:::I Know Who Holds Tomorrow:::

New Site!

2008-06-24T12:42:00.000-07:00

Well, I am so excited to unveil my new website. It has been a work in progress and it took about 2 days to launch but it is up and ready to go.

In light of that, I will be no longer using this blog page so those who want to read my blog can move over to the updated version of "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow." There is more over there including a blog, pictures, and some videos. I know everyone will enjoy it much more. If you link me from one of your sites, please update the link.

I Know Who Hold Tomorrow

Thanks!

DJ

Taking a Stand for SSQ

2008-06-23T10:23:00.000-07:00

Taking a Stand for SSQ

After a wonderful night in Nashville with Ernie, Ryan, Tim and Doug, I was on a concert high that no one could bring me down from. The next day, I was approached by someone who asked me how SSQ was in Nashville. I said, "Amazing, as always!" I know he had to have sensed my excitement. Suddenly, he started shaking his head and pointed right at me and said, "I have no time for that Garbage." I couldn't believe my ears!

With my heart completely broken over what he said, I knew then and there that I was going to have show people what it is that I love about these guys. Of Course, the guy who told me that sang in a quartet and when he got on stage, he said they weren't going to get up there and "dance a jig," obviously another jab at EHSS. And then, to top it all off, they sang "Oh, What A Savior" and tried to get him to pull a high one on "Then I'll join...." but, alas, he was defnitely no Ernie Haase.

Well, I was so apalled I texted my SSQ Partner-In-Crime and told her that someone had just totally dissed the guys. I told her a serious blog post was coming and I was going to do some biblical research and make a post about this. You know, it is interesting how even people in our own christian community judge other brothers and sisters in the waythat they do. That is very, very hypocrital. In Matthew 7:1 the bible says "Judge Not, that you be not judged."

Therefore let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block in your brothers way. Romans 14:13

We need to be very careful what we say about God's servants. God has called each and every one of his people to do a special service for him. We must be careful not to put down God's work. Talk about judging.....

Other people say that the dancing is not reverant to the Lord, and I will agree, there is a time to dance. But, I have seen these guys stand completely still in total reverance to the Lord while singing songs like 'Reason Enough' and 'I then Shall Live.' Most only see the one or two songs that SSQ dances on and they just completely write them off. Well, listen here, in my bible, it tells how people praised the Lord for things done in their lives by dancing. So how then, can we say that christians don't dance, by golly, they do!

Look at this verses:

Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp. Psalm 149:3

Praise his name with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute.
Psalm 150:4

Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 'Your brother has come home,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound. Luke 15:25

David, wearing a linen ephod danced before the Lord with all his might. 2 Samuel 6:14-23.

Obviously, the bible does not speak against dancing as a form of worship and allowing it to accompany worship and praise. Although, today, dancing has often become 'wordly' but that does not mean that it still can't be done in fun with praise to our savior.

What really upsets me is that the people who want to put SSQ down, don't even know these guys and don't even give them a chance. They are one Southern Gospel Group that will come out during and after the shows to talk to you. They will take time for each and every person, young and old. They even cheer you on when you are running for your life trying to save a seat for you and your friends at a general admission concert (Thanks for having my back, Doug!).

These people have never seen Doug with his hands in the air and tears streaming down his face because he is being moved by the holy spirit. They have not seen Ryan with his head bowed and eyes closed in adoration of our Lord. They have never seen Tim and the emotion that comes over his face when he sings the line '...but today he walks beside me, for he knows what is ahead.' They have never seen the emotion that takes over Ernie as he sings 'Walk with me, Walk with me, Lest mine eyes no longer see....' or when he breaks into 'Then I'll join that chorus, in that great city!.' There is so much more to these wonderful guys than what meets the eye. Look at the looks on their faces in the picture below:

To SSQ: You guys are the best. You are all annoited byGod and called to do what you do. You all are so special to me and you hold a special place deep in my heart.

I felt led to type this blog. It doesn't just apply to SSQ. I just make a plea, I ask you, be careful judging people. You are not supposed to do it. Never put down someone because you do not like what they do, its not in your taste. Remember Romans 14:13. Don't let your words be the stumbling block between God and the many, many souls that he can win.

Love them ALL like Jesus,

Special Thank You goes to Jennifer. Thanks for the help.

The Word is Alive

2008-06-19T11:59:00.000-07:00

In light of the new song that I posted on the blog, I would like to give you a little insight into our bible study at church last night. With the transition of trying to find a new pastor for our church, we have had the same guy teaching our bible study for several weeks. I have enjoyed his studies and really get a lot out of them.

Last nights message was on the word. God's word and why it is so important to us. That really got me to thinking, Why is God's word so important to me? Is this something that we think about often, well, probably not. But, it is important. In Psalms 119:105 it says: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

The word is important to us because it divides the soul from the body. It reveals to us that which we are and that which we need to be. It is God Breathed, Innerant, Infallible, and is useful for teaching and doctrine. It shows us of God's unfailing love and his Amazing Grace.

Think of the words to the song that is playing on my music player this week:

The Word is alive and it cuts like a sword through the darkness

with a message of life to the hopeless and afraid, breathing life into all who believe.

The word is alive and the world and its glories will fade but his truth it will not pass away

it remains yesterday and forever the same, the word is alive.

