Mother's Day Poem Just for You

Dear Friends,

Even though Mother's Day isn't until Sunday, I wanted to go ahead and post this poem for you. You can find it along with 99 other poems in my Christian poetry book Walk Softly (You're Steppin' On My Heart!). I hope you enjoy it.
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                                                                         Mothers

Tomorrow is the day we honor mothers;
Some will be quite happy; others sad.
Some will thank the Lord for their living mother;
Others will say "Thanks" for the one they had.

Red reminds us Mother is still living;
White, of days gone by and Mother gone.
Some God's spared to live a little longer,
And some He's loved and called to "Come on home."

Some will drive for miles to be with Mother;
Others will not see their mother dear.
Earthly mothers need to be remembered;
The same with mothers not with us this year.

Mother is a name for love and goodness,
For optimism, kind words and good deeds,
For washing clothes and rearing little children,
For cooking meals and patching skinned-up knees.

For seeing that we turn out like we ought to,
For seeing that we say our prayers at night,
For laughing at our jokes when they aren't funny,
And making everything that's wrong all right.

Believing in us when nobody else does,
For standing tall behind us ever time,
For picking us right up each time we falter,
For making sure we don't get out of line. 

We pause now and we bow to God, our Father,
And thank Him 'cause He sent them here to us.
No one ever sacrificed for us like Mother
Except the Lord above with all His love.

The Lord loved us so much he sent us mothers;
That's more than we deserve; it's surely clear.
When morning comes and her day is beginning,
We'll honor mothers rightfully this year.

It's more than just a day; it's so important;
She needs to know we've loved her from the start.
And that we'll never change, our love's forever,
And we mean it from the bottom of our hearts.  
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I hope you enjoyed my poem and I hope you'll enjoy Mother's Day again this year.

Until next time,

Pat

                                   

Middle Tennessee Women's Retreat-2014

Dear Friends,

OMGoodness, has it been a wonderful weekend! I attended my first Middle Tennessee Women's Retreat in Nashville, TN. This was the 23rd year for the retreat and it is hosted by the Ann Downing Ministry. Ladies from 25 states came to the retreat, including all the way from Maine. I didn't know fully what to expect, but I knew whatever I experienced that it would be good.

My baby boy, Shawn, and I loaded up my SUV and headed to Nashville early Friday morning. Along the way Shawn decided he would run the half-marathon on Saturday to benefit St. Jude. He's done that race before, so it was natural for him to run again. Shawn did run the race and is only slightly limping now. Overall, he made it fine.

I stayed at the hotel all weekend with the exception of scavenging for food late Friday night after all of our retreat sessions were over. I was starved.

I can honestly tell you that I didn't know one single speaker on the program when I read the brochure. I could understand that if I've been hiding in a cave all these years, but I haven't. Anyway, I don't remember the last time I've laughed so hard in 2 1/2 days. We laughed, cried, praised God, prayed for our fellow attendees, made life-long friends and just felt so comfortable with each other.

If you ever get the opportunity to hear Sue Duffield, Kendra Smiley, Kathy Blume, Sharon Kay King, just to mention a few, do it. These are some mighty talented ladies that are "on fire" for God.  There were other workshop speakers, but I didn't get to take their workshops. Still I heard from others how great they were.

Yesterday morning during our worship service, Jeff Duffield, Sue's husband, played the piano for us. I told him when I get to heaven I'll be able to play just like he does. Right now what I play could not be considered worship music. My chording can't be classified as "playing" a piano either. lol

My buddy, Shannon Knight, is the person who encouraged me to attend the retreat and be a vendor. I trust Shannon completely, so I took his suggestion and ran with it. Not only did I sell many books, but I donated a portion of my profits back to the retreat to help with next year's expenses which Ann had asked for.

The musical portion of our weekend was awesome. Sherri Thrower led us in worship each day which was sweet. We listened to Ann Downing, Shannon Knight who has made the first cut and moved on to the next level in the Singing News Magazine awards for Solo Artist of the Year, Daryl Williams, a most phenomenal songwriter that I got to meet for the first time, and Chris Golden, one of the sons of William Lee Golden of the Oak Ridge Boys. After talking with Chris for a little while, I felt like I had always known him. He drummed for 17 years with the ORB, then felt God calling him to a different path in the music world. Now he sings for Jesus full-time.

Shannon mostly did the sound for the weekend, but he did get to sing a couple of songs. I would have enjoyed hearing him more, but we were on a strict time schedule.

I met some absolutely AWESOME ladies that will be my friends forever. We had the best time together and agreed we wanted to keep in touch. There is one thing that totally overwhelmed me. MANY times during the weekend ladies, total strangers, would tell me that there is just something about you. I heard it over and over and over again from people I've never met before. I told my husband last night that I hope what they're seeing is the light of Jesus shining through my life.

I had a very unexpected pleasure meeting one of my FB friends for the first time. Her name is Pauline Patterson and she is a well-known Southern Gospel music promoter from Kentucky. Pauline asked if she could interview me for a magazine she writes for. With absolutely no hesitation at all, I told her YES. I will let you know when my article comes out and give you the link to it so you can read it yourself. 

We were so caught up at our banquet table Saturday at lunch that NONE of us noticed when a lady from another table slipped over and STOLE a dessert from one of our ladies. We were all amazed that out of eight grown women, none of us saw that happen. Eventually, a lady at our table thought she might know who the culprit was and the practical joke came to an end. The lady with the missing dessert ended up with two. That's a pretty good return for a stolen dessert. lol

At Saturday night's banquet, a lady named Norene Dysart and her daughter sat at our table. As we talked, I found out they are Southern Gospel Recording artists with a Country flavor that have been nominated for a Singing News Magazine award too. I just happened to tell her that I'm a Southern Gospel songwriter. They are looking for some original material as they head back into the studio for their next project. Norene said she would like for me to send them some music to consider. I will. Doesn't it just blow your mind how God works in every situation? And to think I thought I was going to the retreat mostly to sell books. What I got out of it was much more than I could have ever dreamed possible.

This was my first retreat to ever attend, but I would gladly return again. It would be hard to top this year, but I bet they can.

I hope you all have a great day.

Until next time,

Pat

Poem In A Pocket

Dear Friends, 

Today is Poem In A Pocket day. While I'm not giving poems away to folks or sticking poems in pockets today, I wanted to share another one of my poems with you. I hope it will mean something special to you as you read it, maybe even take you down memory lane in your own life. 

                                                                       FILTHY TEMPLE

This bag of flesh and bones is God's creation;
One day He breathed the breath of life in me.
His purpose wasn't so a crowd would gather,
But so that I could serve Him honorably.

While taking inventory of this temple,
I find there needs to be some cleaning done.
My life-sustaining organ isn't spotless,
But stained with shameful sin I can't outrun.

Daily sin collects upon my heart's door,
Penetrating, focusing within.
This filthy temple that I call my body
Stands ready for a cleansing once again.

I will never overcome temptation
Or be the person God wants me to be
If I am never willing to relinquish
The evil and the ugly found in me.

My offerings are meager, yet He loves me;
He knows there's good that can replace the bad.
He's confident that I am not a "lost cause,"
And rescues me from rough times that I've had.

God sent the greatest janitor in Jesus
To scrub away the scum He daily sees.
His motive is to clean my filthy temple, 
Sanitizing and maintaining endlessly.

*This poem is one of 100 from my book: Walk Softly (You're Steppin' On My Heart!). Available on Amazon. 

I hope you are enjoying my blog posts. Please tell others about it.

Until next time,

Pat 

 

A Serving Heart for Jesus

Dear Friends,

I hope all of you had a wonderful Easter. After church, my family had lunch together and got in some visiting time too. I miss the good ol' days when my house was full and our Arkansas family could come down for a few days. Daddy is in heaven now, so those days are gone. I still hope there will come a day when the ones that remain can be together again under the same roof for a little while. If that never happens, I'll cherish the memories we once had. 

Before I ever got out of bed this morning, this poem from my book Walk Softly (You're Steppin' On My Heart!) came to my mind. I feel that God laid this on my heart because someone needs to read it this morning. Here it is.

                                                                          USE ME

Lord, use me on this Monday anyway You choose to do, 
Whether taking meals to the elderly or buying a child new shoes,
Dusting pews or retrieving litter from Your sacred ground
Or let me pass a smile along when Life comes crashing down.

Lord, use me to scrub those pots and pans when other folks won't stay;
Let me use the talents You have given each and every day,
Give needed words when a phone call comes and death rears its ugly head,
When the cabinets wreak of emptiness, help me see that folks get fed.

