www.jordansshore.com Jordans Shore’s New Radio Single …
Friend Called Grace
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The Bread of Life Singers Ministry office 24/7 number (678)468-4815 For Booking or Prayer
Won Heart New Release “Prince Of Peace” Free Downloads At: www.wonheartsongs.com www.reverbnation.com/ wonheart www.facebook.com/ wonheartsongs Available to minister for Love Offering to Cover Expenses wonheart@live.com
New Radio Single‌..
Friend Called Grace Call your favorite station and request their radio single. www.jordansshore.com Schedule Call: 615-596-8534
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To God Be The Glory
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Trinity Crusades for Christ is a 24-year ministry that falls under the umbrella of Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary in Newburgh, Indiana. We have a 4,000 seat canvas tent that we set up for week-long crusades all over the world, as well as doing 4-day revivals, Sunday morning/evening revivals, harvest day weekends, apologetics conferences, etc. With this Crusades ministry we also have the Teen Suicide Prevention program where both Dr. Harold F. Hunter and Dr. Braxton Hunter have talked to over 1.2 million teenagers about choosing life. You would be amazed at how many times one of these young boys or girls have come up after the presentation and actually turned over knives, bottles of pills, suicide notes, etc., and they have said that very day they were planning on ending their lives. It is tragic and devastating to hear their stories. Especially now in today's society, young people need to hear that suicide is not the answer. Of course we cannot talk about God, Jesus or the Bible in these school or civic center events, but we can invite them to a Pizza Blast a few days later where we can then share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We do not require an honorarium when accepting crusades and revivals, so the Crusades Ministry and Suicide Prevention Presentations are totally dependent on the financial gifts of people who believe in these life-changing ministries. We need your help in order to continue these endeavors for Christ during these urgent days. Suicide takes the lives of nearly 40,000 Americans every year. In the month prior to their suicide, 75% of elderly persons had visited a physician. For young people 15-24 years old, suicide is the second leading cause of death. An average of one person dies by suicide every 13.3 minutes. The strongest risk factor for suicide is depression. Growing this program by training new speakers at a cost of $5,000.00 per speaker is the first goal. At the present we only have two speakers. The dream is to place a speaker in every state, and not only speak to teens but expand to include people of all ages, but especially the elderly in assisted living homes and like facilities. A gift of any size will be appreciated and you will receive a contribution receipt as well. Of course most of all, we covet your prayers and help in spreading this message to your family and friends about this critical suicide prevention program.
Feel free to make donations by clicking this link to Trinity Crusades for Christ's GoFundMe Teen Suicide Prevention Program Campaign - http://www.gofundme.com/ lj6mw8 - Or click this link to the Trinity Crusades for Christ ministry to make a contribution - https://forms.trinitysem.edu/Trinity_Crusades.html - Or call the Trinity office at 812.853.0611 and ask for our finance department to pay by credit card or check-by -phone. You may also write a check for your tax-deductible contribution to Trinity Crusades for Christ and mail to: Trinity Crusades, PO Box 717, Newburgh, IN 47629. (Please write Suicide Prevention Program on the bottom memo line of check) If you would like to personally speak to either Dr. Harold Hunter or Dr. Braxton Hunter about this program, or if you're interested in being trained as one of our speakers, please contact Michelle Noble at mnoble@trinitysem.edu.
A little background history about the Teen Suicide Prevention Program Founder: Dr. Harold F. Hunter, Trinity’s current president, founded Trinity Crusades for Christ in 1991 (a ministry division of Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary in Newburgh, Indiana). He has served as the evangelist for over 500 local church crusades and area crusades, recording over 115,000 public decisions for Christ. He served as Trinity’s full-time evangelist through this ministry for over 15 years and also founded the Teen Suicide Prevention Program through this Crusades ministry. Dr. Hunter has spoken to over 1.2 million teenagers in high schools all over the world about choosing life over suicide. Since Dr. Hunter was inaugurated in November, 2005 as Trinity’s fourth president, his son, Braxton Hunter, is now Trinity’s Executive Director of Evangelism and Apologetics for the Trinity Crusades for Christ ministry. He travels all over the world doing area-wide crusades with Trinity’s 4,000 seat canvas tent, church revivals, seminars, conferences, various student ministries, as well as presentations at civic centers, auditoriums, and public and private schools for the Teen Suicide Prevention Program. Today this Trinity Crusades for Christ ministry is stronger than ever and has its own body of written literature, featuring seven books by Dr. Harold F. Hunter and four books by Dr. Braxton Hunter. To learn more about Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary and all of our ministries, please visit our website at www.trinitysem.edu.
We all have our doubts and fears about tomorrow. Not knowing what will happen or if tomorrow will be the day that the lord will finally answer our prayer. I think sometimes we get hung up on today that we forget that there is a tomorrow and the lord is working for our next move. Just imagine for a minute how Joshua and the children of Israel felt as they were told that god was finally giving them the land that he promised. Moses had died and now Joshua was going to lead Gods people to their land, their home. Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. We get caught up on the "why did this happen to me" and the "why haven't you answered me lord" And allow our doubts to deplete our strength and courage, we become afraid and then our faith becomes shaken. You know, Faith, Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen:" You know, the tomorrow? The one who holds tomorrow? The one who goes before you to prepare our path? The one who is the supplier of our faith? "The author and finisher of our faith" They were preparing to take the land and sent in two spies to see what they were going to face, a battle plan. And to their surprise there was one that would shield them from capture, like someone had gone before them and prepared for their coming. Yes someone has been working on their next move. Yes someone was already in their tomorrow!!!
