ALBUM REVIEW - THERE'S A SONG FOR THAT BY THE DOWN EAST BOYS

 I've heard of the Down East Boys, but I wasn't familiar with any of their music until I saw them on Guy Penrod's Gospel Music Showcase recently and followed that up by listening to their latest EP, "There's A Song For That."

As a result, Down East Boys are on my short-list of favorite Southern Gospel performers, which I consistently like their music but also am inspired and encouraged by great lyrics. I'll definitely be listening to more of them.

My favorite songs among this six song collection are the title track, "The Song of the Redeemed," and "Until He Comes." 

BOOK REVIEW - STONES THAT CRY: GOD'S PRECIOUS METAL BY GLENN REMSENl

 

Is heavy metal "the Devil's music? Is it possible for an omnipotent God to use Christian metal - or for that matter secular metal - for His glory?

"Stones That Cry: God's Precious Metal" by Glenn Remsen (with illustrations by Samuel Remsen) is a thought out book dealing with these issues. More importantly, it challenges making assumptions on face value.

Remsen suggests that God is responsible for all genres, and that it is giving the devil too much credit to say he, a created being, is able to create anything. Both God and the devil can use any genre for their purposes. 

The author is built up by "wholesome lyrics of honesty." Not all honesty is positive, after all. Remsen gives examples of metal music that has comforted him when dealing with traumatic situations, such as a brain tumor. He distinguishes between metal that is honest, that which is intentionally blasphemous.

The last chapter (not counting the conclusion chapter) focuses on Christian metal. He states that there is nothing wrong with Christian metal if it is honest. He has problems with Christian artists that try to sound like a popular secular artist. (He mentions the same things about authors who use their first and middle initials because A.W. Tozer and C.S. Lewis do so.)

Which secular and Christian metal bands should we listen to, and which should we avoid? Remsen refuses to answer those questions. He encourages Christians to listen to the music and then determine which is being used by the Spirit and which doesn't. 

Finally, the clearest message in this book is to not judge according to appearance, but to love those who are not like us, who don't fit in to our sanitized church environments. 

I highly recommend this book. I also recommend Lithoscry, a weekly podcast Remsen hosts.

JOTHAM - "LET'S STOP BEING SO CRITICAL" (PART 2 OF 6)

Joatham Rex (King Jotham), Guillaume Rouille

You can say Jotham was the inspiration for this present series. I was planning on putting him with the obscure people from the previous 6 weeks. But then, I realized that he just wasn't obscure, but also criticized by some based on presuppositions, not by the plan meaning of the text.

Allow me to give a little background. 2 Chronicles 26 tells the story of Uzziah. He was a good and godly king until he let it get to his head, and he entered the Temple to offer incense, which only the priests were allowed to do. He became a leper as a result.

What effect did that have on his son Jotham? 2 Chronicles 27:2 says, "He did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah had done (although he did not enter the temple of the LORD). But still the people acted corruptly." NKJV

Was Jotham a good king? You have a difference of opinion. The nay-sayers point out that he did not lead to a revival like Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and Josiah did. Also, they criticize him for not entering the temple. More than one source goes through the line of Uzziah defiling the temple, Jotham not going to the temple (how dare the King not go to church), and Ahaz (Jotham's son) closing the temple.

Is there a chance that they're being too harsh on Jotham? Since we're dealing with those who look at him negatively, let me word and answer the question negatively: Is there a chance that they're NOT being too harsh on Jotham? NO! WAY! 

Allow me to focus on the two issues in the order the verse gives. First, it tells us Jotham imitated his father in living a godly life. Ah, but Uzziah had a hiccup in that godliness. To me, the wording makes it logical that all it's saying is Jotham copied what Uzziah did right but did not copy what Uzziah did wrong. The context doesn't imply he stayed away from the temple (the next verse states he built up the temple, which doesn't fit the nay-sayers interpretation).

How about the charge that he didn't do enough to reform the people? Should he have tried harder? Let's look at 2 Chronicles 27:6: "So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God." It sounds like Jotham did his part, but the people didn't follow. He led them to water, but he couldn't make them drink. 

I'd like to conclude with two points:

1. Jotham is an underappreciated, underrated King of Judah. Not in the highest tier, but he was a good and godly king, and sets an example for us to imitate what others do right and not what's wrong.
2. Too many Christians are quick to be critical when given an opportunity. 

