Burdens Are Lifted At Calvary

Coming from a spiritual heritage of the Church of Christ I learned harmony was beautiful in the music we sang but WORDS came to mean a lot to me as well. From the hymnals we sang from we would sing praise songs to the Trinity but we also sang many songs to each other. I continue to believe there is a place for both types in our worship.

Today's culture is putting much emphasis on the praise and worship songs which are very beautiful but in my opinion a little more difficult for the untrained voice to sing. My favorite songs tend to be songs which speak to each other with encouragement to lean on God, Jesus and the Spirit. Hymns which remind us of what we know already but tend to forget in our hurried and busy ways.

This is one of those. Life can put a load of guilt, anger, hurt, lonliness, etc., etc., etc. on you. But Jesus came to take those away. This song reminds us of that. Short, sweet and simple is the message that Jesus can take your burdens if you lay them at the cross.

On this Sunday...perhaps you need that reminder as I often do.

Song: Burdens Are Lifted At Calvary
Artist: Bill & Gloria Gaither & the Homecoming Friends
Album: Amazing Grace

Days are filled with sorrow and care
Hearts are lonely and drear
Burdens are lifted at Calvary
Jesus is very near

Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Calvary, Calvary
Burdens are lifted at Calvary
Jesus is very near

Troubled soul the Savior can see
every heartache and tear
Burdens are lifted at Calvary
Jesus is very near

Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Calvary, Calvary
Burdens are lifted at Calvary
Jesus is very near

Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Calvary, Calvary
Burdens are lifted at Calvary
Jesus is very near

Jesus is very near

Murder On Music Row

After watching American Idol this week and seeing some "Country Music" videos I am convinced the Country music I love is getting lost in the noise of popular music. There is still some hope. Jamie Johnson is a good one that has a couple albums out that are good. I thought of this song this week.

Song: Murder on Music Row
Album: Latest Greatest Straitest Hits
Artist: George Strait (with Alan Jackson)


Nobody saw him runnin' from 16th avenue
They never found a fingerprint or the weapon that was used
But someone killed country music - cut out its heart and soul
They got away with murder down on Music Row

They almighty dollar and the lust for world-wide fame
Slowly killed tradition and for that someone should hang
Oh, they all say, "Not guilty" but the evidence will show
That murder was commited down on Music Row

For the steel guitars no longer cry and fiddles barely play
But drums and rock and roll guitars are mixed up in your face
Ol' Hank wouldn't have a chance on today's radio
Since they've committed murder down on Music Row

They thought no one would miss it once it was dead and gone
They said no one would by them old drinkin' and cheatin' songs
Well there ain't no justice in it and the hard facts are cold
Murder's been committed down on Music Row

For the steel guitars no longer cry and you can't hear fiddles play
With drums and rock and roll guitars mixed right up in your face
Why the Hag - he wouldn't have a chance on today's radio
Since they've committed murder down on Music Row

Why, they'd even tell the "Possum" to pack up and go back home
There's been an awful murder down on Music Row

Tell Me One More Time About Jesus

There is an outside chance a couple I know will be attending a worship service with a church this morning. It will be the 1st worship service in a long time. I have been praying for these guys for a long time. They have given themselves to lots of different things. Perhaps they will find the true source of peace, comfort and redemption. I am praying again this morning.

This song comes to mind for them...

Song: Tell Me One More Time About Jesus
Artist: Vince Gill
Album: These Days

Tell me one more time about Jesus
All about forgiveness and grace
Tell me one more time about Jesus
All about my saviour's face

Here comes my old friend - the preacher
He's knockin' on my front door
He's out tryin' to save all the sinners
He's been here so many times before

I love the easy conversation
Man, that preacher sure can talk
He brings up my need for salvation
Even though he knows I'm stubborn to a fault

Tell me one more time about Jesus
All about forgiveness and grace
Tell me one more time about Jesus
Lord, I need just a little more faith

I walked by the church Sunday mornin'
I slipped on in the back door
It's sure been a long time comin'
But tell me, preacher, what I need to know

His words were like a cool drink of water
He said, "Sinners, come on down the isle"
So I went runnin' for the alter
You should have seen my ol' friend, the preacher, smile

Tell me one more time about Jesus
All about forgiveness and grace
Tell me one more time about Jesus
I long to see my saviour's face

Oh, I long to see my saviour's face.

Radio Land

The recent passing of Paul Harvey got me thinking of memories about radio. The first time I can remember hearing Paul Harvey was actually in my summer visits to Grandma's in Arkansas. I listened to him pretty faithfully over the years. He was truly a pioneer with his news and comments.

But I listened to KVOO as a kid and that is where I learned to love Country music. Billy Parker had an overnight show that was really great. It kept me company on nights I woke up and lulled me back to sleep. In my teen years there was good old rock and roll on KAKC with Scooter Seagraves, Allen West and Mike McCarthy.

This song came to my mind as I reflected this week. A great song!

Song: Radio Land
Artist: Michael Martin Murphy
Album: The Best Of Michael Martin Murphy

I remember country evenin', when the sun was goin' down
Sittin' on the front porch, listenin' to the sound
While mama did the dishes daddy rolled a smoke
From a can of Old Prince Albert...his hands as strong as oak

And the sounds of the Grand Ole Opry came out of Ryman Hall
Roy Acuff played the fiddle and sang "Wabash Cannonball"
Hank Williams whispered, "I Saw the Light"
And people everywhere sat listenin' in the night

Out in Radio Land, out in Radio Land
We all closed our eyes, listened to the band
Out in Radio Land, out in Radio Land
We all dreamed of Radio Land

Then Wolfman Jack came a howlin' from across the Rio Grande
Layin' down the sounds that all the kids could understand
Momma and daddy were sleepin' but the kids were wide awake
Listenin' to Bill Haley rattle roll and shake
Old Jerry Lee banged on the keys and screamed, "Great Balls of Fire!"
Elivs crooned, "Don't Be Cruel", the girls swooned with desire

Out in Radio Land, out in Radio Land
We all closed our eyes and listened to the band
Out in Radio Land, out in Radio Land
We all dreamed of Radio Land

I remember summer evenin', late night rock and roll
Miles and miles of highway, just my radio
I remember a night when it felt so right a lover's moon above
And the songs they were playin' the night we fell in love.

Out in Radio Land, out in Radio Land
We both closed our eyes, listened to the band
Out in Radio Land, out in Radio Land
We fell in love in Radio Land

Out in Radio Land, out in Radio Land
We still close our eyes and listen to the band
Out in Radio Land, out in Radio Land
We still dream of Radio Land