Thank You, Lord, for Music

Monday, February 01, 2010

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As I write this post, it is Monday morning. Yesterday was a great day in the house of the Lord. Sunday morning our pastor (who, by the way, has led our church for over 56 years) preached a tremendous message on the life of Joseph entitled "God Meant It for Good." Sunday night we had a guest preacher, Bro. Maury Gibson, deliver a soul-searching message entitled "Who Are You?" based upon the story of Jeroboam's wife disguising herself to go see the man of God. She wanted God's help, but she and her husband did not want God to deal with their sin. Both messages, preached in a clear, straightforward manner and with power, were incredibly relevant, heart-searching and convicting.

Sunday morning, I directed the choir in singing one of their favorite songs, "God's Amazing Grace," published by Bible Truth Music. I could sense that the choir members were expressing their deep heartfelt thankfulness for the grace that God extends to them personally. I empathized with their emotional and spiritual response to the message of the music. I was reminded to be grateful for the grace of God.

Sunday night, the choir sang an acapella song entitled "I Call You to Praise." Again, they did a tremendous job of blending their voices, expressing the message of the song through dynamic and tempo variations, word color, and expressive singing techniques. I and the congregation were led to consider the joy of praising God.

Congregational singing in both services was unified, loud, beautiful, encouraging, and uplifting. We sang hymns and spritual songs that have touched the hearts of Christians over and over again through the years.

I do not know what thoughts and emotions course through the souls of others, but I personally look forward to church. Even though the position of music director involves a lot of preparation and hard work, I do not recall ever regretting the work involved, or dreading going to a service.

I cannot understand the logic of those who feel that church should be a place for performing music that mimics the sounds of the world, those who hate God, those who love their own flesh, those who feel that God owes them something.

As it says in Isaiah 65:14, "My servants shall sing for joy of heart."

What a privilege it is to sing the praises of God! What an honor that He allows us to focus our attention and our music on what He has done for us! What a great God we serve, Who lets us serve Him and give Him the honor that is due unto Him.

Thank You, Lord, for the gift of music and for allowing us the privilege of praising You with our songs!

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Curtis Hollembeak

Curtis holds a bachelor's degree in Bible with a music minor, as well as a master's degree in Sacred Music, having studied under Dr. Frank Garlock, president of Majesty Music, and Ray and Ann Gibbs, well-known Christian singers. He has served as music director and jr. high/high school supervisor at Grace Baptist Church of Mankato, Minnesota; school music director at the Franklin Road Christian School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee; media engineer for the Sword of the Lord in Murfreesboro, Tennessee; and, full-time music director at Second Baptist Church and Twin City Christian Academy in Festus, Missouri. He is currently self-employed and serves in the music ministry of the Berean Baptist Church in Rockford, IL. Curtis is co-founder and President of the Asaph Music Co. He regularly sings bass with the Bible Truth Chorale on recordings produced by Bible Truth Music at Faith Music Missions.