Rapture Forums - Grant Jeffrey has gone home to Jesus
Grant Jeffrey - Wikipedia article
Showing posts with label Obituary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Obituary. Show all posts
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
David Flynn Has Passed Away
Here is a link to my previous blog posts containing some of David's amazing work, as well as links to David's Watcher website and his YouTube channel.
David's obituary
Saturday, June 18, 2011
E Street Band's "Big Man" Clarence Clemons Dies At 69
Clarence Clemons, the larger-than-life saxophone player for the E Street Band who was one of the key influences in Bruce Springsteen's life and music through four decades, has died. He was 69.
Clemons was hospitalized about a week ago after suffering a stroke at his home in Singer Island, Fla. He died of complications from the stroke, spokeswoman Marilyn Laverty said Saturday.
Known as the Big Man for his imposing 6-foot-5-inch, 270-plus pound frame, Clemons and his ever-present saxophone spent much of his life with The Boss, and his booming saxophone solos became a signature sound for the E Street Band on many key songs, including "Jungleland
," a triumphant solo he spent 16 hours perfecting, and "Born To Run
."
," a triumphant solo he spent 16 hours perfecting, and "Born To Run."In recent years, Clemons had been slowed by health woes. He endured major spinal surgery in January 2010 and, at the 2009 Super Bowl, Clemons rose from a wheelchair to perform with Springsteen after double knee replacement surgery.
But his health seemed to be improving. In May, he performed with Lady Gaga on the season finale of "American Idol ," and performed on two songs on her "Born This Way" album.
Clemons said in a 2010 interview with The Associated Press then that he was winning his battles -- including severe, chronic pain and post-surgical depression. His sense of humor helped.
"Of all the surgeries I've had, there's not much left to operate on. I am totally bionic," he said.
"God will give you no more than you can handle," he said in the interview. "This is all a test to see if you are really ready for the good things that are going to come in your life. All this pain is going to come back and make me stronger.
An original member -- and the oldest member -- of the E Street Band, Clemons also performed with the Grateful Dead, the Jerry Garcia Band, and Ringo Starr's All Star Band. He recorded with a wide range of artists including Aretha Franklin, Roy Orbison and Jackson Browne. He also had his own band called the Temple of Soul.
The stage "always feels like home. It's where I belong," Clemons, a former youth counselor, said after performing at a Hard Rock Cafe benefit for Home Safe, a children's charity, in 2010.
Born in Norfolk, Va., Clemons was the grandson of a Baptist minister and began playing the saxophone when he was 9.
"Nobody played instruments in my family. My father got that bug and said he wants his son to play saxophone. I wanted an electric train for Christmas, but he got me a saxophone. I flipped out," he said in a 1989 interview with the AP.
He was influenced by R&B artists such as King Curtis and Junior Walker. But his dreams originally focused on football. He played for Maryland State College, and was to try out for the Cleveland Browns when he got in a bad car accident that made him retire from the sport for good.
His energies then focused on music.
In 1971, Clemons was playing with Norman Seldin & the Joyful Noise when he heard about rising singer-songwriter named Springsteen. The two hit it off immediately and Clemons officially joined the E Street Band in 1973 with the release of the debut album "Greetings from Asbury Park
."
."Clemons emerged as one of the most critical members of the E Street Band for different reasons. His burly frame would have been intimidating if not for his bright smile and endearing personality that charmed fans.
"It's because of my innocence," he said in a 2003 AP interview. "I have no agenda -- just to be loved. Somebody said to me, `Whenever somebody says your name, a smile comes to their face.' That's a great accolade. I strive to keep it that way."
But it was his musical contributions on tenor sax that would come to define the E Street Band sound.
"Since 1973 the Springsteen/Clemons partnership has reaped great rewards and created insightful, high energy rock & roll," declared Don Palmer in Down Beat in 1984. "Their music, functioning like the blues from which it originated, chronicled the fears, aspirations, and limitations of suburban youth. Unlike many musicians today, Springsteen and Clemons were more interested in the heart and substance rather than the glamour of music."
In a 2009 interview, Clemons described his deep bond with Springsteen, saying: "It's the most passion that you have without sex."
"It's love. It's two men -- two strong, very virile men -- finding that space in life where they can let go enough of their masculinity to feel the passion of love and respect and trust," he added.
Clemons continued to perform with the band for the next 12 years, contributing his big, distinctive big sound to the albums, "The Wild, The Innocent and the E-Street Shuffle
," "Born to Run," "Darkness on the Edge of Town
, "The River
" and "Born in the USA
." But four years after Springsteen experienced the blockbuster success of "Born in the USA" and toured with his group, he decided to disband the E Street Band.
