When I first started this blog site, I knew there would be changes… Wah Lah.. The time has come! I’m so excited to announce “The Finishing Well is now on my website at http://rhondafrye.com/ From the home page, click on “The Finishing Well.” It’s a little different format, but everything has been imported there.
Thank you and thank you Cre8able media for all your hard work on the site!
February:
February 1
Luke 23:1-25 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2023:1-25&version=NLT
Gen 41 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen%2041&version=NLT
Psalm 32 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2032&version=NLT
February 2
Luke 23:26-56 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2023:26-56&version=NLT
Genesis 42 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen%2042&version=NLT
Psalm 33 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2033&version=NLT
On Friday January 28, 2011, the Conn Center on Lee University’s Campus was completely packed! Christian music fans of all ages enjoyed a wonderful night of talent, entertainment and….. CHURCH! Yes- church! Soloist- Gene Higgins, Contemporary Chrisitian Band- I-Fifty Five, Testimony Quartet and Jason Crabb provided an unforgettable evening in the City of Cleveland, TN. There was certainly something for every single person to enjoy- no matter the musical preference!
Gene Higgins used his stage experience to communicate to the crowd as he sang classics & favorites such as: “You Raise Me Up,” “Bowed On My Knees,” and “I Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb.” The crowd was very enthusiastic and receptive responding with lifted hands, clapping and even a few shouts of praise. Before his performance was over, the crowd was standing on their feet. Mr. Higgins seemed to enjoy the presence of the Lord as well as the crowd containing several of his friends and family.
Higgins was very proud to bring on the next group- afterall his grandson, Andrew Harrod is the drummer. “I-Fifty Five is a newly formed Contemporary Christian Band, but it’s safe to say- they won the audience over in Cleveland as they played and sang originals. Lead singer, Tanner Clark explained the meaning behind the group’s name to stand for Isaiah- chapter 55. He had a very sweet spirit as he explained
their gratefulness for God’s salvation as mentioned in the passage. Although the members were quite young, the level of vocal and musical skill was impressive. The band’s dynamics were very incredbile. With such talent and willing hearts, it is evident God will work in awesome ways through the ministry of I-Fifty Five. The band is scheduled to release new music in February.
Following I-Fifty Fives performance, Cleveland warmly welcome to the stage “Testimony.” Testimony Quartet includes Chattanooga’s beloved, US101′s DJ- Ken Hicks and ’those fellars he sings with.” 
Testimony came on stage with fire and gusto singing traditional southern gospel quartet music. 
The audience quickly responded with clapping along- obviously enjoying the sound that only 4 part harmony can bring. Their sound was tight with their mellow voices well blended. They won over the audience as they sang sure “crowd pleasers” such as “Old Time Religion”, “Sheltered In the Arms of God,”and “He Touched Me.” Testimony ended their set with a powerful and beautiful performance of ”Champion of Love.” Testimony was far from done as they returned to the stage later in the evening.
Not waiting for the formal introduction to be finished, Jason Crabb and his band quietly made their way onto the stage. Considering his accumulation of awards including numerous Doves and a Grammy plus a string of success trailing behind his name, one might expect an explosive entry. Instead, Jason humbly began his set with a heart-felt and sincere “I’d Rather Have Jesus.” After taking that powerful stand-
he and his smokin’ band transitioned into a pumped up version of a Crabb Family Favorite- “The Lamb, The Lion,and The King.” Crabb’s band was amazing as always, but faithful bass player, Lori Sikes did an amazing job singing back up vocals as well! – That was a nice surprise! Keep it up, Lori!