So let me again invite you to give up being quick to be critical, at least until Lent is over with if not longer.

INTERVIEW WITH SLUGGO FRANKLIN OF AL-TIRAH

 

AL-TIRAH, left to right: Jerry Davis (Lead & Rhythm Guitars), Sluggo Franklin (Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals, Keyboards), Carrie Shrum (Lead & Background Vocals), Jeff Frederick (Bass) and Paul Franklin (Drums & Percussion).

Would you believe it's almost been a year since my last interview? I'm excited about this group. 

JR: How did the band get started and what’s the origin of the name?

SF: The guys in AL-TIRAH all used to play in a secular rock band Paragon in the 1990s and most of us played together.  We had lost touch after we broke up, just after the year 2000 started. My brother Paul (drums) and I (guitar, vocals, keyboards) decided to get together after I had written a few songs to record and maybe play a few places. Jeff Frederick (bass) had recently gotten saved and was getting in touch with us because he was now a Christian after being an Agnostic.  Jerry Davis (guitars) was also talking to Paul and I about God and the good old Days: Jerry was looking and God was knocking and Jerry, finally answered the door. He joined us and came up with the name of the band: it means Fear Not in Hebrew.

We started putting the songs together and had a some singers work with us. One night we saw Mrs. Carrie Shrum after she came in and sang a few songs at church. We were immediately impressed by the power in her voice, not to mention she sounded great! We asked her to come try out and she joined us right away. So really God put us together he had a plan way back when and everything just fell in place we became what we are today AL TIRAH/FEAR NOT.

JR: Would you like to tell me about your latest project? (I’ve never had anyone say no to that question.)

SF: The new recording, “AL-TIRAH - God Is With Us,” has 9 songs: 

• “Passion.” I wrote it years ago and tried doing it so many times it just never worked out for one reason or another a song all about the things Jesus said on the Cross and the forgiveness that comes with it. It is played exactly how I had written it from the very beginning.
• “You Raise Me Up” really just came to me in a dream and I woke up and wrote it down. A feel good praise song!
• “Back Slider” was a song I had written and tried to have a more new wave feel to it but Jerry had written music and it just fit the song is about running away from God and the feeling of being lost all over again.
• “Pray for Reign” is basically about how we need Jesus to come heal the land and take away all the Sin we are facing today and people and their selfish ways, pretending to be Christians.
• “Mold Me Like Clay” is written with Jerry Davis in mind and how he just gave everything to Jesus and turned his life completely around. What a testimony he has.
• “Luke 23” is written by Jerry Davis; most is of it is taken straight from the Bible and basically the message that it is.
• “Psalms 3.” That song was a cover actually straight out of the bible a few bands to my knowledge have recorded it so basically written by King David.
• “There Aint No Grave. The words are from Molly Skaggs version, and we just made it our version musically.
• "Everything." I wrote it years ago when I was just thinking about how God was in every little detail in my life and how much I loved God and everything he has given us especially his only begotten Son just so we may have ever lasting life. What a wonderful God we serve. That song wrote itself. That why I wrote the part this song I sing.

JR: What do you think is the greatest need in the world, and how do you think God is using AL-TIRAH to meet that need?

SF: the greatest need in the world is obviously, Jesus the truth that comes with Him and the life. I think God brought us together to help others from all ages to find Him: we all come from different backgrounds but music is our common denominator. We have been through the fire and being able to talk to people and help them in testimony and music and one on one to listen with an open heart - not judging is a necessity.

JR: Here’s a double header. Can you tell me one of the greatest blessings your band has had? Also, what are one of the greatest challenges facing the band that God brought you through?

SF: The greatest blessing to me is seeing old band mates find Christ and come use our talents for Him.

As far as challenges go, getting older not being those young guys jamming for the youth but now having to deal with age and its issues for me personally but the others I would say being able to make time to practice and record as well as play gigs. But the more we get noticed the better it will be for all of us. Its in God’s hands and we put our faith in him period.

JR: Thank you for your time. What is ahead for the band? Do you have a web page or social media where we can keep up with you?

