Appealing to the government, and changing sides

"We must not fight false belief by appealing to the government or other forms of coercive force; rather, we must fight it by testifying to the truth."

"Would you have me on the other side? Then the task before you is clear: Show me from the scriptures where I am wrong and you are right."

These two quotes above come from Bart Barber, in his blog post The Biblical Case for Religious Liberty.

Just because I can't, and other music quotes

"Just because I can't sing, doesn't mean I won't sing." -- Snoopy (Charlie Brown's dog)

"A song does not exist until it is sung, or re-created, by a human voice. Every incarnation is different, and so one sound is the only right one. This is a paradox. A page of music seems to present a finished product, yet it contains no sound. (Hold it up to your ear: Can you hear it?) The song doesn’t live until it comes off the page and resumes its natural state as sound. The page can no more substitute for living sound than a recipe can for edible food." -- Alice Parker

"Sing so they can hear you!" -- Unknown

Praise for Reigning Grace

No. 406 in Gadsby's Selection (meter 8.8.6.) by John Kent
Praise for Reigning Grace. Rom. 5. 20, 21; Rev. 5. 9

    1    Hark! how the blood-bought hosts above
        Conspire to praise redeeming love,
            In sweet harmonious strains;
        And while they strike the golden lyres,
        This glorious theme each bosom fires,
            That grace triumphant reigns.

    2    Join thou, my soul, for thou canst tell
        How grace divine broke up thy cell,
            And loosed thy native chains;
        And still, from that auspicious day,
        How oft art thou constrained to say,
            That grace triumphant reigns.

    3    Grace, till the tribes redeemed by blood,
        Are brought to know themselves and God,
            Her empire shall maintain;
        To call when he appoints the day,
        And from the mighty take the prey,
            Shall grace triumphant reign.

    4    When called to meet the King of dread,
        Should love compose my dying bed,
            And grace my soul sustain,
        Then, ere I quit this mortal clay,
        I’ll raise my fainting voice, and say,
            Let grace triumphant reign.

I will not leave you comfortless

Gospel Magazine, 1777

I will not leave you comfortless. John 14:18

1 O God of grace, of love immense,

  How free thy favours to dispense!

  I to thy mercy-seat repair,

  Since thou hast said, I'll meet thee there.

2 Thou seest my soul by sin oppressed;

  O come, and give the weary rest;

  My base backslidings kindly heal,

  Apply the balm, thy love reveal.

Funny things, and other links

The posting of links does not constitute an endorsement of the sites linked, and not necessarily even agreement with the specific posts linked.

• Funny Things Foreign Governments Warn Their Citizens About Traveling to the U.S. -- "Don’t make flippant remarks about bombs or terrorism, especially when passing through U.S. airports."
• Pastor Voddie Baucham Says Gay Is Not the New Black: 'Ethnicity Is Innate and Unchangeable; So-Called Sexual Orientation Is Not' -- "...differences between ethnicity and so-called sexual orientation cannot be overlooked..."
• Rusk County clerk resigns over gay marriage ruling -- "That's a decision she's made…I hate that it's worked out this way because she is a great colleague and committed to her work serving the people of Rusk County."
• Sacred Harp Singers Enjoy a Special Musical Heritage -- "People tend to have very strong reactions to the music."
• Why I Will Not…Under ANY Circumstances…Lobby against the Construction of Mosques in Farmersville -- "We're less than a month past a Supreme Court decision in which four justices warned us about serious threats to religious liberty that are coming our way. Tell me, please, how do you expect us to argue at the national level with a straight face that we believe in religious liberty for all people while at the local level we're running the Moslems out of town on a rail?"

Song of Solomon and other book reviews

The posting of links does not constitute an endorsement of the sites linked, and not necessarily even agreement with the specific posts linked.

