Doing Small in a Big Way

It’s been nearly a year since I posted on this blog, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been doing things! The most significant thing I have done is become a roster artist with Incubator Creative Group. They are now my partners in music ministry, and I am so excited! I’m very blessed to have found Incubator, and I’m looking forward to using my music and other creative gifts to inspire and motivate my ministry family, as well as speak Truth into their lives.

With Incubator’s help, I will be able to turn my music ministry into a full-time vocation rather than a hobby.  Incubator is famous for “doing small in a big way,” which is right up my alley! I don’t want stardom or a busy travel schedule. But I DO want to use my gifts to the glory of God. Using Incubator’s entrepreneurial model, I will be able to do MORE of the things I do best, as well as stretch myself out of my comfort zone in order to serve Christ more fully.

Incubator will help me “stay on task” when it comes to creating “ministry content” for my ministry family. And along the way, they will help me improve my skills and abilities. Most importantly, they are helping me do the “heart” work that is necessary to reach out to a broken world… one person at a time.

If you’d like to know more about my ministry adventure, I’d love to fill you in! Send me an e-mail at jackiedoss at gmail.com.

The Dust and the Divine

I want to thank my dear, dear friends at Westwind Christian Church in Keller, TX for welcoming me so warmly on December 12. By offering me your attention and love, you’ve enabled me to come a step closer to a ministry that I have been wanting to develop for so long… public speaking combined with praise and worship. Thank you so much for being there for me during my worst trials …and my great joys.

Because I can’t post videos on this blog, I will post a link to Sunday’s “message in song.” The video is in three parts, so there are three links below, but you can link to the second and third from the first one.

• Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX2P6UmVA8M&feature=player_embedded
• Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMWiQ7pR388&feature=related
• Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3djYaTOYRIs&feature=related

Along The Way

I’ve put together a new concert presentation I’m calling “Along the Way.” This talk/concert takes the listener through the doubts, trials, obstacles, joys, and triumphs of being a follower of Christ.

My set list contains original songs and covers that reflect on a believer’s journey. I hope it will offer you inspiration, courage, and even healing as you go along “your way”… The WAY of Christ.

Please contact me if you’d like information about booking me for your retreat, conference, or meeting.

Videos of my performances

I have some videos of my recent performance at Go-Girls Music Fest. However, I cannot upload them to this wordpress site without paying for an upgrade. SO…. if you’d like to see them, you can either find them on my facebook fan page. www.facebook.com/jackiedossmusic… or you can go to Youtube and search for jackiedoss. Comments are disabled on Youtube, but you’re welcome to leave a comment here.

My Latest Published Article: “Confessions of a Cancer Survivor.”

My article “Confessions of a Cancer Survivor” was published in the September/October 2009 issue of Sharing Magazine. Sharing is a publication of the Order of St. Luke the Physician, a Christian healing ministry.

The article teaser on the cover: “She had planned to die. Now she had to make plans to live.”

Update: So far, so good!

A Gig! A Gig! My Basket for a Gig!

When you wait until you’re almost 50 before you start an amateur venture as a performer… it’s only natural that you have NO IDEA how to do it!  So I’ve been a bit slow getting off the ground, mostly because I’ve been bashful about putting myself out there.

But last week, I went to Houston and performed a song at the Thrill the World Houston event – a fundraiser for Aim at Melanoma. It was only one song, but it was a big crowd in an open venue – Discovery Green in downtown Houston. I was pretty scared, I tell ya. But I did okay.

So, after surviving that, I decided to say yes to a call to perform at the Go-Girls Music Fest on November 20 at Opening Bell Coffee. This is one of the better venues in Dallas for music like mine.  I’ve seen some really good folks there… which is why I haven’t even TRIED doing an open mic there. But now here I am performing on the same stage with some really good acts. Who do I think I am?

I’m still the same bashful, not-too-sure-of-myself  “girl” who likes to sing, and can accompany herself on the guitar.

Another odd thing about it is that I said yes, even though I’ll be driving back from Houston that day after my scans and doctor visit at MD Anderson Cancer Center. I must be feeling pretty sure that I won’t be getting bad news!  A couple of years ago, I never would have committed to something the day of my doctor visit! I would have been too afraid that I’d be a basket case. 

Some people come out of the closet. Me? I’m climbing out of the basket. Hooray!

The Go-Girls Music Fest is a charity event. There is a small cover charge, along with a raffle and a silent auction. Proceeds will benefit The Wesley Inn Program of Promise House in Dallas, a maternity home that guides 14- through 20-year-old homeless pregnant and parenting teen mothers to become healthy, independent and nurturing parents.

I’d love to see you there! Opening Bell Coffee is at 1409 South Lamar, Basement #012, Dallas, TX 75215. Free parking on Belleview Street entrance.

New Beginnings . . . Hooray!

I’m so glad summer is over! I don’t go to school, nor do I have children in school, but this summer has been one I don’t want to repeat, so I’m glad to see it coming to a close. I’ve been distracted by chores and duties that weren’t any fun and kept me from devoting time to spiritual matters.

So, I’m glad that endings make way for beginnings! I don’t know every way that God will use me in the coming months, but I have a feeling it’s going to be awesome. So I’m on the train and ready for the ride. Holy Spirit . . . start the engine! Toot Toot!!

I Have Sworn Off Writing

A few weeks ago I came to the conclusion that I should stop beating myself up for not constantly pursuing a writing life.  So I gave myself permission to stop trying… at least for a while.

Being a Jackie-of-all-trades can be conflicting (Yes, that was two to-be verbs in a span of five words. Shoot me). (Oh, and while you’re at it, denigrate me for using parentheses. I can take it.) Sometimes I feel like three or four people in one, and most of us are either arguing with one another or being passive aggressive. In short… I am a committee. And you know how productive committees can be!

I asked myself which of my endeavors I was enjoying most, and I answered “my music.” I also asked myself which of my endeavors I was likely to enjoy success in. I answered “my music.”

I am not giving up writing completely. I still enjoy it, but I do not enjoy spending a lot of time looking for a publication to write for and then trying to figure out exactly what they want and then deciding that I don’t want to write what they want.  Besides, writing is hard. Especially when you’re trying.

I will probably stay involved with my writing groups, but I’m not trying to get published. For now. And I’m okay with that.

In the Netherworld

This is an update from yours truly, Jackie-of-all-Trades. I apparently have too many blogs, all of which are being neglected. I have no excuse. I will try to do better. Or you could visit me on Facebook or follow my Twitters.

Yes, I know it sounds like I’m spending all my time on FB and Twitter. But… But…

Okay fine.

It’s April 30, and …

…and I didn’t write much of anything on my script because I’ve got too much other stuff going on. I’m sorrrrrrrryyyyy!

BUT… I would like to invite you to go to this blog http://www.christineandethanrose.com/?p=1489 and try to win a Kindle2. I’m sure you’ll love me forever if you end up winning it, won’t you? On the other hand, I will be very, very…. jealous.