2007
April
One Little Boy
It was taken from the simple story from the Bible about the little boy who gave his lunch to Jesus, and saw a great miracle performed when Jesus blessed it and fed more
than 5000 with it!
I read over the song, one of the shortest and simplest songs I’ve ever seen from my mom. Immediately it reminded me a song in a movie I saw as a child. Ever seen “Captain’s Courageous” starring Spencer Tracy? Well, he sings a song to the little boy “ya-ho little fish don’t cry, don’t cry- ya-ho little fish don’t cry, don’t cry” With this little tune in mind, I was inspired to write the basic tune for the verses. The song she wrote was finished, and the new tune worked out to sing in a round just as mom had requested!
Still, it seemed something was missing- a chorus. So, I thought about what I’d like to apply to my everyday life from the story of the little boy. It is just this, that I daily might give all I have to Jesus so that He might share it with others. I want to be aware of the spititual as well as physical hunger in others, and be willing to give all I have and see my Lord multiply it to help meet those needs!
How happy it must have made that little boy to see all those people blessed by something he gave. How happy I would be if only I stop begging for my selfish wants and start giving all I have to Jesus!
Lyrics:
One little boy, two little fishes
He gave them to the Lord,
He gave them to the Lord
All I have share with others
All I have, Lord, I give to you
Jesus blessed the loaves and the fishes
He made them many more
He made them many more
All I have share with others
All I have, Lord, I give to you
Thousands there, tired and hungry
He fed them everyone
He fed them everyone
All I have share with others
All I have, Lord, I give to you
One litte boy, two little fishes
One little boy, two little fishes
One little boy, two little fishes....little fishes
Jennifer
The Bradleys
http://www.thebradleys.net
Mike and Kelly Bowling - Apr 06
weather and the girls have already been to the park several times. Their favorites are the swings and feeding the ducks. I love this time of year, everything seems to be a little brighter.
Mike and I celebrate nine years of marriage on April 6th. It's so hard to believe that nine years have gone by. God has been so good and so faithful to us. We are having so much fun as we travel. This month looks like a busy one, so maybe we will run in to some of you along the way.
Thank you for your prayers for our family. God bless you.
Kelly Bowling
Mike and Kelly Bowling
http://www.mikeandkellybowling.com
Changed to Driven, Driven to Change
Chad, Will and Alex are all doing great. This past weekend Chad called home and his baby girl, Hallie was starting to crawl and with that news I saw the tears well up in his eyes. He is such a proud Dad. As you know Alex and Will both are getting married this year and so their off time is spent planning and preparing for the big day. We are all looking forward to the month of June. We will be heading West to Montana and Canada and we are anxious to spend time with our good friend Dean and the others at Cowboy Campmeeting.
As of mid April our new Website will be up and running and our first c.d. titled "He Will Provide" will be available. We are excited about the opportunities that await us and we are looking forward to seeing more of our friends. Were also getting prepared to get back into the studio with Wesley Pritchard and starting yet another project that will have all original songs and is slated to be released before September of this year.
On behalf of all the members of Driven and myself our thoughts and prayers are with the passing of Roger Bennet and his family. It seems that a great deal of the Idols have gone on but as an artist we need to continue with the standards they lived to protect. Southern Gospel Music can change lives and we as a Quartet will do our best to follow His direction and keep Him first. Until next month continue to be DRIVEN.
Jason Funderburk
Driven Quartet
http://www.drivenqt.com
Motion
I have found myself busier than ever lately. I love it in so many ways! I am having a blast producing several records, singing with my family all over the country, writing, planning, etc... But with all that is happening I run the risk of something that could happen easily if I am not very careful...I risk moving so fast that my physical motion takes over the spiritual motion that God wants to make happen. It’s not motion in my feet or motion in my hands...Not motion in my brain even...but motion in my heart that GOD is interested in.
God wants to work in me a lot more than I ever need to work for HIM. We can be very busy for God and yet miss Him all together. I have this scripture that is a favorite...I have a lot that are my favorites...I cannot pick THE favorite...but this one is very special:
Psalm 46:10a- Be Still and Know That I Am GOD.
Simple and yet beautiful statement, isn’t it? But what a vast meaning this verse has. Allow me to reach at a few of the meanings I draw from this scripture and you can gather your own too. Here is what I hear GOD saying to me; “Shhhh...Quiet...Listen...Sit Still...Stand Still...Wait...Trust...Know WHO I AM...Hear me and feel my and allow ME to move, NOT YOU. I want to create a stirring in your heart that makes a difference not just for today but for 100 tomorrows from now. I see the biggest picture. A lot of people say I see the bigger picture but I really see the biggest picture. Let me paint it into your life
And one more time...Shhhhh...”That is what I hear God speaking to me...and I really really want to listen. It is hard to hear His voice when the noise of my running feet and my noisy life drown Him out.
