What is a "Podcast"? Simply Stated, these PodCasts are internet mp3 recordings of some great gospel music packaged together in a show of about an hour. You can listen to them on your computer, or download the mp3 file and save it to CD to listen to in your car or share with a friend! Any way you listen, My prayer is that you receive "Blessings Upon Blessings!" If you want more information about any artist you hear in the 'casts, check them out in the blogroll listed below!
So far, There are 42 Podcasts and Articles, and 32 comments from folks just like you. You are cordially invited to browse the archives, read the about page or leave a comment on any post or Podcast!
Hymns of the faith… Where have they gone?
Well, if you were to check out Dave Berland’s home studio, you’d see them all over the place!
Not that he is personally hiding them, but that he has taken upon himself the task of revisiting those classics and giving them a musical form of “Extreme Makeover”! And to date, this writer has seen and heard over 30 of them, and each one is a joy for the ears! More than this, should you chance upon the privilege of talking to Dave Berland, One on One, you’d never suspect what he’s been up to~ the man has a heart of Ministry for Christ Jesus ALONE!
You see, I had heard Dave’s songs prior to these projects, and was deservedly pleased with his work. But one evening, as I was researching “Hymns”, His name popped up. It would seem that Mr. Berland had been quite busy while I wasn’t looking, and had a huge head start on his “Hymns I” project.
The correspondence that followed has led us to a wonderful friendship in Christ. Dave is one of the kindest, most unassuming yet talented men I know, and his diversity of style surprizes me at every turn. His conversational style is as calm and relaxed as you can hope for, yet the man is driven for the music that uplifts our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I would like to someday call Dave my best friend, but I do believe that title is taken up by his Wife. Or his horse; He wasn’t very clear on that. Seriously, tho, this man is VERY clear and open about his love for his Wife, his daughters, his LORD, and of course, that Horse, and I for one am impressed on how he handles so many marvelous facets to his life with clarity of purpose the way he does!
God is going to do some great things with this man, and he already has begun, as is evidenced by the unprecedented rate at which he is rolling out these new versions of the Hymns!
When asked who Dave’s influences are, in life, he answered:
“My deepest longing, and hence my influence, is to be an imitator of Christ. That being said, looking back, I can see my strongest influence was my Dad - a great man of God, who loved all kinds of music and had a passion for the classics.- I miss him so…. Taken home , much to early an age. I only pray that I am half the man he was.
“My Mom: My number one fan,. my prayer warrior. She is not afraid to tell me when something stinks.
.
“My Wife: She is my light and guide
“My Children: There are my hope and joy. May the Christ I sing about be shown to you through me.
“My Pastor - Don: Many songs have come from thoughts he has placed in my heart.
“My long time friend Jim - a.k.a. little fish: When I was down in the deepest pit of depression where all seemed lost. I looked up, and there He was, holding out his hand to pick me up.. There is no greater friendship than one built on Christ love.
Dave’s music, on and off the web, doesn’t stop with just the Hymns, either. He is a songwriter, as well, having composed many songs that he and his family join together in presenting to the body!`
Dave’s love for singing and guitar came ’way back in his high school days: He and his long time friend and dear brother in Christ, Jim, would jam for hours together in his basement. As time went on, he began to give concerts as well as singing with tape backgrounds. andwould do those wherever He could, singing at many different churches and events.
Married life changed some of his travels, and soon, they settled down. He says, “My family band and I have lead worship at our Church together for the past 20 years. My gift from God is, as I lead worship, to look across the stage and see our family, working together in the building up of the Body of Christ.”
Thank you to all the GMR listeners for making this podcast a GMR Favorite!!!
UPDATE: since the release of this episode, Dave Berland has released a fabulous wonderful song and video for Mothers’ day, entitled, “Mama at the Door”!
