We Are The Reason

I've always thought of the following song at Easter time; but after hearing it the other night at a Christmas program, I realized that it really is great for Christmas (as is now obvious to me by the first chunk of lyrics!).  I love this song, and wanted to share it with you all as we get ready for Christmas.  We need to remember the real reason for this season, as well as the reason for the cross!  What a humbling, challenging, and inspiring reminder this is:

Socially Acceptable

Recently I was at a women's conference that was superb.  Absolutely fantastic.  Except for one area that I must say was quite discouraging.  During the part of the music segment of worship, I was shocked to see how distracted and distracting the women around me were. Totally disinterested in singing or even just listening to the singing, they instead picked this time to catch up with one another, organize purses, or sit and take a break.

Hmm.

Since then I've noticed that while especially predominant at that conference, these tendencies are not uncommon in worship at all.  It seems like they are indeed quite regular, expected, and accepted.

Now let me say, I am more passionate about this issue because my strongest mode of worship is music.  While the preaching and prayer are certainly times of worship for me as well, I am most focused, Spirit-filled, and inspired when praising and praying through music.

Let me also say that I don't expect everyone to be that way.  I know we all have our different "love languages" with God.  Some people's main mode of worship is Bible study; others, prayer; others, quiet meditation; etc.  And of course that's not to label these our sole modes of worship.  Just the ones that seem to regularly bring the most intimate and powerful interactions with God.  I don't expect or even want everyone to worship the same way as me- it doesn't bother me if others stand and listen to the music instead of sing; it doesn't bother me that lifting hands to God in praise isn't more common.  And I don't want it to bother others that I'm not "amen-ing" through the sermon or going forward at invitations.

But it seems like we've picked the times that are musical in a church service to take care of other business.  That's when we unwrap candy, walk in late, offer our neighbors gum, and get in quick conversations.

We say it's because it's less distracting and rude.  Wouldn't want to make the preacher uncomfortable by our behavior; wouldn't want to make a scene during prayer.

But let's face it, the only one's we're concerned about is ourselves.  We blame it on others by not wanting to "distract" or "bother" them.  But really we just want to pick the most unnoticeable time for us.  So that we are not embarrassed.  So that others won't stare or glare at us. 

And so we wait.  And when that song starts, then we walk in.  Then we get that candy.  Then we share that story.

If we behaved to this extent in this way during the rest of the service we'd be viewed as immature or even offensive.  But for some reason we've decided that it's all okay when it's during a song.

Forgetting that it is during prayer.  And it is during preaching.  And it is during an invitation.

And it is during worship.

My new friend, Pain.

  My husband challenges me often with his deep, analytical brain:) One of the greatest thoughts he's impressed upon me is to think of pain as a friend, and embrace hardships because of the deeper lesson. To hear it in his better words, you can read his blog here.


  Recently I discovered a song that presents this same point.  I have come to love this song, and every time I hear it I am challenged again. Please listen to it and read the lyrics:

Not just another love song...

Ok... before you read this you should know that included in this blog are song lyrics that are quite offensive and adult.  I am not editing them because quite frankly, that would miss my point.  Before you get upset about them being on my blog, try instead to direct that upset-ness at them being on kids' radios.

You see, these songs aren't your typical adult rap, heavy metal, or seedy rock n' roll- not one of the music genres that we'd expect such things from... the music genres that we know are singing for a certain audience with a certain message.  No, these songs are chipper, light, teeny-bopper pop tunes.  Songs that if you couldn't totally understand the words you would think were just some more peppy love jingles.  But with the words you realize the lyrics are loudly and clearly declaring nothing of the sort.

It's not like I'm the type to say "Christian music is good, secular music is bad."  Not true.  There's plenty of meaningless Christian songs and great secular music messages.  But lately the trend has grown that these pop songs no longer sometimes push the limits.... they knock them down and stomp deviously all over them.

I try to keep up with current pop music because I work with kids at a school everyday as well as minister with the youth at our church, and I'd like to have an idea of what they're humming.  Boy, am I fed up with it.

Such lyrics are as follows:

"All my life I've been good but now,
I'm thinking 'What the hell'
All I want is to mess around,
and I don't really care about
If you love me, if you hate me,
you can't save me, baby, baby,
All my life I've been good but now,
whoa 'What the hell'.

