BasementSeven » Feature

Upcoming Event & Book Review for Rodney Redus

b7 — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:21:24 +0000

Below you will find a book review for HISS STORY written by Rodney Redus:

From pre-creation to the promised unified body of Christ, Rodney Redus searches in between the story lines of the Bible and finds a unique way to use his vivid imagination, creative liberty and tactful precision to take his readers on a literary journey behind enemy doors and into the workings of satan. By doing so, Hiss Story exposes the thought process, anger, bitterness, motives, deceitfulness, battle tactics and age-old tricks the kingdom of darkness has used to delay God’s people since the beginning of time. And with his slight of words, Redus backhandedly teaches against those evil tools and warns readers of their effects on mankind and how God meant for them to be avoided. Life lessons and wisdom, moral & spiritual nuggets aside, Redus’ talent and passion for writing surprisingly emerges quite easily. Page after page…bible story after story, Redus keeps you guessing and anticipating the next moment, and when you arrive there, he never fails to surprise and impress with his interpretation and well thought out presentation of that moment. Hiss Story, with its craftily painted images and life lessons, has the potential to pull the attention of Christian readers away from mainstream media outlets and restore the art of Christian writing.

I am eager to experience the future projects of a more seasoned Redus.

Take a moment to visit Rodney’s website at RodneyRedus.Com for more information on Rodney. He has a great video on him proposing to his beautiful wife.

Rodney will be participating in the A WRITER’S VISION 2010 LITERARY SYMPOSIUM BOOK SIGNING in September. You can find all the details for this event here.

Die Tonight Video by Kadence

b7 — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 00:09:55 +0000

Check out more music by Kadence at Positive Hip-Hop!

As the frontman and lead producer of The Exodus Movement (a Christian rap group) since 2000, Kadence has rocked major stages in nearly every state in the US. Kadence is a well-known producer who has produced for the likes of Lecrae, K-Drama, Cam & more. Lecrae’s “Go Hard,” produced by Kadence, has become the anthem of the NBA’s Orlando Magic, requested by Dwight Howard before every game. Kadence moonlights as a Youth Pastor, loves to make jokes, and eats, sleep, and breathes music.

We Tell Stories Poetry Night Pics July 2010

b7 — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:38:02 +0000

Wow! We had a blast with We Tell Stories Poetry Night on July 24, 2010. Amazing poets and dynamic music by George Huff and Rozie Turner. We really hope you made it out and had the opportunity to enjoy it. Have fun with the pictures and check out the links following these pictures for more pictures!

Picture by Pat

Picture by PJ

More pictures by Pat here.

More pictures by PJ here.

Thanks to Pat & PJ for the excellent pictures. You two ROCK like no other!

Invite To Heady’s Blog

b7 — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 06:24:41 +0000

Here is the official invite to my blog. It would be best put – I LOVE TO SEE PEOPLE WIN IN LIFE – concerning the content of my blog. A big HOWEVER, I enjoy fashion, art & cool companies, so I occasionally share content covering these topics.

My heart will grow super big with joy if you decide to stop by my blog daily, and it, my heart, would do a real festive dance if you shared my blog with your friends and family.

For the record, I’m not the best writer concerning the grammatical rules that govern writing.

I smile.

But, I try my best to be clear.

A quick side note, I love writing and appreciate grammar. I’m just not great at it.

Why the name Frozen Laughs? Because, it captures a moment of winning. When you see an individual laughing or a group of individuals laughing, it is a sign of he or them winning at that moment. Not by any means – should I ask life not to move forward; however, I enjoy the memories that a photo allows me to experience.

Go Laugh at FrozenLaughs.Com!

June 2010 We Tell Stories Poetry Night Pictures

b7 — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:27:07 +0000

We had so much fun last month at We Tell Stories Poetry Night. Adrainne Archie did an excellent job inspiring the audience through music. The poets were on point. Sean Johnson jumped in and sang only like he knows how to do. A bunch of fun and here a few pictures to get you excited about our July 24, 2010 We Tell Stories Poetry Night featuring George Huff.

