It's been a while

Hard to believe it has been nearly 2-years since I have posted on this blog. I've just been very busy and not really had time for blogging. I wanted to let everyone know that I'm still around. Still working full-time, pastoring full-time, and being a full-time father and husband.

The LORD has really been blessing our little Church over the past couple of years. We've had some folks leaven and some new folks join. We've got a faithful crowd of folks that are there nearly every time the door is open. God blessed us by leading Brother Roger and Sister Karen to join our Church and he is our full-time song leader now. Our church finally has the choir I have always dreamed and prayed about.

This past Sunday we sang a good old song that was written back in the 1950's and sang by several folks but we had never sang it as a choir until Sunday evening. Bro. Roger handed it out during choir practice and we went over it a few times and then we sang it during the service the same night! I think it is some of the best singing I've ever heard. (Of course I may be a little bit partial!) Anyway, I wanted to share it with you. "I Was There When It Happened."

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Thankful for family

Every year it's the same thing, what to get my parents for Christmas? This year my mother told us what she wanted, a CD of my family singing. It was a joy to be able to provide her with something we knew she wanted. After several hours of recording and editing we finally finished and gave it to her tonight for Christmas.

Sometimes I wonder why the Lord blesses me as much as he does. I sure am thankful for the loving family that he gave me and for the talent he distributed among all of them. We may not be professional singers but we love singing for the Lord. If you are interested you can listen here: Chesney Family Favorite Hymns, or from the link below.

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Whatever It Takes

As you can imagine, I am one proud father, as I sat and listened to my little 12-year old daughter, Elizabeth, use her talents to exalt the Lord Jesus during last Sunday's service. I am so happy I can call her my sister in Christ as well. I pray that she always devotes her life to Him.

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Mansion Over the Hilltop song...scriptural?

My papaw's house. As close to an earthly mansion as I've ever been

As a pastor and former music minister, I have often had to face criticism over songs that I have selected. One of the most criticized songs that I have had to defend is Mansion Over the Hilltop, written by Ira Stanphill in 1914. I've heard "it's a fleshly song," "it's only about the person and not the Savior," "it's not scriptural and shouldn't be sang in church," etc...

Well, my dear reader, this has bothered me for some time, so I decided to examine the song for it's Scriptural content and see if it cuts the mustard.

Verse 1

I'm satisfied with just a cottage below
A little silver and a little gold
But in that city where the ransomed will shine
I want a gold one that's silver lined 

(Satisfied while here below)  

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

(The ransomed) 

Isaiah 35:10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. 

(will shine)

Matthew 13:43: 43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Chorus

I've got a mansion just over the hilltop
In that bright land where we'll never grow old
And some day yonder we will never more wander
But walk on streets that are purest gold 

(Mansions in Heaven) 

John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

(In that bright land) 

Rev 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

(Streets of pure gold) 

Rev. 21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

Verse 2

Tho’ often tempted, tormented and tested

And, like the prophet, my pillow a stone.

And tho’ I find here no permanent dwelling,

I know He’ll give me a mansion my own.

(Often tempted and tormented and tested) 

Hebrews 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

1 Corinthians 10:13: 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

James 1:12: Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

(The prophet’s pillow of stone)

Genesis 28:11: And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.

(No permanent dwelling here)

2 Corinthians 5:1: For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Verse 3

Don't think me poor or deserted or lonely
I'm not discouraged I'm heaven bound
I'm just a pilgrim in search of a city
I want a mansion, a harp and a crown 

(Not concerned about being poor) 

Proverbs 28:6: Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

(Pilgrim in search of a city) 

Hebrews 11:13: These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

(A harp)

Psalm 33:2 Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.