Joshua 2:1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of ****tim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there. How long should we wait on the lord? when he tells me my next move will my faith be sufficient to take that step? How will I know that this is the path that the lord wants me to go in? Should I ask for some council, a friend, someone who I can run this by and make sure I am making the right decision? The spies have come back and gave the report, the excitement was in the air, they trusted Joshua just as they had Moses. The people knew that Joshua was chosen by god to lead his people to their home land and it seemed as though this was Gods planning.. Joshua 3:5 And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you. Glory..Did you hear what Joshua just said, "for tomorrow" I know, when I read that again I was shouting too. How many times in our lives have we forgot that God already exists in tomorrow. He was there in your yesterday, he broke bread with you today, and he has already been in your tomorrow. The great I AM, who knows no time. We have got to get this faith into our soul not just in our heads, It has got to be more than just what we say, it has got to become our foundation, our rock and not just lip service that we hope our brain will hear what our mouths are saying. Joshua 3:15 And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) They were going to follow the ark across Jordan. I wonder what we would say if we were in the same place today. Can’t you hear yourself saying, " but its at flood tide" "I ts about a mile wide and forty feet deep we will surely drown". "We need to build a boat, we need to form a council to discuss this further, We need to seek advise to make sure this is where we want to go". Can't you just imagine how something like this would shake our faith and make us second guess our faith in where God wants us to go? I can hear them now just as they started towards the water, but I lost my job, but God said keep walking. I just got a bad report from the doctor, but God said keep walking keep walking. My husband has just left me, no one loves me anymore, I have lost everything. but God says keep walking keep walking keep walking. And just as we approach the chilly waters of Jordan‌ keep walking. Once we make the decision that our faith will not be moved, and our" substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" becomes solid in our soul, we will see that God walks with us!!!
Jeff Davidson is releasing his new radio single “I Was There” from his CD Project titled “I Was There” Jeff wrote 6 of the songs on this project. Please be sure and call your favorite southern gospel radio station and request this song.. Also, he will be releasing a new video of this song and others on the project through VCB Videos Broadcasting & Media Production. Be sure to be looking for it...coming soon! Schedule Jeff: 586-581-0828 for your service, concert, homecoming and other venues.
When Do We Say Enough Is Enough How can we not get the message that domestic violence is wrong. That one woman beaten or killed due to domestic violence is one to many. Apparently, we as a society have yet to get the message. Recently the top 10 states for murder due to domestic violence in the United States has been released. My state, the state of South Carolina, can proudly say we no longer hold the title as the number one most deadliest state in the nation for women being murdered due to domestic violence. YEA!!!!! Wait, hold on, don't celebrate to quick. Even though we bowed to Alaska who took the number one spot, we took their number two spot. In 2013 50 women were slain in a years time due to domestic violence. South Carolina's murder rate for women killed by men is still nearly doubled the nations average. South Carolina had ranked in the top 10 since the year 2000 and has claimed the number one spot three times during that period. In South Carolina more than 300 women were shot, stabbed, strangled, beaten, bludgeoned or burned to death over the past decade. It's heartbreaking to know that more than three times as many women have died in the state of South Carolina at the hands of a current or former lover, than the number of South Carolina soldiers killed in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined. What can we expect though when there are more laws and tougher ones to protect animals than women. A first time abuser generally pays no more than $250 to be released from jail. The abuser may face 30 days in jail. The same amount of time as a shoplifter or a trespasser. But, and don't get me wrong, I love animals, and am also an advocate for animal rights, if you abuse an animal you can get sentenced to five years in prison. Now compare that to 30 days for abusing a woman.
W a s s d n d n D 3 s fo
Why is it when we see the commercial for animal abuse the first thing we want to do is chain that person to a tree and starve them to death. But, when we see a report about a woman being beat or beaten to death we tend to take the stance of see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. I don't want to get involved, I don't want to say anything or it's none of my business. Did you know that according to the ASCPA, there are 3,800 animal shelters and 13,600 independent animal shelters. There are only approximately 1,900 shelters or battered women. Some of the reasons that have been given for the high rate of domestic violence in the state are, cultural attitudes about violence and women. How many of you have heard, “I'm the man of the house and what I say goes.” She better listen to me if she knows what's good for her.” Then there's a lack of resources and disinterest by our lawmakers who haven't made domestic violence a priority. Those are as my mom use to say, as excuses not reasons. Legislators agree something needs to be done to stop the brutality of domestic violence. However, they say, “I takes time to reach compromises and create laws that work.” In the mean time, a woman is beaten every 15 seconds. That's 4 every hour, 96 a day, 672 a week, 2,688 a month, and 32,256 a year. Approximately 4,000 women will die each year due to domestic violence. Until we bring domestic violence to the fore front and stand up, step up and speak up, women will continue to suffer at the hands of an abuser. This month I am proud to say that our sheriff along with other law enforcement officers and our mayor have done exactly that. They have called for tougher domestic violence laws and they are standing strong in their convictions. They have said ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Time to put a stop to domestic violence. Sadly though if history holds true 30 more women in the state of South Carolina will be dead by the end of the next legislative session in June of 2015, when lawmakers have another chance to stop the violence. How about you? Do you know someone that's being abused? Have you taken the see no evil mentality? When do we as a society say enough is enough.
The top 10 states for murder due to domestic violence are as follows. Alaska South Carolina Oklahoma Louisiana Mississippi Nevada Missouri Arizona Georgia Tennessee Next year let's not have a top 10 list. Let's put a stop to domestic violence. Stand up, Step up, and Speak up. Time to say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. May God bless and hold you in His loving arms.
Debbie Floyd
CHRIS GOLDEN - Sunday Shoes
a review by Tom Roland, Nashville journalist and free-lance syndicated writer for Rolling Stone, Billboard, Country Weekly, and many other publications. __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ Many a man has journeyed thousands of miles only to find heʼs happiest at home. So it is for Chris Golden whose multi-faceted history – including stints in rock bands, a brief membership in The Flying Burrito Brothers and a longstanding job as a drummer for country band The Oak Ridge Boys – has taken him down a multitude of sonic side roads. On Sunday Shoes, Golden makes a full-circle return to gospel music, the sound that remains his home base. The two-tone leather soles and shoeshine service on the album jacket say it all: Heʼs mining the genre in style with music thatʼs sure-footed, sturdy and built for the long haul. In the course of a dozen songs, he retraces many of the key figurative steps in a lifeʼs journey. The travel references are obvious in the title track, “Gospel Road” and “Wide River To Cross.” They’re more subtle in the restless train imagery of “God Knows What” and “I Want To Thank You,” a tribute to people met along the pathway. And travel is referenced obliquely in the “Sweet Bye And Bye,” a classic hymn often associated with the bodyʼs final destination. “I always thought I would do a gospel project one day,” Golden says. “I can’t ever remember not wanting to. I cut my teeth on Southern gospel music. It was the first music I heard as a child, and the foundation for the sound that has evolved into what I play and sing today.” Appropriate for an album loaded with travel themes, he recorded the bulk of the project on the road with The Oak Ridge Boys, cutting the drums and piano through the soundboard at concert halls, layering the guitars and mandolins in hotel rooms and Dressing rooms and adding the background vocals in a spare bedroom at at his home in Middle Tennessee.
