Music Mondays

#Blessed has become an over-used social media hashtag. Sure, some people use it ironically, but it cheapens the significance of real blessings when we attach it to our latest Starbucks drink or Amazon purchase.

Ephesians 1:3-14 sets us straight. It is effusive in describing all the true blessings we've been given by God and it is extravagant in how it praises God for those gifts. 

Sometimes we need a reset in our heart's perspective. For me, the above song has that effect.  "Amazing Grace", "Unfailing Love", "Laying Down Your Life So I Would Be Set Free" - beautiful, real blessings.

 

Music Mondays

Admittedly most of my Music Monday features have centered around Christian music, especially praise and worship. Today I'm going another direction based on the news that has dominated the headlines this morning. 

Last night, music icon David Bowie died of cancer. 

I can't claim to be a huge Bowie guy, but even as a casual pop music fan, I knew enough of his work to understand how influential he was and is. In fact, one of my favorite songs of all time was a collaboration he did with Queen. 

Before I insert the video, check out the final verse (Bowie is credited with authoring most of the lyrics):

That's profound, even Christlike you could argue. The whole song offers a perspective on life and love that most songs completely ignore and fail to understand. I don't want to overdo it here and act like these musicians were something they were not. But I'm the kind of musical connoisseur that appreciates biblical values wherever they are expressed and found. Plus, this is just really good music.

 

Music Mondays

Well, we made it to 2016. And this being the first Monday of the new year, I thought I'd share a fairly new song aptly titled "First" by Lauren Daigle. 

More than having a relevant title, this song speaks to the heart all followers of Christ ought to consistently embrace - especially when we celebrate the New Year. Instead of making resolutions that get quickly discarded a few weeks in, maybe we can make this our heart's cry and our life's commitment for 2016.

"Before I bring my need, I will bring my heart"

That's not our natural bent when we approach God. But it's the order we ought to take to properly honor Him.

Music Mondays: Christmas Musical Edition

Our Kid's Choir performing their opening number last night.

Normally we don't have services on Sunday nights. But last night we made our annual exception. 

For several months, our Kid's Choir and Adult Helpers have been preparing diligently to put on their "Wrapping All the Way" Christmas musical. It was a program filled with creative songs that help share the true reason we celebrate this holiday.

There was a lot of plot drama, fun choreography, enthusiastic singing, 'rapping', puppetry, unplanned surprises, and even a couple of small confetti cannons that helped the play end with a literal 'bang'.

We capped the night off with a Christmas dessert in our gym featuring many delicious cookies and salty snacks. Our minds were filled with catchy songs and our bellies filled with tasty treats. All in all in was a great night.

You can Youtube "Wrapping All the Way musical" and find different interpretations of the same play. But for this video, I thought I would simply share a sampler of the songs that I found online.  I will warn you though, the songs got stuck in my head to the point that I found myself humming along twice this morning to two different selections.

 

Music Mondays

We tackled Isaiah 7 yesterday as continued to look at the clues or 'whispers of love' that God gave his people in the Old Testament about their coming Messiah. 

Isaiah 7 is one of the most scrutinized passages in all of Scripture, especially given it's 'fulfillment' in Matthew 1:18-25.

- Who is the virgin?
- Who was this child?
- Is it exclusively predicting Jesus' birth?  
- What bearing did it have on the original recipients, especially King Ahaz?

I'm not sure I handled it perfectly, but I am confident our people walked away with a better understanding of the original context and it's relevance to the Christmas story. Beyond that, I am also hopeful that they were able to wrap their arms around the important truth that God is with us. 

"Immanuel" was the name that predicted child was to be given. It literally means 'God with us' and I believe it had a symbolic meaning to the original context of Isaiah 7. But I also believe it was pointing ahead to that glorious day when "God became flesh and dwelt among us."

God being with us makes all the difference. When national and global chaos meet the reality that God is with us, we are given a sure hope of all things being worked out in God's plan. When personal troubles are confronted by God with us, we are given comfort and strength to persevere. When spiritual struggles collide with God with us, we are given a clean slate as well as the power of the Spirit to overcome our own frailties. 

Praise the Lord that God is with us!

Music Mondays

My wife and I are pretty proud of ourselves today. We took the time and effort to put up our Christmas tree yesterday, which for us is early. In fact, any time before Christmas Eve is early for us. Here's photographic proof: 

Despite the fact that my football game was on, I muted the TV and tried to give full attention to helping my better half decorate this tree. Also, I knew she'd appreciate putting in a Christmas CD while we worked on it. I found a Trans Siberian Orchestra album she hadn't even opened yet and it helped set the mood.

For this week's Music Monday, I can't think of a better option than one of the most enchanting T.S.O. songs that should put you in the mood for celebrating this wonderful holiday. Merry Christmas!

 

Music Mondays

As I shared in yesterday's sermon, I am a little OCD when it comes to the holidays. 

By that I mean that I get annoyed when stores stock their shelves with Christmas stuff in early November. I also quickly switch radio stations when I hear Christmas carols before Thanksgiving.

But now that we have enjoyed our turkey, stuffing, and the other elements of our large meals with families, we can look ahead to decorative trees, colorful lights, snowmen, gifts, and more large meals with our families. And of course I can now allow my OCD-self to enjoy  Christmas music. I do have to consciously 'flip the switch' in my mind in a way, but I also have to consciously guard against letting the trees, lights, gifts, and family get-togethers from getting in the way of the true meaning of this holiday.

Thankfully the best Christmas music makes this exercise a little easier. The best Christmas music is worshipful and Christ-focused. A new single out on  Chris Tomlin's Christmas Album is both of those things. It features new-ish artist Lauren Daigle absolutely nailing the uplifting vocals on this re-invented version of 'Noel'.

If that can't get you in the proper Christmas mood, there's something wrong with you.