Graduation Day For Art Collard: You will be missed!

Ξ December 18th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Podcast, Uncategorized, Writings |

Graduation Day for Art [ 7:27 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1319)

Another dear friend and anchor of the faith got his walking papers this morning. His earthly mission finished, he has been called back to the arms of Christ! His name? Art Collard.

Art was one of the most amazing men I have ever met. He never spoke very loud, in the time I have known him, but when he DID speak, you’d best listen, because if you didn’t you’d miss some powerful wit or deep wisdom.

Never once, when I would step up to him after Church or stop by his home, would I feel like I was interrupting anything or keeping him from something he’d rather be doing. Art had a decisive way about him that may have, at times, exhibited itself as stubbornness, but truth be told, it just meant that he had already thought the subject through and had made up his mind.

Even in his later years, I would see Art and his wife, Margaret, out in the garden. Weeding, tilling, planting and harvesting was the work they did together year after year for most of their lives. Outside of that garden, they continued to till, to plant and to harvest, but then for the Kingdom of God.

I loved Art, but I’m not sure he knew it. Funny, how we can say something of how we feel about someone when they have gone away, but are hesitant to say those things to their faces, but I do… I love Art, and his presence on earth is going to be missed. I can only hope he is up there, advisin’ the Lord on the behalf of all his friends and family he left behind.

Gospel Music Roundup: The Season Opener!

Ξ December 8th, 2008 | → 2 Comments | ∇ Music, Podcast, Uncategorized |

Gospel Music Roundup Season Opener! [ 58:28 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1499)

What an awesome and amazing God we have, and furthermore an amazing SON he sent here to be our deliverance on earth!

I have had several personal struggles of late, so for those of you who kept the torch of the Gospel Light burning in my absence, I praise God for you!  As some of you know, financial and physical hardships tried to wedge between me and this wonderful outlet of praise, and yet God has stood faithful, even though I was lacking.

Even now, as I went through all the great songs I have at my disposal, it wasn’t until I started putting them together for this ‘cast that I realized how dark and lacking the world outside of Life in Christ is!

There are stations abounding that are playing “Christmas” or “Holiday” music, and more than one locally playing it 24/7.  But there is no greater blessing than to hear music of this season that is directed at the REASON for the Season, that being Jesus Christ!

For the next few weeks, I hope to provide you with a depth of worship aimed at celebrating the birth of our Savior, and to that end provide you with the tools to surround you and your workspace or vehicle with a ministry in audio…  Music that Celebrates the birth of JESUS.

Join me as Dave Berland, The Signature Quartet, Higher Ground, Lori Bianco, Mark Steven Smith, and many others REJOICE in the remembrance of the most wonderful night EVER!

Feel free to download this episode to CD:  Play in your office, in your car, at your next holiday gathering… LET THE WHOLE WORLD KNOW that Jesus STILL is the reason for this season, and none of the commercialization or attacks of satan are ever going to conquer that!

Gospel Music Roundup: The Signature Quartet!

Ξ November 12th, 2008 | → 4 Comments | ∇ Artist Spotlight, Music, Podcast, Uncategorized |

Christ's Passionate Signature [ 57:49 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2492)

Primarily, this episode was brought about to introduce you to the Signature Quartet, from Carthage, Missouri.  A dedicated and passionate group of talented singers with a heart for ministering in song wherever the Lord leads them.  I have met and enjoyed these guys, and hope you will be as excited about their music as I was.

You see, when I was listening to their songs for this podcast, something happened.  I know, you are thinking to yourself, “Tom, that ALWAYS happens to you”.  But this time is certainly one for the books.

Often I will be putting together the songs for this show, and the Lord kind of “Takes over”, putting everything in the place it needs to go-  a most awesome experience, to be sure.  But this time, it was so much MORE than that!  I truly FELT the ministering of the Holy Spirit in my heart throughout this cast.

So much has happened recently, and most of it has kept me away from the microphone.  Satan was craftily using his darts and distractions.  But when I started to record this evening, I felt God working on my heart, tuning it up and speaking to the hurts that it was hanging on to.

I didn’t just record, this time;  As I say within the show, I FELLOWSHIPPED!  Sweet communion as God worked in me through the words of the songs.

My prayer, is it does the same for you!  Enjoy!

