“OVER THE LINE” – Monday July 31, 2017

REWIND… DIRECTORS CAMP, JUNE 1989

                             

MY MISSION IS CLEAR                                                

In 1989 we were singing a medley called, “Let the Whole World Sing” and another called, “A Story and a Song for the Nations”. We had big ideas, and big expectations, of reaching the whole world with the gospel wrapped up in musical productions.  I had all kinds of motivational phrases I used on the directors from the very beginning like, “You can do anything you want to if you want to bad enough”, "To whom much is given, much is required”, “If there’s no stage when you get there, build one” and “Attitude is everything”. And when a new rookie director came to me with the deflating word that there was too much equipment to fit under the bus, my response was always, “Do I have to go load your bus for you?”

We were probably in Palm Springs, 110°-115° in the day, but much nicer in the evening, sitting around the pool getting to know each other and listening to what everyone had been through that year. We prayed together and listened to each of their expectations for the summer.  It was in a setting like this that I read something I had just found called, “Declaration for the 21^st Century” by John Osteen.  Here it is for you to digest!

“I am part of the unashamed.  I have Holy Spirit power.  The dye has been cast.  I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made.  I am a disciple of Jesus.  I will not look back, let up or slow down, back away or be still.  My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure.  I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, chinsey giving, dwarf goals.  I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, prominence, plaudence or popularity.  I don’t have to be right.  I don’t have to be first.  I don’t have to be tops.  I don’t have to be recognized.  I don’t have to be praised.  I don’t have to be regarded nor rewarded.  I now live by presence, lean by faith, walk with patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.  My face is set.  My gate is fast.  My goal is heaven.  My road is narrow.  My way is rough. My companions few.  My guide is reliable.  MY MISSION IS CLEAR.  I cannot be bought.  I cannot be compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, diluted, or turned away.  I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, meander in the maze of mediocrity.  I will not give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ.  I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.  I must go until He comes, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until he stops me.  And when He comes for his own, He will have no trouble recognizing me because my colors are clear. (And I added)  Because…                                             

I  AM  A  CONTINENTAL  DIRECTOR

PROMISE KEEPERS – Friday July 28, 2017

REVERBERATIONS FROM DAVID’S PSALMS

Psalm 15:1 “…Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?"

                                  

SPEAK THE TRUTH                                             

In Psalm 15, David creates a list of things he has come to understand by his own experiences.  This list does two things: show honor to the Lord and keep David in good shape with his friends.

There are also two big items that stand out in David’s list of things that we can do in Psalm 15. We can keep our promises, which, he says, will honor the Lord.  David says it is one, “WHO KEEPS HIS OATH EVEN WHEN IT HURTS” (v.4). Jesus said, “Let your yes be yes and your no, no”!  Same thing.

And the other thing, is one “WHO SPEAKS THE TRUTH FROM HIS HEART” (v. 2).  For David, this was someone “who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellow man! (v. 3) Sometimes, the truth is evasive, and it’s just easier to agree with whatever someone else says.  Gossip and a seeming light slur come across easily on our smart phones as no one can see our expressions.  Passing on questionable stories about someone when we have no idea of the background to their actions or know nothing of what is really in their heart is a bigger deal than we normally accept.

James said, “If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man” (Jas. 3:2). Jesus called it loving your neighbor as yourself.  David has the answer to his own opening question in the last verse.  He simply says, “He who does these things will never be shaken” (v.5).

In the book, “David’s 7 Secrets,” the 2^nd chapter deals with all 10 of David’s virtues.  We call it, “Sit at God’s Round Table.”  There you will find the concepts of Psalm 15 as well.

“PLEASE DON’T SEND ME TO AFRICA” – Wednesday July 26, 2017

RECOLLECTIONS ... OF A CONTINENTAL DIRECTOR

THE DUNG HUT AND THOUSANDS OF BUGS
By Jon Eric Woodward

(Jon Eric Woodward went on 12 Continental tours, directing 8 of them. He has been in worship arts ministry for 28 years and is currently Pastor of Worship Arts in High Point, North Carolina)  


                   

Jon Eric and Cindy Woodward

Jon Eric had been the first Director to volunteer with Campus Crusade for Christ, "The Jesus Film" Project, after Paul Eshelman, their leader, challenged us to join his venture at a summer rehearsal camp.  Jon took his Continental Singers tours to faraway places, performing and showing "The Jesus Film" to people who had never heard the name Jesus.  A couple years later, Jon Eric found himself in Africa, and able to recount this story:

In 1987, my tour was in Kenya to show The Jesus Film. A Christian artist, Scott Wesley Brown, had joined our tour. The Continental Singers had performed many of Scott’s songs over the years including, “He Will Carry You” from our musical, DREAMER.   I split our group up into smaller teams to go into different parts of Kenya. My group of seven, along with Scott Wesley, traveled deep into the bush, and showed the film six different times.