SF: Our web page, http://www.altirahband.com, is new and still being updated. We have a Face book page - it’s AL TIRAH, all capitals - and Youtube music Free LP. 

BOOK REVIEW - CHURCH ELDERS: HOW TO SHEPHERD GOD'S PEOPLE LIKE JESUS BY JERAMIE RINNE (9MARKS)

 

Does the Bible teach single Senior Pastor leading a church, assisted by a youth pastor and music minister, or does it teach a multiplicity of elders? Does Scripture restrict this office to men, as 1 Timothy 2:11-12 seems to indicate, or is it open to anyone who desires the office of elder, called a good thing in 1 Timothy 3:1? Is there any difference between an elder and a deacon, and if so what are they?

Church Elders: How to Shepherd God's People Like Jesus by Jeramie Rinne is part of the 9Marks Building Healthy Churches series. It deals with topics both controversial and non-controversial, though a lot of the controversies are not as much what the text says but whether we agree with what it says. For example, one Amazon  reviewer gave this book a one star review because the author did not believe that women should have authority over men in the church; I guess Paul's statements in 1 Timothy 2:12 should be discarded because, well, because the views of man supersede the Word of God.

This book does a good job of analyzing what the teachings of the Pastoral Epistles and Peter's admonition to elders in 1 Peter 5. Rinne holds that elders are, unlike deacons, supposed to be able to teach. I like his story when he challenged his elders to consider preaching a sermon. He also states the Biblical model is for there to be multiple elders in the congregation, not only to more effectively shepherd the flock, but also to encourage and hold accountable the other elders - after all, they're human and need shepherding as well.

My favorite chapter is on searching out the strays. After all, there are cults that are really more interested in turning church attending Christians into their teaching than reaching the lost. He does a great job of identifying the strays that need shepherding: sinning sheep (those who need to be corrected), wandering sheep (those not attending regularly due to work, interests, or illnesses), hurting sheep (those that need encouraging and sometimes need visiting due to illness), fighting sheep (when a church member has a beef with another church member), and biting sheep (when a church member has a beef with an elder). Rinne also points out that church membership is an aid in allowing elders to rescue the strays.

I highly recommend both the 9Marks: Building Healthy Churches series in general and this book in particular.  

THE 7,000 WHO DIDN'T BOW - "LET'S STOP BEING SO CRITICAL" (PART 1 OF 6)

 

Statue of Elijah, "Cave of Elijah", Mt. Carmel; courtesy of Joe Freeman

Ash Wednesday started Lent. I have a suggestion on what to give up for Lent: Being critical when you don't have enough information to justify the criticism. So during the six Sundays of Lent (which technically are not part of the 40 days of Lent), As I dealt for the past 6 weeks with obscure people who grabbed my curiosity, the next 6 weeks will focus on Biblical people that have been unnecessarily criticized.

Today, I'll be dealing not with one, not with seven, but with 7000 individuals mentioned only a couple of times in Scripture. But first, background. Do you need me to recount the duel on Mt Carmel between Elijah and the Prophets of Baal? I'll assume you know that one, as well as the prophet's race into the wilderness when threatened by Jezebel and his conversation in the cave with the Still Small Voice. Elijah complained he was the only prophet of Yahweh left, and Yahweh countered He reserved 7000 men in Israel who had not bowed their knee to Baal.

Would you believe there are Christians who criticize these faithful believers?

Would you believe there are well-known, highly respected, godly gentlemen who criticize these faithful believers?

Surprisingly, the first question is answered yes. Scandously, so is the second. I'm not going to tell you who because it might take away deserved respect from these great Bible teachers. 

Why are the 7000 criticized? Because Elijah didn't know about them. Because they did not stand up and start a revival. Only thing - the text does not criticize them. Neither does the Lord. 

There are people who are called to start an awakening. But not all. All are called to be faithful. If they're not noticed for their faithfulness, there is no blame or shame for these faithful. Rather, they should be complimented for that faithfulness.

We need to remember that God uses everyday people, not just the big wigs.

ALBUM REVIEW: BEAUTIFULLY UNWORTHY BY WORSHIPWIRED

 

I always enjoy hearing new projects that leave me inspired and blessed. "Beautifully Unworthy" is that type of album. Every song on this 6 song EP has great music and a great message. My favorite songs are "Truth I'm Standing On," "Life Unauthentic," and "Life In Full Bloom." 

