Artist: Bowling Family Project Title: Moments Like These Label: Daywind Producers: Mike Bowling
Family groups are pretty standard in Southern Gospel Music. There are have been many iconic family groups over the years including the likes of the Speer Family, the LeFevres, the Lesters and countless more. In the current era we find names like the Hoppers, the Nelons and the Crabb Family. This ministry grew out of the Crabb Family and it seems that the Bowling Family is poised to take their place amongst the previously listed names. Mike Bowling has enjoyed a highly successful solo career for a number of years and previously spent time with several high-profile groups and his wife, Kelly, sang for a number of years with the highly acclaimed Crabb Family and continues to do select dates with the family. The final member of the group is Mike and Kelly’s daughter, Hope, a young lady who appears to have a bright future in Southern Gospel Music. Their latest project is titled “Moments Like These.”
The project begins with “Praise God He Is Alive.” This upbeat song is absolutely incredible! The song proclaims that God has risen from the dead and He is still alive today! A great truth for sure and the very reason that we can claim our salvation! “One Glorious Moment Of Faith” is the next song on the project and this song reminds us of what an incredible transformation and victory can come in one moment of faith. Next on the project we find a beautiful ballad titled “I Was There.” What a beautiful sentiment in this song that God is always there in all of our life circumstances. I love the line in the chorus that says “when a road comes to an end, I’m where you start again.” What a great thought and truth!
“Mourning To Dancing” is an upbeat song reminding us that God will lead us through our trials and He will turn our mourning to dancing. This song claims that promise and declares that we believe that God will do what He says. There are a lot of songs in Southern Gospel Music about believing and “I Believe He’s Alive” is a great one! It proclaims what we do believe that God is alive! We can know because of the empty tomb but more that, we are living proof that He is alive because we can see the change He made our lives! There are songs that come along every once in a while that makes you really stop and take notice. “Even When You’re Asking Why” is one of those songs. Many times in life we ask the question why and this song does a great job of reminding us that God is still in control, He is with us and He loves us even when we are asking the question why. The tempo picks up as the Bowling Family sings “I’ve Got My Foot On The Rock” and they give a very rousing performance on this wonderful song that reminds us that when the devil comes against us, we have our foot on the rock and our mind is made up!
The next song on the project is titled “God Is Always Good.” You certainly cannot argue with that statement and this song reminds us, that statement is true no matter what the circumstances are in our life. He is good in the good times and He is good in the challenging times as well. If you are looking for some encouragement I would suggest you listen to “God Likes Working In The Midnight Hour.” This song reminds us that it is never too late for God and He likes to work in that midnight hour. The final song on this project is “Our First Hallelujah There” and this song paints an amazing picture of what our initial entry into Heaven might just look like. It will be an awesome experience, there is no doubt about that!
I have been familiar with Mike and Kelly Bowling for several years now and I have always enjoyed their ministry tremendously. The Bowling Family seems to be hitting their stride at the moment and this might be the best I have ever heard them sound. My favorite songs on this project are “I Was There,” “I Believe He’s Alive” and “Even When You’re Asking Why.” The Bowling Family is likely to be around Southern Gospel Music for quite a long time and this project is likely to be a springboard to many more from this current lineup. It is great to see Mike, Kelly and Hope carrying on that family group tradition and I would say the future of family groups is quite secure! For more information on the Bowling Family, visit their website at www.bowlingfamilyonline.com.
