06.18.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 3:20 pm by Pastor Bill
As a pastor, one of my great pleasures is to introduce believers to material which will help them to grow in their faith, grow in their knowledge and appreciation of God, and to share with them the resources which God has used to encourage and equip me for the Christian race. I’m pleased to recommend to you a new CD from reach records, entitled 20/20. This is Trip Lee’s new release, presented in the form of Christian Hip-Hop music. I want to give my impressions of the CD and point you to a few of the tracks which might challenge and edify you in your walk with Christ.
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS AND OVERVIEW…When I first began listening to the CD in my car, I noticed a few marked differences from Trip’s first CD (If They Only Knew). His initial CD I believe was perhaps a once in a lifetime accomplishment. It is marked by such clarity, forcefulness and awesome lyrics and themes that knocked my socks off. I was stunned, inspired and hooked from the very first track. His current CD, (20/20) hits me a little differently. Yes the quality is there, yes the lyrics are challenging and biblical, but it is a different kind of listening experience from his first CD in my opinion. One thing that makes or breaks a CD or song for me is its ‘listenability’ (yes I made up that word)…how easy it is to listen to, how clearly it’s message comes across.
I noticed on 20/20 that the music track (instruments) often overshadow the lyrical track (the words, the message). In my opinion this makes the initial impression of any song less impacting, because it takes greater concentration and effort to pull the theme and message out of the song, it requires more focus and concentrated attention. This problem goes away after several listenings, or by reading the lyrics provided on the lyric sheet. One kudo to reach records is that they provide the lyrics to every song on the CD on their website, which is a great benefit to my old ears, which sometimes miss an important word or phrase.
My appreciation for the lyrics and message of 20/20 overshadows the unbalanced mixing of instrumental levels. By taking the time to read and listen closely to each song, I have a great admiration for this CD, and the help it can provide to believers in every walk of life. Here are a few titles and my overview of them.
1) 20/20 INTRO…This track gives us an idea where the CD will take us, namely to a better focused view of our great God and Savior. Anything that raises our perspective and appreciation of God will benefit us, and Trip and his fellow musicians have graced us by urging us to look upward with them, see the greatness of God, and worship Him for who He truly is. Several of the tracks caution us against false views of God which are always unhelpful and dangerous. Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted in Uncategorized at 1:37 pm by Pastor Bill
Well, it might not be that far away in comparison to some places on our planet, but the Central American country of Nicaragua is a long way from Hyde Park, Cincinnati Ohio. We will be taking a mission trip as a church to support our missionaries in Managua, Nicaragua. We are diligently practicing our Spanish language studies, raising support, and praying that God will use us in a great way during our time there.
We will be ministering with our mission family, Rich and Cari Woughter and their 4 children. You can read more about them on our missionary page of this website. We will be involved in children’s ministry, camp work, door to door evangelism and whatever else will help the Woughters.
We ask for your prayers as we continue with our preparations for this trip. Please lift up the matters of finances, preparation, and spiritual growth. We expect to see our God work in mighty ways during this time, just as we saw in Mexico last year.
I will try to keep you updated with more details as the trip progresses, but here are the starters. We will be in Managua, Nicaragua from August 7th to the 16th. The cost of the trip is about $1000.00 per person, with about $760.00 of that going towards airfare. Our goals are to be a help to our missionaries, to be used of God with our spiritual gifts, and to grow in Christ through service and sacrifice. Thank you for your prayers!
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05.21.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 3:56 pm by Pastor Bill
…Since I last posted on our website? I guess so. Someone mentioned that there has been a lack of activity on our website, but there has been a flurry of great activity among our church family. So much has gone on during the past few months, so I’ll try to catch you up on what’s going on at Hyde Park Baptist Church, in Hyde Park (Cincinnati) Ohio.
