Pete Hegseth charts a course to reclaim military strength and purpose



In a striking speech this week, Secretary Pete Hegseth — now head of the newly renamed Department of War — addressed a rare gathering of top military officials in Quantico, Virginia. He laid out his vision for reform and announced directives aimed at restoring the fighting spirit of the U.S. armed forces.

Hegseth began by explaining why the Department of Defense has once again become the Department of War. “To ensure peace, we must prepare for war,” he said, reviving the older and more honest title abandoned in 1948.

Circumstances change, and tactics must adapt. But adaptation should always sharpen lethality, not serve social experiments.

That explanation drew from the Roman writer Vegetius, who coined the maxim si vis pacem, para bellum — if you want peace, prepare for war. But Hegseth’s reasoning also echoes St. Augustine, the Christian bishop whose writings helped shape just war theory.

In a letter written in 418 A.D. to the Roman general Boniface, Augustine commended the nobility of military service. He reminded him — and us — that the proper object of war is peace.

“Peace should be the object of your desire,” Augustine wrote. “War should be waged only as a necessity, and waged only that God may by it deliver men from the necessity and preserve them in peace. For peace is not sought in order to the kindling of war, but war is waged in order that peace may be obtained.”

He concluded with a hard truth for every soldier: “Let necessity, therefore, and not your will, slay the enemy who fights against you.”

Peace through strength

Though peace may be war’s ultimate goal, necessity requires militaries to pursue their purpose without hesitation: engage and destroy the enemy. Only with that assurance can a nation’s people live free and fully.

That is the mission Hegseth intends to restore. “From this moment forward, the only mission of the newly restored Department of War is this: warfighting, preparing for war, and preparing to win,” he said Tuesday.

In practice, that means reversing the U.S. military’s long drift toward an agenda of “diversity, equity, and inclusion.” This ideology, a hybrid of HR jargon and academic postmodernism, demands that “marginalized” groups be elevated into power regardless of merit.

Corporate America and universities may tolerate such illusions. The military cannot. A fighting force depends on unity and unflinching standards, not favoritism. When leaders promote based on identity instead of ability, when they lower fitness thresholds or soften training to accommodate politics, they weaken the institution tasked with defending the nation.

Even basic training, once the crucible that broke down civilians and forged soldiers, has been watered down. Risk aversion replaces rigor. Cosmetic rules are relaxed. Officers signal more concern with optics than with readiness. None of this produces warriors.

If the United States wants to remain the premier fighting force in the world, those trends must end. The alternative is a military built for press releases and photo ops, not for victory.

Two north stars

To begin reversing these trends, Hegseth offered two simple tests for every new policy: the “1990 test” and the “E-6 test.”

The 1990 test asks: What were the military standards in 1990, and if they changed, why? That baseline matters. Since then — arguably even earlier — political agendas crept in and steadily displaced common-sense practices. Policies that once kept the force lethal and focused have been diluted or discarded.

Hegseth acknowledged that modern battlefields evolve. Circumstances change, and tactics must adapt. But adaptation should always sharpen lethality, not serve social experiments. Policies that weaken cohesion or cater to fashionable causes betray the mission.

By holding today’s standards up against those of 1990, the military can begin identifying what was lost — and whether those losses made the force deadlier or merely more compliant with political fashions. The answer, in most cases, is obvious.

RELATED: Hegseth declares war on woke military policies: ‘We are done with that s**t’

Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Image

The E-6 test asks a blunt question: Will this policy make the job of an E-6 easier or harder?

In the Army, an E-6 is a staff sergeant. In the infantry, that usually means a squad leader. A squad is the smallest real tactical unit — second only to the four-man fire team. It’s the squad leader who carries the burden of leadership where it matters most: training, maintenance, discipline, and, in combat, life-or-death decisions under fire.

So the E-6 test forces policymakers to think from the ground up. Will a new directive help the staff sergeant lead his squad more effectively, hold his soldiers accountable, and keep them lethal? Or will it mire him in distractions, paperwork, and politically driven nonsense?

