Devotionals

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Health insurance is similar to a hospital gown -- there's a lot that
isn't covered.

Today's E-Cheer may be more lament than cheer -- lament over
something valuable that we have lost. Today's edition has been
inspired by Dick Innes, editor of Daily Encounter. Check his
wonderful web page at www.ACTSweb.org - bookmark it.

I remember as a young teenager the joy I had when in church one
Sunday morning, I first discovered I could sing harmony. I've been
singing harmony ever since in congregational singing, quartets and
choirs. I rarely sing the melody -- I leave that to others.

But where has the harmony gone? With today's overhead screens
replacing hymnals, congregations no longer see the music (it's
illegal to show it), and as a result, they no longer sing harmony.
Think of it, the great God who created the very joyful complexity
of harmony, is no longer praised with it. Do you suppose God is
saying, "You praise me with your lips, but where is the beautiful
harmony I gave you?"

Can you imagine listening to the great Philadelphia Orchestra
where every instrument is playing only the melody -- no harmony?
Can you imagine hearing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing
with just the melody -- no harmony? Can you imagine looking at a
rainbow that has only one color? Can you imagine looking at a
sunset that is only gray?

I've mentioned before that my heritage is the Brethren/Mennonite
tradition where entire congregations sing in a robust four part
harmony. If you've never heard it, you've missed a wonderful
musical praise treat.

In Psa. 92:1 we read (niv), "It is good to praise the Lord and make
music to your name, O Most High." An important part of any
music is harmony. Our praise is enhanced by harmony. Bring
back the hymnals -- bring back the harmony!

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