As you all know by now, a bus accident has resulted in the death of one of the greatest songwriters gospel music will ever know. As of this writing, official details about the accident and up-dated conditions of the people involved remain sketchy at best and as a result, offering authorized information has been difficult, if not impossible, more often than not. There is hope that that situation will improve in the coming days and the overall picture will become clearer. The families of the parties involved have been working to facilitate the flow of accurate information to eliminate confusion and erroneous reports.

But enough about that. Like the legends that have gone before her, Dottie Rambo is leaving a mark in gospel music that will not be erased - a wealth of songs that have touched millions of people around the world. Whether they realize it or not, I'd venture to say that a sizable portion of today's population has heard one of Dottie songs - after all, her songs were not confined to gospel performers.

If I were pressed to identify the Top 10 Dottie Rambo songs of all time, I'm not sure I could do that. However, I could give you my Top 10 picks - and as such, here we go: 10) "We Shall Behold Him," 9) "Build My Mansion," 8)"He Looked Beyond My Fault And Saw My Need," 7)"I've Never Been This Homesick Before," 6)"I Go To The Rock," 5)"If That Isn't Love," 4)"Tears Will Never Stain The Streets of That City," 3) "The Holy Hills," 2)"Too Much To Gain To Lose" and 1)"Sheltered In The Arms of God" and, well, I can't stop at 10...throw in "First Million Years" and "Come Spring." Even though I listed those in no particular order, I have to admit that my pick of that list is "Sheltered..."

Regardless of your personal favorite, the songs that Dottie wrote were more than well-crafted melodies and words. Countless numbers of these songs were born in Dottie's personal experiences (both good and bad) and as a result, her entire heart and soul were transparent to the listener. Forget trying to explain it technically - listeners were drawn to her songs and they never forgot them.

I didn't know Dottie on a close, personal basis. However, I knew from personal experience that she was quick-witted and out-going. She could have you laughing one minute, and crying your eyes out the next. She was an entertainer, to be sure; but more than that, she knew that God was working through her songs and she did what she could to follow that direction. I'm not sure anyone could ask for more than that of a person.

Not long after we received word of Dottie's accident, Mark Maynard, pastor of the Calvary Life Church in Granite City, Illinois, sent the following comments: "I pastor Calvary Life Church in Granite City, Illinois, where Dottie Rambo gave her last concert. She started the concert with "I'm Gonna Leave Here Shoutin'" and concluded with "We Shall Behold Him." Throughout the evening she made many references to "going home." Dottie said, "God will call me by my real name . . . He knows me, because I know Him." The evening was filled with laughter and tears as she shared her songs. We were honored to host the concert."

Whether or not Dottie had a "feeling" of what was about to happen, we'll never know. But what she said should serve as inspiration - and direction - to us all: "God will call me by my real name. . . He knows me, because I know Him." Let your mind wrap around that for a while and then follow your heart.

There are long roads of recovery ahead for everyone else who was on the bus, and I'm not necessarily referring to physical recovery. There is grief to be dealt with as they've lost not only an employer, but a trusted and close friend. The healing process will take years. Continue to keep all of them in your prayers, as they will be sorely needed.

And Dottie. . . rest safely in the shelter of His arms.