Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. ~Psalm 96:1
Most of you who have been following my blog know that Danny and I have been invited by our church, now known as Shiloh Community Church since we will soon be leaving the UMC, to sing on the first Sunday of each month. Once a month? Who can't handle that? It's a perfect schedule for us as we are easing back into getting reacquainted with the worship songs we knew by heart so many years ago when Danny still led our praise band at our previous church.
Out of the blue, earlier this month, our intrepid lay leader, Sandy, asks us if we could perform the special music for the following Sunday. We readily agree, knowing that we have a whole luxurious week to practice and prepare for another selection. Everything goes according to plan, which is the way we both like it. After all, we are singing not not just for the congregation, but also to the glory of God.
As we are getting ourselves ready for church this past Sunday, we receive an urgent and unexpected text from Sandy: Can y'all fill in again this week? I need two songs if at all possible. I'm just worn out with everything I've had to do in the pumpkin patch this week, the pastor's not here, and I really need your help!
Two songs? TWO???
Talk about flying by the seat our pants! Fortunately, Danny has earmarked several possible songs for future Sundays that he's also practiced But have I practiced? The answer is a resounding, "NO!"
Miraculously, Danny and I are left with enough time that morning to rehearse each song once. For me, that's not enough, but it will have to do or we will be late for church. That's when I begin praying in earnest: Please, Lord, let us both get through this today; our singing needs to be to Your honor and glory, not ours. May we represent You well to our congregation today!
Don't let anyone tell you that God doesn't hear your prayers. He does! And sometimes, His answer is immediate as it was for me on Sunday. Both songs rolled easily from our lips and our harmonies could not have been better, even if we had practiced all week. Wow!
This undergirds one of my basic beliefs: If you dedicate the gifts God has given you to His service, all will be well with your soul.
Sing to the Lord a new song of praise today!
Amen!
Congratulations and well done. Yes, it is right and proper to use our God-given talents for His glory.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you both.
Thank you, Victor, for your kind words here today. Let us always take every opportunity to love and serve God to His glory.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I love that you are using your gifts to sing for the Lord in your church. I also love that your church will soon be disaffiliated with the UMC. So will ours. I think the date is Dec. 1st to be officially out of the UMC and in the Global Methodist Church. Our church decided to stay with their original name of Interlachen Methodist Church, just dropping the "United" part. Is your church joining the Global Methodists, or staying independent? Either way, we are thankful to be standing strong in our faith and true to God's Word. I wish we could have heard you and Danny sing your songs. I can imagine it was very special. Praise God for His gifts that He gives us for His honor and glory!
ReplyDeleteLet's praise God always for His many gifts and blessings, Pamela! My impression at the moment of the church's direction is that we'll stay independent, although we will maintain the Wesleyan traditions and structure. If and when I hear more, I will be sure to let you know. At the moment, rumor has it that Pastor Jared will be leaving some time in November after just arriving here. We all love him so dearly, it will be heart-rending to see him go.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Bom dia, Martha
ReplyDeleteQue bênção é louvar ao Senhor, vocês usaram o talento que Deus deu de forma singular para a glória Dele, um forte abraço.
Yes, Lucinalva, it is such a blessing that we certainly do not take for granted.
DeleteLove and blessings!
What went through my head as I read this was a song from "Godspell" - "Sing Us One of the Songs of Zion." It sounds like you sang two.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool thing to come to mind, Glynn! Yes, we did sing two - Sanctuary and Made to Worship. I'm so thankful for the music muscle memory God granted to me. :)
DeleteLove and blessings!
So glad you were able to fulfill this last minute request. Perhaps practice some extra songs now in case...
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what Danny and I plan to do starting this week, Christine. Better to be safe (and prepared) than sorry! We were so glad God helped us pull this off.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Amen, Martha! I'm so happy for y'all.
ReplyDeleteThis -- you and Danny -- remind me of our dear friends, Frank and Cindy. We first became acquainted when they led worship at Robinson Springs; now, their talents have taken them to little churches who, for one reason or another, have lost their pastors. They have a YouTube Channel and now I'm wondering if we can hear the two on there? Blessings!
What is the exact name for Frank and Cindy's YouTube Channel show? I'd love to look them up for a listen. Thanks for your kind words here today, Myra!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Why, thanks for asking, Martha. Here's the link:
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/@frankclem2126
Well done! Yes, God does hear our prayers.
ReplyDeleteThanks Martha for your beautiful story about singing in the church for the Lord and for the congregation.
You are so welcome, Duta! Isn't it reassuring to know that God always hears our prayers?
DeleteLove and blessings!
Congratulations for using your gift to fill in at the last minute. God knew you both were ready and you did great.
ReplyDeleteI'll agree, Bill, that God had a lot more trust in us than I did. That's just how our loving Father looks out for us. Thank you, Lord!
DeleteLove and blessings!
God truly blessed you as you gave yourselves to Him. He never lets us down when we serve Him. Peace and blessings to you and yours and to your church.
