1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

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The
Volume 2 - Issue 2
January 2014
FAITH STORY
Jimmy Stiff
FUNDRAISER
Rachel Gregory
LOCAL MUSIC
TYTUS
MUSIC REVIEW
the human condition ep
NATIONAL MUSIC
Jeff Frankenstein
from NEWSBOYS
LOCAL MINISTRY
Manhood Ministries
LIFE & DEATH
How To Be Saved
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have everlasting life.
-Realize that you are a sinner and need to be saved. (Romans 3:23)
-Believe that Jesus, the Son of God - born of a virgin, died for your sins and rose again. (Romans 10:9)
-Repent of your sins. (Acts 3:19)
-Ask the Lord to save you from your sins. (Romans 10:13)
-Follow God and give Him control of your life. (Matthew 16:24)
2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new.
If you have made that choice to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior,
we encourage you to seek wise godly counsel from someone such as a pastor or teacher to
further your growth and understanding of your new life.
AMERICAN PRESIDENTS
On The Bible
“That Book, sir, is the Rock on which our Republic rests.”
Andrew Jackson (7th President)
“In regard for this Great Book, I have this to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. All the
good Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book.”
Abraham Lincoln (16th President)
“The Bible is the one supreme source of revelation of the meaning of life, the nature of God, and
spiritual nature and needs of men. It is the only guide of life which really leads the spirit in the way of
peace and salvation. America was born a Christian nation. America was born to exemplify that
devotion to the elements of righteousness which are derived from the revelations of Holy Scripture.”
Woodrow Wilson (28th President)
“Inside the Bible’s pages lie all the answers to all of the problems man has ever known… It is my firm
belief that the enduring values presented in its pages have a great meaning for each of us and for our
nation. The Bible can touch our hearts, order our minds, and refresh our souls.”
Ronald Reagan (40th President)
Greenville In One Accord
Volume 2 - Issue 2 (Jan. 2014)
4-COVER STORY
The Generous Garden Project
7-BIBLE STUDY
More Life
8-FAITH STORY
Jimmy Stiff
11-FUNDRAISER
Rachel Gregory
12-LOCAL MUSIC
TYTUS
14-BIBLE STUDY
God’s Valentine
15-MUSIC REVIEW
the human condition ep
17-NATIONAL MUSIC
Jeff Frankenstein
from NEWSBOYS
LETTER FROM
The Editors
Hello Greenville,
Here we are at the start of another new year, full of
possibilities for improvement and growth… but do you ever
hear that nagging whisper of discouragement in the back of
your mind? What if I don’t lose the extra weight? What if I
can’t find a better job? What if I still don’t spend enough
time with the Lord? How can I really be a soul-winner when
I’m so afraid to witness? What if…
We all know what it is to be discouraged, especially
when we see our plans and goals unraveling at the seams.
This year, let’s resolve to be encouraged in the Lord and
allow Him to help us accomplish His will for our lives. Keep
in mind the words of the angel Gabriel to Mary in Luke 1:37,
“For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
With that powerful reminder, we bring you the first issue
of 2014. Inside, you’ll find interesting articles ranging from
the Generous Garden Project to an interview with contemporary Christian supergroup NEWSBOYS. The new column
for parents will hopefully appear again in the next issue
thanks to our two year old losing my notes! You can obviously understand our resolve to become better organized in
2014!
We hope that you enjoy this issue and until next time, be
encouraged.
God bless,
20-BIBLE STUDY
Grace
David and Beth Lyda
22-LOCAL MINISTRY
Manhood Ministries
Copyright 2014 This Little Lyda Mine Publishing - All Rights Reserved.
All content is property of Greenville In One Accord unless otherwise indicated. All photos are property of the respective ministries/person unless otherwise indicated. All articles are written by David and Beth Lyda unless otherwise indicated. All
people, churches, businesses, and organizations that are featured do not necessarily indicate an endorsement from
Greenville In One Accord; nor are their presence an indication
of their endorsement of Greenville In One Accord or other
people, churches, businesses, or organizations featured. All
scripture is quoted from The King James Version of the Bible
unless otherwise indicated. Greenville In One Accord believes
the Bible to be the inerrant inspired Word of God. Greenville In
One Accord is a Bible based magazine and do not support teachings, lifestyles, or doctrine that is contrary to the Word.
Natalie Lyda, official notes destroyer for
Greenville In One Accord, dressed incognito.
COVER STORY
By: David Lyda
The Generous Garden Project
(All photos provided by The Generous Garden Project.)
God called Noah to build an ark, and He called
Solomon to build a temple. God called Bo Cable to build
a garden. This was not something Bo even saw on the
horizon. In fact, at that point in his life, he felt broken.
After being laid off as a top level Executive Director of
Digital Media for Strang Communications, Bo did not
know which way to go. Job opportunities came his way,
but pride often kept him from taking the positions that
were definitely not CEO level jobs. Other doors were
closed in the job search because he was frankly too qualified! After prompting from some close friends, the Cable
family relocated to Greenville, SC.
Bo received the initial vision to build a garden around
1998. That’s all it was. No details about what kind of
garden. What would the purpose of the garden be? Bo
didn’t even know anything about agriculture! All he knew
was that God said to build a garden, and the timing was
right by February of 2011. After additional Divine providence, this simple command soon developed into The
Generous Garden Project.
South Carolina is the ninth highest state for hunger in
the United States. This non-profit organization’s mission
is to feed the hungry, but it does so in somewhat unconventional ways. Instead of directly serving food to the
poor, homeless, and downtrodden, The Generous Garden Project utilizes already existing ministries. They subsequently have become the supplier for many organizations and individuals, including: Miracle Hill, Meals on
Wheels, The Storehouse, Calvary Christian Fellowship,
4
The Generous Garden Project
God's Pantry,
Greenville Rescue Mission,
Greer
Soup
Kitchen, Project
Host, Marantha
Redencion, Turning Point South
Carolina, Safe
Harbor, Salvation Army, Cross
Roads Baptist,
Shepherd's Gate,
Harvest Food
B a n k ,
Beechsprings
Church, New Image Outreach,
Boys Home of the South, individual families, single parents, and many more.
Another thing that truly sets The Generous Garden
Project apart is what they are supplying. Healthy foods
are not always an option for those in need, but that is all
that comes from the Generous Garden. Nothing can replace the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables. Organic
foods may bring to mind many things, like health nuts,
high prices, or even hippies! All of The Generous Garden
Projects’ fruits and vegetables are produced organically,
and there is actually legitimate Biblical wisdom to such
an undertaking. As Bo Cable likes to explain, “It is getting gardening back to the way God designed it.” Organic gardening takes away the harmful manmade pesticides and uses natural compost and fertilizers. This results are healthier and often more delicious produce.
The Generous Garden Project’s main location is on
Verdin Road (near Woodruff Road), but there is also a
smaller project in the Judson community right across the
street from the Elementary School. One aim with the
outlying garden and gardens to come is to have the people
work for their community. The volunteers in that particular area would be able to work and put the produce
right back into the families there.
Worm farms, chicken coops, and old vegetables are
used to generate much of the compost for the gardens.
By utilizing these natural processes, live organisms (aka:
microbes) are put back into the soil. These microbes are
destroyed year after year in modern gardening that uses
chemicals. Replenishing the live organisms is vital to a
garden’s success.
The Verdin Road setup also boasts South Carolina’s
largest aquaponics facility. This technique makes use of
tilapia fish that are placed inside tanks. On top of the
water are floating barges that the plants grow on.
Aquaponics allows food to grow at an extremely fast pace
year around, and their success is not as dependent upon
As a non-profit organization, volunteers are essential
to The Generous Garden Project’s operations. The over
3,000 volunteers involved each year take on a variety of
tasks. Of course there are normal gardening activities
(such as: planting,
pulling weeds, making rows/beds, harvesting, feeding the
goats, fish, and
chickens, building
and repairing equipment, etc.), but volunteers can also help
with office work like
grant writing. Bo
Cable is quick to state, “Come on out, and we can find
something for you to do!” Volunteers are needed 7 days
a week. Saturday tends to be the biggest day with numbers ranging from 20 – 150 people.
The Generous Garden Project not only works to feed
the hungry, but they are also heavily involved in education. Volunteers learn by gaining firsthand knowledge of
the various techniques they use at the garden. Schools
and individuals are welcome to take guided or solo tours
the weather since the process is located inside of green
houses. In addition to the fish, worms, and chickens, The
Generous Garden also works with bees and goats.
Besides the fresh fruits and vegetables harvested from
The Generous Garden Project’s own production, other
local fields are often gleaned as well. Gleaning is the salvaging of produce that is normally left behind on the
ground after the main harvest. This is accomplished by
using The Generous Garden Project’s many volunteers.
The Generous Garden Project
5
through the facilities to learn
more about gardening. One
available tour is
actually a three
hour class that is
accredited by
South Carolina
for
K5-12th
grade. This curriculum was developed over a
year through a
collaboration between Bo and
several teachers.
