What a wonderful opportunity to be living during this historical time!Ā
Oh, most certainly it is a trying and sad time in so many ways. But in other ways it’s amazing.
On Sunday morning I preached from 2 Timothy 1:7 and the “spirit of fear” God has not given us. That evening I covered the meaning of Palm Sunday by looking at the event as described in the Gospels.
As a bonus, I’m including the video from this morning.
If you have any comments, thoughts, or suggestions you’d like to share, I’d love to read them. Please leave them in the comment section below, or email me at PastorACBaker@yahoo.com.
Yet, no doubt trembling, with tears wetting his cheeks, he was warmed by the peace that passes understanding and composed the words to one of the Christian world’s most beloved hymns… “It Is Well With My Soul.”
This morning, a friend on Facebook forwarded me a link to some Nashville studio vocalists and their unbelievable rendition of “It Is Well,” all done on their cell phones!
Let me tell you, like some old preachers used to say, “If that doesn’t light your fire, your wood is wet!”
I couldn’t keep still, couldn’t stay seated, and couldn’t keep quiet. It became a hanky-waving, hand-clapping, “thank you Jesus” time.
Now, why don’t you watch and listen and see if your fire will light … unless your wood is too wet š
Just click on the link, below. It will take you to the News4 story and video.
All of us are living in tough and troubling times. For some of you, the road you’re on has far more bumps and potholes than the roads of others. Yet, all of us will agree that, wherever we are, the world is not getting any better.
Times are tough, and they’re only getting tougher.
But…
But, I have a Mighty Friend who is not affected by the whims of men or the winds of time. As a matter of fact, my Friend is the One who created man and started time.
Several years ago (2007) I wrote a song for my little girls to sing. Not long ago, while doing some stuff at church, I listened to a recording of the song …and shouted…literally, I kicked up my heels, pumped my fists, waved my hands, and shouted “Praise GOD!”
Maybe you need some encouragement? Just read the lyrics I have included below, and if God is your friend, don’t worry (Matthew 6:30-34).
Mighty Friend
Well I may not be as tall as a building or strong as a big ol trainI may not be as smart as a scientist doing things I canāt explainBut I know the One who made the tallest mountain and can whip up a hurricaneAnd the very One who invented gravity says He even knows my name.Ā Well I may not know whatās cominā in the morninā, or what the day may bringGood or bad, Iām not gonna worry, ācause Jesus knows everything.So Iāll do the best with what God has given me as long as there is timeāCause the One that got the clocks a-tickān told me itāll all be fine.Ā When the devil acts like a bully, putting on a scary showBefore you run away and hide in a corner thereās something you need to knowThe One who spoke the world into existence is standing by your sideAnd if you look close the devilās knees are shakinā cause he knows heāll lose the fightĀ Chorus:Cause Iāve got a Mighty, Mighty Friend who watches over meAnd Heās the Mighty, Mighty Savior who died to set me freeWell I may not be the greatest at anything, but this one thing is soThe God that is the greatest at everything loves me, this I know.Ā
…but I am going to include the recording I was talking about. This was recorded back when she (Katie, the one on the far left) was only 10 or 11 years-old. It’s not Nashville quality, but it’s precious. So, as so many people say before they sing in church, “Don’t listen to how we sing, just listen to the words.”
The following was written in 2012, but still very applicable. But before you get mad at me for what you are about to read, it’s only a comparison, not a dogmatic definition of right or wrong. …But I might be more right than wrong.
In Line
Every Tuesday my wife and girls go to Precept Ministries (Kay Arthur) in Chattanooga for Bible study. On some days I go with them and use the time to study. It’sĀ a nice place to study, believe me. However, I am writing this on a computer at Precept while Kay Arthur is talking to someone a few feet away. She is distracting me.
Then, there are other days when my wife and I leave the girls and sneak out to get a biscuit. Today we had to sit in line forever. For jelly biscuits.
Jelly Biscuit – May I insert just one question at this juncture? Why is it you always have to ask for jelly when you order a jelly biscuit? What is it about “jelly biscuit” that confuses people? If I ordered a plain biscuit, I would not expect jelly. But when I order a jelly biscuit, why don’t they assume I want jelly? Why do I always have to ask for it?! Good Grief!
I Hear a Song
It was while we were sitting in line that I heard a song on Christian radio (J103). The song caught my attention because of the lyrics. May I share with you the words from the chorus?
You make me happy…Uhhh
You make me feel the way I do…
You make me happy, Yeah!
I wish the whole world knew you, too! (and then the song ends with a bunch of “la-la-la’s.”)
I started to laugh. Honestly. Was I supposed to be blessed? Encouraged? Uplifted? Edified? Happy?
I know, I know, I know…I know that there are plenty of great, contemporary songs out there. Chris Tomlin, for one, has more than a few. I love several songs from Building 429, Avalon, and the Newsboys. But seriously, why can’t more of them take the subject matter at hand a little more seriously?
I Hear the Past
Some lines from the past need to be heard more often, especially if the best we can come with today is “uhh” and “yeah.”
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righeousness.
A mighty fortress is our God, a bullwark never failing.
