Which Way Is Up??
Hi Friends!
It’s been a long time since I wrote my last blog for this space. My apologies, but if a guy doesn’t have much to say, he is better off not saying much. My mind has been occupied by “all things music” and I have been a bit lacking in keeping this blog current. Again, my apologies, but finally, here we go.
And the entertainer says, “pick a card, any card at all.” Somehow, by the end of his trick he has miraculously told you what your card was. For the sake of this article, let’s give names to these imaginary cards. Music, books, religion, politics, world events, or less weighty issues such as golf courses, food recipes, car brands, and the list goes on and on and on. Pick any card…and with the exhaustive development of internet search engines, social media, and modern-day news outlets, you will instantly enter a world of information never before seen in history…and we’re just getting started.
Recently I was on Facebook and heard about a controversial Christian book which will remain nameless here, as it’s not the point of my thoughts. The book was mentioned in a scathing review by an angry person whom I’m not familiar with but who apparently has a decent following. So, I went to Google and put the book title in and asked for reviews to confirm whether or not the original comments I read were accurately critiquing the book and its author. Yes, there was immediately a one-star review decrying the negative effect material like this has on the believer. Then I scrolled down, finding there were 3 five-star reviews from folks saying they wholeheartedly agree with the author’s handling of the sensitive subject contained in the book. Then there was another 1-star review from a disgusted reader who could not finish the book in good faith. Following that a couple more positive takes on the book. Onward.
Last year I was in the market for a new car. Long story short I purchased a Hyundai Palisade as our main vehicle. I did my pre-sale homework, watching a hundred YouTube videos and read at least that many reviews. The good…. tons. The bad…. Also tons. People were all over the spectrum, from worshiping the brand to saying they would never buy a Hyundai product. (FYI, my car is turning 1 year old this week and has been a pleasure to own.)
Now pick a religion card - what do you think of Pastor/Evangelist/Teacher/Apostle/Prophet Sammy Slick, Peter Prosper or Harrison Humble? (How I hope these are not real people!) Well let’s go find out more about them. “Most moving service I’ve ever been in;” The man is a wolf in sheep’s clothing!”; “I was in tears as soon as he started ministering”; “he’s building his own kingdom.”..etc. Again, the gambit is wide with every angle covered on any given minister’s name…no matter WHO you’re talking about. What’s a guy to think? And churches….”Best church I’ve ever been in”; I will NEVER go back there again!”; "Pastor is funny;” “Pastor is too haughty;” “This place encourages me every time”; ”I can’t get any deep teaching of the Word there.” Of course, they’re all talking about the same church!
I could go on, including golf course reviews, popular worship tunes, presidential candidates…you name it. I think Jerry Seinfeld summed it up pretty well when he said, “Humans…they’re the worst!” We can (and should) all have a good laugh at that brilliant, comedic statement but oh how true it is! Reading or listening to 10 comments on any given subject online will show you how differently people judge other people, places, and things. Heck, I even got 5 different reasons why our chocolate chip cookies turned out flat! Part of me wants to run outside into the street and scream “STOP THE MADNESS!”
This article is not to point out who is right and wrong about any of the above subject matters. It’s to make reference to how much we need to fix our eyes on the author and finisher of our faith and not look to the left or right, for surely there is trouble in both directions! Thank God for Jesus who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Without knowing, believing, AND following this belief, how would we ever know which way is up!? The Word promised us in the last days, right would be seen as wrong and wrong, right. If we’re not there yet we’re certainly on a one-way fast track to that very dangerous and upside-down philosophy. This is no doubt the crafty scheme of the enemy of our soul. The more he can confuse things (as the author of confusion) the more he can sway people into his camp…”even the elect would be deceived.”
I really believe with this monumental life change called the internet, we as followers of Jesus need to adopt the “less is more” attitude. Personally, I spend WAY too much time seeing what others are doing, reading what others think vs what God thinks, and just observing human nature. Besides that, I am admittedly an OCD researcher when it comes to purchasing a product. It must be the Scottish in me that won’t allow myself to pay a dime more than I should. Yep, TMac is tight! (Liz will confirm). So, I have some work to do in closing the computer or at least keeping the hours spent on any given day to a minimum instead of a maximum. It really can be all consuming…. it’s the day in which we live. But if we’re consumed by this marvel, we can’t be consumed by His Spirit, and we’ll be the big losers because of that. All He wants is all of us. Tall task but it’s the life we signed up for as believers and followers of Christ. It didn’t used to be like this. Walter Cronkite would report the news every night and that was that. This is a different world we are living in now….very different; and who knows what the next 10 years will reveal should Jesus tarry.
