Thanks, Mom!

Ξ May 11th, 2012 | → 0 Comments | ∇ comments, Music, Podcast, southern gospel music, southern gospel podcast, Sunday Service |

Thanks, Mom! [ 54:53 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1662)

This Mother’s Day Edition of Gospel Music Roundup is in direct appreciation for Mom.

Always there when we fall

Ready to pick us up or steer us clear of trouble.

They feed us, clothe us, protect us,

They feel our pain when we hurt,

and always seem to know what’s best for us.

Mothers are ALWAYS RIGHT:

Even if you disagree, you know they are.

I recall in the Film, “The passion of the Christ” the scene where the young Jesus trips and falls And it was Mama who came running to hold him.

More power than ten thousand angels…

More love than mere man can fathom.

Our comforter when we sorrow,

our nurse when we are injured

Our protector when the world comes against us.

And finally, at that dreadful moment when they must LEAVE us, their concerns are not for themselves, but for the ones they leave behind.

Mamas.

Emissaries of our Lord,

Our Savior and our King.

Used mightily of Him,

Yet seem to be so successfully clandestine that we never fully realize how much they are there, until they aren’t there anymore.

Take the time to hug your Mama today, even if it’s just over the phone.

If she has gone on ahead of you, take the necessary steps to ensure you see her again on the other side.

It’s what she would have wanted,

And you know, she’s always right!

In this edition of Gospel Music Roundup:

Dave Berland

Dale Harper

David James

Jason Elkins

Mark High

Blackshear Bluegrass Gospel

BK Minor

Dotson Family Quartet

Rusty Blake

Mary Alice Vanderwater

Kathy Wedvik

The Crownsmen

The Benge Family

And of course,

so much more…

Yes, Lord!

Ξ April 22nd, 2012 | → 0 Comments | ∇ comments, Gospel Bluegrass, Music, Podcast, southern gospel music, southern gospel podcast, Uncategorized |

Yes, Lord! [ 1:00:00 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (924)

Oftimes, you may hear the voice of God speaking to you.  It may come at the time of your conversion or when you’ve been saved for 60 years;  The time frame does not matter.  What matters is that when you hear the Voice of God calling you to a task, that you say, “Yes, Lord!”  Yet, all too often, when WE (myself included) hear that calling, we tend to say “Yes” with our mouths, but internally we start formulating a list of things that have to “fall into place” before we can undertake this mission the Spirit has placed on our heart.  We have to finish school.  We have to get our finances in order.  We have to wait until the kids are older and out of the house.  The list goes on and on, and that list is not a bucket list, it’s an “Excuses list.”
No, I am not telling you to shirk your responsibilities;  I’m telling you to prayerfully consider where you stand, and ask yourself if you are reacting on faith or in doubt.
The reaction of FAITH will cause the believer do everything within their power to move forth with the cause that God has given them.  The reaction of DOUBT will find excuses, and live a guilt-ridden life for not doing what they know they are to do.
You may squelch that guilt, or moreso, you may be desensitized to the imperitive nature of the task by an onslaught of graphic movies or negative media.  But, when all is quiet, you still hear it.  And, when you pray, it gets a little louder;  and yet again you (we) stall.
Most of us have heard the phrase, “When God closes a door, He opens a window.”  Those are the people who are neglecting the tunnel, or as in the case of the ‘Paralytic born of four,” in the second chapter of Mark, the ROOF!:
1When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home. 2And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. 3And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men. 4Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying. 5And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 7“Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, “Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts? 9“Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’? 10“But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, 11“I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet and go home.” 12And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”
Those four men, who remain nameless in scripture, still illustrate my point;  When you know what you must do for the Lord, act.  Don’t pause, don’t stall…  other people’s eternities are at stake, as we are a witness to His power!

In this episode of Gospel Music Roundup:
Canaan Bound        Build An Ark
Instruments Of Faith    We Will Follow
Dan Adkins        You Can’t Take It With You
Signature Quartet         Go Far
The Burneys        You’ll Never Walk Alone
The Crownsmen        Faith Unlocks The Door
Colonial City Quartet     Didn’t It Rain?
Tim Kessee        Christian Soldiers
Wendell Austin        If I had My Life To Live Over
Country Cousins Music    Melt Me
John Paulus        A Few More Miles
Mickey Alexander Ministries    Where The Guilt Stops
Mark Cable        Came So Far
Lottie Collier        Mountain Movin’ Man
Gary Mott            What are ya tryin’ to tell me?
Circle Of Friends        Soul Winner

For more information on our guest author, today,

check out this page or call:

Pete Billac  800-392-1180

Movin’ On Up!

Ξ March 27th, 2012 | → 0 Comments | ∇ comments, Gospel Bluegrass, Music, Podcast, southern gospel music, southern gospel podcast |

Walking Closer [ 1:00:04 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (202)

Our time with God is precious;  And by drawing closer to him, delighting ourselves in Him, we begin to understand what it means to be after God’s own heart.

Jeremiah 18:6
“Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter does?”
declares the LORD. “Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand,
so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.

Isaiah 64:8

But now, O LORD, You are our Father, We are the clay,and You our potter; And all of us are the work of Your hand.

