2008

Resolutions and Do Overs!

I'm not big on new year resolutions. Just about the time I think I'm going to lose weight, someone brings Oreos on the bus and I'm toast. However, when each new year rolls around, I do start to think about the past year and all the things I could "do over". I believe that honest people don't have a lot of regrets, but there is always room for improvement when it comes to the things I've royally messed up in 2007.

For one, when we moved into our new home this past year, the builder told us to make a list of things that he may need to come back and fix. My wife heard him say it, I heard him say it, but for some reason I kept hearing my wife say to me, "This isn't a big deal, surely you can fix this". To me, that's like a dare. Needless to say, if you read the article a couple of months ago "It's A Good Thing We Can Sing", you know where this is going.

It's just been a few weeks ago that our builder came out and not only fixed the little things that weren't exactly right, he also fixed the little things that I turned into BIG things. That is just what happens when I pick up a hammer or a wrench. I could tell by the look on his face as he was patching some holes in the wall that he was thinking "It's a good thing this idiot can sing".

Let me tell you something else that I'd "do over" if I could. I have a Dodge Ram, Quad cab, really cool looking truck. Everyone knew that I bought it a few years ago, because as soon as I signed the paper work on that V8 power house truck, the price of gas went to $3.00 a gallon and hasn't come down since. I would do this over for many reasons. Let me count them for you.

1. I absolutely despise buying a car from a car lot. As a matter of fact, I'm selling my cool truck to buy a minivan to hold all my youngins. It's not that my quad cab monster truck won't hold them all, it's just that my wife doesn't like having to lift the car seat up so high to get our youngest in it. I feel this would be the appropriate place for a big, Tim Allen ARGGGGHHH!

2. What's worse than getting rid of my cool truck and replacing it with the most uncool vehicle on the road? You guessed it, having to deal with a car salesmen about a minivan. I'd rather take a bullet than deal with a car salesman. If you are a car salesman and this offends you, then you need to reevaluate what you do to people when they walk into your office. Their job is to make you feel like your vehicle (if you have a trade in) is worth a fraction of what it is really worth and that their vehicle is worth double what it is really worth. I don't really know what I would "do over" on this, but this just weighs so heavy on my mind I had to mention it. I guess what I would do over is 3 years ago, I would have resisted the urge to buy a big man truck and save the nation tons of money. If I had stayed in my economy vehicle in 05, the price of gas would have never had a reason to go so high.

3. Did I mention that I'll be driving a minivan?

I know I'm rambling and I have no idea how to make the transition from my car buying experiences to something everyone can relate to, but here goes. No matter what you've done in 2007, no matter how bad you've messed up anything in your life, God says that today in 2008, you can take a life time of regrets, bring them to Him and he gives you an eternity of "do overs". It's called Grace! When we come to him with a life we've broken, he forgives and forgets it all and gives us a clean slate to start over. If you want more details on this, please go to our website http://www.lefevrequartet.com and click on the "Why We Sing" icon. You will learn how you can start all over again!

David Staton
LeFevre Quartet
http://www.lefevrequartet.com

Another Year Another Blessing!

That's how we are viewing and approaching our gift of life and the new year of 2008. When I think of the multitude of gospel music patriarchs, matriarchs and legends who have penned their last lyric, graced their last stage and sung their last song we are humbled that God has provided us the blessing of yet another year to serve him in this regard. What an awesome honor and privilege it is to lift His name in praise each time we make our way to the platform or stage provided and we are able to step to a microphone to deliver His message in song.