The first village had an 8’ tall pile of thick brush all around it.  We were told it was to keep lions and leopards from killing and eating their animals.  They also volunteered that, the week before, a Leopard had jumped their “fence” and taken a baby goat.  We were to sleep in the village that night!  THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Our sleeping quarters were cow dung huts.  They had no light, and only a small hole in the top to let the smoke out.  Yes, they even cooked inside!  The entry ways were very tight and really curvy, so that if a wild animal did get into the fenced sleeping area at night, they would have a hard time getting inside the huts… (very consoling).

Scott Wesley and I stayed in the same hut and were having a quiet talk before hitting the sack, when we began to hear a very soft noise.  He asked me if I heard something.   I had!  It was pitch black inside.  The sound was growing in intensity, like in stereo. I took out my small flashlight.  There was nothing. I put the light on the ceiling. It was moving!  Thousands and thousands of bugs were crawling all over the ceiling of our dung hut!  We did not sleep well that night!                                 

Believe it or not, the very next day Scott wrote a song The Continental Singers would perform for years to come, “Please Don’t Send Me to Africa”.                  

We saw many people who had never even heard of Jesus believe in Him as their Savior during our time in Kenya.   It was always interesting to watch their reactions and hear their verbal responses when our Lord was beaten and hung on a cross.  They were not fans of the Romans!

I had the opportunity to go on three Jesus Film Project tours.  Of all the 12 tours I went on, those tours had the greatest impact on my life.

Cindy and Jon Eric with their 4 kids

Since his Continental days, Jon Eric graduated from LSU with a degree in music education. He then went on to graduate from Dallas Theological Seminary. He married the love of his life, Cindy, in 1989...a Continental "TC" (tour couple), Jon Eric and Cindy met at Rehearsal Camp in Arrowhead Springs for their 1984 Continental tour. Jon Eric has always had a passion for worship ministries, to lead people to worship God in spirit and truth, always Biblically and Christ centered. Jon Eric also has a masters in Bibical Studies and recently completed another masters in Worship Studies. Jon Eric and Cindy served in Louisiana for 14 years before moving to High Point, North Carolina where they currently live with their 4 children.   

“REACHIN’ OUT” – Monday July 24, 2017

REWIND… The Continentals Opening Night, June 1997

TELL THE GOOD NEWS  1997                                                      

It was our 30^th year and Dick and Mel Tunney had written our opening song to celebrate the anniversary…

“He’s given us a voice to tell His story.

He’s given us a reason to live.

Conquering the grave, He’s taken sin away.

Jesus gave us all he had to give.

Now that we’ve received His salvation,

Our mission is to pass the faith along.

Carrying the flame, lifting high His name,

The good news of the Gospel is our song.

TELL THE GOOD NEWS….”

As you all now know, our theme this summer is “REACHIN’ OUT”.  Mr. Webster must have been a Continental because he said reaching out means “to touch by extending,” or better yet, “to carry as far as you can go!”, “To arrive at by effort” (he had to be a Continental) or “to attain some GREAT GOAL,” “To have influence by reaching someone,” “to establish contact with,” and finally he said the one that really works for us, “this power reaches into other lands, to carry, to penetrate, as sight and sound do!”  Yes, that’s us… that is you this summer.  The sight and sounds of the Continentals REACHIN’ OUT and penetrating the world with the message of Jesus Christ through music and performance!  Fantastic!

One of our great goals is to empower you by preparing you, the Continental, to reach out to people all over the world this year.  We want you to experience the Lord in a new and wonderful way, to grow spiritually, to learn to trust Him more and give you a chance to share your testimony, what you really believe, and share it with someone who needs to find Christ themselves.  You are Ambassadors of Jesus Christ this summer.  You don’t represent me.  You stand strong for Him as a Continental and your music and message will reach people’s hearts for sure.