• A Baptist’s Bookshelf: Song of Solomon -- "The book comes on the heels of other popular explanations that view the book as little more than a celebration of love and sex within marriage."
• A review of Out From Under: The Impact of Homosexual Parenting By Dawn Stefanowicz -- "This is surely one of the most politically incorrect books available."
• Book review for Donald Sunukjian’s Biblical Preaching for the Contemporary Church -- "...not only does Sunukjian do a good job of explaining the passage, but he also illustrates the text, and applies it in equal measure."
• Review of Discovery House Bible Atlas -- "The Discovery House Bible Atlas is well researched with extensive endnotes which provide documentation and references for further study."
• The Complementarians Win: A Review of One God in Three Persons -- "In the new book, One God in Three Persons, the complementarians win. They have argued persuasively that there is a hierarchy in the immanent Trinity."

Crosses removed, and other links

The posting of links does not constitute an endorsement of the sites linked, and not necessarily even agreement with the specific posts linked.

• Crosses removed from Gregg County clerk's wall -- "To avoid any kind of controversy, we took the crosses down the day the woman complained."
• How the Gospel Ended My Same-Sex Marriage -- "You may not like the way my story turns out. You may feel sorry for me, or even be angry with me. You may feel flustered that my story doesn’t fit nicely into a theological box that you would like to keep nice and tidy."
• Michael Douglas: American Actors Too ‘Asexual or Unisex’ for Most Movie Roles -- "...In Britain, they take their training seriously, while in the States, we’re going through a sort of social-media image-conscious thing rather than formal training."
• Satanists caught in Ten Commandments ruling fallout -- "A legal decision in Oklahoma to bar a Ten Commandments monument from its statehouse has a group of Satanists seeking a new home for a huge horned-goat statue of Satan."
• The famous 1861 'Cornerstone Speech' that aimed for hard truths about the Confederate battle flag -- "Alexander Stephens didn’t want the South to leave the United States, and he tried to keep his home state of Georgia from abandoning ship."
• 40 Questions for Christians Now Waving Rainbow Flags -- "If you consider yourself a Bible-believing Christian, a follower of Jesus whose chief aim is to glorify God and enjoy him forever, there are important questions I hope you will consider before picking up your flag and cheering on the sexual revolution."
• 40 questions for Christians who oppose marriage equality -- "...there are many pressing questions that non-affirming Christians frequently do not address."
• An Honest Response to 40 Questions from Matthew Vines -- "All Christians are constantly repenting."
• 10 huge Supreme Court cases about the 14th Amendment -- "On July 9, 1868, Louisiana and South Carolina voted to ratify the amendment, after they had rejected it a year earlier. The votes made the 14th Amendment officially part of the Constitution."

160th anniversary

East Texas Sacred Harp Convention - 160th anniversary 

IN one month, on Saturday August 8 and Sunday August 9 we will celebrate the 160th anniversary of the East Texas Sacred Harp Convention. This Convention was organized in 1855 as the East Texas Musical Convention. It is the second oldest continuous Sacred Harp singing convention in the United States, and the oldest singing convention in Texas.

Festivities include: Singing, singing and more singing! Eating Bar-B-Q! 

We will meet in the Henderson Civic Center, located at 1500 Lake Forest Parkway - this is off of State Hwy 64 west of the traffic star in Henderson, Texas. There will be "continental breakfast"/refreshments provided, and the convention will provide lunch both days. Singing will kick off at 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning. We use the The Sacred Harp, 2012 Cooper Revision. On Saturday night we will have a Mexican dish "social". The social will be an informal get together -- eat, visit, and sing if you want to. If you want to sing we encourage you to bring copies of songs in the shape note tradition. You might need as many as 50 copies.

Below is Hotel/Motel information for the East Texas Sacred Harp Convention; The hotels are offering the following rates. 

