Today’s Top 50 Person: Marty Funderburk

Today’s Christian Song: We Are The Light by Servant

Today’s Quote: “To get what you’ve never had, you must do what you’ve never done.” Brian Tracy

Today’s Thanks: Being Drum Major. As I look back over the accomplishments in my life, I have to say that the one I’ve worked for the most was being Drum Major, both in high school and in college. It’s one that I am most proud of. Back then, it was a passion. I wanted it more than I wanted anything, and I knew I was good at it. I knew I could accomplish it, and I did. So much so, that in high school, I expected to win it. In college, I hoped I could win it, even though I knew I could do the job. It was more fun in high school, because I got to be “me”. In college, Dr. Sills wanted more of a cookie cutter. But I still enjoyed what I considered the prestige. I still get goose bumps when I hear the announcer of any band say, “Drum Major _________, is your band ready? You may enter the field, in competition!”

Today’s Verse: “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions —it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” Ephesians 2: 4-6.

Today’s Top 50 Person: Brent Shorter

Today’s Christian Song: Holy by Nichole Nordeman

Today’s Quote: “When we have done our best, we can await the results in peace.”

Today’s Thanks: Baptist Student Union. I was excited about going to Mississippi State, but I had no idea what BSU was when I first stepped on campus. The BSU at IJC was not something that I wanted to be a part of. But when I got to State, I made friends in the band that invited me to BSU. I was very busy, but when I heard they were looking for a bass player, I was intrigued. I tried out for The Fishermen, and it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I remember playing an outdoor gig for a bunch of high school youth groups that had come to learn about missions, and I just remember thinking, “Here are a bunch of incredible, fun, smart, cool people who are outgoing and outspoken about their faith in Jesus Christ. I really want to be that!” I had never seen someone like that, that I remember; at least not someone that stuck with me. I had found my peer group. Later, we did a BSU retreat at Holmes County State Park, and I stood in the back by the sound board. God spoke to me that night and poured His Spirit into me, and I have never been the same since. So, I owe the BSU the credit for being used of God to change my life, call me into ministry, and give me the opportunity to see others’ lives changed through me. I got great discipleship, with such groups as “MasterLife”. I have such great memories, and I have lasting friendships because of my involvement in BSU! Thank you God!

Today’s Verse: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4: 17, 18.

Today’s Top 50 Person: Julie Woods

Today’s Christian Song: Waitin’ On Someday by Greg X. Volz

Today’s Quote: “We cannot achieve our wildest dreams by remaining who we are.” Dr. John C. Maxwell

Today’s Thanks: Mississippi State University. I didn’t know how much my life would change when I decided to go to State. I remember clearly as I am sitting here the night that I sat down and wrote a letter to Dr. James Hejl, Director of Bands, telling him I wanted to come on to State that next fall and be a member of the band. I got a letter back almost immediately and was so excited! The friends I made and the life lessons I learned will always go with me. The biggest thing that happened was becoming part of the BSU, but there was so much more to my MSU experience than that. I didn’t get the greatest education, because I didn’t apply myself, but I had more fun than anyone should be allowed to have! And I learned so much about myself! I will always be so thankful for my Mississippi State experience!

Today’s Verse: “In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” 2 Timothy 2:20-21.

Today’s Top 50 Person: Michael Ball

Today’s Christian Song: Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) by Chris Tomlin

Today’s Quote: “People who never do any more than they get paid for, never get paid for more than they do.”

Today’s Thanks: Vacation spots. It is so great to have places to go when you want to get away! I know that I have never seen the world’s most beautiful places, but the ones I have seen are incredible. I am thankful for the ski resorts I’ve been to, for Gatlinburg, for Gulfshores/Orange Beach, and of course for all the cities we’ve been to – Dallas, Nashville, New Orleans, Atlanta, St. Louis, and others. So much fun, whether it was me and my friends, me and Angie, or me and Angie and the kids!

Today’s Verse: “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior” Titus 3: 4-6.

Today’s Top 50 Person: Kevin Pridmore. My childhood best buddy who lived across the street. We’ve spent hundreds of hours together, but none since the 6th grade!

Today’s Christian Song: Open Skies by David Crowder

Today’s Quote: “Unless you try something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.” Ronald E. Osborn

Today’s Thanks: Holidays. It is so good to be able to relax every once in a while with no worries. I’m thankful that the government has seen fit to spread holidays out over the year so that they come every few weeks. It always makes it easier to get up and go after you’ve been relaxing over a nice holiday.

Today’s Verse: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39.

