Sing like nobody's listening

A German novelist named Berthold Auerbach once said “Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life”.  That statement could not ring truer to me.  Music touches my heart like nothing else can.  I get lost in it, I mediate in, I’ve dedicated at least 3 songs to every person I know.  Music is such an expression of emotions either love, faith, hurt or pain.   It’s relatable, it’s beautiful, and it’s heartbreaking. 

            All of these things went through my head this morning as I listened to the local Christian station on my way to work.  I was singing “Our God” by Chris Tomlin…..side note: as I was typing this blog I couldn’t for the life of me remember the title, I just remembered a few of the lyrics, I even googled it and dang it I couldn’t find the title or artist of the song (darn devil).  Well low and behold I was listening to Pandora and BOOM the song came on as I was typing this very post.  IN YOUR FACE DEVIL, NOW GO SIT ON THAT TACK!!....ok back to the post….So I began thinking about Sunday mornings at church and how every single Sunday God calls out to me, He breaks me down, and He builds me back up all within those 8-9 minutes that we sing praise and worship.  I unintentionally cry every Sunday morning (sometimes I try to hold it back, but there is no holding back God’s love my friends) because I feel God, there is NO doubt in my mind that He is there.  He is holding my hands, smiling and looking down on not only just me but the entire congregation as we praise Him, His arms are all around us giving us a big group hug as we sing.  It is the most powerful time of my week in those very moments.  Our worship leader cracks me up every morning, God is moving within him so much that literally bounces and moves all over the entire stage throughout the whole worship session it’s awesome to see God working in someone like that I could be having a bad morning and seeing him bounce around and seeing God pour out of him just brings a huge smile to my face and I giggle every time. The first time my husband and I went to church together he felt bad for me and couldn’t understand where these tears were coming from?  He said “is everything ok, do we need to leave?  Did I do something?  If I did, I’m really sorry honey.” (ha- they always think it’s their fault when we cry).  I said “no honey, I’ll explain later”.  When I told him he was like “ok?”  He didn’t quite understand it, church for him growing up was very mundane and there were no emotions.  I think it that inspired him, to get a more personal relationship.  He is still taking those leaps of faith and loves going to church now.  He and I have grown so much together. 

            My blog this afternoon may seem a little random and I apologize I just had the urge to explain how powerful music can be, and when listening to praise and worship music, WOW it is so much more powerful than any other type of music.  As I type this blog I’m actually listening to Pandora, praise and worship and I’m SMILING and singing as I type (yeah, I’ll admit it’s hard to sing lyrics and type something different than what your singing, but I’m doing ok.  RIGHT?!?!?!). 

Little scripture for ya:

Psalm 59:16
But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.

2 Samuel 22:50
Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.

Psalm 7:17
I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.

 Ok, ok, to wrap it up.  Carl (my husband) and I were headed to my birthday dinner Monday night when I heard a song that I hadn’t heard in years called Redeemer by Nicole C. Mullen and MAN O MAN I forgot just how beautiful, powerful, and true that song is.  Every since Monday it has been on my heart to post a blog with the lyrics to that song and just remind you and myself of how wonderful He is and how powerful lyrics and music can be.  So I’ll do just that.  Below are the lyrics to Redeemer, please read them slowly, carefully and focus on every single word.  I’ve also posted a link to youtube so you can hear her sing with all her heart to God.  Hope you enjoy it.

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning
Who told the ocean you can only come this far?
Who showed the moon where to hide 'til evening
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

Well I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
All of creation testify
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives

The very same God that spins things in orbit
He runs to the weary, the worn and the weak
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken
They conquered death to bring me victory

Now I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I know my Redeemer, He lives

To take away my shame
And He lives forever I'll proclaim
That the payment for my sin
Was the precious life He gave
But now He's alive
And there's an empty grave.

And I know my Redeemer, He lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC6RXAJpPjo

            Sing it loud and sing it proud ladies.  Singing makes the heart and soul smile, and what better way to wash away the dust than to sing His praises.  If you don’t know any current songs, then listen to Pandora or better yet sing those songs from Sunday school…”father Abraham, had many sons, and many sons had father Abraham, I am one of them and so are you.  So lets just praise tha Lord” or “Jesus loves me this I know, for the bible tells me so, little to ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong” J 

Hope those last few made you smile.  Love to you all!!!