The truth will set you free!
This is just a History lesson. This is from a friend of mine. Weshare the same political views. I am passing it to all regardlessof political party because I feel it is time we all know the truth.It is history and nothing can change it.The day the Democrats took over was not January 22nd 2009, it wasactually January 3rd 2007, the day the Democrats took over theHouse of Representatives and the Senate, at the very start of the110th Congress. The Democratic Party controlled a majority inboth chambers for the first time since the end of the 103rd Congress in1995. For those who are listening to the liberals propagating the fallacythat everything is "Bush's Fault", think about this: January 3rd, 2007,the day the Democrats took over the Senate and the Congress: The DOWJones closed at 12,621.77 The GDP for the previous quarter was 3.5% TheUnemployment rate was 4.6% George Bush's Economic policies SET A RECORDof 52 STRAIGHT MONTHS of JOB CREATION! Remember that day... January 3rd,2007 was the day that Barney Frank took over the House Financial ServicesCommittee and Chris Dodd took over the Senate Banking Committee. Theeconomic meltdown that happened 15 months later was in what part of theeconomy? BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES! THANK YOU DEMOCRATS (especiallyBarney) for taking us from 13,000 DOW, 3.5 GDP and 4.6% Unemployment...to this CRISIS by (among MANY other things) dumping 5-6 TRILLION Dollarsof toxic loans on the economy from YOUR Fannie Mae and Freddie MacFIASCOES! (BTW: Bush asked Congress 17 TIMES to stop Fannie & Freddie-starting in 2001 because it was financially risky for the US economy).Barney blocked it and called it a "Chicken Little Philosophy" (and thesky did fall!) And who took the THIRD highest pay-off from Fannie MaeAND Freddie Mac? OBAMA And who fought against reform of Fannie andFreddie? OBAMA and the Democrat Congress, especially BARNEY!!!!So when someone tries to blame Bush... REMEMBER JANUARY 3rd, 2007....THE DAY THE DEMOCRATS TOOK OVER!" Bush may have been in the car but theDemocrats were in charge of the gas pedal and steering wheel they weredriving the economy into the ditch. Budgets do not come from the WhiteHouse.. They come from Congress and the party that controlled Congresssince January 2007 is the Democratic Party. Furthermore, the Democratscontrolled the budget process for 2008 & 2009 as well as 2010 & 2011.In that first year, they had to contend with George Bush, which causedthem to compromise on spending, when Bush somewhat belatedly got toughon spending increases. For 2009 though, Nancy Pelosi & Harry Reidbypassed George Bush entirely, passing continuing resolutions to keepgovernment running until Barack Obama could take office. At that time,they passed a massive omnibus spending bill to complete the 2009 budget.And where was Barack Obama during this time? He was a member of that veryCongress that passed all of these massive spending bills, and he signedthe omnibus bill as President to complete 2009. Let's remember what thedeficits looked like during that period: If the Democrats inherited anydeficit, it was the 2007 deficit, the last of the Republican budgets.That deficit was the lowest in five years, and the fourth straightdecline in deficit spending. After that, Democrats in Congress tookcontrol of spending, and that includes Barack Obama, who voted for thebudgets. If Obama inherited anything, he inherited it from himself. In anutshell, what Obama is saying is "I inherited a deficit that I voted for,and then I voted to expand that deficit four-fold since January 20th."There is no way this will be widely publicized, unless each of us sends iton! "The problems we face today exist because the people who work fora living are outnumbered by those who vote for a living."
I Believe!
Good morning. I was talking with my girls today, all three of them, about one subject in particular. My belief, that Gods purpose in creating each of us as individuals, is so we can each, in our own way, discover the gifts that He has given us and develop those gifts to the best of our ability for His glory. The question arose, "well how do we do that?" Trust me, when I tell you, it's very easy. It only get's difficult when you, as an individual, try to do it your way instead of Gods way.
God Bless You!
Mark
Hello there!
Have you missed me? I'm sure you have all had many things to do during these very busy Holiday times. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Christmas is upon us now, so let me also say, I wish each and everyone of you all the JOY, HOPE and PEACE that this blessed season can bring!
The political season is in full swing as well. I find it necessary to express my continued concern for your country. What the heck is going on? In my opinion the president, who won on a platform of hope and change, has left me looking for that hope and utterly disgusted at his idea of change. Can we please get someone in the office that believes the USA is still the greatest country in the world and the Constitution is what made it that way.
The Les Mis tour is going very well. We are so blessed to be on the road together as a family. This is an incredible adventure where we are experiencing many firsts. Christy is home schooling Grace and though we were not sure how that would work out it seems to be going very well. Kylie is also doing well in her school work with the tutor provided by the company.
We will Spend Christmas and New Years in Dallas this year as we continue our wonderful adventure. We wish you all a wonderful adventure of your own. Merry Christmas!
God Bless you,
Mark
Trials of the road…
Life is bound to throw you a curve or two. In our most "normal" times, things happen that causes us pause. Might be good or bad, so, why should we expect everything to come up roses in our stressful times? Learning to deal with unsavory situations is an art. Just as artists have their paint and brushes we all have to carry our patience, our composure and learn to strip away the drama of the situation and only deal with the facts.
