Tag: Gospel

The weight of seeing and rejecting truth

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JEFF TURNER

When reading the Gospels, one might imagine what it would have been like to witness the works of Jesus Christ in person. Seeing His miracles with their own eyes may seem like it would make belief easier. Yet the words recorded in Gospel of John 15 give a different perspective. Jesus explained that those who saw His works and still rejected Him carried a deeper level of guilt.

This does not mean that people who had not seen those miracles were free from sin. Every person is born with a sinful nature and continues to commit sin in daily life. The point being made is more specific. Those who witnessed His works and still turned away became guilty of a greater offence, which is the direct rejection of Him.

This rejection is not a small matter. It is one of the most serious sins because it involves turning away from clear truth. When someone fully understands who Christ is and still refuses Him, the weight of that decision is very great.

The teaching found in Hebrews adds to this understanding. It explains that there is a stronger judgment for those who treat the message of Christ with contempt. To know the gospel, to understand it, and then to reject it brings a heavier outcome than ignorance alone.

In this sense, hearing the message carries responsibility. A person who has never heard is still accountable for sin, but the one who has heard clearly and refused faces a more serious judgment.

And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accordance with his will, will receive many blows, but the one who did not know it, and committed acts deserving of a beating, will receive only a few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.

Luke 12:47–48

Holding to Truth: McKamey Legacy Revives Southern Gospel Sound

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SPECIAL CROSSROADS RECORDS

Arden, North Carolina (June 17, 2025) — Few tasks are more difficult in the world of music than striking the right balance between embracing the legacy of a great artist and using it as the foundation for a new generation of music. Summoned into a musical ministry by their own devotion to the canon of Southern Gospel’s beloved McKameys, McKamey Legacy â€” Ruben and Peg McKamey Bean’s daughter, Connie Fortner, her husband Roger and son Eli â€” first drew praise for their ability to blend the old and new in 2022 with their self-titled debut for Horizon Records. Now the trio announces with Holding to Truth, another offering that both extends and renews the familiar McKameys sound.

The album is now available for pre-save/add ahead of its August 1 release.

With homespun yet well-crafted backing on guitars, bass and drums by Roger and Eli, supplemented with just a few additional touches from pianists Jeff Collins and Tyler Vestal, Josh Swift (dobro), acclaimed fiddler Andy Leftwich and legendary multi-instrumentalist David Johnson, Holding to Truth keeps its focus squarely on the signature blend of voices and the enduring Gospel messages they deliver. Indeed, from the opening “To God It’s Nothing New” and its assertive vocal, upbeat energy and powerful theme:

We are always in God’s protection, even in the darkest night
Just when everything goes wrong, He can make it right
Though the winds of the world blow strong and clouds obstruct our view
We are safe in His shelter, to God it’s nothing new 

it’s clear that Holding to Truth is perfectly named.

“We are so excited for our new project to be released,” the trio enthuses. “We believe we have a great variety of songs that will help and encourage all who listen. The songs are brand new, with only a couple of older McKamey songs. The styles range from upbeat, to ballad—to even some bluegrass—but they all have a message of Hope for today.  

“We were also blessed to bring the rest of the original group back (The McKameys) to record a song with us. In reminiscing on God’s goodness through the years, we were reminded we are not home yet and there is still work to do…go tell the Gospel story and carry on. We pray that McKamey Legacy continues doing this in this project and in our ministry and that you will be encouraged and blessed.”Pre-save/add Holding to Truth HERE.

About McKamey Legacy
McKamey Legacy is a family trio from Clinton, Tennessee that came to be after 39 years of full-time touring with the rest of their family, The McKameys. After that group retired in 2019, and after much prayer, group members Connie Fortner (Ruben and Peg’s daughter), her husband, Roger Fortner and their son, Elijah Fortner felt the call from God to continue the legacy of their family and they began traveling and singing again in 2021 as McKamey Legacy. The group will be touring on a part-time basis, performing songs that were loved and most requested from their McKamey days as well as some new songs that fit their message. Sharing the Gospel in song to a lost world and sharing the message of hope to discouraged Christians is their goal, following God in everything that they do and bringing Glory to God in all things done by them.

Finding Strength in Solitude with God

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FLOYD ROGERS

God often gets us ready for life’s toughest struggles in the quiet, private places of our lives. It’s during these moments alone with him — away from the noise and crowds — that we are strengthened. Spending time reading the Bible, praying, and listening for God’s voice shapes our hearts and removes anything that does not belong in our lives.

In these silent times, God draws us close, building a deep, personal relationship with us. The real fight takes place on our knees in prayer, when no one else is watching. When we learn to face our challenges in these private moments with God, the public victories will follow.

True strength for life’s battles is found in these hidden times with God.

But as for you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Matthew 6:6

Texas Gospel Canada Top 30 – June 2025

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DAVID INGRAM, SR.

