Sometimes we forget how quickly a song can become a classic. For example, the English version we all know and love of “How Great Thou Art” was translated and published within the lifetime of many readers. As another example, though John Newton wrote the lyric to “Amazing Grace” over two centuries ago, it wasn’t paired with the melody we know until more recently. (He also didn’t write the “When we’ve been there ten thousand years” verse; that was a later addition.)

While the song was out there in the form we know it for years, it didn’t hold the place it holds as one of the most popular hymns until the 1960s. In fact, its rise was sudden enough that the Blackwood Brothers, when composing liner notes for their 1971 compilation Put Your Hand in the Hand, listed it with songs popularized by Jesus Music: 

But not all the songs included here are pure gospel music as such. For this album contains three songs which may be considered themes of the young people who are now turning to religion more than ever before. This religious naissance [sic], widely popularized in what has come to be called the “Jesus Revolution,” has spawned a mixture of the traditionally secular with contemporary folk or pop rock. This has produced such upbeat tunes as the title tune of this collection, Put Your Hand in the Hand, which was so successful as recorded by the young rock group, Ocean. Another song, Amazing Grace, became popular in folk circles and catapulted to the top of the music charts when performed by Judy Collins. Then there is Bridge Over Troubled Water, Simon and Garfunkel’s poignant affirmation of dedication and love. These pop-oriented songs with gospel overtones take on a new dimension when sung rousingly or quietly by the Blackwood Brothers.

Interesting perspective!

Over twenty years ago, Ken Ham and several co-authors wrote The Answers Book: The 20 Most-Asked Questions about Creation, Evolution & the Book of Genesis Answered. This book, which has been updated, revised, and expanded through the years, remains a standard text for introducing Christians and seekers alike to the concept that the Bible can be trusted from beginning to end.

At 208 pages, a book-reading culture would consider that book an easy read. But in a post-book-reading culture, where attention spans have been shortened to a 140-character tweet or a 160-character text message, it has become harder for teens to handle even that light of a read. So a team of Answers in Genesis writers recently prepared a condensed and briefer version for teens.

The Answers Book For Teens hits the high points of key apologetics questions like how we can know God exists and why God permits evil. It also covers common questions about the authority of Scripture and the authenticity of its creation account. (It’s about a 70/30 or 60/40 split with general apologetics / Creation-specific apologetics.)

The book’s grunge-influenced graphic design and illustrations are, quite likely, indeed exactly what is cool today. But they’re cool today in the same way that mullets or big hair were cool in the ’80s. It’s the current fad, but undoubtedly today’s teens will look back on it in twenty years and say, “I thought that was COOL then?” That said, it’s undoubtedly exactly the course the book’s graphic designers needed to take to reach their target audience. 

Also, despite the strength of the young-earth Creationist view in homeschooling circles, this book is decidedly targeted toward a public school audience. Of the fifteen questions, one (#12) is devoted to whether it’s legal to talk about faith or pray inside government schools; another (#10) deals with intimate relationships outside of marriage in a fashion clearly targeted toward a government schooling audience. (This book’s not for homeschooling teens, but that’s not necessarily a problen. Most home-educated teens, even those without a scientific bent, could easily handle the fairly light read of the adult version.)

Answers Book for Teens hits its target. It offers a clear and cogent apologetic for Christianity and for the accuracy of Scriptures in a way appropriate for its target government-schooling audience.

Review copy provided; a positive review was not required.

Psalm 91 gives a great description of the benefits of dwelling in the Lord. He is a refuge, protecting from harm and giving grace for every trial.

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me. If you abide in me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you” (John 15:4, 7)

Do you ever wonder if you’re bearing any fruit in your Christian life? A large part of why we don’t is we’re not dwelling with Christ as we should. As each year progresses, it seems like the Church loses more and more power and zeal. We’ve become so much like the world it’s hard to tell us apart. It seems as though we’ve become worried about becoming too Heavenly minded that we’re not Heavenly minded at all.

Colossians 3: 2-3 tells us to, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”

Scripture tells us repeatedly to put on the mind of Christ, to think about virtuous things, to abide in Christ. God doesn’t make us do these things but, if we are true Christians, each day will draw us closer to Him. We will become more Heavenly minded. We will begin to radiate more of His love and exhibit more of His Spirit until it is no longer us who lives but Christ who lives in us. Brothers and Sisters, this is our goal.

Begin to consciously practice dwelling in God’s presence. Ask Him to walk with you and keep you focused on Him. As you seek Him and draw near to Him daily, you will find yourself changing to become more and more like Him. That’s my goal. I pray it’s yours as well.

Worth Knowing

• Brian Free & Assurance: Brian Free was concerned that he had heart problems; testing revealed that his heart is in good shape, and that it’s more likely to be either blood pressure or acid reflux related. (Notably, the Facebook post making that announcement accumulated 720 likes, which must be something approaching a record for Southern Gospel groups on Facebook.)
• Collingsworth Family: The Collingsworth Family announced that they will release two albums this year, an acapella hymns album and a Christmas project. They are accepting song suggestions here.
• Gaither Vocal Band: The Gaither Vocal Band is in the studio working on a new project. It will have a bluegrass feel, and include acoustic versions of “Rumor Mill” and “The Love of God.”

Worth Reading

• Andrew S. offers a textbook example of how to cover a concert that got a lukewarm response.
• SGConcerts’ Diana Brantley opens her video archives.

Worth Watching

Recently, multiple users (including the group themselves) have posted footage of Eric Phillips with the Mark Trammell Quartet. There are too many good clips to post just one, so here’s a list:

• Glory Road (encore)
• Wedding Music
• How Big is God
• Glory Road (another version)
• Calvary Medley
• The Love of God

Worth Discussing

It’s open thread Saturday—you decide!