Bo Cable
feels God leading that “build a garden” idea into a franchise. This wouldn’t be to make money but to build a
special “garden in a box”. These boxes are being engineered to allow individuals or other organizations the
chance to start their own organic garden. The mission is
to make more self-sustainable organizations that can feed
those in need. The Generous Garden’s Woodruff Road
location is being used as the model for this endeavor.
Gardens abroad are already being utilized at an orphanage in Haiti. The German government also gave The
Generous Garden Project funds to develop a garden in
Germany.
Looking to the future here in Greenville, The Project’s
aim is to eventually have some full time employees. Many
of the gardening techniques are labor intensive. The
aquaponics setup alone requires 6 – 8 hours a day. In
2013, a lone volunteer did not show up to care for the
fish tanks one day, and a leak in the system almost destroyed the whole aquaponics project. Full time employees would guarantee staff on hand each day and help co-
6
The Generous Garden Project
ordinate the volunteers.
The ministry goes beyond gardening when it comes
to outreach. Unique friendships are developed through
the volunteers, like a millionaire and a drug addict. Jesus
is not being forced upon the people. The staff just loves
on and gets to know the volunteers. A prayer team works
in the background and God is shown through actions.
One example of what is taking place occurred with a
Satanist that volunteered at The Generous Garden. This
was a lady who actually went into full Satanic rituals each
day. After being involved for a year and a half as a volunteer, she approached the prayer team and asked to pray
with them. She then asked about going to church with
them. This same woman eventually accepted Jesus Christ
as her Lord and Savior! Without ever preaching to her,
the staff’s actions and words showed “We love you, and
we’re here for you.” An extremely powerful testimony to
how the lives of Christians can affect others!
Like any ministry, The Generous Garden Project is
always in need of prayers. Pray for wisdom, guidance,
and the future. Several grants have helped with many new
projects, but donations are always needed. It costs over
$1,000 to run the garden each day. There are also several
projects that need funds like a training center and solar
panels. Volunteers will continue to be the life blood of
day to day operations, and new people are a must. Spreading the word is the best way to bring in new volunteers,
churches, and organizations to help. Donations in the form
of equipment are also welcome. This includes trucks,
tillers, tractors, etc. If you even have extra gardening
equipment lying around, The Project can use them!
For more information about the garden, volunteering, and donations, visit www.generousgarden.org or call
(864) 881-8230. The Generous Garden Project’s main
location is at 161 Verdin Rd, Greenville, SC 29607.
BIBLE STUDY
More Life
God has promised us more life. This life is joy unspeakable, and it is
really not human. A joyful life is really against our very nature. Some think
they have more life in sin or pleasures of this world, but pleasure and joy
are not the same thing. Pleasure is fleeting (for the moment). Joy on the
other hand, exists despite our circumstances. We can be certain that the
world is against us, but Jesus Christ is on our side.
“7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I
am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and
robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any
man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:
I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more
abundantly.” John 10: 7-10
Life more abundantly! Jesus has come to give us more life with joy
that is not of this world. John 10:7-10 is an analogy concerning a shepherd
and a door. In it, Jesus states that He is the door of the sheep. We often
think of the Lord as the Good Shepherd, and a shepherd’s chief job is to
protect his sheep. One aspect of this protection would involve the shepherd literally sitting in the doorway of the pen to protect the sheep from
any danger. Here lies an important truth for the Christian. Anything that
enters into our lives has to go through the door, which is Jesus Christ. We
can take comfort in knowing that nothing that comes our way will ever be
more than “what we can bear” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Job is a good example where God allows the devil to bring trials into his life, but they
were all ultimately for his good. Despite Job’s wife’s insistence that he
turn his back on God, the most difficult circumstances were never more
than he could bear. True believers will also be able to come out victorious
when troubles come our way. We have to rely on Jesus.
Jesus stated “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be
saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” We must initially enter
that door, into the flock, to be saved. There is no other way to this abundant life where we can find pasture and joy. The “other ways” that are
touted by the world come from the enemy, but be warned, “The thief
cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” Sin destroys our
lives now and without Jesus, for eternity. This destruction is not life. Jesus
came so we could have life and life more abundantly!
It is possible that we can sin after we’re saved, but it is contrary to who
we are in Christ. We are only short changing ourselves of that abundant
life and greater fellowship with God. Sin robs us of our joy, and it has
consequences. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says “Therefore if any man [be] in
Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all
things are become new.” Salvation changes our world view. We have a
new value system and new thoughts and actions. As we strive to submit to
Christ, we will continue to grow more like Him. Contrary things that we
once overlooked in our life will become very evident through our new
eyes. Here on earth, the war between flesh and spirit will continue to rage.
“16 [This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the
lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the
Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so
that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the
Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,
seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and
such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time
past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of
By: David Lyda
God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such
there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh
with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk
in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:16-25
Paul commands us to walk in the Spirit. This “walk” describes a continual action. It takes effort not to fulfill this lust of the flesh. The Christian life is not a passive life. Until we are glorified one day, our spirit and
flesh are at war. Sin wants to take hold, but many people today wonder,
“What is sin?” Unfortunately, we often don’t hear it from the pulpit anymore. This underscores the importance of the Christian’s responsibility to
know the Word. We can know what sin is. One, the Holy Spirit convicts us
of it. Two, the Bible clearly spells it out. Galatians 5:19-21 describes the
works or fruits of the flesh. Take a moment to review this list of just
seventeen sins. Are any of these present in your life? They shouldn’t be.
Sin only brings doubt and hurt to the Christian life. It breaks fellowship
with God. Have you faced any of those sins? How did they make you feel?
Sin brings guilt, shame, and it destroys lives. This destruction is like a
domino effect, as our sin falls and destroys others in its path. Don’t believe this? How does adultery affect a spouse or children? How does hatred affect your relationships or witness? How does drunkenness affect
those killed in an “accident”?
Christ has made the sacrifice for more life. Not life characterized by
sin. Who wouldn’t want to revel in the fruit of the Spirit? Just to start
with, love, joy, and peace sound pretty good. Now, take a moment to review the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. Are these things present
in your life? They should be, and they bring assurance of your place as a
child of God.
“While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8. It wasn’t
after we got our lives right that He died for us. We have to make the choice
to come to Him with all our guilt and shame. Jesus is the One who makes
our lives right and empowers us to serve. We can never do it on our own.
It is vital to pray and study the Bible, but we also have a Helper, the Holy
Spirit, to convict and lead us down this road called life. If you doubt any
choice in your life, it may be the Spirit leading you in another direction.
All believers have the indwelling Holy Spirit.
“8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are
not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in
you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10
And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the
Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that
raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ
from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that
dwelleth in you.” Romans 8-11
This passage is plain. If you do not have the indwelling Holy Spirit,
you are not a Christian. We cannot please God in the flesh, but we will
please God in the Spirit. It is awesome and powerful to realize that the
same Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is living inside of us.
Not only that, but He will also “quicken” or “give life” to our mortal
bodies. More life... an abundant life… a joyful life...
We have confirmation of our new life in Christ when we see the fruit
of the Spirit. A life of sin is no life at all. It is death. God wants us to have
the happiest, most fulfilling life possible. Don’t be fooled into believing
in the temporary “pleasure” of sin. The thief has only come to steal, kill,
and destroy. Jesus has come so that we can have life more abundant.
More Life
7
FAITH STORY
Jimmy Stiff
We like to be comfortable. It’s just a matter of
fact. Often God may command us to step out of that
comfort zone, but we can be reluctant for a number
of reasons. Comfort is often not the best place for us
to be. We lose concern for the people that are not
inside our bubble, we may have no ambition to make
our lives better, and we lose our focus on God. Becoming dependent on the things that make us comfortable can be a dangerous road to travel as well.
We’re not promised tomorrow, nor are we promised
the things of today. Take a look at a professional athlete. They may have “everything” that the world has
to offer, but they can lose it all with one quick injury.
Jimmy Stiff is not an athlete, but he knows the
feeling of comfort. He is the former guitarist of the
secular rock band Jackyl, infamously known for a few
songs featuring a chainsaw. With this group, Jimmy
had a multi-platinum debut album, toured the world,
opened for such established bands like Aerosmith and
ZZ Top, recorded a duet with Brian Johnson of AC/
DC, played Woodstock ’94, and even made it into the
Guinness Book of World Records for playing 100
shows in 50 days. Jimmy knew fame and fortune, and
he lived it to the max. Even though he watched his
father die from alcohol, Jimmy would drink like a fish.
He enjoyed it all and would be quick to tell you that
he snorted half of Peru. The drugs and alcohol eventually caught up with Jimmy and he decided to leave
Jackyl by 2000.
Many musicians with these addictions do not survive the battle. Even after leaving a band, people like
Layne Staley of Alice In Chains would eventually die
of a drug overdose. It is not the music that makes the
addict, but it is a choice to drink and do drugs. Jimmy
owns up to his choice and does not regret it. Not that
he brags on what he did, but he likes to brag on the
Lord and what he saved him from. Jimmy’s journey
to recovery found him face to face with Jesus Christ.