Yes...things are exciting! God is moving and creating motion in our ministry and in our lives in an incredible way. We are in AWE! But we are also very aware that without HIS motion..we are running in place. Let’s not run in place...Let’s do as The Isaacs song says so well...”Stand Still and Let God Move.” WOW...What a powerful thought!
Come visit us on the web at http://www.hopescall.com and remember our new album “Live to Love.” We are so excited about the messages in the songs!
Hope to see you on the road....
YOU ARE LOVED...
Donna Beauvais
Hope’s Call
http://www.hopescall.com
Hearts of Faith - Apr 06
Our travel began with three days in Campbellsville, KY at the second annual Heartland Quartet Convention (HQC). Although not well attended, those who did attend were blessed by a good amount of gospel music and the Lord showed up to provide three days of good fellowship and spirit. If you know of folks in the area, let them know about this event. I'll be sure to keep you updated as to next year's dates.
From there, we traveled to Chattanooga, TN for the third annual SGM FanFair. We sang twice on the main stage (Monday and Wednesday evenings), filled in during the Monday afternoon matinee for an artist that didn't show, and sang at two showcases on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. So we definitely had our fill of singing, that's for sure!
We got to see many folks that we don't see often, and meet many wonderful people that we can now call "friends." Once again, the Lord was present and we felt His Spirit during the week. Next year, the dates are Monday, March 31 through Saturday, April 5. Be sure to plan to attend! I don't think you'll be sorry if you do!! There are many things to do in Chattanooga (Lookout Mountain; Rock City; Ruby Falls; Tennessee Acquarium). So it'd be a great early spring vacation!
During FanFair, we were honored to become an artist to represent "Mission of Mercy", an international child sponsorship organization. Their focus is to provide meals and schooling for children who are unable to afford such items that we take for granted. However, they also provide a spiritual teaching that is so vitally important. We are thrilled to associate ourselves with such a wonderful organization. For only $30 monthly, you can support a child to provide these necessities.
As 2007 is our 25th year in music ministry, we are asking our faithful supporters to consider sponsoring a child. We'd love to see 25 children supported ~ one child for each year of our ministry. Would you prayerfully consider giving a child the necessities that should be afforded to anyone? We are so blessed in America to have so much, while most of the world has so little.
You can select a gender for your child; an age bracket for your child; even a country. If you have a child or grandchildren, we suggest you select a child near his/her age so that he/she can write letters to the child.
Personally, Keith and I have sponsored a number of children in the last 20 years. Keith has had the privilege of meeting some and it has impacted our life dramatically. Through the years, each of the children we have sponsored have come to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior during the time of sponsorship. Folks, that cannot be measured in dollars and cents. Please, prayerfully consider becoming a sponsor! I can guarantee you that you will NOT regret it. Just let us know and we'll get everything to you.
Also, we'd appreciate your prayers for my in-laws. My mother-in-law is currently in the hospital with both a yeast and staff infection. On Friday, March 23, they weren't sure she'd make it through the night. To date, she is "marginally better"; however, her spirits are quite low. As many of you may know, she experienced an infection in her left knee about three years ago after undergoing knee replacement surgery. In the end, she ended up with partial amputation. She has fought harder than anyone I know since that time ~ having her stove and sink lowered so she could continue cooking and washing; purchasing a new front-loading washer/dryer combo and moving them upstairs so she could do her laundry; installing a seat in her van so that she could ride to/from the grocery; etc. But I don't know that she has much fight left. She's only 67 years old, but she is in a great deal of pain (and her pain threshold is immense).
We've given her "permission", if you will, to go on. She accepted Christ many years ago and is ready to meet Him. Our prayer now is that she not continue suffering. Her name is Sue Strong and we'd appreciate your prayers for her.
My father-in-law, Cecil, is currently in a nursing facility due to Sue's hospital stay. She basically takes care of him, even in her current situation. He doesn't see well (due to diabetis); he has dimentia; he doesn't walk well and has fallen several times; etc. He is 79 years old and wants to return to his home, although we don't see how that is possible. He is extremely stubborn, and to our knowledge, has never accepted Christ as his Savior.
We're also experiencing financial issues because the nursing home would want $6,000 per month for his care. However, he would have to basically turn over all his assets to them until they reach a bottom dollar of $1,500. At that time, Medicaid would cover his expenses. It is quite frustrating that after all his years of work and saving, a nursing home would receive all his assets. It isn't that WE want them ... we just want him to be able to choose where they're distributed. Let's face it: $1,500 wouldn't cover his funeral and burial expenses!
