Author: Texas Gospel

Mark Bishop brings playful gospel message in new single “You Better Go Read It”

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

AMY TURNER

Mark Bishop has released a new single through Sonlite Records, and it carries a message as timeless as the book it points to. Titled “You Better Go Read It,” the song follows his previous release “The Fishing Pole,” a quieter, country-flavoured reflection on life’s journey, and marks a clear shift in mood. This new track is upbeat and soulful, built on a syncopated rhythm and wrapped in a spirit of joyful urgency.

The idea behind the song came from an everyday moment most people know well. Bishop explained it this way: “How many times has a strange icon lit up on the dashboard of your car, and you have to fish out the owner’s manual in the glove compartment to figure out what’s going on? Wouldn’t it be great if we had a manual for when our lives needed some tune-up or repair? Guess what… we do!”

The answer, as Bishop sees it, has been there all along. “But it doesn’t do you any good if you don’t go read it,” he said.

“All of the answers are right there. It’s called the Bible, and it’s an owner’s manual for your life. Yours. Our newest song, ‘You Better Go Read It,’ is a playful, happy reminder that God has given us a gift… a roadmap… an instruction book… an insurance policy. But it does you no good if you don’t read it.”

That lighthearted but pointed tone comes through from the very first lines of the song, where Bishop sets the scene with a direct question to the listener: Can I have your attention? This’ll only take a minute. You’re runnin’ in the rat race. Now how ya’ gonna win it? Do you know where you’re going? When the journey’s through? Got any idea… who might be waitin’ for you?

The chorus opens things up further, with label mate Amber Lynn joining Bishop in alternating harmonies that give the song an energetic back-and-forth feel: You better go read it. It’s right there in the Word. You’re really gonna need it. Maybe you haven’t heard, There’s a hell and a heaven, there’s a right way and a wrong. By the end of the journey, who’s side will you be on? There’s a road map… you get to see it. But you better go read it.

The single also marks a milestone for someone close to Bishop. “I am especially excited for you to hear this new song,” he said, “because it also features my friend and live concert piano player, Tony Gross. If you’ve come to any of our concerts, you already know how talented this young man is on the keys. Well… now you can hear Tony play whenever you want to. Ladies and gentlemen… I present to you, recorded for the first time, the musical talents of Tony Gross on our newest song… ‘You Better Go Read It’!”

Walking in the Spirit shows true faith

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

RICHARD CORDER

The measure of genuine salvation is not found in what someone claims to know or says they believe. Instead, it is revealed through how a person actually lives their daily life. This practical test of faith centers on whether someone walks in the Spirit or continues following the desires of their old nature.

For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want. Galatians 5:16-17; IRS Images, 2025

When a person becomes a Christian, an immediate internal conflict begins. Before conversion, people simply do whatever they want, following their natural desires without spiritual resistance. However, once someone truly comes to Christ, the Holy Spirit takes residence within them and begins leading them toward God’s ways. This creates tension between what the flesh wants and what the Spirit desires. The flesh refers to more than just physical temptations. It encompasses everything related to self-centered living, including self-promotion, selfish priorities, and insisting on one’s own way. This stands in direct opposition to life in the Spirit, which operates through submission to God.

Christ provides the perfect model of this submitted life. Although He was God, He chose to submit fully to the Father’s will. He possessed the Spirit completely and demonstrated what it means to walk in obedience rather than self-will. This same struggle between flesh and Spirit defines the Christian experience. The flesh constantly seeks its own exaltation while the Spirit calls believers toward obedience to God’s word.

Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days;
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

The works of the flesh are not mysterious or hidden. They include sexual sins like adultery, fornication, uncleanness, and inappropriate behavior. They also encompass false religious practices such as idolatry and sorcery. Additionally, they involve destructive social behaviors including hatred, quarreling, jealousy, angry outbursts, etc. Those who continuously practice such things without repentance will not inherit God’s kingdom. This warning addresses people who make these sins their lifestyle and refuse to abandon them, not believers who occasionally stumble but genuinely desire to live righteously.

The contrast to these destructive patterns is the fruit of the Spirit. This fruit is singular, not plural, because it all flows from one source: the Holy Spirit dwelling within believers. This fruit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. No law exists against such qualities.

Love here means choosing to care for others regardless of whether they deserve it or make us feel good. It reflects how Christ loved humanity, not because people were lovable, but by deliberate choice. This love for fellow believers serves as evidence that someone has passed from spiritual death to life.

Joy is a deep sense of well-being completely independent of circumstances. Unlike happiness, which depends on favorable situations, joy remains constant even during terminal illness or severe hardship because it flows from relationship with Christ through the Spirit’s presence.
Peace means the calm assurance of being right with God. This tranquility persists regardless of external difficulties or testing circumstances.

