2008

Keep Pressing On

In a world of mass confusion and defeat there is a cry for something more, something real. Today even the sinner is longing for an answer from something other than the end of a needle, the bottom of a bottle, and or another broken relationship. Everyone is looking for HOPE, a reason not to give up, a reason to wake up another day and continue this journey called life.

Well the bible puts it this way "Being CONFIDENT of this very thing, that he which hath begun a GOOD WORK in you will perform IT until the day of JESUS CHRIST" Philippians 1:6.

Simply put, Jesus from the very beginning started out with a purpose for your life and that was to make you complete. Daron Farmer has determined in his heart to give that HOPE to all who will listen through a simple message, ONE GOOD REASON. This powerful project will give you that Hope you have been looking for through its message. A message that JESUS is still the reason to keep Pressing On in life.

Daron Farmer
http://www.daronfarmer.com

August Reflections - Aug 08

Everybody has them…pet peeves…things that bug you. I know I do, and I’m sure I’m not alone. The older I get, though, it seems the list grows longer. I can’t go to the grocery store or even out to eat without coming face to face with some of them. I realize that a lot of what we see as “proper” is based on our own upbringing; but some things just ought to be common sense, shouldn’t they?

For example, I can’t help but huff and shake my head when I see teenagers wearing their britches down below their drawers and holding them up with one hand as they strut through the mall trying to look cool and smart. If they were really cool and smart, they’d buy pants that fit and wear a belt. I have a similar reaction to older women with the “no hose with heels” look. After a certain age, gals, it’s just not pretty. Or people who wear pajamas and fuzzy slippers to Walmart. Am I gonna have to issue a fashion citation?

Speaking of the huge retailer, why are there 25 checkout lanes at the super store and only five open at any given time? It drives me crazy when I’m in a hurry, there’s half a dozen people behind me, and the checkout person is yakking up a storm with her current customer. Then when I finally make it to the checkout she makes comments about my purchase. She doesn’t need to know why I’m buying three pounds of pork loin, ant paste, and a squeegee. Just ring it up!

I hate getting stuck behind the sweat-pantsed and curlered lady who’s bent over her shopping cart, pushing it with her elbows and strolling along as if no one else could possibly be trying to get through. Or how about when an entire hefty family commandeers a fleet of motorized shopping carts and rides four abreast…dad, mom, and two painfully overweight children. Is this some kind of family outing? Buy a Frisbee, for cryin’ out loud, and play with it.

I can’t stand those roller shoes. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve seen some kid nearly careening into a tottering old person. The parents usually react in one of two ways….either with cool indifference because the kid is just “oh, well, being a kid” or by correcting him with profanity at the top of their lungs. The former, by the way, are the same folks who, when Johnny does fall and break his arm due to his own roller shoes, will sue the mall for negligence. It makes my blood boil.

Why does my favorite country restaurant tell you biscuits and gravy come with your order, then bring one plate for the whole table to share? If I’m paying for biscuits and gravy, I want my own.

Can somebody please tell the restaurant association that it’s really annoying when the tables are wiped down only to leave them sopping wet so you have nowhere to lay your magazine, and that the crumbs which were on the table are now in your chair which no one ever bothers to wipe off?

After I’ve mopped the seat clean with my own clothes, then, oh look, here comes my waiter/waitress…big roaming tattoos up and down their arms, weird ink symbols on their hands and big rhinestone studs in their nose or lip that just look like a giant pustule. I’m trying to eat here! It’s nauseating and it should be outlawed.

After my food comes, my waitress disappears, and my stomach begins to settle, then comes the inevitable….people who let their kids run amuck in restaurants. Babies will cry and that’s understandable. What is not understandable is a parent allowing an eight year old to throw a screaming tantrum and not do one thing about it. I think Cracker Barrel should add some REAL old time, down home ambience by providing a woodshed and a razor strop for those situations.

And then of course the people who let their kindergartner escape and stand at the end of my table with her finger in her nose up to the third knuckle. I’m sorry, but it’s not cute…it’s gross. Make her sit down! What ever made me think I could eat out in peace?

Why do the waitresses at my steak place assume I don’t want my change?

Why does a boss call you at home to make a phone call for him when he has the number he wants dialed right in his hand? It’s either over-dependence or laziness. Or how about co-workers who leave for lunch, are gone for an hour, bring their salad back and sit for another hour eating and reading some trashy novel.

