Author: Texas Gospel

Church News weekend report

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Jeff Turner

Reports of vandalism and acts of aggression against the Church in North America have been light this week.

A project to rebuild a church building destroyed by arson in British Columbia may be complete as early as June.  The rebuild of Murray Church in Merritt has been slowed because of COVID-19 restrictions. The man accused of intentionally setting fire to the structure and two other houses of worship is awaiting trial. The court has issued a publication band on any specifics of the case.

Three statues at the Holy Rosary Church in Woodland, California were vandalized this week.  No property was taken, and the motive – if any -behind the vandalism is not known. The Holy Rosary Church has been part of the Woodland community for more than 150 years.

A vandal or vandals set fire to a shrine in Ludlow, Massachusetts on Friday.  A spokesperson for Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Ludlow said damage was limited to an arch over a statue of Mary.

A Sacred Heart of Jesus Statue has been restored at St. Patrick Cathedral in El Paso, TX after a year’s work to repair $25,000 in damage caused by vandal. The Police last year charged Isiah Cantrell, 31, with vandalism and drug possession shortly after the crime.

That’s a look at crimes against the church in North America this week

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!