2007

Singin’ in the rain, just singin’ in the rain……….

Wow! It's hard to believe a month has gone by. Summer is in full swing and 2nd G has been busy! We just got back into town from a busy, rainy, wet, weekend. We were in Springfield and Galena, Missouri. At this moment of writing I am drying all of our table covers and some T shirts that survived the storms. When we left Kansas City on Saturday afternoon it was pouring rain. KC had been getting rain all week. We thought it was moving out of our area. It was, right where we were headed! With all the weather it took us six hours what normally takes three. We stopped to have lunch thinking ok, this will pass. Not true. We even stopped at a Wal Mart to try to recover from the stress of driving in this weather. But, everyone in Wal Mart was talking about tornado's and flooding. We didn't know which would be the worse, being in a Wal Mart when the tornado hit or trying to out run the storms!! It was like we had the rain clouds right over us! They were calling for flash floods all around us and at one point the four lane highway was shut down to two lanes because of creeks overflowing their banks and running onto the highway.

We finally made it to Springfield and thought we'd hit the mall for some "relaxation". While walking into the mall two ladies were in the parking lot in a frantic state of mind! While they were walking out of the mall three young men had snatched the purse from one and the other woman pursued in a foot chase. Needless to say, she recovered the purse. By bedtime we were totally exhausted! Mentally and physically. We had a wonderful service Sunday morning in Springfield and then we headed to Galena, Missouri for their Freedom Celebration. Oh, by the way, Freedom Celebration was outdoors. There were five groups to perform that afternoon. 2nd Generation, Hope's Journey, Hearfelt, Josh Franks and Three Bridges.

2nd G was the second group to sing. On our last song it started to sprinkle. Heartfeld got up to sing and by their third song it was raining. We all took a break, covered equipment and product and waited. The event was finally called due to the weather. The people that attended this event were awesome! They sat through the rain, some with umbrella's and some without. Now, that's a dedicated Southern Gospel Fan! We were so disappointed that we didn't get to hear Josh Franks or Three Bridges. But, despite all the weather and frustrations we faced God still showed up and needs were met. We had a wonderful time meeting new people and making new friends with Hope's Journey, Heartfelt, Josh Franks and Three Bridges. The word tells us, "in all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths". We thank God for the direction He is leading us. If you'd like some excitement in your life give us a call and maybe you could do a road trip with 2nd G.

There's never a dull moment.

God is good, all the time, God is good.

Until next time, keep on singing!!

2nd Generation
http://www.2ndgenerationministries.com

July Reflections ‘07

Several years ago while working as a young court stenographer I encountered a lawsuit that was most strange. A young man around thirty had had his right leg amputated due to some injury or illness that now escapes me. He filed suit against the research hospital for destroying his amputated appendage. After the pathological studies had been completed, the severed limb was incinerated with the other medical waste, as you would expect.

His suit alleged that the doctors and the hospital had willfully and wantonly disregarded his instructions and had destroyed the severed leg over his objection. He wanted to keep it! And although I was trained to show no emotion during the taking of testimony, I’m positive my mouth was agape in disbelief. My mind was racing ahead trying to conjecture some plausible reason why a man would want to keep something so diseased and purulent. What did he plan to do with it….make an umbrella stand?

Upon cross examination he contended that the leg was HIS, amputated or not. It was his personal, private property and he believed his rights had been violated. The questioning went on for two or three hours, with various objections raised as to relevance. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, defense counsel asked his final question, got his final answer, and we all packed our brief cases and parted ways.

After retching at the curb, I made my way back to the office where I conveyed the high points of the story to my boss, a more senior court reporter. He howled in laughter, not only about the situation, but my reaction to it. Then he pointed out something that had not occurred to me. This “sicko” had actually convinced some wide-eyed young attorney to take the case! After the initial shock wore off and my stomach settled, it became an office joke and a story that was told time and again whenever a novice court reporter was hired.

