September 2014 Archives
Concert/CD Review: Journey of Hope (Tribute)
I had the blessing of seeing Tribute back in July. They had concert copies of their latest release, Journey of Hope, but since it wasn’t yet available outside of concerts, I held off on reviewing it. I am happy to let readers know that the CD is now available for purchase.
The concert began with the familiar song, Stepping on the Clouds.
Then they went into a song from their new CD: I Could Sing About Heaven. This is a pretty typical song but I can still enjoy a simple, toe-tapping Southern Gospel song. “I could sing about Heaven for a million years. Still I could never tell it all.”
Riley Harrison Clark sings the encouraging I Will Rise. “Trials never last forever. I will rise.”
I like their song, I Want to Thank the Lord. Most people don’t thank Him nearly enough for everything He has done for them.
After that, they introduced the group.
I was glad to see them bring back an old Perrys song, I Remember the Day. They could have put a bit more energy into it but I still like the song. I am so thankful that God saved me when he did over 20 years ago!
Josh Singletary then played I’ll Fly Away on the piano.
I first heard God Wants to Hear You Sing in concert by Jason Waldroup. This was my first time to hear Tribute’s version but they did a good job.
They sang Safe Thus Far and then Riley led the congregation in singing Farther Along.
Good News from Jerusalem is still a fan favorite.
They took a break to collect the offering, then Tribute came back out singing, He’s Leading the Way. I will never get tired of hearing them sing this song. This was the first song I ever saw them sing on stage, and it made me stop to listen. I’m so glad He’s still leading the way in my life.
After that, they sang He’s Been Faithful, and Anthony Davis sang, Leaving on My Mind.
Kyla Rowland wrote, I Am a Soldier. “I am a soldier reporting for duty. I got my sword and shield. I am ready to fight.” Can you proclaim that today?
Many groups no longer give altar calls but they gave an altar call that night and then closed with another chorus of I Remember the Day.
Songs on the CD which the group did not sing in concert include:
The encouraging song, He Can Do It Again.
Josh Singletary sings All Made it Ashore, a song that tells about the shipwreck on which the apostle Paul prophesied that not one life would be lost, and there wasn’t. No matter what you are going through, you also can make it. Keep holding on and don’t give up.
Those Who Know Me Know has a bit of a Jamaican feel.
Everything I Need is another uptempo song of encouragement. No matter what I go through, my Heavenly Father is everything I need.
Everybody Needs Jesus needs no explanation. A simple, true fact.
In the Valley, I Can Hear His Voice: When things are going well, we don’t always take the time we need to be still and hear but, in the valley, that is sometimes a different story.
Another song I really like is God of All My Days. It ends the CD leaving me worshiping the God of all my days.
Everything I Need is another uptempo, encouraging song. No matter what I face in life, God is everything I need.
A Call to Repentance and Surrender
After Bible Study the other night, we were sitting around talking, and someone mentioned that, before he knew the Lord, he wouldn’t attend church because he knew he wasn’t living right. Thankfully, he finally hit a place where he surrendered to the Lord, changed the things he knew needed to change, and surrendered his life to Christ.
I understand why churches stress the importance of coming to Jesus as you are instead of waiting to be cleaned up but it also seems like way too many stay as they are, even after making a profession of faith. Isaiah 1:18 says, “‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ said the LORD: ‘though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.'” This doesn’t mean your sins become white but that your life of sin disappears as you begin to serve God.
In Romans 6:1, Paul asks, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?” In verse 2, he answers his own question, “God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”
In Galatians 2:20, Paul says, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” We know Christ knew no sin so, if He lives in me, I won’t live a life of sin either.
Many times in Scripture, people were told to repent. That call still goes out today. If you are one who looks nice on the outside but inside, you are full of uncleanness, repent. If you are nice to the people at church but mean to your family, repent. If you are living a life that you know is not honoring to God, it is never too late to turn from your sinful ways and surrender those areas to the One who loves you more than you will ever be able to comprehend. The answer isn’t to stop going to church; the answer is to understand your need and turn to Him today.
Pretend that you are about to take communion. Think about the horrendous death that Jesus suffered because of your sins and mine. As you begin to bring the bread and cup to your lips, does your heart well up with gratitude for what Christ has done for you or do you find yourself squirming because you know that you are not able to take communion worthily but you know that others have no idea what your life is really like? Worse yet, do you not feel that sense of guilt about the life you are living?
Hebrews 12:6 says, “For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and whips every son whom He receives.” If you are able to sin and not be disciplined by the Lord, you should really search your heart to know if you are truly His.
Let me also say here that there is a difference between conviction and condemnation. Condemnation feels no hope. Conviction is the mercy of the Holy Spirit tapping you on the shoulder and showing you what you are doing wrong so that you can change. That is what I want you to feel today: the conviction that only God can bring. I don’t know your life. I don’t know what you’re going through. But I do know that God loves you, and He can change you today, whether you have gone to church for a day, a month, a year, 5 years, 65 years, or not at all. His arm is not too short, and He desires you to spend eternity with Him. Won’t you surrender today?
Rest and Refocus
After a busy six months or so, I am taking a much-needed vacation to rest and pray, as well as fellowship and veg a bit. I have been struggling physically and, because of that, have felt a need to get away and renew my mind.
It is easy to become discouraged and depressed when things aren’t going right, when you’re not feeling well, when life is moving faster than you can keep up with and you’re not getting done half the things you want or need to do. These are the times one must refocus, draw near to the Father, and ask Him what He desires of you. Some things we think we have to do, we don’t in reality. Or at least not in the time frame we think they need to happen.
Yesterday, I finished a book I was editing so I’m praying for more editing work but I’m also trying to rest in the fact that, if God doesn’t bring me more work right away, He may know I need a break or there may be something else on which He would like me to focus my time and energy. These are the things I’m striving to discern as I rest and refocus.
I realize you may not have the option to take off for a couple weeks, but I would encourage you to find time wherever you can to make sure you get the rest that you need so that you can better see things from God’s perspective. If you are overwhelmed, it is a sure sign that you are long overdue these things. They are important for your health and sanity, as well as your relationship with God and your family.