Just this morning, I had the privilege of indulging in a lengthy phone visit and conversation with one of my favorite performers over the last fifty years plus. Not only is he still a great performer, arranger and producer, he is included in my list of very special friends. I often find myself indulging in some activity that brings me pleasure, when memories and thoughts of his brother comes to mind. As I partake of whatever pleasure it is that has made me appreciative of the moment, moments that I must admit I sometimes take for granted, I think of him. Oh yeah, I forgot to identify the parties to whom I am referring, Ben Speer and his big brother (and one of my hero's) Brock Speer. Now back to the blessings I was describing. I am not thinking of anything "spectacular" or record setting, just some of life's little pleasures that we have all taken for granted from time to time such as going for a walk on a sunny, autumn day and holding my beautiful wife's hand, as our Lab, "Snickers", trots along beside us or eating a hot dog or singing a song that ministers to a receptive heart… and you know it has because you see the tears flowing down their face or you witness the joyous expression they exude.

I remember traveling with the Speers and observing all these things and more with Brock and Faye. How he loved to take a walk while holding his sweetheart's hand, his favorite food was a good hot dog and he never stopped loving to share his talent and gifts in song. I still miss him terribly but each time I think of the legacy he left behind I am thankful that God has allowed me yet another year to take the walks, eat a hot dog and sing the songs with Elliott and Scott in Three Bridges.

We saw 2007 come to a climax joining in a unified effort of praise with the Damascus Road Trio, Jerry Smith and the Smith Family and Three Bridges at the Glory Land Church Of The Nazarene in Carroll, OH. What a wonderful way to usher in the new year. We then enjoyed a noonday celebration of the new year at the home of our wonderful friends, Rick and Leah Curnutte. A wonderful meal of northern tradition was prepared and presented for our dining pleasure, consisting of pork loin and sour kraut. I now understand why I have yet to experience abundant financial prosperity, I've been eating the wrong food on New Years Day. In Texas we always had to be sure and partake of a goodly portion of black eyed peas and hog jowl for prosperity. The Ohioans didn't prepare even a meager helping of those southern traditional foods. How is it they have failed to be educated on something of such importance and necessity? Don't they know? Remind me to let you know how successful the new fare proved to be, when I reflect on my accomplishments at years end.

We continued kicking off the new year in a great way at Jersey Baptist Church in Pataskala, OH with the help of a great promoter and dear friend, Dave Long, a fairly new quartet, Side By Side and The Andy Brannam Family Singers on the 5th of January and then at the Pinkerington Church Of The Nazarene in Pinkerington, OH on Sunday January the 6th. We extend a special thanks to the dynamic married duo of pastor Phil Manson his bride Kathy along with their wonderful staff, for the gracious hospitality and spirit of love extended to Three Bridges.

We believe that God has many wonderful things in store for the ministry team of Three Bridges in 2008, one of which is sure to be the completion of our first recording together. We are diligently searching to find the right songs for this presentation and we fully intend it to be Three Bridges best offering to date. We are excitedly awaiting the day that we can announce to our friends and family of fans that the recording is available to them, be listening for the good news of it's release.

As we exalt your name in praise, we thank you God, for another year,,, another blessing.

Eddy Bolton
Three Bridges
http://www.threebridges.net

Don’t Ever Miss the Chance

This is Brian White of Shiloh. We are so excited about the new recording that is coming out in February. It has been in the works since last summer, and we are happy to report that the folks at Crossroads are working on the finishing touches as we speak. We are looking forward to the opportunity of sharing this with you all.

There were so many things that we wanted this recording to accomplish, and we believe that we have done all that we have set out to do. As with all past Shiloh recordings, we wanted this recording to be unique, unpredictable, and interesting not only musically but also lyrically. Our desire was to find songs that would deeply impact folks and cause them to pause and reflect. However, we also wanted to record songs that really hold strong personal feelings for us. We have found several songs that do just that. However, there is one that I hold a personal affinity for that is entitled “Don’t Ever Miss the Chance.” It is an incredible song written by our friend Jim Brady of The Booth Brothers.

Here is just a piece of the song…

Don’t ever miss the chance to say I love you
Show the ones you love how you feel inside
Cherish every moment while we still have time
We don’t always get to say goodbye
So don’t ever miss the chance to say I love.

