The Kickstarter Phenomenon!

As history has shown us, benefactors have always been essential to the creation of art in society. They saw its importance and realized that art made things "better" in life.  It was through their generosity that many of the masters that we know today and their masterpieces were created for the world. Benefactors enabled artists in all genres to create, for that is what artists do best, they "create". 

For me, I really never considered myself an "artist". People use that term with me on occasion and I am always flattered with that title. To me an artist brings out the very best in the world. The poet uses words that bring the pages to life, painters use color, texture and line to evoke emotion and musicians write songs that truly speak to our hearts.

For someone like me, we still need benefactors to help us "create" our work. I have been extremely blessed in my life with employment but it is still a burden to record an album. I am not with a label, nor do I have a major publishing company that is funding my project. With studios and musicians costing thousands of dollars, we need your help to continue to create our works.  I rely on the generosity of others to assist me in the creation of my art. We need you to be MODERN DAY benefactors.

Crowd funding has become extremely popular over the last few years. It allows people, whether they know you or not, to support a project. Art, invention, or a cause, KICKSTARTER has brought back the "benefactors" to the average person. A vehicle like KICKSTARTER allows people like me to continue to create music.  As artists, we need you. ALL of YOU to help us create our art. Every gift is a blessing. One does not outweigh another. A prayer, a note, a well wish or a monetary donation (no matter the amount),  enable us to continue to do what we do best and that is CREATE art. It allows someone like me to be able to record music when otherwise I would not be able to do so. I have been overwhelmed and humbled by the amazing outpouring of LOVE I have seen in just two days on my KICKSTARTER. I may not be painting the "Mona Lisa" but I still would like to share my gift with the world. 

So, on behalf of artists everywhere. Thank you! Thank you for having the vision to see a different world. That you for seeing the chance to support artists like me who hope to glorify our God in song and thank you for being a benefactor that will allow artists to "create"!

God's great blessings upon you!! 

If you would like to donate to my Kickstarter, please CLICK THIS LINK!

Thank you for your continued support. Please pray for me and my family as I pray for you!               Pasquale

TED Talks and The "Why"

Being a person that has the opportunity to be in front of people a lot, I often enjoy watching other keynote speakers and the way that they share their message. My boss at Servite recommended that I take a listen to a TED Talk about the "Why". TED Talks are hugely popular and I have enjoyed many of them for quite a long time,  and this was time was no different. 

Listening to Scott Sinek, I couldn't help but reflect on my own life and evaluate my ministry. It really made me think, "why am I in ministry?". As I lay in bed last night, my mind became full of different thoughts. I was struck with both profound ideas and even more profound reasons why I do what I do. But it didn't seem enough.

In the morning, I had an emptiness in my heart. Was I doing all of  this for the right reason? Was I doing it for my own glory or for God's? Why couldn't I answer a simple question of "why"? As the day continued, the emptiness became understanding. The beauty of this question is that it allows us to take a step back and evaluate. Whether you are a housewife, campus minister or insurance broker, we all have a reason WHY we do what we do.

And then it hit me. The answer to my troubling question rested in my heart. "Why" I do this is quite simple. I love God and I want to do my part to build the kingdom. Often times, we get caught up in the "how" or the "what" of our lives. The "things" we need to do and how will we be successful at doing those THINGS? We need to stop. Step back and ask "why" are we doing it.  Refocus on the truth of the WHY.

As I broke open the answer, peace filled my heart. I could sense the Spirit calming me.  We all have the "craziness" we deal with in our lives. Our "why" is what continues to motivate us and push through the struggles. Our "why" is what makes us passionate and helps others believe in WHAT we are doing and HOW we are doing it. Our WHY is what will draw others to us and have the desire to find out what makes us different than others and in my ministry, will lead people to Jesus Christ.

I pray that my WHY always remain in HIM. That my WHY not become something that I want but rather what GOD wants from me. That I may continue to serve HIM in whatever way he calls me. 

Thank you Jesus for being the WHY in my life. Thank you Jesus for being the answer to my question.

When you ask yourself WHY, what does your answer look like?