Not Guilty!

No doubt you have heard that on the last day of May, 2012, John Edwards, a former presidential candidate for our United States, was found not guilty!  All accusations of the misappropriation of funds, his inappropriate moral behavior, and his numerous ill-advised decisions and the jury said; “Not Guilty.”

But notice the words that came from his own mouth during his address to the media.  With the camera’s rolling and his parents standing behind him, John Edwards stated that he did nothing illegal, but ‘an awful lot’ wrong.  Sounds like he has gotten a grasp on the stand we take in American culture.  We may be wrong in what we are doing (have done), but at least it’s not illegal.  As long as we keep things ‘legal’ it doesn’t matter what we do morally.  That explains why mix marriages are being pushed in the court room.  That explains the desire to legalize marijuana and take things once consider ‘dark’ and inappropriate to a new level of acceptability.  (NOTE: To his credit, John Edwards did admit he had ‘sinned’ and it was his full responsibility…that would be right.)

When we see our failures and recognize our sin (as Edwards admitted)…we can rest assured and know that there is hope.  Unfortunately many will continue to grasp at self-promoting ideals and selfish objectives; in short, we’ll continue to do ‘an awful lot wrong’.  But after we recognize our failures and openly admit our sin, the next step is to turn (repeat) from that sinful behavior.  So how do we connect this timely news report with the theme, Singing with the Spirit?  Can we find anything Biblical (hymn-wise) that we can apply from this report?

Frances R. Havergal was born in the early 1800’s and wrote several hymns we currently sing today.  “I Gave My Life to Thee”, “Is It for Me?”, “True-Hearted, Whole-Hearted”, “Take My Life and Let it Be” and “Lord Speak to Me” just to name a few.  In 1870 Ms. Havergal wrote the hymn, “I Bring My Sins to Thee”.  When we recognize our faults, our sins, we need to know there is a next step.  Rather than trying to justify my actions and strive to prove myself not guilty, we should consider the first two verses of this hymn.  In my opinion, the second verse is very fitting as we consider a society that looks to make excuses.

1) “I bring my sins to Thee, the sins I cannot count, that all may cleansed be in Thy once opened fount: I bring them, Savior, all to Thee; the burden is too great for me…the burden is too great for me.  2) I bring my grief to Thee, The grief I cannot tell; No word shall needed be Thou knowest all so well; I bring the sorrow laid on me, O suffering Savior all to Thee..o suffering Savior all to Thee.”

It would be easy to make up some excuse and try to explain away my wrong actions.  But if I’m honest with myself, my sins are too much for me to cover up, to bear alone or to excuse away.  My only salvation is in Jesus Christ.  The question I must ask is will I bring my sins to Him?  If we’re honest with ourselves we’ll admit it…Guilty.  But thanks be to God there is no word that is needed, He knowest all so well.

Singing a Medley

A medley is a collection of songs that are typically in the same key signature, with special attention given to the words.  The stronger, more consistent the message the more inspirational and encouraging the medley.  When a singing group presents a medley of songs the audience, the listeners, are usually inspired by the message of the songs.  But should we (can we) sing a medley of songs during our worship services?  For years I can remember our song service when the song leader (at times that was me) would stand in front of the congregation and announce the song number.  After allowing plenty of time to ‘turn in your song book’… we sang!  After the song was over, the second song number was announced and the process continued.  Nothing wrong with this, but as I stated previously, we must be sure we sing with understanding.  So how would I, should I, lead the congregation in a medley?

Let me give you an example of an medley we have sung in our home congregation on a Sunday morning.  As services began we started with an opening prayer.  Following the prayer, we sang “What a Mighty God We Serve” followed with “O Worship the King” and ending with “Doxology”.  To assist in the flow of the medley, and to avoid interrupting the thought process, I recommend having the congregation turn to the songs BEFORE you start the medley.  If your congregation uses a projector with a screen, you can project the songs (verses) and simply have the congregation follow your lead.  With the above medley, notice how these words flow to develop the thoughts of praise…

“What a mighty God we serve!  What a mighty God we serve!  Angels bow before Him, heaven and earth adore Him, what a mighty God we serve!”  “O worship the King all glorious above, and gratefully sing His wonderful love.  Our shield and defender the ancient of days.  Pavilion and splendor and girded with praise.”  “Praise God from Whom all blessing flow.  Praise Him all creatures here below.  Praise Him above ye heavenly host.  Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.”

Whether you lead a song, announce a number, and lead a song…or if your congregation is receptive and able to follow the thoughts from a medley, as children of God, we must be more diligent in giving God our best when it comes to the songs we sing.  It takes some time and you’ll need to work on what songs support the message, but with some time and determination you can bring the congregation to a closer understanding as we ‘sing with the Spirit’.  Let me encourage you to spend time singing and thinking about the message in the songs.  You will be amazed how medleys will begin to form in your mind as you sing with your heart.

