Ancient Musical Accuracy-part 1

Ancient Musical Accuracy-part 1

1Cointhians 14:8, “For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?”

             The Greek word adelos connotes an indistinct or uncertain sound.  Why did the writer use a word in this passage that means an unclear, indiscriminate, uncertain sounding of the trumpet?  Salpigx (4536) is a Greek word that refers to the quavering or reverberation of a trumpet.  So, the writer is referring to the music part of the blowing of the shofar (7782) instead of some spiritualization of its sound.  St Paul was most probably referring to the ancient blowing of the shofar in the presence of the soldiers in ancient Israel.  

             The reverberations that produced sounds that produced the limited amount of pitches that the shofar (7782) needed to be distinct or obviously the wrong signal would be given to the soldiers.  This mention of the trumpet was given in a discussion of the right use of spiritual gifts.  However, Paul used a reference to the technique of blowing the trumpet.  Furthermore, he referred to the he made reference to the accurate articulation of “sound” (phone 5456).

Music’s Historic Place in Education

Music’s Historic Place in Education

            Music had an important place in education in the ancient civilizations 

of Sumer, Akkad and Egypt. It was also important in ancient 

Israel since the time when the first and second books of Chronicles 

were written. 1 Chronicles 25 states, “Moreover David and the captains 

of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of 

Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries,

and with cymbals… So the number of them, with their brethren

that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were

cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight” (verses 1 and 7).

Music education in ancient Israel was the responsibility of the Chief

musicians Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun (and their sons and brethren).

            The Hebrew phrase yad ab shiyr (3027 ,01,7892), translated in

verse six as “under the hands of their father for song” in the AV,

means literally that the Levite musical sons studied sacred music under

the hands of their God-fearing fathers who were chief Levite

music directors and music educators. Music education in Israel was

uniquely different than in the cultures of its neighbors. In verse seven

in the AV the Hebrew phrase lamad shiyr JHVH (3925, 7892, 3068),

translated “were instructed in songs of the LORD,” speaks directly to

the fact that the Levite sons received training specifically in sacred

music. It is important to note that the essence of music education in

ancient Israel was preparation for music ministry.
  Music Philosophy in Christian Perspective by Garen Wolf, Schmul Publishing co., 208, p. 98

The Christian Musician Thinks Differently-part 2

The Christian Musician Thinks Differently-part 2

                As a Christian musician reads God’s Word and as the Holy Spirit

gives the musician understanding of the many verses concerning music

and musicing found in the Bible, a Christocentric music worldview is

developed. St. John 16:13 explains, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of

truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of

himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will

shew you things to come.”

                I am not claiming that this verse in the Bible has any esoteric

meaning that is exclusive to the Christian musician, but I am contending

that the truth contained in this verse extends to Christian musicians who

 are developing that window through which they will view the whole of

music and musicing that we call a Christian musical worldviewThe Holy

 Spirit and God’s Word will guide the earnest Christian musician into

“all truth” (pas aletheia, 3956, 225  thorough truths or verity).

Music Philosophy in Christian Perspective, by Garen L. Wolf, Schmul Publishing Co. 2018, p.42-43.

The Christian Musician Thinks Differently-part 1

The Christian Musician Thinks Differently-part 1

                The word transformed (metamorphoo 3339) used in the second

verse of the twelfth chapter of Romans connotes the complete change

that takes place when a Christian presents himself or herself as a

living sacrifice to God. After this transformation, the Christian looks

at life and music differently than the world looks at it. So perhaps the

import of not being conformed is resisting the world’s paradigm of life

and ipso facto music and musicing.

                The word renewing, used in the same verse, is derived from

anakainosis (342). It means a complete renovating or reordering of

one’s thinking or paradigm (using its current meaning) about the realities

of life. This renewing of one’s worldview is necessary in order to

prove (dokimazo 1381) that the Christian musician’s philosophic

worldview is amenable to the will of God.

 Music Philosophy in Christian Perspective, by Garen L. Wolf, Schmul Publishing Co. 2018, p.42.

Why Develop a Philosophy of Music?

Why Develop a Philosophy of Music? 

            A Christian musician’s worldview and, as a concomitant of this view the musician’s musical worldview, will shape that individual’s music philosophy. The way that a musician perceives music’s place and importance in education, church, home, and community will determine what he or she considers the reality of the nature and value of the whole of music. Christian musicians cannot develop their music philosophy beyond how they view music in the larger pictures of church, home, and community.

