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Tuesday,
May
12,
2020
Horse at
Donegal Mills Plantation on Trout Run Road near our
house.
"Music
From All
Generations"
“His
mercy extends to those who fear Him, from
generation to generation (Luke 1:50). Through
Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God
a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that
confess His name” (Hebrews 13:15).
Brooksyne had an interesting exchange at a Christian bookstore awhile back:
Brooksyne had an interesting exchange at a Christian bookstore awhile back:
As I
was looking in the music department I noted that
there was only one hymn book. I asked the
salesclerk, who was probably about 30 years in
age, “Don’t you have any other hymnals to offer?”
He said, “We don’t really stock hymnals anymore.”
I offered a suggestion, “It would be nice if you
could offer more variety in hymnals for those who
enjoy the hymns.” He looked at me, and said rather
smugly, “Do I get the distinct impression that
you’re not into Praise and Worship?”
Taking but a second to process such an incorrect impression I responded, “I am very much into praise and worship. I worship God with the contemporary music but I also worship God with the hymns that have been written over many generations. I like to sing the hymns that George Washington might have sung, the songs that Isaac Watts penned hundreds of years ago and I also like to sing the songs that God is giving to His people today.” I’m not so sure he was prepared for my honest response (I was also kind), but it was important for me to correct the false impression of some believers today who think that Praise and Worship has only been created in the last twenty or so years.
Taking but a second to process such an incorrect impression I responded, “I am very much into praise and worship. I worship God with the contemporary music but I also worship God with the hymns that have been written over many generations. I like to sing the hymns that George Washington might have sung, the songs that Isaac Watts penned hundreds of years ago and I also like to sing the songs that God is giving to His people today.” I’m not so sure he was prepared for my honest response (I was also kind), but it was important for me to correct the false impression of some believers today who think that Praise and Worship has only been created in the last twenty or so years.
In giving this conversation further thought we are part of the great church of God comprised of believers from every generation, including those in the past. Should Christ tarry there will be generations who follow us who will likely see our music and worship styles as primitive or old-fashioned. We acknowledge the validity of different styles of music in our worship services; the composition, the instrumentation, and the singers themselves. I confess that I get a bit agitated when a church or particular group of believers feels that their choice of songs or their delivery of style is the only right way to worship God.
There’s a great deal of variety in songs selected for the worship services but we look for Scripture, adoration and praise, thanksgiving, songs that teach of God’s attributes, songs that call us to obedience and prayer, songs that convict us of sin. We also like simple tunes that people who are untrained musically (which is the majority) can remember after leaving so they can sing it on their own as they go about their day. Several months ago we became familiar with a song titled, "His Mercy Is More" which we now sing all the time although it hasn't been introduced in the church we attend. We thoroughly enjoy the overriding theme that though our sins are great His mercy is greater, but we also like the simple style of music that is easy to follow and memorize. (Link to video below)
Another challenge we have in our churches today is the lack of repetition due to the vast number of songs to choose from and the driving compulsion worship leaders have to sing the newest, as one said "cutting edge" music. This makes it harder to learn and memorize music today. In addition, we like to see the congregation participating in worship rather than being sung to by the praise team or choir or whomever is leading in worship. It may not be intentional but this is often the case usually due to unfamiliarity with the song.
Today, let us hear the words of our Lord: “God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Whatever expression we may use let us worship God in spirit and in truth and seek to glorify Him in our musical preference and various styles of worship for all generations. Let's be a worshiper, not merely an observer.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, each generation has a
chosen people, a royal priesthood who declares
Your praises to a lost and dying world filled
with darkness. We’re a peculiar people in that
we praise You in the good times and we praise
You in the bad times; that’s how we show forth
Your praises, for it is You who has called us
out of darkness into Your marvelous eternal
light and it is through Jesus that we
continually offer to You, our Father, a
sacrifice of praise—the fruit of our lips that
confess Christ’s name and the fruit of our lives
that prove our words to be genuine. Amen.Brooksyne's Extended Note: I led in worship and played piano for over 40 years, so this subject matter is dear to my heart. In certain settings I have to be careful and remind myself that I am in church to worship the Lord and not critique the style of music or presentation of the worship songs. I will confess it is hard at times due to having been the one to select the worship songs for many years so it comes natural to use the same criteria when I participate in worship.
I
wanted the songs to be in a singable key (not too high,
not too low), I wanted the music to be fairly easy to
follow so that congregants could remember the tune and
sing or whistle it at home or at work. (I'm a big fan of
whistling since I don't think it's possible to be angry
or sad when you're whistling a tune. I used to listen to
Grandpa whistle as he worked and as a child I practiced
and practiced until I finally learned as well.) I
also wanted some good theology that would inform and
instruct believers. More people remember theology taught
in a song than presented in a sermon, due to our hearing
and singing doctrinal truths musically.
It's
just the way God wired our brains to memorize easily the
words we sing. It's not all that uncommon for a person
who suffers a stroke to be robbed of his or her speech.
But soon thereafter or years later they once again use
their voice to sing along when they hear a familiar song
they dearly love, especially the hymns. I saw this
happen at a nursing facility in St. Marys, PA probably
35 years ago when I was leading in hymns. I didn't know
it had happened, but I got a phone call one day from a
woman who said to me, "My family wanted me to call and
let you know that our mother who hasn't spoken a word in
years actually sang out for the first time when you were
singing hymns this past week." I'll never forget the joy
and wonder I felt after their phone call.
Lastly,
I've learned a lot from a dear elderly woman named Nancy
who's now in her nineties. She was a missionary to
Thailand for many years and is now living at Calvary
Homes Retirement Village. Nancy always sits in the
second row of our church (about 2 or 3 rows in front of
us) although she could pick a more distant seat since
the building seats about 2000. Nancy always has the most
radiant smile and is still able to stand unassisted
during the worship time. She often has an uplifted hand
as she sings the songs printed out on the power point
screen - whether it's a hymn or a contemporary song that
has just been written. She participates eagerly. I have
talked with Nancy on occasion and commented to her that
she blesses me as she joyfully participates in the
worship, both new and old songs. She deflects my praise
of her and simply responds, "I love to worship God". May
that be said of us as well, no matter our age!
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"His
Mercy Is More" Video Just normal people like us of all
ages singing!
We wrote
this message, "His Mercy Is More" in February
"Praise
To The Lord" Video
T4G Live II
Our lead
photo of the white horse is at the Donegal Mills
Plantation which is an interesting property near our
home that is on the National Register of Historic
Places. The mill was built in 1775 right before the
American revolution. We moved to this neighborhood in
2002 and there have been efforts to restore this
property, but to no avail. Currently an Amish family
lives there along with a few animals and a large
greenhouse.
Send a message to
Stephen & Brooksyne
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA