A Baldwin Brother's Journey To Jesus

By DAN HARRIS

ABC News

Nov. 20, 2006 — For most of his career, Stephen Baldwin, the youngest of Hollywood's four famous Baldwin brothers, cultivated a reputation as a bad boy, both on screen and off. In a new book, "The Unusual Suspect," he writes about "snorting enough cocaine to throw the entire population of a small South American country into anaphylactic shock."

But Stephen Baldwin, the man born into Hollywood royalty, has been born again. Just how exactly did the guy who played a crook in critically-acclaimed "The Usual Suspects," and a stoner in the bomb "Biodome," become an evangelical Christian youth minister?

Six years ago, Baldwin's wife, Kennya, became a born again Christian. Then came 9/11. Baldwin says he concluded that if terrorists could topple the towers, then Jesus could come back tomorrow.

"Jesus Is Coming Back

"Jesus is coming back and if you really know what that means, and if you are experiencing and understanding what that's all about, that's pretty urgent," Baldwin says. "Fires are burning all over America. This is biblical stuff." He points to three major recent tragedies — 9/11, the tsunami in eastern Asia, and Hurricane Katrina — as signs that Jesus is returning.

Baldwin's change of heart (and mind, and lifestyle) has inspired a lot of skepticism. The Daily Show asked, "What the f*** is wrong with Stephen Baldwin?!"

But Baldwin insists his new direction is based profoundly in his experience.

"It's real, it's changed my life, it's transformed my heart, I'm not who I was," Baldwin says. "No longer … do I feel the pressure of, 'how fancy are my shoes? Or what kind of car am I driving? Or how much money do I make?' None of that matters to me anymore … I'm having a daily experience with the spirit of God that's more priceless than anything I've experienced before."

Making Jesus 'Gnarly'

After his conversion, Baldwin says he quickly found that Christianity lacked a certain edge. So Baldwin decided to fill Christianity's gnarly niche by starting a youth ministry that evangelizes with skateboards, bikes and motorcross.

"I'm here to reach the youth culture of America that's dying everyday spiritually," Baldwin says. "They're overdosing, they're committing suicide, they're doing this and that. And the thing that transformed me was coming into the understanding the things of God and the spirit of God. And I want to share that with people — and I want to share it in a fun way."

We interviewed Baldwin on a skate ramp in Houston, a recent stop on his evangelical road show, "Livin it Live." Baldwin says the stakes are high: no less than a "spiritual battle" for the souls of young people.

Before the "Bikers for Christ" and the "King of Kings skate team" could start the show, Baldwin insisted his riders take a safety precaution of a higher order — an invocation.

"I just ask that every skateboard and bicycle and motocross bike lord have a legion of angels all around them," Baldwin said, as he led a group prayer.

Sibling Rivalry

The "gnarly" niche, unconventional though it may seem, is proving very effective.

Baldwin is now one of the most influential up-and-coming evangelicals in America. He and his holy rollers regularly sell out stadiums, and he's put out one of the best-selling skateboard DVDs of all time.

His newfound prominence has brought Baldwin into conflict with big brothers Billy and Alec — two of Hollywood's leading liberals. They are not big fans of the fact that Stephen is now a cultural advisor to the president, or that he was invited to speak at the 2004 Republican National Convention.

According to Stephen, there is no sibling rivalry — at least, not on this issue.

"Look, you know, the Baldwin brothers are still more interested in who's going to win the football game after Thanksgiving dinner than whatever a particular religious or political point of view anyone has," Baldwin says. "Alec and Billy don't judge me and I don't judge them. It's about everybody doing their own thing and hopefully it'll all be for the glory of God."

Critics Calling

At the skate park in Houston, Baldwin takes the stage to preach.

"I've been around the world, hung out with movie stars," Baldwin says to the crowd, "and the experience I am having now … is so much more awesome and powerful and satisfying than anything I've ever experienced in Hollywood. And that's the truth."