            Often what musicians say they believe about music and how they actually music
are somewhat different. This disparity is generally caused by the musician’s worldview of music and, based on the reality of that view, what the musician believes music will or will not do to the whole life of a Christian. Furthermore, based on the notion many Christians have, that music is not capable of harming a Christian spiritually, a Christian musician’s worldview may become clouded by skewed perception and thereby cause the development of a false view of music’s power to affect the whole life of a Christian.

Music Philosophy in Christian Perspective, by Garen L. Wolf, Schmul Publishing Co. 2018, p.41.

The Musician Taken from the Sheepcote part 3

The Musician Taken from the Sheepcote part 3

I believe that every child is given musical talent by our loving heavenly Father. Mothers and fathers you have the responsibility to give your children an opportunity to develop their musical talents and at an early age give those talents back to God!  That is what really matters because children learn musically by doing.  If you want your sons and daughters to give their musical talents to God in adulthood, make sure their early memories of going to church include musicing unto Him. 

The Bible teaches that it is our responsibility to train our own.  It is not a far- fetched notion that that teaching extends to making sure that our children and young people are educated musically.  Where did Christian parents get the idea that music education is an option?  If the next generation is able to continue to music unto God with integrity, they must be prepared to do so properly.  It is shortsighted and faulty to suppose that worldly musicians who do not love and serve Jesus Christ will provide a proper music education that will prepare our children to serve Jesus Christ with their musicing.

The Musician Taken from the Sheepcote part 2

The Musician Taken from the Sheepcote part 2  

       My first memories of going to church include my mother practicing songs with me and praying with me, and the preacher lifting me up on a chair behind the pulpit to sing special music about Jesus.  I have told you all this to remind all of you Christian parents that your children’s musical training really matters.  No matter what you have or do not have, the things that matter are not “things”.  Whatever it takes, make sure that your children receive a quality music education and that you provide them opportunities to give their musical talents back to the God who gave them to your children.         

I am grateful that Dr. John I. Page and his wife Virginia took me to church fellowship meetings and to retirement communities to sing the gospel as a little child.  I was extremely blessed to have a pastor and his wife that cared about a little boy who had some musical talent.  I am also grateful that in July of 1967 Dr. Page invited me to an altar of prayer where I confessed my sins and wept my way into the loving arms of my forgiving Savior Jesus Christ.  I will forever be thankful that I was given a Christian upbringing, and that as a child I was given musical training and many opportunities to give my musical talents back to God.

Musical Sound Communicates Meaning Part 9

Musical Sound Communicates Meaning Part 9   

            Absolutists believe that musical meaning lies exclusively within the work of music itself.  In other words, to most absolutists music is not about anything because its meaning is its own and thereby it is a “closed system”.  Remember that these absolutists believe that music’s meaning lies in the perception and understanding or the musical outside influence.  

            Another school of absolute music philosophy called absolute expressionism disagrees with the main stream of absolutism and teaches that music’s relationships are capable or exciting feelings and emotions in the listener and performer.  This belief has become known as “arousal theory”.  Some music philosophers believe that these feelings and emotional meanings are actually embodied (found in the music) or are designated or referential (assigned) to the music.  

            Still another school of music philosophy called formalism teaches that music has no meaning at all.  These philosophers believe that music is enjoyed simply by appreciation of its formal properties or structure and technical construction.  These strict formalists believe that music does not have a subject or meaning beyond the combinations of notes we hear and that music only speaks or means nothing but else but its sounds and that these sounds have no relationship to life outside of the music.  This philosophical belief is what I call the “music sound is benign and in a bubble” theory.  

Thought for the Day-   

If it was true that music is part of a “closed system” then it would be an autonomous art.  However, this theory is false since no part of God’s creation escapes the Lordship of Christ. 

The Musician Taken from the Sheepcote part 1

The Musician Taken from the Sheepcote part 1 

       2 Samuel 7:8, “Now therefore so shalt thou say unto thy servant David, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel.”  Every time I read this Scripture about King David’s beginnings, I think of myself.  I was raised on an eighty acre farm five miles east of Fort Scott, Kansas about a mile and a half west of the Missouri state line.  No one in my family background was an important person.  As they say in Kansas, I was born a “nobody of nobodies” and no one knew me from “Adam’s off ox” because I was the last child born to a crop farmer who ran a very small grade “C” dairy. 