In other words, the test measures policy by its effect on the sharp end of the spear. If it makes the staff sergeant’s mission harder, the policy has failed before it begins.

Long-overdue change

For too long, Washington has imposed policies without regard for the men who actually lead soldiers in the field. Often those policies made their jobs harder, not easier. The simple discipline of asking whether a change helps or hinders an E-6 restores the right focus: The military exists to fight and win wars. Nothing else.

War will never be pleasant, but it remains necessary. Peace and human flourishing require strength — an armed force capable of deterring aggressors and defeating enemies who would sow chaos and fear. That is the first duty of government: to ensure the military is as lethal and effective as possible in defense of the people.

Hegseth understands this. His reforms strip away the distractions of ideology and return attention to standards, readiness, and the hard truths of combat. As he reminded his audience, paraphrasing G.K. Chesterton, true soldiers fight not because they hate what is in front of them, but because they love what’s behind them.

That truth, often forgotten in recent decades, is the cornerstone of a warrior ethos worth rebuilding — an ethos that can win wars, safeguard peace, and keep the republic secure.

Gospel singer Dennis Quaid details his journey from drugs to Jesus: 'I lean on God'



Dennis Quaid has long been a familiar face in Hollywood, starring in hits and cult classics such as "Traffic," "Parent Trap," and "Innerspace." While he continues to appear on celluloid, lately he has also been mounting stages to sing God's praises.

Shortly after releasing his gospel record "Fallen" in June 2023 — which landed in the top 15 on Billboard's Top 200 Christian/Gospel chart — Quaid provided BlazeTV's "Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey" incredible insights into his renewal of faith and road back to an intimate relationship with God.

Quaid, a 69-year-old Houston native, recently expounded on some details of his spiritual revival while promoting a new television special, telling the Christian Post how after a period of disillusionment with his inherited Baptist faith, he "started asking questions that didn't have answers."

The Emmy Award-winning actor apparently looked to the Orient in search of understanding, consulting the Buddhist Dhammapada, the Bhagavad Gita, as well as the Quran. Evidently, he was left unsatisfied.

Quaid revisited the Bible, but he remained spiritually obstinate.

"I read the Bible cover to cover as well, back then, and I got hung up in the Old Testament, how violent it was. God seemed like a punishing God back then to me," Quaid told the Post. "A lot of it just didn't make sense."

Rather than embrace what then appeared to be an omniscient disciplinarian, the actor apparently turned to pleasure and lawlessness, experimenting with drugs. The road well traveled left Quaid addicted to cocaine.

In 2002, the New York Times characterized this period of Quaid's life as his "decade in the Hollywood wilderness."

Quaid hinted at the seed of a return to faith at the time, telling the paper, "Mostly, I was mad at God, you know? Why was I in this predicament? I knew it was all my own fault, but at the same time I wasn't thinking straight. I was caught in a place, living a life that I didn't want to live but couldn't escape."

When speaking last year to Allie Beth Stuckey, Quaid recalled his realization at the time: "I saw myself as either dead or in jail or losing everything I had ... so, I did get myself straight with that, but that still didn't fill the hole that was there — in fact, it was a very deep hole after that."

The actor recently underscored to ChristianHeadlines that to get out of this hole, he had to once again crack open the Bible.

"I got clean in 1990 of cocaine, and I read the Bible again. I'd read it as a kid, and I read it again. And this time, I was really struck by the red words of Jesus," said the actor. "And that's really what started, I think, what I've been looking for all along — and which, you know, my mother told me and other people [told me], but I never really understood, which is having a personal relationship with Jesus. And, of course, that has grown over the years. But I never really understood it until then."

"I lean on God. I talk to Him every day," added Quaid. "I talk to God about problems. ... And gratitude for the blessings that I have."

Quaid made expressly clear that drugs could never satisfy and comfort the way that faith does.

"Everybody has that [void] — they try to fill that with relationships or with drugs or with money or with whatever it is, you know, our heart's desire," said Quaid. "What we're really looking for is to fill that ... God-sized hole."