Sunday Shoes is loaded with meaningful guest appearances. Bluegrass stalwart Ronnie McCoury plays mandolin on “Higher Power”; vocalists Chris and Darrell Freeman, of the Pentecostal group The Freemans, check in on “A Different Light”; Ben Isaacs on upright bass; and Greg Gordon – who sang with TSunday Shoes is loaded with meaningful guest appearances. Bluegrass stalwart Ronnie McCoury plays mandolin on “Higher Power”; vocalists Chris and Darrell Freeman, of the Pentecostal group The Freemans, check in on “A Different Light”; Ben Isaacs on upright bass; and Greg Gordon – who’s sang with The Rambos, The Imperials, and on the Elvis Tour – provides key harmonies. And thereʼs a strong family component, too. Brother Rusty Golden, a former bandmate in The Boys Band and The Goldens, wrote four songs and adds background vocals. Chrisʼ precocious 14-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, makes an appearance on fiddle. And his dad, The Oaksʼ William Lee Golden, joins aunt Lanette Lowery in the chorus of the closing song. Yet much of the album is purely Chris. He delivers the songs with an unmistakable clarity and a subtle passion. And he played the bulk of the instruments himself, meticulously building the tracks with the same sort of single-minded vision that many of his heroes – including Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, John Fogerty and Dan Fogelberg – used in constructing their classic works “When I hear a song, I know what I want the tracks to sound like in my head,” Golden observes. “I use the different instruments and sounds I play as colors. Individually, they are very simple parts, but when I put all those simple parts together, the way those colors blend creates a sound of its own.” Creating sound has come naturally to Golden. Self-described as a “backstage baby,” he was born just two years before his father became a member of The Oak Ridge Boys. He never took music lessons, instead learning the drums, piano and guitar simply by hearing songs and playing them back. At 15, he began touring on the Southern gospel circuit as a piano player with a group called The Telestials, and the week he graduated high school, Golden began touring as the drummer for The Boys Band, which earned a minor national hit with “Donʼt Stop Me Baby (Iʼm On Fire).” He also appeared on the country charts numerous times in a couple of incarnations – first with the band Cedar Creek, then with brother Rusty in the duo The Goldens. In 1995, he stepped into The Oaks organization – initially as a journey-man musician, playing guitar, mandolin, harmonica, keyboard or drums, depending on the setting. In 1998, he became the band’s fulltime drummer. Along the way, he’s fashioned four solo albums, grounded primarily in country. All the while, an unwavering desire to mold an album around his gospel roots continued to gnaw at Golden’s psyche. When he sang a couple demos of songs Rusty had written, “Gospel Road” and “I Want To Thank You,” Chris knew it was time to dig in. Worked out in steps between concert dates with The Oaks and his responsibilities at home, the album found its title track at a concert in Paducah, Kentucky, when Chris told songwriter Dianne Wilkinson how his mother used to refer to his gift for gospel as his “Sundie shoes.” Wilkinson literally wrote the song in her seat while she watched him perform.
The album collects additional material from the likes of Billy Joe and Eddie Shaver, The Louvin Brothers and Buddy & Julie Miller. It took two years to complete, and even at the end, Sunday Shoes needed one more inspirational title to give one extra ounce of energy to the project. That song appeared when Golden loaded a bundle of old songs onto his iPod. The Oaks had recorded “When He Set Me Free” for an acoustic Warner Bros. album in the early 1960ʼs, Folk Minded Spirituals For Spiritual Minded Folks, and he turned it into a gospełblues celebration. The track melded Chris Goldenʼs passion with his familyʼs legacy, and it serves as the perfect lead-off track. If ever there was a doubt about the albums direction, confirmation came when a stranger appeared before an Oaks show at the Cerritos Center in Southern California as Chris set up his gear alone. The stranger introduced himself as a former drummer, then reminded Golden that heʼd been given a gift, and that he needed to “play for the One who gave you the gift.” The phrase was a transformative reminder. Golden wrote the phrase on his snare drum with a Sharpie, and it helped him take the final steps in his full-circle walk back to his gospel roots. “I’ve always believed in the music,” Golden says. “Music is my gift, and I wanted everything about this album to be special because I feel like I’m making. it for the right reasons.” It’s a perfect journey, a trip in his Sunday Shoes back to the sound that gave Chris Golden his eternal musical grounding.
PowerSource 41 July2011 PowerSourceMagazine.com Southern Gospel Gold Still Looking For New Music A note from Russ Watson, host of Southern Gospel Gold: Hello, friends. I hope you all are doing well! I have been reviewing wonderful albums by groups and soloists sent to me by fellow artists in Christian and Inspirational Country, Bluegrass, and Southern Gospel for my radio show. This month, as my favorite, I chose the album, Sunday Shoes, by Chris Golden. Chris Golden is the son of Bill Golden from the famous Oak Ridge Boys. This is a great album. I was amazed. The most wonderful surprise is Chris Golden is so multi-talented. He played nearly every instrument on the recording. Furthermore, he is a great vocalist. My favorite song on the album is “Sunday Shoes.” However, there are a lot of other great songs on here … too many to name. Remember, I am still searching for my favorite album of the month. So, my friends and soon to be friends, if you have a great, full-length, professional album, send it to: Favorite Album, Attention: Russ Watson, 3654 N. Richardt Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46226. Until next month, be blessed.
CHRIS GOLDEN Born into a rich musical legacy, Chris began his musical career almost as soon as he could walk. "From an early age I was surrounded by music on both sides of the family," recalls Chris, "and it was something that came very natural and easy for me." Chris never took any musical lessons and considers his ability to hear something a few times and then play it a "gift from God." In elementary school, Chris was already learning to play the drums, piano, and guitar. While growing up in Tennessee, Chris spent summers on his grandparent's farm in south Alabama, working in the fields and singing in church. During this time he developed an appreciation for family harmonies and a steadfast work ethic.

