Musical Monday

Welcome, this is the first of what I hope to become a tradition here at my humble 'dojo'. I really enjoy music. I could have it on in my house, car, work place, where ever - pretty much 24 hours a day. The type of music I listen to will depend on what mood I am in, and generally what is the easiest to get into my ears.

Music is a powerful thing. It is not merely entertainment. It has power to shape your mood. It has power to affect your thoughts. It is my belief, that it can even penetrate to your very soul. I believe that because I can notice changes in my emotions, and thought patterns that deviate from (what I consider) my norm. Sometimes right away, sometimes not for days. While many of you may, or may not, agree with me on this last point - it is the primary motivator for me to begin what I will call 'Musical Mondays'. While my blogging skills are not very well developed, I am always willing to learn and grow, so I am also hoping that this will help in that regards. For now, I am limited to jsut text. In the future... who knows. (One things for sure, it will never include me singing... that would just drive you all away ;-) )

The very first song I wanted to blog about has got to be my all time favorite, Amazing Grace. Since I do not have to worry too much about copyright on this classic hymn here they are:

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me....

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught...

my heart to fear.

And Grace, my fears relieved.

How precious did that Grace appear...

the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...

we have already come.

T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...

and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me...

His word my hope secures.

He will my shield and portion be...

as long as life endures.

When we've been here ten thousand years...

bright shining as the sun.

We've no less days to sing God's praise...

then when we've first begun.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me....

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now, I see.

As a born again, evangelical, reformed, charismatic Christian these words stop me in my tracks pretty much every time I hear them, no matter what form I hear them in. I remember as a very 'young' Christian "hearing" these words for the first time (you know when you actualy feel the words, and not just listen to them...) I actually cried. Although, I still don't cry at this song, it does still bring me to a point of meditation and reflection.

Now when I listen to it I think of me... "...that saved a wretch like me...", lost then found, sight, fear, hope, protection, promise, hope. When I hear this song it moves me like no other song has. God's grace... even now I am distracted as I try and write this.

When I respond to the question, "How are you", and I respond like my old pastor and modern day example of a man I would aspire to be like CJ Mahaney - "better than I deserve" - too often (in my opinion) I will get some kind of response like I am being too hard on myself. That I deserve only the best things in life. But if one is completely honest with oneself do we really deserve anything?

From God's point of view what am I on my best day, apart from Christ's work on the cross, what am I? A sinner. Uterly contemptable in God's sight. It was only by His grace that the plan of Christ coming to the earth, and the revelation of God to my heart and mind. It is God's grace that even helps me in the daily struggles that I experience when I stumble and sin. This song reminds me that it is not only God's grace that saved me, but that it is His grace that sees me through the daily struggles of life. And that is not all. There is the grace that will see me through to spend all of eternity in His presence, enjoying Him, and being given to continually enjoy the gift of music, singing His praise.



Verse for today:
Revelation 5:11-14, ESV
Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.