Melodic Mondays
Those of you who know me know that I love music even though I am not musical myself. I listen to good music as often as I can. It is beneficial to the brain, valuable to the vocabulary, and strengthening to the soul. Isaiah 12:2-3 is a lovely passage that includes this soaring statement of surety: “The Lord JEHOVAH [YAHWEH] is my strength and my song.” This could be translated, “God is my mountaintop and my music.” Yes, He is! Each Monday, I want to study this subject and suggest a song to listen to. Anyone reading this devotional has easy access to any song. (I am an exception because I do not go on a computer or other information device.) If you do not like my suggestion (and we all have different tastes), you can think of or search for one that speaks to you. Then, it can become a source of encouragement throughout the week.
Not too long age we were blessed with five baptisms in our little country church. Baptism does not save, but it follows the impeccable example of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17) and fulfills the specific command of our Lord (Matthew 28:18-20). Over the years, I have baptized people at private homes, in a church baptistry, in swimming pools, and in a local pond. The last setting is somewhat like that of “The Old Country Baptizing,” which celebrates this obedience to God. The version that I like is by Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris, but the sound quality is not great because it was recorded from a live radio broadcast in 1973. A clearer rendition is by Carl Story and His Rambling Mountaineers.