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Monthly Archives: December 2009
OH YES, you DO!
Canaan Band in Columbus, GA
Every Sunday morning I wake up to my first cup of coffee and my mind is already full of songs. Songs that I will lead our congregation to sing. How do these songs flow together? Are the songs congruent in music, rhythm and words?
I know that seems silly, but it does make a difference to strategically design your Praise service as you’re led by the Holy Spirit, and as you engage your God-given musical skills and abilities. So, I ask the Holy Spirit to use me and guide me to bring the right songs each week.
One Sunday just recently, I was driving to church but felt out of synch. I just couldn’t hear anything definite in my spirit. I felt cold and indifferent. That worried me because I know what power there is in Praise & Worship music. I’ve seen people enter the doors on Sundays looking worn out and beat up from their world and the thoughts in their mind. And I’ve seen those same people begin to smile, clap their hands, cry, lift their hands and sometimes…yes… sometimes, I’ve seen them move their hips and their body with the music. All this, to glorify God. Isaiah 61:3 - He has given us beauty for ashes, oil of joy for mourning and a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
I believe so much in what music can do in lives, so it bothered me this particular Sunday, when I felt so unattached to what we were going to sing that Sunday.
Perhaps it was because I had been in corporate meetings all week and had many work-related things on my mind. Nevertheless, as I drove down the road, I prayed, “God, please help me today because I have nothing to give, nothing to sing, and nothing to share”.
And in that moment, so quietly and so calm, I heard HIS voice say, “OH YES! you DO!” You only need to stir up that gift Mel. It’s in your heart and down deep in your soul. Sometimes you just have to wake it up and allow it to come to surface.
So in those moments when we feel dry and distant, remember that the Spirit of God is ever-present in your soul. Just gotta stir it up. oh yes…you DO!
Posted in From Mel's Desk
Tagged Canaan, Canaan Band, Congregation, Music, Praise, Worship
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It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.
I love that song and all the other songs associated with the Christmas Holidays. And as I hear those songs I think back to my childhood.
I’m so blessed to have parents who embellished the Christmas spirit and allowed us to believe in Santa Claus as children. Some of my greatest and fondest memories of Christmas as a child is when the 4 of us kids would sit in the back seat of a 1964 Pontiac Bonneville and Dad and Mom drove around town looking at the Christmas lights. Me, my sister Sarah, and my brothers, Dennis & Charles would sing all the fav songs of the season in 4 part harmony. Even as kids we were very gifted with a musical ear. Those are memories that stay forever in my heart.
When I grew up and became an adult, there are fond memories as well. When I was married, we were stationed in San Vito dei Normanni, Italy. It was there that although we were SO homesick to be with our own beloved family members, yet we would embrace other people, mostly single men & women, to become as one of our own family.
I would cook for hours to make sure we all had a warm, family Christmas dinner together. We didn’t have a lot of money, but we were RICH in love. My children had MANY aunts and uncles back then and were treated…no.. spoiled rotten by all our guests. There was such a sincere, genuine and happy feeling even though we ached inside for our own families back home. Indeed we were all truly grateful to have each other.
I think one of the greatest things when I hear this festive music is the fact that families may act just a little more different towards each other. That people’s hearts are more tender towards other and sensitive to the needs of people outside themselves.
I’ve always said that MUSIC is such a powerful force…able to reach and sometimes even change the hearts of people.
I pray that this wonderful Christmas spirit will be maintained throughout the season and that we’ll all remember it’s all Because of Jesus that we celebrate!
Love & Hugs,
mel
Posted in From Mel's Desk
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