In quiet mode

Well, here I go again.

It's another of those ultra-quiet periods of my life where I don't post here much.

Now why do I even bother to tell you all THAT much? After all, Deon and Susan and Chris post even more sporadically than I do, but they apparently don't feel they need to explain that to the degree I do. Why do I feel so, then?

In my case, I feel as though I'm expected to stop by this little corner of the web fairly often(if certainly not daily)and share some of my thoughts about SOMETHING anyway(such are the expectations for those who are semi-regular or regular bloggers), and when I don't, I kinda feel I owe you all at least a bit of explanation as to why.

And now, this time, I'm dealing with a number of important challenges in my life. Big changes are underway, and suddenly I'm in the midst of preparations for the biggest change in my life(it's a really GOOD thing, so don't anyone be unduly alarmed for me)...and I want it all to come off well.

But sadly, simultaneously, I've had to endure some of the frankly stupidest, most mindless behavior I've encountered in some time as well(and I've seen plenty of stupid over the years). And since some of that has been in connection with the event alluded to above, it's been particularly discouraging.

But I knew ahead of time that challenges of that nature almost always await the one who puts his trust in the will of the Almighty God who controls this world. The Scriptures(and the rest of history)are replete with the examples and testimonies of those who have met those challenges, trusted in God's leading, and endured triumphantly.

Yes, God gives us all lots of "pop" quizzes...but He also equips us to pass all of His tests, and come through each one better for the experience. This has been a recurring theme all through my life, and will happen again. Do I know that for a fact now? No. But am I willing to stake all I believe on it? Absolutely.

Mastery of this process will guarantee that all of us will meet our life challenges, and rise over and above them. And while I devote my energies to passing this latest exam, I do so confident that all will end gloriously, and will be back here faithfully to share more of my thoughts with all of you...my friends.

In the meantime, I'm in concentration mode(no, not the Hugh Downs-hosted game show of bygone years)...so that means I'm relatively quiet...for now.

Happy birthday, Daniel!

Today I want to salute someone I've saluted many times here, but since he's a friend of mine to me more than anything else, I want to celebrate him right here in my very own little corner of the web!

Daniel Mount burst into all of our lives a few short years ago, when the message board fad was still predominant in online southern gospel music discussion.

When that fad began to fade, and the blog trend took it's place, Daniel moved right in and started his very own gospel music news, information, and commentary site, and before too long, it became the most-read such site on the web!

As it deserves to be...Daniel gets all the main news, encourages positive interactive discussion on gospel music topics, and works very hard to make his site as versatile and accommodating as a website can be.

And best of all, Daniel does all this with a love and appreciation of gospel music unsurpassed by any other writer. He also is a young man who loves God very much, and this shows in his writing and his taste in music.

And of all the other bloggers out there spending the majority of their time writing about gospel music, he is probably the most supportive of his fellow writers of any of them.

He reads everyone's thoughts, comments regularly on them, and when he feels one of us has posted a particularly worthy entry, he gladly links his readers to those postings, and thus helps support his compatriots in this endeavor. Some of the most read posts in this little corner, for example, are read because Daniel has unselfishly called attention to them at his site.

And Daniel is also an engaging discussion partner, and loves to discuss and analyze not only the music itself, but the business of it as well.

Recently, Daniel has even become a part of the industry himself, fulfilling a dream of his. Now, if only some major artist will record one of his compositions...

In short, Daniel has become a good friend, runs a great site, has his ducks all in a row with God, and is most supportive of both gospel music artists and those who support them, either by attending concerts, buying recordings, or discussing and writing about them. He has become a blessing to all those who love southern style gospel music.

And today, he turns 24 years young! How does someone so young appreciate a genre of music whose most classic renditions of it are as old or older than he? Listening, study, and love for it...to name three reasons.

And his birthday is easy for me to remember...it is the same day as my younger older brother...who is nearly 40 years older than Daniel, but...

Hsppy birthday, Gary...and happy birthday, Daniel...my very good gospel music-loving friend!:-)

Getting out my crystal ball

I don't normally make sports predictions(it's like life itself...who knows WHAT'S going to happen?), but as of this moment...2:32P(PST), Tuesday, July 6, 2010...I can guarantee one "for sure", not gonna fail prediction regarding the current World Cup soccer championship.

The tournament winner will be from Europe! Carve it in stone!

We’re ALL Americans!

I suppose you could consider this post one of my "get it out of your system" posts.

This time of year, however, really brings this subject to the forefront of my consciousness.

Some of you may know by now that the object of my earthly affections is Canadian. That being the case, you can imagine all the references to Canadians as opposed to "Americans" in our conversations.

Now a lot of you also know that I try to be as precise as possible in my use of language. At some point, I'll post further as to why I feel precision is necessary in our communication...because that's a key element in my personal life philosophy. For now, though, just know I tend to be on the "picky" side when it comes to words...and the uses of them.

Anyway, it occurs to me that our Canadian brethren are getting a raw deal in this whole use of the term "Americans".

For the continent that both of our great nations share is called "North America"...and there are TWO continents called "America"...one North, and one South. And Canada and the United States take up most of what is called North America.

Now I know that the official name of my country is the United States of America. But does that give us ownership rights to the entire continent, simply because we are the wealthiest and most prosperous nation on this continent? I don't think so.

After all, on the basis of our common origins and geography, the people of Canada have as much right to refer to themselves as "Americans" as people in the United States do...so why the distinction?

I know that the people of Canada are proud of their homeland and heritage, and don't mind at all being referrred to as "Canadians". And since the designations have existed for so long, it's not likely that people will wise up and stop referring to residents of the United States as simply "Americans", as if Canadians and Mexicans(not to mention Brazilians and Argentinians, among other residents of South AMERICA)are not entitled to such recognition.

Am I serious about this? Well, to a degree...if only because there isn't much difference between Canada and the United States if one looks at the lifestyles each country lives closely. Yes, there ARE cultural differences, but heck, that's all we hear about anymore within the United States, it seems!

My sweetheart and I have our own terminology to be more precise...residents of Canada are Canadians, and residents of the U.S. are "United Statesians".

I don't expect our terminology to catch on, but at least we're trying to be fair...and accurate!

After all, both Canada AND the United States are great nations, and they should be recognized for both their individuality and collective heritage! After all, they have shared the world's longest common border for almost 150 years, and(for the most part)been at peace for that entire time...no mean feat in this violent, sinful world!

Here's to Canada...AND the United States...of America!!

Prayers and thoughts….

Earlier this week(Monday, I believe), Wensdee Enloe, youngest daughter of Phil Enloe(ex-Courier and longtime musical evangelist and now pastor of a Florida church), passed away...she was only 33 years of age.

Most readers of this little corner of the web are aware of my friendship with her uncle, Neil Enloe...and they may or may not be aware of the fact that I finally met Phil last year when he appeared in Fresno to sing at a church not far from where I live. That was a true blessing to me.

Regardless, I feel a very strong bond with the Enloe family as a result, and I was shocked and saddened to learn of that news.

I truly wish I had words of absolute comfort I could say that would help ease the pain and hurt right now, but I simply do not.

All I can offer Phil, Neil, and the rest of the Enloe family is my love, friendship, prayers, and whatever support I'm able to provide.

Wensdee's funeral was yesterday, and I pray it was a blessing and comfort to all involved in whatever way possible.

I know of nothing else about the situation, other than our God is involved, and that being the case, all will be well.

My sentiments are above, and my prayers and support continue.

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