The word is alive and it is God's word and it will stand forever. Check out the following scriptures given to us from the bible study on Wednesday night:

Hebrews 4:12

1 Peter 1:25

Matthew 24:35

Matthew 5:18

2 Timothy 3:16

2 Peter 1:21

*Scriptures in Red Denote those spoken by Jesus

A Look into the Word - Psalm 1

2008-06-16T20:42:00.000-07:00

Hello All:

I just wanted to share with you some scripture that has jumped out at me tonight. I am looking in the book of Psalms, the first chapter. Have a look:

1. Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. This is an interesting verse. David is begins to talk of the ways of loving the lord. Not to be entwined with people who put the Lord down or do not acknowledge his divine ways and amazing love. The man who loves the Lord and tries to tell others about him is the one that is truly blessed.

2. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night. The true "blessed" man delights in the "law" (i.e. WORD) of the Lord. Someone who finds peace and loves being in the word of God and learning more about him. We need to love the Lord, Love his word and have it on our minds every nanosecond of our lives. It needs to become part of us. His word is alive. It is like a two-edged sword and it is ready for everything. We must meditate on it.

3. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yeilds its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Like in the last verse, this shows that the more that we delight in the Lord and his ways, the more fruitful we become. We must stand firm in the Lord and not allow those who ridicule God or those who say things against God to influence our thoughts and actions. We must stand firm and be "planted" in what we believe. By doing so, we are able to produce fruit in the light of the Lord. We must use our roots and soak up the word so that the fruits that we bear will be pleasing to God and help further is earthly kingdom.

4. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. A chaff was the outside of grain that must be pulled off in order to get to the fruit. It is very light and carried by the slightest breeze. And so is the life of the wicked. It is faithless and has no hope. They like it this way. However, the word says that they will be blown away. They will not last. Only God's word and those who delight in it are able to continue. We must remain prosperous and continue to do God's work.

5. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. The wicked have no chance of making it in God's earthly kingdom. They will not be able to be with the righteous when that day comes. Thank God we have our sins washed away with the blood of his son and we can delight in him and stay in his will.

6. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
By staying the word of God and doing what his will is for our lives we can know that the things that we do to further God's kingdom are endorsed by God. Delight in the Lord. That is the key.

With a little prayer, a little reading and trust in God, he will show you what his plan for your life is. Just trust in him to lead the way.

Love them Like Jesus,

DJ

Christ & the Cell-Adhesion Molecule Laminin

2008-06-06T21:18:00.000-07:00

You know, there are many many instances when I just love to sit back and look at the greatness of God and how wonderful he really is. This video talks of how wonderful the Lord is. The guy in the video is Louie Giglio and he travels with Chris Tomlin on tour. In this video he talks of an

amazing discovery that he made. He found out that our bodies are actually HELD TOGETHER with a Cell-Adhesion Molecule called Laminin. Laminin is actually in the shape of a CROSS! Can you believe it? The stuff that actually holds the human body together is shaped like the cross that

our Lord and Savior acutally died on! Its amazing! Look at it:

There it is folks, Laminin. It is in the shape of a cross and it was made by our Lord and Savior. How great is our God? Oh folks, he is awesome.

You see, the bible says:

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. "

Colossians 1:15-17

There you have it folks, all things are held together by the Lord and Laminin. He created it. Let a scientist try and knock this one!

Left one Out

2008-06-05T10:03:00.001-07:00

I was checked on one of my mistakes. I realized that I had left one graduation picture out. Got ya there Lisa!

Signature Sound - Nashvile, TN

2008-05-30T07:38:00.000-07:00

Ok, This is what happens when you have an excited SSQ fan, a mac computer with a built in camera, and two tickets to an upcoming concert......

......He gets a little excited. This whole experience has been a whirlwind it seems like. I met these guys at a very difficult time in my life. When God wasn't my center focus. He was there,

but he wasn't what my life was totally about. The message in EHSS's songs provoked me to study and pray more and I have since then become music minister of my church and became closer to God than I have ever been.

I have met some fantastic people through the Message Board and made some life-long bonds I know. I am looking forward to seeing Jen, Lindsey and Ms. Linda in Nashville. Even though it is general admission and we will have to wait in line, I am ready for it and I would do it for these guys. Can't wait and I know it is going to be awesome! I want to leave you all with a verse that a dear friend of mine brought to light when he preached last wednesday night. It says: Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12. Christ is always at work. Are you ready to accept the challenge?

I am starting a little music player on the site. I am going to put one song on it each week. The one song that is on it will be the song that I am listening to that week. The song that is on there this week I will talk about below.

Please watch this video here. This song is wonderful. I know many of my readers are not CCM fans but this song is a good one. You really need to see it. Love Them Like Jesus.

Praising Him,

Graduation | May 16, 2008

2008-05-18T17:51:00.001-07:00

Well We made it! Class of 2008 is out of school and ready to take the world by storm. Dresden High School held its Graduation Ceremony on May 16, 2008 at 7PM in the gym. We had a huge crowd and, yes, I sang. I was terrified but the whole song went off seamlessly and I was very satisfied! I will work on trying to get that video on here.

I want to say to my classmates, thanks for all the laughs and memories throughout the last four years! You guys are the best and will always hold a special place in my heart! Love you guys!

