2007
October
Cooler Weather Is Upon Us!
This time of year is definitely my favorite. I love to see the change in temperature and always enjoy the colors of fall. An interesting thought came to mind the other day and it may seem a little far fetched to some of you but in our devotions we have been talking of persistence and keeping the faith. I wanted to share with you all my interpretation of Gods grace and mercy. Just like the trees and annuals that die out yearly you always know that when the weather breaks in a few months again it will be right back where it was and sometimes fuller. A relationship with Jesus is
the same for me you may think that it is dead and gone but just a soon as you feel like it will never be the same he shows hisself and it is better than before. Without grace and mercy we would
all be bound for hell. So when things get bad and you think evreything has lost its luster, just stand strong in faith and now that Spring is on the way. Until next month, continue to be "Driven".
Jason Funderburk
http://www.drivenqt.com
The Passing of a Hero
What exactly is a hero? Is it someone you look up to as being a doer of great things? Is it someone who is successful in business? Or is it someone who saves your life?
My Granny is my hero. All through my life I never saw my Granny angry. I never heard her ridicule someone for doing wrong. My Granny was the kindest most gentle person I ever knew. She always put others needs before her own. Granny had a way of making people happy with her simple charm, her witty sense of humor and her warm smile.
As a young girl, my Granny took me to Sunday School one year during the summer. Although I was only 4 or 5 years old, those few Sunday School lessons proved to be the steering wheel that helped turned my life around some 23 years later. In July 1987 I hit rock bottom. I was strung out on drugs and wasting away to nothing. My family had given up on me, even my Mother turned her back on me. I had become an embarrassment to them all. Once I had realized what I had let myself become I began looking back on my life. That's when my mind wondered back to Granny taking me to Sunday School. The words to a song I learned that summer rang in my heart so loud that I couldn't get away from it. Jesus loves me this I know - For the Bible tells me so - Little ones to Him belong - they are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me, yes Jesus loves me, yes Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so.
July 25, 1987, I gave my heart and soul to Jesus Christ. He not only loved me and forgave me, He set me free of nearly 14 years of drug addiction and alcoholism at the mention of His name. My life has never been the same.
I lost my Granny tonight. She was 95 years young. I love her so very much. I am so grateful that she took me to Sunday School and loved me regardless of who I was... she saw all I could be.
My Granny will always be my hero as she played a very important role in my finding salvation. She helped save my life!
I will miss you...
Sharron Kay
http://www.sharronkayking.com
King’s Heralds - Oct 07
We have just released our second single to radio stations all over the country. It is on the new airplay radio disc. It's a catchy little song called "Walk The Walk." The talks about how as Christians we be doing all lot more walking and a little less taking. Oh well that's all I'm gpoing to say about it. Folks have really been enjoying it in the concerts. If you haven't heard it now is the time to call your local radio station ad request "Walk The Walk" by The King's Heralds.
As many of you know last August we went to South Africa and had a wonderful time. Well by the time many of you read this we will be on our way to south Korea to present some concerts to those wonderful folks there. We are so excited to say the least. We're not sure, but this may be the first time that many of them have heard Southern Gospel Music! Please pray for our safe travel and pray also that God will give us souls for our labor as a result of us being there.
Before we close this month, we just wanted to say thank you to all of our friends who helped to make our week ant NQC a special one. What a memorable week it was! We made so many new friends. Thank you again.
Keep us in your prayers and next month we will tell you about our trip to South Korea.
King's Heralds
http://www.theheralds.org
October 07 Reflections
I’m sorry. Let me back up. I forgot you can’t read my mind. You’d think twelve months would be plenty of time to plan for one of the neatest things I do all year…the MAGMA Convention in Farmington, MO. (That’s Mid-America Gospel Music Association for the “acronymically” challenged.) It’s a great fun-filled, yet tiring, weekend of some of the best southern gospel you’ll hear. I look forward to singing there every year, and at this writing I’m about 28 hours from stepping out onto the stage. What’s the problem then?
I have nothing to wear. Okay, guys, don’t tune me out. I saw you start to click that mouse. And don’t tell me you’ve never looked for just the right T-shirt to or your lucky hat to wear to a Braves game.
