When you see musicians performing, what do you think of them? Do you ponder the great mysteries of your own life while being swept away into the dream-like state of mind they help deliver you to? Do you look at them and think that they are living their dream? Do you perceive God’s anointing resting upon them and believe they are so in-tune with Him that their lives must be consistently filled with the Spirit? Do you believe that they are making a better living financially than you are? What do you see when you watch them being swept away in blissful creativity?I will not deny that it is a blessed place to be when on stage and swimming in His presence. The adventure of not truly knowing what will come next or how you will respond creatively is breathtaking. As is the joy and intimacy of creating with like-minded individuals and riding the majestic, incredible anointing of God.

However, my life is so much more than that. I am a single, divorced, father of two beautiful kids, a struggling yet content musician, studio engineer, songwriter, programmer, and Christian. Did I mention that I am also legally blind and have a rare condition called albinism? So many aspects of our lives directly affect what we are able to do, want to do, and think we either can or can't do. So many testimonies I have read seem to show that the writer believes he or she is defined by the perils of life and misery God rescued them from. My testimony is different. My life is defined only by the joy of Jesus’ salvation. I am nothing but what God has created within me.

I have always been very closed about my condition. As a child I was picked on and beat up a great deal for being different from everyone else. Throughout my life the struggle to never allow my defect to define how I lived my life and to overcome others’ perceptions of my abilities has been an overwhelming constant. Rising above the genetic flaws and limitations caused by my condition has always been important to me. In fact, many people are not even aware of those limitations until they see me lean in close to read something or realize that I do not drive.

I am not defined by my limitations. They can be incredible strengths when placed in God’s hands. The abuse from other kids was at its zenith in my eighth-grade year. Yet out of the constant name-calling came an identity that would be an enormous positive force upon the rest of my life and career. Mr. Catrell Wrenn, a fantastic trumpet player and my junior high school band director took an interest in me both as a person, and as a musician. He had formed a little jazz group that played around the community and at various school functions, and it was mandatory for each member to have a nickname. He allowed everyone to pick his or hers except me. Mr. Wrenn had always been aware of my difficulties with other kids, and he decided that my inability to handle the harassment was at an end. The choice of the nickname, "Snowman", stemmed from the simple fact that one of the most commonly used names kids called me was “Frosty the Snowman”. He thought that taking something that was used to define me in a negative light would have more power to help define me in a positive one.

Of course no single name or identity is more important than being defined by the love of Jesus; however, this new name did help me to find a more healthy vision of myself. From then on everything began to change. Praise God, my new-found confidence and self-respect affected the way others viewed me. By the time high school had ended, I was one of the most popular and fun-loving kids in the school. I went from being the kid whom it was the “in” thing to harass to one who was voted onto the Royalty Court and completely excelled as a performer.

We all know the entertainment industry is heavily rooted in image and branding. God knows what is best for us and does not wish for our suffering. He crafted for me, out of the humiliation and torment I was enduring, a nickname that perfectly fit my personality and appearance. I have a great look that is very unique, even in the music industry. The nickname has really become as much a part of my musical persona as my playing style has.

Now, it is not as though I am reliant on my nickname or anything, but it helps remind me where I came from and who I have always been deep inside. I am not defined by a disability or a name. I am defined by God and what He has created. I am proud and honored to look this way, and the limitations imposed from my condition are minor inconveniences rather than a definition of my potential.

Through every single adversity that has befallen me, Jesus draws me closer. The knowledge and beauty of that revelation dramatically outweigh any consequence of sin and death. Therefore, I do not define my life by what this world, combined with my own bad decisions, has put me through.

Thank you, Lord, for my life, the ability to love, to perform music, and to see beyond the natural limitations of the body. Thank you for your love, blessing of life and joy. I am nothing except what you have created within me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!!

Blessings to you all.

 

GOD HEALING ANOINTING ON SNOWMAN'S MUSIC

Every time I feel discouraged, God reminds of this beautiful testimony. A few months ago I posted two songs on Jango Internet radio. This wonderful woman living in Chicago emailed me and said her son heard one of the songs and really felt the peace and presence of God in the music. It turns out he has a specific type of cancer throughout his entire body. His mother who contacted me revealed that she used to live here in Minnesota but moved down to take care of him. Well, she requested a copy of the cd in order to have it playing in her son’s treatment room while he underwent his treatment. I immediately sent them a free copy overnight. He was having treatment on his brain stem and spinal chord where the doctors had recently found cancer. The day of his treatment came and went. I received an email two days later from his mother, and she revealed that her son had the cd playing in his room right when the got settled in. The doctors did another scan in preparation and found that there was no cancer in either his brain stem or spinal chord anymore. This was determined before treatment began. PRAISE GOD!!! If that were not cool enough, she emailed me two months later and said that her son who had been near death, a body full of cancer, was now completely healed with no sign of the disease. PRAISE GOD!! She said the anointing power on the cd broke the yoke of his disease. God's word is true you guys. He does move, heal, and love. I am so blessed and thankful that He chose to use the music we created to fulfill His purpose. Thank you Jesus. Thank you