Quaid told the Post that after reading the Bible through multiple times, he is now particularly fond of the book of Ecclesiastes for its insights into life and morality. The Gospel of John, however, appears to be the actor's favorite biblical text, not least because it underscores Christ is the Logos.

"I think John brings together physics and the Spirit and explains it in a timeless way," said Quaid. "He points to a bigger truth that we have no words for."

Extra to the DVD special for his gospel album, the prayerful actor is set to appear in "Reagan," a feature film about the 40th U.S. president, which will reportedly hit theaters in late August.

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Toby Keith shares update on his battle with stomach cancer, revealing what's kept him going: 'He's been riding shotgun with me'



Country music legend Toby Keith announced in June 2022 that he was battling stomach cancer and had been undergoing chemotherapy for several months.

"So far, so good," he reassured fans, noting that he needed time "to breathe."

Ahead of receiving the Country Icon Award at the inaugural People's Choice Country Awards on Thursday, the 62-year-old Oklahoma native indicated how he purposed some of those precious breaths.

"I lean on my faith, and I just pray," he told Fox News Digital. "You gotta do what you gotta do, and I don't know how people do it without faith. ... That's that what I did."

Keith emphasized that throughout his battle, faith "was [his] rock."

Upon being presented the award Thursday night by fellow country star and Christian Blake Shelton, Keith joked, "I bet y'all never thought you would see me in skinny jeans."

While he made sure to thank his family, fans, and collaborators, he singled out his creator, saying, "I want to thank the Almighty for allowing me to be here tonight. He's been riding shotgun with me for a little while."

the man, the myth, the LEGEND. @tobykeith is your 2023 @peopleschoice country icon! \ud83e\udd29 watch the #PCCAs now on NBC and @peacock.
— NBC Entertainment (@NBC Entertainment) 1695949842

He appears to have an edge in his battle with cancer, telling E! News, "I feel pretty good. ... It's a little bit of a roller coaster. You get good days and, you know, you're up and down, up and gown [sic]. It's always zero to 60 and 60 to zero but I feel good today."

In June, the musician revealed to the Oklahoman that his tumor had shrunk by a third and that everything was "in a real positive trend."

At the award show, Keith played "Don't Let the Old Man In" from Clint Eastwood's 2018 film "The Mule" before an audience of misty eyes.

Concerning his choice of song, Keith told NBC, "Coming back on TV for the first time and performing live in front of a live audience, I thought it was fitting."

Keith sings in the song, "When he rides up on his horse,/ And you feel that cold, bitter wind, / Look out your window and smile. / Don't let the old man in."

Keith noted he looks forward to return to performing in the fall if "everything goes good."

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Oliver Anthony blows Joe Rogan away with the profundity of Scripture, explains how centering his life on God changed his life for the better



Breakout country music star Oliver Anthony blew Joe Rogan away this week with the profundity of scriptural insights several millennia old while detailing how centering his existence on God changed his life for the better.

Anthony, whose real name is Christopher Anthony Lunsford, went viral with not one but several songs earlier this month, skyrocketing from obscurity to the top of various music charts internationally. His hit "Rich Men North of Richmond" remains in the top ten for various Apple Music categories, including "Top Songs" and "Top 100: Global," and continues to hold the top position both on the iTunes chart and the Billboard Hot 100.

In an Aug. 17 Facebook post, Anthony indicated he had dropped out of high school at age 17 and worked "multiple plant jobs in Western NC, [his] last being at the paper mill in McDowell county" where he "worked 3rd shift, 6 days a week for $14.50 an hour in a living hell."

The 31-year-old recalled fracturing his skull in a "bad fall at work," which forced him to return home to Virginia.

After rehabilitating, he spent years working various blue-collar jobs in the Carolinas and Virginia, ultimately acquiring some land and moving into a 27' camper he reported purchasing for $750 on Craigslist.

The overnight country star, whose first paid gig happened to be his show just weeks ago at Morris Farm in Currituck County, North Carolina, has spoken openly about his bout with depression, drinking, and drug abuse, as well as what raised him from the depths.

