The Ministry of Music

Hubby and I just got back from the annual Christian Quartet Convention in Louisville, KY. We had a wonderful time. This week-end experience is made possible by the benevolence of my husband's brother, Dean. Dean sings with a group of men called The Guardians Quartet. They are a great group of Christian gentlemen and we are privileged to have them sing at our church each year. Thank you, Dean and Diana, for your loving generosity, for allowing the Lord to work through you to bless so many people.

This year at the convention, I noticed that many of the groups were singing a lot of the "old" hymns and songs from the past. It brought back a lot of memories. I love the old songs for I grew up on them. I use to travel with a ladies trio when I was a student at God's Bible School and College, and we sang a lot of those songs. Traveling with the trio gave me the opportunity to minister to people all over the United States, and to see and visit places I may never get to go again. Music has been a big part of my life. So, I had a pleasant trip down memory's lane this weekend. I came home feeling spiritually refreshed, refilled, renewed in mind and body.

Often, when it seems I cannot get my mind to concentrate on the scriptures I'm trying to read, I turn to the hymn book and find great comfort for my soul. We have several books of Stories About Hymns, which give the author and history of the hymn. The stories of the trials and sorrows the hymn/song writers went through in themselves ministers to one's heart and soul. I recommend it!

We enjoyed some great fellowship with friends who live near Columbus, OH and Grove City, OH. We played a new game called Phase 10 and it was great fun. The junk food at the convention was yummy; carmel corn, tenderloins, corn dogs, ice cream! Needless to say, I started back on my diet today! :)

Often, I have found myself feeling "empty" in my heart's Ministry Closet. A pastor and wife can give and give and help and help to the point they are all given out. The cubboard gets bare. Times like the Quartet convention are such a blessing, a special time for us to "fill-up" our heart's Ministry Closet once again. Then, we can come home and start using up what we have been given by the Lord to share. Every pastor and pastor's wife go through these times. Times when you feel all used up. God is so gracious, so knowing, so right there when we need Him most. He knows when the tank is sliding toward empty and He always has a special "filling station for the soul" right when we need it the most. Thank you, Lord! Thank you for the music.