Tag: Christianity

There is a difference between judging what a person does and judging the individual

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FLOYD ROGERS, TEXAS GOSPEL CANADA VOLUNTEER

The Book of Mathew says, “Judge not, or you too will be judged.” Does this mean that Christians should never judge the actions of others?  I believe this scripture and the answer to the question show just how easy it is to get a wrong understanding of the Bible if you only hear a snippet. The same Chapter of Matthew says that Jesus told His followers how to know a false prophet. He said, “By their fruit you will recognize them.” He is clearly telling Christians to make a judgement about a person’s actions.

Notice, he says to judge the actions, not the individual. The Bible warns us against actions that go against God’s will.  The Bible warns us against adultery, murder, etc. I believe this makes it clear we are to judge actions. But when it comes to judging the individual; that is, assuming we know why he or she did the action, that’s a different story. We have no idea what lies in a person’s heart , but God does. He alone judges the heart. Doesn’t this mean that only God judges the individual?

How would other folks judge you if they only saw you at your worst?

What are your thoughts?

Karen Peck and New River

New music from Karen Peck and New River, Michael Booth and more!

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JEFF TURNER, MUSIC REPORTER/TEXAS GOSPEL CANADA VOLUNTEER

Texas Gospel Canada added new music to our rotation Wednesday evening including songs from Karen Peck and New River, Michael Booth and Donna Ulisse. As the world goes through extraordinary times, the songs released this week seem to reflect a message needed by Christians and non-Christians alike: Hope..

Karen Peck and New River

Fresh off the success of The God I Serve, Karen Peck and New River’s song Made Right comes from the same album, Lift His Name.  The words are perhaps the perfect message for today, “Not by power, not by might, by might. By the Spirit of the Lord it’s going to be made right.”

Michael Booth

Michael Booth’s This side of Heaven is a slow ballad with a progressive Southern Gospel sound. It comes from the project Dear Yesterday. The theme of the CD seems to be encouragement. Other songs from the same project include Dear Yesterday, Thy Will be Done and We Trust in the Name.  The lyrics of This Side speak of worshiping God in the good and the bad, even when we have to say goodbye to someone we very much love.

Donna Ulisse

Donna Ulisse may be a new name to some Southern Gospel listeners.  She has a distinctively Bluegrass sound. Her song Come to Jesus Moment was co-written by Donna and Rick Stanley.  The song comes from the project Time for Life, and is produced by another well-known name in Bluegrass Gospel, Doyle Lawson of Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. Donna is known to Country Music fans from her days with Atlantic Records in the early 1990’s.

Jordan Family Band

The Jordan Family Band has a single release this week, Hope for the World. The song speaks of healing, and of doing our part to reach the world with the Gospel. The Jordan Family Band is based in Calhoun, Georgia.

Nathan Woodard

Live Forgiven from Nathan Woodard has a definite folk-country influence. Though the song was previously recorded by Gordon Mote, Nathan co-wrote the song with Sue C. Smith and he puts a distinctive sound in his version. The words say, Even when we’re certain God’s grace is all we got… we are all His children.”

Listen for these songs added this week to the music lineup of Texas Gospel Canada!

Isabella Bennett

Triumphant Quartet scores another #1…and a new grandchild!

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JEFF TURNER, TEXAS GOSPEL CANADA VOLUNTEER, MUSIC REPORTER

A group that’s been together since its first performance in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee in 2003 is our #1 pick for the month of August

The Triumphant Quartet takes the top spot with Yes.  The song is the title cut from a project that also earned the quartet a Dove award in 2019.

David Sutton is the tenor, Eric Bennet sings bass, Clayton Inman is lead and Scotty Inman is the baritone for Triumphant. By the way, Eric has more to celebrate than just a top song.  He became a grandpa last month with the birth of granddaughter Isabella Bennett.

Here is the August Texas Gospel Canada Top 20:

1 Yes Triumphant Quartet
2 I see revival Crabb Family
3 The God I serve Karen Peck and New River
4 A song to remind you The Steeles
5 I got the grace, He gets the glory The Old Paths
6 Love like I’m leaving Gaither Vocal Band
7 I remember the fish Greater Vision
8 Great God almighty The Sound
9 God has provided Himself a lamb Mark Trammel Quartet
10 Love don’t 11th Hour
11 Grace became amazing Gordon Mote
12 I’ll never get over the blood that I’m under Kingdom Heirs
13 Awesome power of prayer Collingsworth Family
14 Learning to dance in the rain Jeff and Sheri Easter
15 After the storm The Erwins
16 House of God The Taylors
17 I want to live for Jesus Mylon Hayes Family
18 I believe the book Legacy Five
19 Heaven Soul’d out quartet
20 Table of a king Tim Livingston

 

Why are some people so opposed to faith?

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FLOYD ROGERS, TEXAS GOSPEL CANADA VOLUNTEER

Some atheist writers expound on the idea that Christianity is in retreat as they strive to get others to abandon their faith. One writer proclaimed with glee that, “religion isn’t just losing members – it’s also losing social status and public prestige.” He made it clear this was not just a non-consequential observation, it was something he touted as reason to rejoice. Let’s examine his position. Is it true that Christianity is in retreat? Why would someone who claims to be void of belief so strongly desire that others turn from Jesus?

Let’s talk about that first question: Is Christianity in retreat? If by retreat one means to imply that God is becoming less important, then no. God’s importance has not changed. But if by retreat one means there are fewer people who understand the importance of God, then yes; that’s something the Bible tells us to expect. 1 Timothy tells us, “…that in the last days many people will turn from their faith.” 2 Timothy tells us many of the people who turn from God will have, “…a form of godliness but denying its power.” So yes, for thousands of years we’ve been expecting a time when people will turn from God. A yes or no answer does not address the assumed premises that are possible when one asks: Is Christianity in retreat.”

The second question is addressed in scripture.  Why would a person who claims to have no belief either way so strongly advocate for others to turn from God? Consider John tells us,” Everyone who does evil hates the light…” Because of this, if rejection of a Holy God is evil, then those who reject God hate the light. They may not acknowledge or even be aware of their hatred, but some are so motivated to oppose Christianity that they create websites, produce podcasts and write books trying to encourage others to follow them in their rejection of God.

God is there.  You can choose to seek and find Him, or allow yourself to become blinded by the god of this world to the wonderful gift of salvation through the blood of Jesus.

Which do you choose?

Do you lean on your own understanding or ask God to reveal His word?

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FLOYD ROGERS, TEXAS GOSPEL CANADA VOLUNTEER

I’ve been told there are things in the Bible that are contradictory; therefore, they say the Bible is in error. Oddly enough, most of the folks who have said this to me also maintain that the Bible means whatever a reader wants it to mean, and this is where the real problem lies. If one believes Bible verses have no intrinsic meaning, of course readers can see “contradictions” if that’s what they want to see.  To be clear, this does not mean the Bible contradicts itself. It does demonstrate that if one falsely believes the Bible’s meaning changes depending on desire, then people who desire to find contradictions will do so. But does the Bible’s meaning change?

The Book of John tells us when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. Mark tells us, to you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that “they may indeed see but not perceive…” I believe these scriptures, and others like them, tell us that knowing God’s word is a gift.  I believe it’s the same as grace and faith. Ephesians says, For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

By the way, the Bible isn’t unique when it comes to people quarreling over meaning.  Legal contracts, charters, constitutions, ALL have been misinterpreted to match people’s wants and desires. Isn’t this alone a good reason to ask God to open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in His law?

What are your thoughts?