Add this entry to Your Favorites | [0] Favorites [7] Comments

Please wait...

"I'm just gonna GIVE UP" Good, let me help you!

Have you ever had a conversation with someone so desperate that they confess to you, "I don't know what I'm gonna do" I'm just gonna give up!! As good Christian friends, it's our nature to want to help those hurting around us. We may offer words like, "Oh, come on now, it's not that bad", or " You can beat this, just grab those boot straps, pull 'em up and keep the course," or how about "You're no quitter, I KNOW you can do it."

Sound familiar? It does for me because I have used these words with my friends and family in the past. But what if "to that proclamation of "I'm gonna just give up" you say, " Good, let me help you!"

Friends, this unorthodox answer is quite possibly EXACTLY what our loved one needs to hear because they have not completely surrendered their lives to the only one who can lead us through any trial, our Heavenly Father. Life is hard - PERIOD. Sometimes the lessons we gain in this trial are painful, and most times they teach us a life lesson that we would never know unless we experience this valley. The good news is, if you remain faithful, the payoff is glorious! (Praise the Lord!)

We are so blessed to have talented Spring Hill artists whose lives revolve around bringing the flock closer to God. The Ruppes have a new single out at radio now called, "Lord It Hurts, But You're Still God." This single hails on an upcoming CD entitled Something In the Air due in stores April 20 th . I have mentioned this song before, but it bears another look. Greg Day ( Midnight Cry , husband of Heather Ruppe- Day) penned this song one day on the bus as he and the Ruppes were traveling. During that trip, Greg heard the one-sided phone conversation of mom- in -law, Brenda Ruppe. She was giving affirmation and encouragement to a hurting friend on her cell phone. From that transaction, a hit song was born. This song also hints at the idea that just when it hurts enough to give up, knowing God is still God will make it better. It is our job to TRUST Him, lean on him, believe that He will not forsake us. He already knows the outcome behind every tear we cry, we just have to travel the path. Don't give up on God. He is standing right beside you. Can you see Him? Can you hear Him whispering to you?

We have an obligation as Christians to take advantage of witnessing tools that we have been given and offer them to friends and family who have not fully "given up" their lives to our loving Lord and Savior. Karen Peck & New River have a song that is truly an anthem of our times and a true testament of our faith. "That's Why They Call It Grace", the current chart climbing single from this award-winning group, encompasses our faith like nothing else in modern times. Couple this song with the latest Mel Gibson film, The Passion of the Christ , and a Christian is armed with tools to escort an unsaved soul to a REAL life-changing experience. Both tools, the song and the movie, have people talking. My recommendation for you to assist someone who is struggling or wanting to "give up" is two-fold. First, encourage them to call their radio station and request That's Why They Call It Grace" by Karen Peck & New River. This song is a blessing all by itself, but it also prepares one's heart for the second recommendation, which is -take them to see The Passion of the Christ .

I have to tell you, it's a life-changing movie. I read all of the "pre-press"; I watched all of the "stuff" that the talking heads said about this movie, but SEEING it is the answer. I love the Lord. I've said it before -I'm a "Jesus girl". I'm blessed beyond my ability to express it, but seeing the true passion of my Jesus on that big screen was most assuredly LIFE CHANGING for me- a believer. I can only hope and actually from recent accounts, KNOW, that non- believers and seekers are being moved to at least ask questions and explore this story. That is our mission, you know? to love Him and let Him be known. Here are two ways to do just that. Thank you Karen Peck & New River and thank you, Mr. Gibson!

While I'm thanking folks, let me add some folks to that list. Since September of 2001, just after the NY City tragedy, I have been blessed to be in the company of remarkable individuals both behind the scenes here at Spring Hill Music Group as well as the artists that grace the stages across the country. I have called it a divine privilege to promote the very best Southern Gospel artists in this industry- bar none! I say that to say this- the Lord is leading me back to the home to be more active in my children and family's activities. In being obedient to His will, I would be remiss if I didn't say a huge THANK YOU to my "extended family" that make up the Spring Hill staff and artist roster. I wanted to be sure to thank the ones responsible for a wonderful stint here with Spring Hill; David Ecrement, Celeste Winsted, Ellen Hairr, Beth Blinn, Phil Johnson in the Marketing Department as well as the rest of the staff, including the Green Hill Music staff that have been such a blessing to me in the last 2 + years. A special thanks to President Scott Chancey and the members of the Spring Hill Board of Directors, who have been supportive of me and my efforts to promote our artists to radio and other electronic mediums.