 At 15, Chris began playing piano for a group called the Telestials, touring the Southern Gospel circuit. The week he graduated high school, he started touring with brother Rusty in The Boys Band; the group recorded an album for Elektra / Asylum and had a pop hit that stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks. At 18 he joined the Canadian group Cedar Creek, which had Top 10 chart action on the Canadian country charts as well as the U.S. At 19 Chris stepped out from behind the drums and made his lead vocal debut on the hit TV show Hee Haw. In 1984 he teamed up again with brother Rusty and friend Marc Speer as Golden Speer and went to Muscle Shoals, Alabama to record demos for CBS with veteran "super drummer" Roger Hawkins and bass man David Hood. Already a "road scholar" this is where Chris "got my master's." In 1987, the brothers began recording as The Goldens, charting with a couple of singles released on CBS/Epic and produced by James Stroud. In 1989, on Capitol/SBK Records, the Goldens released the album "Rush for Gold," which racked up more chart singles and spawned three music videos, one of which Chris produced and directed. During this time he was constantly touring and continued to work as a session musician. In 1995, he began performing with The Oak Ridge Boys playing "whatever's left;" guitar, mandolin, harmonica and filling in on keyboards and drums. From 1997-2014 this multi-talented man, who also has charted songwriter credits, became the Oaks fulltime drummer. He has been the voice of Heinz 57 as national radio spokesman "to support my music habit," has played a variety of instruments on a multitude of recordings over the years, produced various projects for clients such as Polygram and EMI Records, and has also enjoyed a brief stint with country-rock legends The Flying Burrito Brothers. In 2000 Chris produced his father William Lee Golden's CD Box Set My Life's Work. Chris can also be heard on the Oak's latest CD's From The Heart, Inconvenient Christmas and The Journey, and LIVE.
However it's his recent solo work that best showcases Golden's gifts. He has released five critically acclaimed solo projects including CenterStage, which garnered rave reviews from Billboard magazine, and his gospel offering Sunday Shoes which was named Power Source Magazine's 'Album of the Month.' In 2011, Chris stepped back in the spotlight as a television host, filming 13 episodes before a live audience for a web based series called Late Night Nashville with Chris Golden, and continues to host his annual Family and Friends concerts. His latest album entitled Shoebox was released in the Fall of 2013 with the first video Shoebox now in rotation on ZUUS Country Network and featured as 'Breakout Artist of the Week" and appearing in the TOP 10 Countdown. "Music is my life, my gift, my love... and I feel like I would be turning my back on my calling if I didn't keep doing this," he says. "I love and live to entertain."
Chris wants churches to know that he comes on a love offering basis and a room. Please call to book: 615-479-6101 Email: chrisgolden@gmail.com His website: www.chrisgolden.net Please call and schedule Chris for your next service, homecoming, revival. He also books other venues….
As Editor I asked Chris to share a story or a memory with us...and yes, he did…
______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Chris shared this funny story and at the time, he said it was not funny. In approximately 1978 Chris was 15 yrs old and was playing drums for “The Telestials”. They were in North Carolina singing with The Dixie Melody Boys. After their set had ended, Chris went out to the bus and had changed his clothes. He had on blue jeans, a satin Oak Ridge Boys jacket and a bandana . They came out to the bus to get him for the Grand Finale, so he went running into the building to join everyone. There were already 2 drummers out there on stage, so he grabbed a tambourine to play. Ed O’Neal of “The Dixie Melody Boys” grabbed Chris and drug him off stage. Ed said to him, “this ain’t no rock and roll show” . Chris said I was only 15 and I was angry about that! Later down the road, Chris and his brother formed a group, “The Goldens” and they were on a television show. Chris told them how Ed O’Neal Had thrown him off the stage and they had a big laugh about it at the time. At this point in life, all was forgiven and it became a funny story about a 15 year old Chris and Ed O’Neal of “The Dixie Melody Boys”. In 2014 at The Quartet Convention , as time would have it. There was Ed O’Neal and Dove McCray. Ed O’Neal leaned over to him and said” I have never forgotten you boy” “There on that stage that night with Ed O’Neal, Dove McCray and myself…..I got to sing with Ed O’Neal!”
BE SURE AND GO TO WWW.SOUTHERNGOSPELMAGAZINE.COM YOU CAN HEAR SOME OF CHRIS’ MUSIC ON OUR WEBSITE
The Hoppers, GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame members and legendary gospel artists, are gearing up for an exciting year with the announcement of their 58 City Tour! The tour finds the talented family group continuing their partnership with talent agent and tour producer Israel Berry, President/CEO of The Berry Agency to present this concert experience. The tour will feature The Hoppers along with a choir (in select cities), special memories and moments as they celebrate fifty-eight years of music ministry. Gospel music lovers can expect a very unique and exciting evening with America's favorite family as they take a musical trip down memory lane. Multi-award winning family group The Hoppers - known as America's Favorite Family of Gospel Music - have been singing to global audiences for over 55 years with appearances ranging from presidential religious inaugural ceremonies and New York’s Carnegie Hall to singing conventions and church platforms. They have performed throughout the United States as well as in Israel, Europe and Africa. Their unique blend of harmonies and song choices have created a legacy of musical excellence embraced by leading pastors and event organizers. Known as America’s Favorite Family of Gospel Music, they are favorites on the Gaither Homecoming videos and tours, and their recordings frequently land near the top of the BILLBOARD sales charts and The Singing News radio charts. In 2012, the group was inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame alongside Aretha Franklin, Ricky Skaggs, Love Song, Rex Humbard, and Dallas Holm.
Comprised today of family members Claude & Connie, son Dean and his wife, Kim, and son Mike Hopper, The Hoppers were formed in 1957 in the rural-farm town of Madison, NC, and have grown continuously for decades, touching countless lives around the world. A cancer survivor, Connie has been honored with the prestigious Marvin Norcross Award, in addition to numerous industry and fan honors; and she has been inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Sons Dean and Mike have continued the family legacy with their musical talents and business abilities; and Kim, Dean's wife, hails from her own nationally acclaimed musical family, The Greenes. She is noted for the excitement she brings to any live performance, and her unmistakable, rafter-ringing soprano vocals have taken The Hoppers to new heights for many years. The Hoppers are celebrating over 5 DECADES of music excellence - don't miss this chance to catch America's favorite family of Gospel music, THE HOPPERS! Connect with the Hoppers Web: www.TheHoppers.com Facebook: www.Facebook.com/TheHoppersOfficial Twitter: www.Twitter.com/HoppersMusic
The Enormous Power of “I Don’t Care!” Next to “No” the most powerful sentence in the English language is “I don’t care.” It makes you downright dangerous! Caring about someone, loving them, makes you vulnerable. And that’s a good thing. There will only be a few people around your death bed, and those people deserve your best. It’s worth sleepless nights, depleting your bank account, “wasted” time, forgiveness, and spending all the energy you have to invest in the few close relationships that matter most. About the people closest to me I DO care! But just about everything else is small stuff. And if you care too much about the small stuff your resulting vulnerability will open you to people, circumstances, and decisions that will deplete you, harm you, and potentially destroy you. If you care too much about what the critics say you’ll never say or do the things that will help those who can benefit most from your work. If you care too much about getting the contract you’ll give away too much and end up on the short end of the deal. If you care too much about what others think of you you’ll never accomplish what God put you on this earth to do. If you care too much about making money you’ll hurt and use people in the process. If you care too much about perfection you’ll miss the big picture of what your work is intended to accomplish. If you care too much about what it will cost you won’t invest the time, energy, or resources it will take to make something truly great. At various times and in various ways I’ve cared too much about each of those things. And the more I realize the freedom that comes from NOT caring the happier I am. And the more successful.