Lord, use me to make a phone call, pay a visit, or send a card;
Keep me mindful I'm to serve You in both the easy times and hard.
Use me, Lord, not just on Mondays, but the other days as well;
Let me share the "Good News" of Your lasting love that saves from hell.

Lord, use me as a beacon when the path is dark and long;
Let me lead lost souls to You and watch You plant in them a song.
Although I'm only average, take the gifts You've given me;
Expand and multiply them for the cause of Calvary.

With no intention of letting up, there's so much yet to do;
The fields are white unto harvest and the laborers are few.
I want to serve You, Lord, and give the best I have to give;
The best in me is You, dear Lord, as long as Your servant lives. 

I hope you have a wonderful day and I hope that all of us will serve Jesus today and everyday to the best of our abilities.

Until next time,

Pat


 

People Throwing Packages at Me While I'm Singing

Dear Friends,

I come from several generations of singers, songwriters and musicians. I joined my daddy's band when I was only nine years old. I sang and played the acoustic guitar. That was the first band I joined. Two more bands would follow years later. I won a talent contest in the 4th grade and kept right on singing. I've always been surrounded by music from both sides of my family, but it was my daddy that has had the largest musical influence on me. 

In my early years I sang many solos in the one-room church I attended at Robertstown, AR. When we moved back into town, I delved right into church there and the music program was a top priority for me. I sang on a Saturday afternoon radio program on station KVOM in my hometown of Morrilton, AR with my daddy's band-Ben Baker and the Mountain Music Makers. And, my church, Morrilton Assembly of God, had a radio program every Sunday morning and I sang on it too as a soloist and as a member of the church choir. 

I was blessed to have sung many times on the Cal Dring Morning Show in Little Rock, AR years ago and I've appeared on the Tommy Trent Fun Barn in Little Rock. I sang on it the night Nat Stuckey was there. You might remember Nat's big hit-Has Anybody Here Seen Sweet Thang?

I was invited to be the headliner one time at the Del Mack Opry in Fayetteville, AR. I thought I had everything ready for my big entrance. The plan was for me to be introduced, then walk out on stage singing Bad, Bad Leroy Brown. Wouldn't you know it? The house band started the song in the wrong key. What should have been perfect had to be stopped and started over so I could sing the song in a lower key. Goodness. It was the first time my name had ever been on a theatre marquee and the band messed up right at the beginning. Oh well, I got over it and the show went on.

What a thrill it was to sing for those wonderful folks until they started walking up to the stage and throwing wrapped packages at me! Probably like most of you I was wondering if my singing was really that bad for folks to throw things at me. As it turned out, there was something the theatre manager had forgotten to tell me until the show was over. If folks like the singing, they bring you presents, or actually they throw presents at your feet. It was a little difficult to finish my show because I didn't know what was happening at the time and I didn't know what was in those wrapped packages. Anyway, eventually I got through the show.

Music has always been a very important part of my family. If I couldn't sing and write songs, I think I'd self-destruct. I love music that much. It's a great way to express yourself like no other. 

I also started writing songs at nine years old. I've been writing ever since. I'm hoping this is my breakout year and that several of my songs get recorded by names that you would automatically recognize. Like every songwriter I'm sure, I think I have some good songs. I'm just anxious to hear some of them on the radio. If I have a bucket list, that would be one of the things at the very top. 

Meeting Mark Wills and Joseph Baldwyn last night got me reflecting on my music days. You can see what a passion those men have for music. The same could have been said about me during my days on stage, radio and television. Actually, I still have a passion for music. I just don't normally perform on stage anymore. 

Well, dear friends, I've shared some of my past and my love for singing and songwriting. There is much more to know. Believe me when I say this. Maybe that will be a blog for another day. 

Have a great day and make this day your best one yet. 

Until next time,

Pat



  

Rodney Griffin-Songwriting Sensation

Dear Friends,

Good morning to all of you. I haven't blogged in a few days, but I have a great interview for you today. I have Rodney Griffin, a longtime Southern Gospel singer and songwriting sensation. I don't want to jump ahead and tell you too much about Rodney. I want you to hear it from him. So, here we go.

PB: Rodney, welcome to what I call "Jelly Bean Central." I am excited to have you as my guest today. As with any famous person, there are probably many of my readers who may not know who you are. Let's tell them.

PB. Rodney, I know you as a phenomenal singer and an amazing songwriter of Southern Gospel songs. At what age did you start singing?

RG: My Dad is a pastor.  He talked me and my younger sister into singing a song at church one Sunday when she was 5 and I was 7.  I hated it.

PB: Actually, I think your dad did all of us a big favor by doing that, even though you didn't know it at the time. 

PB: Do you play any instruments?

RG: I don’t play anything extremely well.  I know chords and can find them on a piano.  I can play the “uum chuck uum chuck” rhythm.   I also enjoy playing bass guitar.

PB: Well, that's a start in case you ever want to continue on. 

PB: When did you start writing songs?

RG: I was sitting at my desk at Newport News Shipbuilding when I wrote my first song.  I was 23, I believe.

PB: I can honestly say that I think you are one of the best songwriters in the Gospel industry. I've followed your career for many years, so I can say that without hesitating. 

PB: Have you won any awards for your songwriting?

RG: It’s kind of embarrassing with so much unknown songwriting talent in our industry, but I’ve been voted Singing News Favorite Songwriter for 15 years…crazy

PB: Oh, that's not crazy. That's beyond wonderful.  But, I do understand what you mean. There are many known and unknown songwriters out there who have written some good songs. The ones by the unknown writers just haven't gotten the right breaks they need yet.

PB: What are the titles of some of your songs?

RG: My Name Is Lazarus, Just One More Soul, Faces, God Wants To Hear You Sing, He’d Still Been God, He Locked The Gates, It Pays To Pray, Do You Want To Be Forgiven, God Saw A Cross, What You Took From Me, Take It From Me Meshach, Way Past Ready, I’m Looking For The Grace, Preacher Tell Me Like It Is

PB: What is the highest you have charted initially with a new song?

RG: I’m not sure.  I do think I’ve written or co-written around 15 number ones.

PB: That is amazing, but deservedly so.

PB: I know that you are a member of Greater Vision now. Have you been with other groups in the past? How long have you been with Greater Vision? What part do you sing?

RG: I’ve sung baritone for Greater Vision for 20 years now.  I was with Ed O’Neal and The Dixie Melody Boys for 2 years before coming here.

PB: Greater Vision has awesome harmony. It's worked for 20 years. I hope you guys plan to keep on keeping on. 

PB: To be successful in the music industry, one of the things you must do is go where the people are. How do you feel about life on the road?

RG: The way I describe my life is that I loooove to come home to my family….and I loooove to head toward the bus.  I love my life.

PB: How does that affect your home life?

RG: Regina, my wife of 19 years is incredibly supportive.  She knows that this is my calling, and wouldn’t have it any other way…otherwise, she’d have to cook more than 2 or 3 nights a week.

PB: You're very fortunate to have such a great support system in place. There are bound to be many aspiring/established artists that don't have that solid support system in their corner. I know you truly appreciate Regina supporting you in your calling. 

PB: Tell my readers and me about your personal life-wife, children and etc. This is where you get to brag on your family.

RG: In December, Regina and I will celebrate 20 great years.  We have 2 girls, Reagan (16) and Riley (13).  Both girls love to play in the homeschool volleyball league there in Somerset, Kentucky.  We’re active members of Bible Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, Kentucky.  We moved there a little over a year ago to be closer to Regina’s Mom and my parents.  We’re enjoying our time with the grandparents.

PB: That's great. There's nothing like being near family that you love. 

PB: Who has been your largest musical influence?

RG: I had more cassettes of the Cathedrals than any other group growing up.  I never dreamed I’d someday get to sing on the same stage as them.

PB: Has there been one particular person that has encouraged you the most?

RG: I’d say Regina has been the most steady support for me through the years.  She’s great!

PB: I haven't met Regina, but I can already tell that she's a real jewel. 

PB: When you aren’t on the road singing or writing songs, what do you do for fun?

RG: I have a bass boat that I love to get on the lake.   I also have a motorcycle that is like a one man convertible on Kentucky country roads.

PB: I’m guessing you’ve traveled a large part of the world by now. What has been your favorite place to visit?

RG: I guess Israel is my favorite.  It’s not the prettiest…like Hawaii…but you can feel the presence of the Lord when you visit where He walked.

PB: I haven't been to Israel, so I can only imagine how wonderful it must be there. 

 PB: With such a busy life, is it hard for you to slow down?

RG: Not at all.  I enjoy sitting in my recliner and watching the NFL network when I have a chance to.  I’m an avid Dallas Cowboys fan.  I even re-watch games they’ve lost and try to figure out why.

PB. Rodney, share with us some of the greatest highlights that you have experienced while being in the music industry?

