If you haven’t heard, Sovereign Grace Ministries is having a big February Sale.
All of their music CDs are discounted to $6 with free shipping. At my church, probably 30% of what we sing in worship times are songs written by Bob Kauflin and the other Sovereign Grace songwriters. I recommend Songs for the Cross Centered Life (which I have), and I’ve heard that Valley of Vision and their Christmas CD are really good. Their store will let you preview clips of the songs, as well as preview the lyrics and scores for free. Many of the songs I’ve reveiwed on my blog, are Sovereign Grace songs.
They also are discounting their Pursuit of Godliness books, and other materials as well. I encourage you to take advantage of this super sale!
Bob,
Thanks for the link, and I think I’ll be getting some CD’s in the near future.
Did you know that Shai Linne has a new CD, “Atonement”? I got it in the mail two days ago, and it’s F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C! Check out Shai’s website on Myspace.com (you’ll have to Google it; I’m at work and the school board doesn’t allow access to Myspace.com).
Cheers!
Larry
I tried E-mailing U But didnt go through!
Hi I grew up in extreme IFCA, Pro BJU, PCC, Church. I’ve been deeply hurt and abused by the Religeous and Legalistic Practices growing up. How did gett free from all the pain, bondage, and bitterness? I too want to unite christians 2 some day like u. Did You go to the wilds camp and/or to camp joy growing up 2? How did God heal U? I’m a spirit filled BALANCED Charismatic christian.
I still have family in the “CIRCLE” that are judgemental and distant from me. Some day I want to free people in legalism and/or religious and/or cultic like bondage too.
Courtenay
Larry,
I heard a little of Shai’s CD. I’ll have to check out his MySpace. Thanks for letting me know.
He came to our church recently, but due to my work schedule I couldn’t attend. I didn’t find out in time to change my schedule.
Blessings to you,
Bob
Courtenay,
Not sure why your email didn’t work. And sorry for a belated response.
For my story, check out the tab on my blog labeled “my story“. No, I never went to Camp Joy or the Wilds, I went to a much smaller camp: Camp Victory in Somerset, KY.
My healing from extreme fundamentalism has been gradual, and is all owing to Christ. I believe that extreme fundamentalism can hurt people in different ways, and that sometimes it is owing as much to the individual as the environment. There are many good people who are thriving in many fundamentalist churches. But sadly, in the more extreme wing of the movement, there are many people that have been damaged or discarded.
I hope that you don’t give up on Christ or focus internally and brood over damages done to you. Instead resolve to grow in grace and knowledge of our glorious Savior Jesus Christ.
There are many good charismatic churches. But some of them gravitate toward legalism and spiritual abuse. Many of them pressure people to have certain spiritual experiences without which people should doubt their salvation. That can be very damaging. Others can emphasize our need to persevere in the faith in an extreme way whereby people feel they are earning their salvation by adhering to the rules and obeying God in such a way that they don’t backslide. This also moves the focus off of the finished work of Jesus on the cross on our behalf.
I pray you are growing in the faith, and if there is anything else I can do for you, to help you, let me know. Just use my contact page which will generate an email automatically to me.
Thanks and God bless.
Bob Hayton
P.S. I’ll copy this response to you in an email, as well.
Bob,
Here’s the link (now that I’m home and have access to Myspace.com):
http://www.myspace.com/shailinne
On the “Atonement” CD, there is a song called “The Cross”, and it is the best on the album. It reminded me of some of the terrible scenes from “The Passion of the Christ” movie. The song is very moving indeed.
I have to agree with Larry, Bob. You need to get this Shai’s new album. “Were You There” was one of my favorite tracks, but the whole cd is excellent.
I used to attend a sovereign grace church, and at first, loved the music. However, after having “set under” it for years, it begins to really do a piece of work on your spiritual condition. What I mean by that is simply this: it is SO sin focused, SO focused on how totally depraved we are, that there is little time spent worshipping God. You are constantly before God in a spirit of brokeness, not wholeness. Every now and then we would sin a song that was a bit more “upbeat” but for the most part, these songs were designed for a purpose: keep the people aware of the depravity, their inability, and keep them dependent on the leaders.
Once you do your research and know the roots of this movement, you will find it is rooted in the shepherding movement of the 70’s, Catholicism, and Bill Gothard, with moxtures of Vineyward thrown in. The music is very focused on indwelling sin and not the power we have OVER sin in Christ. THe focus is on the sin so the sheep don’t get a clue and start thinking for themsleves.
It is classic manipulation. And while some of the songs may be a blessing here and there, overall and constantly they do damage. I’d caution anyone from supporting such “ministry”. Ask any person who has left an SGM church if THEY still listen to the music. THey all say NO WAY because it reminds them of the bondage they were once in and the spiritual abuse that went on.
Stay away from SGM music. There are plenty of other ministries that put out a BALANCED presentation that allows for worship in the Spirit, not in bondage and false brokenness.
I disagree with the warnings given here by Ex Sovereign Grace member. I find much emphasis in SG’s music on worshipping God and glorying in the Christ who took our sin on the cross.