Icon: Donald Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers #review #FCBlogger #DonaldLawrence #gospel #music #CD #TriCitySingers

I received a copy of this CD, for review, from FamilyChristian.com. I am a family Christian Blogger, however, all opinions are 100% my own.

Details

One of Gospel’s most beloved choirs, The Tri-City Singers formed in the Carolina’s (Spartanburg, SC, Gastonia, NC and Charlotte, NC) in 1993. They’ve topped the Gospel charts repeatedly since then with one radio hit after another. In 2006 the group retired but not without going out with a Grand Finale.

This new addition to the Icon series features 11 of Donald Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers most recognizable songs, including “Blessings Of Abraham,” “Encourage Yourself,” and “Giants.”

Track Listing:

Never Seen the Righteous
The Blessing of Abraham
Encourage Yourself
The Best is Yet to Come
Matthew 28
Testify
Seasons
God’s Favor
When the Saints Go to Worship
Giants
And Yet I’m Still Saved

Review

I am so grateful to have been sent the CD "Icon: Donald Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers", for review, from Family Christian. What an amazing group, singing gospel the way it was meant to be! A powerful, uplifting, and passionate collection - this is pure worship.

In 2006, the group retired with their album "Grand Finale". Their farewell releases made six separate Billboard charts, which is unprecedented for a gospel act. "The Blessing Of Abraham", which is on both albums, shot to number one on the Billboard Hot Gospel Tracks chart. Recorded live over two memorable nights at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, it comes complete with incredible special guests.

As a Music Director, I can tell you that the talent of this group is extraordinary. It's no wonder they have topped the charts and receive such high praise! Donald is a powerful leader and, with such incredible voices backing him up, you will be asking how you can join the choir! I listen to this CD almost daily on my commute to work. It is like a cup of coffee for the soul, reminding me that I am a child of the Most High God and that I have His favor in my life.

I have many favorites on this album, including "When the Saints Go to Worship" and "Matthew 28". Above and beyond the dynamic Christ-centered message, "Matthew 28" is a great example of this group's musical ability. Pitch-perfect, on cue, staccato is an outstanding achievement for any large choir. The Tri-City Singers have mastered it along with Presence and Clarity - two vital qualities in effective Gospel Music. Combine all of this with special guest singers (like Benita Washington and Kelly Price), live recording at the Tabernacle, and a passionate audience and you have a Gospel Masterpiece.

I highly recommend "Icon: Donald Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers". From the perspective of Worshiper and Music Director/Vocal Coach if I could give this CD 6 stars, I absolutely would!

Made by Renee receives products for review purposes, and may sometimes be compensated for posts. Posts may also contain affiliate links. All opinions expressed are solely from Made by Renee and were not influenced by any form of compensation.
 

Renee Chapman LIVE with Whitesburg First Baptist Church Choir | When I Survey the Wondrous Cross | #Easter #Singing #music #Christian

Renee Chapman LIVE with Whitesburg First Baptist Church Choir

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross | March 29, 2015 Easter Cantata

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When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Made by Renee receives products for review purposes, and may sometimes be compensated for posts. Posts may also contain affiliate links. All opinions expressed are solely from Made by Renee and were not influenced by any form of compensation.
 

Illuminator Series #8: He calls You by Name

"To whom will you liken Me, or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things. Who brings out their host by number; He calls them by name, by the greatness of His power; not one is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, And speak, O Israel; “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my just claim is passed over by my God?” Isaiah 40: 25 – 27

photo credit http://www.incourage.me/

Have you ever watched the night sky, just when the stars start to shine? That’s when God says to us, “I bring out their host by number, I call them by name...by the greatness of His power…and not one is missing.”

God tells us that, even with billions of stars, “Not one of them is missing.” “I call them all by name”. He has a name for every single star and sees each one.

Why does He share this with us? Because God wants us to understand that there is no one on this earth that He does not know intimately. There is no one on this earth that He does not see. There is no one on this earth that He has forgotten.

The God of the universe, the Lord of lords, the Everlasting Father - He knows each of us by name. He knows who you are, and what is going on in your life, in the most intricate detail.

Life has a way of making us doubt whether He knows what we are going through. “God, are you really there?” we ask. But Jesus said, “Your Heavenly Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”

Remember His promise, “…those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint”.

 

The Illuminator Series #7: In the Eye of the Storm

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who build his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” Matt. 7:24-27.

Like many of you, I’ve been through some tough times this last year. I’ve struggled with sadness and grief. I’ve been in the eye of the storm and been shaken to the core.

More than ever I know that God’s Word is constant, sure, and true. My emotions and preferences, on the other hand, change daily.

Let’s develop a deeper, more profound relationship with Christ. There will storms in life. But building our lives on the His Word, we will end up standing on the other side.

 

The Illuminator Series #6: Why Do We Sing in the Choir?

Why do we sing in the Choir?

