Living Sacrifice

Oct. 23, 2009

What We Listen To...

1. God. The single most important type of listening I try to do, and teach my children to do. The best praying is the "listening" kind, where I just sit, and seek God's will, and let Him reveal it to me, for the day, for the moment. He always does--always in line with His Word. And, if I remember to listen and follow, it ALWAYS works.

2. My husband. This is harder for me, and still a struggle for the children. We are all working towards having good ears and a closed mouth. But if I just stop and really listen to my husband, I can better meet his needs. I know what is on his mind, and can determine what might help him or encourage him.

3. The parents. My children are exhorted daily not to let any of their parents' words "fall to the ground," even in the smallest commands, exhortations, or suggestions. We remind them, biblically, of how the success of their life depends on this, and how it trains them to also stay in the listening mode to God (especially as they grow older, and grow spiritually).

4. The children. I try to keep my children's hearts by remembering as much as possible to stop, tune completely in when they are talking to me, and look them in the eyes--even if it means kneeling down or picking one up. This way, I stay in tune to their hearts--their needs, their desires, and can better train them up in the way they should go.

5. Sermons. When we need one, we hold devotions with Dad (kind of like a family church service). We all get "sermons" from Dad as he studies and then shares the things he learns--the things he meditates on. My children get mini-sermons from me throughout the day as I teach them the Word of God and God's ways as they apply to our every day lives. When we really want to target an area, we still use sermons by Dr. S.M. Davis.

6. Others. I try to listen when I get a phone call, or am visiting or fellowshipping. I try to remember to pray to have a servant's heart and to serve, listen, encourage, and praise all whom I come in contact with. If I get an email that requires response, I try to take time to read it through several times, to sleep on it, and pray about it--I pray to really be able to listen. And then I also pray at the same time, about how to respond. This is double listening--because listening best to others also means listening to God at the same time for leading about how best to minister.

6. Music. I'm not much of a music person. I almost NEVER turn on music in the home or in the car. I can rarely worship in Spirit and in Truth through music--because to me, most music is distracting from how I commune with the Lord. But there are times I just want to praise Him, and sing praise to Him with all my heart, and mean every word I am singing. I wait until I feel led to do so--as in, I just "HAVE" to sing. Then I go get the CD player, send the kids out to play, and put in 2nd Chapter of Acts (Hymns or "20"--anyone hearing me on this?), or Keith Green ("Rushing Wind," "Psalm 23"), or Selah. This happens about once every other month. Sometimes the kids and I do a good pick-me-up of singing with some Keith Green songs. Have you ever heard, "He'll Take Care of the Rest," or "So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt?" How about, "You Put This Love in My Heart?" or, "The Sheep and the Goats." But this is not often. I sometimes (once a week or so) have my son play some hymns and have my daughter sing along. I like listening to the children play the piano--they play hymns and classical. Once a year I'm in the mood for a little classical music or some opera. I was energized by hearing John Denver's "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" over the loudspeaker at the store, and my husband and I had a great walk down memory lane hearing the 70s-80s-90s track playing in a restaurant one evening (all the CDs we USED to own! Hootie, Blondie, UB40, and more). The older kids have iPods/MP3 players. They listen mostly to Keith Green, 2nd Chapter of Acts, Randy Travis, Michael W. Smith, Del Way, Selah, and Growing in Grace (a local SG group we liked--but they no longer exist). Sometimes they can listen in the car, with permission. Sometimes they dock 'em and play music while they're playing legos or blocks with the babies.

And about once a year, I sit down and play on the piano. That's about all I get the time for!

Now--am I the only one who knows and loves 2nd Chapter and Keith Green? Chime in, here. My life song has been "Make My Life a Prayer to You." Am I the only one (besides my kids) who loves bebopping to "He'll Take Care of the Rest?"

You know it ain't no use, banging your head, up against that cold stone wall.
'Cause nobody's perfect, except for the Lord, and even the best bound to fall.
Remember, he is diVine, and you are de branch,
He'd love to get you through it if you give Him the chance
Just keep doing your best, and pray that it's blessed,
and Jesus take care of the rest.

Yes the Lord said that
He'll take care of the rest (He's gonna do it)
He'll take care of the rest (He'll see you through it, yeah)
He'll take care of the rest (The Devil blew it)
Well, He'll take care of the, he'll take care of the rest.

Just think about Moses, in front of the burning bush
barefoot on the Holy ground.
You know, he must have been thinkin', "Hey, what's an old dude like me
gonna tell them all when I go down?" (Go down, Moses!)
The Lord said, "Hey, Mo, don't you worry 'bout your goin' down south,
I'll be saying every word that comes out of your mouth.
You just keep doing your best, and pray that it's blessed.
Hey, Mo. I'll take care of the rest."

