Music on Lake Huron

         This has been quite the day.  At 4:30 this morning I left to catch my flight for a family conference in northern Michigan. Since landing in Saginaw, I have been driving up the coast along Lake Huron.  I marvel at God's incredible creation.  Along with the music I have been listening to, this has been a very worshipful journey.  While listening to Bebo Norman's song "I Will Lift My Eyes," I am reminded of the importance and the redemptive power of Godly music.  Music that reaches the heart and redirects our focus to the cross has a settling effect on the storms of life.  As I look out upon this vast body of water I am reminded that God can indeed calm the storm with a word or even a song.  I cannot count the times that He has revived my soul while listening to Christian radio or Christian albums (yes I know that term dates me!)

           As I am sitting here in my car overlooking Lake Huron, listening to "I Will Life Up My Eyes," I remember what a dear friend of mine said while speaking in Atlanta a few months ago.  His name is Charles T. Jones.  I view him as my spiritual father in many ways.  It is to him that I owe much of who I am today.  And soon he will be in glory as he is fighting the cancer that has filled his body. But before the Lord takes him home I would like to share something that he said that I think is important.  He said that when he was most discouraged, it was music that renewed his resolve to persevere and not give up.  As I sat in that conference room listening to Charlie, my first thought was that it is the Word that restores us, not music. But as I pondered the wisdom of this man of God, I realized that it is the Word of God that has been my rock over the years, but it has been Christian music that has been the oil during times when I needed encouragement in the midst of some of the darkest nights.  Thanks Charlie…thanks Bebo for the reminder…God has used you both.  It is has been a good day to lift up my eyes…I have so much to be thankful for.