Friday, February 19, 2016

The Inner Views of Kelly Bowling

"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. 
They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22, 23
(KJV)

More than once over the course of the past few years, I have mentioned or included the song,
"I'll Be Alright As Soon As I Touch Calvary" in my posts.
That song has come to mean so much to my family and me,
and last year, we were blessed to be able to hear it sung, in person,
by the group that first introduced the song to us.
(You can read about that special night, by clicking HERE.)

So, it was no surprise that while seeking God's face about His will concerning future Inner Views,
the dear lady you will read about today was brought to my mind.

I made contact, and she so graciously granted us an interview!
I am eternally grateful, and I know you will be very encouraged by meeting her.
Perhaps you are already familiar with her and her family's music.
If not, you are in for an extra special blessing!


The
of follower of Jesus, wife, mother, and soprano singer for The Bowling Family,
Kelly Bowling.

Cheryl:  First of all, I want to thank you, Kelly, for taking the time to grant us an interview. What an honor it is to be able to have you share with us today! To start off, can you tell us about yourself? 

Kelly:  I'm married to Mike. We have three daughters, ages 16, 12, and 9. We are on tour about 209 dates a year, so life is crazy at times, but we are blessed and together.  I sang for 17 years with my family, The Crabb Family, before Mike and I started The Bowling Family.

Cheryl:  We would love to hear about your Christian testimony. How old were you when you gave your heart to the Lord? What life events led up to that decision? How has following Jesus changed your life?

Kelly:  I was 14 when I got saved.  I was listening to music at home.  At first, secular music, but I had one gospel cassette (showing my age) to my name, and decided to listen to it.  Before I knew it, tears were falling, and I gave my heart to the Lord the summer before my freshman year of high school.  It set me on a totally different path, and I'm so thankful.  God has been so faithful to me.

Cheryl:  How long have you been singing? Can you recall any special memories of your first time singing in public? When did you first realize that God was calling you to sing full-time for Him?

Kelly:  I started singing at age 3.  I don't remember the first time I ever sang in public, but I remember the young years being up there, and I knew I loved it.  However, I got shy as I got older, and took some time away, but when I got saved, there was a new fire in me to sing again! I'm so glad I did! 

Cheryl:  How did you meet your husband, Mike, and how did you know he was “the one”? What is it like being on the road with him and your children, and being able to sing for the Lord together as a family? As a girl growing up, did you have any dreams or aspirations that this is what your life would one day look like?


Kelly:  I met Mike in Boaz, AL.  He was the lead singer for the Perry's.  My family was just getting started.  We had so much in common, it didn't take long to realize that he was the one. We dated about two years, and then he proposed.  I had always hoped to stay in ministry, and marry someone who had that same vision.  Our road life can be challenging, chaotic, and everything you can imagine life to be with three kids and raising them part time on a bus, but we're together, and that is the best part of it!

Cheryl:  Over the course of the past few years, my family and I have gone through some intense, fiery trials, and one of the songs that has gotten us through is “I’ll Be Alright As Soon As I Touch Calvary”. Last year, we were blessed to be able to attend Singin’ In the Sun in Myrtle Beach, and as we were standing in the part of the arena where the product tables were set up, we heard you and your family practicing that song next door. I can’t even begin to tell you the profound effect that moment had upon me, as I stood there, tears pouring down and thinking back over all of the many times we have turned to that song for comfort. Later, we got to see you all perform it live, and it was, without a doubt, my favorite moments of our entire time there. Can you please tell us the history behind your singing this song? Was there a particular reason you chose it, and what has the song meant to you, on a personal level? How has it affected others who have heard you sing it?


Kelly:  Mike has always loved this song, and he cut it as a solo artist years ago.  It is a Rusty Goodman song, and we have always loved his songwriting.  He was one of the greats!  I love to hear Mike sing this as well, it suits his voice, and the message never gets old.  It's wonderful to be reminded that at the foot of the Cross, is the only place we need to go! 

Cheryl:  Will you share with us about what happened on July 1, 2010? How has that event changed your life? What impact has it had upon your ministry? How was God’s love demonstrated to you throughout and in the aftermath of this ordeal?

Kelly:  On July 1st 2010, our family was in a bad bus wreck that left us with several injuries.  I suffered a broken back and Mike was airlifted with a brain injury.  Our daughter, Katelanne was airlifted as well.  It was my darkest day as a wife and mother, but God was with us, and brought us through.

It was life changing, we learned to trust God on a different level, and we learned that even if the enemy tries to destroy you, God has the final say.  There are not enough words for me to say how faithful God has been to us! 

(To read news article about the accident and to view pictures, click HERE.)

Cheryl:  As a woman who is involved in full-time ministry and who is also a wife and mother, how do you find balance and maintain Biblical priorities?