Roanoke, Virginia is where the story of Jimmy Stiff
begins. His father and grandfather were pickers, and
there was already a guitar in Jimmy’s closet when he
was born. As soon as he was big enough to reach
8
Jimmy Stiff
By: David Lyda
(All photos provided by Jimmy Stiff.)
around a guitar, he was
playing.
J i m m y
learned to
play by ear
and loved to
soak in the
music
all
around him.
His father
was into Chet
Atkins, Jerry
Reed, and
other early
country artists. Jimmy’s
sister listened to a wide range of music from The Osmonds to
Bob Seger. The first album that Jimmy ever bought was Ted
Nugent’s self titled album. He soon found himself immersed
in KISS, Chicago, and other rock bands of the era. Still today, Jimmy’s favorite album is the classic self titled album
from Montrose, and his favorite group is Iron Maiden.
The Stiff family was initially involved in the Mormon faith
where Jimmy learned his first Bible verse, Luke 2:11. After
Jimmy’s father was excommunicated from the Mormon
Church, the family was not involved in any religion for a while.
Once they relocated to South Carolina, Jimmy’s family began attending a Baptist Church. The seed of faith was planted
there, but Jimmy was more interested in self.
Jackyl gave great opportunity to fulfill that self interest
by partaking in all the sex, drugs, and rock & roll he wanted.
Jimmy started making steps in the right direction when he
first quit drinking while on tour with Jackyl in 1999, but his
salvation did not truly come until December 4th, 1999. He
had made a trip to Tennessee to see Jackyl bassist Tom Bettini
and his wife, Lisa. When he arrived, Lisa was sitting in the
living room reading her Bible and told Jimmy that Tom was
at church. Jimmy thought it was all very strange. Tom had
traveled a similar road of addiction, and here he was gone to
church. Sometime after he returned, they all went to bed.
Jimmy woke in the middle of the night miserable, whining,
and whimpering. The Bettinis comforted him and told him
it was ok. Jimmy shared, “No. I came here to visit you
all, and I’m bringing all my problems. You have problems
of your own, and it is not ok. I’m going to go back to bed
for a few hours, and it will be better in the morning.”
Once he returned to his room, Jimmy fell to his knees
and placed his face in his open Bible. That was the moment he broke and gave his life to Jesus. His salvation led
to freedom from sin, including the drugs and alcohol that
he had known for so long. The next night Jimmy and Tom,
the former “Toxic Twins” of Jackyl, went together to a
revival. After the service, Jimmy told the pastor that he
had gotten saved the night before. The preacher asked
“How do you know?” This question took Jimmy aback,
and he didn’t know what to say. Finally, he replied “Well,
I didn’t go down to the courthouse and fill out no form or
anything.” The pastor busted out laughing and said “Welcome to the Kingdom!”
After coming to the Lord, Jimmy and Tom both went
on another tour with Jackyl in 2000. It was a strange
experience to play clean and sober for the first time, but
Jimmy admits he played guitar better than he had in his
whole life on that
tour. When the tour
ended, Tom Bettini
quit the band. Jimmy
was shocked. What
Jimmy didn’t know
was that his life was
about to be turned
upside down. When
he arrived home, his
son’s mother packed
her things and left
for good. Jimmy
was not about to let
his son go with her,
as she was heavily
involved in the same
demons that once
haunted Jimmy Stiff.
This led Jimmy to also leave the band in 2000.
With his departure from the group, Jimmy didn’t know
what to do next. He was a broken man. Here he was as a
single dad, and Jimmy couldn’t even figure out how to
pay his bills. He had made a living as a “professional guitar slinger” and didn’t want to work at McDonalds. As he
cried out “God, what am I going to do?”, the phone suddenly rang. Jimmy thought “Well, ok.”, but he ignored
the call. It kept ringing and ringing, and the answering
machine wouldn’t pick it up. He felt God’s leading him
to answer the phone, and it was an old friend from the
past with a job offer. Jimmy soon found himself as the
“phone guy” and managed 400 pay phones from Georgia
to North Carolina.
Tremendous growth and learning came in the years
to follow as he dove into the Word. Jimmy had a good
AM/FM radio in his work van, and he loved listening to
pastors like Adrian Rogers, Tony Evans, and Charles
Stanley. He also had the opportunity to learn much from
one of his co-workers that was going to school to be a
preacher. Jimmy tried several denominations from Baptist to Methodist to Catholic to non-denominational.
These experiences and several mentors brought a lot to
his spiritual maturity.
Different churches made Jimmy realize that denominations are just like name tags, and they are all going to
fall off one day. Jimmy shares that he is not a fan of religion because it does not have enough Jesus. It is an unfortunate truth that imperfect and insincere people within
churches often give Christianity a bad name. The gift of
discernment is something that Jimmy
feels God has given
him where he can see
those that are genuine or not. Seeing
dishonest people in
the church can be
discouraging to
many new believers,
but it made Jimmy
quickly realize that
our relationship with
Jesus is personal. It
is not dependent
upon the church or
other people.
After leaving the
band, Jimmy did not
want anything to do with a guitar. One church he attended
eventually roped him into playing bass for a few weekends. This temporary task turned into a year and a half of
playing with the church. Jimmy appreciated it keeping
him focused in serving the Lord rather than playing acoustic at local bars. The church kept him busy with sound
and video work as well. Jimmy’s wife Jewel Renee Stiff
led worship, and Jimmy eventually began playing guitar
Jimmy Stiff
9
with her. Having their plate so full, the Stiff family found
difficulty resting in the Lord. Churches can often pull their
members into so many service roles that the individuals
are not being fed, and they forget what it is to worship
the Lord. At this point, Jimmy and his wife felt led to
declare Kingdom things outside of the local church and
go into the world.
One day, Jimmy’s wife told him that they should get a
band together. This was not something he was interested
in at that time, because he knew the baggage that would
come with other individuals. Then out of the blue one
day, a band happened. A local drummer called Jimmy to
talk about golf. At
one point in the conversation, Jimmy
said “Imagine God
watching a Slayer
concert.” His friend
replied “What? Why
would He do that?”
Jimmy continued,
“Imagine
God
watching a Slayer
concert because that drummer is the best drummer in the
world. Now, imagine God saying ‘Hmm… When am I
going to get some of that?’” “Whoa!” was the reply from
this drummer. Jimmy said “That’s why I do what I do.”
Within a few days, the drummer called Jimmy back
and said “Hey man, when can I start?” Jimmy didn’t even
have a band for him to start in, but this turn of events
eventually turned into the Christian rock band, Apprehended Ones. The band is what Jimmy describes as a cross
between The Gaithers and Ronnie James Dio. Their
unique style also gives them a unique ability to play different venues. The Gospel is being shared in churches
and bars without compromise. Jimmy states that he feels
called to pick and preach. “My guitar speaks, and when I
speak, it might pick your nerves if it is something you
don’t like!”
Apprehended Ones have had the opportunity to play
many different stages, including The Cove, which is part
of the Billy Graham Association. They are also heavily
involved in the Freedom Biker Churches that are located
all over the Southeast. These same biker churches really
helped kick the band off. Church or beer joint, Apprehended Ones is always prepared to give 140%.
Concert goers often describe the immense feeling of
God’s presence no matter what venue. One show in 2013
found the band in a South Carolina bar. In between some
10
Jimmy Stiff
of the songs, Jewel Renee stood up and said “Woo hoo!
I want to tell you something. I used to be a crack addict.”
A gasp came from the crowd. They had the full bar’s
attention. “Yeah, I was less than 90 lbs. I had four kids,
and you know what they wanted? Mama. I guess you
know what I wanted… Well, I just want to share what
delivered me, and I’m still clean to this day.” The band
then kicked into “Pursue You” by Jesus Culture, which
starts with “Strip everything away, ‘till all I have is You.”
Jimmy said by the second chorus he was sweating
with tears running down his face. Hands were raised in
praise all around the bar, and one man came forward, set
his beer down, and
threw money on the
monitor. After the
show, one lady told
Jewel how she had a
drug addict boyfriend and other addict friends that
would always try to
get her to join them.
She had finally given
in, and had come to the bar that night to get wasted.
After some stalling, she had called the bartender over to
order a drink. That was right when Jimmy’s wife shared
her testimony. The lady ordered a Coke instead and decided that she was going to take the money she had saved
and go back to school. A life changing decision came in
the blink of an eye.
This type of testimony often reaches the band after
their shows, and to God goes the glory for it all. They are
focused on pointing people to the cross, not being rock
stars. The Lord has also enabled Apprehended Ones to
release two original albums. If you had told Jimmy during his Jackyl days that he would be involved in ministry,
he would have laughed in your face. Today, his desire is
for the Lord and sharing what God has done in his life.
The devil is a liar that tells many of us that we are too far
gone. The testimony of Jimmy Stiff and many others holds
true. Our God is able.
For more about Apprehended Ones, check out...
www.apprehendedones.com
(Jimmy Stiff recommends everybody check out Apprehended Ones, the band Jesus Culture, and the album
“Relentless” by Misty Edwards.)
