August 2012 Archives
Concert Review: Legacy Five (7/22/12)
I didn’t realize how late I am with getting this review up but I trust a late review is better than no review.
A little over a month ago, I had the blessing of catching Legacy Five in concert. I’d not seen a full concert since Roger Bennett died so I was really looking forward to it. This was before they hired Matt Fouch as their bass singer so Stacy Bragg was filling the position at the time.
The concert started with two songs off of their latest project: “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “God Cares for Me.” Then they went into “Still Feelin’ Fine” which I love.
Stacy sang, “Thankful for the Change” and then they sang, “I’ve Been Changed.”
Gus Gaches sang, “For What Earthly Reason” before Scott Fowler and Scott Howard began giving Trey Ivey a hard time. I had to laugh when Scott said to Trey: “They love you because they first loved us.” Trey decided to earn some love in his own right, however, as he played “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.”
“I Found Grace” continues to be one of my favorite Legacy Five songs but this is only the second time I’ve seen them sing it live. After that, the tempo slowed down as they sang, “Something About That Name,” “Holy is Thy Name” and “We Shall See Jesus.”
There was a brief intermission, during which an offering was taken. Then they came back to sing “Strike Up the Band,” “Life Will Be Sweeter Some Day,” and “Destination Known,” one of my newer L5 favorites.
Scott Fowler then told the story of the lady and her daughter who were saved by being at their Memorial Day Sing “by accident.” They sang “Ask Me Why” and ended the concert with “Boundless Love.”
Unfortunately, I forgot my camera so didn’t get any pictures but it was a blessed evening.
God Still Answers Prayer
I could list so many ways that God still answers prayer but let’s start with an update from Scott Inman on his and Kasey’s baby girl, Embry:
More great news today! As many of you know, Embry had her 2nd EEG today.
we just talked to the Neurologist, face to face. He said that the EEG looked “completely fine” and didn’t resemble the one taken earlier in the week! He went on to say that she doesn’t look like the same baby that he read about & saw on Sunday. Kasey & I told him that MANY PEOPLE had been praying for her and that we Thank & Praise the Lord for these results And he agreed with us. We are one step closer to taking our girl home. When she goes home she will be on medicine & sleeping with a monitor for at least 2 months.We have cried every tear we have the past 5 days, but after this news Kasey & I found some more, somewhere.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR PRAYING
we hope to take her home in the next few days
Prayer Requested for Embry Inman
Dear friends and prayer warriors, I am writing once again to ask you to join me in interceding for a couple who is going through a very trying time. Scott Inman (of the Triumphant Quartet) and his wife Kasey welcomed their first child into the world Friday afternoon. Their joy has turned to concern, however, as their baby has stopped breathing several times. I don’t profess to know God’s plan at this time but I do know that He loves this baby more than we can imagine. He also loves Scott and Kasey, and I’m asking Him to have mercy and grant this baby life while filling her parents with peace. Scott’s request is below. Please take a minute to touch Heaven on their behalf.
We are asking prayer for our new little girl, Embry. Early this morning she stopped breathing & has had 3 or 4 of the same episodes throughout the day. She is in ICU and they will be running test the next 3-4 days to try to find the problem. To be honest, Kasey and I are scared to death and agree that this is the hardest thing that we’ve been through. We believe in Gods plan & we also believe in Gods healing. We just want our baby girl. Yesterday was the highest high, & today has been the lowest low. Thank you for your prayers. We love you!
Praise Him
God never promised us that life would be easy but He did promise to never leave us or forsake us. I don’t think anything blesses me as much as hearing from someone who is praising God in the midst of a trying time. It’s easy to praise Him when things are going well but it’s important to continue to praise Him when we’re down. Nothing lifts the spirit like praise. Nothing cheers a burdened heart like praise. Scripture tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people. That means he dwells with those who praise Him. Where Christ dwells, satan cannot dwell.
It may seem like a small thing, it may seem like a hard thing but praise is an important part of walking with the Lord. If you want to live a victorious, Godly life, don’t neglect to praise Him.
Let’s Get Busy
As I write this, I’m looking out at the sun setting over Lake Michigan. A beautiful sky with the clouds carrying a decidedly purple tint. Another day is almost over. Did I touch anybody today? Sometimes I wonder. I pray I am.
Each day I’m out, I see so many hurting, lost people. So many who need God but don’t know that He’s the one who can fill the void in their lives. How to reach those people? I wish I knew. For now, I just pray that I can be a Light, be at the right place at the right moment to share a word fitly spoken.
God doesn’t expect us to single-handedly evangelize everyone on earth but He does have a calling for each of us, and it is up to us to hear His voice and follow His call. Too many people are perishing, and we have been commissioned to shine His light and share Hope with those who have no hope. Let’s get busy!
Thoughts on Various Things
I’ve not intentionally been taking a hiatus. Life just seems to get hectic and sometimes internet connection can be few or far between. Then there are times I sit down at the computer, start a post, then get distracted and forget what I’m doing. I’m not even that old but such is life.
As I write this, I’m in the midwest. We’ve had great weather and enjoyed beautiful scenery. I’m ever-conscious of the fact that God’s hand of protection never leaves us. This week, I heard of yet another soul that has gone on after being killed in an accident. I’m so grateful to God that He gets us safely at our destinations each day.
