The Joy Of Knowing Jesus

Last night, I printed the lyrics to a song that seems to sum up how my life has gone in many ways.

While doing so, I pointed out that it was not the song that defines my life the most, but that a Neil Enloe classic did that...and quite nicely, thank you.

So tonight, in the interests of equal time, and with the hope that these lyrics will bless you as they've blessed me for over 30 years, I present the following for your perusal.

Here are the lyrics to Neil Enloe's "The Joy Of Knowing Jesus"(hope it's OK to do this, Neil...). Those who know me will know why this song mirrors what's inside my heart and soul.

All the angels rejoiced when my soul made the choice
To kneel down in prayer and find Jesus there.
Then my name was inscribed in the Lamb's Book of Life
And since that day I've been in His care.

(Chorus)
Oh, the joy of knowing Jesus
And to walk in His love divine
When in death I must cross over Jordan's banks
I shall cross with His hand in mine.

As the spirit now pleads, take account of your deeds
Can you really say you are happy today?
If this Savior you'll find, you will have peace of mind
For Jesus bore all our sins that day.(repeat chorus)

I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times

I'm sure that if each of us sits down and really thinks about it, we can think of a song(or two, or three, or more)that truly sums up what we're all about personally.

In my case, the very first song that leaps to my mind is Neil Enloe's "The Joy Of Knowing Jesus", a song that I essentially adopted as my anthem in October 1975, when I chose to allow Jesus Christ to be the Lord and Savior of my life, That song sums up what I'm about as well as any song does.

But there are songs of a more secular nature that can define us as well. And in my case, I often hark back to this one...a song written in 1966 by Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys and lyricist Tony Asher, one that appeared on the Beach Boys' groundbreaking "Pet Sounds" album.

Even though I've long ago adopted the joy of knowing Jesus, this following song still describes the way I feel often down deep inside myself.

It is called "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times", and I'll share the lyrics of it here.

I Just Wasn't Made For These Times(Beach Boys)


(Brian Wilson/Tony Asher)
I keep looking for a place to fit
Where I can speak my mind
I've been trying hard to find the people
That I won't leave behind

They say I got brains
But they ain't doing me no good
I wish they could

Each time things start to happen again
I think I got something good goin' for myself
But what goes wrong

Sometimes I feel very sad
Sometimes I feel very sad
(Can't find nothin' I can put my heart and soul into)
Sometimes I feel very sad
(Can't find nothin' I can put my heart and soul into)

I guess I just wasn't made for these times

Every time I get the inspiration
To go change things around
No one wants to help me look for places
Where new things might be found

Where can I turn when my fair weather friends cop out
What's it all about

Each time things start to happen again
I think I got something good goin' for myself
But what goes wrong

Sometimes I feel very sad
Sometimes I feel very sad
(Can't find nothin' I can put my heart and soul into)
Sometimes I feel very sad
(Can't find nothin' I can put my heart and soul into)

I guess I just wasn't made for these times
I guess I just wasn't made for these times
I guess I just wasn't made for these times
I guess I just wasn't made for these times
I guess I just wasn't made for these times
I guess I just wasn't made for these times

The last line of the song IS repeated over and over in the Beach Boys' recording of the song.

Even though I often wonder why I'm here now on this earth, it's because of that joy of knowing Jesus I have that allows me to rejoice in the fact that I'm here now...and alive and well.

Any of you have songs that just really hit home like that?

I Have Returned

It's good to be back home.

Home? Where did you go?, you might ask me.

For the past three months or so, I'd been chasing a dream...a rather elusive one, as it were.

Along the way, I was able to touch the life of someone in a very positive way...and in the process, I learned a lot about myself...how far I'd come in some ways, and how far I needed to go in others. I came oh, so close to fulfilling that precious dream.

Then, as happens so often to so many, it seemed to vanish suddenly into thin air...and I was left alone, shaken, and demoralized....without my dream, and seemingly without anything else that meant anything to me.

Of course, that wasn't the case...I still had everything I cherished most in life...my friends, my health, my job, my music, and most of all, my Lord...who showed me His love in this case by allowing me to freefall, so I'd come home to Him, where He knew I beloinged.

