Tag: Gospel

Anthem Edition’s New Gospel Album Promises Kept

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2024 has proven to be a transformative year for Anthem Edition, the gospel quartet formerly known as The Old Paths. Following the success of their 2023 holiday album, Here Comes Christmas, the group has undergone changes, including the addition of tenor singer Cameron Edens, and the release of three singles: “Graveyard,” “Still Under His Feet,” and “Running.” The group’s latest project is Promises Kept and is released through Sonlite Records.

Tim Rackley, founding member and lead singer of Anthem Edition, says this album represents a meaningful milestone for the group. “This album is special to us,” said Rackley. “It marks the first time we’re making music together as a team with Cameron Edens and Andrew Utech, alongside our longtime brother, Doug Roark. These songs are a testament to God’s unwavering faithfulness, and we can’t wait for you to experience the message of hope and promise we’ve poured our hearts into.”

The album opens with the energetic track “Every Promise Made Is a Promise Kept,” written by Kenna Turner West and Jason Cox. Featuring a country-inspired arrangement and lively quartet harmonies, the song’s lyrics introduces the album’s central theme of God’s steadfast faithfulness:

There’s never been a time that He’s not faithfulNever been a day His words aren’t trueNever been a moment that our God won’tDo just what He said He’d doHe’s never ever failed to keep one yetEvery promise made is a promise kept.

Roger Talley, the producer of Promises Kept, praised the group’s dedication and renewed energy during the project’s creation. “I thoroughly enjoyed producing this new EP for Anthem Edition,” Talley shared. “They approached this project with a renewed passion and more energy than they have ever had before. We found some great new songs to express their commitment to singing the Gospel with a new excitement that I can’t wait for you to hear. A unique feature of this project is the number of uptempo songs they have chosen. For anyone who has ever complained about too many slow songs, this project is for you!”

With Promises Kept, Anthem Edition builds on their storied history while embracing a new chapter with Edens and Utech as part of their lineup.

The Serious Responsibility of Responding to the Gospel

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When reading the Gospels, have you ever imagined witnessing Jesus’ miracles in person? While this might seem incredible, it’s essential to consider the gravity of such an experience. According to Jesus, seeing His works and responding wrongly brought severe consequences. In John 15:24, Jesus said, “If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin. But now they have both seen and hated both Me and My Father.” This statement reveals a profound truth about accountability.

Those who saw Jesus’ miracles and still rejected Him bore a heavier burden of sin—not because they were free of sin beforehand, but because they chose to reject the clear evidence of His divine mission. Jesus was not saying they were sinless by nature; Scripture makes it clear that all humanity is inherently sinful. Instead, He referred to the specific sin of rejecting Him, which carries the most severe consequences.

The book of Hebrews warns about the punishment for those who hear the Gospel, understand its message, and reject it. It says the person who tramples on the blood of Christ faces a greater judgment (Hebrews 10:29). In this light, rejecting the Gospel after fully understanding it is far more dangerous than never hearing it at all. While all who reject God will face eternal separation from Him, the punishment is greater for those who knowingly turned away after being exposed to the truth.

This is a sobering reminder of the responsibility that comes with hearing and understanding the Gospel. Doesn’t the mean believers should have an urgency to respond to Christ with faith and obedience?

Westward Road’s New Song Urges Unity Through Love

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The latest release from Westward Road, titled Love One Another, carries a message of compassion and unity. The song, co-written by Scott Roberts of Westward Road and award-winning songwriter Cindy Morgan, speaks to the challenges facing society today.

Scott Roberts explained the inspiration behind the song. “You know, when we wrote our song Love One Another with Cindy Morgan, there was a lot going on in the world. There were riots going on and just people at odds with one another.” He noted that the song’s message resonated deeply when it was first written and remains just as relevant now.

A key verse from the song reflects this universal need for hope and understanding:
“I think we could all use a little good news today. Turn off the TV and the noise. So much pain to pray away.”

Provided to YouTube by Daywind Records Love One Another · Westward Road City of Light ℗ 2023 Westward Road Released on: 2023-04-14

Roberts emphasized the importance of shifting focus from individual concerns to the greater good. “Isn’t that so true? And if we’d think a little less about ourselves and think a lot more about God and others, all the world’s problems will go away.”

At its core, the message of Love One Another is rooted in faith and selflessness. Roberts summed it up simply: “That’s what it all boils down to, isn’t it? Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul, and love one another.”

This call for kindness and understanding serves as a reminder of the power of love and unity in overcoming division. Listeners are encouraged to take small steps in their daily lives to create a more caring and connected world.

The Legacy of Joseph Habedank in Gospel Music

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Joseph Habedank has spent over two decades pursuing a dream that began when he was just five years old. His love for southern gospel music started early, with influences from legendary groups like Gold City, the Kingsmen, the Singing Americans, and the Cathedrals.

Reflecting on his childhood, Joseph shared his deep connection to the music. “I remember as a five-year-old sitting with my headphones listening to Gold City and the Kingsmen and the Singing Americans, Cathedrals, and thinking this is what I want to do. I mean, I can remember sitting on the couch, but I fell in love with the music and I just wanted to do it the rest of my life.”

Provided to YouTube by Daywind Records Jesus walked in (feat. Chris Blue) · Joseph Habedank · Chris Blue autobiography ℗ 2024 Daywind Records Released on: 2024-04-19

For Joseph, the clarity of his passion at such a young age was unique. “It was crazy. It sounds so odd to say as a five-year-old I knew, but I knew,” he recalled. His determination to follow his dream has led to a successful career that he remains committed to. “So yeah, I’m so grateful I get to live out my dream and been doing it for over two decades now and I don’t think I’m going to quit anytime soon,” he added.

Joseph’s latest song, Jesus Walked In, continues to showcase his love for gospel music and his dedication to sharing its message with audiences. For him, the journey is far from over, as he remains deeply inspired by the genre that first captured his heart.

Facing Anxiety in Evangelism with Confidence

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The thought of evangelism often stirs mixed emotions—excitement, nervousness, and even fear. This is not surprising, as the New Testament recognizes these reactions and addresses them directly. The Apostle Paul boldly declared in Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel.” While most Christians would agree they are not ashamed of the gospel, many still admit feeling anxious about sharing it. But is there a distinction between anxiety and shame, and what did Paul mean by his statement?

Anxiety and shame are indeed different. Anxiety often arises when we approach someone with the gospel because of the nature of the message. It involves telling people hard truths: that humanity is sinful and deserving of eternal punishment. This can feel daunting because it’s not the easiest conversation to begin. However, acknowledging the problem of sin is essential since the question of salvation hinges on being saved from something—and that something is eternal separation from God.

Paul’s encouragement not to be ashamed reminds believers to move beyond their fears. Sharing the gospel requires confronting these feelings and focusing on the incredible hope offered through salvation. The good news of Jesus Christ is the most transformative message anyone can hear. A practical way to start is by framing it positively: “I have the best news you’ll ever hear.” This approach can help ease anxiety and create an opening for deeper conversation.

Evangelism calls for courage, but it also reminds us of our mission to share God’s love and redemption. As Paul demonstrated, confidence in the gospel’s power can overcome any hesitation.