"My Joy...Your Joy"

Taken from, "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers

"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full" (John 15:11).

What was the joy that Jesus had? Joy should not be confused with happiness. In fact, it is an insult to Jesus Christ to use the word happiness in connection with Him. The joy of Jesus was His absolute self-surrender and self-sacrifice to His Father--the joy of doing that which the Father sent Him to do--"...who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross..."(Hebrews 12:2). "I delight to do Your will, O my God..." (Psalm 40:8). Jesus prayed that our joy might continue fulfilling itself until it becomes the same joy as His. Have I allowed Jesus Christ to introduce His joy to me?

Living a full and overflowing life does not rest in bodily health, in circumstances, nor even in seeing God's work succeed, but in the perfect understanding of God, and in the same fellowship and oneness with Him that Jesus Himself enjoyed. But the first thing that will hinder this joy is the subtle irritability cause by giving too much thought to our circumstances. Jesus said, "...the cares of this world, ...choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful" (Mark 4:19). And before we even realize what has happened, we are caught up in our cares. All that God has done for us is merely the threshold--He wants us to come to the place where we will be His witnesses and proclaim who Jesus is.

Have the right relationship with God, finding your joy there, and out of you "will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38). Be a fountain through which Jesus can pour His "living water." Stop being hypocritical and proud, aware only of yourself, and live "your life...hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3). A person who has the right relationship with God lives a life as natural as breathing wherever he goes. The lives that have been the greatest blessing to you are the lives of those people who themselves were unaware of having been a blessing.

Dixie Echoes Welcome New Bass Vocalist

The Dixie Echoes are pleased to welcome Pat Barker as their new bass vocalist. Pat and his wife, Kesha, along with their two-year-old son, Andy, currently reside in Oxford, Ala., and will soon be relocating to Pensacola, Florida. “We are thrilled to have Pat as a part of the Dixie Echoes,” states pianist Stewart Varnado. “We have known Pat for several years. Back in 2000, he filled in with us for two weekends while Billy Todd took a couple of weeks off for health reasons. Pat then sang with our friends the Diplomats, from Carrollton, Ga., from 2001-2004.”

Pat is 34 years old, and his first concert as a member of the group was on August 23, 2007. “Pat pulled into Pensacola August 22 just as the fire trucks were leaving the bus. So it’s been an interesting first weekend for him as our newest member," muses Varnado.

Editors note: I had the privilege of meeting Pat on a couple of occasions. He is a great guy and I have yet to come across anyone who has anything bad to say about Pat. He is very capable of filling the bass position and I am thrilled he is now a part of the Dixie Echoes. I wish Pat, and all of the Dixie Echoes the best. Keep On Singing boys!!

Dixie Echoes Bus Destroyed by FIRE

On Wednesday, August 22nd, at about 3:30 pm, the Dixie Echoes bus caught fire at the home of Shirley Shelnut (wife of the late Dale Shelnut). Her yard serves as the parking area for the bus when the group is home. Dixie Echoes pianist, Stewart Varnado, and Shirley were visiting in her front yard when Shirley noticed smoke coming from the bus that was parked in her back yard. Varnado approached the bus and upon opening the front door, he was met with a wall of flames and smoke. Quickly he grabbed a nearby water hose, attempting to put out the fire, while Shirley called the fire department. The Pensacola Fire Department quickly responded and extinguished the fire, but the entire interior of the bus was destroyed. When Stewart first opened the bus door in attempt to save the bus, debris shot out and burned his right foot and right arm. He is doing well with only minor burns. Randy Shelnut, Dallas Rogers, and Scoot Shelnut were quick to get to the bus to unload and try to salvage their sound equipment. Since the group was scheduled to leave the same night, everyone had already loaded all of their suits and personal belongings onto the bus. The group had loaded enough product for all six of this weekends concerts, plus next weeks trip to Silver Dollar City. All of their product was damaged. Luckily, they had enough extra product in stock at their office for the weekend. The group will keep their dates and will be traveling by motor home temporarily. Please keep the Dixie Echoes in your prayers as they travel and as they work through this tough time. While the Dixie Echoes are still in shock at this great loss, they are praising God that no one was seriously injured and are trusting that He will supply all of their needs.

Any donations to the Dixie Echoes can be sent to:

Dixie Echoes

481 Ronda Street

Pensacola, FL 32534

Or visit http://www.dixieechoes.com/

Thanks for your prayers! To see how you can help we have a special page setup for our P.I.T. Crew (Partners in Travel).

If you're close by go out and give the Dixie Echoes some extra support this weekend!

August 23 7:00pm Springfield, TN Bethlehem Baptist Church

August 24 7:00pm Yorkville, TN Yorkville Community Center w/Kingsmen

August 25 6:30pm Yorkville, TN Yorkville Community Center w/Primitives and Aaron Wilburn

August 26 1:30pm Paris, TN Maplewood Baptist Church

August 26 6:00pm Martin, TN Pleasant Hill Baptist Church

August 27 1:00pm Pigeon Forge, TN 2007 World Premiere Gospel Concert-Grand Resort Hotel & Convention Center

IT'S A BOY!!!!

Yesterday morning Valerie and I went for her 20 week check-up. Of course this is the one where they do the ultrasound to find out what the gender of the child is. We couldn't get a really clear picture, but as best we can tell, IT'S A BOY!! So there ya go for all of you who thought it was going to be a girl. Haven't quite decided on a name just yet but "Ryan" is looking like it'll be the choice. A little indefinite on a middle name but "Theodore" is a front runner in memory of his great-grandpa. So a strong possibility is Ryan Theodore Crouch...whatdya think? I think it'll work but we're still open to some other ideas. So here are the ultrasound pics, they're pretty self-explanatory, enjoy!