There will be 54 groups like you doing this program literally all over the world this year.  And for the first time, some Continentals will be Slovakian, Italian and Argentinian who will be reaching out with other Continentals in their own language who will start out in their own countries in Asia, Europe and South America.  You are part of a big family.  But our message is the same everywhere.  Jesus is alive and He changes the lives He touches through people like you.  What we are telling people is best told in a simple story…

Johnny had a terminal disease and not long to live.  His disease made it difficult for him to understand classroom assignments.  During Easter the children were supposed to take an empty plastic egg and put something in it that reminded them of Easter. 

The day the eggs were to be turned in, the teacher opened each one and made a positive comment.  One egg was empty.

Johnny raised his hand. “Teacher, you didn’t share mine.”

“I’m sorry, Johnny,” she said, “you were to bring something that means Easter to you and, and put it in the egg.”

“But teacher,” Johnny said, “Jesus tomb was empty—and that’s what Easter is all about.”

Johnny died a few weeks later, and in his casket his classmates placed twenty-seven empty eggs.  They understood.

That’s our bottom line message too.  Jesus is not in the grave, he arose, he lives.  He said, “I have come that they might have life and have it to the full.”

So - let’s tell everyone this good news.  Let’s REACH OUT and give people life!

GOD IS PRESENT - Friday July 21, 2017

REVERBERATIONS  FROM DAVID’S PSALMS

GOD IS PRESENT

Psalm 14:1 “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’”

LORD, YOU MAKE BEAUTIFUL THINGS                         

Most evenings, I sit on the cliffs nearby to see the sun sink into the sea, or drop into the hills and trees out west, over the curve of the island, depending on the time of the year.  The clouds will be full of color with all kinds of imaginative shapes, and the waves just below me often crash so high the spray blocks the brightness of the descending sun.

Every time, words fill my mind and I have to blurt out, “Lord, You make such beautiful things”.

CLICK HERE for a special video message from Cam

In Psalm 14, David declares that the person of moral perversity, the fool, says there is no God.  That’s amazing to me.  No way that the intricacies of creation just happened.  Many of our greatest scientists agree that there has to be a Creator.  David goes on to say that men, God’s created beings, have abandoned Him, turning aside, becoming corrupt and don’t even understand who He is and what He has done for mankind.

Much of this Psalm was quoted by Paul in Romans 3 as well, which declares the same things, that we naturally, do not really understand the Lord who created everything.  And, that we all have turned away. Doing good, all we can, is not in man’s normal nature.  “There is none righteous, not even one.” (v. 10)

After declaring us guilty, David has something good to say. “GOD IS PRESENT in the company of the righteous”, (v5) and ends with, “Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion.” (v.7)   And it did! Praise God!  Paul does the same thing after declaring us guilty he says, “But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known.  This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.  There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified, freely, by His grace, through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (v.21-24)

How great is that.  His righteousness cleanses us by His grace.  It’s free, just like breathing in and out, and taking in the beauty of His creation all around us.

“‘GOD KNOWS WE NEED NICE WEATHER,’ SAID MRS. HYINK” – Wednesday July 19, 2017

RECOLLECTIONS OF A CONTINENTAL LEADER

By Sir Leen LaRiviere, The Continental Singers, Europe

SPLENDID WEATHER                                           

Ria and Sir Leen la Riviere

Driebergen, Holland, 1970-1990

Since 1970 The Continentals have been to the village Driebergen in Holland.  An ongoing invitation from the female Pastress Hyink, pastor of the local Pentecostal church.  They could not do a concert, but The Continental Singers could perform in the Sunday morning service.  She would often invite, and care for, English speakers, celebrities like Brother Andrew, Corrie ten Boom, etc.

After the church service, The Continental Singers were not allowed to leave unless they “had tea” at Mrs. Hyink’s house.  Of course, the house was too small, so chairs had to be put in the garden.  But, that is very risky business in the rapid changing weather of Holland.  The chance is 80% that it will start raining. There are even voices who say that the moment Dutch people go enjoy nice weather and sit in the garden, it starts raining as a revenge of the weather-gods, because the Dutch reclaimed so much land from lakes and sea.  So, that first time in 1970, the neighbors of Mrs. Hyink saw the bus and the 40 Conti’s appear at 13.00 hrs. When they saw all those kids in the yard, they were eager to offer shelter, just when it would start to rain (quite normal expectations when you live in Holland).  Mrs. (Rev) Hyink smiled and said, “Thanks, but God knows we need nice weather.  He will help.”  So, what happened that afternoon?  Splendid weather!