A little further into the set, Jason jokingly said: “I’m going to keep my talking to a minimum – I know what happens….people start to leave.” He went on to explain how people frequently ask what genre of music his sings. “The truth is, I really don’t know. All I do know is that I don’t want anybody to put me anywhere specifically,” Crabb said. He went on to say how he “cut his teeth” on the Rambos, Paynes and Hinsons. He then pressed his lips together mumbling and humming something of a tune and admitted George Jones was an influence too. He also named Verne Gosden and Lynyrd Skynyrd to be mixed into the bag of musical influence. He playfully began to play “Sweet Home Alabama” on his guitar joking saying it was a “church- song.” The crowd literally laughed out loud. Crabb went on to explain his love for all kinds of music including the Blues and then performed a bluesd-up version of “Jesus is on the Main Line” highlighting his guitar and the organ. After the fun, Jason seriously conveyed the importance of using all types of music to minister to everyone in the crowd if at all possible. He said: “Bring it all together and everyone is touched.”
Jason told the audience about his first experience of hearing the song “Day-Star” at a youth retreat. He moved closer to the audience and sang ’Daystar” literally from the bottom of his spirited soul. The presence of the Holy Spirit seemed to descend in such a powerful way. The audience was moved as the band was clearly in worship mode playing straight from their hearts. It seemed Jason sang the glory down as he transition to the chorus of Kari Jobe’s “Healer,” then “Precious Lord Take My Hand” then straight into “Through the Fire. By this time, there was hardly a dry eye in the building, everyone was on their feet, most hands were raised and a few people were… well… 
Jason would say got the “Cant Help Its.”
It seemed to be an appropriate time to take a break, but following the leading of the Spirit, Jason called up Testimony Quartet to sing “Going Home” then a spontaneous “Beulah Land’ that included Gene Higgins. The Holy Spirit obviously had other plans as “church” broke out again. A young 15-year-old boy made his way to the stage with a pounding heart and shared a powerful testimony of how Christ had made a difference in his life. He paced back and forth across the stage as his love for Christ bubbled out of his spirit. There was no doubt God was all over that young man which then led to a time of invitation. Crabb took over giving a short explanation of the gospel and had the entire audience come forward and pray so that no one would feel awkward coming alone. The results were amazing as people connected with God for the first time and some making re-connections- but all were drawing close to Him in a special way.
It was certainly a night of music and church making it a memorable night for all those in attendance. Special thanks to: Gene Higgins, I- Fifty Five, Testimony Quartet and Jason Crabb. May God richly bless you for your inspiration through testimony and song! Listed below are links to each artists website for tour dates and product information:
http://www.hmgnashville.com/about.php
Week 5 Bible Reading
January 29 Luke 21: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2028&version=NLT
Genesis 38 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2038&version=NLT
Psalm 29 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2029&version=NLT
Jan 30
Luke 22:1-38 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2022:1-38&version=NLT
Genesis 39 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2039&version=NLT
Psalm 30 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2030&version=NLT
Jan 31
Luke 22:39-71 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2022:39-71&version=NLT
Genesis 40 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2040&version=NLT
Psalm 31 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2031&version=NLT
Who would have ever thought God would ever take an ordinary preschool teacher- one that had never had a voice lesson, couldn’t read music, or never had a song-writing class and gift her with the ability to write, play & sing? I am that ordinary teacher & mommy-IN SHOCK to be releasing my first song to RADIO! Yep.. the girl that has never seen a “chart” or that wouldn’t even know where to look to even find one is very grateful to say, she’s sharing the gift of music and song-writing “officially” this month.
“Second Chances” was written shortly following ”Good Things”- my very first song. I realized the gift of songwriting had been dropped in my lap the day my tearful prayer started coming out of my mouth with a tune attached- while driving! After that experience, a friend told me: “If God gave you one song, He will give you one more and one more and one more.” I remember sitting on the couch one night after the house was quiet- ready to write my next song. I tried and tried and tried going from bad to worse to pitiful! With wadded paper balls ankle-deep, the Lord stopped my efforts and said to my heart: “Rhonda, you will write what I tell you to write, when I tell you to write. Until then, your job is to worship me.” Laying the pen down, “worship Him” was exactly what I did. From that night on, I didn’t worry if I ever wrote another song, I was satisfied that God had ever granted me the experience of ”Good Things.”