This is serious stuff. I’ve looked all over creation. I’ve walked until my hip joints are sore and my feet are throbbing. I drove an hour and a half to the state capitol to shop and found…nothing. It’s not that I’m that hard to please, I just want to feel dressed up without looking like the mother-of-the-bride. The choices are pathetic! Isn’t there some happy medium between kindergarten teacher denim and Madonna on New Year’s Eve?
Maybe I’m too narrowed minded, I thought. Maybe I should broaden my fashion horizons. I’ve tried on dozens of outfits and with every one asked the three-way mirror the same question…”Would Connie Hopper sing in this?”, and the answer so far has been a resounding NO.
I met my sister, Sheryl, for lunch and a quick “gripefest” about my dilemma, then headed back to the mall. I walked into Macy’s and asked the first salesclerk I could find, “Where are your dress-up clothes?”, to which she replied, “Right over here”, and promptly led me to a rounder of adult Halloween costumes. Stunned, I said, “Uh….not that kind of dress-up.” She blushed and apologized, then pointed me in the direction of the only “dress-up” clothes they had. There were four different dresses in varying sizes, none of which were mine. They were all in shades of orange, hideously geometric, and flirting dangerously with either kneecap or navel. I was hard-pressed to tell much difference between the Halloween costumes and the dresses, so I walked on…and on. Store after store it was the same story.
Finally, from the mall common area I spotted it. Dark teal, solid classic styling, tailored lines. Perfect. I darted in, nearly knocking over an elderly lady in my haste. Oh, yes. There it was in all its glory hanging on a rack with five others just like it….eight feet above my head. Great. How do I get it down? I walked around looking for the salesperson who had apparently fled when she saw me. There was no one to be found. I happened to spot leaning against the wall a long, metal instrument with a modified hook on the end of it. Aha! Feeling a bit like Moses, I picked up the rod and walked back to the display. I began to try to wedge the hook under the loop of the plastic hangers to lift them up, swing them out, and lower them down to my level. I nabbed three dresses, but that proved to be too many for the hook to handle. So I lowered them back down, wiggled the hook out from under them and started over. Let’s try it one at a time.
By now I was starting to attract some attention and I could hear the snickers of passersby, but I had come this far and was determined to press on. One by one, I reached, hooked, swung, and lowered each dress only to discover that not one of them was my size. The whole thing was so gameshow-esque. I desperately wanted to hear, “Tell her what she’s won, Johnny”, but all I got was the mournful “WAH-wah” of the “you lose” buzzer and the accompanying “Awwww” from the audience. Not even a consolation prize except for a sore shoulder and a crick in my neck.
I was beginning to feel like there was some evil conspiracy. There was every style but what I wanted and every size but what I needed. What about that upscale resale shop? Maybe some sinfully rich lady has worn the very outfit I need one time and cast it off. Probably not. Wait. Maybe I’ve got something I can recycle. What about that blue outfit? No, needs to go to the dry cleaners. What about the red? Same thing. Ooooh, my purple might work….except it’s ripped and needs to go to the dry cleaners.
Help!! I’m desperate. Hold it. Maybe I could have something made. Sharon is a great seamstress and she made my wedding dress. Am I insane? I sing tomorrow!! Besides that was ten years ago, she’s retired, and probably wouldn’t do it even if she did remember me. Not an option. What if I borrowed that green jacquard suit from my best friend? No, she’s 5’8”. Why does she have to be so tall? Sheryl has a lot of neat clothes. Maybe I could borrow something from her. Right. I could maybe get my left leg into it up to the knee.
What am I going to do?
You know, through this whole ordeal I got to thinking about another garment people put off acquiring. It’s one that can’t be made with hands or borrowed from a friend. Your sister’s won’t fit and you can’t recycle an old one. Just because your mother had one doesn’t mean it covers you. This garment is easy to obtain. You can’t work for it or win it. It’s made just for you and best of all, it’s free! It’s your robe of righteousness.
By the time you read this I will have made some decision about what to wear and will have already stepped out onto the stage. I may again struggle with the clothing issue down here, but there’s one garment I’ve already made plans for. Don’t put off getting yours. And who doesn’t look good in white?
Fall is Full of Activities
It was Penny's first time to step on the NQC stage. She said she nervous to the point of hives, but her professionalism took over and it was undetectable. (except for the occasional scratching...just kidding Penny!) She did exceptionally good and I am so proud of the team.