He then called to the stage anyone who wanted to accept Jesus as their personal savior for the first time. Many of them were very young, and for this and other reasons, Baldwin is not without his critics.

Lauren Sandler, the author of a new book called "Righteous: Dispatches from the Evangelical Youth Movement," says Baldwin and others like him are leading young people toward a rigid worldview. "These are people who talk about love, but when it comes down to it, they are absolutely anti-abortion, they are absolutely against gay marriage," Sandler says. "It's an absolute, straight-up us-against-them. It's you're either with us or you're against us … not only are you a sinner, but you are working for the enemy — the enemy being Satan."

Baldwin contends that his faith is strong, but his commitment to dogma is not.

"I'm somebody who believes that the Bible is true," Baldwin says. "The Bible says it's wrong to be a homosexual. Is it my place to judge that person about that? No. God is the judge, not me. It's my job to love that person, lift them up, share my experience with them, and then hopefully make whatever decision they want to make about their life. But again, that older regime of the Christian movement has handled that stuff the wrong way. And that's changing."

A Surprising Spark

Baldwin's new quest was spurred on, in part, by what may be a surprising spark: "Biodome."

Though the film was universally jeered by critics, the DVD has become a cult hit with young people. And since the movie has spurred people to join his church, Baldwin says, that must mean "Biodome" is part of God's plan.

"So many kids that come to these events that want to see Stephen Baldwin and what I'm doing in ministry — it's directly as a result of their being a fan of that movie," Baldwin says. "So for me, having a spiritual life that I have today I say to myself got had a plan, God's using 'Biodome' for me to have a platform to preach his gospel."

"Sounds of Sunday" Recieves Another Positive Review

The Dixie Echoes recently released Sounds of Sunday. This independent release features 10 classic songs and introduces their new tenor, Dallas Rogers.

Most groups use studio musicians on their recordings instead of group members, because the cost of paying for studio time makes paying someone whose skill is a technically perfect first or second take a financial necessity. However, the Dixie Echoes own their own recording studio, Echo Sound, and this frees them to use group musicians and take as long as it takes to get it right.

Only one musician on this project is not a Dixie Echoes member; that musician, David Johnson, played several assorted instruments on the project. Group pianist Stewart Varnado played the piano and organ. Baritone singer Randy “Scoot” Shelnut, Jr., played bass guitar and drums. Lead singer Randy Shelnut, Sr. played guitars.

The project starts with a classic four-part harmony song, “If Jesus is There.” This song can be played on the Dixie Echoes website and captures the style of the project quite well.

The second song, “Up to the House of Prayer,” was written by Buford Abner, who was one of the original members of the Suwannee River Boys in 1938 and remained a main player in the group for years. The song was also done by the LeFevres / Rex Nelon Singers, but has not to my knowledge been staged by a quartet in decades. They had to go far back into the archives to find this one!

When a quartet that has been on the road for nearly fifty years records a project of classic songs, you would expect that they would have previously recorded several of the songs. But it appears that the only song they previously recorded was the third song on the project, “Praise the Name of God.” The song was written by Shirley Shelnut and was originally recorded by her husband Dale Shelnut on the Dixie Echoes’ 1966 record Echoing! Shirley’s son Randy Shelnut, Sr. and grandson Randy Shelnut, Jr. take the leads on the new rendition.

An earlier reviewer of this project stated his opinion that while the project was an enjoyable listen, no song stood out from the rest as an obvious radio single. Be that as it may, the song for which I have most frequently hit the repeat button is the fourth song, “I Won’t Have to Worry Anymore.”

Scoot Shelnut takes the solo on the first verse; tenor Dallas Rogers sings the second. After hearing this song, I will definitely join those who compare Rogers’ voice to that of longtime Inspirations tenor Archie Watkins. Rogers’ solo on this song (and his other solos on the project) are quite reminiscent of a younger Watkins in peak voice. In fact, the rendition of the song itself is quite similar to Watkins’ rendition on the 1972 Inspirations album Old-Time Singing. Although I typically quietly listen to and analyze an album, especially when I listen to it the first time, I couldn’t help but laughing out loud in amazement at the similarities between Rogers’ and Watkins’ voices.