Anthony explained on the Thursday episode of "The Joe Rogan Experience" that he had been "in a really just f***ed-up place," stressing he uses that that word "with discretion" but that in this case, it was an apt descriptor.

In was in that particular state of mind, body, and soul that Anthony indicated he "found a lot of peace from this book," referencing the Bible on the table between him and Rogan, though it was not always so.

Anthony recalled having attended church growing up, but being put off of what he perceived to be "a lot of theatrics and a lot of politics."

Rogan pressed the musician on the nature of his spiritual reawakening, asking, "What was like the day you picked it up? What was the feeling you had? Like, what caused you to act? What was it like when you did it?"

"I had been reading [the Bible] here and there, off and on, and I had ... off and on for a long time, like, 'cause again, I was introduced to it as a kid," said Anthony, who has taken to reading Scripture during his recent shows.

However, upon being taken to the emergency room with a stinging sense of mortality, what had apparently been lurking in the background came to dominate Anthony's thoughts and heart.

"I went to the ER for everything that was going on. I mean I thought I was seriously going to die. Like I was having shooting pains up under my jaw, down in my wrist, in my leg. ... Just cardiovascular 101 symptoms," said Anthony. "I remember being in the truck after that ... and I just, yeah, just had a breakdown moment. I was just crying."

Anthony continued, "I just felt hopeless like almost the way a child feels hopeless when, you know, you can't find your parent or something, like a 4-year-old that can't find his parents or something. I was just like, didn't have anything left in me."

The 31-year-old indicated he turned to the one parent who can never be lost.

"I just decided like, right then and there, I was like, 'I can't do this any more,'" continued Anthony. "'But I know ... there's things I need to do.' And I just — I just told God, I was like, 'Just let me do it.'"

In the bargain he then made with God, Anthony recalled promising to "give all this sh** up" and telling the Almighty, "'I'll give up the weed and I'll quit getting drunk and I'll quit being so angry about things.'"

Anthony told Rogan he had further asked God for a blank slate and to "start over again," making "Him the focus and not me."

Accordingly, the country star said he has since sought to discard his ego and everything he was, working instead to center his life on God.

To this end, Anthony indicated that rather than the ostensibly dominant Epicurean mode of thinking, in which people slavishly serve the desires of the flesh, he has instead sought to serve God.

"I quit worrying about me and I started worrying about what it is I'm supposed to do," Anthony told Rogan. "It talks in the Bible about ... being a servant and, you know, giving up — I guess — my desire and my will and whatever it is that I want to do. I don't know the best way to describe it, but it's about trying to use what I have as a tool versus doing what I can in the moment to give myself whatever satisfaction that it is I'm trying to get."

This thinking might account in part for why the musician has reportedly turned down at least one multimillion-dollar record deal.

While Anthony acknowledged that many people faithlessly strive after things greater than themselves, he indicated much of this ends up being mundane idolatry.

"I think inherently all human beings idolize something," said Anthony. "It talks in the Bible about false idols. We all have false idols. Like whether it's our phone or its a celebrity or it's something we do or it's our addiction to food or drugs or whatever. ... There's always something above us, right? Because we're always in pursuit of something bigger than whatever it is in that moment. And I think for me it was just about taking everything else, all the distractions and all the other things in my life, away."

"It's just about trying to ... make God and the concept of what it is that He wants done on this earth my idol versus anything else," added Anthony. "We all serve some master, whether we realize it or not, so why not let it be the master that is above all?"

Joe Rogan often has self-help gurus, dieticians, and motivational speakers on his show who share the fashionable insights of the day. Anthony instead appealed to insights several millennia old, quoting from Proverbs 4:20:

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free from perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

Rogan appeared taken aback, responding, "That's pretty f***ing profound."

Anthony stressed, "The whole book of Proverbs is like that. Like it's not preachy, it's not what you think. ... It's like good guidance you would want a father to give to his son."

— (@)

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DAR Patriots Fight To Defend Historic Women’s Society From Men Pretending To Be Ladies

These women have pledged to honor their patriot ancestors by preserving their historic women's society and protecting their First Amendment rights.

