For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, who hath made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son; In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. For my September “Greatest Hits” I felt it necessary to pay tribute to the late Dolly Parton. Sarah and I were in our 20’s when we heard Dolly in concert at the Grand Ole Opry in the summer of 1975. We became instant and lifelong lovers of her music. Throughout her career she has frequently engaged in duets…this one in particular is with Zach Williams, a Christian music songwriter who has a resonating baritone voice and writes well enough to have won 5 Grammy and GMA Dove Awards (including this song, paired with Dolly). Cut: “There Was Jesus” Artist: Zach Williams (accompanied by Dolly Parton) Every time I tried to make it on my own. Every time I tried to stand and start to fall.
All those lonely roads that I have travelled on…There was Jesus. When the life I built came crashing to the ground. When the friends I had were nowhere to be found. I couldn't see it then but I can see it now…There was Jesus. IN THE WAITING AND THE SEARCHING IN THE HEALING AND THE HURTING LIKE A BLESSING BURIED IN THE BROKEN PIECES EVERY MINUTE EVERY MOMENT OF WHERE I’VE BEEN AND WHERE I'M GOIN EVEN WHEN I DIDN'T KNOW IT OR COULDN'T SEE IT…THERE WAS JESUS. For this man who needs amazing kind of grace. For forgiveness at a price I could not pay. I’m not perfect so I thank God every day that There was Jesus. IN THE WAITING AND THE SEARCHING IN THE HEALING AND THE HURTING LIKE A BLESSING BURIED IN THE BROKEN PIECES EVERY MINUTE EVERY MOMENT OF WHERE I’VE BEEN AND WHERE I'M GOIN EVEN WHEN I DIDN'T KNOW IT OR COULDN'T SEE IT…THERE WAS JESUS On the mountain, in the valleys (There was Jesus), In the shadows of the alleys (There was Jesus) In the fire, in the flood (There was Jesus)…Always is and always was. No I’ll never walk alone! (Never walk alone)…You were always there. IN THE WORRY AND THE SEARCHING IN THE HEALING AND THE HURTING LIKE A BLESSING BURIED IN THE BROKEN PIECES EVERY MINUTE EVERY MOMENT OF WHERE I’VE BEEN AND WHERE I'M GOIN EVEN WHEN I DIDN'T KNOW IT OR COULDN'T SEE IT…THERE WAS JESUS.
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My final “Greatest Hits – August” offering is “Only Jesus” performed by Casting Crowns. Our youth (with chaperone/“bouncer” assistance of Chris Tucker) attended a Christian Music concert in November, 2019, at the Smoothie King Center featuring Elevation Worship, Hillsong Worship, and Casting Crowns. On our way to eat a pre-concert dinner at Camellia Grill, I played a few preview cuts on the car ride from each of the 3 groups we were about to hear. The consensus favorite of most of us was “Only Jesus” by Casting Crowns. Two words closely identified with the song “Only Jesus” are “legacy” and “humility” The meaning of “legacy” in the context of this song is “a gift of money or personal property handed down to an heir”. The meaning of “humility” is the state or quality of being humble; freedom from pride and arrogance; a modest estimate of one’s own worth; a sense of one’s own unworthiness through imperfection and sinfulness. It is not easy, but it IS IMPORTANT that we all have to work on personal humility, and we also think that is the message of “Only Jesus”. In the words of Mark Hall from Casting Crowns: “Did I live the truth to the ones I love…was my life the proof that there is only One?” The 1st video is Mark Hall’s explanation of the origin/inspiration of “Only Jesus”. The 2nd video is the music. Cut: “Only Jesus” Artist: Casting Crowns Make it count, leave a mark, build a name for yourself, Dream your dreams, chase your heart,
Above all else make a name the world remembers. But all an empty world can sell is empty dreams I got lost in the lie that it was up to me to make a name the world remembers. But Jesus is the only name to remember. And I-I-I, I don't want to leave a legacy…I don't care if they remember me…Only Jesus. And I-I-I, I've only got one life to live…I'll let every second point to Him…Only Jesus. All the kingdoms built, all the trophies won will crumble into dust when it’s said and done. 'Cause all that really matters “Did I live the truth to the ones I love?” “Was my life the proof that there is only One whose name will last forever?” And I-I-I, I don't want to leave a legacy…I don't care if they remember me…Only Jesus And I-I-I, I've only got one life to live…I'll let every second point to Him…Only Jesus [Interlude] Jesus is the only name, Jesus is the only name Jesus is the only name to remember, ooh Jesus is the only name, Jesus is the only name Jesus is the only name to remember And I-I-I, I don't want to leave a legacy…I don't care if they remember me Only Jesus And I-I-I, I've only got one life to live…I'll let every second point to Him Only Jesus I, I don't want to leave a legacy…I don't care if they remember me…Only Jesus.
