The latest recording session found us working on an old song with a somewhat new twist.

All the songs on the project are faithful to the original music.  In other words, the melody, tune, etc. are basically the same as the original though the style or instrumentation may be different.  Saturday night we recorded an old song called "Are You Faithful?" that features lyrics by Charles Naylor and the music... well this is where the twist comes in.  This is the one song on the project that has a different tune than the original.  

Naylor wrote the lyrics in 1918 but they are so appropriate for today that we wanted to find a way to get them on this project.  To get an idea, here are the words to the second verse:
   Look in the Bible, brother,
       Then at the way you live:
   Can the Lord as He views youHis full approval give?

The song features mostly acoustic guitar and piano and has a real "earthy" sort of feel to it.  Looking forward to getting it out so others can hear it as well!  The current goal is to have everything done by the end of May/early June time frame so we can have everything ready for Campmeeting.  

If you haven't already committed to pray for the project would you consider it?  We feel that the Lord is really moving throughout this project and that there is more on the horizon than we can see.  If you would like to commit to pray, just fill in the info on the "contact us" tab.  We'll send you some specific requests as they come up!  

In HIS service!

Each of the songs on the project has a specific reason it was written.  Some of these have stories that have been recorded while others the stories have been lost.  The song "Who Will Suffer With the Savior" is one that was written amid persecution.  In the book, "Birth of a Reformation" by A.L. Byers, the following story is related: 

The song “Who Will Suffer with the Savior?” had its origin while the company were in the South in the winter of 1890-91. It was written at the time a mob assaulted the house in which Brother Warner was preaching and a sharp, flying missile struck him on the side of the face, causing it to bleed.

D.S. Warner (pictured on the left) penned the words and Barney Warren set them to music.  The song carries even more meaning when the full story is known.



Who will suffer with the Savior? 
Take the little that remains 
Of the cup of tribulation 
Jesus drank in dying pains?

Who will offer soul and body 
On the altar of our God? 
Leaving self and worldly mammon, 
Take the path that Jesus trod?

Who will suffer for the gospel, 
Follow Christ without the gate? 
Take the martyrs for example, 
With them glory at the stake?

Oh, for consecrated service 
’Mid the din of Babel strife; 
Who will dare the truth to herald 
At the peril of his life?

Soon the conflict will be over, 
Crowns await the firm and pure; 
Forward, brethren, work and suffer, 
Faithful to the end endure.

Chorus:
Lord, we fellowship Thy passion, 
Gladly suffer shame and loss; 
With Thy blessing pain is pleasure, 
We will glory in Thy cross.

15 October 2010

Songs, hymns, spiritual melodies... so many to choose from!  The hardest part is where to start looking?  One thing that the early pioneers of the church of God reformation took took to heart was putting the message of the gospel to music.  Often, as they rode into a new town, one of the ways they would "advertise" that a series of services was to be held was by singing!  Quite different than how we "advertise" our services today!

The message of the movement was put to melodies characterized as having "close harmony" (which some folks at the time thought was too "worldly" or "sinful"). Those melodies mixed with the message make for a gold mine of songs to choose from.  We have selected some of the well known standards as well as a couple that aren't know well at all but carry a message that is timeless.

By now you are probably asking, "C'mon already! Which songs are you working on?"  Glad you asked!  Here is our list: 

The Church's Jubilee
I Know
A Living Sacrifice
O Church of God
I Cannot Be Idle
The Old Campgrounds
There Is Joy in the Lord
Once Again We Come
There Is Joy in the Serivce
Consecration 
Hear Them Calling
What a Mighty God We Serve
I Will Praise Him Hallelujah
A Child of God
Who Will Suffer With the Savior?
Let Me See Jesus Only
Are You Adorning the Doctrine?
One other undecided song but its between 3 or so songs

So this is where we are at at the moment.  Maybe one of your favorites is on here... maybe you don't even know any of them... maybe you wish there was another one (or two) that was on here but it isn't... but this is the current list.  Pray that the work goes well!

Monday, 11 October 2010

Between the junction of US Route 40 and Ohio State Route 4, just outside the city of Springfield, Ohio, there lies a small (and hilly) hallowed plot of ground.  Those who careen past this location travelling between Dayton and Springfield probably don't even give it a second thought; but for those who have spent time walking on it's sacred paths, these souls know that the Holy Spirit has moved upon countless men and women for over 100 years.  For on these grounds God has saved from sin, sanctified hearts, called to greater service, performed miraculous healings, and sent his people forth into the world around them as witnesses to His unmatched love!

This is campmeeting!  The home of the Ohio Church of God, Central District and every year, in the first full week of August, you can find this place filled with campers, tents, families, songs in the air, studies in the morning, kids crafts, and most importantly, men, women, and children seeking to know their Lord a little more.

Yes, campmeeting!  The old fashioned, white painted tabernacle, wooden benches, hot summer heat, Holy Spirit filled campmeeting!  And while our  modern world has changed it somewhat (I mean, there is a sound system and we sing the songs using power point slides) the work of God still goes on.  

Though the crowds are not what they once were, the dedication held by many is unwavering.  Of course, lower numbers of people mean a smaller income.  Here is where project : foundations seeks to help.  

One of the chief aims is to raise money to support the campgrounds.  Proceeds from the project will go directly to support the ministry here. After all, it was here that the project began and it is God who has not only laid this calling on our hearts but has given us the gifts that enable us to complete it.  

To God be the glory!