Monday, October 15, 2012

bless the Lord all my soul...





After being discharged from rehab after my open heart surgery last summer, Walt and Pat were gracious enough to lend us their home in Rio Rancho. Having to rest, I watched a lot of TV on the non-cable set-up, being rescued by ME TV, Memorable Entertainment. It was all the old shows I loved, and some I didn't, thrown in to remind that all things in the past weren't memorable, at least not for the right reasons. I would watch Andy Griffith, Rockford Files, Perry Mason, Wild Wild West, Star Trek, My Three Sons, and others, and found not only were they good TV to me, and entertaining where you got to know the characters, but the themes to the show were great too. And not one great show had lousy music, or vice-versa. Hear the opening tune to Bonanza, and you knew you were at the Ponderosa, who can forget the scene of riding up to the front of the ranch. Hearing the sax on My Three Sons and you soon knew Steve would giving good advice to his sons. Hearing the driving tune to Perry Mason you soon knew that he would use all his expertise to defend his client,and that in all but one case, they were innocent. And within three notes of Rockford, here comes Jimmy's Firebird. Angel!
Tunes we came to know and love, and could be whistled. And in your mind could hear all the other instruments playing together to make great music as you whistled along. But how many know their are words to most of these instrumental greats? Bonanza, M*A*S*H, Andy Griffith, and others had words, but you never heard them, nor needed them, they were to be whistled and watched. And so they set the scene for the next 30-60 minutes. Good stuff!
Music is a great part of any "church" service. It not only helps set the mood, but sets the mood of the heart, the soul. And any great service starts with great music. For years I endured poor worship music, it was all about the leader sadly, not about who we were singing about-Jesus. But once I became part of great worship, the music spoke to my soul, and prepared it for the great teaching to come. For the music is about Jesus, and sung to Him, not for our entertainment. And whether it is an old hymn, or a new song, when sung in true worship it moves the soul, as it should.
Stop and consider the following-if you truly trusted God, and knew He was taking care of all your needs, what would be left to pray about? PRAISE and WORSHIP! And just like singing in church prepares us for the Bible teaching, it is also preparing us for heaven, where it will be all about Jesus, and not us or our mansions, or whatever other selfish whim we choose to include. On earth as it is in heaven should take on a new meaning, try that next time you sing to the Lord, instead of with Him. Keep it all about Jesus and watch as your heart changes, and you suddenly enjoy church. For just like hearing the great song to a favorite old show, and you know what is coming, worshipping Jesus prepares us for His return, and what comes next! And sets the mood for those we meet later on.
We tend to always remember the last song we heard before turning off the radio-which can be good or bad. Why not whistle or sing the last song you heard in worship all day-what a difference that could make! First hand I can tell you, for God put a song in my heart while in a coma. "Bless the Lord all my soul, oh-h my soul, worship His holy name, sing like never before, oh my Lord, I'll worship your holy name." In and out of consciousness I sang, like never before. And still do today, as I praise God for who He is, and what He has done and taken me through. Also for where I am going! And how the tears flowed my first night in back in church when we sang that song. Only God could choreograph that-so let Him.
So start now singing like never before. Heaven awaits those that believe, and we shall enter with the sound of a trumpet! The angels will be singing, and so shall we. Words you never heard before, the songs will never end. Even better than ME TV will be the time in heaven, no reruns, only great tunes with a great God. A great show with great music, and the show never ends. Remember that next time you are in church, or out and hear a song in your head-it is really your heart that is tuning in to Jesus. And get excited-for you know what is coming next! Praise and worship-where we will truly sing like never before-forever.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com