And as in many times like this in the past, He gradually restored things to my life that I had temporarily forsaken, yet He knew meant the world to me. One by one, the above mentioned things resumed their places in my life.

My friends comforted me as they always had...then I reached back into my considerable collection of gospel music, and heard songs I'd heard many times before, yet the inspired lyrics spoke to me in whole new ways...and they reminded me of my own worth to God, and my own place in His kingdom, which was never threatened in the least during the pursuit of my elusive dream.

I've written here before of the power that music has in the life of a person, and I felt that power anew in my life...just when I needed it.

Then my good friend Daniel Mount told me about a review he had done of the newest recording by the Couriers(the current ones, not the classic ones)...it was a good review of a good album by a good group of dedicated servants, and as Daniel hoped, it cheered me considerably.

Tonight, my good friend Cliff Cerce called me to update me on how he was, and how his fine family group was doing..he eagerly shared sound clips of them with me, and in so doing, reminded me how pure, spontaneous gospel music could stir and thrill the soul like nothing else. Cliff's fellowship has brought me a lot of joy during the past two or three years, and it did once again tonight.

That again inspired me to listen anew to more songs that have given me inspiration and strength over the years, and I felt the power of the words and music combining to communicate that special message I never get tired of hearing.

So I'm on my way back to what I know best...I've not given up on my elusive dream, but I think I know that once again, I must wait for the right time for it to be fulfilled.

I'll be around here more often, talking about this music that has done so much to bless and shape my life.

Have you been where I was? Are you still there now? I hope that this little reflection inspires you to bring it back home...and embrace anew what has always been nearest and dearest for you, too.

And maybe...you'll see that elusive dream of yours come true!

See you back here real soon.

For those who care

I am continually amazed at how God works in the lives of those who believe in and trust in Him.

Last night, I dashed off a quick post here just to reassure those who stop by here on a regular or semi-regular basis that despite my lack of of activity of late here that I am alive and reasonably healthy.

I just have not had that much to say lately because my attention has been diverted in so many directions...and I've always said that my blogging philosophy is that unless I feel I have something interesting to say, I will just keep my keys shut, and not say anything.

I was stunned that two readers actually cared enough to post on last night's throwaway entry. So I want to acknowledge and thank them today.

Mike, I'm glad you care. And knowing you, and the fact that we have some dear mutual friends, I'm not surprised that you would weigh in here. Thanks for showing your friendship. And you know what, today IS a day of joy for me....as is every day. Let me explain that.

I occasionally listen to sports talk radio...and the Sporting News network has a remarkable late night show...hosted by a man named David Stein. Unlike most sports shows that just kick around the same old tired takes about this athlete and that one, and why certain things should or shouldn't happen, Stein comes from a different direction.

He calls his show a "celebration of life through sports"...and he focuses on how our lives are enhanced by being sports fans. His intent is to, in his words, "get us off the bench and into the game"...it is a most refreshing concept, and were I still doing a regular talk show, I would want to do the same type of show.

Stein requires all his callers to open their conversations by sharing a good thing in their lives at that moment. It flabbergasts some callers who just want to vent about why Barry Bonds' home run chase is tainted, but....oh, well....Do we really need to hear from the 1,000,001st person who thinks Bonds is a "cheater", or do we want to hear about what's good in someone's life?

I don't know about you, but I prefer the latter...it's healthier for me.

Anyway, my point is bringing up Stein's show is that I heard a caller last night say that he wasn't really sure what the one good thing in his life was at that moment, but instead, he just said "it's all good". Why? Well, in his words, he had a job, which is more than some people I know have, he had an erratic car that got him from Point A to Point B, he was in good health, and he had a roof over his head, and a place he could sleep at night(also more than some people I know). He reasoned since he had all that, and some others didn't, that he was relatively blessed, which gave him joy. He credited Stein's show with showing him which way to look at his circumstances.

And that's how I feel, too. I don't have much, but I have all the things that that man has, and if he can be joyful, what's my excuse?

