Sing Out Loud

I went to the grocery store and as soon as I got out of my car I could hear a man singing a Christmas song.  It sounded quite good and I wondered where it came from.  The closer I got to the entrance of the store I soon realized that the singing came from the voice of the older gentleman ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.  He rang the small bell and sang along with a smile on his face.  I wanted to sing along with him.  His voice brought a smile to my face.
His simple approach to the Christmas season was contagious.
Music has an immediate impact on any situation.  During this Christmas season make music an integral part.  You too will find yourself smiling.

The Joy of Song

I am richly blessed to live in a household where every member of the family enjoys music. Becky and each of the kids is blessed with the talent to play multiple instruments and to want to share their abilities. The accoustic guitar is one of my favorite sounding instruments. I love the sounds that the various strings make and when a melody is played it's sound is hard to beat.
The other night Laurel played a piece that she had newly learned and Becky and I listened as she played and sang along. It was a quiet moment that fed my heart a remarkable peace that left me overjoyed. How thankful I am for those 'snapshots' of life that remain memorable for a very long time after they happen. I am grateful for the sharing of talents that uplifts and edifies my heart and soul. There's nothing quite like music.

The Impact Of A Good Song

I was sitting in church and a choir sang a musical arrangement of a church hymn. The choir was made up of twelve people. I listened as they sang their individual parts and the harmony was beautiful. The sharing of their musical talents was the most stirring to my heart. I watched each member sing and they did so with enthusiasm. The chapel was filled with the beautiful music. I loved that there was no other background noise. Whether you are musically inclined or not doesn't matter. The influence of a song will touch the innermost parts of the human heart.

Sing A Song

We went to the Missouri Botanical Gardens, last night, to see the beautiful Chinese lantern display all lit up.  It was stunning! 
Some friends of my brother and sister-in-law were also there with us.  One of the young boys in the family has autism.  He is such a nice ten year-old.  Toward the end of the night, the young boy approached me and asked me what song I liked to sing.  I told him that I liked to sing, "We Thank Thee, O God For a Prophet."  That is a favorite church song that I have liked since I was a young boy.  It's lyrics are enlightening and hopeful to my soul.

"We thank thee, O God for a prophet, to guide us in these latter days.  We thank thee for sending the gospel, to lighten our minds with it's rays.  We thank thee for every blessing, bestowed by thy bounteous hand.  We feel it a pleasure to serve thee.  And love to obey thy commands.  When dark clouds of trouble hang o'er us, and threaten our peace to destroy.  There is hope smiling brightly before us, and we know that deliv'rance is nigh.  We doubt not the Lord nor His goodness.  We've proved Him in days that are past.  The wicked who fight against Zion will surely be smitten at last.  We'll sing of His goodness and mercy, we'll praise Him by day and by night.  Rejoice in His glorious gospel and bask in it's life giving light.  Thus onto eternal perfection the honest and faithful will go.  While they who reject this glad message shall never such happiness know."

Each one of us has a song whose lyrics touch our very soul.  When your heart is troubled, those lyrics will act as a strength.  This young ten year-old reminded me of a favorite song and my heart is enlightened today.

Music Soothes The Soul

The sound of good music is hard to beat.  I heard a song that brought back great memories when I was a kid. 

"I believe for every drop of rain that falls a flower grows
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night a candle glows
I believe for everyone who goes astray someone will come to show the way
I believe, I believe

I believe above the storm the smallest prayer will still be heard
I believe that someone in the great somewhere hears every word
Every time I hear a newborn baby cry or touch a leaf or see the sky
Then I know why I believe

Every time I hear a newborn baby cry or touch a leaf or see the sky
Then I know why I believe." (The Lettermen)

My dad had many albums by the Lettermen.  They were a familiar sound in our home.
Each of us have memories that are directly connected with songs.  I love to think of an especially meaningful experience that has a song associated with it. 

I love music!  Good music brings my heart a great deal of comfort.