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| I currently play in a church band somewhere on the middle east coast of Florida (sounds exotic and mysterious doesn't it?) . To us, the heart and intent behind the music is more important than the execution of the music. Why are we playing this song? What does it mean? Is it appropriate at this time? MUSIC: More than a Feeling Because music is spiritual, we open ourselves to the message of the song we are listening to. There are things that people will sing in a song that they would never say, think, or even agree with if it were spoken to them. Why? Have you ever cried listening to a particular piece of music or song? Have you ever felt energized by a piece of music or a song? Why? Because music is spiritual. When we talk about 'spiritual' things, we are talking about an unseen realm that affects this 'natural' realm. You may think this sound weird, but everybody to some extent, believes that there are other 'forces', things that we sometimes can't explain, that cause things to happen. |
| We have to be careful about what we listen to. Just as the defense on a football team give up ground to their opponent, we give ground to spiritual forces in our lives, good or bad. Romans 6:16 says,"Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteouness?" Whatever you give the majority of your time to doing, your money to spending, your thoughts to thinking about, is what you are a 'slave' to, or what you are influenced by. A lot of people are offended by Christians who impose their beliefs on others, but, have you been through a grocery store check out line lately? There are 10-15 magaizines suggesting that you should look like this, you should wear this, you should have this. Everywhere you look, the world is very subtely imposing its' beliefs on us. The difference is, the lifestlyle that Jesus would try to sell you won't lead to divorce, and people trying to find fulfillment and self worth in their appearance, their friends, their possesions, etc. I've heard it said that Christianity is a crutch. That's right. Everybody's got a crutch. It may be your job, your looks, what you can do, how much knowledge you have, athletic ability, etc. Jesus it the only crutch that will never break, no matter how hard you lean on Him! All of those other 'crutches' will fail. Physical beauty fades, material wealth comes and goes, athletic ability decreases with age. If you put your self worth in these things, you will at some point be devestated, because all of these things will 'give way' at some point. Jesus is the only thing that you can build your life upon that will never change. He's the same yesterday, today, and forever. |
| DISCLAIMER: The following are the my opinions and beliefs only, and definitely don't reflect the opinions of the internet, our society, or the world at large. |