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A Couple Random Things
This weekend was a great blessing. I attended a concert (which I will be writing about soon) and I saw God’s hand in so many things. It’s those times that I’m reminded that “every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights” and, when that Father pours out blessings, I feel so special and so full of gratitude to the One who doesn’t owe me a thing but who delights in doing those things that He knows will bring me the greatest pleasure. At least that’s my experience.
After only a couple hours’ intermittent sleep last night, I’m pretty exhausted so I need to see if I can get some sleep but I hope you all have a great week! I will try to continue posting most nights this week and hope to get the concert review up but it’s going to take me a bit of time since there were about four groups and a great atmosphere. It may get somewhat lengthy but you’ll have something to look forward to in your spare time.
Be blessed and stay encouraged. We serve a great God who loves us and only allows those things in our lives which will make us more like Him.
A Friday Prayer
Dear Friends, this will be a bit different than my typical posts. Okay. It will be very different but I thought it would be good if we could pray together today. For those who need a special touch from God, I pray you will receive it and for those who just want to agree with me, that is great too. Feel free to add your own prayer. Scripture says where two or three agree, He is in the midst and I know He’s here right now.
Father God, I thank You so much for your presence. You have been so good to us–far better than we deserve–and, for that, I can’t praise You enough. I thank you for your protection and your covering, for your guidance and your comfort when we need it.
I pray for those who are struggling today, Father. I thank You that You see every need and that You care more than we know. I know how much my heart aches when someone I know is going through a difficult time but I know that Yours hurts even more, especially when those hurting people don’t turn to You like they should. Yet You wait for You are merciful.
God, continue to extend that mercy but help us to see that it’s Your mercy that also convicts us when we stray from Your will and begin to do our own thing. It’s Your mercy that will not dwell where sin is present. Make us quick to repent so that we continually keep that fellowship with You that is our life’s sustenance. Without You, life is not worth living.
Father, I ask today that You will lift up the hands that hang down and strengthen the feeble knees. We are dependent on You for every breath that we breathe and we acknowledge that, Father. For those who are sick in body, I ask that You will touch them today. Encourage them. Give them strength. Help them to rest in You knowing that You have a plan and have not left them for one moment.
And, Lord, today, as we go about our day, help us not to waste one moment. Help us to shine for You in everything we do that there will be no doubt to those around us that Your Spirit is alive and well in each of us and, because of You, we have a song to sing even in the darkest days.
Lord, we love You and praise You for who You are and who You are molding us to be. May You be glorified in everything we do.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
One Month Already
I’m writing this on Monday evening but by the time most of you read this on Tuesday, it will be a month since Southern Gospel World officially launched. (Has anyone been reading this that long?) It still amazes me that I have joined the list of bloggers but I continue to thank God for this opportunity and for each of you who read my writings.
In the next couple months, I plan to do more CD reviews, maybe a concert review or two and I have an interview planned so keep checking back from time to time.
For those who wonder what most of my posts have to do with Southern Gospel music, I feel like everyone could use encouragement, even in the Southern Gospel world and I hope to introduce people who are not familiar with Southern Gospel music to the music which has been such a blessing to me. Regardless of whether you are already an avid fan or are becoming familiar with Southern Gospel music or if you came across this blog by “accident,” I pray that you will often find something in these posts which will assist you in drawing closer to our Lord. I pray that even the reviews and interviews will reflect God and not merely elevate people. No one mentioned on this blog or anywhere else would be what they are if not for God’s hand on their lives. I pray you see God’s hand on your life as well. He loves you so much.
What Are Your Top 10 Southern Gospel Recordings?
If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have 10 CDs, which ones would they be? I actually was faced with that a couple months ago. Well, I wasn’t stranded on an island but we were going to be away for several weeks and I needed to limit the CDs to what would fit in my travel case. I ended up taking about 30 (I’m not good at downscaling) but if I were to limit it to 10 CDs I never get tired of, it would be as follows: (These are not in any order; I’m just listing them as they come to mind.)
Brian Free and Assurance: “Worth It”
Brian Free and Assurance: “It’s So God”
Kingdom Heirs: “True to the Call”
Perrys: “Look No Further”
The Freemans: “The Very Best of … and More”
The Freemans: “Highway”
Brothers Forever: “Sheltered”
Karen Peck and New River: “Triumph”
The Roy Knight Singers: “Greener Pastures”
The Primitive Quartet: “35th Anniversary”
Now that I’ve listed those, I think of others that I’d just have to find a way to smuggle as well but I guess I’ll have to leave them behind for now. I’d love to hear which CDs have been the most meaningful to you.
On second thought, I may just have to get stranded twice. 🙂 On the next round, I’d take:
The Primitive Quartet: “I’m Looking Through New Eyes”
The Rambos: “Collection: Volume 1”
The Rambos: “Collection: Volume 2”
The Ruppes: “Something Old, Something New”
The Hinsons: “Live and On Stage”
The Hinsons: “On the Road”
Brian Free and Assurance: “Live at New York City”
The Freemans Concert Series Volumes 1, 2, 3
Okay. Now it’s your turn. Think about it because this is all you’ll have to listen to for a month.
Thinking About the Weather
At first glance, this may seem like one of those posts where I am groping to come up with something to say but the weather has been of particular interest to me this winter. In a state where the snow can start falling in October and can continue until April or May, this has been a very mild winter for us. Yet I find it interesting that there have been quite a few concert cancellations in some of the southern states recently. Ice and 6+ inches of snow have made traveling difficult and unsafe and have, therefore, cut into the revenue of many gospel groups. I find myself wondering if this was a fluke year or if people will start heading north for the winter to avoid the extreme cold and snow. I think sometimes God changes even weather patterns to confound the wise–a perfect way for Him to prove that He is God and we are not. We may make our plans but our Father orders our steps … and the weather.
Personal Note from Sony
Today marks a week since my first post went up on this blog. What an exciting evening that was! I knew that no one would know about it for a few days but I was in awe of how quickly God brought everything together and I was (and am) excited to see what His plans were and are. I’m still in awe actually and I want to thank each of you who have been so encouraging and who take the time to come check my posts on a regular basis. I feel so blessed that God is able to use me in this way.
I am still praying about total direction for the blog but I thought I’d take a minute to get some feedback. Another thing God has laid on my heart lately is to start a personal blog–one in which I post more writings similar to what I’m writing for SouthernGospelBlog. What I’m wondering is if you would be blessed to have that as part of Southern Gospel World or, when you visit this site, are you wanting primarily southern gospel-related info? I know Daniel’s asked this before on his site but I’d like to get your feedback for over here. The advantages I could see are:
1) For those who would read my writings, you’d only have one site to check instead of two.
2) I think I could direct some to this site who would read my writings and who would then become familiar with Southern Gospel music.
3) Although I still may not post every day, I would post more often.
Those are some of my thoughts but I’d love to hear yours. I hope you all are having a blessed weekend!
