Highlights From NQC 2013: Day 1
Today began this year’s National Quartet Convention, the last year the event will be held in Louisville, KY (at least for the time being). I am not at the convention but was able to watch much of it online. Unfortunately, the reception came and went all evening but it was getting better as the evening progressed. Instead of mentioning everything that happens this year, I thought I would share what I consider some of the highlights or better sets from what I see this year.
I really enjoyed watching The Browns this evening. My favorites they sang were “Be Thou My Vision,” “He’s My Everything” (I think that’s the title), and “A Place in the Choir.” The thing I liked about this latter song was the trio of fiddles they would do in between verses.
Tonight was the first I ever heard The Sneed Family but they are worth mentioning. They sang, “I’ve Got More to Go to Heaven For,” “Hallelujah Square,” and “He’s Leading the Way.”
The Primitive Quartet didn’t do any of my favorite songs tonight but they did sing a song I’d not heard before titled “Empty Me, Lord.” One of the best songs I heard tonight. They followed that with “He Included Me” which features Randy. I never tire of watching the joy in his countenance as he sings.
Triumphant Quartet was their typical entertaining, professional selves. The highlight was Jeff Stice’s piano solo which he started the set with. They also sang, “Don’t Let the Sandals Fool Ya,” “He Is,” “When the Trumpet Sounds,” and “We’re Almost Home” (another new song for me).
I was glad to see some old videos of the Speer Family. One was with Dad and Mom, Brock and Ben Speer. Then they played a clip of Ben with Brock, Faye, Mary Tom, and Rosa Nell, as Ben explained that they were going off the road. They then played a clip of “While Ages Roll.” A very neat moment.
I always enjoy Squire Parsons. He is now singing with his son Sam, and Sam’s wife Leah. Among other songs, he sang his most popular “Beulah Land.” Sam sang the second verse.
Another highlight was Phil Collingsworth playing trumpet and his wife Kim playing piano on “O Magnify the Lord With Me.” Very powerful.
Ivan Parker sang the old Imperials’ song, “Sail On” and his former number one song, “Midnight Cry.”
Other performers included: The Providence Quartet, The Lesters, The Collingsworth Family, The Hoppers, and Greater Vision.
God at Work
It’s hard to believe our month-long trip is almost at an end. This has been a wonderful experience which I thank God for. It has been a huge blessing to see God’s hand upon us every step of the way. I believe it was author Greg Hinnant who talked about how, when we first start walking with God, we see His hand at every turn as He desires to show us His love and make us aware of His presence. There comes a time, however, when we may not always see His hand quite so clearly as He then desires us to walk with Him by faith. The last several years, I’ve felt God leading me in that faith walk but I am so grateful to have some sight again now. I know it takes both for us to grow but I’ve missed being able to see His hand at every turn.
I know there will again be times in the future where God desires me to cling to Him in faith, where His answers may not be as instant as I’d like but I pray that, at every moment, regardless of circumstances, I never let go of His hand. I know He will never let go of mine.
Thank You, Father, for Your continual love. Thank You for letting me see Your hand at work in my life once again. May I never lose sight of You or what You are doing in my life. Thank You for loving me. I love You so much!
Fulfilling God’s Purposes
The older I get, the more wonderful Heaven sounds. God has blessed me immensely and I’m so grateful but the hecticness of life can weigh on me to the point that I find myself singing, “And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight.” The fact I’m still here, however, proves that God is not finished with me here. He has a work for me to do, and I must press on to accomplish that work.
There is such a balance between longing for Home and yet being content where God has me at this moment. The fact is this world is not my Home. There’s a reason I feel out of place and discontent. At the same time, even Jesus had to walk this earth for a time. For thousands of years, God has been reaching out to people, desiring to walk with them, using those with willing hearts until they had accomplished their work at which point He took them Home. What a day, glorious day that must be.
The closer I get to God, the more I don’t mind living because I know He has a plan for my life. At the same time, when I hear that final call, I won’t shed one tear. I will be ready to finally see my Savior face to face. At that time, all the stresses of life will disappear and I will be eternally joyful.
Do They Know God Cares?
We are at a camp in California about 20 miles from a fire which has already burned over 50,000 acres. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be in the path of that fire. Even where we are, the air is thick with smoke, and ash is falling from the sky. My heart is heavy as I think of those who are having to evacuate with the understanding that they may not have a home to go back to. This happens somewhere in the west every year but there is something about being this close that makes it much more real to me.
As reality sinks in, I wonder how many of those people know God. It’s easy for Christians to hang out with other Christians and be grateful for their salvation but do you ever stop to think about those who are lost without God? As I look around at the people I go by when I’m out and about, I wonder if they even care about the condition of their soul but the sad part is that one day they will.
I hate to admit it but I am very hesitant to share my faith. Not that I hide it but it would take a lot for me to walk up to someone that I don’t know and ask if they know Jesus. Apart from the Spirit’s leading, I’m not even sure that is the way to go but the Spirit knows who has ears to hear, and I hope I don’t get so self-absorbed and comfortable in my salvation that I fail to hear His voice directing me to talk to someone. I pray I never fail to smile and give a kind word that might speak to someone who needs to know that God cares about them. People die every day. Tomorrow, it could be your best friend or neighbor. It could be a family member that you are at odds with. Pray for the people you know who don’t know Him and ask for His wisdom to know how to best shine His Light so that they too may be assured of a Home in Heaven full of absolute peace and joy. Don’t stop interceding until God answers your prayer. I believe if we are faithful to fervently intercede on behalf of our unsaved loved ones, those prayers will avail much.
