A night with The Hoppers, MV review, and Taking a Stand

A night with The Hoppers

Two weeks ago, we were blessed to share the stage with one of Southern Gospel’s finest groups…The Hoppers.  There portion of the evening was just fabulous, but that isn’t exactly telling you anything you didn’t already expect from them.  It is my privilege to share with you things you may not know about The Hoppers.  Afterward, we had dinner with them, and though we had been acquainted before, we really couldn’t vouch for them one way or the other.  I am pleased to announce that they are wonderful men and women of God, and we hope we have several other platforms with them.  We are just like a lot of you…wondering if people we see are as real as they are being portrayed.  Well, they are.  I think we might have scared them a bit.  For those of you who know us well, we tend to be a bit over-zealous with our first impressions. 

Some of the good things that happened:   

1. We found out that Claude carries a toaster with him everywhere because he only eats toasted bread….hmmmm….kind of OCD there Claude…just like me….Hey, we’re kindred.
2. We got to play with their two beautiful young daughters.
3. They went out of their way to be kind to us and to help us out.

Some of the ramifications of the “not so good”

1. It turns out that unless you are invited on their bus, you shouldn’t get on their bus.
2. It turns out that when I asked if Claude’s nickname is high school was “grass” wasn’t the first time he heard that.
3. I think I managed to scare their youngest child.  I thought she was clearly finished with her sandwich, and I was still hungry.
4. It turns out that Claude has evoked something called a restraining order on me.  Isn’t that great?  I am now taking orders from Claude Hopper.

Ha.  I love it that most of you don’t know if I am being serious or not.  I’ll just let you wonder.  In all seriousness, we had a marvelous time with them, and not that they needed it, but they sure get our approval!

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MV REVIEW

I got in the mail today a review of our newest CD “Exceedingly Abundantly Above” from the Power SourceMagazine.  It is an honor to just be mentioned in this magazine.  The review, which puts us as the #2 album in the nation this month!, says that it is obvious we want our songs to “embody the theology of life, excitement, hope and encouragement.”  They also mention that we are being overlooked when it comes to the upper echolon of groups today.  So, we want to thank the Power Source Magazinefor their kind words, and we want to thank our fans for supporting us.  As silly as it sounds to the unbeliever, we truly believe that this music, when annointed by God, can actually change lives!

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Taking a Stand

In that past few weeks, Master’s Voice has been both admonished and scrutinized for our stand on some pressing issues.  We want to be clear that we do not deserve being admonished.  We are doing and saying and reacting how the Bible expects us to, and that this is merely our “reasonable act of service.”  Moreover, we also want all to know, especially those who pray for us and truly care for us, that will NOT flinch in the face of adversity when it comes to singing and preaching what God has set for us.  Whether it is abortion or homosexuality, or even as foundational as whether or not Christ is the only way to the Father (John 14:6), we want you to know that we will not cower for the popular vote.  You see, we really do this for something more than a high note and around of applause.  To the best of our ability, we want to sing, preach and live the truth, and do it in a way that is pleasing to our Heavenly Father.  Which also means that we need prayer for boldness, but also for compassion. 

The letters, emails and/or calls we get from people who “hate” what we stand for, is welcomed.  In fact, they are medals for us.  We know that this gospel is offensive.  We aren’t trying to be offensive, but the opposite.  We are trying to love these people who need to hear what God is saying.  Not what any denomination is saying, not what our opinions are, not what the government is adhering to, but what GOD HIMSELF is saying to us.  IF we fail to do that, then I truly know that we shame the One who died for us. 

Make no mistake — our efforts are not laced with vindictiveness but love and compassion for those who are lost and undone, or for those who have forgotten their first love.  I  believe it is more upsetting to God when one of His children preaches or sings something that is true, but the motivation and the heart’s intent is dipped in self-righteousness or hatred.  For example — is homosexuality wrong?  God says that it is.  He calls it an abomination.  Should we preach against it?  Of course.  Should we love those trapped in it?  By all means, yes!   Then there are those who hold us signs of hatred for those, and I just know that God is not only grieved, but angered.  Our efforts are to love and show people God’s way so that they may come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Any other motivation or scheme is futile and sinful. 

We love you all.  I hope you will continue to pray for us. 

Steadfast,

MV