These words are so true. Time passes so quickly and life is full of unexpected changes that happen at a moment’s notice. Many times we get so busy just being busy that we sometimes take for granted those close to us. As many of you are already aware, my mother passed away at the age of 54 back in 1995 with cancer. Then, back during Thanksgiving of 2006, my father passed away at the age of 66. God blessed me and my family by allowing us time and opportunity to share all our feelings with our loved ones prior to their going home. As we start this new year, I would hope that each of us would make a true effort to never miss the chance to say I love you to our family and friends around us.

Shiloh
http://www.shilohnet.com

Starting the New Year

Happy New Year!!

We trust that 2008 started off great for each and every one. 2008 has shaped up to one of the busiest years on record for us. It is just amazing how much the Lord has blessed this group. By the time you read this we will be back out on the road for our first tour of the new year through the great state of Florida.

Speaking of starting the new year out right, we have a bit of a newsflash. Many of you know our bass singer Jeff Pearles. We have been informed that at the stroke of midnight on new years eve he became engaged to wonderful lady named Linda. We understand that if you know Jeff, you're probably thinking that this is one of
the signs of the end!! Please keep Jeff and Linda in your prayers...especially Linda. Ha! However, we couldn't be happier for them!! We know that many are in shock and are no doubt saying what many family and friends said...It's About Time!!

We will soon be going back into the studio to record an CD of some of the old hymns that we have all grown up with. Right now we are working on getting many of the arrangements fine tuned. We will keep you up to date as to the progress of the recording.

It won't be long until our newly rebuilt website will be up an running. We have been working on it for some time and it's almost done.

Lat but certainly not least, we want to thank everyone who has contributed to our ministry this past year. You will never know what your support means to us.It has enabled us to keep this ministry alive, taking it to places that it has never been. We have an abundance of opportunity this coming year to go where no gospel has ever gone. We will let you about about future developments as they happen, but for now please continue to pray that doors will continue to open and that God will give us souls for our labor.

We wish everyone healthy and happy new year. We'll see ya down the road!!

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

January ‘08 Reflections

I’m trying to resist the urge to write about resolutions…although January 1st does seem like the best time to begin anything. My dad was born on January 1, and it always seemed to me that people born on that day were more serious, determined, and organized than the rest of us. After all, they had the foresight to begin at the beginning instead of jumping into life somewhere in the middle of the year like hopping a trolley car in motion.

Whether we like it or not, our lives are marked by measurements of time….seconds, minutes, hours, days, months and years. We use date designations to call to mind an event, whether mournful or celebratory, and we bookmark time as though it were a novel to return to later. We mark endings and beginnings, but most importantly beginnings. The time to begin is crucial, for without “beginning”, nothing can ever be finished.

Beginning….it’s such a simple word, but conjures up such a picture of dread. Anyone who’s ever taken a timed test knows what I’m talking about. You hold your breath. The instructor is posed with a stern look and a stop watch and you wait for those terrifying words, “Ready? Begin.”

“Beginning” calls a halt to the procrastination that protects us from the fear of change or failure. It forces us out of the cozy warmth of the status quo and propels us headlong into the cold unknown.

Beginning isn’t easy. It’s hard work. We’ll never know the struggle that an infant goes through in the birth canal ...just to “begin”. When he does “begin”, then he’s examined and assigned a score which says something about his acceptable physical value, after which he’s weighed, measured, photographed, ogled and compared. Then after a brief “hello” to mom and dad he’s whisked away to be displayed behind glass like so much flank steak in the butcher’s window.

No, beginning is not comfortable. Beginning holds us up to the bright light of scrutiny. Some people never “begin” because they fear being compared to those who already “began”.

Granted, there are questions associated with beginning. What if I can’t do it? What if I don’t measure up. What if I fail…again? What if it’s an even bigger job than I fear? What if I start and can’t finish? What if I disappoint you? And worse yet, what if I embarrass myself? “What if” are the two most paralyzing words in the English language.