Next year, 1971, same procedure.  And surprise!  Nice Weather! The third year, according to the mathematic laws of chance, it had to rain now, but again, great weather.  The fourth year, the neighbors gave up.  They prepared that day their yard for their own family barbeque as well, and yes, great weather.  (In some parts of Holland a barbeque can only last one hour or so because the weather changes.)

In the next years it became the sign for the whole neighborhood, that the day The Continental Singers would come to town, it would be nice weather.  People would start calling Mrs. Hyink to find out the date of their visit.  First, she thought that they wanted to come to church.  Later on, she found out, that almost the whole village would plan all sorts of outdoor activities, because The Continental Singers had arrived, and that meant nice weather. 

There have been a few occasions that it did rain during the morning service (panic in town), but the moment they stepped out of the bus into the yard, the rain stopped! This incredible smile of God happened in an annual sequence from 1970 to 1990, when Mrs. Hyink became too old to care for The Continental Singers after church.  The village could not count anymore on this beautiful divine intervention.

(This is a true “Continental Tale” as he calls it, by Sir Leen LaRiviere who was knighted by the Queen for his contribution to the arts in his country of Holland.  Leen, along with his wife Ria, has been European Director of The Continental Singers ministry since 1969, now in his 49^th year!)

"REALITY CHECK" - Monday July 17, 2017

REWIND ... THE CONTINENTAL SINGERS OPENING NIGHT, JUNE 2007

REALITY CHECK 2007                                                                

(An important check-up before tour begins)

I have spent months getting your music and production ready, and now, I have just 15 minutes to talk to you about the reality of what we expect from you and expect from your Continental music outreach ministry this summer.

Here is your THREE POINT REALITY CHECK:

First, a few personal questions.  Do you really know Jesus?  Do you totally believe that He is the Son of God, who came to earth, and gave His life on the cross as a sacrifice for you? If so, is He, then, the Lord of your life?  Does He reign in the center of your heart?

These are the biggest questions a person who calls him or her self a Christian can ever ask.  Jesus Christ rose from that grave, way back then, and He lives in your heart today, right now, if you believe in Him and have asked Him into your life.  If you have made that confession, then there is no question, you are one of His!!  That is your first reality check. But, believe it or not, lots of people fake it.  Some have even been Continentals, pretending to appear like a Christian by saying and doing the right things.  Deep in your heart, you know what I’m saying.   If you are going to be effective as a Continental this summer, sharing your testimony with people and audiences, then Jesus will have to be your Lord, living in your heart.

The second reality check is also a question.  One that has to do with your time with us on this tour.  Assuming you have made a commitment to the Lord, DO YOU REALLY, SERIOUSLY DESIRE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD?  This tour is an outreach to share the gospel with everyone we come in contact with.  You have been called to do just that and we have been called together to expand the Kingdom of God.  It is one of the primary reasons we exist as a music ministry.

I hope it is the desire of your heart to follow God’s calling on your life.  We are told to Love the Lord with all our heart and with all our strength.  This summer tour is really the “strength” part of that ask.  You will be tested, tempted, tried and maybe even tuckered out sometimes.  But this experience is about giving your all to the Lord.  The Bible says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”  That means you are not performing, or loading, or unloading for me or some church or even for your director. We  may give you a directive word now and then, but YOU ARE DOING IT FOR THE LORD.

Your third reality is that you are part of a team.  You are not alone in this, and it’s a fact, there is strength in numbers.  In order to be an effective Continental group, you are going to have to love and respect each other.  The Bible says they will know we are Christians by our love for each other.  On the bus, it will take humility, and sometimes, a little sacrifice, if we are going to be ok together.  Sure, someone’s stuff will end up in your bin or on your seat.  Get a grip, it is not the end of the world!  No complaining!  Instead we are asking you to be forgiving and loving.

So, your Reality Check is simple:  You need Christ in your heart, you are to follow His call on your life, and you are to do as you’re told!  NO, I’M KIDDING!!! You are to love your Continental neighbor as yourself. 

You are here as part of a group of fantastically talented Christians.  Love and partner with them and together we will help change our world for Christ.

“HELP LORD, HOW LONG?” – Friday July 14, 2017

REVERBERATIONS FROM DAVID’S PSALMS

HELP IS ON THE WAY                                        

Psalm 12: 1 “Help Lord, the faithful have vanished…” and 13:1  “How long, O Lord?  Will you forget me forever?”

