My children live 6 and 8 hours from me. Both of them have jobs and busy lives. In order to see them we have to try to get our schedules to match up. This is not always easy!!!!
About two weeks ago I started trying to arrange to go to Tulsa to meet the kids. I had one tell me they had a concert to go to and the other had no idea what her work schedule was going to be. It is very costly to make this trip and I had a choice take the chance they will make time for me or stay home.
As the days went on I looked at my schedule and my bank balance. I decided whatever time I got with them was worth the trip. I booked a hotel and told them this is where I will be and we will work it out. I waited on my daughter to get off work. I waited on my son to make it to Tulsa to eat. He found other things to do so I then had to wait for his concert to be over. I spent the evening and most of the night with my daughter and at 2 am we met my son, his friend and future son in law at IHOP.
IHOP at 2am meant we got to the hotel and into bed at 4. We got up ate breakfast in shifts and we all woke up at different times. We hugged and said our goodbyes.
I was driving home and feeling a little down about the time being so little. In my thoughts I was grumbling about how I just drove all that way spent all that money and now it’s already over. All of a sudden I begin to think wow He waits on us too!
God sacrificed the ultimate sacrifice (His only Son) so we could spend time with Him. God meets us right where we are at. He waits patiently on us! We have our busy schedules and all of our excuses. He says your worth it. I will wait and I will enjoy every moment you give me.
When the kids and I leave each other we miss each other even more than we did before we got together. This is how it is with God. The time we spend with Him leaves us longing for even more time with Him.
I pray we each stop and we turn to Him. He is waiting right there inside you. Waiting for a few moments of quiet fellowship with you.
Isaiah 30:18 And therefore the Lord earnestly waits expecting, looking, and longing to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed happy, fortunate, to be envied are all those who earnestly wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship!
I have been listening to Tommy Brandt for awhile now. I have always loved his music. Tommy is one of the top Christian Country artist out there. His music has a true sound of Country Music with Lyrics of Christ Love.
I had been following Tommy on social media for awhile when I got to meet him this last November at the ICM Awards Week. You know sometimes we anticipate what someone will be like in person when all we know is the media side of them. I can tell you that Tommy’s heart is big and full of God’s Love. I attended a Session at the ICM week where Tommy and a few other artist talked to us about how to remain a Christian with what we face in this world of Ministry today. I watched Tommy share from his heart of situations where he faced hurts in his ministry. I watched as he spoke and all I saw was a real man with a heart after God. More than ever in today’s world these are the kind of role models we need out there in the music industry
Interview with Tommy Brandt!!
Tommy Brandt is a gifted singer/songwriter who has spent the last twelve years touring the country spreading his down home message of faith, hope, and love through music, testimony and stories about his own life. In that time he has become a leader in his field winning multiple Inspirational Country Music Awards including “New Artist of the Year” in 2004 and “Male Vocalist of the Year” five times. He also was honored by the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2010 with a “Visionary Award” for his contributions to Christian Music using Inspirational Country Music with lyrics that encourage Faith, Family and Country. This Florida boy has the unique distinction in his genre to have had his first 16 singles top the Christian Music Charts. Tommy’s newest album was just released and is receiving great reviews nationally. His latest project titled “Praise Hymn” speaks for itself.
How long have you been singing Country and Inspirational Country Music?
Tommy:I started out singing Country music back in the 90s with a band called “New South”. In 1997 I rededicated my life to Christ and began singing Christian Country Music and in 2003 made a full time career in the ministry.
What artist would you say has influenced your music the most?
Tommy:There have been many great influences along the way, but if I had to narrow it down to one it would have to be Garth Brooks. The way that he not only entertains, but communicates with his audience is phenomenal! I want to sit in front of a crowd of 2 people, or 20,000 people and make them feel like it’s a one on one concert. “Making a Difference one song at a time”. Other influences include Kenny Hinson, Del Way, Hank Williams Jr, and Eric Church.
What was your first song to hit the air waves? And which station started your adventure on air?
