Researching the stories behind the Christian hymns of our faith for this month’s blogs has been a particular joy for me. Learning about the experiences that others came through that brought them to a closer walk with God is very uplifting. It is amazing how the Lord inspired them to put their experiences into musical form to inspire and encourage so many. The one that lifts me more than any other when I feel depressed, discouraged, or pondering some unwanted news is “Because He Lives,” by Bill and Gloria Gaither.
Read MoreIt was after a severe storm that Carl Gustof Boberg, a Swedish pastor, editor, and member of the Swedish parliament, was inspired to write a poem. As he looked over the clear bay he heard a church bell in the distance, and the words “How Great Thou Art,” began to ring in his mind.
Read MoreMusic has power to communicate, inspire, and to change. According to Don Campbell (founder of Institute for Music, Health and Education) music can communicate to us even when we’re not influenced by the words of a song. He says, “Music impacts physiology on a deep, basic level. The human heartbeat is especially attuned to sound-changes in tempo and volume act as natural pacemakers. Breathing slows down or speeds up along with the music.”
Read MoreUpon graduation from college my wife’s first job was working as a music therapist at a state hospital in Tennessee. Along with the medications given to patients to help them to be as normal as possible, music that she would play for them also played a part in keeping them calm.
Read More"I’m Only 23."
That was what I told Chaplain Wil Gardner when he offered me a job as a chaplain at Simmons back in 2010. I tried to talk him out of hiring me. I asked him if I could come back in 30 years when I had enough life experience to do and know everything that this job requires of you.
He said what eventually made me commit to Simmons, “Nick, I don’t want to hire you based on what you know. I want to hire you because of how you learn.” That’s what I needed to hear. I just turned 30 yesterday. I thought alot about how much I have been able to learn and how God has really transformed me through books I've read, personal experience I've gone through, and the chance to walk alongside people through some of their most difficult and challenging moments. God has been gracious and the growth has been significant.
Read MoreThere are times in life when we know that we are following the lead of the Shepherd and we experience life as God intended for us to live. Then there are other times when a cow ends up in the swimming pool.
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