Ten years later, having sat through hundreds of off-the-wall cases, I grew tired of the whole “justice” system. A court reporter friend who realized I was suffering occupational burn-out put me in contact with a lawyer who had recently lost his paralegal. I said goodbye to the stress of pounding a stenographic machine at 250 wpm and said hello to a quieter, fringe-benefited life…or so I thought.

It wasn’t long until the 9:00 to 5:00 monotonal droning of the receptionist was on my nerves. The office manager, who I’m certain received her training at Stalag 19, delighted in such silly commands as “walk down the hall on the right, return on the left”,…and other nonsensical arbitrary rules of her own making. Two years was enough, and when I got a chance to jump ship I did…. unfortunately, onto another wacky vessel.

This time I got into a situation where a part-timer believed she was about to be promoted to a full-time position, and I’m sure she felt the rug had been jerked out from under her when they hired me. I had worked for this particular attorney before I went to court reporting school, so it was really just a re-pairing of an old partnership. She didn’t see it that way.

She was hateful, vindictive and barely spoke. She reluctantly handed over the files, the Rolodex, and the burgundy tape dispenser and matching stapler assigned to that station. There was also a little orange plastic box that was sealed. I didn’t know what it was, but I was QUITE certain it was mine, so I tucked it as far back into my desk as I could. I found myself hoarding pens, staples, note pads, White-Out®…whatever she seemed to keep hidden from me. I felt persecuted and my nerves were raw. She looked over my shoulder, listened to my phone conversations, went through my trash and otherwise made my life miserable. About that time the guy with the amputated leg was looking pretty good.

Eventually my “thorn in the flesh” moved on to another job and a lady was hired who is to this day my best friend. One day seven years later while preparing to take a vacation, I decided to clean out my desk to make sure the office staff would have no trouble making sense of the files in my absence. I was amazed to see that the desk was bursting with ink pens (long dried up), notepads yellowed with age, and enough tape and staples to bind several full-length novels. No wonder there was no room in my desk! Then I reached way back in the back of the desk and pulled out that little orange box. I had forgotten about it. I still didn’t know what it was, so I carefully broke the seal and opened it. I felt ridiculous when I looked inside and found break-off tabs from printer cartridges, spent typewriter correction tape, and twenty or so ink pen caps. JUNK! Just junk. I had to chuckle. And all that time I had squirreled it away as MINE. I tossed out the trash and felt strangely content and free.

With the 4th of July around the corner, it’s easy to think of “independence” strictly in the political sense of gaining freedom from tyranny. But I think independence is also freedom from the junk of this life …the stuff we hold on to and don’t even know why.

Although our amputee friend was an extreme example, we all want to hold onto things. It could be something as simple as the remnants of things once useful or it could be heartaches from the past, old grudges, and old wounds. We can be free of the stuff that crowds our minds and hearts and make room for the blessings of God. Jesus has offered a great deal…our filthy, putrid, worthless junk for a robe of righteousness. Good trade…and free at last.

Happy Independence Day!!

Janice Crow

Mike & Kelly Bowling - July 07

This week my family lost a precious loved one. My Grandpa Noble went home to be with the Lord on the 28th of June. I got the phone call that morning, as we were traveling. I immediately started thinking about all of the times Grandpa had taken me to school so I wouldn't have to ride the bus. Year after year, he took us to school, bright and early, we were always greeted with a smile and a silly song from time to time. I can remember being amazed at his ability to be so chipper at seven am. This is not one of my better qualities. It was impossible to know Grandpa Noble and not like him. He always treated everyone the same and kept a smile on his face. Everyone loved him! I can't help but think about my sweet Grandma Elaine. Now, she sits in a house on main street in Beaver Dam, KY all alone. It is times like this that I realize more than ever that we should pick up the phone and tell each of our loved ones just how much we care. I know Grandma Elaine will be ok and I know Noble is making everyone smile in Heaven. It is hard traveling the roads, especially when a life changing event happens in your family. But I know that Grandma Elaine is praying back home for every mile we travel and every person that gets saved. That gives me the strength to get on the bus each week.