We know that David struggled all through his young manhood with people on all sides, lying and making up false stories about him.  He got to the point in Psalm 12 that he wasn’t certain anyone around him was Godly, “Everyone lies to his neighbor”(v.2).  At the same time, though, he realized that the Lord’s words were flawless and pure.  Finally, he gets it straight and ends up with, “O Lord, You will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever”(v.7).

There is no question, we have all been through these kinds of times, and we believe and know the same truths David did. Yet in the middle of the trouble, it sometimes gets so frustrating, we just ask God, “How Long, O Lord”?  In Psalm 13, David’s troubles flare up again and he asks, “How Long?” four different times in the first two verses, as he is wrestling with his thoughts and has become impatient with God’s timing.

Wow, can you relate?  Sometimes it really does take a long time for the Lord to answer our requests and prayers, and maybe you have felt the same, “How long?”.  David, finally, just asks for an encouraging sign. He asks, “Give light to my eyes…” (v.3).

I have had the Lord do that in my own life when I asked for it.  There was no final answer.  I just wanted to know He heard me.  He did.  (See David’s 7 Secrets pp. 51-52 for the full story)

Eventually, in his writings, David says what he really knows about how the Lord answers and then guides his life. “But I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation.  I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me” (v.5-6).

How long? 

Long enough to realize what we already know.  Long enough to realize how the Lord guides our lives, just as He did for David.

“ANGELS ON TOUR C” – Wednesday July 12, 2017

RECOLLECTIONS ...OF A CONTINENTAL

By Pastor Dave Beckwith

Dave and Joanne Beckwith

ANGELS ON TOUR C                                                       

(The Philippines, August, 1968)

A chilling shock gripped me—someone had thrown a knife at me while I was concluding my testimony at the University of the East in Manila.  There was a scuffle as police moved in the crowd to capture the Communist infiltrators wielding guns.

It was the summer of 1968, and Tour C, directed by The Continental Singers President and Founder, Cam Floria, was on a tour that included the Western U.S., Hawaii, Japan, Okinawa, Taiwan, Guam, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.

The Viet Nam War was raging in 1968, and earlier plans for The Continentals to visit Saigon were scrapped by the U.S. Military due to the danger.  Several weeks of the summer were spent with various branches of the U.S. Military visiting casualty wards of the hospitals and doing concerts for the troops. Walking into a ward and praying with a soldier who had lost an arm or a leg or suffered other devastating wounds is an experience that stirs me to this day.

On Tuesday evening, August 6, we were flown by the U.S. Army to Kurat, Thailand, and treated to a steak BBQ…all we could eat. After weeks of eating raw fish eyeballs, eel liver, seaweed and rice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, we were ready for good ol’ American food.  Following the steak feast, we did a concert for the enthusiastic soldiers in a packed auditorium.  The next morning, we were scheduled to be flown to Camp Friendship in Satihep for a concert that evening.  Instead, General Black decided to keep us at the base for a repeat performance on Wednesday evening.  On Thursday morning, we awoke to see in The Stars and Stripes, the military newspaper, the headline that the barracks at Camp Friendship, the dorms we would have been staying in, were hit by mortar fire.  Clearly God had watched over us and arranged for this change of schedule.  As David wrote in Psalm 34, “The angel of the LORD, encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.”

On August 10^th, we arrived in Manila in the Philippines. An earthquake measuring 7.3 had rocked Manila on August 2^nd just 8 days before we arrived.  286 lives were lost and 261` more injured.  All but eight died in the collapse of the 6-story Ruby Tower.  God had prearranged for us to minister in a church a short distance for the Ruby Tower tragedy.  Many responded to the gospel message, and again, we saw the protection of God.

Everywhere we sang, the crowds were enormous, enthusiastic and receptive.  On the evening of Sunday, August 18, we did a concert at the University of the East considered to the one of the largest universities in the world with 92,000 students.  I recall the bus ride that afternoon as we crept through the crowded streets of Manila to the University.  Our expectations were high knowing we would have a huge crowd and a great opportunity to share the message of Jesus Christ.  I reviewed some of the verses pertaining to salvation and silently asked the Lord for the opportunity to lead some to Christ.

