"Soul music" is a term adopted to describe African-American popular music in the US as it evolved from the 50s to the 60s and to the 70s. It was heavily influenced by the gospel music and is known for its intimacy, passion, intensity, rhythmic sounds and spiritual roots. In short, it is the expression of the soul.
Soul music is intimate. David starts his soulful song with "Praise the Lord" in Psalm 103:1. This phrase is an expression of the intimate relationship between David and Yahweh, the covenant-making and covenant-keeping God of Israel. Soul music is an intimate expression of love and gratitude to God who first loved us.
Soul music is intense. David's soulful ballad to the Lord is expressed with every part of his life. He is saying that soul music is the intense expression of praise to the Lord that involves the physical, the emotional and the spiritual - every ounce of personal vitality.
Soul music is intentional. Soul music finds its power and passion in intentionally remembering God's blessings. When David thought about His blessing, he could not restrain his soul from singing and giving God praise.
Soul music starts on the inside and works outward. If you want your soul to experience the journey of intimate and intentional worship, spend time getting close to God. Remember how gracious, merciful and loving God is, and offer up a sacrifice of praise from deep within you. - Marvin Williams. Food For The Soul!!
Sing a song of praise to God right now! Offer Him the praise that He alone deserves.
Article selected from “Our Daily Journey”.
This Week @ Detonate (Saturday): Coming soon!
Trivial Pursuits
The morning started with a conversation about what colour to paint the church sanctuary. During the discussion, a mother called to ask about her son who hadn't come home the previous night. He had recently been discharged from the military and was working as a custodian.
While a few continued arguing about paint pigments, others spread out to search the closets, classrooms and bathrooms of the large church. They found Scott's jacket in the janitor's closet and pulled it out. Packages of syringes fell from the pockets onto the floor. Suddenly the search took on a more serious tone. A short time later, one of the pastors and a janitor burst into my office. "Call the police," they said. "We found him on the floor in a bathroom."
The police confirmed our suspicions. Scott had been dead for several hours. An overdose of heroin killed him. I had seen Scott in the church parking lot talking to someone in a fancy black car. Had I witnessed the drug deal? If we had been more concerned about Scott's spiritual condition than the color of the sanctuary, would he still be alive?
In Luke's gospel, we read about an encounter that raises similar questions. After eating the Passover meal, the disciples began arguing about which of them was greater (Luke 22:24-30). Jesus explained that greatness in His kingdom is measured not by whether we get what we want from others but by how well we serve one another.
Whenever I recall Scott's death, I ask myself this question: What selfish concerns or trivial pursuits are keeping me from the important work of God? - Julie Ackerman Link. More....
Don't be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you - John 6:27.
Food For The Soul!!
"What trivial pursuits have been keeping you from pursuing things of eternal importance? What are the little things that have been hindering you from the BIGGER things of God? How will you live differently today?
Article selected from “Our Daily Journey”.
This Week @ Detonate (Saturday): Hi people! Welcome welcome! Let's welcome Sister Mei Ling into our midst as she shares with us the wonderful Word of God this saturday.Meanwhile, see you at 5:00pm in church!