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 Roundup: The Singers, Songwriters and Servants!

Ξ October 3rd, 2008 | → 1 Comments | ∇ Artist Spotlight, Music, Podcast, Uncategorized |

Singers Songwriters and Servants [ 58:55 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1483)

This episode of Gospel Music Roundup is a special one, to me.

The Singers you hear also wrote the songs.  Yet every one of them will tell you that GOD gives the song, and not man. 

The sounds are awesome, and each of these artists have a very special place in my heart.  I have been honored to meet them and to share their music, while getting to know them better in the process.

Some of the singers have been used of God to bring me to tears;  Some have brought my joy to new heights.  ALL of them have in one way or another brought me to my knees in the wondrous glory of Christ, and I hope they do the same for you.

Originally, I thought one show was going to be able to cover about all of them, but boy, was I wrong!  You can look forward to this special episode being continued shortly, since there are many more Singer/songwriters yet to be shared beyond this episode.

Please, take the time to write them share with them the feelings that God has shared with you through their music, and encourage them to continue to minister in Jesus’ Name!

Thank YOU, too, for being a part of that which makes my heart GLAD, the worship and praise for a Holy God in the embodiment of Christ Jesus, and His wonderful work on the cross!

Dave Berland

Lottie Collier

Jim “Curly” Musgrave

Michelle Cupit

Mary Alice Vanderwaters

Mark Steven Smith

The Son Set Refuge (Still Waters)

And so much more, with more to come!

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!

Gospel Music Roundup: Christ breaks through the storms

Ξ September 9th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Artist Spotlight, Music, Podcast, Sunday Service, Uncategorized |

Standard Podcast Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1132)

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the special

that was scheduled for this time can not be aired.

check back tomorrow and say a prayer for the heroes!!!!!

V1
(I heard )many a tale
and a story or two
about a vessel that was bigger than life
with Sails of spun gold
And a Wake white as snow
Cutting thru the sea like a knife
Her captain, He was
A strong and passionate man
Holding her steady and true
With an eye thru the night
Like a bright guiding light
This voyage was his mission to do

V2
There was a serpent ahead
Who left a trail of the dead
pirating the souls of mankind
The seas had turned red
From the blood that it shed
And the wreckage it had left behind
From the depths he arose
Bringing darkness to those
Whose vessels had strayed from their course
Man alone could not fight
Ol’ Leviathan’s might,
Feeding on the sin and remorse

V3
Oh, Our captain he knew
That his time was now due
To redeem what the serpent had done
There were souls to be saved,
And sin’s debt to be paid
The battle was his to be won
The redemption of man
Was placed in his hands
It required a blood sacrifice
With purpose and prayer,
He found satan’s lair
And gave up his life as the price

V4
The serpent grabbed hold
Of our captain so bold
And nailed him to the ship’s mast
As He sank that ship down
He watched our captain drown
He was certain that he’d breathed his last
For three days he stayed
at that watery grave
To be certain that the deed was done
But on that third day
Our Captain did raise
With the power of “The Path Of The Son!”

Dave and I worked together on this song….  but it could not have happened without the force of the spirit being there banding us together in Him!

As time has passed, I began to see the deeper meanings behind this song and behind this ministry.  I see the wonders of Friends joining across the lands…  and the waters,   In this episode, Lottie Collier sings her song, I Know The Water Walker…  a great testimony about the relationship with our savior;  a man who could not only calm the sea with a wave of his hand or a soft rebuke, but could walk upon it at the same moment.

I thank those of you who took upon themselves the ministry of Christ, and reach out to those in need, lifting them up in prayer and support as they attempt to walk upon the water as well.

Pray for me as well…  I started a new Job this week, and am having to load up my old brain with a ton of new facts I am having to memorize!

Love and blessings

Tom

The Burneys

Lottie Collier

Thomas James

DAVE BERLAND

Pure Heart

Dan Adkins

Mark High

The Missourians

The Burneys

Canaan’s Road

Rekindled

And so much more!

Gospel Music Roundup! Enough resting, now suit up!

Ξ August 30th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Music, Podcast, Uncategorized |

Enough Rest Get Praising! [ 1:00:09 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (587)

It’s time to not only PUT ON the whole armor of God, but to LIVE IN IT!

