The Messenger - June 2, 2011 - The Message in the Music
How do you listen for the Word of God in sermons, songs, and stories that you hear? And how do you respond to that word by faith? During our Sonlight Singers Choir Tour last weekend, Emily Anderson really challenged our teens to think about the music they were singing and especially about the message it contained. "Are we living the message of the music?" she asked them? "If not, in what ways must our lives be changed?"
In order to help them answer these questions, Emily prepared a small book of devotionals based on each of the major songs that they sang. Each devotional included a Bible verse and a story and a set of questions or suggestions for each person to consider while alone. Emily asked me to comment on these devotionals, and I loved them. In fact, I loved them so much that I had to share at least one of them with you.
This devotional is based upon a song called "When We Believe." The story is good, and the application at the bottom is even better. Thus, I hope you'll take some time to complete this devotional exercise before attending the Sonlight Singer's Program this weekend.
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I. The Song:
“When We
Believe” …there is hope and there is courage to stand and do what’s right… II. The Story: Zach and Cody's performance I saw a re-run of a show on the Disney Channel the other day. Zach and Cody pretended to play in a band. They dressed up like rock stars and carried around empty guitar cases to impress the girls and their friends. The school dance was coming up. The band that was to play for the dance could not make it and, you guessed it, the students elected Zach and Cody to play for the school dance. That was great, until they had to play something! Even though they acted like musicians, they proved they weren’t by playing the “name game” instead of music at the dance. The proof of a true musician is whether or not they can play music, not whether or not they dress like a rocker and carry an empty guitar case. This song says that the only way the world will know the Truth is if you live the life of a Christian. Just because you come to church and sing in this choir doesn’t prove you have God at the core of your being. Only what you do everyday at and after school will prove to the world that God’s love is in your life. Go through the words of the song again. Can you stand and do what’s right? III. The Scripture: “Do not merely listen to the word- do what it says.” James 1:23 IV. The Message from God to you: Empty Cases The only proof of God’s love is when you live the life- not just play the part.. Quietly consider the “empty guitar cases” you carry around each day in order to look like something you are not. Know that, eventually, your friends will find out you can’t play what you don’t know. Pray for each other in the choir that what they sing today is what they’ll live tomorrow. |
Isn't that a great devotional? My prayer is that God uses this weekend's musical to prod each of us to think about the music that we hear or sing and respond to that message with some deep and humble step of faith.
Have a blessed weekend!
Neal
Musical
SonLight Singers are performing the "Yes, We Believe" musical this Sunday at 5 p.m. All are invited!
HOT DOGS!
Calendar
Fri, Jun 3
6:00 pm - Mulligan's Fellowship
Night
Sat, Jun 4
9:00 am - Dress rehearsal for
SonLight Singer's Musical
Sun, Jun 5
8:30 am - Adult Sunday School
9:30 am - Worship
5:00 pm - SonLight Singers
Musical
Tue, Jun 7
7:00 pm - Most commissions meet
Wed, Jun 8
7:00 am - Bible Study at
Carrow's
4:00 pm - Parent Hangout
4:00 pm - Angel Choir
4:00 pm - Angel and Cherubs
Storytime
4:00 pm - GG Devotional/Homework
Hangout
4:30 pm - Cherub Choir
5:00 pm - Gospel Gang Choir
5:45 pm - Dinner for King's
Chorus and SonLight Singers
6:15 pm - King's Chorus Choir
6:15 pm - High School Fellowship
6:45 pm - Co-Op Meeting in CE #1
7:00 pm - Prayer Group
7:15 pm - Junior High Fellowship
7:15 pm - SonLight Singers Choir
Thu, Jun 9
7:30 pm - Chancel Choir
Rehearsal
Fri, Jun 10
7:00 pm - Youth Hangout
Sat, Jun 11
1:00 pm - Crop Walk
8:30 am - Adult Sunday School
9:30 am - Worship - Angels and Cherubs sing
10:45 am - Hot Dog Lunch
11:00 am - Outrigger Business Meeting
Erik Larson is the
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