We recently went to the Bahamas on Cruise For A Cause. It was an amazing event. Over 4100 people were saved during a day spent in Nassau. Just to interact with the people there and be able to spread the Gospel was a day Mike and I won't ever forget. Thank you to Matthew Dunnaway for working so hard to make this cruise happen. It not only changed their lives, it changed ours.

I am adding new pictures to our website. Make sure you check it often for pictures of our travels and home life.

Until next month-

Kelly
http://www.mikeandkellybowliing.com

King’s Heralds - Jul 07

Well, we hope that you enjoyed all of the hamburgers, hotdogs and fireworks that you could stand!We had a wonderful time at home with our families this year which is something that we've not gotten to do a whole lot this year. However, we must remember that just because we were at home celebrating with our families, there were families across the country that did not get to enjoy that priveldge like we did. Please remember to keep our men and woman in uniform in your prayers. They put themselves in harms way everyday to make sure that we get to enjoy our freedom the way that we do. So the next time you attend church or a gospel concert you can thank our brave men and women who gave of themselves so that you could enjoy living in this great country. Regardless of what some folks are saying, America is still the greatest country in the world!!

This month we would like to introduce you to our lead singer. His name is Joel Borg. Joel grew up in Texas and attended collge in Nebraska. While in college Joel studied classical music and opera. He has been with The King's Heralds for three years. In addition to singing Joel is a songwriter as well as an accomplished guitarist. He and his beautiful wife Pauline live in the Nashville area.

Bt the time you read this we will be well on our way to New York. We will be working for about three weeks in that part of the country.Please remember us in your prayers. If you would like to see where we are performing you can log into our website http://www.theheralds.org. Come out and see us. We'd love to see you. If you can't come out to the concerts, how about calling your local radio station and requesting our new single "I'm Prepared."

Be sure and catch us down the road... until next month..

King's Heralds
http://www.theheralds.org

HUNGRY?  It’s Time To “Fast”

How hungry are you? I'm not talking about "I need a snack to get me through." I'm talking about the kind of hunger that requires immediate nutrition to keep you from fainting.

:My children were in the habit of saying "I'm starving" every time they had the slightest craving. One day I told them, "no, you aren't starving until your stomach is distended from malnutrition and you're too weak to hold the food to your mouth and require someone else to do it for you. And you are willing to eat warm mush that looks like it has already been consumed and regurgitated." That's starving! My teenager responded with her usual "oooh, gross mom" and the other two lost their appetite.

How hungry are you for the things of God? How bad do you want to see your family saved? How much do want to be free from cancer, delivered from alcohol or drugs, victorious over sexual immorality? Is it really worth it to see the manifestation of your dreams, to experience your financial breakthrough, to receive your answer, to get to the other side of this mountain? If skipping a few meals is too big a price to pay, then you need to question how badly you want it!!!

Fasting, coupled with prayer, is one of the most effective and powerful tools a Child of God has to obtaining victory. Why do you think it's so hard? Depriving the flesh of anything is not only difficult but we live in a society that says we should get whatever we want when we want it. Maybe that's why adultery, drug addiction, and pornography are so popular. The instant gratification is great until the adulterous affair leads to divorce and life of deceit, and the drugs lead to addiction, health problems and sometimes death. You get my drift. What we want is not always what we need.