Tribute to Dottie Rambo

2008-05-18T17:41:00.000-07:00

Tonight is third-sunday night singing at my church. As the music director, I usually do one solo and let other people do their solos as well. Tonight, I did two songs. One song was a tribute to Gospel legend, Dottie Rambo. I sang Sheltered in the arms of God. I told a story about Dottie at the beginning. The video began about 3 sentences into the story but the main jist is still there. Enjoy!

I also sang "Redemption Draweth Nigh." I have loved that song since I saw Ernie Haase sing that song. Here is the video of it:

I hope you all enjoyed these videos. I love singing for the Lord and it is my desire for him to use me in that capacity.

God Bless,

Dottie Rambo | 1934 - 2008

2008-05-14T09:55:00.001-07:00

In Loving Memory

Ms. Joyce 'Dottie' Rambo

1934 - 2008

On Sunday, May 11, Gospel Superstar Dottie Rambo was called by the Lord to come home. Although she was taken suddenly from us, I know that this was God's plan for her all along. He knew this was how Dottie would go. Dottie's ministry touched so many lives and some of her songs have changed lives. She was truly an Angel of God here on Earth. I love those little glimpses of heaven that God gives us and I am certain that Dottie was one of them. She was a special lady and she will truly be missed but I know we will see her on the other side!

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:

Funeral Services for Dottie Rambo will be held on Monday, May 19, 2008 at the Christ Church in Nashville at 1 PM. Close friends and family are invited to a private visitation service from 11- 12:30 PM two hours prior to the public funeral service at Christ Church. A private entombment will follow at the Woodlawn - Roesch - Patton Funeral Home Memorial Park for family and close friends only.

Visitation will be held on two nights at the Woodlawn - Roesch - Patton Funeral Home. The first visitation will be Saturday, May 17 at the funeral home after 4 PM. The second visitation will occur after 2PM until 4PM on Sunday at the funeral home.

Donations can be made to help offset the funeral expenses. Donations can be sent to:

Christ Church

15354 Old Hickory Blvd.

Nashville, Tennessee 37211

Woodlawn - Roesch - Patton Funeral Home

660 Thompson Lane

Nashville, Tennessee 37204

God Bless You Dottie! You will truly be missed!

My Country 'tis of Thee

2008-04-12T20:02:00.000-07:00

Well, tonight I sang the national anthem at the University of Tennessee at Martin's 40th annual college rodeo. This is a huge deal with tons of people. I love to sing for big crowds like that so I enjoyed every minute of it! It was awesome

Here is a video of it. The video got started kind of late but this is still most of it. Just to show you the magnitude of the event, look at the pan of the crowd at the end of the video. That was just one side of the arena. The other side was packed with standing-room-only as well.

The Lord certainly has blessed me with this talent. I give him all the glory of this video.

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

An AMAZING Evening with Ernie Haase & Signature Sound!

2008-03-31T10:05:00.000-07:00

Alright, I figure I have kept everyone waiting long enough. Paducah was absolutely amazing and the new music that the guys tried out on us was absolutely amazing. I know those going to Chicago are really going to be blessed. When Lindsey and I told Doug that we were not going to be there (School ) He said that he would send us a bus and we could run up there for the night and the bus would bring us back. Thanks Doug, I appreciate the offer! The guys were in tip-top shape last night. We arrived at the Carson Center (a beautiful theatre by the way) about 10 til 5. We went in and I immediately spotted Jen, Lindsey and Linda. They were at their seats which were two rows directly in front of us. We shared some hugs and then they went out to the Product Table. The Louise and Carolyn came up and we had our pictures made.

The show got started right at 6 with two local radio DJs introducing the guys and telling about some Gaither Tix they would be giving away that night. The guys came on out and I was on my feet screaming and shouting. The new songs were great!

They included:
The Right Place, The Right Time
My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me
Glory To God In The Highest
The Plan of Salvation
Chicago is my kind of Town - Ernie decided that he and Wayne would write a song about Paducah for the next time they are there.
Reason Enough
Dream On - Very Touching! It definitely applied to my life!
Between the Cross & Heaven
Out of Bondage - This song is so AWESOME!
The Old Landmark
Don't Worry, Be Happy
Happy Birthday, Anniversary Too
I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
Are You Enjoying the Show?
Sundays Are Made For These
Then Came The Morning
Get Away Jordan

Intermission - At this point me, my Grandmother, Jen, Lindsey and Linda went outside. The lines to the bathrooms were really long and I think I remember Jen saying, "I will risk a kidney stone before I stand in that line." We then met Bro. Jim and his wife Tammy and I bought the bobblehead and the self-titled CD at the Product Table. Bro. Jim and I realized that the product Table was empty so we went back in the theatre for the second half of the show!