Just recently I was confronted with a business negotiation where something I very much wanted was at stake. Giving in to the demands of the other party would mean accepting significant setbacks and delays in some larger ministry and business efforts that God is leading us into. The person handling this negotiation asked me, “Are you prepared to walk away from this contract?” Without hesitation I answered, “Yes. Absolutely!” And I’ve never felt happier and more energized. I don’t yet know how this particular negotiation will end. But I DO know that I don’t care about it very much one way or the other, at least not when compared with the bigger picture of what I know God is asking us to do. I also know that puts me in a much stronger position. I’ve made my choice, and now it’s up to them to decide how to respond. Caring the most about the most important things, and letting the other things go, is a skill the best leaders and the most successful people in every area of life eventually learn. And the sooner the better. Ultimately we all must care most about God and His kingdom. Everything else truly IS small stuff. Revelation describes the power of not caring too much even about our earthly lives: “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” (Revelation 12:11) Is there something you care too much about? What can you choose to care about more, so you don’t care too much about the small stuff?
MY NEXT MOUNTAIN Lord I would be lying if I said I understood How you're going to take this challenge And work things for my good You know this situation is bigger than I am I feel like I'm in the middle of a huge traffic jam There is no place for me to go I'm blocked on every side I feel exposed and vulnerable and there's no place to hide My faith again has weakened and it's hard to comprehend What is going to happen at the next turn in the bend You've brought me through so many times again Lord hear my plea Reach down your healing hand of love and place it upon me I ask that you would show me everyone who'll really pray And block those who pray against me so they won't get in my way Amen @ Joye Atkinson
The video “Love Is Stronger “has been nominated for an award at the Absolutely Gospel Music Award Celebration. Ashley DeRamus is featured in the music video with Grammy Award winning Gospel Music artist Jason Crabb. The video, shot in Birmingham, Alabama on August 1st at Caldwell Park, featured Jason’s new song "Love is Stronger." Revolution Pictures of Nashville, TN produced the video with director Roman White. Mr. White has produced videos for Carrie Underwood, Kelley Clarkson, Blake Shelton and others. The Ashley DeRamus Foundation has used the video to promote Down syndrome awareness and the positive effect on those who are close to someone who has Down syndrome. The video tells the story about a father telling his daughter goodbye as he leaves to go to war. The daughter has Down syndrome. The father is involved in an IED attack that leaves him severely wounded but he fights to recover from his injuries for his daughter. The video begins with scenes of Ashley DeRamus reciting the Pledge of Allegiance with a Color Guard surrounded by veterans. Local Down syndrome children were used as extras in the video as well as the veterans. "It's a very cool dream come true. It's really special to me to see lives changing. Down syndrome is really not a disease, it's who you are," Ashley stated in an interview about the video. Ashley along with her mother Connie DeRamus have launched Ashley by Design, a clothing line specifically tailored to fit women with Down syndrome. The clothing line was first shown at the National Down Syndrome Congress Convention in Denver. Ashley says the clothing line as well as the video, "Love Is Stronger” is now available online at www.ashleybydesign.com. Ashley also recently spoke at the United Nations about living with Down syndrome as well.
You can learn more about Ashley DeRamus and the Ashley DeRamus Foundation by going http://ashleybydesign.com or https://www.facebook.com/pages/AshleyDeRamus-Foundation . To contact Ashley for a special appearance E-mail adream.gk@gmail.com .
About Ashley Deramus Foundation The Ashley Deramus Foundation was founded for and dedicated to the education, advancement and quality life-style of children and adults with Downs Syndrome. Through the work of Ashley and the foundation, our goal is to increase the awareness and enlighten others about the rewards and positive contributions we make. You can contact Ashley through Gary Kannegiesser at 440-670-2897 or adream.gk@gmail.com
LYNN’S HO 1 large can of dark red kidney beans 1 large can of pinto beans 1 large can of diced tomatoes 2 lbs ground chuck or lean ground beef 1 large bell pepper 2 med onions 2 jugs of tomato juice 2 3.5 ounce pkgs of chili powder 2 tsp cayenne pepper
Fry beef, seasoning with 1/2 bottle of chili pow Add drained beans and other ingredients to p taste test necessary for possible need to add like mine REALLY spicy! Top with cheese, onions, or other desired topp
OMEMADE CHILI
wder pot, and simmer on low for three-four hours until done. salt, pepper, or additional cayenne for desired spiciness. I
pings!
Prodigal Son signs new deal with Tyscot (LOUD) Records, read all about it... The oldest black-owned and operated gospel recording company seasoned with gospel greats like The Rance Allen Group, Shirley Murdock and contemporary artists like Deitrick Haddon’s LXW and Anthony Brown & Group Therapy presents an innovative twist to their repertoire and releases their first self-titled CHH MIXTAPE entitled TYSCOT LOUD “GOLD” Hosted by DJ WADE-O. This Innovative twist includes TYSCOT LOUD’s newest signee, Ohio bred Gospel rap artist Prodigal Son (HOLY-wood Records). Prodigal Son first made his way onto the CHH scene in early 2010 with his debut album “Kingdom Swagga-Nomics” which debut on Gospel Billboard charts at number (18). He then followed up with a compilation cd Welcome 2 HOLY-wood which earned him a debut spot on the Gospel Billboard Charts once again peaking at #21, a movie role in the anti-bully film Hidden Rage, his first 2nd Round Grammy Nod then disaster struck, Prodigal suffered 3rd degree burns to the whole right side of his body and was told he may never walk properly again right after both his parents and grandmother passed, months apart.
