Evangelism & Discernment - Conference Highlights

I'm back on here again to share about some some messages and music that I heard when streaming the Truth & Life Conference the other week.

The first message was by John MacArthur on evangelism and was one of the two I thought was especially good.  I wish that I had taken notes!  

Update: Watch it HERE!

Costi did the second session.  I believe that one was also on evangelism.

You can watch it HERE.

The third session was also Costi Hinn (who turned away from the lifestyle and beliefs of his uncle Benny), and he gave a good warning about false teaching (deceptions).  Getting the Gospel almost right is all wrong.

"If you want to please God, don't mess with His message." - Costi Hinn

Costi also warned about the dangers of churches using music from heretics at the conference saying, "Why borrow from Beelzebub?"

I saw one person commenting about how that message was one of the best they'd heard.

Certainly, people do need to hear messages on discernment.

Watch it HERE.

Sam Horn spoke the second day finishing off the conference.

The most memorable song (for me) that Shane & Shane led was sung as a prayer.

The only thing that I avoid when singing this song is the part they added about us crowning Jesus.

I know there are a lot of hymns that say "Crown Him," but I struggle with the concept of in what way do we as humans really crown the God of the universe?  

Well, that's me.  I'm sure people mean it in a figurative sense.  

I still liked the song.

Christmas Music Time

I enjoy sharing some music remembering the birth of Christ this time of year, so here it goes!

This first one is not brand new (though newer), but I did not readily recognize it!

Here is an old classic, only this girl is using a ukulele.
 I enjoy finding songs sung by kids now and then.
(No, it's not an endorsement of everything they have done.)

 

William Cowper's Struggles (Plus Some of His Poetry Set to Music)

I was looking for hymns by William Cowper yesterday, and I ended up by reading more about his life.
"There is a Fountain Filled with Blood" and "God Moves in a Mysterious Way" are some of the lyrics you may be familiar with of the hymns he wrote.

I had heard some about Cowper's life in the past, but I didn't remember a lot of it.
His mother reportedly died when he was 6.
He made it through schooling to be a lawyer, and he fell in love with his cousin whom he was not allowed to marry.

The stress of trying to get a clerkship position in the House of Lords broke him.
He made three attempts on his life. 
He ended up in a "Insanorum" where he reportedly converted to Evangelicalism (which means he became a Christian).

He had the influence of some good friends in his life, and he seemed to improve for awhile and be encouraged spiritually.
He also sat under the teaching of John Newton and collaborated with him in the writing of hymns.
One online biography tried to make it sound as though what they call Newton's "despondence" was a bad atmosphere for Cowper, but something else I read makes it pretty clear that claim on that biography was utter nonsense.
Some of the critics are likely anti-Calvinist (as though Newton's Calvinism caused Cowper to have further mental problems).
Cowper was reportedly Calvinistic before meeting Newton, and some things that he wrote make it sound like Newton was just the opposite of a bad influence on him.
He was really an encouragement.
I too believe in the Biblical doctrines which many label "Calvinism."

One site mentioned that William's brother died a year before he lapsed into another time of mental instability.
That bout seemed to have ended the idea of his marrying the widow (Mary Unwin) who nursed him.  He was living with her family before she was a widow and continued in her care until she needed care herself.

 He had fears that he was going to go to Hell and had nightmares and delusionally thought God had commanded him to kill himself.
He improved and was encouraged by Mary to write as well as another widow encouraged his writing.

Mary became ill and paralyzed (this is what I read anyway) and died, and Cowper became despondent again after that until he died of dropsy.
I read that his nephew reported that shortly before he passed on that his sad face took on " a look of wonder and inexpressible delight."  

I found a poem of William Cowper's set to music in my searching.
Perhaps some of the most encouraging people may be the ones who need the most comfort from God.

God Is Our Refuge

Christian, are you in need of encouragement?
Here is a message that reminds us to look to God alone.
Finding Stability in an Unstable World • Message given by Darren Wiebe

This is a stressful time for me, and reminders of God's dependability and calming music with good lyrics are helpful.
Here are two songs I've heard in recent times that came into my mind this week.

"Amen" To Christian Dental Music

Due to either an e-mail or from following him on Facebook, I had known Steven Curtis Chapman had a new worship album coming out (which has now already been released), and I'd heard a little sampling of what was put out early.
I have not listened to contemporary Christian radio that often lately, but it wouldn't have surprised me to know that they were playing a single from an album before the full release was out.
That is usual.

What did surprise me was to hear the song "Amen" being played while I was getting my teeth cleaned recently.
I think I also heard "Slow Fade" by Casting Crowns, etc. afterward.
It would not have surprised me much at all to hear Christian music at my old dentist's office (though other easy listening music was often played there), since my old dentist used to lead the singing sometimes at a church.  I did not know that it would be played at this office.  If they did it in the past, I had forgotten.

Yes, things like this can and do happen in Tennessee whether at a dentist office, a fast food place, or other places you might not expect it.  Certainly it is unlike California, as you will see people interviewed on TV even talk about God and church in a positive way at times.
They even show events that are being held at or hosted by churches.

Though there are many in the old "South" who have a churchianity mentality rather than being true believers,  I still can enjoy some of the benefits.

Hearing some uplifting music with decent lyrics probably did help add to the easing of my stress of being at the dentist office (especially after having to fill out paperwork - again).
I'll admit that it was also a plus that the dentist chair now has a back massage or vibrator seemingly inside of it.

Though some may strongly disagree, I find this music much more agreeable than the classical music I had to suffer through many years ago as a teenager while getting teeth braces adjusted.

Random Eclectic Edifying Christian Music

I grew up listening to a lot of music.
A lot of it had the Christian label, and some of the best lyrics came from Steve Camp.
I saw him in concert maybe three or four times, and went up to meet him once at Grace Community Church when he was there.
While at this point I don't believe he is Biblically qualified as a pastor (though I don't blame him for what was not his fault...and realize others don't share my understanding),
I really love a lot of his lyrics from the past.
He is surely a brother in Christ from all I've heard and read, and this is nostalgic for me.
I hope you enjoy it.  If you don't, try the songs below.



I really enjoyed this bit of music.
If you need some soothing, this will help...unless you hate the saxophone!

The lyrics on this song made it worth sharing, though the ending was not my taste in music.
The first verses I can identify with.  I often feel my faith is weak.

Music Stories

Do you remember the song His Eye Is On The Sparrow? 
Ethel Waters is the one who made it famous, and more recently the Newsboys did an updated version that I have enjoyed.  Well, I discovered the story behind the writing of the song besides the clear reference to Matthew 10:29. 
It is fascinating and encouraging.  While I feel there is nothing wrong with longing for Heaven and home, too often we long for it as an escape from what God's purposes in our trials may be rather than an eagerness to be with Jesus. 
Click Here To Read The Story Behind The Song

Not too long ago I recorded a song not my own that used to  be sung many years ago at a church college group in California. It has been so long that I messed up some on it. A cat that comes to our place for attention and food was coming towards me and distracting me as I sang, but I decided not to do a retake.
The song is based on Solomon's words in Ecclesiastes.

There's Nothing New Under The Sun from ktinchrist on GodTube.