As to be expected, Julie and Stan did equally as good, also. Throughout the week everyone pitched in to 'man' the tables, making the job a piece of cake. I might make mention that Julie swings a powerful bat when playing softball! It was reported that she hit a line drive down third base line and her little legs were a blur as she made her way speedily around the bases. Penny held back...so she says...but promises next year to let 'er rip!
Shaye flew in Saturday morning so she could join us on stage Saturday evening. She did a marvelous job, as usual, on 'I Will Meet You In The Morning'. Folks all over the the auditorium stood applauding her stirring performance. I asked her to stay on stage to share verses and choruses with Penny on 'Heaven's Really Gonna Shine'. They both did great and the crowd applauded their approval.
Our new CD is finished and was unveiled at the NQC. So far the reports that have come in are complimentary of the third generation Chuck Wagon Gang's recording of 'Remembering the Old Songs'. The DVD, titled 'Reminiscing', is due out the first of November. We put several songs from our current CDs on this recording, one you will be certain to enjoy. It will Penny's first DVD with the Gang.
As we move into October, we look forward to coming to your areas. You can always check on current information on our discussion board by going to: http://www.chuckwagongangblog.com. Harold Timmons is running our Nashville office and doing a fine job. If you have questions about the current or former CWG groups, our products, and future plans, he will be happy to answer them. You can call him at 888-319- 1021.
Dave
A Biblical Perspective
"...we must be about the Father's business.
As a former Pastor, I often preached on the subject of forgiveness. Not only is forgiveness the essential element of our reconciliation to God from a life of sinfulness, but it is at the very core of every earthly relationship in which we find ourselves. Whether parental, marital, or mere friendship, every one of us will be called upon to forgive another person who has violated our rights or wounded us in some way.
Humanly, it can become very difficult to forgive. Our emotions usually run a gauntlet of pain and hurt, to anger, and ultimately to vindictiveness. Vindictiveness is the attitude that becomes so destructive in our lives. The 'get even spirit' will zap us of emotional, physical, and even spiritual strength. Our normal justification to this disposition is that nobody knows or feels what we have experienced. But...there is One who has.
To be hurt and to feel pain, and even anger, is not a sin. It is what we do with those feelings that determine whether or not we are going to depart from God's remedy for enduring affliction and persecution or whether we are going to embrace it. Forgiveness of a wrongful deed inflicted upon us, or upon someone we love, doesn't condone or validate the deed. Forgiveness goes beyond the deed, to the heart of the issue, which is to forgive the person rather than merely the act of the trespass against us. The best example of this is Jesus' own words as the soldiers were nailing him to the cross. "Father", he prayed, "forgive them for they know not what they do!" He wasn't addressing the deed only, but rather his own desire to forgive the doers of the deed regardless of what the deed was. When we are hurt by someone, often they have no idea how deeply we are hurt. But...there is Someone who does.
Another way to look at this is to understand the Lord's Prayer. We pray 'forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive others their trespasses.' The emphasis is on receiving forgiveness for ourselves as we offer forgiveness for the other person. It is not so much on what our trespasses are or what their's are, but that we receive as we give to others the gift of forgiveness.
Now the radical truth we must understand from God's Word in Matthew 6:14, 15 is that for us to be forgiven by God for our trespasses, we MUST forgive others their trespasses. It isn't a 'suggestion' or even and offered as 'optional'. It is unequivocally a requirement. Firstly, God knows that our lives would be wrapped up in the bondage grudges, anger, and vindictiveness and that it would be impossible for the Holy Spirit to function in our lives. Secondly, all of the traits that unforgiveness gives us are carnal and sinful. They are not subject to the law of love as found in 1st Corinthians 13.
The beauty of forgiveness is that as we are restored to fellowship with Jesus through His forgiveness of our sins that nailed him to the cross, so can we be restored to fellowship with those in our lives who have brought us pain and sorrow. If you are struggling with unforgiveness, ask God to give you grace and strength to forgive. The result will be an everlasting peace that passes understanding. It doesn't come easy, and it may take time and determination. But, I want to tell you from personal experience, it is worth it! Remember, there is Someone who has walked where you walk, and if you will follow His path, you find the remedy that He so freely offers...forgiveness, grace and peace.
The Upcoming CWG Reunion...
Moves to Pigeon Forge!
