It is in our songbook. We have "Sing Unto the Lord." (doesn't everyone?)
__________________
"God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours."
--David Livingstone
"To see no being, not God’s or any, but you also go thither,
To see no possession but you may possess it—enjoying all without labor or purchase—
abstracting the feast, yet not abstracting one particle of it;…."
--Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Song of the Open Road
__________________
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
I guess where I'm having a problem is with this part: If you are sitting (or standing) in service waiting for the song you like to show up before you can worship God, then you are going about it all wrong. We've ALL had shackles (of sin) taken off our feet, so we can now dance (for joy)! That ought to be a song we can all identify with! So why isn't it?
I have a feeling if Amazing Grace were sang in a newfangled way, with funky music, that it wouldn't matter what the lyrics were--it would be "sat on" by those who don't like that genre of music.
I understand not liking certain types of music. But I don't understand discrediting folks as not being anointed if they sing a style you don't like. Sure, certain lyrics, certain sounds...they stir up your heart...but does our heart have to be stirred by certain lyrics and sounds before we can get stirred up about God?
I have a feeling if folks came INTO His courts with praise, and were thanking God for His goodness and worshipping before the band ever struck a note--well, I just think it would make a big difference, and I think the particulars of the music would be a lot less important.
Where I think it's "all about me" is when someone waits for "their" song before they are able to get on their feet and praise God. You know, if you'd go ahead and lift your hands and put forth a passionate effort, who's to say your actions might not change your attitude?
I think this is what it boils down to, I personally love just about every type of music, (including classical (opera), sorry Steadfast) but I have seen a much purer worship environment lately, with some of the newer worship songs. I know I will get crucified for that, from the "if we are not shouting our hair down, it is not worship" mentality crowd, but while we still have that, I think the response to some of the newer stuff is more genuine praise.
I love most of the old hymnal songs (not all, "Camping in Canaans Happy Land", what is that, a theme park?), but I would hate it if we only sang those types of songs.
I think a mix of the best of the new and old is great. We try to achieve that at our church, I'm sure some of the older saints feel like the newer stuff is winning, but we try to make everybody happy as much as possible (which is of course impossible, you are never going to make everyone happy).
I think this is what it boils down to, I personally love just about every type of music, (including classical (opera), sorry Steadfast) but I have seen a much purer worship environment lately, with some of the newer worship songs. I know I will get crucified for that, from the "if we are not shouting our hair down, it is not worship" mentality crowd, but while we still have that, I think the response to some of the newer stuff is more genuine praise.
I love most of the old hymnal songs (not all, "Camping in Canaans Happy Land", what is that, a theme park?), but I would hate it if we only sang those types of songs.
I think a mix of the best of the new and old is great. We try to achieve that at our church, I'm sure some of the older saints feel like the newer stuff is winning, but we try to make everybody happy as much as possible (which is of course impossible, you are never going to make everyone happy).
Actually, our church shouts their hair down to the newer stuff. I bet if you took a poll of the under 30 crowd who were born and raised in our church (not counting the ones who've moved in from other churches) only a couple of them would know "Camping in Canaan's Happy Land" Which I think is sad in a way... but all things but God change over time. Those old songs mean so much to our elders (and even to me and I'm no where near Monkeyman's age ) Some of the newer ones will be remembered by the generation of today, should the Lord tarry, long after they are considered "old" by our children!
I'm with you... a good mix is where it's at.
__________________ Mrs. LPW
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
I'll take it by PM if you prefer 
Linear Mode