Baymont Inn 
Hwy 259/79, Henderson, TX 
(903) 657-7900 
Single or Double $94.00 

Best Western of Henderson 
Hwy 259 South Henderson, TX 
(903) 657-9561 
Single $65.00 
Double $70.00

Days Inn 
US Hwy 79 S, Henderson, TX 
(903) 657-8789 
Double $65.00 

Holiday Inn Express 
Hwy 259 N, Henderson, TX 
(903) 657-5250 
Double $96.95 

Woodland Hills 
1204 Hwy 79 N, Henderson, TX 
(903) 657-2511 
Contact person: Steve Patel Call for rates 

All these establishments have continental breakfast. Motel room rates are for the room, plus 13% tax. Be sure and make your reservations soon. Please say you are with the East Texas Sacred Harp Convention and ask for the convention rate. Cancellation policies vary; please check with the particular establishment where you reserve your room. If you have any problems, please let us know.

In addition to hotels/motels, there are three nearby RV Parks. 

Please call them for their rates for that weekend. 

Cross and Sons RV Park 
300 Pinecrest Drive Henderson, TX 
(903) 854-2997 Call for rates 

H and H RV Park 
3805 Hwy 79 S Henderson, TX 
(903) 836-2006 Call for rates 

The RV Park 
2068 TX Hwy 323 Henderson, TX 
(903) 658-2878 (903) 658-2790 
(This is a new park that is 1.4 miles from the Civic Center) Call for rates

Make plans to sing with us. Your presence will make it better and us gladder. 

Texas Fasola

When the road darkens and other quotes

The posting of quotes by human authors does not constitute agreement with either the quotes or their sources.

"If we would think a little bit more about the future we would likely modify a lot of what we do today!" -- Karen E. Willard

"Who can be surprised that 'gay marriage' has become acceptable in a society which long ago cast off any semblance of regard to the true 'sanctity' of marriage. Many 'conservatives' and religious folk long ago winked at and turned a blind eye to fornication and adultery." -- Mike McInnis

"If the Supreme Court, in its June 26 ruling to redefine the meaning of marriage, has made things less comfortable for believers, we must ask ourselves why we were so comfortable to begin with." -- Jack Wheeler

"The “culture wars,” while well-intentioned, were a mistake from the beginning." -- Cal Thomas

"Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens." -- J.R.R. Tolkien

"God will not look you over for medals, degrees or diplomas but for scars." -- Elbert Hubbard

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." -- Corrie ten Boom

"All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

This day in history

* July 5 -- "John Spur and John Hazel were taken by warrants dated July 5, 1751 for giving an expression of concern and sympathy to Obadiah Holmes after his beating by the authorities..."

Happy Treason Day

...you colonial rebels.

The Rock

The Rock, July 1, 2015. Common meter.

1. Our Rock is not like other rocks, 
He is the Living Lord;
He lives and reigns in heav'n above,
For thus says God's true word.

2. That Rock that followed Israel
Through all the wilderness
Was Christ from whence the water flowed,
Who by his hand them fed.

3. Upon this Rock he built his church
For glory and for praise;
The gates of hell shall not prevail
In all her length of days.

4. He is our Rock, our Living Lamb,
The one foundation stone.
He knows his own and all of them
Are lodged secure thereon.

President

It might be a shorter list if those who are not running for President of the United States would announce!

Pray for Ernest Hendrix and other links

The posting of links does not constitute an endorsement of the sites linked, and not necessarily even agreement with the specific posts linked.