Check it out, HERE: http://members.soundclick.com/share/57572
You know, often there are times when things go wrong. And I imagine, I probably get as many of those “times” as the average Joe. No… The average TOM. I get just as many as most folks. Some more, some less, but bad things do happen. And most of the time, the response that rolls off my lips when in the midst of one of those times where you just don’t understand it, there’s really no one to blame, and it’s not going to fix itself, is “Ya gotta love it!” Sometimes, when I am especially disgruntled or in a sarcastic mood, I even add, “Ya don’t know what ELSE to do with it”.
Now, a good many people either laugh at this or they look at me like I’ve popped a cork, but most generally, just saying those words helps me to assimilate, or “absorb” the situation at hand, and move on.
This evening, at work, we had someone who did a “No call, no show” on us. Meaning, of course, they didn’t come to work as expected and did not call to let anyone know about it. Most of my coworkers grumbled and complained, as many would. This usually means a lot of extra work for however many hands are left. Me, I rattled off, “Ya gotta love it”.
Again, the strange looks. I can imagine how they must have felt. For that matter, in the occasional time that I have been asked what I meant by those words, I never really clearly described it, nor had I taken the time to think a lot about it myself. You see, it goes back many years for me, when a good friend of mine had about the same habit of saying it that I have now. I just kind of picked it up and plopped it right into my vocabulary.
But tonight someone did ask. In fact I think they almost thought I was making light of the situation. Unfortunately, I was ill-prepared to answer at the moment. This experience, though, got my mental wheels turning, and the answer had already been right in front of me, earlier this week during my personal devotions:
In Ephesians 4, verses 1 through 5, it states:
Ephesians 4
1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism
(NASV)
Did you catch the answer, there? Let me repeat it for you: walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love.
I had been studying Ephesians all of this past week, and yet the answer did not come quickly to mind at the moment. But later, after I got home and reviewed my reading, there it was as plain as day.
What Paul is saying in that passage is, “In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And take note that you do this with humility and discipline—not in short bursts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly.”
The road we are given is the road we travel. And we are told here, that even when the road turns rocky, to pour ourselves out for each other in acts of love.
When the kids (or the parents) are disobedient and cranky? “Ya gotta love it”.
When the cable guy doesn’t show up between 1 and 4 as promised? “Ya gotta love it!”
When your spouse forgets an important appointment? “Ya gotta love it!”
When someone, somewhere, messes up and creates more work for you and everyone around you? Ya GOTTA love it! Romans 5:8
God demonstrates His own love for us, that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for US
(NASB)
This is the collective us. The disobedient, wandering, failing and falling US. And He did so unconditionally, only asking that we love each other- not just Christians or church members or family, but each other- in all humility and discipline, pouring ourselves out to and for each other!
This was a missed ministry opportunity for me. I should have been fully ready with an answer for those words I have used, literally for decades, so flippantly.
1 Peter 3
15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
(NASB)
You might not see it as so serious a situation. Yet tonight I felt convicted over the matter. Maybe I couldn’t have opened up into a full-blown discussion at the moment, but I could have taken the opening as an opportunity to prepare to share; He wanted to know why I said, “Ya gotta love it.” My response could have been something so simple as to have said, “When you have a some free time, there’s a friend I would like you to meet.” and followed up as time allowed.
Our reactions in times of stress or disappointment speak volumes for the hope that is in us. The more we learn of the love of God through Christ, the more we realize how important it is for others to know that peace that passes all understanding and to “speak up“ in His name. It’s not quite as hard as it seems either; I myself, for years, used to freeze up at crucial ministry opportunities out of a fear of “getting it wrong”. But in the word of God, there is no wrong, just as in Christ, there is nothing fickle or false (James 1:17). My fear of getting it wrong was purely and simply a lack of fully preparing myself in the word.
For all of us, our point of contact for the cause of Christ is wherever our feet happen to be planted. To repeat myself, Our response at critical moments speaks volumes for the hope that is in us. Take that time, starting now, to get to know Him better, deeper, and more intimately so that others can hear from you just why you have that HOPE when things go wrong.
When we take the time, regularly and diligently, to dig into the word and prepare our hearts through the word, the Holy Spirit will use that word to change us in accord with God’s will in our lives, and help us to know the importance of a relationship with him and overcome those moments of fear and hesitance. Then we can begin to clearly see just why “Ya gotta love it!”
