All God's creatures got a place in the choir
Some sing low and some sing higher
Some just hang out like a bird on a wire
Waiting to fly home
All God's children are the apple of his eye
Even the ones we can't stand sometimes
But we're coming together just to go outside
And I need something to sing with this neighbor of mine
~ MATT MAHER
“Look like a Fool”
And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them...”
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:24, 31
she slips in quietly
the singing has already begun
she scoots in by her long-time friend
our voices blend...well...as well as they will
soprano and alto and tenor and bass
sounding lyrics of love
‘til a single voice speaks up
for her friend—our friend
her words too heavy to carry alone
we listen of need
for healing
from soul pain
this calls for another voice
to appeal, to pray
we whisper agreement in hearts
the singing resumes
songs of God’s arms
never letting go in calm or storm
i hear their voices
i hear my own
i hear His—over and in and around us
the voices shake the place we’re gathered
they fill the room with Holy breaths
they declare the Word with boldness
the singing stops
we file away one by one
but I still hear voices.
The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD, Our God, is with you
He is mighty to save
The LORD will take great delight in you
He will quiet you with His love
He will rejoice over you
He will rejoice over you
If you could only hear His voice
You would hear the LORD rejoice
Rejoicing over you with singing
~ SCOTT WESLEY BROWN, DAVID HAMPTON
He Will Rejoice over You
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12 comments:
Lovely post, Lisa. Sadly, all too often my mind drifts when singing congregationally.
Barbara,
You raise an interesting point. On this particular occasion I was among a small group, so now that I think about it, I probably pay better attention with them than with the congregation at large.
Unfortunately I probably also pay better attention when I like the song or if it’s relatively new to me. I find myself drifting sometimes with songs that have become too routine.
Love all these thoughts about signing and voices . . . especially like that first poem by Matt Maher. So honest!
Is that the same Matt Maher who's in prison in New Jersey?
There are times in our worship services when the choir will move into music that suddenly seems to lift the buidling, or at least all of us inside the building, when all of those voices become wrapped in The Voice.
And a literal translation of "the Word" (John 1) is "the spoken word," the voice that spoke existence into being.
Good post, Lisa.
Our voices are so useful- we sing, we praise, we encourage, and we challenge. How many times are we quiet when are voices are such amazing gifts? Thank you for each of these voices.
Glynn,
I’m assuming it’s a different Matt Maher. This one is a singer/songwriter. As far as I know he’s not in prison. I saw him in concert a few months back anyway. ;-)
Love this: “all of those voices become wrapped in The Voice.” Thanks.
Music is one of my soul languages! God speaks to me through the words of songs often. Enjoyed the post!
Those are the voices we want to hear in our head.
Beautiful post.
Lisa,
How fun to read your poem of voices raised, joining, praising, singing to God, and uplifting each other.
May God richly bless your ministry!
Jennifer Dougan
www.jennierdougan.com
If you want to listen to Matt Maher's song:
"Look Like a Fool"
This is a great reminder to use my voice to bring God praise. Also, loved thinking about how God uses His voice to "sing over me and you!" Beautiful!! And thanks for stopping by my blog too!
Lisa!! Is this the first poem I've read of yours? I think so! Ah, a beautiful poet you are, girl. You're so gifted... most of all with a heart for God and others -- expressing through so many talents!
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