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Lessons Learned In Choir Practice

Acts 16:22-26 "The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severly flogged, the were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly, there was a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. AT ONCE all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose."
    
     I've really slacked off on going to choir practice lately. I have EVERY "legitimate" excuse: I have not been feeling well, I'm tired, I work long hours, I am at the church every Tuesday for FAITH, and besides, I already know all the songs, anyway. What it all comes down to is this - I didn't feel like it. I just didn't want to go.
     This past Wednesday, I went with selfish motives. I was there to meet some people who were going to contribute to a little project my son has going. I was going to see them before choir, sing a couple of songs, and slip out early.
     It didn't work out that way. I got caught in conversation and practice had already started when I came in. I had no choice but to stay until the bitter end.
     About half way through, we started to sing "I Will Rise". How can I not worship as I sing about the day He will call my name and I will rise to meet Him face to face? Then came "We Will Remember". What an awesome reminder of the FIRST time He called my name and all He has done in my life since then.
     We finished up with "I Bless Your Name". This song is based on the Acts 16 scripture about Paul and Silas. In the midst of tremendous personal pain and great persecution, they made a choice to worship God. They worshipped Him while they were still in pain. They didn't worship Him after their chains fell off - their chains fell off after they worshipped.
     The music pastor finished with a devotional called "Unfettered Worship" from Psalm 98 about just worshipping God freely and with abandon. For me, it was a worship service. I was still tired, preoccupied with work, and, yes, I sang most of the songs from memory. But what a reminder that worship can happen anywhere, at any time, under any circumstances...even in choir practice.
     I guess it isn't just about knowing the songs....

http://raynoah.com/2009/04/29/psalm-98-unfettered-worship/

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