In This Episode:

Golden State Quartet        Shoutin On The Hills
Signature Quartet            I’m Gonna Fly
The Inspirations            When I walk those Streets of Gold
Terrance Alan            Thank You Lord
Canaan’s Road            Just Believe
Country Cousins Music        Faith Becomes Sight
Chosen Few            It’s The Little Things
Instruments Of Faith        When I get to Heaven
Chris Bradley            Day I Met The Lord
Rebecca Jo Huseby            I’d Rather Git Gone
Mark Stephen Carpenter        Things Are Gonna Change For Me
Firesong                Lead Me Home
Surrendered Free            Getting Ready To Leave This World
John Paulus            A Few More Miles
Canaan Bound            Come On In
Eric Gordon            With Faith
Canaans Road            We Will Rise

Gospel Music Roundup | No Boundaries

Ξ September 22nd, 2011 | → 1 Comments | ∇ Artist Spotlight, comments, Music, Podcast, southern gospel music, southern gospel podcast |

Gospel Music Roundup - No Boundaries [ 1:00:00 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (4067)

In this episode of Gospel Music Roundup, I take the opportunity to introduce you to the Missourian’s Latest CD, entitled, “No Boundaries.”  We know that God has no boundaries, but it is also fitting to see this group in action, ministering the Gospel and sharing their testimonies wherever they go.

Listen to the few songs I’ve included from their titled CD, and then visit www.themissourians.com to nab yourself a copy.  In the meantime, you can enjoy listening to the podcast and all the additional great southern Gospel music included in this hour.

Music from

and so much more…

Gospel Music Roundup America

Ξ July 1st, 2011 | → 0 Comments | ∇ comments, Music, Podcast, southern gospel music, southern gospel podcast, Uncategorized |

America Stands For Gospel! [ 1:00:15 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (7371)

I have said it before, and it bears repeating:

There are those who would change us, and actively try to do so.

But even if they were to crash into all of our buildings, tear down every monument, burn every flag, come from every land and try to take over our government and label us with every derogatory term imaginable, the interminable spirit of America, ONE nation, under GOD, will never die.

A few of those responsible for the FIREWORKS in this episode:

Dave Berland, with 2 songs!

Roy Harris

Martin Adams

The Burneys

Dan Adkins

David James

Firesong

Rick Brady

Kathy Wedvick

The Crownsmen

Still Waters

70 x 7

Canaan’s Road

A Circle of Friends

“Legs” Lawrenzi

Also, thanks to these fine gentlemen for their great quotes:

– George Washington

–Thomas Jefferson

– Benjamin Franklin

– Patrick Henry

– Abraham Lincoln

– Andrew Johnson

– Franklin Roosevelt

– Ronald Reagan

And above all else, Thanks Be To God, for the opportunity he has granted me to be in the shelter of his wings and the forgiveness he gives me through the blood of Jesus Christ! To Him be the Glory, Forever!!!

Praise the Lord and pass the high munitions!

Ξ July 1st, 2011 | → 0 Comments | ∇ comments, Music, Podcast, southern gospel music, southern gospel podcast, Uncategorized |

Praise the Lord and pass the high munitions! [ 1:01:30 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (4959)

Praise the Lord and pass the high munitions!

This is the second half of Bob Durham’s Celebration 2010, featuring great patriotic music by some of the country’s TOP Gospel Music Stars!

As I stated in the first half, I have not recorded these shows, but Bob has been so gracious as to share them with you, HERE on Gospel Music Roundup!

The second part of a special presentation this weekend, I would like to share with you some shows from my good friend Bob Durahm, of Gospel Music’s own “Make Mine Southern”, an awesome show available each and every week on KKOW 860 AM from 6:00am to 8:00am (CST) and at Heirwave Internet Radio on Saturdays from 5:00pm to 7:00pm (CST). It features the latest releases from today’s Hottest Southern Gospel acts as well as local and regional artists.

In THESE shows, however, Bob and friends pay tribute to this great land of ours, and this Holiday, Independence day!

Remember, there are four shows in all, so be sure to follow along and listen to each one!

In the service, of the King,

Tom Whiteman

Make Mine Southern re-broadcast 7-4-11

Ξ July 1st, 2011 | → 0 Comments | ∇ comments, Music, Podcast, southern gospel music, southern gospel podcast, Uncategorized |

Independence Day-Make Mine Southern Pt I [ 59:30 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2641)

Independence Day-Make Mine Southern Pt II [ 1:00:24 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (109)

MAKE MINE

SOUTHERN

Fourth

of

July

Re-Broadcast!

Featuring local artists:

The Crusaders for Christ

Singers

Jim Setser

and

The Missourians

For more information:

The Missourians – Contact Us
2621 Matthews
Joplin, Mo. 64801
417-825-1202

TWO SHOWS!  Make sure to download BOTH and LISTEN!!!

Bob and the Missourians have done such a fine job, I’m staying

out of these and enjoying the show

Have an AWESOME Independence Day Weekend!

A Special Gospel Music Roundup, with Dave Berland’s Christmas Songs!

Ξ December 23rd, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Artist Spotlight, comments, Music, Podcast, southern gospel music, southern gospel podcast, Uncategorized |

Dave Berland Christmas Special [ 53:50 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1866)

Jesus Christ is my Hero!

Apart from that, there are but a few men I would like to point to and ask Jesus to make me a little more like “THAT GUY”.

There’s  My Father,  Marvin Whiteman, of course.  And my Pastor Darin.  Several of my good friends (you know who you are) and this man, Dave Berland.

Dave will be the first man to tell you that this music is not his, but God’s.  That the blessings that come through making and listening are not of his talent, except by the talent that God placed in Him.  And Dave LOVES Christmas, as do many of us-  but not for the presents, the lights and the trees, but for the gift of God it represents:

Luke 2:09 behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
Luke 2:10
Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
Luke 2:11
For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

also, as Isaiah prophesied, in Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

THIS is the awesome magnitude we face when grasping the concept:  The WORLD may look at this as nothing more than a time for gifts and parties and hanging decorations, but for us, it means the Birthday Of The King (also one of the titles in this edition~!).