You just think about Noah, a-totin' his umbrella,
When there wasn't a cloud in the sky.
All his neighbors would laugh at his pet giraffe, and they would all
snicker as he passed by.
But the Lord said, "Hey Noah, be cool! Just keep building that boat!
It's just a matter of time till they see who's gonna float.
You just keep doing your best, and pray that it's blessed.
Hey, Noah. I'll take care of the rest.
(I'm the Weatherman!)

Yes, the Lord said that He'll take care of the rest.(He's gonna do it)
He'll take care of the rest (He'll see you through it, yeah)
He'll take care of the rest
Well, He'll take care of the, he'll take care of the rest.

Just believe, and you'll receive, that comfort you need.
You just think about all those lonely people you know
who got everything they want, but they got empty souls.

He'll take care of the, He'll take care of the, He'll take care of the
care of the rest...

But I will close this with the words to the song Jesus has used to carry me my whole life--since I was a very little girl. This song captured my heart's desires-even then--and it carried me even when I was lost and wandering and didn't even know what I was doing. I loved it then, and over 30 years later, it is still my favorite. My heart song.

Make My Life a Prayer to You

Make my life a prayer to You
I want to do what You want me to
No empty words, and no white lies
No token prayers, no compromise.
I want to shine the light You gave
through Your Son, You sent to save us
from ourselves and our despair.
It comforts me to know You're really there.

I want to thank You now for being patient with me.
It's so hard to see, when my eyes are on me.
I guess I'll have to trust and just believe what You say.
You're coming again.
Coming to take me away.

I want to die, and let You give
Your life to me, so that I might live
to share the hope You gave to me,
the Love that set me free.
I want to tell the world out there
You're not some fable or fairy tale
that I made up inside my head.
You're God the Son
You've risen from the dead.

I want to thank You now for being patient with me.
It's so hard to see, when my eyes are on me.
I guess I'll have to trust and just believe what You say.
You're coming again.
Coming to take me away.

I want to die, and let You give
Your life to me, so that I might live
to share the hope You gave to me,
I want to share the Love that set me free.

He has most certainly answered that prayer for me! (and continues to do so every day). I love how He has given me the gift of this blog so I can tell about the Love that set me free, so that I can share the hope He gave to me. What a blessing. Praise Him.

God bless.

Mrs. E

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Comments

Oct. 24, 2009 - Right there with you!

Posted by deedeeuk

LOL! No you are not the only one who bops along to Keith Green. I thought I was! *blush* I have the Ministry years CD's - all four of them and enjoy them often. 'Stained Glass' is my favourite song of all times. 'When the colours fall around our feet over those we meet, clouring all the grey that we see. Rainbow colours of assorted hughs come and change your blues because His love is truely shinging through me.' is my lifes prayer. Especially with the foster children that He has placed with us to care for.

But I must say that Music is a HUGE part of my worship time so I have Keith playing most days! I keep praise and worship music playing in the background as I move through my day - just because it works well for me. Another group who I love and find to be as 'real' as Keith's music is 'Casting Crowns'. Songs like 'Lifesong' and 'East to West' and 'Voice of Truth' are all truely annointed songs that have spoken real truth to my heart over the past year.

Thanks for sharing! - Deedee

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Oct. 24, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by 5joyfulblessings

What a great topic to talk about!!!

I am passionate about music, so we have music playing most every day... much of it acoustic guitar, piano, classical, or worship. Many times it is on in the background through out the day. But I DO believe we need to be careful as to not let 'feelings' take over in our worship in music to the Lord.

No, you are NOT the only one who loves the music by Keith Green. I LOVE his works! That was the music my parents brought me up on. I STILL listen to it VERY often. I remember going to one of his concerts when I was about 7, and we have the recorded TAPE (heehee) of that concert (we can hear my little sister crying in it). That was shortly before he died.

I see Keith Green to be so much like David in the Bible. we have a close friend who was in a bible study with him out in CA for quite a few years.... the words he wrote were truly words from the Lord... very passionate burdens he had!

Rushing Winds is a prayer of mine so very often, and I have spilled many tears while singing it. The music from Keith Green has been such a blessing and a gift to me through out the years.
Asleep in the night is such an encouraging song to me over the years, as I don't want to be asleep in the Light!!!

Do you see, do you see
All the people sinking down
Don't you care, don't you care?
Are you gonna let them drown?

How can you be so numb
Not to care if they come
You close your eyes
And pretend the job's done

Oh bless me Lord, bless me Lord
You know its all I ever hear
No one aches, no one hurts
No one even sheds one tear

But he cries, he weeps, he bleeds
And he cares for you needs
And you just lay back
And keep soaking it in
Oh can't you see its such a sin

cause he brings people to you door
And you turn them away
As you smile and say
God bless you, be at peace
And all heaven just weeps
cause Jesus came to you door
You've left him out on the streets

Open up open up
And give yourself away
You see the need, you hear the cries
So how can you delay

God's calling and you're the one
But like Jonah you run
He's told you to speak
But you keep holding it in
Of can't you see its such a sin

The world is sleeping in the dark
That the church just can't fight
cause its asleep in the light
How can you be so dead
When you've been so well fed
Jesus rose from the grave
And you, you can't even get out of bed

Oh, Jesus rose from the dead
Come on get out of your bed

How can you be so numb
Not to care if they come
You close your eyes
And pretend the jobs done
You close your eyes
And pretend the jobs done

JessicaP

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Oct. 24, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by amatthia

I grew up listening to Keith Green...make my life a prayer to you was one of my favorites..I still walk around singing that. I need to get me some Keith Green CDs. I also loved to listed to Steve and Annie Chapman too...DId you ever listen to them?

