What was to be a quick two-night anniversary celebration in Panama City Beach, Florida, turned into a very frightening situation for Amber Nelon Kistler and husband, Nathan. An 18 year old man who is reported to be on drugs entered the couple’s 14th floor condo.
“He was staying with a family next door. He stole the brother’s gun. Jumped over, yes, jumped over to this balcony, ” Kistler said as she described the crime.
“We’re one of four victims. We are one of four rooms that he robbed. We are thankful that the Lord protected us, because he was in here. “
The armed robber was kept out of the couple’s bedroom only because they lock the door as a precaution.
This past Friday evening, Gordon Mote had the pleasure of being invited to the ‘Huckabee Show’ with Gordon being asked to perform. The actual show was aired on TBN Saturday evening.
Gordon Mote’s newsletter says if you missed the show on TV, you can go to huckabee.tv and view it online.
The state House of Tennessee has honored Dolly Parton, who was born in Tennessee, by passing a bill that if signed by the Governor would make “Amazing Grace” sung by Dolly Parton the official state song.
State Rep. Mike Sparks (R-Smynra) introduced HB 0938 in February. State Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis) introduced SB 1416. The house bill passed 91-1 on Monday. If the bill makes it all the way through the legislative process the song would become the eighth designated state song of Tennessee.
The General Assembly on Monday also adopted a resolution recognizing Parton for her, “cultural contributions and philanthropy.”
Childhood memories and a significant milestone for Sunday Drive’s Jeff Treece are some of the reasons the group decided to re-release a popular song from four decades ago.
“The older I get the more I reminisce about the good old days,” said Treece as he told the story about bringing back the 1979 song Born Again.
“One of the biggest years in my life was 1979. In 1979 I started two journeys. As a child I gave my heart to my Lord and Savior and I started playing the piano for my family group called Cedar Ridge,” he said.
Cedar Ridge formed in the early 60’s. Jeff continued with the family group through the 90’s. Their last project (or at least the last one in the Texas Gospel library) is Still Blessed, released in 1996. That recording was made made 17 years after very young Jeff Treece began playing piano for Cedar Ridge and learning what it means to be a part of a long-lived gospel group.
“I was young and not very good on the piano, but mom and dad let me grow into the position.”
This is where Born Again came into play as gospel music began to make significant changes in Treece’s life.
“It (Born Again) really touched my heart because I had just been born again. I would sit at the piano and sing as loud as I could _I’m so glad that I’ve been born again_! When we were recording the “A Million Miles” record I realized I had been saved for 40 years and I asked Misty if she would bring back the old hit.”
Jeff said they have received correspondence from people thanking them for re-recording the classic song. Listen for Born Again throughout the broadcast day on Texas Gospel Canada!
The Nelons found a special guest on the front row of the group’s concert at the First Assembly of God in Fort Meyers, Florida Thursday night: Evelyn Tornquist Karlsson. Most fans wouldn’t know by her full name. Her albums in the 70’s and early 80’s as well as her appearances with the Billy Graham Crusades were all done under her stage name, Evie. Perhaps her most well-known songs include grammy award nominated Come On, Ring Those Bells; Mirror and Never the Same.
Most Southern Gospel groups had a very lean schedule in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Nelons seem to be making up for that in 2021. The group’s schedule this year is packed through early June.
Texas Gospel Canada Southern Gospel Radio 