One of my favorite albums is by the Beach Boys called Stars and Stripes, Volume 1. On it, Jimmy Webb, arranger extraordinaire takes their hits and rearranges them for country western stars to sing. And it works-and this from me, a guy who when he gets a new radio has country western surgically removed from it. But good music is good music, and this albums rocks! But the song and experience on it that is most memorable is Willie Nelson singing Warmth of the Sun. The documentary made of the album shows Mike Love telling Willie how to sing the song, and the basic mood of it. Willie looks at him, two legends head to head, and reminds him of who he is, don't tell him how to sing. And then goes on to sing this beautiful, moving song, getting it on the first take. And the miracle is he had never heard the song before. Just reading the music before he went on, and going with the band, it is incredible. Even though on the first words he stumbles, the stumbling seems preplanned, as the rest of the song is pure Willie. Being in tune, I believe they call it, and Willie was that day. Don't play it as written, sing it as the spirit moves you. And the look between Love and Willie at the end confirms it.
Ball players call it being in the zone, and I have talked to my friend Kevin Mitchell, the one who hit 49 homers one year and led the National League, he of the one handed, bare handed catch. And he tells me when you are in the zone, the pitches seem slower, you see more, you adjust better-but it all just seems automatic-natural, and you are just part of the action.
A popular line among Christians is being in the spirit. John wrote Revelation being in the spirit. Jesus ministered in the spirit, and we are to be guided by the Holy Spirit. So what does it mean? My first experience being led by the spirit, I didn't even realize it. We were attending the Spirit of Love church in Durango, Dal was our pastor, one of the few men I have ever met who truly was a pastor. He had asked me to share my testimony, about 15 minutes before he spoke one Sunday. Now true to the churches I feel most comfortable in, this was old hippies, homeless, those looking who hadn't found yet, and a group that if they walked into your denominational atmosphere, may be asked to leave, or placed by the door-certainly not next to Brother So and So who is a major donor. But a magical thing happened to me that morning, as I began to share I could feel God's presence like never before. I heard the words before I said them, and I felt a peace that I had never felt before. Only being saved about four years, I had been in denominational churches where you follow the program-here I was following God-I was in the spirit. And instead speaking for 15 minutes, it seemed like five, I shared for 45 minutes. And Dal, sensing the spirit, didn't chasten or hasten me, but led God's message unfold. He followed up with a 15 minute message tying it all together, and had an altar call-and 19 young people went forward and accepted the Lord! Unbelievable! But in the spirit, all things are possible. And to show my heart it just wasn't an emotional experience, for years after we would hear or get visits from these men, still walking with Jesus. It was, and is that real. And all about Jesus.
You see the spirit does what the law cannot-save. You cannot embrace the law, for it only focuses on your shortcomings. But there is life in the spirit, and when you yield to it-a peace that surpasses understanding. Trying to figure things out? Spending a day making plans that only get superseded by life? Live in the spirit. Enjoy the peace God offers. And the closer you get to God, and the more you walk in it, the more carefree you become-cast your cares on Him for He careth for you. Almost to the point of appearing careless-when really all you care about is Jesus. Want more blessings-spend more time with Jesus. That simple-even a caveman or biker could do it!
Harmony in music takes a group effort-all with the same goal, and with no one more important than the others. To harmonize, you sing together, feeding off each other-and end up making music-where others just sing a song. Today harmonize with Jesus-sing along with Him, walk with Him, meditate on His word with Him, and watch as the peace that surpasses understanding surpasses all.
Huey Lewis sang about a new drug, when it's really about a relationship with Jesus. In tune, harmonizing, in the zone. But really it is just being in the spirit. Letting Him lead, and you harmonizing to His tune. Being in step with the Lord. Jesus Christ-a song that never ends-no matter who sings about Him! And the words-they just seem to come naturally...hint-they are really coming supernaturally! In the spirit!
love with compassion,
Mike
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