       I grew up with my older sister Virginia and two older brothers David and Nathan.  When I was a little boy our family was very poor but our parents always put us first.  My brothers and I always went to school with starched jeans and spotlessly clean clothes!  We always had plenty to eat and the very best of what our parents possessed.  Since we always had what we needed, we did not know how really poor we were.         Dad worked on the farm and off of the farm as a painter and carpenter.  My mother worked at the hospital as a nurse’s aide, and later after we were raised, she went back to college and became a licensed practical nurse.

Some Chief Musicians Feed on Ashes

Some Chief Musicians Feed on Ashes

       Isaiah 44:20 uses an unusual statement, “He feedeth on ashes:  a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?”

       This verse is an exhortation about the folly of idol makers.  Have you made an idol lately?  Do you have any idols that you have made or purchased in the past?  Do you have any idols that were given to you?  I ask these questions because I know several musicians who are now worshiping their “idols”.

       Some Christian musicians get side-tracked by things they love more than God.  They have no quit worshiping God but they have other trinkets that are “before” Him.  As a matter of fact, they are very good at acts of worship.  They seem to worship very well in church because they have developed their worship skills to the point of near perfection.  They know all the words to the latest worship choruses and they are able to put clever worship sequences together.  However, they worship trinkets and toys and a host of things more than they worship God.  Anything that obscures the face of God in our lives is “before” (paniym 6440) God.

Philosophical Justifications for “Doing”

Philosophical Justifications for “Doing”  

A Christian musician often musics in a certain manner simply because of personal musical and spiritual instincts or because he or she follows musical traditions established by others.  However, musicing by accident can be a risky policy. A worship leader and a music educator must be able to articulate reasons for performance and teaching choices.  It is better for one not to teach others than to teach them in a willy-nilly manner because the *onus probandi falls on the one who attempts to teach.

 Although the Bible gives us principles of musicing unto God, it does not cover every aspect of music that concerns the twenty-first century Christian musician.  So, every performer, music director, and music educator must, in the fear of God, interpret and apply principles taught in Scripture.  Furthermore, performers, directors, worship leaders, and music educators must also come to philosophical conclusions about aspects of music that do not appear to be covered by Scripture.  With this in mind, I have covered several aspects of music which I believe are vital to a Christian’s musicing in the twenty-first century.  The NIV translates Isaiah 28:10 as, “For it is: Do and do, do and do, rule on rule, a little here, a little there.”  The translation above makes sense to me in the context of understanding how we music.  We “do” over and over again until we are conditioned to do what we do musically.

Why Should We Use a Song Book with Written Musical Notation?

Why Should We Use a Song Book with Written Musical Notation?  

 Many church music worship leaders can think of a number of reasons to *jettison the “Song Book”. They include: it costs too much money; the new families (with children whom some people think should be in children’s church) let their kids write in it;  it weighs a proverbial ton; it has too many selections in it; it has outdated gospel songs in it; the congregation will want to “shop” for new stuff (we only use about two dozen of the hymns and, of course, all of the praise choruses and three of the gospel songs--we sing those for Grandma Jones);  the newest praise choruses are not in it;  it also has a type of song in it called a “gospel hymn” that no one but people over sixty-five can understand. 

Postmodern praise leaders also do not seem to understand songs about the      “shed blood of Jesus” and gospel songs like “Are You Living Where God Answers Prayer?”  These music leaders believe that the types of songs mentioned above make seekers uncomfortable. They also do not seem to understand why a twenty-first century church would benefit from singing the hymns that are translated from Latin since and everyone knows that Latin is a dead language.  Unfortunately, these worship leaders are taught in worship renewal books that seekers cannot understand most of the hymns and gospel songs in published hymn books. They also have been made to believe the notion that no one likes or connects with hymns and gospel songs anymore.  They also believe most of the songs in hymn books have too many words in them.  Finally they miss songs that have “Lai-Lai-Lai-Lai” or “Du-Wa-Du-Wa- Du-Wa” choruses in them.

IT IS THE SONG BOOK OF THE BIBLE.

IT IS THE SONG BOOK OF THE BIBLE.

            I refer to the Book of Psalms as a "Song Book" instead of a "Hymn Book" since the psalms are not all etymologically considered to be hymns.  Many writers have referred to the Book of Psalms as the "Hymn Book" of the Bible and we take no occasion with such reference to the Book of Psalms.

            The Book of Psalms is not only "our" song book of the Bible, but it was the song book for the religious services of the second Temple.  Although some of the psalms were sung in the first Temple it was not completed at the time that Solomon's Temple was built.  Since the time that the Old Testament Canon was finished, the Book of Psalms has served as perhaps the greatest Biblical source of materials for hymns, gospel songs, and praise choruses.

            The inspired psalms are an interesting, exciting, and quite fascinating collection of ancient Hebrew poetry.  These Hebrew songs are the largest and oldest complete collection of mono-theistic religious poetry and melodies surviving in the world today.  This collection of lyric poetry is studied and respected by saints and scholars throughout the world.  Even those who do not respect the Bible as the inspired word of God, revere this book for the quality of its poetical verse.  The quality of this Hebrew lyric poetry gives credence to the belief that there was a high level of literary and musical development among the ancient Hebrew culture.  The recent deciphering of the "Biblical accents" or the te'amim by Suzanne Haik-Vantoura has produced what she believes are the actual melodies of the psalmody of the Bible.   Chapter VIII of my book Music of The Bible in Christian Perspective treats the subject of the deciphering of the te’amim thoroughly.

THERE IS MUCH WRITTEN ABOUT THE PSALMS.

THERE IS MUCH WRITTEN ABOUT THE PSALMS.

            The study of music in the Book of Psalms is an awesome task.  Many of the other aspects of music in the Bible are not well researched by Bible commentators, but the subject of the "Psalms" is a well-worn topic.  There are hundreds of complete volumes devoted to the study of the Book of Psalms.1 These books range from small paper back volumes on the devotional aspects of the psalms to monumental treatises like William Plumer's Psalms which is 1,212 pages in length.

            Many of the Bible commentaries on the psalms have valuable introductions that give information on the history, poetry, theology, arrangement, authors, inscriptions, parallelism, figures of speech, inspiration, prophesy, names of God, divisions, collection, and even musical terms in the Book of Psalms.  There are often long discussions concerning the dating, collection, and authenticity of the inscriptions of the various psalms in this ancient collection of poetry.

            Since there is so much written on this first book of the Hagiographa, it is difficult to know just what should be included in this work that will be most helpful to ministers of music.  It seems that the first order of business should be to remind church musicians that this book is the "Song Book of the Bible."  This book does not merely contain music, it is all music.  This is an inspired sacred song book, and since its contents are completely religious in nature, the minister of music must have knowledge of how these poems (songs) are constructed in order to knowledgeably sing these most excellent songs.  It is also important for musicians to understand the content of these songs in order that they may be performed with understanding as I Corinthians 14:15 admonishes.  Finally the chief singer or chief musician is to be reminded that these songs were not intended to be read but rather sung since this and all Old Testament scripture was intended to be chanted or sung.  Reading these songs never does them justice for this is not a "Talk Book" but rather a "Song Book."

Be a “Happy Musician”

Be a “Happy Musician”

             Psalm 100:1-2 instructs the Christian musician to “Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.” (NKJV)  Do you ever wonder why the Lord told musicians to be happy?  It must be that we often have trouble rejoicing.  He not only instructed musicians to be joyful but also very explicitly commands them to shout (ruah 7321) out these praises with joy.  I think our all wise heavenly Father wanted us to drown out Satan’s accusing voice by coming into god’s presence with joyful shouts of musical praise.  I know for sure that I cannot hear God’s still small voice (I Kings 19:12) when Satan is whispering “gloom and doom” in both of my ears.

            God also instructed Christians all over the earth (erets 776) to serve Him with gladness.  Strong’s Concordance says that the word simchah (8057) means to serve Jehovah with “blithesomeness or glee, exceeding gladness, joy, mirth, pleasure, rejoice (-ing).”  Wow, I needed that admonition this morning because I got up at 3:30 AM because I couldn’t sleep.  So, I am purposing in my heart to be happy today.  It would be a good idea if you would also decide to be happy in the Lord.

Prayer for the Day

I want to thank You heavenly Father that you have given me so many reasons to be happy today.  I want to thank you for my family and for some friends that are really my friends when I need them.  Lord, thank You for being a friend that “sticketh closer than a brother” (Ps.18:24).  This morning I want to also thank You for Your Word that tells us to drown out Satan’s voice by shouting the praises of our God with singing.  While I am thanking You LORD, I want to also thank you for creating music.  These things I am praying in Your wise and wonderful name.  Amen.

Song for the Day-- Praise Him, Praise Him by Fanny Crosby

Thought for the Day

If you feel like shouting today, shout out the praises of our wonderful LORD who is worth of shouting and excitement!

From East to West

From East to West

            Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.  “As the east and the west can never meet in one point, but be forever at the same distance from each other, so our sins and their decreed punishment are removed to an eternal distance by his mercy.” (Adam Clarke)  Even my best friends on this earth might have a tendency to bring up my transgressions on occasion, but my precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has removed them in such a way that no matter where I go or what country I am in they are always far from me.

            The words east (mizrach 4217) and west (ma’arab 4628) connote sunrise and sunset.  So when you see the sun shining through your bedroom in the early morning and when you set in your lawn chair and watch the evening sun slip silently beneath the western horizon you will be receiving a mental picture of our loving heavenly father’s love.  He chose to remove our transgressions as far away as the eastern and western horizons.  Since our loving Father has forgiven our’ sins in this great manner, surely we should be able to forgive a friend who has committed a wrong against us.  If we could manage to place wrongs committed against us far apart as the east is from the west, then we wouldn‘t have so much trouble with unforgiveness. 

Under the Juniper Tree

Under the Juniper Tree  

I Kings 19:5-7, “As he lay and slept under the juniper, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.  And he looked, and behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruise of water at his head.  And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.  And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.”  

            You may be in a situation that is somewhat analogous to the one recorded here in I Kings.  You may be depressed and feel that Jezebel and Ahab are after you again!  Perhaps you are simply exhausted physically and emotionally.  You may be so depressed—musicians get that way at times—that you do not know how to get up and get going again.

            How did Elijah get out of the pit of despair?    He did four things. He listened to the angel of the LORD, he slept, he ate and he drank lots of water.  Now those things seem too simple to work don’t they?   Elijah had just gone through a very strenuous time, so he went a day’s journey away from the source of his anxiety where he could really rest.

            Think of it, an angel of the LORD came to minister to him.  All the angel did was peck Elijah on the shoulder gently after he had taken a good nap, and tell him to eat and drink.  The angel did not give him any other advice or do anything dramatic.  God loved his servant enough to send an angel to give Elijah some simple advice that Elijah would have figured out on his own if he had not been so exhausted and depressed.

             Chief musician, perhaps the reason you are in trouble emotionally is because you need to get away from where you minister (about a day’s journey) and sleep, eat, and drink water (not diet pop).  Now does this advice seem too difficult to manage? 

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day—Harps on Willow    

Lord I am asking you to give special help to that Christian musician who feels “used up” and is burnt out.  Help that musician to take immediate advantage of musical praise which is a means of grace to that troubled Christian.  Help that musician to “sing one of the songs of Zion” as an act of praise and adoration to You—even if he or she does not feel like praising Your wonderful name.  Let this act of musical worship be a sincere “sacrifice of praise’ unto You.  Lord, I am humbly asking You to replace that musician’s sadness, melancholy, and self pity with the simple joy that comes when a Christian musician sings and plays one of Your songs.  These things I am praying in your name.  Amen. 

 Song for the Day—Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee by Henry van Dyke  

Thought for the Day—The next time you are depressed think about the fact that you have been chosen to praise God with music, and that sometimes people even pay you to do it!

God!—Part 2

God!—Part 2  

         Early in the Genesis record God communed with his human creation.  He communicated with both man (Adam) and woman (Eve).  God communicated with his human creation not because He had to walk and talk with them in the garden, but because He desired to have fellowship with them.  It seems to me that they did not even slightly realize the significance or importance of this divine-human connection established by God himself.  In the garden god could have sent one of His angles to communicate God’s message to them.

         I believe that God’s establishment of divine-human communion is of great import to our worship of the Trinity.  Elohim, God in plurality, desired and desires to communicate with both men and women in this life.  Worship communication, both public and private, corporate and individual, is a God thing.  Although we marvel that Adam and Eve transgressed and broke off that wonderful communication of the Garden of Eden, many people repeat history and transgress Gods law and precepts and therefore break off that wonderful communion between god and mankind.

