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Mark Bishop’s Legacy and the Blessing of Grandchildren

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Mark Bishop’s New Song Highlights the Blessing of Grandchildren, and he has released a new music video celebrating the joy of grandchildren. His song, titled Grandkids, reflects on the deep and unique love that comes with being a grandparent.

Bishop recalls that before he experienced this love firsthand, many people told him there was nothing like it. At first, he was skeptical, believing that his love for his wife and daughters was as strong as love could be. However, when his first grandchild was born, he realized that it was, in fact, a new kind of love. His song captures this feeling, expressing gratitude for the blessing that grandchildren bring into a family. One of the lyrics states, “God’s had a lot of great ideas, but the one I think I love the most, has to be grandkids.”

The music video for Grandkids features clips sent in by fans, showcasing moments between grandparents and their grandchildren. Bishop wanted to include real-life experiences in the video to reflect the emotions behind the song.

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Mark Bishop’s Legacy in Gospel Music

Mark has been a prominent name in Christian music for forty years. A Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning artist, he has been writing and recording songs that inspire believers worldwide. He lives in east-central Kentucky with his wife, Carolyn.

His career began in 1984 with The Bishops, a family group he formed with his father and brother. Over seventeen years, they recorded numerous songs that became well known in the Gospel music industry. They were featured on television programs such as Nashville Now, Crook and Chase, The Grand Ole Opry, and The Bill Gaither Homecoming series. The group achieved multiple chart-topping songs and industry awards.

Mark wrote many of the group’s well-loved songs and continues to write music for other Christian artists. His solo career, which began after the family group retired in 2001, has been equally successful. He was named “Soloist of the Year” at the Singing News Fan Awards in 2005, and his 2020 album Beautiful Day was a Grammy nominee for Best Roots Gospel Album. In 2022, he received the J.D. Sumner Living Legend Award from SGN Scoops Magazine.

A Message for Christian Families

For Christians, songs like Grandkids serve as reminders of the blessings that God provides through family. The song emphasizes the joy that comes from seeing the next generation grow and learn. It also highlights the special role grandparents play in sharing wisdom and faith with their grandchildren.

As families continue to navigate the challenges of modern life, music like Bishop’s offers encouragement and a reason to reflect on the importance of faith and love.

Jim & Melissa Brady Share a Message of Hope in “Jesus Stays”

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AMY TURNER

The Southern Gospel family has long recognized the talents of Jim and Melissa Brady. Their journey together is one of passion for ministry through song. From their individual musical beginnings to their time with The Shulers and The Booth Brothers, and now as a duet, Jim and Melissa have touched many with their music.

Their latest single, “Jesus Stays,” offers a message of constant support and faithfulness. Melissa Brady shared her thoughts on the song, saying, “I love the line, he’ll never leave you. He’ll never forsake you. He’s always there.”

Provided to YouTube by Daywind Records Jesus Stays · Jim & Melissa Brady Ever Faithful ℗ 2021 Daywind Records

These words reflect Matthew 28:20 that tells us, “…follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”(NASB.) The lyrics of the Brady’s song says that even, “in the dark night of the soul when disappointments all you know and your hopes and dreams have all been stripped away,” there is unwavering companionship. The lyrics reassure listeners that “He’ll never leave you. He’ll never forsake you. You’ll never face this world alone.”

Melissa further explained the personal connection to this message, saying, “Because if we can say anything from the past year, actually from our entire lives, the Lord has walked with us every step of the journey, whatever hardship we have faced, he’s always been there.”

The song’s comforting words continue, reminding listeners that “Down every road, he’s right beside you. Everywhere you go, and even when the journey leads to an unexpected place. Every second, every minute, every hour of every day, Jesus stays.” This repetition reinforces the idea of an ever-present support, regardless of life’s challenges.

Through their music, Jim and Melissa Brady share a message of hope and the certainty that, as the title states, “Jesus Stays”.

Joe Mullins’ ‘Even Better When You Listen’: A Gospel Reflection

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JEFF TURNER

Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers have released “Even Better When You Listen” as part of their new project, “Thankful and Blessed”. This marks the second release from a collection of Gospel and sacred songs.

The lyrics of “Even Better When You Listen” convey a message centered on the importance of listening to God in prayer. The song opens by telling the listener that going to God in prayer is a blessing and emphasizes the constant presence of God when his name is called in faith. The lyrics go further into what it means to pray, that it should be a “two-way conversation”.

Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises Even Better When You Listen · Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers · Rick Lang · Mark BonDurant Even Better When You Listen ℗ 2025 Billy Blue Records Released on: 2025-01-03 Producer: Joe Mullins and The Radio Ramblers Mixing Engineer, Mastering Engineer: Chris Latham

The core message is in the repeated lines, “It’s good to talk to Jesus. It’s even better when you listen. You can hear the Holy Spirit. If you just pay attention, make the choice to hear his voice. Find out what you’ve been missing.” While vocalizing prayers and concerns is valuable, actively listening for divine guidance is presented as an even more profound aspect of faith. The lyrics encourage listeners to “stop what you’re doing” and “walk out all the noise” to allow “the holy words of Jesus” to fill their hearts.

The tune then asks us to consider that God holds the answers to what individuals seek, but understanding His plan requires giving Him “time to speak.” The repetition of the chorus reinforces the central theme of actively listening to perceive the Holy Spirit’s voice. The outro includes direct exhortations to listeners, urging “children listen,” “brother listen,” and “sister listen”.

The new project, “Thankful and Blessed,” includes a version of “I Am Blessed” and a new song, “Lord I’m Thankful,” alongside eight other new compositions.

Listen for “Even Better When You Listen” throughout the day on Texas Gospel Canada!

“This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14, NASB).

Finding Deeper Meaning in The Isaacs “More Than a Hollow Hallelujah”

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AMY TURNER

The Isaacs are well-respected in Southern Gospel. As Lily and her children Ben, Sonya, and Becky celebrate their 50th anniversary as a group, this Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee continues to create music with passion. Their latest release is “More Than a Hollow Hallelujah.” The song is a thoughtful message about worship.

Sonya Isaacs Yeary shared the story behind the song. She said, “I started writing the chorus of ‘More Than a Hollow Hallelujah’ probably, I want to say, 10, 15 years ago. And I kept it in my catalog of song ideas to finish songs that were started.” The idea for this song was with her for a long time.

Sonya’s song gained new significance when The Isaacs decided to create a praise and worship record, which included mostly cover songs of well-known hymns. Sonya explained, “And when we decided to do the praise and worship record, which is mostly covers all the other songs are already famous songs, that song came back to my mind and I sent it to my family and I said I’d really love for us to finish this song together.” This collaborative effort brought “More Than a Hollow Hallelujah” to completion.

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group Gratitude · The Isaacs Praise & Worship: More Than A Hollow Hallelujah ℗ 2024 House Of Isaacs, Exclusively licensed to Gaither Music Group, LLC

The lyrics express a desire for a more profound connection in worship. The opening lines suggest a feeling of being stuck in shallow worship: “I have been wading in shallow waters too long. My lips know the words but my heart isn’t singing the song”. This honesty sets the stage for a yearning for something deeper and more genuine.

The chorus emphasizes the need for sincere praise: “Lord, I’m ready, please forgive me. You deserve more than a hollow hallelujah. More than just empty praise. With all that I am, I am reaching out for You. I long to adore You. My heart knows the way. You are glorious, glorious, glorious”. This part of the song, which Sonya started writing many years ago, clearly conveys the central theme. She believed the song would do “a good job of summing up what the whole purpose of the record was and that is to give God our full attention, to give him the highest praise that we have”.

The lyrics continue with a commitment to deeper devotion: “The more I get lost in Your presence, the safer I feel. You are the potter and I’m not afraid of the wheel. No more inhibitions, I don’t care who’s standing around. When I shout hallelujah this time, it’s not just a sound”.

The repetition of “You deserve more than a hollow hallelujah. More than just empty praise” throughout the song reinforces its central message. The song is a reminder that true worship involves more than just saying words; it requires a sincere heart and full devotion.

New Book Chronicles 70 Years of The Kingsmen

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AMY TURNER

A new book exploring the long and storied history of The Kingsmen is now available. Decades of Music, Decades of Memories Volume One by Alan Kendall provides a detailed look at 70 years of the influential southern gospel group.

Southern gospel historian David Bruce Murray played a role in this historical account. He shared his thoughts on his contribution to the book, saying, “Alan Kendall approached me when he was preparing this book about using an article that I had posted on the history of the Kingsman at my website, sghistory.com, and that’s where I traced the prehistory of the Kingsman, how they got started, and when they adopted their name in 1956 as the Kingsman Quartet.”

Murray expressed appreciation for Kendall’s decision to include his work, adding, “I was very flattered that Allen was confident enough in my work that he went to include it in his book. It’s a great look at the Kingsman, and Allen has done a fine job putting it together.”

Fans of southern gospel music and those interested in The Kingsmen’s legacy can find Decades of Music, Decades of Memories Volume One by Alan Kendall on Amazon.com.