We are watching “Pinkalicious” right now as I write, a cute show on PBS kids, and Peter is singing the blues! He is trying to make people feel happy when something goes wrong, but the “blues music” just makes everyone feel more sad about their problems. Music and its rhythm, lyrics, and vibe can elicit a variety of emotions, both positive and negative.
Have you ever thought about how amazing it is that God blessed people with the imagination and creativity to invent instruments and make wondrous music? Children naturally ignite when music is played, and I never tire of seeing their little bodies move about, twist, and shout! We all appreciate music, and being thoughtful with the types of music we listen to is key(no pun intended)!
This past year teaching my children, I chose at least one new Christian song to teach them each week based on what verse in the Bible we were memorizing. Last week we did two songs, the first being Thank You by Ray Boltz. We were talking about giving based on the verse 2 Corinthians 9:7, “God loves those who love to give.” This first song is very moving, as it speaks of someone here on earth who gave to others in numerous ways, and the reunion in heaven with those who were the recipients of this person’s faithfulness. Part of the song is as follows, so you have an idea of the lyrics:
By your generosity
Little things that you had done
Unnoticed on the earth
In heaven now proclaimed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
The second song I introduced to my children was When I Call on Jesus by Nicole C. Mullen. I have fallen in love with Nicole C. Mullen’s songs, as I find that they lead me right into God’s presence.This song reminds us that GOD’s desire is to GIVE to us. It’s crucial to note that society promotes the principle of giving, but they fail to claim that everything we have comes from GOD Himself. Since that is the case, nothing is really “ours,” but rather we are stewards of all GOD has entrusted to us! Thus, giving takes on a whole new meaning, and we can freely give with a joyful heart.
For both songs my children learned to sing the chorus only, although they did listen to a few of the verses as well. Here are some of the words to the second song:
Oh, I have never walked on water,
And I have never calmed a storm.
Sometimes I’m hiding away from the madness around me
Like a child who’s afraid of the dark
But when I call on Jesus,
All things are possible
I can mount on wings like eagles’ and soar
When I call on Jesus,
Mountains are gonna fall
‘Cause He’ll move heaven and earth to come rescue me when I call.
Now, have to admit that I love listening and dancing to salsa, cumbia, and merengue music! However, the lyrics are based mostly on the joys or heartbreaks of relationships, which doesn’t uplift my soul towards God. In college I found an artist that I love to listen to called Juan Luis Guerra , who is famous for his secular merengue and salsa music, which I do enjoy! Amazingly, he became a Christian during his career and now makes Christian songs/lyrics with that same catchy latin beat! The balance is making sure I am filling myself with God’s truth, not only the secular emphasis of earthly relationships which are imperfect.
During a particular devastating circumstance in my life, I remember clinging to a song during that time called, “I AM” by Nicole C. Mullen. I would tearfully listen to this song over and over, as it contains promises from The Bible. As I cried out to God with my voice, He reassured me of my hope in Him when confronting real fear, uncertainty and despair. The broken areas in our hearts take time to heal, and praising God through music offers us a way to express those painful and unrelenting emotions to Our Heavenly Father, while also receiving a tender reminder of the truth of His character, His love. Here are a few verses from the song “I AM” below:
At the end of every rainbow
No matter how you’re feeling now or what you go through
There will be somebody lovin’ you
Deeper than the grandest canyon
And higher than the open sky
Near enough to capture every whisper, every sigh
Strong enough to hold you when you cry
I am, I was, I am the one who is to come, yeah
Before and after, still be what I am and what I was
All that you need, all that you want, I am, ooh yeah, yeah
If you need someone to hold you
‘Cause your world’s fallin’ apart
If you need a light to guide you safely through the dark
And chase away the nightmares of the heart
If you need someone to give you
A purpose for your broken past
And restore the reservoir of hope inside of you
And mercies for each morning that is new
I am and I was, I am the one who is to come, yeah
Before and after, I’ll still be what I am and what I was
I’ll be all that you need, and I’ll be all that you want
As a side note related to this song, if you look up all the “I AM” statements made by God in the Old and New Testaments, they are numerous! These “I AM’s” in The Bible are God’s confirmation of who He is, conveying His presence all along. I know Jesus is the One saying those “I AM” statements to me: “I AM enough for you, I AM here.” It’s His character and His faithfulness to past, present, and future generations, and now in my life.
