Rob Patz: Fast Trains and Life Regrets

Rob Patz: Fast Trains and Life Regrets. Photo courtesy of https://www.virginexperiencedays.co.uk/

2017 June SGNScoops Rob Patz: Publisher’s Point

Welcome to the June edition of SGNScoops Magazine. Can you believe that we are almost halfway through the year of 2017? It’s hard for me to imagine how fast this year has flown by. When we’re younger, we think time moves so much slower than it really does, and when we get older, we realize how fast time really is moving.

As many of you know, I usually avoid talking about Father’s Day during the month of June in the Publisher’s Point. If you don’t believe me, go back and read past years of SGNScoops. Now that I look back on it, it was not necessary, but each of us mourn the loss of someone in a different way. I’m coming to grips with that, so this month I want to tell you a story about my dad.

My father loved trains, and in fact, my grandfather worked for the Canadian National Railroad as an arbitrator, so trains are in our family. I can remember my father buying me my first train, which progressed to a larger train, and a larger train, and then a larger train. My father would lay on the floor with me, and we would play with these trains. To be honest, I think he was having as much fun or maybe more than I was.

Rob Patz and his dad, Rev. Don Patz

I remember at about eight years old, my dad and I were laying on the floor playing with the larger model train that he had gotten me. Now, I know my dad … he would never miss an opportunity for a life lesson. I think that was the pastor in him. As we were laying there on the floor, he said, “Our lives are a lot like a train. We are on a track to a destination. Unfortunately, some engineers push their train, and those trains derail. They are much like people who push life outside of the speed limit, go too fast for the tracks and miss their station. Then, there are people who stay within the recommended speed. They move along the tracks safely and get to their destination.”

I remember him looking at me and saying, “Rob, that is much like people and our relationship with God. If we try to speed things up and move past what God wants, we are going to derail our life. If we listen to God, who is the ultimate engineer – and stay within the parameters that He has laid out for our lives – not only are we going to get to our location but we are going to get there safely.”

Being a boy of eight years old, at first that story didn’t sink in. In fact, it was many years later before the story really hit home with me. If I remember correctly, my first words after he made this great analogy were, “Hey Dad, can you set up my race car set now, because I can switch lanes, and we don’t have to go around on the same track.” I’m sure my father was wondering if I had listened at all. I wish more than anything he could read this and know that I listened and understood.

So many of us today want to rush to the destination. We want to get to the place that in our mind we think is the most important, sometimes cutting corners on our own convictions, much like the engineer who knows better but still gives the train too much fuel and accelerates past the recommended traveling speed. He knows he’s pushing it to the limit and probably hoping he doesn’t derail. Unfortunately in life, if we cut corners or go past the recommended traveling speed, we more than likely are going to suffer derailment in our lives.

Rob Patz

I’m thankful that I serve a God who watches over us even after we’ve derailed. Much like me as as a child, when my train would derail because I would push it to the limit of speed, God is willing to reach His hand down and put our lives back on the track. He doesn’t think twice about it if we ask Him and if we seek to move in the right direction.

So many of us rush through life. I think that’s my biggest regret. I haven’t taken the time to enjoy moments. If I could go back to that moment at eight years old, I would. If I could tell my father I loved him one more time, I would for all the money in this world. So if your dad is still with you, tell him you love him and tell him you appreciate what he has done for you.

I hope each and every one of you have an amazing month of June, and please join me for Vernon Alabama’s Gospel Music Weekend, Sept. 8-9 in Vernon, Ala.

I also encourage you to be with us Oct. 30 through Nov. 2 for Creekside Gospel Music Convention in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. It’s going to be an awesome four days of Gospel Music and renewal for your soul.

June 2017 SGNScoops Magazine

And that’s this month’s Publisher’s Point.

Read the Publisher’s Point and more in the 2017 June issue of the SGNScoops Magazine:

Faith and Fitness for the Courageous Man by Laurette Willis

Laurette Willis

“And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:6).