I guarantee you that fasting and prayer will provoke miracles in your life. It is not a requirement for the Christian and you will go to Heaven if you never fast a meal in your life but there are some situations in my life, and probably in yours, that require supernatural assistance. I'm not just trying to make it to Heaven. There are loved ones in my life that are "hell-bound" at this moment. I need a healing in my body as I write this article. The windows of Heaven need to be opened over this ministry so we can do everything God has called us to do. So, I must pray and I must fast!!! Is there something specific in your life right now that you have prayed and sought God over? Matthew 17:20,21 says that some obstacles will not move simply with prayer. Some things require the supernatural union of prayer and fasting. Just ask King Jehoshaphat what he did in 2 Chronicles 20 when he was surrounded by the enemy. Queen Esther skipped a few meals herself when her people faced execution. Moses fasted and came down from the mountain with the Ten Commandments. Daniel fasted, Paul fasted, King David fasted. Jesus, the Son of God, felt it necessary to fast. It launched his ministry. We need to realize that fasting is a powerful weapon that Satan wants us to neglect and ignore. He will do anything to discourage us from using that weapon.

Fasting is only effective when it's joined with prayer and obedience. I didn't say perfection. I said obedience. If you are fasting and you have an evil thought or say something you shouldn't -- repent and move on. However, if you are not paying your tithes or you are disobedient in another area of your life, fasting will help expose those areas but won't become the powerful tool it can be until you begin to walk in obedience.

It does not come easy. The greatest things never do. I know and have experienced miraculous things because of fasting and yet, it is still quite difficult for me -- but worth it. Start small. Skip one meal and dedicate that time to communion with the Lord. Feast on His word instead of chicken. Build your fasting muscles.

The first fast I ever attempted lasted approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes. A chocolate chip muffin suddenly became more important to me than relief from our financial despair. We were a young couple rolling dimes and quarters to pay for diapers, facing possible eviction, our utilities had just been turned off, and our one vehicle was in need of repair. And I just had to have that muffin. I thought I wanted a financial miracle more than anything. I was desperate. But the Lord showed me just how programmed I was to immediate satisfaction. We will never walk into everything God has for us if we don't first learn to discipline our flesh. And that's a life-long process. So don't beat yourself up if about midway through your fast you begin questioning whether a Big Mac might be a little more important than having your marriage restored.

Our military in Iraq are fighting a violent war. They have guns and tanks and they are trained to fight with their hands. What if they only chose to use their fists and their guns? If they wanted to destroy a compound full of terrorists and cause mass destruction, wouldn't it be wise to pull out the tank? Like the armed forces, we too have different kinds of weapons to use against the enemy. But depending on the type of battle and the severity of it, sometimes it's necessary to pull out the tank.

If your obstacles are insignificant and your vision is small, then by all means, don't you miss a meal. Have dessert too. But if God has called you into something so far beyond your current circumstances, beyond your capabilities and resources and what He's showing you is so crazy that you can't discuss it with anyone -- than you need to fast. If you are facing an impossible situation, whether it be financial, physical, spiritual, or mental -- then you need to fast. Don't just use this weapon. Learn everything you can about it. The drivers of those tanks wouldn't be nearly as affective if they could only drive in reverse. They need to know exactly how to maneuver that thing. Study your weapons. The bullet can't be released from the chamber of a gun unless you know where the trigger is.

You can do this!!! If you fail, just welcome yourself to the human-race and try again.

Just talking about fasting makes me crave a Butter Finger Blizzard from Dairy Queen. What? I said you could do it -- I didn't say it would be easy...

Until next time,
Karen
Daryl Williams Trio
http://www.darylwilliamstrio.net

Fireworks

I know I’ve already done an article once on fireworks, but the stories seem to keep coming. I was talking to one of my best friends this morning. We were trying to find some time to maybe go to lunch and do some catching up. I asked her about her plans on the fourth and she told me she had to go to some fireworks display. I thought it was unusual that she sounded a little apprehensive about going. Most people enjoy a fourth of July celebration. “A bottle rocket went up my shorts one year,” she informed me. If you ask me, that’ll put a damper on your party.

Fireworks are meant to be a wonderful part of the holiday. Fellowship with other Christians is supposed to be a wonderful part of going to church. But sometimes, there are Christians who just seem to get up your shorts.

My girlfriend should have enjoyed the fireworks display that year, but thanks to one little bottle rocket not being where it should be, she doesn’t look forward to the holiday. What do you think happens to visitors when those of us in the church are not where WE should be – spiritually?

