Dear precious singing school family of Harmony Plains from Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Georgia, and Alabama,
It is with sad hearts we send this letter informing you that Harmony Plains Singing School board has unanimously decided to not have singing school this summer. Much was considered, and perhaps much could be overcome, but in the overall it was decided the risk of COVID-19 was too great. There were tears shed, and everyone is disappointed, yet it is the only way we knew we would be safe.
Harmony Plains is not only a singing school; it is a family reunion; it is a time to get away from it all on the plains of West Texas; and it is a time to reconnect with dear dear friends. We are all going to really miss it, yet we pray the Lord is in the decision.
Years ago, two travelers were deeply disappointed in the events of their time. They thought they were trusting in the promises of God’s word, but their hopes didn’t come to pass. These two weary travelers walked seven miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They had hoped Jesus was the promised Messiah, but their hopes had been dashed when the Jewish religious leaders crucified Him. They were going home, dejected, disappointed, and distraught. They didn’t understand why God had let them down.
Then, as they were talking about these things as they walked, a stranger caught up with them. He was really not a stranger; He was the risen Lord Jesus Christ. At first, their eyes were “holden that they should not know him” (Luke 24:16).
In their disappointment, their Lord directed them to the written word, “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?” Luke twenty-four verse thirty-one then says their eyes were opened. My dear friends, just like them, we need the word of God to open our eyes in our crisis. Their hearts burned within them as the scriptures were opened to them. We must always live upon his word, and like them our hearts will burn within us.
We have the hope of eternal life. “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began” (Titus 1:2)
We have the hope of Christ’s return. “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13)
We have hope in God in difficult times and the Spirit helps our infirmities. “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered,” (Romans 8:24-26)
Let us with all hope be praying that we will be together for Harmony Plains Singing School 2021.
With that hope, and the deepest love to each of you, be safe, stay well,
Brother Dickie