Do you remember the movie Courageous from a few years ago? Our family really enjoyed it. There is lots of action, a compelling story, humor, top-notch acting, and the movie is built on a solid foundation (the Word of God and the Father’s great love for us.) The movie’s subtitle is “Honor begins at home.”

As the promotions for this movie stated, “Four men, one calling: To serve and protect. When tragedy strikes home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Protecting the streets is second nature. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That’s courageous.”

How does the Courageous Man Combine Faith, Family and Fitness?

When we come home from a hard day at work, the last thing many of us want to do is think about anything more physical than elbow-bending (as in fork-to-mouth, repeat, 40 reps.)

In the movie Courageous, police officer Adam Mitchell (played by director and co-writer Alex Kendrick, father of six) and his teenage son Dylan start building a new relationship with one another, and fitness becomes an important part of it. All Dylan seems to want to do is “…play video games and run a 5K,” says Adam.

Parents realize that in order to build (or rebuild) a relationship with their child, it takes becoming interested in what interests them. Adam decides to lay aside his personal comfort zone for the greater good of blessing his son. He and Dylan begin running together, and their relationship deepens as Dylan sees his Dad’s love in action, not just in words.

Love is spelled T-I-M-E.

Why compartmentalize faith (Sunday only), family (around the dinner table…when we’re not watching TV) and fitness (does watching football on TV count?)

The courageous man (and woman) puts God first–so why not ask the Lord how to make fitness a part of your family time together? No matter what the age of your children, you can begin making fun physical activity a part of “what we do as a family.”

Here are just a few ideas to get your wheels turning – and your bodies moving!

* The family that walks together, talks together. Take a leisurely stroll 30 minutes after dinner. Make it a new family tradition. Enjoy each other’s company and walk at a gentle pace for 15-20 minutes to help digest your food. This will also keep you from snacking after dinner. Take a portion of scripture and talk about it. How can you apply it to your lives?

* Go to the gym or church fitness center with your son or daughter. Work out with light weights (not on the machines). Show your kids how it’s done.

* Indoor fitness games. Remember Twister? You can still play that as a family! Add an element of scripture memorization by writing verses on cards. Call out all or part of a verse with each move. See how many verses you can remember (if you don’t wind up collapsing into a giggling pile before too long!).

* Train for a charity race — a walk, run, or bike race! Train as a family team, or with one of your children. Use the time to encourage your child.

In the movie Courageous, Adam says, “I think the Lord is requiring me to call out the man in my son.”  That’s something dads get to do for their children; emulating our heavenly Father by “calling out” and encouraging the best in their sons, daughters and wife.

Take the lead, Dad. Be Courageous. Be a Fit Witness for Christ in spirit, soul and body. Your family will follow–and will HONOR you for it.

Laurette Willis – Praise Moves

Laurette Willis is a Certified Health Coach, published author, and Founder of PraiseMoves Fitness Ministry. You may contact Laurette Willis at the email address above, 918-458-1800 or www.PraiseMoves.com. Join Laurette Willis at www.Facebook.com/LauretteWillisPage ©2016

By Laurette Willis

First published by SGNScoops Magazine in May 2016. For the latest SGNScoops Magazine click here.

For Gospel music news click here.

For inspirational stories and Gospel music news click here.

Are You Blooming? by Lorraine Walker, Editor, SGNScoops Magazine

Dean Hopper in May 2017 SGNScoops Magazine

2017 May SGNScoops Editor’s Last Word By Lorraine Walker

It’s May and with this fifth edition of SGNScoops for 2017, I hope you will find a feature, an article, or even just a photograph, that is educational, entertaining or encouraging. We look for stories that will be intriguing to you and we believe we have included many this month.

A special thanks to Dean Hopper for sharing with Craig Harris the difficulties of his health scare recently. There has been so much written about this special family over the years and we hope you enjoyed this feature. Please remember to keep them all in your prayers.

