Music Minute

So this weekend, I got a lecture from my mom. Let me tell you, getting a mom-lecture at thirty-something years of age isn't any more fun than when you're 16, and I admit I kind of sighed a little when she started talking (sorry Mom!). I have asthma, and my mom not only has it too, she's a nurse. This lecture was all about taking my medicine properly. But it quickly became obvious she was saying something I really needed to hear! (Drat.) I should be taking one of my medicines all the time, not just when I feel bad. Not to get all scientific, but this particular medicine prevents your body from having an asthma attack—if you take it right. Long story short, I'm going to have to keep taking this medicine even when I don't feel sick, because there is a real and tangible health benefit from taking it when I'm well.

And - not to be weird, but hymns are like that. The longer I'm a Christian, the more I realize the value of Christian music—whether it's top-40 pop or from a hymnal. And aren't we always hearing about our "spiritual health"? Knowing and singing hymns are a critical part of your spiritual health.

To begin with, most hymns are based on scripture, so when you sing them, you're really reminding yourself of what God says in His word. Hymns are set to music, which most people find at least as easy to remember as scripture—maybe easier. Now, I'm not suggesting that you sing hymns instead of reading your bible, but you will increase your spiritual knowledge if you know a few Christian songs. And sometimes it's really hard as a weak human being with flesh to make yourself pray. (I say that with sadness; I really wish it was easy for me to spring out of bed every day and pray.)

There's also a structure to hymns that can help you in your prayers. You can pray while singing a hymn, you know. And refrains and choruses serve to bring home the essential point of the song, that God is faithful, or that He is watching over you, or that He is mighty to save.

So are you convinced that knowing some hymns is a good thing? Yay! Now I'd like to introduce you to Hillsong United, a really terrific praise and worship band from Australia's Hillsong Church. Hillsong United is their youth worship band, whose brand-new album Across the Earth: Tear Down The Walls is full of tasty, power-pop worship that will make you hear hymns and praise songs in a whole new light.

To check them out, you can click this link and get a preview of each song AND a lyric sheet. And if you go here, you can listen to the album for free all week!

And if you listen a couple of times and really like them, you can find their album at the iTunes Music Store. We like "You Hold Me Now."



Fill your spiritual toolbox with lots of hymns and praise songs. You'll be amazed at how they just sort of happen to come to mind when you're feeling a bit lost and scared and small. Paul and Silas sang hymns, and the Psalms are full of spiritual songs. Both hymns and scripture readings benefit you when you do them daily—don't wait until you're feeling bad to rely on them. There is a good chance they'll help you long before you think you need them.

I'll leave you with Psalm 59:16:

But I will sing of Your strength
and will joyfully proclaim
Your faithful love in the morning.
For You have been a stronghold for me,
a refuge in my day of trouble.

Happy Wednesday!