ReplyDeleteYes, Cecelia, this blessing of God will not be forgotten. And thanks for wishing peace and blessings to our church; as we disaffiliate, we need all the prayers that others can give.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I'm also convinced dear Martha that when we are unable to "perform" because we have practiced, God is able to take what we offer to Him and make it a sweet, sweet sound. You gave the songs and the morning to Him and then allowed Him to do His thing. That is what I call an offering to Him!
ReplyDeleteYour words touch my heart, Bill. God can always take adversity and turn it around to serve Him. In a blink of an eye, that ultimate truth was powerfully brought home to me.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I'm so glad God gave you and Danny what you needed when you needed it, Martha. This reminds me of a quote by Oswald Chambers I read on someone's blog yesterday - "How God works in answer to prayer is a mystery that logic cannot penetrate, but that He does work in answer to prayer is gloriously true." (Oswald Chambers) Love and blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteOh, what a meaningful quote from Oswald Chambers, Trudy! A mystery, yes, and one that should be accepted without the need for logic. God's thoughts and ways are always superior to human understanding. Just know that I am so grateful to Him!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I've reveled in the same God-enhanced singing experience as you and Danny. Looking back I have to wonder if God didn't engineer awful rehearsals so we'd be more reliant upon Him (and a lot less proudful)!
ReplyDeleteGod has an amazing ability to squash our prideful attitudes, doesn't He, Nancy? I'm glad to know that you have experienced this same phenomenon. God is present always; we simply need to trust on His ability to meet our needs no matter where we are.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I am sure you and Danny sang beautifully for the Glory of our Lord and Savior. The congregation felt it, for sure!! Congratulations and thanks for sharing your experience and reminding us that it all comes from God and is for God and His glory (not our own)!! Hugs.
ReplyDeleteEverything, indeed, Terri, is a gift from God, and the best thing we can do is to trust Him fully. He will never steer us wrong.
DeleteAnd did the congregation appreciate these songs? Yes, they did enthusiastically, and we are so grateful!
Love and blessings!
Amen Ms. Martha. I bet you and Mr. Danny create a beautiful gift unto the Lord with the gifts He has blessed you with. Remember that if He leads you to it, He'll lead you through it my friend. God's blessings.
ReplyDeleteThanks, J. D., for the timely reminder that if God leads us to it, He will, unfailingly, see us through it. May we all grow in appreciation for the marvelous gifts God gives us, and use them well.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Our faithful provider- love this!
ReplyDeleteBlessings- Lulu
God is exactly that, Lulu, and He loves us beyond our comprehension. Oh, how thankful I am for that!
DeleteLove and blessings!
This is so precious! The church must have been very blessed to hear your singing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words here, Mrs. White. Our new church is so welcoming to the both of us, and they are quick to let us know that they do appreciate our music. God is good!
DeleteLove and blessings!
How wonderful that you are using your gifts to sing for the Lord.
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings, Martha
I am so grateful that we can do this, Veronica. It truly is a gift that keeps on giving - to God, others and even to us as we celebrate our unique talents given to us by the Lord.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Great witness story and thank you for praising the Lord through music and your willing hearts!
ReplyDeleteWe feel so blessed and honored to be able to do it, Jean. God is so good!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Amen 🙏🏽
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cloudia.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Praise God for these ministry opportunities, for this church family, for the giftedness He's blessed you with, Martha. I feel your joy, His joy, in your writing.
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you, Linda, for letting me know you can feel God's joy in this post. I couldn't ask for anything more!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Every day brings unexpected opportunities. Thank you for seizing them and serving under God's leadership.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words here, Diana.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Even though you do prepare in advance, I'm guessing that your songs truly come effortlessly from your mouths and your hearts as you have spent years in worship! What a joy that you two can do this together.
ReplyDeleteAll those years certainly make us more prepared than we could ever been otherwise, Lisa. I'm just one of those folks who always wants to give my all and my best. So glad I can do so because God is supporting the both of us. It is nothing less than joy!
DeleteLove and blessings!
This is a wonderful encouragement to your readers to trust the Lord. Thanks for sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barbara, for your sweet and kind words here. May we all trust completely in the Lord!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I bet you and Danny sound amazing together!
ReplyDeleteThanks be to God, Beckie, our voices meld wonderfully. We are thankful daily for that!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, like you, I need to be prepared ahead of time for things like you described. But I love how the Lord gave you the little time to rehearse and use your gift for His glory. God bless, Karen Friday
ReplyDeleteGod is good, all the time, Karen, that's for sure! We are now reviewing a wide choice of songs we knew well back in the day so we won't be caught by surprise in the future.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Thanks for stopping by, Jayson. I will check out your workstations when time permits.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
This is so wonderful! I can't tell you of the times God has seen me through singing engagements and gigs and given me just what I needed when I needed it. He is ever faithful! I would love it if you would share some of your and Danny's singing here on your blog. God bless you today, sweet friend!
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