The tour is going very well! We had a great time in Memphis, where I celebrated my 3000th performance of Les Mis! Hooray! Though the allergies were wicked we pushed ahead. When we moved on to Birmingham the allergies in the area got the best of me and I had to take a few shows rest. I'm in good shape now and glad to be in the north east where I'm closer to friends and family.
The DC opening was GREAT! The cast is excited to be sitting down for 5 weeks in this historic town. However, I must say, this "equity contract" has left us a bit uncovered. Here comes the part where we have to learn to deal with unsavory situations. The company hotel is in Silver Springs, MD! A nice town, but, a full 8 miles and at least 40 minutes through DC traffic, the worst in the country by the way, to get to the show. This little jaunt adds an additional 2 hours to our already long and busy day. Part of the excitement of DC is experiencing all the city has to offer. Difficult to do when you don't get to live in it!
God Bless you!
Mark
The meaning of Life…
I am trying to get better at living in a state of Grace. It is not difficult, at all, for me to find things for which to be grateful. I am truly blessed! I have certainly been blessed in my life to have been given many chances to learn a variety of lessons. Some of them over and over again. Ha Ha! I have a fabulous wife, a great family and two gifted daughters for which I am grateful. I have a beautiful home which, to this point, has not been affected by the flooding in NJ. I have friends and neighbors that I love and trust. I have a career in which I can use the gifts that God has given me to support my family while bringing love and joy and inspiration to many. Oh, I am blessed!
I have been searching for some time to find the true meaning of life. To say I have tried it all might be a bit of an overstatement, but, let me assure you I have traveled many wondering paths. Gratefully they have led me to this place. A place where I can finally see that life begins and ends with the love that I draw from my relationship with God. The Trinity. For me the true meaning of life is the focus on my relationship with my risen Lord. For, from Him comes, "a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14) The more I focus on Him, the better equipped I am to face the everyday trials that life presents.
God Bless You!
Mark
Hello Seattle!
Well tonight is opening night at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, Washington. We are very happy to be bringing Les Mis and it's message of grace and redemption here as I've heard the Seattle area has the highest % of unchurched people in the country. I hope we break seating records here like we did in LA! FYI, this production of Les Mis has also been breaking box office records, all over the country, as well!
God Bless You!
Mark
Beautiful day in Portland, OR…
I took the family on a brief outing yesterday. We are staying along the Columbia river while here in Portland. A busselling location where, at any given moment especially around 7:30 AM, one can hear cars, boats, trains and fighter Jets simultaneously. Needing a bit if peace and quiet, we were moved to visit the Gorge area about 30 miles up river. The girls and I along with Christy and her mother Dorothy went to see the Multnomah Falls. A beautiful water fall that flows all year long.
Grace, Kylie and I decided we wanted to see where the fall originated so we hiked up the path one and a quarter miles to the top to see the stream that feeds the falls and then walked back down. The girls did so well! I am so proud of them! We ran into some friends, one of my cast mates Lucia and her family, on the way up the hill and that made the trip even more enjoyable. Lucia and Barry have a lovely daughter Bella that the girls are fond of, so, we all had a wonderful adventure.
I must say, getting the chance to view the wondrous majesty and natural beauty of Gods creation does a lot for the Soul. If you ever find yourself in Portland, OR., don't miss the Columbia River Gorge area. You won't regret it!
God Bless You!
Mark
Wow am I behind or what?
Hi all thanks for your patience! I have been having a great time here in LA! I didn't mean to be so long in writing, i guess, time has just gotten away from me. That happens to us all at times. As we go about our busy lives we are taking care of what is right in front of us, but, perhaps putting off the seemingly less important things on the list. Then we realize that those less important things are not less important at all. They are necessary and we miss them. So, stay tuned for stories from LA!
God Bless You All!
Mark
Happy Fathers Day!
Well the opening in LA was a great success dare I say both a Factory and a Circus! The raucous crowds were thrilled from the down beat of the orchestra to the drop of the curtain. Evident by the screams of joy and appreciation.
I am thrilled to, once again, be delivering this wonderful message of Gods grace and redemption. The cast is a very special group of people and the direction is nothing short of brilliant. Don't miss your chance to see this wonderful production.
To all you fathers, worry not about what tomorrow may bring, but, live in the moment. To quote Jesus Christ, "Who of you, by worrying, can add a single hour to his life?" (Matthew 6: 27) Also, to borrow a quote from a friend, " A hundred years from now it won't matter how large my bank account was, or, what car I drove. But, that the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child!
God's Blessings!
Mark
Moving on….
Well thanks for all the wonderful support for my opening in Tempe! The audiences were just incredible. We had screaming fans from the moment the first notes were heard from the pit till the curtain went down. Our experience at the Gammage was great as well the staff was very friendly and helpful.
Ever notice how sometimes the last direction on Google is the exact opposite? WellI finally found Redemption Church in Gilbert, AZ yesterday. Quite a unique church. It's more like a small University. With 5 or 6 major buildings and a cafe making up the campus. The message is strictly bible based which I prefer and the hospitality was warm and welcoming. Check it out if you are in the area.
Today we find ourselves on the way to LA. We actually get to experience another press opening. I am very excited! The company has made some opening night tickets available for purchase at a reduced price. If anyone is interested send me an email. I will try to get an email out to my LA contact list later today.
Be Blessed!
Mark