I highly recommend this project.

ALBUM REVIEW - GOD IS WITH US BY AL-TIRAH

 I had the honor of getting to listen to AL-TIRAH's debut album. It starts out with the soulful "Ain't No Grave" and concludes with the driving guitars of "You Raise Me Up," with wonderful songs like "Everything," "Mold Me Like Clay." and "Psalm 3" in between. Interestingly, in fact, the 9 songs are in alphabetic order (at least, it's that way on Spotify). Besides the versatile sounds of the music, the lyrics are inspiring and uplifting.

When I write a review of an album, I point out what my favorite songs are. So what are my favorite tunes on this song album? Well, there's the songs I mentioned in the above paragraph, and there's also "Back Slider," "Luke 23," "Passion," and "Pray For Reign." And if you're counting, you'll realize I mentioned every song on the project. 

I'm looking forward to hearing what they come out with next.

ARCHIPPUS - BIBLICAL PEOPLE I'M CURIOUS ABOUT (PART 6 OF 6), PLUS A PREVIEW OF MY NEXT 6 WEEK SERIES.

Lighthouse Baptist Church, Indianapolis

 I was in a men's Bible study that went through Romans, and I volunteered to take the final chapter. Yep, the one with all the names of people Paul was greeting as well as some who were with Paul and sending greetings to the Romans. What I did was went through Strong's to look at the meanings of each of the name. I smiled as I dealt with Urbanus and Stachys (Rom. 16:9); the former, not surprisingly meant "of the city," while the other meant "head of grain." In other words, you could paraphrase that verse, "Greet City Boy, our fellow servant in Christ, and Country Boy, my beloved."

My favorite in these lists of unknowns is Archippus. He is mentioned in Colossians 4:17 and Philemon 2. We don't know anything else about him; some have speculated he was the pastor of the church at Philemon's house, and others that he was Philemon's son. Some consider he was martyred with Philemon, Apphia, and Onesimus, though there's no proof - one author mentioned there was a pastor named Onesimus that Ignatius of Antioch had contact with.

I'll take that back. We do know one thing about Archippus. That is that God called him to the ministry. Paul writes in Colossians 4:17: "And say to Archippus, 'Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.'" I can picture the Colossian Church, after hearing these words, turned to the blushing young (I assume) man, and repeat Paul's words in unison with a smile on their face. By the way, Paul calls Archippus his fellow soldier. Yep, that sounds like someone in the ministry.

But hasn't every Christian received a ministry from the Lord that they are to be encouraged to fulfill it? And does that include you? Do you see any indicators this is relevant only to the first century? I don't.

Unfortunately, not all do. A person mentioned in the same chapters Archippus is, giving greetings to Philemon and the Colossian church, is an individual named Demas. That's a recognizable name - in 2 Timothy, Paul tells Timothy Demas forsook him, having loved the present world (2 Tim. 4:10). We have a choice to fulfill our ministry as Archippus is admonished to do or to depart loving the world like Demas.

Can I take a little rabbit trail and deal with a pet peeve? (The pet here is the rabbit who left the trail.) I heard at least one sermon on Demas, following his spiritual life from being a fellow laborer (Philemon 24) to just being "Demas" (Colossians 4:14) to "having loved the present world." Good point that there's a pattern, but the text does not support it. You notice in Colossians 4:7-9 that the Colossian letter was brought by Tychius and Onesimus? Most consider Colossians and Philemon to be written and sent at the same time, so the lack of a description in Colossians doesn't mean anything really. Yes, it's a pet peeve when Christians seem to need to add something negative at something that is just narration. And you'll hear more about that pet peeve in my next 6 part series, starting next week.

But were you blessed by this series? Did any of these obscure people encourage or motivate or challenge you?

ALBUM REVIEW - RIBS BY ANNA OWENS & FOREVER YOUNG

 

I had the honor of hearing Anna Owens in concert in Dec., '23. Her album "Ribs" contains several deep, thought provoking folk songs. 

My favorites among this 15 song collection are "Unbroken," "Crossroad," "Holier Than Thou," "Broken Cisterns," "Reflections," "Blood Related," "Like A Child," and "Sparrow."