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Oct. 25, 2009 - <em>Untitled Comment</em>

Posted by mrse

I didn't realize how nice it would be to share this topic! I love even reading the words to the songs, and thank you for sharing!

So many people I've talked to have told me that they love Casting Crowns. I've never gotten a CD or heard them much. I may have to try it. I don't remember much of Steve & Annie Chapman. I only had ears for 2nd Chapter of Acts and Keith Green, even while growing up. When I was about 8 or 9, my friend and I got the sheet music to Keith Green and she would play the top hand and I would play the bottom hand, and we would sing. I still have all the sheet music for Keith Green and Second Chapter of Acts. My son loves playing the music on the piano and on the guitar. I have never been able to sing and play at the same time, and my son can't either. But my daughter has been taking piano for about six months, and she can do both very easily. She's really going to bring the praise into this home, I think.

My favorite praise song from Keith Green is "You Are the One."

How I love You
You are the One
You are the One
How I love You
You are the One for me

I was so lost
but You showed the way
'cause You are the Way
I was so lost
but You showed the way to me.

I was lied to
but You told the truth
'cause You are the Truth
I was lied to
But You told the truth to me

I was dying
but You gave me life
'cause You are the Life
I was dying
and You gave Your life for me.

Hallelujah!
You are the One
You are the One
Hallelujah!
You are the One for me!

----------

RUSHING WIND

Rushing Wind blow through this temple
Blowing out the dust within
Come and breathe Your breath upon me
I've been born again.

Holy Spirit, I surrender
Take me where You want to go.
Plant me by Your living waters
Plant me deep, so I can grown.

Separate me from this world, Lord.
Sanctify my life for You.
Daily change me to your image
Help me bear good fruit.

Every day You're drawing closer
Trials come to test my faith.
But when all is said and done, Lord,
you know, it's been worth the wait.

Jesus, You're the one
who set my spirit free.
Use me, Lord, glorify
Your holy name through me.

My daughter's favorite song is "Soften Your Heart." I love listening to her sing it. And my favorite 2nd Chapter songs are "Which Way the Wind Blows," "Prince Song," "Morning Comes When You Call," "Purify Me," and all their hymns. We love the "Roar of Love" track (Narnia) by them, and the "Easter Song" is one of the best ever--both Keith Green and Second Chapter sang it.

Edited by mrse on Oct. 26, 2009 at 11:57 AM

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Oct. 26, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by 5joyfulblessings

oh yes, the PRICE song... I use to sing that as a child over and over. I've only sang it for my children a few times... I should teach it to them.

We sang a lot of the Steve and Annie Chapmen too.
What about Annie Herring? That was another 'album' played in our home a lot, and we would see her in concert too. I have a more recent CD of hers, and I enjoy listening to her music, as it is very worshipful prayers to the Lord.

Jessica

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Oct. 31, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by 2boysmom

I have to say you kind of shocked me when you said you don't listen to music very often. To me, music is such an important part of worship. I can't imagine not hearing music, even for a day.

I have to echo whoever told you about Casting Crowns. I will throw in there: Third Day, as well as (for Southern Gospel) the Gaither Vocal Band.

All three of these groups sing about real relationships with God. The lyrics are realistic about life and God's role in our everyday existence.

Some hymns and "worship" songs are so "pie in the sky" wordy - if that makes sense - that you can't relate. I need a song that speaks to what life is about and leads me to the Father who can work in that life. Application, I guess you would call it.

Anyway, I would encourage you to try some of those, even in the car. It's wonderful to hear my children sing along, knowing that it's about God that they are singing.

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Nov. 1, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by DawnBelieves

I love this post about listening. I have GOT to start listening to people more. My mom pointed out to me one day that I really do not listen to my daughter. Of course, I got definsive at first (even though I shouldn't be that way), but then as I thought about it realized that she was right. I mean, I hear her but I don't really listen all the time. Sometimes I even find myself cutting her off. Anyway, I have been working on it with her and the others in my life and the pay offs have been HUGE! It is amazing what one can learn when they just take the time to get quiet and listen. Be blessed, ~Dawn~

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Nov. 17, 2009 - Nice blog

Posted by Anonymous

I stumbled upon your blog and just wanted to tell you how much I've enjoyed what I've read so far. Wonderful insights!

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