Have you ever gotten up at 4:00 a.m., traveled three hours to a church to see your favorite gospel group at a Sunday morning concert, found a seat on the front row, then had four rows of folding chairs placed in front of you? I have, and it irks the life out of me.

Why is my lipstick discontinued as soon as I find the perfect shade?

I could go on and on with things that bug me, and so could you. But the fact is, we’re not the first ones to be “bugged”……literally.

The Bible is full of references to annoying “bugs”. There’s the ant, bee, beetle, caterpillar, flea, fly, gnat, grasshopper, hornet, cankerworm, horse leech, lice, palmer worm, moth and the most destructive, the locust.

The locusts came in huge droves that blackened the sky and sent people running for shelter. They would swoop down upon the fertile fields and destroy the crops and vegetation. The swarm was just thousands of individual locusts that banded together and chewed and gnawed their way through the landscape for miles leaving nothing but destruction. Lots of little things that brought about tremendous damage.

Enter John the Baptist. The Bible says his meat was locust. Now, I’ve been pretty hungry in my day, but a locust has never looked good to me. I just can’t hear Andy Griffith saying, “Hmmm-mmm, don’t that locust look gooood. Opie, now you let Aunt Bee have the leg.” Nope. To me, it’s not dinner. It’s a bug. But John the Baptist ate them. He ate what bugged him. He literally devoured the devourer.

It’s easy to let all the little things of life that annoy you get the better of you. One little annoyance, then two, then a whole swarm of little stuff that bugs the daylights out of you can devour your day, your mood, and set the tone for your interactions with people. The more you dwell on it, the more things irritate you, and soon your list is as long as mine was earlier in this article. If you’re not careful, it’s not long before your mood sends family and friends ducking for cover and destroys anything valuable or productive that could come of the day.

Philippians 4:8 tells us, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be ANY virtue, and if there be ANY praise, think on these things.

It’s amazing how just concentrating on God’s goodness can get you refocused and able to appreciate the good, cope with the bad, and ignore the stuff that just doesn’t matter anyway.

Gotta “fly” for now.

Janice Crow

King’s Heralds - Aug 08

Greetings from the long lost quartet!! Actually we haven't been lost just extremely busy! but then again what else is new. Last month we were involved in a couple of events that were, in our opinion, highlights for us. I don't know if any of you have ever visited The Gospel Barn in Hillsdale, MI. We had the priviledge to sing there any what a great time we had. We were just a bit concerned that since we had never been there before and the concert was a ticketed event that we may not have the crowd that everyone would be happy with. Let me tell you, were we in for a shock. Not only was the barn full but it was sold out!! Thanks to Scott and his wonderful staff for making the evening a success. We look forward to going back. Let me just say that if you are ever in the Hillsdale, MI. area on a weekend and you want to hear some good gospel music look them up and get you a ticket, you'll be glad you did.

Another highlight from last month was singing at the SoGospelNews fan fest. This was our second one that Deon invited us to participate in. The concert was well attended and the crowd was very receptive. There were several varieties of gospel music presented that night and each style was very well received. We felt that the comarodarie between the groups is one of the main things that makes the event so special. The whole event just has a family atmosphere about it that made the whole event very enjoyable. Let us encourage you to attend this great event next year and when you do tell Deon that The King's Heralds sent you...he probably won't believe you but tell him anyway..Ha!! Thank you Deon for including us. We are looking forward to next year already!

Last month was really a month of firsts for us. We were featured for the first time on Bill Gaither's homecoming radio program. If you have never heard the show it aires on several hundred radio stations across the country. Our bass singer, Jeff Pearles, did the interview and had the opportunity to introduce The King's Heralds to an audience that may not have been familiar with the group. Also on the program was Bill's co-hosts Mark Lowery and Phil Brower. You never know what is going to happen with that combination!!

We also recieved word that our single, "All The Time Ready," has debuted on the charts. Thank you to all the radio stations who are playing it .Oh by the way, If you haven't heard it call your local radio station and request it.

Don't forget about our cruise that we told you about last month. From what we understand cabins are going fast so be sure to make your reservation. If you want or need more information, fell free to get in contact with us. Log onto http://www.theheralds.org

Well that just about does it for now. Keep us in your prayers and we'll catch ya down the road.