Tommy: I released “No Turning Back” in 2003 and had my first #1 single with it. The first time that I heard it live on the air was on Powersource Top 20 Radio Show. It’s still one of my favorite songs to sing in concert.
What would you say was the defining moment in your music ministry that you knew that this was what you wanted to do?
Tommy:My first Christian concert was at a small Methodist Church in Okeechobee Florida where I led an elderly man to Christ. I didn’t really know how to give and invitation, or really how to lead someone to the Lord, but I poured out my heart and asked if anyone wanted what I had experienced with Christ and it happened. With calloused hands and tears rolling down his wrinkled face we held hands and prayed together. I knew this is what I was supposed to do with the rest of my life.
What motivates you to keep going when your tired?
Tommy: It’s always that one lost soul that gives their heart to Christ that makes it all worth it and motivates me to keep on going.
Do you have any new projects in the making?
Tommy: I just completed a new project called Praise Hymn. It’s a double CD box set with Praise and Worship songs on one CD and Hymnal songs on the other. We’re excited about the reviews that it is receiving.
What’s your current single on the air waves that we might hear?
Tommy:I have a version of “Unclouded Day” out to radio now and am getting ready to release one of my favorite songs that I’ve ever recorded and written called “Broken”.
Do you write any of your own songs?
Tommy:I write the majority of the songs that I sing. Although, when I hear a song that really moves me I am happy to record it.
What is your personal favorite out of all the songs you have recorded or sing?
Tommy: Definitely the song I mentioned earlier “Broken”. I recently wrote this song as a testimony about my life.
Can you share one of your funniest memories of Singing on stage or while recording?
Tommy: I had broken 3 ribs the day before a 3 day revival where I was preaching and singing. The pain was excruciating! Just before service I took a pain pill that I had never tried before that the Doctor had prescribed and literally had an outer body experience on stage. I was singing for the offering and wrote my own offering song as I was singing it. It was hilarious! It was like I was standing in front of myself watching in amusement as I played guitar and came up with comical lyrics on the fly. I wished that it would have been on video.
What is your favorite scripture and what does it mean to you?
Tommy: Jeremiah 29:11. It gives me the promise of hope and a future no matter what I’m going through.
Can you tell me a little about Beyond Music Productions?
Tommy:My wife Michelle and I felt led to begin mentoring young artists getting started in the music ministry about 5 years ago. There are so many talented youth out there ready to serve the Lord but have no idea what to do or how to follow their calling. We want to be there to lead them through the steps to achieve their goals and calling without all of the pitfalls that the music industry presents. We currently have 12 artists that we’re working with and really enjoy watching them grow.
What is your vision to work with today’s youth in the music industry?
Tommy: Our vision is to have workshops across the country to train and mentor artists as we travel.
One of my favorite things in life is to promote others dreams, purposes, ministries and businesses. I was looking through my feed on Facebook and saw a page called Get Salty! I stopped and decided to take a look. I had once done a teaching on being the salt of the earth and the different uses of salt. God tells us to be the Salt of the Earth in Matthew 5:13. As I read the about section for Get Salty I realized this was their founding scripture.
I entered a contest on Facebook and won a t shirt with Get Salty’s logo and was so excited. I asked them to change the size of the shirt so I could give it as a gift to a special friend. When I received their reply they said they would just send me two. When I opened my box they blessed me with 4 t shirts. I was able to bless two other people and get their brand and their vision out there for others to see.
I am so excited to share their vision with you.
GET SALTY!
As a team roper and coming from a ranching family I have heard the slang “Salty” from my granddad down to my dad as describing someone that is good at something. As I was competing at a roping a pro team roper JOJO Lemond ran a super fast time and out of my mouth comes …”that cat is salty”. As I get home I tell my wife that I want to start a rodeo apparel, GET SALTY. As my wife is a very devout Christian she says sure, but only if it glorifies God. Keep in mind that before I met my wife 13 years ago my life was black and white. I thought life was grand chasing the hwy and hitting all the rodeos I could… Boy was I wrong. She showed me what life was like in color as she introduced me to truly knowing the Lord. As she stated there are several verses in the bible referring to SALT she was reading the bible and came across MATT 5:13 ” Ye Are The SALT of The Earth…” We both thought that was very fitting to our clothing line. As we sell and explain our product we let them know both meanings of GET SALTY…describing ones God given talent and Biblical Reference MATT 5:13 ye are the Salt of the earth… We do not put the entire verse as we hope people will have the curiosity to open the Bible and read further than the remainder of Matt 5:13.
