Whether the music is gospel, high-church, oldies, standard, praise, spiritual, or any number of melodious renditions which pours from the hearts of His people, bending the ear of the Almighty is the highest art form in the world. You know in our world today the term “art form” has become a buzz word, but to believers, singing praises unto the Lord has always made the soul soar and with a singular purpose.     That purpose is to Praise the Lord through words inspired by the number one documented source, The Word.

         When taking a closer look-see into the world of Christian church music, it is clearly evident the inspiration should always be Jesus. Many of you will agree that making-a-joyful-noise-unto-the-Lord is an anointed effort.

    Our church choirs are limited in so many ways. The limitations are varied: small numbers, need for instrumentalists and musical equipment, low budgets, strong leadership, and dedicated bench-sitters. Perhaps the most serious limitation is a lack of true spirit, thus allowing the world (flesh) control our lives. There are times the music is less praise and more competitiveness. Who will sing the loudest? Who will present the solo work? Who will select the songs? And it goes on and on.  

         However when the songs are truly praise and worship, then it all comes together and the anointing will send tunes to bend the ear of the Almighty – it’s all good.

         It’s at church musical conventions when all of those “music-people” come together to chew-the-fat and receive much needed counseling from their musical peers. There are tidbits shared such as – what to do when the high soprano is in a snit? Or what to do when the church instrumentalist throws the sheet music back in the face of the director? How about choir-wars – altos against tenors, second-sopranos who sabotage the high voices? Another pet-peeve discussed – the noisy late-arrivers who disrupt the choir special. Yes, the beautiful and intricate piece of music that the choir has prepared for months, that one. Sigh.

         That’s right we (all music people) are just human. If in the right spirit, each voice will rise with the great hope of bending the ear of the Almighty. We pray our voices are anointed and will be pleasing to the Lord and as well that our purest form of expression will come from a heart yearning for His mercy.

         I know in this world we will never reach that purest form, but we must continue to try as we march forward toward the Pearly Gates. It is with this thought a group of volunteers have worked really hard to present a program of music – Liberty & Friends Sing Gaither, II. Last year was the inaugural event for this musical program that presented all Gaither music through voices from fourteen churches.     The program was received with great joy and the question, “Will you do this again?”

         The answer is a resounding “yes!”

    What: Liberty & Friends Sing Gaither, II

    When: Saturday, June 13

    Time: 6:30 pm

    Place: Liberty Baptist Church, Highway 493, Kemper County (across from the coal plant).

    The event is free, open to everyone, with a lovely buffet table served in the new church fellowship hall directly following the concert. There is plenty of parking and church vans are encouraged. Note: a love offering will be held to benefit Liberty Baptist building fund. Liberty Baptist Church was founded in 1842 and is still adding on. Praise God!

    So come out and meet your fellow-believers, sing praises unto His name, and rejoice in the Lord, always. Christians must stick together and maintain a brave front for those who would destroy us.

    (Ephesians 6: 11) “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”

    Anne McKee is a writer and storyteller. Visit her website: www.annemckee.net