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!
This episode of Gospel Music Roundup is ready to light the wettest of wood on fire!
Get ready so set your feet to tapping, your soul a twitching and your spirit SOARING as you tune in to this foot-stompin, praise-raisin’, GLORY shoutin’est line up of Gospel Music that’s bound to exceed your soul’s speed limit and leave sin in the dust!
God inhabits the praises of his people, so be ready to be inhabited!
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!
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 get 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 beso 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!
It has been over a year since I last made a podcast about this amazing group; The Missourians!
They have undergone even more personnel changes and broadened their ministry, and the Lord has truly blessed their work with new equipment and an abundance of performance/ministry opportunities, most recently in Broken Arrow Oklahoma with other Gospel Groups to a crowd of over a thousand!
The Missourians have recently released a brand-new CD, entitled “His Amazing Love”!
Join me as bring to you a sampling of this group’s ministry and testimony in song and in deed!
Tight harmonies, upbeat concerts, soul touching songs & the love of Jesus Christ.
That’s what the Missourians Southern Gospel Quartet is known for. Established in
November of 1988, The Missourians Southern Gospel Quartet has been spreading the
message of Jesus Christ through song for many years. During that time the
Missourians have recorded 12 albums and 2 videos including their latest release “His
Amazing Love” which speaks of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s love for us.
The Group is based out of Joplin Missouri. All of the members grew up singing in
Church and now have the true pleasure of spreading the good news to people of all
ages and locations. The Missourians have shared the stage with Gold City, Brian Free,
Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin brothers & many others. The “Missourians also host a
weekly radio show called “Make Mine Southern” on Sunday mornings from 6-8am on
KKOW 860 AM – Pittsburg, Kansas.
1 In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. 2 Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
3 And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts,
The whole earth is full of His glory.” 4 And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke.
5 Then I said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined!
Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I live among a people of unclean lips;
For my eyes have seen the King, the L ord of hosts.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. 7 He touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven.”
Join us for this Sunday Service episode, Worship His Holiness! It’s an easy place to get to, no parking worries, no plate passed around. Just a great time of praise and worship! Bear in mind, things get a little excited when the spirit of God comes down, so ya might want to strap yourself in for this one, because the music is HOT!
Due to popular demand, for the maiden voyage of my NEW MIXER board (received by the wonderful grace of JESUS) I am hosting a follow-up to the last Western Music Roundup several weeks ago!
As I have told you all, the previous mixer seems to have taken a lightening zap, and the need for a new mixer had me counting pennies and praying.
God met the need, thru a marvelous man of God and supporter of this ministry. Now I not only have a new board, but a better board than I have had before! Praise the lord!
Saddle up and join me on the trail that may be narrow, but leads to everlasting life in Christ!
10 Days now I have been fighting technical difficulties at GMR. My mixer board took a lightening hit, apparently, and ceased to operate, As far as I know, the mic still works, but I have been in the process of trying to locate a suitable replacement.
PRAISE GOD, a suitable one is on its way, thanks to the giving spirit of a dear friend, and to Christ, for being so alive and indwelling in this man’s heart.
So much is coming, with the new mixer! I have a new update for you on the Missourians, and several great new songs from artists like Dave Berland (of course!) and Lory Bianco, among others. Quite a few new names who share the pages of the Lamb’s book of life will be singing for you too!
In the meantime, I encourage you to revisit this earlier episode of Gospel Music Roundup, “In Spite Of The Storms”, and don’t forget to vist the many artists listed to the left of this page, Many of whom have many songs you can listen to on their pages. When you do, I’d appreciate it if you let them know you heard about them right HERE on Gospel Music Roundup!
A blessed and honorable Fourth of July celebration to you all!
I hope you are able to incorporate this episode into your weekend, and in a small way, minister to those around you with the music!
The political air of the day may seem unstable, and looking to the future makes you feel a tad unsure, but the only way to see where you are going is to take a clear look at where we have been!
The Word of God is our roadmap, and to follow it’s direction, we need to pay close attention to the signposts God has placed there for us along the way.
A few of those responsible for the FIREWORKS in this episode:
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!!!
There’s just something about a Cowboy. The image comes to mind of riding the trails in the old west, pushing cattle across the Grand Fork, or lounging on the boardwalk in a sleepy western town.
Most of us think of days gone by, when we think of cowboys. Yet real, honest-to-goodness hardworking cowboys are alive, well, and working even today.
While their name may conjure up images of wide-open spaces and unlimited freedom, the American Cowboy still managed to get trapped in his own heart, searching for something that he couldn’t put a finger on. That something was there for him all the time; It just took someone ELSE to introduce him to it.
Jesus wandered out into the desert to begin his preparation for ministering unto his Father. During the course of his ministry, He, much like the Cowboy, roamed the trails and plains of His time.
Here, we salute the Cowboy who has found Christ and keeps Him in their heart. They come in all shapes, sizes, and even clothing, but in their heart, they Love Christ and want to go wherever He sends them to serve only Him.
Join us as we celebrate the Spirit that guides these Christian Cowboys, on Gospel Music Roundup!
In this edition:
Belinda Gail
Curly Musgrave
Lee Andrew Bray
Lory Bianco
Barkley Family
Dave Berland
Chosen Few
Jeff Knight
Finlay Duke
Bobby Gilles
Bodie
Gwendella
Buddy Durett
Dan Adkins
Dotson Family quartet
Grandpa’s Neighbor
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!