The fifth song on the project, “Welcome Home My Child,” is a song the Dixie Echoes have performed several times at recent National Quartet Conventions. In fact, they have performed it often enough that I had assumed that they must have recorded it fairly recently. But to the best I can ascertain, this is the group’s first time to record the song.

The first half of this project features songs that have solo lines for multiple quartet members at various points in the song. On the second half of the project, each group member is featured on one song.

Scoot Shelnut is featured on the sixth song, the classic Lee Roy Abernathy tune “New Born Feeling.”

Randy Shelnut, Sr., has the solo on the seventh song, “The Last Mile of the Way.”

Tracy Crouch sings “Ole Brother Noah,” hitting a low B-flat at one point. (This is the lowest note he has hit in the studio, a half-step below his low B on “Roll Away Troubled River.”)

Dallas Rogers is featured on “If We Never Meet Again.” The comparisons to Watkins’ voice and style again suggest themselves on this song.

The project concludes with “After the Sunrise,” an old Stamps-Baxter Song frequently associated with the Chuck Wagon Gang. Each member is featured at some point in the song.

In large part since it is a table project, this CD probably won’t win any awards or spawn any top 10 radio hits, but devotees of traditional quartet singing will definitely appreciate this solid addition to the Dixie Echoes catalog.

Special thanks to Daniel Mount for his review of our cd. This review was reprinted by permission and the original can be found at Daniel's blog site www.southerngospelblog.com

A Turkey Poem

When I was a young turkey,

new to the coop,

My big brother Mike

took me out on the stoop,

Then he sat me down,

and he spoke real slow,

And he told me there was something

that I had to know;

His look and his tone

I will always remember,

When he told me of the

horrors of..... Black November.

"Come about August,

now listen to me,

Each day you'll get six meals

instead of just three,

"And soon you'll be thick,

where once you were thin,

And you'll grow a big rubbery

thing

under your chin;

"And then one morning,

when you're warm in your bed,

In'll burst the farmer's wife,

and hack off your head;

"Then she'll pluck out all your

feathers

so you're bald 'n pink,

And scoop out all your insides

and leave ya lyin' in the sink;

"And then comes the worst part"

he said not bluffing,

"She'll spread your cheeks

and pack your rear with stuffing."

Well, the rest of his words

were too grim to repeat,

I sat on the stoop

like a winged piece of meat,

And decided on the spot

that to avoid being cooked,

I'd have to lay low

and remain overlooked;

I began a new diet

of nuts and granola,

High-roughage salads,

juice and diet cola;

And as they ate pastries,

chocolates and crepes,

I stayed in my room

doing Jane Fonda tapes;

I maintained my weight

of two pounds and a half,

And tried not to notice

when the bigger birds laughed;

But 'twas I who was laughing,

under my breath,

As they chomped and they

chewed,

ever closer to death;

And sure enough

when Black November rolled

around,

I was the last turkey

left in the entire compound.

So now I'm a pet

in the farmer's wife's lap;

I haven't a worry,

so I eat and I nap;

She held me today,

while sewing and humming,

And smiled at me and said:

"Christmas is coming..

HAPPY THANKSGIVING Y'ALL!

Author Unknown

Thanksgiving, A Triumph Over Socialism

The Liberty Sphere on Thanksgiving...

First I want to wish each of you a very Happy Thanksgiving. With all the problems we face in America at home and abroad, this is still the greatest nation on earth. We truly have much for which to be thankful.

My Thanksgiving tribute this year centers on our forebears at Plymouth. Most of us are very familiar with the story of the first Thanksgiving, when the Pilgrims gathered with their newly-formed Indian friends to give thanks to God for not only sparing their lives but giving them the blessing of abundance after nearly failing to survive their first winter in New England.

