Thursday, March 28, 2019

We Could Take a Lesson from a Former Teacher

The subject of my blog is not usually an individual, but today I'm making an exception.  Actually, I'm going to talk about a couple, a humble power couple who have balanced humility with power, wealth, and fame, outside of Washington DC or Hollywood.  Bill and Gloria Gaither have been an amazing team for over 1/2 a century and today Bill is 83 years old.  Although I don't know them personally, their track record is public and that's what I want to share.

They began as school teachers in a small town in Indiana and even after composing "He Touched Me," they continued teaching school for a few more years.  The first point I'd like to make, is they have an amazing work ethic, and continue to work all these years later.  I don't know their net worth, although I'm sure it's nothing to sneeze at, they live in the same home they bought in the 60s while teaching school.  Without a doubt, they could have retired in the comfort of continuing royalties many years ago, and certainly at 65, but they didn't.  I honestly do not believe this 83 year old man is still doing what he's doing "for the money!"

Some of their songs are printed in hymnals.  Who remembers hymnals?  They are among the few songwriters whose songs are in hymnals while still living!  Not to discount Gloria in this, but today is not her birthday.

They continued to teach school while they wrote, introducing their work to their own church choir, as well as family singing groups and quartets that Bill admired as a teen.  "He Touched Me" was written in 1963, but it would be nearly a decade before that song changed their lives.  When Elvis and a few other well-known singers of the day recorded "He Touched Me," they quit their day job.  To this day, when he speaks to young music majors, he is very clear in telling them, "Don't quit your day job!"  Young people are still very much a priority, and our Heavenly Father graciously brought both of them out from careers in the Public Education System to use their
G-d given talent to bring Him glory.

As the name, Gaither, became a household word in Christian churches and homes, the number of Gaithers in their own home increased.  They have three children and I'm not sure how many  grandchildren, some of whom are adults, themselves.  Out of respect for the older servants in song ministries, Bill and Gloria hosted a "reunion" of many of the long recognized and well-known names in gospel music, such as Goodman and Speer.  The "reunion" that was intended as a single event became another part of their legacy in "The Homecoming Videos."

Bill Gaither has given dozens of young singers a wonderful platform to begin their ministries and/or careers, as well as keeping memories of George Younce, Rex Nelon, and Jake Hess alive for these next generations.  He's shared his stage with many other groups, who would not be so well known without the Gaither spotlight.  Beyond his talents in music and songwriting, he is gifted to recognize and spotlight the talents of others.  
  
Although some Christian vocalists have had some reported personal problems, there is no record or report of anyone leaving under discord.  A few have said, however; trying to keep up with Bill Gaither wears them out . . . but they keep getting on that bus and stage with him.  Many have launched into their own solo careers, but return for the reunions, or can be seen in the crowds.  The relationships come across as very genuine.  To work together daily, travel like family and continue to get along, is an amazing feat, not accomplished by just everyone.

The number of different denominations under the same roof for concerts, homecoming videos and cross country bus tours is mind-boggling.  Unlike social media, these folks just love the opportunity to praise our Heavenly Father and enjoy fellowship!  Truth be told, as my life took this crazy change and need for adjustment, the old southern gospel and Gaither Vocal Band have been a real blessing. 

Mark Allen Powell described Mr. William James Gaither in the following manner.
He's a curious hybrid
of poet and industrialist
of bumpkin and guru,
of living legend
and modest disciple.

Bill Gaither has worked with a group and certainly spotlighted this group, taking them from the small churches of Appalachia to the national stage.  Since this is the blog for Psalm 133 ministries, I'd like to share this video by the Isaacs.  
Hinei Ma Tov  
Behold how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity
                                                                                                 from Psalm 133

Thursday, March 14, 2019

Finding Our Creator in His Word

I entered Covenant with our Heavenly Father through His Son in 1994.  That was 25 years ago, long before many translations of Scripture were available.  By that time, there was, of course, more than just the King James Version, but the Complete Jewish Bible was not yet published, and neither was the Cepher.  The ISR was published in 1993, but I'd never heard of it.  I had a KJV, Scofield, no less and bought a Strong's Concordance the next day, along with an Evangelical Study Bible (KJV) and an NIV Rainbow Study Bible.  (That was when the rainbow just stood for covenant and color!)  Within days, I discovered The Name of our Creator and that of His Son.  Within a month, I was hearing the Voice of our Creator.  It wasn't daily, but it was distinct!

The reason for my personal history on this matter is simple.  As more people are coming to understand Torah obedience in following Messiah, King James and James Strong are being discounted.  I'm not a KJV only believer, but I'm certainly not going to discount it.  The internet has as many "teachers" as TBN has televangelists and everyone seems to have their special understanding . . . often translated by yours truly as "a tangent."

We all know there are errors in KJV.  Aside from poor translations of the Father and Son's Name, since we know names do not translate, the greatest offense I have found is an intentional mistranslation in Acts.  Throughout the accounts of the Gospel the word "pascha" was translated to Passover, but in Acts 12:4, that same term "pascha" was written as easter.  Constantine was dead set on keeping his empire united while separating from Judaism.  I cannot judge how many intentional mistranslations the Nicene Council contributed as they determined the content of the New Testament, but Strong's Concordance offers a simple way to decode the KJV translation from Hebrew and Greek to English.  Many choose to interpret Paul's epistles to render the Hebrew Scriptures obsolete, except as history, but if Paul taught against the only Scripture at that time, that would make him a false teacher . . .

I've grown weary hearing how much of the Bible was mistranslated . . . Our Heavenly Father promises to be found by those who seek Him with a whole heart.  Isaiah and Jeremiah both include words about seeking, as do many other books contained within Holy Scripture, but as of yet, I've found no Scripture to specify the translation we are to use.  Even as an author, I can state unequivocally, there is no extraneous book needed to find Him.  I pray some of the books, mine included, are helpful in areas of question or doubt, but spiritual growth only comes from time with our Heavenly Father and in His Word.  Anything we read must be measured against the standard of The Word.

I realize this is not the intentions of most, but in the continual discussion of mistranslation and cultural context, Scripture seems to actually be discounted as an inaccurate history book, and that is simply not the case!  Perhaps it's just my perspective and maybe I need an attitude adjustment, but far too many people are falling away from the Truth in what they believe to be revelation knowledge.

Not that I am comparing a president to our Creator, but rather using the situation to make a point.  Biographies are my favorite reading material and in school, I read every book about JFK that I could get my hands on.  Each book contained much of the same basic information, but emphasized various details and aspects of his life.  I, also do not choose to believe the "official report" regarding his assassination.  In all of this reading and years of discussing the official report, there is one overwhelming fact . . . I never met President Kennedy.  I can recite all sorts of facts, but I never knew the man.  This is the same thing I'm seeing in some of these discussions and teaching posts.  We can discuss our knowledge of Biblical history and our perspective of various translations until Messiah returns, but that doesn't mean we have an actual relationship with our Heavenly Father or His Son.

I am not discounting education in any way, but in all the endeavor to discover truth and enlighten others, we must not miss the actual point of the purpose of the Bible, and that is that we might know our Creator through His Son and to walk with Him.  Time is of the essence and a relationship in covenant obedience with our Creator is the point.  Messiah said it so simply.

But seek ye first the kingdom of G-d, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Matthew 6:33