Christmas Reflections from a Music Teacher - Chaney McCoy

And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 NLT

As I finally lay down after a day full of hectic, beautiful chaos, I couldn't help but think of why I pursued music education in the first place.

Music moves people in so many ways. It can touch hearts when sometimes words can't. I found that out long ago and wanted to teach little hearts to love and be moved by words with music. One night, I was reminded by my son that music does touch and move people even when I don't think it does.  

My neck and shoulders ached. I was on a heating pad, tired and ragged from the day's events. My son was ready to play basketball when we got home. He had asked all week about putting our tree up. What's for supper? My husband was called into work again for the second time on the same day. Another main water line had burst. The list goes on. All I wanted to do was take a hot shower and bed down, but I pushed on and did what I needed to do as a mom on her own that night without the person I leaned on. The one who kept me sane and who I really needed. 

I finally got to the tree and lights after a busy day. By then, my fingertips were splitting and sore from being so dry and the constant use of sanitizer and now from fluffing the tree. Then, I heard my son in his room singing "Hope for Everyone," one of the songs they had sung in the Christmas program at school. He made up his own lyrics where he couldn't remember the original, but what stuck with him was "hope for everyone."  

The Lord is good; there's hope for everyone. 

The Lord is Lord; there's hope for everyone.

It's Christmas time; there's hope for everyone.

I'm so glad there's hope for everyone.

He had listened and soaked in the meaning and purpose of the chapel service. The day was worth the aches, tiredness, and sore fingers. Listening to my son and his music gave me peace and calmed my heart. It also motivated me to keep doing what I was called to do: teach others what God has so graciously given me the ability to do--move others through the power of music. 

Find your hope in Christ this Christmas. 

Chaney McCoy is a music enthusiast, teacher, and tutor at Greenwood Christian School, Greenwood, SC. 

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Time for Change - Martin Wiles

Then in the twelfth year he (Josiah) began to purify Judah and Jerusalem, destroying all the pagan shrines, the Asherah poles, and the carved idols and cast images. 2 Chronicles 34:3 NLT

“We need to change the . . .”

I had heard the words before—and would hear them again. At present, I had just been called as pastor of a small church whose previous pastor had been there quite some time. During his stay, not much had changed. After his resignation, the deacons passed out survey forms, asking the church members what changes they would like. Sure enough, the lists were long. Since my wife and I had previously been members of the church, I had my own list. Interestingly, mine matched those of the church members.

One change related to music. For years, choir members had sung the same songs, and the congregation rotated through the same hymns and praise songs. A few weeks after I began my duties, the music minister resigned. I asked a younger lady to lead the music, thinking she’d be able to help the church make a smooth transition to some new songs and styles of songs. Wrong.

In no time at all, complaints arose. And from some of the same people who said they wanted a change. I discovered they only thought they wanted to change. When they saw how it would look, they weren’t ready. Learning new songs took work, practice, and mistakes.

Several years later, just before my resignation, the church decided to return to the old songs. The church needed change—but doing so was too difficult. Staying the same was easier.

Eight-year-old King Josiah faced a nation that needed to change also. God’s people had fallen into worshipping false gods, and their representations were everywhere. God instructed Josiah to tear down the false idols and cleanse the land of idol worship. A great revival took place because he wanted to change—and so did the people.

Changes fill our lives. We can attempt to live change-free, but we’ll never master it. Even if we don’t personally change on purpose, circumstances will force us. Sometimes, spiritual change is even more difficult. God convinced Josiah of the need to change, and He does the same for us—in whatever area the change needs to happen. Maybe with our habits or friends.

God didn’t force Josiah or the people to change, and He won’t force us either, but He has a way of making us uncomfortable if we don’t. Especially if our failure to change keeps us in sinful habits or prevents us from fulfilling His plan. He gives us the freedom to balk and refuse, but He also has the power to discipline and make our lives miserable.

When God prompts us to change, He has a good reason. Viewing change as an exciting new adventure into His best makes those transitions easier.

If God leads you to change, trust Him to guide you through it.

Prayer: Father, give us the courage to step into Your desired changes. 

Tweetable: Is it time for you to do some changing?

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The Power of One - Martin Wiles

God replied to Moses, “I am who i am. Say this to the people of Israel: I am has sent me to you.” Exodus 3:14 NLT

Who knew one CD could change the entire service.

Our music leader was off for the day. My wife had spent hours putting music together, meeting with the sound technicians, and practicing with the praise team. Sunday morning arrived, and we were excited about the service—until the CD with all the music they were going to sing by wasn’t in the case.

Since it was three minutes before services were to begin, my wife’s mind went into shock. She had obviously left the CD in her laptop—which was at home 10 miles away. Getting it wasn’t an option. In a three minutes span, she and the sound techs dug up a few praise songs, and the pianist suggested a couple of hymns.

Although the service got off to a rocky start—the praise team hadn’t practiced the songs and my wife’s voice cracked because of seasonal crud—the Spirit of God soon took over and fixed what appeared to be broken. The power of one CD had been trumped by the power of Someone more powerful.

Moses experienced the power of One when God instructed him to go before a foreign king and tell him I AM has sent him to deliver his people from 400 years of slavery.

The power of one can be devastating, disturbing, and mind-boggling. One statement from a doctor, “You have cancer.” One call from the boss, “I need to see you in the office immediately.” One text from a girlfriend or boyfriend, “I don’t think we should see each other anymore.” One call from the police, “Your son has been in a bad accident.” One visit from the military chaplain and an officer, “We’re sorry to inform you that your daughter has been killed in action.” The list of ones is endless…and so is the pain they can bring.

Just as God took over the failed service my wife had planned and soundly defeated the Enemy’s effort to quench the moving of God’s Spirit, so He can do the same with any life situation we tackle. He is sovereign. Nothing happens outside of His control. His plans are always better than mine and can never be thwarted by the tactics of Satan.

Whatever God brings out of the one apparently bad thing will always be better. Trust Him to control your one thing.

Prayer: Father, we believe You have power over the one thing that seems to have power over us. 

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