Friends, we know that the Bible is true. We’re going to need to really embrace that fact in the coming days. With that thought a couple of scriptures come to mind. Hosea 6:3 says, “so let us press on to know the Lord, for as sure as the dawning He will appear.” Also, one of my favorites, Psalm 90:12 - “So teach us to number our days that we might present to You a heart of wisdom.” How many days do you have left? To some, not too many. To others very many; doesn’t really matter as a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as a day in the sight of the Lord. He’s looking for hearts attuned to His heart. He’s looking for moldable souls so He can do as He wishes with us. But if you and I are distracted by all the noise, all the voices saying things contrary to what He is saying or even agreeing with it, we will have wasted precious time, no matter how much time that is. We must find the mind of Christ alone and each work out our own salvation in this critical day in which we live. May the Lord’s unending grace carry us all the way to our reward. Those who endure to the end shall be saved. We need Him and His truth more than ever. Even so, come Lord Jesus!
It’s been a long time since I wrote my last blog for this space. My apologies, but if a guy doesn’t have much to say, he is better off not saying much. My mind has been occupied by “all things music” and I have been a bit lacking in keeping this blog current. Again, my apologies, but finally, here we go.
And the entertainer says, “pick a card, any card at all.” Somehow, by the end of his trick he has miraculously told you what your card was. For the sake of this article, let’s give names to these imaginary cards. Music, books, religion, politics, world events, or less weighty issues such as golf courses, food recipes, car brands, and the list goes on and on and on. Pick any card…and with the exhaustive development of internet search engines, social media, and modern-day news outlets, you will instantly enter a world of information never before seen in history…and we’re just getting started.
Recently I was on Facebook and heard about a controversial Christian book which will remain nameless here, as it’s not the point of my thoughts. The book was mentioned in a scathing review by an angry person whom I’m not familiar with but who apparently has a decent following. So, I went to Google and put the book title in and asked for reviews to confirm whether or not the original comments I read were accurately critiquing the book and its author. Yes, there was immediately a one-star review decrying the negative effect material like this has on the believer. Then I scrolled down, finding there were 3 five-star reviews from folks saying they wholeheartedly agree with the author’s handling of the sensitive subject contained in the book. Then there was another 1-star review from a disgusted reader who could not finish the book in good faith. Following that a couple more positive takes on the book. Onward.
Last year I was in the market for a new car. Long story short I purchased a Hyundai Palisade as our main vehicle. I did my pre-sale homework, watching a hundred YouTube videos and read at least that many reviews. The good…. tons. The bad…. Also tons. People were all over the spectrum, from worshiping the brand to saying they would never buy a Hyundai product. (FYI, my car is turning 1 year old this week and has been a pleasure to own.)
Now pick a religion card - what do you think of Pastor/Evangelist/Teacher/Apostle/Prophet Sammy Slick, Peter Prosper or Harrison Humble? (How I hope these are not real people!) Well let’s go find out more about them. “Most moving service I’ve ever been in;” The man is a wolf in sheep’s clothing!”; “I was in tears as soon as he started ministering”; “he’s building his own kingdom.”..etc. Again, the gambit is wide with every angle covered on any given minister’s name…no matter WHO you’re talking about. What’s a guy to think? And churches….”Best church I’ve ever been in”; I will NEVER go back there again!”; "Pastor is funny;” “Pastor is too haughty;” “This place encourages me every time”; ”I can’t get any deep teaching of the Word there.” Of course, they’re all talking about the same church!
I could go on, including golf course reviews, popular worship tunes, presidential candidates…you name it. I think Jerry Seinfeld summed it up pretty well when he said, “Humans…they’re the worst!” We can (and should) all have a good laugh at that brilliant, comedic statement but oh how true it is! Reading or listening to 10 comments on any given subject online will show you how differently people judge other people, places, and things. Heck, I even got 5 different reasons why our chocolate chip cookies turned out flat! Part of me wants to run outside into the street and scream “STOP THE MADNESS!”
This article is not to point out who is right and wrong about any of the above subject matters. It’s to make reference to how much we need to fix our eyes on the author and finisher of our faith and not look to the left or right, for surely there is trouble in both directions! Thank God for Jesus who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Without knowing, believing, AND following this belief, how would we ever know which way is up!? The Word promised us in the last days, right would be seen as wrong and wrong, right. If we’re not there yet we’re certainly on a one-way fast track to that very dangerous and upside-down philosophy. This is no doubt the crafty scheme of the enemy of our soul. The more he can confuse things (as the author of confusion) the more he can sway people into his camp…”even the elect would be deceived.”
