Today in church, I talked with someone about how important music is to the church experience.  When I was a kid, our church had organ music.  In fact, our worship team consisted of an organist and a solo singer.  Both of them, along with the massive organ, were located in the loft of the church.  Every member of the church held their missalette and unemotionally sang along.  When I think hard about it, I can smell the paper and ink that filled my nose as I sang.  The hymns were very boring for me.  I felt as if I was at a funeral every week.  Of course, there were a few times I recall really enjoying the music, especially at Christmas.   For the most part, however, it was hard for me to get involved in the music.

I do remember that we had a guitar service for a period of time.  One summer, three college-aged singers and one acoustic guitar showed up to lead the Saturday evening service.  In a time when John Denver ruled, it was the coolest thing around.  They returned the next week, and my enjoyment of church increased a thousand fold.  The sermons somehow captivated my attention.  I couldn't wait to get back to church the following week.  We had no sooner welcomed the sound of the strumming musician, when we were surprised by the sudden return of the organ.  If you can imagine, it was far more difficult to bear the endless chain of hymns.  The bellow of the organ paired with the soprano vocalist was  not like anything I listened to on KGOR . My dislike for the music, once again, distracted me from anything that was said in any of the sermons.  It had become a chore to go to church.

Today, in our church, I felt the a strong sense of excitement and anticipation just waiting for the music to begin.  I was not disappointed. The music was powerful today and brought me goosebumps.  The drums, the bass guitar, keybords, the rainstick,  and all the beautiful vocals were simply amazing. As I looked at each one of the members of our worship team, I thanked God for each one of them.  They have received an incredible talent from Him, and are faithful about sharing that talent.  I am grateful that they were there this morning, singing the very songs that I love to sing, and leading me in worship for my Lord.  As my son and I stood together singing, I felt the Holy Spirit wash over me with joy.  I nearly fell to my knees in awesome respect fot the way the Lord continues to work in my life.  

Tonight, as I reflect on the day, I am reminded it was actually music that stirred my soul when I first decided to give my heart to Jesus.  While singing "Open The Eyes of My Heart", I was overwhelmed with emotion and found it difficult to sing.  That was the day I became a changed creature.  The song continues to stir my soul and has become my ultimate prayer.  For me, it is true, music does make a difference in the worship experience.  But beyond that, it is the experience of how great worship music makes a true difference in me.