April 2010 SGN Scoops Available for Download Today!

The April 2010 issue of SGN Scoops is now available for download. Click on www.sgnscoops.com to download and read your issue in .PDF format.

THE 2010 Diamond Awards Top 10 Nominees are here exclusively for today! Download and got to page 19 to see & cast your ballot!

Then read about how the Freemans are keeping their music fresh, the Dills’ story of a lifetime, the friends behind Branson Gospel Music Convention, songs that bring comfort, revisiting The Passion of the Christ, being single in southern gospel, and much more!

SGM Radio Blog’s Top Ten: Brothers Forever

We are thrilled to share with you these mini-interviews with some great Southern Gospel artists! Check back often to see who is next on the SGM Radio Blog's Top Ten!

Brothers Forever by Curtis Hagy
Originally organized in 2004 as a quartet, Brothers Forever, under the leadership of founding group member, Curtis Hagy, recently transitioned into the trio that you hear today. The groups current line up is Curtis Hagy, Gary Ballew, and Chris Higginbottom. Throughout the past two years, the group, which is based in Gate City, VA, has celebrated five Number One songs and has gained national attention from fans, pastors and promoters alike.


Brothers Forever - Top Ten by Curtis Hagy

1. Please tell us the name of your latest recording and your favorite song from that CD. What is the message behind this song?

Our latest CD is called Sheltered and my favorite song on the album is I Feel A Blessing Coming On. The message behind the song is that we all get down and out, discouraged, and we carry around burdens. However, we should be expecting a blessing from God because He delights in blessing His children.

2. What is one group highlight from the last 12 months?

We were nominated in Feb 2010 for Favorite Southern Gospel Group by The Christian Music Hall of Fame, along with The Gaither Vocal Band, The Booth Brothers, The Nelons, and Greater Vision.

3. What is your favorite TV series rerun?

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

4. Have you been on a mission trip? If you have, where did you go? If you haven’t, would you like to and where would you want to go?

I have never been on a mission trip but we are planning one with Compassion International for late 2010. I would like to go to Haiti and visit my sponsored boy Alexander Azor.

5. What artist are you listening to right now?

Sidewalk Prophets

6. Brush with greatness…who have you met that you couldn’t wait to tell your friends and family about?

Boyz II Men. I met them in March 2009

7. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

To know what people are thinking or feeling. I just love to help people by nature and this would be an insightful gift.

8. What would be your fantasy venue, the one stage in the world where you would like to sing?

The Super Bowl Half time show. More people watch The Super Bowl than any other program. Can you imagine the millions that would hear the gospel through song?!

9. What is one habit you would like to break?

Worrying about what people think of me.

10. What is the last book you read?

The Bait of Satan by John Bevere.

The Darling of Heaven

“How sweet to hold a newborn baby, and feel the love and joy he brings…”. This familiar start of a verse to “Because He Lives” by Bill Gaither, attempts to capture some of the emotions experienced by the family and friends when a child enters this world. You can see it on their faces: love, joy, pride and fascination at this new person who is so small and yet so perfect in their eyes. It’s no wonder that new moms and dads come up with all kinds of endearments for this little gift. Sweetheart, Honey Bun, Daddy’s Little Girl…

It makes me wonder what Mary, the mother of Jesus, called the Son of God as she rocked Him to sleep. The Jewish girl would have whispered many things into the tiny ear of the Almighty. One of these might even have been “Yachiyd”, a Hebrew word meaning “Darling”. It is also translated as “only”. And, “only begotten son”. Jesus was not only the only begotten Son of God; He was also the “Darling” of God. The darling of his earthly parents no doubt, and the Darling of His Heavenly Father.

Almighty God knew from the beginning of time that man would fall and the only recompense for this would be the death of His only Son, His Darling. Yet He still chose to create us, love us, reach down and try to commune with us, if we would only see it. But we chose to ignore Him. So eventually, He had to turn to His Only Son and tell Him that it was time to come down into this world that already hated Him. He knew what the result would be. But He knew it was the only way.