Patience involves enduring hardships and accepting irritating situations with grace, recognizing that God allows all circumstances for purposes of growth and transformation.

Kindness shows tender concern for others, treating them gently as the Lord treats believers. It makes one’s presence a blessing rather than a burden to others.

Goodness reflects moral and spiritual excellence expressed through active kindness toward others.
Faithfulness demonstrates loyalty and trustworthiness in all relationships and commitments.
Gentleness describes a humble attitude that remains patiently submissive even when offended, free from revenge or retaliation.

Self-control enables believers to restrain their passions and appetites, measuring their words and actions carefully before responding.

Walking in the Spirit happens through immersion in God’s word. The Spirit leads believers through Scripture, never contradicting what He inspired. This is why genuine Christians develop a hunger for the Bible and expect teaching to come from it. The Spirit uses the word as believers read and meditate on it to direct them into lives pleasing to God. Living with purpose means living in obedience to Scripture, even when that obedience creates difficulty or conflicts with personal preferences. This walk requires constant vigilance because sin always waits at the door for an opportunity to attack. The flesh never becomes sanctified or holy.

No amount of human effort or determination can accomplish this spiritual walk. Just as the temple could not be rebuilt through human might or power but only through God’s Spirit, learning to walk in the Spirit cannot happen through personal strength. It requires being filled with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit does His work perfectly and simply wants believers to yield to Him.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want.

Galatians 5:16-17

Sunday Drive releases new album “Rise and Shine” on StowTown Records

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

AMY TURNER

A family trio rooted in Tennessee has a new album out, and it carries a message of hope and faith. StowTown Records has announced the release of Rise and Shine, the second full album from Sunday Drive. The group made up of husband and wife Jeff and Misty Treece, and Jeff’s brother Dusty Treece.

The album blends new original songs with reimagined older favourites and a well-known modern church standard, aiming to reach gospel music fans of all ages.

Sunday Drive is no stranger to success on the charts. The trio has earned Top 40 radio songs with “Grace and Glory,” “There’s Always A Place At The Table,” “God Will Be God,” and “Shine Down On Me.” They have also taken home multiple Vocal Group and Entertainer of the Year honours, and they remain a beloved name in southern and country gospel music. Beyond the recording world, they are regulars at Dollywood Theme Park, where they perform more than 40 dates each year.

Rise and Shine was produced by multi-award-winning Wayne Haun, whose personal connection to the Treece family runs deeper than the recording studio. Haun grew up in the same town as the group and shared his feelings about the project:

“While each album is special to me, this one is a little extra special. Most people don’t know, but I grew up in the same town as this talented family. As a child and even into our teenage years, our paths crossed many times at concerts and church services. Jeff and I would dream of making music together, and now here we are on the other side of it all these years later. I’m glad the Lord gives us the desires of our hearts.”

The album also holds a deeply personal meaning for Haun because of the Treece family’s matriarch, Violet Treece, who passed away before her time. He explained:

“This album is also special to me because as a child one of my favorite songs was written by Violet Treece, who left us way too soon. She was a mentor and encourager to me and even prayed over me that God would use my gifts. I was beyond happy that ‘The Way, The Truth, The Life’ was chosen from her song portfolio for this project. When I was a kid, they called it their ‘Taco Bell Song,’ and now it has a Caribbean feel, but the timeless message is still the same.”

Among the other songs on the record is “Through It All,” a classic written by legendary gospel artist AndraĂ© Crouch. The track features sweeping harmonies from Hillcrest Nashville alongside Misty Treece’s lead vocal, offering a powerful reflection on God’s faithfulness. Also featured is “Mountains Are Made to Climb,” written by Jeff Treece, Joel Lindsey, and Donna King. That song includes a guest performance from TaRanda Greene, whose voice weaves naturally into the group’s layered harmonies.

Dusty Treece captured the spirit behind the album simply and directly:

“We are so excited about our new album! We want it to feel like a burst of sunlight, full of joy & hope. We wanted every song to celebrate God’s faithfulness and His promise of brighter days ahead. We pray this project blesses you as much as it blessed us recording it.”

With Rise and Shine, Sunday Drive offers listeners music grounded in harmony, family, and unwavering faith.

A promise prepared in quiet ways

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

JOHN COPIC

In the story of John the Baptist, we see how quiet faith and steady obedience can shape history in ways no one expects. His life begins with two older people, Zachariah and Elizabeth, who lived with devotion to God. They followed God’s ways with sincere hearts, yet they carried the pain of having no child. When an angel told Zachariah that Elizabeth would give birth, the message sounded impossible. Their age and long years of waiting made the promise hard to believe. Zachariah asked for a sign and received one, though not in the way he hoped. He lost his ability to speak until the child was born, a reminder that God’s word stands firm even when our faith feels weak.

