In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength.
– Robert E. Lee
Words have power. They teach and they taunt. They destroy and build up. And they are used too frequently to say nothing at all.
The old saying, “My word is my bond,” has gone by the wayside. As a general rule in society today, you cannot trust another man’s word. But you can trust the One who is the Word.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.
(John 1:1,14)
Jesus is the Living Word. The Word of God is alive!
Then It Hits You…
Sometimes I will read a scripture that I have read many times before, but this time it seems to leap off the page of my Bible into my spirit.
Other times I will be sitting in a church service, listening to the Word, and something the minister says will begin to resonate in my spirit until I feel like I am totally transformed.
Many of the songs I write have come from just such an experience. That happens because the Word is alive. It has just what you need, when you need it.
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
(Heb. 4:12 NIV)
If you don’t have a Bible reading plan, get one today. You need the Living Word renewing your mind and feeding your spirit man every day.
It’s the only fuel that will give you the energy and road map for your mission! The Word has everything you need for life.
Excerpt permission granted by Albury Publishing
Carman Domenic Licciardello is an enigma in Christian music, often described as part evangelist, part Vegas Showman. His concerts were more like a rock and roll Billy Graham Crusade than a Christian music event. After all the singing, dancing, clapping, and preaching, crowds of people would stream down to the counseling area to accept Christ-many times as many as 5,000 in an evening.
Admission was usually free; a simple offering was taken, similar to 30,000 churches on Sunday mornings. And he filled the largest stadiums the world over. Carman held the record for the largest Christian concert ever in Dallas, Texas. But it even goes beyond that. Take the Mega Stadium acts that played the famed landmark such as Pink Floyd, U 2, Madonna, The Jackson Five, Paul McCartney, Garth Brooks, and even Metallic. As the newspapers noted, you'll see that the one-act that drew the highest attendance in Texas Stadium was Carman, with 71,132.
Carman (1956-2021) was a popular contemporary Christian singer and songwriter.
Born Carman Licciardello, he began recording under his first name and released his debut album in 1980. Carman began charting contemporary Christian hits in 1984 with "Sunday's on the Way," reaching No. 1 with "The Champion" (1986) and "Radically Saved" (1988). His other hit songs include "Lord of All," "Jesus Is the Light," and "Satan, Bite the Dust!" Carman reportedly holds the world record for the largest audience at a Christian concert. His popularity was at its height in the 1980s and early '90s, but he continued releasing albums for years, including his most recent release, 2014's "No Plan B." In 2018, he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.