Our vision for Get Salty is to produce a trendy clothing line that will help spread the message of the Lord and praying it leads people to Christ.
Thank you all so much for sharing your vision with me.
Y’all be sure to check out their website and go like their Facebook page. Order your Get Salty apparel today.
Click on the Photo below to go directly to their website.
Thank You all so much for sharing your vision with me.
Have you ever been trucking along and everything was going wonderful and all of a sudden you found yourself feeling dread and wondering if it was going too wonderful? Change is never easy and when you have been accustomed to let downs, or maybe even letting others down, that past can try to creep into your future. My life has taken many changes over the years and this is one of my biggest years yet to come. My daughter is getting married and my son is graduating from highschool. I have been blessed beyond words this last year and especially in the last few months. All of a sudden I found myself feeling overwhelmed with emotions and second guessing myself and if I was worthy to be having such an amazing life. I talked to Mommajo and like always she gave me wonderful advice. “Just Breathe Baby. This isn’t your past this is your future”.
Psalms 15:15 All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances].
I don’t know about you but I think I like the second half of this verse way better than the first half. If we have a glad heart we will have a continual feast in the great things of God. If your past is haunting your today it will ruin your tomorrow. The only hold the past has on you is the past you hold onto.
Philippians 3:13 Brothers and sisters, I myself don’t think I’ve reached it, but I do this one thing: I forget about the things behind me and reach out for the things ahead of me.
The years past when things did not go the way that I wanted them to for my kids or myself are over. The days that I am grateful for to live right now are here. The days to come that I can stand on His word and know that He has great plans to prosper us and not to harm us; those are all ahead of me. Do I deserve great things? Not in myself NO…But because of what God gave for me and the fact Jesus Christ gave Himself for me says I get the Grace of God to have them anyway.
Don’t let your thoughts go backwards! Keep your eyes on HIM!!! JUST BREATHE!! THIS IS NOT YOUR PAST!! IT’S YOUR FUTURE!!!!!!
Please take a moment and listen to this song by Carol Hogner. With Him
Do you remember the Christmas song Do you hear what I hear? My favorite parts are Do you see what I see and Do you hear what I hear !!
Do You Hear What I Hear?
Said the night wind to the little lamb,
do you see what I see
Way up in the sky, little lamb,
do you see what I see
A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite
Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,
do you hear what I hear
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,
do you hear what I hear
A song, a song, high above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea
Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king,
do you know what I know
In your palace warm, mighty king,
do you know what I know
A Child, a Child shivers in the cold
Let us bring Him silver and gold
Let us bring Him silver and gold
Said the king to the people everywhere,
listen to what I say
Pray for peace, people everywhere!
listen to what I say
The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light
Can you imagine what it must have been like when the wise men and the shepherds were told by an angel about the birth of Jesus Christ? They had not seen Him with their own eyes but they started on a journey based on a dream or vision they had. For all they knew it could have been a disillusion. They chose to take the word they received and start their long journey to find this baby that was born to deliver them.
I can imagine in my mind that as they traveled they would begin to get discouraged and then they would look into the sky and see that North Star that was their guidance. Then they would begin to imagine the sounds of the new baby Jesus and they would get so excited about the dream of a savior coming to lead them and save them.
Just like God spoke to them about their journeys, He wants to show you the path you are to take. Take time over the next few days as we begin to celebrate Christ birth and ask God what His dreams for you are. Then listen and watch for the leading of the Holy Spirit. You will begin to hear His voice like never before. You will SEE His guiding hand in every area of your life. Let Him give you the desires of your heart.
Do you hear what I hear? Do you see what I see? I hear God and I see God!!! I hear Him in you and I see Him in you!!! He has great plans for you. Jer 29:11