Take time in this moment NOW, today, and this week to WORSHIP God in song. Click on the songs I put on here if you need a place to begin. This will develop a closeness and unmatched intimacy with Jesus, as long as your heart is open and sincere. God will minister to each of you, as you seek His face through one of His most creative, healing, and valued gifts to us: music. Feel free to share how you are strengthened and blessed by this medium of adoration to Our God!
Yes, and your gift to lead others into worship is a tremendous blessing! I love hearing my kids sing songs to the Lord, and oh how my soul is rejuvenated when I do as well!
Thank you for sharing some of your favorite songs.. As a worship leader, it especially warms my heart when my boys sing along with the Christian radio station, Sunday school songs, or their VBS CDs, but then I think how much more it must please our Father to hear His children worship Him. And it makes me excited for heaven when we will be able praise Him endlessly.
Yes, enjoy listening to these new songs! They are hyperlinks, so you can click on the songs or artists in my blog and it will take you directly to some youtube videos of them.
I am so glad your Sunday school teacher took the time to tell you the importance of song! She was right, and may you pass that down to your little ones too!
Crystal, I love that you can remember some songs from VBS and the exposure you had as a kid even though you didn't grow up "in the church." That goes to show you the importance of what kind of music we fill our minds with, and how those catchy beats stick with us! I can remember so many songs from my preschool and first grade classes in school because I had teachers that really loved teaching music.
The songs and artists I put in my blog are hyperlinks, so you can click on them and it will take you to youtube videos so you can check them out. Enjoy my dear!
Thanks for suggesting these songs, I will look them up! My kids love their VBS CD from last year and it fills me up with joy to hear them singing the lyrics. I remember once asking a Sunday School teacher why I have to learn so many songs and she told me that God will bring the words back to me one day when I need them – it made so much sense to me in that moment as a child and has proven to be true over and over! Last year, my in-laws bought us a Google Home Mini. I didn't really think we would use it but it has actually been so useful- we have different music playing all the time now and I have found many new worship songs on Pandora 🙂 The right song can can really re-set my mind in times of weakness or sadness.
We love music in our house as well! I use music so often throughout our everyday. One of my favorite songs recently is Reckless Love By Cory Asbury.
I remember going to VBS as a kid and hearing fun songs that spoke to my soul. This was my first exposure to Christian music as a kid. Since we actively became Christians about 7 years ago Christian music has taken an important role in our household and our worship and our teaching and parenting of our kids.
About a year ago we were on our way to church and everyone seemed particularly tired and grumpy this morning and my instant reaction was to tell the kids to stop whining and smile and be happy lol, like my scolding would just magically elicit my desired result. But I was too tired as well to scold so I just paused and took a deep breath and a song I learned probably when I was 4 or 5 (and also hadn't sang since then also) came back to me and I just started singing it – it was I've Got the joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Well, pretty instantly the kids were smiling and I was feeling better too, and Jose had never heard this song and was wondering where it came from lol. From that day on, this song has been a regular in our house. I've also started incorporating many of my other favorites I learned as a kid. Makayla especially loves it and says "mommy, down in my heart" anytime she sees a heart!
This past year we were also given a CD of kids songs a friend's mother currently used in their VBS program. It has songs from Lifetree kids on it and the kids and I just love it, Makayla especially again. There's one song in particular, Love Come Down that is her favorite, and part of the lyrics say "Jesus Jesus rescue me." She knows so many of the lyrics to all the songs but that's her favorite verse. I just love how it's speaking to all of our hearts!
Thank you for the new song suggestions. I'll have to play them for the kids!