Archives 7/05
July 6, 2005-
Neal- Neal was my best friend. His brother was approx. 6 years older than him and my brother is approx. 6 years younger than me. Neal and I were almost the exact same age (only a month apart) so it was natural that we became close friends to the point of almost being like brothers. We went through our teen years together and sowed our wild oats together. He taught me how to deer hunt and never got mad because I was always the one who bagged the game. Although we didn't live like we should we went to the same church and Neal knew the Bible like the back of his hand. In our early twenties was the first time that Neal told me that he thought he was called to preach. I half-heartedly listened when he told me. It was during the time that I was busy running from the Lord and his statement seemed far-fetched to me. Neal ended up being the first of us to get married but we still stayed close. Ever so often he would still tell me that he thought he was called to preach but he never acted upon it and I never had much advice on what he should do about it. Neal's marriage failed and through the stress of the divorce he was diagnosed with Diabetes. Even through this he kept running from the Lord just like I was. I guess it is easier to run when you have a friend to run with. When the Lord gave me a wake up call and I surrendered my life totally to him I called Neal and told him about it. Even though I thought it might have some impact on him, he continued down the same road. We still were close friends. That is the way our friendship was. We passed no judgements on each other and always lended each other a non-judemental ear. When the Lord first started dealing with me about being called to spread His word through gospel music, I had an example that played out right before my eyes of God's calling and how it is a life or death requirement of those who He calls. That example was Neal's life. One night around this time Neal called me up in tears. This was after another failed marriage. He said that the calling was so strong for him to preach that he didn't know what to do. I told him that he just needed to go to church, re-dedicate his life, and announce the calling. He was afraid of what people might think. Mainly because of the two failed marriages. Neal really laid heavy on my heart and I woke up in the middle of the night with 3 words in my head. Surrender or suffer. I knew that I needed to tell Neal this and called him up right then. He was already awake because the Lord had been dealing with him at the same time. For some reason Neal just couldn't bring himself to surrender. Over the course of the next 3 years I watched Neal suffer. It went from stomach problems, to kidneys, to liver, to small intestine. In the last few days of his life in ICU I told Neal that I still thought if he would surrender he would totally get well and preach God's word. He still wouldn't do it. I asked him if he died is he sure he will go to Heaven and his exact words were "I have no doubt about it". Two days later Neal died at 35 years of age. A lot of people just think that Neal lived too hard or it was just Diabetes, but I know why Neal died at 35. 3 words; Surrender or suffer.
This is just another reason that I passionately pursue the calling of God to spread His word through gospel music.
July 8, 2005-
NQC and regional (non-fulltime) groups- I've often wondered about this. Is it really worth it for a regional group to rent a booth, make the trip, or even be on a showcase at NQC? Don't think I'm going back to my old negative griping posts. This is an honest open question that I would like some comments on. I really don't know one way or other if it is worth it or not. I can see a few advantages, but I see more cost than profit from it. I know you can walk around and maybe converse with some of the big boys and maybe get some advice from them, but you could do that as a fan. I know that Jason Waldroup (spelling?) practically got his position with Greater Vision at NQC, but I wonder how many groups are "discovered" there? If you are a regional group from Kentucky or the surrounding states you might obtain bookings if someone buys a CD or hears you on a showcase. Of course, if you are not from the area it is more of a long shot that someone from your area will book you and most regional groups are just that, they sing in their region of the country only. The responsibilities of fulltime jobs makes it hard to travel anytime except the weekend. So let me hear it from some of you who have experienced the advantages and disadvantages or just have opinions about it. Maybe it will be a learning experience for all? Email comments to gospelcommentary@yahoo.com
NQC (update of NQC and regional groups)- So far only one person has commented about my July 8th post below. I know by my hit counter that folks have read it, but no one seems to have any input. I don't know if this is bad or good? Come on folks I know out of the approx. 250 hits since the 8th more than one person has an opinion. By the way, the person that did respond is going to be on a showcase, but seems to be having second thoughts to how worth it the whole thing will be (their full statement is in the comments section). gospelcommentary@yahoo.com
July 12, 2005-
Nobody has said it better- I don't know how many of you get the Gospel Great's newsletter, but Phil Cross is quoted in this month's issue. Every so often on a blog or message board the subject will come up of Hymns vs. ("versus" may not be the proper term for some of the discussions) Praise and Worship and this is close to what Paul Heil is talking about in the newsletter. It is no wonder that Phil Cross is one of the best songwriters of our time. He can not only convey a message clearly through songs. He can also convey the truth through statements without music. This is what he says concerning Hymns and Praise and Worship:
"First of all, music was created by God to equip His creation with a tool for giving praise and honor to Himself. What's called "praise music" today in many churches is fulfilling that role – and doing it well."
