Guy Penrod Leaves The Gaither Vocal Band and other stuff

After more than 14 years, ace vocalist, Guy Penrod is to leave the Gaither Vocal Band to begin a solo career. 

"My years with the Gaither Vocal Band have been among the most glorious of my life. Now, though, with the Band continuing in strength and me tackling the new challenge of a solo career, we can all serve our God even more powerfully in the days to come." 

Marshall Hall is also taking this opportunity to step out. Their replacement are not two but three new vocalists all when known to fans of GVB. They are Mark Lowry, Michael English and David Phelps.

I have been fortunate enough to work with the Gaithers on 2 separate occasions. Firstly as the local production and logistics coordinator on the Gaither London Home Coming and last year onheir dates in Belfast and Glasgow. Penrod was a pleasure to work with on both occasions and showed a genuine interest in the work of Ignite. His vocals were sublime and I think he will be missed.

This morning I have continued my study of Galatians 5. From verse 16 Paul continues  urges his readers to live by the Spirit. He completely debunks the heresy that it is possible to live full of the Holy Spirit and willfully engage in sinful and carnal acts as these are contrary to the Holy Spirit. The temptations of the devil are tackled in the passage. The hallmark are that they encourage us to do what we do not want to do. In many ways this is best summed up in Romans 7:15-20

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

I often imagine what the hours the church in Rome took to diagram and flow-chart this amazing brain teaser which can be summed up as;  I know what I want to do but often am led astray to do the opposite! 

One wonders whether he selected to "obvious" acts of a sinful nature because they were active within the body of the Galatian church. The presence of the Holy Spirit restrains us in a way that the law cannot. Whilst it is true that the temptation will still come against us, rather than a set of rules we have the power that raised Jesus from the dead within us to help withstand the onslaught.

Freedom is not categorised by lawlessness. Those who Jesus sets free are free indeed but they still need show restrain. 

Proverbs 29:18a tells us "Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint"  

So why is it that those who have been saved by grace and have  been baptised in the Spirit still entertain some of the obvious sins listed in Galatians 5: 19-21. (If not in deed then maybe by thought!). Surely it is because the battle for the mind, body and ultimately the soul continues. The devil never gives up, he continues to develop new strategies to shake or remove our faith. We should be mindful of and consider what are the evident fruits of our lives.

I love this book!

Comments

[Malcolm Hanger]

Harold Tinker,that is just not RIGHT!to say to Guy Penrod. You need to look closer to that verse

[Sue]

why do christians beat each other up when we are all sinners saved by grace? I WROTE A SONG ABOUT THE WOMAN SPOKEN OF IN THE SCRIPTURES WHO THE CROWD WANTED TO STONE, JESUS SAID, 'IF YOU ARE WITHOUT SIN, CAT THE FIRST STONE.' THE CROWD HAD TO DEPRT CAUSE THEY ALL KNEW THERE WAS SIN IN THEIR HEART.
I WAS BLESSED ALL DAY YESTERDAY BY GUY PENROD'S SINGING. WONDER HOW MANY THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE BEEN BLESSED BY HIS SINGING? I pray for you GUY.I AM A BLIND, WOMAN EVANGELIST SO BLESSED BY GOD I HAVE TO TELL ABOUT IT! SO DONT TELL ME TOO KEEP SILENT IN CHURCH!

[Jim Verner (missionary to Cambodia)]

I like the testimony of the dear blind lady evangelist. God bless her and the good work she is doing for His kingdom. I also appreciate the verses from Romans 7 where Paul reminds us of our struggle against sin to this day, and all the way till we reach heaven. However, we fight the world, flesh and devil with God's help because we believe in Jesus as savior. He will see us safely through to Glory, where our victory will be complete. Jim

[Delores Stone]

Since we are "northerns," we plan at least one vacation a year around Guy's schedule. He sings from the heart. He is a minister in his singing. No matter with whom he sings, in solo, with his talks and singing he brings worship to our souls. Guy sing. Sing for HIS glory

[mrs j Brammer]

I just love and give thanks every day for the music of the Gaithers it is so uplifting and Guy Penrod's voice is so rich his faith carries you with - will really miss him - but wish him and his family God's grace and a long musical life