Welcome to the Texas Gospel Canada Top 30 Songs of June 2025! This list is meticulously compiled based on the actual number of plays each song received in the previous month (May.) The Texas Gospel Top 30 is proudly submitted to top Southern Gospel publications including The Singing News and SGNScoops.

1 God Won’t – Nelons (featuring Autumn Nelon Streetman) – Daywind/New Day
2 More Than A Hollow Hallelujah – Isaacs – House of Isaacs
3 That’s What Faith Looks Like – Karen Peck & New River – Daywind/New Day
4 God Has Heard Your Cry – Taylors – StowTown/Provident-Sony
5 Standing With You – The Sound – New Day Records/New Day
6 Kick Up My Heels And Sing – Guardians – Daywind/New Day
7 Free – Brian Free & Assurance – Daywind/New Day
8 Goodness And Mercy – Lee Park Worship – Vital Records/New Day
9 Nothing Greater Than Grace – Mercy’s Well – Independent
10 He Remembers My Sin No More – Kramers – StowTown/Provident-Sony
11 Motel Bible – Scotty Inman – Daywind/New Day –
12 Sunshine On A Cloudy Day – Jeff & Sheri Easter (with The Archers) – Gaither Music/Capitol Christian
13 God Has A Way Of Workin’ It Out – Chronicle – ARS/New Day
14 None But Jesus – Erwins – StowTown/Provident-Sony
15 More – Allens – ARS/New Day
16 I Saw Angels Today – 2nd Chance Ministries – Independent
17 Child Of The King – Old Time Preacher’s Quartet – REAL Southern Gospel Records
18 Mercy River – Down East Boys – Sonlite/Crossroads
19 Jesus Stays – Jim & Melissa Brady – Daywind/New Day
20 No Better Time – Kingdom Heirs – Sonlite/Crossroads
21 Love ‘Em Where They Are – Gaither Vocal Band – Spring House Music Group
22 Build An Altar – Sunday Drive – StowTown/Provident-Sony
23 Still Under His Feet – Anthem Edition – Sonlite/Crossroads
24 Remember The Blood – Exodus – Independent
25 Door Wide Open – Gordon Mote – New Haven/Provident-Sony
26 Just To Know You – Heart 2 Heart – ARS/New Day
27 Troubled – LeFevre Quartet (with Joseph Habedank) – Daywind/New Day
28 Wait For It – Zane & Donna King – StowTown/Provident-Sony
29 Limitless God – 8th Street – ARS/New Day
30 Golgotha’s Call – Bibletones – Independent

The Inspirations announce upcoming album,Up Above The World So High

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AMY TURNER / CROSSROADS RECORDS

Arden, North Carolina (May 28, 2025) — Their receipt of the esteemed Singing News Favorite Artist of the Year award is only a few months in the rear-view mirror, and the ascent to the top of the charts by their latest single, “My Name’s Already There,” is more recent still, but the young men making up the refreshed lineup of legendary quartet, The Inspirations, are hardly letting the grass grow under their feet. Teamed for the first time with producer/pianist Roger Talley, The Inspirations are back from the ever-flowing well of tradition with Up Above The World So High, a new collection for Horizon Records — now available for pre-save/add ahead of its July 18 release — that’s sure to bring joy to any listener whose soul has ever resonated with the classic Inspirations sound.
“I attended my very first Inspirations concert in 1970,” notes Talley, “and I’ve admired them from afar ever since then. When they asked me to produce their new album, I got to know them in a far greater capacity by getting on the bus and going with them for a weekend of concert dates. These young men really care about the people they sing to, and I quickly learned how fiercely their fans love and support them in return.”

Indeed, the reasons for the fans’ devotion are apparent from the first notes of the album opener, “I’ll Wear a White Robe,” as Talley’s piano and pedal steel guitar from the group’s baritone singer—and multi-instrumentalist— Luke Vaught ring out with a profoundly traditional sound. At a time when the Southern Gospel tag includes so many modern variations, the thrilling sounds of yesteryear that the quartet — Roland Kesterson (lead), Isaac Moore (tenor), Wyatt Austin (bass) and Vaught — have captured so well serve not only to remind long-time listeners of the genre’s historical heights and offer an introduction to new fans, but center once again the kinds of lessons and stories that have brought comfort and joy to millions through the years.

With its blend of thoughtfully selected classics like the title track, the Luke Vaught guitar-driven “Press On, O Pilgrim, There Is Joy Ahead” and the intricately harmonized “I’ve Been A Walking With My Lord,” and well-matched new songs such as “He’s Still The Same God” brought to life with spirited arrangements that offer each member of the quartet a chance to take center stage, Up Above The World So High captures the musical and spiritual renewal The Inspirations bring to each of their performances.

Says Talley, “I admire their talents, but even more their dedication to serving the Lord and His children. I’m proud to call them my friends, and I hope you enjoy and are blessed by this new project!”