The second half was absolutely amazing. Some new ones, some old ones and so much energy. Ernie is an excellent speaker and "preacher". He knows just what to say and I believe that the Lord used him to speak to my heart last night. He said

They also sang:
Love Is Like A River
He Made A Change
Never Give Up, Never Give In
John In The Jordan
Till We Fly Away
Since Jesus Passed By
God Give This Child A Good Heart
We Need Each Other--Reach Out
O What A Savior
Reprise of Get Away Jordan

Jen, Lindsey, Linda, me and My grandmother waited for the crowd to clear out and then we went out. My Grandmother LOVES Tim and we went over there to get her picture made with him. While she was taking my picture with Tim she said, "You didn't sing 'Happy Rhythym'. Thats my favorite song you do!". Suddenly, Tim starts in "There's a happy rhythym thats a-rockin and a-rollin". He was just singing! I was hoping he would smile long enough to take my picture. My grandmother was on cloud 9 when he started singing her favorite song lol. Me, Jen, Lindsey, and Linda and my grandmother talked with Doug a little bit about Chicago and Doug was a little bummed that Lindsey and I weren't going to make it. Thats when he mentioned the "bus". We went over to Ernie and talked with him for a little bit. I got him to sign his bobblehead for me and then I took out the article in Homecoming Magazine for him to sign and he was like "Whats this?" He hadn't sen it yet and he didn't even know that it was in there. He signed it as well and then we all decided it was time to run over to IHOP.

We got to IHOP and we had an awesome time. We discovered its a little difficult to decide what you want to have when you eat at IHOP LINDSEY!. But we made it. I think this afternoon I will have a bed of greens for lunch this afternoon. Sorry - thats an inside joke.

I had an awesome time Jen, Lindsey and Linda! Wait till Nashville with the 5 of us waiting in line up there, there is no telling what kind of trouble we will get in. Maybe it won't be 105 degrees. If so, I will have fans for everyone!

Thanks Ernie, Ryan, Tim, Doug, David, and Frank for making this a night that I will never forget. You all really made this one of the best nights of my life. Jen, Lindsey and Ms. Linda: You guys are great, I never dreamed that we would have that much fun. We spent three hours in that IHOP. It was the best three hours ever!

Well Here are my pictures and there are many of them. There is one video on there but there are more to come. I will get them posted on here sometime tonight or tomorrow maybe.

I had an awesome time and the blessings are still flowing!

Paducah Pictures

TONIGHT is the NIGHT

2008-03-29T09:56:00.000-07:00

Alrighty. I am so ready for the Ernie Haase & Signature Sound concert tonight in Paducah, Ky!

Can't wait. Be looking for a post about the concert sometime soon on here!!

Sowing in Love, Reaping in the Spirit!

DJ

How Great Thou Art!

2008-03-23T10:33:00.000-07:00

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter on this beautiful sabbath day! I hope your day was special. As you go throughout the day, I ask that you pray and thank God for all of your beautiful blessings this day. Praise God, the Lord has risen and we are not tied to sin no more!!

I hope you all enjoy this beautiful Easter day!!
Sowing in Love, Reaping in the Spirit:
DJ

The Love Of God--His Grace is Sufficient for Me!

2008-03-09T10:39:00.000-07:00

I just returned from church and I had such a wonderful experience with the Lord this morning! He just touched my heart in a special way this morning. As most of you know, our church is going through a transition period at this time and we are experiencing a couple of different pastors and a couple of different styles of message and worship. I have just been thinking about the Love of God. How wonderful it is and how it never changes, and is always sufficient for any need that I have, he is Holy, omnipotent, the author and finisher, alpha and omega, the High Priest of my faith!

It just amazes me that a God, who created us, who LOVES us, could care so much for his children, even when the ones that he created do not love him and do not keep his commandments. Yet, Somehow, his love is measureless and strong, and never changing. The song, The Love of God, tells it plainly:

To write the the Love of God above, would drain the oceans dry. Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Tho stretched from sky to sky.

Folks, that is a huge amount of Love for his children! Who can fathom the length of the entire sky? Gods live is sufficient and infinite, enough for everybody! Its just amazing. Grace, he gives it to us all. We have done nothing to deserve his grace, none of us are worthy of anything that he gives us. Yet, he loves us so, that we can still receive his grace and he still freely blesses us, as long as we serve him. And serving the Lord is such a pleasure. I just love doing it.

Thanks to everyone who reads this blog and leaves comments. You will never know how much it means that you care to read my thoughts. It is hard enough for me to put them into words how much I love the Lord and how much I want to serve him. He is my King, why would I disgrace him and his son who died for me and paid the price for my sins. How can I turn down this gift? How? Its impossible for me and I can't fathom it. God's Love is infinite and his Grace is sufficient!

Sowing in Love, Reaping in the Spirit,
DJ

Warren Promoted to Glory!

2008-02-21T14:12:00.000-08:00

Well I want to thank everyone for prayers on behalf of Kay's brother, Warren. Warren went home to be with the Lord early this morning. I ask that you all remember the family in prayer as they deal with this situation. Thanks!

Houston, We Have Arrived!

2008-02-20T14:35:00.002-08:00

Ok, so I had to to post on here and let you know that my tickets are here. They came in the mail today! Fourth row from the stage I can't believe it!

On a heavier note, I would like to ask for prayers of one of my MB family members. Her brother is in bad condition at an illinois hospital and she is traveling to see him. Just remember her in prayer!

Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Paducah, KY

2008-02-15T11:02:00.000-08:00

Alright, I just had to add this because I am so PUMPED about this! Tickets for the Signature Sound concert in Paducah, Kentucky went on sale this morning at 10 am and I was there at 9:59! I got tickets in the fourth row from the stage! We got the Artist Circle Tickets so we are so excited about going. I just had to let you all know because I am so excited! This is a solo concert that will be held at the Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center in Paducah, Kentucky. If you are interested in purchasing tickets for this concert, I will place a link below where you can go and order them. Order now and get you some good seats!

Order Ernie Haase and Signature Sound Paducah Tickets Here!

Nearer, Oh God, To thee

2008-02-14T20:38:00.000-08:00

Alright, so I have a little time off from school this week (4 days to be exact) and I thought I would be doing a little blogging. Be looking forward to a couple of new entries over the next couple of days as I begin to take an in depth look at the book of Psalms.

This section of Psalms really seemed to touch my heart this week. As some of you know, my church has been going through some trouble recently (which I won't get it to---just pray!) and it has really caused a lot of stress and discomfort in my life because church and God is my life--I mean really, what else is there? well, I have EHSS but you know, thats a given! LOL you know I love you guys!

Tonight I have been looking at Psalms 42. In my bible it is titled 'Wishing to be near to God'. I have prayed this week that God will grant me peace and comfort from deep within that I know only he can provide. God is the only provider of that life saving peace. In this psalm, there are a couple of verses I want to look at and commentate tonight.

The first is this:

As a deer thirsts for streams of water, so I thirst for you God. I thirst for the living God. When can I go meet with him? Psalm 42: 1-2

This has a lot of meaning. One, is the psalmists deep, eternal thirst for God. He wants to know him, know more about him and to love him. I think this is the desire of all true, born-again Christians. We all have the desire to know and love him more and more than we ever have. The wonderful thing about God is that his love is so vast. You could never reach the bottom. Daily, we only scratch the surface of the capacious mind of God! Notice, the psalmist also says that he searches for the living God. Praise the Lord that our God is living! He is alive and reigning on high and all we have to do is trust in him and we are guaranteed to get to go up there and be with him. He also says, 'When can I go meet with him?'. I have asked this so many times this week. I just bask daily in the fact that I know that once in that beautiful, holy city, there will be no pain or sorrow or STRESS! We will all be happy and be praising God in that great wondrous chorus up above! Thats a lot of meaning in two little verses, huh?

The other verse that "struck a chord" with me so to speak is this:

Why am I so sad? Why am I so upset? I should put my hop in God and
keep praising him, my savior and my God! Psalm 42:11

This is actually the last verse of this very short psalm. This is such a testament in itself. Why should we be sad and upset? We are not of this world. I think sometimes, more often than not, we allow the things of this world to drag us down. We allow people who trick us to drag us down into the depths of despair. We must remember, we are not of this world. We were not made for this world and the quicker we realize this, I believe, the better off we are! This verse also makes God closer and more personal by actually saying 'my God'. Sometimes it seems like, with all of the worlds problems, it is impossible for God to truly pay any attention to you! But, PTL that God is much bigger than we could ever be! He is my God, and I will praise his name forever and ever. Just a little commentary tonight on Psalm 42!

I want to remind everyone that tomorrow night at 7:30 CST on Daystar they will be televising LIVE the Gaither 'Give It Away' Homecoming Tour from Fort Worth, TX. This is bound to be a wonderful show because Nashville was truly awesome! I know that FT. Worth will be wonderful as well!

Well, I love you all and I hope and pray that you allow God to be drawn closer to you this week. If you would, leave me a comment and let me know what you think about this. I never know if anyone is even reading this. I just put it on here because I love my Lord and I try in every endeavor to serve him!

Gaither Homecoming in Nashville

2008-02-10T11:01:00.000-08:00

Here is a copy of the report that I posted on the EHSS MB, enjoy!:

I have to tell you all that I was so nervous about meeting the guys that I almost couldn't breathe and I almost had to throw up before we left the hotel and then once on our way to the venue, I couldn't stop laughing. My grandmothers were about to kill me and I think I was scaring the lady next to me on the shuttle bus! HAHA But, i couldn't help it!

We finally got inside the Sommet Center with about 5 minutes to spare. We did not have time to go to the product table because we had to get to our seats. We are walking down the steps to our row (We had floor seats) and the lights went out mid-way so I knew that I had to get to my seat. When we got to our seat, the stage lit up and they started singing the song "The Unclouded Day" as all of the homecoming friends walked on stage, and there were many of them, I mean, this is music city! They consisted of (This is all that I can recall, I think I have them all): Ernie Haase ( I almost passed out because he is like my role model!), Ryan Seaton, Doug Anderson, Tim Duncan, Gene McDowell, Eva Mae LeFevre (What a Sweetheart!), Mary Tom Spear, Ben Spear, Micheal English (What A Surprise!), Ivan Parker, Joy Gardner and the Christ Church Choir, Charlotte Richie, Greg Richie on Drums, Jeff Easter, Sheri Easter, Guy Penrod, Wes Hampton, Marshall Hall, Lynda Randle, Kevin Williams, Rory Rigdon and of course, Gordon Mote.

What a Lineup! The spirit in the place was absolutely amazing. In fact, my shoulders are very sore from having my hands lifted up in Praise for our savior most of the night! After the couple of congregational songs including all of the homecoming friends, they all dissapeared leaving EHSS and GVB up on the stage and they sang "Great Day", "Love is Like a River" and "Sweet, Sweet Spirit". Oh, how overwhelming it was!