Besides, I also have the #1 source in the universe for ultimate joy, so there is NO reason for me to mope, complain, or fret.

Just for the record, I'm just now coming out of a situation where someone I put a great deal of time and energy(not to mention prayer and fellowship)decided that I'm no longer needed for the time being in their life. And yeah, that hurts...and yeah, that story's not over yet...there may be more being written even as I type...but would I want to trade places with that person? NO. As far as I'm concerned, I'm not the loser in that exchange. Because of Jesus, I'm the winner! And since I already have all I need(and plenty of good friends to share it with), I can declare my life a joy! So Mike, not to worry...this day(and every day I awaken)brings me joy!

And Sally(who's always brought me joy), thanks for the "welcome"...LOL! I know Sally cares, she has always shown care and concern for people ever since I first encountered her on the SGN message boards...her life has always been about caring for others, and I'm heartened that I'm included in that august group!:-)

To Mike and Sally(and the rest of my readers and friends), thanks for choosing to remain in my life...you all are big reasons why I'm able to retain my joy...in the face of demoralizing situations. And I know I'll always have all of you...no matter what. Too bad that some others cannot show the same kind of fidelity and devotion. In light of that, who is more blessed?

Oh...and thank you, David Stein, for your humble but worthwhile radio offering. What you do is one reason why I always wanted to be in radio...because you never know when you can be that diffference for someone to show them where to find the joy they should have in their lives.

To quote Buford Abner, "I've got it...you can have it. If you want it, you can get it..."

I may not always have everything I want, but I'll always have a song.

A special request

OK, this is the last of my personal postings for a while.

I plan on next addressing a topic that Paul Jackson of the reformed Prophets Quartet brought up on his new blog...I've addressed it elsewhere fairly comprehensively, but because Paul asked, I'll address it once more....next time.

This time, though, I'm compelled to ask a special favor of my regular readers for someone very dear and special to me.

I mentioned in my last entry that my birthday was Wednesday...and a person who has arrived on the scene quite recently made it one of my most memorable birthdays ever.

I hope you won't mind if I don't reveal her name at this time...I'm sure you'll ALL know it soon enough!:-) But for now, I want to keep her anonymous for her benefit...she needs her time and space right now.

She is going through a very crucial time in her life right now...she is making major changes in her life, all in obedience to God. Neither of us know what the future holds, but we both know very well Who holds the future, and we're both trusting that the Keeper of that future will see her way clear, as He always has and does.

She is heartened to know that I have so many good friends who read this blog, and that those friends are such stalwart prayer warriors. I ask that you pray for her to stay faithful and obedient...and that she will come out of this time stronger in Christ than ever!

I thank you all for your support, and on her behalf, I thank you for her as well.

I will keep you all apprised on the coming victory, and I thank you once more for indulging me for this request.

Birthday wishes to two special people

No, I'm not one of them.

My birthday was Wednesday, it's true, but I don't feel particularly special in that particular regard.

I want to celebrate the birthdays of two very important people to me...one, a very longtime friend, and a key person in the development of my life, and the other a relatively new friend...who is special to me in ways he probably doesn't even realize.

The old friend is one Bruce Baloian, erstwhile personnel director for the Fresno/Madera Youth For Christ branch in the 1970s(when it was one of the nation's leading such branches), and for the past 25 years or so, a professor at Azusa Pacific University in Southern California. I met Bruce one summer day in 1975, a high school kid hurting for acceptance and meaning in his life, and despite being a relatively smart kid, I had no clue how to find the acceptance and meaning I so dearly craved.

Bruce worked in tandem with three or four other YFC staff members, spending time with me and discussing how important it was to have a proper relationship with Jesus Christ in life to achieve that contentment and meaning I was seeking. It's too bad that nowadays, too many kids that age don't have anyone like that they can call at all kinds of times of day or night, and find a friend that cares enough about them to tell them the truth about themselves, and what they need.

Bruce told me the truth, all right...constantly! Although it appeared that I could hold my own intellectually against his well thought out and careful reasoning about why Jesus Christ was so important, I realized one truth I could not argue against, or contradict.

