Successful Singer Seminars

New Release a Few Weeks Away!

I blinked and four years have passed since the release of my last album, "Heart of Worship"! Wow, time flies - but I've recently gotten back to writing and recording up a storm - alot of work, but so satisfying!

As of this post, I'm finishing up my newest recording - looking forward to launching the new original music with cool video! After 200 original compositions and hundreds of thousands of album sales in a very blessed career, including almost 30 years of live performances on the road, I believe this single song could eclipse all past sales combined - it's fun and catchy and something others will want to perform and even record as well!

Hint: it's reggae...! I'll keep you in tune with the launch date, and would love your help in getting the word out at the right time.

Wanna be a More Successful Singer?

Also, in addition to current businesses, we're launching the "Successful Singer Seminars". Do you know someone who thinks they have the potential to be a better, and more sought after singer? Perhaps someone you know has always wanted to take their skills to the next level - possibly becoming a professional singer, and maybe even becoming a recording artist!

This seminar is not just about vocal training, although there will be some of that (most quite unlike choir training) - it is more about developing professional singing Mindset & Habits - intangibles that successful singers have and implement.

Yes, some people are born with phenomenal, natural talent, but the fact is that most successful singers simply work at a few skills that non-successful singers don't address, and more importantly, don't even know about. Our coaching will cover those truly secret areas to give our attendees the savvy and edge needed to move forward; and perform in front of real audiences on a consistent basis!

By the way, age doesn't matter. In fact, nothing matters other than the person's genuine desire to sing and perform better. There does need to be some modicum of vocal talent. I like to think that everybody can sing to some extent, but there are people who really should express themselves in a different medium (how's that for being nice?). One of the benefits of this seminar is to guide even mediocre singers into performing to their talent level and in the right style of music. We help attendees choose song genres that match their particular vocal ability, while steering clear of music that simply doesn't fit their voice or delivery abilities.

For example, few opera singers make good rock singers, and vice versa. This is true of all singers, including myself. There are some songs I have no business attempting, but there are plenty of tunes that fit my vocal style and, with sufficient practice, can translate into decent performances! You don't have to be the best, you simply optimize your voice and presentation skills by making proper choices of music styles, songs, and keys! Along with a host of other training tips you may have never even thought about, the improved results will be very pleasing to you and your audiences!

This message is admittedly a bit premature, since we're still in the developmental phases - but I don't mind leaking a little information to get the ball rolling and let you in on our plans prior to the masses finding out. Attendance will be limited, so let's initially simply stay in touch. I envision providing this helpful info from seasoned, successful pros (including myself) to help advance "wanna-be-singers" and many, "already professionals" into more confident and more professional performing artists!

Let me know if you're interested and we'll place you or someone you know into a database that receives this information (dates and locations) in a timely fashion! Send your e-mail address and a short message to me at TimDarnellAC@gmail.com to be added to the list - you can unsubscribe at any time - we won't deluge you with annoying e-mails. When I receive your e-mail, I'll return a confirmation e-mail, so expect that within a day or two of sending your first e-mail to me.

Sing With More Confidence! Sing better - maybe even become a professional. You can do it!

Tim Darnell
TimDarnellAC@gmail.com

To Hold Him Once Again...

Here's a powerful, moving article from the God's Child Project's founder, Patrick J. Atkinson:

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TO HOLD HIM ONCE AGAIN...

This scrappy boy is yours, the policeman told me several years ago. They hadn't yet said hello, and after they thrust some papers into my hands to sign, they left without even saying good-bye.

For them, the small boy they had just pushed towards me was just another package to be delivered. The back of their truck held four more.

Later that day, when the children were in bed and I had a quiet moment alone, I sat down to read the legal folder that came with this frightened child. He was 6 years old, it said. He had lost his parents. His brother, who was all of 7, was going to be "delivered" to me the next day.

An addendum to the usual biography said that I had been interviewed in Guatemala City by a judge, and that I had agreed to adopt both boys. Golly, I thought. I wish I had been invited to that meeting.

Over the years and through the normal triumphs and troubles, I raised this boy whose name was Jose Victor. He was a smart boy, and grew up to be a good-looking, well-educated, and smooth-talking man.

As a child he wasn't a bad boy in any way. He was just, well, adventuresome.

As some of my 16 legal children, Jose Victor's report cards are still in my desk drawer. His photo is on my wall. He came by this past Christmas, and frequently called to check in while he traveled around Central America, working as a salesman.

I wrote to you about Jose Victor once before. It was a couple of years ago and he had gone to a neighboring town to visit his girlfriend. The girl's father and been drinking, though, and he knocked Jose Victor over when Jose Victor wouldn't go out to buy his girlfriend's father more beer.

The father then called out to three nearby friends who were passing by. They were on-duty national policemen. They too had been drinking that night.

Against the girl's screams for help, the four men took turns hitting Jose Victor until he couldn no longer walk. that's when his problems really began.

Loading the wounded boy into the back of a jeep, the three national policemen drove Jose Victor out to a field where they took turns hitting and kicking him some more.

When they were through with their "game", as they laughingly called it, they had a problem on their hands. What to do now? Eventually these national policemen decided to arrest Jose Victor for public drunkenness, although the boy, like me, was a complete teetotaler.

They took him to prison, bleeding and barely conscious. There they threw him on a piece of scrap cardboard. Another prisoner gave him a piece of blanket to hold. Six hours later, there was a change of shifts at the prison. That's when I learned what had happened.

"Are you Patrick," the caller asked. "We have one of your boys here. He's bleeding pretty bad, and he's probably going to die. Come here quickly."

No child should ever hurt like this, I thought as I held Jose Victor's shivering body. In the name of God, i told the man standing nearest to me unlock this door and let me take him to a hospital. No one present had the authority to do anything but stand there and wait.

No longer being polite, I urgently demanded emergency medical care for Jose Victor. I could tell he was dying as he lay on this cold concrete floor.

With no one present who would make a decision, I began to work the phones and called everyone I could.

That is when the first death threat came in on my cell phone, which I had thought was extremely private. Then there was another. And yet another. We kept working the phone.

Soon enough I found a judge who gave us the required permission to rush Jose Victor from this prison to a nearby emergency room. He was immediately admitted with injuries and internal bleeding.

We later filed four human rights violations complaints aganist the three national policemen. On the advise of national leaders, we also pursued criminal complaints for extrajudicial process, assault, and torture.

Over time and with good legal advice and patience, we succeeded at prosecuting these three Guatemalan policemen for the torture and permanent scarring of this innocent boy.

With counseling and medical care, Jose Victor eventually healed from his wounds. He had a harder time clearing away his nightmares.

This past Friday morning, I was at a breakfast in Guatemala City with the United Nations High Commissioner and Javier Castro, our Special Projects Director. We were discussing the deteriorating economy and its corresponding rise in poverty and violence.

Halfway through the breakfast, I received a test message on my cellphone. One of the boys in the Project had just been killed, it said. The boy's name was Jose Victor Sanchez. Later I learned that he had been shot four times by two people on a motorcycle.

Imagine you found the Christ-child beaten and bloody laying on a cold concrete prison floor. You would do all you could to help him, wouldn't you?

That's what we try to do.

Please help us to care for and educate the nearly 5,000 boys and girls in The God's Child Project. Your love and financial support for the children is very much needed.

Also, please promise that you'll remember the boys and girls in your prayers. There's a new angel in heaven today. His name is Jose Victor.

Sincerely,

Patrick J. Atkinson

Your donation works wonders, regardless of the size: TreasuresKingdom@sbcglobal.net

Your donation is tax deductible. God bless you richly!

Tim Darnell
Director
Treasures for the Kingdom Foundation

Simply Grateful!

Life is good! My family and I are blessed in so many, countless ways.

I've spent my entire life encouraging others, mentoring others, building people up, and being available around the clock for business advice, counseling or just an attentive ear. My career has led to amazing roles that have allowed me to be influential in helping people come to an awareness and acceptance of Jesus Christ in their lives. I can't think of anything more important than sharing the Gospel message. That ministry has taken me to a wonderful 24 year career as a singer/musician/song-writer/entertainer, and in that role I've also been asked and had the privilege to give my Christian testimonial, speak, and offer an altar call from the stages of arenas, civic centers, amphitheaters, and coliseums all across the nation. I in no way say that in pride, it's just been my experience for which I am very grateful.

If you ever need an attentive ear, feel free to call me at: 972-727-4995 (office) and leave a voice mail if I don't pick up immediately. I would love to talk to you!

Blessings,

Tim Darnell
Ephesians 2:10

He Chose the Nails

He Chose the Nails

John 11 & 13

Tim Darnell

“Live Like You Were Dying” was a number one hit several years ago in the country music world. It was a great record released by country star, Tim McGraw - the lyrics posing the commonly contemplated question, “What would you do if you knew that you were in the last few days of your life?”

Tim’s song offers a few suggestions: sky diving, Rocky Mountain climbing, and riding on a bull named ‘Fu Manchu’, among other exhilarating ideas. It’s a well-written and well-performed song. It brings up the notion that we would want to go experience one last thrill, something that we’d thought about doing, but never before actually had the courage or inclination to do. Knowing you’re going to die in the near future gives us a little more bravado than normal, reducing the fear regarding dangerous activities we may have avoided in the past.

In John 13, Jesus knew that what He had come to earth for was about to transpire. “Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father.” John 13:1b

Jesus was on a very specific mission, and all the events that were about to happen were crucial to his mission and purpose. In fact, all of creation and all of time had waited for this moment and what Jesus was about to do and endure. What had already happened was hugely significant. His birth, for example, was certainly monumental. His teaching and miracles were both very important. But the birth, teaching, and miracles alone and even together would likely not have stood the test of time. They would likely be remembered and written about; but they would not have completely fulfilled the prophecies foretold by the prophets in the Old Testament. There had to be more.

There had to be the cross. And more than that, there had to be the resurrection, the single greatest, and most momentous event in all of history, past, present, and future.

So, how did Jesus spend his last moments, knowing that He was about to die? “Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God; so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.”

Jesus chose to demonstrate how much He cared for His friends. He chose to humble Himself and serve others. And He chose to stay the course that would lead to arrest, humiliation, mockery, horrendous torture and death on the cross.

In a society where ‘comfort’ and ‘self’ are our central, hotly pursued concerns, Jesus showed by example that there are greater choices that only a person of unfathomable love can make. He chose mission over survival, horrific pain over comfort; service and humility over pride; courage over instinct; and He chose others over self. He chose the way in which He would go and the kind of death that He would die. It was a resolute, determined path that would lead to the most incredible event the world has ever witnessed.

He chose arrest; and He chose brutal flogging that literally skinned Him alive. Jesus indeed purposely chose His fate – one that would glorify His Father and bring all mankind and nations to Him. He even chose the nails in His hands and feet that would add to His already intense suffering and pain – pain that few of us can or want to even imagine.

Did you hear that? He chose the nails. And in so doing, He chose you - and He chose me.

He chose to give you and me life and life to the full. He chose to take away all of the mistakes and shortcomings – the heavy burden of all of our sins that you and I have ever committed and ever will commit. He chose to show you and me the full extent of His love, just like He showed His friends at the evening meal, and the entire world by His death. And He chose to allow believers like you and me to share in His resurrection, the single greatest event to ever occur – the moment in time that opened the door to eternity with God in heaven – all of this for you and me.

Sky diving or riding a bull named ‘Fu Manchu’ doesn’t really come to mind for me personally. Honestly, when contemplating my last days, washing my friends’ feet isn’t the activity that readily comes to mind either. I, like most of us, am still stuck on self too much – there’s my stubborn pride again, constantly getting in the way of what is so much better. I’m stuck with a love that doesn’t compare to the love of Jesus; although I continue to be amazed at His example and pray that I too can somehow approach His lofty standard and willingness to love. It is a mystery to me, and a profound paradox that humility, lowering our ‘self’ and elevating others, is God’s will for us - the secret to glorifying Him and experiencing the best that life on this planet affords.

Resurrection is new life. It is God’s gift to us. Like the trees and flowers that are blooming at this time of year with their evidence of new life and vitality that can only come from Him, Jesus allows us to partake in this greatest of all gifts – a new beginning, a brand new life.

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

Resurrection, the transcendence and defeat of death, is an incredible option given to each of us. It is a choice that we each must make. I choose to answer Jesus’ question in a bold affirmation: Yes, I believe in You, King Jesus – You who chose me. I choose to live both now and for eternity.

Will you boldly answer that question with a definitive, “YES”? When we answer in the affirmative, you and I will experience abundant, new, everlasting life in Him. We choose Him, because of what He chose to do for us.

He chose the nails.

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Prayer: Lord, your gift of love to us is greater than we can even comprehend. All we can do is fall at Your feet and say, “we love You – we thank You for who You are and the amazing choice You made for us. We proclaim You King of our lives.” In Your precious name we pray, Amen.

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If you would like to commit your life to Jesus Christ, you can do so, and thereby experience the most important gift ever offered to mankind! You don’t have to be perfect – I’m certainly not and I know you aren’t either. In fact, we all sin and fall far short of perfection. Won’t you make the greatest decision you can ever make? I pray that you will do so today.

To accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, click this link:
http://www.timdarnell.org/prayer.asp

Tim Darnell is a Christian business owner, professional recording artist, and most importantly, husband to Cathy and father to Lindy, Hannah, and Caleb.

Business Ownership Increasing

Taken from Success from Home Magazine, author, John Fleming, publisher and author of Direct Selling News…

Three Reasons Why Business Ownership is on the Rise

What is causing this monumental cultural shift to working for oneself? How has this entrepreneurial surge become so prevalent? Three factors are changing the landscape of how people make a living in the 21st century.

1. No Job Is Secure

The days of staying with one company for your entire career (like your father did) are over. In these days of frequent layoffs and downsizing, even state and government jobs no longer enjoy this “secure” status. Budget constraints due to a lack of consistent tax revenue coming in (the money that goes to pay for these jobs) have forced many of these people to consider other job opportunities.

2. Technology

The computer and the advent of the Internet have allowed business owners to expand their reach for customers from a local business, limited to a certain geographic area, to a global enterprise, almost overnight. The way we communicate today has little to do with where your office is—freeing millions of people to start their own businesses.

It isn’t physical resources that make you wealthy; it’s technology that makes you wealthy. – Paul Zane Pilzer, from The Next Millionaires.

3. A Desire to Take Control of One’s Future

For most middle-income Americans, living paycheck-to-paycheck has simply become a way of life. In Rich Dad, Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki writes about the long-term effects of this kind of lifestyle: “Financial struggle is often directly the result of people working all of their life for someone else. Many people will have nothing at the end of their working days.” A new generation of entrepreneurially minded people is reversing this once-inevitable subsistence by starting their own businesses. They are creating a better life for themselves and their families by taking control of their income.

Part of finishing rich is understanding that wealth is all around us. Everywhere! Every day, people who are not as smart as you are making money in every kind of business you can think of. --- David Bach, from Start Late, Finish Rich


Blessings,

Tim Darnell
President
Advantage Conferences
Office: 972-727-4995
1-888-832-7635

http://www.advantageconferences.com/

http://www.timdarnell.org/

February Announcements - 2008

The Advantage Conferences business just took on a new dimension that will take the AC message and products into the marketplace unlike never before. The new subscription Power Series Service allows people to experience our products on an ongoing basis for only 39.00 per month!

Additionally...

The Fed just lowered interest rates and we, like many Companies, lowered pricing on the Mindset MentoringSM Conference by a whopping $5,000.00 off the current price and $3,000.00 off the original price. It is now $7,000.00 and accessible to many more people.

This is a buyer's market. Deals are everywhere, and we are no exception. Take "advantage" because this may not last long.

If you have an interest in reviewing the Representative opportunity, go to: http://www.advantageconferences.com/ or e-mail me at: TimD@AdvantageConferences.com

In His Service,

Tim Darnell

Knowing Your Purpose

Knowing Your Purpose

II Timothy 4:5c
Tim Darnell

I’d had an uncommonly long week. On weekdays, my normal routine finds me up making coffee at 4:30 AM. The 2½ hours from 4:45 to 7:15 are some of the most productive moments of my day, reading Scripture and writing or editing materials for my educational company, Advantage Conferences, or the publishing arm, Rhino Nation Publishing. Everyone is asleep and the phones aren’t ringing, so this is a cherished, productive part of my day.

By the end of the week, however, and especially if I haven’t exercised regularly, I’ll begin to develop some fatigue. Thursdays are hectic due to the hour-long Tele-Mentoring training I do for entrepreneurs at 2:00 PM, the Messenger deadline at 5:00 PM, another training starts at 5:00 PM, and a business overview call at 8:00 PM.

Friday was especially long due to a meeting with the owners of a large, wonderful Christian company in Arlington, Texas which also entailed several hours of drive time in Dallas traffic, a myriad of phone calls and e-mails both before and after that meeting, all capped by an early-evening Allen HS football game that went into double overtime. The game was exciting and ended victoriously, but not until 11:45 PM. I wasn’t looking forward to a 7:00 AM meeting again back in Arlington on Saturday morning.