• Athens hiker who fell 80 feet from Huntsville cliff over weekend remains critical -- "Pray for Ernest Lee Hendrix"
• After Years Of Research, Confederate Daughter Arises -- "Friends and family members doubted that Rice's father, who was born a slave, supported Confederates."
• Civil War buffs on Confederate flag debate: It's complicated -- "If you're looking for simple answers about the Confederate flag’s place in contemporary America, don’t ask a Civil War reenactor."
• County Clerk Resigns Instead of Issuing Gay Marriage Licenses -- "I had already decided in my heart that I could not issue marriage licenses to same sex couples. It’s my Christian belief."
• Embattled rebel flag reassessed at Georgia's Stone Mountain -- "Stephens said the park's leaders are listening to arguments pro and con in considering their next steps."
• For many black Americans, Confederate flag debate a distraction -- "Taking down the flag does not improve the quality of life for black people."
• Lesbian couple adds to Nacogdoches County's history with first license -- "I don't feel a piece of paper makes a difference..."
• Polygamous Montana trio applies for wedding license -- "It's about marriage equality. You can't have this without polygamy."
• Priest Jonathan Morris Spat on Near Gay Pride Parade -- "Father Jonathan Morris wasn’t feeling prideful after being spit on by two men near a Gay Pride Parade in New York City Sunday."
• Six arrested during Lakewood Church service -- "Six people were arrested at Lakewood Church Sunday after heckling Pastor Joel Osteen while he was preaching..."
• Texas attorney general says county clerks can refuse gay couples -- "Justices of the peace and judges similarly retain religious freedoms and may claim that the government cannot force them to conduct same-sex wedding ceremonies over their religious objections."
• Yes, Gay Marriage Hurts Me Personally -- "Indeed, you know love has emerged victorious when a bunch of liberals are screaming in your face, calling your children ugly, and urging you to kill yourself."
• 40 Questions for Christians Now Waving Rainbow Flag -- "What Bible verses led you to change your mind?"

Arthur Wyeth painting and other arts links

The posting of links does not constitute an endorsement of the sites linked, and not necessarily even agreement with the specific posts linked.

• Bassist Chris Squire, Who Co-Founded Yes, Dies At 67 -- "He was the only member to play on all of Yes' albums, and he co-founded the band with its former lead singer, Jon Anderson."
• Delaware Art Museum sells Wyeth and Homer paintings -- Andrew Wyeth's "Arthur Cleveland" and Winslow Homer's "Milking Time"…
• Misty Copeland is first black principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre -- "Copeland's 14-year career at the American Ballet Theatre has been a series of milestones drawing attention outside the rarefied world of ballet."
• Truman S. Wetmore and His 'Republican Harmony' -- "Upon the occasion of his wife's death, he wrote the words and music to the tune Sylvia."
• Sacred Music in Early Winchester -- "The present article trace the background of psalmody in early Connecticut during the 18th century..."
• Shout and Sing the Good Old Way: A Sacred Harp Story -- "Sand Mountain is a haunted house of a place."
• Texas Baptists' top 10 tunes are rich in history -- "...the hymn of six stanzas was first published in 1779..."

Marching to Glory

The hymn “Marching to Glory” below is from The Minstrel of Zion (by Hunter and Wakefield), p. 55, originally with sixteen stanzas.

Our kindred dear to heaven have gone: We’ll meet our friends in glory.

They landed safe—we’ll follow on: to meet our friends in glory.

Chorus:

We’re marching to glory! (We’re marching to glory)

We’re marching to glory! To meet our friends in glory!

We’re on our way to paradise, to meet our friends in glory.

Like us they had their cares and fears: We’ll meet our friends in glory.

Like us they shed affliction’s tears: We’ll meet our friends in glory.

Safe housed in their eternal home: We’ll meet our friends in glory.

They wait till we with songs shall come: We’ll meet our friends in glory.

How happy they, from sorrow free: We’ll meet our friends in glory.

And such our happiness shall be: We’ll meet our friends in glory.

What harps of gold they all employ: We’ll meet our friends in glory.

Such harps our hands shall strike with joy: We’ll meet our friends in glory.

What notes divine are on their tongues: We’ll meet our friends in glory.

And raise with them our rapturous songs: We’ll meet our friends in glory.

Though rough the way ‘twill soon be past: We’ll meet our friends in glory.

And share their blissful home at last: We’ll meet our friends in glory.

Go figure

Today I saw a sign that said:

  "There's probably no god. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life."

I want a lot more assurance than probably to be comfortable enough to "stop worrying"!

Cracked voices and monotonous tunes

Some wag in Commerce in 1903 really didn't like our style of music, or else he thought he was being really cute and funny.

