do have one. Everyone has one. Isn't it worth it if it helps someone else to wrestle and really think about spiritual things?

blue sky nine: Back to Prison

A fellow Keynote friend posted this on his blog on Saturday. He plays the guitar in blue sky nine, who is currently on tour. They partnered with Bill Glass Prison Ministries back in the spring, and had the chance to partner again. Enjoy!

Last night, blue sky nine found our way back into Ellsworth Correctional Facility in Ellsworth, Kansas. We had played here over the weekend of April 24th and 25th, working in partnership with the great folks from Bill Glass Prison Ministries, and had a great reception. Since we were in the neighborhood on tour, we hooked up a return visit.

With the Bill Glass outreach, we were just a band playing as part of someone else’s program. This time, it was all us, and in addition to playing our music, I shared my story and how my relationship with Christ has changed my life.

We played for about 200 guys, and as always, they were very receptive and excited for us to be there. Not always for the right reasons, but we’ll take whatever chance we get to share with them. ’On the inside’, the guys feel very much forgotten by the rest of the world, and any contact with someone from the oustide is welcome.

We had a great time, and saw many dozens of the guys indicate interest in talking more about spiritual things or studying the Bible. And a small handful indicated they either made a decision to begin a relationship with God, or re-dedicated their lives to following Christ. Cool. We had lots of good one-on-one conversations afterward, and we used some comment cards to get feedback that we could leave with the chaplains there. Below are a few quotes from those cards…

• “Thank you- I’ve never been a religious person- but some of your words really got to me today—Thank you.”
• “I have had some hard times in my walls and your music and talking helped me with some of my problems.”
• “My wife left me today, so your concert was God sent. Thank you for lifting my spirits.”
• “I really don’t know where I am at, with my relationship with God, Jesus Christ . . . I’m not for sure . . . Yes, I pray, I read my Bible and all. I believe in God & that Jesus is God’s son. I’m not for sure if I am saved or not’?”
• “Really enjoyed & appreciated your concert & all you shared. Been having relationship issues & you all were right on time.”
• “I was inspired on April 24^th, 2009, to walk the path with Jesus. Thank you for everything that you have done…”
• “You have no idea how much we all love your group… Please please please please come back!”
• “I love your sound. It helped me forget where I was. But I got right with God. Thank you for helping brighten my day!”

Play music. Tell stories. See lives changed. Still can’t believe this is my job.