I ♥ great music! - I Believe in Christ

I played this song for my kids in the car this morning as we drove to school.  I didn't say anything to them; I just let it play.  They all paused what they were doing and saying so they could listen.  The whole thing is amazing and as you listen too, you will likely notice that there is more to it than just great music.  There are certain songs out there that seem to literally awaken the spirit within.  When the song was done, Will asked, "Why does it do that?"

"What?" I asked.  

"Why does that song make you feel like that?"

I told him I think its because it is such a simple and beautiful expression of an intensely powerful thing; a testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I told him that I know that when a testimony of the Savior is shared, the Holy Spirit accompanies that expression, witnessing to hearts that hear that indeed, God lives and that Jesus is the Christ.  

"It feels like that when I listen to Handel's Messiah too," he said.  

"Me too, Will"

I don't very often share the things that are the deepest in my heart.  I created this blog as an attempt to do so, as I am often very shy about doing it at all.  It felt like an outlet that I could use.  But more often than not I realize that I am only sharing my surface feelings and loves with you here.  I am sure that will continue to be the norm for me, but I do want it said here and I would like you to know that I know of a certainty that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.  

I know that we were spiritual beings before we were sent here to gain physical bodies and that we continue as both spiritual and physical today.  I see people who are not "religious" still feel the need to pray, if only in times of great pain or trouble.  To me, that primal urge to entreat our Heavenly Father is evidence of our nature and a clue as to how we can know truth.  

Do you remember September 11th?  What did the people of our nation do?  I remember how it seemed like everyone hit their knees, religious or not.  What does that say?  How can anyone think that we are not spiritual beings when in situations of duress our instinct is a spiritual one?  Sure, you could try to explain it away but why not try to experiment with it instead?  

Humor that spiritual instinct long enough to know.  Open your heart to your maker in honesty and sincerity, putting doubts and fears aside, even praying them away if necessary.  Better still, be consistent about it.  I know from experience that this "seed" can grow into a thriving tree, full of sweet fruit.  A seed cannot thrive with one watering only, nor can our bodies be fit with just a week's worth of exercise.  Commit to humbly following the admonition to experiment upon the word and to come unto Him.

{Every Knee Shall Bow, by J. Kirk Richards}

Alma 32:27-28 - But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.

Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breast; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

Mathew 11:28 - Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Be consistent.  The spiritual knowledge and strength seems to grow exponentially, a witness of the goodness and generosity of our Heavenly Father.  I strongly feel that there will soon come a time in our world where the voices and influences for evil will be so loud and convincing so as to cast a shadow over faith and hope.  So grow your light and make it strong!  Even the smallest light can pierce the darkest dark.  I cannot say strongly enough that the need to be well trained in hearing the Spirit is immense.  I know that our choices now to stay close to the spirit and invite the spirit into our hearts can even make our break us in the coming tests of time.

Listen to this song... Great music is one of many ways to invite that spirit in.  Notice the feeling and make a mental note.  Then listen and feel for it again and again.  I believe this ability to be "in tune" is powerful beyond our comprehension and can even save lives.

I am especially fond of the key change around 3:30.  Gorgeous!!  Thanks for reading & listening!

-Stacey


I believe in Christ; he is my King!
With all my heart to him I’ll sing;
I’ll raise my voice in praise and joy,
In grand amens my tongue employ.
I believe in Christ; he is God’s Son.
On earth to dwell his soul did come.
He healed the sick; the dead he raised.
Good works were his; his name be praised.

I believe in Christ; oh blessed name!
As Mary’s Son he came to reign
’Mid mortal men, his earthly kin,
To save them from the woes of sin.
I believe in Christ, who marked the path,
Who did gain all his Father hath,
Who said to men: “Come, follow me,
That ye, my friends, with God may be.”


I believe in Christ—my Lord, my God!
My feet he plants on gospel sod.
I’ll worship him with all my might;
He is the source of truth and light.
I believe in Christ; he ransoms me.
From Satan’s grasp he sets me free,
And I shall live with joy and love
In his eternal courts above.

I believe in Christ; he stands supreme!
From him I’ll gain my fondest dream;
And while I strive through grief and pain,
His voice is heard: “Ye shall obtain.”
I believe in Christ; so come what may,
With him I’ll stand in that great day
When on this earth he comes again
To rule among the sons of men.