Bruce and his young wife Karin were happy, pleasant, friendly, and building a family. I was none of those things, and they were everything I wanted to be. If my intellct was so great, why was I so envious of them and what they had?

To make a long story short, eventually, on the evening of October 19, 1975, I realized what I had to do to make my dreams of contentment and purpose come true...I had to get right with Jesus Christ. So, at 8:33 that evening, I did...and I've never looked back.

Am I happy? Well, pretty much...things could be better, but they're getting there! At least I know how to do what I need to do to get what I need! Am I content? Absolutely. There is NO better way to live than to be a willing disciple of Jesus Christ...and I joy in that contenment.

So thanks Bruce, for pointing the way. And now, almost 32 years later, Bruce is still one of my main role models. Whenever I have a major decision to make, I consult a select circle of people...and Bruce is always one of them. His wisdom is deep, and he backs up what he says in his own life and ways.

So, since May 18th is Bruce's birthday, I wanted to take the time to honor him here, in my humble corner of the web. Happy birthday, Bruce.

The other person I wanted to point out here is not only one of my newest friends, he reads this blog(at least I hope he still comes this way despite my silence here of late!)!

I've known of him for almost a year, but I did not meet him in person until the Great Western Southern Gospel Fan Festival held in Fresno last month. He is a singer with probably my favorite current quartet, the Liberty Quartet of Boise, Idaho...easily the outstanding gospel group in the Western United States at present, IMHO!

Those who have read previous entries of mine here where I have mentioned the Liberty Quartet will know why it is I admire them so much...it's in part because of their outstanding musical abilities,.particularly those of their manager and (outstanding)bass singer, Royce Mitchell(himself a good friend of mine now).

But more than that, each member of the quartet has a heart for Christ and their mission, and for each and every fan of theirs that passes by their record table, or writes them a letter, or with whomever they're in contact with for ANY reason. In that sense, they remind me of the old Couriers(also good personal friends of mine)...they sing well, they sing the truth, and they back up what they sing with committed lives.

And if I'm not mistaken(which I am on some occasions!), today, May 18th, is the birthday of their outstaniding and gracious young tenor, Keith Waggoner...who is one person I would point any young aspiring gospel singer to as a role model for how to be a truly successful gospel singer.

Keith is an outstanding man, and one whom I am proud to call "friend" although I have only known him for a relatively short time. Keith, take a happy birthday bow!:-)

One name I cannot omit in all this birthday celebration is Kat McVay of Salinas, someone I met as a result of fellowship on the southern gospel message boards, and is a true, dear friend who also means a great deal to me...Kat, if you're reading this, happy birthday to you! I haven't forgotten you!:-)

Anyway, just thought I'de celebrate some worthy people in my life on their special day! They all deserve it, and help make me what I am today in their own individual ways.

Life goes on

All right, no more cryptic personal posts.

I'm not sure what I DO want to say today, but I do want to clear up some things.

First of all, I'm OK. Nothing has happened to me that has caused me to abandon this blog, other than life situations that have demanded my attention. I fully intend to continue making observations here about life, southern gospel music, and other things that interest me in general. As I've said on previous occasions, when I'm silent for periods of time, it's not because something's wrong necessarily...it's because I don't feel I have anything to say that people would want to read.

To Daniel Mount, I assure you that once I do, this will be the first place I go to say it!

Speaking of Daniel, he has done yeoman work in revamping his blog to make it more attractive to the eye, and more appealing to the inquiring gospel music mind....I applaud this, for Daniel is one of the more ambitious and committed observers of gospel music online going today...and if you love gospel music, his blog is always worth reading.

Oh, and one more thing before I go for today...

One of the items I alluded to in my previous post about being at the "crossroads" is actually a very exciting development in my personal life...and I can hardly wait to share it with the world at large. Some of those who check this space out regularly know what I'm referring to...but as for the rest of you, I can't comment on that further until more develops that I can share. I trust that you all will understand that.

For now, though, I have nothing else to add today...other than I thank all of you who check out this space on my little corner of the web out for coming back...and I hope and pray you'll continue to do so. You KNOW I can't stay quiet indefinitely!

