Odie's Songs of Hope Part Two

Hey Friends,

This is Odie checking in with you. How are things are going today? Thank you for stopping by!  I am thrilled to visit with you again.

Hope

Today I am choosing to focus on hope. The world we live in is an extremely hopeless place. We can not concentrate on the circumstances that surround us. Everyday life can drain our hope and strength in a hurry. 

Where can we turn to find hope? People tend to search for hope in all the wrong places. Possessions or a good feeling from a substance is not the answer.  There is not an item in existence that can really supply us with hope.

Guess what? I know the answer to everyone's search for help and hope. God can give us both help and hope! Are you struggling to survive during this difficult time? Please call on God right now!

Friends, all of us can put our hope and faith in God. He will never fail us. We are not defeated, when we give God control of our lives. He makes all things possible. I am thankful that I can rely on God! Today my prayer is to not lose sight of the fact, that God is my hope. I am going to win.

Previously I wrote a post about part one a list of songs that I compiled during the pandemic. My complete list has one hundred songs. Each of the songs has inspired me to have hope. Music is a large part of my life. The lyrics of songs encourage me every day.

Today I will close with the rest of the list. There are many more wonderful songs, but these are the ones that came to my mind. Thanks for reading!

God Bless,

Odie

Odie's Songs of Hope Part Two

 51. He’s My Friend- The Simpson Family

52. The Word The Lord Will Come-The McRaes

53. God’s Still With Me- The Isaacs

54. Wherever You Are- The Martins

55. Mountain Mover-Talleys

56. God Is Always Good- Amber Nelon Thompson

57. There Is Hope-The  Ball Brothers

58. Nothing Too Big For My God- The Bowling Sisters

59. He Can Take It- Brian Free And Assurance

60. We Will Soon Be Done With Trouble And Trials- Gaither 

61. You Amaze Me- Crabb Revival

62. The Power Of An Empty Tomb- The Erwins

63. Walk On- The Isaacs

64. Pray Now- Karen Peck And New River

65. I Know Somebody Who Does- Gordon Mote

66. We Are Broken- High Road

67. He Knows What He’s Doing- Jason Crabb

68. Life Is Great And Getting’ Better- Jeff And Sheri Easter

69. Pray Anyway- The Bowlings

70. When I Hear The Thunder- Crossway

71. Hiding Place - The Sound

72. In The Presence Of Jesus- Jody McBrayer

73. I Want To Live It All- Lord Song

74. Almost Morning- The Perrys

75. He Ain’t Never Done Me Nothing But Good- The Isaacs

76. Promise Land- The Crabb Family

77. The Dearest Friend I’ve Ever Had- Gaither

78. Morning's Coming- Jeff And Sheri Easter

79. Praise You In This Valley- The Browders

80. When He Said Live- T. K.&Mcrae

81. Pray Through Me- The Simpson Family

82. If That’s What It Takes- The Isaacs

83. Keep On- The Perrys

84. Turn It Loose- Karen Peck And New River

85. You Don’t Have To Bear Your Burdens Alone- 3 For1

86. Reason Enough- Ernie Haase And Signature Sound

87. I Can't Make It Lord Without You- The Isaacs

88. He Knows- Old Paths

89. He Touched Me- The Isaacs

90. Jesus Never Fails- Cana's Voice

91. Sing- The Perrys

92. Smile Again The Crabb Family

93. Four Days Late- Karen Peck And New River

94. He Will Carry You- Brian Free And Assurance

95. How Great Thou Art- The Isaacs

96. Piece  By Piece- The Spencers

97. Sometimes It Takes A Mountain- Gaither Vocal Band

98. Big Mighty God- The Lefevre Quartet

99. Everything Is Gonna Turn Out Right- The Isaacs

100. If There Ever Was A Time- The Crabb Family

Odie's Songs of Hope Part One

Hey Friends,

This is Odie on Thursday. What in the world is up with that? Well, I am standing in for Dad today. Never fear, I plan to be right here in position for my regular post on Saturday.

I hope you are having a fantastic day! What helps you make it through a day? Music has always helped me. Do you enjoy music? 

Listing to the radio helps me when I am alone. I really enjoy Singing News Radio on my smart speaker. Check them out online by clicking here While in quarantine last year, I compiled a list of one hundred songs that have inspired me to have hope. 

These songs have encouraged and helped me survive life. I was encouraged during this pandemic by the messages found in song lyrics.

