Hello, everyone.

Usually Lee writes the majority of the blogs for the site, but I have decided to be a guest blogger today. Lee will return later.

In my studies of late I have had to think about the meaning of words in our lives. The interpretation of some words has changed over the years but their meanings are still the same. The word tolerance is a good example. Josh McDowell has been saying for many years that our society has changed the meaning of this word in order to reflect the belief system that is most popular at the time. It is not a biblical view and he won't treat it as such.

I personally have noticed that the words forgiveness and grace have taken on a whole new meaning in many churches and among many Christians as well. In some churches and among some Christians, forgiveness and grace are given just as the Lord Jesus Christ intended it-freely, without malice, and to all who ask for it without question. In other churches and among other Christians, it is a matter of agreeing with them and doing as they expect. I am not sure this application of forgiveness and grace is the one that the Lord intended, but it is the one seeming to make the rounds of popularity.

But that is another blog for someone more knowledgeable than I.

The word that has jumped out at me lately is integral. According to Webster's one of the definitions of this word is "made up of parts, forming the whole." So I started thinking about the different parts of Ransomed that make up the whole.

We all know who is seen. Lee, Chris, and Steve are up front. When he isn't busy with his many other ventures Joe Gordon joins us as a guest singer. We affectionately call him Bonus because he is an added benefit when his schedule permits. We all appreciate him and are glad to have him with us when it does not interfere with his other commitments. Joe also ministers to our hearts personally, keeping us uplifted and laughing. We have "adopted" him, you could say, since my kids now call him "Uncle Joe" out of their pure affection for him.

There are many behind the scenes people in our ministry, however. The ones that are seen most of the time are the wives and Tresa Lynn. Anyone who has seen Ransomed in person knows that they will find a wife at the table or sound board, and anyone who knows us know that I have website and calendar updating duties.  And if you have followed or known Ransomed for very long you know Tresa Lynn. She is definitely an integral part of our ministry as she chooses her seat up front and then greets the people and tells them about "her daddy and uncles". To say she isn't a part that contributes to the formation of the whole of Ransomed's ministry, is not to know us.

But there are other persons that are behind the scenes, integral parts of the whole of Ransomed's ministry.

Starting with the music, there is Mark Hampton. Formerly of Shiloh, Mark is the music minister at a large Arlington church and also makes our background tracks and has produced our first three projects. Without Mark, the Ransomed sound would not be as defined as it is because he has given us an outside ear and sound advice and provided us with some of the best music tracks there are. I cannot fathom what the last 5 years of ministry would have been like if we had not established the relationship with Mark. Not only is he a blessing, he is an integral part of our ministry, another one of the parts that forms the whole.

Another couple that is behind the scenes, but very much a part that forms the whole, is Ron and Cyndi Livingston. Ron and Cyndi own Cornerstone Press and Ron is (to us) the Number one soundman in Southern Gospel. Most of our printing is done by Ron and Cyndi, our last project was reproduced by Ron and Cyndi and they have also recreated and reproduced our first one (and it is actually sharper looking than the original). Ron has also stepped in to run sound for us when I was ill last winter and whenever we are where he is going to be, I happily step aside for him to run the sound. (Some would say I beg him to). Ron and Cyndi are also personally uplifting and minister to us as friends, not just fellow SG people. They have hearts of gold and have spoiled us rotten on birthdays and other times. In my over 40 years of life, I cannot say that I have met two finer people than Ron and Cyndi Livingston. The hearts they have for the Lord stand out and they are such fun people. They are definitely parts that make up the whole of Ransomed's ministry.

Then there are the other groups who are gracious enough to share the stage with us. His Call, Trusting Hymn, Southern Joy, Crosspoint...the list goes on and on. These wonderful Christian people are not only fellow ministries, they are friends. We love and respect each and every one of them and enjoy their ministries very much. Each is unique and integral to Ransomed's ministry because they encourage us through their own ministries and friendships.

We also count the pastors and music ministers of the churches we are allowed to minister in as integral to our ministry. Without pastors and music ministers, Ransomed would have a very difficult time getting the message of the Gospel to people. Many of them have become friends and give wise advice and encouragement at various times. This one applies especially to the pastors and music ministers of our own churches. Steve's church-Amazing Grace Fellowship Baptist Church has Pastor Cliff and Lucinda Baugus, Associate Pastor Mike and Karen Ellis, and Music Minister Bill and Linda Black in the roles of encouragers for Steve and the rest of us. At Lee's church-Hillcrest Baptist Church-is Pastor Mike Simmons and Music Minister Donnie Page as the encouragers for Lee and the rest of us. At our church-First Baptist Church Forney-Pastor Jimmy Pritchard and Music Pastor Joe Daniels are encouragers of us and the rest of the group. While they may minister to us individually they are integral to Ransomed's ministry because each of them help us keep our focus on the purpose for our ministry. However, all pastors who open the doors of their church to groups such as ours are parts that make up the whole of Ransomed.

Another group of people who are integral to Ransomed's ministry is the congregations and attendees of our events. Without these people we would sing and minister to an empty room, large or small. There would be no one to hear and no one to be encouraged or saved. Without these people (some call them fans) there would be nothing to do and we would just end up staying home on the weekends.

I don't want to forget our parents or kids. While Tresa Lynn goes with us to almost every Ransomed event, Chris and I have four boys. We also have a niece who lives with us. For Chris and I, their support and encouragement in this has been essential. I don't know if we did everything right, but I can proudly say that two of our four boys have surrendered to the ministry in various capacities and I am excited to see what plans God has for them. In growing up, the guys parents encouraged their involvement in music and while they are no longer with us, they are still an encouragement and a part of the whole because of the foundation they laid. My parents were always encouragers as well, attending events when they could and buying cd's for themselves and others. In-laws are a part of the whole too, because they are called on to take younger children when we are going to events and such and that is a necessity at times.

Now I come to the One who is not only integral but is the whole, the Lord Jesus Christ. What would be the point of Ransomed's ministry or any ministry without Him? Even when there are people to sing to, friends to support and sing with us when schedules permit, pastors to encourage us, people to produce our projects, and all the other parts of the whole that I have mentioned; there is nothing without Jesus. That brings me to the other definition of integral (and it is really the first one)-"necessary for completeness, essential".  While the parts that make up the whole are essential INGREDIENTS in our ministry as they are needed or available, the Lord Jesus Christ is the One necessary for our ministry to be complete.

As Lee has said lately "It is only because of the Lord Jesus Christ and His grace in teaching us to trust Him more each day, regardless of the circumstances or the personality differences that may get in the way." We in and of ourselves could not do it, only through Him.

Rhonda