Texas-style Gospel Music for listeners in Canada
Texas Gospel Canada added new music to our rotation Wednesday evening including songs from Karen Peck and New River, Michael Booth and Donna Ulisse. Though the world is going through extraordinary times, the songs released this week seem to reflect a message needed by Christians and non-Christians alike: Hope.
These are some of the latest attacks on the church and church property as reported by news agencies around the world.
A group that’s been together since its first performance in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee in 2003 is our #1 pick for the month of August
FLOYD ROGERS, TEXAS GOSPEL CANADA VOLUNTEER
Some atheist writers expound on the idea that Christianity is in retreat as they strive to get others to abandon their faith. One writer proclaimed with glee that, “religion isn’t just losing members – it’s also losing social status and public prestige.” He made it clear this was not just a non-consequential observation, it was something he touted as reason to rejoice. Let’s examine his position. Is it true that Christianity is in retreat? Why would someone who claims to be void of belief so strongly desire that others turn from Jesus?
Let’s talk about that first question: Is Christianity in retreat? If by retreat one means to imply that God is becoming less important, then no. God’s importance has not changed. But if by retreat one means there are fewer people who understand the importance of God, then yes; that’s something the Bible tells us to expect. 1 Timothy tells us, “…that in the last days many people will turn from their faith.” 2 Timothy tells us many of the people who turn from God will have, “…a form of godliness but denying its power.” So yes, for thousands of years we’ve been expecting a time when people will turn from God. A yes or no answer does not address the assumed premises that are possible when one asks: Is Christianity in retreat.”
The second question is addressed in scripture. Why would a person who claims to have no belief either way so strongly advocate for others to turn from God? Consider John tells us,” Everyone who does evil hates the light…” Because of this, if rejection of a Holy God is evil, then those who reject God hate the light. They may not acknowledge or even be aware of their hatred, but some are so motivated to oppose Christianity that they create websites, produce podcasts and write books trying to encourage others to follow them in their rejection of God.
God is there. You can choose to seek and find Him, or allow yourself to become blinded by the god of this world to the wonderful gift of salvation through the blood of Jesus.
Which do you choose?
Texas Gospel Canada has learned that Ernie Dawson, manager and lead singer of Heirline, has passed away after a battle with several illnesses.
Ernie wrote many of the group’s songs including My mama’s prayer, He’s alive, and Lord send me a refuge. He and his son Eric co-wrote Jesus has conquered the grave which gave the group its first top ten song.
According to the group’s website, “Ernie was raised by his Aunt and Uncle, Grace and Robert Cleveland, in Orme, Tn.  There were 11 children raised in a three room house along with his birth Mom, Bertha Dawson.”
According to his obituary, his funeral is set for Friday, July 31, 2020 with a graveside service at 1 p.m. at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Bridgeport, Alabama. The Rev. Michael Shrum and Rev. Darrell Nunley will officiate.
FLOYD ROGERS, TEXAS GOSPEL CANADA VOLUNTEER
I’ve been told there are things in the Bible that are contradictory; therefore, they say the Bible is in error. Oddly enough, most of the folks who have said this to me also maintain that the Bible means whatever a reader wants it to mean, and this is where the real problem lies. If one believes Bible verses have no intrinsic meaning, of course readers can see “contradictions” if that’s what they want to see. To be clear, this does not mean the Bible contradicts itself. It does demonstrate that if one falsely believes the Bible’s meaning changes depending on desire, then people who desire to find contradictions will do so. But does the Bible’s meaning change?
The Book of John tells us when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. Mark tells us, to you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that “they may indeed see but not perceive…” I believe these scriptures, and others like them, tell us that knowing God’s word is a gift. I believe it’s the same as grace and faith. Ephesians says, For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.
By the way, the Bible isn’t unique when it comes to people quarreling over meaning. Legal contracts, charters, constitutions, ALL have been misinterpreted to match people’s wants and desires. Isn’t this alone a good reason to ask God to open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in His law?
What are your thoughts?
Daywind Records
Southern Gospel legend, Ed Hill has passed away. Hill was one of the founding members of The Prophets Quartet in 1959. He served as baritone and manager for the group for most of the life of the group.
Hill retired The Prophets Quartet in 1973, joining JD Sumner And The Stamps, in the baritone position. This is the configuration of the group that served as backup for Elvis Presley from 1971 until his death in 1977. Hill was responsible each evening at the end of the Elvis concerts for uttering that famous phrase, “Elvis has left the building.”
Ed Hill would go on to be a part of The Singing Americans, Masters V and finally The Songefellows Quartet. He was inducted into the SGMA Hall of Fame in 2009.
Have you ever heard someone claim that Christianity is just one of many paths to God? It’s a self-contradictory argument and one of which I was surprised to find a resurgence. Why is it self-contradictory?  Why is it repeated so often?
It contradicts itself because if Christianity is one of many paths, then it cannot be exclusive. Yet the Bible, the book that defines Christianity, tells us in Acts that salvation is found in no one else but Jesus. The book of Acts goes on to say there is no other name under Heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. The book of John tells us Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  There are many other scriptures that make it clear that Jesus is an exclusive path to God. If someone were to say they don’t believe in the Bible, then they profess that they believe Christianity is not a path to God. The Bible and Christianity are not separable. Christianity cannot be one of many ways to God. Jesus is either Lord OF all or He’s not Lord AT all.
The claim that Jesus is just one path to God may be sprouting up now because it sounds inclusive. It also puts man in charge. It says we can pick and choose our God as if reality is some sort of cosmic buffet where we select our desires. That would be great if we created God. But God created us. There’s only one creator of the universe. There’s only one God. And he offers you a way to know Him despite sins that you and all humanity commit. The path to God is through the blood of His son Jesus.
Will you accept his precious gift?