Can all of our “deep” worship cover for talking bad about another singer? Will being able to quote chapters of scripture in Sunday School trump the dishonest business you conduct? Does the “churchy” behavior really fly when that waitress visits for the first time on Sunday and she sees you with a woman who is actually your wife this time? The next time you think you’re doing God a favor in the way you behave on Sunday morning, just remember one thing. How you act the other six days of the week are going to manifest at some point.

Obedience is better than sacrifice. Psalm 51 – “For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.”

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. Released through the Rick Hendrix Company Comp 49 Cut 4.

For bookings or product, simply call 615-459-5119 or email us at for more information.

THEQUICKSONLINE.COM has a new look! To find out more about The Quicks, visit us on the web at http://www.thequicksonline.com

Chocolate Beaches

We're beyond blessed to travel the country and sing Gospel Music with our family and friends. Our group TK & McRae just finished up a 2 week long tour and we had a blast. We were able to experience some of the wonderful services and in between we stopped off for some fresh chocolate in Hershey, Pennsylvania and even spent a day at the beach in Maine!

We started our 10 day trip in West Virginia and worked our way up north all the way to Maine. First, we went to Hershey's Chocolate World where Clayton and Shelton (our one year old twins) got to create their own candy bars (with help from Mom and Dad.) We all felt like kids again as we explored the factory. The smell was indescribable. In truth, I'm not the biggest chocolate fan, but I have to admit my mouth watered with the sights and scents of Kit Kats and Mr. Goodbars at every turn. We even got to see Marie Osmond, who happened to be there that day. Although most of us barely knew who she was. After all, I'm only 26 years old and Annie and Amanda are younger than I am!

A few days later and several hundred miles north, we visited Old Orchard Beach in Maine. Who would have thought about going to the beach in Maine? It was really beautiful though. The water was very cold, however. Needless to say we didn't get in. The boys played in the sand and even rode some of the rides at the carnival. I took some of the cutest pictures. You can see them on our web site at http://www.tkandmcrae.net . The most meaningful part of the trip for me, however, was our Sunday night service in Ohio. I gave my testimony about how the Lord healed me and allowed me to give birth, even after several doctors told me that I most likely would never have children. A woman approached me afterward and shared her story with me. She said that she and her husband had been trying to have a baby for over three years, but because of medical problems and several miscarriages they had decided to give up. The lady told me she felt overwhelmed and hopeless in her situation. But she said that when she saw Clayton and Shelton and when she heard me telling my story, she heard God speak to her saying, "I still can heal and I'm still in control." What a wonderful feeling to be used by God to encourage one of His children.

I'm so thankful to be in the center of God's will, touring with TK& McRae and singing about Jesus. But I'm also grateful for the times we get to spend relaxing with family and friends and experiencing things we might never experience if we weren't on the road.

Katy - The K of TK& McRae
http://www.tkandmcrae.net

Summer Has Arrived!

It is hard to believe that it is already July. The first six months of 2007 have flown by.

It has been a demanding last month but God has truly been in control. For those of you who have been inquiring, my Dad is doing great and as a matter of fact I took him today for his follow up and the doctor said he is right on schedule! He was told that he should be fully released by the first week in August. For those of you that have been praying Thank You, you do not know what your kind words, and support have meant to not only Dad but the rest of the family.

As for Driven June was our busiest month. We just returned from Canada and a two week tour in Montana. We now have seen 92 decisions for Christ since the start of Driven and we know that God has greatly smiled upon us. We cannot say enough thanks to those who have helped us continue what God has called us to do. While in Montana we got the privilege to sing with Crystal River, and they truly have a great group. Each member is sincere and it is good to know that there are other young artists keeping Southern Gospel Music alive. Between dates we had the greatest joy of all spending time with our dear friends the Conklins. We had an awesome time and as a matter of fact Will caught his first fish! By the way Dean, Is that the Game Warden? As for Cowboy Campmeeting, there is no place on earth like that place. We had such a spirit filled time with the Reibers and others. Interesting enough while in Montana we were surprised by a visit from some friends of ours. The came all the way from Macon Georgia, I told them I wouldn't go across the street to hear myself sing! Thank you Roy and Jackie for making us feel so special.