Do you need a boost in your hope? I decided to share part one of my songs of hope with you today. The first fifty songs are listed at the end of this post. I hope they inspire you too.

My list is a mix of old and new music. Some of these songs speak hope to my soul and other songs lighten my mood. A different attitude can inspire me to have hope as well.

Thanks for stopping by to visit with me. I hope you enjoy the first part of my Songs of Hope Part One.  Click on the artist names to find each song on YouTube.

Odie

 Odie's Songs of Hope Part One

1.  I Still Trust You- The Isaacs

2.  Because He Lives- The Gaither Vocal Band

3.  I Know Who Hold Tomorrow- The Isaacs

4. You Are Not In This Alone-The Browders

5. Through The Fire- The Crabb Family

6. The God That I Serve- Karen Peck And New River

7. Never No Never- Joseph Habadank

8. The Promise- The Martins

9. Through It All- Gordan Mote

10. The Potter Knows The Clay- The Perrys

11. You Cries Have Awoken The Master- The Bowlings

12. It Is Well With My Soul- The Isaacs

13. All My Hope Is In Jesus- Gold City

14. The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power- Gaither

15. Praise His Name- Jeff And Sheri Easter

16. Power In Prayer- 11^th Hour

17. Revival- The Lefevre Quartet

18. The Healer Has Never Lost His Touch- Tribute Quartet

19. Can I Get A Witness- The Sound

20. Tis' So Sweet To Trust In Jesus- Various Artist

21. Sometimes He Whispers- Adam Crabb 

22. Hallelujah- Josh Eason

23. Gotta Get To Jesus- Collingsworth Family

24. Yours Amen- The Isaacs

25. Nothing Takes You By Surprise- Brian Free And Assurance

26. Why Should I Worry- Karen Peck And New River

27. Over And Over- Jeff And Sheri Easter

28. In The Valley There’s A Rock- Three Bridges

29. Good To Me- The Martins

30. My Life Is In Your Hands- Lauren Talley

31. Better Day- Gaither Vocal Band

32. The Sun Will Shine Again- Jeff and Seri Easter

33. Jesus You Are- Austins Bridge

34. Hold On- The Greens

35. My Peace Of Mind- Karen Peck And New River

36. Count Your Blessings- The Martins

37. Stand Still- The Isaacs

38. Blessed Assurance- The Isaacs

39. The Healer- The Talleys

40. He’ll Make A Way- The Crabb Family

41. Jesus Is In The House-11^th Hour

42. Alright-The McRaes

43. Hold on to Jesus- Austins Bridge

44. Say Amen- Brian Free And Assurance

45. He Won’t Leave You There- Jason Crabb

46. Give It To God- The Erwins

47. Healer Of My Heart- Sisters

48. Miracle Today- The Bowlings

49. Through The Valley- The Isaacs

50. God Likes To Work- Karen Peck and New River

Preach The Word

Hey Friends,

This is Odie checking in with you. I hope you are having a fabulous weekend. Thanks for visiting with me here for a few moments.

For the last four or five weeks, I have been pondering the lyrics of a fabulous song written by our good friend Bro. Jim Davis. He is an extremely talented musician, singer and songwriter. 

Bro. Jim and his wife Sis. Darla are precious people. I am honored to call them my friends. They both work in the music department at Riverdale Assembly in California.

We love getting to be with them whenever and wherever we can cross paths. I also enjoy getting to see them during the online services from Riverdale Assembly. You can click here to see those services.

This is the chorus that keeps rolling over in my heart. I had to share it with you. Preach The Word is probably my favorite Jim Davis song. He wrote this song several years ago, but the message still rings true for 2021.

Preach the word preach the cross
Preach redemption to a lost and dying world
Lift your voice unashamed of the Gospel of His name
Until all have heard preach the word
Each of us has a special job to do.

Now more than ever we need to share the word of God with the world. I want to purpose to spread the word unashamedly. I desire to be a messenger of hope. We live in a dark world. The Gospel is the light that everyone around us needs to see shining today.

We do not have to be a preacher with a platform to spread the good news. Our lives can reflect this message of Christ. Our attitudes and conversation with others have the ability to draw people to God or turn them away. My hope and prayer is that others can see the love of God in my life. I want my actions to Preach the Word.

A while back I had a God ordained meeting with a lady. I was scheduled for an appointment via video call. I was assigned to this lady randomly, or so we thought. It was definitely not a "random" meeting.