• Because we are so grateful for God’s love…His mercy…His sacrifice.

“O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the people. Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him; talk of all His wondrous works. Glory in His holy name; let the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice.” Psalm 105:1-3

• Singing in the choir allows us to participate in the ministry of leading worship. We are not just there to sing an anthem or two – we are there to worship and to LEAD in worship. It is a great privilege that brings us great joy!

“Oh, that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them exalt Him also in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the assembly of the elders.” Psalm 107:31, 32

• We share the good news of Jesus Christ!

“O sing unto the Lord a new song; sing unto the Lord all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless His name; show forth His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people. For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised.” Psalm 96:1-4

• Singing in the choir allows us to get to know so many wonderful people who have a heart of service and love the Lord. A choir becomes a family who serves together, prays together, and loves each other.

Made by Renee receives products for review purposes, and may sometimes be compensated for posts. Posts may also contain affiliate links. All opinions expressed are solely from Made by Renee and were not influenced by any form of compensation.
 

The Illuminator Series Article #5: Success without Failure

"If you wait until all the lights are green before you leave home, you'll never get started on your trip to the top." - Zig Ziglar

How powerful this quote is!

Too often I sit and wait for all of the lights to be green. Waiting for someone to give me the go ahead. Waiting until I think I cannot fail.

But the simple truth is this: there cannot be success without some failure. It takes backbone to live the life you want and failure is the only thing that can give you proper perspective on success. Very simply, you cannot know the beauty of success without the ugliness of failure.

Failure is all part of the road to success. You build on it. You use it as a stepping stone, as Johnny Cash once said. A good quote to live by is "Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker".  It is the people who are afraid of failure that never feel success.

Giving yourself permission to fail, also gives you permission to succeed.

Failure is such a strong word. Because, really, there is no failure when you are being faithful and pursuing the things of God.

"Commit your work to the LORD, then your plans will succeed" Proverbs 16:3

Set your heart upon the LORD, choose to commit your work to Him, and you will find that you are more likely to pursue godly things. This is exactly how the scripture "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart" works. When we put that scripture into context, we can see what it actually means. Commitment to Him, learning His Word and developing a relationship with Him will change our desires into godly ones.

When we pursue the things of God, the light will always be green.

 

The Illuminator Series Article #4: What Does Good Character Look Like?

I want to share some thoughts with you today on Character.

What does a person of good character look like? They have integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, and moral courage.

Sometimes, people who LACK character will tell you things that are truthful because they actually want to hurt you! A person of good character may not always say the things you want to hear, either. But they will be honest and tell you the truth in LOVE because they actually care about you. Really listen to what people are saying to you and the motives behind it.

Think about the people in your life. Think about the people you surround yourself with - friends, acquaintances, leadership. Think about how, overall, they care for you - or don't.

Pray for them. Pray that they would continue (or start) down the road of good character.

Pray for yourself. Pray that your insecurities and sensitivities from the past would get out of the way and enable you to see who has true character and who does not. Listen to those with good character and stick close to them - you will be surprised at how much you learn! It will be evident to you that a person of good character wants you to succeed in life and your personal development.

Most of all, you will find out Who people of good character follow. Who do they strive to be like? Who do they try to imitate? Take a look at Who THAT person is and you will find out how to recognize (and have) good character, too.

“And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1

“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” Luke 6:40

“…Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Renée is the Interim Music Director for the First Baptist Church in Whitesburg, KY. Tune in every Sunday at 11am, on 103.9 The Bulldog, for Worship!

Made by Renee receives products for review purposes, and may sometimes be compensated for posts. Posts may also contain affiliate links. All opinions expressed are solely from Made by Renee and were not influenced by any form of compensation.
 

The Illuminator Series Article #3: Trading my Ashes for His Beauty

“…and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:3

I used to hold on so tightly to my ashes. Ashes of pain and rejection that, as a small child, I never asked for. I just didn’t want to let those ashes go.

You see, I wanted to mourn what my childhood could have been like – a childhood with a loving father and a brother to be my best friend. Things that, after my brother went home to be with Jesus, I never had again.

But Jesus understands my pain. He was rejected and despised by the very people He came to save. And yet He said to The Father, “Thy will be done”.

It was at the foot of the cross that I saw God change something so terrible into something so beautiful. And I realized that He could do that in my life, if I would just let Him.

So, I gave it all to Him. I chose to trade my ashes for His Beauty, Oil of Gladness, and Garment of Praise. I gave Him my bitterness… my grief… my pain. I decided to let Him make me an Oak of Righteousness, planted to display His splendor. I decided to live in Grace, taking it one day at a time, while He transformed my heart.

And He did.

God can change the negative in our lives into good. Our Father never desired us to hurt or grieve but if we will just give our pain over to Him, He will restore our brokenness.

Now I cannot stop singing praises to the One who has made the very ugly parts of my life into something so beautiful. He has absolutely won my heart!