Banjos & Steel Guitars

Usually I like to use this blog to discuss topics of a theological / spiritual nature.  Things that directly relate to my and hopefully your relationship with Jesus.  Well this doesn't have to do with our relationship with Jesus but that doesn't mean that this isn't a spiritual post.

What I want to talk about is music.  I love listening to music.  If someone were to ask me if I collected anything I guess that I would have to answer mp3's.  I love to listen to all kinds of genres of music.  With that said I do have a favorite(s) and if you know me at all or can infer by the title of this album it would be country & bluegrass music.  Especially within the last couple years I have fallen in love with the sound of the banjo.  The documentary "Give Me The Banjo" helped to cement that love (It's on Netflix streaming).  When it picked it has the ability to arouse a plethora of emotions instantaneously.  This is especially true if lyrics accompany it that praise our Lord Jesus Christ or call out to him with yearning for salvation.  But even without lyrics this music just causes me to relax.  It helps me to feel at peace.  The world feels a little slower.  Don't believe me listen to the song below by Steve Martins band.

Music has the ability to transport the soul.  It has the ability to make you smile, laugh, cry, pause, or all of the above in just one song.  Music is powerful.  For me while I enjoy rock, rap, hip-hop, big band, jazz, classical, swing, vocal, nothing moves me like bluegrass & country.  Eventually I hope to learn how to play the banjo whenever I have money to get one.  I plan on using it like I use my saxaphone to bring me to a place spiritually with Christ alone in my office.  I would use it like my sax just to enjoy the music that it can create.  Because after all, the Father invented music.

And if that's not enough for you, even people like David Crowder see the value of bluegrass music in moving the soul towards praising God.  Check out the song below "Jesus, Lead Me to Your Healing Waters."

The Story

For the past few weeks I've been leading the youth through The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People.  At first I chose this as the curriculum of choice for three primary reasons.

1.  It would give the kids a chronological look at the major events in Biblical History.
2.  It would show how God has worked in the lives of people in history and how He is similarly working in our lives today.
3.  By reading one chapter a week in novel format of the NIV they would, after 31 weeks, be in the habit of reading their Bible on their own at home.

However, as I began to read The Story it started to affect me not just as a teacher preparing a lesson, but in a deeper way as if reading some of these stories for the first time.  It has been refreshing to read God's word in this format.  And if that wasn't enough this story came with a soundtrack!  Each song focuses on a specific character(s) from chapters in the book.  The lyrics themselves focus on the emotions that these people must have been going through as they faced as the situations that they had to deal with.  Themes of guilt, doubt, abandonment and much more.  Music really hits a chord with me (pun intended).  It helps me to empathize with the characters that I am reading about.  It reminds me that these people weren't just automatons or amazing people that never wavered in their faith.  It helps me to remember that they are human, fallen, and redeemed by grace just like me.

So if you have tried to read the Bible before and you couldn't get through much or you are like me and many others and just need a fresh approach to God's word, than I highly recommend that you pick up a copy of this book and start reading!  Get lost in God's story because it is the greatest story that you will ever read!!!

You can get a copy at both Berean & Family Christian book stores.  It is also available for both the Nook & the Kindle.

Link:...The Story on Amazon.com