Saturday, February 14, 2009

Arizona Statehood Day

At 10:00am on Valentine's Day in 1912 President William Howard Taft signed the proclamation for statehood in the White House, which made Arizona the 48th State of the Union.  The news was immediately telegraphed to Phoenix, and later that day, George W. P. Hunt placed his hand on a Bible and was sworn in as the first governor of Arizona.

The proclamation for statehood also enforced the new Arizona State Constitution which includes the opening Preamble:

"We, the people of the state of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this constitution."

The constitution also established the legal state motto of Ditat Deus, which in Latin means "God Enriches".  Ditat Deus has been a legal part of our government seal since our earliest days as an Arizona Territory.

PRAY:  Let us celebrate Arizona's birthday by acknowledging our gratitude to Almighty God and declaring that God does enrich us!  Pray also that our government leaders -- Governor Brewer and Executive officials, Legislators in the Arizona House and Senate, our U.S. Congressmen and Senators, and our Justices and Judges -- will all experience a greater revelation of Jesus and His government in their personal lives as well as in their official capacities.

Monday, February 09, 2009

Gaither Vocal Band Wins Grammy!

Nashville, TN (2-9-09) - Members of the Gaither Vocal Band received an early valentine from the Recording Academy last night when their latest studio project, Lovin' Life, garnered a prestigious Grammy Award for Best Southern, Country, Bluegrass Gospel Album during the 51st annual awards ceremony. This is the eighth win overall for the Gaither Vocal Band and its predecessor, the Bill Gaither Trio. Bill and Gloria Gaither have also won Grammy Awards for the Homecoming series of videos and received the President's Merit Award in 2005. The CD was produced by all four members of the Vocal Band, and marks the first win for members Guy Penrod, Wes Hampton and Marshall Hall.

The Grammy win capped a week that saw the venerable group virtually dominate several Billboard charts. The Gaither Vocal Band Reunion, Volume 1 and Gaither Vocal Band Reunion, Volume 2 CDs debuted in the top two positions on Billboard's Contemporary Christian album chart, marking not only the Gaither Vocal Band's first No. 1 on the Christian album chart, but also their first No. 1 debut on that chart as well. The DVDs of the same title debuted in the No. 1 and No. 2 positions on the Music Video charts as well, ranking ahead of long-form music videos by such acclaimed artists as Il Divo, AC/DC, the Eagles and the Temptations. The CDs also garnered both the No. 1 and No. 2 positions on the Southern Gospel album charts. The impressive sales of both CDs earned them the #53 and #60 positions on Billboard's Top 200 representing all genres of music.

"The honor of this Grammy Award makes a wonderful statement that, after more than 25 years together, the Gaither Vocal Band is still making the kind of music that stands out in an industry so full of great talent," Bill Gaither responded. "These are very exciting days for the Gaither Vocal Band and this win is extremely gratifying."