2008
June
Meet Stacy Bragg
However, if Stacy couldn't sing a lick, the guys would still keep him around for his humor and ability to keep them laughing on stage and off. If you've seen the group in person, you know that one comedic moment from Stacy can shatter Mike's concentration and will require a moment to regroup so the concert can go on.
Stacy is married to his beautiful wife Claudette and they have two precious daughters, Maddie and Emilee. Stacy and his family reside in Gainesville, Georgia.
LeFevre Quartet
http://www.lefevrequartet,com
Stand Still & Watch God Move
Throughout the last several months I have been amazed at the effects of simply standing still can have on one's life. In spite of the many storms that have crossed my path in attempts to wash me out, I have witnessed the hand of God moving in my life.
July 25th, I will be celebrating 21 years walking with God. Not one time do I recall ever being forsaken. I have faced monstrous mountains that have challenged me spiritually and physically. But with every step, God has been right there with me encouraging me through kind words from a friend or often times through someone I have never met. It's not uncommon for God to show His love for us through those around us. It's just that some of us have a hard time recognizing when God is moving. It's the simple things that we often neglect to notice. Especially when we never take the time to stand still.
I have to admit there have been times when in moments of weakness my silly insecurities will flood my mind but without fail, God rushes in with the promises of His word, I am never alone. He is always with me.
Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
One of the hardest things I've ever had to learn is to stand still. I've shed many tears learning to trust God but it's been well worth the humility in accepting the fact, that I can't make it alone. I need Him. Whenever I feel that I am under attack I will place my trust in the One who is higher than I. My rock, my shield, my Savior, my friend, my hiding place, Christ Jesus.
Psalm 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
Until next time, Chin up ... journey on!
Many Blessin's,
Sharron Kay
http://www.sharronkayking.com
Pruning
Tim Quick is the proud owner of a brand new, bright red, 18” Sears Craftsman chainsaw. Look out Middle Tennessee… he thinks he’s Paul Bunyan.
Rebecca and I had taken a short trip over to West Tennessee arriving home some time after dark. As we approached our house, I realized I couldn’t find the driveway. Tim bought the chainsaw the day before and had probably been bitin’ at the bit for me to leave so he could have at! The tree limbs were piled so high, we couldn’t find where to turn in! I think I mumbled something to Rebecca – don’t ask me what it was. I’m sure I couldn’t repeat it in a Christian forum anyhow.
I’m glad the tree is gone. The roots were causing a lot of damage to things that we had already repaired. That tree had to go, but I was sure not looking forward to the process. The noise, the mess, and the likelihood that Tim Quick would leave it there for months before cleaning it up was not appealing to me. He chopped the trunk all in a neat pile of firewood. I reminded him, “Tim, in case you forgot, we don’t have a fireplace.” Fortunately, our nephew Shawn came and loaded up the wood. The brush should be picked up soon, and everything will be back to normal. Actually, better than normal. The tree problem is gone.
It’s never fun to be pruned by God. It can be a painful mess. Sometimes it can even take months… or longer. If we will just stand still and let Him get it over with, we will come out on the other side better. Better than before. Like trying to stand still while your mom gets a splinter out. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” John 15: 1-2
God takes away the branches that don’t bear fruit, and He prunes the branches that do, so they can bear more fruit. I hope you are one that is getting pruned.
till next time…
Sally
P.S. Deon, sorry my article is late. I was still too mad at Tim to get this article done by the deadline.
To find out more about The Quicks, visit us on the web at http://www.thequicksonline.com.
You can now use your credit card to order “Quick” music and more online! Visit http://www.thequicksonline.com today!
To contact The Quicks:
Phone: 615-459-5119 / 615-403-0047
Write: The Quicks / P.O. Box 581 / Smyrna, TN 37167
E-mail:
http://www.thequicksonline.com
Reflections - June 08
That’s what June meant. We were scarcely out of school for summer when it was time to pack up seven days worth of duds and head for the Church of God Campground in Benton, Illinois. Actually, if it had been only clothing, it would have been an easy trip. But then there were the bed clothes, towels and washcloths, hot plates, pots and pans, buckets and dishpans, mops and brooms, fans, iron and ironing board.....you get the picture.... everything needed to take up residence for a week in a sweltering 10x10 “cabin”. The cabins were actually just a row of contiguous little rooms, roughly ten or so, on each side of a long narrow concrete block building that could today be easily mistaken for a “You-Store-It” facility.