FUNDRAISER
Rachel Gregory
There are many reasons to smile. God has given
us a joy that is not governed by our situations. This
indescribable feeling is something that all Christians should desire to share. Rachel Gregory likes
to smile, but she has been facing a major health
concern since 2008. Sharp stabbing pains in her
stomach eventually led to the diagnosis of Primary
Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC). This rare incurable
disease damages bile ducts, which in turn damages
the liver. The only hope of recovery is a liver transplant.
By the end of 2011, Rachel’s disease had become so bad that she was ordered by her doctor to
quit working. Despite the hardships related with
PSC, Rachel’s smile has remained. It’s not that depression does not come, but Rachel has news of
hope on the horizon. To receive a liver transplant,
her condition has to get worse before it gets better.
By 2014, Rachel has finally reached the point where
she is on the waiting list for a transplant.
Greenville In One Accord is organizing a fund
raising CD to help with the immense costs associ-
By: David Lyda
(All photos provided by
Rachel Gregory.)
spiritual songs.
To assist with
the CD recording and production, producer
Ricky
Rod
from
Bomb
House Studios
has also graciously joined
the project.
All proceeds
from the CD
will go to
Rachel Gregory. Greenville
In One Accord is seeking the support of local
churches and individuals that would like to contribute to the project. Every penny that is donated will
go to the production and promotion of the CD
project for Rachel. Individual fundraisers are a great
way to help raise money, and many of the artists
involved with Reasons To Smile are available to play
at these events.
To donate to this project,
please send a check or money order to:
David Lyda
P.O. Box 1244
Taylors, SC 29687
To coordinate an event fundraiser,
please send an e-mail to:
[email protected]
ated with Rachel’s medical treatments and travels.
The Reasons To Smile compilation will feature several musicians and bands from the Southeast who
have donated their abilities to the project. All songs
will be original recordings of traditional hymns and
Tentative musicians include: Jesse Biondi, The
Change, Expanding Carnivores, Korey Hawkins,
Glenn Head, Lemon Skunk, The Outpouring, Reckless Mercy, TYTUS, and many more...
www.greenvilleinoneaccord.com/smile
Rachel Gregory
11
LOCAL MUSIC
TYTUS
The musician named TYTUS has always been the good kid. He grew up in a
Pentecostal church with his mom, dad,
and two brothers. With a father who sang,
TYTUS soon found himself forced on
stage as well. This was not an easy thing
for the new singer, because he was a self
described shy guy! The wheels were being set in motion for a musical passion
that would carry him into college.
TYTUS’ first experience with an instrument was playing sax in the high
school band for a year. Piano came next
but ended abruptly when his piano teacher
passed away. When he turned 15, TYTUS
began to teach himself guitar with DVD
training videos. At Clemson University,
he often found himself alone with his
music and songwriting soon developed
from there.
What was this shy guy going to do
with original music? Performing at his lo-
12
TYTUS
By: David Lyda
(All photos provided by TYTUS.)
cal church allowed
him the opportunity
to lead a “lock-in”
at the church. After
that, singing in front
others
became
much easier. While
songwriting and
performing were
progressing,
TYTUS felt stalled
in his faith.
At 20 years old,
TYTUS realized
that his relationship
with God was very
dependent upon the
church. He had always been very involved with the church, but how involved
was he with the Lord? It’s the trap many Christians can find
themselves in without knowing. We believe more attendance
or service in the church somehow equates to a stronger relationship with God.
TYTUS was not
satisfied and began
to dive deep into the
Word. After a year
of studying the New
Testament, he began to truly feel like
he had his own relationship with
Jesus Christ. God
revealed so much to
TYTUS, and he finally felt closer to
God. He realized
that if the church
and all his friends
and family were to
be taken away, his
faith would still
stand.
Just like all
men, TYTUS still
can have his
struggles. This human condition has
been the inspiration for many of
his songs. With the
desire to impact a
broad audience,
TYTUS’ songs are
often written in an
ambiguous manner. The audience
can take TYTUS’
stories and find they personally speak to their own
lives. The dark times and struggles that we all experience are always injected with Hope in his songs.
They are ultimately about TYTUS’ relationship with
Jesus Christ.
Being called Christian music can often tag on
unwanted labels to an artist. TYTUS wants to simply be known as a Christian who is a songwriter.
God has given him the mission to do more than
“preach to the choir.” He wants to bring love, encouragement, and hope to his fans. Sometimes his
Christian worldview may offer
blatant declarations of God, and
sometimes the Lord will shine
through a more poetic structure.
A future desire for his music is to
use it for mission work in underprivileged countries.
TYTUS’ style of music can
sometimes be hard to classify. His
songs often come from an acoustic songwriter style that can be
heard on many demos available
through his website. His debut release the human condition ep, offers a more rock sound
with a full band. TYTUS strives to make each
song different, and this can be observed with
his various arrangements and chord structures.
Though the style of music can be hard to
pinpoint, there are frequent comparisons when
it comes to his voice. Needtobreathe has been
a huge inspiration, and many compare TYTUS
to their lead singer. He also sounds strikingly
similar to Building 429 vocally. Still, TYTUS
has a sound all his own.
Another cited influence is the secular musician Matthew Mayfield. This acoustic
songwriter built his audience with a “Do It
Yourself” work ethic that drives many independent musicians, including TYTUS.
Matthew’s songwriting has been an inspiration
that can be heard in TYTUS’ music. Other influences include Switchfoot, Edwin McCain,
Hillsong, and even Coldplay.
TYTUS’ story of faith has just begun. With the
recent release of his first professional studio album
the human condition ep, TYTUS is ready to make
his mark. He’s ready to make a difference in the
world and share the voice he didn’t even know he
had. To find out more about TYTUS, his tour dates,
and to purchase his album, visit...
www.tytusmusic.net
Check out a review of the human condition ep on
page 15.
TYTUS
13
BIBLE STUDY
God’s Valentine
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. After years of observing the enormous amounts of pink and red Valentine cards,
giant stuffed gorillas bearing hearts that declare “I Love You,”
chalky message hearts, and cheap chocolates (I won’t mention
the brands… I imagine that you know the ones I’m talking about),
I’ve decided that Valentine’s Day is a very tacky holiday. It can
also be stressful, even for children. You may recall carefully selecting which card that you gave to each kid in your second grade
class. You didn’t want little Jimmy to think that you had a crush
on him! I remember analyzing the Valentines that I received from
the boys that I liked. Did those generic messages mean that they
liked me too? Oh, the suspense!
We have one Admirer,
though, who doesn’t hide His
feelings for us. God tells us repeatedly of His deep love for us
in His beautiful Valentine, the
Bible. For example, John 3:16
tells us “For God so loved the
world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
That is amazing and pretty much
incomprehensible to me. As a
mother, I can’t fathom giving up
my child for a world full of
wicked, ungrateful sinners, but
yet that is just what our heavenly
Father did for each one of us. Romans 5:8 says, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in
that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
I have always had a hard time really understanding the Lord’s
love for me. For most of my life, I have felt like an outsider. Maybe
you have, too. During my school years, I was so painfully shy
that I didn’t have many friends. I was overweight, wore glasses,
and had thick, bushy hair with out-of-style bangs. Needless to
say, I was self-conscious. It didn’t help when others would make
comments that made me feel even worse. In elementary school,
one of my classmates took it upon herself to inform me that my
nose was huge. I tried to shift the focus away from my nose by
talking about someone else whose nose was much bigger than
mine. And just so you know, my nose has never been huge. In
high school, a girl told me that her mother said I would be prettier
if I wore makeup. Her comment angered me, but it also really
hurt. Comments like those left scars. I’m sure that you also have
your own hurts that have been left behind by the inconsiderate
words of others. I’m gradually learning, though, that God loves
14
God’s Valentine
By: Beth Lyda
(Illustration by Beth Lyda.)
me for me. He created me in His image. Psalm 139:14 says, “I
will praise thee; for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made:
marvellous [are] thy works; and [that] my soul knoweth right
well.” My Father loves me just the way I am. He doesn’t care that
my hair still looks somewhat like a lion’s mane. He made it that
way. Nor am I offensive to Him because of my thick eyeglasses.
He is the One who created my farsighted eyes. He sees me as
beautiful, even though I am not, and probably never will be, a
size two.
Another stumbling block that I struggle with in my understanding of the Lord’s love is thinking that I have to be perfect in
order for Him to really love me. Being a mom is helping me to get
a better grasp on His love,
though. I love my daughter no
matter what she does. I am not
going to stop loving her if she
pitches another fit in public or if
she throws her food on the floor
again, even though I told her that
she is not to do that. As a good
parent lovingly corrects a disobedient child’s behavior, so our
Father corrects us when we disobey. Hebrews 12:9-11 tells us
“Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected [us], and we gave [them]
reverence: shall we not much
rather be in subjection unto the
Father of spirits, and live? 10
For they verily for a few days chastened [us] after their own
pleasure; but he for [our] profit, that [we] might be partakers
of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth
to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth
the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” We can take comfort in the fact that He will not
stop loving us and that He will keep molding us to be more like
Him. As the old children’s song illustrates so well...