Alas! and did my Savior bleed, and did my Sovereign die? Would he devote that sacred head for such a worm as I?
I will cherish the old rugged cross.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise: be thou mine inheritance now and always; be thou and thou only first in my heart; High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.
Dear Christian song writers, you can do better than “uhh’s” and “yeah’s” and “la la la la.”
Unfortunately, I am not with her; she decided to go to Charleston this week to spend time with our granddaughter. But that doesn’t mean I can’t wish her a happy birthday via the world wide web, right?
Happy birthday, Valerie! I heart you!
Holiday Names
My wife’s name is Valerie. Is it any wonder? I mean, she was born just two days before Valentine’s Day (and, coincidentally, on the day my parents got married). Valentine > Valerie =Ā Logical.
You have to admit, Valerie sounds a LOT better than Valentinerie.
Valentinerie… Now that’s a name worth passing around at the maternity ward!
Hmmm. That makes me wonder. What other names parents could name their daughter’s around this time?
Valentina?
Chocolatta?
Qishentyne?
Vilntin (pronounced Valentine)?
Lubnote?
Yeah, I think “Valerie” was the best choice.
The Lubsong ā„
Anyway, I wrote Valentinerie…excuse me, Valerie…a love song several years ago (You can be the judge of how much was truly autobiographical).
When I couldn’t figure out how to film myself doing a music video, I went to work with marker, paper, Monkey, and iPhone.
Here is the chocolate-covered fruit of my labor (I said labor…I’ve really got to get down to that maternity ward!).
“Try Me”
Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!
Just remember,the truest example of love is God’s love for us. May we love others with such extravagance (1 John 4:19-21).
Have you ever had a song that you couldn’t get out of your head? Sometimes they’re so bad you’d think Myley Cyrus had written them just to give you bad dreams.
Then there are those strange, twisted, dementedly sick videos from Billie Eilish. Good grief! I don’t advise watching them, not unless you want to stain your brain.
What’s a person supposed to do when they listen to or watch something perverted or sick that determines to repeat over and over in your mind? How do you get rid of it?
The first thing you can do – and this is the most preferred option – is listen to some good Christian music that uplifts the name of Jesus as it lifts you out of the mire of Myley’s musings. I recommend the following (with links provided):
OR, if you’re really desperate, you can watch this video and listen to this song I wrote and recorded. Listen to it a couple of times, then sing along. It will drown out any memory of the typical soul-polluting garbage on the radio.
If you keep repeating it in your head, over and over, it might even drown out the “Baby Shark” nightmares.
I was thinking of the words to an old hymn, Hide Thou Me…
Sometimes I feel discouraged and think my life in vain, I’m tempted oft to murmur, to grumble and complain; But when I think of Jesus and what He’s done for me, Then I cry, to the Rock of Ages, hide thou me.
There are times when the burdens of life get so heavy; when the struggles get so hard; when no matter what, we still worry; that we have to cry out to Jesus, “Hide me!” Thankfully, He does. Back around 1880 Vernon Charlesworth wrote, “The Lordās our Rock, in Him we hide, A Shelter in the time of storm; Secure whatever ill betide, A Shelter in the time of storm.”
How different it is for the unbeliever.
Where does the atheist turn when his world is falling apart? When all friends forsake him? When the doctors say, “I’m sorry, but we’ve done all we can do?” When someone sings “The Sun Will Come Up Tomorrow,” but he knows he won’t see it?”
Where does the unbeliever hide? In drugs? Alcohol? Meditation? Sex? Nietzsche? Nature (which he believes is nothing more than the product of random chance and void of meaning)?
Scripture (Revelation 6:16) speaks of a day when men who chose to run from the Rock will “cry to the mountains and rocks” to “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne…” Ironic, isn’t it?
Oh, “Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee.”
Back in July of 2013, a year before Katie went to college for a music degree, we spent a couple of days sitting in front of microphones in a studio in Nashville.
My daughters and I, along with Daniel Ziegenmier and Steve Castlen, were creating what I believe could have been a surprise hit – Katie’s debut CD. But, alas, the finished product was not to be.
Below is the story, along with photos and music I just uploaded to YouTube (scroll down to listen to them).
Goat Farmer Records
Believe it or not, Katie (the recent graduate from Bryan College) was picked up by Goat Farmer Records in Nashville, TN. Yes, Goat Farmer Records. GFR was an independent label focusing on alternative bluegrass and Americana, and we were the label’s first Christian artists!
Being that GFR was not Sony, Capital, or Sparrow Records, the recording budget was limited. We were not flown to Nashville, nor did we receive big bonuses and specially prepared food during sessions. No limo picked us up at the hotel, either. But, what we did receive was a warm welcome, a laid-back atmosphere, and the opportunity to have fun.
If nothing else, this poor preacher didn’t have to fork out $10K for studio time. Can I get an amen!?
Unfortunately, the Christian message and mission of Katie’s music developed an uncomfortable vibe, and the label’s owner and chief engineer (Joel Ziegenmier) thought it best to release Katie and not pursue finishing the project or promotion.
Future attempts at recording also proved unfruitful, so Katie never got to put out the CD that we thought would be a blessing.
