October 2013 Archives
Give Thanks Always
As I was worshiping this morning, my heart was filled with gratitude, along with the awareness that my praise should not be dependent on how I feel on any given day. God is good in EVERY circumstance. Yes, I may not always understand God’s ways. I may not want to go through some things He brings my way but He has never failed me, and I know He never will.
Scripture is full of admonitions to “Give thanks to the LORD for He is good” (mentioned repeatedly in the Bible), “Give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18), “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise” (Psalm 100:4). There is no room for self-pity or blaming God.
This is an area I may not be perfect in yet but I feel I am growing. I don’t believe giving thanks in all circumstances means necessarily to give thanks FOR bad circumstances but it does mean to praise God even when you are going through that difficult time. If you can’t think of anything else, you can still thank God for His continual love and presence. As you praise Him, your spirit will be uplifted and you will find that peace that passes understanding. Then you can praise Him all over again. Start today to praise God in everything. You won’t regret a moment.
CD Review: For All He’s Done (Greater Vision)
The latest CD from Greater Vision includes ten songs, nine of which were written or co-written by Rodney Griffin or Chris Allman.
This recording begins with the mid-tempo Come Unto Me, followed by Looking for the Grace. I’m not asking for God to remove the things that are going to help me draw closer to Him. I’m simply looking for the grace to go through those things.
This is Mercy is a beautiful song about the cross.
Chris Allman wrote and sings, The Blood Hasn’t Ever Changed.
Forever is Sure is a song of hope as it reminds us that “tomorrow is uncertain but forever is sure.” This was written by Rodney Griffin and Jim Brady. A great song.
The only song on the recording that was not written by Rodney or Chris is an old song the Cathedrals recorded, Seeking for Me.
Preacher Tell Me Like it Is addresses the fact that so many preachers will only say what they think people want to hear. No wonder the Church is in the shambles it is. “You say you want to be my friend? Don’t be afraid to call my sin what it is.” If there were more preachers who would do that, maybe God would send revival.
I Can Trust You is another beautiful song written and sung by Chris Allman. Regardless of the path God has for you, you can trust Him.
They continue that message in I Will Take Care of You.
What better way to end a recording than with For All He’s Done, a song of praise.
God Walks the Dark Hills
This morning during my praise and worship time, I started singing, “God Walks the Dark Hills.” I am so grateful that God always gives me a song to sing and that is the song I’m singing this morning. Isn’t it wonderful to know that, no matter how dark the valley we may go through, we can fear no evil for our God is with us? What joy wells up in my heart at that truth.
“He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock that shadows a dry, thirsty land. He hideth my life in the depths of His love and covers me there with His hand.”
“Where shall I go from your spirit? or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend up into heaven, you are there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall your hand lead me, and your right hand shall hold me” (Psalm 139:7-10).
Yes, Brothers and Sisters, that is the God that we serve. He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us, and He has always kept that promise.
I personally don’t like going through dark times. I would prefer life to always be sunshine and roses; however, in the biggest rose garden, there are also lots of thorns. These are the things that test our faith, draw us closer to God, and makes us into the sons and daughters that He desires us to be if we but allow them to do that.
The hardest song for me to sing has been, “If it takes a valley to really know your grace, and if it’s in the desert where I’ll meet you face to face, then turn this path I’m traveling to some dark and lonely place ’cause if it takes a valley then a valley’s what I’ll take.” I may not like singing that but I’m very aware that this is where God desires me (and all His children) to be.
Thank You, Lord, for walking with me through sunshine and through darkness. Thank You for peace and joy that You provide in the midst of dark times as You hold my hand. Thank You for adopting me into Your family and continually proving Your love for me. I am blessed beyond measure. May I never cease to praise You and show my thanksgiving in the way I live my life for You.
NQC Highlights 2013: Day 6
Each year at NQC, there are regional artist showcases for groups who are not on the main stage. As these groups sing, they are judged and the winner of each showcase gets to sing one song on the main stage that evening. What I didn’t remember is that, apparently out of those groups, there is another competition where they are judged and the winners get to perform one more time on Saturday evening. This year, those winners were The Wilbanks and The Erwins. I will say the Wilbanks sang a very difficult arrangement to sing and, for that, they deserved to win. If you get some time, look up The Wilbanks singing “Psalm 23” on YouTube. You could also search “The Wilbanks NQC” and it should come up.
I’d not heard the Taylors before but they did an acapella version of “I Can Call Jesus Any Time” and “Operator.” They started out slow on “Oh I Want to See Him” before picking up the tempo on the chorus.
Melissa Brady joined The Whisnants to sing a song she wrote: “All is Well.” They ended with my favorite Whisnants song, “New Day Dawning.” They were joined by Jim & Melissa Brady and Kim Hopper.
I enjoyed seeing The Down East Boys. They are a decent quartet.
The Voices of Lee did a rousing rendition of a medley: Moving Up to Gloryland/Just Over in the Gloryland/Do Lord/Heaven’s Jubilee/When We All Get to Heaven.
Clarke Beasley reminisced about various things that happened on the Louisville stage: The Speer Family’s retirement, Glen Payne’s call-in, Tony Greene proposing to Taranda, 9/11/2001 (Gerald Wolfe singing “Redemption Draweth Nigh” on that night), George Younce’s last performance with Signature Sound, The Florida Boys’ retirement, etc.
A definite highlight was Tracy Stuffle on camera telling everyone he’ll see them next year. It’s been a hard year for Tracy and Libbi but God is once again reminding us that He is God. We may not know why we go through the dark times but He always has a plan. After the Perrys sang, Dean Hopper commented on how thankful he was to Libbi for making the effort to be there. Everyone then stood and applauded as Libbi cried. She called Tracy via Skype on her phone so he could hear and see and feel the love that was there.
The Collingsworth Family did a set of all hymns which I really enjoyed. Kim Collingsworth then played “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” and “The Hallelujah Chorus.”
The evening ended with one song each from The Talleys, The Mark Trammell Quartet, The Perrys, The Kingdom Heirs, and The Collingsworth Family. Then Dean and Kim Hopper, The Booth Brothers, Greater Vision, and Legacy Five took the stage to sing “Statement of Faith.” A great way to end the evening and the week.
Tickets are already on sale for next year when it will be held in Pigeon Forge, TN. If you can’t attend, you may want to consider subscribing to the live video stream.
