Temple Baptist Life

Songs are a funny thing. They move us in ways that words or pictures cannot. They can instantly transport our feelings to another place or time. Sometimes we sing songs but were not sure of the meaning of the words. Take for instance the old time Christian Hymn
“Bringing in the sheaves,
Bringing in the sheaves,
We will come rejoicing,
Bringing in the sheaves.”

Now I don’t know exactly what a sheave is, but as a Christian it must be something I should look for, and bring in so we can rejoice. I do like that song because the melody is catchy, but if someone would let me know what a sheave is I may become a more effective Christian.

Likewise non Christian songs can infiltrate our lives. I have listened and sang with many of the Beatles songs but it was only recently I really heard the lyrics to the song “Imagine”. Here are the words to one of the verses.
“Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today…”

Aren’t the words trying to tell us to imagine a world without God? No! I don’t want to imagine that world. How could I have ever sung along with that song? Sure it’s catchy, has a good melody and sings about peace on earth. But without God? I don’t think I will ever sing that song again.

Songs are equally powerful for our kids today. One that comes to mind was a huge pop song that was number one a few years ago. It has a catchy beat and good melody. I would venture to say that nearly all teens know the words and would sing along with it because it has a fun musical feel to it. Here are the lyrics to the chorus sung by Katy Perry;
“I kissed a girl and I liked it,
the taste of her cherry chapstick.
I kissed a girl just to try it,
I hope my boyfriend don’t mind it.
It felt so wrong, it felt so right,
don’t mean I’m in love tonight.
I kissed a girl and I liked it. “

The sad thing is these lyrics are fairly tame to pop culture today. We wonder why God is not more prevalent in our society and yet it is filled with anti Christian messages everywhere. As parents, and Grandparents we need to see what songs our kids are connected to. Try to talk to them and find out why they like the songs they do. Granted their style of music may not fit your taste but see if they can tell you the lyrics of the song. Ask them why they like the song and if the words have any meaning to them. It can be a way to bridge the generations of talking about songs and you may gain insight to their world. So often we let worldview messages creep into our lives without realizing that we are being infiltrated by anti Christian views.

The good news….hope is not lost. For just as the worldviews enter Christian lives so does the Christian views enter the lives of the non believer. Several Christian songs are on the I pods of teens across the country. One band in particular is a hard rock band by the name of “Skillet”. Their lyrics point straight to God and many teens listen their music and then are intrigued by the lyrics. One such song is titled “hero”. The song is about going through bad times and almost giving up. The hero in the song is God who gives us hope and saves. Here are a few lyrics;
“I need a hero to save my life
I need a hero, just in time
Save me just in time
Save me just in time
Who’s gonna fight for what’s right?
Who’s gonna help us survive?
We’re in the fight of our lives
And we’re not ready to die
Who’s gonna fight for the weak?
Who’s gonna make ‘em believe?
I’ve got a hero, I’ve got a hero
Living in me”

We typically don’t think of hard rock being Christian but this band is reaching many teens who hear these lyrics over and over and eventually help bring some of them to Christ. Amen to Skillet.

So what’s this month’s newsletter about, maybe things aren’t always as they appear? Maybe we have un- Christian things in our lives that we don’t realize. Maybe if we talk to those teens in our lives we can have conversations about things of importance. Maybe we should ask God to see things in a fresh new way and to see things through his eyes. Maybe I need to get on the ball and bring in some sheaves.