Another Sad, Sad Day.............

I've just gotten word that long-time southern gospel pianist extrordinare, Anthony Burger has passed away.

Anthony was on the Gaither Homecoming Cruise. Apparently while performing he collapsed. Several people took him backstage and attempted to revive him but to no avail. Details are sketchy at this time but it has been assumed that it was a massive heartattack. Anthony was just 44 years old and leaves behind his wife LuAnn, 2 sons, and a daughter. Mark Lowry has reported on his website that Anthony was playing the great song, "We Shall Behold Him" when he was called home. How amazing it must have been to finally behold Him!!!

This terrible news comes on the heels of the passing of Doug Riley of the Gold City Quartet. Doug passed away as a result of a motor vehicle accident on January 31st. Doug was 35 years old and left behind his wife Amy Jo, as well as his children Chapen and Griffin.

Just a few weeks before that we were saddened to hear the news of the passing of Warren Parker of the Parker Trio. Warren passed away as a result of an auto-pedestrian accident. Warren was helping back the groups bus into a church parking lot where they were to sing the next morning. A drunk driver did not see the large bus in the roadway and pinned Warren between the driver's vehicle and the bus. Warren was 34 years old and left behind his wife Shannon.

You just never know when your number will be called. It just drives home the fact that we are NOT promised tomorrow. We must be ready at all times to answer the call home. Are you ready??? Do you know for sure that you're going to go to heaven?? If you're not sure follow these steps.

In closing I want to leave you with the lyrics to a song that Doug Riley penned in 2000:

Are You Ready?

The hour is approaching when the souls of man will hear

A mighty shout resounding in the sky.

In power and great glory, King Jesus will appear

And take His children home to paradise.

It will be a celebration for the ones who chose His name

But total separation for the ones who turned away.

The Bible speaks of two men who were standing in the field

Where one is taken and one is left behind.

Two women in the kitchen, one goes and one remains

So get your house in order while there's time

In the cross there is salvation,

through the Blood there is a way

To secure your destination on resurrection day.

Are you ready for the trumpet, are you ready for the call?

Soon the angels will assemble to usher in the Son of God.

Will He come and find you faithful, will He know your name at all?

Every moment brings us closer, are you ready for the call?