Author: Texas Gospel

Distinguished scientist and Christian author John Polkinghorne dies aged 90

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Floyd Rogers

I never met The Rev Canon John Polkinghorne.  The first time I encountered his name was in a college philosophy textbook, one I was surprised to find still listed for sale online. Today as I read his obituary (More than a month after his death,) I feel a sense of regret having never met the man. I would love to have talked to him about his unique life path.

Dr. Polkinghorne was a Professor of Mathematical Physics at Cambridge from 1968 until 1979.  His published works include titles such as The Analytic S-Matrix (1966,) The Particle Play (1979,) Models of High Energy (1980,) and 31 others.  But he resigned his position in the physics world to become an Anglican priest, though he remained an Honorary Fellow of the college until his death.

His worldview stood as a testament against the claims of some atheist writers who insist there is some barrier between science and Christianity.  Polkinghorne saw no barrier.  He believed, as other people of science believe, that advances in his field made it easier to believe in God.  It is also the reason I felt it appropriate to make this post about his death on the website of a Southern and Country Gospel radio station.  The purpose of the station is to encourage Christians in a world that is becoming increasingly hostile to our faith. To that end, I hope highlighting Polkinghorne’s life (and others throughout the year) will shed light on the false idea that one must make a choice between following God or studying His creation.  Polkinghorne’s words illuminated this idea in the mind of a much younger me years ago as a college student. I hope his words will continue to do the same for others.

 John Polkinghorne was 90.

Amazing Grace by Dolly Parton could become state song in Tennessee

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Jeff Turner

The state House of Tennessee has honored Dolly Parton, who was born in Tennessee, by passing a bill that if signed by the Governor would make “Amazing Grace” sung by Dolly Parton the official state song.

State Rep. Mike Sparks (R-Smynra) introduced HB 0938 in February.  State Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis) introduced SB 1416.  The house bill passed 91-1 on Monday. If the bill makes it all the way through the legislative process the song would become the eighth designated state song of Tennessee.

The General Assembly on Monday also adopted a resolution recognizing Parton for her, “cultural contributions and philanthropy.”

Sunday Drive

Sunday Drive’s remake of ‘Born Again’ marks a significant landmark for Jeff Treece

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JEFF TURNER

Childhood memories and a significant milestone for Sunday Drive’s Jeff Treece are some of the reasons the group decided to re-release a popular song from four decades ago.

“The older I get the more I reminisce about the good old days,” said Treece as he told the story about bringing back the 1979 song Born Again.

“One of the biggest years in my life was 1979. In 1979 I started two journeys. As a child I gave my heart to my Lord and Savior and I started playing the piano for my family group called Cedar Ridge,” he said.

Cedar Ridge formed in the early 60’s.  Jeff continued with the family group through the 90’s.  Their last project (or at least the last one in the Texas Gospel library) is Still Blessed, released in 1996. That recording was made made 17 years after very young Jeff Treece began playing piano for Cedar Ridge and learning what it means to be a part of a long-lived gospel group.

“I was young and not very good on the piano, but mom and dad let me grow into the position.”

This is where Born Again came into play as gospel music began to make significant changes in Treece’s life.

“It (Born Again) really touched my heart because I had just been born again. I would sit at the piano and sing as loud as I could _I’m so glad that I’ve been born again_! When we were recording the “A Million Miles” record I realized I had been saved for 40 years and I asked Misty if she would bring back the old hit.”

Jeff said they have received correspondence from people thanking them for re-recording the classic song.  Listen for Born Again throughout the broadcast day on Texas Gospel Canada!

Boulder police arrest Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 21, of Arvada. He is charged with 10 counts of murder in the first degree (Photo: Boulder Police Department)

How can you say ‘Jesus won’ after a tragedy?

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(Photo: Boulder police arrest Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 21, of Arvada. He is charged with 10 counts of murder in the first degree / Courtesy: Boulder, Colorado Police Department)

FLOYD ROGERS

A reporter talked to a man who survived the March 22, 2021 mass shooting at a Colorado grocery store. The witness, Neven Sloan, told the journalist something that may be hard for non-Christians to understand.

“Satan hasn’t won today,” he said.

“…Even though this evil thing has happened, Satan hasn’t won… Jesus has won,” he told the reporter.

How can someone say Jesus won when ten people died?

Well, if this life is temporary; if this life is our time of sorrow; if all pain is over and an eternity with God begins when this life ends, then death doesn’t mean that Satan has won. It only means our time here is done.

Scoffers see this as Satan’s win because they assume it’s the end, not the beginning.

Crimes against the church this week

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These are some of the crimes against the church reported this week in North America. This is not intended to be an exhaustive report. It is only a sample of crimes reported by news agencies in Canada and the US over the past seven days.

Two off-duty officers in Manitoba were able to subdue a man who used profanities and flashed a gun to threaten worshipers at the Westside Community Church of Morden this past weekend. Witnesses said the man lifted his sweater, displayed a gun.  The off-duty were attending the service. They took the man into custody without any injuries.  Officers determined the man’s weapon was a fake. Dustin Warkentin, 32, is accused of weapon, assault and disturbance charges.

Investigators with the Powell County, Kentucky sheriff’s office are investigating thousands of dollars in damage caused by criminals who ransacked a church building. A sheriff’s office spokesperson said someone overturned pews, smashed holes in the walls and caused extensive damage to the sanctuary of the South Fork Church of God.  The vandal or vandals’ motive is not known.

The Knights of Columbus spent last weekend removing satanic graffiti from outside the church of St. Joseph in Washington, D.C. A vandal, or vandals, left an image of a pentagram, the word Lucifer, and some indistinguishable writing. Patrick Abbot, an officer in the Knights of Columbus, said the vandalism was like Satan’s empty promises in that they were easily washed away.

A man accused of setting a Florida church on fire last year is facing a federal hate crime’s charge.  A federal grand jury indictment was handed up Wednesday against Steven Shields, 24, of Dunnellon, Florida. A press release from the U.S. Justice Department says the indictment alleges that he was motivated to set the fire due to the religious character of the church.

  • Steven Shields

Boston police are looking for a man who’s wanted in connection with two incidents of vandalism at Catholic churches in Dorchester and South Boston. Around 6:30 a.m. Monday an unknown substance was found on several doors at St. Teresa of Calcutta Church and St. John Paul II Catholic Academy in Dorchester. Two hours later officers were called to St. Augustine Church in South Boston where a similar substance was found on doors and a statue was toppled.