I really believe with this monumental life change called the internet, we as followers of Jesus need to adopt the “less is more” attitude. Personally, I spend WAY too much time seeing what others are doing, reading what others think vs what God thinks, and just observing human nature. Besides that, I am admittedly an OCD researcher when it comes to purchasing a product. It must be the Scottish in me that won’t allow myself to pay a dime more than I should. Yep, TMac is tight! (Liz will confirm). So, I have some work to do in closing the computer or at least keeping the hours spent on any given day to a minimum instead of a maximum. It really can be all consuming…. it’s the day in which we live. But if we’re consumed by this marvel, we can’t be consumed by His Spirit, and we’ll be the big losers because of that. All He wants is all of us. Tall task but it’s the life we signed up for as believers and followers of Christ. It didn’t used to be like this. Walter Cronkite would report the news every night and that was that. This is a different world we are living in now….very different; and who knows what the next 10 years will reveal should Jesus tarry.
Friends, we know that the Bible is true. We’re going to need to really embrace that fact in the coming days. With that thought a couple of scriptures come to mind. Hosea 6:3 says, “so let us press on to know the Lord, for as sure as the dawning He will appear.” Also, one of my favorites, Psalm 90:12 - “So teach us to number our days that we might present to You a heart of wisdom.” How many days do you have left? To some, not too many. To others very many; doesn’t really matter as a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as a day in the sight of the Lord. He’s looking for hearts attuned to His heart. He’s looking for moldable souls so He can do as He wishes with us. But if you and I are distracted by all the noise, all the voices saying things contrary to what He is saying or even agreeing with it, we will have wasted precious time, no matter how much time that is. We must find the mind of Christ alone and each work out our own salvation in this critical day in which we live. May the Lord’s unending grace carry us all the way to our reward. Those who endure to the end shall be saved. We need Him and His truth more than ever. Even so, come Lord Jesus!
comments ( 20 )
Hazel Gibbons
Oct 20, 2024
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I’m in total agreement with you about us believers spending more time with our Lord than on the internet.
About 2 years ago I was prompted to come off of FB and recently while reading comments about the presidential candidates, I sensed this command, “stop reading that.” So thanks again for the advice.
*
Oct 20, 2024
6 – 1 – 2024 Wonderful Blog / message:
Psalm 90
" …that we might present to You a heart of wisdom."
GOD is perfect love !!!
The meaning of life – to learn to love and to help others learn to love. This is a way to know GOD.
Thanks & Peace
DIANE WHITWORTH
Oct 20, 2024
Terry… Your name quickly came twice to me in the past 24 hours as the Christian Musical Artist that moves and blesses me the most.
Yesterday I was dealing with a lot of anxiety and stress because I’m going through a lot of life changes at age 71. I am in the midst of transitioning from full-time work to full-time retirement with a medical diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (I refuse to label it Dementia).
Most of my day yesterday was spent navigating my computer to work on my budget and online financial forms and other tedious transactions before getting ready to go to my evening Church Service. It was overwhelming me and I broke down in tears.
That was when I asked my Alexa Echo Dot to “play Christian music by Terry MacAlmom”. I’m happy to report it calmed me down significantly and I had a great evening at Church.
However…
I awoke at 4 a.m. this morning feeling anxious and troubled once again. Sad that I was not going to fall back asleep until I settled my emotions and stilled my mind, I decided the best thing to do was play your Worship Music once again.
So at 4 a.m. this morning, I was blessed once again when I found your ‘NIGHT SOUNDS: LIQUID LOVE’ album on my Cellphone. And for 2 hours of listening, I WAS MINISTERED TO. I cried happy tears of thanks for the ‘MUSICAL GIFT’ that our Father in Heaven has imparted in you for such a time as this!
God Bless you
Diane Whitworth,
Hamilton, Ontario.
June
Oct 20, 2024
I just wanted to Thank you for that word.Also how much I appreciate that God has used your talents to bring us to His Throne.Many years ago I hear your cd at our Intercessors prayer meeting. My husband and I had a small privately owned book store where we made your tapes and cds available. After a season God had us to close down our business.People had “forgotten” their cries to the Lord after 9/11 and were sadly being lulled to sleep once more…We recently moved back up to Midlothian Tx and I dug out my cds.We attend a very beautiful and passionate for God church called Trinity in Cedar Hills. I went on Amazon to see if any of your music was “known” and I was wonderfully surprised. I bought a few of the used cds to hopefully share with my friends. I was very surprised to read how your mom prayed over you- Only because that was my prayer to The Father when our newborn son was born without antibodies. He was so sick- I asked God “Why did you give me such a sick child?”(I didn’t realize WHO I was talking to) And Begged Him to fix him and I would make sure my son would grow up to Praise Him. And God heard me… my son doesn’t sing or play music like you but what an Amazing Awesome heart he has for God. He belongs to God-He is a Worshipper. I’m very Thankful to those who truly seek Gods will. We aren’t perfect-we all make mistakes but We are so fortunate to be Loved by an Incredible God. He orders our steps and catches us too. Thank you for helping others know Gods Throne room. May you and your family Be a Blessing to others.
