Well i have been wanting the beautiful fall weather to get here asap but  these hot days are well, anything but a fall like climate. I guess i would compare it to the way we always want things to be which is usually  a little different than they are at the moment in our christian walk with the Lord. The Lords masterful all leading mind is always many steps and blessings ahead of us. We can try to change things the way we want them to be but if we will just really learn how to wait on Him our lives plans,dreams and future seem to all come together with a satisfying completeness. Gold Harbor has sure been through a time of waiting in 2011. We had videos produced and a member leaves, new songs recorded and a  member leaves,sickness hits us for 6 months and you think,what are you saying to me Lord? Show me the right way and i'll follow. God has always had a plan and if we will just seek him out to see it. things do turn around. Now we (Darlene and I) can see a huge light coming our way for Gold Harbor. Ministry has always been first with us and our families stand behind us in that belief and sacrifice things to make sure we can roll down the road to minister in concerts and churches. We know we are outside the box in style and that it would take time for Gods people to see that we were here to stay on the national stage and introducing a new genre of music,not exactly an easy thing to get accepted in the industry without controversy. Jesus is giving us undiscovered world class talent to choose from and that is so exciting for Gold Harbor as well as  the new folks applying for the spot in the group. We will be in full force at NQC this year in booth 236. Please put Gold Harbor on your prayer list and for the next 30 days please take just 5 minutes out of your day and pray for our ministry. We are slated to go in the studio in early October to keep working on our long delayed "Southern Praise and Worship" project. Thank you for permitting us to talk to you though this article. God Bless this publication and the people who read it, JR Exciting Permanent news. Change is not good. Change is great. Noel Walters is unretired himself and returned to Gold Harbor. We have all recommitted ourselves to this God annointed ministry in song. We heard from the Lord,you,our fans and the industry for us all to get back to the business of the King. Our rehersal was like "NOTHING" had changed in fact it was better than ever. Come see us at booth 236 at NQC

  Good or Bad?

Every morning I start my day out with a daily devotion time.  I believe it is important to have some one on one time with God EVERY day.  As we start out and unaware of what each day holds – our time with God and His word will strengthen us and get us through whatever we may face .  Then after my devotion I get on Facebook (lol) !!!!!

Today, as I was reading my daily devotion it brought this to my mind.  My devotion read: COME UNTO ME, and rest in My loving Presence.  You know that this day will bring difficulties, and you are trying to think your way through those trials.  As you anticipate what is ahead of you, you forget that I AM WITH YOU – now and always.  Rehearsing your troubles results in experiencing them many times, whereas you are meant to go through them only when they actually occur.  Do not multiply your suffering in this way!  Instead, come to Me, and relax in My Peace.  I will strengthen you and prepare you for this day, transforming your fear into confident trust. (Matthew 11:28 -30;  Joshua 1:5 – 9)

I thought this article was about Facebook?  Well, I’m getting there….Facebook is a fun way to keep up with friends and what they are doing.  It is a great place to network with Christian people.  It is a great way to request prayer and develop that circle of friends when it would be almost impossible to call each one.  It is a great way to make announcements when your group or ministry will be in a particular area;  it is a great 

tool for helping you get bookings or just meeting and networking with people in the ministry. This is a great thing when used in the right way.  However, my experience has had pros and cons.  I always confirm friends with not a lot of background checks.  But when I read something that someone has posted that is derogatory or used language that is offensive I delete that person.  Then there are those people who use FB for everything but something good and positive.  I believe it is important that WE be cautious when we confirm our friends and be aware of what they are posting.  Use FB for a positive and good thing which it definitely can be.  I enjoy getting on FB and seeing how all my friends spend their time and how their ministry is going.  It is a great way to stay in touch “long distance”.  

So what does daily devotion and Facebook have in common?  EVERYTHING.  When we start our day out with God and in a positive manner, I think it reflects everything we do all day long.  What we think, what we write, how we project ourselves.  When we read on FB that our friends are going through a difficult time, we can use the word that God gave us for the day to assist us to help by giving them an encouraging word and praying for them.  My devotion today just reminded me that from time to time we all need a circle of praying friends and Facebook is a great way to accomplish that.  Stay in touch and be encouraging through FB and let’s spread the GOOD NEWS.  Remember, there are a lot of people on FB that are not Christians and WE are the only connection to God that some of them have.  AND As my devotion reminded me:  God says Come to Me, and relax in My Peace.  I will strengthen you and prepare you for this day, transforming your fear into confident trust. Not in SOME things but in ALL things; Yes in all things we should be faithful and separate ourselves from the unclean and ungodliness of the world.  