There was a bath and shower building located what seemed like the length of a city block away and closer to the woods. There was always a line of shower-capped ladies standing in line waiting their turn to share the archaic shower with a half dozen or so grand-daddy longlegs. It was just an old concrete building with no real door, but just a block wall partition between our personalities and the great outdoors. More than once some mischievous rascal tossed a firecracker over the wall and sent ladies screaming and scurrying about in their towels and robes. Then you could hear someone reprimanding the pranksters, threatening to tell their father, and shaming them that pastor’s sons should know better.
If you could manage to fight your way through the shower mob, then you could wrap your hair in a towel and traverse the long, often muddy trek back to your cabin, praying you wouldn’t see anyone you knew until you looked presentable.
Getting ready for church was a struggle in a 90 degree room. You’ve just showered, and now you’re drenched in perspiration. Your hair feels like cotton candy and your clothes look like you’ve slept in them. Add to the room’s ambient temperature the hot plate and electric skillet mom was using to whip up supper before church, and you can see just how stifling it was in there. I’m sure I went to the services many a time with the smell of homemade cheeseburgers and fried onions on my clothes.
Well before time for church to start that evening, we would walk over to the open air tabernacle and find our favorite seats....uh, well, at least they were mom’s favorite seats...second row on the right-hand side. The tabernacle, too, was just an old concrete block structure with only a front and a back. The sides were completely open. Sitting diagonally across the left side of a raised wooden platform was the “choir”, a series of ancient church pews on risers. When I was little, I dreamed of the day that I could sing with the choir up on that elevated perch.
We would take our seats on those splinter-laden homemade pews and watch people trudge through the straw laid out along the altar area. Some brought out their lawn chairs and sat just outside the “building” and others sat on the hoods of cars parked near enough to throw a stone. Those are the people I always envied...in church, but not. I remember looking longingly across the way at the yellow-lighted concession stand where some of my friends slurped Coke, munched on chips, and romped happily while I was stuck in that pew. Mom wouldn’t have dreamed of letting us run amuck, especially while church was going on...a decision I questioned back then.
It wasn’t long before the sun surrendered to the night sky, and when the temperature began to drop I was glad for that sweater mom insisted I drag along, although I wouldn’t have told her so.
I can still hear the choir singing out of the latest convention songbook, their four parts traveling their own paths until they converged again somewhere in the chorus. I remember a husky-voiced woman leading out on a trio rendition of “Til the Storm Passes By”, and feeling goosebumps crawl up the back of my neck because of their anointed delivery and close harmony. I remember the night speaker preaching loud and long into an old 50’s style microphone and people literally running to the altar. Those people came to have church, and it didn’t matter if they were in the building, on a blanket in the grass or on the steps of a nearby home. God came and the people rejoiced.
By the time I was a teenager, we were renting two adjacent rooms connected by a door. One room was for the metal bunks and our clothes. The other was the “kitchen”. After a time, my sister Darlene and her kids shared the rooms with us and campmeeting became a part of their young lives as well. The old muddy paths gave way to sidewalks and the old wooden pews to metal folding chairs, but God still came... just like in the old days.
I remember one year in particular that the days had been unbearably hot and humid. On the last night of campmeeting the blue gray haze of the Midwest sky began to take on a tinge of green and the maple leaves began to turn their veiny backs to us, almost as if to say, “I can’t watch what’s about to happen.”
Suddenly, the wind became violent and began to toss about folding chairs as easily as paper clips. The lightning was incredible and the rain torrential. Mothers huddled down with their terrified children and prayed, while the minister yelled for everyone to stay calm…not an easy fete. They herded as many of us as they could into the choir area. (Not the way I dreamed of being in the choir!) The big wooden cross at the front of the tabernacle came tumbling down and missed my head by what seemed like inches.
Almost as suddenly as it came, it was over…and so was campmeeting. I remember trudging back to the cabin through downed branches and river-like puddles that covered my new cobalt blue patent leather heels.