3yrs later, totally HEALED, Prodigal Son set back on his course in CHH, began his HOMECOMING TOUR, and met TYSCOT RECORDS C.E.O. “Bryant Scott”, whom signed Prodigal Son and his label mate #Amour (Cleveland Ohio) a few weeks after meeting. Tyscot LOUD is a fresh approach to gospel music designed to engage millennial culture through Hip-Hop, ultimately encouraging youth to be positive contributors to society in a ‘LOUD,’ visible and radical way. #LOUDMovement is a lifestyle and social media hashtag used to display how individuals are walking in purpose and leaving an indelible imprint of hope in their communities. “For 40 plus years, Tyscot has built a brand which is synonymous with the best in gospel music,” Tyscot Music + Entertainment President, Bryant Scott said. “We are excited to expand into the Christian Hip-Hop genre and know that Tyscot LOUD will be synonymous with the best in this musical arena.” February 10th, Tyscot LOUD released its self-titled debut Gold Mixtape hosted by DJ Wade-O. Click here for your FREE DOWNLOAD 2 Gold tyscotloud.com To Book Prodigal Son for your next event please call 954-678-8498 The mixtape features eight newly signed artists: Canino (@im_CaNino), T.S.O. (@1TSO), Dale Evans (@dalejevans1), B the Messenger (@BtheMessenger), Prodigal Son (@MrHoly_Wood), Amour (@AmourMeansLove), Kaleb Starr (@KalebStarr), and Royalty (@Royalty317). Tyscotloud.com IG @TYSCOTLOUD TWITT @TYSCOTLOUD FB @TYSCOTLOUD To Book Prodigal Son please call 954-678-8498 IG @MRHOLYWOOD TWITT @MRHOLY_WOOD
Welcome to the Porch, Grab a nice cold glass of sweet tea or a nice warm cup of coffee and let’s chat. First, let’s say a short prayer asking God to open our ears and our hearts. Father, we come to you now asking that you will use these words in such a way that hearts will be blessed and open to you. Father, all we do we do for you. Each of us humbled, by your love and mercies every day. Amen This will be part one of a two part Words From The Porch. Talking about surrender OURS, and GODS Today let’s chat about, Total Surrender, OURS In Mark 10: 28 we read, “Peter began to say to Him,” See we have left all and followed You” Then Jesus replied to this statement of Peter by saying that this surrender is “for My sake and the gospel’s”(Mark 10-29)by saying this He was saying that it is not for what the disciples themselves would get out of it. I would say to you beware of surrender that is based on or motivated by personal benefit that may result from it. For example, “I am going to give myself to God because I want to be delivered from sin, because I want to be made holy.” Be holy and delivered from sin are the result of being right with God, but surrender resulting from this kind of thinking is not the true nature of Christianity. WE should want totally surrender ourselves to God not for what we can gain from it personally, we have become so self-centered that we go to God mostly when we need something from him and not for God Himself. We should be going for what we can gain from it spiritually that will increase our relationship with Christ. It is kind of like saying “No, Lord, I don’t want you I want myself” But I do want you to clean me out and fill me with your Holy Spirit, I want to be on Your display case so I can say “look what God has done for me”. Things such as forgiveness, gaining heaven and other relationship benefits should never be in consideration in real surrender. Real, total, genuine, totally surrender, is a personal sovereign preference for Jesus Himself. Where does Jesus fit into our natural relationships when we have concerns? Most of us will desert Him with this excuse-“Yes, Lord, I have heard Your voice, but my family needs me and I have my own interest. I just can’t go any further.” (see Luke 9:57-62) “Then,” Jesus says, “you cannot be my disciple” (see Luke 14:26-33) Bottom line is this; Total surrender will always go beyond personal and natural devotion. It will only give up, God will surrender Himself to embrace even all those around us and answer their need because of the total surrender that we have created. Don’t stop short of total surrender to God. The rewards are more than we can even imagine. Most of us understand what this means but have never truly experienced it. Hope you will join me next month as we talk about God’s total surrender to us. Thanks for joining me on the porch Brian
Let’s Welcome In March And Thoughts Of Spring. Time For The March C D Reviews We Have Two Cd’s This Month For Review.
Our First Review Comes To Us From A Group Based Out Of Knoxville Our First Review Comes To Us From A Group Based Out Of Knoxville Tn Heart To Heart CD Title Blessings… This Cd Is Sure To Bless The People That Get A Chance to Hear This Trio Of Singers Consisting Of Danny And Alice Overholt And Neta Province, The First Song/ Audience Of One Is A Slow To Med Tempo Song With A Great Message Sure To Reveal That We Are Here To Please The Lord With Our Talents He Gave Us. Cut Number Two/ Mercy Walked In This Song Is Covered By Many Artist And There’s A Reason Why The Powerful Message Of Mercy And Grace Through God’s Great Love Resonates With Any One Who Has Had The Experience Of Being Saved. Danny Sings This Song With Great Control And True Heartfelt Spirit.
Track Number Three/ Could I Love You More Features Neta Province A Beautiful Song Of Gods Great Redeeming Grace And Love Shouting Shoes Song Number 4/ A Classic Traditional Favorite Of Many This Fast Paced Hand Clapper Will Have You In The Spirit In No Time At All Cut Number Five/ The Lamb A Beautiful Song Of The Christ Child From Birth To Death Simply A Heart Touching Song. Blessings The Title Cut Song 6/ Tells Us In A Blessed Way That In A Troubled World Blessings Come To Us In Many Ways. Loved It!! Homesick Cut 7 / Is Sure To Capture Your Heart With Soft Suttle Harmony That Every Saint Experiences Here And That Is To Long For Our Heavenly Home.. How Great Thou Art Song 8 / One Of The Most Popular Songs Ever And Neta Danny And Alice Really Sing This One Beautifully. Song 10 What A Day / An Accapella Version Of This Timeless Classic Truly Will Bring Joy To Your Spirit. OVERALL‌.. Great Cd.. Book Heart To Heart For Your Next Event! On Social Media Find Heart to Heart on Facebook e-mail dannyoverholtsr@yahoo.com Booking Contact 865-679- 8306
Next Review Crimson Ridge‌ Another Trio Based Out Of The Knoxville Tn Area CD Album Title
Headed Home
Cut #1 / Hands On The Plow The First Charting Single For Crimson Ridge In Many Christian Charts Congratulations for the Wonderful song Our Top Priority Is To Always Be Working For The Lord.. Cut #2 / When The Shepherd Became A Lamb, This Slow Tempo Song Will Convince You That The Sacrifice Of Christ Was A Life Changing Event For The Eternal Future Of Mankind.. Cut #3 / Welcome Home To Have To Say Goodbye to Loveones Here Pains Us Deeply But The Joy Of Knowing There New Home Makes This Song Special.