Remember, the devil knows that God is preparing to step out and call His children home.  The devil’s time is running out and he is seeking whom he may devour.  Be strong, be dedicated, be committed and trust in God’s word. Be positive and remember that in everything we say and do we should reflect Him. 

So, continue your daily devotions and then blogging on FB and staying in touch.  We like to know when WE can help YOU just by being an encourager.  In today’s world – we all could use more of that!!

So, how many of you love (or loved)  the old hymns and Southern Gospel Quartets, like The Statesmen Quartet, The Chuck Wagon Gang,Speer Family and The Blackwood Brothers Quartet ?   How many of you love (or loved) The Hinson’s, Goodmans or The Imperials and Couriers?  How many of you love Steven Curtis Chapman, Chris Tomlin, Natalie Grant and Casting Crowns? And there are those great choirs as The Christ Church Choir and Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir,how about that great music.

How many of you heard your parents or grandparents say that they didn’t like the artists that you liked?  It’s too loud!  I don’t like those drums!  What is it with those guitars, what’s up with that!  Why do they sing the same line, so many times?  Why do you have to have four men singing together (dressed alike?)  So, are you having similar conversations in your homes and in your churches today?  It’s amazing how things come full circle, huh?  

How do you think gospel music was kept alive throughout all these generations?  It’s because God gave his children a vision and they got out of their comfort zone!  It’s tough; it isn’t easy to get out of your comfort zone!  But, we must in order to grow and progress!   Isn’t that how we run our businesses?  Why wouldn’t we run God’s business in the best, effective method?  So, I ask you, why not both, southern gospel music and praise and worship music?

Gold Harbor loves our Seniors, Middle Agers and our Up and Comer Kids!  We want to bridge that gap as those did that came before us!   As “Children of God” we must find new and creative ways to appeal to all audiences (Seniors, Middle Agers and Up and Comer Kids) or Gospel Music and it’s legacy will not be carried on to the future generations.  How many of us want to see that happen?  I didn’t think so.

For this season, Gold Harbor is taking some of the praise/contemporary songs and putting a slight twist or bend to Southern Gospel to make “Southern Praise and Worship”.  We want our Seniors, Middle Agers and Up and Comer Kids to worship our Lord Jesus Christ, side by side, hand in hand.  So we are in the studio recording a new Southern Praise and Worship album so that all generations can worship together!  

In 2008, we released, In Christ Alone and in 2009 for radio, we released Holy Rain, written by Regi Stone and David Edwards which was the awarding winning choral song of the year in 2006.  Audiences are moved by both of these songs as they worship and praise the Lord Jesus Christ.  

JR Richards’ continued inspiration comes from his biggest cheerleader, his mother (87 years young!),Who traveled the sawdust trail in the 1930's and 40's.  He tried out the most recent Southern Praise and Worship Release, “Children of God” for her.  She cried softly and worshipped the Lord as she listened.  She said that song will reach and speak for generations to come.  

Now, this Southern Praise and Worship album is an electric season for Gold Harbor and is not the only genre of music GH has done or will do in the future.  Gold Harbor desires to be an instrument that God can work through to encourage the discouraged and hopeless!  And, to win lost and dying souls to Jesus Christ!  We want to have an open mind and heart to how God wants to use us and sometimes that requires even us to get out of our comfort zone musically by introducing new and different styles of music that will reach out in places we have never been.  

Just can’t wait for you to hear the next genre of music that God wants Gold Harbor to use to reach His children, The Children of God! 

2.       Who are the current members of Gold Harbour? (I see only yourself and Rob on the site as current travelling members). Can you give us a bit of background on what instruments you play (if any), and other information on current members? I only know a little about Rob, so if you could fill me in more on his singing resume (past groups or recordings) that would be great. Have you written any of the material that you perform?

3.       Tell us the origin of Children of God and what kind of response you have received when you perform this in person. How have the radio audiences responded?

4.       How long has Gold Harbour actually been travelling and how far across the States have you travelled? Have you gone outside of the States? What is the most memorable venue you have been at with this group?

