Will the Circle Be Unbroken

I took this video when I was in Seattle at Pike Place Market last weekend with friends. These guys were amazing. All acapella, and able to work through all the noise of the market downtown. Some street groups like this only sing a couple of gospel songs, but these guys were singing them all afternoon. I enjoyed it and I hope you do too.

What are you listening to?

I've been absent for quite a bit now. I just haven't been feeling the desire to blog. Until today as a friend sent me a link to read that brought some thoughts to my mind.

Let me begin by stating, just in case you all haven't figured it out yet, that I'm extremely blessed to be in a church that wants to do things the Bible way and not mans way. That the leadership of our church desires to please God rather than man. Yes, in times past that may have cost us potential members or even chastisement from the community, but in the end it's all served as a purpose for growing and maturing the saints here at Bible Baptist.

One standard that can be a point of contention, besides dress, is music. Christian music is designed to be just that, Christian. Not worldly, or having the "right Bible words" while sharing a rhythm with a electric guitar. If that sounds weird to some of you might I remind you that God has called Christians a peculiar people. 1 Peter 2:9 exhorts us to be so "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:" and we are also exhorted to not be a part of this world and it's snares as well, Romans 12:2, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Part of that perfect will involves listening to music that edifies the spirit. In my experience the CCM movement has not achieved that separation from the world, nor does it edify my spirit.

In the email that I eluded to earlier Alyssa sent me an article written by Bro. David Cloud, a man who does his research supporting Bible doctrines, like the one that I read today on music and the direction that a well known Bible college seems to be going with their music. Here is the article for your own perusal. Mark 3:25 says "And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand". A "house" like West Coast has already set itself up for failure since it's not doing what the Bible says to like in Ephesians 5:19, "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" and Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord., yet it tries to promote Biblical values. At this point and time there are songs that I enjoy from the WCBC choir that do not fall into this category, but sad to say that usually where there is smoke, there is also fire. SO it might not be very long before I stop listening to their music.

SO if not this music that what? Well...it just so happens that I know a man who has put together a terrific series on messages on this topic, and taught it to our church back ion 2009. There's a series of 5 messages, which are all listed below, or you can also access them from Sermon Audio, along with a few other messages that I enjoy.

God's Music #1
God's Music #2
God's Music #3
God's Music #4
God's Music #5

Climbing Mountains

Do you ever feel like you are climbing mountain that you have yet to summit?

I do.

Have you ever hiked up a mountain?

I have.

Mountains are challenges. No doubt about it. But the reward that you receive at the top usually involves overlooking some majestic valley! In a word it's breathtaking!

Sometimes mountains are self-inflicted, like debt. Sometimes the Lord puts them in front of us so that we can learn and grow as we climb up closer to Him, on the mountaintop. No matter what the cause for the mountain the effort that it takes to move upward forces our eyes in that direction; Psalm 121:1,2 ~ I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

That's definitely what I've been having to do as I've been coming through the month of March. February is a great month to get paid in! Before I continue let me explain that I only get paid once a month. That's just the way that my employer has it set up, which is nice because I always know exactly what I have to spend and makes for easy budgeting, but not nice in the way that I know that's all I get, but I digress. Basically it's a nice month to get paid in because it's a short month, which psychologically has the capability to make me feel like they have a little more money at the end of the month and that payday is right around the corner. But then comes March, which is 31 days long:( , which makes it feel like FOREVER until the next payday.

Today was payday, and so I made my first of many BIG payments on my CC. It's not a huge dent, but it's a dent none the less. The first of many dents I also might add.

In the spirit of encouragement, for those of you out there facing your own mountains, here is a lovely video put together by Abigail Miller's husband. It's from her song called "The Mountaintop". If you're intersted in owning her music for yourself check out this link, Abigail Miller music. I own 2 of her CD's and it's great music to meditate on! I hope you enjoy the video as well.

P.S. In the interest of full disclosure I actually didn't watch the video until I posted it to my blog, so I had no idea that they used Psalm 121 at the end of the video as well :) I love the way God works.