Welcome Home To Have To Say Goodbye to Loveones Here Pains Us Deeply But The Joy Of Knowing There New Home Makes This Song Special. Cut #3 /
Cut#4 / I Just Seen Jesus A Song That Is A Catchy Tune That Will Give You A Faithful Belief That Jesus Is Alive And Well. Cut #5 / Help Me Not To Fail Sometimes A Failure Can Be The Thing That Turns Our Life Around To Be a Faithful Servant To The Lord Beautiful Song. Cut #6 / A Place Called Grace Tells Us That Gods Grace Is A Loving Experience To Those Who Calls Upon His Name. Cut #7 / Look What Ive Traded For A Mansion A Classic Tune That Has Been Sang Many Times This Version Of This Song Will Bring A Tear To Your Eye . Cut#8 / Lead Me Home. Dobro And Acoustic Music Accompanies This Heartfelt Song The Call Will Come For Us One Day But No Worries Christ Will Be Waiting. Cut#9 / Do The Right Thing. Crimson Ridge Ramps It Up A Bit With This Contemporary Song The Message Simple‌Do The Right Thing. Cut #10 / The Ole Ship Of Zion. The Talents Of These Gentlemen Shine Through On This Accapella Classic.. Wonderful Blessings From This CD.. Contact Crimson Ridge For Your Next Event. www.crimsonridgemusic.com On Facebook Crimson Ridge e-mail crimsonridge@att.net 865-748-1571
Church in the Wildwood isn’t a recently written song. …. It was actually composed in 1857 by a young music teacher named William S Pitts as a result of a June visit to Bradford, Iowa. Pitts was on a stagecoach ride that stopped at the town. During a trip to visit his fiancée in Fredericksburg, Iowa, the stagecoach stopped at Bradford, allowing Pitts to wander through the woodlands there. He happened upon a particularly beautiful spot in a valley close to the Cedar River and an image formed in his mind of a church building at the location. Returning to his home in Wisconsin and unable to forget about the image, Pitts wrote a poem that he later set to music, saying at its completion, “only then was I at peace with myself”. When Pitts returned to the area with his wife in 1862 he discovered a church being erected where he had imagined it to be. The church members had been meeting in a variety of temporary rooms until Rev. J.K. Nutting led the drive to create a permanent home for the congregation. Providentially, the very plot where Pitt imagined a church would stand was donated by the family that owned it and soon a church building was erected on the exact spot. Not only that, the church was being painted brown, the colour mentioned in the song. At the time, Ohio Mineral Paint’s brown paint was the cheapest paint to be found. During the winter of 1863-1864 Pitts taught a singing class at Bradford Academy. He resurrected the song and tutored his class to sing the song at the dedication of the new church in 1864. This was the first time the song was sung by anyone other than Pitts himself. In 1865 Pitts moved to Chicago, Illinois, to enrol at Rush Medical College. To pay for his enrolment fees, he sold the rights to the song to a music publisher for $25. He completed medical school, graduating in 1868, but the song was forgotten once again. After the church closed in 1888 due to an economic downturn in the town, the Society for the Preservation of The Little Brown Church was founded. In the 1890s evangelists Arthur Chapman and Charles Alexander helped to popularize the song. By 1914, services were again held in the church. Shortly afterward, the small congregation experienced a revival that attracted new attention to it and to the song, Church in the Wildwood.
Among those who found and loved the song at this time was the Weatherwax Brothers Quartet. This group of traveling singers journeyed throughout Canada and the USA in the 1920s and 1930s and used The Church in the Wildwood as their trademark song. As the song grew in popularity, the church has become a popular tourist spot, and remains so today. It attracts thousands of visitors every year to see or be married in the little brown church in the vale. The Church in the Wildwood was recorded by the Carter Family for RCA Victor Records on October 13, 1932. In 1994 it was recorded by Bill Clifton and Jimmy Gaudreau for Clifton’s Elf Records. Clifton reflects …… “Personally, I fell in love with the Carter Family recording of the song when I was a pre-teen…and always enjoyed hearing many other families and groups sing the song over the years. When Red Rector and I recorded a County LP in Roanoke, Virginia, we were joined by several members of The Shenandoah Valley Boys and Church in the Valley was on our to-do list…but it failed to come together quickly enough, and we abandoned it. Some years ago I was in Iowa to perform and to receive an award, and it was at this time that I first got to go to the village, meet the preacher of this little Congregational church and actually sing the song to a couple of dozen members of the congregation and maybe a tourist or two. It sits close to a country road (now hard-surfaced due to a recent governor’s wife complaints about the dust when she visited it) and it continues to be painted brown. It was originally painted brown because brown was the cheapest paint…but I have no idea whether this is still the case. The church keeps various souvenirs available for purchase…including a brochure about William Pitts, copies of the original sheet music, picture postcards, a booklet that tells the story behind the song etc. Richard Thompson
Contact Jeff Davidson, Nat’l Sales Mgr. At : southerngospelmagazine@yahoo.com for all your advertising needs. All inquiries: sooutherngospelmagazine@yahoo.com We reserve the right to refuse any stories or advertising that do not meet our qualifications of desirability .and meet our standards of ethics.
For the last month I have heard from different folks and Pastors about churches dwindling down and barely able to keep the church doors open. I began to ponder a lot lately about it and am gonna voice my personal perspective on the matter as to the problem. First of all, family value has dwindled down. Children aren't being taught from a early age the importance of family or church. They do as they please, when they please. They are clueless as to how to handle responsibilities and talk to their parents anyway they please. Respect and honor have flown out the door. Parents don't enforce rules and standards and a lot don't even go to church and take their children with them. Marriages are ending and children are stuck in the middle and mostly hearing two different versions as to the why's. The list could go on and on sadly. Then there is the churches. Now remember this is my personal perspective and doesn't apply to every church or everybody. When I lived in darkness away from the world for about 20 years I did study the bible and did listen to some church sermons on TV but I longed to go to a real church. A church that I could belong too. A church where the members were my church family and I could be accepted for just me. I knew Jesus loved me and wanted to feel that way in church as well. Sadly when I finally began to get to the point that I could go to church, I never felt like I belonged and I sure didn't feel the love nor the spirit. I was very quiet and shy and sat in the back at all times because I felt uncomfortable . When the pastors would say it was time for greetings I would get handshakes without folks even looking me in the eyes or would shake the end of my fingers and hurry away and I began to dread that part of services. I also saw so many clicks among members and if you didn't dress or act a certain way, they didn't want anything to do with you. I got to the point I was giving up on finding a church completely. I was beyond flustered. Churches need to be a straight from the Word, bible believing church that shows Gods love to all who come thru their doors. To make everyone feel welcome with open arms no matter who they are.
