Whats a song??

As I was playing my piano this morning this blog started to brew in my head so here goes.... I think everyone would agree that words are powerful therefore songs can be powerful. After all songs are words merely put to music correct? I have studied alot of music and songs over my life time, being a music student from the time for 4 years old and studying it in post secondary school will do that to you. I can sit at my piano for hours and just play and sing. I love to hear/learn new songs and I have to say there are so many great music writers out there - very God gifted and talented people and best of all they are using their talents for God. I don't know about you but there is just something about poping on a worship cd or a cd by your favorite Christian artist that does "the soul good" if you know what I mean. Often when Im sad and listen to music I feel comforted or happy, if Im feeling down listening to it can lift me up, it just brightens my day and brings me in a sweet commune with God. I truly believe God uses music to touch peoples lives and communicate with them - after all thats what most of the book of Psalms is. Growing up in a Christian family I have been blessed and fortunate enough to attend church my entire life therefore allowing me the privilege to learn many songs and watch as we enter into a new generation of worship songs. We no longer only sing hymns at church but we sing praise choruses, new worship songs that have a such power and truth to them. Do you ever find you wake up in the morning with a song already playing in your head? I get that alot and I am so glad when its Christian songs because I truly believe what we listen to effects us whether we think it does or not. I try really hard not to listen to the radio... not because Im some great saint, or because their isn't good tunes out there or because I want to cut myself off from the world but simply because I know for me what I listen to effects the way I think, effects my mood, and it effects the way in which I respond to situations. I really love the old hymns, this is not to say I dont believe music today has less truth to them or they are less "Godly" because I don't but there is just something about singing an old hymn. One of my favorite hymns is "I'd rather have Jesus". I really love the chords and notes of this song but more powerful then the music are the words and the truth they bring.

I'D RATHER HAVE JESUS

(Miller / Shea)

George Beverly Shea

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold,

I'd rather be His than have riches untold;

I'd rather have Jesus than houses or land,

I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand:

Chorus

Than to be the king of a vast domain

Or be held in sin's dread sway

I'd rather have Jesus than anything

This world affords today

I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause,

I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;

I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame,

I'd rather be true to His holy name:...

He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom,

He's sweeter than honey from out the comb;

He's all that my hungering spirit needs;

I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead

I don't think I need to go into detail - the words a pretty self explanatory but I love to sing this song often. I think of the words of which I am singing because often we just sing songs but we don't really think about what we are saying when we sing. I often joke with my husband ab out how awesome it would be to be rich or just to have a little bit more money - not because I think money makes you happy because I know it doesn't but just because it would be nice to be rich and be able to buy other people stuff to be able to just not ever have to worry about money (yes I know God will supply all my needs thats for another post) but if I had to pic k between riches, my house (which I can't wait to move into) material things I like ie: shoes, handbags, clothes I know I would pick Jesus hands down every time.


I know that Jesus choose me instead of worldly things , he choose to die on a cross for me instead of mans applause so why should it even be a question for what you and I would choose? Do yo u enjoy music? What are some of your favorite songs or artists?