5.       I have had some discussions with other artists about “Southern Praise and Worship” as a genre and I confess I’m still wrapping my head around it. Why do you call Southern Praise and Worship a whole new genre? Can you please tell us how this differs from Southern Gospel? I live in Southern Ontario and southern gospel groups around here have traditionally always kept praise songs in their repertoire, as churches don’t want to hear just SG. So I’ve heard SG groups sing Praise and Worship for a long time – would you call this “Southern Praise and Worship”?

6.       What other artists are you aware of that sing SP&W? Do they classify themselves using this label?

7.       What has been the industry’s response to your introduction of this style of music as a genre? Has it been slow to catch on?

8.       Have you used SP&W in your marketing to promoters, churches and other venues? How is it received? Do you find you have a different or a more wider audience than just using Southern Gospel as a descriptor?

9.       I have heard many descriptions of what people term as ‘praise and worship’, as I’m sure you have. I have attended an assemblies of God (in Canada it’s PAOC) church for a number of years and I know that meaning of this phrase varies depending on the person. What does “Praise and Worship” mean to you? What do you feel personally is the purpose of P&W?

10.   I’m sure you have a private worship time (which is what validates public worship, to me anyway!). What do you do for your private worship? Do you go someplace special? What is your favourite way to worship the Lord when it’s just you and Him?

Thanks so much JR. I hope you are able to respond to this. I have a job which makes it difficult to plan interviews for the times when artists are available and I’ve found that email interviews are the most convenient as you can respond when you have time.

I appreciate your assistance and sharing! Thanks for educating me and our audience!

Looking forward to your response,

http://sogospelnews.com/index/content/articles/the-gospel-widow/

Each of us has a story.  We all have backgrounds, experiences, challenges and celebrations that have shaped us to be the women we are today. The Bible says we are to uplift and encourage others. I think each of us can use our stories to help other women.  So, here’s a little of my story and I hope it will inspire and motivate you to share your story with others.

I am a 4-year rookie in this season of my life and still learning…..I’m the wife of J.R. of Gold Harbor. When I married J.R. 17 years ago, he was God sent and perfect for me!  I knew about his ministry and that he was a retired gospel singer, but he was done. I knew his momma had sang and played guitar in brush harbors and tent revivals! I am a PK (preacher’s kid) and actually, both of my parents were and are ordained ministers! When I was growing up, my momma, daddy, brother and I sang in church and I just always listened to gospel music my whole life!  So, that was right up my alley!  I am so thankful that God chose my parents for me and growing up as a PK  I felt like I had a good understanding how God places a call on our lives, that some calls on our lives impacts our families, and sacrifices have to be made to pursue and walk in obedience to the Father.  

So, the first 14 years of our marriage we spent almost every moment together; we had great jobs, we went to Church, helped others with Acts of Kindness, had a coat ministry for salespeople in the car business (and other people who needed them), sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and played a lot!  

Then, J.R. felt he needed to do more.  During all this time, I should have realized that “we” can retire, but when a call is on your life, it never retires.  So, he went back into ministry.  It was a real change for both of us; I think it was as difficult for him as it was for me, just in different ways.  It was hard, our lives changed from what we had known for 14 years, our finances changed, and we had many talks about these changes.  He knew and I knew, you just do not interfere with God’s plan unless you want a life of misery.  We had already been there and done that….so, together we surrendered to God’s plan.  

It was difficult for me because we were always together!  Over the years, Jim and his mom talked about how challenging it was for the spouse at home; they called it the “Gospel Widow”.  I had all types of emotions; excited, lonely, happy, sad, depressed, etc.  Also, there were the little things, like routines.  Before, we each had our “little chores” around the house.  He fed the dog and I fed the cat.  He checked the mailbox and I sorted it.  I bundled up the trash and he took it to the street for pickup.  The first few times when he would come home, he would ask me, when I’m gone, do you mind checking the mail?  I said, Oh…okay, sure…although in 14 years I hadn’t checked the mail!  And he said, by the way, have you been feeding the dog?  Oops….hmmm…No?  I am not sure what would have happened had I been like many of you with children and all their activities!  Oh my!  Then the more significant events like, something happens to the car and who should I call, the faucet starts leaking, something breaks in the house or the more urgent issues like when I got sick and thankfully my momma and a couple of friends were at the house when I passed out and they rushed me to the hospital!   You experience similar situations when your husband is traveling.  