(A crown) 

James 1:12: Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 

So, there you have it friend. Is Mansion Over the Hilltop scriptural? You better believe it is. In fact, it has more Scriptural references than most songs. Is it a "selfish" song? I guess that depends on what kind of person you are. If you believe it is selfish then you are probably a selfish person, otherwise you would see that it is a beautiful song written to sing about the glories of Heaven which awaits those that are saved. It speaks of the wonders and sites of that city that God promised us and also said in His Word in Isaiah 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.  and then later backed up by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:9: But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Enjoy the below clip of my dad, James Chesney, picking and singing this good old SCRIPTURAL song. 

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Quick Update

It has been nearly 2-weeks since I've posted anything on here. I'm just busy, busy, busy. I started my latest Seminary course last week, Teaching and Preaching the Bible. I do most of my Seminary work on my lunch break at work or at night when everyone else has went to bed. Between pastoring, preparing, studying, and preaching 2 messages a week plus doing Wednesday evening Bible Study, I've not had much time for anything else. I just listened to a lecture by Pastor Sexton and he kept driving home the fact that God-given duties will not conflict. I'm trying my best to keep that in mind!

One problem that I have is trying to do too much. If there is a job to be done I'm always the first one to volunteer for it. I know that if I do it, it will get done and to my satisfaction. That may seem self-centered to you, but I am very particular when it comes to God's work. I never want anything to bring shame to His name or the the church. So, it is hard for me to delegate responsibilities to others. Right now there is a great need for someone else to lead the singing. I have always enjoyed being the church music director, however, that is really not what the LORD has called me to be. I am a bass singer and leading the congregational music puts a major strain on my vocal chords and is also a little embarrassing when I can't reach the high notes. I need to be able to focus on preaching and teaching the Bible. I know there is someone out there that would love to lead the congregation and choir in our Worship services. I'm praying that the LORD sends that person in.

I'm excited about what the LORD has in store for His church. One ministry that I was able to implement was the new Prayer Request Hotline. Many folks are now calling it daily and listening, leaving requests, and even praise reports! I think it is a wonderful way for everyone in the church to be able to be involved with our prayer needs. I've got many other things the LORD is dealing with me about that I want to put into place but it all takes time. I'll be sharing some of these things as we progress. Meanwhile, please pray for me and for our church. Pray that we would be the New Testament Church that the LORD would have us to be.

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I Am Not Ashamed Of the Gospel of Christ

Since I'm always in front of the congregation leading the singing and/or preaching, I try to limit the amount of time I take up singing any special songs. I want to make sure everyone else gets their chance to sing if they want to. This past Sunday morning we only had a couple of specials and as I was about to go up to preach the message, Mr. Buckner asked if me and my family would sing a song. I motioned for my family to join me at the piano and we sang a song that I had written about 16-years ago called, "I Am Not Ashamed (of the Gospel of Christ)."

I'm not much of a piano player but I can chord enough to get through a song. I really felt blessed to have my family singing with me. The Lord sure has blessed me with a great wife and children. The only thing missing was my son and he was up in the media room video taping the service. So, it's thanks to him I was able to share this video clip with you.

Anytime I sing songs that I have written, I never tell anyone that I wrote it. I guess my wife mentioned to someone that I wrote it and word spread around. Several people came up to me letting me know that they really enjoyed the song. I was a little embarrassed but also glad that they got a blessing from something the Lord gave me. I remember when I wrote the song, I was studying about the Apostle Paul and his life changing experience on the road to Damascus and the Lord laid it on my heart to put it to a song. The rest is history.

I Am Not Ashamed Of the Gospel Of Christ
(c) Byron Chesney 1995

Paul persecuted the Christians of old
He gave his consent when Stephen was stoned
But one day while he was traveling Down the road to Damascus
The Lord struck Paul down, turned his heart around and he never was the same

Oh, I am not ashamed, I am not ashamed
I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ
I am not ashamed, I am not ashamed
I'll proclaim his name I'm not ashamed
of the Gospel of Christ

Well the world will try to make you doubt your convictions
they'll laugh at you, call you a fool for proclaiming Jesus' name
Oh don't worry Christian cause let me tell you Brother
One day He is returning and He'll take His Church away

Repeat Chorus 2 times to end.

