Rickie Byars Beckwith bubbles over with joy, energy, and love. I was surrounded by her creativity at the Soul Sisters Retreat this weekend in the Temescal Gateway Park in the mountains above Malibu. Rickie has combined all her talents into her most recent artistic endeavor which I just have to share with you!

Rickie just released her book, “Let My Soul Surrender” which is full of her expression. In Rickie’s words: “I want you to know how Art emerges from me. I want to continue to tell my stories – in my own voice and in my distinct way. I want you to know how music lives and breathes through this soul of mine.”

She has created a wonderful inspiration for us by working with her family and friends to create a book and CD that is a synthesis of music, paintings, illustrations, and photographs bringing her stories to life. And she takes the time to give full credit to everyone involved from her son-in law, or son-in-love as they say in her family, Dudley “Declaime” Perkins who did the paintings included in the book. She also gives credit to the designers who created the beautiful wardrobe she wears in the photographs and to everyone who had anything to do with this creation.

One of the things I like best about the book is the loves that just flows through it, especially evidenced in her relationship with her husband. They are such great examples of a wonderful, loving relationship with each other and with their family, church, and community.

If you would like a copy of this wonderful book, just be one of the first three to sign up for my blog and request the book and I will mail you a copy. If you have already signed up for my blog, just send me an email that you want to be one of the first three. If you are not one of the first three, you can order it from her website.

Listen to an interview with Rickie on Rev. Michael Bernard Beckwith’s radio show at the website for KPFK radio. Go to http://archive.kpfk.org/parchive/index.php and choose the archive for the July 29, 2011 show.

“In Culver City, California, Rickie is the Music and Arts Director of the Agape International Spiritual Center where she directs the 200-member Agape International Choir. Together with her husband, Rev. Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith, founder of the Agape International Spiritual Center [and one of the stars of the movie The Secret], their powerful partnership has resulted in a dynamic catalogue of songs that enable transformational healing through the power of music.” http://www.rickiebyarsbeckwith.com/bio