Our praise team today:
WhigTunes
Dave Berland
Chris Bradley
Jason T of Calvary Chapel
Dan Adkins
Please visit the artist links to the left and let them know how much you appreciate their music and worship offering!
12 When we trust in him, we’re free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go. 13 So don’t let my present trouble on your behalf get you down. Be proud! 14 My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, 15 this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. 16 I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength— 17 that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, 18 you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! 19 Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. 20 God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. 21 Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes! To Be Mature
My Showcase Artist:
John (”Legs”) Lawrenzi:
In 1958, this Pennsylvania native moved to Phoenix, Arizona and jumped feet first into singing Rock and Roll.
“Legs”, as his friends call him, sang with Duane Eddy, Marty Robbins and Wayne Newton, hoping to soon follow them to the bright lights of Las Vegas’. However, drinking and gambling were a constant temptation and overpowered his life. Within two short years, he had to return to Pennsylvania without any money, and soon became the town drunk.
“Legs” continued to spend time in the local bars, hoping for a break that would allow him to do what he loved so dearly, and that was to sing. He would sing for anyone who would buy him a drink, and His strong tenor voice would capture every ear and bring rounds of applause as he belted out the tunes that he loved. Yet, because of the burden he carried in his addiction to alcohol, this came at a great price. His struggle was well known in the local taverns, so while his beautiful
songs brought much appreciation from his audience, many found themselves also dismayed
at his circumstances.
In 1972, “Legs” Lawrenzi’s entire life changed when he yielded his life to Christ. One year later, He joined a Gospel singing group. Now, after thirty one additional years singing and sixteen albums later, he is impassioned for touching the lives of thousands upon thousands, in a positive way.In 1997, after hearing “Legs” perform, a friend was inspired to write Gospel lyrics to some of the great Oldies tunes that “Legs” loves to sing and sings so well. Closing your eyes while he is singing makes one question whether or not “Legs” might actually be the original recording artist, yet the lyrics are now infused with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His praise, rather than the crooning of a love gone wrong. This match of lyricist -and vocalist- was truly a match made in Heaven.
The “Fabulous Fifties Gospel” album was born, and today, instead of performing for a few people in a local bar, The Lord has John (”Legs”) Lawrenzi and his group, the Steel City Quartet, summoned to the stage by resounding applause.
John (”Legs”) Lawrenzi is truly one of the most dynamic Gospel artists of this era! And joined together with “Timothy Charles” Cousino - Lead, Glenn Crawford - Bass, Ron Pry - Baritone,(Ron’s wife, Jan is the one workin’ the sound for this awesome group, as I am told) they have a sonic blessing in store for YOU.This is why I have put together this special “FIFTIES” edition of Gospel Music Roundup: To showcase the work of this
man who has put his feet to the street for the furthering of Gospel in song. If you want to order John “Legs” Lawrenzi’s
CDs, “Thru The Years” or “Fabulous Fifties Gospel”, please visit the Steel City Quartet’s Store on their website:
http://www.steelcityquartet.com/Store.htm
or you can email Legs directly, at
legs@steelcityquartet.com
While you are there, make sure to check out the Biography pages and schedule to see if they might be coming to your area!
As always, with any Artist or group you hear and enjoy on Gospel Music Roundup, I ask that you check out their own websites (their names are linked to them) in the “BLOGROLL” in the center column on my homepage.Email them, tell em how much of a blessing they were to you, and if you would, let them know you heard about them right HERE: On GOSPEL MUSIC ROUNDUP!
You know, often there are times when things go wrong. And I imagine, I probably get as many of those “times” as the average Joe. No… The average TOM. I get just as many as most folks. Some more, some less, but bad things do happen. And most of the time, the response that rolls off my lips when in the midst of one of those times where you just don’t understand it, there’s really no one to blame, and it’s not going to fix itself, is “Ya gotta love it!” Sometimes, when I am especially disgruntled or in a sarcastic mood, I even add, “Ya don’t know what ELSE to do with it”.