Happy Resurrection Day!

Ξ April 24th, 2011 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Music, Podcast, southern gospel music, southern gospel podcast, Sunday Service, Writings |

Easter, A Resurrection Sunday [ 59:59 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1080)

Philippians 2:5-8

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

The Obedience of Christ is truly something to marvel at;  So often we see the sacrifice that was made, and accept the free gift of salvation; but we neglect to acknowledge that this was also an example for us.  An example of Perfect Love that casts out all fear…  even the fear of death.

How many of us, these days, have cried out to God in confusion over the struggles and difficulties we encounter- with many of us somehow having misconstrued the message that was given us here-  “even death on a cross.”   Instead, we plead to God, “Lord, you have the power to take all these problems and bills and pains, why do I have to go through this?”
Jesus did not deserve what was happening to Him, when they pulled Him away from his friends and support group in the night, when He was put through public humiliation for only doing the things that God had asked and empowered him to do.  He didn’t loudly object nor interject to his accusers, “I don’t deserve this!  I have rights!”

Jesus accepted what was happening to Him as it was intended;  a witness and testimony to the obedience that we, His followers, are to not only accept as cause for belief, but to adapt and emulate, if you will, that same attitude in the face of our struggles.

Christians in America are falling into a “Comfort Trap” with devastating results-  with many preachers leading people away, not even realizing what they are doing.

Churches are driven, not following;  What does this tell you about who is in control?  We sing the praise of God and glorify Jesus’ name, and yet we are carefully exorcising the songs that convict or mention the blood of Jesus.  We get worked into a frenzy of praise, not much different than a High School Pep Rally, with congregations bursting out of the doors, pumped up for the week, saying,”Yay, GOD!  Come with ME!!!”  instead of “Wow, Lord;  I will do as you say!”

I will not get into an indictment about churches, here.  I will not even state more than I have already about music.  My heart’s desire is not to have you do what TOM says, but to have you do what the LORD says, and to listen to what He has for you to do.  This comes through reading the word, Praying without ceasing, and allowing His Holy Spirit to come in and clean house.

Then, with everything that gets cleaned out, refill that space with God.  Develop the spiritual abs.  Do not yeild when trials and persecutions come, and bear in mind, trials and persecutions have learned some sneaky tricks and wear some pretty convincing camouflage.  The only way to know what is right is what I have already stated;  Prayer, time in the word, and complete surrender to God.

Listen. Learn. Pray. Enjoy…  in this edition, a Resurrection Sunday Edition, of Gospel Music Roundup

Gospel Music Roundup-Trusting is Leading

Ξ March 24th, 2011 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Music, Podcast, southern gospel music, southern gospel podcast, Writings |

Trusting is leading [ 1:00:33 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1094)

All too often, these days, I hear the phrase, “I don’t know how to trust anymore.”  And, while it’s true that words like those are an indictment on our society, I can honestly say, the worse things have gotten, the more I have learned to trust.

Trust in God.

Men, women and children, they will all disappoint us, and some will carry out that disappointment to a breaking point inside of us that, unless we know Christ intimately, will cause a major rift in our lives. But I will say it again, this is only in the event that we are not closely familiar with the Lamb of Galilee, God in man, Jesus the Christ.

For, by knowing him, we know the suffering and disappointment he went through for OUR sake;  he was mocked, persecuted, scorned and beaten;  Yet with a single command, he could have brought down a vengeance upon man that the world had never seen, and even left this world a mere uninhabited rock.

Instead, He chose the Cross, fully aware of its pain, its torture.  He chose the nails, knowing that God knew what He was doing, and had sent His only Son here, for the purpose of wiping away the sin that separated us from Him.

It took a sacrifice, Holy and blameless.  And Jesus’ unwavering Trust in God is why we now can go to God in prayer, seeking Him, and we can rejoice that even though we may stumble, we may fall, we may wander and we may give up for a while, we can still reach out to Him, and in that very moment He will catch us!