The concert was staged in an outdoor plaza about the size of a football field and surrounded by four-story building on all sides. Balconies on each level were filled with onlookers, and the field was packed with students on this hot, sultry evening.  At the end of the concert, Cam Floria motioned for me to step to the microphone to share my testimony.  As I spoke, I sensed something stirring in the audience behind me.  As I turned, I saw the knife thrown at me that barely missed and was now stuck in the wood platform directly behind me.  On the upper level, there was a scuffle as police moved in to capture the would-be assassins armed with guns.  What a moment of God’s protection!  “If you make the Most High your refuge, He will command his angels to guard you wherever you go.” (Ps 91)

As soon as the concert ended, rain poured down drenching the crowd and the field.  I had given an invitation for those who wanted to know more about Jesus Christ to stay after and meet us at the front by the platform.  I assumed with the downpour, no one would stay, but 25-30 students gathered to ask us questions.  I explained God’s wonderful gift of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ.   Joining hands in a circle in pouring down rain, along with some supportive Continentals who came off the risers and joined them, I led them in a prayer of repentance and salvation.  As Jesus said, “There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”  Thrilled at those who came to Christ and knowing my life had been spared, I was dancing in the rain celebrating with the angels.

Dr. Dave Beckwith, in addition to singing bass on the first L.A. based Continental tour in 1967, has pastored six churches in Southern California, including Yorba Linda Friends, and was professor of Biblical Studies at Grace Bible Institute.  He has written scores of articles for ministry publications and even the Los Angeles Times, and has written two books, THE EDGE: GOD’S POWER PERFECTED IN WEAKNESS and STRENGTH LIKE SOARING: SET FREE FROM WHAT SETS YOU BACK  

(This 1968 tour ended my career as a tour director.  From this point on to our current 50^th year, I have directed the directors, Cam.)

“HOLD UP THE LIGHT” – Monday July 10, 2017

REWIND…THE CONTINENTAL SINGERS OPENING NIGHT- SPRING 1990

HOLD UP THE LIGHT                       

(“Carry the Light”)

The most powerful message we could put to music for 1990 is that Jesus is the Light of the World.  Picture this, you are like the “Olympic Torch Runner”, running night and day, from city to city, holding the torch high, as a testimony that Jesus is the Light of the World. You are filling dark places, you are carrying His light.

Jesus said, “When I am lifted up, I will draw all men to Me”. That’s why we want to CARRY THE TORCH high.  You learned that song and let me remind you of the lyrics of the chorus you will sing: 

We will carry the torch. We will lift high the flame.

We will march through the darkness with the light of His name.

Til the Glory of God is seen by the world,

We will carry the Torch of the Lord.

In Matthew, Jesus said something about you, one of His followers.  He declared, “You are the light of the world!”  Maybe you have never realized it before, but it’s true and it brings with it a responsibility.

So, how bright of a light will you be this spring?  Today, 50% of the whole world is your age or younger, and 90% of all the people who accept Christ as their Savior, do it before they are 19 years old.  Kids everywhere are born with a fear of the dark.  Lead them to the Light.  That is your new calling.

Paul said, writing a letter to the Philippians, that you “Shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.”  And it’s true.  Thirty-two groups of The Continental Singers from New Zealand to Japan, to Great Britain and Holland, and from Singapore to South Africa, to South America and many other countries, too, will be holding up His light this year.  There will be over 1,000 of you performing over 1,700 concerts and traveling over hundreds of thousands of land and flight miles.

But yours is the bigger and more critical task.  People who start things, set the pace.  No one will ever be the first to perform this program, but you.  All the summer and fall directors and hundreds of Continental Singers learning this music will see you first.  They will take your lead.  They will be inspired.  The rest of The Continental world will see your videos, starting here at this rehearsal camp, as you learn to sing and to “move” together.  It’s a giant responsibility, and one you probably didn’t realize would be yours.  But we are ready for this and we have total confidence in you.  We know you will be successful.

Think of this exciting image: you will be an army of lights this year.  See it in your mind, all of you and all of us, hundreds and hundreds, marching together over some great plain, torches raised high in the darkness, singing, praising, carrying the true Light of the World.  Wow, it can’t get better than that! 

Let’s get going…

HOLD UP THE LIGHT

                               

FLY TO THE MOUNTAINS – Friday July 7, 2017

REVERBERATIONS  FROM DAVID’S PSALMS

FLY TO THE MOUNTAINS

Psalm 11: 1 “In the Lord I take refuge.  How then can you (my friends) say to me: ‘flee like a bird to your mountain.’”

