Asking for Special Prayer:

Just a quick note to please be in prayer for our Church, Grace Community Church in Massillon, Ohio for a special meeting this Wednesday night. I wont go into details, but this meeting is going to be extremely important..thank you all very much..God Bless..

An update:

Yes we're still here:
Just a note or two to let our friends know where we are..We are doing pretty well for the most part. Linda's still trying to get her diabetes under control..And the aches and pains in the knees and legs are still there. Ive had a bit of a problem this summer with face breaking out but some expensive cream..($68.00 a tube even with insurance) seems to be controlling it thankfully..Also am having some knee and body ache problems (I think Arthritis) the last few weeks..Been taking over the counter Ibuprofen for it and it seems to help me get through most days..

As the winter comes here in the Canton area I am grateful for a God who meets all our needs even in spite of ourselves sometimes..

Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

That he has..Thank You Lord for all you do..

Chuck Wagon Gang-Jesus Hold My hand--Random Thoughts

Hello Folks:
Again its been a couple months since we wrote anything..No excuse for it, but I want to update you all on a couple things..

Had a great time at the Massillon Baptist College Alumni Fellowship in May..Saw some old friends and made some new ones..Feels good that the College is staying with the old paths and under the leadership of Dr. Cecil Thayer of Massillon Baptist Temple, there are great days ahead for The College, entering its 36th year this fall..

My wife Linda has been doing well..The Diabetes is still an issue, but it is under control..She has had extended time off work so she has been able to rest up and also get some work done around the house..

My wife and I have a joint account on Facebook (Am working on getting her own account).. Linda and I have been able to keep in touch with many church friends, family and broadcasting acquaintances from my other blog, Cleveland Classic Media..

The reason I bring this up is that..From about 1999-2001 (roughly)I was involved in a Southern Gospel Music Chat Room Owned/Moderated by Harold Timmons, Pianist and songwriter who played piano for the Chuck Wagon Gang for several years..Over time HT as he became known among the chatters, ended up being quite busy and decided to give up the chat room. It was a great time, as I got to know a number of singers and Gospel Music Fans from all over the country..we were like a family..HT did a super job running the chatroom..In the last few days a Southern Gospel Chat reunion has started on Facebook..over 60 former chatters have signed up already and I am very excited..Great to hear from many people I have not heard from/about in years, though except for one person Ive known since the 1970's..ive never met any of them in person..

In honor of the SGM Chat reunion of Facebook, I wasnt to share, courtesy YouTube member CompuPawn, An Old Chuck Wagon Gang Favorite, Jesus Hold My Hand..




Also:Linda and I will be on Vacstion from Late Sunday July 19 to Thursday Morning July 23 at Canton Bapist Temple's Camp CHOF for their Bible Conference..First Time Ive made it there in several years..Always a good refreshing time of Teaching/Preaching and fellowship..

Early Country Gospel-Loretta Lynn/Wilburn Brothers

Just found these on YouTube..Country Music was much different in the 1960's than it is today (putting it mildly-Another subject for another blog..)..While much of the old-time country music was about truck driving, cheating, drinking, etc.A lot of the country stars were raised in, and sang in church. Many of them had at least a semblance of spirituality that made them respect the old hymns and gospel songs of their childhood and some were as well known for their gospel music as for their country songs..

One of the more popular syndicated country music shows was "The Wilburn Brothers".Starring Teddy and Doyle Wilburn and featuring a young Loretta Lynn as the "girl singer" as many of these type shows would have..The Wilburn Brothers would have a "hymn time" at about the middle of the show..singing either a current popular gospel song or an old-time hymn..There was such respect from the audience at this part of the show that they would not applaud as they would at other parts of the show, which I find interesting..

First up:Precious Memories, with guest star Del Reeves-Probably from the late 1960's




Also:I'll Fly Away-Maybe 1970-71



Something a bit different for sure..

Update:New Link-Calvary Baptist, New Philadelphia, Ohio

Hello:
Hope all our friends are doing well..Linda and I are doing fine..She is away at her sister's house for a few days for some "sibling time" Linda's sister Debby has been through a lot of personal tragedy in the last several months..Please pray for her..

Also:I want to add a new link today..If you are in the New Philadelphia-Dover Ohio area and are looking for a Church Home, I'd like to recommend highly Calvary Baptist Church, Pastored by my Friend, Dr. Donald M. Snow..He and his Wife Becky and family have been great friends for over 25 years (My how time flies)..Don and I attended Massillon Baptist College together in the early 1980's, then worked together at Friendship Baptist Church in Northeast Canton..Don and Becky are a wonderful couple that love the Lord and have raised 4 great kids..Don was an usher at my wedding and was a great help..Theyve been at Calvary over 20 years and the Lord has built up a good work through their munistry..

http://calvarybaptistnp.com/




I will be attending Massillon Baptist College's alumni Fellowship this coming Thursday/Friday May 14-15..Hope to meet some old friends..

Sheltered In The Arms Of God-The Downings

For today's Video Special I'd like to present, courtesy of adkinsda on YouTube..The Downings singing "Sheltered In The Arms of God"..This song was originally aired in the late 1960's or very early 1970's, judging by the matching green wardrobe..Featured were Ann and Paul Downing, Greg Gordon and Sue Chenault (Dodge).

This was taken from "Gospel Singing Jubilee", The Premier Southern Gospel Music Television Show from the 1960's through the 70's produced by Les Beasley and hosted by his group, The Florida Boys..I remember many a Sunday just after accepting Christ that I would Watch as much of Gospel Singing Jubilee as I could before heading to church on WTRF-TV 7 Wheeling, W. Va. I would love to see Gospel Music Television or other similar Network show these again..

Easter Blessings

Hello:
Hope everyone had a blessed Easter..With my job situation, I am rarely in Church Sundays on a regular basis..Because my place of work was closed for the Holiday today, My wife and I were able to attend church together. It was an awesome service!..The Pastor "roped" me into doing the Easter Cantata..Though we had done it before and I knew it pretty well, I felt it was unfair for me to sing when I hadnt had even one practice. I don't think I messed it up too much..LOL..

Pastor Bragg Spoke on Hebrews 7:25..Emphasising the part "He ever liveth to make intercession for us..The sermon title was.."Because He lives, We have a story to tell"..After the message, many of our members shared personal testimonies on Cardboard..without saying a word..Emphasising their own Salvation Stories..Was just a wonderful service all around..

Quick Note:The link to the Grace Community Church site has changed and has been fixed in our link list..

To close, I'd like to share the first verse of one of my favorite newer Gospel Songs:

"It's Still The Cross"

It's not conservative or liberal, However they're defined

It's not about interpretation, Or the judgment of the mind

It's the opposite of politics, Power or prestige

It's about a simple message, And whether we believe.

It's still the cross, It's still the blood of Calvary

That cleanses sin, And sets the captives free.

It's still the name, The name of Jesus,That has power to save the lost..

It's Still The Cross..

Steve Amerson I believe wrote the words and music to this song (He does sing it)..

This song was part of our cantata today..simple, yet powerful message

For all the doctrines we argue over (and doctrine is important)..Things we allow to hinder us from living for God..And things that arent important in the long run..It's Still the Cross..and beyond that, The Power of Jesus' Resurrection..which we celebrate today..God bless and have a good week..