Howdy folks!
"How do you manage to keep busy, now that you're retired?" I don't know how many times I've been asked that question but, the answer is always the same. First, Songs of Faith Ministries requires a lot of time to schedule tours, plan programs and concerts, learn new songs and write gospel poems. Lately, I've been writing a book of cowboy poetry that I expect to publish in the summer. It's been a steep learning curve, as I wander through the minefield of the publishing business. Finally, there's our local church, Cambrian Heights Baptist Church, that keeps us grounded in the Word and prayerfully continues to support our Ministry. Somethimes, I think I should go back to work, just to get a rest!
For those of you who follow our travels, we'll be heading out to Idaho in April. In addition to ministering in several churches, including a new cowboy church in McCammon, we'll be participating in the annual St. Anthony Cowboy Poetry Gathering. I've been nominated for the 2008 Golden Note Award and, win or lose, I certainly appreciate this recognition by the members of the Cowboy Poets of Idaho.
Well, daylight saving time, Easter and the gophers came early this year. Suzann is getting eager to get on the road with the trailer. MacDuff is going to get his spring hair cut. As for me, I'm just trying to keep "all the balls in the air," as I juggle my life in retirement.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann Burns
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
ROAD TRIPS
Howdy folks!
Another weekend, another cowboy church service and another road trip. This past weekend, Suzann and I drove to Sherwood Park, Alberta (just outside of Edmonton) to The Cowboy Church. This is a very active cowboy church that meets every Friday night in a rented church facility. A near capacity crowd came out on a snowy evening to worship and praise the Lord in the cowboy way. The air rang with gospel songs, cowboy poetry and an old-fashioned, no frills gospel message. For the first time in our travels, I got a request to do one of my cowboy poems. Folks seem to respond to the message and, I'm always happy to respond to a request.
As I sit in the office on Monday morning, I've been pondering these weekend road trips and, our upcoming ministry trip to Idaho in April. Over the past year, I've been noticing that groups have been steadily coming of the road. For the most part, the reason given is the increasing cost of fuel for their vehicles. Some groups have even started to charge churches mileage in order to cover their travel expenses. Larger churches may have the financial resources to pay these expenses but, many of the small churches that Songs of Faith visits, would be hard pressed to come up with the necessary funds.
Well, increasing fuel prices are a reality for every traveling ministry and, ours is no exception. To date, the Lord has provided the means to keep us on the road and, until He tells us different we'll keep on traveling. Please pray for us as we travel, as well as for the other ministries that are on the road carrying and sharing the Gospel.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann Burns
Another weekend, another cowboy church service and another road trip. This past weekend, Suzann and I drove to Sherwood Park, Alberta (just outside of Edmonton) to The Cowboy Church. This is a very active cowboy church that meets every Friday night in a rented church facility. A near capacity crowd came out on a snowy evening to worship and praise the Lord in the cowboy way. The air rang with gospel songs, cowboy poetry and an old-fashioned, no frills gospel message. For the first time in our travels, I got a request to do one of my cowboy poems. Folks seem to respond to the message and, I'm always happy to respond to a request.
As I sit in the office on Monday morning, I've been pondering these weekend road trips and, our upcoming ministry trip to Idaho in April. Over the past year, I've been noticing that groups have been steadily coming of the road. For the most part, the reason given is the increasing cost of fuel for their vehicles. Some groups have even started to charge churches mileage in order to cover their travel expenses. Larger churches may have the financial resources to pay these expenses but, many of the small churches that Songs of Faith visits, would be hard pressed to come up with the necessary funds.
Well, increasing fuel prices are a reality for every traveling ministry and, ours is no exception. To date, the Lord has provided the means to keep us on the road and, until He tells us different we'll keep on traveling. Please pray for us as we travel, as well as for the other ministries that are on the road carrying and sharing the Gospel.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann Burns
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Just Too Old Fashioned
Howdy Folks!
As most of you know, Songs of Faith Ministries has never made a pretense about our old fashioned presentation of the gospel. In all our promotional material and in our correspondence with pastors, we make it crystal clear that our program consists of a blend of traditional hymns and gospel songs, down-home singing, rhymes from the range and personal testimony. Over the past several years, feedback from pastors about Songs of Faith, after we have ministered to the folks in their congregations, has been enthusiastic and positive.
Imagine my surprise when I received a response from a pastor telling me that his was not a traditional church and the congregation would not be interested in our presentation. Reading between the lines, however, I suspect he was saying that we were just too old fashioned for the folks in his church. Well, if telling folks about the Saviour's love has become out of fashion, then I'll stay old fashioned. It reminds me of a couplet from one of my cowboy gospel poems: "The old fashioned gospel is in fashion yet today/And the only way to heaven is the old fashioned way."
Fortunately, there are still pastors who preach the Gospel and, congregations who still want to hear it. So, we still have work to do - the old fashioned way! Continue to pray for us as we seek the Lord's leading for 2008.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann Burns
Songs of Faith Ministries
As most of you know, Songs of Faith Ministries has never made a pretense about our old fashioned presentation of the gospel. In all our promotional material and in our correspondence with pastors, we make it crystal clear that our program consists of a blend of traditional hymns and gospel songs, down-home singing, rhymes from the range and personal testimony. Over the past several years, feedback from pastors about Songs of Faith, after we have ministered to the folks in their congregations, has been enthusiastic and positive.
Imagine my surprise when I received a response from a pastor telling me that his was not a traditional church and the congregation would not be interested in our presentation. Reading between the lines, however, I suspect he was saying that we were just too old fashioned for the folks in his church. Well, if telling folks about the Saviour's love has become out of fashion, then I'll stay old fashioned. It reminds me of a couplet from one of my cowboy gospel poems: "The old fashioned gospel is in fashion yet today/And the only way to heaven is the old fashioned way."
Fortunately, there are still pastors who preach the Gospel and, congregations who still want to hear it. So, we still have work to do - the old fashioned way! Continue to pray for us as we seek the Lord's leading for 2008.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann Burns
Songs of Faith Ministries
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