First off, God has blessed us with great attendance. We have set several new attendance records in many of our various services. We are blessed with many new couples and young families becoming part of our church family. Some of our ’snowbirds’ have returned from warmer climates and we’re excited to have them back with us for the summer. We’ve been challenged by several missionary speakers and their families, sharing what God is doing across this wide world.
We’ve begun a few ministries of sharing mercy, to various agencies and people who are in need of care and love. We are seeing the fruit of sharing our relationship with God through Jesus to the people that God has brought into our lives. We’ve had several baptisms and new members lately.
We’ve shared great fellowship through many outlets, bible studies, flying pig running races, shared meals and activities (picnic season is in full swing!) We are getting ready for our summer mission trip to Nicaragua to assist our mission family living there, in Managua Nicaragua. We’re practicing our Spanish also! Hola!
One thing that hasn’t changed is our emphasis on the truth and authority of God’s word, and our responsibility as believers to live out daily our faith in Christ Jesus. I’m thankful for the spiritual growth and hunger of our people, and seeing them put their faith into action in the world we live in.
If you’re ever in Cincinnati, stop in and worship with us. Details are on our home page.
God bless you!
Pastor Bill ><>
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01.30.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 3:39 pm by Pastor Bill
…a tremendous success, praise God! We were so blessed by our speaker, Dr. Bruce Ware of Southern Seminary, also with good attendance and participation. Our hearts were uplifted and our minds were enlightened by the great presentations of the Glorious Trinitarian Revelation of our great God and Savior. We were challenged to think and live biblically as we meditate upon what God has revealed to us in His word.
I invite you to join us next year for another awesome conference, or if you can’t wait that long, worship with us any Sunday for great teaching, preaching and Christian fellowship.
God bless you!
Pastor Bill ><>
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12.11.07
Posted in Church Events, All at 5:04 pm by Pastor Bill
…for a lot of things! Yes, this is the Christmas season, which seems to have been replaced by the ‘holiday’ season with all it’s trappings. Holiday shopping at the holiday sales, parties, gifts, TV specials, all contribute to the exceeding ‘busy-ness’ of our days. While these secular celebrations aren’t necessarily bad in themselves, they do work together to rob us of our time and attention that should be spent in meditation and worship of our Savior. The coming of the messiah into our world, to save His people from their sin, is the greatest event in human history! We should not allow our secular events to displace our affection and attention to God’s great news of forgiveness and peace through Christ. As believers and followers of Jesus, we should take every opportunity this season to ‘take-back’ what we have given up to the secular celebrations. Take time to tell someone you know about the real reason for the season, the only reason for joy and rejoicing, the gift of eternal life and peace with God!
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing…” Ephesians 1:3
May Jesus and the reality of his life, death and resurrection be real and precious to you, during these special days.
God bless you through His Son,
Pastor Bill ><>
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10.24.07
Posted in Church Events, Teaching, Theology, In The News... at 4:19 pm by Pastor Bill
Since I’ve been posting about the lack of new music that truly glorifies God and exalts Christ, I thought I need to mention it when a truly worshipful album comes along. This selection actually came out in 2005 so it is not ‘new’, except when compared to the dates of the hymns written in most of our hymnbooks. I heard the artist and her husband when I attended a pastor’s conference at Alistair Begg’s church in Cleveland Ohio several years ago. They provided the worship music for the event and I was so impressed that I bought the album. It is entitled ‘Hymns for the life of the church’, and the singers are Kristyn Getty, Margaret Becker, and Joanne Hogg. The tunes are reverently paced (meaning without a rocking beat…making it more appropriate for church singing IMHO), but the lyrics tell the heart of the songs (as with all music). Here are the lyrics to a few that are especially impacting to me.
Let’s start off with ‘The Power of the Cross’, a hymn that takes us to the event of the crucifixion, and reminds us what was accomplished there, and why, and for whom.
Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.
CHORUS:
This, the pow’r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.
Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev’ry bitter thought,
Ev’ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.
Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
“Finished!” the vict’ry cry.
Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.
FINAL CHORUS:
This, the pow’r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.
No Christian should be able to read or sing this without being humbled and grateful to our Loving God, who gave His son for us, rebels and arrogant though we are. Another hymn from the album is titled “Beneath the cross of Jesus“, and again forces us to consider what are the consequences of our sin…what it cost the Savior to redeem us to glory, and also shows us the magnitude of our God’s love.
Beneath the cross of Jesus
I find a place to stand,
And wonder at such mercy
That calls me as I am;
For hands that should discard me
Hold wounds which tell me, “Come.”
Beneath the cross of Jesus
My unworthy soul is won.
Beneath the cross of Jesus
His family is my own—
Once strangers chasing selfish dreams,
Now one through grace alone.
How could I now dishonor
The ones that You have loved?
Beneath the cross of Jesus
See the children called by God.
Beneath the cross of Jesus—
The path before the crown—
We follow in His footsteps
Where promised hope is found.
How great the joy before us
To be His perfect bride;
Beneath the cross of Jesus
We will gladly live our lives.
This hymn also reminds us of our responsibility to love and serve our fellow believers (Romans 14-15) because of the matchless grace that has been imparted to us who have received the saving work of Christ. A final hymn that we will look at is “Across the Lands“, which reveals to us the worldwide work of God on earth, the mission and the success of our suffering yet victorious Savior.
You’re the Word of God the Father
From before the world began.
Ev’ry star and ev’ry planet
Has been fashioned by Your hand.
All creation holds together
By the power of Your voice.
Let the skies declare Your glory;
Let the land and seas rejoice!
CHORUS
You’re the Author of creation;
You’re the Lord of ev’ry man;
And Your cry of love rings out across the lands.
Yet You left the gaze of angels,
Came to seek and save the lost,
And exchanged the joy of heaven
For the anguish of a cross.
With a prayer You fed the hungry;
With a word You calmed the sea;
Yet how silently You suffered
That the guilty may go free!
With a shout You rose victorious,
Wresting vict’ry from the grave,
And ascended into heaven,
Leading captives in Your way.
Now You stand before the Father,
Interceding for Your own;
From each tribe and tongue and nation,
You are leading sinners home!
What are my standards for good worshipful music? 1) Biblically accurate lyrics. 2) Lyrics that are properly reverent and worshipful towards God. 3) Themes that glorify God, exalt Christ and thank the Holy Spirit. Themes that cause us to look up with wonder and amazement to the King of Kings, and to look down in humility in the realization that we are unworthy of our Savior’s sacrifice. 4) Themes that cause my heart to soar with gratitude and agreement with what God has revealed about Himself in His Word.
With those as a few of my standards, there is not much being produced today that measures up. I encourage you to seek out good music, and use it as a tool to lift your heart, mind and life in service to your Lord and King!
SING ON!
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10.16.07
Posted in Biblical Reflections, Theology, Controversy at 9:05 pm by Pastor Bill
I want to introduce you to a unique journey through the 13 letters (epistles) written by Paul which are in the New Testament of the Bible. The form of journey is musical. The purpose of this music is for edification of believers. The musicians explain it this way…”The lyrics in this album are an attempt to bring God’s Word to life. This is a resource to help you learn, not to replace your study of God’s perfect word (2 Timothy 3:16). Each artist has carefully crafted their song based on intense and thorough Bible study and believe that Scripture is the absolute truth. They encourage each of you to faithfully study the Word with humility in a community of believers, relying on the Holy Spirit to bring change to your heart.”
Oh yeah, as per the previous post, the genre of this album is hip-hop. If that offends you, continue surfing…if you don’t stumble over it, read on or listen to the album and be blessed by God.
Since Paul’s letters start with Romans, and I am currently preaching through Romans on Sunday mornings, it was awesome to see how they treated it on the album. They did a great job (as with all the tracks) of walking you through the teaching and application of the letter. If you learn the lyrics to the song, you now know the theme of the book, it’s major characters, and all the relevant themes of the book. It’s like having a concordance or commentary in your head.
