Music

Such an issue! I can remember when music was one of the most important things in my life. I have loved to sing and play the piano since I was a small child. God gave me many opportunities to use my voice as my dad began his ministry. I was in the third grade when my dad took his first church. By the time we arrived in Columbia, Tennessee, I had been saved for three years and had been exposed to some of the best music in the world, having gone to Castleberry Baptist Church, in Fort Worth, Texas, where "Little David" Cavin had led the choir, and High Street Baptist Church in Springfield, MO, where Bro. Earl Smith had faithfully sung and led the choir.

I can remember at Castleberry, when I was very young and they were still in the old building, a few songs, such as; "Verily, Verily" and "Whosoever, Surely Meaneth Me"(which I misinterpreted as, "Shirley meaneth me"). When we came back to Castleberry for BBF National Fellowship meetings,and they were in their new, much larger auditorium, I remember "Wonderful Grace of Jesus", Jimmye and Wilma Boyd's many organ and piano duets(some of which I couldn't wait to get home to pick out on the piano, Wilma playing the xylophone, the lady that sat on the front row of the choir and had the most beautiful smile on her face as she sang, the song "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow", "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" and "How Firm A Foundation", and "Little David's" rendition of "Roll, Jordan, Roll", as the choir backed him up.

At High Street, I was able to learn a lot of other songs, as my dad went to Baptist Bible College. Then again, while I was attending BBC, was able to sing in that choir myself and also sing in an accapella trio that sang several times in church.

I have many fond memories of the duets that my brother, Bobby, and I sang for church. We spent many hours singing and doing dishes with the old "All American Hymnal" propped in the window. I can remember singing with Susie, Judi and Eddie as they were growing up. We never were able to sing together in church at that time because there was quite a difference in our ages. When I married they were 9, 7, and 5.

Music was what brought Mike and I together. He completely won me over because he could play the piano in ANY key. I played by ear and could only do that in a very few keys. He was able to transpose any song into a lower key so I could sing solos. The first Sunday after we got married I sang in his dad's little church. That was probably my first solo and for the past thirty years, we have participated in the music program of almost every church service that we have been in.

That was quite an introduction and one that I had not anticipated. It brought back so many pleasant memories and filled my eyes with tears as I remembered the joy I have received from music.

I wanted to write this entry about music because I was able to listen to a tape of Bro. Lonnie Moore, who spoke at our Bible Conference recently. He spoke to the TCCA students and others in a morning service that we were unable to attend, on the subject of "Music and the Bible". I have never heard some of the things he said.

Do you know how it is when you hear something and your spirit confirms and gives you peace that it is truth? That was the way this tape affected me. I need to relisten to the tape to really completely consume all that he said. One thing that stood out to me was when he asked the question, "Did God create music?" He believes that music is an attribute of God and used a verse that mentions God singing.

Zep 3:17 (KJV) The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

I had never thought of God singing! Can you even imagine what it will be to hear that?

I have often thought about how much I enjoy music and how heaven will be FILLED with music.

Another point he made was that we were created in His image, which means we were made musical beings because we are like Him. We were created to bring honor and glory to Him. If we were made musical beings to bring honor and glory to God, then, I think you can make the analysis that music that doesn't bring honor to God is going to bring honor somewhere else, for example; flesh or Satan.

It is quite a deep subject. I would suggest that if you are interested in hearing what he had to say, you might go to www.2ndbaptistchurch.com and order the tape of Lonnie Moore on "Music and the Bible". It was the 2/22/06 AM service. I believe the cassette tapes are $3 a piece.

Ps 119:105 (KJV) "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."