After this, Jeff and Sheri Easter and Charlotte Richie came out and sang, the songs have escaped me. After them it was Joy Gardner and the Christ Church Choir and she only sang only one song. Then, Ivan Parker came out and he sang "This I choose" and another song that I don't remember what it was called. Janet Paschal came out and sang and then she talked about her recent battle with Breast Cancer and then she sang another song. Lynda Randle was next and she sang a couple of songs that i don't remember the name of either. All this time, I am wondering where our guys are and when they are coming out! Next up was Ben Speer and he sang an old hymn that I can't remember the name of. Next, Eva Mae LeFevre came out on stage and she looked at Bill and she said "Bill, it has been 98 days since I have seen you! Bill, if that happens again, I am going to slap you!" The crowd erupted in laughter! I t was good to see her again. She sang the old song "Leave it there" , I think she did this song on either homecoming picnic or campfire homecoming.

Up next was what I had been waiting for. EHSS came running out on stage and I just jumped to my feet and screamed as loud as i could! None of the people around me even moved, but I didn't care, I love them so much that how could I not scream out! They sang "Someday", "Glory to God in the Highest" (Yes, Brandon, that is the song that you heard. Sorry it wasn't any better!), and "Till we Fly Away". Then the entire stage went dark with Gloria in the spotlight and she told about the death of Jesus in such a beautiful way. It brought tears to my eyes. The guys sang the first verse of "Then Came the Morning" and then at the chorus when they say "..Then Came the Morning!" the entire stage lit up and I just jumped up with my hands raised to our father before I even thought about it. I was just overtaken! After this song they sang "Get Away Jordan" with 2 reprises! I guess they would have done a third one but I suppose one person standing up and yelling at the top of his lungs (me!) was not enough for a third reprise! HAHA

After EHSS, GVB came out and sang several songs. They walked on stage singing "I'll tell it wherever I go". They then sang "I catch 'em, God Cleans 'Em." They then sang "Journey to the sky" with a funny comedy routine with Marsh and Bill. Then, Guy sang "Why Me, Lord" and then the GVB sang "Give it Away"

Then there was intermission and I knew that I had to find the EHSS table. I came out to the main floor and walked almost all the way around the venue till I saw that huge picture of EHSS and I just took off running. Ryan was standing there with his grandmother, a really sweet lady and his mom was standing on the other side of the table because I saw him yelling her name. I tapped him on the shoulder and he turned around with a big smile on his face and I asked him if he would take a picture with me, he said, "Yeah man, no problem!". He stood with me and took a picture with me. Then, I saw Doug come over and I asked him if he would take a picture with me, and he patted me on the shoulder and said, "sure". We talked for a little bit, he is such a great guy! I then pulled Tim over and he took a picture with me. By the Way, Brandon Tim says Hello. He laughed when I told him that Brandon says hello. Then, It happened. I spotted Ernie Haase himself on the other end of the table. I got in line to meet him. However, when I got up to him some guy came around and said "Ernie, you need to get in [the arena]" He looked at the guy and said "I have 5 minutes" and he looked at me and said, "Hey, I like that shirt!" I just laughed and I got our picture made, it came out blurry but I am happy with it anyway! I would have loved to have talked to him some more but I know that he was busy. So, I walked away. I am hoping I can have more time to talk to him in Paducah!

After intermission they started again and Kevin and Rory was doing some jokes, most of which were on the "Together" video. All of the homecoming friends came back out and they sang "Rock Of Ages" and at the end they showed a video of Vestal Goodman up on the screen singing the second verse of the song. They also sand "Leaning on the everlasting Arms" in the same style that they did on the "Together" video. They also sang the song "Up Above My Head", and at the end they showed Jake Hess and George Younce, singing the song together and it was amazing! They also sang "Amazing Grace is the sweetest name I know" and Ivan Parker and Micheal English got up and sang "Thank You for giving to the Lord", which was very touching!

They ended with a prayer from Gloria Gaither and the song, "Because he lives" with Charlotte Richie and Ben Speer singing the 2nd and 3rd verse. It was very touching.

Afterwards, We went back to the product table because I had realized that in my excitement, I had not bought anything! I went and grabbed the "Great Love" Cd, the only one I don't have, and the Brown Get Away Jordan T-Shirt. Tim was standing there and he said "Can I help Someone?" I handed him the CD and told him about the shirt and I asked him if he could get everyone to autograph the CD. Tim said, "What is your name?" and I said "D.J." and then he looked at me with that mischevious grin of his and he said, "how do you spell that?" and I started to answer him but then he started laughing and I just felt really stupid, "He said don't worry about it, I do stuff like that all the time!". I walked away from the product table with my pictures and autographs and I was in Glory--as Kay says!

All in all, the concert was amazing. I loved it very much, but I am kind of sad that it is over! I will be in line next Friday to buy Paducah Tickets for sure!