We were doing this appointment via video call and as I answered the routine questions. This lady and I began having our own conversation.

The door opened and I was able to briefly share some of my testimony. She has a family member that needs a miracle and my life and testimony encouraged this lady to believe that her family member could receive a miracle.

When the call came to a close, we were both encouraged. It was evident to both of us that God had brought us together for a purpose. Dad had preached about divine providence the night before my call. I was amazed to see God working divine providence for me that day. It was an incredible feeling.

That very special moment made me hungry to look for more "random" ways to tell others what God has done for me. It may even push me out of my comfort zone. Sharing what He has done in my life is an amazing feeling. I encourage you to try it too!

I will leave you with the full lyrics of Preach The Word. Gold City Quartet recorded this song many years ago. They did an outstanding job delivering the song's message. Click here to see them performing the song at the National Quartet Convention.

Thanks for reading as I share what is on my heart. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. I pray God blessed you abundantly!

Odie

Preach the Word

Words and Music by Jim E. Davis 
Centergy Music Group

Verse 1
Paul was weary on his journey
His body frail and weak
The apostle knew the end was near
As he dipped his pen in ink
He wrote Timothy my son
You have fought the fight of faith
Carry on what I've begun
But most of all I pray

Chorus

Preach the word preach the cross
Preach redemption to a lost and dying world
Lift your voice unashamed of the Gospel of His name
Until all have heard preach the word

Verse 2
Paul and Timothy are gone now
But the letter still remains
And the mission that was written down
Calls out to us today
Lift the name of Jesus higher
Until the whole world knows
The story of amazing grace
We are messengers of hope

Chorus
Preach the word preach the cross
Preach redemption to a lost and dying world
Lift your voice unashamed of the Gospel of His name

Chorus and Tag
Preach the word preach the cross
Preach redemption to a lost and dying world
Lift your voice unashamed of the Gospel of His name
Until all have heard preach the word (preach the word, preach the word) preach the word preach the word preach the word) preach the word (preach the word preach the word) preach the word

Praise His Name

Hey Friends,

I hope you are having a good Saturday. This is Odie reporting in from Mississippi. We are thrilled to be at one of our "homes on the road" this week in Ellisville. We absolutely love any time that we get to be with Pastor Kenny, Sis Joan Morris and all of our family at First Assembly. I am excited about revival this week and it is scheduled for Sunday through Friday. I am believing that God will meet us in a mighty way like He has every time at First Assembly.

Cedar Creek

This past week, through Wednesday, we were in Citronelle, Alabama. We had a fabulous time with our friends at Cedar Creek Holy Church of God. They are a precious group of people and they have been our friends for a long time. 

Pastor Darius and Sis. Kim Templeton were my youth pastors in Ohio for a long time. They have had a big impact on me. It is always great to be with them again. I will forever be grateful for their friendship and Godly examples.

Praise His Name

Music is a large part of my life and I often find encouragement in the lyrics of a song. Sometimes it is a newer song, but I also find solace in older songs. Often a song comes to my mind right at a moment when I need it.

Recently it was a song that was made popular by Jeff and Sheri Easter that gave me the boost I needed. The song is titled Praise His Name. A portion of the chorus stood out to me this time and it says,

"Greater is He, that is within me

You can praise the hurt away

If you'll just praise His name".

I needed to remember that God was greater than my circumstances. I also needed to stop worrying about my problems and praise Him for a change. I am thankful for the reminder to stop and Praise His Name!

God is worthy of all my praise! He is the reason that I live each day. I am so thankful for His provision, protection, salvation and so much more! I am blessed to serve a God that is greater than anything that we can think about or imagine. I have been trying to intentionally praise Him more, especially when I feel overwhelmed by life.

Today I wanted to share this encouraging song with you. I hope you find strength in these lyrics too. The message of this song will never change or expire.

Praise His Name is a song that was first released in 1999 by Jeff and Sheri Easter. It was on their Sittin' On Cloud Nine project. I know it has also been released on other projects in more recent years.

The song was written by Bruce Haynes. He is a great writer that has written several of my favorite Jeff and Sheri songs through the years. While doing research for this post I found a video in which Bruce Haynes talks about writing this song. Click here to see the video.

In closing, I included a link to a video where Jeff and Sheri Easter and Charlotte Ritchie are singing Praise His Name on a Gaither video. Also, the lyrics are listed below. Click here for the video. I hope you are leaving here encouraged to Praise God in all things. Thank you for reading.