The Chuck Wagon Gang is pleased to announce plans for our Second Annual Reunion Concert to take place at the Music Road Inn Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, TN on Saturday, April 12th at 6:00 PM. Former members will again be invited to participate in this year's event.
TICKET INFORMATION:
RESERVED SEATS - $20.00 - We have a limited number of numbered reserved seats which are closer and more center. These are available on a first come, first served basis, and are not expected to last long.
GENERAL ADMISSION - $15.00 - GENERAL ADMISSION - Overall general admission - sit where you like in the larger general admission area
CHILDREN - Free through age 12 - general admission only.
YOUTH - $5.00 Ages 13 through 18 - general admission only.
TO ORDER TICKETS: Tickets are currently available through the Nashville office. You may call me at 615- 885-8000; if there is no answer leave a message on 888-319-1021. You may also fax orders to 615-316- 0990. Tickets are now available and will be mailed to you. Tickets ordered after 10 days prior to the program will not be mailed, but will be held as a "will call" at the door. All ticket orders will be processed in the order received.
The Music Road Inn and Convention Center is located right off the parkway at 314 Henderson Chapel Rd. in Pigeon Forge, TN right behind the Smith Family Theater. We have reserved a block of 70 rooms at the hotel for this event, but only for the night of the event. The rate for a standard room with two queen sized beds is $99 plus 11.75% tax. If you wish to make a reservation, call 1-800-429-7700. You must mention "Chuck Wagon Gang Reunion" / Music Road Inn for April 12th in order to get the discounted rate. Guests will be issued a parking pass to place on their car at the hotel. Please note that the hotel does not have a restaurant, but there are many eating places nearby.
Other motels are in the area, including the Holiday Inn, which is the closest. The convention center has limited parking space, and urges all guests not staying at the Music Road Inn to ride the shuttle to and from the convention center.
The New Album, "Remembering the Old Songs" is here!!
Our new CD, "Remembering the Old Songs" is available in the CWG online store. I believe you will enjoy the songs on the new album. As usual, we selected some formerly recorded 'Chuck' songs to re- issue as recorded by the 3rd generation Gang. We also, recorded for the first time, some of the old songs by authors like Albert E. Brumley that you are sure to enjoy. If you like "There's a Little Pine Log Cabin", you can thank Ronnie Page who has requested for the last couple of years that the song be recorded . To order the new CD, simply click on the album cover.
The songs on the album include: I'm Gonna See Heaven | I'll Meet You By The River | I've Been With Jesus | The Old Country Church | There's A Little Pine Log Cabin | I Want To See My Jesus | Did You Ever Go Sailin'? | Suppertime I Can Hear Them Singing Over There | When We Get To The Gloryland
I will let you know just as soon as the new DVD, "Reminiscing" is available.
We continue to carry and you can order a variety of DVDs, namely, 'Clinging to a Saving Hand' , and 'Wagon Tracks', both recorded live in Pigeon Forge, TN as well as 'Live in Branson', 'The Farewell Tour' and now 'Live at the Grand Ole Gospel, Chocowinity, NC'. Be sure and check out the Original Gang recordings we have, like 'Looking for a City'. and 'I'll Fly Away'.
To order any of our products, including the new "Remembering the Old Songs" and "I Have A Prayer", simply click on the CWG Online Store link which will take you to our online store. If you don't want to use a credit card, you can always mail a check to P.O. Box 1459, Pigeon Forge, TN 37868 or call 888- 319-1021 and Harold Timmons will help you.
The CWG Road Schedule
October and November 2007 Schedule
There are always some changes, so be sure and check the schedule online.
