It Was A Wonderful Night (Christmas Pudding, 2022)

Last Saturday, December 3, 2022, there was a celebration! “It was A Wonderful Night!”

Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock commemorated its 20^th anniversary and raised over $1 million for The Rock Teen Centers in Phoenix and Mesa. The “Christmas Pudding” event was an extraordinary display of talent, philanthropy, and class. It was a night to remember.

It was an honor and a pleasure to finally be able to attend the show. The trip to Phoenix led to many different thoughts and experiences. A change of scenery often allows us to appreciate life a little more.

While “Christmas Pudding” was the main attraction, we were fortunate enough to taste some local cuisine, hike Piestewa Peak Summit Trail, visit the Heard Museum, and tour The Rock Teen Center. Last weekend was unforgettable.

As we discovered new landscapes and food while anticipating “Christmas Pudding,” several points and ideas came to mind. Some of those are Creation, Conduit, Connection, and Creativity.

Creation.
The topic of Creation can be a heated discussion for many people. However, is it really that hard to see our Creator’s witness marks here on earth?

For example, as Southerners (from the East Coast), we are more familiar with swamplands and forestry, yet out West, in Arizona, the landscape is entirely different. Even though the nation’s landscape is vastly different, animals and plants continue to thrive despite vastly diverse conditions.

One must seriously consider asking, “if this is all by chance, how can the things in nature be so intuitively designed and carry out such specific roles (and in different circumstances)?”

If we earnestly look to nature and watch as the animals, birds, and fish carry out their purpose, God is revealed in such illustrations (Job 12:7-12).

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. – Romans 1:18-23

Read the above-listed verses carefully; it’s interesting how simple God has made things. We have no excuse for not seeing Him and His Glory within the nature He has created. Instead, many would rather worship creation instead of its Creator; why is that?

The following are a few pictures from the Arizona landscape at Piestewa Peak. It’s breathtaking to witness our Creator’s handiwork.

Conduit.
Just as electricity and water are transmitted through wiring and plumbing, we are vessels carrying messages to those we meet. Those messages are meant to be conveyed with Love and hospitality – even to strangers (Hebrews 13:1-3).

It was apparent that Phoenix has a sense of community and oneness. People seemed genuine and eager to help each other and outsiders as well. There was a sense of “humble pride” and an eagerness to share. As if to say, “What’s ours is yours, but please respect us and our home during your stay.”

It was also endearing how often we were asked why we were visiting. After replying, “for Solid Rock’s “Christmas Pudding,” many would say how much Phoenix loves Alice Cooper. Just another reminder that Alice & Sheryl Cooper are the “real deal.”

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. – Colossians 4:2-6

As the above-listed verses state, we must be mindful of how we treat others. We transmit our thoughts, feelings, and aspirations in many different ways. Smiles, laughter, conversations, songs, poetry, dance, etc., are all forms of communication. Through them, we connect one to another (and to Him).

Our time in Phoenix was primarily focused on “Solid Rock’s Christmas Pudding.” The atmosphere during the event was unlike most Rock concerts. There was a much deeper sense of unity and purpose. We were there to support “The Rock.”

The following are 1) videos of the winners from The Rock’s “Proof Is In The Pudding” contest (all of which performed at “Christmas Pudding”) and 2) pictures from the “Christmas Pudding 2022” event.

Creativity.
Last week’s post discussed a video Alice made for “The Rock.” In that video, he stated, “what would (humanity) be without (the Arts)?” It remains a profound question.

Each of us has been tasked with something. We’ve been given gifts and are asked to use them accordingly. We must trust that our Creator doesn’t make mistakes. We were placed here for a reason. Unveiling that reason requires believing He will lead you and provide you with the necessary tools.

As Alice alluded to in last week’s video, the Arts are a form of expression. Not only an expression of one’s self but an expression that can be given to us through various mediums – some being loved ones, family, God, etc. Tapping into that creativity brings us closer to our Creator.