If people honestly felt that in churches more would come. People wouldn't get discouraged and turn away or worse, turn away from the true living God and all the love he has for His children. The church is made for the people and everyone is different, unique and worthy. We are ALL Gods children and should never feel we don't fit in nor belong in Gods house. For all who haven't found a church , don't get discouraged. Don't give up. Get out and find one. For those who just don't attend church. Get off your duff and start going. Gods waiting with open arms . Parents start being parents and set standards for your children. Teach them true family values and get them involved in church. Remember God loves ya and so do I.
Let’s Get A Little Personal About Organizing and Utilizing. Organizing and utilizing you, your resources, skills, and talents is PERSONAL! UNIQUE consideration should be part of the process and the utmost respect, understanding and “friendly” interaction from the Organizer. If applying wise and realistic goals moves you to tears or you struggle moving through an exercise, the organizer should be patient, gentle and work with you to help you understand it is best to work through it, know when you push, when to pull you over the obstacle and when to WAIT! (YES, you can think about a change, decide to hold off and move on to something else!) You CAN choose to have 6 or 8 things when the “Standard arrangement is odds”. YOU CAN use vertical or horizontal arrangements. At least when I am YOUR organizational coach and “Productivity Coach”. Together we will accomplish twice as much work and doing things that complement the way you think and work makes the changes seem do able and easy to maintain. Virtual Assisting and Organizing is a real and very productive thing. It total uses the “Where there is A Will there is A Way”. If you want to organize something, feel more in control and functional about a project and we can’t get together in person, we can meet, and work via internet apps, Facebook, Google, Skype, Phone call/Text, Email or any combination we can arrange that works for you. Functional and Strategic processes and organization accomplishes things through productive actions. Rewards are important, as well as celebrations. The inspire and motivate they are also nice closure of a project or goal. I enjoy looking for simple things to help people and experiences that make clients feel rewarded for the hard work. I like to make events or little gifts that are useful and inspiring. Throughout my work with clients I find ways to have little celebrations if it is simply celebrating the empty containers we
clean out or empty spaces when we get rid of unused items. Sharing the pictures of items being donated to someone needing it. UNIQUE ORGANIZED and UTILIZED are easily a way of living and giving as they have become a way to earn a living for me. A passion of mine, a necessity, and a talent I have that I am able to use to help others (another passion and way of living) and my chosen profession. Visit the Website www.uniquelyorganizedandutilized.com consult.
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Contest! oh what fun.. You enter for the fun of it and the thoughts of "if I win, this could be cool" (but that nagging voice reminds you "Just what you need one more thing to find a place for or one more thing to make sure you use before it expires".) uggg. Wish there was a contest that could help solve one of your burning problems? Do you want a prize you can really use to improve things? How about entering to receive a Free Coaching /Strategies Session to actually fix whatever is keeping you from accomplishing things that would increase your enjoyment of your space, stuff, talents, and/or time? Complete the form to enter! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1BKyoUf5QqnSfTf-QECbFX6Z2oVy9zvF8SCsxzu2Y_U/viewform?usp=send_form Dot A. Wiggins Uniquely Organized and Utilized (919) 219-2650 Textable Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/uniquelyorganizedandutilized Uniquely Gifted Bags by Dot Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/uniquelygiftedbagsbyDot Website www.uniquelyorganizedandutilzed.com Damsel in Defense Pro#3269 ( with Dot A Wiggins) http://mydamselpro.net/DotAWiggins Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/pages/Damsel-in-Defense-Pro-with-Dot-AWiggins/637949636261658
Don't Count Your Self Out (Count Yourself Blessed) This past month has proven to be a huge test of my faith, and at times even questioned my faith at times. I even went so far to count myself out and not count myself blessed. I asked God where He was, What He was doing to me and my sweetie pie, and Why are we going through this test of our faith?
The easiest way to explain to you how this occurred is to start at the beginning. On Jan. 26, 2015 the love of my life quit her job of 13 years, because they pushed her to her breaking point. Employees calling her horrible names and , not listening to her as a manager. She finally had enough and quit. This left us in a very tight spot, only one income instead of two. We depend on two incomes just to pay our bills and have a little left over for food and supplies for our apartment. We ended up getting behind on our rent, and was on the verge of getting evicted. We also were on the verge of loosing our furniture and TV because we couldn't afford to pay Aarons. We where literally about to loose everything we worked so hard for over the past six months. We cried out to God for help, I sold a few of my photography prints, an answered prayer and we were able to pay our electric bill. My monthly check went to pay rent, car note, car insurance, and food. We didn't know how we where going to keep our furniture, TV and Cable on and put food in the house. We cried out to God and Val's income tax came in, that paid our back rent and our bills for that month. We even got our rent lowered because we live in an income based apartment complex‌ Even this week is proving to be a test of our faith, we have very little food to make it through till my paycheck, but God has proven and showed Himself faithful once again. My best friend Jerry and my Aunt Wanda live in the same building across the hall from us, and they have been such a blessing, giving us food, and making us meals .
. In
the middle of this all I can't even begin to believe that I questioned my faith in God. Val had to keep reminding me numerous times that God will get us through and as long as we stick together and hold onto God's word that says He shall supply all our needs according to His riches in Glory ...we would be okay. Even when we count ourselves out and not blessed, God shows Himself true to His word that He shall never leave us nor forsake us. He is the author and finisher of our faith. The creator of all things, Alpha and Omega, The Great I Am, Worthy of our Praise. He says we are blessed! He Said It, I Believe It!!! Now more than ever. Because I will no longer count myself down, I count myself blessed.
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever.19 Amen. Philippians 4:19-20
Joye Atkinson, is our staff poetry writer. We are honored to have her on board. Joye has been on several radio programs reading her poetry. She also has just had her first book of poetry published, “From My Heart�...please see the Ad and be sure and order your own copy of her book and ask her to autograph it for you!