What you might NOT know, however, is the story behind the story. Thanksgiving is a testament to the triumph of capitalism... Read the rest of the story HERE .

Just A Couple of Pictures...

I've been sitting here trying to find something new to post on the blog but just couldn't think of anything. So I started looking through some of my recent pictures and thought I'd share these with you. A couple of weeks ago the Dixie Echoes performed at a concert in Marianna, Florida with the Thompsons, The Nelons, and The Bibletones. Singing bass for the Bibletones is none other that former Florida Boys and Dixie Echoes bass, Billy Todd. Billy has been a friend for several years now and it was great to see him again. This is the first time I've thought about grabbing a picture with Billy, and I'm glad I did.

Later that weekend we sang in Homosassa Springs, FL which is just a few miles from Brooksville, home of the first quartet I sang with. So I gave my ole buddy Dave O'Nan a call and invited him to the concert. Dave and his family were, and still are like family to me. I spent 3 years with the Florida's Diplomat Quartet and we had some wonderful times! We spent alot of time when traveling in the homes of family members of the O'Nan family so I had the opportunity to get to know all the brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, in-laws, outlaws, and everyone else and they really made me feel like a part of the family. But all good things, they say, must come to an end and I left the Florida Diplomats in March of 2000. But its always good to see dear friends when we get a chance. Maybe someday I'll find some of those old group photos and share them with you, but until then this is all I have to offer!!

Billy Todd and Tracy Crouch at a recent concert in Marianna, Florida

Connie and David O'Nan, and myself. Dave gave me my first opportunity to sing

Dave's sister Lois Krick and yours truly. During my time with the Diplomats, Lois and her late husband Ron lived in AuGres, Michigan. We spent alot of time at Lois' home and she always spoiled us rotten!! Ron was a master on the grill and Lois always had our favorites ready...Rice Krispy Treats!! No one could make them like Lois!

Dixie Echoes cd, Sounds of Sunday Reviewed

The Dixie Echoes have a long and illustrious history in Southern Gospel Music. Though many people have passed through the ranks of this quartet, I don’t think they have had a more solid sound than with the collective they have today. Consisting of Randy Shelnut on lead, his son “Scoot” Shelnut on baritone, Tracy Couch singing bass, newest member, Dallas Rogers doing tenor and Stewart Varnado on piano, these guys definitely have it together vocally. This was my first introduction to the voice of Dallas Rogers, and I am deeply impressed. He’s a cross between Archie Watkins and Don Thomas (former tenor for the Florida Boys in the early 80s) and he has a big voice and he is all over this recording.

The classic, “IF JESUS IS THERE” starts things off and really showcase some great precision singing by the guys. In fact, there are a couple of other tunes on here that really do an excellent job of doing that; and those songs “UP TO THE HOUSE OF PRAYER” and “OLE BROTHER NOAH” are true highlights of the recording.

One of my favorite songs by the Dixie Echoes is the golden oldie, “PRAISE THE NAME OF GOD” and it was great hearing this song revived, as was another wonderful classic, “I WON’T HAVE TO WORRY ANYMORE”.

I was glad to see a couple of my all time favorite quartet numbers included and the guys do a good job with “WELCOME HOME MY CHILD” and “NEW BORN FEELING” before slowing things down for “THE LAST MILE OF THE WAY” and the Albert E. Brumley classic, “IF WE NEVER MEET AGAIN”. Ending much like it began, “AFTER THE SUNRISE” closes out the recording with a resounding finish.

For the most part, the arrangements on these songs are pretty simple, but showcase some first class singing. With 10 songs, the total time for this recording clocks in at exactly 24 minutes, so it’s a pretty short recording, and it’s over before you know it. The tracks are pretty basic, but well done. I am waiting for the Dixie Echoes to really come out with a big recording. It’s been a few years since they’ve had a big song, and while it won’t be found on this recording, this is definitely one to add to your collection and one that fans like myself will listen to and enjoy over and over again.

