From Blues to Good News

By Michael Peavy

No one is exempt from the blues. Its shades of color vary. Its experiences bring about feelings of fear, sadness, loneliness, depression, dejection, isolation, sorrow, gloominess, and even melancholia. The shades of trouble will have a seat in your living room, eat bread at your table, and even drink your water.

From the White House to the outhouse; from mi casa to tu casa; from one society's culture, beliefs, and values versus the stark differences in another's traditions, heritage, and/or philosophical identity. Its rhythm and tempo of the night will snatch you, incarcerate you, and seize your attention. Maybe you too can witness to the volcanic combustion of destruction that hot molten lava of hatred deeply imbedded in pain can cause. The blues will grab you irrespective of your race, gender, age, and/or bank account. No one is exempt from the blues.

But in the heat of the blues is good news! Oh yes, help. Real help. A lifeline thrown your way. The lyric structure, the tension and release, the dissonance to consonance, the call and response all trace their common yet particular identifying roots back to a unique beginning where God wants to awaken you from the doldrums of unawareness and despair with a finger touch from His love; in order that we get dressed in the clothes in hope.

It's time to dine in the divine. John 3:16 is a summons for you to sit at the Master's table. So as you move within the territorial boundaries of your gift or talent, remember the words of King Solomon: "Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men" (Proverbs 22:29 NKJV).

When you hear the voice of God, harden not your heart (Hebrews 3:15).

Enjoy my life story!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098091095

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From Blues to Good News

Michael Peavy

Copyright © 2021 by Michael Peavy

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

All scripture references are from the Holy Bible: KJV, NKJV, NIV, ASV translations may be used.

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Fond Memories

Goin’ Nowhere

The Frown of a Clown

A Musical Refugee

From a Refugee to the Savior

The Cure for the Blues

The Ultimate Storm Solution

Summary of Twenty Attributes

Eighteen Learned Lessons

Acknowledgments

First I give all thanks, honor, praise, and glory to my God for allowing me to express myself in word and song; for allowing me to fulfill some childhood dreams; and for allowing me the time, energy, and space to recognize that without Him, I can do nothing.

Secondly, I want to acknowledge the dedication of this book to the love of my life—my wife, Ethel Marie Yancy-Peavy.

Without her continued support, struggle, and encouragement, this work may not have been completed in a timely fashion.

Thirdly, I want to thank you. It is my prayers that while you explore my autobiographical journey of faith, that you too will be compelled to also use your energies more for the Lord in His kingdom.

Introduction

Michael Peavy came into my life as a student of the Scriptures so that he might use his talents and abilities to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ!

As a student, Mike exhibited a tremendous drive and hunger to learn what was written upon the pages of inspiration. He showed an exceptional hunger and thirst for the righteousness of God as he devoted himself into the study of the historical background of the Scriptures, the nature of sin and its consequences, the grace and mercy of God, as well as the love and peace of God—as well as the study of the original language of the Scriptures.

One of the things I admired about Michael’s learning was his ability to digest large sums of information and transform them into activity. Under my discipline, Michael showed a tremendous zeal for personal evangelism as he sought to teach at every opportunity, both in the personal and public sector. Not only did he connect himself to the ministry of reconciliation but also to the benevolence of practicing New Testament Christianity!

When you consider his travel from the world of entertainment to the world of spiritual development, he used his talents and abilities to learn the art of filming, bookbinding, and internet communication to teach and preach to an internet church! The one thing that he has done is found in this book as he writes and made tracts to present teachings from God’s Word.

In his book, he shows the transformation and triumphant journey from the world of musical entertainment to the depths of the riches of faith, grace, and mercy! It shows how—through the power of conviction—one can become a new creature in Christ, a servant of the Lord, and a perpetual student of those celestial truths that free the souls of men!

I recommend this soldier of the cross, a student of the Word, and a preacher of the Word!

I give my sincerest appreciation to a favorite son in the Gospel!

I encourage you to read this treaty of a spiritual journey from instrumental music to an instrument of spiritual manifestation!

Humbly submitted by Dr. Luis R. Lugo Sr.

Quotes of Endearment

Mike Peavy is one of those rare individuals who has the talent to combine the elements of jazz, Gospel and blues into a palatable mixture. His latest CD illustrates his ability to sing, play, and orchestrate his own music. His voice is that of the urban blues singer, and his saxophone combines the above-mentioned combination of jazz, Gospel, and blues into a unique blend. I am certain that he is headed for success because his music is earthy, simplistic, uninhibited, and above all, honest. It is blues from the heart, mind, and soul. Give it a listen, and I am sure that you will agree.

—Bunky Green

This is an upfront, in-your-face, high-energy style of music. The talent level of this unit is high; and the effects of each individuals’ day impacts the degrees of sensitivity that are released when we are together. This is no joke. And quite naturally, yes, we take it personal!

—Michael Peavy

Mike took off on a road less traveled by one of his teachings. He surrounded himself with the cream of the crop in blues. He has worked with renowned artists such as Bo Diddley, Otis Rush, Albert Collins, and Willie Dixon—as well as Billy Branch, Eddie Shaw, and others.

These blues schoolhouse lessons combined with his lyceum learning has given him a unique perspective on the music. Goin’ For The Throat is a mélange of blues and jazz standards with a healthy infusion of Mike’s originals. The gun powder used to ignite this product is the incisive selection of musicians that appear. Like colors on a stark-white canvas, he paints a picture of sound that turns into sensations for the listener.

With a core