Pictures taken by PJ.

George Huff Live @ We Tell Stories Poetry Night July 24th

b7 — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 06:43:50 +0000

We would love to see you out on July 24th for our monthly We Tell Stories Poetry Night. It will be another night filled with art, laughs & great fellowship.

July 24, 2010 We Tell Stories Poetry Night

* House Band
* Featured Musical Guest – George Huff
* Special Guest – Rozie Turner
* Open Mic Poets
* Location – Java Dave’s (10 NE 10th St OKC)
* Doors Open – 8:03p
* Cover – $8

MORE COMING SOON!

MAY 2010 POETRY NIGHT PICTURES

b7 — Mon, 24 May 2010 17:05:52 +0000

We had a blast on May 22nd at We Tell Stories Poetry Night. So much fun, that we thought we should share some pictures with you. We hope you attend the next one!

Photo by PJ

Photo by Patricia Smith

More Pics by Patricia Smith on our Facebook Page: Click Here

More Pics by PJ: Click Here

June 26th We Tell Stories Poetry Night featuring Adrianne Archie

b7 — Mon, 24 May 2010 16:29:55 +0000

We would love to see you out on June 26th for our monthly We Tell Stories Poetry Night. It will be another night filled with art, laughs & great fellowship.

June 26, 2010 We Tell Stories Poetry Night

* House Band
* Featured Musical Guest – Adrianne Archie
* Special Guest – Sean Johnson
* Open Mic Poets
* Location – Java Dave’s (10 NE 10th St OKC)
* Doors Open – 8:03p
* Cover – $8

MORE COMING SOON!

Interview with Poet Amena Brown

b7 — Sun, 02 May 2010 06:25:04 +0000

We deeply appreciate Amena granting us the opportunity to interview her. We asked her about doing the interview at an event she did here in Oklahoma City. Her performance was powerful.

Thanks to Sean Johnson for handling the interview.

Sean Johnson: How did poetry become your platform?

Amena Brown: I’ve always loved writing poems. I started writing poetry pretty regularly at around 12 years old. I don’t know that I ever thought of it as a platform, but it’s something I love to do. When I was in my freshman year of college and went to my first real open mic at Moorepics in Atlanta, I felt like people crowded into poetry events because they were looking for the truth. I believed then and still believe now that spoken word is a great vehicle to express the truth of who God really is.

SJ: Do you remember the first poem you ever wrote? Quote your favorite line from it.

AB: Oh man, the first poem I ever wrote was about Dr. King in the fourth grade. Don’t remember that one. But the first performance piece I ever wrote was called “Chocolate Mista.” Definitely wrote that after watching the movie Love Jones. lol My favorite line was, his eyes and my eyes/they met like the sun and the moon exchanging high fives/Just before it is the moon’s time to shine. I literally had to dig through some files to find that one!

SJ: If you had $5 to your name, what would you spend it on?

AB: Probably gas and/or some bargain food at Kroger or Wal-Mart. I have had to learn to shop on just a little bit of cash. lol

SJ: Describe what comes to mind when I say…“Calvary”?

AB: Splintered cross. Pain. Rejection. Jesus. Saving. Grace. Love. Undeserved.

SJ: How in the world do you remember ALL of those words when you perform live?

AB: Truthfully, nine times out of ten, I don’t. (Laughing) Most of the time I forget something but the good thing about performing poetry is that it’s not a song. No one knows it word for word to recognize if I leave out a line or totally forgot a section. This happens nearly every time I perform. (laughing) The rhythm of the piece plus handwriting each one helps me to remember most of it. Sometimes I’m closing my eyes to remember a line from a section by picturing the paper I wrote the poem on.

SJ: What are your major influences when it comes to writing poetry?