Personal Favs: IF JESUS IS THERE; UP TO THE HOUSE OF PRAYER; PRAISE THE NAME OF GOD; WELCOME HOME MY CHILD; THE LAST MILE OF THE WAY

Review by: James Hales

Suwannee River Jubilee

Click on ad for a larger view, or visit www.dixieechoes.com for more information!

TICKET INFORMATION

ADVANCED TICKET PRICES (per person)

3 DAY PASS FOR $30 / or $13 per night

TICKET PRICES AT GATE (per person)

3 DAY PASS FOR $38 / or $15 per night

Children 12 and under FREE!

Group orders of 10 or more receive $2.00 discount per ticket PLUS 2 Free tickets!

• SPECIAL ADVANCED ONLY CAMPING/TICKET PACKAGES •

Includes three nights at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park plus admission for two people

• Camp Site with Water/Electric Hookup*, plus admission for 2 people = $145 (tax included)

• Camp Site with FULL Hookup* for your RV, plus admission for 2 people = $160 (tax included)

• Duplex Cabin Rental*, plus admission for 2 people = $385 (tax included)

• Full Cabin Rental*, plus admission for 2 people = $425 (tax included)

Prices include up to 4 people per site. Extra persons: $2 per person per day. Packages only include tickets for 2. Additional tickets required for extra persons. Additional nights at the park are available at following rates per night: Water / Electric Site = $25 + tax; Full Hookup Site = $30 + tax; Duplex-$99.45 + tax; Full Cabin = $115.15 + tax

***** Water/ Electric Only Hookup does not have sewer hookup. / * Full Hookup sites have water, electric, and sewer hookups.

*Duplex Cabins sleep 2, one bedroom, bathroom with shower only, efficiency kitchen with small refrigerator, microwave and sink, AC, TV, and connecting deck to second duplex unit.

*Full Cabins sleep 2-4 (loft units can sleep 2 more with sleeping bags), deck, AC, one bedroom, living room with sleeper sofa, full bath, full kitchen, TV, ceiling fans, amenities for meal preparation and serving, linens and towels provided. (Classic park models available with everything in a full cabin except has no full kitchen. In this model, there is NO stove, or pots/pans.) Limited quantity of cabins are available!

Gate opens at 5:30 PM / concert begins at 7:30 PM. Park is located on Hwy 129, north of I-10 exit 283, and west of I-75 exit 451. Bring your lawn chairs!

For complete online ordering please visit www.dixieechoes.com/suwannee.html
If you have any questions, please send an email to: jubilee@dixieechoes.com

TO ORDER BY MAIL: (send check or money order along with all info requested above, payable to)Jubilee Productions - 481 Ronda Street - Pensacola, FL 32534

Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park & Campground(386) 364-1683 / www.musicliveshere.com

LOCAL HOTELS

LIVE OAK-located within 5 miles of Music Park
Holiday Inn Express......386-362-2600
Best Western..................386-362-6000
Econo Lodge..................386-362-7459

LAKE CITY, FL-listings are approx. 25 miles from Music Park(largest nearby city, with many restaurants)
Best Western..................386-752-3801
Comfort Inn.....................386-755-1344
Days Inn..........................386-758-4224
Econo Lodge..................386-752-7891
Holiday Inn......................386-752-3901
Knights Inn.....................386-752-7720
Quality Inn.......................386-755-5770
Rodeway Inn...................386-755-5203
Ramada Limited.............386-752-6262

JASPER, FL-located approx. 10 miles from Music Park
Days Inn..........................386-792-1987

Statement Concerning The Resignation Of NAE President Ted Haggard

Taken from NCNNews.com

Colorado Springs
Wednesday, November 08, 2006

(NAE Press Release) On November 2, National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) President Ted Haggard submitted his resignation from NAE leadership when serious allegations were made on a Denver radio talk show. In response to Haggard's admission to church leaders in Colorado that there were some indiscretions, the 11-member NAE Executive Committee met November 3 via teleconference and unanimously accepted his resignation with regret.

