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Prayer Warriors, I don't report as I ought during the season. Things move quickly. But I want to give you enough so that you can pray on point, if you're moved to do so.
CBN arrived a day early and shot all day yesterday. Gailon Totheroh, CBN Senior Reporter and science correspondent, was taken with the Star. He has ample material on tape to do a strong piece, and I know he intends to put the Star Project in a positive light. We need to pray that he will cut a great piece and can succeed in getting it aired early and often. Also that his producer will allot him appropriate time. The piece will likely be 5 - 10 minutes long. He expects it to be translated and broadcast in Central and South America, as well.
PBS will shoot here on December 11 for a piece they will air on their Religion & Ethics weekly magazine. It should be around 7 minutes. I feel good about the relationship developing with the producer, and have high hopes for the piece.
Today, I present in Colorado Springs. Got up at 4.30a, only to be socked in by fog. Could have slept until 6a! I'll nap in CoS before I present.
If you have time, join me in prayer.
"Father, stamina. Jesus needed it. He went into the wilderness to be alone with you because he was constantly surrounded by people. He loved the crowds, but he needed to recharge. Each of us labors hard and needs to recharge. Sometimes the holiday season makes that need greater. Help us to learn from the habits of the master. The best example of living a human life well. We ask that the media people who touch your celestial poetry do it with respect. We ask that you message survives being massaged by people with agendas of their own. We praise you for the way your DVD is being accepted by so many! Go, Lord! Now, help us calm before you, as did Jesus. Help us remember that Christmas is His, Christmas is yours! We love you, Lord! And we pray in His name, amen."
Rick
Not yet. Let me add to your list, because you're on the Star TEAM.
The news anchor at CBS Dallas has completed her story on the Star. It airs tomorrow night at 10p on Channel 11, if you're in the DFW area. Should be available to everyone on the web after that. I haven't seen it, but here is what she said:
"Thank you so much Rick -- you gave us a pot of gold. I think this might be one of the most beautiful and interesting stories I've told in my years here on the religion beat."
Spoke for t w o and o n e - h a l f h o u r s with the science reporter for CBN. He's decided to bring his film crew to town to shoot a piece on the Star. It will air before Christmas to at least a million viewers. Will also be translated and broadcast in Central and South America.
Sam's can't keep the Star DVD is stock!
OK. NOW let's give thanks!
"Dear Father! We are so blessed to be your children. Our hearts are so full at this time of year, when we look about us. We see what you have allowed us to enjoy, and we rejoice with our thanks! We also thank you that you are making your Name great among the nations with your Star! Go, Father! And thank you for letting us be on your team, delighting in all you do! We pray in the name of Jesus, amen!"
Rick
This afternoon, I'll be interviewed by Maria Arita, news anchor for CBS, Dallas. This TV interview is important for several reasons. First, Channel 11 has a huge audience. Second, Maria has successfully pitched this to her producer to run during sweeps week, when their audience will be at its maximum size. Third, if the interview goes well, it may be picked up by other CBS affiliates, or by mothership CBS for distribution nationwide. Anything could happen!
If you have time, please pray:
"Father, you have a history of giving your people the words to say at the right time. We all crave that, Lord, when we're on spot. Each of us longs to feel you prompting and pulling others towards yourself and your kingdom. We ask that Maria will ask excellent questions today, and that the answers will point relentlessly to you and your glory! Use this interview to take the story of your Star nationwide to an audience of millions! We ask this for your name's sake, and in the name of Jesus, amen!"
Rick
From appearances here in Central Texas, most of the major retailers are offering the DVD only online, not in stores. Of course, that is a disappointment, but it could also change if customers demand it. So, if you happen to be in one of the major retail stores, ask a manager to stock the Star!
On the other hand, many Christian bookstores DO have DVDs on the shelf. That's where I purchased mine. It is my understanding that the Family Christian stores are doing a promotion today, so call or go by your local Christian bookstore.
Also, as of this morning, the DVD is available directly from starofbethlehemthemovie.com. And here is FUN NEWS: If you order there, you may be excited to find that Jim Caviezel (who played Jesus in The Passion of the Christ) has become a booster of the Star! Jim plays Jesus again in The Word of Promise audio bible which is now being comarketed with the Star DVD!
God is moving!
If you have time, pray with me:
"Father, we love the choir, but we don't want to preach only to them! We ask that the story of your Star makes its way into secular bookstores where people who do NOT know you come across it. We ask that you make your name great even among nonbelievers. Puzzle and shock them, Lord, with the story of your Star. Draw them to yourself! We ask it in Jesus' precious name, amen."
Rick
Maybe it'll be different this Christmas.
Official retail launch of the Star DVD is two weeks from today, October 23, 2007. The earliest a national chain might advertise it in a Sunday newspaper insert is likely October 21. Of course, they might wait for the Christmas season, or might ignore the Star DVD entirely. But, you're on the team. So, pray, and watch for it!
Thank you for the reviews you have put at Amazon, Walmart, et al. Those positive reviews are actually a form of ministry -- people will stumble across the DVD with no idea about it. Your strong reviews will cause them to get it and hear the gospel in a new way. I'm praying we'll see people in heaven because of this DVD. Your reviews will result in families hearing the gospel this Christmas (for a change). If you have enjoyed the DVD, stop and leave a review at Amazon, Walmart, Target, Circuit City, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, Borders, etc.. God can use you to elbow back into His own holiday.
If you have time, join me in prayer.
"Father, must the evil one dominate popular culture, even your holiday? Your word calls him the prince of the power of the air. When you say that, are you talking about broadcast media? We thank you that your people are fighting back with Christian music, radio, TV and movies. Use your Star as a mighty weapon in the fight. Draw many to the DVD. Fill hearts with the irresistible desire to share with their families. Cause whole households to think about YOU this Advent. We sorrow that so many ignore you, elbow you aside on YOUR birthday. It makes us weep. This year, we ask that your natal Star crash wonderfully, joyously into the homes of thousands! For your glory and our joy! We ask it in Jesus' name, amen."
Rick
Quickly keeping you up to date.
The Star PR firm (A. Larry Ross Communications) is right now on site at the RNA conference showing film clips, handing out DVDs and promoting the Star. And they believe they have a strong "bite" from a Dallas TV station. So, I'm redirected to Dallas, instead of San Antonio. (The PR team in San Antonio still needs your prayers this weekend).
As you know, television stations are in the business of selling advertising. The rates they can charge advertisers are determined by the number of people watching the station. That number is determined a few times each year during the "sweeps" period. During the sweeps, competing stations broadcast their best programming in an attempt to maximize their market share. A.C. Nielsen and other firms count viewers.
The PR people called to say that a TV station in Dallas is looking at broadcasting a segment on the Star during the upcoming sweeps period. Change of plans! Thank you for praying for the workers in San Antonio, and I'll report more about Dallas soon.
Rick
Some of you want to pray for terrific Star media interviews *while* they are happening. Good questions. Good answers. You need "targeted timing." He will give it.
I will be in San Antonio Friday afternoon through midday Saturday at the 2007 Religious Newswriters Association Annual Conference. I will meet informally and formally with writers for *many* news outlets, major and minor.
PRAY.
If you feel prompted to pray at points during those hours, accept this as His leading. Ask Him to reveal the immediate needs. The Lord will guide your prayers, and you will be part of the "hand-to-hand" action, right then, during divinely ordained moments in San Antonio.
Information about the RNA Conference is here: http://www.rna.org/programschedule.php
Bless you, trusted Prayer Warriors!
Rick