The worldliness of men will try to shoot down the accuracy of the dating with claims that it was moved to superimpose a pagan holiday, and that may be true.  but the date is inconsequential, in that Christendom chose this time to celebrate the arrival of our King.  No matter WHAT date or time or hour, that deserves celebration!  And with the meaning of Christmas inextricably tied to the birth of Christ, I’d say the naysayers are simply upset that the tools of the devil have been overturned with good.

That’s what Christ came for;  to eradicate the works of sin and death and satan and his minions!  And Dave Berland’s heart is to spread that word, that message, in song.  He prepares his heart for the worship services he and his praise team lead each sunday, praying first that God lead, We follow.

To this end, I’ve put together many of my Favorite “Dave Berland” Christmas songs for this special edition, with many old classics and even a few you might not have heard before.  Songs Like:

• Oh Holy Night

• What Child is This

• Birthday Of The King

• Hark The Herald Angels Sing

• Comfort and Joy

• I saw Three Ships

• Look There He Lays

• The Conditions Are Right

• Should Jesus Come This Christmas?

• and many more.

You are more than welcome to download this and any episode of Gospel Music Roundup, but if you prefer I send you a CD version, simply write to me at:

Gospel Music Roundup

20055 Nutmeg Road

Jasper, Missouri, 64755

or E-mail me at:

gospelmusicroundup@yahoo.com

Part II of GMR co-hosting “Make Mine Southern” with Bob Durham

Ξ October 15th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Artist Spotlight, comments, Music, Podcast, southern gospel music, southern gospel podcast, Uncategorized |

Standard Podcast [ 1:00:16 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1773)

Part II of my experience, visiting with Bob Durham of “The Missourians” and “Make Mine Southern”, a weekly radio show on KKOW pittsburg, KS

If you haven’t done so yet, please be sure to check out Part ONE of this visit by clicking this link:

http://gospelmusicroundup.org/2009/10/08/gmr-co-hosts-make-mine-southern-part-1/

Listen to Bob Durham and Make Mine Southern

on HeirWave Internet Radio

Make Mine Southern is a weekly variety program featuring the ministries of regional artists in the tri-state area near Joplin, Missouri area. the program has aired for many years on AM 880, KKOW in Pittsburgh, Kansas. The host group for the program is Heir Wave Internet Radio Featured Ministry, The Missourians Other groups featured on “Make Mine Southern” are the Crusaders For Christ and Soloist Jim Setser.

LISTEN TO “MAKE MINE SOUTHERN”

Mondays: 8PM Eastern
Saturdays: 6PM Eastern

God bless!

Tom Whiteman

GMR Co-Hosts Make Mine Southern Part 1

Ξ October 8th, 2009 | → 1 Comments | ∇ Artist Spotlight, comments, Music, Podcast, southern gospel music, southern gospel podcast |

GMR cohosts Make Mine Southern! [ 59:44 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1217)

Recently I had the grand opportunity to sit in with Bob Durham of the Missourians, as he hosted his weekly Radio Show, “Make Mine Southern” Aired on KKOW, Pittburg KS on sunday mornings.

Bob Durham started with The Missourians in April, 1989, as their Pianist.
I’ve always really enjoyed ALL the songs the Missourians have ever sung, and have never gotten tired of any of them. Probably the song I enjoy the most right now is “Long As I Got King Jesus.” It has an infectious energy and I can’t sit still when playing it. Anything is truly OK as long as I got King Jesus!

How did Bob come to The Missourians?
Bob says, “They started singing in November, 1988 and used soundtracks. I knew Charlie (Burnett) and Jareld (Burnside) after having heard them sing many years with the Calvarymen, and I knew Richard (Crow), because of being with him several years in the Regents. They asked me to play with them, but I could only do it part time at first because of a lot of schedule conflicts. They started scheduling more so I could come and play, and I never even officially became full-time! So you see—I’m still just filling in until they can find someone!”

Bob’s past Singing History is as follows:
The Good News Quartet: 1976-1978; (I started with them when I was in 8th grade)
The Regents Quartet: 1978-1983;
The Albert E. Brumley Singers: 1983-1985;
The Missourians: 1989-present.

I asked Bob the most interesting thing about him.  His reply, “ I’ve never had a boss! I don’t count the time I was working for Dad on the farm, because I was getting “room and board.”   I have over 100 piano students that I teach each week; I taught part-time throughout college and I’ve been full-time since June, 1988. My job is music, and my hobbies are music!   Southern Gospel is my favorite, but I also enjoy Classical, Jazz, and Christmas music.   My most intense “other” hobby is the Dallas Cowboys! I go to a game every year in Dallas and see all the other games on satellite TV.”

In honor of Bob’s 20 years with The Missourians, I thought it only fair to share this as  episode 1 of a 2-part series, with all of you, as this edition of Gospel Music Roundup!

Be sure to catch Bob Durham on Heirwave Internet Radio!

Make Mine Southern

Make Mine Southern is a weekly variety program featuring the ministries of regional artists in the tri-state area near Joplin, Missouri area. the program has aired for many years on AM 880, KKOW in Pittsburgh, Kansas. The host group for the program is Heir Wave Internet Radio Featured Ministry, The Missourians Other groups featured on “Make Mine Southern” are the Crusaders For Christ and Soloist Jim Setser.

LISTEN TO “MAKE MINE SOUTHERN”

Mondays: 8PM Eastern
Saturdays: 6PM Eastern

Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned…

Ξ August 16th, 2009 | → 1 Comments | ∇ comments, Music, Podcast, southern gospel music, southern gospel podcast, Writings |

Father, I have sinned [ 1:00:39 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2493)

My Dear friends in Christ, I have sinned.