We appreciate all of our writers and staff here at Scoops, and they have all performed beyond expectations this month. These ladies and gentlemen do what they do because they believe they are making a difference. I believe they are as well.

As I look out into our backyard and see all the flowers that are now in bloom, I see what a difference they make to a rather dull scene. Color and fragrance attract bees and birds, enlivening the yard and our street. I’m so glad everything is flourishing in the warmth and moisture of spring.

Bloom where you are planted

It occurred to me that our team here at SGNScoops are also blooming where they are planted. Have you considered where you are in your work, your home life, your hobbies? Are you changing your landscape with the scent and beauty that is Jesus in your life?

Perhaps you are finding things so difficult right now that your spiritual life feels dry and barren. The Bible uses water as an image of the Holy Spirit and His power in our lives to bring life. Let Him wash over you today and quench your thirst, moisten your heart so that your relationship with the Lord will grow afresh. Then not only will you feel rebirth in all areas of your life, but others will catch the color and fragrance of Jesus and seeds will be planted in their hearts.
If you feel you have talents that are lying dormant in your life in the area of writing or other skills you think you might be able to utilize here at SGNScoops, please let me know. We are always looking for fresh ideas and volunteers to enrich our publication. Write me today with any comments, questions or suggestions at lorraine@sgnscoops.com.

May 2017 SGNScoops Magazine

Listen To Today’s Gospel Music Online HERE

Rob Patz and his Publisher’s Point for March: Find Your Strength

Rob Patz

It is the month of March. Can you believe this year is flying by the way it is? I am excited about March. We have Southern Gospel Weekend coming up, March 23rd through the 25th. If you haven’t made plans already, we want you to be with us in Oxford, Alabama for three great days of Gospel music and over 30 great artists. It is going to be a time that you will not forget!

I want to thank each and everyone of you who have subscribed to my YouTube channel over the last month as we continue to see growth in our effort with One Minute Prayer. I am excited to see what God is going to do with One Minute Prayer.

I’ve been asked why I came up with this idea and I wanted to share a little bit with you right here. One Minute Prayer came out of a time in my life where I needed to meet with God more than just in my normal prayer time and I started asking Him in short increments about what was on my heart. That turned into me setting the timer on my phone for one minute and praying for what God knew was on my heart. To be honest, I continue to pray about that

Rob Patz will be at Southern Gospel Weekend March 23-25

need, but God has lit a fire in my soul to share the idea of One Minute Prayer. So many people that I come in contact with daily are hurting and need to be encouraged, so I know that this is a timely theme.

So that’s a little bit of a background. This month, I want to talk to you about your strength. You know that the Scripture says in Nehemiah 8:10 “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” So many people feel so burdened by life, they feel so heavy with the circumstances that are around them, whether it is their family or their job or their church they feel like things are so overwhelming for them that they no longer have any joy. But Scripture says that the joy of the Lord is our strength which means when things seem overwhelming, when life seems bigger than we can handle, that if we rest in Jesus and in His strength we will find joy.

Rob Patz and soldier. What do you rely on for strength?

When I started to think about that, it changed my life. I started to realize that joy doesn’t come from this world. I know you understand that and I understand that. I grew up in church and I have heard that my whole life. But there are times where we need to be reminded that the joy of the Lord is our strength too. Not only is He the One to uplift us with His strength, He is the One that will bring us joy in the midst of whatever is weighing us down. So take a minute today and pray about the strength that God is going to give you. I will stand with you and pray this prayer.

Let’s pray this month together for people who need jobs and for people who need changes in their personal relationships with their family and friends. Let’s pray for a revival to come to those that we know. So many times we pray for revival in our churches, but I have really felt the burden lately to start praying that revival will happen in us. Not to the church but in His people.

I love each and everyone of you and I believe God has great things for you to do this month. So go out and do them because the Bible says, “When God is for us, who can be against us?”