He’s still workin’ on me,
To make me what I ought to be,
It took Him just a week to make the moon and the stars,
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars,
How loving and patient He must be,
‘Cause He’s still workin’ on me!
So remember to take time to analyze God’s Valentine to you.
It won’t leave you in suspense of His feelings, and you won’t
even have to get your best friend to ask Him if He likes you!
You’ll find His love for you written on every page. Happy
Valentine’s Day!
MUSIC REVIEW
By: David Lyda
the human condition ep
(All photos provided by TYTUS.)
TYTUS’ debut release, the human condition ep, is a fine
collection of five songs that demonstrates his desire for variety. Arrangements and the overall feel of each track offer
many fresh styles. Though TYTUS has difficulty labeling
his own music, he sometimes describes it as soft rock. Such
a classification makes me think about cheesy 80s bands like
Air Supply, and that is most definitely not an accurate description. Acoustic rock is probably a more apt title, but the
songs beg to be heard rather than described.
The human condition ep explores the various journeys
through life that can often end in despair. There is no doubt
that the darkness and oppression in life can rob us of the
richness of being alive. TYTUS’ songs do not fall into the
trap that easily befalls
most modern rock albums. Many artists
have a tendency to
give only a “woe is
me”, “I hate my life”
outlook. While the
human condition ep
does explore the
bleakness of life, it
also offers the undeniable hope that is
found in our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.
The album artwork is
a dramatic demonstration of what we are all like without
God, shipwrecked. Former DAYLIGHTwasting guitarist,
James Sargent II, assisted with the excellent photography of
TYTUS tattered and bandaged from life.
As the liner notes detail, TYTUS had support from several studio musicians. TYTUS himself provided the vocals
on all the tracks. He also played all the acoustic guitars, all
the keyboards, and some electric guitar. Tracked and produced at Bombhouse Studios in Morgantown, NC, the human condition ep sits comfortably alongside the quality and
professional sound of today’s Billboard hits.
“A Better Way”: The opening bells of the album may
make the listener believe he has popped in the Doobie Brothers song “Black Water” by accident, but that is quickly dispelled by the introduction of synthesized piano with acous-
tic guitar. As the song settles in, it begins to stylistically remind me of a Matthew West song. The subject matter could
easily fit into that Christian singer’s repertoire as well. It
looks at the problems we face when focusing on ourselves.
The song lets you know that there’s a better way. No matter
how hard we try, we’ll never have the fullness of life without God. Once the chorus kicks in, the musical palette opens
up with drums and additional guitars. The electric guitar in
particular offers very nice leads that really shine during the
outro of the song. The choruses all change slightly as TYTUS
focuses on a different person or persons. “You can”, “I can”,
and “we can” show the universal nature of what we experience as people. “A Better Way” offers encouragement and
presents a cry to God
to not give up on us
fallible human beings.
“Color of the
Crows”: The second
track on the ep is one
of the hardest songs to
decipher. TYTUS
will quickly tell you
that he writes in an
ambiguous manner to
make the songs more
personal for the listener. The lyrics again
address the struggles of man, and it appears that the color of
the crows may be a comparison to the blackness of sin. This
is definitely a song that finds somebody searching, and being amazed at the goodness of God. “Sometimes it’s so hard
to believe, that my blood runs with nobility.” Unlike many
pop songs, the chorus does not even feature the title of the
song. The song as a whole has a very unique arrangement,
and it is by far the most rocking of the five tracks on the
human condition ep. The rapid fire delivery of the bass drum
in some parts adds an especially nice touch. The first two
verses of the song have a heavy effect distorting the vocals,
and this can become distracting. It doesn’t stop this song
from becoming my favorite track on the album, though. The
sound of “Color of the Crows” could be easily compared to
the band Building 429, and the killer interlude especially
sounds like it would fit right in on one of their albums. A call
thehuman condition ep
15
to action is delivered near the closing of the song as
“Be prepared to fight or die, when the color of the crows
show.” Truly, this is a call we must answer every day
as Christians. (Luke 9:23)
“Colder Days”: I have found that many bands put
a softer song as the third track of their albums, and
TYTUS’ ep is no different. “Colder Days” begins with
a very exposed sounding voice in the forefront. The
mix of vocals sounds a bit abrasive at first while overpowering the gentle acoustic guitar, but it really allows
the listener to hear every bit of emotion in TYTUS’
voice. As the song builds, more instruments fill in any
void that may be present, and the cello by Everett
Hardin offers a particularly haunting vibe to the song.
I’m reminded of the third chapter of Ecclesiastes (made
popular by the Byrds with “Turn, Turn, Turn”) when
analyzing the words of the song. As we go through
seasons in our life, the valleys can often seem cold and
unforgiving. Probably an intentional play on words, Son
could easily replace sun in the line “For the sun is not
to blind me, it’s to warm these colder days.” Jesus is
for our good, and He’s beside us in the good and the
bad. He can and will warm our lives. Our responsibility in the seasons lies in how we respond. “Don’t be
surprised when life surprises you. It happens all the
time. It’s what we do with those surprises, that help us
walk the line.” What do we do with the bad things in
life?
“Hay in a Needle Stack”: A very pointed (pun
intended) song follows “Colder Days.” While we are
able to rest in the warmth of the Lord in cold days, we
too often find ourselves focusing on the bad things in
life. Not only do we focus, but we drown in it while
never allowing the good to show through. The theme
of seasons is again played upon, and we see that “To
every [thing there is] a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). As people,
we can be ok with just a little bad in a good season “a
needle in a haystack”, but we have a difficult time finding clarity with a little good in a bad season “hay in a
needle stack.” Where is God in the bad times? “If we
could catch a glimpse of us tomorrow, maybe we’ll
forget our sorrow tonight.” Life is about perspective,
and we’ve been told the future. Christians can rest in
the comfort of knowing “…that the sufferings of this
present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with
the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Roman 8:18).
We should press through the “needle stack” and let it
16
thehuman condition ep
have its perfect work. “Don’t run too fast or walk too slow. A
steady pace will free your soul.” Sonically, “Hay in a Needle Stack”
sounds happy. The intro has an 80s vibe that reminds me of a
Tears for Fears song. The music really presents itself as epic!
TYTUS’ intros can sometimes give a false impression of the song
as whole. This track is no exception, as the song then starts shaping into more of a Needtobreathe type of sound.
“The Human Condition”: The closing track is also the title
track of the ep. Throughout the collection, the human condition is
explored, and here we see it spelled out. It’s something we all
face, but all of our journeys are different. “We all have our own
rendition, of the human condition.” The flesh is what wears us
down, but there is hope. “The Human Condition” is presented
almost like a lullaby. The beautiful cello flourishes often remind
me of the song “The World I Know” by Collective Soul, which
also brings a message of hope. Cello is also featured in an awesomely bare interlude and the outro of the song. Unexpectedly,
TYTUS is suddenly joined by vocalist Roseanna Parker in portions of the song. One nod to Greenville, SC is given as “a midnight walk in Cleveland Park.” For those unfamiliar with the area,
I wouldn’t recommend such a stroll at that time of night! The only
explicit mention of God on the album comes in the bridge, “Run
to the sun, to the face of God. Oh ‘cause I can see what I’ve become. A fiend with nowhere else to run. I need to find a place to
breathe fresh air.” What a comfort it is to know that no matter
what we can’t accomplish on our own, no matter what sins we’ve
committed, no matter the cold days, no matter our short sightedness,
no matter our trials, we have a God who loves us and offers “a
remedy for your human condition.”
Album available through all major Music download sites
(iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, and CD Baby)
www.tytusmusic.net
NATIONAL MUSIC
Jeff Frankenstein
Christian mainstays, NEWSBOYS are ready to Restart. Nobody
knew what to expect when former dc Talk member Michael Tait stepped
into the band upon the departure of long time vocalist Peter Furler in
2009. It resulted in NEWSBOYS gaining several number 1 hits and
selling over 300,000 copies of their last record. Not a small feat in today’s
market! In just a short time, the revamped NEWSBOYS have been
able to put out three full albums with the addition of their newest release, Restart. Their excitement about the new album and tour is very
evident, and as vocalist Michael Tait stated, "I have not felt this way
about anything I've been involved in musically since Jesus Freak."
There’s no doubt that is a big shoe to fill! The enthusiasm for the new
music permeates throughout the band. Longtime keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein recently took some time at the end of 2013 to share about the
new tour, album, and his faith.
This is Jeff from NEWSBOYS.
How are you doing today?
I’m doing well. How are you doing?
I’m a little under the weather, but I’m soldiering on today. So,
how have the rehearsals been going?
Good. Yeah, we rehearsed for a couple weeks, and then we just got
back. We did a promo tour for the last week. The album came out this
week. So, we’re home for a couple days and then the tour starts next
weekend. So, a couple days off before it all gets crazy again.
I know you’re doing a few choice cuts from the new album.
What can the fans expect from the “Restart” tour? Are there
going to be any unexpected songs or new stage theatrics?
Yeah, it’s a little bit of all that. I think we’re going to be playing about
seven off the new record, which is a lot. So, yeah. We’re playing on
that. Just really proud of the way the record turned out. The response so
far has been really good. We’ve kind of felt like… we’ve always tried to
play as much of the new material as possible. It can be difficult, you
know, when you have…
Such a back catalog?
(Laughs) Yeah, twenty years of stuff to draw from, but with the last
three records, there’s definitely enough to sustain a show. So, they’ll be
a lot of newer stuff, and we’ll throw in a couple older ones as well.
Yeah, we’ve been working on video content. If you’ve seen any of our
tours before it will be… this one is even another level as far as production, lighting, and that sort of thing. It’s all coming together. It’s kind of
hard to comment on it, because it hasn’t actually started (laughs). When
we rehearse, we rehearse in Michael’s basement of his house. So, we
haven’t really rehearsed with the full stage, and we’re actually going to
go up to Vermont, where the first show is, a day early and then do some
dress rehearsals there. Pretty crazy, but it’s shaping up to be real good.
It’s going to be a great Fall.
I know you’ve taken over the bass duties on the keyboards
through the past few albums. Has that created any particu-
By: David Lyda
(All photos provided by NEWSBOYS.)
from NEWSBOYS
lar challenges performing any of the songs, or has it really
opened up anything new?
Mostly, it’s all good. The cool thing about it, I play a bit of it… actually
just got some bass pedals so I can use my left foot to play bass as well.
So, it frees up my hands and all that, but it’s weird because when I first
joined the band like twenty years ago, I was the guy who was kind of in
the background. Just played keyboard pads and then would sing, and
now, it’s like I got a full plate of responsibilities to take care of. To be
honest, I enjoy the challenge, and it’s a lot of fun. For stuff I can’t cover,
we put on a computer. Duncan always comments… our drummer, he
loves it, because he knows that the bass is exactly where it’s going to be
every night. So, he can kind of tailor how he plays around that. And
then sonically it’s different. I think it’s different than what a lot of bands
are doing. I think out front, it’s definitely more fuller sound than what
we had before. So, it’s pretty good. I think when you have a four piece
band that’s been together for so long… we just felt like adding another
member at this point and time in our career, it didn’t make sense. So, I
was happy to take over and do what I could. It worked out alright.
So, you think you’re going to soldier on as a four piece as
far as you can tell?
Absolutely, yeah.
I know you’ve mentioned at times how God uses music in
such amazing ways, and I’m sure you hear countless stories from fans too. Is there a band or song in particular that
has had a huge impact on you?
Oh, man. I don’t know of one particular. I’m trying to think. What I do
know, when I was growing up as a kid, I know that Christian music
was a big part of my life and growing up in my childhood. I think now
that I have kids of my own, I’m starting to realize just how important it
really is to parents. For years, parents would come up to us and say
“Thank you so much. We just appreciate what you do. You have no idea
what it means to my family.” Before I had kids, I always thought that
was great, but it didn’t really strike me. I have a four year old and a five
month old, and I think now, now I realize what people were talking
about when they said that. You know, especially in this culture. This
day and age. Trying to raise kids in a society that’s just going downhill
so fast. I think we’ve taken it upon ourselves to… the urgency of it… to
be able to share a message in music like that. It’s something we don’t
take lightly, especially for families. There’s not a lot of good alternatives. When you look at the state of pop music, just what it says to
people. It’s just so opposite to the Gospel. I feel like that’s one of the
reasons we’re probably still together, because when you’re talking about
the Gospel, something that can actually change somebody’s life and at
the same time teaches people to serve, and that God has a plan for their
lives, and that sort of thing. It really strikes home. It’s been one of the
sad things for me, because you’ve seen the music industry in general,
especially Christian music… I feel like it’s become so much smaller
due to the lack of interest. As far as bands that are doing Christian pop
music, they’re becoming fewer and fewer, and I feel like this record, the
plan all along… to spend the time to bring up the quality level. So, that
Jeff Frankenstein from NEWSBOYS
17
when you hear it on radio, it can stand up to anything else on pop radio.
I don’t know if you’ve heard the record yet. You know, I hope that comes
across. (Laughs) When I was a kid in youth group, they used to pass out
these papers that would say, “If you like this secular band, you’ll love
this Christian band.” (Laughs) You’d read the two different things. You
know, we loved Christian music, but I think everybody knew, even as a
little kid… Yeah, I might like this Christian alternative to the mainstream act, but you know it’s not going to sound as good. The quality is
not going to be there. So, I think when you hear this record, you’ll notice we really put a lot of extra effort into that, and hopefully it translates and fills the needs.
Yeah, those comparisons really kill me sometimes. It’s like,
(laughs) “Did you even listen to that other band?”
(Laughs) Yeah, yeah.
What are some of your musical influences?
Well, let’s see. It runs a super
wide gamut. I mean, I grew up
in Detroit so… and my parents,
my mom in particular, she was a
choir director and a worship
leader and stuff when I was a kid.
So, there was always music
around the house. It ranged from,
you know anything from
Motown and stuff. Obviously
that was soul music and
Motown. Stevie Wonder and all
of that stuff, it was always in our
house. And then, as I got older
and went to college, Detroit was
also a big, like birthplace of a lot
of electronic music. That got me
interested in keyboards, synthesizers, and all of that sort of
thing. Like in the early 90s, it was
like a big sort of techno thing was
going on, and that was super
popular in Detroit. So, I was getting in it and had lots of synthesizers and all that sort of thing.
Right from that, I kind of joined the band, and I found myself in a rock
band for the past twenty years. (Laughs)
I know we mentioned the new album Restart a bit. You said
that it’s been brought up to the standard of pop music out
there now. How does it compare to your last two albums?
Well, yeah. I think it’s definitely a lot different. Born Again was primarily like a rock record, and God’s Not Dead even though it was kind of
a rock album too, I think most people would consider it to be a worship
album. The funny thing was that when God’s Not Dead came out, we
kind of thought… it kind of flew under the radar, we didn’t really anticipate it... It was kind of like a worship record, and it was kind of at
the time meant to fill the gap between the Born Again record and what
we did now. The funny thing was that it kind of took off and got legs on
its own, and ended up becoming even more successful than Born Again
was, which was kind of good in a way because it gave us some extra
time to work on this record. I think Restart is a pure pop record. It’s a
lot more keyboards, a lot more electronic. I’m going to be a lot more
18
Jeff Frankenstein from NEWSBOYS
busy.
Did you guys continue to use outside writers for this record?
Yeah, it was a mix again. Michael co-wrote, I think, seven or eight of
the songs. Like I was saying earlier, I think this record is not only a
band effort; it’s also a team effort of our whole group. I think if you saw
a glimpse of how NEWSBOYS works… yes, they’re four guys, but
really I mean our manager has been with us since the very first day, like
almost twenty five years. Same thing for our production guy, most of
our crew guys, our sound guys, you know, it’s a team effort. I think
when you kind of get to this stage in your career, I guess… at the end of
a long career like this, you kind of let go of a lot of your pride that would
prevent your band from creating the best record, and I think this record
in particular, it was a situation where we wanted it to be the best no
matter what. So, if it was
going to take remixing a
song twenty times, or getting
ten different producers to do
songs different ways, or just
trying anything possible. I
think we didn’t want our
own pride to get in the way,
and we were just looking for
the best finished product. So,
yes, it was definitely a collaborative effort, quite a few
different people helped with
that. Great bands you’ll find
that. I mean even U2. People
think U2 just goes into a
room, and four guys just play
the songs and that’s the album. No way! I mean,
they’ve got Daniel Lanois,
Brian Eno… the most
brightest producers and engineers that kind of are helping them develop and create.
I feel like in the past with
NEWSBOYS, you know
I’ve been in the band for
twenty years, it’s like so
many times on records we
just slugged it out and really
maybe just hurt ourselves by trying to take on too much. So, I think on
this one we found a really good, a lot better of a balance.
I saw back in April of 2013 that Pete Stewart of Grammatrain
was helping with tracking guitars.
Yeah!
I guess his connection was back from Tait.
That is correct.
Pete had a very public falling out with the Christian faith.
Some may find it strange that he was working with you guys.
I know such collaborations of secular and Christian artists
are common in music and film. Why do you think that door
is open? How do you make sure such collaborations do not
affect your vision or even your personal walk?
On this record, it’s funny because almost everybody that was on this
record was a believer. It really wasn’t an issue. Another funny
thing about it too, there was like a few mixer guys in LA, a couple
guys who worked on Katie Perry records and that sort of thing,
that mixed songs, but (laughs) the way things are done, it’s so
funny, because we never even met them. You’re working over the
internet. They’re mixing a song in LA and turning it back to you
online or something like that. What I’ve noticed every time I’ve
collaborated with somebody outside of our industry is they generally like working with Christians, because I think generally it’s a
very nice thing for them because… you know, when you’re in an
environment like LA or New York or something like that, it’s so…
it’s just a game that’s always being played, and they’re not used to
dealing with people that actually have morals (laughs). Usually,
it’s a more pleasant experience. They always enjoy it.