Why don’t we try to use “what if” in a different way. What if I CAN do it? What if I DO measure up? What if I DON”T fail again? What if it’s NOT as hard as I fear? That principle will keep anything you plan to do in perspective, whether it’s starting a new business or a Bible study group in your home. You can begin anything from a diet to a new relationship. You can start a fresh journey as a new parent or even a retiree, and do it all with confidence if you’ll remember one thing…. don’t leave God out of it. Make Him the most important part of anything you start. No matter what it is you plan to begin this year, keep in mind that God planned for your success from the start.

The first four words of the Bible say it all, “In the beginning God…”

Have a Happy and Blessed New Year!

Janice Crow

Protecting My Witness

For the last 20 years, I have lived for God to the best of my ability. Yes, I have made bad choices and most likely, I will make more. But the benefit to making mistakes is learning from them. Believe me when I say, I have honestly learned from mine. Oh, thank God for the blood!!!

I must admit that I have got to be the most gullible person ever to walk the face of the earth. It seems as though I trust everybody. This is not a good thing! My mind has been tormented by haunting memories of how the devil has taken advantage of my sincerity; but no more! I am a child of the King, and my Father wants me to be blessed!!! AMEN

I refuse to allow the enemy to steal my blessings any more! I am sick & tired of the devil beating me up. I don't know what your goals are for this coming year, but as for me, I'm taking back what the devil has stole from me!!! To some folks I may appear to be a harmless little kitten, but through the power of Jesus name, I am a roaring lion!!!!

Phillippians 4:13 ~ *I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. *

For one reason or another I have been guilty of allowing people to walk all over me. People that I truly thought to be my friends. Let me share with you just one "kindly" incident that woke me up to the fact that not everybody is truly my friend.

Truth be known, not all gifts & favors are given without motive. About a year ago, I was offered a very nice gift from a so called “christian friend”. Needless to say, I was very reluctant in accepting this gift but after being convinced this was truly a gift and there were absolutely no strings attached, I accepted. I was totally in shock by their generosity to my ministry. My first thought was, things like this just don’t happen to me! Please, don’t take me wrong, God has indeed blessed me over and over again and for every blessing He pours out, I give back in praise!

Anyway, several months went by and out of the blue one afternoon I received a call from this so called "friend" explaining to me that they had had a change of heart and they wanted their gift back. I didn't know what to do. I prayed and cried and prayed and cried. I feared that if I didn't give this gift back, my name would be mud! So, in order to protect my witness, I unselfishly gave it back. But before I did, I made sure that I brought to this person's attention that this was a gift, given to me by what they felt God had laid upon their heart to do. The reply I heard caused me to shutter. This “friends” comment to me was, “God didn’t need it.”

Oh thank you Jesus for opening my eyes to just how easy the devil can attack through an act of kindness. It also made real to me the fact, there are wolves out there in sheep's clothing lurking around every corner just waiting for an opportunity to attack our witness. There is nothing more valuable to me than my walk with God. It is priceless! I have found that at any cost, I must protect my witness.

Matthew 10:16 ~ *Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.*

Unfortunately, it’s been brought to my attention of how other true hearted people are being used and abused by so called “christian friends“. It grieves my spirit so much to think that folks have stooped so low as to using the Lords name only to gain from others. I have learned to be on guard at all times. I find it sickening that there are people professing to have a walk with God who can and will take advantage of someone else.

Matthew 7:21 ~ *Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. *

My prayer for 2008 is that God will forgive me of the many times I have and will fail Him. I pray that God give me wisdom not to partake in the nonsense of this world and that folks will see & understand, I am only trying to protect my witness!

My goal for the rest of my life is to share the message of Jesus Christ through the words of a simple song or through the warmth of a gentle smile. I hope that in some small way my life will reflect the wondrous love that Jesus has shown me.

What a privilege we have to be called a servant of God!

From Songs of Sharron Ministries ~ Happy New Year, in Jesus name!