Showing that their heart is for the church, for Christ’s followers and their growth, there is a continual reminder throughout the album that God’s Word is our source of life, our source of God’s wisdom and guidance through life along with the Holy Spirit’s leading. At the end of the Romans track, the artist encourages us to get some good Bible commentaries to help us in our understanding of the scriptures. And then he recommends commentaries by John MacArthur, R.C. Sproul, and James Montgomery Boyce. How awesome to think that a rapper off the street reads and enjoys the men that have mentored so many of us in our study of the word, and encourages all of us to follow suit.
The only other track that I will comment on is the one for First Corinthians. The artist did it in a very creative and impactful way. He tells us the story of a guy named Corey, who acted like he was still in a gang. He tells us about all the hangups and distractions in Corey’s life, and then goes on to tell us that Corey is not a guy, but a body of believers in Corinth. Very impactful and compelling.
Well, I have to mention just one more…the remix for Galatians…”Get Loose”…reminding us to pursue the Spirit and live out our liberty in Christ…Awesome!
p.s. I just noticed in their lyrics on the album cover, they give credit for the first verse of ‘Colossians’ to D.A.Carson! Woo-hoo! He’s my man. I hope you can check out some of his writings…’The gagging of God’, ‘Exegetical Fallacies’, and ‘From Sabbath to Lord’s Day’, along with all of his N.T. commentaries. Too cool that the rappers are checking his stuff out! God bless!
Oh yeah, the music is not the only focus of this album. If you read the lyrics on the CD sleeve, they list the chapter and verse for each line of the song, to let you connect it with the scriptures that inspired it. They have also put together a Bible study course available on their website, designed to get you into the Word and to profit spiritually from it. Awesome!
The album is produced by Reach records, and the website for the corresponding Bible studies is www.reachrecords.com. The curriculum is currently under development and should be available soon.
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10.12.07
Posted in Theology, Controversy, In The News... at 8:45 pm by Pastor Bill
I’m going to try to treat this subject with honesty, and with compassion for fellow believers who may disagree with my viewpoints about music, and it’s acceptance by God.
The exploded stereotype for ME…is “Christian hip-hop music”! Now I know that I’ve turned off a lot of you already…you say “There is no such thing as ‘Christian’ hip-hop or rap music…the 2 are incompatable!”. Now, why am I bringing this subject up for discussion?
First, I am not advocating this style of music for church worship. Our church will not be swinging to a rap beat on Sunday morning. Second, I am not switching all of my listening to hip-hop, it is not my preferred style of music. Third, I want to make you aware of the differences in depth of theology and message in contemporary music styles. I have for quite a while been dissatisfied with what is being offered in the CCM arena. Most of the lyrics (the vital part of music to me) of the songs played on ‘Christian’ radio stations are so ‘fluffy’, ‘mindless’ or ‘unbiblical’ that I can’t endure them.
What a shock I received when a great friend of mine loaned me his hip-hop CD’s and told me to take a listen. Although I don’t normally listen to that style of music, when I listened to what the artists were saying, I was blown away. I’ve NEVER heard theology or truth proclaimed so clearly, accurately and passionately in any other form of modern hymns or praise music! If you won’t ’stumble’ over the ’style’ of music, I challenge you to listen to some of the artists that are believers and who are using their music as a platform to Glorify God and encourage and challenge believers to grow into Christlikeness and to live-out a true faith in Christ.
The approach I will take in this series is to spotlight a particular artist, and give you a sampling of their message. I hope it causes you to examine this form of music by these artists based on what they communicate. Keep in mind, I do NOT endorse the secular brand of hip-hop, rap or any other form of music that does not glorify God.
The first album I will review is “Rewind”, by Flame…produced by Cross Movement Records.
