My mom always seemed to have music going on the weekends. Either Dolly Parton, Roger Whittacker, Amy Grant, and Michael Card. I'd always have my walkman going...then later portable CD player. I was in church choir my freshman year of high school. When my baby sister was born, I'd rock her and sing her to sleep.
In high school and very early college, certain CDs, my friends and I would listen to over and over and over again. (Particularly Dennis Jernigan.) One group of friends, we'd listen to the same song for hours. I remember listening to Bob Fitz and Kent Henry and them coming to our church -- Kent Henry remembered everyone's names and one night sung a song over us -- it was an amazing evening how God met us, it's still one of my favorite songs, and I've been fascinated by the concept of singing over people every since. And when I was sad, I would call a certain friend and tell him, "Sing me a sing."
During hard times or even just times of seeking God, a certain song or set of songs would stand out to me, and I'd listen to or sing them over and over again. I've discovered now that if I'm having a hard time, I can go back to those songs and they take me back, speak to me, encourage me, and remind me of how God met me.
When I moved out of my parents' house, I regularly had music playing in my dorm/apartment/room. I'd often go to sleep to music. And yes, at times, I enjoyed loud music! When I moved to Texas, however, my roommate didn't like having music on. Really didn't like it. I was greatly disappointed about this, but I didn't see it as a "big deal" at the time -- just my likes and her likes, so I respected her wishes... without compromise.
After 6 years of limited music, I visited my friends in California (before I moved here, obviously). Every morning they put on a praise and worship CD. I loved it. It seemed to bring peace and calm -- at least to me. Even still, when I go over to their house and they have music playing (particularly p&w), inside I feel like, "ahhhhhhhhhhh....." and I'm always bummed when the music gets turned off.
Music is powerful. Extremely oppressive rules control or even banish music (Taliban). Music can encourage, comfort, be a means of expressing of joy and happiness or sorrow and mourning. And the Lord inhabits the praises of His people. In the NT, jailed apostles sang in prison. There are stories of jailed believers now (in countries with persecution) singing and it lifting their spirits, changing the attitudes of those around them, even being told to stop because, "Your songs are going to convert us too!" The Lord inhabits the praises of His people.
In the past few months, in part thanks to my Kindle (Christmas gift), I've been playing music in the house more -- in the morning when I get up, and at night as I fall asleep. I even had music going a lot of the time while I was writing my thesis -- particularly Laura Woodley, because it's just so peaceful and soothing.
I've been reading a book about a missionary's experiences in various countries -- his experience in Somalia was particularly heart-breaking. The situation the people have been in is beyond what we could even begin to imagine. They're in such desperate need -- what can be done? Really only God can change that situation -- we've already tried our best efforts, and that hasn't worked. Hardly any songs are sung there at all. I found part of me thinking about going there just to sing Him a song. The Lord inhabits the praises of His people.
In high school and very early college, certain CDs, my friends and I would listen to over and over and over again. (Particularly Dennis Jernigan.) One group of friends, we'd listen to the same song for hours. I remember listening to Bob Fitz and Kent Henry and them coming to our church -- Kent Henry remembered everyone's names and one night sung a song over us -- it was an amazing evening how God met us, it's still one of my favorite songs, and I've been fascinated by the concept of singing over people every since. And when I was sad, I would call a certain friend and tell him, "Sing me a sing."
During hard times or even just times of seeking God, a certain song or set of songs would stand out to me, and I'd listen to or sing them over and over again. I've discovered now that if I'm having a hard time, I can go back to those songs and they take me back, speak to me, encourage me, and remind me of how God met me.
When I moved out of my parents' house, I regularly had music playing in my dorm/apartment/room. I'd often go to sleep to music. And yes, at times, I enjoyed loud music! When I moved to Texas, however, my roommate didn't like having music on. Really didn't like it. I was greatly disappointed about this, but I didn't see it as a "big deal" at the time -- just my likes and her likes, so I respected her wishes... without compromise.
After 6 years of limited music, I visited my friends in California (before I moved here, obviously). Every morning they put on a praise and worship CD. I loved it. It seemed to bring peace and calm -- at least to me. Even still, when I go over to their house and they have music playing (particularly p&w), inside I feel like, "ahhhhhhhhhhh....." and I'm always bummed when the music gets turned off.
Music is powerful. Extremely oppressive rules control or even banish music (Taliban). Music can encourage, comfort, be a means of expressing of joy and happiness or sorrow and mourning. And the Lord inhabits the praises of His people. In the NT, jailed apostles sang in prison. There are stories of jailed believers now (in countries with persecution) singing and it lifting their spirits, changing the attitudes of those around them, even being told to stop because, "Your songs are going to convert us too!" The Lord inhabits the praises of His people.
In the past few months, in part thanks to my Kindle (Christmas gift), I've been playing music in the house more -- in the morning when I get up, and at night as I fall asleep. I even had music going a lot of the time while I was writing my thesis -- particularly Laura Woodley, because it's just so peaceful and soothing.
I've been reading a book about a missionary's experiences in various countries -- his experience in Somalia was particularly heart-breaking. The situation the people have been in is beyond what we could even begin to imagine. They're in such desperate need -- what can be done? Really only God can change that situation -- we've already tried our best efforts, and that hasn't worked. Hardly any songs are sung there at all. I found part of me thinking about going there just to sing Him a song. The Lord inhabits the praises of His people.