Here I raise my Ebenezer…?

Have you ever sang through a song and wondered; ‘What was it that song was saying?’  We sing but do we really know what it is we are saying?  Look at this old hymn that dates back more than 250 years.  A song where we ask God to let His goodness be like a fetter; a song where we say we’ll ‘raise our Ebenezer’.  What does that all mean?  What are you saying as you sing this old hymn.  Let’s look into this hymn from the mid 1700’s.

Robert Robinson wrote a song of praise simply entitled, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”.  His original song had 6 verses where as today we typically only sing three.  Perhaps the drawing force for me is the old English, the thoughtful poetry that isn’t necessarily easy to interpret but beautiful when we come to understand it.  Just remember ‘I will sing with the Spirit and I will sing with the mind also.’ (I Cor. 14:15)

Learn more about the message within this old hymn!

1. Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet, (more recently we sing ‘Teach me ever to adore Thee’
Sung by flaming tongues above. (May I still Thy goodness prove,)
Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it, (While the hope of endless glory)
Mount of Thy redeeming love. (Fills my heart with joy and love.)

2. Sorrowing I shall be in spirit,
Till released from flesh and sin,
Yet from what I do inherit,
Here Thy praises I’ll begin;
Here I raise my Ebenezer; (This is referring to a ‘stone of help’, NOT the scrooge.)
Here by Thy great help I’ve come; (see I Samuel 7:12 for Biblical clarity…)
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.

3. Jesus sought me when a stranger, (These next four lines have become the last few lines
Wandering from the fold of God; (of OUR second verse…in most hymnals)
He, to rescue me from danger, (A strong, Biblical reminder of the saving grace…)
Interposed His precious blood; (through the blood of Christ.)
How His kindness yet pursues me
Mortal tongue can never tell,
Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me
I cannot proclaim it well.

4. O to grace how great a debtor (Follow the thought process here…)
Daily I’m constrained to be! (I’m indebted to the grace of God so much that I should…)
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, (want the goodness of God to chain my heart to Him.)
Bind my wandering heart to Thee. (The fetter is another word for ‘shackles’!)
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, (Some hymnals read, ‘Never let me wander from Thee,)
Prone to leave the God I love; (…never leave the God I love.‘)
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

5. O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothèd then in blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.

Would that we sing with the heart AND sing with the mind also.  (I Corinthians 14:15) Perhaps singing with the mind is actually understanding what it is we’re singing!  Now, next time you sing this hymn you’ll remember; ‘Here I raise my Ebenezer, here by Thy great help I come; and, ‘Let Thy goodness like a fetter bind my wandering heart to Thee.

Are You Listening?

Remember those early years in your life when playing outside until dusk was a common occurrence?  Staying out and playing from early morning until late in the day was simply not a problem?  My mother would simply open the front door and yell out my name, “Myron, it’s time to come home!”  (By the way, only the fool hearty would ignore that call…)  It’s funny, but I was never so far from home that I didn’t hear my mother calling.  Unfortunately, many today not only have wander far away from home, they aren’t even listening for the call to come back home.  Let me suggest, the longer we stay out, the darker it will become.

For many, the idea of needing help indicates weakness and a lack of control.  We understand and believe in pulling ourselves up by the bootstraps, but without doubt all of us need help every now and again.  So perhaps the question really is, are we willing to admit we need some help?

Notice what Paul says in Romans 1:5, 6, “…Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;”  When we obey the calling of Christ, we are joined into the family of God, we come into His fellowship.  Many say, they want to follow Christ and others take the steps to be His child and yet when we fall short of His glory (when we sin), He calls us back.  If we are listening to (reading) His word we hear His voice calling us home.  It’s like the old hymn…

“When my Savior calls I will answer,
When He calls for me, I will hear.
When my Savior calls I will answer,
I’ll be somewhere listen for my name.”

Give Him your life and stay close to His will.  We often leave the safety of His embrace because we want to ‘play outside’.  But when you hear the call to come in you’d better answer it.  Folks, it’s getting dark out, listen for your Savior’s voice and come home!

Study to Show Yourselves Approved

How much work goes into an individual’s personal study time?  Each of us know the importance of working toward a task.  It takes time, work and practice if we hope to achieve any element of success.  The student may find himself up late at night studying and preparing himself for a final exam.  At the same time, teachers and professors spend an untold amount of time not only preparing that exam, but grading it over the weekend.  A policeman who has never prepared himself to ‘serve and protect’ would fail miserably when facing a crime scene.  Any ‘professional’ knows the importance of preparation, studying.

