Let me start by saying that it has been a VERY long time since I have written. It kind of makes me sad. I will try to be writing more. :)
....ok, now on to the post :) ....
I am in such a singing mood tonight! I have been on youtube listening to a man by the name of Jeremy Best. He has a bunch of videos in which he sings hymns (and plays guitar). In listening tonight I am just captivated by the lyrics to these hymns. They're not unfamiliar hymns, in fact I've been singing along. But the Holy Spirit is at work tonight pointing out the amazing truths in the words I am singing. From the beauty that, "this (the blood of Jesus) is all my hope and peace" to the "marvelous grace of our loving Lord" I can do nothing but praise Him and "stand amazed in the presence of Jesus Nazarene"! I am left with a heart full of joy and thanksgiving!
The sad part is I feel like my generation is afraid of hymns. That a lot of churches today are moving away from them in part because "the younger generation" doesn't listen to this music on a daily basis...if at all. In my opinion, it's a HUGE mistake. Don't get me wrong, there is a lot of contemporary Christian music that is full of the truth and glories of God, but why do we run from hymns? Is it the doctrinal truth? Is it because they "just aren't as moving"?
I would have to venture a guess that if the truth in a hymn can't move us to worship the one true God, our "worship" may be based more in the tune of the music rather than the words which are written within. And in this case...are we really worshiping our Lord or the music and the composer of the music? Are we more caught up in the music than the JOY that is our salvation? A hymn's truths are just as capable of causing our arms to stretch out over our heads in praise and tears to come to our eyes. If we take the time to slow down and listen to the words...beautiful things are revealed! Maybe that's part of our problem; we live in a culture where we never slow down. Where slowing down and taking the time to appreciate something is frowned upon.
Again, I'm not trying to put down the Christian music of today. (I listen to that as well and a lot of it does share the amazing truths of God.) I am simply trying to bring to light the beautiful hymns that our churches and this generation seem to be turning its back on.
If you get the chance I would encourage you to take a listen to some of Jeremy's videos. The URL is at bottom of this post. The hymns are some of my favorites and they share God's character in a very real and simple way . They lead me to praise the Lord with such a happy heart! <3
To His Glory Alone,
JMarie
http://www.youtube.com/user/1513Fulton