We've learned that if they had listed their children's names on their property five years ago, we wouldn't be experiencing this. So a word to the wise who reads this with older parents. Make plans now for the future, while they're in good health!
We appreciate your prayers and support through the years. For those of you in the Dayton, Ohio area, don't forget our 25-Year Anniversary Concert on Saturday, April 28. It begins at 6 p.m. at the Healing Heart Church of God, 4251 Powell Road, Huber Heights, OH. Please plan to attend!
In HIS Service,
Donna Strong / HEARTS OF FAITH
http://www.hearts-of-faith.com
The Heralds - Apr 07
We just finished an 18 day trip to North Carolina,Alabama and South Carolina and Georgia. We had the opportunity to see several friends that we had not seen in a while. A couple of our dear friends
surprised us in North Carolina. For those of you in the Fayetteville area, you know that this is the home not only of Christian Davis who sings bass for Mercy's Mark but also Lottie Squires from radio station WCKB. After the concert we all went out to eat and enjoyed catching up since we all hadn't seen each other since NQC.
This month we are doing a new DVD of our new recording I just Can't Wait which is now available. I told you last month that our new single "I'm Prepared" is getting airplay all over the country and
we are so thankful at what the good Lord is doing. The doors that He is opening are just awesome.We also had quite an adventure on this trip but I don't have enough time or space now so I'll save it for next month.
Log onto our website and take a look at our schedule.
http://www.theheralds.org
We will look forward to seeing you down the road.
The King's Heralds
http://www.theheralds.org
Such a time…..
Elaine Parks
2nd Generation
http://www.2ndgenerationministries.com
April Reflections, ‘07
I never really thought much about names. They seemed necessary enough, but I never really gave much consideration to their significance. I knew they were important to identify whether Mr. Gregory was screaming at me or two other Janice’s in Biology 101, but that was about the extent of my understanding.
My father, bless his heart, is 95 years old, and during a conversation one day not long ago I discovered that my father had no idea what his grandparents’ names were. He didn’t know where or when they were born or their vocation or anything else about them. It all seemed so sad. Then I realized that these unknown people were not only his grandparents, but my great-grandparents and, as the crook in the old Clint Eastwood movie said, “I gots to know.”
I started with what I did know…my father’s place of birth. I began to call and write to county vital records departments and librarians and archivists in Southern Illinois. I scoured the Internet using the information I gleaned from county records. Clues led to more clues. I finally spoke to a sympathetic elderly clerk at an old Kentucky courthouse who put her department to work on finding some answers.
After a week or so of research, she informed me of my great-grandparents’ names, their birth years, their siblings, and pointed me to several other Kentucky counties where I would do well to look. She said she had quite a bit of material and would mail it to me. I had no choice but to await snail mail.
While waiting for the arrival of the genealogy material, I took what I had learned and went back to the Internet. I typed in their names and was shocked to find them floating around in cyberspace…not just in name, but in photograph. Someone else had apparently been researching them as well. When the Kentucky research information arrived, I took that and the photographs down for dad to see. Not only did I have his grandparents’ names, but his great-grandparents and great-great grandparents. He smiled his broad smile to finally see what his grandparents looked like, and discovered family resemblances he had been unaware of.
We learned that one day in 1770 his great-great grandfather came to America from County Down, Ireland to settle in Rockingham County, North Carolina, and that he was a school teacher and a farmer. We learned dad’s mother was not one of seven children as he believed, but of fifteen and that she was a twin. We learned the family slowly made its way into the coal fields of Kentucky, then on up into Illinois.
With this new-found knowledge, I then had to turn my search to my mother’s people. Mom is 93 now and as I dug into research materials, she would say, yes, now I remember my mother talking about this person or that person. I discovered that mom was from a long line of farmers and Christians. Some were ministers, even holding services in their homes at times. I learned that the Beans had been MacBeans and sailed to America from Scotland in 1767 on a ship called “Admiral Hawk” and landed at Charleston, South Carolina, later moving on to Burke County, North Carolina, Franklin County, TN and finally in 1800 on up into Jefferson County, Illinois.
That’s odd, I thought. Both families immigrated here from the British Isles within three years of each other. I realized there might be no connection whatsoever, but then again, maybe there was. What I learned led me to believe that both families came here in response to the political climate and economy during those years. Ireland and Scotland were both under the heavy hand of English rule and were subject to their own brand of “taxation without representation”.
