Y'all brought back some serious memories with your comments on my last post; in fact, I spent the better portion of Friday humming "Friends" or "Father's Eyes," and while I was tempted to go get a spiral perm to make it all feel a little more authentic, you'll be happy to know that I resisted.
But I still may break out a banana clip. There's just not a bit of telling.
Anyway, I wanted to add one more little tidbit to our discussion of Things Musical and then I'll get back to regularly scheduled programming on my next post. Not that I have anything you could consider regular and/or scheduled that I write about here, but I needed a segue', and that one seemed fitting, so I ran with it.
So here's what I wanted to share.
When I was growing up the very first thing listed in the church bulletin every week was the call to worship. It was always a song intended to help prepare our hearts for worship, but I didn't realize that when I was a child. I just thought that the organist played music to make the congregation get quiet before the preacher walked out.
Now that I'm older, of course, I understand the concept of "call to worship" a little bit better, and about a year and a half ago I started doing something in the mornings that has had a profound impact on my mood and my outlook. I have a "call to worship" almost every single morning in my car. Because as it turns out, you don't have to listen to an organist or even be sitting in a church to be called to worship.
I KNOW.
There are several songs I listen to with the sole purpose of reminding myself that my actions throughout the day should be worshipful and worship-filled (and this is in addition to quiet time / Bible study, by the way), and I thought I'd share one of my favorites with y'all. It's called "Vision of You," and it was written by Shane Bernard of Shane & Shane.
Other early morning favorites are "Quietly" by Daniel Renstrom and Travis Cottrell's version of "Praise To The Lord The Almighty." I don't listen to the same song every morning, but the intent is always the same: to put my heart in its proper place.
What are the songs that help prepare your heart for worship? Do you have any favorites?
It will probably come as no surprise to any of you that I am still loving the Esther study. I think it may be one of my favorite Beth Moore studies I've ever done. I love how much I'm learning about Queen Esther, but what I love even more are all the practical applications.
Imagine that. The Bible is still relevant for day-to-day life after thousands of years. God knew what He was doing when He put that whole thing together.
This week we found Esther taking that fateful walk into King Haman's court. She knew she was risking her life, but she also knew that she was the only human with the ability to change the course of the edict to kill all the Jews.
Beth talked a lot about fear this week and I think we've all been through times where we've felt gripped by fear. However, the quote that spoke to me the most was found in Day Two.
"Sometimes God is more aware than we of just how much He requires of us. He knows how hard it's going to be for us."
I don't know why, but that brings me comfort. I've just never thought about God realizing how hard it is for us to be obedient sometimes and that He understands more than anyone that we're being pulled away from what is comfortable and familiar.
Y'all are going to think this is the most random thing ever.
And that is fine. Because this is in fact the most random thing ever.
This morning I was thinking about what music my little boy will remember from his childhood. He loves Monk & Neagle, Mercy Me, Dave Barnes - and while I don't know if it's at all normal for a five year-old to ask to listen to "Mr. Travis" on a nearly daily basis, there's no question that Travis Cottrell will forever be a part of Alex's Childhood Musical Hall of Fame.
Travis must be so proud. Maybe I should send him a certificate. With a commemorative seal.
Anyway, I've been walking down my own little musical memory lane for about the last two hours, and for some reason one song in particular popped in my head - a song I haven't listened to in, I don't know, fifteen years?
So I searched YouTube, and y'all - I FOUND IT.
I NEARLY SQUEALED.
I mean, that'll take you right back to some stirrup pants and Units. Yes ma'am it will.
So 'fess up, girls - what's your favorite old school contemporary Christian song from the 80s or 90s?
If you'll give me enough time to go hot roll my hair and lacquer it really good with some Paul Mitchell Freeze & Shine, I'll meet you in the comments.
If you happen to be the wife of a minister, then let me say God bless you. I cannot imagine living life in the fishbowl that is probably your life a lot of the time. It's no doubt a special calling.
I could sit here and tell you how awesome it's going to be (and I have no doubt that it will be an incredible time of ministry), but I think Travis Cottrell summed it up best in this post he wrote yesterday.
He also has some great thoughts about ways to make sure that your pastor's wife can attend this conference. They probably need it more than we can imagine because, rumor has it, being a pastor's wife is a lot more difficult than just making enough potato salad for the potluck dinner.
Melanie
Melanie
Sophie
Sophie
Paige
Paige
Kris
Kris