I got there 15 minutes late and even though I was attempting to enter as inconspicuously as possible, I could only enter where every single person in the room could see me. I didn’t see a single friendly face staring up at me, just blank glares that I interpreted to say, “what’s your problem?” Too much coffee from the week before was not helping matters, and I was beginning to really notice a vexed, physical and spiritual agitation creeping in.

So what’s next, but to unknowingly lose my keys, discovering that they were lost only by seeing them at the registration desk. My keys had been found even before I knew they were lost – there’s some competence for you! It was a little less funny then than it is now.
I prayed that God would direct me and reveal His will and purpose to me because I was really not wanting to be there that morning as the dreadfully boring minutes of the last meeting were read. I knew something wasn’t right. Thankfully a really good, powerful speaker – a surgeon from England tweaked my interest for a 30 minute period.

During that speech, however, God also chose to deliver another sermon spoken by Him - directly to me. Let me say that once more: I’m talking about a sermon for me, from God Himself. His extremely clear message allowed me to vision my entire life in a single moment with a panoramic perspective that can only be classified as a Godly revelation. I saw with an incredible “macro”, God-like overview a very broad scene – a vista that was actually my life. It was one of the single, most powerful moments I’ve ever experienced, and the entire vision all came about, was confirmed, and fully explained instantaneously via a three word portion of a single verse of scripture. It never ceases to amaze me how God can say more in two or three words than I can say in an entire book. The three words appeared as a footnote in small letters on a PowerPoint slide. It said,

“…complete your ministry”

That was my sermon, especially meant for me, and it was one of the best I’d ever heard. I “got it” immediately, and experienced a surprising wave of peace descend upon my entire being. I knew that God would answer my prayer for direction and revelation, but His delivery was more magnificent than usual.

Amidst my hectic week, I had spent approximately 15 hours working for the organization whose state convention I was attending that Saturday morning. All 15 hours were good. I was doing good things. I never d.o.u.b.t.e.d. that, and don’t now. But that three word phrase struck me like a ton of bricks, and do you know what the most important word of the three words was? It was the middle word, “your”.

Why was I so vexed and agitated? Because the activities I was participating in and losing sleep over – were not “my” ministry. Difficult to admit – yes, but God showed me as plainly as I could possibly ascertain that this particular commitment, as great as it might be, was and is, not “your” ministry, Tim.

I’m a very willing volunteer – I always have been. I’m optimistic that I can do many, many things – and the fact is, I really can. Perhaps you can relate. You’re willing and you’ll volunteer. You and I tend to sometimes, however, over-volunteer.

There comes a time to simplify and concentrate on our particular callings – in my case, my particular project – my ministry/my God-given purpose and not try to over contribute time-wise to too many other ministries, even as good as they are.

Personally receiving God’s powerful sermon to me (amazing how He can preach a lifetime of learning in 3 words!) was an incredible experience. My peace immediately returned and I felt relief like I can now barely describe.

Rick Warren, in his wonderful book, The Purpose Driven Life, says something very profound in chapter 3. He says, “Knowing your purpose simplifies your life.” As much as I genuinely want to serve and “do good”, the best thing I can do is truly know “my” purpose, “my” ministry – and stick to that. And with that knowing comes personal contentment, simplification, relief from the fatigue, and a return of my joy and energy. Knowing your purpose provides focus that allows you and me to truly “complete” our ministry, and not confuse the issue with this project and that project – all good, but not mine, and possibly not yours.

God’s sermon to me was mind-boggling and spiritually cleansing. I was immediately renewed and refreshed. He answered my small prayer for direction and revelation with the impactful response of a fast moving freight train to the torso, and I am one thankful man for His fantastic sermon.

God is so faithful. He is so willing. He wants us to relax and simply accomplish the task that He has given us. Our tasks – our purposes and ministries are personally unique to each of us.
Mine happens to be ministry to the marketplace – the business world, something I’ve been called to do and love to do. There are 5,000 other ministries out there that are deserving and great; but I’ve got to step back, relax, and recognize exactly what my ministry is and not feel compelled to try to be a part of the many other things I admire – even those that are really good.

If you’ve been a little discombobulated lately, a little vexed in spirit, then the answer is to ask God for direction and revelation regarding your purpose and your ministry. He’ll give you that answer. He’ll preach a sermon to you personally, and I can tell you from very fresh experience – it will be the best you’ll ever experience.