And that is this month’s Publishers Point.

By Rob Patz, Publisher of SGNScoops Magazine.

First published by SGNScoops Magazine March 2017.

For more Gospel music news click here.

Rob Patz asks: “Do You Ever Get Scared?”

February 2017 SGNScoops Magazine featuring Rob Patz in Publisher’s Point

2017 February – Rob Patz – Publisher’s Point – SGNScoops Magazine

Do you ever get scared of what is going to happen? Do you ever wonder if you are really going down the right path that God has selected for you?  These are some of the things I’ve been thinking about this month as I am writing my Publisher’s Point.

There are times where I really wonder if where I am is exactly where God has selected for me to be, but I know in the end I have His hand on my life. If we pray, God is going to reassure us and give us peace. As for the first question, do I ever get scared? I would have to say almost on a weekly basis! Does that make me a less of a person? I don’t think so. I think it shows that I am mindful of what God has and what He is going to do.

I do worry a times that I will get headed in the wrong direction. I like to do things right away, I like things to be accomplished immediately so that I can move onto the next task. I’m goal driven. I like to say I can check that off my list of things to do today.

Unfortunately, we as Christians don’t always get clear answers right away. Sometimes, God asks us to wait, as He says, “Peace, be still.” Probably the hardest thing for me to do is to sit still.

Rob Patz

I was in an airport recently and if you know about travel, there is a lot of downtime. For most people, they sit at the gate and wait. Unfortunately, that isn’t me. I walk up and down the main aisle because I don’t like to sit and I don’t like to wait.

I think this year that is one of the things that God is trying to teach me. He is teaching me that there are times where you have to wait, you have to sit still, you have to have the peace that comes from just being still. That is something I’m working on. I’m not sure I will ever be completely comfortable sitting and waiting, but I am starting to understand that God at times needs us to stay in one place to learn something!  

I’ve started to pray almost daily that God will give me peace in the midst of my waiting. Are you at a point right now in your life where you are waiting? It’s God asking you to be still for a moment.

I would love to tell you that over this past time that I’ve been dealing with this, that it’s gotten easier, but that wouldn’t be the truth. While I sit here and wait, I learn to be thankful for the things that are around. Please don’t ever miss an opportunity to be thankful for that moment, even if God has you sitting at the gate, waiting to board your next adventure.

Ready for Adventure!

God is still in control. Until next month, this is the Publisher’s Point.
P.S. Don’t forget, I want to see you in Oxford, Alabama, March 23rd through the 25th. Over 30 great Southern Gospel artists in one location! More news inside SGNScoops.

For more Gospel music news click HERE.

Bryan Hutson announces plans for 2017

Bryan Hutson

Cincinnati, OH –  Exciting news coming from Bryan Hutson of Rescue Me Ministries for 2017. Bryan Hutson, 24-year veteran of gospel music, announces he will continue ministering under the ministry he and his wife, Yvonne, formed four years ago, Rescue Me Ministries. The couple is passionate about ministering to couples, families and spreading the gospel through music, preaching and speaking engagements.

Rescue Me Ministries previously limited their engagements to the holiday season. However, Bryan will continue throughout the year doing limited dates under Rescue Me Ministries. He will be doing

Yvonne and Bryan Hutson. Rescue Me Ministries

solo dates as his calendar allows. Bryan and Yvonne will be available to also do marriage retreats, conferences and special events on a limited basis. Bryan looks forward to opportunities for speaking and preaching as well as continuing his vocal career. The upcoming year will hold a new website along with a new recording for the veteran. Details are coming together about an exciting new tour for the upcoming year.

You can receive more information about scheduling an event by contacting Gordon Lutz at The Lutz Agency at 740-409-1060.

You can also visit Rescue Me Ministries Facebook page or Friends of Bryan Hutson Facebook page for more information.

For more Gospel music news click here.

