Our family enjoys the music of the Southern Gospel trio, Greater Vision, made up of Gerald Wolfe, Rodney Griffin and Chris Allman. They were in concert in Bath, NY recently and our family was eager to go see them again live in concert!
Penny was excited to be able to go and shake hands with these fellows herself, and to sing along with all her favorite songs!
Gerald Wolfe is the lead singer, and emcee. He used to be a member of the legendary Cathedral Quartet with beloved members George Younce and Glen Payne. Gerald is also a great piano player, and is a lover of the old songs, especially the hymns written in shaped notes in the old red Church Hymnal.
Rodney Griffin is a popular song writer in the Southern Gospel field, in fact, is known as the Singing News Fan Awards Song Writer of the Year for 13 years! Papa Dart likes how his songs reflect his rich study of Scripture. His songs are thoughtful, fun, unique and inspiring.
Chris Allman is the tenor and is also a songwriter.
We hope you enjoy these video clips we took at the concert. The first song portion is called No Longer Chained, written by Rodney Griffin. It tells of Paul imprisoned for his faith, whose story is told in the book of Acts. In prison he was chained to a Roman soldier, and this song is from the soldier’s point of view as he hears the gospel message from his unusual prisoner.
This next is a favorite of ours, a portion of the hymn “I Sing the Mighty Power of God” sung so mightily!
And now a bit of Rodney’s testimony about his alchoholic father who met a common ordinary man with a wholehearted love for Jesus, Bill West. When none of the highly gifted people could reach his dad, Bill West’s simplicity and compassion met a need in his dad’s heart and created a hunger for the Savior, which our Lord happily met!
We have gotten to know these men through building our collection of their CDs and DVDs, and seeing them in the popular Jubilee DVDs, and by attending their concerts when they are in the area. We enjoy their humor and their heart for ministry. You can learn more about them at their website www.greatervisionmusic.com.
Here is Penny relaxing at home near the stereo with her kitty, Ruby, listening to CDs of Greater Vision, recalling how special it was to be there at the concert hearing them in person.
One of their classic songs is this one written by Rodney Griffin. It is a favorite of mine, below are the words.
God Wants to Hear You Sing
Down at the jail that night,
Still Paul and Silas would not be dismayed.
They said, “It’s time to lift our voice,
Sing praises to the Lord,
Let’s prove that we will trust Him, come what may.”
When the waves are crashing round you,
When the firey darts surround you,
When despair is all you see.
God wants to hear your voice,
When the wisest man has spoken
And says your circumstance is as hopeless as can be
That’s when God wants to hear you sing.
On our cheerful days
When the pleasant times out weigh the bad, by far.
But when suffering comes along
And we still sing Him song
That is when we bless the Father’s heart.
When the waves are crashing round you
When the firey darts surround you
When despair is all you see.
God wants to hear your voice
When the wisest man has spoken
And says your circumstance is as hopeless as can be
That’s when God wants to hear you sing. God wants to hear you sing!!!
Pixie and Penny together make a joyful noise to the Lord!
Who better to sing with than a talented bird??