Inelda Noemi Fitte
Oct 20, 2024
Hello Terry and Liz.
I am from a small town of 2, 000 people. We have followed you for many years. We love your ministry of music for the Lord. My husband Davy sings many of your songs. Your song, “I Sing Praises to YOUR Name,” is one of the first songs that I learned to play on the piano. Would you consider coming to a small town to share the Love of God through music? Our church has just a few members, but we love Jesus and want everyone to know of His Grace, Mercy, and Salvation. There are 16 churches in this small town. It would be great to get some of us all in one place. We would love to have you. Would you prayerfully consider us? please? Blessings to you and Liz. Davy and Mimi Fitte
Brenda Grooms
Oct 20, 2024
Good word Terry! We are all distracted by so many things when we should be working on working out our salvation!
Cathy Dykstra
Oct 20, 2024
And as the Latins would say, Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa. Well said Terry. As believers, we DO need to be involved in things that we care for, but learn to know when too much is too much. When something start overwhelming us, it’s a good sign to back off . At least for a while . And we DO need to remember that God our Father is SOVEIRGN still!!!
Brooke
Oct 20, 2024
I’ve been listening to your music since my husband introduced it to me a few years ago, this is my first time on your website (to my surprise we are also located in mid-Texas and I couldn’t agree more. There are several things we can judge and have differing opinions over, but one thing remains – Jesus is the same and His Word should be our foundation for everything. Now more than ever we need to redeem the time because the days are evil.
Betty Rodgers
Oct 20, 2024
I concur, Terry. I stopped watching the news even before Covid. I don’t use social media except to check Facebook for my family groups and a few friends. My life is rich with loving, Godly friends and I couldn’t be happier…unless our Lord returns today.
I’ve kept you and Liz in my prayers, not only for your Hawaii trip, but your ministry and families. Thank you for continuing to bless us with HWJ weekly. Blessings, Betty
David Dobler
Oct 20, 2024
I just found your website this morning, I agree with your article, and what you wrote on your blog, I see it happening around me every day, I really appreciate your music. I’ve been a follower of you since about 2000, I love your music I’m also a musician. I’ve played keyboards and piano for evangelist Benny hen and Ralph Wilkerson Rich Cook and others, I appreciate you very much. Thank you for sharing.
Dianna
Oct 20, 2024
Thank you for these thoughts. They are truly relatable to me. May the Lord direct our paths & may we cling to his guidance.
Esther Alvarez
Oct 20, 2024
Reminds me of the scripture that tells us in Philippians 3:14
press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. I Love I Enjoy the Richful Word of God. Thank u for sharing in ur blog.. It’s Good fellowship
Margaret Salsbury
Oct 20, 2024
I enjoyed reading your blog. It’s true how totally opposite peoples’ opinions can be of the same event, church or place, and product. I agreed with and loved your solution to “deal with our culture, our reality.” Your suggested scriptures of Hosea 6:3 and Psalm 90:12 were so wonderful to think about. And the encouragement to keep our eyes on Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith,” is “so good!” Thank you!
I so enjoy your “One Hour With Jesus.” What a blessing! I listen often during the week. Sometimes I have to stop what I am doing and just worship the LORD. And Liz’s lovely harmony in the background from her “tech center” is just wonderful. I thank the LORD for your ministry! May you continue till Jesus comes again. Margaret
LewisCastleman
Oct 20, 2024
“(THANKS FOR…,”GyOUR CONSTANT…,”SEEKING…,”TO OFFER – UP…,”WORSHIP”,…”THAT BRINGS,…”UNITY”,AND,…”(RECONCILIATION”!!!,…”(;2CORN’S 5)”…,””(AND, “(RM!S 8)!!!…”(YES LORD,…”LINE UPON – “LINE”…”FIR , “THE “DAY – OF – THE …,”(LORD, CHRIST JESUS…,”(ANOTHER – “(HELP – MEEt)”…,”(JOHn (14-15-16 AND 17)”…,”IS CoME”…,”YES LIRD”…,”TILL , “(WE – ALL…,”COME…,”(INTO”…!!!,”THE – “UNITY “!!!,””(ONENESS -“(IN…,”WORD AND DEED”…,”SELAH”…,AND, “(GOD – BLESS)”.AMEN.
Phyllis
Oct 20, 2024
Amen! Amen! Amen!
May we keep our hearts and minds focused on Him.
May we never be deceived.
To Him be all the honor, praise and glory!
Amen! Amen! Amen!
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