July looks to be a great month for us as well. We are going in the studio to start our self titled release on the 5th. I am looking so forward to working with Wesley Pritchard again. He has truly been a asset as well as a prayer warrior for us. This recording will have some good foot stompers as well as some of the most sincere songs I have heard in quite a while. Alex gets married on July 14th, so keep he and his fiance' Courtney in your thoughts.

With Summer time here I wish all of you great times and memories in the making! Until next month continue to be "Driven"!

In Christ,
Jason Funderburk
Driven
http://www.drivenqt.com

“When I Say Christian”

Gee golly, it's that time again... Oh goodness, what do I write about this month? Well, lets see, I'm getting ready to release my newest single on Family Music Group Compilation so, I will write about that. First let me say that choosing a single is difficult. I hope I'm not the only one who has a problem with this? My new album, "The Road I Know" features 10 great songs, so I was hard pressed to pick just the right one. However, after praying about it and asking around to see what others thought, I decided to release, "When I Say Christian." This song has one of the strongest messages about Christianity that I have ever heard. Penned by none other than 2006 Songwriter of the Year, Daryl Mosley, "When I Say Christian" illustrates how our personal walk with God is a way of life. Not a title. When I first reviewed this song I became so convicted of my own walk with God that I knew I had to record it. The message Daryl portrays speaks volumes to my spirit. Some of the words to the chorus are, "When I say Christian, I'm not bragging about me, I'm confessing I'm a sinner, needing Christ to set me free." WOW !!! Now, if that doesn't knock on your hearts door, I don't know what will?

What I am without Christ? NOTHING. Absolutely nothing! I need Him every day, every night and every hour. I don't even have the intelligence of my own to breath. God had to create my brain with the ability to do that for me. Why is it, often times we witness so called "Christians" climbing up on a pedestal and hollering out, "hey, look at me?" Being noticed has nothing to do with being a Christian. My desire is to be transparent so that this world can see Jesus in me.

A friend of mine painted this illustration for me recently and it has just blown me away. In the Bible we read of a woman who was caught in the very act of adultery. Her accusers escorted her to the street and was ready to stone her to death for her sin. Jesus spoke to the multitude and said, "He without sin, cast the first stone." We all know they dropped their stones, my guess is, their pride too! Anyway, the one thing we all neglect to see in this story is that there was ONE without sin. Jesus. He could have stoned the woman, but he chose to give her life.

Aren't we to be like Jesus? The word Christian means to be Christ like. We often throw stones in the form of verbal attacks and accusations. Who do we think we are? We are no better than those who have sinned. Matter of fact, if we cast stones at all we are far worse than any sinner.

We live in a day and time where "it's all about me." We base our Christian walk around popularity contests, awards and charts. Folks, I apologize if I have offended anyone, but honestly, we need to take a long look in the mirror and search our hearts. Does the world see Jesus in the way we live? Do they see our meekness and our humility? The world is looking and watching our lives.

I have had stones cast at me and it's not a good feeling. Most of the time it's the "Christian" whose hand is throwing the stones. Some folks have nothing better to do than to try and tare someone down in order to set themselves up higher.

In closing I pray, Lord Jesus, forgive me, for I am a sinner needing You to set me free. Lord, I need You to guide me and direct me in everything I do. Most importantly, allow me the chance to be a witness of Your love and mercy, and place within me a love and compassion for others. Lord, for I know it's only by your grace that I have this wonderful privilege of calling myself a "Christian."
Until next time ~ Chin up... Journey on!

Many Blessins,

Sharron Kay King
Songs of Sharron Ministries
Sharronkayking.com
765-966-3057 or
765-993-6986