2008-01-31T15:50:00.000-08:00

I have to tell you all about this book that I just got finished reading this week!I just finished Bill Gaither's 'It's more than the music'. This book is phenomenal. It is a little out of date but inspirational and informational nonetheless. I loved it. If you are a fan of Bill Gaither, you need to read this book. This book gives you the history behind the homecoming series and it really showed me how down to earth Bill & Gloria Gaither are. You learn a lot about their family, life lessons that they have learned and some stories behind some of the songs that they have written. It is a great read and I encourage any southen Gospel Music Fan to get it. But beware, once you start, it is hard to stop!

You know, just being days away from seeing my favorite gospel group ever has really got me excited. In about 8 days (check the counter to the right, there>>) I will be up in Nashville meeting and hearing Ernie Haase & Signature Sound along with Mr. Gaither and his homecoming friends. I am so excited! I know this is a short post but I felt like my blog had been a little neglected. I am really looking forward to Nashville in a few days. Now, hopping back over to the message board....

Check out Ernie Haase & Signature Sound online!
Check out Bill & Gloria Gaither online!

I'm So Glad I'm a Part of The Family Of God!

2008-01-19T10:06:00.000-08:00

My Heavenly Father has really touched me over the past few days and I feel such a closeness with other christians that makes me so glad to be a part of the family of God. Gloria and Bill Gaither wrote a wonderful song about belonging to the family of God and how precious it is, and I see it now more than ever. As a member of the Ernie Haase & Signature Sound Message Board, I have entered the greatest network of people, I believe, that I will ever know this side of heaven. Despite some of us having never met each other, we love each other and pray daily. As a person who has never seen EHSS in concert, they have really taken care of me. One of the most precious angels here on earth called me from the Toledo concert last night and allowed me to hear our guys it was magical and I felt the spirit of the Lord over the phone. Isn't it amazing how god touches us like that!?

I just want to praise God's name for all the wonderful blessings that he has given me already this year. I have made some amazing new friends in the family of God and he has blessed me with so many things, it is hard to mention them all. I sometimes feel like I am not serving him to the fullest of my ability, even when I am feeling like I am giving God all that I have. I just want to give him everything I am, everything I have been, and everything I will be. He sent his son to die on the cross for my sins. I think I should give him everything I have for him. I dont know how some people turn this gift away. Oh What a Savior we serve.

I enjoy writing these blogs and just being able to pour my thoughts out to you all. If you enjoy, leave me a comment. They really help encourage me when my days get down. Thank God for all of you. I am so Glad to be a part of The Family Of God!

2008-01-06T15:01:00.000-08:00

So what shall we say about this? If God be with us, who can defeat us?
Romans 8:31

Hello All! Well today has certainly been a wonderful day here in Tennessee. I have begun the second half of my Senior year in High School and I am looking forward to all the things that this year will bring! I have been reading a very good book by Rick Warren called 'The Purpose-Driven Life'. It has really helped me this week by showing me that th things that we do on this old earth, really are just preparing us for the things to come. I am only on the 5th chapter but it has helped me see life more clearly now and it really makes me want to serve the Lord more than I ever have before. Suddenly, things dont matter anymore compared to all the glory waiting me up in that heavenly land.

In the midst of reading this book, I have to ask myself, am I doing what God put me here for? I am not sure but every time that I pray, I ask God to show me what I should be doing for him. I feel like I am doing the right thing but sometimes I don't know. That is probably Satan trying to throw me off of what I should really be doing for my Lord. Southern Gospel music has really helped me get through some hard times recently with the messages in the songs. I know that whoever wrote these songs got the messages from our Lord. I believe the Lord knew that somewhere down the road, D.J. Plunk was going to need some encouragement, along with some other people as well. It is amazing how good God is to us and how important he made each of our lives to be. Sometimes when I think of how amazing God is, I don't think that I could do anything that would compare in order to receive his riches. And in actual reality, that is the truth. There is nothing that we can do for our Lord that would measure in comparison to anything close.

I hope that you all get the opportunity to read this book and see how important your lives are. I read is as a supplement to my bible and it really helps me understand things better. Our sermon this morning was about how the disciples were more concerned about God coming back and ruling on earth, they were missing out on 'The Great Commission', they were missing out on what they should really be doing for the Lord! I don't want us to miss our on what we should really be doing with our lives because truth be told, we are only here for so long and that is to do God's Will and I don't want to miss out on that do you?!

God Bless You All,
In His Service,
DJ Plunk

2008-01-01T09:27:00.000-08:00

At the beginning of 2008, I begin to think about all the things the Lord will do through me this year. I am currently listening to Ernie Haase & Signature Sound's (as always) 'The Ground is Level' CD it is so wonderful. It just really makes me want to lift up my hands to the Lord and just praise him for being the Almighty God that he is! This CD is filled with so many good songs. It is an older CD but a great one nonetheless. Ernie Haase really formed a great group and I have just enjoyed them so much. They will never know how much they mean to me.

Even through Signature Sound, I have made a whole new family, thanks to Ernie! He created a message board on his website and it has really helped me meet a whole new group of people that I love! Ernie really takes care of his "loyal followers" and had the shirt to the left made. I really love all of them. We encourage each other, we lift up each other to the lord, and we all love Ernie Haase & Signature Sound. On February 8, 2008, I will be traveling to Nashville, Tennessee to see Bill Gaither & His Homecoming Friends in concert and I will get to meet the group after following them like I have it will be a blessing and I am really looking forward to what is going to happen!