Haggard has rendered invaluable services to the New Life Church of Colorado Springs, to the NAE, to the Evangelical Christian movement, and to the Church universal. We appreciate his many years of effective leadership.

Knowing Haggard, we found the initial reports of misconduct to be shocking and difficult to believe. As evangelicals we recognize, however, the stark reality of the power of sin in all our lives, and acknowledge that we are all capable of grievous moral failures.

Moreover, we believe that the Bible holds Christian leaders to higher levels of accountability. Therefore, it is especially serious when a pastor and prominent Christian leader deliberately violates God's standards of conduct.

The NAE is a para-church organization, not a church. Haggard has rightfully submitted himself to the pastoral oversight and ecclesiastical discipline of the independent New Life Church board of overseers. We commend him to their wisdom, as they are involved in the accountability process and have a more detailed knowledge of the situation through their extended meetings with him.

We are thankful for the grace and mercy of Christ who is able to forgive all sorts of sin. Yet, due to the seriousness of Haggard's misconduct while in the leadership roles he held, we anticipate that an extended period of recovery will be appropriate. We pray that the overseers' ministry to him will lead to his eventual moral healing, restoration in Christ, and service in the Church.

We pray for and stand with Haggard, his wife Gayle, and their children, and the New Life Church congregation at this difficult time.We also pray for the man who has accused Haggard.

--Submitted by the NAE Executive Committee: Chairman: Dr. Roy Taylor, stated clerk, Presbyterian Church of AmericaVice-Chairman: Rev. Jeff Farmer, president, Open Bible Churches

Leith Anderson named interim president

Dr. Leith Anderson, a well-known pastor, author, seminary lecturer, and missions leader was named interim president of the NAE November 4.

A 15-member Executive Committee, led by L. Roy Taylor, stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church in America, made the selection. After consultation with his Church elders and his wife Charleen, Anderson agreed to serve for an indefinite period in order to give the Association the time needed to seek and find a new president. Anderson is the senior pastor of Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, a mega-church affiliated with the Baptist General Conference, a position that he was first called to on January 1, 1977. During his tenure, the church has grown to 5,000 regular attendees and is known for its outreach overseas, including to victims of HIV/AIDS.

His education includes Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois; B.A., Sociology, Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois; Master of Divinity, Denver Seminary, Denver, Colorado; and Doctor of Ministry, Fuller Theological Seminary. He is the author of eight books and the radio voice of Faith Matters, which is heard on Christian stations across the U.S.

"Dr. Anderson knows the evangelical world and is uniquely positioned to serve theNational Association of Evangelicals at this time," said Taylor, NAE Chairman of the Board. "He's a man of great personal integrity and spiritual leadership who can step into the President's role without missing a beat."
--NAE

The Liberty Sphere

Recently I found a new blog that I've been keeping up with. This blog was brought to my attention due to several posts on southern gospel music but the main focus is politics. Blog author D. Martyn Lloyd-Morgan keeps a pretty good finger on the pulse of daily politics in our country.

Politics is certainly a subject I never have been really interested in following due to the fact that most of the time I just get amazingly confused about what is going on and just haven't had the desire to seek out and decipher the answers for myself. Trying to figure out what happening in Washington by watching any of the major news channels, its no wonder so many of the American voters are confused when they get to the polls. Lately I must admit though that I've taken maybe a little more interest in the politics of our country mainly due to the recent elections. Maybe its the "getting older" thing, you know, adults are supposed to follow politics so that you have something to talk about over coffee and doughnuts before work each morning. But I think now its the fact that knowing the state of unrest that our world is in right now and knowing the razor blade edge that our country is teetering on makes me concerned as to the decisions that our government is going to be making in the future. Unfortunately I'm afraid that the majority of the decisions that many of these folks in Washington are going to be making will be in their own interest(i.e. personal gain, the 'Democrat-ic' way to vote, and anything non-Republican). It seems that too much of our government is concerned with your political party name and agendas than they are in making decisions based on what's best for our country as a whole.