The theme of the album seems to come from the track titled “Give us the Truth!” This is their cry for pastors and teachers to return to the truth of God’s Word, and to stop with all the craziness and hypocrisy that comes from the pulpits of our churches. Their call is for believers to immerse themselves in the Word, and to learn to discern truth from error by knowing the God of the Word, and His ways, made clear to us through Jesus. It is a desire for true, genuine discipleship, self denial, and wholehearted living for Jesus! Awesome!
Track #2…”No Silence”. This is his testimony that in spite of ‘persecution’ from the rest of the music industry, they will continue to preach Jesus on their albums and concerts. Why would he endure ridicule for living and singing of Jesus? The last line of the song tells us, “The price that was paid, the nights in the grave, and the resurrection is our reflection, to not be afraid. So let’s go.”
Track #3…”Uh-Oh”. The last verse says it all…”So in conclusion I offer this album to God, while at the same time I offer this album to y’all. And that may mean that I go out like Peter and Paul, for preaching Jesus to the point where I’m socially martyred. But my rewards and my treasures will never be stowed on this earth, but in a place where they can never be stole…In heaven where I know the saints most definitely go, cause our inheritance is imperishable and incorruptible. (is this a shock…to hear this truth of God on a rap CD?) And as I wait I pray with fervency, cause the world and the church are in a human emergency…see it’s a war and I done stepped into it, and I’m on the team of the rescue unit, for the following people… 1) Ones who caught up in false doctrine 2) Non-believers ignoring the sin problem 3) And new saints, so while my mic is on, all I’ve got is truth and a warning…’The real Truth is coming out!’”.
Track #5…”Rewind”…deals with the contrast between what the Bible says and what the televangelists are spouting. He demonstrates how one preacher misuses Isaiah 53 to guarantee all believers health and wealth. Some lines in the song are “Is that in the Bible…that God’s people shouldn’t suffer…that we all should be rich?” What is so cool is that on this hip-hop track, the artist goes on to explain what Isaiah 53 is really about…putting these false preachers to shame. The truth and theology from this artist is better than what is heard from most pulpits on any given Sunday!
Track #7…”We need you”… a song thanking God for salvation, deliverance from the bondage and curse of sin, for the fruit of the spirit, and our need for daily reliance upon Christ…and the blessing of deliverance from the wrath and judgment of God. (Try catching a CCM song with those realities!)
Track #9 (you preachers will love this one)…”Context“... Imagine this, a rap song dealing with the need for believers to interpret scripture within the proper context. The chorus reads “With this skill , this should keep you from heresy and keep you from going though theological therapy, The words of God will change your life…if you keep that text in it’s context!” (This is sound advice that many preachers do not heed…too bad it takes a rap artist to challenge them with it!) In this little rap ‘ditty’ he presents the need for proper…sit down now…hermenutics, exegesis, bible commentaries and concordances, avoiding eisegesis. What does he say about eisegesis? “A text could never mean what it never meant before to it’s original readers or authors…so if you run into a difficult passage and you know the bible never contradicts itself, then turn the pages to a parallel passage and just let the scriptures interpret itself!. (All this from a lowly rapper from the hood!)
Track #10…”War of the minds”…this is an incredibly touching examination of God’s role in the lives of those who suffer from depression and the like. It’s not a fluffy…’cheer up, God loves you’ ditty, but a heartfelt questioning and appreciation of those who suffer. He mentions depression, mentally ill, sexually abused, schizophrenia, anxiety, bi-polar…those who are seeking relief through clinical and medical therapy…and that all of those bound by these ailments must ultimately look to God- our healer from suffering, knowing that He sees and cares. (There’s nothing like this on the CCM charts that I’ve ever heard!)