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend, with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, And to know the love of Christ, which passeth all knowledge, that ye might be filled with the fullness of God. This week we continue with “Greatest Hits – August” featuring Casting Crowns. Grace Memorial’s Christian Education teenagers were fortunate and blessed to witness the love filling the venue in each of our two CC concerts we attended. If we learned anything from our hours of scripture reading and listening to Christian Praise music, it’s that we can only fulfill God’s plan for us as Christians if we allow our hearts to follow the teachings of Jesus. Cut: “Here’s My Heart” Artist: Casting Crowns Lyrics:
Here’s my heart, Lord. Here’s my heart, Lord. Here’s my heart, Lord. Speak what is true. Here’s my heart, Lord. Here’s my heart, Lord. Here’s my heart, Lord. Speak what is true. I am found, I am Yours, I am loved, I’m made pure. I have life, I can breathe, I am healed, I am free. Here’s my heart, Lord. Here’s my heart, Lord. Here’s my heart, Lord. Speak what is true. I am found, I am Yours, I am loved, I’m made pure. I have life, I can breathe, I am healed, I am free. Cause You are strong, You are sure, You are life, You endure. You are good, always true, You are love, breaking through. Here’s my heart, Lord. Here’s my heart, Lord. Here’s my heart, Lord. Speak what is true. Here’s my life, Lord. Here’s my life, Lord. Here’s my life, Lord. Speak what is true...speak what is true. Cause You are more than enough, You are here, You are love. You are hope, You are grace, You’re all I have, You’re everything. Here’s my heart, Lord. Here’s my heart, Lord. Here’s my heart, Lord. Speak what is true. Here’s my life, Lord. Here’s my life, Lord. Here’s my life, Lord. Speak what is true…Speak what is true. Here’s my heart, Lord. Here’s my heart, Lord. Here’s my heart, Lord. Speak what is true...speak what is true.
And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” And they straightway left their nets, and followed him”. And Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a boat, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain privately, to pray; and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the boat was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a ghost; and they cried out of fear. But straightway Jesus spoke unto them, saying, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid” And Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water” And He said, “Come.” And when Peter was come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying “Lord, save me” And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, “O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt? For my 2nd Friday “Greatest Hits – August” I present Casting Crowns performing “This Is Now”. It is an indirect reference to the inspirational growth of St. Peter. Cut: “This Is Now” Artist: Casting Crowns Lyrics:
Standing at the water’s edge…I dropped my dreams when I dropped my nets. No hesitation, no regrets, I followed You, but that was then…this is now You washed my feet and You changed my name, I swore I’d never be the same Just like the tides I guess people change, cause that was then and this is now. I wish I could go back but I don’t know how, I remember when I stood my ground, I swore I’d never let You down, I want to be that man again, but that was then…and this is now. I watched the blind man lift his head…and look his savior in the eyes. I heard a dead man take a breath…dropped to my knees as I watched him rise. I felt the sea beneath my feet as I stepped out on the angry waves, But You saw the storm raging within, You reached out and caught me then…but this now. I wish I could go back but I don’t know how I remember when I stood my ground, I swore I’d never let you down…I want to be that man again, But that was then…and this is now. Just when I thought my sin had closed the door, I see my savior standing on the shore, With arms wide open, just like the first time You called my name, You said “that was then…and this is now. “My child I bore your cross I wore your crown. “When you couldn’t come to Me, My love came down. So take My hand I’ll lead you out, “cause that was then…and this is now. “My child I bore your cross, I wore your crown…you couldn’t come to Me, “so My love came down. “Take My hand I’ll lead you out, Cause that was then…and this is now.”