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If We Never Meet Again

Tonight at church, I asked my wife, Mary, if she would mind singing with me. We sang 2 verses of the old Albert E. Brumley hymn, "If We Never Meet Again." I've always loved that song. It's on page 36 in the red back Church Hymnal. Listen to the words:

If We Never Meet Again
Albert E. Brumley

Soon we'll come to the end of life's journey,
And perhaps we'll never meet anymore,
Till we gather in Heaven's bright city
Far away on that beautiful shore.

O so often we're parted with sorrow,
Benedictions often quicken our pain;
But we never shall sorrow in Heaven,
God be with you till we meet again.

O they say we shall meet by the river
Where no storm-clouds ever darken the sky,
And they say we'll be happy in Heaven,
In the wonderful sweet by and by.

If we never meet again this side of Heaven
As we struggle through this world and its strife,
There's another meeting place somewhere in Heaven
By the side of the river of life;
Where the charming roses bloom forever,
And where separations come no more;
If we never meet again this side of Heaven,
I will meet you on that beautiful shore.

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Thinking of Barbara

Aunt Barbara playing, Wait 'Til You See My New Home. Click on the play button below:



To hear 16 songs played on the piano by Barbara, JUST CLICK HERE.

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In the Valley

I heard this song a few weeks ago when I was browsing GodTube, listening to the Parrish Family. I immediately fell in love with it and knew that I just had to sing it at church. I was thrilled that Mary agreed to sing on it with me. We were able to do it this past Sunday morning.

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Promises

Pastor Dave and Sister Carol singing, Promises, at church this morning. I absolutely love this song.



Promises
written by Dottie Rambo

He didn't promise that I would never stumble,
But He did say He'd be there if I fall
He didn't tell me He'd hear complaints I whispered,
But He did say He'd hear me if I call.

Cho:
Promises, promises, and all of them true.
He's done exactly what He said He would do.
He didn't tell me my heart would not be broken,
But He did say He'd mend it again.

He didn't promise my cross would not be heavy,
But He did say that He my load would share,
He didn't tell me He'd grant my hopes and wishes,
But He did say He'd hear my earnest prayer.

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Who will go and work?

Yesterday morning we canceled church services due to all of the snow and bad driving conditions. Last night Pastor Dave decided to go ahead and have services. There was only 9 of us that showed up. We had a fairly short service but it was real sweet. There were a few folks that testified and one member that testified for the very first time!

Mary and I had been practicing some songs together so I brought my guitar along in case we decided to sing. We did end up singing one song, My House Is Full. That has always been one of my favorite songs ever since hearing the Berry Family sing it many years ago when we belonged to House Mountain Baptist. Below is an audio clip of me and Mary singing it last night at church.

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God Saves Old Sinners

Here is a short clip of Preacher Langston and his wife singing, God Saves Old Sinners. They sang this tonight during our revival service. I think it's wonderful that they are still excited about serving the Lord after all of these years. They also seem so happy together.

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Singing bout Heaven

Last night during our revival service, Preacher Langston had the congregation all join together and sing at the end of his message. We sang a verse and chorus of "How Beautiful Heaven Must Be," and a verse and chorus of "Never Grow Old." I thought it was absolutely beautiful when I listened to it.

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What Would I Do Without Jesus?

Pastor Dave and Sister Carol Hutchison singing, What Would I Do Without Jesus?

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The making of a music minister

I've always been proud of my family. I think I was brought up in the best home a person would ever dream of being brought up in. We weren't wealthy by any means, in fact, we were always barely scraping by. If there is one thing I've learned in this old world it is that money and riches aren't worth a hill of beans if you ain't got love. We had plenty of love in my family. We weren't big on hugging or kissing or even saying I love you when I was growing up but there was never any question that we loved each other. I didn't realize it back then but I know it now, the reason we had such love was because we had Jesus in our lives.

