Posts Tagged ‘Sheila Lloyd’

Real Healing Music for Christians

Saturday, July 18th, 2009

As a Christian music artist, I find it especially reassuring and inspiring that the Bible talks about the healing power of music! So, even several millenia ago musicians had official roles in leadership. Creativity was honored. In fact, musicians were important members of armies, preceding the warriors into battle playing their instruments. Of course, in the Psalms, there are many verses that refer to music – various instruments, praise, jubilant singing, cymbals symbolizing the Lord’s thundering voice, birds joining song with flutes and lyres. But in the Bible, we find a fascinating example of the healing power of Christian music which brought relief to a king who was tortured by an evil spirit. What can we learn from this example buy cialis online from millenia ago of the healing effect of music on the human soul?

There is a piece of classical music entitled “The Little Shepherd,” published in 1908 by Claude Debussey. The visual my music teacher describe for me while I was learning the piece, was to picture a little shepherd boy alone on a hill, watching over his flock playing this rather sad dirge on his flute. The sounds dip and swell with interesting trills and unconventional rhythms. I always pictured him as King David, the great psalmist of the Bible, as a little boy keeping watch over his father’s sheep. I wonder how many hours each day he played music in the fields? Did he carry a scroll with him to write his poetry? Were his songs an extension of how he spoke with the God of Abraham? Was the music a prayer rising from his heart, expressing a range of emotion in the purest form he knew?

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” then I can related. Every human emotion has found expression through song; I personally have [felt of them sitting in front of my piano keyboard. The one I value the most, however, is when the notes become as a spoken prayer carried directly to the throne room of my God.

On the topic of throne rooms, look at 1 Samuel 16:14-23. Before he become King, David’s days of playing harp in the fields were interrupted by orders for a personal musical performance acomplia canadian pharmacies for King Saul. His royal duty? To soothe the King Saul’s foul moods.

Saul has disobeyed the Lord and therefore God has set his replacement in motion.(1 Samuel 15) Little did Saul know, the prophet Samuel, under the Lord’s direction, had already anointed David the shepherd boy to be the next king of Israel. (1 Samuel 16:1-13) Evidently David was a gifted musicial since that talent gained him a place in the King’s court. He was also touted as a well-spoken and courageous warrior, which David would continue to prove as time went on. His healing music, however, is what first gave him entrance with the king.

Because King Saul had disobeyed the Lord, God had rejected him as king. The Lord removed his Spirit from Saul, and in fact, sent an evil spirit to bother him. Concerned, Saul’s servants decied to find a good musician who could play well and relax Saul. (1 Samuel 16:15-17) David was recommended and eventually brought into full time service to the king. (1 Samuel 16:18-22) David would play music when the evil spirit tormented Saul and Saul would find healing.

Haven’t we all experienced times of anger, fear, worry, anguish, grief and decided to play a favorite song (either on a CD or with an instrument) and soon began to feel better? Why does music affect us this way? Why is it that music has healing power?

The healing power referenced in these verses stems from the fact that the Spirit of God rested upon David. (1 Samuel 16:13) What an incredible truth for any Christian musician to remember! The gift, the talent, is from God alone – I believe at the moment of conception. The Creator works in threads of intelligence and talent which will allow us to become a skilled and intuitive musician.

There is a difference between a skilled musician and cialis buy Cytoxan online buy delivery one who combines skill with intuition! I have heard many skilled musicians perform, but not many possess the intuition and a depth of emotion to balance the technical ability. My piano students frequently hear me say, “Anyone can play the notes on the online cheap buy without prescription Camagra page. It takes a special musician to bring those notes to life with emotion. It takes a special musician to give the listener goosebumps.”

And the ability to do that comes only from an anointing of God. Remember that it’s not something we can take credit for! It is the God’s Spirit flowing through our hands, our voice and blessing people, bringing healing to the hurting, encouraging praise, ushering in an spirit of worship.