Oliver Anthony reflects on life-changing week with gratitude, details next steps



Breakout country star Oliver Anthony is accustomed to playing music for just a handful of people. After reading Sunday from the book of Psalms about the fates of the righteous and the wicked, he played his heart out before several thousand people at Morris Farm in Currituck County, North Carolina, many of whom he later spent time getting to know.

Following his free show in North Carolina and a life-changing week that saw him not only trend internationally with a video for "Rich Men North of Richmond" but land four tracks in the iTunes top 10, Anthony took some time to express gratitude and reflect upon the opportunity before him.

— (@)

In a video posted to YouTube Monday entitled "Moving Forward," Anthony noted he was driving back home after having a "crazy time in Currituck" — a county where he emphasized a good time can be had, "whether it's 30 people or it's 12 thousand people."

Anthony thanked Morris Farm and the thousands who came out to support him, including those who had flown in or driven in from various parts of the country.

He indicated that he "signed and took pictures a good four hours after the show," but clarified that it was far more than glad-handing.

"It wasn't like people just came up and shook my hand. They came up and told me about the battles that they've been dealing with, depression and suicide and money. You know, those are real problems," said Anthony.

Having observed firsthand the impact of his song "Rich Men North of Richmond," Anthony stressed it's "not like it's some kind of masterpiece I created."

Rather, he intimated that the song is not so much a vehicle for meaning but a portal into the meaning and emotion welled up within his audience, evidently wanting for such an outlet.

Following up on his self-deprecating comments, Anthony then implored his fans to think beyond him and on ways to "maintain this energy, this positivity, this unity."

His serendipitous encounter with a strong sense of community, which was all but forged overnight, led Anthony to consider the corrosive forces that have made such social engagements uncommon, stating, "I'm no Dr. Phil, but I just feel that in this moment in time, when so many people are feeling the same frustrations, it would be wonderful to capitalize on that and just use that positive energy to help other people in your life. Maybe people that are different from you, people that you wouldn't normally connect with."

"I can tell you from my experience and the jobs I've had and all the people I've talked to, everyone has a really interesting story if you just give them the time to talk," Anthony added.

These engagements are critical, he suggested, given that "we're all so disconnected from each other."

The Virginian concluded by reiterating his hope that the energy resultant from his "anomaly of a song" could be use to cultivate new bonds of fellowship and community.

While Anthony's stated aim is to help mend America's increasingly frayed social fabric, the establishment media continues to paint his efforts in a negative light.

The A.V. Club's Emma Keates intimated in her Monday hit piece that rather than being a populist anthem that calls out a detached and antipathetic elite, Anthony's top song was actually a Dixie critique of the "everyone in the North" full of "regressive and gross stereotypes."

Rolling Stone, which has had costly difficulties with honest reporting in recent years, trivialized Anthony's music and success, dwelling on his previous struggles with alcohol and attributing the popularity of his music with conservatives to "Reagan-era talking points."

In its report on Anthony's rise to fame, the Independent focused on criticisms by nameless social media users, who branded the Virginian "offensive" and "fatphobic."

Moving Forwardyoutu.be

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Hit Song ‘Rich Men North Of Richmond’ Gives A Glimpse Into The Lives Of Americans Left Behind

In 'Rich Men North Of Richmond,' singer-songwriter Oliver Anthony grieves for an America where people were propserous, healthy, and happy.

Amateur country singer launched from obscurity to the big time after surrendering to God and playing his heart out in viral song



Oliver Anthony's powerful song "Rich Men North of Richmond" has gone viral and prompted country music fans and legends alike to take notice. Whether it's a matter of the song helping to exorcise the sickly zeitgeist or just resonating with Americans "living in a new world with an old soul," millions are tuning in — and country legend John Rich has reportedly volunteered to produce Anthony's record.

The young man, who has roots in the Appalachian mountains of Virginia, sings in his viral song, "I've been selling my soul / working all day / overtime hours / for bulls*** pay / so I can sit out here / and waste my life away," proceeding to note, "It's a damn shame / what the world's gotten to / for people like me / and people like you."