Trust in God.

I hope the songs you hear in this edition of Gospel Music Roundup will draw you into a closer trust relationship with the King of Kings, and that in the music, as it winds its way from your ear to your heart, you can again see that the one thing we CAN trust in this world and in these times, is God alone.

Trust In God.

Proverbs 3:5

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.”

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 (2465)

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 (3282)

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 (1764)

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

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 (1273)

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 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 (422)

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!

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 (411)

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 |

Freedom Worship [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (350)

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: 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 (403)

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!

May all your memories be blessed.

Ξ May 26th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Music, Podcast, Uncategorized, Writings |

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

Gospel Music Roundup: Happy Mother’s Day

Ξ May 11th, 2008 | → 1 Comments | ∇ Music, Podcast, Uncategorized, Writings |

Happy Mother's Day! [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (550)

Mothers.

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.

Tom Whiteman, Gospel Music Roundup

Sunday Service: Ya Gotta LOVE it!

Ξ April 11th, 2008 | → 1 Comments | ∇ Music, Podcast, Sunday Service, Uncategorized, Writings |

Sunday Service:Ya gotta love it! [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (513)

You know, often there are times when things go wrong. And I imagine, I probably get as many of those “times” as the average Joe. No… The average TOM. I get just as many as most folks. Some more, some less, but bad things do happen. And most of the time, the response that rolls off my lips when in the midst of one of those times where you just don’t understand it, there’s really no one to blame, and it’s not going to fix itself, is “Ya gotta love it!” Sometimes, when I am especially disgruntled or in a sarcastic mood, I even add, “Ya don’t know what ELSE to do with it”.

Now, a good many people either laugh at this or they look at me like I’ve popped a cork, but most generally, just saying those words helps me to assimilate, or “absorb” the situation at hand, and move on.

This evening, at work, we had someone who did a “No call, no show” on us. Meaning, of course, they didn’t come to work as expected and did not call to let anyone know about it. Most of my coworkers grumbled and complained, as many would. This usually means a lot of extra work for however many hands are left. Me, I rattled off, “Ya gotta love it”.

Again, the strange looks. I can imagine how they must have felt. For that matter, in the occasional time that I have been asked what I meant by those words, I never really clearly described it, nor had I taken the time to think a lot about it myself. You see, it goes back many years for me, when a good friend of mine had about the same habit of saying it that I have now. I just kind of picked it up and plopped it right into my vocabulary.

But tonight someone did ask. In fact I think they almost thought I was making light of the situation. Unfortunately, I was ill-prepared to answer at the moment. This experience, though, got my mental wheels turning, and the answer had already been right in front of me, earlier this week during my personal devotions:

In Ephesians 4, verses 1 through 5, it states:
Ephesians 4
1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism
(NASV)

Did you catch the answer, there? Let me repeat it for you: walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love.

I had been studying Ephesians all of this past week, and yet the answer did not come quickly to mind at the moment. But later, after I got home and reviewed my reading, there it was as plain as day.

What Paul is saying in that passage is, “In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And take note that you do this with humility and discipline—not in short bursts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly.”
The road we are given is the road we travel. And we are told here, that even when the road turns rocky, to pour ourselves out for each other in acts of love.
When the kids (or the parents) are disobedient and cranky? “Ya gotta love it”.
When the cable guy doesn’t show up between 1 and 4 as promised? “Ya gotta love it!”
When your spouse forgets an important appointment? “Ya gotta love it!”
When someone, somewhere, messes up and creates more work for you and everyone around you? Ya GOTTA love it!
Romans 5:8
God demonstrates His own love for us, that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for US
(NASB)
This is the collective us. The disobedient, wandering, failing and falling US. And He did so unconditionally, only asking that we love each other- not just Christians or church members or family, but each other- in all humility and discipline, pouring ourselves out to and for each other!
This was a missed ministry opportunity for me. I should have been fully ready with an answer for those words I have used, literally for decades, so flippantly.