For monthly blogs by Bryan and Yvonne Hutson on marriage and life, please visit SGMRadio website. Their latest blog entitled, “Love Me Tender,” is posted here. It begins:

From B:
Intimacy. What does that word mean to you?

The very nature of the word means different things to different people. To some, it simply means “physical touch” or being close.

I googled the word: “Intimacy” and it says “close familiarity or friendship; closeness.”
“the intimacy between a husband and wife”.

So, what happens when you CAN’T be “physical” with your spouse?

For more from “Love Me Tender,” by Bryan and Yvonne Hutson, click here.

Reflections by Sherry Anne: “Do You Have a Light?”

No, I am not talking about what people on the streets say when they are bumming a cigarette off someone; I am asking you if YOU have a light, a flame, burning inside of you?

As I hear the latest news and read the biggest headlines, it is ever more apparent to me that this world has become a dark place– and it’s going to get darker. We “need a light,” HIS light, to shine into the dark corners of the earth.

Read more »

My, You Look So Pretty Today! Wisdom from Dusty Wells

Kenna West, Tana Rogers, Stan Whitmire, Dusty Wells

“My, you look so pretty today!” I am fairly certain that opening line may have gotten your attention, and hopefully you are reading this and you will continue to read my rambling thoughts to the very end. If not, oh well, you will miss the last great line that has your name written throughout it.

That opening line, with six simple words stating, “My, you look so pretty today,” can bring about so much joy, sunshine and security to a person. It can make one hold their head high and walk in such strength.  Of course we have all heard for years, that words and actions can either speak life or death to you. I truly do believe this. I strive to practice it and I will preach it until the day I am called home to be with Jesus. We, my friends – yes, you and me – we do have the power of life and death in our tongue.

Donna King, Devin McGlamery, Anthony Facello, Dusty Wells, Paul Harkey

As a child who was raised in a home with several abusive stepfathers, my day-to-day life was often filled with all kinds of verbal and mental abuse. I was told many times horrible and hateful things about my appearance, my clumsiness, my nose, my sensitivity, my lack of knowledge in sports, my creativity, and as much as I hate to admit it, the list goes on and on. Those words, actions and such pushed me into some dark lonely places and caused me to question so much about me and who I was. For years, even after I became a Christian at 14, the lack of affirmation and encouragement plagued me and I made many wrong choices and decisions that did nothing but take me down some dark lonely paths. Even though I began to know and understand how much God loved me, created me and was there for me, there would still be those haunting doubts and insecurities trying to rule and reign over my world.

Thank God, He always has a plan and His ways are far greater than ours. He began to place many people in my life who began to speak words of life over me. I would walk into church after having experienced some verbal abuse or being made fun of, and there would be someone so special, like sweet and tender 85-year-old Sister Foos, and she would come out of her way to give me a hug, tell me how nice I looked, compliment me on my wild looking hippy tie (it was the 70’s of course), and then she would tuck a dollar in my hand to make sure I had money for a coke. She was planting good in my life.

Kelly Nelon Clark, Dusty Wells, Karen Peck Gooch

So many other faithful friends through the past 40 years have spoken life over me with their words and actions, and yes, of course I have had others who have tried to speak death and junk. However, I decided I would choose to believe the good and not focus on the bad, unless it was something that I could learn and grow from, constructive criticism or just words of advice. All it takes is us speaking to someone and telling them how loved, how valuable they are, how hard they work, how much God loves and adores them, how their sensitivity is a gift, how strong they are in their faith, how talented they are with the gifts God has given them. Just words that will build them up and help them in what they have been entrusted with.

Yes, it all sounds so simple and maybe this little note is just a reminder to all of us once again that we can help others with our words and actions. I love the scripture, Psalms 139, where it says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. What amazing words of affirmation and encouragement those are, and what a gift that we can share those words with others.

So take a look around you, a really long eye-to-eye look around you, and see who you can speak life to. You never know the impact you have on someone’s life by sharing heart and words that will help bring life and energy.

Call me Mr. Positive, that’s always words of life to me. And I want to tell you today that: “YOU, my friend, are so loved, so valuable, and you are the apple of His eye and His plans are for you to prosper in all ways.”

Now that is truth, and that brings life even to me, as I tell it once again. Because His truth lives on and on and on.

August 2015 SGNScoops Magazine

By Dusty Wells

First published by SGN Scoops digital magazine in August 2015.

Read Dusty’s latest column in the October 2015 SGN Scoops digital magazine.

Find out all the artist news and information on the SGN Scoops Facebook page.

SGNScoops’ Fast Five with The Walkers

The Walkers

Welcome to addition of SGNScoops’ Fast Five! Today we talk to Christian Country/Southern Gospel group, The Walkers.  This mixed group from Florida has seen some real challenges in their lives. They have come through with a stronger faith in Christ and a greater determination to use their music to bring others closer to Jesus.

We hope you like this look at a mixed group with an unique sound. Be sure to visit their website and hear their music. You may hear a tinge of The Freemans and perhaps The Hinsons. Enjoy getting to know The Walkers!

SGN: Tell us about your group.

Billy: We did our first official date as a full time group on November 16, 1991. We were in Dothan, AL, that night. That group consisted of Billy Walker Jr. (me), my mom Geneva Walker, my dad Billy Walker, Sr. and my sister Gail Walker. Although that was our first official date, we had sung the previous few years just around our local area. Mom and Dad had invited groups to various locations down through the years. In the early ’70’s, they brought in a lot of groups to Perry, FL, most notably The Goodmans, The Hinsons and other well-known groups. My sister sang on all the concert programs that featured a who’s who of Gospel Music at the time. She recorded her first two solo albums with The Goodmans and Rusty and Sam wrote the backliners for her. She sang at the church where they (The Goodmans) pastored and my mom still has the check they gave her.

A couple of years after our start as a full time group, we faced the first real test of our resolve on January 1, 1994. We were all overcome with carbon monoxide poisoning and my father died. All of the members were all affected by the poison but fortunately three of us survived. There were many people who felt like we should stay home after that night but we only missed one weekend and carried on. If we had missed more time, we probably would have never gone back out.

In May 2003, I married the most beautiful girl in the world. As a matter of fact, she still the most beautiful woman I know. Marrying Angela Walker (nee’ Martin) changed the dynamics of the ministry as she started helping run the ministry office, taking charge of the merchandise table, and then as we moved more into the technological arena, running a full multi-media presentation during our concerts.

On March 11, 2008, Billy Walker, III, was born. He is known as Tripp, short for triple. His birth also changed the dynamics of the ministry. Having a little baby and traveling all over the United States and Canada has its challenges. He loved every bit of it. However, just three days before his third birthday on March 8, 2011, he was diagnosed was autism. Angela had suspicions in the summer of ’10, and had already started making plans and preparations for how we were going to handle this life changing situation. We enrolled him into preschool where he would receive speech, music and occupational therapy. We also hired private speech and occupational therapists to work with him one on one. Since the initial diagnosis, Tripp has also been diagnosed with childhood apraxia of speech, which affects his ability to speak effectively. Today he is seven-and-a-half-years-old and does not speak in sentences. He is very verbal, is able to talk and is a great communicator, even though he doesn’t speak in a language that you or I would understand.

These events started The Walkers down a very different path. Up until the end of 2010 we had been on the road for 275 days a year for the past 15 years. Also, Angela and Tripp traveled full time as well. With the challenges that Tripp faced and the measures that we had to take as a family to help intervene in Tripp’s diagnosis, Angela and Tripp no longer traveled full time. We were no longer traveling as a family ministry. After a while the separation became too much for all of us. We drastically changed how we toured.