Over a year ago,  I was injured in a way that has forever changed my ability to work and provide for my family.  I tried to keep my spirits up, prayed about it, went to all the meetings to deal with the physical pain, but deep inside I had begun to let depression kick in.  Finding Joy became more and more difficult, as I struggled to find the inner strength I needed.

I sent out hundreds of resumes, trying to start some kind of new career, and after months of trying, it seemed I had found one- One that I truly loved and enjoyed.  I threw myself into that work with all that was in me, only to have it suddenly cut off when the folks I worked for ran into big problems in their own lives, and I was out of work again.  I grieved over that job, and wondered how this could have happened after the struggles I’d already gone through. Storms came through here and tore away a large portion of my roof that I’d been trying to put on our house.  My son got hospitalized.  Slowly, I found it harder and harder to crank the mike open and create new shows here on GMR.  I essentially turned my back on God’s work.

This was so much sin, I don’t know where to start-  It was “all about me” and not about God.  I recall thinking that I must be getting some kind of punishment for something, and just felt all the more self-pity.  Many of my brothers and sisters who share with me in this ministry would call and check in on me, and I would try to be positive, and I told them that I would be back soon, only to continue to find it hard to open the microphone.

Eventually, money got to be so tight that we have had to cut back in every possible way, and the pain that I saw I was causing my family made me grieve all the more. I even began to find “reasons” (read that, “Excuses”) to stay away from church services. I still prayed, but they were very self-centered prayers and I knew it.  Finally,  I sought counsel with my pastor one day, as I had awakened that morning with a voice in my head, saying “Go see Darin.”  I had some meetings in town, but as drove past my church, I found myself swinging in and heading for his office.  We talked for two hours and prayed together, and while I would love to say that enlightenment hit me like a ton of bricks, it didn’t.  At least, not then.

Enlightenment actually came only recently, actually;  but in that meeting with my pastor, it did become clear that no matter what, I had to PRESS ON.  Sure, it can sound like going through the motions, but if they are the RIGHT motions, what of it?

The first thing I had to do was to renew my daily prayers, then shut up and listen.  Second, I had to renew my involvement in the family of God. Next I had to yield to the spirit, and that was a bit tough due to my pity party, but I just had to keep saying to myself that God HAD this.  The bills kept getting worse, no new job came, no external changes happened, but internally God WAS working.  He began to make it clear that I had been trying to make my life happen the way I wanted, not the way he wanted.  Systematically, I had shut him out of my life!  I still believed, but in my hurting and self-pity I had become TOM-centered, and not God centered.

Being back in the fellowship has had so much to do with healing for me, I cannot begin to describe it.  Even though the problems were still going on, I began to see how much JOY there was to be had, just being with the family of God again.  But, as I healed, the enemy just turned up the heat all the more, and I still had lessons to learn.  I was still trying to bear up under the financial burdens all by myself, because I was convinced that if I just kept pushing on, God would provide.  He DOES provide, but sometimes I had trouble seeing it, and all the phone calls coming in didn’t help any.  The lesson I had to learn HER was that He wants us to cast our cares upon HIM,  that alone I am powerless, and that I needed to let my brothers and sisters in Christ in on what struggles I was going through so that they can lift them up in prayer!  Previously I’d shared my worries with only a few select people-  I honestly felt that since there were so many other BIGGER problems in other’s lives, they didn’t need to hear about my petty money woes.   But, I was wrong (again) and had to learn that lesson.  The more I opened up to the family of God and had people pray for me and with me, the more things began to change.  That brings me to where I am today, asking you all to pray with me over some things that I am powerless to change.  See, while I have been on this journey of recovery, the path has really taken a toll on my wife of 25 years as well.  This was recently made very obvious when I finally got a new job-  and she didn’t share my enthusiasm.  It pains me so much to think I could have discouraged her this way…   As I prayed about it in preparation to return to GMR, this particular show came to mind.  I love you all, and thank you for reading and listening!

In the service of the King,

Tom

Psalm 62
Song of Trust in God Alone

For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall never be shaken.

Time and again, I face the question, “How can I trust God, with so many problems in my life?  Why doesn’t he just take them away, if he wants me to trust Him?”

Truth is, if you find yourself in the midst of a struggle, God DOES have his eyes on you.  Not to save you or heal you so much as to draw your attention to Him.  I have quite a few struggles going on in my life, and I never had PEACE about them until I laid them at the foot of the Cross that bore our savior, who took away the sins of the world to all who would receive it.  And as a result I am able to laugh in the midst of crisis, to dance for joy that He is faithful, and no matter what darts the enemy throws at me, I am safe in His arms.

For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my deliverance and my honor;
my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.

Satan Knows what will get to you, because he has seen you do it a thousand times before;  He saw that time you fell into the pity pool, that time you burst out in a rage, that important fact you withheld out of self-protection…  Yet he stands at the ready for you to repent of those things and draw unto HIM.

It’s not a fix-all, nor even does it bear the promise of a cure.  Our promise comes in Glory, and once we have left this earthly vessel behind to run to him crying “Abba! Father!”  And, our home in heaven is going to be so far superior to anything our eyes have beheld on earth, we can laugh in the face of the devil and proclaim the victory that is already won!  He CANNOT take that from us!

Special thanks to today’s praise team:

Dale Harper

David James

John Eric Anderson

Burneys

The Son Set Refuge(Still waters)

Dave Berland

Phillip Andrew Newman

Pure Heart

The Missourians

Circle Of Friends

The Crownsmen

Diane Marie Gillaspy

Blue Coyote Band

And SO MUCH MORE!

Gospel Music Roundup: In His Presence!

Ξ February 11th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ comments, Music, Podcast, southern gospel music, southern gospel podcast, Uncategorized, Writings |

Yield yourself to God [ 59:58 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (3309)

What an amazing feeling it is to be in the presence of the Lord!

