Adding Music To Life

Psa 40:3 "And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God...".

A few years ago I wrote a poem for Christmas. Don't ask me how. It just happened. Last year I needed something to add to the Church bulletin, so I printed it out and stuck it in as an insert. No one really said much about it, and that was okay. That wasn't the reason it was written. But, boy did I get a surprise last year when someone sang a song and asked me if I recognized the words to that song. I said, "no, not that I recall" and he said "you should, you wrote them". I never really thought of it as a song, and don't look for it on the charts anytime soon, but, it did sound different set to music than it had just being read. God has a way of doing that to life, if we will just let him. The day to day grind can be rather tedious and a bit of a drudgery. Then the Master Musician steps in and puts our life to music and it just seems to calm the storms and bring peace where once there was fear. There is just something special about music and when the tune comes from the portals of Heaven, well, what more can be said. Let me just encourage you to allow God to add the music to the lyrics in your life and then sit back and enjoy the concert.

What Kind Of Business Are You In?

Acts 6:2-3 "Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them and said, it is not reason that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables. Wherefore, look ye out among you seven men of honest report full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business."

This may seem like a strange question, because you certainly can't answer me, but there is a reason for asking. It is something that we all need to think about. I was speaking to a local pastor some time ago, who is a bi-vocational pastor. As most of you know, that simply means that he has to work a secular job to help support his family while he pastors the church. This isn't something that is new only to this era, but was common even in the New Testament. Paul traveled through the world of his day, making 3 different missionary journeys. He had some support from the churches, but on occasion he would fall back on his trade of being a tent maker. Even during those times, Paul was first and foremost a missionary. The reason I mention that is because, when we became Christians, being born into the family of God and kingdom of God, we also became Ambassadors of the King of Kings and for His Kingdom. We may work a secular job, but our priority should remain that we are Ambassadors. That is to be our business. The Church is the Body of Christ and is to continue the ministry that He had while here on this earth. Proclaiming the Gospel and winning souls to Christ is the business of the Church. Unfortunately, too many churches have gotten wrapped up in other activities trying to get people in to Church that they find themselves more involved in the busy - ness of the Church than the business of the Church. These may be good things, in and of themselves. But, if they take away from what the Church is supposed to be doing, then it becomes a bad thing. It is very important that we continue to ask ourselves the question -What is our business?

Under Construction

John 14:1-3 "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am , there you may be also."

We are currently in the process of finishing the basement in our home. Oh, what fun! There are several problems with this undertaking. First, and foremost, is that I am not a carpenter or a contractor. Which means that I must rely upon others for help. We have several people in our church that have been a great help to me, for which I am eternally grateful. Right now, it is out of our hands, because I have contracted out the sheet rock hanging and finishing. The hanging part is completed and now I am waiting to hear when they are going to get in and finish it. I have no control over this part of it (as if I ever had any control). All I know is that, right now, the basement is a mess, and that is putting it mildly. We have a target date that we are shooting for, when we would like to everything complete - painting, floor coverings, and bath fixtures, doors, etc. Honestly, I have my doubts. Now, I know you are not the least bit excited about hearing my tale of woes. But, there is a point to this. We are trying to make our "earthly mansion" look better and become more usable, but it is completely in the hands of fallible man. I know, that even with all of the difficulties that we are having, one day it will be complete. I also know that Jesus, the Master Carpenter, is in Heaven, building a mansion just for me. He isn't consulting me on the plans, because I don't know for sure what I want or need - He does - and so I probably would be constantly changing my mind. I also know that one day, when it is complete, He is going to come and get me and say it is time to move in. I don't have to pack a thing or load a truck. It is a turn key operation and all I need do is enjoy. Is He building one for you? Will we be neighbors? He is building these for His children. If you are part of the family, why not settle that right now?

Making A Joyful Noise

Psa 100 instructs us to "make a joyful noise unto the Lord". We usually apply that statement to singing, but some of the singing that I have heard borders more on an ungodly racket than a joyful noise. And I am referring to some sounds that I have made. I do thoroughly enjoy hearing people sing praise unto God. I am still from the "old school", as they say, and much prefer the old Hymns of the faith to this new contemporary style. I like looking from the book and not the back wall. But, that's just me. If you like the new noise then help yourself. My point is that it really isn't what comes from the lips that is important so much as it is what comes from the heart. How many parents of 2 year old children would say that their child's singing is horrible? None, because it is their child and they are thrilled that they want to do so. So it is with God. He is just elated that you and I desire to praise Him in that manner. I have often said that one of the things that I look forward to in my new glorified body is a perfectly pitched singing voice. Sure, I want a skinny body to put it in, but that is another story. I love to sing and when our little choir cuts loose, we do okay. Ah, but then I get to thinking about what it will be like when we get to Heaven and we begin to harmonize in that Heavenly chorus, My, my, my, what a day that will be. Now that will be a joyful noise. So, begin now tuning up. You don't have to sing a solo or even join the choir. But, use the old "sing by letter" method - open your mouth and let'er fly.

Where Have You Been?

Matt 28:19 "Go ye therefore and teach all nations...".
II Cor 6:2b "...behold now is the day of salvation."

It isn't unusual to hear exciting tales of God's marvelous work when a missionary comes to share his burden with your church. It isn't unusual to hear tragic tales either, that seem to rip at your heart. Several years ago, I was listening to a tape of the testimony of a village chief from a tribe somewhere in South America. Honestly, I don't remember much of the testimony except this one part. It seems that the missionary had spent a great deal of time telling the chief about who Jesus was and how He left Heaven to come to earth so that He might die for the sins of all mankind. The chief was in awe of what he had just heard. His first response was startling to the missionary and to all who have heard it since. He simply asked when all of this took place and when he was told that it actually happened approximately 2000 years ago he asked "why has it taken so long for someone to come and tell us"? The missionary had no answer. When I heard it some years ago, I had no answer. I dare say, that as you read about it today, you have no answer. Thousands and thousands of his family had perished without God, because no one had come to tell them. Quickly our mind rationalizes that they are half way around the world and it takes time to get to them. But, how about that person who lives across the street from you or the person that you work with or go to school with. Who will tell them. Where have we been when it was time for them to hear?