Instead of spending days away from home in regions far from our home base in Perry(Tallahassee), FL we decided to spend three weekends a month traveling within a 250 to 300 mile radius of home. We take one long weekend, Friday through Sunday nights every month, traveling as far as Texas or Illinois, Virginia, etc. We take two weeks in the fall and two weeks in the spring that we go out and we do our national tour where we cover most of the United States, and the Maritimes of Canada in the summer time when school is not in session.

In June of 2011, we brought a young man, Billy “Benji” Roach II, into the group. With his name also being Billy, we gave him the nickname Benji. He is a great young man and we are proud to have him with us. It is not easy to come into a family and blend in, but he has done a great job of it and he has been with us now so long it is just like he is family. He is from the Daytona area but now lives in Perry.

Today these are the members of The Walkers: Billy Walker, Jr.: I sing, play guitar on a few songs and drums on a few and I also run sound. Mom Geneva, plays the keyboards and writes most of the songs we sing. Gail, sister, sings and plays bass guitar on a few songs. Benji sings and sets the stage lighting when we use it. Angela runs the multi-media when she is able to travel and Tripp just runs the entire operation.

We have been blessed to have three top 40 songs on the Power Source Christian Country chart with our first two songs going into the Top 10. Our latest “By A Roman Soldier’s Hand,” is at  number 24 for September and climbing. We were nominated for Group of the Year for the Inspirational Country Music Association back in 2013.

While our best radio success has come in the Christian Country genre, we are probably more Southern Gospel than anything. However, our music is a very high energy with the blend of Southern Gospel, Christian Country and Contemporary. This is a style unique specifically to us. We have never tried to emulate or be anyone other than ourselves.

While we may be a relatively new name to the Gospel music world, we are not a new group. We have been around and we have been there and done that in the world of traveling and singing. We look forward to getting to know more people within the industry and the fans that support Gospel music.

SGN: What is your favorite vacation spot?

Billy: Vacation? What is that? I tell people that I am the hardest working, broke person you’ll ever meet. We don’t get too many opportunities to get away but Angela and I love to go on cruises. It has been way too long since we have been on one and I am really getting the fever. Another place that we like to go is to Saint George Island in Florida. It isn’t too far away and if we just want to get away for the day or a short day-night trip it’s easy to get there and back.

Mom and Gail like to just stay home and relax on their couch with their tv and Benji goes home to the Daytona area. He likes the beach there for some reason.

SGN: How can we purchase your music? How can we book The Walkers?

Billy: Our latest album Twenty is available at our concerts, iTunes, Amazon and just about any other dot com. You can order it off of our website, www.thewalkersonline.com or you can call us at 850.672.9155.

You can schedule The Walkers by again, calling us at 850.672.9155. You can e-mail me, Billy, at billy@thewalkersonline.com. Pretty simple.

SGN: While traveling, what is The Walkers favorite restaurant?

Billy: We LOVE a good buffet with good fried chicken. I tell people the words I live by and probably will die by is, “If it ain’t fried, it shouldn’t have died.” Angela and I love Mexican and Chinese food. Mom and Gail can take it or leave it, but she and I love it! Benji just loves food. So Golden Corral or Ryan’s is always a hit with our crew.

SGN: What are some future goals of the group?

Billy: We have had a lot of great things happen to us in the past. But, we are not content to stay there. I am never satisfied with where we are at in our ministry. I believe strongly in two things: If you aren’t growing then your dying, and I hate the status quo. The other is we should always strive for excellence in what we do. We serve the King of Kings, an excellent God and I believe He not only deserves our best but He expects our best.

Obviously the biggest goal is to continue to make an impact on the world for Christ. We have been blessed to see many, many people saved throughout these 23 plus years. We want to be a voice in the church and in the world that stands strong for what is right and represent Christ with the unashamed and unapologetic message that He is soon coming, we must be ready and we must take the message to everyone we can.

I believe one of the biggest industry goals of ours is to raise awareness of who we are and what we have to offer churches and promoters. Another is to continue to strive for greater radio airplay and to break into the Southern Gospel market more effectively.

