This is my review posted last week at CW and PBF. I will never cease giving thanks to God, CREED, Scott, Elaine, my sweet Paul and so many "angels" of the time for the wonder and power of the entire experience!

Gifts from Heaven: CREED Delivers God’s Goodness to Dallas



NOTE: Prepare for descriptions of emotion and detail ahead! This is a personal recollection, and not a journalistic review. No parts of it are meant to characterize or speak for the band or any member, so please refrain from accusations of labeling. The only intent is to share my heart, my gratitude to CREED, Paul, my precious friends, and most of all, God.

No matter how many nor how descriptive my words of this cherished time, none will be adequate to convey what a treasure those hours are to me, for so many reasons. The entire experience was such evidence of God’s love, power, and care on every level, for every person, in every way possible, and yet more confirmation that CREED coming into my life was a God-given gift, and that God is reigning in all they do. A CREED concert is not an event to me, it is the only way, the only time, I have the honor of giving back to these beautiful men and artists for all they bring to me on a daily basis. I know I have written this before, but no amount of money, time, or effort I spend even begins to approach even a fraction of what they give to me. If you break down the minutes, there is no greater joy on this planet—it’s more than a bargain! CREED shows, and usually one CREED show, are my one event. I don't want or need the nice things in life, everything you possess ultimately winds up being junk someone has to clean up once we die, anyway-- it is the experiences and memories that become part of our very being-- those never leave us!

Several months ago, sweet E and I started to tentatively plan a get together, just to share and “be” with each other. I was so honored and thrilled that she would even want to go to the trouble for me, but it was just a little dream on our back burners, and we thought it would be months and months away, at least. I had bought tickets for Paul and me in May, of course, as soon as they were available. Then came that Sunday afternoon when Scott announced a spur of the moment album review contest for FULL CIRCLE. I didn't enter the contest to win, and in fact, I used the same review I had posted here when the album was released. I entered because I wanted him to know and feel how much that music matters to me, and how brilliant he and they are. The next day, I learn in a message from Elaine first that I had won! I was just thrilled to be chosen, but I wanted to share this special blessing with someone who truly cared, so I extended invitations to Elaine and Frankie, and I did that because I love them, but also because I wanted them to have a show to share this tour. I know how special that is! Sadly, there were difficulties for Frankie, so I offered an invitation to Sharree, but her hubby had bought Pit tickets to celebrate her birthday, so the ticket I had would go to Saxon!

Psalm 33 became a beacon as the day approached, for many personal reasons, for both E and me. In biblical times, minstrels and musicians were the front lines in battle. They went out before the soldiers into the siege. That is how I think of CREED in my life. There are a lot of battles I face, like everyone else, and most no one but God and a very few pairs of ears ever hear, but they strengthen and inspire me through every one of them! E arrived Thursday evening at our hotel, and we were driving in Friday morning. I kept moving the time up earlier and earlier as the day approached, and especially after knowing she was there—I had to be there, too. We left on the earliest time Paul would allow, but still managed to run behind, because Paul will not speed, period, God bless him!