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

Meet David Staton

This month I want you to meet the lead vocalist for the LeFevre Quartet, David Staton.  In case you don’t know him well, his last name is pronounced with a long “a” vowel sound, so it rhymes with Dayton. Many will know David for his songwriting.  As a matter of fact, that is how I first met him.  When I was with Gold City, we were one of the first groups to record his music.  The song we did was called "Do It By The Book" and although it was never a radio single, it was put on one of Gold City's "best of" cds because it was a fan favorite everywhere we sang.  David went on to have his songs recorded by just about every major group in our industry. He has also had songs recorded in country, bluegrass, pop, R&B and probably Polka if the truth be told.  Well if you've seen The LeFevre Quartet, you know that songwriting is not the only talent that David has.  He is one of the best singers you will hear anywhere.  He can sing a slow song with so much feeling and then turn right around and rock the house with a fast driving tune.  

Since you are getting to know David in this article, I feel the need to tell you something that you may not know about him.  He is the movie line king!  He loves comedies and in any given situation he will quote a line from a funny movie he's seen.  No kidding, I have seen him carry on an entire conversation and use nothing but movie lines. His wife will tell you, that it was their mutual respect for Earnest T. Bass that first attracted her to him. What is really scary is that their kids have somehow inherited this trait for quoting funny movie lines.   I guess it's in the genes.  As good of a songwriter as he is, can you imagine what kind of songs he could write if so much of his brain wasn’t taken up with such useless information?

Another thing that many may not realize is that when David is not on the road, he is VP of Operations for Song Garden Music Group, a well known southern gospel record label on music row in Nashville.  Not only does he help us, he helps a lot of groups with production, writing, publishing & marketing.  He is a busy guy, but I'm sure glad when I see him hop on that bus with us! If he has any hobbies that are not music related, I’d sure like to know when he finds time to enjoy them. 

David and his wife T'Juana live in Pleasant View, TN, just outside of Nashville with three children, Austin (13), Grace (6) and Katherine (1).

Mike LeFevre
LeFevre Quartet
http://www.lefevrequartet.com

Is Your Child Away From God?

I woke up this morning with a new sense of direction in my ministry. I've been feeling for sometime now that God was preparing me for something new. Unknowing what this direction is just yet, I have to follow my heart.

As a (single) "Christian" parent I have undoubtedly suffered many heartaches as I tried my very best to raise my children the best I could. But no different from that of a family with one or both parents living for God. Although there may be a Dad and Mom present in the home we face the same struggles. Being single just makes life a bit more challenging.

I know deep in my heart that I raised my children the best I knew how. I raised them in the church and I taught them under no circumstance were they any better than the homeless beggar on the street. We are all born into a world of sin and it's up to us individually to choose God or continue to live without Him. We all have that choice.

All my children accepted Jesus at a young age. They have all been baptized and filled with His spirit. My children are all grown now and living their own lives. Both my girls are married to men called into the ministry and have decided to follow Christ and are raising their children in church. Praise God!!!

My son however has chosen a different path. For whatever reason, he has been running from God for nearly 10 years now. From the age of 6, Jason was raised in church along with his sisters. He knows the peace that passeth all understanding. He knows what it's like to stand in the presence of God almighty and watch the heavens open up only to have showers of blessings rain down upon him. And yet he chooses to walk outside the circle of grace. It just breaks my heart to see him struggle in his search for inner peace when he knows in his heart where it can be found.

I have no doubt that God knows right where he is. I have no doubt there are angels 'still' walking with him. I am a firm believer in prayer. It says in Matthew 21:22 - And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. I choose to believe this. God hears! God is in control!!!

Not long after I was saved, I dedicated all my children to God and I put my trust in God to help me raise my children. I still trust Him to watch over them and what ever it takes, to keep them from slipping into the pit of hell.

Proverbs 22: 6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Just as the prodigal wondered away, he returned. Just as David rebelled in his spirit, he surrendered and became a man after God's own heart.

Maybe your heart is grieving over a child who has wondered? Perhaps you have a child you are trying to win to the Lord. I want to help you pray. As we join together and lift their names to heaven, I believe God will intervene! Things may not always turn out how we expect, but we must choose to trust in His ways!

Mom's and Dad's, let us claim the promises of God. The Bible is full of them! Open up His word and let it breath throughout your home. Many of us keep our Bible's shut once we read our daily devotions. I keep mine open so that God's word can be absorbed in my home. There is no greater sense of security than to feel His presence when you first walk in the door. I've had many folks tell me, "there is such a peace when I walk in your home." I'm humbled to say to them, "it's not my home, it's the presence of God."

My heart is leading me to pray for those children who have chosen to walk away or have yet to accept Jesus as their Savior. I would like to help you pray for your lost children.

Please send the names of your children and let us pray together. I will be sending these names out on a prayer chain once a week.

I am expecting to see and hear great things as God leads them to the fold!

Many Blessin's,
Sharron Kay

For more information on Songs of Sharron Ministries please log onto http://www.sharronkayking.com

Bev McCann - Aug 08

My goodness the summer is just about over and school is gearing up to start again, Mom’s Fall break is not to far away.

I was going to talk about keeping God in the place in our lives that He deserves, then I was watching TBN's Praise the Lord, and it totally inspired me to change, add or just go a little deeper than I had intended this month. So, lets see what God has in store fore us:

I have been very concerned about my daughter going into Jr. High 7th grade this year. She’ll be going to a bigger school, 700 plus kids, and our little country school just exploded, this is where TBN came into play. Brandon Crouch and Steve Munsey have felt led to pray for ALL the schools in America !! This is awesome. They just so happened to call for the south first, well my ears perked up and I thought how awesome God is to give me the help and the peace that He is still in control, Praise the Lord!

They are praying for God the unleash angels of protection for our all of our children in our school system, to guard our children and put God back into our schools. This may seem like an impossibility to some of us, however it only took one woman to take God out, I agree with our fellow Christians, that if we all pull together and make it a matter prayer that God can be put back in our schools. We serve a Great Big God, huh I think someone sings that song, could it be Sunday Edition? But it is so very true; Our God is more than able to make this happen. Our children deserve to have a safe place to learn and putting God back in our schools is the first step.

Galatians 5: talks about Not becoming a slave to sinful things, but to serve in Love that will glorify our God. We should not be critical of others and people in leadership, we need to cover them in love and prayer and or get involved if we think we can help make better decisions. Sometimes this causes us to get out of our comfort zone, and that is not as easy as we’d like, but it is possible. God will give us the strength to do the things He has laid on our hearts to do.

Joshua 5: 13 and 6: tells us about the Angel / Commander of the army of the Lord …. If God will send the angels or the commander of the Lords army out to meet with Joshua to let him know that God had delivered Jericho to them, why should we think that God won’t come on the scene when we pray for our children and tear down the walls of sin and ungodly leardership?

So what is it that God is asking you to do? Or what has God laid on your heart to do?

I do hope you all will take this challenge to pray for our children and school leaders. Let us pray for God to unleash His angels to surround our schools that we will see a change in our cities and counties and most of all the children that are at risk in our country today.

Let us all bind together and see what God will do to turn our Country back to what our forefathers meant it to be.

Until next time;
Blessings,

Bev McCann
http://www.bevmccann.com

The Give

God's good like that! That has become one of my favorite sayings over the years because God always comes through and supplies all of my needs. He is good like that! He has blessed our ministry with another great month of revivals and concerts. As my team and I reflect over the past month, our burden for the youth of this nation continues to weigh heavy on our minds and on our hearts. We decided to look for a way to reach out to the young people so what better to do that than give away free stuff and call it "The Give". Why such a classy title? LOL! Well when you are giving something away, why waste words? Just call it what "it" is, right? We have been giving away great prizes including a Nintendo Wii, Apple iPod, and product packages. We will also be giving away a free concert. Yes, you heard me right, "A FREE CONCERT"! And it's not too late to enter your church in the drawing. To enter the drawing you can visit http://www.jasoncrabb.com . At the concert we will take up a love offering and all the money will be donated to the church's youth group. My ministry has a heart for young people and our goal is to stay in touch with them and to give back to the people that support our ministry. We feel it is very important to keep the youth active in the church because 80% of Christians are saved before the age of 20.

Congrats to all of the following winners of The give. Jessica Cooley of McAlester OK, Dixie McKeel of Chattanooga TN, Mark Morrow of Duncan OK, and Tina Ross of Port Saint Lucie FL. We will be announcing the winner of the free concert soon. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of The Give and for your support of Jason Crabb Ministries.

Lest you forget.......God is good like that!

Jason Crabb
http://www.jasoncrabb.com

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