And God send you a Happy New Year

Happy New Year to you all, mysterious readers that you are. Roughly 2,300 views of my blog this year and yet the only comments still remain from my friends. Oh well, thank you for reading anyway.

Last night was our annual watch night service at church. There was Pastor Sargent's annual Bible Quiz, this year it was taken out of 1 Thessalonians. And naturally there was preaching. This year, however, we had Talent Time a time were we got to share our talents that the Lord has blessed us with. See out church theme for this year id Cultivating the Commitment. There are plenty of able bodies in out church that have gifts to share ad last night that was apparent to all.

There were music specials. . .

There were specials in song. . .

Kali & Alyssa Sing "Lord Here Am I"

A Girls Trio sings "I Love You Lord"

Finally the attenders were treaded to the Silent SPG's. The Monks are cute enough, but we all thought they were a bit played out at this point so we decided to simplify it. And you know what, everyone liked it just as much, even without all of the hype that the Monks have stirred up; and honestly this is the best time that we went through it, go figure.

2009 ended with a bunch of us over at the Waldron's ringing in the New Year with fun and laughs. This was the 3rd year that all of us showed up there and it will be sad that the tradition will have to change with their impending move accross the mountains. So it was nice to have that time together.

The best is yet to be, welcome 2010!

Free Music

There is such a want for good music that doesn't offend ones ear drums these days. When I say good, in reference to music what I really mean is music that glorifies God and edifies the spirit. Recently two free offers for such music have come my way. The end goal of these artists is to introduce their music to an audience, gain new listeners, without the pressure of purchasing one of them and then not liking it. Trust me though, you wont be
disappointed!

Portraits of Hope ~ This first one is by Greg Howlett that I received yesterday. His piano arrangements for these hymns is probably one of my favorites that I've ever had. Right now I'm stuck on "My Faith Looks Up to Thee". The violin accompaniment is just beautiful (I love string instruments). But his rendition of "Heaven Came Down" is wonderful as well. Very upbeat and joyful!

Hymns is the second offer, that I received today. It is by the Daybreak quartet, whom I have the pleasure of knowing personally. This album is dedicated to Pastor Gary Prisk who was taken home to glory just 3 years ago (it's hard to believe that it was that long ago). On it are some of his favorites. Here are the words of his son Nathan Prisk describing the album:

"I am excited about this CD. It is a tribute to Dr. Gary Prisk. Jason and I could not have asked for a better father and I have never come across a spiritual example whom I would want to emulate more. He started and pastored a church in Oak Harbor, Washington for 32 years before his Homegoing in 2006. He loved the Hymns for their message and timeless themes. It was a rare occasion when he would sing in public (our musical talent, if we have any, came from our mom), but I'm sure he's now singing all the time."

I'm sure that he's singing too Nathan! If you're not familiar with the music of the Daybreak Quartet, they are Southern Gospel, which may not be for everyone, but I enjoy them. The irony for me lies in the fact that I actually bought the CD when I first found out about it, before it was free. Oh well, it was worth it because today I received it in the mail and it was signed. I also get the pleasure of reading the liner notes and dedication to Pastor Prisk. It made me nostalgic for the comfort that his leadership and council brought to my life, as well as the friendship that I got to make with Meleah (but that I get to keep always).

My favorite song on the CD right now is "Constantly Abiding". The guys all break up into their appropriate parts and as the liner notes say it was Pastors favorite. However, what is also great about getting to read the cover is you get to find out who is playing the accompanyment on the CD. Wanna take a stab at guessing who plays the piano for Constantly Abiding? If you guessed Greg Howlett, then you win (but that's all you win).

I'm also linking their websites as well so that you can see the other music these artists offer...
The Daybreak Quartet
Gregg Howlwett

Anyway, I hope that you are all able to take advantage of these offers as they are only available for a limited time (Daybreak only lasts through July 24 and I'm not sure when Greg Howlett's offer ends). Ahhh, good music that soothes the aching eardrums.