Anyway, all that to say that I enjoy reading Mr. Lloyd-Morgan's blog. It's easy to read, without all that political jargon that leaves me wondering what's being said, and I love his straight forward approach and of course it doesn't hurt that he speaks with what I believe(and he's a southern gospel fan!). In his last couple of posts he explains the way I feel(just better than I ever could) and he really gives you something to think about as to what we're going to be facing in the very near future. I'll post links below to a couple of his blogs and be sure and add The Liberty Sphere to your daily blog roll, it's a good read.

What To Expect From The New Congress

Muslim First Step To Bringing Jihad To U.S. Soil

The Undetected Sacredness Of Circumstances

Taken from My Utmost For His Hightest by Oswald Chambers

"We know that all things work together for good to those who love God..." (Romans 8:28)

The circumstances of a saint's life are ordained of God. In the life of a saint there is no such thing as chance. God by His providence brings you into circumstances that you can't understand at all, but the Spirit of God understands. God brings you to places, among people, and into certain conditions to accomplish a definite purpose through the intercession of the Spirit in you. Never put yourself in front of your circumstances and say, "I'm going to be my own providence here; I will watch this closely, or protect myself from that." All your circumstances are in the hand of God, and therefore you don't ever have to think they are unnatural or unique. Your part in intercessory prayer is not to agonize over how to intercede, but to use the everyday circumstances and people God puts around you by His providence to bring them before His throne, and to allow the Spirit in you the opportunity to intercede for them. In this way God is going to touch the whole world with His saints.

Am I making the Holy Spirit's work difficult by being vague and unsure, or by trying to do His work for Him? I must do the human side of intercession--utilizing the circumstances in which I find myself and the people who surround me. I must keep my concious life as a sacred place for the Holy Spirit. Then as I lift different ones to God through prayer, the Holy Spirit intercedes for them.

Your intercessions can never be mine, and my intercessions can never be yours, "...but the Spirit Himself makes intercession" in each of our lives (Romans 8:26). And without that intercession, the lives of others would be left in poverty and in ruin.

Dixie Echoes Join Resting Place Music

SYLVESTER, GA(Special Release) - Resting Place Music is pleased to announce the addition of The Dixie Echoes from Pensacola, Florida. Ricky Atkinson, President of RPM states, "I have known the guys in this quartet for a very long time, and we are excited to be working with this talented group. They have earned the respect of many industry people for their faithfulness over the years and I believe they are strongly motivated to continue the traditional Southern Gospel music standard. We are so excited to be working with them!"The Dixie Echoes will secure a spot on the top label, Resting Place Records, and their debut single on the RPM comp disc "If Jesus Is There," will be released on Resting Place Music Comp VOL.4, which will be at radio Jan / Feb, 2006.For more information on the Dixie Echoes and Resting Place Music, log onto: www.dixieechoes.com or www.restingplacemusic.com

WPOS-FM Christian Center- Holland, Ohio

Last weekend the Dixie Echoes sang for some great folks in Holland, Ohio thanks to WPOS-FM radio. WPOS has a large auditorium/gymnasium attached to the radio station and they host several concerts each year. Groups like Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Legacy Five, Brian Free & Assurance, The Toney Brothers, The Lester's, Dove Brothers, and The Pfeifers have all graced the stage at WPOS. If you live close by, be sure and support their concerts. For those of you who don't live in the area you can listen to WPOS online at their website; www.wposfm.com . A great big special thanks to Rick Waldron and the entire staff at WPOS for providing us with such a wonderful evening!

The Dixie Echoes and WPOS-FM General Manager, Rick Waldron