I truly appreciate all the kind reviews and comments I have received from my current single, “When I Say Christian”. Daryl Mosley has surely out done himself by delivering such a powerful message in this song. (Thank you Daryl, for allowing me the privilege of recording it.) If you haven’t heard this song yet, I encourage you to listen to the message. It’s one we all need to hear! Every time I sing this song I pray that God will help me apply this message to my own life!

Be watching for my new single “Coat of Many Colors” to be released on FMG Compilation in February 2008.

Sharron Kay King
http://www.sharronkayking.com

Daron Farmer

It is uncommon to find such a Godly young man as Daron Farmer. He has such a distinct anointing upon his life that seems to leave the finger print of God wherever he goes. As he has grown in his walk with the Lord, God has blessed him with many talents through singing and musical instruments. There has always been a special calling on his life for ministry. Since the age of five, Daron has surrendered his gift of singing for the Lord and has had some great accomplishments along the way. His passion is to touch the heart of God through anointed life changing music, leaving a distinct aroma of the sweet presence of God wherever he may be ministering. Daron has traveled across the country singing and playing. His heart for Jesus has never changed and it’s that passion that seems to capture audiences of all ages, changing lives for the Glory of God. Along with his singing ministry, for 10 years now, Daron has preached the dynamic Word of God with an evangelistic fire from state to state proclaiming that Jesus still lives and is coming SOON… His desire is that all would come to this conclusion. Though many times we are hindered in this life with different obstacles, this does NOT mean we are defeated. That same Power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same Power that is changing lives today through this vessel of God. Celebrating 9 years of marriage, God has blessed Daron with his college sweetheart. Ashley plays a major part in the ministry with Daron and many times carries a great load of responsibility that all too often goes unseen. Ethan Cole was the first born, now 4 years of age, he keeps mom and dad on their toes at all times. The newest member of the family little Hailey Dawn brings such joy and excitement and a sense of completeness to this God-fearing family. For the past 4 years, Daron and Ashley have worked as Associate Pastors of Harvest Time Revival Center in Waco, Texas as well as the Youth Pastors for the past year. Seeing the lives of God’s children changed on a weekly basis is what keeps their passion for ministry fresh and exciting.

http://www.daronfarmer.com

Preparation

As a college student, our younger daughter Rebecca has a lot of walking to do from building to building to get to each of her classes. Rainy days were not a welcome sight. She dreaded the days it rained. One day she got the idea to purchase some rain boots. She shopped until she found just the pair she wanted, and I could not believe the change in her. All of a sudden, she was up at the crack of dawn each morning checking weather.com, HOPING for rain! What had once been a dreaded thing now actually became the very source of joy for her. She didn’t mind the rain now that she had her new black rain boots! She doesn’t even mind that much that her socks slide down inside them when she walks! Rebecca can’t wait for the rain! She enjoys the rain now because she is prepared for it. She will throw her boots on and look for an excuse to go out – to check the mail, run to the store, take out the trash – tasks that were once bothersome are now thrilling, and I’m thrilled because SHE’S doing them instead of me.

Preparation is defined as “the work or planning involved in making something or somebody ready or in putting something together in advance.” Have you prepared for 2008? Have you made plans at all or do you intend to wake up and let life happen to you? Do you mow the grass because it is tall enough to hide the dog, or do you landscape and enjoy the view? Do you grudgingly go to work each day because you don’t want to get fired, or do you go with the intent of making a difference and getting promoted? Do you just show up for classes, or are you studying hard trying to make the honor roll? Do you study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that doesn’t have to be ashamed? II Timothy 2:15. My former basketball coach used to say “Get off your can of “Do-nothing!” I’d rather make a lot of plans and accomplish something than make no plans and get no where. 2008 is right in front of you – get prepared. You’ll be as excited as running through the rain in your new rain boots!

till next time…
Sally

To contact The Quicks:
Phone: 615-459-5119 / 615-403-0047
Write: The Quicks / P.O. Box 581 / Smyrna, TN 37167
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