A special message from Cam - click here

SOMETIMES YOU JUST WANT TO RUN AWAY AND HIDE

Maybe you have been in a situation where some people were shooting their arrows of dislike at you with lies, rumors and malicious stories coming at you from many directions.

So it was for David after he killed Goliath and entered Saul’s court.  At first, he was the young hero, so strong and so successful that the women of the land made up songs about him and he was becoming a legend in his own time.  Saul’s son Jonathan, in line to be the next king, became David’s best friend and Saul’s lovely young daughter, Michal, fell in love with him and became his wife. Now David is Saul’s son-in law.

But Saul began to distrust David’s motives.  Then came the vicious rumors when the nation cheered louder for David than they did for Saul.  The king sent him on many military missions hoping he would be killed.  Then finally tried to kill David himself by throwing javelins at him on two occasions while he played the harp.

It was during this dangerous and nerve racking time when social climbers, whisperers, and those seeking political advantage were threatened by him that David wrote this Psalm.  It is an appropriate Psalm for us too when we face some crisis in our lives and are tempted to run away and hide from all the negative circumstances.

It’s a short Psalm, but the last few verses have some redemption for David and for us.  “…The Lord is on His heavenly throne.  He observes the sons of men; His eyes examine them.  The Lord examines the righteous but those who love violence His soul hates.” (v.4-5) “For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see His face.” (v.7)

NO NEED TO RUN AND HIDE IF YOU ARE RIGHT AND HONEST.

God’s justice will win in the end.

(Please also check out chapter Two in “David’s 7 Secrets” about David’s virtues… p.16 Justice and p.24 Patience.)

“STAND UP, MOVE OUT” – Monday July 3, 2017

REWIND… The CONTINENTALS OPENING NIGHT 1993

STAND UP… MOVE OUT                                                

All four of my talks in 1993 on this subject centered around being committed and having the courage to stand up for what we believe and then putting that belief into action by moving out to make a difference.  Will Rogers said, “even if you are on the right track, if you just sit there, you’ll get run over”.

Here are the highlights from the fall talk….

Recently, The Continental Singers were welcomed in Russia, China, Romania, Poland, Hungary, and East Germany. However, we were not allowed to sing Christian music in Elipse Park, across the street from the White House, here in America.  When he heard about it, Paul Harvey, a nationally syndicated broadcaster, incredulously announced this story to America, coast to coast, on his news program.

“See you at the Pole” is a student prayer movement, started by an organization founded by a former Director of The Continental Singers, Paul Fleischmann.  I am sure many of you have met at your school’s flag pole before school to pray for your classmates and our country.  But, school after school, and now, principal after principal are not allowing their students to pray on school grounds.  They are being shut down.

David Bryant, a renowned prayer leader and authority on revivals, says, “Young people in student-led prayer bands have been at the forefront in almost every spiritual awakening”. Jesus said, in Matthew 18:20, “Where two or three come together in My name, there I am with them.”  One of our directors once said, “Fall on your knees, and fight like a man!”

America is being eased into civil liberties for everyone but Christians.  It’s important to stand up together right now before it is illegal to sing about Christ in any public place.

I know what you are thinking.  “I’m just an amateur and I’m really new, and I....”  Listen to me right now.  Making a difference and being great are not about how talented you are.  I am a case in point!  It has always been about how committed you are.

MAN ON MOUNTAIN DID NOT JUST FALL THERE

(Chinese proverb)

You didn’t just land here, tonight, on your own.  Jesus said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit”.  It’s pretty clear, you have a musical appointment.  And, we intend to send you to fulfill the “Go” part!!

James talks about showing your faith by your actions.  Paul says you can do all thing through Christ, because He is your strength He assures us, by his own experiences, that we will be more than conquerors, through Christ.

Your mission (should you decide to accept it) is to STAND UP for Christ, and your belief in Him, and to MOVE OUT with that message in courage.  That’s where faith and action meet to make a difference in our country and the rest of the world.  Don’t just sit on the bus and let the days and concerts go whizzing by.  Make every day count by praying together, standing together, and moving together.  Give that church the best and most important night of their whole year.

Music is the language of young people the world over.  Now take your life changing message that Jesus is alive, and that He can change their life, and take it in the exciting and beautiful package of your music.  That will make a difference!