I appreciate and value you all.

At the crossroads

Hi!

Yes, I'm still here...rumors of my passing are not only unfounded, they are greatly exaggerated!:-)

Ever have those times in your life where you seem to be standing at an intersection of two roads, one leading to a place of absolute joy and delight, and the other leading to a similar sort of locale, but one you KNOW is filled with unpleasant detours and obstacles along the way? But still you know that it's a road you must navigate, because there's no other way you'll get to your intended destination lest you travel down that road.

That's where I am, so to speak, at this point in life. At that fork in the road...and I'm simultaneously looking forward to the trip down each one, yet dreading the aforementioned detours along the latter, because they are painful detours I've encountered far too often of late. But still I know I must go...because the joy I know I'll find at the end of that particular road is something I've needed to have for a long time.

And it's not that I have to choose between the two roads...I can go down each simultaneously, and nothing different will happen if I do. I just know that the one that I know has the unpleasant detours is one I HAVE to travel, whether I like it or not! The other undoubtedly has obstacles of its' own, but I don't know what kind or how many. All I know about that one is that it leads to a place I've wanted to be in for a long time....and it's worth whatever I happen to encounter on the way.

It's just that I have to prepare myself in order to go down either one...so I have to exercise care and caution for each journey...lest I not be ready if and when I encounter the obstacles that will be there along each road.

So I've got an interesting pair of trips ahead of me.

And isn't that how life is? You can't just sit around and let it go by. For it to mean anything, you've got to get up and GO somewhere at some point.

Confused? That makes(at least)two of us! I'll know more once I get going down either road...and who knows, I may publish a bit of a travelogue here...so even if you're not along for either ride, you get to see my boring travel movies(though I doubt they will be that boring at all!)in this humble corner of the Web.

Stay tuned!

The Sound of Music

I guess I just love music...period!

As the Great Western Southern Gospel Fan Festival draws near(starting Thursday in Fresno and going through Saturday), things have been rather hectic in my little corner of the world.

I have a colleague at work who knows my tastes in music(being ex-DJs, we both like to discuss music at work), and lately, he has taken to downloading random collections of songs from the internet for me to listen to(recreationally, of course!)...I'm not sure about all the legalities of it, but since I have no intention of selling the CDs he makes for me, I can't imagine there is much of a problem in letting him do that for me.

Ho it usually happens is that he'll ask me what songs I would like to have on CD(most of my music collection is STILL on vinyl), and I submit a "request list" to him, and he takes it from there!

Today he outdid himself...he found 26 songs that I'd been longing to hear again for some time...and he gave me the CD he made me after I recorded our gospel music show for this Sunday.

I don't often hear a lot of my favorite songs on the radio...most stations that play music resort to the research findings of the industry's leading consuiltants...which is one reason why so many music radio stations play the very same songs...over...and over...and over again.

Now I do the very same things with my own recordings...one important difference is, I'm not programming for a target demographic made up of many different people...I'm playing it for me, and me alone! So I can play what I want...so there!:-)

And because I like what I play for myself, I'm not concerned whatsoever with tuneout...that never happens on my record or CD player!

Now, I'll bet some of you are asking, "John, you mean YOU...an unabashed gospel quartet addict, enjoy SECULAR music?"

I confess...yes, I do...some of it, anyway. Granted, mostly I listen to the gospel music I like most, because it speaks the loudest to my heart and soul, but just as no one can eat the same meal every single time they eat, I HAVE to listen to something else...sometime!:-)

So, what kind of secular music do I like, you'll logically ask?

Well, those who know me reasonably well know that a HUGE portion of my childhood was spent listening to the radio. That's what fueled my desire to be on the radio...which I am today, after nearly 23 years.

That being the case, in so doing, I got a major appetite of the popular music of my childhood years listening to the radio. And since I grew up in the birthplace of the famous Boss Radio Top 40 format of the radio consultant Bill Drake, Boss Radio was as much a part of my growing up as the cottonfields and vineyards of our family farm outside Fresno.

