Hey there folks!
We just got home from a 12 day road trip and I’m still trying to catch up on everything. While I love being out…spending that much time on a bus is hard on anybody. But we had great times, great services…and God just continues to amaze me in all He does.
After a couple of dates week before last with The Blackwood Quartet, we were in Hammond, Indiana for an anniversary service. We had a great time with the folks there..and some great food. As we were leaving, they brought us 4 boxes of food to take with us to NQC. We had fried chicken, ham, desserts…you name it. It was such a blessing..and we ate it all week!
The week at NQC was amazing. Very busy, lots of meetings, lots of time with other artists and members of the industry. We did manage though to squeeze in some time with great friends too (just not enough!). Saturday night after NQC we were in Morehead, Ky with Ed Crawford and The Mystery Men. It was a lot of fun..and we had one young lady give her heart to God..that was worth the trip, all by itself. Sunday was time with family in Richmond, Ky…then it was off for home. Traffic and weather made it a long trip, but we got here safely and have spent the last day trying to catch up on 1000 things.
There is so much happening in our lives and ministries right now. Many of the meetings at NQC were about The Branson Gospel Music Convention and all the things coming next June. You’ve got to make your plans now. Just go to the site and register. Several meetings were around my music and ministry and we did find out that “Take A Stand” is close to charting on the Singing News charts. While this wasn’t the goal for this particular tune…I’m thrilled that so many people are getting to listen to it. SO…call your local station. Tell them you want to hear “Take A Stand” by Rod Burton. If they don’t have it…send me a note..and I’ll get it to them. Also contact the folks over at Enlighten. They reall do listen when you call/write them and ask for the songs.
I had the chance this past Saturday to sing that song for the folks at SkyAngel. They provide an incredible service with quality family entertainment. Visit them by clicking HERE and take a look at what they offer. We NEED to bring good Christian values into our home and SkyAngel is THE WAY to do it. The showcase brunch at NQC had me, Kenny Bishop, The Nelons, Legacy 5 and Kim Hopper. It was such an honor for me to share that song, and I appreciate those folks for asking me to be a part. Please visit them and tell them I sent you. You’ll be glad you did!
You know..change is in the air. Today is the last full day of summer…fall just around the corner. I always like fall, but know that it brings on winter. But that’s how it goes…the seasons change, and we adapt. I talked to an old friend today. He shared with me some change that he and his bride are going through. Pete and Donna have been friends for a long time…and have had an impact on my life. Pete sang with me in a regional group in Dayton Ohio called Destined. They’re good people…and they love God. Donna has just found out that she has stage 4 cancer…and has only months to live unless God moves. As I talked to him…I was speechless. Now you know that’s not easy for me…but I was. What do you say to someone who is about to face a trial that surpasses anything I’ve dreamed of? How do you comfort someone who knows that his life’s love, won’t be there much longer. As Christians we have a promise of tomorrow, but living in this world and our flesh makes that hard to deal with sometimes.
As I talked to Pete…I thought about changes we go through. Life sometimes will throw us a curve and sometimes knock us down. I’m sure that when these folks married many years back (Pete is much older than I am!), they never dreamed that they’d face this type of curve down the road. But now they’re looking at a time certain where he’ll have to say goodbye for a bit. How do you do that? If you had months to live…what would you do? I think I’d want to spend it doing what God has put me here to do. I’d certainly want to share that with my wife and kids. But how do you prepare to say goodbye?
Jesus knew He was going to die. He told those around Him…and most of them didn’t believe it. They went about their tasks and really didn’t get it till all the stuff broke loose. Kind of like we do, they live for the moment and then deal with the curve. The Father knew He was sending His Son to die for us. And though I know that God doesn’t feel the pain of uncertainty like we do, what did He feel? Sorrow? Hurt? But He prepared and carried on. He allowed things to happen for a reason. But if you’re not The Almighty, how do you prepare for this kind of hurt? Do you allow life to just stop and wait, or do you live it to the fullest, knowing that there’s a great day coming when no tears will dim our eyes?
I’ve found as I’ve gotten older that I in some ways envy those who get to go home. I don’t want to leave my family, but the thought of being in the presence of the most Holy God…just quickens my heart to go. Knowing that loved ones gone on will be there and be waiting, makes me want to see my dad again. To see my grandparents…and so many others. But I’m ready to go. I know that when I leave this side, I’ll step into a place that knows no night. I know that all sorrow and pain will be left behind, and I’ll stand in the presence of an almighty King. What about those who have no hope? How do they prepare? How do they cope?
If you’re reading this today…how will you prepare? Not just for death..but for life? Jesus said I am the way…the truth…what do you base your truth on today? If tomorrow you were told you have months to live, how would you prepare for them? I can’t imagine being any more hopeless, than being one who has no hope. Someone shared something this past weekend that says the gospel can be explained in 10 seconds with no problem. Jesus came to give us life, died to give us redemption and rose to give us hope. That’s it…end of story. Where do you place your trust today?
Pray for Pete and Donna. Pray that they’ll have comfort and peace. That everything will happen in Gods time..and that they’ll use this time to share with others what it means to be ready.
Till next time…
Take A Stand!
Rod
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- 2010 Homecoming Concert with Jay Stone Singers Coming in August
- Rod Burton Exits Hinson Revival
- Rod Burton Releases New Recording – The Difference
- Both Hinson Revival and Rod Burton added to Gospel Music Nashville 2010!
