August 2010 Archives
CD Review: Just Stand (Legacy Five)
This review is overdue but I like to listen to a project a while before posting a review. Sometimes my response to a CD changes with listening to it, favorite songs change, etc. but it’ll be no surprise to Legacy Five fans that they have once again put out a top notch recording.
It’s hard to pick a favorite on this CD but several that could be a favorite depending on the day are “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” “Just Stand,” “Faithful to the Cross,” “My Soul is Firmly Anchored,” and “‘Til We Meet Again.”
“Above All Circumstances” features Scott Howard, who continues to be among my top two favorite baritone singers.
Tim Parton sings “One Thing God Can’t Do” which is “stop loving you.” I hadn’t heard him sing before but he has a sweet, gentle voice. That’s probably not what men prefer to be told but I can’t think of a better way to describe it. It matches his personality I’d say.
“Just Stand” is an uptempo number which features Glenn Dustin. This past weekend, I found myself singing this song and it was a tremendous encouragement.
Other songs include “When They Found Nothing,” “Thankful for the Change” and “Statement of Faith” which, along with Legacy Five, features The Booth Brothers, The Hoppers, and Greater Vision.
One thing that struck me in listening to this project is I’m convinced Scott Fowler is at his best. I’ve listened to Scott since he joined the Cathedrals but I don’t think he’s ever sung as well as he is now. All in all, a top notch recording with great songs, great harmony, and great arrangements.
Keep Me On the Wheel
“Lord, I’m Your child, and You are my Father. I am the clay and You are the Potter so keep me on the wheel” (from Gold City’s Are You Ready? recording).
I hate to admit it but lately, my attitude has been more along the lines of “Keep me OFF the wheel!” If I think about it, though, that’s not really my desire. Humanly, yes, but Scripture tells us that it’s in going through the fire that we come forth as gold. My understanding is that gold is the purest metal and I want to appear pure and righteous in God’s sight. If it’s testing that produces that depth of purity, I want to embrace it, to surrender to the potter, knowing that He knows how much pressure I can take and He will lighten up on the molding when it begins to be too much. I may not like the process but I trust that I will love the result!
To my fellow clay vessels, when life begins to get too hot, stay moldable. Stay close to the Potter. The worse thing you could do is harden before the molding is completed. The Potter knows what He’s doing and, when He’s finished, we will be a beautiful vessel, better able to be used for His purposes. What could be more fulfilling than that? Lord, keep me on the wheel and give me the grace to stay there until You are finished with me.
Going Through Trials
I’ve been on the road a couple weeks and my internet’s been intermittent but I’ve also been at a loss as to know what to write. The purpose of this blog is to bring encouragement and hope to others but, when I’m going through a trial, it can make it harder to do that. However, God’s Word is still true, His love is still sure, and His peace can still reign in the midst of the storm.
Everything that happens to a child of God is for a purpose. We can choose to allow it to make us bitter or we can choose to draw closer to a God who loves us and who desires to walk with us through the valley if we will but let Him. I’m not feeling very strong right now but I know from experience that I will become stronger in my faith and in my walk with the Lord if I allow the fire to produce the gold it desires.
I’ve heard it said that you should be more nervous if everything’s going your way. It’s when things are going wrong that you know the enemy is working overtime which means you are probably impacting the Kingdom more than you realize. Therefore, I press on, desiring this trial to end but trusting God that He has a plan and that, when I come through this, things will be better than before. May He be glorified and praised through my life each day. May I never bring shame to Him in any way. That is my prayer, and I pray that for you as well.
Rick Fair Singing Bass for Southern Sound Quartet
I was pleased this week to hear about Rick Fair joining Southern Sound Quartet. My first introduction to him was when he was with the Palmetto State Quartet. I had not paid attention to them since the Harold Gilley/Brion Carter days but, when I heard Rick, I began to take notice. There was one song they sang at the time that, at times, I couldn’t tell if it were Rick or Aaron McCune (the bass singer at the time) so it doesn’t surprise me that Southern Sound hired him as a bass. I’ve no doubt he will be a fine one.