pastorob archival tracks

recently rediscovered:

Still a Prisoner

Children of God

Behind Every
Good Man

The Spirit
and the Bride

ohh...and here's an electric version of the
old Fanny Crosby classic: Blessed Assurance

---

Vanity of Vanities
During the summer of 1982--having received a FreshStart in life--I started attending every available public event hosted by Pastor Ezell Plair and the Church of God in Christ--House of Prayer (presently ministering in Kalamazoo, Michigan). At that time, Elder Plair pastored his church from a small sanctuary (converted from a house in a Comstock neighborhood). At one of the Tuesday Evening Bible Studies, we considered the recurrent phrase in Ecclesiastes: "Vanity of Vanities...all is vanity." The chorus of this song grew out of that evening's discussion.

There are probably extant versions of this song (with varying lyrics) in the archives. However, I began to write the current verses when, a year prior to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, I read an article about a megalomaniac who was rebuilding ancient Babylon as a tourist attraction. His name was Saddam Hussein.The news of a man claiming to be   a modern-day Nebuchadnezzar was of great interest to me.

I also tied biblical references (i.e. 'the place where Satan has his throne') to local situations (Planned Parenthood of Kalamazoo). The cacophony of voices was a birthday surprise. Cathy had invited twenty friends to show up at Brayton and Sons recording studio. I asked them to all boast of vain imaginations and fruitless pursuits. I really like this song.

Used, Used, Used (audio)
                              
One of my favorite songs from a painful self-reflection. I wasn't living as a follower of Christ during my teenage years. Unfortunately, instead of goodness and mercy following my steps, I planted seeds of destruction. After giving my heart to Jesus, I began to seek forgiveness of certain individuals in my life story. So, this song has found its partial fulfillment in the transformation of one corrupted relationship into one of ongoing reconciliation. The prayers offered by those in the studio are still prayed every time someone clicks here.

Don't Allow Frustration
The thief comes to steal, kill, and to destroy. Accepting patterns of negative mindsets can establish their 'lordship' in our lives. To help establish LIFE-GIVING truth as a pattern in my life, I wrote this short song. This song was written before I was a preacher (as was I Wanna Be Ready).
On Firstfruits, it also features the 3-part guitar harmonies by Greg Brayton of Coldwater, Michigan.

Consider (audio)   Consider (transcript)

Immediately prior to leaving Michigan for California, I went into Greg Brayton's studio to record one of my pre-Cathy songs. I figured that the original lyrics would serve no eternal purpose so I reflected on our ministry years up to that point and wrote these words. I selected certain timbres we had heard spoken through the years for the voice-over section. I still enjoy hearing this unique compilation of personalities:
 
John Clark   our pastor at Trinity A/G (84-88)
Ron Sorrell   friend and elder at Praise Baptist
Coach Eby    methodological mentor/evangelist
Roger Bennett visiting evangelist to A and Ω
Ezell Plair     my pastor COGIC House of Prayer
David Nix      a seminary student from Australia
Al Dines         co-laborer at Trinity and A and Ω
Joseph Plair  We named our firstborn after him.

I Wanna Be Ready
One of the first songs I penned as a new believer in Christ. Crossing the street, I was honked at by a driver who thought I should be paying more attention to passing cars instead of the Book in front of my face. Greg Brayton graces this song with orchestral guitars--some of the finest Brayton guitar parts committed to the public record.

A New Song (audio)      
                           A New Song (transcript)
I Wanna Be Ready was about my readiness to die anytime--having figured that I could die young--like my mother, Frieda; my step-brother, Gary; and my brother, Richard.

When I started hanging out in white-church circles, I heard about 'the Rapture' and thought "Hmmm...One of these days I know I'm gonna die?--maybe not...I guess I could be 'caught up' in the rapture."  So, years later I borrowed an introduction reminiscent of Ready and wrote this one:  A NEW SONG.


I'm Saved (audio)
                                   I'm Saved (transcript)
Led by the Spirit from an Assembly of God church to a Southern Baptist Church involved much prayer, study, and trust. I had purposed not to move from Trinity Assembly of God to Praise Baptist Church (and Alpha and Omega Ministries) without the blessing of Pastor John Clark (our beloved pastor).

Pastor Clark asked me to study through the primary doctrinal differences that were evident so I could make an informed decision. I guess the words to this piano-playin' song was my way of cooling-down heated discussions about Eternal Security. My pentecostal friends didn't really agree with what I had come to believe, so I wrote a song instead of arguing with those stubborn-yet-sweet spiritual siblings.

I AM
I was preaching through the Gospel of John early in my tenure at FBC Galt. A couple of young teens (Rodney Parker and Pete McCarthy II) were practicing some old, familiar chord progressions. One day they fixated on a pattern using I, vi, IV, and V chords in the key of G. It was starting to get on my nerves (the aging process taking its toll--even on me). However, I went home and put the seven I AM sayings of Christ (from the Gospel of John) to that progression which the boys had been playing. I feel sorry that I had forgotten to acknowledge their contribution with mention on the CD. There's never been any royalties to share...yet, we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is Unseen.

Tender Mercies     Tender Mercies (Transcript)
The chorus of this song came quite early in my Christian experience. The ministry of the Holy Spirit was fruitful in my life as I served the needs I sensed were important in the life of my brother, Richard. He was immobilized by Multiple Sclerosis in early adulthood. One day I pushed him in his wheelchair to the Alternative Film theatre. We watched Robert Duvall's movie: Tender Mercies. Somehow that film gripped my heart--as has several other works involving Robert Duvall. Therefore, I decided to write the verse structure around that title. I hope he 'stumbles' across this song someday. (Did you know that Jebby appreared in a film with Bob? I prayed with him all the way through that adventure...)
 For related scripture: 1 Peter 2:19-25; Titus 2:11-15; Titus 3:3-7 

God Gave Him
                                                2 Corinthians 5:21
The fullness of the Gospel is found by those who trust in the Righteousness of Christ. This song was on "More Fruit" written during the Alpha and Omega days. A devotional interpretation of the verse cited above--one of the Life Center memory verses our counselor, Bill, imparted to us.