And, what about communication?  When do you discuss family plans or concerns?  When he traveled, I usually talked to him for a few minutes at all times of the day; early morning (when I was getting ready for work and running behind), middle of the day (when I was at work and couldn’t talk), or very late at night (when I was asleep!).  Sometimes he was so excited about how God had moved in the service and how many people gave their lives to Christ!  Sometimes they were sitting somewhere eating, laughing, all talking at the same time, etc.

Although I was a PK, I was in unfamiliar territory and looking back now, I think I desperately needed a mentor.  Someone to help me, encourage me and help me understand all of my emotions.  Someone who was experienced at this, someone that wasn’t a rookie; a seasoned veteran.  I didn’t know who to reach out to and even if I did, I was not comfortable admitting that I needed help.  The few wives I knew had children, careers, and had very busy schedules, already had their own circle of friends, and I’m sure they were trying to survive themselves and didn’t have time to take on another project (me)!  I understood.  I had my career and was busy myself.  I didn’t have children but I had family and friends, but they could not relate to what I was experiencing.

Four years have passed and I’m still learning and growing.  There has not been a spectacular miracle to help me learn how to adjust!  However, God continues to place people in my life to share their experiences with me.  Like recently, I was talking with a couple of precious friends.  We were just talking about when everyone leaves on the bus and you stay behind.  I mentioned how I always cry.  One of my friends said, you really should not do that; it makes it hard on him when you do.  As I laughed, I told this friend, it doesn’t matter if it’s him or me leaving town (in my career I travel a lot myself), I always cry!  .  Weeks went by and one day as we were preparing for J.R. to travel, I remembered how he always sends me off on my business trips!  He is always upbeat, and encourages me have fun, enjoy my job and eat!  (He loves to eat!)  I remembered how I love the way he supports me and makes me feel when I have to leave home.  Then the Lord recalled to my memory, the words my friend had said to me “You really shouldn’t do that (cry); it makes it really hard on him when you do.”  Hm….Wow.  Because my friend shared their perspective and experience, now I do my best to encourage J.R. when he leaves; “Enjoy what you do”, Eat, and “Have fun” with lots of smiles and sincerity!  

As I continue this journey, within the last year, I’ve had the opportunity to travel with J.R. a few times.  I’ve seen “his” world (his workplace) and how God has ordained Gold Harbor, how people give their lives to Christ or they are blessed by the songs because Gold Harbor has been obedient to the call on their lives.  Also I’ve seen all the hard work that goes into what they do; the long hours on the bus, the long trips, unloading and loading the equipment, the inconsistency of sleep, their hours, when and what they eat, the drain they have when they’ve been in service ministering to people, etc.  It’s been an eye opener for me!

So, why did I share this with you?  I enjoy helping others and if I can share something that I have learned to encourage you, that’s what I want to do.  I wanted to share with you that there are no easy answers, but stay in prayer and study.  Also, know that your steps are ordained of God and so is your husband’s/boyfriend’s.  It isn’t easy, but neither was the road to Calvary for Jesus and His dying for our sins.  Each of us has a gift/call from God and we choose whether to recognize it and use it.  Sometimes we do not recognize our gifts because they come so naturally (please remember this includes being a mom), or “my” call does not seem to be important (like my husband sings for the Lord) or we want someone else’s call (my best friends personality!). Psalm 139:14 says I am (You are, Your husband is) fearfully and wonderfully made! Let me ask you….What is “your” gift/call and how can you touch others’ lives (like only YOU can)?    

In closing, God has a Master Project Plan and He has assigned each of us a “task” based on our gift/call,  In order for His Master Project Plan to be completed, each of us must do our task, our part.  You have your task and your husband/boyfriend has his task.  Do you whine and complain when he uses his gift?  Does he whine or complain when you use your gift?   If this is where you are right now (and we’ve all been there), take your whining and complaining to God and He will turn it into peace, beauty and sincerity.

I hope I have encouraged you today and if I can help by listening or encouraging, I am here.  

Love, Honor and Praise the Lord Jesus Christ

Lavada as published on http://sogospelnews.com/index/content/articles/the-gospel-widow/