I told her she did not need to, but just as we come to the door, Elaine is waiting in the lobby, runs to me, and we have our first in person hug in nearly 5 years! I can't even describe the joy! She looked so incredible, still like a fashion model! She gives Paul a big hug, when he’s ready to give his standard handshake—you should have seen his face! J As soon as we get to our room, I go to grab some time with E, we talk, laugh, cry, and exchange a few simple gifts, and have a very special bracelet ceremony to join us and Frankie in this time. We also talk about another bracelet she has, and who should get it! I show her the personalized scrapbook pages I created for each of the guys-- with personal captions, along with my gift for little Daniel, a little Snuggle Bug stuffed baby that I personalized with d. i.—little letters for the little man! She shows me the incredible scrapbook she created for the Southwest swing of shows they shared last year. It is an artwork, and makes mine look shabby! We get ready, and in our own ways, try to honor Jaclyn with our wardrobe. We get to the venue without trouble, and we are all wondering what Kiel looks like, as we have never seen him. Sharree, Billy, and Saxon arrive, and we have fun with reintroductions. Saxon is a grown-up, lovely young woman now—time flies when you're my age! Mom and dad leave her in our good care, and she explains that she has only seen Scott “little”, and it makes me feel so good, because I know tonight will be a whole new, wonderful experience! I have seen my share of “little” Scott’s too! When he gets there, he looks opposite of what I had envisioned. I expected dark hair and just a tad burly, but instead he is so slender he makes Paul jealous, and blonde! Fortunately, I had brought all my confirmation/communications emails, and getting my bought tix was no problem, but when Paul shows him the contest messages, his face looks completely stunned, and he says, "I thought she was coming to Houston,” causing me to realize that no preparation had been made for us in Dallas! He explains that he will take care of everything, and for us not to worry, he was very nice about trying to work things out. I knew in my spirit that God would have to bring down His hands in this, and He did, in incredible ways.

As they start letting us in for sound check, E and me hear "Faceless Man” and are almost going crazy to get to that stage! We do get there, and it’s so beautiful to see the guys there, so relaxed and happy, and they all look so rested, too, although I don't know how, because I don't understand how they have time to go to the bathroom with all that happens in the pressure of show days! This time, we are stage left, so I tell E she should float around, and Paul tries to, also, as my tour photographer! Erock acknowledges me with the sweetest nod, as does Brian, who is wearing manstyle Capri’s and flip-flops—LOVE it! Scott sounds incredible, like it was the first show of the road, and greets us all warmly with his “yalls” and smiles. He leaves for a bit, then returns with his own flipcam device, and starts taking OUR pictures—how fun is that! He also gets Eric to do some headbanging for documentation—so cute! He was so himself…he also got Flip to do a funky drumbeat! At first I thought they did "Are You Ready” but looking back, I think Eric only played the intro. They did “Say I”, "A Thousand Faces” so powerfully and connected, as we had never heard before, until the night to come, just beautiful! I would come to understand just why ATF was so much more meaningful later onstage. Mark, Brian, Flip, and Eric gave an extra treat, exiting stage left as soundcheck ended, and we got to tell them what a great job they did, and Mark gave us one of those big smiles! Paul told me after we got home that he saw Milan coming to the stage on the right side just as we were leaving, but he didn't think I could have seen her—oh how I wish I could have had just a glimpse!