The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the work, he quickly falls away. For August “Greatest Hits”, I have chosen Casting Crowns. CC was established in 1999 under the direction of Mark Hall (lead singer and primary songwriter). 13 million of their 9 albums have been sold…6 of have gone platinum. They have received 15 Dove Awards, 1 Grammy, 2 American Music Academy (AMA) and 2 Billboard Music awards for “Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist”. Most of the CC members of Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church (McDonogh, GA). Mark Hall is the head Youth Minister at the same church. It bares mentioning that CC makes only rare tour performances on Saturdays or Sundays, and they make it a point to return from any performance in time to serve each and every Sunday at their Georgia place of worship. The Grace Memorial youth enjoyed Casting Crowns performing at the Lafayette Cajun Dome in April, 2017, and again at the Smoothie King Center in November, 2019. (In case you are wondering, both concerts were held on a Thursday evening!). The “YouTube intro” below gives insight to the message of “The Altar and the Door”. Cut: “The Altar and the Door” Artist: Casting Crowns CD/Album: The Altar and the Door Careless…I am reckless. I’m a wrong way travelling slowly unraveling shell of a man.
Burned out… I’m so numb now. Let the fires just an ember way down in the corner of my old cold heart. Lord this time I make it right here at the altar I lay my life. Your kingdom come, but my will was done, my heart is broken. As I cry like so many time before…but my eyes are dry before I leave the floor. Oh Lord I tried but this time Jesus how can I be sure I would not loose my follow through Between the altar and the door. Here at the altar oh my world so black and white… how could I ever falter what You’ve shown me to be right. Lord this time I’ll make it right, here at the altar I’ll lay my life. Your kingdom come, but my will was done, my heart is broken. As I cry like so many time before…but my eyes are dry before I leave the floor. Oh Lord I tried but this time Jesus how can I be sure I would not loose my follow through Between the altar and the door. I’m trying so hard to stop trying so hard. Just let You be who You are…Lord who You are in me. Jesus I’m trying so hard to stop trying so hard. Just let You be who You are…Lord who You are in me. Oh Lord I cried like so many times before…but my eyes are dry before I leave the floor. Oh Lord I tried but this time Jesus how can I be sure I would not loose my follow through Between the altar and the door. Like so many times before… but my eyes are dry before I leave the floor. Oh Lord I tried but this time Jesus how can I be sure I would not loose my follow through Between the altar and the door. …Like so many times before…
And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked Him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: Hear O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord;, and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first commandment. And the second is this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is no other commandment greater than these." For my final “Greatest Hits – July”, I offer “When Love Sees You” by Third Day. This cut seems to illustrate “agape” love in the form of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ’s example. Cut: “When Love Sees You” Artist: Third Day CD/Album: The Story Lyrics:
Blessed are you as you weep on your knees, with perfume and tears washing over My feet And blessed are you, beggar, hopeless and blind, Calling for mercy when I'm passing by Blessed are you, shaking your head, at two tiny fish and some bread And blessed are you as you tremble and wait For the first stone thrown at your sinful disgrace Tell Me your story, show Me your wounds, and I'll show you what Love sees when Love looks at you Hand Me the pieces, broken and bruised, and I'll show you what Love sees when Love sees you Blessed are you, walking on waves, to find yourself sinking when you look away Blessed are you, leper, standing alone, the fear on their faces is all that you've known Blessed are you, lonely widow who gave your last shiny coin to Yahweh. Blessed are you with your silver and lies, kissing the One who's saving your life Tell Me your story, show Me your wounds…And I'll show you what Love sees when Love looks at you Hand Me the pieces, broken and bruised, and I'll show you what Love sees when Love sees you I see what I made in your mother's womb and I see the day I fell in love with you I see your tomorrows, nothing left to chance, I see My Father's fingerprints I see your story, I see My name, written on every beautiful page You see the struggle, you see the shame, I see the reason I came. I came for your story, I came for your wounds, to show you what Love sees when I see you Yeah, yeah, when I see you…when I see you, oh, whoa, whoa
I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. Continuing with “Greatest Hits – July”, I present “Sound of Your Voice” by Third Day. Cut: “Sound of Your Voice” Artist: Third Day CD/Album: Move I ran away from Your love… You waited for me…yes You waited for me.
