Asher Cole
1. Is Bach’s music simply classical music?When we think of Johann Sebastian Bach today, we usually think of classical music at its highest level. We think of complex fugues, beautiful chorales, careful counterpoint, and musical structures that feel almost impossibly perfect.This is why Bach is often called the father of...
Asher Cole
1. When Did the Worship We Know Today Begin?If we think about the way we worship today, a certain image comes to mind. A band stands at the front, with guitars, drums, and keyboards blending together. The congregation sings along as they follow the lyrics, and the music gradually builds,...
Asher Cole
1. When One Instrument Quietly Changed EverythingThere was a time when the sound of worship was clearly defined. The organ filled the room, and the choir carried the melody. Worship followed a structured order, steady and familiar. For many, that was simply what worship was.Then, something unexpected began to appear.Not...
Asher Cole
1. The unexpected direction created by one songA pastor once said during his sermon that if he had the authority to get rid of all the beer in the world, he would pour it all into the river. Then he added that he would do the same with all the...
Asher Cole
1. At some point, we began to watch worshipToday, we step into worship and naturally follow along. We listen to the music, look at the screen, and move with the flow. High quality sound, thoughtful lighting, and well prepared musicians have become a familiar part of many churches. At times,...
Asher Cole
A Nameless Song, Yet a Clear ConfessionToday, we sing naturally in worship. Familiar melodies flow from our lips, sometimes even without deep reflection. Among these is Were You There, a hymn that stands apart from many others. Unlike most hymns, its author and composer are unknown. It did not begin...
Asher Cole
1. A Time When We Could Not SingToday, we naturally sing together in worship. We close our eyes, sometimes raise our hands, and lift our voices to God. This has become so familiar that we rarely stop to question it. Yet this was not always the case. Before the Reformation,...
Asher Cole
1. Grace That Changed a LifeWe sing “Amazing Grace” so often that it can start to feel familiar, almost too familiar. But this hymn is far more than just a beautiful melody. It is the story of a life completely turned around, a testimony of grace experienced in a deeply...