We go into one of the little club rooms for the Meet & Greet. It was really dark, but Paul was so glad it had AC! I wanted to try my best to be last, so we hung back, and it was wonderful to be able to watch the guys with everyone—anytime they were spoken to, they responded with genuine humor, care, and listening—their graciousness amazes me! Of course, Scott once again did all he could to give everyone their special moment, and granted quite a few special requests, like a muscle pose for Bear from CW to honor his story of dancing to WAWO with his wife at their wedding, and was listening intently to stories of how the songs and the lives of this band have changed lives. I know he and they hear those kind of stories at every gig, but you would never know it by seeing any of them. They are truly humble. Somehow, Elaine even manages a little makeover before her picture, as if she is not beautiful enough already, and our time is closer. We motion for Saxon to be on her own for her first up close and personal experience, and she looks so cute, perfectly posed between them, like she's done it 20 times! The time goes by so quickly, I always have a special one sentence ready for each of them, but I feel moved to throw those out this time, perhaps because I never know which time will be my last seeing them, and I want them to know just how much they mean to me. They are not stars to me, they are artists and men who are and have been so many times dear friends through times in my life when only they and God were at my side…how many times I have had those times of me, Scott, and God in the dark working things through. There is not a day that I do not pray for each of them, and all their families, on the road or not, in the public or not. I never left them, even when they left each other, and I prayed for this restoration, but I never thought we would witness it so fully, so genuinely. As I approach, even before I extend my hand all the way out, Scott reaches to my hand and takes it, and as we hold hands. I say, "I just what you to know, I would go through FIRE for you guys, because you bring me through EVERY day, and I have every thing you have ever put on record, but I listen to FULL CIRCLE every day, through the day!” They all nod, smile, and I notice that Mark says, “We know”. (Paul saw it too, so I know I am at least close). Then Scott looks right at me, and says, "You are an Intercessor for this band, for all of us, and you rob us from the grave, and that’s from Job 33!” I am speechless and so overflowing with wonder as I hear him, because I realize he is referring completely to our time in Lubbock last year, when I gave him the Sterling Cross necklace with the verses from Job 33 from his testimony engraved on an attached plate, and my words to him when I gave it to him—such an honor to even know he remembered me among all that time and the thousands he meets, much less to have him affirm the small token in such an amazing way! Time for the pictures, and they are all so sweet, and beaming! Paul mentions that he doesn't want to ruin the pictures, and Eric tells him, "You’re not ruinin’ nothin’” just precious! Then, as E is coming up, I tell Scott P. to remember to call me if Cadence ever needs any homework help, and he smiles so big and tells me that she just started second-grade. I can't hear anything that she is telling Mark or Brian, but I see Mark smiling so big, and bobbing his head—he is so animated! She comes to Scott, and he gives her such an embrace, a real hug, so genuine and natural, I would call it a snuggly hug, and of course, his smile for her shines! I will let her tell the rest of the story, and how much Scott showed he cared about her, but before the photo, he gave her a sweet kiss on the cheek! Is it any wonder she GLOWS! I ask if I can have a special photo with Scott since it was his contest I won, and even though Kiel had packed away his camera, E and Scott remind him! That gives us a bit more time, and I give him the gift for Daniel, showing him the personalization, and saying it fit him because Jaclyn had called him a little pouch potato. Scott smiled so big, his eyes got even wider, and he said, “He is!”, and as we are about to do the photo, he quietly tells me, "I still have the necklace you gave me, and I look at it nearly every day.” My heart is soaring, so much that I keep messing up pictures closing my eyes! Kiel and Scott are so wonderful and patient, until I manage to get one right! Scott leaves me with the unforgettable connection and sensation of his arms covering me. He can never know how much that feeling meant to me. I have lost more people than I have had or loved in my life. I have never had anyone to protect me, even now, in many ways. I have learned much more about being strong and independent than I ever have about being cared for. I have relied on God to be my all for all that was lacking, and He has fulfilled. In that instant with Scott, though, I had the embodiment of being sheltered and protected like I have never felt. Those strong, but gentle arms felt as though they could save me from anything. I will never forget the feel of his hands, either, their mix of rough and soft. These are not hands of a celebrity who refuses to work, or has never known true labor. Scott’s are the hands of a real man.

As we go out to wait for the show, we notice that people are being let into the area, and Paul and I still have no tickets. Paul goes to look for Kiel, who had told us that tickets would be waiting. After a while, Elaine gets scanned, so she can try to find him there. Finally, he does bring an envelope, and we go in, not really looking at the seats, assuming they are Pit, but soon to find out they are not. I am sure they probably just scrounged what they could find since they had no plans for us, but Paul took off again to fight for rail! I try to convince Elaine to go find a place, but she sticks with me, such a friend! Out of the blue, another angel comes, who explains that I can be in the Pit as soon as Paul gets back and I get the run down on proper Pit behavior! We see Paul and I wave him over, and my ticket savior tells the other ticket guy he read the tix wrong (not true!) and to give us bracelets! All of the haggling seems to have cost me the rail, but then a nice man, named Jerry, tall and strong, offers his spot, saying he can see, and used to work security there, too-- another angel! Here we are, in my traditional Markside placement! I didn't know until later that Bear had stepped on E’s shoe and broken it on her way into the Pit, but he was very chatty and nice to us through the night. Theft came on, explaining they were a brand-new band, and I really enjoyed their 3 songs, positive with lots of energy. It's tough to be in their shoes... no real audience and opening. As crews are setting up, we notice the drums coming out with MULLET in SKILLET style lettering, and even SKILLET fans are wondering what is going on. They do a great set, some of their really strong songs, and full production with their risers and lights. John explains that CREED’s loving parting joke was to change their name for the night! Everyone around us got a good tickle from it, and John said he liked MULLET better, anyway!

