A blessed Easter to all. We serve a living Savior. Because He lives I can face tomorrow. And because He lives, we, too, shall live.
I can find no other piece of music more appropriate for this day than "The Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's "Messiah." And I can find no better rendition of the piece than that which was performed by Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra, along with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
I like the video of this in particular because it provides a black and white photo of Ormandy, known as "the little maestro," in action, conducting the orchestra as no other. He was a genius, a child prodigy who grew up to conduct what became known as the finest orchestra on earth, the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Here you will hear what became known as "the Philadelphia Sound," which Ormandy perfected, that emphasized the smooth woodwinds and violins, violas, and cellos, and when he used brass he chose to smooth out the sound with the use of the horn muffle, called "the trumpet mute," so as to minimize the shrillness that often accompanies brass instruments. The result is a velvety balanced musical experience that is as near perfection as humans can achieve.
The tradition is that the audience stands while the Hallelujah Chorus is presented. This is in homage to the fact that upon hearing the piece for the first time, King George II was so moved emotionally that he rose to his feet. And when the King stands, everyone must stand.
So, here is my Easter gift to you. The great Eugene Ormandy conducting the great George Frederick Handel's "The Hallelujah Chorus." Enjoy, and God bless!
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Sunday, March 31, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Good Friday, 2013
Good Friday is one of the two holiest days in Christianity, the other being Easter Sunday. As beautiful and meaningful as Christmas can be when we focus on the birth of Christ, even that does not begin to approach the sacredness of Christ's crucifixion on a Roman cross on Good Friday, and his subsequent resurrection from the dead on Easter.
I can only say I am overwhelmed by it all. Sometimes it is just too sacred, too holy for words. During those times, I turn to music. The video below captures the meaning of Good Friday in song. Please listen to it. It is a thing of beauty, featuring one of the finest lead singers in the business, Josh Garner, along with the rest of the Florida Boys. It's titled, "For God So Loved."
I can only say I am overwhelmed by it all. Sometimes it is just too sacred, too holy for words. During those times, I turn to music. The video below captures the meaning of Good Friday in song. Please listen to it. It is a thing of beauty, featuring one of the finest lead singers in the business, Josh Garner, along with the rest of the Florida Boys. It's titled, "For God So Loved."
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Had to share this...
I just had to share this with you. Danny Funderburke, the powerful tenor featured on this Cathedral Quartet video, was my favorite tenor of all of the ones the Cathedrals had in their history. In fact, this lineup was my favorite ever--Funderburke, Mark Trammell on baritone, Glen Payne on lead, George Younce on bass, and Roger Bennett on piano. This is one of Danny's many signature songs he had while with the Cathedrals. And man, I mean he sings the fire outta this song! Note how the old men -- Glen and George -- can hardly contain themselves. Danny was DA MAN! And this song says it like I like it. I just started living. Amen!
In case you can't access the embedded vid above, go straight to the YouTube posting here.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Hello, and I hope you are having a blessed season of Lent
Hi there. Just a quick word to say hello. It's been a while since we last talked, but it's been super busy around here.
Lent is in full swing as we lead up to the commemoration of Christ's death on the Cross and his Resurrection from the dead on Easter Sunday.
Many churches do not recognize Lent, but they do emphasize the importance of the Cross in their belief system. Without the shame and suffering and death of the Cross, there would be no resurrection, and there would be no Christianity.
These matters are central to the Christian faith. And the invitation to you is, "Come." The door stands open for you and anyone who wishes to accept Christ as the Lord and Savior of your life.
But how does one become a Christian?
First, you must recognize you are a sinner and stand in need of forgiveness. The Bible says "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." The result of our sins is guilt, shame, death, and more tragically spiritual and eternal "death" or separation from God.
Second, you must recognize that Christ is the only remedy for your spiritual condition, and the only means of salvation. We are not saved by our good works, by joining a church, or by trying to be a good person. We are saved through Christ alone. Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, came to earth as a man, taught, preached, and healed, died on the Cross in our place, and then was resurrected from the dead. The suffering and death of the Cross was rightfully mine and yours because that is the penalty for our disobedience to God. But Christ became our substitute, paying the penalty for our sins, which is suffering and death. When you believe and accept Christ's substitutionary work for you on the Cross, your sins are forgiven, your past is wiped clean, you are made whole, and you are given a new life and a home in heaven.
Third, you must be willing to turn from your sins and follow Christ as the Lord of your life. Turning from your sins does not mean you will be perfect. Nobody will ever be perfect until they get to heaven. But the key is willingness -- the willingness to allow God to give you strength as you try to avoid your sins and walk as Christ would have you walk. A true disciple of Christ is one who is willing to be obedient to Christ, walking with Him through life.
