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12 Feb 09 - 06:04 PM (#2565358) Subject: Jerry Rasmussen's new book From: Jerry Rasmussen It had to happen sooner or later. I received the first ten copies of my book The Gate of Beautiful: Stories, Songs, And Reflections On Christian Life. Most of us compartmentalize ourselves to fit into a particular group of people with specific interests in common. I do that as much as anyone else. In here, I'm primarily a folk musician who tells an occasional tale or two. In other groups, I am a gospel singer with a strong Christian faith. My songwriting is more folk than gospel, although in recent years gospel has gained some ground. My correspondence over the years has been as much with friends who were atheists as those who were Christians. This book removes the boundaries, which are artificial to me. The book has several chapters that are expansions on old letters I wrote to Art Thieme, and others I wrote to a Lutheran minister. Art, my Lutheran minister friend and I all enjoyed each other and shared conversations through the mail. That's the way it should be. We all loved and supported each other. Several chapters of the book grew out of posts here on Mudcat. Two: A Bus Story and A Train Story were on a thread for writers that's disappeared now. Three or four chapters started out as stories on the kitchen table thread. Most have been expanded with reflections on how my faith colors my view of the world and touches my friendships with people of all (or no) faiths. And then there are the songs. Song lyrics are interwoven from ones I've written to things as varied as You Can't Rollerskate In A Buffalo Heard to jazz songs, with a lot of old gospel thrown in. At the back of the book there are complete lyrics and commentary on 11 gospel songs I've written, only three of which I've recorded. My next step is to do a CD of the songs. The books is what it is. It is me. I've shared chapters with friends of mine who are Atheists, or Agnostics at their request, but I never try to push my own faith on anyone else. I have enough trouble living my own life without trying to live someone else's. You can read more about the book at www.outskirtspress.com/gateofbeautiful (no matter how many times I follow the blue clicky directions, it never works. The webpage is www.outskirtspress.com/gateofbeautiful. I mailed the first copies off to friends and family today. It was a particularly joyful, quiet experience. Jerry _________________ Link fixed. JoeClone_________________ |
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12 Feb 09 - 06:58 PM (#2565420) Subject: RE: Jerry Rasmussen's new book From: Tinker Jerry, I found this prayer yesterday and after seeing your celebration of The Gate of the Beautiful .. well I realized how often your singing and songwriting has served as a gate for me, and for others. Thanks for being one of the truth tellers... tinker O God, help us...to stand with the living Christ at the gates of hope. Not the prudent gates of optimism, which are somewhat narrower; nor the strident gates of self-righteousness, which creak on shrill and angry hinges; but a very different, sometimes very lonely place. It is the place of truth-telling, about our own souls first of all and its condition; the place of resistance and defiance, the piece of ground from which we see the world both as it is and as it could be, as it will be; the place from which we glimpse not only struggle, but joy in the struggle – with the Christ who sets us free; and we stand there, beckoning and calling, telling people what we see, asking people what they see.... - Adapted from a prayer by Victoria Safford |
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12 Feb 09 - 07:36 PM (#2565461) Subject: RE: Jerry Rasmussen's new book From: Jerry Rasmussen That's a wonderful prayer, Tinker. Thanks for sharing it. Jerry |
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12 Feb 09 - 09:37 PM (#2565543) Subject: RE: Jerry Rasmussen's new book From: Bobert Okay, I've never been much into books... Dexlexia will do that to ya'... But I want a copy and I want you to autograph it, Jerry... So how'z that gonna happen... BTW, I probably won't read it, ahhhh, in one shot... It might take years but I will read every word... One at a time... Bobert |
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12 Feb 09 - 10:13 PM (#2565574) Subject: RE: Jerry Rasmussen's new book From: Jerry Rasmussen Hey, Bobert: I'll PM you. The book lists for $14.95 but I'm selling it for $12.95 + $3.99 postage, which should add up to... let me take off my shoes... $16.94. There are only a couple of chapters that are more than five pages long, and each one stands alone. Think of the kitchen table thread, with song lyrics and scriptural quotations interwoven. Jerry |
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13 Feb 09 - 12:23 AM (#2565626) Subject: RE: Jerry Rasmussen's new book From: katlaughing Congratulations, Jerry! It looks and sounds like a fine book!! Have you thought of using youtube to promote it? All the big pubs. are doing movie-type advert trailers for new releases. With the music you have, it seems like a good way to let folks know about your book. luvyakat |
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13 Feb 09 - 01:10 AM (#2565639) Subject: RE: Jerry Rasmussen's new book From: Art Thieme NEWS RELEASE! Jerry, I gotta have one. I will pay for it, and I will read it too. Ignore what I said before... Love to you and Ruth, Art |
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13 Feb 09 - 01:18 PM (#2566103) Subject: RE: Jerry Rasmussen's new book From: Waddon Pete Great news Jerry, Hope it becomes a best seller! Best wishes, Peter |
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13 Feb 09 - 05:06 PM (#2566284) Subject: RE: Jerry Rasmussen's new book From: SussexCarole This is one for our library. Cen't wait to read it. PM on its way |
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13 Feb 09 - 06:28 PM (#2566346) Subject: RE: Jerry Rasmussen's new book From: GUEST,leeneia Congratulations, Jerry. That is a real achievement. |
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13 Feb 09 - 06:33 PM (#2566351) Subject: RE: Jerry Rasmussen's new book From: Jerry Rasmussen Thanks folks. It's been quite a learning experience, and a great pleasure for me because all of my interests come together in the book. It has always been gratifying that friends of mine who don't share my faith still have been enthusiastic about what I'm doing. It says alot about the quality of my friends. Jerry |
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19 Feb 09 - 08:01 AM (#2570775) Subject: RE: Jerry Rasmussen's new book From: Jerry Rasmussen Just an update. I sold out on my first batch of books almost immediately so I haven't been able to fill some of the orders I've received. Today, I'm getting another box of 50 books, so I'll get copies off to all those who already ordered. After some shuffling around, I've set the price at the list price of $14.95 and reduced the shipping and handling cost to $2.95. I am shipping the books First Class. It actually costs me more than $2.95 for the envelope and postage, but I wanted to standardize the cost of the book. You can either go to amazon.com where you can order the book for a couple of dollars less from some suppliers, but you pay a dollar more for shipping and your book will be shipped media mail rather that first class, or order it directly from me. I'm not setup to take Paypal yet so you need to send a check for $14.95 + $2.95 = $17.90 (except for Bobert, as I quoted a lower price for him before I'd figured out all of this stuff.) Again, if you want to see more about the book, go to outskirtspress.com. When the screen opens up, click on Outskirts Press - the store and when that screen opens type "The Gate Of Beautiful" in the search box. If you click on the "Click for details" link underneat the phot of the cover, it will open up my web page and you can read more about the book. If you want to order the book, send a check to me at 95 Hillcrest Ave., Derby, CT 06418 and be sure to include your mailing address if it's not on the check. If you've already ordered the book. it will be going out tomorrow, First Class. Thanks, Jerry |
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19 Feb 09 - 08:01 PM (#2571361) Subject: RE: Jerry Rasmussen's new book From: Peter Kasin Congratulations, Jerry! I'll be ordering it. Best, Chanteyranger |