Pictures
Everybody loves pictures, so here are a few images from our sessions.
Mr. Monkey goes everywhere.
Daniel on the cajon, Haley on the Uke, Katie on guitar, Joel setting up, and me on bass (out of view).
It’s hard to explain.
Katie likes the Neuman u87 (microphone).
Steve Castlen on drums.
Unlike many other groups, we get to play our own instruments! No hired studio musicians to replace us – no sir! But of course, that means recording music takes longer and requires a lot of work. Amazingly, one can get tired while having fun.
The Present and Future
While Katie was in college for 5 1/2 years, she wasn’t able to focus on her own music much, even though it was partly her creativity and potential that earned her a music scholarship. Even though she has written a couple of songs in the last 5 years, most of her time was spent learning music, including operas in multiple languages.
Now that Katie and Haley are moved out and on their own, and now that Katie is done with college, my hope is that she will return to writing and recording, especially since her voice has matured and her musical knowledge has been expanded.
If you like what you hear in the links I’ve included below, please contact Katie and let her know. Encourage her to rekindle the gift that God has given her.
Bonus Picture
Mirror Image (1993). That’s me, my sister (Rebecca), Jody Gould, and Steve Castlen back in the day š
The Album that Wasn’t
The following “studio roughs” were recorded at the now-defunct Goat Farmer Records in Nashville, TN. Even though the audio quality was good, no post-editing was ever completed, so the critical ear will hear a few mistakes.
Also, Katie was only 17 at the time of these recordings. Her vocal and music abilities have greatly improved over the last 6 years!
Don’t you think that last song would make a great video? Even a great commercial for a cute car?
If you are a record label, Katie’s available šĀ
I haven’t been writing much, lately. It’s been pretty busy around here.
One thing that just happened was the graduation from college by my daughter Katie.
Katie’s first day at Bryan college was back in September of 2014 when we dropped her off at the dorms. I still remember getting back home, walking down the hall and looking into her freshly-painted, peach-colored, sparkly room, knowing those days were over. I cried a river as I leaned against her door frame.
The first picture was taken on that first day at Bryan. Here is myself, Haley (our youngest), and Katie, all sporting our brand new t-shirts to celebrate and remember the day.
Can you believe these are the same two girls?
Here is Katie with Dr. Stephen Livesay, the President of Bryan College.
Now, here’s the proud dad and mom with the graduate š
So, Katie got a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education and Vocal. She could always sing, and she can write some beautiful music. Let’s view some performance history on YouTube š See if you can tell how much she’s matured by the last one.
Here is a video of Katie back in November of 2011 (8 years ago). This was the first video of her singing I ever posted on YouTube.
Here is a video of Katie from December of 2012 singing an original, one of the first songs she ever wrote.
Here she is from before her college days in a high school talent show playing guitar (they won 1st place).
Now, the video is not the best quality, but here is Katie and I playing for her high school graduation banquet. Again, this is a song she wrote…and she’s playing the uke better than I played the bass.
This is her senior (college) recital in January of this year. I get to play with her at the very end – because I played for her when she first auditioned for a music scholarship…which she received š
Which brings us to the last video – the one made tonight at a church in Soddy-Daisy, TN. Now that Katie is on her own, a college graduate, and living back in Chattanooga with her sister, Haley, I don’t get to perform with her anymore, nor hear her sing in church. So, it sure was a blessing to see this video of Katie doing a wonderful performance of “Breath of Heaven.
This is what loving the Lord, 6 years of college, a lot of prayer, and tons of perseverance will get you. I’m a blessed dad to have such beautiful and talented daughters.
This morning I was looking on YouTube to find some background music to play while I studied. I usually select Christian piano instrumentals by Dan Mussleman (click here for his channel)
However, this time I saw a 5-hour video with background music; it was a Chronicles of Narnia snow-covered wood theme.
Now, I eventually went back to the piano music; the Narnia music got a little repetitive after an hour. But before I did, I read a comment in the comment section. It was a quote from the 15th chapter of “The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.”
“I hope no one who reads this book has been quite as miserable as Susan and Lucy were that night; but if you have been ā if you’ve been up all night and cried till you have no more tears left in you ā you will know that there comes in the end a sort of quietness. You feel as if nothing was ever going to happen again.” (15.8) – C. S. Lewis
When I read that quote and thought of what I was going to be doing in a little while, I realized it was a “God moment.”
I had been praying about what to share with a grieving widow. I know the Bible gives us hope and assures us that we will see our loved ones again, at least those who have put their faith in Christ. Yet, I wanted something that could specifically address the time in between…the time after the funeral…the time of adjusting…the time when things feel like they’re over, like nothing wonderful will ever happen again.
This was it! This was what I was looking for!Ā
Susan and Lucy had just watched as Aslan has been humiliated, bound, and then stabbed to death by the White Witch. They had to listen to the rejoicing of their enemies as the beloved Lion breathed his last breath. Then, alone, they cried as time meaninglessly ticked by.
A loved one was dead. Was this the end of story? The end?
NO!Ā
The stone table cracked! He broke the curse! Aslan was alive!
Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. – Romans 6:8-9
Today is my
The Recovering Legalist 