The Lord has been weighing heavily on my heart about where I am going to work for him in his music ministry. I am not sure what the Lord's plan is for me but I have a feeling it is going to be big. I can tell that my Message Board family has been praying for me because it does not seem as heavy on me as it has been. Lately, I just really find comfort in God's Word. I love to read it and I love to see what the Lord is going to say to me on that particular day. He has really blessed me lately. I have been reading Acts and how Paul and Silas were going through tough times, yet, they sang praises to their Lord and the Lord took all the shackles from their feet and set them free. What a Savior We Serve. In this brave move, Paul and Silas converted the guard at the jail, as well as his entire family! It is so amazing what the Lord can do through one person. I will leave you with this. This 2008, I look forward to more posts and I am very excited to see what the Lord is going to do trough this blog. I am going to try and post more than once every week, but we will see what happens. I hope you are enjoying these glimpses into my Spiritual Life. I hope that it helps you in some way. If you do read it, leave me a comment it really helps encourage me!

In His Service,
DJ Plunk

2007-12-27T09:03:00.000-08:00

As stated once before, I said I would only blog when the Lord lays something on my heart, and what a morning this has been! I had an extreme blessing of watching the Together DVD last night for the first time. This is a project in which the Gaither Vocal Band and Ernie Haase & Signature Sound teamed up to do. It is truly a blessing and I encourage anyone to pick it up and watch it. It will make your heart swell with praise to our gracious heavenly father! This project has many amazing songs on it. It is my dream to sing with the Bill Gaither and his homecoming friends so it feels good to sit down and watch some good folks sing and live the dream. They will never know how good they have it!

But moving on. I sat down this morning with my bible and a book that I have recieved for christmas that is just 'food for thought' in my bible study. It was just wonderful. The book is called 'Then sings my soul'. It tells the story of some of our best-loved hymns and how they came about. I enjoy all of them but one of them has stuck out in my mind. In the story of the song, 'In the sweet by and by', The man who wrote that song was a pharmacist. He had a patient that was depressed alot and he came in the pharmacy and the pharmacist asked him, he said, "Son, what is wrong with you?" The man said, "I am not sure I guess I will understand it better by and by." With that the pharmacist, a known hymn-writer penned the words to the beautiful song, "In the Sweet By and By". He took it over to the man and said "Here is your prescription for today", with that the man put music to the words and the words came about. How wonderful. Our God up in heaven can take all our blues away with just a few God-Breathed words given to us at just the right points in our lives. You never know what the Lord can do through you. That is just what the loving God we serve does for us. He is so wonderful. I came away from my bible study happy with the Lord on my mind. I then got the word that a preacher in our counties' baptist association had died. He had pastored his church for 32 years. This death come as a shock because he was only in his 50s and was a precious man of god, who, in January, was planning on heading up a mission trip to Honduras to build churches. However, the Lord called him home this morning about 8:00. How wonderful it must be for him to be seeing the city that he has looked for and preached about for so long. Oh what A Savior!

I hope you all are able to enjoy the things that the Lord has laid upon my heart to talk about. If you would please leave comments. This lets me know that people are actually reading my blog. Even if you aren't I can still do this for my own personal satisfaction. :-)

In His Service,
DJ Plunk

Is any thing to hard for the lord?

2007-12-17T17:04:00.000-08:00

Hello All!
This time of year, I try to think of all the things that the Lord has done for me. He is so Gracious and precious and sometimes I wonder, "why me?", What is so special about each of us, that makes the Lord love us so? I come to realize, the reason is, is that he made each one of us in the likeness of him. He knows that we all hold the potential of rising in this world and he would get all the glory. This sunday at church, our passage of scripture was:

"Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son." Genesis 18:14

Sarah found humor in what the Lord had asked her to do. He had asked an old woman to bear a child. In the scripture we find that Sarah was in the tent and hearing God talk to Abraham. She thinks to herself and laughs and says to herself, "How can this be?" But the lord hears her and asks her, "Why did you laugh" and then he says, "Is any thing to hard for the Lord?" This statement really stands out in my mind, and it makes me think, any thing through our Lord and savior is precious. No matter how unfit we think we are, we must remember that our Lord made us in his own image. He can do great things through us! We should want him to receive the Glory and he wants us to recieve the blessing. I find great messages in Southern Gospel songs, most of the songs are truly God Breathed and I believe the words come straight from the heavenly throne above. There is a song entitled "Little is much, When God is in it" written by Kittie J. Suffeild. I may have it wrong, I am not sure. The song states:

"Does the place that you are called to labor seem so small and little known? It is great, if our GOD is in it, for he will not forsake his own.....When the conflict here is ended and our race on earth is run, He will say, if you've been faithful, "Welcome Home My Child, Well Done!" ...Little is much, when God is in it. Labor not for wealth or fame, there's a crown and you can win it, if you go, in Jesus' name!"

This song has strengthened me alot lately. I get so excited when I think about how wonderful it is going to be when we get to Heaven and we behold our savior face to face and he says, " Welcome Home my Child, Well Done!" That just makes me feel so good tonight. I hope you all get something out of this and I am looking forward to posting more as the Lord lays these thoughts on my mind.

God Bless you All,
D.J.