October 2010 Archives
Concert Review: Triumphant Quartet
We don’t get a lot of southern gospel concerts up north so, when I heard Triumphant was going to be doing a concert two hours away, I jumped at the chance to go. I’ve seen them numerous times at the National Quartet Convention but this was my first time to see them by themselves. The concert was only an hour long which was disappointing since there were so many more songs I’d wanted them to sing but it was still worth it.
They opened with “Saved By Grace” which was originally sung by the McGruders and is a song I absolutely love. Then they went into “Amazed at the Change” which I thought was the perfect follow-up to the first song. David Sutton sang “Walk With Me” and did a tremendous job. Then Scott Inman sang “Love Came Calling,” the title track from their new CD.
Eric Bennett introduced the group and they sang “Forgave Me, Saved Me, Raised Me.” They did not have the CD this song was on at the concert but it’s probably my favorite CD that I’ve heard of theirs. Jeff Stice played piano and David Sutton played harmonica as they smoked “Goodbye, World, Goodbye.” Then they sang two requests: “Old White Flag” and “Long Black Train.”
Jeff played “Down From His Glory” and it was absolutely beautiful. He has such an anointing when he plays and he gives God the glory for his talent. After that, Eric talked about why they do what they do. As much as they enjoy it, the real reason they travel and sing is because “Somebody Died for Me.” Scott sang that song next. The pastor gave an invitation and then Jeff played the “Hallelujah Chorus.” The concert ended with “Movin’ Up.” I hadn’t heard them do that song before but they did a good job.
I look forward to seeing them again one day and I hope that time, the concert’s at least two hours. One just wasn’t long enough.
At the Bottom of the Barrel
As I awoke in the middle of the night, the following line was going through my head: “When all that you have ends, then all that He has begins. There’s nothing but a miracle at the bottom of the barrel.” The line was from a song Tony Greene sang and I found it interesting that God brought it to my mind at this time. When God does that, I begin to think of the words and what God might be speaking.
It seems like many are needing a miracle right now. Whether it’s physical healing, a financial breakthrough, an unsaved loved one … the need is great and they are crying out to God, yet wondering if He hears. Rest assured that He does. Sometimes it is just necessary that we be totally out of the way, empty of our own self so that there’s no chance we get the glory. Although miracles happen every day, it’s often the situations we see as hopeless that we acknowledge as miraculous when they turn around. Maybe that’s why God lets things get so bad sometimes.
If you are going through a situation that looks bleak, don’t give up hope. As Rodney Griffin penned, “It seems that you would make a perfect candidate for a touch from the mighty hand of God.” Nothing is too hard for Him and He in fact delights in giving good things to His children. If, however, your prayer is not answered how you would like it to be, receive that as from His hand as well. Maybe the miracle you need will take another form–that of perfecting you a bit more. Nothing is impossible for God but whether the impossible happens or doesn’t happen, God is still in control and I bet He’s performing miracles for you daily. If you don’t see them, ask Him to open your eyes. I bet it will change your perspective on life.
CD Review: Driven (Driven Quartet)
Many of you may remember Jason Funderburk from his days with Mercy’s Way or the Anchormen. Well, today he has his own quartet called Driven and, after observing him and the other men in his group a couple months ago, I was pleased that their focus seems to be on serving God and His people.
“I’m Pressing On” is a song of dedication and determination to press on regardless of what life holds. “Let Me Live” has an old-time feel. It starts out with a moderate tempo and then picks up on the last chorus. Geron & Rebecca Davis wrote the encouraging “Mercy Saw Me.” “In God We Still Trust” makes a declaration that, regardless what others do, “here in America, in God we still trust.” The last song on the project is titled “The Story of My Life” and will quickly usher you into praise and worship of a God that we cannot live without. I don’t know about you but I wouldn’t want to try.
Uptempo songs on the project are “Between the Rock and a Hard Place,” “Keep Drinking Water From the Well,” “Lost and Found,” and “I Can Feel My Mountains Move.”
The Encouragement of Psalms
In the book Gold Tried in the Fire, Greg Hinnant says that one of the ways to get through hard times is to read the Psalms daily. I’m reading through Psalms right now and I can see how that can bring encouragement and keep you focused on what’s really important.
Although David was a man “after God’s own heart,” he was human. He felt loneliness, discouragement, abandonment, etc. Yet He also continually acknowledged that God is good and faithful and merciful. He praised God when things went well and He praised God when everything seemed to go against Him. He knew that, even when David couldn’t see a way out, God could provide one and He was quick to ask God to do so. God always came through for David … just as He does for us.
Let’s not forget that God is good ALL the time. He is ALWAYS worthy of our praise. If you could use encouragement, I would encourage you to read a couple Psalms. Even the ones that start out with David being down are often turned into praise. What an example!