Its labor day weekend, episode II, but this time it’s a lighter look at ourselves and our lives trying to follow the master!  Suit up and enjoy songs from the likes of

Mark Cable

Dan Adkins

Roy Harris

Dotson Family Quartet

Dave Berland

Rod Burton

Lottie Collier

Steel City Quartet

Golden State Quartet

John Eric Anderson

Grandpa’s Neighbor

Barkley Family

And SO much more!

Take the name of Jesus with you!

Gospel Music Roundup: A resting place

Ξ August 29th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Music, Podcast, Uncategorized |

Labor to rest [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (550)

Have you ever felt like giving up?

Your break is here.

Matthew 11:27 “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls 30 “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

What an awesome statement!   Our peace, our comfort, our rest from the labors is in our risen Savior, Jesus Christ!

I have been going through some trials of late, but this verse jumped up today and grabbed my heart, jerking it back to reality!   I used to just think of being weary was from labor… but stress and pain can weary you as well!   Christ died for it all, plus my sinful nature that wants only to wallow, whine and complain!

Praise God, the music just flowed on this one, and on top of that I have a huge dose for more on the same subject!  Tomorrow and sunday look for even MORE right here, on Gospel Music Roundup!

In this episode:

Brian Mace

Country Cousins Music

Dan Adkins

David James

Finley Duke

Mark High

Canaan’s Road Gospel Group

Roy Harris

Dotson Family Quartet

Dave Berland

Rod Burton

Thomas James Ministries

Mark Cable

And SO much more!

Take the name of Jesus with you!

Gospel Music Roundup: Shoutin’ GLORY!!!

Ξ August 22nd, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Music, Podcast, Uncategorized |

Shout for the Glory! [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (829)

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!

In This Episode:

Barkley Family

By His Grace

Dale Harper

The Missourians

Timothy Charles

Dan Adkins

Lottie Collier

Dave Berland

Dotson Family Quartet

Mark High

Rod Burton

Thomas James

Rekindled Quartet

And so much more!

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: Trusting in HIM

Ξ August 9th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Music, Podcast, Uncategorized |

Tis so sweet to TRUST! [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (423)

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 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 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: The Missourians Revisited!

Ξ August 3rd, 2008 | → 3 Comments | ∇ Artist Spotlight, Music, Podcast, Uncategorized |

The Missourians Revisited! [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (443)

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.

Troy

Tim

Bob

Stephen

Dave

http://www.themissourians.com

Gospel Music Roundup Sunday Service: Holy is the Lord

Ξ July 28th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Music, Podcast, Sunday Service, Uncategorized, Writings |

Holy Is The Lord [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (439)

Isaiah 6

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!

A special word of thanks to our PRAISE TEAM:

Blessed Assurance Ministries

Brad Reynolds

Art N Von

Dave Berland

Pure Heart

Brian Mace

Dale Harper

Rick Brady

Sandy Stiles

And that something special: So much more!

Gospel Music Roundup, Western Style, part II!

Ξ July 24th, 2008 | → 2 Comments | ∇ Music, Podcast, Uncategorized |

GMR Western MX part 2 [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1687)

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!

THIS is the great adventure!

In this edition:

The Palouse Cowboy Poets

Buck The BIG MAN

Belinda Gail

Curly Musgrave

Dale Mackay

Dave Berland

Canaan’s Road

The Missourians

Country Cousins Music

Wil Maring

Chris Fyfe

John Eric Andrson

Lory Bianco

Mark Steven Smith

Chosen Few

And as always, so much more!

Technical Difficulties

Ξ July 18th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Music, Podcast, Uncategorized, Writings |

In Spite Of The Storms [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (428)

Wow….

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!

In Service of the King

Tom

Gospel Music Roundup Lets Freedom Ring!

Ξ July 4th, 2008 | → 1 Comments | ∇ Music, Podcast, Uncategorized, Writings |

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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:

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!!!

For an extra blessing, Visit THIS SITE AND VIEW THE VIDEO!

Gospel Music Roundup, Western Style!

Ξ June 28th, 2008 | → 1 Comments | ∇ Music, Podcast, Uncategorized |

GMR, Western Style [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1238)

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

And of course, so much more!

Gospel Music Roundup: Father To Father

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

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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!