Author: Texas Gospel

Did God blind a man just to teach a lesson?

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John 9:2-3 2 NASB And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.  

John 9:2-3 tells us Jesus’ disciples asked him who’s sin caused a man to be blind, his or his parents.  They were convinced that sin from one or the other caused the blindness.  Jesus said neither, but the man’s blindness, “was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” Does this mean that God blinded the man at birth so that years later Jesus could work a miracle? How would this be fair? I propose that this encounter may not be as it seems if a reader does a fast reading with a Western mindset.

Children who are born blind suffer as a result of a world that became corrupt because of sin; something that happened before their birth or their parent’s birth. Sin corrupted the world before either one arrived on Earth. The apostles didn’t ask if the child’s blindness was caused by sin.  They asked if the cause was his or his parent’s sin. Jesus spoke directly to their question; that is, if it was his or his parent’s sin that cause the blindness. But then he went a little further. He told them a purpose the man’s blindness served: So that God might be displayed in him.  Does this mean God blinded the man at birth so Jesus could work a miracle?  That is one way this sentence could be understood. But if I look at this without a Western cause-and-effect mindset, it could also be understood that Jesus answered their question and went on to answer a more important question than the one they asked.  They seemed to be more interested in knowing why the man was blind rather than helping him.  But as for Jesus, he told them what good could come out of this, then he healed the man. I am not saying my understanding of these verses are Gospel.  I am not a prophet, and I might be wrong. God may have allowed this man to be blind so that good could be worked through his healing. He may have given a purpose to this man’s blindness before he was born.  All we can do is speculate. But no matter why he was blind, is this fair?   

Life is very short, and it not fair. The Bible never claims that life is fair. But this life is not our destination. Life certainly was not fair to the blind man who did nothing to cause his own blindness. Life was also very unfair to Jesus who did nothing to deserve a life of persecution and death by crucifixion. The Bible’s message is not fairness in this life, it’s Salvation for eternity.  And salvation is not a matter of fairness; it’s a matter of Grace and open to all who will accept it.

What are your thoughts?

Also on the web:

Prayers For Heaven’s Mountain Band

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David Ingram

Texas Gospel Canada received the following from the Family Music Group:

We’ve received news that Deborah Johnson of Heaven’s Mountain Band has gone home to be with the Lord after having a severe stroke. Please lift up her husband, Roger, and all the Johnson family in your prayers during this difficult time.

Les Butler states, “Heaven’s Mountain Band and the Johnson family are very special to me. Our relationship goes well past being their producer and label owner. They are dear friends. We have traveled together, played and sang music together and most importantly we’ve worshiped together. I’ve spent many nights in Bro. Roger and Mrs. Debbie’s home and they always made me feel like family. Of course, we are family. We will miss sister Debbie, but not for long!”

About Deborah: Deborah grew up in East Tennessee with Godly parents and eight siblings. She began singing at an early age. Deborah and Roger married very young in life. She was thankful for her Christian family. Deborah believed her greatest accomplishment was that she was “born again.” Deborah stated, “My goal is to see souls saved and make Heaven my home.”

The Book of Matthew

Does Matthew 7:1-2 tell me I should not judge the actions of others?

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Floyd Rogers – Texas Gospel Volunteer, Christian writer

Matthew 7, 1-2 Do not judge, so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.  

It could easily be argued that Matthew 7:12 is one of the most often misquoted New Testament verses. Judge not, so that you will not be judged. Doesn’t this mean we are never to judge? I can’t answer that question without knowing what you mean by judge. And the answer requires us to understand what Jesus meant by “judge.” I think the answer lies in the context in which Jesus made this statement.

Immediately after Jesus told us not to judge, he used a metaphor of removing a log from your own eye before looking at a spec in your neighbor’s eye. It seems to me he’s saying you are to judge, but you need to clean your own act up first. And there’s more. In Verse 15 & 16 he went on to say, “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.” Isn’t Jesus directly telling us to judge to judge the actions of the prophet. So, how do you reconcile this with the verses telling us not to judge?

I think it’s clear we are to judge the actions of others with one notable restriction. Notice I said judge the actions, not the individual. Only God knows a person’s heart. We can judge a person’s actions when they are contrary to God’s Word. We can see the chaos that surrounds a false prophet that signals they are not teaching God’s Word. Too be clear, when we tell a person they are doing something contrary to what we are told in scripture, they are judged by God’s Word, not by us. As for that notable restriction I mentioned earlier. We are not even to judge the actions of others when we have obvious sin in our lives. I say this because we are told to get rid of the log in our eye before looking for specs in the eyes of others.  

To wrap this all up, you can judge if you mean judging what a person’s actions by what God’s word says. But you are not the judge of them, that’s God’s place only. The scripture says, “for in the way you judge, you will be judged.” I’d rather be judged by God than by a human like me who cannot see a person’s heart. Is it not also true that you open yourself to judgement by others if you walk around with open sin in your own life while pointing fingers. What do you think that would do to your witness?

What are your thoughts about Judgement?

