March 2016 Archives
Reflecting
This past weekend was one of reflection for me. I didn’t set out to do so. I just felt like God was speaking, and I needed to hear from Him. I can’t say I fully understand everything yet, but I do know I needed the reminder to take time to quiet my heart and tune it toward Him, even in the midst of a very busy season.
Thinking about everything Christ went through on the Cross makes me want to not leave one task unfinished before He calls me Home. In a world that is more scary and unsafe every day, that thought is what keeps me pressing on on a daily basis. If I didn’t believe God still had a work for me to do, I would probably never step outside my door, but the safest place to be is in God’s will and, for me, right now, that still has me traveling all over the country, praying to be an encouragement to each person I encounter.
If you are discouraged but you know you are where God wants you, let that encourage you. Quiet your heart, read His Word, pray for His peace, and press on to keep the faith and run your race. One look at His face will make every mountain look like a stepping stone. Then, I guess that’s what they are anyway.
CD Review: As We Speak (Greater Vision)
If you attended the National Quartet Convention last year or saw the live stream, you are aware that Greater Vision released a new CD entitled, As We Speak. It became humorous, but it was worth the mention. In thinking back over the Greater Vision CDs I own, I believe this is my favorite since Faces. I rated it low because, in many ways, it is pretty typical of Greater Vision recordings, but there are some more uptempo songs and a couple songs I especially like, which is what makes it one of my faves.
The CD begins with the group’s recent hit, Put Out the Fire
We Can’t Tell It All has a typical GV sound. No matter how many songs we sing, it is impossible to fully describe our Lord.
Toes in the Water asks if we are fully surrendered or just getting our toes wet (my paraphrase). 🙂
He Does reminds us that Jesus sees and cares and understands.
Will I be a faithful example if the Lord has me follow In the Sandals of Daniel to the lion’s den? This is a toe-tapper but one that you need to pause to ponder.
I am really glad that they brought back Labreeska Hemphill’s song, Let the Blood of Calvary Speak for Me. “May it write me down as righteous where no righteousness has been, shielding me from wrath and judgment as it covers all my sins.” Lord, let it be so!
Never Will I Ever Again is a fun, fast song. I love it!
The tempo slows down as Rodney Griffin sings I Do Know. I may not know the future, but I do know what the next life will bring.
It’s encouraging to know that everyone is Saved By the Same Grace. It doesn’t matter if you are male or female, rich or poor. God’s grace is sufficient for all!
The CD ends with the title track: As We Speak. This is another of my favorites on the CD. Gerald Wolfe does a great job communicating the message. I feel God’s presence every time I hear this song.
CD/DVD Review: Quartet Night Across America
Daywind Records has put together a CD/DVD collection of four top quartets to take us back through the decades to when Southern Gospel music first started and progressing into how it sounds today. Groups featured are Legacy Five, The Blackwood Brothers, Tribute Quartet, and Brian Free & Assurance. On the DVD, Paul Heil interviews Scott Fowler, Billy Blackwood, Gary Casto, and Brian Free. Since this is a live recording, there are a couple mistakes, but I still consider this a must-have for every southern gospel collector. Songs featured are as follows:
All: “Quartet Singing’s Going On”
Scott Fowler, Gary Casto, Brian Free, Butch Owens: “Give Me That Old Time Religion.”
Riley Harrison Clark, Bill Shivers, Billy Blackwood, Matt Fouch: “Heaven’s Jubilee.”
Blackwood Brothers: “Just a Little Talk with Jesus,” “How Great Thou Art,” “Have You Talked to the Man Upstairs.”
Tribute Quartet: “This Old House.”
Blackwood Brothers and Tribute Quartet: Happy Medley (“Happy Rhythm” and “Wonderful Time Up There”)
All: “Patriotic Medley (America the Beautiful, My Country ‘Tis of Thee, God Bless America).”
Brian Free & Assurance: “In My Robe of White,” “Only God Knows,” “Long as I Got King Jesus.”
Legacy Five: “Wonderful Grace of Jesus,” “Boundless Love,” “He Made a Change,” “Hello After Goodbye.”
Tribute Quartet: “Sweeter as the Days Go By,” “Good News from Jerusalem,” “Everything I Need.”
Blackwood Brothers: “You Can Find What I Found.”
Brian Free & Assurance: “Say Amen.”
Legacy Five: “Christ is Still the King.”
All: “Looking for a City.”
In other news, Daywind announced last week that these groups will be taking this on the road. To bring Quartet Night Across America to your town, contact The Harper Agency at info@harperagency.com or by calling 615.851.4500.