We are "church people" through and through. I don't mean that we are religious zealots but that we are people that love God and love the things of God. We love going to His church, we love reading and preaching His Word, and we love singing songs about Him. I come from a long line of great singers. Both of my grandfathers were excellent bass singers. Both of my grandmothers could sing. Granny Spencer played the piano better than anybody you'd ever want to hear and never had a lesson in her life. Both of my parents sing and both of my sisters were blessed with great singing voices and piano playing skills. I've got aunts and uncles stretched across the entire United States and the whole bunch of us can sing or play instruments. I'm proud of that.

I was thinking today about all of the wonderful singing I grew up with. Our home was always filled with music. We had one of those big console RCA stereos with AM/FM and record player. My parents had a huge collection of 33 RPM records, everything from the Chuck Wagon Gang, The Carter Family, Naomi and the Segos, to Hank Snow, Michael Parks, and Johnny Cash. We would sit in our tiny living room and listen to those records and sing along with them. My dad would play the guitar and my sisters would play the piano. As my sisters and I grew older and developed voices that were able to sing parts, we each would learn a part and sing together. My mother had some old song books and we would sing those old Chuck Wagon Gang songs and try our best to imitate them.

Back in the mid-late 1990's, my family all got together and gathered around the piano with the old red back Church Hymnal and a tape recorder. We sang for hours and recorded some of our favorite songs. I uploaded them all today to the Internet (listen to them here) so I could share them with others. I love listening to those old songs. It makes me feel young again and makes me appreciate the great family I was blessed with. My older sister, Pam, is no longer with us and my mother no longer has a piano in her house either. I still have the old memories in my head though and no one can take them away from me.

I never intended on being a "Minister of Music," I was sorta volunteered into the position one time and it just stuck with me. I'm a bass singer and cannot sing very high at all. My aunt Barbara plays the piano for me and lowers all of the songs so I can lead them. I often have people tell me that I do a wonderful job leading. It always embarrasses me because I feel that I do terrible. I hate to hear myself sing when I'm leading. One thing I do love about leading the music though is seeing how God's Spirit moves among the people during Worship. There's not a better feeling in the world.

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Revival 2009 - Day 3

Well, it was day 3 of our revival and it was a Wednesday night. I was expecting a low turnout and I was right. I believe I counted 31 people in total. Eight people were visitors, the rest were our regular faithful Wednesday night members.

The hardest part for me is picking out the best songs. Of course I pray hard about the song selection and let God lead me but when you have to pick out 42 different songs in a week's time, it is hard. The worst part is not knowing how many people will show up to sing in the choir. I think we only had 12 people plus myself in the choir tonight. I changed one of our specials at the last minute because I didn't feel we had enough people to pull it off. The folks that sang, did a great job and we had a good full sound. We started out with one of our favorites, "Feeling Fine." I then lead a congregational tune, "Victory In Jesus," followed up with another choir special, "He Did It All For Me." I then lead another congregational, "I Want to Know More." After that, Edd Buckner, requested that we sing, "Just A Little Talk With Jesus." We then had fellowship and altar prayer with "Amazing Grace" as our fellowship hymn.

For special singing, the pastor asked Charlotte McCollough to sing. She sang, "Thank You Lord For Your Blessings On Me," with Barbara playing accompaniment on the piano. Me and Elizabeth had several requests to sing so we sang a song my Uncle Ronnie wrote, "A Few More Miles To Go." Then the preacher and sister Carol sang , "But For The Blood."

Preacher Langston did not preach tonight, he stays at his home church where he pastor's on Wednesday nights. Instead, the preacher asked one of his friends, D. J. Brown to preach. He has preached at our church once before. You can listen to his message HERE.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow night. I'm expecting a good crowd for the last two nights. I believe my mother is going to sing tomorrow night and dad has said that he will play the guitar for both services. If you don't have anything to do, why not come out and join us?

