Seed Time and Harvest

#TBT This is the Master's Four Quartet in the early 70s. Check out those "matching" dresses on the girls and the matching suits, ties and shirts on the guys. And how about that trendy "bee hive" that I wore. Those curls you put on top of your head were the "in thing" back then, and today I look at that photo and think "What was I thinking?" LOL!

That's my husband, Ron on the right, his sister, Karen, great friend - Jim Haake, and ME! Oh what a time we had. How well I remember the long hours of rehearsals, Karen and I being two silly girls that found so many reasons to laugh hysterically and my sweet husband trying so desperately to be patient with us, while guiding, directing, orchestrating the music, playing the piano and creating songs of praise that sincerely blessed the many churches, youth conferences and events around the country. The four of us travelled in a Winnebago with our two little kids. I really think those experiences of meeting so many people on the road contributed to their outgoing personalities today.

Though we never hit the "big time" like so many gospel quartets did back then, I wouldn't take for those years when we got to share our lives and hearts, sharing the "Good News" in music.

Our repertoire included songs by Bill Gaither, Andrae Crouch and Dottie Rambo -- music that continues to touch so many today. Those old songs aren't sung much anymore as more contemporary music is heard and sung today and is most certainly impacting this generation, but it's still so sweet to reminisce and remember those 4-part harmony songs that had great lyrics and we got to live our own faith journey in song.

We planted a lot of seeds back in those days. And, I like to think that just perhaps....we were cultivating the soil for those seeds that are producing such a great harvest as I see a new generation of Christian young people turned on to God, living for Him and giving all they've got in authentic praise and worship to Him. Seed Time.....and Harvest!

Sheltered in the Arms of God

Another thing to know about me....in the 70s, my husband, sister-in-law, a dear friend and I were The Master's 4 Quartet. We traveled the country in a 26' Winnebago (with our two kids pictured here) -- singing/playing Gospel songs in churches, camps, concerts and other venues. Those were great days of many and long road trips, rehearsals, performances and great ministry opportunities where we shared our life experiences and how God never failed to bring us through each one. The song, "Sheltered in the Arms of God" was one we were most often asked to sing. I think it was because it's a song of hope, encouragement and faith, but most of all the words spoke of the certainty of the arms of God that carried us each time we faced the uncertainties of life. If you're there -- faced with those uncertainties today, I encourage you to hold on and remember, you're not alone. So go ahead, praise Him in the storm because you're sheltered in the arms of God.
So let the storm clouds rage high,
The dark clouds rise,
They don't bother me;
For I'm sheltered in the arms of God.
He walks with me,
And naught of earth shall harm me,
For I'm sheltered in the arms of God.