What are your gifts? Strengths? Why are you here? No one can deny us our purpose. No matter our age, race, sex, etc., we’ve been called by Him to do many magnificent and beautiful things. Prayerfully and diligently seek what He wants you to do, then persevere forward as He leads (1 Timothy 4:11-16).

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. – Colossians 3:23-24

Our gifts are from Him. They are meant to glorify Him. We must know and cherish that. “Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Center” helps the teens within its walls find part of who they are. For some, they may fully find themselves. For others, it may be that safe place they need as they discover more about themselves.

However, you look at this topic. A place where teenagers can safely fellowship and learn more about life is a good, much-needed ministry. Too often, we forget about those being groomed to take our place. Thank God for facilities like “The Rock.”

Here are some pictures from “The Rock” in Phoenix. We were fortunate enough to meet some of the staff and attend a portion of Open Mic night (held once a month).

Connection.
Humans require four basic needs to survive: food, water, shelter, and connection. If one of those needs is not being met, we are dying. Maybe not at a rapid rate, but we are indeed suffering without those needs being satisfied in some form or fashion.

Focusing on connection, we convey to one another its importance through emotion. There’s an inherent need to feel at peace and one with God. That same feeling extends to others around us as well. We need each other.

Simply put, God is connecting all things in heaven and here on earth under Christ (Ephesians 1:7-10). With that being said, it’s pretty amazing to see how He accomplishes that mission.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. – Romans 12:3-8

The power of connection is often overlooked. In those above-listed verses, we see God’s plan for oneness, with each piece of the puzzle fulfilling its role. Without one, the other suffers, and vice versa. Through the oneness of Christ, we are all made anew and serve our intended purpose.

On our last day in Phoenix, we were fortunate enough to visit The Heard Museum, a preeminent institution dedicated to the presentation, interpretation, and advancement of American Indian art. A story began to unfold through various art pieces, video presentations, and artifacts.

These tribes were connected in various ways. They thrive off that association and yearn to keep it alive through tradition, language, culture, and other factors – a great example of the need for connection.

Here are a few pictures from some exhibits at the Heard Museum.

In conclusion, what a weekend! It’s not too often that an entire weekend leaves us in awe and wonder. However, this trip to Phoenix, AZ, managed to do so.

It’s interesting to see what God has to show us when we remain still and do our best to focus on Him. We remain amazed by Him and His plan.

We are thankful for His Creative Hands and the many blessings He’s given us. As we move forward in faith, we pray that the focus remains on Christ as all things in heaven and here on earth are united through Him.

That’s all for this week. Catch you next Friday.

Until next week, Keep Walkin’ in Faith and Rockin’ with Alice!

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ALICE COOPER’S SOLID ROCK TEEN CENTER:

For more information about Alice’s Solid Rock Foundation, you can click the links below and learn more about them:

Solid Rock is a Christian, 501(c)(3), Arizona nonprofit corporation. The Board of Directors is made up of Christian men and women dedicated to SRF’s purpose.

Started by Alice Cooper and friend Chuck Savale along with an eight member board of directors, incorporated November of 1995.

Solid Rock’s primary goal is to honor Christ by helping to meet the spiritual, economical, physical, and social needs of teenagers and children within our community.

To honor Christ by providing a facility geared toward teenagers that will help them to negotiate through the turbulent adolescent years. The relationally trained Christian staff, of men and women, and the different venues will create an atmosphere which will make it a place where they “hang out”. “The Rock,” the name of the building, will be designed to be a flexible needs structure centered around music. Programs will focus around a multi-use concert hall, coffee house (kitchen/snack bar for concert & other events), indoor basketball/floor hockey court, rock climbing walls, sound room and recording studio, computer/reading/study rooms, game room.

Their goal is to make an everlasting difference in the lives of the teenagers and children they are dedicated to helping.

IT’S A WONDERFUL NIGHT

Official Alice Cooper Sites: