Singing and Understanding

Recently, Cole's dad, Rick shared a very interesting story with me.  But first let me give you some background.

Rick grew up attending a charismatic church, that uses popular style musical accompaniment, soloists, choirs, etc. in worship.  Rick was one of the soloists.  Rick married, Gina who grew up attending a non-denominational acapella Church of Christ.  Rick attended with her often, but remained loyal to the way his parents raised him.  A few years ago Rick and Gina began attending with us.  After a few months, Rick said he had some questions for me.  We met in my study before worship on Sunday afternoon.  He questions were great but that is another blog.  He surprised his family and to the delight of all here, he came forward and obeyed the Gospel that evening.  Rick now leads in worship in many different areas and teaches our young teens on Wednesdays.

Now back to Cole.  Because Rick's family (parents, brothers, etc) are still part of the other group Cole and his brother Brooks will occasionally visit with family and attend worship where they assemble.  After one such visit, Cole told Rick and Gina, "That was a cool church.  They had a band with drums, guitars, it was great!"  Rick asked Cole a simple question, "What songs did they sing?"   "I don't know," Cole replied, "but it was awesome."

After the conversation had changed Cole interrupted, "We did sing, 'It is Well with My Soul,' it was good too."  Rick later discovered that the reason Cole remembered that one song was it was the only one the whole congregation sung acapella.  The message came through when the instruments were silent.

Now I wonder how Eph 5, Col 3, and 1 Cor 14 would fit into this event?

Scott

Sunday Eve in Parrish

Sunday night Parrish held our monthly singing night. Every last Sunday of the month we devote to singing and short devotional thought from one of our men. What a great night. At one point I stood up and asked for all the young boys who wanted to help me lead a song stand up with me. Two young school age boys came up to the front and I went to get a third. The third one is Rashad Jaxson Hussain, he is less than a year old, but he let me hold him and he grinned along as the other three of us lead the congregation in "Jesus Loves Me." It was a special moment.

I heard someone say that you can evaluate a congregation's theology by the doctrine taught in the songs that they sing. I took notes writing down every song we sang Sunday night. Each man who stood up to lead chose his own song (or song the one suggested by his wife). Here are the songs in order:

We Shall Assemble on the Mountain
Worthy Art Thou
Precious Lord
Only in Thee
At Calvary
Jesus Loves Me
A Wonderful Savior is Jesus My Lord
Leaning on the Everlasting Arm
As the Life of a Flower
Beyond this Land of Parting, Losing, and Leaving
Blue Skies and Rainbows (A Third Grade student lead this one)
I Have Found a Friend in Jesus
(The next five songs were requested by our ladies and older men)
I Believe in the One They call Jesus
Ring Out the Message
Do You Know My Jesus?
Tell Me the Story of Jesus
Redeemed
Kneel at the Cross
You Are the Words and the Music

What's Yours?

First things first -- Happy Birthday, Amy. I am privileged that you call me your husband.

Now on to this morning's drive. As I was detouring through Jasper this morning, I began singing without the radio. I was singing one of my favorite hymns -- Nearer, Still Nearer (by Lelia N. Morris, 1898). I love this song for a couple of reasons:

1. The words and music go hand in hand. This is not always the case with church songs. Some songs have great lyrics, but the music takes away from the message. Others have great musical themes, but the words are trite or sometimes archaic.
   
2. The message of the song is a great, life-long desire; to be ever nearer to God and Christ. I long for the day when I am near to Christ in heaven and can walk and talk with Him face to face.
3. Verses 2 and 3 of the song break my heart and humble my spirit.

Nearer, still nearer, nothing I bring,
Naught as an off'ring to Jesus my King,
Only my sinful, now contrite heart;
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart.

Nearer, still nearer, Lord, to be Thine;
Sin, with its follies, I gladly resign,
All of its pleasures, pomp and its pride;
Give me but Jesus, my Lord crucified.

As I wipe the tears from my eyes and bow my head in prayer asking to grow nearer to God, I ask you - What is your favorite church (worship) song?

Have a great day!
Scott