Elizabeth’s pregnancy was a gift she had once given up hoping for. She kept herself out of public view for several months, likely waiting until her condition could not be questioned. When it became clear that she was expecting, the joy of the community would confirm the mercy she had received. Her quiet praise shows how God sometimes answers long–held desires in unexpected seasons.

John’s birth was more than a family blessing. His arrival fulfilled promises spoken generations earlier. Prophets had said that someone would prepare people to meet the Messiah. John was that person. He did not come as Elijah returned in the flesh, but he carried the same spirit and boldness. His purpose was simple and direct: to call people back to God and help them recognize the one who was coming after him.

Be still my soul the Lord is on thy side
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain
Leave to thy God to order and provide
In every change He faithful will remain

Yet even a person with a strong calling can struggle. Later, when John was imprisoned for speaking truth, he began to question whether Jesus was truly the one Israel had waited for. His suffering did not match the future he expected. So he sent his followers to ask Jesus for clarity. Jesus did not rebuke him. Instead, he pointed to the work being done. He spoke of the blind receiving sight, the lame walking, lepers cleansed, the deaf hearing, the poor hearing good news. These signs had been written long before in the words of Isaiah. Jesus used those promises to steady John’s heart. Through this, we see that doubt does not cancel faith; it reveals our need for God’s reassurance.

Jesus affirmed John’s place as a prophet with a unique role. He also explained that the least person in God’s kingdom now stands in a better place, because the promised Saviour has already come. John lived as the final voice announcing the arrival of someone greater.

John’s message was sharp but honest: turn from sin because God’s kingdom is near. Many people came to be baptized, admitting their wrongs and seeking a new start. But some came with pride, trusting their heritage instead of their hearts. John warned them that real change shows itself in a changed life, not in family ties or status. He spoke of judgment in clear terms and pointed to the one who would bring a deeper work, a cleansing that only God’s Spirit can give.

The account of John’s life shows that God works through ordinary people, difficult moments, waiting, and even doubt. God brings good from situations that seem broken, and he does not ask us to figure out how he will do it. Faith means trusting that his purpose will stand, even when our plans fall apart.

Come close to God and He will come close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 4:8

A phone call Jonathan Wilburn will never forget

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

AMY TURNER

Jonathan Wilburn has worked with producer Ben Isaacs for a long time. The two have a strong working relationship. Ben produced Wilburn’s latest project, Jesus Can. But their friendship goes beyond the studio. And one night, Ben proved just how well he knows his friend.

It started with a late-night FaceTime call. Wilburn wasn’t sure what to expect.

“I’m sitting at home one night, and this joker FaceTimes me, and it’s like a weird hour,” Wilburn recalled. “And Ben’s FaceTimed me. Oh, no, I hope he’s not in trouble. I’m going to get him out of jail or something. Again.”

When Wilburn answered, Ben wasn’t in trouble at all. He was somewhere far better.

“So he FaceTimes me. He goes, hey, man, guess where I’m at?” Wilburn said. “And I went, where? He went to Hawaii. And I went, you dog, you’re in Hawaii. And he went, yeah. I’m at Terry Bradshaw’s house.”

Wilburn wasn’t sure he’d heard right. Terry Bradshaw? The Hall of Fame quarterback who led the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl championships was on the other end of that call?

“And I went, Terry Bradshaw’s house? I was like, yeah right,” Wilburn said. “And he just goes, yeah. Here’s Terry Bradshaw. Boom.”

For most people, a surprise celebrity appearance on a phone call might be a fun story to tell later. For Wilburn, it was something more. He’s a lifelong Steelers fan, and Bradshaw is one of only two people who have ever left him truly starstruck.

“Well, he knew growing up and still I’m a huge Steelers fan,” Wilburn said. “I’m not one of these starstruck people, but there’s two people I’m starstruck over, and that would be Elvis and Terry Bradshaw.”

When Bradshaw appeared on screen, Wilburn was immediately moved, but so was Bradshaw, it turned out.

“So he puts Terry Bradshaw on there, and I’m looking, and Terry goes, hey, man, I love your singing. When you sang with Gold City, man, I just. And so he said, man, I love it.”

Then, in true fan fashion, Wilburn couldn’t help himself. He had to bring up the moments that had meant so much to him growing up.

“And I went, hey, Terry, you remember that time you threw that past the Lynn Swan in the Super Bowl, and you scored a touchdown? You remember that? Do you remember Jack Lambert? You remember him?”

Bradshaw, gracious and good-humoured, took it all in stride.

“And so Terry just kind of goes, yeah, man, it’s good to see you. Here’s Ben.”

It was a brief moment, but one that clearly left a lasting impression, a reminder that the bond between Wilburn and Isaacs runs deeper than music.