Tag: music

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Wisdom Prayer

Sing Songs of Salvation!

Sing Songs of Salvation!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who sing glad songs of salvation. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Sing of redemption and deliverance. God can do amazing things.

The word “valiantly” in the following verse has many meanings: bravely, courageously, fearlessly, and nobly.

Psalm 118:14-16 (ESV) is about song, salvation, and the right hand of the Lord.

“The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
Glad songs of salvation
are in the tents of the righteous:
‘The right hand of the Lord does valiantly,
the right hand of the Lord exalts,
the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!’”

When a crisis comes, rely on your musical memory, or pull out a hymnal. Praise God! Sing glad songs.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

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Wisdom Prayer

Blessed with Special Gifts!

Blessed with Special Gifts!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those are blessed with special gifts. In Jesus’ name, amen.

David was anointed by Samuel and destined to be the next king.

In 1 Samuel 16:14-23 (ESV) we learn how the Lord orchestrated it so David’s special gifts opened the door to allow him to meet and serve King Saul.

“Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the Lord tormented him. And Saul’s servants said to him, ’Behold now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord now command your servants who are before you to seek out a man who is skillful in playing the lyre, and when the harmful spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will be well.’ So Saul said to his servants, ‘Provide for me a man who can play well and bring him to me.’ One of the young men answered, ‘Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the Lord is with him.’ Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, ‘Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.’ And Jesse took a donkey laden with bread and a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them by David his son to Saul. And David came to Saul and entered his service. And Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer. And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, ‘Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight.’ And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.”

The hand of God was on David.

David’s ability to play the lyre opened the door, so David’s God-given gift of music could calm King Saul.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

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Wisdom Prayer

Songs of Salvation?

Songs of Salvation?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who sing glad songs of salvation. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Sing of redemption and deliverance. God can do amazing things.

The word “valiantly” in the following verses has many synonyms including bravely, courageously, fearlessly, and nobly.

Psalm 118:14-16 (ESV) is about song, salvation, and the right hand of the Lord.

“The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
Glad songs of salvation
are in the tents of the righteous:
‘The right hand of the Lord does valiantly,
the right hand of the Lord exalts,
the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!’”

When a crisis comes, it may be time to pull out a hymnal and start to sing. Or rely on your musical memory. So praise and sing glad songs.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

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From The Author

The Tyranny of Technology: Take a Technology Free Day

The Tyranny of Technology: Take a Technology Free Day

Take action! Why wait? The next “National Day of Unplugging” is March 25, 2022.

Do you feel overwhelmed? Are friends and family being neglected? Are you so consumed with the day to day, you have forgotten to take time to pray?

Perhaps it is time to turn off the cell phone, put away the iPad, shut the laptop computer, power down the desktop computer, turn off the television, turn off the music, and put an end to the tyranny of technology.

Accept the one-day challenge: Do without emails, podcasts, webinars, Zoom, and Skype. Take off the high-tech watch, and wind up an old clock or wristwatch. Turn the tech off for a day.

So family and friends do not panic, tell them in advance you are taking a technology-free day.

Gather in person. Get others to join in a day without technology.

How might life change? Would you communicate? Listen to others? Hear what they have to say? Look them in the eye? Speak without having to shout to be heard?

Ask yourself: “Who me? Unplug?”

Pick a day. Take action! Why wait?

Tell me what you think below and please join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.

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Uncategorized

A Different Kind of Christmas

A Different Kind of Christmas

Remember the good old days when everything came together for Christmas.

All seemed to fall into place including the preparation, decorations, friends, family, and food. The celebrations made for a perfect holiday.

This year will not be the same. Whether it is because of the pandemic, or a family member with chronic illness, special needs, or dementia, this Christmas season will not replicate the fond memories of the past.

It is time to create new memories.

If this is going to be a different kind of Christmas, why not make the best of it. Adjust expectations and cater to your loved one’s needs.

One idea is to stretch out the season over a number of days. Instead of everything happening on Christmas day, schedule several more manageable events and activities like the following:

Tree Shopping                         Decorate the Tree

Family Visits                           Gift Exchange

Go See Christmas Lights        Bake Christmas Cookies

Watch a Holiday Movie          Enjoy Hot Coco

Listen to Christmas Music      Sing Christmas Carols

Send Christmas Cards            Go Christmas Shopping

Have a Special Dinner            Enjoy a Pizza Lunch

Attend a Church Service        Watch a Christmas Special

As things become more hectic, please be flexible. Give yourself grace. Take time to enjoy the season for what it truly is, the celebrations of the birth of Jesus Christ. Enjoy!

Tell me what you think below and please join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.

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Wisdom Prayer

Sing a New Song?

Sing a New Song?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who sing a new song to the Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Hymns that combine familiar melodies and lyrics with a message warm hearts.

Likewise, praise songs and newer songs with warm sentiments inspire genuine worship.

The fellowship I attend offers three services every Sunday with three different musical styles. In one service there are hymns, another has both praise songs and hymns, and still another has very contemporary worship music.

Psalm 40:3 (ESV) reminds us the goal of sacred music is praise.

“He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord.”

The result is a person trusting the Lord.” Take a moment and think of a favorite song. Right now hum or sing praise to the Lord.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.