Just A Little Talk

This book is an inquiry with God regarding some tough questions we humans have been reluctant to ask. It comes out of a background in which the author has had his job threatened and his integrity as a Christian doubted because of questions he has asked regarding what both religion and society have told him is true. The author believes that we still live in the dark ages of relationships because we have been afraid to ask those questions that, had we asked and found answers to them, could have delivered us from the kind of suspicion, distrust and hatred that permeates life around the world. The author calls into question the very purpose of some religions because they have often placed shackles on the best resource God has given us, which is none other than our magnificent brains. Some religious leaders claim to know everything humans will ever need to know, and, therefore, require their followers to accept without question what they tell them to believe. This claim is nothing other than an attempt to play God, for it is only God who knows all there is to know. By limiting ourselves to knowledge given in the past, we have no chance to discover truth that continues to evolve in many different areas of life. The intention of this book is to help us realize that it is okay to ask God some tough questions, and that it is through asking about things we do not yet understand that life will become more meaningful, not only for us, but for those with whom we live.

About the Book In the early years of his life, Thomas Fletcher was exposed to how family and his belief in God would influence his life. As a father, he loved his children and wanted them to grow up and live a wonderful life. This was not to be, and within two years, Thomas watched all three of his children pass away. When Thomas’ last child passed, his thoughts turned to God. Thomas asked God if he were being punished for the life he lived. The prayers within A Little Talk with GOD: Spiritual became a way for him to talk with God. He hopes these prayers become a source of comfort to all those struggling through a similar pain. About the Author Thomas Fletcher was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. Thomas’ dad worked for the Federal Aviation Administration, so he was introduced to aircraft and flying at a very early age. As a child, Thomas built model airplanes and knew flying was always going to be his dream. That dream was realized in 1974 and lasted for 35 years, and he still has the memories. Thomas is married to a wonderful woman, and he even believes the good Lord had his hand in making that happen. Thomas is not a perfect Christian, and he still needs to ask for forgiveness every day to make sure he can close his eyes at night feeling right with God.

Presents the history of gospel music in the United States. This book traces the development of gospel from its earliest beginnings through the Golden Age (1945-55) and into the 1960s when gospel entered the concert hall. It introduces dozens of the genre's gifted contributors, from Thomas A Dorsey and Mahalia Jackson to the Soul Stirrers.

Poems are a concise way to convey the content of the heart which could generate volumes. I pray that these verses will bring honor and glory to my Lord Jesus Christ and for others to know Him leading to salvation.

The Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music is the first comprehensive reference to cover this important American musical form. Coverage includes all aspects of both African-American and white gospel from history and performers to recording techniques and styles as well as the influence of gospel on different musical genres and cultural trends.

The Complete Book of Hymns brings to life the stories behind more than 600 hymns and worship songs. With background on the composer, the inspiration behind the lyrics, scriptural references for devotional consideration, and a sampling of the song lyrics, this book brings forth the message of these great songs of the faith like never before!

The South has always been one of the most distinctive regions of the United States, with its own set of traditions and a turbulent history. Although often associated with cotton, hearty food, and rich dialects, the South is also noted for its strong sense of religion, which has significantly shaped its history. Dramatic political, social, and economic events have often shaped the development of southern religion, making the nuanced dissection of the religious history of the region a difficult undertaking. For instance, segregation and the subsequent civil rights movement profoundly affected churches in the South as they sought to mesh the tenets of their faith with the prevailing culture. Editors Walter H. Conser and Rodger M. Payne and the book’s contributors place their work firmly in the trend of modern studies of southern religion that analyze cultural changes to gain a better understanding of religion’s place in southern culture now and in the future. Southern Crossroads: Perspectives on Religion and Culture takes a broad, interdisciplinary approach that explores the intersection of religion and various aspects of southern life. The volume is organized into three sections, such as “Religious Aspects of Southern Culture,” that deal with a variety of topics, including food, art, literature, violence, ritual, shrines, music, and interactions among religious groups. The authors survey many combinations of religion and culture, with discussions ranging from the effect of Elvis Presley’s music on southern spirituality to yard shrines in Miami to the archaeological record of African American slave religion. The book explores the experiences of immigrant religious groups in the South, also dealing with the reactions of native southerners to the groups arriving in the region. The authors discuss the emergence of religious and cultural acceptance, as well as some of the apparent resistance to this development, as they explore the experiences of Buddhist Americans in the South and Jewish foodways. Southern Crossroads also looks at distinct markers of religious identity and the role they play in gender, politics, ritual, and violence. The authors address issues such as the role of women in Southern Baptist churches and the religious overtones of lynching, with its themes of blood sacrifice and atonement. Southern Crossroads offers valuable insights into how southern religion is studied and how people and congregations evolve and adapt in an age of constant cultural change.