And then I heard Your song singing over me…singing over me. Now that I hear you Lord I wanna know You more…I wanna know You more. Sing Your song to me, oh there’s no greater thing than to listen to the sound of Your voice. When I hear Your song, I wanna sing along…and listen to the sound of Your voice, The sound of Your voice. Oh I am calling Your name and I’m waiting for You…yes I’m waiting for You. So won’t You show me Your ways and I will follow You…yes I will follow You. Now that I hear you Lord I wanna know You more…I wanna know You more. Sing Your song to me, oh there’s no greater thing than to listen to the sound of Your voice. When I hear Your song, I wanna sing along…and listen to the sound of Your voice, Sing over me bringing peace and mercy with a song that never ends. Sing over me momma listen for me, Lord I want to hear Your song again! Sing Your song to me, oh there’s no greater thing than to listen to the sound of Your voice. When I hear Your song, I wanna sing along…and I listen to the sound of Your voice, The sound of Your voice. I want to hear Your song…I want to hear Your voice. I ran away from Your love but You waited for me…yes You waited for me.
There came a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; The same came to Jesus by night and said unto Him, “Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God; for no man can do these miracles that thou doest except God be with him.” Jesus answered and said unto him, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus saith unto Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? …” Jesus answered, “ Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” For the next couple of months, I am presenting “Greatest Hits” per our Christian Education teenagers. During July, I will start with “Third Day”. Third Day formed in 1993. They briefly retired in 2022 and have recently reunited. They are an internationally acclaimed Christian Music group lead by Mac Powell, whose genuine commitment to Christ and distinctive baritone voice have contributed to the group’s popularity. They have sold 7 million albums, with 28 #1 hits; garnered four Grammys and 24 Gospel Music Awards. Third Day was awarded the 2008 American Music Award for “Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist”. Grace Memorial’s Christian Formation group heard Third Day in concert in Baton Rouge (April, 2015). Their music was a frequent subject of our Sunday contemplation. “Born Again” is one of Third Day’s signature cuts. It is about birth as a spiritually inspired Christian, evidenced by physical baptism and the effects on one’s soul. Cut: “Born Again” Artist: Third Day CD/Album: Revelation Lyrics:
Today I found myself, After searching all these years, And the man that I saw, he wasn't at all who I'd thought he'd be. I was lost when You found me here, And I was broken beyond repair, Then You came along and You sang Your song over me. It feels like I'm born again…It feels like I'm living…For the very first time…For the very first time, In my life. Make a promise to me now, Reassure my heart somehow, That the love that I feel, is so much more real than anything. I've a feeling in my soul, And I pray that I'm not wrong, That the life I have now, It is only the beginning. It feels like I'm born again…It feels like I'm living…For the very first time…For the very first time It feels like I'm breathing…It feels like I'm moving…For the very first time…For the very first time Wasn't looking for something that was more, Than what I had yesterday, Then You came to me, Then You gave to me, Life and a love that I've never known, That I've never felt before It feels like I'm born again…It feels like I'm living…For the very first time…I'm living for the first time It feels like I'm breathing…It feels like I'm moving…For the very first time I'm living for the first time, In my life.
Be not anxious saying, “What shall we eat?” or, “What shall we drink?” or, “With what shall we be clothed?” For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. "Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; If you had the good fortune to be blessed by Mother Liz’s homily this past Sunday (June 21…as was I), she described something called “Prosperity Gospel”. While my feeble intellect didn’t completely follow the premise behind that theology, my confusion diminished entirely when she concluded her homily with “You are loved”. Stars Go Dim is a 4 person contemporary Christian rock band formed in Tulsa, OK, in 2008. Chris Cleveland as lead singer has tremendous vocal range. He writes much of their music along with Joey Avalos (guitarist). They have charted 7 cuts on the Billboard Top 25, including “You Are Loved” which reached #1…a fact reinforced by the 7 million YouTube views. My essentially teenage Christian Education students for some reason took a particular liking to “You Are Loved” as well as Stars Go Dim. Cut: “You Are Loved” Artist: Stars Go Dim Lyrics are included in the video
What shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loves us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creation, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” I promise this will be the last Jelly Roll cut I will offer for a while: “God Didn’t Let Me Break”. Reassuring and uplifting, the lyrics are another reminder of the closeness of God even when we don’t feel his presence. Maybe we should be listening closer to His message, however subtle and however unexpected the vehicle. The lyrics are not displayed here as they are shown on the YouTube screen. Cut: “God Didn’t Let Me Break” Artist: Jelly Roll CD/Album: Redemption |
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