Reminds me of VA and the indoor snowball fights we had while I was a youth pastor there! Found this one in a box up in PA. Oops! I’ll mail it back or drop it off sometime!
It’s interesting what can remind us of church whether we went the other day or it’s been a while.
For many it’s the music.
I’m all for hymns (we sing several every Sunday), but I get concerned when music becomes a cause for division and opinion-based fighting.
Let’s be clear where the Bible is clear and quiet where the Bible is quiet (or at least make it clear when we’re saying our preference or opinion and not Bible).
Let’s never elevate preference or tradition to the level of Bible truth.
Music is wonderful; it’s powerful.
Ephesians 5:19 says, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”
Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
If we shouldn’t be thinking about something, why would we listen to someone else sing about it?!?
And our music should stir the right emotions not harmful ones.
Psalms 57:7 says, “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.
It’s special when our love for God overflows in song. Music has the ability to stir our hearts up for our Savior, but if our music is instead constantly stirring up anger, lust, fear, or other potentially harmful emotions, that’s cause for concern.
Everyone probably has different music preferences (and there is obviously more too dig into when it comes to music), but let’s let the Bible be our guide as we seek to fill our hearts, minds, and lungs with praise to our Savior.