Finally, it’s countdown to CREED! I never keep up with song order or any technical stuff-- what matters to me most is the connection of the band, the passion, the band with the crowd, and all the unforgettable images, and boy, there were plenty of those! This was my 6th CREED show since 2002, and NEVER have I seen more passion, more love, more faith, more giving from that stage. Scott was BLAZING with his vocals ALL night! You would never know this was the next to last show. I have said that his anointing was more powerful than ever this tour, and this show was all the confirmation I could ask. He spoke and shared about every song. Elaine said he was like a "Southern preacher” and I couldn't agree more. He painted pictures and used analogies just like a pastor, and his opening for "Faceless Man” was so deep, personal, and intimate, it was like being in his personal prayer closet, even though we were thousands. He made me shudder, and those words are etched in my soul. The affection between Scott & Mark was so real and apparent through the whole show, over and over again, and so mutual. Please no gay jokes, because in the BEST way, they could not keep their hands off each other! There were fist pumps, chest thumps, hugs, so many whispers and smiles, and a beautiful kiss during the pause in WTLF in front of our eyes, and Scott strummed and strummed on Mark’s guitar at the finale of the song! There were beautiful extras. At one point, I remember saying to myself that if just "What If” and "Say I” were played the way they were this show, the whole ticket price would still be worth it! One of the most wonderful things, was being able to sing with all my heart, and seeing sweet E doing the same, and being able to squeeze her hand as we shared hearts and voices. Paul said, "you girls were going, and your hair (mine) was flying!” No moment on earth is more wonderful! For part of the show, Brian went up high on the risers, and loved the whole night, and Erock was at his hair-flinging best! Besides Scott’s breathtaking solo at the close of OLB, Mark gave me another special delivery pick, keeping with our very special tradition—bless him! Mark also introduced Scott after Scott made his usual credits to the guys, and he said, as best I remember, "lead vocals and lyrics” which I thought was so lovely! I cannot remember the specific song, but before one song, maybe MS, Scott points to Mark and says, "I love this man,” and I think Mark nearly cracked, because he turned his head away so quickly, and then Scott said the same about everyone, until Flip, when he said, "I don't know about this one!” So playful and sweet! He told a precious story of taking his family to Disney World, and Milan seeing Spiderman, and even wanting to run after him, because he was a hero to her, and then he told about meeting a real soldier during the M & G, and how he was a true hero. He told the story about "Higher" being solicited for the beer commercial, and how he and Mark declined. He gave recognition to having his family there and did a absolutely captivating snip of "Lullaby” before WAWO. I love that the crowd sang with every song from FC, and E and I got special love during MS! Scott beamed during the sing along parts of every song, and Paul actually SANG for the FIRST time ever! Another miracle! The night ended too soon, but just right, always leaving us wanting more! I love seeing the guys digging everywhere for something to give, and my night ended with one more treasure-- a water bottle from Scott! That signature last embrace came between them, and I hope one of us got good pictures!

After the show, we spent more hours sharing our hearts and lives, until no food, water, and medication without those caught up with me, making me the sickest I've been a long while right there with Elaine—how could I deserve anyone like her after that! That's the reason this took me a while to write-- I hope it was worth the wait.

A closing note—the cards I made this year for the band featured the crest as part of a star design, with a front message that “ You are a shining example of all that’s right with the world.” That can apply to every CREED member. None of these guys will be declined in heaven!