In our church we have two Sunday morning services. Not because we have that many people, but because we have such a
diverse group of people. One of our largest areas of contention (which is sad) was that the younger group didn't like traditional hymns and the older generations didn't like the contemporary "praise music".
Me- I'm a music lover period. I'll sing just about anything, but it really got to be where it was distracting from worship overall w/ the bickering. So the pastors got together and came up with a compromise/solution. 2 services: One service is a more traditional service w/ mostly hymns and just the piano and maybe a little guitar playing, the other service is more contemporary w/ praise songs and the full band - drums, electric guitar, keyboards, etc.
I'm still not crazy about splitting our congregation up, and our pastors aren't either, but it was either do this or have a total church split. It hurts my heart that as Christians, and brothers and sisters in Christ we couldn't come up with a way to worship
together .
I've heard this song on the radio for several years now. I'm not even sure who originally wrote it (probably Michael W. Smith - but I wouldn't stake my house on it!) It's been recorded by Michael W. Smith; Phillips, Craig, & Dean (I LIKE those boys!); and Sonic Flood (one of my son's favorites). It really puts us in our place in that it doesn't matter what the song
sounds like, it's the words, and the heart behind the song that matter.
[color:"red"] When the music fades
And all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless your heart
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the ways things appear
You're looking into my heart
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
All about You, Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You
It's all about You
King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath
I'll bring You more than just a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart [/color]
And even a person with the most tone-deaf, off-key, American Idol reject voice that sings to God with a pure heart is making glorious music to His ears! <img src="/images/graemlins/music.gif" alt="" />
