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