In the Lord’s church any preacher who is worth his salt, will spend years training, days preparing and hours studying to present a lesson that will inspire and motivate the congregation of God’s people.  The uninformed might say, ‘All he does is preach a Sunday morning sermon; no big deal.’  But the minister of God’s Word knows differently.  There is a burden on his back to ‘study to show himself approved unto God…rightly dividing the word of truth.’ (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV)

If each of these ‘professions’ dedicate themselves to the task at hand, including the preacher of the Gospel of Christ, would it be any different for the song leader?  Perhaps the song leader could be more diligent when it comes to his ‘job’ as well.  How often do we see song leaders flipping through their song books minutes before the service starts?  More than once, in a small congregation, have I been asked, ‘can you lead the singing for us this morning?’  Never mind preparing yourself for the job; besides, all you have to do is just sing, right?  The seminar, Singing with the Spirit, identifies this topic of preparing to leading singing as well as various areas of preparing for ‘The Song Leader’s Job’.

Consider this quote from Darryl Tippens’ book, “That’s Why We Sing”, page 24.

“Elders, ministers, youth ministers have all sorts of meetings, conferences and associations, yet today few churches invest in programs that really teach everyone to sing.  Where are the regional and national meetings devoted to enhancing congregational singing?  How many Bible lectureships give special attention to teaching new hymns (or the translation of some of our older, traditional hymns)?  Where is the Christian university willing to establish a Center for A Cappella Worship?  Where do worship leaders meet to share their knowledge of hymns, their methods of  teaching new songs and old?  Who is helping to revitalize the singing in old churches, small churches?  It has been said, ‘The Christian church was born in song.’ (Ralph Martin, Worship in the Early Church)  Perhaps the church in our day will be reborn through songs as well.”

We can teach and we should learn, but we must come to realize that singing in the Lord’s church is not an obligation or burden.  We have a direct command and a beautiful opportunity to sing to the glory of God.  Let’s unite in this effort of teaching, learning and singing from our hearts, with the voice and the spirit to praise the King of Kings.

Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts for training, teaching and learning more ways to grow in our congregational singing.  If you’re interested, we can discuss the possibility of scheduling a seminar for 2013.

Then Sings My Soul!

Have you ever considered the impact you might have on the lives of others based on what you might, write, say or do?  You might go throughout life unaware that there are people watching, listen and learning from you.  Let’s look at one event that continues to impact millions of lives…

In the late 1880’s, a poet from Sweden by the name of Carl Boberg, was inspired by the beauty of God’s creation.  His friend, J. Irving Erickson, capturing this awe inspiring moment wrote the following: “Carl Boberg and some friends were returning home to Mönsterås from Kronobäck (Sweden), where they had participated in an afternoon service. Nature was at its peak that radiant afternoon. Presently a thundercloud appeared on the horizon, and soon sharp lightning flashed across the sky.  Strong winds swept over the meadows and billowing fields of grain.  The thunder pealed in loud claps.  Then rain came in cool fresh showers.  In a little while the storm was over, and a rainbow appeared.

When Boberg arrived home, he opened the window and saw the bay of Mönsterås like a mirror before him…From the woods on the other side of the bay, he heard the song of a thrush…the church bells were tolling in the quiet evening.  It was this series of sights, sounds, and experiences that inspired the writing of the song.”

Carl Boberg recounted the following information behind the inspiration for his poem:

“It was that time of year when everything seemed to be in its richest colouring; the birds were singing in trees and everywhere. It was very warm; a thunderstorm appeared on the horizon and soon thunder and lightning. We had to hurry to shelter. But the storm was soon over and the clear sky appeared.

“When I came home I opened my window toward the sea. There evidently had been a funeral and the bells were playing the tune of ‘When eternity’s clock calling my saved soul to its Sabbath rest.’ That evening, I wrote the song, ‘O Store Gud.'”

Years later a British missionary, Stuart K. Hine, was motivated by the poem (‘O Store Gud’, translated means ‘O Mighty God’) and wrote the words to a hymn that has touched million’s world wide.  Baptized in 1914, Hine penned the words to the hymn, “How Great Thou Art” in 1949.  Read this poem (sing this song) again…

“O Lord my God!  When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds  (works) Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!”

The second verse references ‘the woods and forest’ and the ‘birds sing(ing) sweetly’.  Like the first verse, the second gives us a reminder to the original poem.  But here is a forgotten verse we need to reintroduce and bring back to life.  This verse is a needed reminder from the unique, original work of Stuart Hine.

“When burdens press, and seem beyond endurance,
Bowed down with grief, to Him I lift my face;
And then in love He brings me sweet assurance:
‘My child! for thee sufficient is My grace’.”

