Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Christian Music Is An Awesome Gift

"How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty!" -- Psalm 84:1

I love reading scripture -- especially when it's words suddenly burst into song in my mind. That happened when I started reading Psalm 84. This is the opening words of a song by the contemporary christian band Kutless. The song is titled, "Better Is One Day." We sing it at church.

There was a time not so long ago when it was almost impossible to find a contemporary christian radio station. I listened to country music. What can I say? I have different musical tastes than my father. Things have changed. Not too long ago I drove to New Port Richey, Florida, which is more than 300 miles from here. I went from one contemporary christian station to another, without ever losing the opportunity to hear this wonderful music. How awesome is that!!!

So much of contemporary christian music, like this particular song, is based on scripture. I love hearing scripture sung. It's like the Holy Spirit wrote the song. Words that I might not be able to otherwise remember, come back to me. I carry God's Words in my heart, in a song that echoes through my mind.

I am also thrilled that young people -- youngsters, teens and young adults -- are being exposed to contemporary christian music. They have an alternative to rock and country that sounds good. In this time when we worry that all people are pulling away from God and that every media outlet exposes young people to awful things, here is something that draws us closer. I am so grateful to have HIS Radio 94.3 as a local station.

"Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;" -- Psalm 84:10a

I silently sing the chorus as I read the words in my Bible. Thank you, God, for one more opportunity to learn about your amazing Glory!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Journey Toward God

"Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage."

-- Psalm 84:5

What exactly is a pilgrimage? It's something we used to read about in literature class. But here it is in the Bible. So what does it mean for you and me?

I turned to my trusty Oxford American Dictionary. It says a pilgrimage is a pilgrim's journey made to a place as a mark of respect. Okay. So who is a pilgrim? Can I be one? The only pilgrims I know about came over on the Mayflower, something I didn't do no matter how I sometimes feel. Well, a pilgrim is a person who travels to a sacred or revered place as an act of religious devotion. My budget doesn't exactly allow for a trip to Jerusalem anytime soon but I could sure travel to my knees in search of God.

I think of a pilgrimage as a journey toward God. My Bible's footnotes say that growing strong in God's presence often follows a journey through barren land. I can see that so clearly. If we've never known the darkness, how can we ever see the light? And God is the light.

I want to spend my life on a pilgrimage to know Him. I want to read His Word and meditate. I want to study and learn with other believers. I want to open my mind to receive all He has for me, to travel the path He has laid out for me. That is my pilgrimage -- to follow God as a mark of love and respect.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Church Provides Major Benefits

"Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you." -- Psalm 84:4

There are a great many reasons to go to church. Pastor Gary touched on several of them this week. Some of the reasons are ones you'd probably guess. Others might surprise you.

Folks who attend church regularly are more moral and more honest. No surprises there. They also are more committed to family life, more involved in working and serving their communities and more generous and caring. Church attendees are more loving. We would expect that.

Did you know that people who attend church regularly are happier and more satisfied with their lives? Who knew? Sure does debunk that notion that folks who attend church walk out feeling worse than when they went in. There's something about that fire and brimstone sermon that's supposed to make us feel awful and weighed down by our lives as sinners. I guess the people who came up with that forgot to mention God's grace, Jesus' sacrifice and the Holy Spirit that dwells within us.

My family, especially on my Mother's side, tends to live long lives. We've always thought it just ran in the family. It's one of those gene things. I can't even say it comes from clean living. Snuff dipping and cigar smoking aren't known for their health benefits. But guess what? Church is. Yes. You read that right. Attending church on a regular basis will make you live longer. So maybe their long lives have more to do with church attendance than genes.

Pastor Gary was filled with information and it all leads to the same place. Attending church provides serious mental and physical health benefits. Just a few more reasons to attend church every week instead of just every now and then.