First up were Lydia and Kyle Gott who received an enthusiastic welcome by a crowd that looked favorably on Lydia's strong vocals. Lydia foreshadowed later comments made by Brynn as both women shared honest stories of their times of alienation from God, problems conceiving, and God's transcendent grace through it all. 

By the time Mark and Brynn took the stage, a storm was raging outside but Mark promised we would be safe inside. "We will worship and the Lord will hear our voices in the middle of the storm." 

Those who were expecting the rocking rhythm of Whiteheart or the strong ballads were in the wrong place! However, Mark showcased his trademark Whiteheart vocals backed by Brynn and Roscoe Meek on acoustic guitar and Bill Pickup on percussion on more intimate acoustic songs song like "Where Would I Be" before introducing his "best friend," Brynn. "We have been married five and a half years and I still think she is a FOX!" he shared as he introduced the song "Good Things." "This song is about the people I love," he said, looking fondly at his grinning bride. "Ladies, if you are dating a guy and he can't express these things to you - I don't mean he has to sing them - but if you are dating a guy and he can't express these things to you, these deep things that make you feel cherished; and that he wants only good things for you, if he can't say these things, then DUMP HIM," said Brynn whose diminutive size belies a strong will. 

Mark also sang a poignant song about a friend who had gone through a recent divorce. "Break Down" tells of a one watching a friend struggling through the crisis --trying to be strong, and being offered the chance to break down in the safety of the friendship. 
 
"Mark lets me do some songs," laughed Brynn as she took the microphone to share some of her songs, done in her somewhat ethereal, alternative style. 

The evening ended in worship as sheets placed on each table before the show were used to unify everyone in some worship choruses. "We feel like when we end up with worship everything gets turned around right back to the Lord, with the focus not on the hoopla, but on the Lord," Brynn told me after the show. Mark agrees, "We have done that twice and the Lord showed up both times." 

Mark says while he loves the comraderie of a band, he plans to pursue performing with Brynn in a more intimate setting. "I love the creation of the songs and I enjoy being in the studio, but after that, I love playing for people what God is calling me to say." He says besides his love of playing dates with Brynn, he loves the extra time this affords him with his family. Based on the enthusiastic reaction from the crowd, I have a feeling we will be seeing more of Mark and Brynn. 

This is a young woman with stories to tell and she will share the romance of meeting Mark Gersmehl and the miracle of the birth of their child as well as some of her other experiences when she joins Women in Christian Music on February 3 at noon at La Paz Cantina restaurant in Green Hills. Admission  is $4. 

"There were so many things I could talk about, but since Valentine's Day is right around the corner, I thought I would share a romantic story of how I met this wonderful man," says Brynn. 

Women in Christian Music is a professional organization for women who work in the Christian music industry. The group meets the first Wednesday of every month.  For more information call 615/662-6212. 

1) Keep your bible away from water. Moisture causes swelling and distortion of covers and pages. 

2) Don't leave your bible in the car or on a window ledge. Heat makes it deteriorate rapidly. 

3) Use wallpaper cleaner (available at hardware stores) to remove most types of soil from your bible. Stubborn spots can be removed by using a pink pearl eraser. Rub very gently and remove residue. 

4) Refasten loose pages by opening the bible to missing page, support the bible so it lays flat. Place a piece of wax paper slightly longer than the page length, 1/16 inch from spine edge. Put a light coat of glue on the exposed strip, carefully align loose page on all 3 sides and press onto the glued area. Place another piece of wax paper over the page, close and let dry. 

5) To tighten a loose cover, stand the bible on end and gently open the area between the cover and contents. Dip a knitting needle or stiff wire in glue to evenly coat it. Insert between the cover and spine. Do this to both covers, close the bible and let dry over night.

For more information, contact the Bookmenders Bible Repair at 501/787-6326 or email them at bookmenders@beg.net. 

Z Music has added a new show and changed a satellite to upgrade their service. The satellite allows the network to digitize its signal to improve the signal quality. They are adding to their programming Southern Gospel Showcase with Mark Lowry hosting the premiere episode. 

For more information call Arinetta at 615/316-6267. 

Congratulations also to BTR's Dave Alan and his new bride, Tamara! Check their website this month for details: www.bigtent.net. Big Tent has been nominated in the "Best Rock Gospel Album" category for the 41st annual Grammy Awards, the third consecutive project by Big Tent Revival nominated for a Grammy Award. The band is currently in the studio recording their new CD, to be released in September, 1999 on Ardent Records. 

Take 6 first re-invented a cappella music about a decade ago and gained fans and critics in both mainstream and CCM. After a few musical albums, the boys have returned to their a cappella roots. So Cool is an album very akin to what won so many over the first time.  

Radio will have a new show scheduled to start the first weekend of March, titled On the Journey. Michael Card and radio host Wayne Shepherd will explore the Christian's journey of faith and relationship with Jesus on a weekly program. Anticipated guests include Steve Green, Phil Keaggy, and Fernando Ortega among others. 

Shaded Red will be recording their new album entitled Red Revolution January through March. On March 1st they are recording at Abby Road with a 21-piece string section which is a combination of the London Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra. The new project is due out this summer. 

Third Day enters the studio in February to begin work on their third project slated for a mid summer release. Currently wrapping up production on his latest release is Steven Curtis Chapman, hitting stores in March. Everybodyduck's next album,  due out in May, is a collection of worship songs and a hymn or two.  "This album will bring us back to our roots, we began as a local worship team and still today worship is a big part of what we do," states Tim. 

Congratulations to Sierra member Jennifer Hendrix and her husband Scott McReynolds for the birth of their son Jacob Scott McReynolds. Other changes for the Star Song group include the departure of Deborah Schnelle. She will no longer tour or record, but will continue in the role of Finance Administrator.  

Considering Lily, with their new line-up minus Serene, will be releasing their 2nd album under the Lily moniker on February 23, the third if the Serene & Pearl album is included.