garbage in, garbage out

Alternately titled ...

I feel so old

or

I think I was born in the wrong century,

or

I am not a cool mom 

... sigh.

This post could relate to the title of my blog, since my parents had absolutely no interest in being like those parents who tried to be great friends with their children by allowing them to do things that they probably shouldn't have, the only difference being that they (by Mama's own admission) didn't worry about how their decisions would make us feel.  They did what they felt was best for us and that was the end of it.

At the moment I am typing this, Ronnie and LB are returning a popular Wii dance game that Ronnie's mom gave LB for Christmas.  I knew when she got it that this might have to happen, and we warned LB that if we didn't feel that the content was appropriate then we wouldn't keep the game.   So, today I finally took the time to look up some of the music on You Tube, just to see what it was.  Let me just say that I was embarrassed by the lyrics and videos of the songs on this game.  I know that the videos aren't actually shown on the game, but it is my understanding that the lyrics are and I couldn't believe that any parent would actually allow their child to listen to this garbage.

As a disclaimer, let me say that this was the latest version of this game and that I have been told that the earlier versions aren't as bad and as my children pointed out, you could just play the songs that aren't bad and don't listen to the ones that are.  But, I couldn't do this with this game...one song (California Gurls) was by Katy Perry and some rapper and if that were the only bad song on the whole game, I still couldn't risk my children being exposed to those lyrics.  I hope I am not stepping on any toes here, I know that every parent makes the choices that they feel are best for their children and I know that not everyone agrees with how much I shelter my children, and that is okay, but it doesn't change the fact that Ronnie and I are responsible for every thing that goes into the minds and hearts of our children.

Interestingly, not long after I finished my little foray into pop music via youtube, I saw the following link on facebook...let me warn you that this article contains some of the less graphic, but still disturbing, lyrics from the Katy Perry song mentioned above.  The article seemed to be a timely confirmation of the decision Ronnie and I made today.

Profanity and Pop Music

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. Philippians 4:8

since I can't seem to get a real post done ...

...here are a couple of my favorite Christmas songs, just so you'll know that I haven't fallen off of the blogging planet!






Sorry, Amy, I still like the Kenny Rogers/Wynona version best!

And, just for fun...

shoutin' time ...

I may have covered this topic on this blog before, but it bears repeating ... I love music.  Specifically, I love the music of the Church.  I believe that it is one of the best gifts that God has given to the Church.  It is only in recent years that I have come to understand the power of music and how we as Christians can and should worship through music.  For years, I saw the music part of a worship service more for entertainment than worship.  Now, one of my favorite parts of singing in the choir on Sunday mornings is seeing the worship that is in the hearts of the congregation reflected on their faces.  I can't explain it and it may sound strange to you, but it lifts my heart and encourages me in ways that I just don't have words to describe.

With all that said, I want to share a song that we are practicing in choir.  I don't think I had ever heard this song before a few weeks ago and I know that I had never heard of this group that is singing in the video, but it is a great song and this group is amazing ...



...our choir won't be living up to that performance, but we will worship our Savior when we sing it and really, that is all that matters.

Continuing to count the innumerable blessings ...

The gift of music

Worship, in spirit and in truth

Witnessing the moving of the Holy Spirit

Conviction

Being challenged to move out of my comfort zone, even when my fear is strong

Hymns

Children singing

#15-21

broken into beautiful

As I sit here, looking at the blank page before me, I realize that I have no idea how to write about this topic in a way that will do it justice.  So often when this realization comes to me, I give up, but not today.  I may not be able to write eloquently, but today, I am going to share what is on my heart anyway.

