Hello There, 
This area of music each week gets much attention from you. Last Sunday's 
entry was a new song to many. The memories of convention stirred some of you 
to share your memories of special times for you. Thank you. I need your 
suggestions for this space after today. I really take a long backward look 
with you.

I shared last week that much of our early ministry was in Florida. Parts of 
the state that were truly parts of the old South. The "culture shock" was in 
the music used in worship. I had never even heard of "singing school." 
Children and youth had this experience long before DVBS was introduced. 
Master music teachers were invited to the church community to teach you how 
to sing. Shaped notes and the assigned tone were used as all the students 
learned to sight read. A couple of generations ago, this training was a 
"must."

I could not even begin to comprehend the older "four note sacred harp" style 
that was used a generation earlier. All that I knew was all the people could 
sing a song almost at once with gusto. 

Some special days were to go out in the country to Lake Ellen Baptist Church 
in North Florida for dinner on the grounds and singing. They would break out 
brand new Stamps-Baxter books, select folks from the tenor, lead, baritone, 
and bass sections, hum through once and then sing as if they had sung that 
song for years. Some of the selections were "corny", but they often involved 
the singer----like this

I'LL BE A FRIEND TO JESUS

THEY TRIED MY LORD (MY PRECIOUS LORD) AND MASTER,
WITH NO ONE TO (WITH NO ONE TO) DEFEND;
WITHIN THE HALLS (THE MIGHTY HALLS) OF PILATE,
HE STOOD WITHOUT (YES, STOOD WITHOUT) A FRIEND.

CHORUS I'LL BE A FRIEND (I'LL BE A FRIEND) TO JESUS,
MY LIFE FOR HIM (FOR ONLY HIM) I'LL SPEND; 
I'LL BE A FRIEND (YES, BE A FRIEND) TO JESUS,
UNTIL MY YEARS (UNTIL MY YEARS) SHALL END.

THE WORLD MAY TURN AGAINST HIM,
I'LL LOVE HIM TO THE END;
AND WHILE ON EARTH I'M LIVING,
MY LORD SHALL HAVE A FRIEND.

I'LL DO WHAT HE MAY BID ME,
I'LL GO WHERE HE MAY SEND;
I'LL TRY EACH FLYING MOMENT,
TO PROVE THAT I'M HIS FRIEND.

TO ALL WHO NEED A SAVIOR
MY FRIEND I RECOMMEND;
BECAUSE HE BROUGHT SALVATION,
IS WHY I AM HIS FRIEND.

The use of "echo" or "after time" was common in music of the church. Note 
that it is part of the author's (Johnson Oatman) text in the initial verse 
and chorus. Subsequent usage was left to the innovations of the leader. The 
tradition carried over into music more of the Pentecostal type. Redeemed, By 
Love Divine- Yes, I Know- Camping in Canaan Land etc.. Singing with joy is a 
grand privilege of the redeemed. Ephesians 5:19 must be considered in the 
context of serious subject matter on the will of God and being filled with 
the Spirit in verses17 and 18. "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns 
and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."

DID I GET TO YOU?-Last week was fraught with trials on the Internet. I 
seemed to want to send along with everybody else. After sending, I got a 
note from Mike Knibbs that he was having difficulty uploading to the web site 
in Massillon, Ohio. I still am in the tyro stage on the workings of all this 
electronic marvel. It's one of my trite statements----
"Never try to teach a pig to sing. It frustrates the teacher, and annoys the 
pig". OINK!

OLD HABITS OF LOVE-Are hard to break. Jeanene is spending some days in the 
hospital with an eighty-five year old who had a hip replacement. We spent 
much time in the hospital with persons who needed the pastor. During my 
illnesses, how I welcomed wise visitors. I am confident that you find this a 
place of service.

I AM BEING "NUDGED"-By a magazine. The Message of Association of Baptists 
for World Evangelism features the candidates ready to go in 2002. On our 
journey today we are joined by Dr. Michael Loftis, president of ABWE. He and 
JoBeth (an accomplished pianist) live near Harrisburg, PA with three children 
in college years (Mike, does that need to be in the prayer request segment?).

I love this issue showing the new faces filled with enthusiasm. The 
presidential words about the horizon of the future after 75 years as a 
missions agency bless me. Begun with one medical missionary in 1927, ABWE 
now has over 1,100 in 73 nations of the world. It is a testimony to God's 
might that they have never had any debt, but made wise stewardship decisions 
as individuals and local churches obediently gave funds.

I became more familiar with this movement in 2000 when a change was underway 
in the role of leader. Dr. Wendell Kempton, Dr. Loftis' predecessor, is a 
childhood friend of mine. I was able to celebrate his retirement and meet 
Michael as he became ABWE's fourth leader since founding date. Caring prayer 
from all readers is desired.

A HOLIDAY?-The celebration of October 12 as a holiday is a reminder that we 
are not as united as a nation as we think. Columbus Day is under protest in 
areas of the nation where the Italian population is only a small percentage. 

The influence of Mexico and Central America is felt in Texas as we celebrate 
their holidays. This is not seen as a negative to me, but is a further 
example of the situation.

PRAYER NEEDS UPDATE-I received news of the death of my classmate who had been 
very ill. The friend with cancer continues Hospice care with family with 
her. Your care and sympathy is appreciated. Many churches have their annual 
missions conference in Fall. 

A HALLOWEEN RESPONSE-To my comments last week. The idea of the loss of all 
holidays seemed to be a new approach to many. I got one note to remind me 
that in some ways we have already lost the religious holidays. Not only must 
we recognize the presence, but also the power of the occult.

Some years ago, I was dealing with a young man not long delivered from drug 
usage. It was no surprise to him when I shared with him that the same N.T. 
Greek word (pharmakia) expressed both witchcraft and drugs.

THE SNIPER-In the DC area. I pray that this is old news by today. As the 
story has unfolded, the reach of the occult is shown. Tarot cards are not 
innocent toys. They are Satanic tools in the arsenal of evil. Much as the 
daily horoscope on the comics page, these are no laughing matter. Astrology 
must not be confused with the science of astronomy. All such evils are 
pervasive in society as we accommodate them. 

IRAQ-What is left to be said? My mind is not able to do anything but sit 
here mute as I watch the past and the future on a collision course. I have 
been open to you on matters as to the end of this age as I view them. You 
will see them clearly if you link down to my study pages. All positions and 
convictions are on trial today.

From President Bush downward, the perplexing situation in the middle east 
causes shifts in position almost daily. Some colossal egos are deeply 
involved plus the religious convictions declared.

Last Sunday 60 Minutes took their look at the matter. It was a bit like 
asking me to lecture on atomic fission (or should it be fusion). I could 
exhaust my knowledge in one word---BOOM!

They used as guests those persons who "never met a camera that they did not 
like". They then drew their own conclusions on many matters. Without 
apology to anybody they signed off. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, only 
Andy Rooney ever makes sense to me.

BETTER BE CAREFUL-You never know who is watching. I got an e-mail from a 
stranger this week. They were surfing and found me through AOL net search by 
using words 
"Sunday" and "Thoughts." They told me that they had me all "figured out." 
Now, that intrigued me a bunch. I am a follower of Herbert W. Armstrong and 
hold Anglo-Israel views, according to them. The short and long answer is 
"WRONG"

His,
Ron Krantz