Imagine how the Creator felt, seeing one of His creations holding His Darling, wrapped in old cloths, surrounded by animals, housed in a cave. When the Child was learning to walk and fell down, Mary wasn’t the only one wanting to protect Him from being hurt. Through childhood ills and scrapes and into adulthood, His Heavenly Father watched while His Son in all humanity experienced the pain and trials that each of us face. No doubt He longed to have His Darling back with Him as well, but He knew that must wait.

Then came the scene in the Garden, and His Son begging Him to find another way. But they both knew there was no other way. And His Darling yielded His will to His Father’s yet again, beginning the time of pain and torture. His Father watched as His Boy was subjected to all that earth and hell could bring against Him. How His Heart must have broken for all that Jesus was going through. Yet even through this, His Son still asked for forgiveness for all those that caused Him pain.

The most terrible moment in their relationship happened next. As the Son of God allowed the sin of these creatures to be placed on Him, the communion that had existed between Father and Son before the dawn of time was clouded. A Righteous and Holy God cannot exist where sin is found. His Darling feels this separation and calls out, “Daddy, why have you left me?” This pronouncement shakes Heaven and Earth, and the cry of completion from the cross, “It is finished”, ends the earthly life of His Child and end of the domination of sin over His creation.

What joy there was on Mary’s face when she saw the living Christ, her darling, on that first Easter morning. And what joy there must have been in Heaven when Jesus returned from His earthly journey, again to be with His Father. What incredible joy there must have been in the Father’s heart when He again had his Darling Son at His right hand.

To think that He did all this for us. Why? Because He loved us. God loved us so much that He gave His Darling Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not suffer eternal death and separation from Him, but would be able to experience the incredible gift of eternal life. Celebrate that Gift, that Love, this Resurrection Sunday.

By Lorraine Walker
First published on CanChik's Corner www.sgmradio.com March 2005.
Used by permission.

Comments? sgmradio.lorrainewalker@gmail.com

Easter Saturday Reality Check: Friends in the Garden

“They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took Peter, James and John along with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," He said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."
Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him…Then He returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," He said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
Once more He went away and prayed the same thing. When He came back, He again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to Him.
Returning the third time, He said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!" Mark 14:32-42
This evening that seems so momentous in our eyes began as any other. The disciples had spent a quiet evening with Jesus, their friend and teacher, doing what they normally do. Yes, there were some strange moments, such as the incident with Judas who suddenly left the room. They watched as Jesus began to wash their feet like a common servant. The meal itself was a little odd, with His words about the wine and the bread. But otherwise, it was an evening of eating and fellowship and discussion with this One who had taught them so many things.
The disciples followed Jesus out to the Garden of Gethsemane. This was nothing out of the ordinary either. Luke tells us this was what Jesus was “accustomed” to doing. But then, the Master asks for the company of His closest friends, Peter, James, and John. In the moment of His deepest grief, He needs to know that those on earth with whom He shares the closest bond, are awake and praying for Him and sharing in His distress.
The disciples, who are by this time tired and full, are lulled by the peace in the Garden and their eyes fall shut. Jesus comes back to them three times. Each time, they are asleep. The third time, they are awakened by a scene that would change their lives forever.
Whenever I’ve read this part of the Easter story I’ve wondered: what was wrong with those guys? Didn’t they know Jesus was upset? He asked them to stay awake, why didn’t they? When the guards with their swords and the mob and the violence happen, why didn’t they stay? They’d been with Jesus for three years and professed love and allegiance to Him. Where was that loyalty?
I honestly believe that they didn’t understand the importance of this evening, and were unable to discern the seriousness of the Master’s request. When Jesus implores them to stay awake, they try, but are unable to. Then when the moment of truth arrives they are unprepared, half asleep, and scared to death. Their Friend knew this would happen; yet He implores them to watch, to pray and to resist temptation. In His hour of need, His friends are unable to stand with Him.
Have you been in a place of turmoil and upset in your life when everything is crashing around you? The near future is dark and your distress causes you to cry out. You look to your closest friends for help, for support, for consolation. And in that moment, in that time of intense crisis, for whatever reason, you cannot reach them. The feeling of isolation is crushing.
The Bible teaches us that Jesus was as fully man as He was fully God, and I believe He felt that isolation from His closest friends. Even as He began to realize that moment of the “Cup” had come, He understood the frailty and humanness of His disciples. Through the pain and distress of knowing what would immediately follow, He sees into their hearts and understands their weaknesses.
How God-like to be in that position and still reach out with words of faith to His friends. So often we need the comfort and care of our friends when we are in crisis and find it impossible to reach out to others. Our vision is inward and we see only our own situation and pain. When others don’t respond to us as we feel they should, we often react with anger or bitterness and push them away.
How incredible it is to know that when the Son of God was facing torture and death, His thoughts were toward His human friends. Even now, He calls each of us “friend” that follows Him. How comforting it is to know that He is faithful and true regardless of circumstances, and more loyal than we could ever be. Regardless of our actions, He continues to reach out to us, showing us true friendship. What an example for us to follow, both in relationship to others, and our relationship to the ultimate Friend.