," "Born to Run," "Darkness on the Edge of Town, "The River" and "Born in the USA." But four years after Springsteen experienced the blockbuster success of "Born in the USA" and toured with his group, he decided to disband the E Street Band."There were a few moments of tension," the saxophonist recalled in a 1995 interview. "You've been together 18, 19 years. It's like your wife coming to you: `I want a divorce.' You start wondering why? Why? But you get on with your life."
During the breaks, Clemons continued with solo projects, including a 1985 vocal duet with Browne on the single "You're a Friend of Mine
" and saxophone work on Franklin's 1985 hit single "Freeway of Love
." He released his own albums, toured, and even sang on some songs.
" and saxophone work on Franklin's 1985 hit single "Freeway of Love." He released his own albums, toured, and even sang on some songs.Clemons also made several television and movie appearances over the years, including Martin Scorsese's 1977 musical, "New York, New York, in which he played a trumpet player.
The break with Springsteen and the E Street Band didn't end his relationship with either Springsteen or the rest of the band members, nor would it turn out to be permanent. By 1999 they were back together for a reunion tour and the release of "The Rising
."
."But the years took a toll on Clemons' body, and he had to play through the pain of surgeries and other health woes.
"It takes a village to run the Big Man -- a village of doctors," Clemons told The Associated Press in a phone interview in 2010. "I'm starting to feel better; I'm moving around a lot better."
He published a memoir, "Big Man: Real Life and Tall Tales
," in 2009 and continued to perform.
," in 2009 and continued to perform.He is the second member of the E Street Band to pass away: In 2008, Danny Federici, the keyboardist for the band, died at age 58 of melanoma.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Six Years Ago Today, We Lost Dr. Gene Scott
Six years ago today, I lost my Pastor, and the world lost one of the greatest Bible teachers that God has ever given us. Dr. Gene Scott passed away on February 21, 2005, and it was a day I'll never forget.
At the time, I still did not have a computer, so I watched Dr. Scott every night at 10 p.m. during his weekday broadcast, and his live "Festivals" on Sunday night. I also picked up a shortwave radio so I could listen at any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It was President's day weekend 2005, and my Brother-in-law was going out of town, so he asked me to watch his dog for the weekend. I jumped at the chance, because I knew that I would be able to spend the whole 3 day weekend watching and listening to Dr. Scott online. This was going to be great! I stayed up until 2 or 3 in the morning on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, and as soon as I woke up, I was back online, taking it all in. I wished I had a computer so badly!
Anyway, to make a long story short, my Brother-in-law returned home around 3 in the afternoon on Monday, and after hearing about his weekend, I said goodbye, thanked him, and headed home. When I arrived at my house, I immediately went in and turned on my shortwave radio. It was 5 p.m., and the first thing that I heard was Doc's wife, Melissa, announcing that at 4:30 p.m., Dr. Gene Scott had passed away.
I just stood there. All I could do was stare at the radio. I didn't move. I was numb. They replayed the announcement over and over again, and I stood there listening to it, for what seemed like hours. I began aimlessly walking around the room. I felt a sense of loss and despair, as though someone in my immediate family had died. Even though I had never met the man, and was never any closer to him than the fourth or fifth row at the Cathedral, I considered him my spiritual father.
Dr. Scott taught me to look beyond the cookie-cutter brand of Christianity that is being force fed in most churches today. He taught me that you don't have to "check your brains at the door" when you enter a church building. He was not afraid to question mainstream teachings, and to consider that "church traditions" were not always correct. He was a bold, outspoken, and extremely intelligent teacher, and even though I have since come to disagree with some of his viewpoints, I'm honored to have called him my Pastor. I still miss you, Doc. See you when I get home.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Dr. D. James Kennedy Dead At Age 76
Also see: 
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., Sept. 5 -- RaidersNewsNetwork.com -- Dr. D. James Kennedy, founder and senior pastor for 48 years of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church (CRPC) in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., passed away peacefully in his sleep at approximately 2:15 a.m. at his home with his wife and daughter by his bedside, following complications from a cardiac event last December. He was 76. Dates and times for a public viewing and funeral and private interment will be released when available.
"There are all kinds of wonderful things I could say about my dad," said daughter Jennifer Kennedy Cassidy. "But one that stands out is his fine example. He 'walked the walk' and 'practiced what he preached.' His work for Christ is lasting -- it will go on and on and make a difference for eternity."
Dr. Kennedy, who is survived by Anne, his wife of 51 years, and his daughter Jennifer, preached his last sermon from the pulpit of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church on Christmas Eve Sunday 2006. He suffered a cardiac arrest four days later on Dec. 28, and has since been unable to return to the pulpit. The church announced his retirement on Aug. 26, beginning a process to choose his successor, and had planned a tribute worship service honoring the extensive ministry of Dr. Kennedy on Sept. 23.