"But there is another role for music which the praise-only crowd sometimes overlooks: Music is not only for praising God, but for teaching and encouraging people about God.... This is where Southern Gospel [songs] and the hymns step up to the plate. And, personally, I believe [they] have been hitting home-runs for generations,"
I believe ole Phil hit a homerun with his statement too.
July 18, 2005-
An interesting (but different) point of view- In my July 12 post I quoted a couple of statements of Phil Cross about Christian music and a reader commented about Phil's statements. I can't agree with the reader, but he does have some interesting but different points of view (maybe they are just different to me?). If you agree or disagree let me know. Here is the reader's view in an email and my reply:
"This is where I believe that Phil is missing something.
We (at least I do) that the bible is the inspired word of God as a plenary inspiration. In other words the bible is complete in every respect and God-breathed. That is the literal interpretation of the words 'plenary inspiration.' Therefore it is complete. Does God still speak to people like that today? Nope. Does he allow the Holy Spirit to work on people's hearts to use their talent in such a way that is glorifying to God? Absolutely. Music was not recorded in history until quite some time after creation. God created man with a certain set of abilities/skills. Man has used those skills in many ways to give Honor, Praise and Worship to God. Many of those skills can also (just like music) be used to cause harm to the flesh. It should be our prayer not just when we sing to be used as God's instrument, but to be used as an instrument in every way of our lives. Does GOD inspire people today? Does God breathe words into people? Think not. We may be simply scrapping over semantics here, but I think it is a point worth making."This is my reply: "I guess you will have to take it up with Phil. I totally respect what you are saying, but I can't say I totally agree with it. "Does GOD inspire people today? Does God breathe words into people? Think not." To me this is putting limits on the limitless. This sounds like you are saying that God didn't inspire Dianne Wilkinson to write We Shall See Jesus, or Joel Lindsey to write Calvary Answers For Me, or Squire Parsons to write Beulah Land, etc. etc."
July 15, 2005- Another comment about NQC and regional groups has been added to the Comments page. Looking forward to hearing more. gospelcommentary@yahoo.com
July 19, 2005-
Where are all the sharks?- Avery's post "The waters, chummed and roiling" about the reaction to Kenny Bishop's site on SGN and SGML confuses me. After reading it http://www.averyfineline.com/gospelmusic/sg1.htm#the_waters_roiling I expected to go over to SGN and SGML and read threads where people were at each other's throats. That is certainly not the case. Sure, there was discussion, but I wouldn't even call it heated discussion. Most all posts were civilized yet questioning. No one was overly curious but they were supportively concerned (just as I) of the lack of clarity in Kenny's statements. It seems to me that the "chum" that Avery put out did not attract the sharks. With all due respect, Avery could write a 10 page essay on the price of eggs in China. Why waste webspace chumming waters with Kenny Bishop?
July 20, 2005-
God promotes- A couple more comments about "NQC and regional groups" have been added to the comments page. One reader made a great statement along the lines of being "discovered" at NQC and a plan to raise a group to the next level. He said "God will promote who He wants to be “raised up” for this time. I’ll wait for His call." So true!!
July 25, 2005-
My very small take on Harry Potter- Kenneth Kirksey has been giving his opinions about Harry Potter so I thought that I would tell what little I know about the series of books. I usually don't try to make a big deal out of things that are fiction such as books and cartoons. I think we should watch out for what we and our kids put into our minds, but I don't think we should be fanatical and have book burnings. I remember back in my teen years an evangelist would come around talking about Rock music and how it was of the devil and if you listened to it you would soon become demon possessed. Sure, I've heard rock songs that, judging from the lyrics, were probably inspired by satan, but I didn't listen to them. This travelling anti-rock evangelist even said Lynyrd Skynyrd was demon possessed. That is just plain fanatical. I wouldn't have the voice I have if it wasn't for those long teen nights of singing every Skynyrd song ever recorded. Back to the Harry Potter deal. By what I just got through saying you are probably going to think "this guy is wishy-washy" when I say that I don't let my son read the Harry Potter books. I didn't do extensive research, I'm just going on one thing that I heard with my own ears. A gentleman from my church was a former devil worshiper and came to know Christ after the death of his mother. He brought a recording of a meeting that he was part of in the satanic church where they practiced witchcraft and satanic rituals. He played part of the tape to us in SS class. The part he played was a chant. He then played the audio of one of the Harry Potter movies. Guess what? The words were exactly the same. That was enough evidence for me not to let my son read the books. I'm not judging anyone who likes them or even lets their kids read them. That is their choice not mine.
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