singing

Singing the Psalms

/ pastorpete51 / 5 Comments

One thing that makes me sad is how our churches often come to the lyrics of the greatest song book in the world and all we do is read the words in unison with a monotone voice. Yes, God’s word is perfect but forgive me when I say that maybe even God gets bored by the way we read it out loud! We seem to have forgotten that this was not the way the Psalms were intended to be experienced. Maybe it would help to think of the Psalms as songs whose melody has fallen asleep. With all the talent out there, why don’t more people compose new melodies for these precious promises of God to be sing by? The Psalms Project is one such group that has set about to try and bring them to life again, but there is so much more that could be done if others could catch the vision of singing God’s word.

You may consider scripture songs, to be somewhat old-fashioned or wooden, but once you try it, you will discover some wonderful benefits, just waiting to be explored. God always blesses the joyful singing of His word, in fact one of the last things Jesus did with His disciples was to sing a hymn after the Last Supper! Those lyrics most likely began with:

 "Yes, give praise, O servants of the Lord.
    Praise the name of the Lord!
 Blessed be the name of the Lord
    now and forever.
 Everywhere—from east to west—
    praise the name of the Lord." Psalm 113:1-3

Imagine Jesus singing such praises just hours before His arrest, beating and torturous death. As the very Living word of God, He went to the cross still singing God’s word. Today, young people pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars to listen to their favorite pop star, because their songs make them laugh, cry, or feel romantic. They shell out megabucks for just a passing experience, but the Psalms give far more than temporary feelings. Within them are the depth of the riches of the heart of God. What can be happier than?

“Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy;” Psalm 126:2

Or what sadder words have you ever heard than?

“I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping.”
Psalm 6:6.

God knows that when we laugh, cry, or even complain to Him, that we begin to connect with Him and with His word in the depths of our souls. So, why not take a moment with the world’s greatest songbook today, and either alone or with others, sing out the precious words that God has given us there and allow them to sink into your heart and mind?

He has given me a new song to sing,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
    They will put their trust in the Lord.
Psalm 40:3 NLT

Old Time Religion

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 ESV

Though we sometimes see Him coming as Lion and sometimes as Lamb, sometimes Lord and sometimes Servant, Jesus in all HIs mercy, justice, holiness and power has never changed. When we sang Old Time Religion at Life Care Center last Friday, the response of our precious residents, was with the enthusiasm of children. As a senior myself, I have come to understand along with my friends, that before the Ancient of Days, we are still HIs Little Ones. I am reminded that after the flood when Noah first opened the ark to the dove and not the lion. He knew that God’s message of peace would never come with fierceness and power, but with the humility of that dove returning with a single olive branch to His hand. And at the resurrection, when Jesus first appeared He came as a simple gardener, to reveal Himself to Mary. Though all the power of the stars is in HIs hands, He longs most of all to hold our hearts and to rule as a loving Lord, warrior defending His own and a creator coming to restore what has been destroyed by the power of sin. That is the true religion of Jesus and the Old Time Religion that is still good enough for me! I pray you will be blessed, maybe tap your feet and sing along with us this morning.

Sunday School Hour (at the nursing home!)

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

… “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3 NKJV

We had an awesome time at Life Care Center on Friday, and I wanted to share some of the best parts. Now, nursing home ministry is serious stuff, but no one says that we can’t have the joy of little children as we worship together. The contemporary worship songs we sing at church sound great but often miss some of the solidly Biblical lessons we learned in Sunday school. I also hope that you will not only smile and listen to this week’s song session, but that you will sing along, tap your feet or even clap! Have a blessed weekend everyone!