I read a question the other day, on one of my favorite blogs, about how God speaks to us as individuals.  The author of this blog asked her readers to think about the ways that God has spoken to us and the first answer that came to my mind was music.  I have always loved to sing, and even though my best efforts are simply a "joyful noise,"  I still find myself, almost unconsciously, singing the words to a hymn when I am feeling empty and I realize that it is no coincidence that a song just popped into my mind.  It is a gift from my Father, who wants me to focus on Him rather than on my circumstances.  This shouldn't surprise me, the Bible tells me that God hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. (Psalm 40:3)

Knowing that music is powerful in the lives of many Christians is part of why I enjoy singing in the choir.  Having the opportunity to praise God through song is only part of why I sing.  One of my favorite parts of singing in the choir is getting to see the faces of the congregation while we sing.  Sometimes, you can look at them and know that they aren't just listening to us, they are worshiping the Father with us as we sing.  It has nothing to do with how well we present the song, it is simply that the words resonate with them and point them to the Savior.  We experienced this true worship yesterday morning with a song from our Easter musical, Broken Into Beautiful.  The song was sung by my friend, Amy, with a little ~very little~ help from the choir and it felt as if the congregation was collectively holding their breath while she sang the words that seemed to touch every heart in the sanctuary.

She's smiling on the outside, but she's hurting on the inside,

it's hard just living anymore, and the shadows she has clung to,

painful things that she has been through have left her feeling worthless, Lord.

I have loved this song from the first time I heard it.  We read this woman's story in Luke 7:36-50.  She is the one who anointed Jesus' feet with ointment and wiped them with her hair, but this story is so much more than just a story. 

It is the reality that has been experienced by every person who has come to the feet of the Savior asking forgiveness and accepting the love He offers. 

The first few times I listened to the song I couldn't help but think of the line the shadows she has clung to, painful things she has been through have left her feeling worthless, Lord ... this is personal, the shadows that I have clung to ... have left me feeling worthless and alone at times and, like the woman in the song, I know how to put on the smile for everyone to see.  Of course, I am not unique and thankfully the story doesn't end with the fake smiles and feelings of failure.

But You change worthless into precious, guilty to forgiven,

hungry into satisfied, empty into full and all the lies are shattered

and we believe we matter when You change broken into beautiful.

Again, I am not unique in my personal connection with this song.  As I looked out over the congregation as Amy sang, I could see that same connection on many of the faces.  I know the story behind some of those faces ... each story is different and yet they are all the same when they are poured out at the feet of Jesus.

We live with accusations, sometimes heavy expectations

that tell us that we can never measure up. 

 And yet You repeat with mercy and in Your eyes we are

worthy, until at last we see how much we're loved.

But You change worthless into precious, guilty to forgiven,

hungry into satisfied, empty into full, and all the lies are shattered

and we believe we matter, when You change broken into beautiful.

_________________________________________

I found this video on YouTube if you would like to listen to the song ...

don't forget to pause the blog music!

another hymn for another week

A few weeks ago, our church held a dedication service for our new hymnals.  I was skeptical when I first heard that Lifeway was coming out with a new hymnal, but I have been pleasantly surprised by the excellent mix of old and new.  Today we sang several of my favorite hymns, but the one I want to share is a new one we learned in choir tonight.  If you haven't heard the song, you can listen to it here.

I don't know what else to say, except that as we sang tonight I just found myself praying these words and thinking how appropriate they are for the beginning of a new week.  I hope it speaks to you, as well.

Holy Spirit, Rain Down

Holy Spirit, rain down, rain down;

O Comforter and Friend,

How we need Your touch again.

Holy Spirit, rain down, rain down;

Let Your power fall, let Your voice be heard,

Come and change our hearts as we stand on Your Word.

Holy Spirit, rain down.

Holy Spirit, rain down, rain down;

O Comforter and Friend,

How we need Your touch again.

Holy Spirit, rain down, rain down;

Let Your power fall, let Your voice be heard,

Come and change our hearts as we stand on Your Word.

Holy Spirit, rain down.

No eye has seen, no ear has heard,

No mind can know what God has in store;

So open up heaven, open it wide

Over Your church and over our lives.

Holy Spirit, rain down, rain down;

Let Your power fall, let Your voice be heard,

Come and change our hearts as we stand on Your Word.

Holy Spirit, rain down.

