Author: Texas Gospel

Michael Booth steps forward with new solo album, “This is now”

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Gospel music lovers have another reason to celebrate. StowTown Records has announced the release of “This Is Now,” a new solo album from Michael Booth, longtime member of the Booth Brothers.

For Booth, the project represents a milestone in self-discovery as a solo artist. “After doing the solo thing for a number of years, I think I’ve finally found my voice; what works and what is effective for me as an individual,” he shares. “It took some time to figure that out, because it’s so different than the trio, but I’ve found the dynamics and lyrical content that I’m looking for.”

Among the album’s highlights are two songs penned by acclaimed songwriter Josh Wilson: “Dream Small” and “That Was Then, This Is Now.” Booth doesn’t hide his admiration for Wilson’s writing. “I could’ve done a whole tribute album to Josh Wilson,” he says. “He’s an incredible artist and writer. It’s like he gets in my head, pulls out my own thoughts, and turns them into songs. I really love these two songs in particular.”

Another standout track, “If Not Today,” carries a special personal history. Originally recorded by the Travelers Quartet, the song was brought back to Booth’s attention by his own father just before a tracking session. Booth then reached out to Charlie Waller, the man who helped introduce the Booth family to audiences years ago, to secure a copy and give the song new life for today’s listeners.

Booth took the reins on production for this album, working alongside Steve Mauldin, with Darrell Toney helping shape the musical vision. “It was a fun experience for me to take control of the whole thing and do exactly what I wanted,” Booth says.

StowTown’s Director of A&R, Mary Alice Lovelace, points to the project as a reflection of Booth’s lifelong calling. “Michael has spent decades developing his ability to connect with people through music and testimony, and this album captures that gift in a very personal way,” she says. “‘This Is Now’ showcases Michael’s distinctive voice and heart for ministry, and we’re honored to share it with listeners.”

Booth’s story in gospel music stretches back to childhood, starting behind a drum kit before he began singing alongside his father, Ron Sr., and brother Ronnie. That path led him to the Booth Brothers, where he’s performed on stages around the world and earned GRAMMY nominations, GMA Dove Awards, and Singing News Fan Awards, among other honors. Now, “This Is Now” gives listeners a closer look at Booth as an individual artist and communicator, carrying that same legacy forward.

“This Is Now” is available now worldwide on digital and streaming platforms.

The danger of human tradition

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JEFF TURNER

Paul’s warning to the church in Colossae cautions against being led astray by philosophy and empty deception rooted in human tradition. This does not refer to harmless family customs or cultural practices passed down across generations, the kind of traditions many families cherish and continue intentionally. Instead, Paul is targeting something far more serious: religious systems and philosophies invented entirely by human reasoning, detached from divine revelation. These represent what scripture elsewhere calls the elementary principles of the world, immature ideologies and belief systems that originate either from demonic influence or purely human invention, lacking any grounding in God’s truth.

The broader principle Paul establishes is that any idea, however popular or longstanding, that stands outside or against the revealed knowledge of God qualifies as exactly this kind of tradition to be avoided. Believers are called to measure every philosophy and religious teaching against scripture rather than accepting ideas simply because they have been passed down or widely embraced within a culture.

We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

2 Corinthians 10:5

Living through Christ

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

At its core, the Christian life is the life of Jesus expressed through a person who has entered into a genuine relationship with God the Father through faith in the Son. Once that relationship begins, Christ himself takes up residence within the believer, and the Christian life becomes the outward flow of his life through that person.

As believers allow this to happen with genuine joy, God continues building up rewards for them, even though living for those rewards is never meant to be the primary motivation; it is simply what God has promised will happen. Through ongoing obedience and lifelong faithfulness to him, believers are assured that they will one day experience the fullness of God’s rich rewards for eternity as a result of their faithful service.

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:21

The difference between wise trust and blind trust

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Trust is often assumed to be something that should be given freely and without condition, but a closer look at Scripture reveals a more nuanced picture. Trust, properly understood, is not meant to be unconditional. Instead, it should be shaped by the actions and choices of the person receiving it. In some situations, choosing not to trust someone is actually the wiser and healthier path.

Mistakes are a normal part of any relationship, and grace exists precisely to cover those moments. Everyone falls short in one way or another. However, there is an important distinction to draw between a single mistake, one that is acknowledged, repented of, and followed by a genuine commitment to change and repair, and a repeated pattern of harmful behaviour. The first calls for grace and a path toward rebuilding trust. The second is a different situation entirely, one where continuing to extend full trust may not be wise.

Recognizing this difference protects people from being taken advantage of while still leaving room for genuine forgiveness and restoration when it is warranted. Trust rebuilt after real repentance and a commitment to change looks very different from trust extended toward an unchanging pattern of harm.

“Now if your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that on the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be confirmed. 17 And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, he is to be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Matthew 18:15-17

What it means to pray without ceasing

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

The command to pray without ceasing can sound like an impossible burden at first glance. How can anyone maintain constant, uninterrupted prayer? The instruction may be better understood as describing a pattern of life rather than a literal, nonstop recitation of words. I believe it calls believers to a lifestyle in which prayer is never entirely absent, without long stretches of days, weeks or months passing without any communication with God.

This mirrors how believers relate to other spiritual disciplines. No one thinks about Christ or reads scripture in every waking moment, yet for a healthy believer these things remain frequent and central throughout the day. Prayer functions the same way: a heart and mind kept open to God, with all of life viewed through the lens of ongoing communion with him. Rather than treating prayer as a scheduled task performed at set times, this command envisions prayer as a steady undercurrent running through daily experience, one that should never fade from a believer’s life regardless of circumstance.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:6