Tag: Faith

The Message Behind ‘I Left It In The Water’

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

You never know what will spark the inspiration for a great southern gospel song. For Clint Brown, the idea for Southbound’s song, “I Left It In The Water,” came from a simple t-shirt with a powerful message.

Brown recalls the moment clearly: “We were at Josh Frank’s church in Tennessee, and we saw someone walk across the front with a t-shirt on that said, ‘I left it in the water.’ And so we asked Josh, ‘What is that shirt about?’”

Josh Franks explained that the words came from a man who had just been baptized. “There was a gentleman that we baptized. When he came out of the water, we started asking him about some things, and man, he was so excited, so we were so interested in his testimony. And when they started asking him about his testimony, he said, ‘You know what? I would just rather say this. Everything about my past, I left it in the water.’”

That statement became the heart of the song. “I Left It In The Water” speaks of transformation, forgiveness, and the power of baptism. The lyrics tell the story of someone burdened by their past, carrying guilt and shame. However, through baptism, they experience a renewal—leaving behind their old self and embracing a new beginning.

The song captures this change with words like:

“I had a past I carried so long / Didn’t get it all right, got a lot of it wrong / When they laid me down in that watery grave / Came up without a trace, it was covered by grace / When I left it in the water.”

The message is clear: baptism is not just a symbolic act, but a moment of deep spiritual significance. As the song continues, it emphasizes how forgiveness and grace wash away the weight of the past:

“My past was forgiven that very hour / Guilt, sin and shame no longer remain / Cause I left it in the water.”

Through these lyrics, Southbound delivers a powerful reminder that no matter how heavy a person’s past may be, there is freedom and redemption through faith. The song resonates with many who have experienced similar transformations in their spiritual journey.

A simple t-shirt at a church in Tennessee carried a message that turned into an inspiring gospel song. “I Left It In The Water” now serves as a testimony of hope, grace, and the power of leaving the past behind.

Overcoming Shame Through Jesus’ Grace

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

There is hardly anything more emotionally and spiritually crippling than shame. It clings to us, whispering lies about our worth, our failures, and our standing before God. Shame robs us of joy, poisons our peace, and makes love seem distant. It convinces us that we are unworthy, that we stand forever on probation before God, always at arm’s length, never truly accepted. We begin to see Him not as a loving Father but as an ill-tempered celebrity—someone to be respected, perhaps, but not approached too closely.

But Jesus came to set us free.

Consider the story of the woman caught in adultery. She was dragged into the public square, exposed before the crowd, her shame laid bare for all to see. The religious leaders, eager to trap Jesus, demanded a verdict: “The Law of Moses commands us to stone such a woman. What do you say?”

Jesus said nothing at first. Instead, He bent down and wrote on the ground. What did He write? We do not know. Some have speculated that He traced the commandments, or perhaps the sins of her accusers. Whatever it was, the silence stretched long enough for the weight of the moment to settle. And then He stood and spoke:

“Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”

One by one, the stones fell from their hands. The oldest left first, their years making them more keenly aware of their own sinfulness. Soon, only Jesus remained. He, the only sinless One, the only one truly qualified to condemn her, looked at the woman and asked, “Where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

“No one, Lord.”

“Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on sin no more.”

These are the sweetest words a sinner could ever hear. Neither do I condemn you. This is not because Jesus dismisses sin. No, sin is real. It is ugly. It is destructive. But He could speak those words of mercy because He would soon take her condemnation—and ours—upon Himself. The sinless One would carry our guilt to the cross. He did not pick up a stone that day; instead, He picked up a cross.

But His grace is not an invitation to continue in sin. “Go, and from now on sin no more.” He calls us out of shame, not so that we can return to what bound us, but so that we can walk in freedom. Grace is not a license to sin; it is the power to leave it behind.

The invitation stands for all of us. We do not have to live in shame. We do not have to remain in condemnation. Jesus has made a way. Let us run to Him, draw near to His throne of grace with confidence, receive His mercy, and find the strength to live in the freedom He has won for us.

For those who come to Him, there are no stones—only grace.

Ernie Haase on Faith, Passion, and Authenticity in Gospel Music

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

For decades, Ernie Haase has been a familiar name in Gospel music. As tenor of Earnie Haase and Signature Sound and founder of StowTown Records, Haase has dedicated his life to sharing his faith through song. In a recent interview, he shared his thoughts on why he does what he does, the best advice he has ever received, and how he stays true to himself.

When asked about his motivation for singing Gospel music, Haase emphasized the importance of purpose. “Why I do what I do is because people need the gospel. They need to know that there is more to life than just living and dying and just trying to make it through another day another night,” he said. For Haase, music is more than entertainment—it is a way to share the message of faith and hope with others.

The wisdom passed down to Haase by his grandfather has also played a significant role in his journey. “Find something you love and you have passion for, and whatever you do in life, if you do that, you probably will never consider yourself working,” he recalled. This advice has shaped his career, helping him stay dedicated despite the challenges that come with life on the road. The love and passion for Gospel music have been his driving force, making the work feel less like a job and more like a calling.

Authenticity is another key aspect of Haase’s life and career. He believes that staying true to oneself requires reflection and prayer. “When you humble yourself and you kneel before the Lord, and you don’t come to him with any request as far as blessings, you come to him just as a servant, and you are totally transparent before him,” he explained. According to Haase, this kind of humility allows one to see what is truly aligned with faith and purpose.

When asked what three words he would share with a large audience, Haase’s answer was simple yet profound: “God is love.” He acknowledged that while this message may seem familiar, its true meaning is powerful. “When you feel the divine smile of God’s love on you, all earthly frowns are inconsequential,” he said.

Through his music and message, Ernie Haase continues to inspire Gospel music lovers. His dedication to faith, passion, and authenticity serves as a reminder that music can be a powerful tool for sharing hope and love with the world

Finding Freedom from Shame through Faith

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Shame can be emotionally and spiritually crippling, distorting one’s self-perception and beliefs about God, potentially leading to self-condemnation and a sense of permanent probation. Acknowledging the presence of sin is essential in addressing shame.

Instead of focusing on the faults of others, we should look inward, recognize the need for mercy and grace, and drop the metaphorical stones.

1 John 1:9 tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.

The message of release from condemnation offers hope and transformation through faith in Jesus. It does not excuse sin but calls for repentance and a changed life empowered by the Spirit of God.

A Song Only the Redeemed Can Sing

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Heaven will be filled with music unlike anything we have ever heard. Revelation 14:3 tells us that the 144,000 will sing a new song before God’s throne, a song that no one else can learn. This special hymn will belong only to those who have been saved, a melody shaped by their redemption.

This song will not be a repeat of earthly hymns but something completely new, a testimony of salvation. Its words will declare the victory of the redeemed, telling the story of how God rescued them. Voices will rise in perfect harmony, filling eternity with endless praise to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

This song will be so beautiful that even the angels will long to join in, but only those who have experienced salvation will be able to sing it. It will be a song of triumph, echoing beyond time itself. What a joy it will be to lift our voices in worship, celebrating forever the love and mercy of God!

As Psalm 96:1 reminds us, “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.” In heaven, that new song will never end.