Be Inspired!

If you follow my blog you know that I love to sing hymns. You've read about my "Melody of Hymns" and you've read about reading hymns during my devotion time. Starting at the beginning of my hymnal at the beginning of the year and working my way through to the end, I read a hymn each day of the year.

Do you pay attention to the words of a hymn? If your heart is 100% pure with God, the words you read will inspire, encourage, convict and refresh you. Those hymn writers of long ago wrote incredible stories in their songs. 

I just finished watching two 30 minute Gospel Music Hymn Sings on YouTube. If you want to be refreshed I definitely recommend joining in on the videos.

A number of years ago Gerald Wolfe, from Greater Vision, orchestrated the beginning of this congregational singing of amazing hymns. From their website I found their story:

"What began as a simple 'sing-along,' during a Gospel Concert in a small theater in Shipshewana, Indiana, eventually led to the first video recording of a "Gospel Music Hymn Sing,' in the Summer of 2014. Two local church choirs, along with 50 well-known Gospel Music Artists came together for the event at the First Baptist Church of Morristown, Tennessee, and a capacity crowd, with attendees from as far as 2000 miles away, filled the auditorium . . . for the Monday evening event. It was obvious to everyone in attendance that this was something really special, and there was obviously a real desire, a real hunger, for a revival of congregational Hymn singing."

You can find their website at: http://gospelmusichymnsing.com/about-us/

You'll see very quickly that most of the audience is of the older generation, and I have no problem identifying with them. I certainly knew hymns in my younger years, but it wasn't until I was saved in 1978 that hymns became much more than just singing. My heart was forever bonded to their messages.

When you're with a group of brothers and sisters singing God's songs, there isn't much that can equal the joy and inspiration received. Knowing their conviction of the Bible and Jesus is the same as yours inspires and encourages my heart.

One of the things I have enjoyed most in the church we landed in after moving to PA three years ago, is hearing our pastor sing a hymn or praise song to open the service. Knowing his conviction to the Gospel and Jesus is real and true makes that time special.

I sang in a choir when I was a young child, and when I first found Christ at age 28, but shortly after that, during a difficult time in my life I suffered from a muscle spasm in my throat and could not sing after that. I've never regained my voice. I can sing very softly at a lower level, but if I sing too long my throat begins to hurt. But you can be sure my heart sings out every word!

You may not think you sound very good singing, or have other concerns about singing like me, but I challenge you to sing with your heart and send your praise and worship up to our Loving God. What a blessing it will bring to your heart. Whether young or old, don't deprive yourself of the great hymns of our faith and the stories of the Gospel they convey.

Yes, I love hymns. I'm thankful to realize their importance in my faith and plan to be singing them the best way I can until my life ends on this earth. Then I expect to be singing in the great heavenly choir for all eternity!

I just lovely Magnolia blossoms!