October 2007
October 6, 2007 Greenwood, DE 302-398-6106
October 7, 2007 Sam Yoder Farm - 10:00 AM Greenwood, DE 302-398-6106
October 9, 2007 Waycross Memorial Stadium - 11:00 AM Satilla REMC, Alma GA 912-632-3423
October 12, 2007 Lincoln Jamboree - 7:00 PM Hodgenville, KY
October 13, 2007 Morningside Baptist Church - 7:00 PM 2202 Chestnut Ave, Morristown, TN 423-587- 4901
October 14, 2007 Eastern Mennonite High School - 2:30 PM Harrisonburg, VA
October 19, 2007 Inspiration Park - 11:00 AM Bryson City, NC
October 20, 2007 Renfro Valley - 7 PM and 9:15 PM US HWY 25, Refro Valley, KY 800-765-7464
October 21, 2007 GA Mountain Fairgrounds - 2:00 PM Anderson Music Hall, Hiawassee, GA 706-896- 4191
October 25, 2007 Wesley Memorial Methodist Church - 7:00 PM Live Oak & 17th St, DeFuniak Springs, FL 850-859-2366
October 26, 2007 Dixieland Music Park - 7:30 PM 17500 US Hwy 301 NE, Waldo, FL (941) 756-6942
October 28, 2007 Bill's Music Shop and Picking Parlor - 2:30 PM West Columbia, SC 29169
November 2007
November 1, 2007 Murray Marketplace - 6:30 PM Shirley, IN 765-738-6978
November 2, 2007 Bluegate Restaurant - 7:00 PM Shipshewana, IN 888-447-4725
November 3, 2007 Bluegate Restaurant - 7:00 PM Shipshewana, IN 888-447-4725
November 4, 2007 Hills Chapel - 2:00 PM Otway, Ohio 678-895-4386
November 9, 2007 Yoder's Restaurant - 6:30 PM New Holland, PA
November 15, 2007 Church is First Baptist Church - 6:30 PM Hwy 15, Mathiston, MS 800-327- 8158
November 16, 2007 New Life in Christ Church - 7:00 PM Foley, AL 251-949-7771
November 17, 2007 Flomaton H. S. Auditorium - 6:00 PM Flomaton, AL 251-296-3783
November 30, 2007 Collins Theater - 7:00 PM Paragould, AR 870-236-7169
Thank you so much for all your prayers and thoughts. They don't go unnoticed as we see God's Hand on us continually. It is our prayer that God blesses you and keeps each of you till we meet again. We welcome your comments and emails.
Chuck Wagon Gang
http://www.chuckwagongang.net
It’s A Good Thing We Can Sing
I started singing with my family at six years old. Nearly every weekend of my life, we were somewhere singing and I was loving every minute of it. I remember in 1979, The Blackwood Brothers did a concert in the school gym where I would eventually graduate and that was when my perception of the whole music scene changed. We got to open for them that night and it was the coolest thing I'd done up to that point. I don't know if it was the nice tour bus or all the bling that Cecil Blackwood had on, but I realized that night that there was a way to make a living from singing. That night was like a shot in the arm and we really started getting serious about singing. We started working at getting better vocally and musically and really started learning the business side of the music business. Long story short, I began working and preparing for what I knew I would do the rest of my life. Several years later, I was 17, about to graduate from high school and my dad asked me what colleges I was looking at. I'll never forget, I said, "College? Dad I've prepared all my life to sing for a living. This is what I'm going to do"! He told me that I might want to learn a trade to fall back on in case the music thing didn't work out. I told him that if I planned to fall back, I'd fall back. Well, let me tell you that during the times in my life when the music thing wasn't working, I've had to do work that was equivilent to digging a long, deep ditch with a spoon, so trust me, I've had to work hard to support this music thing. During those times, my dad's words would echo in my ears, but I was determined to make the music work.
I've said all of this to let you know one thing. If your car ever breaks down, don't call me. If you need a roof put on your house, don't call me. If your plumbing starts leaking and you are ankle deep in sewage, don't call me. I can't help you. If you don't believe me, ask my wife and she'll tell you exactly what she tells me after I break what I'm trying to fix; "It's a good thing he can sing". Why am I telling you about how useless I am when it comes to do it yourself projects around the house? Because I know I travel with a bunch of guys who are just like me. Not one of us are mechanically inclined. If something starts to go wrong with the bus, do you know which one of us knows the most about it? Our 16 year old drummer, Jordan. How sad is that?
Now, I don't want to discourage anyone out there that is dreaming of singing, but here's the deal; when you sing for a living, you are normally home a little more than you're gone. If you don't want to be frustrated the rest of your life because you can't put together your kids "some assembly required" toys and they think Santa must not be that nice of a guy because they heard him in the garage banging things around at 2:00 AM on Christmas Eve, don't put all your eggs in one career basket. Sing 'til your heart's content, but learn to do something else that won't make your wife say, "It's a good thing he can sing".
David Staton
LeFevre Quartet
http://www.lefevrequartet.com
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