Odie

Praise His Name

Verse

When you're up against a wall

And your mountain seems so tall

And you realize that life's not always fair

You can run away and hide

Let the old man decide

Or you can change your circumstances

With a prayer

Chorus

When everything falls apart

Praise His name

And when you have a broken heart

Just raise your hands and say

Lord, you're all I need

You're everything to me

And you'll take the pain away

When you feel you're all alone

Praise His name

When you feel all hope is gone

Just raise your hands and say

Greater is He that is within me

You can praise the hurt away

If you'll just praise His name

Bridge

Oh, you can overcome

By the blood of the Lamb

And by the word of your testimony

You'll see the darkness go

As your faith begins to grow

You're not alone

So how can you be lonely

Chorus

When everything falls apart

Praise His name

And when you have a broken heart

Just raise your hands and say

Lord, you're all I need

You're everything to me

And you'll take the pain away

When you feel you're all alone

Praise His name

When you feel all hope is gone

Just raise your hands and say

Greater is He that is within me

You can praise the hurt away

If you'll just praise His name

Tag

Greater is He that is within me

You can praise the hurt away

If you'll just praise His name

Harmony and Anointing Are Amazing

Hello Friends,

This is Odie checking in from Hodgenville, Kentucky. We have had a wonderful week working with some great people here at HPC. It is an honor for my family to be included in this Music and Ministry Month. I only play a small role but I am thrilled to be here. 

Music and singing is very dear to my heart. It has always been part of my life. I am grateful that my parents raised me in a home with a love of music and taught me an appreciation for it at a young age.

I started singing in church around the age of 4 and I was 5 when we recorded our first cassette tape. When I listen to the recording now I can not believe my parents let my singing slide by. I guess they thought it was cute. I do remember putting my heart into the recording. Thankfully my singing has progressed and gotten better, I think. I am a long way from being my best but I am always striving to be a better singer. 

In the summer of 1993 Mom started teaching me to sing harmony. I started with the alto part but I dreamed of being a high soprano singer. Sadly that was not in the plans for me. I accept my position as an alto and I have grown to love that part. 

I will always have a deep appreciation for someone who has a big vocal range and can ring the rafters but I am happy to add my voice in as well. It is a privilege to sing.

When I began singing at 4 years old I never dreamed that I would sing Gospel music all over the United States and in foreign countries. What an amazing journey it has been and continues to be.

I have been reflecting this week on things that happened when I was younger and the impact they had on me. One of the first songs I sang harmony on was Use Me Lord I Pray. Here are the lyrics to the chorus.

Use me Lord I Pray 

Make me stronger everyday 

Here's my life please take control 

Use me body mind and soul

Lord I give my life to you today 

Use me Lord I pray 

This song was written by John Dixon. I remember thinking way back then that it had awesome words. It has been a prayer of mine through the years. 

Mom sang this chorus during a prayer time after a session last Saturday. I was reminded of learning to sing harmony on this song. I had no clue how singing the Gospel would come to be an everyday part of my life. I am extremely blessed and grateful that get to do something I love so much. 

I love being able to work alongside my family as a ministry team. Singing with my Dad and Mom is my happy place. But I will never forget an experience I had when I was 14. I was at youth camp without my parents and I was asked at the last minute to sing a special. I usually did not sing without Mom and Dad.

I obeyed leadership and got up and sang my song. I sang it through once, repeated the chorus a couple times and maybe the second verse. I went and sat down as I was trained to do. 

Later those in charge told me the Lord had been moving and I should have kept singing. It Is one of the first times I remember feeling the anointing singing by myself. It kind of took me by surprise but it was a learning experience. My parents being there was not a necessity to be anointed. I could have it for myself too. 

Singing is nothing without the anointing of God. There are times when I sing and I do not feel anointed at all! It causes me to examine things and see why I did not have that extra touch. I want to always be a willing and available vessel that God can use to touch others. It is a honor and a humbling experience to be anointed by God! 

There a many experiences over the years when God moved while we have been singing. I never want to lose sight that it was Him moving. I was just a minor part of his plan. 

We have reached the end of my rambling and reminiscing. I have a hard time putting into words the things I feel in my heart. I hope my awesome editor was able to make sense of all this! I am so thankful for the opportunities that I have had to minister to others through music. 

Thanks for reading. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Odie