AB: I write to jazz music, specifically John Coltrane and Miles Davis. I write to their music a lot as well as hip hop. Some of my rhythm and word choice comes from my love of hip hop style of writing. Lauryn Hill, Jay-Z, The Pharcyde, Andre 3000, and Cee-lo Green are several of the emcees whose writing I really admire. Some poets I love and was definitely influenced by are Nikki Giovanni, Maya Angelou, Sonia Sanchez and William Carlos Williams. There are two preaching women I watched growing up and now looking back on it, I think they really influenced how I carry myself on stage: Dr. Claudette Copeland (co-pastor of the church I grew up, New Creation Christian Fellowship) and Dr. Cynthia James.

SJ: Finish this sentence – in 2 and Half years time I hope to be________?

AB: Finished writing a book. A home owner. Host an event or series of events that brings artists and art lovers from diverse backgrounds together.

SJ: What are your three most favorite words in the English language? Why?

AB: Creativity, because for me it is essential to life. Soul, because it reminds of good music. Pen, because i have to have one. Can’t leave home without it. lol

SJ: Did OJ (Simpson) do it?

AB: Man, I’m not even gonna touch that one. lol

SJ: Alright, now to test your skills – can you freestyle a short poem referencing apples, baby
ducks, and Fruit Roll-Ups? (I’m laughing)

AB: First of all, I don’t freestyle. It will take me FOREVER to write this as it does the rest of the poems. (Laughing)

elementary school taught me a few things
1. know what your worth
never trade a strawberry fruit roll-up for anything less than strawberry gushers
don’t settle for anything less
2. trade up
if an apple will be traded up for say a pack of chips ahoy,
it must be paired with say pringles or ridged lay’s chips in ziploc bag
learn to negotiate
3. story time
there was once a baby duck who consider himself ugly
turns out he wasn’t an ugly duckling
he just needed to discover who he really was…a swan
always be yourself, just like God made you

That definitely took me twenty minutes to write. Sigh. (Laughing)

Visit Amena Brown at amenabrown.com and you can also catch her on Twitter at twitter.com/amenabee.

SUMMER JOBS AVAILABLE: MAKING A DIFFERENCE

b7 — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 14:25:45 +0000

The newly appointed Executive Director of Shiloh Camp is a native Oklahoman from Cushing, Oklahoma – Stephan Moore. He and his wife Scotia, along with their seven children relocated to Oklahoman City. Stephan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Shiloh Camp. He served previously as a counselor and on the leadership staff at Kanakuk Kamps before being hired as a Director for ‘Kids Across America’ for 18 years. During that time, Stephan worked with and spoke to thousands of youth; as well as youth leaders from around the country. He developed the Covenant Family program utilized for sharing and modeling a vision for marriage and family for staff members and kids; as well as M.O.G. (Man of God) Day Rites of Passage program utilized for the hundreds of staff at Kids Across America. Stephan also served on the College of the Ozarks Board of Visitors and as a deacon in his local church in Missouri. Stephan was an All-State basketball player and a nationally recruited blue chip athlete. Among other honors, Stephan is an Eagle Scout. He attended the University of Arkansas and played basketball for future Hall of famer, Eddie Sutton, as well as Nolan Richardson. Stephan was a member of several NCAA tournament teams and one NIT team. He was captain of the Razorback team his senior year and graduated with a degree in Marketing.

Years ago, a group of visionaries throughout Oklahoma City came together to build a dream. They envisioned a place for people to grow and learn, to share and create a new future…where lives would change forever. They found it, right in the heart of Oklahoma City – 40 acres of wooded hills, open fields, streams and a small pond — and they decided to call it Shiloh.

Shiloh is known in the Bible as “a place of peace”.

Yet for far too many in our inner-city communities, it is hard to find a peace amid turmoil, hurt, and the challenges their daily lives. A Commitment of faith is turning this around.

Many young people in Oklahoma City need an opportunity to get away from the troubles and temptations of their lives. These “at risk” kids face daily pressures of school violence, gangs, crime, and fragmented homes. Many feel defeated before they ever get started in life. Unfortunately, many kids are unable to afford an escape like summer camp.

