My life goes on in endless song
Above earth’s lamentations,
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
That hails a new creation.
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear its music ringing,
It sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?
While though the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth, it liveth.
And though the darkness ’round me close,
Songs in the night it giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm,
While to that rock I’m clinging.
Since love is lord of heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?
When tyrants tremble in their fear
And hear their death knell ringing,
When friends rejoice both far and near
How can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile
Our thoughts to them are winging,
When friends by shame are undefiled
How can I keep from singing?
ACLJ Files for Preliminary Injunction to Stop the Criminal Enforcement of California’s Unjust Church Singing Ban
ACLJ:
Churches in California have been forced into silence.
The ACLJ just filed a critical motion to stop the enforcement of the unjust ban and give churches back their voices.
The Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment states it pretty clear: “Congress shall make no law . . . prohibiting the free exercise [of religion].” Singing is an integral part of worship, especially for Christians.
That didn’t stop the state of California from issuing an order to cease singing, under the guise of combatting the Coronavirus pandemic. The problem is the ban specifically – and solely – targets churches and places of worship from singing or chanting during their indoor worship services.
We took direct action, filing a lawsuit challenging California’s ban on singing and chanting activities in churches and houses of worship on behalf of three California churches: Calvary Chapel of Ukiah, Calvary Chapel Fort Bragg, and River of Life Church.
And now we’ve just filed a preliminary injunction motion in federal court to quickly halt the enforcement of California’s unconstitutional order.
Targeting churches and dictating how they may practice their beliefs, including worship, is unconstitutional – especially at a time when scores of protestors are being permitted, and in California buoyed by the Governor, to take the streets and chant and shout. It’s biased against churches, and it’s wrong. Read more here.
My Bible says;
“1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”
Psalm 100:1-5
…and…
“28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Acts 5:28-29
…and my Constitution says of my GOD-given rights;
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Amendment 1, U.S. Constitution.
…my Lord says, sing.
My Country’s laws say no Govenor can STOP me.
I will not comply.
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition.
That was too easy. Let me think on this…
I know!
Hey California!
fuck outta here!
The potential problem with using the words of the First (Congress shall make no law…) is that I think this was an edict from Herr Newsome, and not a congressional law.
Don’t misunderstand me, I think the ban is a direct violation of 1A, but I would not be surprised if a shopped judge goes with the convoluted logic.
Day 1 I posted that politicians, particularly Democrat politicians, had already forfeit any legitimacy regarding their authority. I do not concede legitimacy to any law that has been usurped for political purpose or legitimacy to any order made by any authority who has done so.
Legitimacy demands that an honest effort be made to protect the public and once any bold faced usurpation has been made to politicize an issue legitimacy has been forfeit globally on that issue.
I feel no compunction whatsoever disregarding any and all further pronouncements once this threshold has been crossed.
101 days until November 3rd, bitches.
Have fun. Your day of reckoning is nigh.
California dRats: go to LaBrae and pound tar.
Don’t lose faith. Sing for Joy, folks. It will be all right.
“Since CHRIST is Lord of Heaven and Earth…”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKJA71sJUKM
MerryMouse
Thanks for posting that, I really love the videos from this talented family.
Thanks MerryMouse, I needed that to lift my spirits this afternoon.
Churches can put a stop to this corona lockdown madness however most church leaders are corrupt cowards.
THIS CALIFORNIA SUCK!
One of the Psalms that I sing over myself daily is, He gave me beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that I might be a tree of righteousness that he (God) might be glorified.
^^^
Here’s one of my favorite Psalms. David trust the Lord though he is encircled by the wicked and the faithless and those who would tear his faith down.
History tells us David was right to do so.
“1 Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.
2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.
3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
8 Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.
9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.
10 Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.
11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
12 For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.”
Psalm 5:1-12
I was raised by Christian parents and grandparents but I am a backslider who only in the last couple of years started regaining faith through prayer and meditation. My return to the faith is strengthened, in no little part, by the daily reading of posts on this web site. Thank you to the several posters who make public proclamations of your faith. Know that you influence others
…God will bless you for turning to Him and publicly professing your faith, @Cherrybark, and we can and should buoy one another’s faith here and everywhere, but the only TRUE route to understanding His wisdom is to invite the Holy Spirit in prayer to increase your understanding and draw you closer to Him.
Men will fail you, but the Spirit never will.
God Bless,
SNS
if i lived in California I would just sing in the streets where I walked and sing in the stores that I shopped.
Maybe not incredibly loud in the shops but I would still sing, and when people asked me why I was or told me to be quiet I would say, “they won’t let me sing in church so I have to do it outside!”