Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

SGNScoops editor asks: Are you striving for excellence?

Collingsworth Family appear in SGNScoops June 2017. Lorraine Walker, Editor

Editor’s Last Word for June 2017 by Lorraine Walker [expanded version]

Thanks to you all for checking out the June issue of SGNScoops Magazine. Three years ago this month, I began my full duties as editor, not comprehending the breadth and scope of what it means to work in this capacity. As I have made my way through the labyrinth of SGNScoops, I have come to realize even more the heart of this organization.

I have written for Rob Patz and the SGMRadio and SGNScoops web sites since 2004 and this magazine since 2009. However, it wasn’t until I gingerly took on the reigns of SGNScoops Magazine as editor in June 2014, that I really began to interact with all of the writers, contributors, behind-the-scenes and creative/design people that work together to make every issue the best that it can be.

Lorraine Walker, editor of SGNScoops Magazine

We strive for excellence. Whether we always reach it is debatable, but we are always reaching for the next rung on the ladder. The reason we do that is because we believe we are really working for the King of Kings. Therefore, we must give our very best. We also trust that you – our readers – will enjoy and be edified by our efforts. In your every day work, do you strive for excellence simply because the Almighty God wants your very best?

God doesn’t expect perfection…He just wants you to strive to reach the mark. Just like my sign under my picture, “Love Everyone, Always,” doesn’t mean you always will just because God told you to love your neighbor as yourself. He just wants you to try. You don’t need to be a doormat, just as you wouldn’t expect to walk over others. Give yourself to God and then to others. In His strength, try to live as He lived and do your utmost for Him.

Our cover artist this month also works hard to give its very best. The Collingsworth Family is known for its excellence vocally and with its musicianship. Erin Stevens brings us a close look at what makes the family thrive. Craig Harris shows us how their family relationships reflect their faith in a good father. Respect, love and compassion as shown by our Heavenly Father will draw a family closer. We hope you enjoyed all of the features that emphasized the Father’s Day theme sprinkled throughout this issue.

I’m so glad that I still have my father and that we as a family will be able to gather and celebrate him on Father’s Day. I also have a close relationship with my Heavenly Father, and I know He is good. Is that something that you perhaps haven’t come to understand in your life? That the almighty God would give His dear child just so you could have a relationship with Him, proves how good He is. He wants to give you every good and perfect gift. I pray you would draw near to Him today.

June 2017 SGNScoops Magazine

Thank you to all of you that have written to share your gifts and talents given to you by our Father. If you have an interest in becoming a part of SGNScoops, drop me a line at lorraine@sgnscoops.com.

From the Editor’s Last Word, SGNScoops Magazine for June 2017.

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

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