RG: Travelling with Gerald Wolfe for 20 years has been a blessing.  He’s had  many great ideas through the years.  One of my favorites was the Greater Vision Quartets CD.  We brought in several living bass singers, and captured a few who’d gone on to heaven (like George Younce and J.D. Sumner) throughthe latest recording technology.  They’re voices were lifted from original analog recordings.

PB: Modern technology has brought us so far. Not that many years ago you wouldn't have been able to do things like this. 

PB: Do you have a musical hero?

RG: People sometimes say that I remind them of Glen Payne when he sang…not vocally, but by my actions.  That’s an honor, because he is a hero.  Another vocal hero has always been Mark Trammell.  I enjoyed trying to pick his voice out of old Cathedrals recordings.  I had a similar range, and wanted to learn to put that same part in the harmony.  Now I get to do it every night.

PB: Is there anyone you would like to record one of your songs that hasn’t yet?

RG: Yes, Elvis.  I’m thinking that won’t happen.

PB: LOL! Yes, I'm thinking you're right unless you know something the rest of us don't. One thing is for sure. If Elvis had recorded any of your songs, you could retire from everything if you wanted to. You'd be financially set for life.

PB: Until you become well-known in the music world and get that first big hit, it can take quite a while to get a large royalty check in the mail? Do you remember how much your first check was for?

RG: I don’t remember the amount, but I do remember the first group that I was not singing in that sent a royalty check was the Truthseekers out of Marion Illinois.  They are still dear friends to this day.

PB: Many years ago I went by myself to hear Greater Vision at First Baptist Church in Fulton, MS, about 30 minutes from where I live. GV was wonderful. When I left there, I felt like I had been to an old-fashioned revival. It was just AWESOME! All of you seemed so down to earth. I think everybody there could say the same thing. I was fortunate enough to get to talk to you at the merchandise table after the concert. You were extremely gracious and friendly to me. I won’t ever forget it.

PB: As we close out this interview, what words of wisdom would you like to share with my readers and me?

RG: I’m certainly not wise, but I would say for young songwriters to not be discouraged when you don’t have success in getting songs recorded quickly.  In God’s time, He will give you the interesting and unique song ideas that groups are looking for.  It takes time…no need to rush.  A great song will ALWAYS be a great song…even if it’s passed on by many groups.  This is God’s music.  He will get His music to where it needs to be.

PB: Rodney, it's been a true joy to spend some time with you and get to know you a little better. Thank you for taking the time from your busy schedule to make time for me. For any of my readers that have never heard of you and Greater Vision or seen you in concert, I highly suggest they do so when you travel to their area. They will be blessed more than they could ever imagine. 

Well, folks you and I have just spent a few minutes with one of the most talented men in Southern Gospel music, Rodney Griffin. Look for his songs. Request them on the radio and purchase his CDs. You won't be sorry.

Click on this link to go to Greater Vision's website. I hope you'll check them out. 
 http://www.greatervisionmusic.com/

I hope you have a great day today with SONshine in your heart.

Until next time,

Pat 

It's a BIG deal-BOOK of the WEEK!

Dear Friends,

Good morning to all of you that have stopped by JELLY BEAN CENTRAL. The skies contain dark clouds where I live and I hear the wind whistling outside. But, it's still a beautiful day to me.

I have some big news that I want to share with all of you faithful readers today. Most of you have probably heard of a BOOK of the MONTH CLUB at some point in your life. Well, I'm taking that basic idea and going a different direction with it. I've decided to start a BOOK of the WEEK for you. What that means is you will be able to order a specific book at a reduced price. Actually, you will be able to save several dollars on each purchase. The ONLY way to get the reduced price is to order directly from me.

This week's special is HAS a DONKEY EVER BROUGHT YOU BREAKFAST IN BED?. It regularly retails for $12.00 plus tax. This week ONLY you can get it for a total of $8.00. That is nearly a $5.00 savings. If you want to purchase a copy of this book, please send me a PM on Facebook and your mailing address. Not only do you get a lower price, but you also get a signed copy of the book and a FREE bookmark. 

Every Monday I will list the BOOK of the WEEK and every week you will get it at a reduced price. 

Soon my two new books should be out. I'm hoping no later than the end of the month, but we'll see. 

Thank you for being a faithful follower of me on Facebook, Twitter and now my blog. Please share the news with others. 

Have a great day! 

Until next time,

Pat