Anthony introduced himself on YouTube in an Aug. 7 video ahead of his song's debut on Radiowv, saying, "It's going to be the first song to get out there that's been recorded on a real microphone and a real camera and not just on my cell phone."

"Lord willing, it's going to get some traffic," said Anthony, noting the song touches in part on his time working in a factory in western North Carolina as well as on depression and the evil of child trafficking.

"This is no Dr. Phil episode," he continued. "But I found an outlet in this music. ... I started getting messages from people saying like how much the music was helping them, you know, with their struggles and their lives and that they'd been sitting on the back porch listening to me for the last hour. ... It really gave me a purpose."

Reflecting on his time working in a factory and on various job sites as well as upon his engagements with other Americans struggling to make ends meet, Anthony said that he wants to "be a voice" for people who are "sick and tired of being sick and tired."

Days before his meteoric rise, he stressed, "I don't care where you are or what you've done, where you think your life's heading — everything can change in a moment. As long as you're above the dirt, you've got a fighting chance."

Among the millions of ears Anthony's song has graced were those belonging to the founder of High Value Dad, Jason Howerton, who promptly reached out to the musician.

Howerton learned that Anthony had struggled with mental health, alcohol, and drugs in the past.

"Just about a month ago," Howerton relayed, Anthony "got to his knees & broke down in tears. Though he wasn't a religious man, that night he promised to get sober if he helped him follow his dream."

According to Howerton, "Here is a man who broke down & surrendered everything to God."

Only 30 days sober, someone apparently reached out to him and asked him to record a song for his YouTube channel. That song: "Rich Men North of Richmond."

Within hours, it had gone viral.

There's little surprise in that. Have a listen:

Oliver Anthony - Rich Men North Of Richmondyoutu.be

Anthony's song has attracted some significant attention.

Early Thursday, Howerton posted, "Hey, someone get in touch with this artist for me and tell him I will fund him to produce a studio quality album with this as the first single. He is too good to not have a better catalogue on iTunes," adding he didn't want "some asshat in a suit digging his hooks into him, would love to see him stay independent and own his music."

Tyler Cardon, CEO of Blaze Media, tweeted to Howerton, "This is so awesome. Let's get him to Dallas. I want to help blow this up."

Soon, other country fans, media professionals, and conservatives were offering to help Anthony, who joined Twitter Thursday and within hours had netted over 27,000 followers.

Doug Eldridge, the founder of DLE Agency, which specializes in marketing, offered to handle strategic media and communications for free.

Conservative commentator Matt Walsh indicated Thursday night, "If he produces an album I'll promote it on all my platforms."

Dan Bongino announced he and country music legend John Rich were "in" — meaning he would assist with distribution, while Rich would produce Anthony's record — then asked Anthony to play his song on the radio today, such that it could be heard on "over 300 stations across the country."

— (@)

While kingmakers and newly minted fans spoke of record deals, promotions, and distributions, Howerton quipped, "The irony is Oliver is probably working his ass off right now and doesn't even know what's happening."

Anthony used his first tweet to express his gratitude, writing, "Rich Men North of Richmond has been uploaded to all major streaming platforms and will show up there in a few days. Im still in a state of shock at the outpouring of love I've seen in the comments, messages and emails. I'm working to respond to everyone as quickly as possible."

In his Aug. 7 video, the breakout star made clear, "Sometimes it takes falling down on your knees and getting ready to call things quits before it becomes obvious that [God is] there. But He's always there. You just gotta look out for him and listen for him."

It's a pleasure to meet youyoutu.be

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Chris Stapleton claimed top country music award, then hung around to help clean up: 'If you’re gonna be a dreamer, you better be a doer'



Kentucky-born country singer Chris Stapleton may just be a traveler on this earth, but he evidently wasn't in a rush anywhere Thursday evening after claiming a top country music award.

The 45-year-old "Tennessee Whisky" singer was recognized as entertainer of the year at the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards, co-hosted by Garth Brooks and Dolly Parton at the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Texas.