         Many Christians who remain mute when the body of Christ is musicing, are refusing to commune with God.  Although these Christians do not mean there silence as a form of rebellion against a God established communion, their silence is without a refusal to commune with God.  Since the Bible is fraught with references to the necessity of communing with god through music, it is the responsibility of every music minister to catechize the congregation on the significance and importance of musicing together unto God. 

Prayer for the Day

“Grant, we beseech thee, merciful God, that thy church, being gathered together in unity by thy holy Spirit, may manifest thy power among all peoples, to the glory of thy Name;  through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the same Spirit, one God world without end.  Amen.” The Book of Common Prayer, 1953, pg. 185   

Chorus for the Day       Great Is the Lord by Michael W. Smith    

Thought for the Day    

Since God has proven Himself to be an awesome God to generation after generation, why should we not trust him to be god in the twenty first century

God!--Part 1

God!--Part 1

          Genesis 1:1 states without apology or without reservation or hesitation “In the beginning God…”  We mention his name with great comfort, respect and with great expectation.  We worship God because of His worth-ship.  Christianity is different than other world religions in that we do not worship statues of a great person who was but rather, we worship the only true God who not only was but is.

          In Exodus 3:14 God was communing with Moses, “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”  We are under the authority, guidance and protection of the same God who is at this very instant.  Christians who music the name of God the Father, God the Son, or God the Holy Spirit are calling on the same currently alive God as Moses communed with thousands of years ago.

         Depending on how a Christian musician perceives God, he or she will either music the name of God with authority or timidity and some doubt.  In the Book of Isaiah in chapter one verse one Isaiah recorded, “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.”  Isaiah received much from God because he had a correct concept of who God is and what He is capable of doing.

          God ordained that the Bible would begin with who God is, i.e. his nature, and His relationship with those whom He so carefully, and wonderfully created.  Think of it, God was transcendent from the time of man’s creation.  We know that He walked and talked to Adam and eve in the Garden of Eden because Genesis 3:8 states, “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.”

         God’s relationship with mankind has been relational from the time God created humans on this earth.  Musicians who believe the Genesis record have a great assurance when they music about the only true God who was not only relational then, but also seeks to have relationship with us today!    

Prayer for the Day 

Lord, I am asking you to help me to care more for others.  Help me to care for them like You care for Your children.  Lord You know that I love those who love me, but I am asking you to help me to love those who do not love or care for me.  Help me to reach out to those who need my help the most.  I am asking that my musicing will express your love to others.  These things I ask in Your wonderful name.  Amen.   

Song for the Day   O to Be Like Thee by Thomas O. Chisholm   

Thought for the Day  If we want to really be like Christ we are going to have to put our Christian love into action because “he who loves acts

Christian Musicians Must be Doers

Faithful Christian Musicians Must be Doers

Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

             Christian musicians should be comforted with the thought that they do not have to work out their salvation by their musicing unto God.  That does not mean that Christian musicians should not be busy musicing unto God for God’s glory and honor.  Every Christian musician’s musical actions matter.  We should be doers not just recipients of God’s grace who sit around and wait for God to usher us into the glories of heaven.

            James 2:20 states, “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”  Faith in God is partially manifested by our deep desire to bring praise and honor to the God who bestowed grace upon the one who has received His grace.  So, it is a   fact that no musician is saved by the quality or quantity of his or her musical doing.  Yet, James explained very clearly that a Christian who does not do has faith (nekros 3498) that is analogous to a corpse.  Therefore, Christian musicians must be musicers not just lovers of music and observers of the musicing of others.

Thought for the Day

The fruit of the life of a Christian musician who is a good and faithful servant of God is a life of musicing unto God with the explicit purpose of bringing praise and honor the blessed Trinity.

Singing about Our Chief Corner Stone

Singing about Our Chief Corner Stone

            My Son in law sent me the quote below by pastor Jim Cymbala the other day and I have been thinking about it ever since.  It is one thing to sing about Christ but it is totally another to have a personal relationship with the Christ about whom you are singing!  We as Christian musicians need to be sure that when we sing the gospel we are worshiping Christ rather than the gospel music.  A Christian should never sing or play sacred music for his or her aggrandizement.  As you will see when you read the quotation below, pastor Cymbala got it right when he said, “Sadly, some people use gospel music as a platform to go higher in their field…”  Gospel music should never be used by a musician as a stepping stone.  The gospel message should never be a stone to step upon because it is the message of our Chief “corner stone” Christ Jesus.

Quote for the Day

            "Gospel music has become very popular in recent years. Unfortunately, there are people involved in gospel music today who have no acquaintance with the gospel itself. The truth is that without the good news of Jesus Christ, there is no hope, no matter how much money a person may have earned in the music industry and how well they are known. Without Jesus there is no joy and no peace. The world testifies to that every day. So many celebrities have all the things this world has ...to offer, yet they have to stay drugged up to keep going. When you have Jesus, you don’t need escapism, because you can give your burdens to him and have hope not just for the here and now, but for eternal life.

            Sadly, some people use gospel music as a platform to go higher in their field; but you can’t go higher than the gospel! There are songwriters who try to write lyrics for gospel songs that are general enough to cross over into mainstream music, and so the gospel message is watered down. Whether we sing gospel music, or listen to it, we need to be a partaker in what we’re singing about. The next time you’re singing a gospel tune, whether the song sings the Lord’s praises or tells about the attributes of God and what he’s done in a person’s life, or shares the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ, think of the words you are singing – or writing – and let them come from a heart of gratitude for all that he has done!" ~ Pastor Jim Cymbala 

Scriptures for the Day

Ephesians 2:20, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.”

 1Peter 2:6, “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.”

Blessed While Splitting Wood

Blessed While Splitting Wood

            Psalm 71:18, “Now also when I am old and gray headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to everyone that is to come.”  Every fall I split wood that we will burn during the winter. One of the times that I was splitting wood I folded the big splitting beam down to transport the splitter back to the safety of my garage.  As I was finishing for the day, I praised God for the gas operated splitter, the wood which had all been given to me, and for the strength that God had given me to do this kind of work. As I praised God, I became acutely aware of how blessed I really am.

            I also thought about the Scripture in Psalm 37:25 that says, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”  A few days ago I realized that I did not have enough wood to make it through the winter.  I breathed a short prayer to my heavenly Father and went on about my every day chores.  About two weeks ago the utility company started putting in some new electric poles on our street and wouldn’t you know it, they had to cut some trees to get the job done.  Hence, I received four loads of wood that need spitting.  I do not know about you, but I believe that my God cares about my wood supply for this winter. I am grey headed and am of an age that somewhat qualifies me as being old.  I received a blessing this morning when God brought these Scriptures to my remembrance. 

            You may not be grey headed and you may not need wood for this winter, but you do have needs and your heavenly Father cares about everything that bothers you.  No matter how big or small your problems are, I am convinced that as Philippians 4:19 promises that even though you may be overwhelmed right now, “… my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Thought for the Day

Robert  Carrol who was my pastor of many years ago, often said that everyone should “practice the presence of God”  What he meant was that we should recognize and be thankful for the many blessings of life that we often take for granted.

            Psalm 71:18, “Now also when I am old and gray headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to everyone that is to come.”  Every fall I split wood that we will burn during the winter. One of the times that I was splitting wood I folded the big splitting beam down to transport the splitter back to the safety of my garage.  As I was finishing for the day, I praised God for the gas operated splitter, the wood which had all been given to me, and for the strength that God had given me to do this kind of work. As I praised God, I became acutely aware of how blessed I really am.

            I also thought about the Scripture in Psalm 37:25 that says, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”  A few days ago I realized that I did not have enough wood to make it through the winter.  I breathed a short prayer to my heavenly Father and went on about my every day chores.  About two weeks ago the utility company started putting in some new electric poles on our street and wouldn’t you know it, they had to cut some trees to get the job done.  Hence, I received four loads of wood that need spitting.  I do not know about you, but I believe that my God cares about my wood supply for this winter. I am grey headed and am of an age that somewhat qualifies me as being old.  I received a blessing this morning when God brought these Scriptures to my remembrance. 

            You may not be grey headed and you may not need wood for this winter, but you do have needs and your heavenly Father cares about everything that bothers you.  No matter how big or small your problems are, I am convinced that as Philippians 4:19 promises that even though you may be overwhelmed right now, “… my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Thought for the Day

Robert  Carrol who was my pastor of many years ago, often said that everyone should “practice the presence of God”  What he meant was that we should recognize and be thankful for the many blessings of life that we often take for granted.