and so it begins… my first first day of classes in a decade…
When you find a lone nut doing something great, have the guts to be the first person to stand up and join in. -Derek Sivers
dangit, someone invite me to google+… my curiosity overfloweth.
This is an excerpt from a book called “Note to Self: The Discipline of Preaching to Yourself” by a guy named Joe Thorn. I had never heard of him before reading this, but I liked it so much, I figured I’d share. Enjoy.
Dear Self,
You really should sing more. You should sing more than at gathered worship with the church. You should sing in the car, while working in the yard, and in your home. And when you sing, you should do so with more than lungs and lips. You should sing with your heart, mind, and soul.
And stop rolling your eyes! I’m not suggesting that you become the perpetually happy whistler who rolls through the aisles of the grocery store whistling others into an incurable state of annoyance. But song does need to be a much bigger part of your life.
People sing about the things that capture their hearts and things that give them joy. People sing of heroes, victory, longing, and hope. People even sing as a way to express their sorrow. Does anyone have more reasons to sing than you? As a sinner who has been forgiven, a slave who has been freed, a blind man who has received sight, a spiritual cripple who has been healed—all by the gospel—you have real reasons to be known as a person of song!
It is one thing to tell the world of God’s work of redemption in Jesus; it is another to sing of it. Anyone can parrot truth, but to sing of it—from the soul—reveals how you feel. Song is the natural and appropriate response to the gospel, because singing is one of the highest expressions of joy.
So why aren’t you singing always only for your king? Have the mercies of God grown small in your heart? Is there little joy, little gratitude, little wonder? Do you just not feel like singing? The confession of your sins and gospel meditation will lead you to song, so start there. There are songs of praise, thanksgiving, confession, lament, and victory that need your voice.
From the great hymns of old to the new songs echoing the wonders of God’s mercy, you have more means of finding songs of redemption than any other generation before you. So join the chorus of God’s people, who have always been known as a people who sing.
profoundly thankful for my sweet wife! got engaged this weekend last year.
“Today you’ll celebrate your righteousness, wisdom and strength or you’ll celebrate glorious, transforming grace.” -Paul Tripp
for a while, i just thought my neighbor had the worst taste in music EVER… then i realized he just liked to turn up the volume when he played video games… not much better.
somebody just discovered the crack-rock that is itunes u… a little late to the game, i know, but let me have my revelry.
just for fun, i’m going to hide and turn off my cell phone on sunday…
only a half hour left in the day of polite chuckles for things that aren’t funny.