No, I may not be a current resident of the heavenly places, but I do know my mansion is waiting there, and all of heaven rejoices every time someone joins the family.  I have had the chance to witness a few such events, recently.

As some of you know, I recently joined a Gospel Quartet called “The Victorymen” as a Bass singer.  We typically sing in 2-3 churches in a weekend.  It is a true JOY for me, as I have had a desire to do this very thing for most of my life.  It is also a joy as I get to watch faces light up over some of the songs we sing.  But the biggest joy I get is when we see someone come down the aisle and give their hearts and their lives to Jesus!

We didn’t cause these events;  In most cases, these were people who had been clutching the pew ahead of them for many services before we ever came along, nervous to “Take the walk”,  We were just in the right place at the right time, and the spirit of the Lord moved in a big way on the hearts of these people to LET GO of the pew and tell the world they are ready to give their life over!

Losing some of our fears and worries that life brings our way involves a very similar process for many people;  We fear giving them over to God wholly would take our control away, and some even feel that would be irresponsible.  Nothing can be further from the truth, though;  As long as we cling to our problems and fail to yield them up to God, we are essentially forbidding God to work on them.  For Him to give us the desires of our hearts, we must fully trust Him, and hanging on to our fears and doubts (as much as most people hate to think so) is a sign to God that you don’t yet trust Him.

It’s funny to think that we can stick a plug into a wall, push a button and expect something to happen.  We have more faith in the electric company than we do in God, and when you stop to think about it, can be offensive to God, who is always faithful.

His power is awesome;  His abilities are endless and His wisdom surpasses anything known to man.  His word has outlived generation upon generation and a myriad of social structures, yet we hesitate to TRUST.

When we finally give our hearts and our lives to Him, we begin the process of developing a living, growing relationship with Him that is constantly evolving and moving to higher levels. Each level is designed to bring us to complete reliance on Him through knowledge gained by the reading of His word and the Experiences gained in weathering  our trials.

I still battle with trust issues;  I was always able to do so much until I slowly began to lose those abilities.  Then and only then did I really begin to learn that I had really been trusting myself and using God as my “safety net” to bail me out when things got too hairy.

God has us here on earth to prepare for our eternal relationship with Him in heaven.  One day, once we reach that point of fully trusting, we will be ready to join the throngs in Heaven who rejoice when someone NEW “walks the aisle”!

In this edition of Gospel Music Roundup, I have songs for you by the Victorymen, Canaan Bound, The Signature Quartet, The Missourians, Blessed Assurance Ministries, The Burneys, Chosen Few, Dave Berland, Dan Atkins, The Barkley Family, The Dotson Family Quartet, and as always, SO MUCH MORE!

Please, if you find it in your heart to partner with us in this ministry, you can contact us at

Gospel Music Roundup

20055 Nutmeg Road

Jasper Missouri 64755

email: gospelmusicroundup@yahoo.com

or use the PAYPAL button on the home page!

Gospel Music Roundup: Happy 2009!

Ξ January 14th, 2009 | → 1 Comments | ∇ Artist Spotlight, comments, Music, Podcast, southern gospel music, southern gospel podcast, Uncategorized, Writings |

Happy 2009 in Christ from Gospel Music Roundup [ 58:09 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1791)

Yes, I know I’m a tad late in wishing you all a blessed and fruitful New Year!

But, had I done so on the first of the year, it might have gotten lost in the hooplah, right?  And this way, I can be more personal about it.

Unfortunately, I fall victim to the human condition way too many times.  I allow every other distraction to get in the way of my sitting down and recording these.  It’s not that I don’t want to, but rather that I want everything to be “just right.”   I need quiet, and there hasn’t been much, what with winds and storms and animals kept indoors.  I have also been plagued with a few health issues and even more HOUSE issues, such as frozen  pipes, roof sections blowing away, and other things.  This relates so much to one of the songs in today’s podcast, called “Leavin’ on my mind” by the Victorymen.

The more I deal with the problems of this aging house and aging body, the need for solid maintenance schedules becomes glaringly obvious.  Heat Tape, used to protect pipes from freezing in the winter, generally lasts only 3-4 years.  One would think that one would replace said tape while the weather outside was temperate about every 3 years, just to be on the safe side.  But no, I had to try to eek that last year out of it, and am now forced to deal with a situation where I cannot replace it safely for want of having to leave it exposed to the elements while I work on it.  This would mean the pipe freezing while I worked, which is not good.

I say all this, because as I said before, our spiritual “House”, or where the Lord resides in our heart, is also something we should maintain on a regular basis.  Digging into the word, replacing the problems of our days with his amazing grace, is something we need to be constant and diligent about.  I love to lay my problems at the foot of the cross every night when I go to bed, knowing that God through Christ will take care of them, and some mornings I even forget to try to pick them up again!  (There is no need to pick them up, for if we truly lay them down and ask Him to take them, then TRUST requires that we leave them there)

This episode also marks 6 years of Gospel Music Roundup as a Podcast!  What a wonderful thought!  Praising God in song and hymn and spiritual songs with wonderful friends, like Dave Berland, the Victorymen, The Missourians, Signature Quartet, The Barkley Family, Canaans Road, The Dotson Family, and so many others…

SPECIAL NEWS!!!

I have recently been asked to join “The Victorymen” and am currently singing and practicing with them as their Bass singer!  This edition includes a few songs that I sing along with them on, and also includes some songs made by the Victorymen a few years earlier, when they were a trio.  You’re going to hear Rogers Littlefield, Rocky Biggers, Randall and Myself, of course, but you will also hear songs that include Cherie Riley and Shawn Riley as well as some that include Nate Davis on lead!