I’ll have to admit I wasn’t in the greatest mood when I stepped into the cabin that night. I was still shaking from the whole ordeal and I was disappointed that the last night of campmeeting ended that way...no time to say goodbye to friends, no chance to meet that one guy before it was all over. Everything was just blown away…literally.
I happened to glance up on one of the top bunks to see my eight year old niece, Kathi. She was sitting in her pajamas with a sprinkling of freckles across her tan little nose and her strawberry blonde hair still hanging in strings from a soaking rain. She was grinning from ear to ear like a mouse in charge of cheese. When I asked her what she was up to, her smile broadened and she said, “That was a GOOD storm!”
I just stood there and blinked. A good storm? What was good about it? It was terrifying! It was ill-timed. It was inconvenient. It ruined all my plans. I’d been robbed. After all, God surely knew how important all this stuff was to me, didn’t He? How could He let this happen?
At some point I came to realize that Kathi’s perspective was really the right one. Yes, we had a big storm …the tail end of a twister we later learned...yes, it was frightening, and yes, it did change our plans. But we also went through the storm and came out on the other side unscathed, totally safe, having seen the hand of God up close and personal with a testimony of God’s protecting power.
Many years have gone by and at some point the state hierarchy decided it would be a great idea to sell off the old campground. Nothing has been the same since.
But one thing does remain. Life will always bring us those sudden storms, the ones for which there is no apparent shelter other than the arms of God. I hope and pray that when those days come and go that I can look back on them with a grin and realize “That was a GOOD storm”, for all things do work together for our good.
Janice Crow
P.S. If you know where I can find an old-time campmeeting, let me know.
King’s Heralds - June 08
O.k speaking of great places to sing..the King's Heralds are going on their first cruise in several years. We would like to invite everyone to come and enjoy a great cruise with us March 22-29 on 2009. We will have details on our website very soon. We are not sure of all of the ports of call at this point, however, this much we do know, it will be going to the Caribean. So if you enjoy cruising along with good gospel music check it out. Like I said details will be on our website very soon.
We are heading out for a texas tour in the middle of June. Plan to attens one of those concerts. Especailly if you have not heard the group in a while. We have gotten several great reports from folks who have not been able to attend a concert in a while and they say that they are sure enjoying what the group is doing these days. Log onto our website at http://www.theheralds.org and get our complete concert schedule. We look forward to seeing old frends and making new ones. Keep us in your prayers and we will see ya down the road.
Joy Comes In The Morning
We had some tragic things happen this month in the Music world that affected many lives. Ms. Dottie Rambo, a well of living water, has gone to be with Jesus, the one she has sung about for so many years. She sits at the feet of Jesus, yet leaves us with the many wonderful songs that will bless our lives for many years to come.
The Chapman family, the loss that they have endured this last month, sometimes we just do not understand why things happen, but again Steven and his family as well as Ms. Dottie’s family are being up lifted and held by the master of the Living water. God is ever so faithful even when our day seems ever so dark. We have to keep in the fore front of our minds and our hearts that the night only last for a time but Joy comes in the morning, Let Jesus be our spring and let us hold up our Brothers and Sisters in Christ as well as our friends through these next several months as they walk through this valley. Let us pray that they will find the springs along the way that God has for them to rest and be restored and refreshed.
I do not say these things lightly, I’ve walked through this valley, I know the pain, however I also know who is able to restore us and make us whole through His Love. He’s Living water which is restoration for our weary souls and minds.
We are never alone, when it comes to hard times “King David” in the Bible had more woe’s than most of us will ever have and not as much as some I’m sure, however he helps us see that God is ever so faithful and merciful to us all.
Ps: 91 one of my favorite passages in the bible. “He that dwells in the shelter of the Most High” it just starts off with a bang, the promises of peace and protection.
Ps: 30:5 the promise that “joy will come in the morning”
Ps: 18-30-35: reminds us that Gods ways are perfect, He is our strength and He is the one that gives us the strength “hinds feet like a deer” to be able to climb the steep mountains in our Lives.
God may not take us out of the trial, but He will give us the tools, the gear and enough fuel to make it through the rough times of our lives. Sometimes we just have to hold on and refuse to let go of His hand until the storms pass by. Keep your eyes on Jesus and know that “His Strength is Perfect” and His Grace is sufficient for all that we go through here on this earth. For there is nothing that can or will compare to the Joy that will come when we see our Savior's face.