If you enjoy learning about the history of our hymns (traditional and contemporary), I encourage you to look into the resources that can give you better understanding and clarity for the back ground of our songs of praise.  The chorus of this hymn begins, “Then Sings My Soul…”, this is also the title of a great resource for hymn history.  I encourage you to see for yourself the joy in Hymnology.  You can find it on Amazon.com

Keep your mind on heaven, your eyes on God’s word and your focus on praising the King of Kings.  When I stay close to Him, lift my voice and my heart to worship God…

“Then Sings My Soul!”

What Are You Reaching For?

Have you seen how a small child acts when he wants something from his parents?  He might hold his arms out and plead for the ‘gift’.  His actions might look sincere and earnest, or they might just be cute.  But either way, it’s obvious that he is earnest in his request.  He might even be unaware of how much he does, or doesn’t, need what he seeks.  But nonetheless…he wants it!  Even the undisciplined child, sometimes in an inappropriate manner, might beg for something.  Again, he doesn’t think about whether or not he ‘needs’ it, he just wants it.  But this pleading isn’t limited to children.  We as adults are often guilty of ‘begging’ for things.

It might come in the ‘professional venue’ as we approach our boss and ask for a raise.  You know you work hard and perhaps feel that you ‘deserve’ the salary increase.  Or it might be as simple as waving your hand in the restaurant and desperately signaling your waitress for a refill.  In either case, though we most likely would not consider this ‘begging’, we are taking three short steps: 1) we’re seeking 2) we’re seeking something specific 3) we’re seeking something specific from someone who has the ability to give it to us…just like a child.

Now let’s ask the pressing question, what are you seeking?  What is it that you either feel you can’t live without or that you desperately need?  If you cherish this world and things of this world, be careful!  God’s Son (our Savior) told us to be careful about what we plead for.  What we treasure in this world, and think to be important isn’t long term, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, whether moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Matthew 6:19-21

It’s natural, God-given, that we recognize when our bodies are hungry and thirsty; that we seek something to quench that thirst and fill that void.  When you work hard, your labor is to be rewarded (Luke 10:7, “…the laborer is worthy of his wages.” Christ is referring to the preaching of the word.)  So it makes sense that we should seek for something specific, and we seek from the One who can fulfill our needs.  The beggars outside the city gates was pleading for alms (money), but notice the response he was given, “I do not posses silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you…” Acts 3:6.  Peter & John knew this man needed something physical, but instead they gave him something spiritual.  Too often we are stuck in the same situation; looking for physical handouts when our real need is from God.  Would that we truly understand, accept and sing this old hymn.

Give me the Bible, Star of Gladness gleaming
To cheer the wander, lone and tempest tossed
No storm can hide that radiance peaceful beaming
Since Jesus came to seek and save the lost.

Chorus:
Give me the Bible, Holy message shining
Thy Light shall guide me in the narrow way.
Percepts and promise, law and love combing
Till night shall vanish in eternal day!

I pray that we will eagerly reach out and take hold of the Bible.  That we will desire God’s Word.  That we’ll seek it, ask for it and come to know that it is exactly what we’re needing.

May We Truly Worship…

In 1944 a hymn was written that reminds us of the reason we partake of the Lord’s Supper.  A song that calls for God’s help to see more clearly His love for us.  We still sing this song today…in some congregations, but what did the author and composer (Tillet S. Teddlie) want us to take away from this beautiful hymn?

“Oft we come together, Oft we sing and pray;
Here we bring our offering on this holy day.”

Do you think of your worship to God as an offering?  When you ‘sing and pray’, who are you singing and praying to?  To gain further insight into the song and the rationale behind it’s inspection we need to read on…

“May we keep in memory all that Thou hast said,
May we truly worship as we eat the bread
.”

Coming together on Sunday morning we are focused on a specific obligation: a beautiful opportunity.  We come to worship, honor, and give glory to our God!  If we come for ourselves or if we come ‘looking for something’, we will be sorely disappointed.  Worship to God is not about what I can get, it is wholly about what I will give.  The second of these verses is a focus on the supper that commemorates our Lord’s death.  It’s to remember what Christ gave to us.  Read on…

“May we all in spirit, all in one accord,
Take this cup of blessing given by the Lord.

Unity in Christ is something our Savior prayed for hours before His death on the cross.  But notice how Jesus prayed that we would be united in John 17:17-21; “Sanctify them in Your truth; Your word is truth.  As You have sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.  For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.  I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.”  We are united in Christ when we understand and that Jesus is Truth.  Paul told the young preacher Timothy, “I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.”  (I Timothy 3:15)

The old hymn concludes…
“Help us Lord, Thy love to see,
May we all in truth and spirit worship Thee.”

We come together each first day of the week to remember the death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  When you meet next Sunday with God’s family, will you be united in heart and spirit with the family?  Is the truth of God’s word present in your midst?  How will you conduct yourself? As a ‘pillar and support of truth’?  When you do… you’ll come to understand and know “True Worship”.