Howdy folks!
Well, you could have knocked me over with a feather, when they announced the winner of this year’s Golden Note Award at the Cowboy Poetry Gathering in St. Anthony, Idaho. It took me a minute to realize that it was my name they were calling.
Most of you are probably not aware of the significance of the award in the cowboy music field. The Cowboy Poets of Idaho Inc., is the largest and, perhaps, the oldest cowboy poetry association in the USA. With nearly 200 members in the Western US and Canada, it encompases the cream of the crop in cowboy singers and poets. The award is a genuine recognition by the members of the Association, who vote the award winner from among the active membership. As the only Canadian to have ever won this award, in the 22 year existence of the Association, I feel very honoured by the support I’ve received from my peers for my traditional cowboy songs.
Suzann and I have gotten bcek into the swing of our cowboy gospel ministry. Our first service at the Blackfoot Southern Baptist Church in Blackfoot, Idaho, was well attended for a Sunday evening service. Since I was introducing our 2008 program, it was good to be at a familiar church. This was the first church we ever presented a cowboy gospel service, when we brought Songs of Faith Ministries to the US. Over the years, these folks have continued to support us with their prayers as we traveled the highways with the gospel.
Our last two services in Idaho, before heading home to Cochrane, where in Malad and McCammon. The Victory Baptist Church in Malad is a small congregation but, doing a mighty work for the Lord in that area. They are in the midst of a building program and we are looking forward to be back with them, when their new church is completed. The McCammon Cowboy Church draws ranchers and farmers from the surrounding area. It was exciting to see the young couples with children attending this church. Pastor Jack Harwell, “Dr.” Jack, serves both churches and we enjoyed our fellowship with him.
This was a short trip, but it’s sure exciting to see the Lord’s hand in our ministry. Please continue to pray for us as we travel. As always, we would appreciate your prayerful support for our Fall ministry tour.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann Burns
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
EXPERIENCING GOD WEEKEND
Howdy folks!
Earlier this month, Suzann and I participated in an experiencing God weekend at Cambrian Heights Baptist Church, Calgary. Folks from our church and Bow Valley Baptist Church in Cochrane, came together to reflect on how we respond to God's initiative in our lives. We also had the opportunity to have the facilitator, Don Gibson, from Dallas, Texas, stay with us. Not only were we blessed by his ministry but also, we had a great time of fellowhip while he visited in our home.
As many of you know, we are not going to tour very extensively this Spring. In fact, we will only be on the road for about two weeks. Our first stop will be the annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering in St. Anthony, Idaho. Following the Gathering, we will stay in Idaho and minister at the Blackfoot Southern Baptist Church in Blackfoot, the Victory Baptist Church in Malad City and, the McCammon Cowboy Church in McCammon. Because our time is limited, it is unlikely that we will be able to accept other invitations. We are flexible, however, and open to the Lord's leading should other opportunities arise.
Our tour plans for the Fall are still undecided. A number of invitations have been received but, there has been no clear direction from the Lord. We continue to pray and would appreciate your prayers also.
For those of you who have been wondering, the poetry book is at the printers and should be ready in May. In response to numerous requests, I have included my gospel poetry (including the Christmas poems). The title of the book is "Trail Dust of a Buckaroo." A notice will be sent out when it is available for sale.
Once again, continue to pray for us as we share the gospel the cowboy way.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann Burns
Earlier this month, Suzann and I participated in an experiencing God weekend at Cambrian Heights Baptist Church, Calgary. Folks from our church and Bow Valley Baptist Church in Cochrane, came together to reflect on how we respond to God's initiative in our lives. We also had the opportunity to have the facilitator, Don Gibson, from Dallas, Texas, stay with us. Not only were we blessed by his ministry but also, we had a great time of fellowhip while he visited in our home.
As many of you know, we are not going to tour very extensively this Spring. In fact, we will only be on the road for about two weeks. Our first stop will be the annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering in St. Anthony, Idaho. Following the Gathering, we will stay in Idaho and minister at the Blackfoot Southern Baptist Church in Blackfoot, the Victory Baptist Church in Malad City and, the McCammon Cowboy Church in McCammon. Because our time is limited, it is unlikely that we will be able to accept other invitations. We are flexible, however, and open to the Lord's leading should other opportunities arise.
Our tour plans for the Fall are still undecided. A number of invitations have been received but, there has been no clear direction from the Lord. We continue to pray and would appreciate your prayers also.
For those of you who have been wondering, the poetry book is at the printers and should be ready in May. In response to numerous requests, I have included my gospel poetry (including the Christmas poems). The title of the book is "Trail Dust of a Buckaroo." A notice will be sent out when it is available for sale.
Once again, continue to pray for us as we share the gospel the cowboy way.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann Burns
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
SO THIS IS RETIREMENT
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
"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
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
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
NO TIME FOR REST
Howdy Folks!
It's been a week since we completed the Experiencing God course. Now, we're heavily involved in organizing the Experiencing God Weekend Event at our home church, Cambrian Heights Baptist Church, Calgary. Plans are shaping up and registration for the event is in progress.