Please take a little time to read these scriptures this month I’m sure that they will lift your spirit and put a skip in your walk and smile on your face, just knowing how much our God cares for you.
Blessing to you all, until next month.
Bev McCann
http://www.bevmccann.com
True Friends Are True Treasures
Now I'd like to briefly recognize some of those Three Bridges, TRUE TREASURES.
To the Unthanks and staff of SoGospelNews, we say thanks for your unflappable, proven friendship and loyalty to this ministry, your words of encouragement have meant so much to all of us this past year. Les Butler, what a treasure, never blows smoke, he's just always real, nothing fake about him, no promises but a true friend. To the entire Curnutte family, words cannot begin to convey what your friendship and support has meant to us. To all the pastors of the churches who have honored us with ministry opportunities, may we offer a unified and sincere thank you. Thanks to Roger Holmes for his counsel and leadership each and every time his knowledge and expertise has been sought. To Ronnie Hinson, Aaron Wilburn, the kind words of encouragement from The Crabb Kids, Rick and Brenda Lloyd, our families and last but not least, Rick Sandidge. When you consider the efforts and leadership provided by Rick , thanks seems to be so inadequate but thanks anyway.
Rick has pulled out all the stops, retrieved every tidbit of creativity his years of recording experience has provided, ensuring the most enjoyable listening and worship experience possible to anyone who would hear this recording. Our new single has already begun to grace the air waves and the response is overwhelming. We want to encourage every discouraged believer with the same message Dottie Rambo so eloquently wrote, "When I need a shelter, when I need a friend, I go to the Rock". No matter how difficult our navigation through life, no matter how treacherous it seems our path has become or does become, we only have to step back on the rock.
He is the Rock of ages and we lean so heavily upon Him, but we also lean heavily upon those true treasured friends God has provided as well. Let me close by saying thanks to those of you who have proven yourselves to be rocks of steadfast support, friends who support us with your prayer vigils and your words of encouragement for three guys who just want to be, Three Bridges to Christ.
Three Bridges
http://www.threebridges.net
HELP, LORD!!!
Exactly 4 weeks ago Daryl and I found out that our 8 year old son, Cason, has Tourettes Syndrome. It is an incurable, neurological disorder which causes involuntary head jerking, eye rolling, facial grimacing, constant leg and arm movement and in cases of full-blown TS (which our son has), it moves into the vocal chords. My son cannot speak right now without strange, loud noises interrupting his speech. Help, Lord!!! My prayers have been reduced to these two words. Simple, yet powerful. I don't believe my previous, lengthy prayers over other situations were wrong or fell on deaf ears. But for this particular crisis, all I seem to blurt out is "help, Lord."
I just ran into a friend that I don't get to see often enough but I dearly love and admire this precious, beautiful lady. She was standing alone as I was leaving a Gospel event recently. I believe that she, too has recited Psalm 12:1 recently. I happen to know that the past several months have probably been the most difficult of her life. She lost things that she believed would not only be in her present but in her future. I could see the hurt and pain in her eyes and yet the anointing and the power of God that rests on her was ever-present and strong. I have seen her minister to others in the very way that she needed ministry that day. Sometimes all you can say is "help, Lord." This gracious and awesomely talented woman of God will rise from the ashes as a Victor. How do I know this? Because I saw pain in her eyes --- NOT DEFEAT! She was broken, yet powerful. I feel broken right now, but I'm not without power. Let me explain, I fractured my right arm a couple of years ago and it greatly hindered my everyday activities. I had to have help with just about everything from brushing my hair to getting dressed to cutting my food. And I don't like asking for help from anyone so this was a much-needed lesson for me and my stubborn self. Even though I needed help in some areas, my legs were strong (I could walk), my mind was clear (I could think), my heart and my lungs were functioning perfectly. A part of me was broken but MOST of me was strong! You might have just been dealt the blow of your life and, believe me, I know it's crippling and painful but focus on the areas of your life that are still strong and powerful. And don't be afraid to ask for help in that area that is broken. Let's quote it together, shall we HELP, LORD (Ps. 12:1)
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