BOOK REVIEW - GOING THERE: TALES FROM THE RIVIERA AND BEYOND BY DONNA FLETCHER CROW

 

Is this book a non-fiction description of a trip to the Riviera in post-pandemic times? Does it contain fictional stories including favorite characters from her novels? The answer is yes.

"Going There: Tales from the Riviera and Beyond" is a travelogue of a 2021 trip author Donna Fletcher Crow took with her daughter-in-law and granddaughter as they were returning the latter to her ballerina school in Monaco. Yes, this was at the time where COVID-19 was still a major concern at a point when people were ready for normalcy. She does a good job of reminding us of what mask mandates felt like and the concern of passing a COVID test so she could return home to the States rather than being stuck in her hotel for over a week away from her family at her own expense.

But this book is also a short story collection including some of my favorite characters from her novels. Charles and Antonia from the Victorian True Crimes Lord Danvers Investigates series. Richard and Elizabeth who host a Literary Murder collection. And especially my hero Father Antony and Felicity of the Monastery Murders.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It helped me know the author better. (Coincidentally, I just started another, unrelated book, where the author mentioned too often you read books knowing nothing about the author.) The short stories were entertaining and allowed me to hang out with several of my fictional friends (and the Dowager Duchess as well). Additionally, both the fiction and the non-fiction give you an introduction to the Riviera and what the people there are like.

I highly enjoyed this book and recommend it.

I received a copy of this book for my unbiased review.

SIMON THE ZEALOT - BIBLICAL PEOPLE I'M CURIOUS ABOUT (PART 5 OF 6)

St. Simon by Peter Paul Rubens from his Twelve Apostles series at the Museo del Prado, Madrid, c. 1611

It should be no surprise that the majority of these obscure people in Scripture were in the Old Testament. But there are a pair from the New Testament we're not as aware of. We'll look at one this week and conclude this series with the other.

There were two Simons among the 12 apostles. Of course, one is better known as Peter. The other is called Simon the Cananite in Matthew 10:2-4 and Mark 3:16-19, and as Simon the Zealot Luke 6:14-16 and Acts 1:13. And I've just mentioned every passage where he's mentioned by name in Scripture.

If you notice, the 12 are divided into three groups; their names might be in a different order, but it's the same three groups. The first started with Peter and included Andrew and the Zebedee boys. The next group featured Matthew, Thomas, Phillip, and Bartholomew. Finally, we find Simon with James the Son of Alpheus, Lebbaeus (Matt.) aka Thaddeus (Mark) aka Judas the son of James (Luke and Acts; John calls him "Judas not Iscariot" and the voice text on our phone put it "Judas not as scary at"), and you know who (missing, obviously, in Acts). James and the other Judas, like Simon, have nothing written about them in Scripture other than their names and calling.

But Simon has a designation that arouses my curiosity - particularly "The Zealot." Historians are aware there was a violent Zionist group by that name. But was he a zealot? The miniseries "Jesus Of Nazareth" had him leave the Zealots to follow Christ. The little I've seen of "The Chosen" with Simon implies he still had that mindset. Others say that he never was a Zealot. 

What about the other designation - "the Cananite?" Note the writing - it's not saying "Canaanite." Some believe he was from Cana, and possibly was the groom at a certain wedding that took place there. I've heard someone else, however, say that "Cananite" is an Aramaic word meaning ... you guessed it. "Zealot."

Having interest in politics, I'd love to get to know Simon when we get to heaven. 
 

ALBUM REVIEW - UP FROM THE ASHES BY NEW DAY RISING

Are you looking for an energetic, hard rock band? Allow me to suggest "Up From The Ashes" by New Day Rising.

Technically, I have not had the honor of hearing New Day Rising yet. However, last year I heard the band Eyes Aflame, as well as revealing their EP "Not The End" (an excellent album, but let me get back on topic). Eyes Aflame's guitarist, bassist, and drummer are also in New Day Arising, along with a second guitarist and two different singers. New Day Rising is harder than Eyes Aflame musically.

I enjoyed this album. My favorite songs from this "Up From The Ashes" are the title track, "Darkest Part Of Me," "Hero," "Relentless," and "Fire In Your Eyes."

Did I mention I recommend this project? Well, if not, I do now.