I began to realize just how important the information I had found was. It was not so much the names and dates or even the ethnicity that amazed me. It was the fact that two hundred forty years ago a man on each side of the family made a single decision. He said, “I’ll put my family on a boat and sail away. I’ll leave everything and everyone I’ve ever known and make a life in a new land. I’ll feed my family.” And here I am today.
It made me acutely aware that my decisions are not just about me. They will impact all the generations that come after me. I have begun to think, “How will this decision affect my children, my grandchildren, my great-grandchildren?” “What will this decision say about me to future generations?”
As I poured through old census records, I realized that this information is now public record. Anyone can look to see whether his ancestor was a farmer, a brickmason or a cabinet maker. You can learn if your ancestor was slave or free. You can see their wealth or learn they resided at the county poor house. You can discover that your great-great grandfather was benevolent enough to allow his mother-in-law to live in his home, even though he already had ten mouths to feed. You can see that some people took in strangers as members of their own household. I’m sure at the time the information was being gathered, our ancestors felt they were merely complying with the law, not leaving a trail.
We all leave a trail, whether we intend to or not. My prayer is that the Lord will help me to make Godly choices and help me to leave a Christian heritage for those who follow me, and should He tarry and two hundred years from now someone is researching me, let them find evidence that I was a believer.
Scripture says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than riches.” Maybe Janice Lorraine isn’t such a bad name after all.
Janice Crow
The Imperials – April ‘07
In light of the new CD being released on a broader scale and in recognition of the fact that we are marketed mostly in the Southern Gospel community right now, we thought it would be good to mention a little bit about our mindset in creating this album.
First, we want to say how honored and humbled we are to be carrying on the great legacy that has been passed on to us (specifically by Armond Morales, but also by all of the Imperial members who have gone before us). We are in awe of what our predecessors accomplished and we recognize that anything God enables us to do now or in the future is simply building on the great foundation that has been laid. We are forever indebted to those who have gone before us!
We also want to mention the vast number of Imperials fans around this nation as well as around the world. Imperials fans have been so faithful and supportive of The Imperials over many years of membership changes and stylistic variety. It seems that they’ve caught the heart of the group through the years - starting with the original group of Jake Hess, Armond Morales, Gary McSpadden, Sherrill Nielson and Henry Slaughter and continuing up through the current group the focus seems to have remained on glorifying God and reaching people wherever they happen to be through the medium of excellent and relevant music, regardless of the style. And even though each incarnation of The Imperials put their own spin on the way this mission was carried out, the fans have been wonderfully supportive. One of the things that have been so encouraging to us in recent years is that the fans have really embraced this “new generation” of The Imperials with open arms. That means so much to us and with all of our hearts we say, “Thank you”!
So it was with great respect for the “Imperial legacy” and the “Imperial sound”, as well as for the wide spectrum of Imperials fans that we put this recording “The Imperials” together. More than anything, we wanted to say “The Imperials are still here with the same commitment to God; the same dedication to excellent music; and the same heart to reach as many people for the Kingdom as possible.” Therefore there was no way this recording could be dedicated to any one genre of music. All of the fans needed to know that The Imperials still had something for them. People have asked us over the past several years what we would call our style and the best thing we can come up with is that we are still The Imperials. We will always do our best to bring excellence to any songs we sing and record whether they are Southern Gospel, Praise and Worship, Inspirational or Adult Contemporary (that pretty much covers what’s on this album). We’re not sure what box “the industry” will want to put us in but mostly we just want to be faithful to the legacy we’ve been entrusted with and the calling that God has placed on our lives.
A quick word about our next planned recording: we are making plans for a “Back to the Roots” album in which we will record several of the classic Imperials songs probably spanning the first 25 or 30 years of the group’s history. We’ve narrowed the potential songs list down to about 30 or 40 of our favorites. Actually, we’re thinking about doing a poll and letting the fans decide at least some of what they would like to hear on this CD. At this point it looks like about 75% of the CD will lean more Southern Gospel and Inspo with maybe 25% of the songs leaning a little more Adult Contemporary. We’d love to hear your thoughts about this recording and also what great Imperials songs you’d like to hear again.
One final thought, this article has focused mostly on the “business” of Gospel music but honestly, the thing we are most excited about is that after more than 40 years, people are still meeting Jesus and having their lives changed at Imperials concerts! So many times over the past few years we’ve had people come up to us and say, “I met Jesus at an Imperials concert many years ago” or “I met Jesus while listening to an Imperials album”. It’s still happening today!! We recently heard about a man who was healed of cancer while listening to our new CD and especially recently, the presence of Jesus has been very real in our concerts and people are “marinating” in that presence. Of course, we can take no credit for any of that – it happened before we got here and it will happen long after we’re gone – but we’re truly grateful to be a part of it. We would really appreciate your prayers as the Lord brings us to mind.
Humbly in Jesus,
THE IMPERIALS
Ian, Jason, Jeremie, and Shannon
http://www.theimperials.com
Forgiveness
When I first read this scripture years ago, I initially thought that Jesus was referring to the onlookers and accusers surrounding the cross at His crucifixion. But now that I've grown in the Lord and have a clearer understanding of His word I look at this scripture with a totally different mindset.
On the day of His crucifixion Jesus cried out for our forgiveness. He was making the ultimate sacrifice for our redemption with His own blood. Why wouldn't He cry out, "Father forgive them?" His death would be in vain if God had not been willing to forgive.
Through the years I have learned so much of God's love and grace towards all mankind. The mercy I received as a sinner is still the same grace that I receive as a saint. When I fall, God extends that same loving hand down to me to pick me up. When I fail Him, He uses that same precious blood to forgive me time after time after time. Oh, I am so grateful that His love never changes and His blood never runs out. Amen!
I often picture Jesus on the cross at times to envision what He went through just so I could go free. I think of the shame, the ridicule and the pain He suffered for my salvation. I can see the angry mob watching as His precious blood flow down His face. And while suffering excruciating pain and agony He thinks of you and me and cries with a loud voice, "Oh Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." I wonder if He was seeing our future. For even though many of us claim to bare witness of His death, burial and resurrection we still turn away from Him and walk our own walk. There are many "Christians" today whose lives make a mockery of Jesus Christ.
Many times I use this illustration, walking close to God is a lonely place. When we walk close to Him and seek His face and follow His ways we must face conviction. You might say like a check point. If I have fault in my life that I may be to blinded to see myself I pray that God send me a warning. God will often use a loved one or a friend to bring us a word from Him. Many times a complete stranger.
"Lord Jesus, I'm so humbled to know that while You were on the cross, You cried out for my soul. Every time I fall short of the glory of God I want to hear these words ringing in my heart, "oh Father, forgive her, for she knows not what she is doing." Amen
Sharron Kay King
http://www.sharronkayking.com
The Quicks - Apr 07
A friend gave us a gift card to the Olive Garden, so our trip to Fort Walton Beach for our anniversary seemed like a great time to spend it. There we were, sitting across from each other in that romantic atmosphere, and Tim asked the question, “What were you doing 23 years ago?” Then immediately he said, “Never mind. Don’t answer that.” We both laughed as we recalled the train wreck of the early years of our marriage. I’m so glad we can laugh about it now, because many painful things happened during those years. We were not walking with the Lord at that time, though we had both accepted Christ as youngsters. Two wonderful things came from those early years that I would NEVER change though – our two precious cherubs, Rachel and Rebecca. It amazes me how God can bring something so wonderful to us at a time when we were so stupid!
Tim and I are very different people now. That is a result of a life-changing surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ. Accepting Christ when we were young was, at best, a first step. New believers need to be discipled. Nothing makes me feel safer that to come down the stairs in the morning to find my husband reading his Bible at the kitchen table. This type of faithfulness will not exempt our family from the challenges and trials of daily life, but it does set an atmosphere for victorious living. I can also tell which days the knucklehead skipped his devotion time…
Judas Iscariot was a man who had met Jesus. He was called by Jesus to become a disciple. He even walked with Jesus for many years, but he did not ever walk WITH Jesus. Judas never surrendered. He didn’t surrender his thinking - or his heart - or his money – or anything else. He was just there. Walking the same roads Jesus walked, but not walking WITH the Savior. Look at Matthew 26:47-50. 47 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. 49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master: and kissed him. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
Our actions don’t necessarily show if we are walking with Jesus. You may be walking the same roads of ministry, yet not have a surrendered life to Christ. Your stage performance or your lingo at church may convince others that you are a Christian. Judas went straight to Jesus and showed affection to him. That suggests a relationship, but we all know what Judas was doing. Jesus, ever hoping for repentance, gave Judas one last opportunity with his question about why he was there. Judas refused to surrender and was lost. You, my friend, have another chance right now. I challenge you to seriously consider whether you have a surrendered life.
till next time…
Sally
Be listening for our new radio single release – “THE WORD IS OUT” – from our new album of the same title! Co-written with Daryl Williams.
For bookings or product, simply call 615-459-5119 or email us at for more information.
To find out more about The Quicks, visit us on the web at http://www.thequicksonline.com.
To contact The Quicks, Phone: 615-459-5119 / 615-403-0047
Write: The Quicks / P.O. Box 581 / Smyrna, TN 37167
E-mail:
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