You say that I'm messing with your head
Boy, I like messing in your bed
Yeah, I am messing with your head
When I'm messing with you in bed."
    ~Avril Lavigne,  "What The Hell"




"I may be bad, but I'm perfectly good at it
Sex in the air, I don't care, I love the smell of it
Sticks and stones may break my bones
But chains and whips excite me."

    ~Rihanna, S&M



"Got a water bottle full of whiskey
In my handbag.
Got my drunk text on
I'll regret it in the mornin'.
Now we're getting so smashed.
Knocking over trash cans.
Everbody breakin' bottles
It's a filthy hot mess.

There's a place downtown,
Where the freaks all come around.
It's a hole in the wall.
It's a dirty free for all.
And they turn me on.
When they take it off.
Everybody take it off.

Lose your mind.
Lose it now.
Lose your clothes
In the crowd.
We're delirious."
     ~Kesha, "Animal" (I will point out that this pop singer's lyrics are smothered with  of being wasted on alcohol)


These are just parts of the songs, and trust me, the rest of the lyrics are on the same par.  Also, these are only a few examples of the types of songs I'm discussing.

My point in this blog is two-fold.  First, I want to create awareness in you to realize what messages are being broadcasted on seemingly harmless radio stations by seemingly harmless tunes.  Secondly, I want to create sympathy in you.  Sympathy for the teens, pre-teens, and even children who are being poisoned by these messages constantly.  Even today when discussing one of these songs with a fellow employee, I sang part of the tune... and a 5 year old's face perked up as she said, "Oh I love that song!".  Heartbreaking.

Whether the listener is 5, 10, 15...  these songs, these lyrics are just as dangerous.  I've known there are "bad songs" out there, but my issue is that now they are under the guise of just another pop teen song.  No longer are there subtle hints of edginess... the messages are in your face bold slime.  The tunes, the singers, the radio channels... seem so unalarming.  But the words... well, alarming indeed.

The Bible talks about how Satan disguises himself as an Angel of Light (2 Corinthians 11:14).  He is also working hard to disguise his messages as well.  I for one am not going to be fooled.

Resolution

Recently, and in honor of the New Year, I heard a song called "I Then Shall Live".  It is sung to the tune of "Be Still My Soul", but there are different words written by Gloria Gaither.  The words impacted me very strongly, especially when staring down a brand new year.  The message of this song reflects my resolutions for 2011.

I then shall live as one who’s been forgiven;
I'll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.
I know my name is clear before my Father;
I am His child, and I am not afraid.
So greatly pardoned, Ill forgive another;
The law of love I gladly will obey.


I then shall live as one who’s learned compassion;
I’ve been so loved that I'll risk loving too.
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges;
I'll dare to see another’s point of view.
And when relationships demand commitment,
Then I'll be there to care and follow through.


Your kingdom come around and through and in me,
Your power and glory, let them shine through me.
Your Hallowed Name, O may I bear with honor,
And may Your living Kingdom come in me.
The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor,
And may You feed a hungry world through me.

Here With Us

Often in Christian circles I hear people say things like "I hope God shows up... "God really needs to show up for this..."  "Let's pray God shows up"...

Guess what, He did.

And that is what Christmas is all about.  God showed up.  In manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes, as a baby.  God showed up.

We don't have to pray and ask Him to show up.  We don't have to wonder if He will.  We don't have to hope He does.  He did.  As stated each time we call Him Emmanuel, God is with us.

The following song is a beautiful reminder of the real meaning of Christmas, and is a wonderful praise for this Baby Jesus being and bringing God with us.

The Power of the Cross

My sister-in-law and amazing friend shared this song with me, and I'm so glad she did! The lyrics are SUCH a powerful message and a great reminder....

The Power of the Cross
Oh to see the dawn of the darkest day,
Christ on the road to calvary,
Tried by sinful men, torn and beaten then,
Nailed to a cross of wood.

This the power of the cross,
Christ became sin for us,
Took the blame, bore the wrath,
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh to see the pain written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin,
Every bitter thought, every evil deed,
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.

This the power of the cross,
Christ became sin for us,
Took the blame, bore the wrath,
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Now the daylight flees, now the ground beneath,
Quakes as its Maker bows His head,
Curtain torn in two, dead are raised to life,
‘Finished!’ the vict’ry cry.