1 Peter 3
15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
(NASB)

You might not see it as so serious a situation. Yet tonight I felt convicted over the matter. Maybe I couldn’t have opened up into a full-blown discussion at the moment, but I could have taken the opening as an opportunity to prepare to share; He wanted to know why I said, “Ya gotta love it.” My response could have been something so simple as to have said, “When you have a some free time, there’s a friend I would like you to meet.” and followed up as time allowed.

Our reactions in times of stress or disappointment speak volumes for the hope that is in us. The more we learn of the love of God through Christ, the more we realize how important it is for others to know that peace that passes all understanding and to “speak up“ in His name. It’s not quite as hard as it seems either; I myself, for years, used to freeze up at crucial ministry opportunities out of a fear of “getting it wrong”. But in the word of God, there is no wrong, just as in Christ, there is nothing fickle or false (James 1:17). My fear of getting it wrong was purely and simply a lack of fully preparing myself in the word.

For all of us, our point of contact for the cause of Christ is wherever our feet happen to be planted. To repeat myself, Our response at critical moments speaks volumes for the hope that is in us. Take that time, starting now, to get to know Him better, deeper, and more intimately so that others can hear from you just why you have that HOPE when things go wrong.

When we take the time, regularly and diligently, to dig into the word and prepare our hearts through the word, the Holy Spirit will use that word to change us in accord with God’s will in our lives, and help us to know the importance of a relationship with him and overcome those moments of fear and hesitance. Then we can begin to clearly see just why “Ya gotta love it!”

Our praise team today:

WhigTunes

Dave Berland

Chris Bradley

Jason T of Calvary Chapel

Dan Adkins

Please visit the artist links to the left and let them know how much you appreciate their music and worship offering!

Gospel Music Roundup: Blast from the past, Fabulous Fifties and MORE

Ξ April 2nd, 2008 | → 2 Comments | ∇ Music, Podcast, Uncategorized, Writings |

Fabulous Fifties Gospel [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (385)

This episode’s POWER PODCAST PASSAGE:

Ephesians 3:12 – 21:

12 When we trust in him, we’re free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go. 13 So don’t let my present trouble on your behalf get you down. Be proud! 14 My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, 15 this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. 16 I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength— 17 that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, 18 you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! 19 Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. 20 God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. 21 Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes! To Be Mature

My Showcase Artist:

John (“Legs”) Lawrenzi:
In 1958, this Pennsylvania native moved to Phoenix, Arizona and jumped feet first into singing Rock and Roll.
“Legs”, as his friends call him, sang with Duane Eddy, Marty Robbins and Wayne Newton, hoping to soon follow them to the bright lights of Las Vegas’. However, drinking and gambling were a constant temptation and overpowered his life. Within two short years, he had to return to Pennsylvania without any money, and soon became the town drunk.
“Legs” continued to spend time in the local bars, hoping for a break that would allow him to do what he loved so dearly, and that was to sing. He would sing for anyone who would buy him a drink, and His strong tenor voice would capture every ear and bring rounds of applause as he belted out the tunes that he loved. Yet, because of the burden he carried in his addiction to alcohol, this came at a great price. His struggle was well known in the local taverns, so while his beautiful
songs brought much appreciation from his audience, many found themselves also dismayed
at his circumstances.
In 1972, “Legs” Lawrenzi’s entire life changed when he yielded his life to Christ. One year later, He joined a Gospel singing group. Now, after thirty one additional years singing and sixteen albums later, he is impassioned for touching the lives of thousands upon thousands, in a positive way.In 1997, after hearing “Legs” perform, a friend was inspired to write Gospel lyrics to some of the great Oldies tunes that “Legs” loves to sing and sings so well. Closing your eyes while he is singing makes one question whether or not “Legs” might actually be the original recording artist, yet the lyrics are now infused with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His praise, rather than the crooning of a love gone wrong. This match of lyricist -and vocalist- was truly a match made in Heaven.
The “Fabulous Fifties Gospel” album was born, and today, instead of performing for a few people in a local bar, The Lord has John (“Legs”) Lawrenzi and his group, the Steel City Quartet, summoned to the stage by resounding applause.
John (“Legs”) Lawrenzi is truly one of the most dynamic Gospel artists of this era! And joined together with “Timothy Charles” Cousino – Lead, Glenn Crawford – Bass, Ron Pry – Baritone,(Ron’s wife, Jan is the one workin’ the sound for this awesome group, as I am told) they have a sonic blessing in store for YOU.This is why I have put together this special “FIFTIES” edition of Gospel Music Roundup: To showcase the work of this
man who has put his feet to the street for the furthering of Gospel in song. If you want to order John “Legs” Lawrenzi’s
CDs, “Thru The Years” or “Fabulous Fifties Gospel”, please visit the Steel City Quartet’s Store on their website:

