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[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Jeanie

But I do believe that some of reactions we express during a church service are because we have our emotions stirred, this is not a bad thing at all--but is all emotional responses stirred on by the move of the spirit or could some be out of our flesh?

I would venture that all of our responses are out of our flesh! But maybe some of them are carnal? That doesn't make them bad--really--but maybe misguided.

I have been moved to tears hearing the national anthem, is that the spirit of God, I say this as a example.

Right--and I've cried watching movies--it isn't the Spirit moving upon me!

Our churches have outstanding music, I do believe music is a tool that can be used to open people hearts to being sensitive to God and his word.

I think that "breaking people down" (for lack of a better term...lol) is one of the aims of music--it allows them to connect and take down walls in a nonthreatening way. So moving songs, moving dramatic presentations, stirring solos--these things all serve a purpose, even when they can't necessarily be worshiped with. There are some great drama folks out there who can draw the congregation in with something funny or sad, and then once their guard is down, they put in the real point and it falls where it needs to instead of on a hard, protected heart.

But I do believe people can be conditioned to responding to music just like Pavlov's dog--again just an example not calling anyone a dog!

Sure. We are creatures of habit. We tend to take authentic response, and once it has happened several times in a row--we do it just because. It's called a Rut. I know people who treat their prayer time that way--they have to pray an hour, whether they say anything meaningful or not, and sometimes they just fill in the time with "Glory, glory", and watch the clock with one eye until an hour is up! I don't see how that's fruitful! If we get into a rut, or we're doing something out of habit, and its not from our heart, its time to step back and re-evaluate, and maybe rearrange our worship.

I have sat in worship services that the tone of some parishioners(including myself) praise response was to the beat of the drum! the faster it went the faster we went! Was it worship? I guess so, it just stopped when the drummer stopped.

I would call it praise. I tend to separate them a little...worship seems to come more from the heart, and "praise" seems to be giving God praise because He deserves it and it feels good to give Him what He wants. Maybe I'm defining them wrong. I'm not too bothered by the "stopping" when the music stops, because most folks would feel that they were out of order if they were to continue worshiping without music, even if they wanted to continue.

I know what it is to have bad music, and see no one do anything at all. Then only to have comments made that they didn't like the music-Well isn't God bigger than music? Isn't he worthy of praise regardless of what song or who is singing...believe me it was a real eye opener to see peoples response to God was contingent on whether they liked the song or not. I can't think of anything that would reflect immaturity more than this-

That IS immature, and some of the best worship services I have been in have been with just Sis. Ewing on the organ at Eastwood or my Dad playing the guitar at our home church, or my oldest sister on the piano singing choruses. I get a bit sick and tired of the bashing towards young people that goes on, though...older folks feel they can't worship with the "new" music, but yet they expect the younger ones to worship with unfamiliar hymns and old songs. There needs to be something for everyone, and most good music directors will try to facilitate the entire congregation--not just one group.

I believe we are lead by our emotions that is not a bad thing, we just need to know what the difference is between emotionalism and the spirit--and that my dear is a whole other thread

Sometimes the two are connected or overlapping so its kind of hard to separate it, except within your own heart. You know whether you are responding to God's presence or a great note!