New Year, Same Me

Before I begin, let me announce that I just celebrated a wonderful anniversary:

On January 5, 2008, my siblings and I performed our very first gig! We only knew a small handful of songs, but we were so excited to stand on the other side of a microphone for the first time. We will never forget Dennis Riley for inviting us to share our music at Los Rios Rancho that day ten years ago. And look where it's lead us! Since then, we've had the joy of sharing our music in 7 states (CA, NV, TX, AR, MO, TN, MS), performed more than 500 gigs, recorded five albums, appeared on a KCET special with the Chapman University Choir, had our music on the soundtrack of a hit sitcom on ABC,  hosted an award-winning radio show for two years (Ranked #1 in listenership multiple weeks. Best New Show of the Semester, Fall 2014. Outstanding Show, Oct. 2015. Highest Average Listenership of any show, Spring 2016. Show of the Semester, Spring 2016), appeared at events with Dennis Agajanian, Franklin Graham, Greg Laurie, John C. Reilly, Emi Sunshine, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out, and appeared at many bluegrass festivals. Who knows what the next 10 years will hold!

Now on to Christmas:

The difficulty level of buying gifts for people who have everything is off the charts. That is, until you realize that no one truly has "everything"! Sometimes, the stores I visit group their merchandise in very strange ways. However, I found it to be the source of some great gift-giving inspiration! Let me give you an example...

I was looking at essential oil diffusers. They were right next to the shoe aisle. I was thinking that it would be nice if you could take the essential oils with you when you're out hiking in the woods. Thus, you fix them to your shoes and call them your Di-shoe-sers. That needs to be a thing. Their slogan can be "When your feet smell, it's healthy!"

Here's another example... A lamp that was made from deer antlers. It was placed in the dark corner of a poorly lit antique shop. The bulbs were very dim, so I thought we needed more lights. Just use the entire deer and make it a chandelier. You can call it the Chande-deer. That also needs to be a thing. The slogan for this might be "From in the headlights, to the over-head lights!"

Now to the New Year:

Last year, I made the resolution to be a big dreamer and to do something that would cause me to look back on the year and be glad I did it. I'm glad that I started selling T-Shirts. Not because I like to see my name everywhere I look, but when I wear it, it gives me the motivation to keep building this blog and my YouTube channel. Thus, I'm starting the new year ready to take The Real Mark Wimberley entertainment farther than ever. Don't tell me I can't. I got a shirt with my name on it; I can do anything.

Also, I made the resolution to be a millionaire. Guess I'll roll that one over to 2018.

So now, I sense that you are begging to know what my resolutions for this year are (besides being a millionaire like I somehow failed to do last year).
1. I'm going to start being a little more consistent with posting.
2. Eat garlic bread
3. I'm going to start sharing more encouragement for my fellow Soldiers of the Cross

All this said, the official Bible passage for the year 2018 is: Psalm 27

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.

5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.

9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.

11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.