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name,

he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,

whatsoever I have said unto you.  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you;

not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled,

neither let it be afraid.  John 14:26 & 27

Words and Music by Russell Fragar ~ Hillsong Publishing ~ from the Baptist Hymnal

a couple of new favorites

I have been working on a Christmas post all week, but it just never came together, so I guess I'll just scrap it ... or maybe I'll save it for next year.  I do hope that each of you had a wonderful Christmas, just as my family did.  After leaving church on Wednesday night, we didn't venture more than 5 miles from our house until after Christmas ... it was wonderful!  We spent Christmas Eve at home with my parents and 2 of my 3 brothers.  I love being at the home where I spent most of my childhood and having my kids play with their cousins in the same house that I played with my brothers.  Actually, I prefer seeing them play in the yard with their cousins, but since it was raining, that didn't work this year.

For Christmas Day, we just stayed in our own home and enjoyed the kids.  My parents came over in the afternoon and we ate homemade pizza.  All in all, it was a great day ... simple and uncomplicated.

Now, on to the new favorites.  Since it is time to change my blog music from Christmas back to regular music, I thought this would be a good time to leave the music off for a few days and share two of my new favorite songs.  Music has always been very important to me and I love old music.  I still love to sit and listen to the old songs that my brothers and I used to play on my Daddy's record player.  Music like that brings back sweet memories, even if the songs are silly or childish.  As much as I cling to old music, I still have room for new favorites as well and these two songs I am going to share here have earned a special place in my heart.

Just so you know, I do realize that these songs have been out for a few years, so they may not be as new to you as they are to me.  I'm always a little behind the times ... but that is okay with me!

The first song is one that I first heard at a preview service for the new Baptist Hymnal.  I must admit to being leery of the new hymnal.  Most people would probably describe me as an old fogey when it comes to church music.  I love to sing the hymns of my childhood (and my parents' childhood) and while I do enjoy some of the newer praise and worship music, I don't think they can take the place of the beautiful hymns that are falling by the wayside in so many churches today.  But, I digress ... the point is, that I wasn't sure what to expect from the new hymnal, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a good mixture of the old favorites, choruses and even great new hymns.  This song is an example of what I would call a great new hymn.



The second song is going to come as a shock to some who know me in a more personal way.  For years my friends Brad and Amy have been talking about the band Casting Crowns.  At first, I didn't expect to like any of their music ... they don't exactly qualify as my parents' church music you know.  But, as much as I hate to admit to being wrong, I'll make an exception on this occasion.  I have actually found several of their songs that I enjoy.  I think that what I like is that their music speaks to some very real and some very difficult situations that I have experienced and this song is no exception.



I pray that this music speaks to you.  Not because it speaks to me, but because it speaks of Jesus.  You see, I believe the message of this music with all of my heart.  For me, there is no question that the only hope I have for anything is In Christ Alone.  And, I have also found that praising Him in the storms of life - big or small - is the only way to survive those storms and come out stronger on the other side.

So, maybe this is my Christmas post after all.  Because all of the stuff we take part in during the Christmas holidays is totally meaningless if we leave the baby in the manger.  As beautiful as the Christmas season is, it is only the beginning of the story.  The Christmas story is where Jesus chose to lay aside His glory and come to earth knowing full well that 33 years later He would go to the Cross and complete the plan of redemption that was brought to earth in the form of a helpless baby.  Thank you, Jesus!

Calvary's Love

Calvary’s love will sail forever,
bright and shining, strong and free,
like an ark of peace and safety on the sea of human need.

Through the hours of all the ages,
those tired of sailing on their own,
finally rest inside the shadow cast by Calvary’s love across their souls.

Calvary’s love, Calvary’s love,
priceless gift Christ makes us worthy of.
The deepest sin can’t rise above Calvary’s love.

Calvary’s love can heal the spirit
life has crushed and cast aside,
and redeem till heaven’s promise fills with joy once empty eyes.

So desire to tell the story of a loved that loved enough to die, burns away all other passions and fed by Calvary’s love becomes a fire.

Calvary’s love, Calvary’s love,
priceless gift Christ makes us worthy of.
The deepest sin can’t rise above Calvary’s love.

Calvary’s love has never faltered.
All its wonders still remain.
Souls still take eternal passage.
Sins atoned and heaven gained.
Sins atoned and heaven gained.
Sins atoned and heaven gained.

From the musical In the Presence of Jehovah
(Words and Music by Greg Nelson and Phil McHuh)