Last Sunday, February 24th, Tom King the pastor of the Clearwater Cowboy Church made a presentation of his cowboy poetry at our morning worship service. I led the music, backed up by the Sagebrush Orchestra (some talented musicians from our church). It was a grand time of worshipping and praising the Lord cowboy style. Folks said the service reminded them of an old-fashioned tent meeting. Tom has MS and is raising funds to pay for an experimental drug, that has shown some promise in treating the disease. Needless to say, the folks at Cambrian Heights were very generous in their financial support for Tom.
Between our expanding church activities, Songs of Faith concerts and organizing our next US tour, it's been a busy few months. We're still waiting on the Lord to open doors in Canada for our ministry. While the response from the churches has been very slow, we are confident that there is work for us to do in Canada, particularly, in the many small rural communities. Join us as we pray for the Lord's leading in this matter.
On the trail for Him,
Mike & Suzann Burns
Songs of Faith Ministries
It's been a week since we completed the Experiencing God course. Now, we're heavily involved in organizing the Experiencing God Weekend Event at our home church, Cambrian Heights Baptist Church, Calgary. Plans are shaping up and registration for the event is in progress.
Last Sunday, February 24th, Tom King the pastor of the Clearwater Cowboy Church made a presentation of his cowboy poetry at our morning worship service. I led the music, backed up by the Sagebrush Orchestra (some talented musicians from our church). It was a grand time of worshipping and praising the Lord cowboy style. Folks said the service reminded them of an old-fashioned tent meeting. Tom has MS and is raising funds to pay for an experimental drug, that has shown some promise in treating the disease. Needless to say, the folks at Cambrian Heights were very generous in their financial support for Tom.
Between our expanding church activities, Songs of Faith concerts and organizing our next US tour, it's been a busy few months. We're still waiting on the Lord to open doors in Canada for our ministry. While the response from the churches has been very slow, we are confident that there is work for us to do in Canada, particularly, in the many small rural communities. Join us as we pray for the Lord's leading in this matter.
On the trail for Him,
Mike & Suzann Burns
Songs of Faith Ministries
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
ABOUT OLD HYMNS
Howdy folks!
In this day of new praise and worship music and video projectors, the old hymns are becoming an endangered species. But as we sing these new songs to the Lord, let's not forget the old ones. It's the sturdy old hymns of the faith that strengthen and steady us when we're weary and worn. They're the ones we sing when we face adversity and uncertainty or, when rising troubled in the night. Because many of these hymns are chock full of theology, they fill our souls with the timeless truthfulness and accuracy of the Scriptures. They enable us to pray and give us a pulpit for preaching to others. As we join our voices to sing these hymns composed by believers from every era and branch of Christendom, we connect with generations now gone in a united anthem of praise to the Lord.
Well, in the last week, we've had an opportunity to sing many of the old hymns and gospel songs. Since the Hymn Jams had outgrown our house, we moved to our local church. About thirty folks gathered in the Fellowship Hall of Cambrian Heights Baptist Church in Calgary, Alberta, last Friday night (Feb. 15th), to sing and fellowship in the old-fashioned way. Stories were told about favourite hymn and, as we sang. memories brought on a few tears. Amid the laughter and tears, we had a great time praising the Lord.
Then, on Sunday (Feb. 17), Suzann and I travelled to Evansburg, Alberta, for a cowboy gospel concert. A near capacity crowd of town folks, local ranchers and farmers and, even some cowboys, joined us at the Evansburg Baptist Church for a time of down-home singing, rhymes from the range and a no-frills gospel message. What a time we had in the Lord as we sang, the old hymns, laughed and remembered. Again, there were a lot of smiles and even a few tears, as folks joined in and sang the night away.
We look forward to each of these opportunities. No church is too small or isolated. Every door that opens is another chance to encourage God's people and win the lost to Christ.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
Songs of Faith Ministries
In this day of new praise and worship music and video projectors, the old hymns are becoming an endangered species. But as we sing these new songs to the Lord, let's not forget the old ones. It's the sturdy old hymns of the faith that strengthen and steady us when we're weary and worn. They're the ones we sing when we face adversity and uncertainty or, when rising troubled in the night. Because many of these hymns are chock full of theology, they fill our souls with the timeless truthfulness and accuracy of the Scriptures. They enable us to pray and give us a pulpit for preaching to others. As we join our voices to sing these hymns composed by believers from every era and branch of Christendom, we connect with generations now gone in a united anthem of praise to the Lord.
Well, in the last week, we've had an opportunity to sing many of the old hymns and gospel songs. Since the Hymn Jams had outgrown our house, we moved to our local church. About thirty folks gathered in the Fellowship Hall of Cambrian Heights Baptist Church in Calgary, Alberta, last Friday night (Feb. 15th), to sing and fellowship in the old-fashioned way. Stories were told about favourite hymn and, as we sang. memories brought on a few tears. Amid the laughter and tears, we had a great time praising the Lord.
Then, on Sunday (Feb. 17), Suzann and I travelled to Evansburg, Alberta, for a cowboy gospel concert. A near capacity crowd of town folks, local ranchers and farmers and, even some cowboys, joined us at the Evansburg Baptist Church for a time of down-home singing, rhymes from the range and a no-frills gospel message. What a time we had in the Lord as we sang, the old hymns, laughed and remembered. Again, there were a lot of smiles and even a few tears, as folks joined in and sang the night away.
We look forward to each of these opportunities. No church is too small or isolated. Every door that opens is another chance to encourage God's people and win the lost to Christ.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
Songs of Faith Ministries
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