This the power of the cross,
Christ became sin for us,
Took the blame, bore the wrath,
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh to see my name written in the wound,
For through Your suf‘fring I am free ,
Death is crushed to death, life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.

This the power of the cross,
Son of God slain for us,
What a life, what a cost,
We stand forgiven at the cross.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope YOUR name is "written in the wound"...


"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

Worship Through Music

I am so thankful for music. I adore music. I worship God through music.

Every relationship has some aspect of it that makes it especially close. Maybe it's going out to dinner, watching a movie, going for a walk, talking, etc. It's no different in our relationship with God. We all have something that brings us especially close to Him, and it differs among us. From reading the Bible, to prayer, to looking at His creation... to music. Mine is music. I worship God in many ways, all of the above being included. But I especially worship Him through music. That is the mode of worship that brings me so very close to Him.

I am so thankful to be in a church that sincerely, deeply, and loudly worships Him through music. It's amazing! I look forward to every worship time at our church. I get excited about what songs we'll sing, and I nearly die on the Sundays that we greet at the door. I can hear the music being sung and played inside as I stand at the door wishing I was in there being a part of it!

Music is a gift from God. I thank Him for this present! When I'm depressed, discouraged, tempted, lonely, or any way struggling, God uses music to break through to me. He uses it to encourage me, love me, convict me, and hold me.

I can't wait to sing in heaven. It is going to be unbelievable.

So that is why I am so quickly again putting up another song on my blog here. My worship leader just introduced me to yet again another wonderful song by Hillsong. Look and listen to these words! WOW. Can we truly pray this?? Do you realize the ramifications of these words??

Take my life,
I lay it down,
At the cross,
Where I am found.
All I have I give to You, oh God.

Take my hands,
And make them clean.
Keep my heart,
In purity,
That I may walk in all You have for me.

Oh, here I stand arms open wide.
Oh, I am Yours and You are mine.
Jesus.

Take my moments,
And my days,
Let each breath,
That I take,
Be ever only for You, oh God

Oh, here I stand arms open wide.
Oh, I am Yours and You are mine.

Oh, here I stand arms open wide.
Oh, I am Yours and You are mine.

My whole life is Yours,
I give it all surrendered to Your name.
And forever I will pray,
Have Your way,
Have Your way.

Oh, here I stand arms open wide.
Oh, I am Yours and You are mine.

Whew, it's been a while...

Well, I probably should have put up a warning post back, oh... about a month ago!... to say that I probably wouldn't be posting for a while because of the semester's crazy end.

But I didn't, and indeed it was crazy, and I have just not posted. However, the semester ended about a week ago, and I have a bit of a life again:) So please keep checking here, as I am working on a couple of blogs that should be up this week.

In the meantime, I want to leave you with the words of a song that my church started singing that is so moving and encouraging. The thought that as true believers in Christ we will NO DOUBT stand before Him one day and spend eternity in peace with Him, living as we were meant to be is amazing. It just blows my mind! Life is so hard and for so many people filled with pain. But one day for us, there will be no more crying, pain, sickness, darkness, etc. Not only is that an incredible future to look forward to, but it's so comforting for the here and now as well.

~*~

On that day when I see, all that You have for me,
When I see You face to face, there surrounded by Your grace,
All my fears swept away in the light of Your embrace,
Where Your love is all I need, and forever I am free.

Where the streets are made of gold,
In Your presence healed and whole,
Let the songs of heaven rise to You alone.

No weeping, no hurt or pain,
No suffering,
You hold me now, You hold me now.
No darkness, no sick or lame,
No hiding,
You hold me now, You hold me now.

In this life I will stand, through my joy and my pain,
Knowing there’s a greater day, there’s a hope that never fails,
Where Your name is lifted high and forever praises rise,
For the glory of Your name, I’m believing for the day.

Where the wars and violence cease, all creation lives in peace,
Let the songs of heaven rise to You alone.

No weeping, no hurt or pain,
No suffering,
You hold me now, You hold me now.
No darkness, no sick or lame,
No hiding,
You hold me now, You hold me now.

For eternity,
All my heart will give,
All the glory to Your name.
For eternity,
All my heart will give,
All the glory to Your name.

Finally some fresh air...

In case you're not yet one of the nearly 20 million (so far) viewers of the amazing clip of Susan Boyle on "Britain's Got Talent", check out her song here.