Spent the entire day at the hospital again but thankfully they allowed Angie to come home around 5:00. We are so thankful it’s not her heart – it’s the bulging disc in her neck.

So we are spending a quiet evening at the house. Jaron is off with his soccer friends but Melody is here. We all played “guessing games” at the supper table. This is one of my favorite times! I love to laugh with Melody, and when Angie pitches in, it’s even better! We laugh so much and it is so much fun! Melody loves to see me lose, and I love to give her a hard time. So it all works out! It reminds me of those great times when I was a kid in Columbus and Uncle Murray and Aunt Martha would visit, and we would sit at the table after supper and just talk and talk. Oh, how I loved those time! We did it too, in Wren, but most of the time we didn’t sit down to eat until after 9:00 at night, so we didn’t have much time afterwards to sit and talk. We usually ate, then I went to play bass or whatever in my room while Mom cleaned up the kitchen. Then we would all meet in the den to watch the last part of the news, including the hallowed 3 minutes of sports, and then watch Johnny Carson’s monologue before we turned off the TV and went to bed. Great family memories!

Today’s Top 50 Person: Andy “Nesbit” Sanders

Today’s Christian Song: The Warrior Is A Child by Twila Paris

Today’s Quote: “Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, but faith looks up!”

Today’s Thanks: Means of Communication. I think about what life was like when I was growing up in Wren, MS. We had one phone in the house and it was on the desk in the den, with a rotary dial. Even though the prefix was 256, you could just dial 6 and the other four numbers. When I first moved there in 1974, we were on a party line! There was no such thing as cell phones, IPads, texting, laptops, Facebook, Skype, or any other way that we normally communicate now. We used to laugh when we considered that you could actually look at someone when you talked to them over the phone. Now it is actually a reality. Amazing, and I am thankful that we have the technology that allows to talk with whoever we want to, at basically any time.

Today’s Verse: “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.” Psalm 37:3 – 6.

Today’s Top 50 Person: Anna Kuykendall
Today’s Christian Song: We Are The Reason by David Meece

Today’s Quote: “The key is not to prioritize what’s on the schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” Stephen Covey
Today’s Thanks: Air Conditioning. Don’t laugh – this is not some trite idea. If I had to name one invention I am thankful for, the first one that comes to mind is this one. I don’t mind sweating and some weather – but I’ve gotten used to only having it in certain situations! It’s better and better the hotter it gets each summer!
Today’s Verse: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building other up according to needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29

Today’s Top 50 Person: Scott Forbus
Today’s Christian Song: His Heart Was Always In It by Whiteheart
http://www.myspace.com/whiteheart-45829033/music/songs/his-heart-was-always-in-it-tales-of-wonder-album-version-34609966
Today’s Quote: “Take care of the moments of your life, and the days and years will take care of themselves.”
Today’s Thanks: Sunshine. What would life be like if God had created the world to exist in a cloud or haze? I really believe people tend to feel better on sunshine-y days! It gives you an instantly better disposition. Who doesn’t love sunshine?!?
Today’s Verse: 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:25 – 34.

Today’s Top 50 Person: Ken Watkins
Today’s Christian Song: Million Pieces by the Newsboys

I don’t remember exactly how this came about, but Jaron and I connected with this song when he was a little boy. Great memory! I guess it was me playing it in the car and he and I jamming to it. Or course he picked it up really quickly and we had a great time with it over and over!
Today’s Quote: “You’re more likely to act yourself into feeling than to feel yourself into action.” Jerome Bruner
Today’s Thanks: Rest. I’m not sure why God make us with the need for rest, or even with the need for 8 hours a day, but since He did, I sure am thankful that I have time and a place to rest. There’s nothing better than sleeping first thing each morning when you wake up! If I could sleep from 2:00 AM – 10:00 AM every morning, that would be perfect, but the world doesn’t operate on my schedule!
Today’s Verse: “”I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit, apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5.

Today’s Top 50 Person: Tommy Jarrett
Today’s Christian Song: Saved By Love – Amy Grant.

I don’t know what I love about this song, I just love the feel I guess. She’s such a brilliant song writer. This is in most people’s opinion the greatest CCM album ever released. I agree. So I had to include one song off of it. Could’ve been 1974. But I love this one more.
Today’s Quote: “You were born an original. Don’t die a copy.”
Today’s Thanks: Wisdom. Not that I have much of it, but I long to! There’s much difference in intelligence and wisdom. You gain wisdom by being exposed to the truth, and applying experience to gain maturity. The Bible is full of wisdom, and I need more of that in my life all the time.
Today’s Verse: “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:1 – 6.