Kelly:  As, a mom, I just try to look to the Lord to lead me.  I'm sure I fail daily, but I feel the key is to keep God first, to live what you sing, to let your kids know that it's more than when you're on stage, and that you're a Christian first with or without a platform.


Cheryl:  There is an element of sincerity and genuineness in your stage presence that is so evident and refreshing. In moments of success and public affirmation, what is the one thing that you would say most keeps you humble and grounded in your walk with God and His purpose in having you do what you do?

Kelly:  What keeps me grounded is knowing who I am.  I don't deserve this wonderful life I've been blessed with, I know that.  I know that every good gift is from God. 

Cheryl:  We are, undoubtedly, living in the last and perilous times that were prophesied of in God’s Word. It is easy, in these troubled times, to become discouraged and lose hope. Are there any words of encouragement God is laying upon your heart to share with us here?


Kelly:  I would just say keep your faith in God, no matter what.  I often say, the enemy wants your faith, more than anything.  He attacks different areas of our life to ultimately steal our faith.  But God says we walk by faith and not by sight.  Trust Him even when life is crazy, trust Him when the rain is falling.  He is faithful, and I believe he'll prove that to you if you trust Him!

Cheryl:  How can we pray for you? Are there specific needs the Bowling Family would like us to know about? How can we support your ministry and purchase your products?

Kelly:  I appreciate all prayers, especially as we travel!  You can get our music at http://www.bowlingfamilyonline.com.


Bless their dear hearts!
This family has truly been brought through the fire,
and God has allowed them to live to proclaim His glory and praise.
With permission, I am including several videos concerning their bus accident.
As you watch, you will see the amazing power of God and how His mighty hand has been upon
this dear family through it all.
What a blessing it is to watch how God turned such a horrible test into such an amazing testimony!
As you watch, you will be abundantly reminded of the miraculous power of God.


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A BIG thank you to Kelly Bowling for granting us this interview.
To GOD be the glory!
Great things He has done.

It is my hope that by reading Kelly's story and watching the videos that reveal the trials and ordeals
she and her family have been through, you will be reminded that there is always hope in God.
No matter what you are going through, 
He is bigger than your problem.
He is greater than your situation.
He loves you so much!
You can trust Him.
Even though He allows us to walk through hard places, He is ever present in our lives.
The 4th man is always in the fire.  (Daniel 3:25)
He doesn't walk out a moment ahead of us.
He is always faithful!
Don't give up, my friend, no matter what you are facing.
Keep looking unto Jesus!
He will see you through.
As Kelly mentioned in her testimony above, Jesus made a promise to us.
"...lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
Matthew 28:20

I hope you will stop by The Bowling Family's Website to learn more about this sweet family,
their music, and their ministry,
and please keep them always in your prayers.

God bless you and your family, Kelly!

40 comments:

  1. What a clever idea to have these "Inner Views" interviews. Thank you for all your hard work in setting them up.

    God bless.

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    1. And, thank you ever so much for faithfully stopping by to read them, Victor! God bless you abundantly. :)

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  2. Thanks for sharing your interview with Kelly, Cheryl. Just reading your words, I can tell how special it was to hear her family sing one of your favorite songs.

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    1. It was indeed, dear Wanda! Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving encouragement here! God bless you, my friend. :)

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  3. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing your story!!! He is GREATER!!! What a sweet story of hope!

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    1. Yes, praise God, He IS greater!!! :) Looking for your own sweet miracle, dear Caroline, and praying for you often. God bless you!

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  4. I enjoy your inner views, and your personal words of inspiration. Blessings to you.

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    1. Thank you so much, Gayle! I am so happy you are here. :) God bless you...praying for you!

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  5. Another enjoyable and inspiring interview! You write well and you interview well. I enjoy visiting your blog so much and always feel refreshed when I leave. Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving me such kind words.

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    1. Oh, praise God for your kind words! They were much needed and much appreciated, too! :) So thankful for your sweet visit, Lady Linda, and I enjoyed my time at your blog so much! God bless you!

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    1. I am so happy you did, Denise! God bless you abundantly!

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  7. Awesome interview. So appreciate Kelly's humility. Not to mention the music! Praying for that family. Thanks, Cheryl.

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    1. Thanks for your faithful prayers, support, and encouragement, Floyd. May God abundantly bless you and your family!

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  8. What an incredible testimony Cheryl! Such a difficult scary situation for them to go through, but yet how powerful their testimony now is about the keeping power of the Lord! So thankful to have been introduced to Kelly and her family through your inner views, such an inspiration! Always such a joy to read your inner view interviews and see how the Lord is working abundantly through people that have touched and blessed your life! Much love to you today dear friend!!!

