One of the blog postings you find on our News & Views page is written by a gentleman named Steve under the title, “Southern Gospel Views From the Back Row.” Below are two short paragraphs from his latest posting, “Southern Gospel’s Irrelevance? – Part 2” … which I hope you’ll take time to read in its entirety.
I started a commentary last week regarding the potential irrelevance of Southern Gospel music. I touched on three points last week (church decline, more to occupy our time and the death of ‘live’ music). As I suspected, the death of ‘live’ music garnered the most discussion.
I for one am going to make an effort to bring live music back to Southern Gospel concerts. Whether that means artists employing additional musicians or having current members pick up an instrument. A movement starts with one. I hope others will get on board.
For you, as a devoted lover and listener to Southern Gospel music … how do you feel about this issue? Is returning to live accompaniment, which means in many cases to be a piano or keyboard with bass guitar, maybe drums or guitar added …. or, do you feel this a step backwards and that the big produced arrangements that most groups currently use is the right direction for keeping pace with what’s now the norm in country music and other genres?
Your voice is vitally important in this discussion. I pray you’ll take the time to read both of Steve’s commentaries via the Links above, and that you share your thoughts with him … or send us an E-mail here. Remember, as in a political election, if you don’t vote … you have no right to complain if things don’t go your desired way.
A Pastoral Word . . .
And, on a different note … here’s another thoughtful message from Reverend Mark Adams, the Senior Pastor of Redland Baptist Church in Rockville, Maryland:
On December 2, 2012, Spanish long-distance runner Ivan Fernandez Anaya was competing in a cross-country race in the Spanish countryside. Anaya was running in second-place, well behind the race leader, Kenyan runner and Olympic medalist Abel Mutai. As they entered the finishing stretch, Mutai, the certain winner of the race, suddenly stopped running. Apparently, he mistakenly thought he had already crossed the finish line.
A Spanish newspaper reported what happened next: “Fernández Anaya quickly caught up with him, but instead of exploiting Mutai’s mistake to speed past and claim an unlikely victory, he stayed behind and, using gestures, guided the Kenyan to the line and let him cross first.” You can watch the finish of this race on youtube.
When asked what motivated this kind deed, Anaya said, “He was the rightful winner. He created a gap that I couldn’t have closed if he hadn’t made a mistake. As soon as I saw he was stopping, I knew I wasn’t going to pass him.”
Surprisingly, Anaya’s coach, the famous Spanish runner Martin Fiz, was disappointed with Anaya’s display of sportsmanship. Fiz said, “He has wasted an occasion. Winning always makes you more of an athlete. You have to go out to win.”
But Anaya stood by his decision. He told reporters, “Even if they had told me that winning would have earned me a place in the Spanish team for the European championships, I wouldn’t have done it either … because today, with the way things are in all circles, in soccer, in society, in politics, where it seems anything goes, a gesture of honesty goes down well.”
Anaya’s selfless action is a reminder of the fact that, as Christians, we don’t “run” the race of life according to the world’s standards. Our “Coach” trains us in disciplines like humility and service. Here’s a sample of His training sessions:
“Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)
“Many who are first will be last and many who are last will be first.” (Matthew 19:30)
“Honor one another above yourself.” (Romans 12:10)
“Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.” (1 Corinthians 10:24)
© 2013 Mark Adams
I missed this story in the news when it occurred, so was pleased to read it … and share it with you. I know nothing about the beliefs of Mr. Anaya, but he certainly displayed that which Jesus taught!
Marlin