Down to one child left on the playground one afternoon, my heart began to swell with praise as I started thinking about how far God had brought me. I seem to re-live the scene of the night I sat staring in the mirror disgusted at myself in its sinful state. I was raised in a Christian home, Christian School and rarely- if ever missed church- I knew better. I was truly living the statement: “Sin will take you farther than you ever thought you would stray, keep you longer than you ever intended to stay and cost you more than you could ever pay.” That day on the playground praise overwhelmed my heart that God had heard my cries of repentance and had given me a Second Chance. I just so happened to have a yellow sticky note pad and a pen with me. As tears streamed down my cheeks, I wrote my personal testimony as fast as I could. The tune was right there in my heart with the words. The song literally flooded my spirit and I captured it on paper.
Bible Reading Week 4
Keep Reading!
Day 1 Jan 22
Luke 17 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2017&version=NLT
Genesis 29:1-30 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen%2029:1-30&version=NLT
Psalm 22 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2022&version=NLT
Day 2 Jan 23
Luke 18:1-17 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2018:%201-17&version=NLT
Genesis 29:31-30:43 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen%2029:31-30:43&version=NLT
Psalm 23 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2023&version=NLT
January Bible Reading Week 3
Keep Reading!!!!! This is life changing!!!
Day 1 Jan 15
Luke 12:32-59 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2012:32-59&version=NLT
Genesis 22: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2022&version=NLT
Psalm 15 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2015&version=NLT
Day 2 Jan 16
Luke 13:1-17 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2013:1-17&version=NLT
Genesis 23 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2023&version=NLT
Psalm 16 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2016&version=NLT
I’ve often wondered how God goes about distributing Kingdom assignments. It’s a common desire to want to be chosen for great tasks- I think! Who doesn’t want to do big things for God? Recently as I went about my usual day teaching preschool music, the Lord gave me a great analogy!
Each scheduled music day, I tour the center room by room with a cart full of music, instruments, dancing ribbons, books, puppets and more. When I enter the classroom, some children squeal with delight at my presence. Those children are eager to learn and participate during our session. I can’t help myself from giving those children extra smiles and even ask them to assist me with special tasks. I love all of them, but the ones who are “into me” are the ones I call upon most. Sometimes I need “helpers” to help pass out instruments, ribbons or scarves. The children that are “into” the music class are the ones I’ve found myself asking to help me! Honestly, I’ve also noticed all the children respond to me differently. Some are “into me,” some have grown tired of me and few are disinterested in music completely. Infact, some are so distracted they wander away engaging themselves elsewhere. As I teach, I encourage everyone to participate, but occasionally I have to leave the group to fetch a “wanderer” –but ONLY if he is in danger.
BIBLE READING WEEK 2
Day 1: Jan 8
Luke 9:1-27 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%209:1-27&version=NLT
Genesis 15: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2015&version=NLT
Psalm 8: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%208&version=NLT
Day 2: Jan 9
Luke 9:28-62 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%209:%2028-62&version=NLT
Genesis 16 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2016&version=NLT
Psalm 9 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%209&version=NLT
I get encouraged when I read Bible stories of God choosing”ordinary” people to do his work. The story of Simon Peter is a wonderful example. It is my heart’s desire to accomplish great things for God too. How did Simon Peter get started? Well, there’s no easy way to say this, but he got his start by being a failure. That’s comforting, isn’t it? Luke 5:1-11 gives us insight as to how Simon Peter made decisions “early on” that led him to overcome his failure and eventually led him to becoming a world changer. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%205:1-11&version=NLT
After a long night of unsuccessful fishing, Jesus asked Simon to use his boat as a platform so that he could teach the crowd about God. Simon was a fisherman by trade; therefore, fishing was his livelihood. I think it’s safe to assume his boat was his “baby.” The best decision Simon Peter could have made was to move over and allow Jesus to come into his boat and use it for Kingdom purposes. How many times do we cling to our boats and serve our own purposes??? The quicker we realize our ministries do NOT belong to us, the quicker God can use us to bring about everlasting results.
