My childhood music minister Gerald B. Ray died at 92 recently and I was pleased to be able to attend the service celebrating his extraordinary life. His daughter Kristy shared that her father was in the habit of reciting the 23rd Psalm each night as he went to sleep. While he was in hospice care,Continue reading “Lullaby and Goodnight: What’s Your Bedtime Routine? Micah 2:1.”
Category Archives: Singing and Worship
Introduction to Psalms: The Song Book That Teaches You How to Relate to God. Psalm 23:2.
As a young college student, I once had a conversation with both an Old Testament professor and the dean of our humanities department. I wanted to build a research paper around the works of C.S. Lewis. The dean spoke up: “Well, I don’t know.” He looked at the Old Testament professor. “I think Lewis isContinue reading “Introduction to Psalms: The Song Book That Teaches You How to Relate to God. Psalm 23:2.”
EXALT. Psalm 12:8.
What you like, you THINK about. What you love, you TALK about. What you worship, you SING about. What do Americans sing about? Last week’s top five songs concern: 1) breaking up, 2) drugs, 3) sex, 4) the excitement of a new romance, and 5) a song by the old girl complaining about her ex’sContinue reading “EXALT. Psalm 12:8.”
The Prayers of King David. Various Psalms.
Long before he was king, David wrote psalms (poetry and songs) reflecting on the years he spent as a fugitive, hunted by King Saul. David is a rich example of godly manhood–he makes mistakes, of course. But the man is unusually well-adjusted. He is courageous but sensitive, bold but vulnerable, strong but compassionate. This warriorContinue reading “The Prayers of King David. Various Psalms.”
ANOINT. Matthew 26:6-12.
Anoint. There’s a word we don’t use every day. It means “set apart.” When you anoint something, you dedicate it for special use. The high priest, the temple, and the things in the temple were anointed for special service. Christians anoint the sick by placing olive oil on their foreheads, following James 5:14. Others anointContinue reading “ANOINT. Matthew 26:6-12.”
Billy Graham said, “Ours is a Singing Faith.”
I don’t know about you, but even having been a singer all my life, I sometimes think of male singers as trendy little guys in skinny jeans, or hipsters with an oxymoronically-named man bun. I have sung bass in choirs with all the manliest bearded men: big, strong, tattooed Marine veterans and tough guys ofContinue reading “Billy Graham said, “Ours is a Singing Faith.””
Singing at Funerals.
Dana Dawkins must have sung solos and led singing at a thousand funerals. I always remember a particularly sad funeral when she sang a song called “Trust His Heart.” I know she has performed that song at many funerals. Why? Because the message is so encouraging. Here’s the chorus: “God is too wise to beContinue reading “Singing at Funerals.”
Household Words: 