There is nothing wrong with your computer or audio device. Do not attempt to adjust anything; He will be controlling transmission. If He wishes to make it louder, He will bring up the volume. If He wishes to make it softer, He will tune it to a whisper. He will control the Worship. He will control the praise. He can roll the spirit inside you, and make it flutter. He can change the focus of your life from a soft blur and sharpen it to crystal clarity. For the next hour, sit as quietly as you dare and He can control all that you see and hear, if you allow Him to. We repeat, there is nothing wrong with your computer or audio device. You are about to participate in a great adventure. You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the Heavenly realms to… The Prays Zone,
Where there IS no “outer limits”.
As I began to pull the music together for this edition of Gospel Music Roundup, something awesome happened. It went from me picking and deciding which songs to play, to the songs just kind of “falling into place” without my help or input. God was clearly in control, and he has a plan for this particular Podcast.
Saddle up, buckle down, or hang on, because in THIS edition, our great and mighty savior is going to take you on a musical ride that only HE can navigate. So LET him. Enjoy the ride, and I will see you on the other side!
Ol’ Tom’s had a rough go of it for the last couple of weeks. But today is not a day to think about my pain or my suffering. These dwindle in the light of the suffering that God went through in allowing His Son to go through the humiliation and death of the cross. Of Jesus who suffered at the hands of the very sinful men He was dying to save… My suffering even dwindles when I think how many of our peoples have suffered and died for the freedom we have to celebrate our God and our Savior…
Yes, in light of all these I am nothing. So let us join together in praise and worship of a wonderful Lord and Savior, whom so many have fought for the right for us to worship and believe in.
A blessed Memorial Day to you.
In God We Trust
“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim tribute to patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness—these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. . . . reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principles.”
– George Washington
“God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever.” –Thomas Jefferson
“[I]t is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People in a greater Measure, than they have it now, they may change their Rulers and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting liberty.” – John Adams
“…The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that ‘except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it.’ ” – Benjamin Franklin
“Were my soul trembling on the wing of eternity, were this hand freezing to death, were my voice choking with the last struggle, I would still, with the last gasp of that voice, implore you to remember the truth: God has given America to be free.”
– Patrick Henry
“And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.” – Abraham Lincoln
“Let us look forward to the time when we can take the flag of our country and nail it below the Cross, and there let it wave as it waved in the olden times, and let us gather around it and inscribed for our motto: ‘Liberty and Union, one and inseparable, now and forever,’ and exclaim, ‘Christ first, our country next!’ ” – Andrew Johnson
“We cannot read the history of our rise and development as a nation, without reckoning with the place the Bible has occupied in shaping the advances of the Republic. Where we have been the truest and most consistent in obeying its precepts, we have attained the greatest measure of contentment and prosperity.” – Franklin Roosevelt
“Without God, there is no virtue, because there’s no prompting of the conscience. Without God, we’re mired in the material, that flat world that tells us only what the senses perceive. Without God, there is a coarsening of the society. And without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure. If we ever forget that we’re one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” – Ronald Reagan
Where would we be without them? Most certainly, not born.
And, while there may certainly be some strained relationships out there, I think that anyone who went through that kind of pain and agony for my sake is, well, OK in my book!
God placed mothers in our lives for so many reasons, and I think this special presentation by Dave Berland says it all::
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 troube.
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 those
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…
Gospel Music Roundup sends out our prayers and thoughts to to Victims of the MAY 10 Tornado that hit OKLAHOMA, KANSAS and MISSOURI. You are not only close to my own home, but near and dear to my heart as well. These storms hit during the midst of recording this episode. Only after the clouds cleared and the power return did I learn what happened. My prayers go out for you all.
Matthew 16:13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” 15 He *said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”
Quartet Music is historically the backbone of Southern Gospel Music. The tight harmonies, the positive messages, the strong showing of faith in the group members, and of course, the awesome message of salvation in Christ Jesus, are all things that are brought to mind when one hears the mere mention of a Southern Gospel Quartet!
From the early days of the Stamps-Baxter Quartet, the Jordanaires, Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Quartet, and many others to present-day versions, such as Poet Voices and Gold City Quartet, Southern Gospel quartets have enjoyed a fairly steady fan base and longevity.
My gift to you, here, on Gospel Music Roundup is to bring you some of the finest up-and-coming ministry minded Gospel quartets who are ministry minded and actively sharing the message of Christ in song!
Yes, often I mix in other solo artists, Christian Country singers and Western Cowboy artists. But these are the spice to the mix, and without the quartets, well, it just wouldn’t be the same!
Join me now, in a celebration of our Hope on high, a spiritual escalator, if you will, that is an avenue to our Journey to the King’s home he has set aside for those who love him and claim the salvation he offered through Jesus, with some great upbeat songs from such independent Southern Gospel Quartets as:
The Crownsmen
The Burneys
The Missourians
Chosen Few
Steel City Quartet
Rekindled
The Barkley Family
The Kings
Canaan’s Road
Dotson Family Quartet
Golden State Quartet
Grandpa’s Neighbors
King’s Highway
Thomas James
Dave Berland
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
Send this on to someone who needs it!
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.
way, minister to those around you with the music!
Matthew 16:13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” 15 He *said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”