Just as the Lord used the music of David to soothe King Saul, we can surrender ourselves and our talent to Almighty God, asking that His Holy Spirit would make our music a touch of healing.

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Dispel Loneliness with Worship

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

My pastor preached an interesting message this morning. The theme was “Refilling our Faith,” and the premise was one we don’t like to acknowledge: our life with Jesus doesn’t always get ‘sweeter as the days go by’ as the old hymn says. Actually, at times, despite our best efforts to be pious and devout, if we were truly honest with ourselves and with others, we would have to acknowledge that sometimes our faith just dwindles. Often in monday to saturday life, we just feel an emptiness inside. Isn’t this true?

Perhaps the reason comes from sickness, relationship problems, {faltering bank accounts}, layoffs, rising gas prices or a hundred other stressors which combat us from every angle every day. But the bottom line is, more often than we care to admit, we feel an emptiness. Our faith, which is supposed to carry us on wings like eagles, doesn’t seem to even be able to lift us off the ground. (Isaiah 40:31)

So what’s the answer? We can deny it. Wear a mask on our faces and walk around saying, “I’m fine, thank you.” We can memorize a few more bible verses in hopes that a dogmatic approach will relieve the growing emptiness. We can cialis dosage turn to medication for depression or join a support online review cialis group, both of which certainly have their appropriate place in health and healing. But I would like to suggest that making music a part or our prayer time, seeking healing through music that is based on the bible can bring about inner peace and hope.

More than two online buy cheap without prescription Camagra thousand years ago, the author of Psalms discovered that music ushered in authentic interaction, even intimacy, with the Lord. Psalm 42; Psalm 62-63. As Psalm 33:18 states, the One who created our hearts truly understands our every need and emotion.

So, when we feel depressed, empty, lonely, we can acknowledge our feelings, confess our fears, cry our tears in the presence of the only One who truly understands. This, in fact, is the only solution which can set us on the road to {wellness and stillness}.

When we notice an brokenness in our soul, those are the very times when we need to draw close to God in an attitude of worship. When our faith in Jesus seems to have lost power to inspire us, let alone move mountains, we can still turn to our Saviour as a refuge and a safe haven. I have found in my own journey of faith that in these seasons of emptiness, if I can just pushing deeper into Jesus instead of turning away, I find not only comfort and rest, but a deep sense of security and peace.

There are two ways that I have personally learned how to press in even when I feel unworthy, unspiritual, unmotivated. The first is to just continue reading and dwelling] on the Word of God. When I cannot muster up desire for an intense (or even a simple) Bible study, I open my Bible to a favorite verse, a psalm perhaps, and I read just a few words. Then I allow those words to sink into my spirit, and I pray for faith, for peace, for hope, for whatever I need. Never does the Lord disappoint. It’s a promise He has made – when we draw near to Him, He will draw near buy Minocycline online to us. (James 4:8)

But by far, the biggest way that I have learned to press into the Lord, to experience a spiritual connection even when my total being is drained of energy and life, is through music. I believe that music is one of God’s most beautiful creations; and our ability to appreciate it – or create it – can be a direct way into His presence.

I have been playing the piano and singing most of my life, and music has become a personal prayer language for me. It has become the quickest way for me to enter into an attitude of worship, and the Lord has used music in my life as a method of healing and restoration.

So, the next time you feel empty or are needing emotional stability, allow the word of God to minister to you and the presence of God to be in you and surround you. Try listening to (or creating if you are so inclined) music that is grounded on scripture.

Jesus offers a never-ending well of living water. (John 4:14) When we need to “refill our faith” we can go back to the well again and again and tell Him, “I need more!” Jesus answers, “Come!” Worship through music can be an avenue through which we come to that well.

Sheila acomplia cheap Lloyd

Some expressions and ideas taken from sermon “Refilling Our Faith” by Pastor Brad Selan of Windhaven Church, www.windhavenchurch.com

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