Finally, some true talent and beauty! Not only does this woman have an incredible and beautiful voice, I find her personality delightful. How interesting to watch this situation play out- Susan does not outwardly fit the media's definition of success, beauty, or attraction, and the crowds make it clear that they are not impressed and don't plan to be. But alas! Boy do people's jaws drops when that woman opens her mouth and her amazingly gorgeous voice comes out.

The cheers, applause, and standing ovation that follow show me one thing: this is what we truly crave. This proves to me that people in general are fed-up with the fake beauty and physical requirements that we're given. The superficial never satisfies and this proves to me that we are not satisfied.

Finally a breath of fresh air. Thank you Susan Boyle!

A Sad Divide in Worship

A week ago at my college's chapel service, I got the opportunity to hear a speaker I had never heard before. I will keep from mentioning his name, though some of you fellow classmates will know exactly whom I am talking about. The man said many things that I disagreed with, but which I could let go and inwardly say "Well, we all have differences". However, there was one thing he said that I find myself still churning over today. It is this that I want to seek to respond to now.



First, a little background. I currently go to a church that has a praise and worship band, and I prefer that. I grew up in a church with a piano and organ, and, though I enjoyed and worshipped with that type of music, I do enjoy more having the drum set, guitars, and other more contemporary instruments and sounds. I recognize the fact that to many more conservative worshippers this type of praise band can be offensive and carry the wrong connotations. It saddens me that they feel this way. I definitely have basic standards for worship music, such as needing to make sure the words are understood, and that it does not have a rock concert feel. But I feel in no way that these or other standards are automatically compromised by having a contemporary praise and worship band.



You see, music is my strongest way of worship. Everyone has different ways that they feel more easily connected to God in worship, whether it be through prayer, meditation, Bible study, etc. Mine is through music. When I sing, I pray and praise and the truths that I know about God become so much more tangible for me. So it hurts me deeply to see the Body of Christ divided so often over this form of worship. We look at others who raise hands and judge them. We look at different forms of music and judge it. We judge each other for how they worship. Wow. Like I said, I agree that there are definite black and whites. But what I'm saying is that we step out of those bounds and judge the greys just as strongly. We take an understandable reaction of feeling uncomfortable with how someone else worships, and turn it into an inappropriate reaction of feeling offended.



Now, back to the speaker. He discussed the praise and worship band we had at our school. He expressed how great it was, and how we had "men like him to thank for it." How much progress the church has made, he exclaimed as he looked around at our band. Then he said the real clincher. He started discussing churches with pianos and organs and "other such red-neck philosophies". I was appalled.



To this man: It is to you that we indeed owe our "thanks". Not our thanks that we have our band. Not our thanks that we can now praise in a more current way. Our thanks to you is for the dirty looks we get from those who are more conservative. Our thanks to you for the divide between the contemporary and conservative. Our thanks to you for the jaded spirit that exists in our pews and auditoriums that has replaced a spirit of peace and praise. It for all of this that our hats are off to you. For your cutting tongue and insulting labels. For your arrogant show and Pharisaical views. Thank you for the hurt feelings. Thank you that those of us who seek to worship in a contemporary way are viewed as rebels and troublemakers. Because of YOUR lack of acceptance of different worship styles we will not be accepted for ours.



So yes, we indeed can thank you.

Praise Him in the Storms!

Sometimes... actually, a lot of the time... I look around at Christians going through hard times or even some in reality not-so-bad times with their heads hung low and their doubts raised high. I wonder, do we even deserve a smooth life if as those who have been saved from sin and Hell can't learn to praise God in the storms? I mean, we've had Someone DIE in place of us! Jesus was crucified on a cross... He Who knew no sin became sin FOR US. And yet we hold our hands out saying "Please sir, I want some more?"

I'm not at all saying we can't mourn, can't weep, can't be frustrated. I completely believe that grief is one of the strongest salves for healing and a way to just say "this matters". I'm all for affirming the fact that we live in a cursed world and it can really hurt at times. What I am saying is that I believe despite that God is simply waiting for us to just praise Him in the storms. Shouldn't He always be our ONE reason to hold on, to be thankful, and to keep praising?

Casting Crowns sings my absolute favorite song and it is along these lines:


"Praise You In This Storm"

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen"
and it's still raining.
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away.

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are Who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm.

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You.
But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away.

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are Who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm.

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth.
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth!

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are Who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm.


Listen here