...only those who have no alabi

Josh Bales' ministry is two-fold.

1. To make beautiful art with his guitar and voice.

2. To remind believers of the community we share with saints past and future.

He came to Cedarville this week and presented a concert on Monday night to a packed-out Cedarville crowd at the "HIVE" (probably 300+ people) . He played songs that he had written for former loves, friends, and a few personal hymns that resonate with the human struggle of desire and failure. Songs like "Grey t-shirt" tell of the wonderful times he had with a female friend, while "Pilgrim's Song" chronicle his journey thus far. His lyrics are very authentic, not forced. His music is simple, but at the same time very fitting. His voice reminds his listeners that he is a normal person, not trained in classical styles but still so pleasant to listen to.
In his desire to lead believers to the Throne of God, he pulls out oldies such as "This is my Father's world" and "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing". But without the trappings of these old songs of the faith, he exposes the theology in them and refinishes all the wear they have suffered over the decades and centuries. The finished product is real, genuine, theologically-based worship that captures the essence of God. A call to worship engages the Christian in a position to praise. A call to repentance humbles the Christian before his Maker. The Apostle's Creed connects the worshippper to the saints of old, while affirming doctrine that keeps this faith true.
At the end of the day, he has not only blessed the heart with beautiful art that accurately represents mankind and all that he faces in reality, but he has pointed the audience to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit as worthy objects of praise. He ends with the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with his simple song "Only the Sinner".

Only the sinner, only the weak
Only the man who lies and steals and cheats.
Only the woman who runs around
Only the child with a selfish mouth.
Only prostitues and murderers, and crooked business men.
Only those who have no alabi, only those who cannot hide their sin.

Only the dirty, never the clean.
Only the beggar-man, never the king.
Only the messed up, never the made.
Only the sinner, Jesus saves

Never the righteous, never the good,
never the man who does all the things he should
never the rich, no never the strong
never the woman who never breaks the law
never the healthy, never the wise
never the man who claims to have some alabi

(Only the dirty.... chorus)

Only prostitutes and murderers and crooked business men.
Only those who have no alabi, only those who cannot hide their sin.

(only the dirty.... chorus)

"I'm not good enough to come to Jesus"
Jesus says "I want you, I love you, and I take you just the way you are"

to hear Josh's music visit www.myspace.com/joshbales
www.joshbales.com