The “old-timers” held a singing convention on the 31st of May at Aberfoyle, and antiquated ‘Sacred Harp’ was terribly mutilated. Poor old-timers with their cracked voices and monotonous tunes made a horrible discord, but it gives them pleasure to hold fast to their precious errors, even in this enlightened age. “Such is life.” They may not be up-to-date in music, but the old sisters of Aberfoyle are [actually well up] in the culinary art. An immense table was spread and fairly groaned beneath the load of old-time hams, baked chickens, fried pies, pound cakes, etc., and the old-time singers and constituents did the dinner full justice. W. J. Leavens and Hon. Tom Yarbrough represented this section and in pitching his tune Mr. Leaven (who, by the way, is a fine singer of that kind,) was pitched on by an old sister, who said he pitched too high and sung too fast and so on. Had he been a [timid] stranger he might have been upset, but being from the Sand Mountain we suppose he had plenty of “grit in his gizzard.” 

“General News from N.E. Corner,” Commerce Journal (Commerce, Texas) June 12, 1903, p. 6

I tried, but was unable to identify Mr. Leaven/Leavens and Tom Yarbrough.

Two purposes of marriage, and other quotes

The posting of quotes by human authors does not constitute agreement with either the quotes or their sources.

"What happened on the cross is itself testimony to the fact that God is often most highly glorified in the midst of chaos, confusion, deep depravity, and anger." -- Joel Rainey

"Every theological vagabond and peddler may drive here his bungling trade, without passport or license, and sell his false ware at pleasure." -- Philip Schaff (On the state of Christianity in America, 1845) 

"The more churches empower consumerism, the more they lose power to it." -- Joel J. Miller

“These are the two purposes for which marriage was instituted: to make us chaste, and to make us parents. Of these two the reason of chastity takes precedence.” -- Sermon on Marriage, Chrysostom

"True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost." -- Arthur Ashe

“A committee is a group that keeps minutes and loses hours.” -- – Milton Berle

"You can prepare the mind to lose a loved one; but you can never prepare the heart..." -- Unknown

"We don't love our families because they are the most righteous people, but because they are ours." -- W. James Antle III

"You can change the label on an empty bottle all you want and it’s still just as empty." -- Vance Havner (paraphrased)

Supreme Court Victory, and other links

The posting of links does not constitute an endorsement of the sites linked, and not necessarily even agreement with the specific posts linked.

• A Texas minister set himself on fire and died to ‘inspire’ justice -- While some have claimed that a fundamentalist minister said he would set himself on fire if the Supreme Court approved same-sex marriage, this liberal minister actually did set himself on fire.
• Gay Marriage Supporters Gain Supreme Court Victory -- "...in a 5-4 decision..."
• Grieving family floored by birthday gift from Peyton Manning -- "...that’s the kind of gesture that will last, no matter where Manning plays."
• It’s Time to Legalize Polygamy "…the marriage equality movement has been curiously hostile to polygamy, and for a particularly unsatisfying reason: short-term political need." [Note: not a "slippery-slope" argument; the author is advocating this position]
• Millions of Americans still embrace the Confederate flag. Don't dismiss them all as racists. -- "…millions of Americans in the South…remain deeply invested in the Confederate flag. I am not one of them. But I do believe their concerns and beliefs are worth considering without dismissing them wholesale as a bunch of backwards racists…"
• Ordinances of Secession of the 13 Confederate States of America -- Texts with links
• The 11 Most Devastating Quotes From John Roberts’ Gay Marriage Dissent -- "The majority’s decision is an act of will, not legal judgment. The right it announces has no basis in the Constitution or this Court’s precedent."
• The Cross and the Confederate Flag -- "White Christians ought to think about what that flag says to our African-American brothers and sisters in Christ..."
• The Insurance Question -- "Should insurance be made a test of fellowship in the churches?"
• This Church Sign Is So Controversial, People are FUMING -- "Kunkle said that the marquee is referencing Satan’s attempt to be equal with God"
  
• Why the church should neither cave nor panic about the decision on gay marriage -- "This is a sober moment, and I am a conscientious dissenter from this ruling."