Kind of changing course to a more personal level. What
would you say has been one of the bigger obstacles or
struggles in your faith?
Man… I don’t know. I think we all… We’ve talked about it a lot
in the band. I think probably one of the biggest things I struggle
with is giving up control of everything to the Lord. I think so many
times you… it sounds easy. Oh yeah, “give everything over to
Him” or whatever, but it’s everything. He wants every single part
of our lives, and I think a lot of times as Christians, well “I’ll give
Him this, but I’ll hold on to this.” I don’t know about you, but I
love to hang on to things I want to hang onto and not give it over
to God and trust Him. I think, you and I and our family, even in
our society and culture, it’s like trusting God fully that He has the
best plan, and not trying to control everything ourselves. It a…
that’s a challenge, man. It’s a very difficult thing to do.
I know I’ve been doing some recent studies on Abraham,
and it’s the same thing with Abraham. Trying to do things
on his own and that.
Yeah. (Laughs) Oh yeah. Big time!
What’s your personal salvation story?
Well, it’s funny. It’s not anything like, I didn’t get shot 12 times in
the head or anything like that (laughs). It was pretty simple. My
mom and dad are pastors and missionaries, and so they had always kind of… the Gospel was always around and all that. I just
remember waking up one night, and I remember going into my
parents’ room and just saying, “Hey, I’ve been up all night. I’ve
been thinking about this, and I just want to accept Jesus in my
heart.” And I think we prayed right there, and that was pretty much
it. It was pretty simple.
How old were you then?
because they can’t handle people in those positions, when they see that they’re
just human beings that can’t… the standards are too high or whatever, and
they go crazy.
I know being a touring musician can definitely take a toll with the
constant traveling and being away from home. How do you stay
grounded?
Yeah, I think we’ve tried to really work on our schedule and not be gone too
many days at a time. I think our touring schedule, if you look at it for the most
part, it’s like we’re gone three or four days and home three or four days. We try
not to be on for ten or twelve or two weeks at a time unless we’re going to
Europe or the West Coast or something like that, because most of us have little
kids. It’s just nothing good happens when you’re gone that long. So, we just
try and be home, and then there are times where you’d be home for a month or
three or four weeks. It’s definitely a different life, but there are times where you
get to spend a lot more time with your family than say, a guy who works sixty
hours a week does. He comes home, has dinner, and his kids go to bed. Today,
for example, I’m at home and in my house right now, and I’ve been doing stuff
with my girls all morning long. It’s just a different thing, but when I was
engaged I was doing this (laughs). So, my wife knew pretty much what the
lifestyle was going to be like. So, we’ve just made it work.
Do you have a particular church that you call home now?
Yeah, we have a small church here in town that supports us, and it’s great.
Yeah, we love it.
Is there anything particular that you need prayer for right now?
Gosh, I might have been ten or something like that. Nine or ten.
Something like that.
Man, just pray for the tour and everyone’s health. Just going forward, for the
new record that it would reach people that we would love to reach. You know,
that it would go outside of the church walls and be a light in a dark place.
I think sometimes we underestimate the power of having that kind of testimony. That we grew up in a Christian home. Definitely, everybody doesn’t have that.
That sounds really cool! I hope to catch you guys soon when you
hit South Carolina.
Yeah! Well, I think too, a lot of times it’s tougher when you grow
up in a Christian home. Especially when you’re like a pastor’s kid
and all of that sort of thing. You see things that you don’t like to
see. You see people that… when you don’t understand when you’re
younger that older people are fallible, and that Christians make
mistakes. Sometimes, a lot of pastor’s kids grow up and go crazy,
Yes, sir! We’ll be there at some point. We’re slated to do WinterJam next year.
So, yeah. If you’re in Greenville, we’ll definitely be there at some point. Yeah.
Well, you have a blessed day.
Thank you, man. Thank you for your time.
www.newsboys.com
Jeff Frankenstein from NEWSBOYS
19
BIBLE STUDY
Grace
“8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not
of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest
any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
According to The American Heritage Student Dictionary, grace is described as “The state of being protected or
sanctified by the favor and love of God.” Grace is love unearned. How many people would love somebody that doesn’t
love them? Yet God “so loved the world, that He gave His
only begotten Son” (John 3:16). God loved us while “we
were still yet sinners” (Romans 5:8).
No matter where we are in life, God is ready for us.
God’s favor and blessings come to all people in the form of
common grace, as He makes “his sun to rise on the evil
and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the
unjust” (Matthew 5:45). How much more favor could we
possibly receive than accepting Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross?
God’s grace is beyond what we can ever imagine.
So many of us get it wrong in believing that we have to
live a good life to be saved. This is contrary to what the
Bible says about God’s love. It’s “not of works, lest any
man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Try as we may, we
cannot “earn” God’s favor. It is a free gift called salvation. It
is the grace that He gives to all those “who believeth in
Him… they shall not perish, but have everlasting life”
(John 3:16).
The Bible declares that “all have sinned, and come
short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The beauty is
that is not where the story ends. God is not bent on sending
people to Hell for their sin. In fact, He is patient with us and
doesn’t desire that “any should perish, but that all should
come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). “For God sent not his
Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the
world through him might be saved” (John 3:17).
Salvation has always been part of the grace of God. Even
in the Old Testament we find that Abraham “believed in the
LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6 & Romans 4:3). It is erroneous to believe that the
Jewish people were ever saved by obeying the law. In fact,
Abraham was counted as righteous some 630 years before
the Israelites were ever given the Ten Commandments. It
wasn’t the law that saved; it was God’s grace!
God’s grace and mercy are evident when you look at the
Israelites in Egypt. The law was not given to Israel until
20
Grace
By: David Lyda
they left Egypt and reached Mount Sinai. God did not rescue them after they lived up to the letter of the law. It was by
His grace that they were brought out of Egypt, and it was by
the faith of the Hebrews that they moved forward, even crossing the Red Sea. God spoke a reminder before giving the
Ten Commandments. “I am the LORD thy God, which
have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the
house of bondage” (Exodus 20:2). Bringing this to mind,
obedience to the law should have just been a grateful response to already being saved.
Flash forward to today. We do not live under the laws of
the Old Covenant, but we live under the New Covenant of
Jesus’ shed blood. There’s no doubt that God still demands
a high standard of living. What kind of standard would a
Holy God set? Perfection is what we all should pursue (Matthew 5:48). Again, we are not saved by our actions or works.
“Being good” doesn’t get us to Heaven. So, if we don’t have
to follow God’s law to be saved, why should we live a righteous life? Simply said, we owe it to God. “Knowing this,
that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of
sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not
serve sin” (Romans 6:6).
Jesus Christ gave His life on the cross so you could be
saved. If you’ve admitted you’re a sinner, repented, and received Him as Lord and Savior, shouldn’t obedience be a
grateful response? He’s given us eternal life through a pardon of grace. Jesus died for us, and He just asks that we live
for Him. Is that too much to ask?
How many times do we want to hold on to sin? We enjoy it for the moment but then feel the consequences. Thankfully, God is not sitting in Heaven waiting to zap us. We
have an intercessor in Jesus Christ who is continually pleading our case (1 John 2:1-2). God’s grace is in action. He
wants us to come back to Him and “If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse
us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Do you realize that God wants us to forsake sin not only to honor Him,
but also to live the most joyous life imaginable?
There is not a single sin that does not have a consequence in the here and now. It may be external, or it may
even be internal. The cause and effect of sin is often very
obvious to the wise man. Broken families, broken bodies,
broken minds, and many broken financial situations all have
their root in sin. Where is the joy in that? We feel regret
when we do things that are wrong. Have you ever felt remorse when you did the right thing?
Nobody regrets obeying God. It is the most fulfilling
life you can have. You “love the Lord thy God with all
your heart”, you “love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37-39), and you strive for peace (Romans 12:18).
You have healed families, healed bodies, healed minds, and
riches that are not of this world. Obeying God does not come
naturally to the flesh, but it comes naturally to the person
that allows the Spirit to lead their life.
So can we sin after we are saved? The answer is an
absolute “yes.” We will always have the ability to sin while
in these earthly bodies. Any person that is honest with their
life has to admit this. We may not be committing the sins
that we often point out from the people around us, but we all
have our imperfections.
Don’t believe this? Think about your mouth. Have you
been pouring “salty” or “sweet” words (James 3:9-12) from
your mouth? James said that both waters cannot flow from
the same spring. If you are running your mouth, you are out
of God’s will, and that is sin.
What about hatred? Do you hold a grudge against somebody that has wronged you? The Lord stated that if you do
not forgive others, God will not forgive you (Mark 11:26).
Do you hate others because of the color of their skin or their
country of origin? We are all created equal. The Bible teaches
that if you have hatred towards another, then you’ve murdered them in your heart (1 John 3:15). Murder is sin.
Have you felt God’s grace in your own life? Do you
realize He still loves you despite your shortcomings? Here’s
the beautiful thing. In Christ, we are new creations, “behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Not only that, we now have the indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9) that guides us to a life of righteousness. Jesus
said that we would be known by our fruits (Matthew 7:1520 & Luke 6:43-45). Obedience may be a grateful response
to salvation, but it is actually what characterizes a Christian.