We always strive to have a first class sound system and we are constantly improving on it and continuing to learn the nuances that make a good sound.

Another goal is to continue to polish what we do on stage. We are a track-based group but Mom plays keyboard on nearly everything we sing. I play guitar on a few things and we also do a couple of songs live with Mom on keys, Gail on bass and me on drums. We want to continue to build our stage lighting. We are one of the few groups in our field that use lights. We do not use them to put on a show but rather to create an atmosphere more conducive for worship. So many churches have florescent lighting and we just try to dim as much of that as we can to create that atmosphere.

We want to continue to progress with our multi-media. As most of the songs we sing are original, you are not going to be as familiar with them. This helps you follow along as we are singing and we even have different videos that go along with songs during this.

We just want to strive to be the best we can be. Find us at: www.thewalkersonline.com , www.facebook.com/walkerministries and www.twitter.com/walkers music .

SGEN scoops is pleased to highlight the ministry of The Walkers today. Please visit their website and their Facebook page to find out more about this outstanding group.

SGNScoops is pleased to highlight the ministry of The Walkers today. Please visit their website and their Facebook page to find out more about this outstanding group.

Be sure to keep watch on SGNScoops’ Facebook page and SGNScoops website for more artist features and all the latest news!

Bryan and Yvonne Hutson: Baggage Claim

Bryan and Yvonne Hutson

From Bryan Hutson …
This month’s article may be the most difficult yet most transparent one for me.

It is difficult because it’s a subject that I have failed at MISERABLY.

I have said before that Yvonne and I don’t have marriage counseling degrees framed on our wall. We don’t ever want to be perceived as “having it all together” because we don’t. We have both attended the “Marriage School of Hardknocks.” We even feel like we’re being hypocritical at times. Many times we find ourselves failing at THE VERY ISSUES that we are preaching for or preaching against.

I admit that when I came into our relationship, that I brought a lot of emotional baggage. Years of hurt, rejection, bitterness and pain. Yes, a lot that I openly admit, that I brought on myself.

The issue that I battle is making my wife and children PAY for things from my “previous life”. “Our previous life” is what Yvonne and I call the years BEFORE WE met and married.

I grew to adulthood and made mistakes and in a “previous life”, I was TOLD that I was a “mooch” (one who doesn’t pull their weight in finances or in the household) and a “Monster” because of my anger issues. I battle those “labels” that were put on me. See, if you’re told something long enough, it’s hard NOT to believe it.

A few weeks ago, Yvonne and I were riding in the car after seeing our Granddaughter being born and she inadvertently said something innocent that I took offense to. My mind raced back to my “previous life” where I felt like my feelings didn’t matter and I wasn’t allowed to voice my opinion about certain issues. After Yvonne innocently made her remark, I emotionally shut down and as she asked “What’s wrong?” I kept repeating “Nothing, I’m fine.”

At that moment, I allowed the enemy a foothold. I allowed the devil to whisper to me “Here we go again, YOUR opinions didn’t matter and YOU don’t matter.”

See, I KNOW Yvonne’s heart and I should’ve realized that she never meant to hurt me. I was allowing the baggage of my previous life to weigh me down IN THIS LIFE. I CHOSE to be offended and instead of letting it go, I held onto that pain for 2-3 days.

I also allowed the enemy to keep re-stating those lies to me. “YOUR opinions don’t matter, because YOU don’t matter. If you tell her how you feel, you’ll be perceived as a Monster.”

I was distant and quiet that week. It was like there was the “Elephant In The Room” but I didn’t want to talk about it.

Which in turn caused Yvonne to feel like she wasn’t worth it and our marriage wasn’t worth fighting for.

I was making Yvonne pay for something that happened to me YEARS ago. However, in order for she and I to have a future…we must deal with our past.

Click the link to read Yvonne’s response….

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