The faster the days fly by, the more aware I am of how quickly life ends. I want to live each day in gratitude to God for who He is and everything He has done and continues to do in my life each day. May I shine for Him as I strive to do His will. May I be faithful until the day He takes me Home. He truly is a good God and, for that, I praise Him.
Live Each Day As Your Last
It seems like every few weeks I hear about a man or woman of God who has gone Home. Maybe I’m getting older, or maybe there are more people dying these days or maybe I’m just noticing it more. On Monday, I learned of the sudden Homegoing of Stephen Hill whom you may have seen on the Gaither Homecoming videos. His sudden death made me think of Anthony Burger, another young man who died of a heart attack a while back.
The Gaither Vocal Band used to sing a song titled “Love Them While You Can.” You don’t know when this may be your last day or the last day of your loved ones. A couple weeks ago, we were in NY and were warned to avoid a certain route due to an accident that had occurred. I found out the other day that there were six people killed in that crash. If you had one day to live, what would you do differently? I’d suggest doing those things now.
Maybe I write on this topic too much but I see too many people living selfish lives. Too many people are too busy to take time for others. I wonder if Stephen Hill’s loved ones told him how much they loved him Sunday morning. Maybe they did or maybe he knew without them saying so but they won’t get another chance here on earth. Thankfully, we will have eternity but let’s not wait for that. Let’s begin now to live as if each day were our last. That way, there will be no regrets.
Concert/CD Review: Here We Are Again (Ernie Haase and Signature Sound)
A couple weeks ago, I had the blessing of getting to see a full concert of Signature Sound for the first time. Because I’d not seen them, I didn’t expect to get to talk to them but they came out before the concert, at intermission, and at the end of the concert to talk with people, answer questions and just be available. I was impressed at the attention they gave each person who wanted to take a bit of their time.
The concert started with a song that was recorded on one of their early projects, “Glory to God in the Highest.”
“Singing in the Midnight Hour” features Doug Anderson and has a soulful feel.
“Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” sounds like the old quartet song that it is. On the break, each group member uses their voice to sound like an instrument. A different arrangement but creative.
“Here We Are Again” is one of my favorites on their new CD. Ernie asked everyone to sing along on the chorus.
Next they sang “Reason Enough.” “I won’t wait for signs and wonders to teach me how to trust for You’ve already proven, Lord, the depths of Your great love.”
I remember when the Cathedrals released “Climbing Higher and Higher.” I thought it was a different song for them but they sang it a long time. I’m glad Ernie continues to sing it.
“Movin’ Up to Gloryland” was fun. At the end, Ernie was going around having each band member do the “moo hoo hoo hooving.” Then he had the crowd try. Ernie doesn’t need to worry about anyone taking that job over for a while. 🙂
Doug Anderson sang the first verse of “I Thirst” with Ernie singing the second verse.
Next was “I Pledge My Allegiance,” followed by “God Bless America” and acknowledgement of the veterans which were at the concert.
I love “Sometimes I Wonder,” which paints a picture of what those gone to Heaven before us may be thinking or doing.
I also love “Walk With Me” and Ernie does a great job on it. At the end of the song, they walked away from their microphones and sang acapella. Very beautiful.
Ian Owens sang a verse and chorus of “The Old Rugged Cross” before the group sang “Love Carried the Cross,” written by Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun and Joel Lindsey. Ernie said it was the first time he’d written about the cross, but he and his co-writers did a great job.
They ended the first segment with “Get Away, Jordan.”
After intermission, Doug Anderson sang two songs from his solo project: “Smile It Through” and “Only Here for a Little While.”
Then the group joined him back on stage to sing Cathedrals classics, “Step Into the Water,” “I’m Gonna Live Forever,” “Boundless Love” and “Mexico.”
Wayne Haun stepped away from the piano and joined them in an acapella version of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.”
Then they sang, “Swinging on the Golden Gate.”
“Every Time” is an uptempo song which almost moves too fast but, once I got it, I really enjoyed it. At one part in the song, it says “makes me want to shout.” Ernie was trying to get the crowd to shout but we didn’t know what to do. Once people learn the song, I don’t think he’ll have a problem getting audience participation. It really is a fun song and, if you listen to the words, it has a good message as well.
Ian Owens sang the old song, “I Believe.”
Devin McGlamery sang, “We Shall See Jesus” which is a song I’ve heard many times but I’ve still not gotten tired of it.
Pianist and songwriter Wayne Haun sang “You Are Welcome Here.” No matter what you’ve done, Jesus arms are always open to welcome you Home.
Ernie ended the second segment with “O What a Savior.”
Unfortunately, I didn’t note what they sang for the encore but they did sing one more song and then closed out with another chorus of “Every Time.”
The only songs on the CD which they didn’t sing in concert are: “I’ve Been Here Before,” “Stand By Me,” “Thankful to You,” and “Any Other Man” (recorded Live in Bucharest, Romania).
Something I thought noteworthy: Ernie Haase and Wayne Haun co-wrote 7 of the 12 songs on this recording–5 with Joel Lindsey and 2 with Sue C. Smith. Wayne Haun wrote “You Are Welcome Here” with Will Hopkins.