Living a holy life is not done alone. The Holy Spirit is always working within, leading and guiding us.
If someone who claims to be a Christian is living a life
of unrepentant sin, the Bible states that they are not a Christian. How can they be? “For they that are after the flesh
do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the
Spirit the things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5). It’s not that
we will not have our struggles. Paul said that in his battles,
he didn’t do what he should, “but what I hate, that do I”
(Romans 7:15). There is an ongoing war between flesh and
spirit. We choose to submit to the Spirit’s leading, or be led
away by our own lust.
God’s not giving up on us if we drift though. Conviction
comes to the heart of the Christian who sins. We then choose
repentance the easy or the hard way. The “still small voice”
comes to us and gently leads us to repentance. If we refuse
to heed, God will continue to pursue us. If a Christian is not
staying in tune with God through prayer and study of the
Word, he will become weak. That still small voice can easily be drowned out by our own desires.
If that conviction does not easily lead to repentance, God
will chastise/punish us like a loving father (Hebrews 12:911). Why do we punish our children when they do wrong?
We do it because we love them and do not want to see them
get hurt. God will break us if it is necessary, but it doesn’t
have to be that way. The Holy Spirit’s call of conviction is
always ready in a Christian’s heart, we just “have to confess our sins, and He is faithful to forgive” (1 John 1:9).
Oh, how we need God! He loves us with an unconditional love that cannot be measured by human standards.
We cannot meet His holy standard on our own, but He gives
us grace. Just by putting our faith in Jesus Christ, it is counted
to us as righteousness. God remembers our sins no more
(Hebrews 8:12). We begin eternal life at the moment of salvation. He wants us to have life and “life more abundant”
(John 10:10).
Are you grateful for God’s sacrifice, or have you even
accepted His sacrifice? Are you living an obedient life, or
have you turned your back on the Spirit’s leading? A Christian should live a life that is represented by holiness. We
should give no one opportunity to put a charge against us,
for we represent the true and living God. Grace is “the state
of being protected or sanctified by the favor and love of
God.” Israel received grace as they were freed from the
bondage of Egypt. We receive grace as we are freed from
the bondage of sin. Obedience. We owe it to God.
Grace
21
LOCAL MINISTRY
Manhood Ministries
By: David Lyda
(All photos provided by Pastor Jimmy Tarrant.)
The devil has a plan, and he’s come to kill, steal, and destroy.
He knows if he tears apart the family, then all of society will
break down. Take a look around, and it is not hard to see. The
family unit is constantly being attacked. Marriages are falling
apart, and children are paying for the iniquities of their fathers
and mothers. Single parents have to assume roles that they were
never intended to take. What is the best way to destroy the family? Take out the leader. It’s a simple combat strategy. Take out
the commander, and the unit will fall apart. This spiritual warfare
is being waged against the husband, the father, the God ordained
head of the household.
What about in a Christian home? Surely they are impervious
to the usual trappings of drug abuse, alcohol, adultery, etc. Sadly,
that is not the case. These sins are prevalent among the churches,
but there is yet another silent killer. It’s the secret sin of pornography. Temptation is everywhere, and our desires are easily fed in
the age of technology. The hunger lust grows until the man finds
himself isolated and destitute. Relationships and family disintegrate under the addiction. It’s
a vice that many do not see
the possibility of freedom, but
nobody is ever too far gone.
Jesus still has the power to
heal.
Porn addiction is something Pastor Jimmy Tarrant
can testify about from a firsthand experience. Studies
have found that nearly 50%
of Christian men struggle
with pornography. Shocking
as that may be, these men include pastors and leaders in
the church. Our flesh is selfish, and unless it is tamed by the Spirit,
our human weakness will consume us. Pastor Jimmy found himself lost in the shame and loneliness of addiction. Who would
understand? Would anybody offer compassion or only condemnation?
After struggling for many years, Pastor Jimmy did not know
if freedom knew his name. He had admitted he was wrong and
asked forgiveness. Several times, he even stepped away from his
sin for months. In 2004, Pastor Jimmy was at a function in North
Carolina where Anne Graham Lotz was speaking. At the conference, she called for the men and women to put things behind them.
Simply repent of your sins. The words “simply repent” seemed to
echo in Pastor Jimmy’s head. What is repentance? He had asked
for forgiveness and quit several times, but he had never truly turned
his back on pornography. In the back of his mind, he knew he had
22
Manhood Ministries
not broken away from it.
That night in his hotel room, Pastor Jimmy got down on his
knees and truly repented. He knew that temptation could still come,
but he knew it was a new start. Repentance had truly been made.
Pastor Jimmy called his wife and shared the news. With God’s
help, he had committed to remove the barrier that separated him
from true communion with the Lord. Not only that, he had again
taken his place as the leader in his family. The devil’s plan had
been foiled by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Jimmy’s own struggles led him to begin Manhood Ministries and write the book Solitary Confinement. The very apt
book title follows a composite character drawn from personal experiences, the testimonies of other Christian men, and also addiction statistics. It follows the fictional man named R.J. as he falls
into the trap of pornography, he struggles with what he knows is
wrong, his relationships begin to fall apart, he finds himself alone
in his guilt, and it ultimately shows how he finds freedom in Jesus
Christ.
This book was written during a transitional period before
Pastor Jimmy began leading another church. Solitary Confinement was used as an outreach before he ever shared his personal
testimony. Eventually, the situation presented itself where Pastor
Jimmy was asked to testify at an event. This led to a public confession that suddenly broke down a barrier that had held many
men back. The transparency of his life brought this ministry to
struggling men with arms wide open. It wasn’t about pointing
fingers or condemnation but compassion and restoration.
Why are secret sins so hard to deal with? Christians have
become so focused on image. What will others think? The better
question is, “What would God think?” The church has moved
away from authenticity to spiritual performance. How much can I
do for God, and how good can I look to others? The truth is, there
is only one measurement of success for a Christian. It is not measured by the results of our labor but by our obedience to God. The
shame of our sin produces a fear so great that we do not know
where to turn. Church has to once again become a place where
men and women are not afraid to seek comfort and guidance. It
has to be a safe haven.
We must not look down upon our brothers and sisters but
reach out to them. We have all fallen short of the glory of God,
and many of us struggle with our own secret sins. The secrecy of
struggles hampers the church. True revival will never come until
secret sins are dealt with. Will the taboo of pornography continue
to make men imprisoned and alone in their sins? Is there true
freedom?
Freedom can be found. Solitary Confinement lays out key
principles for experiencing that regeneration. This guidance is
not only for those struggling with porn addiction, but it applies to
any secret sin. One of the first things is to know that true repentance isn’t just admitting your sin, but it is turning your back on
the sin. We have to realize that we are made in God’s image, and
He has given us the ability and free will to make this turn. He will
equip us. A continual attitude of repentance must follow us each
day.
Wisdom cannot be overlooked in
finding this freedom. Each man has to
have a game plan for dealing with their
sin. Our response to temptation should be
a knee jerk reaction. Don’t look twice, or
you’ve already failed. We should have a
physical plan that is an immediate response. Get up and walk, call a prayer
partner, unplug your TV, or turn off your
computer. You can even go to the extreme
measures that Kirk Cameron took in the
movie “Fireproof” and throw that computer into the trash can!
Truly understanding the selfishness of sin can be a wonderful
eye opener. The focus of lust is a person. They are not objects but
living souls. For a few seconds of pleasure, we are completely
void of concern for that person’s eternity. If lust comes in any
form, guide your thoughts to prayer. Pray for that person’s life.
We are constantly bombarded by sexual imagery from TV, magazines, advertisements, and even the provocative way many women
dress. The enemy is ready to attack us on every front, but we
should be continually transformed by the renewing of our minds.
Manhood Ministries continues to bring the good news of Jesus
to those that are hurting through speaking engagements, seminars, and one-on-one counseling. Future books and study guides
are even in the works to expand the ministry’s reach. Pastor
Jimmy’s wife Connie is involved in the ministry and helps counsel couples. An unfortunate result of sin is damage to our relationships, and many women find it difficult to come to terms with
their husband’s struggles. Connie allows
her first hand experience to help wives
redevelop confidence and trust. Some
women who have husbands still battling
a porn addiction have found comfort in
the Solitary Confinement book as it helps
them better understand the situation. They
realize that this sin is not their fault. It is
a struggle of many men, and they may
not be able to easily break free. We all
have addictions and realize the difficulty
of giving up our cigarettes, alcohol, TV, food or even sodas! Manhood Ministries is seeking for these men to be healed, not just
recovering.
Restoration and change is possible. Our God is able. All Christians should hold fast to the call to take up our cross daily. Resisting the devil is an active responsibility of every man and woman.
There is a battle being fought. Pray for families, and pray for the
church to become a safe place once again.
To find out more about Manhood Ministries and Solitary Confinement, visit www.manhoodministries.com or call Pastor Jimmy Tarrant at (864) 907-2441.
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