Track #11…”Give us the Truth!”…a raw, truthful look into the artist’s journey from superficial Christianity, into a self-centered life, finally rescued by Christ into a genuine faith and relationship. He talks about his adventures in bible college, and back at his non-discerning home church, to his doubting his own salvation. How did God work to bring him into the truth…in His words…”I met this girl named Beth who told me about a church home, first I visited, became a member, and then it was on! Then the pastor gave me a stack of books, now I’m back with rap and hooks, took a summer and spent 300 DOLLARS on tapes and books and learned from these biblical scholars, now I’m back and I’m walking in light…living my life…glorifying Jesus Christ!” (now before you blast the rappers, when was the last time you spent 300 dollars on sound biblical materials and devoted your time to studying them and the bible to increase your knowledge and faith and lifestyle for Christ?????)
Track #12 (another one for you preachers)…”The Godhead”… dealing with trinitarian theology. The artist covers “dynamic monarchiasm, modalistic monarchiasm, and finally the hypostatic union”! Get your head around these theologies! And from a rapper? Awesome teaching and challenges here!
Track #14…”Racial diversity”…he hits on the need for our churches to reflect our communities diverse makeup….”have you visited Hyde park baptist lately”?
Track #15…”To my heart”… a very humorous and cutting conversation between the author and his heart, in which he proclaims to his heart…”I’ll never trust you again”. Too much truth here…sometimes it hurts!
Track #18…”Sola Scriptura”…for all you R.C.Sproul fans! This track is about the necessity for realizing that Scripture is our only authority, based on 2 Timothy 3:16.
Track #21…”We preach Christ”… another great challenging message, closing with the solemn reminder…”Seek Jesus now, you can know him as savior…see him later- you’ll know him as Judge.”
I hope this post will cause you to reexamine your stereotypes, and if so inclined, to listen to these lyrics and be blessed and challenged. I will present another artist in another post.
God bless! Pastor Bill ><>
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07.24.07
Posted in Church Events, All at 5:58 pm by Pastor Bill
We finally arrived back home from Guadalaraja Mexico, with our luggage arriving shortly thereafter. What a great mission trip! We experienced God’s work around and within us each and every day. Our church members were divided into 3 teams, to go out to the villages of Mascota, Minerales and Tequila. Each morning we helped local pastors or missionaries lead a childrens summer Bible school adventure, called ‘Campo de Verano’! The theme for the week was ‘Tesoros Escondidos”…hidden treasures. We showed the children the hidden treasures in God’s Word, His love and salvation through Jesus Christ. Each day this theme was brought out through a different parable that Jesus taught.
In the evenings we would go out into the various villages nearby for witnessing and evangelism to children and adults. These villages might have from 200 to 5000 people living there. For the most part these towns are closed off to the gospel, being controlled by the bishop of the local Catholic church. They call us ‘Christians’ and discourage the people from talking to us. Some people will however, and we did see a few people receive Christ as Savior.
One of our teams went to a prison to meet the men there and to share the gospel and testimonies of Jesus’ life changing power. Twenty six men came forward at the end of the program to receive Christ!
We were really impacted by the pastors and missionaries who live there and have devoted their lives to reaching the lost with the gospel. We would travel with them to small villages where they have been witnessing, and would find out that there is not a single believer in the whole village.
We ask that you would take time to pray for these men and women who are serving Christ there, bringing the glorious light of the gospel to a people lost in spiritual darkness. Pray for their safety and health and encouragement to be faithful to our Savior. Pray that God would do a great work of bringing salvation to this area of Mexico. Thank you for your prayers and support!
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07.11.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 2:52 pm by Pastor Bill
We are here in Mascota on our third day of conducting summer camp VBS for about 40 children. Our other 2 groups are in other cities and have 100 and 60 children in their groups.
We are going out to various small villages in the afternoons and evenings and sharing the gospel to whomever we meet.
Our local host pastor and his family are so gracious and supportive to us, and we are enjoying learning the culture and the people.
So far, no sickness or mosquitoes, although my wife is developing a rash due to insect bites.
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