It was the enthusiasm and joy of the Boss jocks that got me started in wanting to be on the radio...what a fun, important job...playing the top records of the day as well as bringing people the news and weather and other things that helped them live their lives better! When I was 6 or 7 years of age, I knew that was the life for me!

And the music on the radio back then helped me enjoy my childhood...from kicking back after school and just having fun listening to fun songs to even accompanying me when I did chores around the house...the radio, and the ballgames it carried, and that music, was the soundtrack of my growing up!

Gospel music came along when I was around 9 or so, when my tastes began to broaden and I learned how to appreciate different kinds of music for what they were. (THERE's something that needs to be a bigger part of our school curricula...but that's another blog entry for another day!)

Thus, everything I heard on the radio in those days became stamped into my consciouness for life! And like many of you now...while sometimes I can't remember what I'm supposed to do that afternoon at 3:30...I can automatically remember the lyrics of the most offbeat songs I heard long ago!

And I remember the songs not just because I liked them...since the radio was almost always on when I did anythign at all back then, I tend to associate certain songs with certain highlights of my life...I have various sub-genres of songs that I organize by experience, e.g., "school" songs, "radio" songs, "work" songs, and even "dating" songs(yes, I've dated...not a lot, but I did! lol)!

And the CDs my colleague makes for me are organized roughly along those lines. They would make fascinating compilations for those interested in categorizing everything musically.

Most of you who read this or know me fairly well know my tastes in gospel music. The entries in my blog reflect those tastes faithfully.

A caveat...I freely admit that my tastes in music are not "mainstream" in the least! While varied in terms of style(I like all styles from classical to early country music, and most everything in between!), I tend to like songs for my own reasons, and NOT because lots of other people like them! In this sense, my secular tastes are not unlike my gospel tastes.

What makes me like a song or a recording? Usually, it's the music...a melody, a hook, or a strong lyric...sometimes it's because of the creative impression it leaves on me! With a gospel song or group, it's my impression of the quality of the material, and the purpose of the artist! And with secular music, it's much the same...although with my relatively idiosyncratic tastes, that can lead to a bewildering variety of the material.

If anyone were to listen to the CD I got today, they would probably scratch their heads in wonderment about how all those songs tied in together...but then, since it's just for me, no one has to know but me!:-)

Needless to say, not all the songs are big hits! Some are...but others are just songs you know and would remember if you heard them anew, and some are delightfully(and yes, deservedly)obscure! But the bottom line is, it brings me joy to listen to them!

And honestly, isn't that what music is supposed to be all about? Not endlessly analyzing or dissecting, but just enjoying...because it brings sunshine and smiles into one's life?:-)

I'll spare you the titles....some of you might not believe I'd like that stuff anyway, and if you'd really like to know, you can guess...or just ask me!

But I got a big smile today from getting that CD!

And no doubt I'll get even more when I'm at the GWSGFF this weekend...I'll tell you all about that in the coming days!

Because it works!

Why am I a Christian?

Well, there are lots of reasons...but I suppose none is more pertinent to my life situation than the fact that apart from the love and grace of God through Jesus Christ, I would amount to nothing as a person.

But some 32 years ago, it was impressed upon me that I could best fulfill my destiny as a human being if I surrendered my will and desires for my life to those of my Creator.

He would be Lord of my life and circumstances, and love, care, and provide for me when nothing or no one else could.

Now I admit all that sounds like the all-time sales pitch of sales pitches...but you know what?

It's true...and it works...when you let it!

I'm posting this here today because for the 500,000,000th time out of 500,000,000...God's promise to take care of me in time of need was fulfilled!

And I did nothing to either deserve or hasten it.

And since I always like to give credit where it's due...I'm sharing this with you all today!

As I write this, I think of the old Blackwood Brothers classic, "Mail Order From Heaven", and corny as that old recitation may sound today, it's really true...there is 100% satisfaction in the product Jesus Christ offers people!

I am one more immensely satisfied customer, and would do a testimonial in a heartbeat!

If you're out there looking for something that can ultimately fulfill your life, I can highly recommend that you look no farther than a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

It's tried, tested, and 100% reliable...I am living proof!

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