"This Joy That I Have"

I love being the 3 yr. old choir director at my church. The kids are so much fun and they love singing. Since last night was Wednesday we met for the second time this year and I had 7 children, which is a good number for our group. It is just me and one other teacher so 7 kids is plenty. I love watching their faces light up when we sing their favorite songs, like Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round, Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, and Eency, Weency Spider. In order to prepare I was reviewing an old song book that I have had since I was kid and I was surprised at how many songs I knew, and how many I had not even thought of, let alone sung, in years.

Casting Crowns has a new song "Slow Fade" that reminds me not only of the kids I teach but also of when I use to be in choir. At the end of the song they have a little girl sing a few lines that sound like part of a song I use to sing, although I cannot recall the name of it:
"Oh be careful little eyes what you see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see."
I am reminded from this song how much responsibility I have in working with these kids because they will remember and mimic everything I say and do. Not that I would act inappropriately, but I am reminded of the privilege I have in working with these children and that I need to set an example. The song also speaks to the adults because it talks about how choices are made, prices must be paid, and some people will crumble under the strain.

Another Casting Crowns song that I enjoy is "Who Am I," which talks about how can a mere person deserve the grace of God. My favorite lines are, " Not because of who I am, But because of what you've done. Not because of what I've done, But because of who you are." This is a great band; they have so many good songs that I enjoy listening to and they all have important meaning that speaks to the listeners.

For my CD review for class I did Mandisa's True Beauty which I highly recommend! Each of the songs is unique and it is hard to choose which to write about. Her hit single "Only the World" is uplifting, as it encourages us to remember we are only living here for a short time and there is no reason to let the problems of this world tear us down. "Never Gonna Steal My Joy" is one of my other favorites; it has a similar theme and it just fills my heart because I know that nothing can take the joy God has given me. It reminds me of the song I learned as a kid, "This joy that I have the world didn't give to me. The world didn't give it and the world can't take it away." I also love inserting "peace" and "love" in there because it is true, the love, joy, and peace that I have deep inside came from God, and no matter how bad the circumstances, like a death in the family, I can still have them. That reminds me, I finally started singing around the house and in my car again. It has taken a week but I am finally starting to feel like singing again. My inner joy cannot be quieted for long and that is one way I express it, through music.


I found this blog post entitled "Is there such a thing as Christian music?" I was intrigued by the title and impressed by the man's comments. I have to agree that Christian music is only defined as such by the words and that there is nothing wrong with listening to secular music. I know a majority of the songs I am referencing are Christian tunes but since I listen to Christian radio stations all the time, and my secular music on my ipod, so I am listen to the Christian music more and it is going to have more impact. Here is the link to his blog, check it out:
http://dustinahkuoi.wordpress.com/2008/09/04/is-there-such-a-thing-as-christian-music/