This is going to be a wonderful, busy  and exciting year for Gospel Music, and I hope you come along for our small part of it here, on Gospel Music Roundup!

In Christ,

Tom Whiteman

gospelmusicroundup@yahoo.com

A Merry Gospel Music Roundup Christmas From Tom And Donna!

Ξ December 24th, 2008 | → 2 Comments | ∇ Artist Spotlight, comments, Music, Podcast, Uncategorized |

A Merry Gospel Music Roundup Christmas From Tom and Donna! [ 1:01:48 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2741)

This is our favorite time of year!!!

The wonderful sights and smells, the friends, the warm greetings… And the COOKIES!!!

But most of all, the Gift of Salvation in Jesus Christ, the Holy Child born in Bethlehem!

Join Donna and I as we share the sounds, wonders and insights to this marvelous night of nights,and King of Kings!  Includes music from Dave Berland, Tracy Heaston, The Signature Quartet, Chosen Few, The Boatrights, The Missourians, Tom Whiteman, and so much more!

Gospel Music Roundup: Stand for what you believe in!

Ξ October 17th, 2008 | → 2 Comments | ∇ comments, Music, Podcast, Uncategorized |

Stand For A Change [ 59:55 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1324)

This is, without a doubt, a time of crucial choices to be made.

This podcast serves as a reminder; Not of WHO to vote for, or WHAT to vote for, but HOW to select your vote, and to help heal our land.  You must SEARCH the Word of God for guidance, PRAY for the leading of the Spirit, and Trust that He will lead you in the right direction.

It is estimated that there will be a record voter turnout this year, and I pray that YOU are one of them.  Again, I am not here to tell you who or what to vote for, but to instead remind you to seek out God’s will for you and for this country.  She needs all the prayer she can get, right now, and we as Christians and Americans need to stand for a change… GOD’S Change!

The only CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN or LEADER we can believe in is JESUS, HE can CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

Just imagine what He can do for our country!

Here are some of the artists standing with you in prayer:

70×7

• Barkley Family

• Benge Family

• Brian Mace

• Cross Road Quartet

• Country Cousins Music

• Dale Harper

• Dan Adkins

• David James

• Firesong

• Mark High

• Rekindled Quartet

• Golden State Quartet

• Canaan’s Road Gospel Group

• Burneys

• Roy Harris

• Dave Berland

• Martin Adams

• Pure Heart

• The Missourians

• Lottie Collier

• Rod Burton

• Thomas James Ministries

• & every other artist on the Blogrolls, plus so much MORE~!

Please, if this episode means anything to you, PASS IT ON!

Gospel Music Roudnup: All Day Bluegrass Gospel Sing & Dinner on the Grounds!

Ξ September 21st, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ comments, Music, Podcast, Sunday Service, Uncategorized |

All Day Bluegrass Sing! [ 1:00:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1239)

It’s the Gospel Music Roundup Sunday Service All Day Bluegrass Sing and Dinner on the ground!

Bring your covered dish and don’t forget the Cobbler! You can smell the barbecue and Fried Chicken in the air, the laughter of children playing and the spirit of God in the hearts of all.

There’s quite a lineup today of folks waiting to sing for you, but they all are united in the purpose of Praising our God, and Jesus Christ who died for our sins on the cross!

Also, if you are interested in BLUEGRASS GOSPEL, check out these events!

Lottie Collier

Still Waters

Dale McKay

Old School Bluegrass Band

Bill Monroe

Gospel Grass

Mark High

John “Legs” Lawrenzi

Marvin Whiteman

Goin’ Home Gospel Bluegrass

Dave Berland

Lori Bianco

Finley Duke

The Missourians

John Eric Anderson

And as always, soooooo much more!

Take the name of Jesus WITH you!

The Sunday Service: What’s on Top?

Ξ September 14th, 2008 | → 1 Comments | ∇ comments, Music, Podcast, Sunday Service, Uncategorized |

What's On Top? [ 58:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (756)

Hurricane Ike, or the remnants thereof, just passed over last night.  We’ve had a few roofing problems (Leaks) so my son, my wife and myself got out on the roof to try to cover the bad areas in preparation.  About the time the rain hit, we had gotten a decidedly hurried job done.  I had to have help down the ladder, since my knee isnt so good, but praise God, we all got down safely!

It rained hard and it rained long…  but I gotta say, I know what hit us was nowhere near what got Texas and Arkansas on the way here.  we still had leaks, and even a couple new ones, but in spite of it all, only one leak seemed a bother, overall, because it was one of the new ones, and we really hadn’t expected it.

This morning I rose to check out the damage, and there really wasn’t any.  Instead, this is what I saw:

Can anyone paint a better or more beautiful picture than God?  The awesomeness of his work overwhelmed me.

Have you ever heard the story of the new preacher, who delivered his first sermon to his congregation with a fire and a passion that made people raise their hands and applaude?  People shook his hand on the way out, and gave lavish compliments about the sermon.

The next sunday, the preacher stood this time and delivered that exact same sermon, all over again.  This time, those who had missed the week before were pretty excited, but the ones who’d heard it before were left wondering and discussing it among themselves  afterward, musing,”maybe it’s just the jitters, a new church and all…”

On the third Sunday, He began to deliver that exact same sermon, all over again!  A couple of the elders glanced at each other, and knew right away this needed to be addressed.  One of them stood up, right there in the middle of his sermon.

“Pardon me, preacher?” he asked, “But isn’t this the same sermon you preached to us before, both on your first sunday, and this last one?”

The preacher smiled a big smile and said, “Why, YES!  Of COURSE it is!”