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    1. Their testimony surely is powerful and just proves over and over again how powerful our God is, and that His all-seeing eye is always upon His trusting children! Thank you so much for your encouragement, support, love, and friendship. My prayers are going up for you, and I am sending you much love across the miles!

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  9. Thorough, and thoroughly inspiring! Thank you for all this wonderful information and background!

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    1. God bless you, Michele! So grateful you enjoyed the interview! :)

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  10. Hi Cheryl! Oh my gosh, this is just such an amazing story! I watched the family interview on youtube, using the connection you provided. Wow! What a story of wonderful faith. "I know God had a plan". How many people can say that after devastating injuries?
    This was one of your best interviews Cheryl, and you included your own testimony of hearing the group sing/practice and how much it meant to you. I know you touched her heart, just she touched yours.
    Blessings,
    Ceil

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    1. Thank you ever so much, Ceil! I am so thankful you enjoyed hearing Kelly's story and watching their interview. It is an amazing testimony of the power of God, and I was just so thankful to help to share their story! God bless you, sweet friend.

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  11. This was so encouraging reading about this young women who I have listened to a lot. Her family has blessed so many and now she and husband is carrying on in Jesus name...thanks for doing this Cheryl.

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    1. Oh, that is wonderful, Betty! I remember that you love Southern Gospel, too, so I am sure you must have enjoyed this interview. Thank you ever so much for stopping by, for reading, and for leaving such sweet encouragement here. God bless you abundantly!

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  12. I'll be alright as soon as I touch Calvary. Ah yes, such true words!! Christ Himself is always inviting us, beckoning us to the foot of His cross. And when problems occur, it's where I run. However, once there, Jesus asks me for more. He asks me not only to bring my burdens, but to lay them down, let them go, and walk back in trust that He will take care of everything. This is what it means to me to actually *touch* Calvary. You have to do more than just look to feel the power.

    I really enjoyed this interview with Kelly. And I especially appreciated what she had to say about our enemy. Yes, he wants to steal peace, kill joy, and destroy hope. He wants to nullify our faith. That's why it's so important to hold on no matter what. And Kelly is a beautiful witness to the truth that God is faithful to hold us!

    GOD BLESS!

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    1. Amen, sister! I love what you said about "you have to do more than just look to feel the power". Sometimes it takes some real intercession on our part, and, as you said, we have to lay those burdens down. My problem is, I lay them down, only to go back and pick them up again later. When will I ever learn? Thank you so much for your sweet visit, Sharon. It is always such a blessing to see that you have stopped by. :)

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  13. I found you through my twin sister's blog and really enjoyed this interview with Kelly Bowling. Very encouraging.

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    1. Hello, Dayle! I am so thankful to meet you and so happy you stopped by! It is wonderful to know that you enjoyed the interview. God bless you abundantly!

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  14. Hi Cheryl, I really enjoyed this "inner view"! It is an encouraging testimony! I enjoy this family's singing, and it's wonderful that you had an opportunity to get this interview!

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed this, Chris. I enjoy their singing so much, too. I know it blesses many. So thankful for you and your sweet visit. Sending you much love and many hugs today!

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  15. Wow, what a powerful interview! I have never heard of Kelly and her family so now I must check it out. Very inspiring!

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    1. Yes, AnnMarie, I hope you can check out their music! And, thank you for stopping by here. :) God bless you.

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  16. Great interview- thanks for sharing this story.

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    1. And, thank you ever so much for reading and commenting, Carly! God bless you!

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  17. What a beautiful story of hope and inspiration.
    Thank you for sharing.

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    1. I am so glad you enjoyed the interview, Lux! God bless you for your kind words and sweet visit here. :)

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  18. What a great testimony! Thanks for sharing this with us at Testimony Tuesday, Cheryl!

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    1. Thank you ever so much for stopping by and reading, Holly! I so appreciate you and the weekly link-up. You are such a blessing!

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  19. Cheryl, This was such a truly special and encouraging inner view. I love how you can see the Lord had set the two of them apart before they even met, with their similar backgrounds, to meet, get married and serve the Lord together.

    I love when she said that her advice to her children is to "live what we sing". O how true it should be of my life, that I would "live what I read in the Bible".

    Thank you so much for the time and effort you and your husband have been into these inner views so that we the readers can be blessed abundantly and God be glorified greatly.

    Blessings to you dear friend.

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    1. And many blessings to you, sweet Karen! Thank you ever so much for stopping by, for your support and your friendship and the wonderful encouragement you are to me and to so many others! Sending you big hugs!

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  20. Thank you for sharing Kelly's story with us here at Tell me a Story. They certainly have been through the fire, but came out as gold.

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    1. Yes, amen, and amen! God bless you, Hazel. :)

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