Also on the web:

John MacArthur: Judging Others: The Verse Pagans Love to Quote

StowTown Records Announces New Digital Album Release From Talented Vocalist Buddy Mullins

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SPECIAL STOWTOWN RECORDS

Nashville, TN (March 17, 2023) – StowTown Records has announced the digital release of a brand new album from singer/songwriter Buddy Mullins. Fearless marks the debut release from Mullins under the StowTown label, and features 12 original cuts penned by Mullins, complemented by the rich, soulful vocals that have made this talented musician so loved by audiences for decades.

Buddy Mullins is no stranger to the gospel music arena. Over the years, Mullins has been featured on the popular Gaither Homecoming Video Series and even traveled as a member of the multi-Grammy winning, Gaither Vocal Band during the ’90s. His time with the group earned him an induction into the Gospel Music Association’s Hall of Fame. In addition to the Gaither Vocal Band, Mullins has had the privilege of performing with such acclaimed recording artists as Clay Crosse, NewSong, DC Talk, Newsboys, Steven Curtis Chapman and Amy Grant. He has also been featured with noted youth author and speaker, Josh McDowell, and has been a part of the renowned Billy Graham Crusades. Currently a member of the popular vocal group, The Booth Brothers, Mullins’ musical gifts and talents, as well as his endearing personality, have made him a favorite among fans and peers alike. 

The completion of Fearless brings to fruition a labor of love for Mullins, who, along with his wife Kerri, has devoted his life to world missions. Mullins serves as CEO of Hope for the World Foundation, an organization committed to sharing God’s love for people by providing their basic needs in order to share the love of Christ. The mission, originally born in Albania to provide for the extreme needs of orphans, has expanded to reach the gypsy community, as well as the underprivileged and handicapped residents of Albania. All proceeds from the sale of Fearless will support Hope for the World. StowTown Records President Landon Beene states, “Buddy Mullins is a seasoned veteran of the gospel music industry, and working with him is always a pleasure. His heart for people is evident in both his music and ministry, and the team at StowTown Records is happy to partner with him on the digital release of Fearless.”

The message of each song on Fearless is meant to provide hope. “This project was created from all we have been going through in our world over the past couple of years,” Mullins shares. “Realizing that we have not been given the ‘spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind,’ is what these songs proclaim!”  

Produced by multi-award winning musician/arranger Jason Webb, each song reminds and encourages the listener that God is in control regardless of life’s circumstances. The recording opens with “Moment of Hope,” which conveys the triumphant message of hope in Christ. Mullins enlisted his friends, The Gaither Vocal Band, to join him on this particular song, written after the intensity of the 2020 global lockdown and worldwide pandemic. A clear celebration of life, the song proclaims that in every situation children of God can find a moment of hope. “I don’t know of a better heart in the field of gospel music than Buddy Mullins. He believes and lives out what he sings,” expressed Bill Gaither.

“This is such a special project for me,” Mullins explains, “and I was thrilled to have some very special friends join me to help to make it so special. It meant so much to have my great friends, The Gaither Vocal Band sing with me, and I’m so grateful for my producer and friend Jason Webb, who truly caught the vision for these songs and brought them to life. I’m also grateful to StowTown and Provident for helping us get this message out in a powerful way.”

From beginning to end, Fearless conveys the overwhelming message of God’s provision, love and protection. “God, who has overcome the world,” Mullins states, “wants us to walk fearlessly into the future with the promise that He is there too. I believe these songs will strengthen the spirit and soul of each listener and encourage them to live out loud with confidence in Christ.”

The Primitive Quartet’s Stay Their Arms out now on digital platforms

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CROSSROADS RECORDS

Arden, North Carolina (March 17, 2023) — Even the most storied performing career must eventually come to an end, and for The Primitive Quartet â€” for more than half a century, faithful practitioners of an acoustic musical ministry rooted in the traditional sounds of Appalachian mountain churches and communities — that time has finally come.  

As a farewell to their many fans â€” and in addition to Through The Years, their remarkable digital multi-volume retrospective series for Mountain Home Music Company  â€” the group has released their last set of studio recordings, Stay Their Arms to digital platforms. The collection reveals a group as musically compelling and spiritually powerful as they were at their founding in 1973.

Hewing to the sturdy, down-to-earth approach that has characterized their music since the beginning, Stay Their Arms maintains a resolute focus on heartfelt originals that retell timeless truths in ways that inspire and comfort — although, as if to reaffirm their place in tradition one last time, the Quartet includes two of the best-loved songs from the canon in Albert E. Brumley’s “If We Never Meet Again” and R. E. Winsett’s “Will You Meet Me Over Yonder.” Yet new or old, each song glows with the warmth of wood and wire — mandolin, guitar, dobro, fiddle and bass — and the simple, straightforward tones of the human voice, sincere and unadorned, exemplifying the deep appeal that earned the group the devotion of countless audiences over their many years.

“After 50 years of music ministry, our touring days are coming to an end,” says The Primitive Quartet. “We hope our music will live on and be a blessing by way of our recorded songs. We’ve released Stay Their Arms, the final recording that we made, to all digital platforms. Thanks to all who have loved and supported us these many years. We love you all!”