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An open letter of praise to the praise band, 04FEB

Praise – that’s what I am all about right now – I will praise my Lord – I will praise the awesomeness in the universe…. so if this sounds too gushy – don’t worry about it – ‘cause it is what it is…

So… I have to admit – I have binge-listened to praise band music – I admit I made a “mixed tape” of praise band music – because it spoke to me and I needed a continuous mental track of stabilizing, spirit-filled music…. I listen to lots of music – and the return to this song-track is very therapeutic…

See, I had some awesome corrective action by God on my heart and in my brain – I entered the time of “open enrollment of corporate Christmas benefits package” as a cynical questioner and I came out a sincere seeker…   I was able to solve some gaps in my brain – and let a Christmas flood carry me though the last couple of months with a new song-track in my heart…

So, Praise Band, I want to thank you for what you bring to the music – I want to thank that I can hear you as individuals in the mix – sometimes you blend and sometimes you don’t – sometimes an out of tune glitch snags things – but either way I hear it – I hear you….  to hear the people and know their stories – yup, it’s more than just the music…

Actually I hadn’t have been to a contemporary service in person in a while – and the Christmas Concert  was the only service I got to in December …  but I heard that one loud and clear – I got to hold a little baby during the wonderful song “Come to the Cradle, Come and Find Peace…” this was so moving…  I also copied the Christmas band concert CD – and the Praise Band version of that “Come to the Cradle” song was strong and loud – And the event host said afterwards:  “Well, I didn’t have any problem hearing that!”.  Well I didn’t have any problem hearing either!  BUT – it wasn’t just the song I heard, I actually heard the energized enthusiasm in his voice for this kicked up addition to the whole concert event – perhaps you remember the pain he and his wife had a few Christmas’s ago – the pain must have been tremendous and still must burn deeply… because they lost their daughter to a long illness at Christmastime…  the pain replaced (at least for the moment) with the music-led energy of spirit…  His wife mentioned to me recently that she misses it when the choir doesn’t sing at some weeks of the year – because she gets her worship in song… Yup doesn’t matter what song you are singing – the phrase holds true – “those who sing pray twice”. Music lifts us up – and I hope we all pray twice when we sing and play.

So – I urge you to keep singing – to keep feeling the music – to let it go sometimes and just pray it. One of my favorite songs (and I have many) ends with the praise band in giggles and mini cheers because you kicked it out so well – that is the joy I like to hear!

Praise you Praise Band!!!