Billboard indicated that the honor comes seven years after Stapleton, son of a coal miner, won new male artist of the year. Stapleton has three ACM male artist of the year awards, another three wins for album of the year, and a songwriter of the decade trophy.

Stapleton, reputed for his humility and "working man's honesty," said in his heartfelt acceptance speech, "By any imaginable metric, I don’t deserve this. There are so many other great people in this category. I get up there and try to play music every night. I write songs and make records, and I never thought of myself as someone who would win this award."

After offering thanks for the various people he reckoned helped make the night possible, including his wife, he singled out his kids: "My kids sitting at home — they give up a lot of my time and a lot of my wife's time so that we can go do this, and this is for them."

Chris Stapleton Wins Entertainer Of The Year | ACM Awards 2023 youtu.be

When the night drew to a close, Getty Images photographer John Shearer, still in the Ford Center, glimpsed Stapleton moseying out with his team. The country singer stopped, however, and began helping workers clean up.

Still dressed in his suit and tie, Stapleton put a leaf blower to good use, reportedly clearing the confetti that had rained down earlier during his big moment.

The moment, captured on film by Shearer, later received a nod from friends, fans, and family.

Stapleton shared the image on his Instagram, captioning it with a quote from his peer, 2023 ACM female artist of the year Lainey Wilson, "If you're gonna be a dreamer, you better be a doer."

Wilson commented on the photo, writing, "Ain't nobody like ya, man."

Faithwire noted that Wilson had said in her acceptance speech, "Everybody in this category didn’t just wind up here by happenstance; they have worked their fingers to the bone. They have put the blood, sweat, tears, and years and years into this, made so many sacrifices, missing a lot of weddings, a lot of funerals — not that I wanna go to all of them, anyway, but I’m just sayin’."

Wilson added, "Oh my goodness, y’all. For the little girls watching this — this right here — it stands for hard work. If you’re gonna be a dreamer, you better be a doer."

Morgane Stapleton, Stapleton's wife and fellow singer, commented on the photo of the post-awards show cleanup, writing, "Love this so much."

The Home Edit account noted that "Chris *literally* cleaned up at the ACMs."

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Country artist Granger Smith says he's ending his music career to pursue ministry



Country music artist Granger Smith announced that he is ending his music career in order to pursue ministry.

Smith explained that he has "felt a strong desire to pursue ministry" and that he and his family will serve their local church. He indicated that his pastors and elders will disciple him, noting "Lord willing, one day they can affirm me into the next steps of what that might look like to glorify God best from my platform."

The singer-songwriter noted that he has been attending Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and that he has a book slated for release August 1 titled "Like a River."

"On June 4th, 2019, country music singer Granger Smith was enjoying a final evening with his kids before heading to Nashville for the CMT Music Awards and his next tour. While helping his daughter London with her gymnastics, his youngest son fell into their pool. Granger did everything he could to get to him, but he was too late. River drowned, and Granger's world shattered," a book description states. "Alone on his tour bus, on the darkest night of his life, Granger had a spiritual encounter with Jesus that lifted him out of the muck and onto a new path." The book is described as "a triumphant story of new life birthed out of tragedy, will teach readers how to face their failures, confront their pain, and connect with God - the true source of life."

Smith pointed to Mark 8 to explain his motivation for the major decision to leave country music in pursuit of ministry. In Mark 8:34, Jesus said, "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

Smith explained, "That form of self-denial is something I'm just not doing," noting that when performing he needs "glorification" and "praise," and if he does not receive it, that indicates his career is not going well.

"I can't reconcile those two things y'all," he said, noting that he cannot pursue seminary and ministry while attempting to exalt himself on the weekends.

Smith noted that he has toured for 24 years, but he's doing it just once more.

"This summer will be my last tour," Smith wrote. "I am so encouraged and hopeful and excited and joyful about the next chapter, but to a large extent, I have no idea what it will look like. I just want to glorify God the best way that I can. I want to learn and grow and serve my local church and allow my pastors to equip and affirm those next steps. Lord willing, I want to be used to help people find their purpose."

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