http://www.steelcityquartet.com/Store.htm

or you can email Legs directly, at
legs@steelcityquartet.com
While you are there, make sure to check out the Biography pages and schedule to see if they might be coming to your area!
As always, with any Artist or group you hear and enjoy on Gospel Music Roundup, I ask that you check out their own websites (their names are linked to them) in the “BLOGROLL” in the center column on my homepage.Email them, tell em how much of a blessing they were to you, and if you would, let them know you heard about them right HERE: On GOSPEL MUSIC ROUNDUP!

Also in this Episode:

A Circle of Friends

Timothy Charles

Dan Adkins

Firesong

Golden State Quartet

Grandpa’s Neighbors

Chris Fyfe

Kurt Neufer

Peggy Cooper

And of course, so much more:)

HOPE SPRINGS! a Sunday Service for 2-24-2008: A new feature

Ξ February 22nd, 2008 | → 1 Comments | ∇ Music, Podcast, Sunday Service, Writings |

Hope Springs [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (312)

Here, in the Midwest, I am making this pod cast in the middle of February. It has been cold and icy all week, and when you work out-of-doors as I do, it gets old quickly; Especially as I get older.
But in my quiet times, my mind looks forward to the spring, and with spring come thoughts of our Easter Celebration. The songs of praise and worship and southern gospel Music stir my mind to those thoughts, and what a difference salvation has caused in MY life. Even now, as cold and dark as the days are, I know I can look forward to warmth and sunshine not too far off in the future.
What a WONDERFUL correlation: His love- on the cross and in my soul, has stripped away the darkness and cold and replaced it with warmth and sunshine. Yes, I am human, and all too often I might allow that old cold feeling to return, but the Christ who saved ME is always right there when I am once again defeated from trying to fight my own battles. I look up from whatever pit I am in, and he’s right there, so close that it all the more emphasizes the futility of trying to win my own wars. If I trust in Him, he is faithful to forgive me of my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness, and once again, a sweet and beautiful relationship is restored.
Did you catch that? A common misconception is to think that God somehow cannot accept us because we may have stumbled or fallen. Yet that is EXACTLY WHY we need him. Were we able to save ourselves, or to somehow be on a par with God, we would have no NEED for salvation, and certainly no idea of what sovereignty, or LORDSHIP, really means.
That would lead to utter chaos, each man trying to be lord of his own world, wouldn’t it? No one respecting another, every man out for himself? Wait… Isn’t that what the world looks like more and more every day? Who could be behind such a plan, so as to create this mindset, but the very one the bible points to; the one cast from glory due to his OWN attempt at equality with God to the point of waging war in heaven… Satan thought he could WIN in heaven, and now he tries to win here on earth.
We need to hold fast to the one who made us; who has laid down his only son, that being the Christ, as a pathway to bring our wayward souls back to him.
Jesus said, “come to me, all who are weary laden. And I will give you rest.” Let me tell you, those are mighty comforting words after a long, hard, cold day.

At least, to ME, they are…