Each summer that I lived in Delaware as a child, the neighborhood kids would eventually make their way over to my back deck, listening to WSTW, the local radio station just down the street. Back then, music was limited to the radio as the daily play list often repeated the same songs every hour. As Music Television debuted in 1983, I went over to a friend’s house to get instant access to a variety of artists and groups. Yet, those long summer car rides going to and from vacation is where I was introduced to Simon and Garfunkel thanks to my parent’s favorite soft rock station.
Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [[e]and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord, 20 At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father, Ephesians 5:19-20.
Thanks to friendly Christian bookstore owners like Jackie Johnson from Delaware, I spent countless hours in college asking a similar question, “do you know of anyone who sounds like this secular artist or group?” This is how I discovered Crumbacher and Duke who possess that late 70’s/early 80’s soft rock sound. There’s nothing like falling to sleep with this classic style of music playing in the background. While there are many albums of Crumbacher and Duke to choose from, I hope you enjoy listening to the Worlds Away album this week which contains my favorite Desert Lightning.
Today’s song comes from the Simon and Garfunkel of Christian music. Crumbächer and Duke or otherwise displayed as Crumbächer-Duke joined their musical talents in the 1980’s. While not as mellow as Simon and Garfunkel, Crumbächer and Duke mix pop with synthetic dance. When you combine this style with several ballads, Crumbächer and Duke provide a soothing sound for background music.
For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord, Romans 6:23.
The lyrics of Worlds Away refer to hearing God’s still small voice on earth. Yet, the distractions that exist on earth make God feel worlds away. Whether you’re suffering from depression like Elijah in 1 Kings 19:11-13, seeing the presence of the Lord is rare. However, if you can tune out all of the noise, you may be pleasantly surprised by the power of the Holy Spirit, 2 Peter 1:3-4. I hope you enjoy Worlds Away.
Bridge Over Trouble Water spent six weeks as the number one song in America, sweeping the Grammy Awards in 1971. The inspiration behind this Simon and Garfunkel classic are connected to Elvis Presley. A member of the Swam Silvertones, Reverend Jeter became good friends with Paul Simon providing biblical imagery. Meanwhile, a song from the Everly Brothers album “Songs Our Daddy Taught Us” influenced the lyrics which formed Bridge Over Trouble Water.
When evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, 17 and they got into a boat and started to cross the sea to Capernaum. It was already dark, and Jesus had still not come [back] to them. 18 The sea was getting rough and rising high because a strong wind was blowing. 19 Then, when they had rowed three or four miles [and were near the center of the sea], they saw Jesus walking on the sea and approaching the boat; and they were [terribly] frightened, John 6:16-19.
Unfortunately, most people don’t have a physical bridge to cross when storms stir up troubled waters. Some people get caught by an unexpected squall, holding on for dear life until this weather system dissipates. Meanwhile, those on shore try to survive hurricane force winds that create a tidal surge, causing the ocean to overtake land. Those residents who endured Hurricane Florence and Michael now understand the concept of troubled waters.
Peter replied to Him, “Lord, if it is [really] You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 He said, “Come!” So Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw [the effects of] the wind, he was frightened, and he began to sink, and he cried out, “Lord, save me!” – Matthew 14:28-30
On two different occasions, Jesus was with his disciples on the Sea of Galilee. During a gale which engulfed their boat, Jesus was asleep, likely testing these men to see how they would respond. After waking up Jesus, these men acted like little boys who expected to die at sea. The other encounter reveals Jesus walking on water, approaching the disciples boat at night. Initially, fog made Jesus look like a ghost until Peter volunteered to join Jesus.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, 2 [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, [b]disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work], Hebrews 12:1-2.
From a spiritual point of view, Jesus serves as an invisible bridge. The only way to access this structure is by faith. As soon as Peter got out of his boat, he actually walked on water. Yet, the moment Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, he began to sink. When individuals focus their attention on the storms surrounding them, most sink like Peter. However, when you fix your eyes on Jesus, faith offers you a bridge to walk over troubled waters.
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