To every Southern Gospel DJ -a special "THANK YOU". I have absolutely loved sharing, praying, and experiencing your lives. This is not goodbye to you either. Just keep doing what God has called you to do. You have a wonderfully important calling. You do it well. You change lives. Press on " it is pleasing to His kingdom!

Thank you also to the many Southern Gospel partners that I have been blessed to work with in various capacities~ The US Gospel News, SoGospelNews.com, SGMusicForum.com, SGUSA Countdown, Pamela Furr's Southern Gospel Show Prep, and The Gospel Greats. The folks that run these entities also have a wonderful calling to spread the message of good news of our Lord and Savior through the music of God's people. They all have perfected their crafts and use their gifts superbly. Paul, "Biff", Donna, Deon, Susan, Amy- Marie, Chris, Scott, Gary, Pamela, Paul and Sheila~ thank you all for blessing me with YOU! I love you all!

Thank YOU, the reader, also. Since my very first Spring Board, I have been so blessed and encouraged by your comments, e-mails, prayers and uplifting words. I am beyond blessed to call you my friends. I will continue to keep the readers of this article in prayer. Remember, the power of prayer confounds the wise. The closest distance between you and God is the distance between YOUR knees and the floor. GO THE DISTANCE DAILY

Finally, as I enter into a new phase of God's plan for my life, I would encourage everyone reading this right now to evaluate the reasons WHY you do what you do, then really be ready for the answer God gives you. Don't be too busy to communicate with our Father that you can't hear his whispers in your ear. If He goes too long without chatting with His children, He does have a way of getting your attention?

Be blessed always. Keep God at the center of your life and remember His promise- He will never leave or forsake you. It has been my honor to serve you, my artists, and the radio stations across this great country. I ask that you continue to support the Spring Hill family of artists, Southern Gospel radio and the Christian retailers in your hometowns. There is great strength in unity. Let us all unite in the cause to keep the Lord's music in the hearts of everyone. I simply cannot tell you how fortunate I am to call The Booth Brothers, CrossWay, Dottie Rambo, The Hoppers, Karen Peck & New River, Jeff & Sheri Easter, The Martins, The Oak Ridge Boys, Janet Pascal, The Ruppes, and Buddy Greene my friends. God Is SO GOOD! This is not goodbye, but God's blessings to you and your ministry and call me if you need me.

I invite all to stay in touch with me. I can be reached by e-mail at anytime. I would love to hear from you! So in closing, be encouraged. "GIVE UP" your reins and let God back in the director's chair. I hope this note has helped you see that letting go and letting God work is really all that He asks us to do.

Love you all~ Always!

Buffi
Buffi J. Holland
National Radio Promotions Coordinator / Spring Hill Music Group
Psalms 100- Make a JOYFUL noise unto the Lord!

Reader Comments

Good luck, Buffi & God speed! We will miss you but your children need you & that takes priority. God bless your service to Him.

God is good all the time & all the time God is good. 

Elaine Harcourt

I will miss reading Buffi's features. She is such a sweet lady and has such a sweet spirit about her.

I will never forget het at NQC this past year. My wife and I walked past SpringHill's booth and we stopped and second as she was talking to someone else.

She stopped for a second and spoke to us and asked if we had a prayer need. My wife mentioned prayer for a safe trip back home. She stopped, and we held hands and prayed over us. In the middle of politics and business, there was a moment of ministry, and it blessed me more than she'll ever know.

It made me wife even realize that there really is ministry in SGM and it made me so proud.

We'll miss you Buffi. :cry:

May God continue to richly bless your life!

Add Comments

If you are seeing this form you are not a Member or have not logged in. Why not consider becoming a Member?

Membership allows you to have a prepared signature of your choice applied to every comment you make, as well as the ability to choose an avatar to display next to your name to help identify your posts. Members are also given opportunity to vote weekly in our Weekly Chart as well as special Members Only contests, polls and giveaways during the year. If you are already a member, login here, otherwise please register here.

**Note: Forums membership is a seperate membership.

By posting you agree to our Comments Policy

Name:
Email:
Location:
URL:
Comment:
	Remember my personal information
	Notify me of follow-up comments?
Please enter the word you see in the image below: