Go to January 2007

December 26, 2006

I hope you had a good Christmas.

This is amazing. His name is Skidboot.

December 19, 2006

I'm sitting on my backporch.

I have my laptop and cable that attaches to my computer so I can watch TV. I looked through the TV Guide to see what was on and lo and behold, Bill Gaither is listed. I tuned to that channel and, once again, watched the Gaither Vocal Band video, Give It Away.

It ministered to me like all those videos I was on ministered to everybody else. I got it. When you're involved in the production of a video it doesn't have the impact on you that one does if you're not involed and you see it for the first time.

I called Bill.

I told him how much I loved his new group. Everybody is on the same page. There is nothing more important than a group being 'on the same page.' There are a lot of reasons that cause a group to not be on the same page. And they are not all sinister. Sometimes a member just doesn't like that kind of music or he's having family problems or he doesn't like to travel or he misses his family or God is just moving him on, etc., etc. But when I watch this video I see a group that is 'on the same page' and I'm happy for Bill.

I told him that I am thankful for the 13 years he and Gloria taught, admonished, and led me to love Jesus more. Bill and Gloria are teachers. That's still what they're doing. They're trying to teach people to love God and love each other. Isn't that the message of Jesus?

I watched Oprah today. Her show was about people whose dreams have come true. I wish someone would tell her about Bill. Here is an Indiana farm boy who falls in love with Gospel music through a barn radio, hasn't got the looks, hasn't got the rhythm, hasn't got 'the voice' and yet has had, probably, the largest impact on Christian music in our lifetime. I really don't think that is an overstatement.

I told Bill I saw it in his eyes. While he's singing with the group, his eyes tell a story. Everytime the camera crosses his face I can see the little boy from Indiana who dreamed he would one day sing in a quartet. But I bet he never dreamed he would sing in the greatest gospel quartet...ever. And it would bear his name.

Bill Gaither's dreams have come true.

December 16, 2006

I was going through my old home movies today and found this video I made of my brother's engagement to his wife, Natashia. This video was made in October 1981.

December 15, 2006

The Greater Blessing
I just got home from the recording studio. I'm recording another audio book for Oasis Audio. The first one I recorded was about Christmas. This one is about Easter. Yesterday I read 33 pages of Scriptures from The Message. I love that version of The Bible. It's so easy to read and understand. It really makes it come alive for me.

Today, I discussed what Easter means to me.

Now, I'm sitting on my backporch and decided I would read a little more. I started in Matthew 28. Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary" (She didn't get much recognition, did she? She was just 'the other' Mary. But...she was there.) I think it's interesting that the Lord chose women to first get the news. And He should have! They were the only ones who stood by him while He was being slaughtered. Why not tell them first? Then, let them tell the disciples. The disciples had all gone into hiding. But not the women!

Then, verse 7 really jumped out at me. The angel said to the ladies at the tomb on resurrection morning, "Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples, 'He is risen from the dead.'"

They didn't believe them, (Mark 16:11). Thomas, known as the doubter, gets a bad rap. After Jesus had appeared to everybody except Thomas (because he missed church that first Sunday) they believed. They believed because they saw. Thomas is quoted as saying unless he sticks his hands in his side and hands he won't believe. But when Jesus appeared to Thomas, and offered his hands for investigation, Thomas fell to his knees and worshipped him. He didn't have to examine his hands to believe. But he did have to see. Jesus then says, "blessed are they that have not seen and yet believe."

That's us!

We're the blessed ones because we have not seen and we believe. We get a greater blessing than the Disciples.

Pretty cool, huh?

December 10, 2006

The concert tonight was spectacular! Of course, I had to start the show. I remember one time Bill Gaither told me his secret was surrounding himself with people more talented than him. Tonight, I did just that. The singers were top shelf!

I started the evening with Have A Holly Jolly Christmas and then sang Let There Be Peace On Earth. I told the audience that was the theme for the weekend. I want everyone who came to our Christmas Senior Trip to leave with the peace of Christ in their hearts and that whatever political stripe we wear, first and foremost, Christ has called us to be peacemakers.

LordSong did a wonderful job with a Christmas song I'd never heard before and can't remember the name but I want them to sing it again tomorrow night because I loved it. Then, they sang Lord Of The Dance. I was thinking, while they were singing, here's a Baptist group, standing still, singing an acapella song about dancing. They covered three denominations in that one song: 1. They're Baptists (so they didn't even move while they were singing this song about dancing), 2. It was acapella (so that covered the Church of Christ) and 3. It was a song about dancing (so that covered the Pentecostals.) I don't know why I was thinking that but I was. Nevertheless, they were terrific as always. Stan Whitmire played a beautiful Christmas medley from his new Christmas CD. I recommend you get a copy. It's a great CD!

Then, I introduced a new group called Austin's Bridge. It's a trio of three young men and they blew me away. They are new Daywind artists and write all their songs. They're ministers of music and solid guys but they're still kids. Everybody's looking like a kid to me these days. It's fun growing older and watching the new talent come along. Thank God there is new talent coming along and these 'kids' are going to be huge.

Barbara Fairchild was next. She was a big hit at the Nashville Senior Trip in April so we invited her to be with us in Asheville. She's like a modern day Minnie Pearl. I love to hear her stories as much as I love to hear her sing. She's funny. She communicates with the audience like it is a one-on-one conversation - like a neighbor talking with you over the fence. I love Barbara.

The Mike Bowling Group was next. What a voice that Mike Bowling has. Do you remember Kenny Hinson? He sounds just like him.

Janet Paschal followed The Mike Bowling Group and sang as great as ever and looked incredible. When you realize what she's just been through the past few years with breast cancer, losing her hair two or three times, nearly dying and was now standing on the stage singing like an angel, you know God is still able to heal. Janet is pure class. She sang my favorite song of hers, I Wish You Enough.

Brian Free & Assurance wrapped up the night and tore the house down. By the end of their set, all of the artists were on stage, the audience was on their feet and a good time was had by all.

We're in Asheville, NC!

Tonight we start Mark Lowry's Christmas Celebration Senior Trip! I was standing out on my balcony and made a quicktime movie for you to view.

If you live near Asheville, NC, and would like to join us tonight at 7PM, you'll hear Brian Free & Assurance, Janet Paschal, me, LordSong, Stan Whitmire, The Mike Bowling Group, Austin's Bridge and Barbara Fairchild. Tomorrow night, Monday, December 11, the concert starts at 7 with the God Is Crazy About You tour. Tuesday night, December 12, is the Christmas Celebration concert with The Annie Moses Band, Woody Wright, LordSong, me, Stan Whitmire and The Lee Singers.