...and Sometimes No

This is another one of those songs that make me go for the handkerchief (albeit a manly bandana sort of one). I can remember heart searing prayers, that battered me to my knees before God, and finally realizing He had already said "No," despite my weeping. That's hard and a real test of faith for anyone. But you do manage to get through it knowing that it will all work out for good if t love God and are called according to His purpose*.

Jill Paquette's heart-rending song gets to me every time. Losing a baby brother to measles, losing a brother to a shooting accident when he was 16, all of that was tough. Losing Dad to murder by my stepmother was hard too. But doing CPR for 30 minutes all the time listening for the ambulance that came too late to help save my son. That was a moment I never want to relive. I'm sure I will face other tragedies. A son who has severe bipolar who in a manic break getting himself put in prison unjustly, job loss, my Sweet Baboo's own struggle with bipolar, job loss, financial disaster and homelessness - the devil has pounded us hard, but we still are standing.

Our faith holds - sometimes it's by our fingernails. Sometimes by less. But God is love and whatever happens in this life, it will work together for our good.

I am reminded of that popular poster of the kitten hanging from a rod with the caption "Hang in there Baby!"  Sound advice, especially when God says, "No."

Tom King (2019)
* Romans 8:28

Just As I Am - MercyMe

I do like MercyMe a lot, mostly because their music was some of Micah's favorite music. This song is important to me. John Thurber, the man who baptized me in the frigid waters of the Jefferson Academy swimming pool at Bible Conference in 1971, introduced our youth groups to this old hym and taught us to sing it with harmony and reverence. These beautiful words make me cry sometimes.

Bart Millard's version is quite lovely. He captures the passion of the words wonderfully well.

Enjoy.

Tom

Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'

I used to watch the Rawhide TV show - Gil Favor, Rowdy Yates. The show kicked off Clint Eastwood's career. This version by the Blues Brothers is classic. The Brothers picked up a gig at a Country Western bar and after their regular stuff failed, they decided to try singing Rawhide. What follows is funny. Later they sing "Stand by Your Man."  The beer bottles never stop flying.

Where Rivers of Delight Shall Ever Roll

Big Wedgwood fan back during the great folk music schism in the church. I have always thought that I want this song played at my funeral. I like the part where it goes, "Then sweeping up to glory, I'll see his blessed face, where rivers of delight shall ever roll.  The Lily of the Valley always gives me a thrill and I like Wedgwood's version the best.

Tom

When I Was a Dinosaur

You gotta love a singing group that can play "Teddy Bear's Picnic" to a bunch of drunks in an Austin nightclub at 1 o'clock in the morning and get away with it. I first encountered "Trout Fishing in America" at the Kerrville Folk Festival and fell in love with this marvelously eclectic folk/rock duo. Their music is difficult to describe as are Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet whose hair has gone white over their 40 year collaboration.  They do a lot of kids songs, but their repertoire' of adult songs, both original and familiar standards makes them fun at any age.  Check out their website at:

https://www.troutmusic.com/


This is the kind of stuff you want rattling the speakers in your doors when you pull up to a stoplight, if only to make people question your sanity in the next car over. And who cares what they think anyway.

Future fossil fuel, that's all they ever was.....

Enjoy!

Tom

More Love to Thee

This is a beautiful old hymn and Fernando Ortega does a wonderful version of it. I put this song in my Sabbath School songbook. 

Tom

Dona Nobis Pacem - Ladysmith Black Mambazo

I couldn't find a live performance of this song, but there is a clip from this lovely album on Youtube. I bought this album some years ago and it hearkens  back to Ladysmith Black Mambazo's gospel roots. This album combines the South African musical style with a Latin hymn and an English Chamber Orchestra. It's really a lovely happy little song. It makes for a kind of "wake up and go to church" music. Enjoy!

Tom King

Ripplin' Waters

Lovely little song from Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.  Makes me feel happy.

Tom