"My Tennessee Mountain Home"

 "Live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you." 2 Corinthians 13:11

Both the lyrics and the music to the song "My Tennessee Mountain Home" were written by Dolly Parton and released on April 2, 1973, when I was six years old. I don't remember the first time I heard it, but I imagine I was probably riding in the car with Mom listening to David G. McFarland's radio show on WONE as she drove me to school. Come to think of it, David was likely the one who introduced me to so many of the country songs that remain special to my heart to this day, and though I never met him, his work as a DJ helped to foster a dream in me to sing those songs. It did my heart good to find out recently that he was inducted into the Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame. No one ever deserved it more.

Hearing just one chord of the intro of one of those songs from my childhood can instantly propel me back to bouncing along with Mom in our old Plymouth Duster that was in dire need of new shock absorbers. Those are some precious memories and the "Good Old Days When Times Were Bad" (another favorite Dolly Parton song).

I grew up hearing "My Tennessee Mountain Home" often, and my love for it deepened over the years as it reminded me of my Daddy's upbringing in Athens, Tennessee, just about 100 miles southwest of where Dolly was born and raised. 

To say Dad was raised poor is surely an understatement.

A Fun GIVEAWAY!

 "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:10

I love supporting small businesses, and I especially love supporting small businesses that are owned by fellow Christians. Today, I am sharing a giveaway of two products that come from such a business, owned by Mennonite wife and mother, Megan Fox. You can find Megan's YouTube channel here and her product line here.

"By the Mark"

"And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”
Luke 24:38-39

Years ago, Kevin and I came across the music of Gillian Welch, and I quickly became a fan of a song she co-wrote with David Rawlings called "By the Mark." The song is about the scars on Jesus' hands and feet, and it drew me in the first time I heard it. Fast forward to 2020 when two dear friends, Pat and Chuck, and I started a band called "Mountain Hope." I soon found out that they, too, are fans of Gillian's music and also love the song, "By the Mark." We added it to our repertoire right away, and Chuck and I have been singing it together ever since.