The Elder scratched his head for a moment and then eyed the preacher carefully, as he posed his next question: “Well, what gives?  Don’t you KNOW any other sermons?”

The preacher stepped away from the podium and got down on the level of the congregation. “You brought me here to teach you.  As soon as the Lord tells me you have learned the FIRST lesson, we will move on!”

23 people were saved that day.

God sometimes allows repeat difficulties or problems to come our way in order that we might fully learn the lesson that has been placed before us.  The first time, we may cry out, and our prayers are answered, so we rejoice and move on.  Then the same thing happens again, and not only do we cry out, but now we are a little confused because we thought we had overcome the situation.  God will then use his word or another believer to bring you through.   But the truth may be that you haven’t quite GOT it yet, and you again become complacent.  AGAIN the storms come, and you find yourself at odds with GOD!  You get upset, depressed, angry, and overly sensitive, feeling like you are being singled out or picked on.  But God is faithful, and patiently waits for you to sort out the pieces of the puzzle.  If you believe him and love Him, you know the answer lies somewhere, so you start looking.  Opening His word, the answer comes.  This was an extreme faith building exercise.

Recently in my own troubles I got so absorbed in them that I failed to look outside myself at the bigger problems going on around me.  People needed hope, prayer and healing.  Major catastrophes were occurring all around, and my eyes were only on myself.  I was a self absorbed brat, where my Father was concerned.

I sat during this time and looked at my desk.  The bills were piled up.  There were no Job offers coming in, and I had been scammed, mistreated and injured.  All the evidence of my foolish selfish efforts lie before me;  The bills, the documentation from Unemployment denied and appeals, the medical records, medicines I’d been taking and various resumes intermingled with cover letters and such…

Underneath it all was the Bible.  I reached over, pushed the offal aside and picked it up.  Not headed to any book intentionally, it opened to here:

Philippians 2

1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;

13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.

Once again, my own pitiful puny pity party had been exposed.  the words hit me, one of the leaders of the Faith, pouring himself our as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of our faith.

No matter what comes, my eyes are to be fixed on ministering to others, not playing catch-up in the arena of the world.  Satan will continue to try to busy me, but I must leave the temporal behind, and press on. God WILL take care of these things, so long as I persevere in what he would have me to do.

Our Praise Team today’

WIGTUNES

Dave Raymer

Dave Berland

The Missourians

Pure Heart

The Burneys

Jeff T

and so much more!

Sunday Service: A Prayer for Larissa

Ξ August 31st, 2008 | → 2 Comments | ∇ comments, Music, Podcast, Sunday Service |

Sunday Service For Larissa [ 38:17 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (631)

Larissa Cantrell is 17 years of age.  She has always been a good kid, and she is the granddaughter of proud grandparents that are neighbors of my parents in Red Bluff CA.
Larissa goes to High School there in Red Bluff. Her family thought her symptoms were just “teenage stuff:, you know?    …The lethargy, aches and pains, weight loss (they thought it could be anorexia, although unlikely), that sort of thing.  When she could no longer get up on her own and go to school, Her family wound up taking her to tthe emergency room.   She was immediately airlifted down to  UC Davis, a teaching hospital with great facilities. At last word, She is there now. She and the family earnestly desire your prayers, so let’s lift them up!
Larissa has been diagnosed with large cell lymphoma. She is currently going into surgery, for a spinal tap and they plan some bone marrow (work) too. Her lymph nodes have swollen so big that her kidneys are no longer functioning.
Thre is no known cure for this, exceot for our God who can do anything! We just gotta keep asking!

The praise team:  Chosen Few, Anne Erhardt & Dave Raymer, The Missourians, Still Waters, WigTunes, The Burneys, Lottie collier and Mark Cable!

Gospel Music Roundup: Strong words for a strong battle.

Ξ August 13th, 2008 | → 1 Comments | ∇ comments, Music, Podcast, Sunday Service, Uncategorized |

Let's Fight this Fight! [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (887)

Gospel Music Roundup:  Strong words for a strong battle.

This is to be a slightly yet remarkably different edition of Gospel Music Roundup.

There are battles being fought all over the world, but these are not battles of guns, knives, swords, or weapons of mass destruction;  These are battles for the lives of the defenseless.  And, yes, YOU are being called.

Matthew 19:13 Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

In Sunday School, we were taught the ten commandments as children.  NOT the ten suggestions, or the ten moral guidelines,  These were the ten COMMANDMENTS from the author of life and the creator of the universe, the omniscient omnipotent omnipresent GOD.

We were taught even further, the teaching of Paul in the book of Ephesians, Chapter 6, verse three, a further enlightenment on the commandment, “Honor your father and your mother”- which is the first commandment with a promise – “That it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

But, often the curriculum neglected to take it one step further to what the Bible says in Ephesians 6:4.

Fathers, do not exasperate your children, instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

As well, most Children  were not taught Colossians 3:21

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

And to add some much-needed emphasis to guarding the hearts of these children, JESUS  says in

Matt. 18: 6

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea!

Of course, to children these may seem irrelevant or even drastic. But as we grow and learn, for Parents, and others who work with Children, the teaching is CLEAR.  We are to be their encouragers, their teachers, their providers and their Guardians. Most of all, though, we are to LOVE them.

Yet in this so-called “Age of enlightenment”, child abuse is more rampant than ever.  Even in this sleepy little area where I live, where 15 years ago such cases were mere whispers and gossip, they have now become nightly fare on the evening news.

To further the tragedy, this trend is followed closely by the hideous practice of killing the unborn out of convenience, and it has reached epidemic proportions.  A precious gift of God has become a matter where mere humans are trying to legislate around the horror of it, calling it CHOICE.

Yes, this is stronger language than I normally approach these pod casts with, but there is a fight going on that we must choose sides with, and just like in the old testament where God called His people to do battle against His enemies, He is calling us to battle, and the Battle is the Lord’s!

I have talked often of the great friendship I have with composer, singer and producer Dave Berland.

Dave has written a song about our need to stand firm against this onslaught that flies in the face of all that is good and right and commanded of God, and I want to lead off with that song tonight, a song that should become the national anthem of  the fight for the unborn, and it is aptly called, FIGHT THIS FIGHT.

It’s time for a re-training.  Not only in America, but across this land.  Neglect and abuse and dehumanizing behaviors are going on in backyards around the globe.  It’s time to look back on what Christ says about Loving each other:

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 19 We love, because He first loved us. 20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.

Again, in (Psalm 82:3-4).

Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked

In Proverbs 24:11-12, it says to:

Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?

As you can see, this is no NAMBY-PAMBY feel-good course of action:  This is a proactive, urgent call to action on the part of believers all throughout the world and throughout TIME.

Let God speak to your heart about what you need to do next.  I could sit here and try to give you step-by-step instructions, but I believe the answers already lie in your heart by the conviction of the Holy Spirit!

You are his chosen people, the Called ones who are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, and who are ready to cry out, Here am I, Lord, Send ME!

Thank you for your time, for allowing me this brief moment to pour out my passion to you, and most of all for your yielding to what the SPIRIT is telling you to do!

In this episode:

Gospel Music Roundup: Father To Father

Ξ June 15th, 2008 | → 9 Comments | ∇ comments, Music, Podcast, Sunday Service, Uncategorized, Writings |

Father To Father [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (420)

A WONDERFUL FATHERS DAY to all of you!

What can make one’s life growing up more wonderful than a Father who follows the Father?

JOIN ME in this special FATHERS DAY salute to those fathers who not only sacrifice of themselves for their families, but who follow the one who laid down his life in the ultimate sacrifice, that being Christ, humbly submitting and yielding himself to HIS Father, God.

What a blessing my father was to me. Dad was a GM assembly worker for 30 years, and early in my childhood, to me, he RAN the place! Not really, but Dad was the all-around “Fix it guy”, and there seemed to be nothing he didn’t know or couldn’t fix. In a lot of ways I think I got to be what I am by my admiration of this part of him. My pride in him made me want to BE like him. There were many times I would be nearby when he was working in the yard, in the garage, or on the house, and he would explain what he was doing and why. Granted, I was so young during most of this that I didn’t even realize that he was training and teaching me, but he was. And for the longest time- even now- I can hear his voice telling me how certain jobs get done.

When we were disobedient, or rebellious, our correction usually came quickly, but we didn’t live in FEAR., because we knew above all else that he was CONSISTENT. If WE did wrong, our punishment had already been foretold in our teaching and as such was not just anticipated, but expected. This is a concept unfamiliar to many of kids I have seen these days, but for us, we knew if you break it, you bought it.

As a child, I was very fond of cookies and other sweets. My parents had to set up solid boundaries to keep me from overdoing it. I knew full well that taking cookies without asking was wrong, but I kept trying to do it anyway! I distinctly remember one Sunday morning I woke up before most every one else in the house, and LORDY, did a cookie sound soooooooo good. I knew mom had a batch in the kitchen she’d cooked up the night before. I tiptoed down the hall and through the living room, the dining room and finally into the kitchen like I was one of the spies in canaan, trying to make my way to the cookie jar undetected. I gathered a good-sized handful and started back. Through the dining room, through the living room- I was rounding the sofa and bound for the hallway when all of a sudden there stood in front of me the very man who had warned me that doing such a forbidden thing would only cause me pain! I don’t remember how old I was, but I was only waist-high, that much I DO recall. Slowly I raised my head to see an expression on his face that was both stern and disappointed all at once. I KNEW I was in for a punishment, but the punishment is not what stuck in my memory. In fact the punishment is long forgotten, as I seriously do NOT recall what punishment I received. What stuck in my memory was that look- that DISAPPOINTMENT, in my fathers eyes.

Even though we had a firm hand in our father, we also knew that he loved us and has never stopped loving us. When we need help, he does what he can when asked. That doesn’t mean he bails us out of our trouble, but rather helps to point us in the way of repair or redemption, showing the way out of whatever we have done wrong. As my Grandmother Elrod once told me, “I really like Marvin; he can be quiet, but when he speaks, you’d better listen, because still waters run deep. He’s a real thinker, and whatever he says has been really thought out”

I see so much of those very qualities possessed by my father as a mirror image of those belonging to our heavenly father- always there for us, teaching, leading and guiding us, in so far as we are willing to listen and obey; when we wander off, we fall subject to the consequences of our wanderings, but when we are willing to repent and return, He is right there for us. If we fall on our face in the midst of trying to do everything on our own, not listening to his gentle voice to guide us, he doesn’t automatically reach in and pull us out, but is there in a split second when we reach out to him, and are willing to listen to his gentle instructions. When we get hit , in life, with the unexpected injury or loss that we do not understand, we have only to turn to our Father for guidance and the reassurance of faith in Him that brings us to know that HE knows what we do not, and He will do all he can to bring us through it.

I realize, that in this day and age, not all people have been blessed by a relationship with their earthly fathers like what we had, and that human frailty causes many fathers to make mistakes. But no matter where we come from or what we have been through, each of us can look to our heavenly Father to pull us out of the mire and destruction IF we seek him. I for one and all the others who have shared with you in this pod cast KNOW he is there for you and will always be. Get to know HIM, and you will be amazed at all you have been missing.

A special thanks to DAVE BERLAND and Jason Elkins for their amazing assistance and contribution to this podcast!