Written by Lorraine Walker
First published by www.sgmradio.com , April 2007. Reprinted by permission.
Comments? sgmradio.lorrainewalker@gmail.com

Good Friday Reality Check: When God Said No

As we celebrate the Easter season we rejoice in what our Savior did for us so long ago. On Good Friday we consider His death and the sorrow Jesus went through for us: the pain and the torture, the rejection and separation. On Resurrection Sunday we marvel again at the empty tomb and the reminder that the power of death was crushed. The time of remembrance renews our faith and builds our joy.

There is a truth that I stumbled upon recently, tied into the Easter events that occurred on the night prior to the Cross. Jesus and his disciples are gathered in the upper room for the Last Supper. We watch as He washes their feet and then breaks the bread. From there, we see Jesus travel to the Mount of Olives, taking Peter, James and John with Him as He goes to pray.

What did Jesus pray for? "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." (Mark 14:36, NIV).

What was the response? God, Jesus’ Daddy, said “No”.

Jesus begged and pleaded and scriptures tell us of sweat that fell like ‘drops of blood’ during this intense time. Yet still His Father said “No”.

Having heard the Easter story since I was a child, all of the events are familiar to me and still, each year, I’m hit afresh with the immensity of what Jesus did. The pictures that have been painted of Jesus in the Garden, the pageants we’ve all seen, the films that have depicted Jesus pleading with His Father; these are in my mind as I read this scripture.

We know, because we’ve read the story, that Jesus accepted “the Cup” and did His Father’s will. But somehow the idea that Jesus was human enough to beg His Father not to have Him go through the torturous death is a concept that is not so obvious. As well as the fact that God said “No”.

If we think for a moment, we can only slightly fathom what would happen if God had said, “Yes, I will take it away, My Son. You don’t have to do this.” Would Jesus and His disciples have gone back to the Upper Room and slept for the rest of the night? What then? Where would be the purpose in His coming? What would our world be like today?

We are sometimes so shocked when our Heavenly Father says “No” to one of our requests. “But You know I need this Father, my life would be so much better…”
“But Father, she’s my only child, please don’t let this happen…” “But Father, You know I’d do anything, give You anything, if this circumstance would change…”

There are many honest and heart-felt requests we have all made to God and we are sad when He will not say “Yes” to all of them. He sees a bigger picture than we do. His ways are higher than ours and His reasons often unfathomable. We often don’t understand. Sometimes, later on in life, we will look back on a situation and think, “I’m so glad that God didn’t answer THAT prayer!”

Sometimes, we won’t understand until we get to Heaven why things happen and why God says “No” to some of our requests.

I’m so glad that God said “No” that night in Gethsemane. We can only imagine the darkness the world would be in, if Jesus had not gone to Calvary. Thanks be to God for this Unspeakable Gift!

By Lorraine Walker
First published March 2009 on www.sgmradio.com . Used by permission
Comments? sgmradio.lorrainewalker@gmail.som