Next, you must invite Christ into your life, allowing Him to set up residence in your heart and soul, and proactively turning your life over to Him.
Finally, it is important to make your decision to follow Christ in a public fashion. There is no such thing as a "private' Christian. You will want to inform your friends and family, at the appropriate time, that you are now a Christian. And you will want to find a church where the Gospel is preached that you can be part of. Tell the Pastor what has happened to you, and he will tell you what you need to do to become a part of that church fellowship.
The Bible says, "If you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the death, you shall be saved."
And that is a promise.
Make your decision for Christ today. It is the most important thing you will ever do.
Until next time, God bless, and I'll see you out there somewhere at a Gospel music program.
Lent is in full swing as we lead up to the commemoration of Christ's death on the Cross and his Resurrection from the dead on Easter Sunday.
Many churches do not recognize Lent, but they do emphasize the importance of the Cross in their belief system. Without the shame and suffering and death of the Cross, there would be no resurrection, and there would be no Christianity.
These matters are central to the Christian faith. And the invitation to you is, "Come." The door stands open for you and anyone who wishes to accept Christ as the Lord and Savior of your life.
But how does one become a Christian?
First, you must recognize you are a sinner and stand in need of forgiveness. The Bible says "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." The result of our sins is guilt, shame, death, and more tragically spiritual and eternal "death" or separation from God.
Second, you must recognize that Christ is the only remedy for your spiritual condition, and the only means of salvation. We are not saved by our good works, by joining a church, or by trying to be a good person. We are saved through Christ alone. Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, came to earth as a man, taught, preached, and healed, died on the Cross in our place, and then was resurrected from the dead. The suffering and death of the Cross was rightfully mine and yours because that is the penalty for our disobedience to God. But Christ became our substitute, paying the penalty for our sins, which is suffering and death. When you believe and accept Christ's substitutionary work for you on the Cross, your sins are forgiven, your past is wiped clean, you are made whole, and you are given a new life and a home in heaven.
Third, you must be willing to turn from your sins and follow Christ as the Lord of your life. Turning from your sins does not mean you will be perfect. Nobody will ever be perfect until they get to heaven. But the key is willingness -- the willingness to allow God to give you strength as you try to avoid your sins and walk as Christ would have you walk. A true disciple of Christ is one who is willing to be obedient to Christ, walking with Him through life.
Next, you must invite Christ into your life, allowing Him to set up residence in your heart and soul, and proactively turning your life over to Him.
Finally, it is important to make your decision to follow Christ in a public fashion. There is no such thing as a "private' Christian. You will want to inform your friends and family, at the appropriate time, that you are now a Christian. And you will want to find a church where the Gospel is preached that you can be part of. Tell the Pastor what has happened to you, and he will tell you what you need to do to become a part of that church fellowship.
The Bible says, "If you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the death, you shall be saved."
And that is a promise.
Make your decision for Christ today. It is the most important thing you will ever do.
Until next time, God bless, and I'll see you out there somewhere at a Gospel music program.
Friday, January 18, 2013
2013
Hello, my friends, and a belated happy New Year to you.
We are well into 2013 now and gearing up for the winter and spring here at Martin Christian Ministries. As always, if your church, club, or group would like to schedule me to speak, teach, or sing, contact me at anthonygmartin1@gmail.com.
Church programs are always free, love offering events. I do not charge churches a fee. I ask only that you take a special offering during or after the program to help defray the costs of this ministry.
The thought for the day is from the Apostle Paul, who stated, "Leaving those things that are behind and looking forward to that which is ahead, I press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ..."
This does not mean that we are to "forget the past." Some things are too important, vital, necessary, and cherished to forget. The message Paul is giving us here is that it is important to keep moving forward. There are always new challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
At Martin Christian Ministries this is what we intend to do. In this world of darkness and woe, the need for the Christian message is more needed than ever before. We will therefore present the Christian Gospel in sermons, Bible studies, and music.
Thanks to all of you who have given me the opportunity to do exactly that and for those of you who intend to do so in 2013. I look forward to seeing you.
We are well into 2013 now and gearing up for the winter and spring here at Martin Christian Ministries. As always, if your church, club, or group would like to schedule me to speak, teach, or sing, contact me at anthonygmartin1@gmail.com.
Church programs are always free, love offering events. I do not charge churches a fee. I ask only that you take a special offering during or after the program to help defray the costs of this ministry.
The thought for the day is from the Apostle Paul, who stated, "Leaving those things that are behind and looking forward to that which is ahead, I press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ..."
This does not mean that we are to "forget the past." Some things are too important, vital, necessary, and cherished to forget. The message Paul is giving us here is that it is important to keep moving forward. There are always new challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
At Martin Christian Ministries this is what we intend to do. In this world of darkness and woe, the need for the Christian message is more needed than ever before. We will therefore present the Christian Gospel in sermons, Bible studies, and music.
Thanks to all of you who have given me the opportunity to do exactly that and for those of you who intend to do so in 2013. I look forward to seeing you.
Monday, December 24, 2012
The Christmas Story
I like the Christmas story as it is recounted in the King James Version of the Bible, which is found in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2. For your convenience, it is reproduced here with the help of the fine folk at Bible Gateway.
A special Christmas song is also found at the end of the Bible reading.
God bless you and yours this Christmas. And may your holidays be filled with the joy, hope, and peace of the Prince of Peace, our Savior Jesus Christ.
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Here is a real treat, a rare video of the Cathedral Quartet singing "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" a capella. A wonderful Christmas song. And keep watching, because after that they do their famous a capella rendition of "Wonderful Grace of Jesus."
A special Christmas song is also found at the end of the Bible reading.
God bless you and yours this Christmas. And may your holidays be filled with the joy, hope, and peace of the Prince of Peace, our Savior Jesus Christ.
Luke 2
King James Version (KJV)
2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Here is a real treat, a rare video of the Cathedral Quartet singing "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" a capella. A wonderful Christmas song. And keep watching, because after that they do their famous a capella rendition of "Wonderful Grace of Jesus."
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Why You Should Not Worry About Doomsday Predictions for Friday
As Christians it is important to exercise discernment in all things. One area of utmost importance in this regard is the tendency among many to make outlandish predictions about the end of the world, such as the current hoop-la over the Mayan calendar's indication that Dec. 21, 2012 is the end of the time cycle.
In order to make this complicated subject easy to understand, I decided to break this down into sections that are straightforward and simple to follow.
1. Jesus warned against predicting when the end of the world will be. "No man knows the day or the hour," said Jesus. The very fact that Dec. 21 is pinpointed as "THE day" is enough reason in and of itself to dismiss it. It is FALSE.
2. Jesus stated that many "false prophets" will come along claiming they know about these things. He told us not to believe them.
3. The Mayan calendar has nothing to do with Christianity or Judaism, the religion of the ancient Hebrews. Thus, if there are any Mayan "predictions," they are incompatible with Christianity.
4. Modern Mayans say that the calendar is not about predicting the end of time but about describing cycles of time which lead into other cycles. When one cycle ends, another begins. The ancient Mayans simply believed that Dec. 21, 2012 represents the end of one large cycle...NOT the fact that the end of the cycle means disaster or calamity.
5. Jesus taught that for unbelievers the end of the world will come with the element of surprise. Thus, if thousands or millions of unbelievers are expecting the end of the world, you can pretty much bet on the fact that it is not true.
6. The exception to Number 5 above is in the event of a cosmic natural disaster, such as an asteroid, a comet, or some other astronomical event that can be predicted in advance.
7. For Christians, things that only God can know are best left to God. What good does it do us to delve into endless, obsessive speculation about these things? None whatsoever.
So, that's about it. Stop worrying about tomorrow, and celebrate the birth of the Savior of the world, the Prince of Peace!
In order to make this complicated subject easy to understand, I decided to break this down into sections that are straightforward and simple to follow.
1. Jesus warned against predicting when the end of the world will be. "No man knows the day or the hour," said Jesus. The very fact that Dec. 21 is pinpointed as "THE day" is enough reason in and of itself to dismiss it. It is FALSE.
2. Jesus stated that many "false prophets" will come along claiming they know about these things. He told us not to believe them.
3. The Mayan calendar has nothing to do with Christianity or Judaism, the religion of the ancient Hebrews. Thus, if there are any Mayan "predictions," they are incompatible with Christianity.
4. Modern Mayans say that the calendar is not about predicting the end of time but about describing cycles of time which lead into other cycles. When one cycle ends, another begins. The ancient Mayans simply believed that Dec. 21, 2012 represents the end of one large cycle...NOT the fact that the end of the cycle means disaster or calamity.
5. Jesus taught that for unbelievers the end of the world will come with the element of surprise. Thus, if thousands or millions of unbelievers are expecting the end of the world, you can pretty much bet on the fact that it is not true.
6. The exception to Number 5 above is in the event of a cosmic natural disaster, such as an asteroid, a comet, or some other astronomical event that can be predicted in advance.
7. For Christians, things that only God can know are best left to God. What good does it do us to delve into endless, obsessive speculation about these things? None whatsoever.
So, that's about it. Stop worrying about tomorrow, and celebrate the birth of the Savior of the world, the Prince of Peace!
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