"I would like to thank all of you for your prayers, cards, kindnesses and encouragement over the past nine months," Mrs. Cassidy said during the retirement announcement. "Our family knows that we have come through this difficult time because of God's grace and your faithful prayers, and it has brought joy to us to see God's faithfulness in all of this."
While hindered by persistent health problems that included asthma, as well as chronic and often severe physical pain from compressed vertebrae due to an injury suffered as a young man, Dr. Kennedy was indefatigable in his ministry work. He said on several occasions how much he looked forward to being free from pain in heaven. He was one of the nation's leading Christian broadcasters and a vigorous and articulate advocate for Christian involvement in public life.
Dr. Kennedy began his pastorate at CRPC in 1959 and is also the founder and president of Coral Ridge Ministries and the founder of Evangelism Explosion, which equips people in every nation and territory to share their faith in Christ. He was also the founder of two leading educational institutions located in Fort Lauderdale: Westminster Academy, a nationally respected Pre-K to 12th grade Christian school and Knox Theological Seminary, a graduate school preparing Christians for ministry as pastors, teachers, and missionaries.
Dr. Kennedy was born Nov. 3, 1930, but his Christian life did not begin until 1953. Sleeping late on a Sunday morning, his radio alarm went off and a preacher's booming voice invaded his slumber. "Suppose you were to die today and stand before God and He were to ask you, 'What right do you have to enter into My heaven?'-- what would you say?"
Dr. Kennedy soon discovered that answer was to trust in Christ alone for eternal life, and shortly after he made that commitment was called into the Gospel ministry. Crediting this radio program for hearing the call to Christianity, he founded WAFG (90.3 FM) in 1974 as an outreach for Christ to the South Florida community.
He began his pastorate at CRPC on June 21, 1959, and from the outset had a vision for global impact. In 1960, he read the words of Jeremiah 33:3 to the handful of people that comprised his then-fledgling congregation, "Call unto Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." He then told his small flock, "You know what? I believe we can change the world!"
That surprised many in his audience, but today, despite being a local pastor of one church for nearly five decades, Dr. Kennedy has had a worldwide ministry influence. In 1996, Evangelism Explosion -- through which nearly 5 million people have made commitments to Christ in 2006 alone -- became the first Christian ministry to be established in every nation on earth. Long after his passing, an extensive inventory of Dr. Kennedy's messages will continue through "Truths that Transform," a daily broadcast carried on nearly 750 radio stations across the U.S., and "The Coral Ridge Hour," a weekly television broadcast that airs on more than 400 stations and to 165 nations on the Armed Forces Network.
Dr. Kennedy's belief that God will continue to do "great and mighty things" through the obedient efforts of His people never faltered. His confidence in the future also extended to American culture. "America is in the throes of a cultural shift with enormous implications for the future," Dr. Kennedy said in 2004 noting the growth in the number of evangelical Christians in America. "If that trend continues, and I believe it will, Evangelical Christians will be in the majority sometime in the next decade," he added.
"We will miss Dr. Kennedy enormously," said Frank Wright, president of the National Religious Broadcasters. "His moral leadership and his legacy of impacting the globe for Jesus Christ is unmatched by few in the history of the Church. It is our desire to honor him by sustaining and multiplying his impact through Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and all the ministries founded by Dr. Kennedy in the years to come."
Viewing and funeral arrangements will be announced shortly. A legacy Web site, www.djameskennedy.org, has been developed to pay tribute to the life and faith of Dr. Kennedy.
Note to Editors: Ron Siegenthaler, executive minister of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, and Dr. Frank Wright, president and CEO of National Religious Broadcasters, are available for interviews. Please contact Kristin Cole at 615.289.6701 or via kristin@alarryross.com for more information or to arrange an interview. Media information will be available at www.DJamesKennedy.org.
Contact: Kristin Cole, 615-289-6701, kristin@alarryross.com, for Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church
Flashback: Leader of 'Justice Sunday' and 'Reclaiming America For Christ' Endorses Book by Tom Horn
Syndicate your Blog or Podcast with FeedBurner
Monday, July 23, 2007
TAMMY FAYE TRIBUTE SERVICE POSTED
Tribute To Tammy Faye (Rev. Vince Anderson)
download | stream
Jay was in Missouri with family and friends for his mothers funeral and asked Rev. Vince Anderson to speak who performed a beautiful tribute to Tammy Faye. You may listen to his sermon in the media section.
Click here to view the Revolution Podcast page on iTunes.
VISIT MY WEBSITE:
Syndicate your Blog or Podcast with FeedBurner
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
