Music - Good for the Soul!
Yesterday, I posted some comments about Live 8 and African debt relief. I don't want anyone to misunderstand me - I love music, and I'm sure I would love Africa (if I ever visited - which I might one day, Lord willing!) - but back to music.
I have loved music as far back as I can remember. The style of music is not that important to me - I like classical, country, Christian, gospel, hymns, punk, rock, rap, bluegrass, instrumental, vocal, pop, speed metal, heavy metal, metal metal - well, you get the picture. For me, the thing that all of these have in common (if I like them) is quality. The music has to be good...period. I don't like everything in any genre, because not all of it is good.
However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, no? Some of you may cringe at many of my tastes listed above - and I likewise at yours. Variety is one of the things I love most about music. The differences in form and style speak to me about human beings. We are different. We are very different (and some of us more obviously than others, right??). But in one sense, we are all the same. Music can have a powerful effect on us - and here is the caution.
Music can be the key that unlocks the door to things that are better left alone. Feelings, emotions, memories, and temptations can all be influenced by music - for the good or bad. Too many people today are allowing themselves to be ruled by the music that they like. And I'm not just talking about the secular crowd, either. This phenomenon is occurring in the church as well.
The worship wars led many to have large debates (fights, really) over what style would be dominant in a particular church. Me - I don't really care, because I see a greater danger ahead - the preference of music over preaching. The style of music is irrelevant. When it is something that the people like, they will sit and listen for hours. However, let the Man of God go 30 to 40 minutes while preaching the wonders of Almighty God, and the natives are restless.
What am I trying to say (the restless natives begin to ask even now...)?? I am saying that as much as I love music, I love the Word of God more - much more. I don't ever want to supplant the Word of God from its rightful place in my heart, life, and worship.
How about you??
MB
I have loved music as far back as I can remember. The style of music is not that important to me - I like classical, country, Christian, gospel, hymns, punk, rock, rap, bluegrass, instrumental, vocal, pop, speed metal, heavy metal, metal metal - well, you get the picture. For me, the thing that all of these have in common (if I like them) is quality. The music has to be good...period. I don't like everything in any genre, because not all of it is good.
However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, no? Some of you may cringe at many of my tastes listed above - and I likewise at yours. Variety is one of the things I love most about music. The differences in form and style speak to me about human beings. We are different. We are very different (and some of us more obviously than others, right??). But in one sense, we are all the same. Music can have a powerful effect on us - and here is the caution.
Music can be the key that unlocks the door to things that are better left alone. Feelings, emotions, memories, and temptations can all be influenced by music - for the good or bad. Too many people today are allowing themselves to be ruled by the music that they like. And I'm not just talking about the secular crowd, either. This phenomenon is occurring in the church as well.
The worship wars led many to have large debates (fights, really) over what style would be dominant in a particular church. Me - I don't really care, because I see a greater danger ahead - the preference of music over preaching. The style of music is irrelevant. When it is something that the people like, they will sit and listen for hours. However, let the Man of God go 30 to 40 minutes while preaching the wonders of Almighty God, and the natives are restless.
What am I trying to say (the restless natives begin to ask even now...)?? I am saying that as much as I love music, I love the Word of God more - much more. I don't ever want to supplant the Word of God from its rightful place in my heart, life, and worship.
How about you??
MB
posted by Mike Beach at
9:39 AM
1 Comments:
Excellent insight! Great article! Welcome to the blogiverse! By the way your link to my sight is not working, it should be pastorsteveweaver.blogspot.com. The current link takes you to some site about testing paternity by dna. Or is this one of your attempts at humor?
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Steve Weaver, at 12:14 PM
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