Shiloh Camp targets disadvantaged kids who live in Oklahoma City and the surrounding area. We provide a great opportunity for young people to experience the love of God and discover His purpose for their lives. Shiloh desires that each child know, without a doubt, that they are important, valued and loved.

Want to do something beyond the norm this summer?
Do you want to make a difference for eternity?
Do you love Jesus, kids and a fun & adventure-filled camp environment?

Positions are available:

Counselors, Instructors, Nurses, C.I.T.’s (Teen Volunteer Roles). The employment packet can be downloaded from the camp website:

Volunteers & Group Service Opportunities

Volunteer opportunities are also available for you: Church, college groups, youth groups, businesses or organizations, etc. Fall and Spring work days, churches/businesses provide and serve lunches and dinner meals during camp. A perfect way to serve face to face in the summer! Please contact the Shiloh office for more information.

www.theshiloh.net

Camper Sessions

Term 1

Camper Session 1:

June 7th – 11th (ages 12 – 16)

Camper Session 2:

June 14th – 18th (ages 8 – 11)

Camper Session 3:

June 21st—25th (ages 8 – 11)

Term 2

Camper Session 4:

July 12th – 16th (ages 8 – 11)

Camper Session 5:

July 19th – 23rd (ages 8 – 11)

Camper Session 6:

July 26th – 30th (ages 12 – 16)

Each camper session is Monday thru Thursday from 9am to 5:30pm and Friday 9am to 8pm

Climb, Jump, Ride, Laugh, Dance, Paint, Create & “Yahoo!” your way through the best week of your summer at Shiloh Summer Camp! Shiloh is a fun, high energy, adventure-filled Day Camp serving nearly 500 inner-city children each summer! This is a place where children and teens experience the excitement of thrilling and challenging activities, sports, arts and also build life-long friendships with their new friends and a hand-picked staff of positive Christian role models.

Each day at Shiloh begins and ends with our high energy, enthusiastic “Amphi-theatre Experience” where they play games, watch skits and hear inspirational messages about the love of Christ. Campers are divided by age and gender into family groups which are led by a team of mentors. Classes are taught by a staff of young adults.

WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE AT SHILOH?

Basketball, Flag Football (boys), Fishing, Canoeing, Horsemanship, Mountain Biking, Archery, Pottery, Painting/Photography, Dance (girls), High/Low Ropes Course, and our incredible 4-person Zip Line!

QUICK FACTS

An unforgettable camp week at Shiloh is Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday evening ends at 8:30 p.m. with a family picnic, talent show, awards and inspirational presentation!

The cost is $20 per camper, if you pre-register for that week prior to the deadline. ($30 post deadline) For this price each camper receives a small breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack every day as well as a camp T-shirt, water bottle, bible, camp souvenir and a backpack full of school supplies. Dinner on Friday is offered to campers free of charge; and their families are also invited to attend!

WHERE ARE WE?

Take the Broadway Ext. to 63^rd Street East, Turn North on Santa Fe, RT. On 70^th to the Shiloh Gate. Mailing address: 601 N.E. 63^rd St. , Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Phone: 405-858-7011 Fax: 405-858-7012 Website: www.theshiloh.net Email: Info@theshiloh.net

How to Donate

Sponsor a camper – $200

Campers are involved in a week of life-changing experiences. You will receive a picture and a letter from your camper.

Support Programming Cost

Art supplies, fishing poles, bikes, books, etc.

Capital Campaign

Our new multi-purpose facility and Aqua Fun-plex swimming pool.

Buy a camper backpack – $15

Your donation will buy each camper one new backpack filled with age-appropriate school supplies.

Shiloh Summer Camp is a wonderful opportunity and such a blessing for the youth of our community. The Staff of Shiloh Summer Camp will leave your child with great lasting memories that will last a lifetime.. It is a summer experience that they will never forget!