Read about Day 2 of the Revival here.

Read about Day 1 of the Revival here.

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Following in the footsteps

Recently, through the power of the internet and Facebook, I have made acquaintance with a family member of Mr. Buckner (one of our deacons). Turns out his niece, Gail, went to Holston high school and so did my mother. So, through that connection, they knew each other, and when I saw her post a comment on my mother's Facebook wall that said Edd Buckner was her uncle, well, one thing led to another and now I'm writing this post.

She sent me some old photos that she had, and much to my amazement, there was Mr. Buckner leading the music! Since he turns 93 this December, that would've made him 52 back in 1968. That's only 8-years oder than I am now. I've always known that Mr. Buckner had a great love for the church music because he and I have discussed it many times, but, for some reason he had never told me he used to be the music leader. I can't wait to see him tonight and tell him that I know his secret!

Thinking about all of this has me appreciating all of those old saints from the past that have done their part to keep the church going and spread the Gospel. I feel honored to follow in the footsteps of such wonderful folks as Mr. Buckner. There are only a handful of the long-time members that are still around these day, Mrs. Haire, Mr. and Mrs. McMillan, the Grishams, all of those folks have been around nearly since the church started. I look up to them and appreciate all that they have done in the past. I am trying to do my part and I hope and pray that the younger generation behind me has the same desire.

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Gotta keep on keeping on

One of the worst things in the life of a music minister, is waking up with a sore throat and stopped up ears on Sunday morning. Alas, that is my predicament this morning. I know it's just sinus drainage (sorry, that's gross I guess) but it makes it very difficult to lead music this way. Through the course of the day I will lead 20+ songs plus teach a Sunday school lesson. By tonight I probably won't be able to talk. I'm praying that God will give me relief. I've drank 3 cups of coffee already this morning and it feels some better but I can tell that it's not going to go away.  I remember my choral director at Gibbs, Mr. Reeves, once told us that someone had done a study where they had their sinuses blocked and they sang before and after and you couldn't tell any difference between the two. Well, the church congregation may not be able to tell but I sure can! It could be a lot worse. Just look at the Apostle Paul who was stoned and dragged out of the city and left for dead. He got up, brushed himself off and headed right back into the city to preach! So, I'll keep on keeping on. We are having Revival next week and I'll be leading the music every night. Please remember me in your prayers!

-Bro. Byron

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When the going gets tough, the tough sing A Capella!

This past Sunday evening at church, we were without a pianist. Barbara was too sick to attend and Sister Carol and Charlotte were both on vacation. We were in a tight spot. But never fear! God's people have always been a singing people. I figured if old Paul and Silas could sing without music while their feet were bound in stocks, sitting in a cold prison, then the Highland Baptist Church choir could too!

It was a little hard starting out. We did, Thank God I Am Free, and I started out way too high! Being a natural bass singer, it is sometimes hard for me to know what a good starting key is without having someone give me a chord on the piano. I normally sing in B flat or C but I cranked that song out probably somewhere in a high F. We finally settled down and after that things were pretty smooth. I really enjoyed the invitation song during altar call when we sang Amazing Grace A Capella. You can give it a listen here:


Every time I think of singing A Capella, I can't help but remember that old Andy Griffith episode where Barney actually sings "A Capella." I found it on YouTube tonight:

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Hello Goodbye!

Last night was the first night we have had choir practice in about 4 weeks. I've canceled it for several reasons, VBS, Father's Day, etc.. We haven't had the opportunity to learn anything new in a while. In our last practice we had worked on Goodbye World, Goodbye. I didn't think we did very well on it our first practice and was actually considering scratching it from the notebook. I gave it a second thought last night and we worked on it again. Boy, am I glad that we did! Believe it or not, I actually had the choir sing it in last night's service! There was only 12 people in the choir last night but they really put out some sound. I think we'll be doing this song often.

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