Yes, There is a God
We just drove from Michigan to California in the last week. I feel so blessed to be able to enjoy God’s marvelous masterpiece which we call Earth. As we rode through Colorado, Utah and Nevada, I listened to my brother explain the various theories for how these mountains came to be. My main thought: How can anyone believe there is no God? Everywhere I look, I see beauty that surpasses anything a human mind could think up. If we were any closer to the sun, we would get burned up. If we were further away, it would be too cold for life to exist. Yes, God created everything perfectly.
Yet many claim He doesn’t exist. I often wonder if they really believe that or if they just feel a need to convince themselves (and/or others) of that myth for some reason. I have a friend who has claimed to be an atheist yet can quote the Bible better than I can at times.
Only a fool says there is no God. Our very lives point to the fact that, indeed, there is a God. He is the creator and ruler of this universe. He is the One who gives life and takes it away. He is the One who loved us so much that He sent His Son to die a cruel death so that one day, we will not only know that He exists but we will see that He exists. Those who deny His existence now will have to acknowledge it then. What a sad day that will be for those people.
Believing in God may be an act of faith but it is much easier for me to believe that He exists than to believe that He doesn’t. I’ve no doubt I will see Him one day and, when I do, I pray that He will be able to look at me with eyes of love and call me His good and faithful servant. May I radiate with His peace, love and joy so that no one will be able to truly think that there is no God.
Give God Your All
It’s a beautiful Sunday morning here in Colorado. It’s hard to believe my friends back east will be getting out of church soon while here they are just going to church. Time zones are interesting.
The last couple days, God has brought Proverbs 3:5-6 to mind: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” I am trying to do that lately. It’s easy to let the pace of life move faster than I can keep up with it but my days do not go well that way. I want my whole life to be focused on Him, doing nothing but following Him because He knows the road I should take. On that road is peace and safety and joy in serving Him wholeheartedly. Lord, help me to be faithful.
As you begin another week, take time today to evaluate your life and ask God if you are still doing what He desires you to do. In the scheme of things, life is really short. We can’t afford to waste one second of this life God has given us. The song is true when it says, “all to Him I owe.” He deserves all we have to give and more. Let’s be faithful to give Him our all. He is worthy!
Change and the Passing of Time
This has been quite the year. Hectic doesn’t quite do it justice but it’s the closest word I can think of to describe what this year has been like. This has been the primary reason I have not posted more lately. Even now, I’m looking at the calendar wondering where the first half of this year has gone. I’m not sure but I’m very aware that it is gone forever, never to be recovered. I can only look forward to the rest of the year and hope I make the most of each day as it comes because, before I know it, it too will be in the past and I will be a much older individual.
I hope you all are having a great year so far. I’m looking ahead to Christmas already but I realize a lot will happen between now and then. The biggest news for me lately is that my brother and his wife and myself have started a new ministry. I’m sure I’ll explain more about that once our website is up and running so stay tuned. I don’t like change so I get a little scared if I think about it too much but I feel like God is leading and I have no doubt that He who began this work in us will complete it.
Have a blessed evening and don’t stop holding to the Unchanging Hand.
Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand
“Time is filled with swift transition. Naught of earth unmoved can stand. Build your hopes on things eternal. Hold to God’s unchanging hand.”
This year has been one of swift transition for me. Like a lot of people, I don’t like change but I’ve learned that it is inevitable from time to time and that it is these transitions that cause us to become the people God desires us to be. As we trust Him and submit to His will whether or not we understand it, He is faithful to complete the work that He began in us.
I’m so grateful that He does that. I may not appreciate the transition when it occurs but, with hindsight, I know that it was for my good and His glory. May I never stop holding to God’s unchanging hand.
Harold Gilley Passes Away
I learned this afternoon that Harold Gilley passed away. I’m still in a bit of shock as I didn’t know he was sick.
I first heard Mr. Gilley in the mid-1990s when he was with Palmetto State Quartet. I’d not paid much attention to bass singers at that time as I preferred tenors but he instantly became a favorite and I thought if he stayed with PSQ long enough, he’d win some fan awards. He was only with them a couple years and then I lost track of him.
In 2003, he joined Danny Funderburk and Mercy’s Way. I was thrilled that one of my favorite tenors and my favorite bass was going to be singing together. I attended the National Quartet Convention that year and had the blessing of meeting Mr. Gilley for the first time.
It was six years before I heard Harold’s name and saw him again at the National Quartet Convention. As he would come to my mind I would pray for him so I was very sad to hear of his death today.
It reminded me again how short life is and how important it is to shine God’s light everywhere we go because we never know when the next breath will be our last.
God is Faithful
I’ve been reading Psalm 40. Truly a word fitly spoken in this season of my life. I love how God is faithful to bring the right Scriptures to mind when I need them.
Lately God has been encouraging my heart. My desire is to draw closer to Him than ever before. That’s why I’ve not posted much lately. I’m in a time of transition which keeps me very busy. I may not know what the future holds but I know who holds the future and, for that, I am very grateful.
Keep me in your prayers if you would. God has blessed me these past 40 years and I’m looking forward to seeing how He chooses to use me the rest of my life. Praying I’ll be faithful until I hear His words: “Well done, My good and faithful servant.” What a day, glorious day that will be!
