My Country 'tis of Thee

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!

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

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!