Trust in the Lord
                                                      Proverbs 3:5-6
Back in our Trinity Assembly of God days,     Jerry Knickerbocker and Anne Birnell invited me for an extended time of prayer. Afterwards, Jerry said, "Let's put this favorite verse to music...so we did...together." Jerry went on to be a pastor in Florida; Anne stepped into eternity.

In the Beginning
On our first published tape, Firstfruits (1998) we included an audio track (with 3 yr. old Jerry) following the song Bedtime. That verse being rehearsed with our second son was the opening verses of the Gospel of John. Convinced that songs can help us to 'hide God's Word in our hearts,' I began trying to put that entire section of John to a melody. I struggled some in the studio with this piece (and have never been fully content with this recording) but offer it as for its historical value in our ministry. My younger brother, Bill Patterson, played the trumpet part.

Promise
Near the beginning of a major LifeCrisis, I was invited by a drummer to attend a Thursday night Bible Study in someone's home. After the study, the host (a pastor who chooses to remain unnamed),  'led' me through a pivotal prayer. In that prayer (June, 1982), I asked Jesus to be my Savior and to give me a fresh start--a new life.

One week later, at a similar gathering, the pastor, another brother prayed with me for my continued growth in the Spirit. On the way back to my lonely house, I sang this melody and committed it to memory that night. I didn't record it for several years (More Fruit). I adapted the words to reflect my commitment to my marriage. It was originally a song of God's promise to me. That night's experience is still a treasure hidden in my heart. (Cathy played a flute part that Greg hummed for her).

Serve
From "Firstfruits", this song was written during a prayer meeting (right before I met Cathy). I sang it for her while we were courting. She played overdubbed flutes on this recording. Her mother, Mary Alice, was in the studio with us that day.

Open Door

                                Open Door (transcript)

This song originally appeared on "More Fruit." 
The opening VoiceOver™ cites 2 Corinthians 4 
                         (still one of my life passages).

The idea of a Door that the Lord opens on our
                      behalf captures my imagination
                      and enraptures the melody of
                      my heart and my mind.

  As you listen to my song consider this
  message entrusted to John the Revelator:

To the angel of the church
      in Philadelphia write:

     "These are the words of him who is holy and
     true, who holds the key of David. What He
     opens no one can shut, and what He shuts
     no one can open. I know your deeds."
      See, I have placed before you
              an open door that no one can shut.

    I know that you have little strength, yet you
    have kept My Word and have not denied My
    Name."

   "I will make those who are of the synagogue of
    Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are
    not, but are liars--I will make them come and
    fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I
    have loved you."      Revelation 3:7-9 NIV

   As well, consider this implication of
    the Door opened for you by the Lord:

   As you walk through that door, you may
   become a target for the Enemies of God. 
   Paul made his plans, in his generation,
   according to his understanding of
   the Open Door--where and when to
   go...and when to stay put!

   ^"After I go through Macedonia, I will come to   
   you–for I will be going through Macedonia.
   Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even
   spend the winter, so that you can help me on
   my journey, wherever I go.  I do not want to
   see you now and make only a passing visit; I
   hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord
   permits.

   But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost,  
   because a great door
                        for effective
                       work has opened to me,

   and there are many who oppose me."    
                                       1 Corinthians 16:5-9 NIV

Give Thanks (audio)
GiveThanks (transcript)  
Inspired by the song David sang on the day they brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. We used to sing this on Sunday mornings back at Praise Baptist Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

 On the last Sunday before I left for Liberia, I invited Pastor Art Garza (Templo La Hermosa) and                     Pastor Henry Bermudo (Living Hope Bible Church) to share the pulpit for a special 3-pastor sermon.

  Fanning the flame, I asked both men to interpret short phrases from God's Word. This 2-minute mp3 audiofile demonstrates the joy we are experiencing as we hear each other 'declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues.' (Acts 2:11) Together, the three of us preached through Philippians 4:4-7.

Later, in Liberia, I used that sermon outline as an inspiration for this song:
 

   Turn Your Worries Into Prayer

I carried this stone from Galt (across our continent, and the Atlantic Ocean) to place it in the pulpit at our sister church in Liberia.

Philippians 4:6

After I returned from Liberia, Jebby pieced together the melodic bridge.  My nephew,
Josh Wilson, sang those same thoughts in a Jebby-esque voicing.
                              Drums:    Jerry Patterson
                       Guitars: Jebby & Greg Brayton

More of Liberia's rock songs below:

The Year of Our Lord       Luke 4:14-20
                                                       Isaiah 61:1-4
Written while I was reviewing the notes from the sermon I preached on Sunday morning in Liberia. In the power of the Spirit, Jesus stood up to read in Nazareth's synagogue. He unrolled the scroll and spoke from Isaiah.

StudioStuff: Jerry Patterson plays drums on this track.
My three nieces, Richelle, Niki, and Sarah (The Wilson Sisters) were released from school to go into the studio and sing backup vocals with their good friend, Lauren Pierce. Greg Brayton arranged and directed the layered vocals in realtime.

 

l. to r.  Richelle, Lauren, Greg, Sarah, and Niki