When you feel like singing the blues.

When I served as a pastor in Memphis, Tennessee, one of my favorite places to hang out after work was a place called Beale Street. It's a great place to eat some ribs and hear the Blues. There's a park there called, W.C. Handy Park. People gather there on warm evenings to hear some great music. Memphis is a great place to go if you want to hear and sing the Blues.

Songs of sadness and pain.

I have listened to many Blues songs, and I have read about the lives of many Blues performers. I always noticed that the songs and the lives of the were full of pain and sorrow. Blues music might be enjoyable to listen to, but in the songs are sadness. The songs tell of broken hearts and hardship. The songs reflected the lives of the performers and sometimes those who listen to the music. The people who sang the music, knew the Blues, they had felt it in their lives. They told their story, when they sang the Blues.

When people are said to "sing the blues," it means that they are talking about the struggles that they are going through. Life can be rough, and at times this causes some people to sing songs of sorrow rather than songs of joy. The stresses and strains of life can be seen on their faces and reflected in their lives. They believe that they are carrying burdens too great to bear. Their hearts are crushed, and theirs is not a song of joy, but one of sorrow. They find themselves, "singing the Blues."

I've had that feeling many times in my own life. There have those times when I've felt like "singing the blues." I have also encountered many people during my years of ministry who felt the same. In my years of both urban and correctional ministry, I encountered people whose songs were songs of sorrow and pain. Some of these people were dealing with family issues, spiritual struggles and rejection. Many were young men caught up in drugs, proverty, and hopelessness. They had lost their songs of joy and found it difficult to press on in the journey of life. They carried with them feelings of bitterness, anger and confusion. All of these people wondered where God was. They wondered when they would be able to break forth with songs of joy. Some would ask; "Why should I praise God or be joyful when I'm hurting so bad?"

I would like to ask you these questions. Have there been times when you've felt like "singing the Blues?" Have you had those times of both deep hurt and sadness? If you have, know that you are not alone. There are many people walking around with the blues. When we sing the blues in our own lives, we take our eyes of the One who is able to bring us joy. We allow the devil to steal our joy and to silence our song. Despite all of this, there is good news. God can take us from singing the blues. He is able to replace the song of the blues with a song of praise.

Jesus is our song of praise. He has opened the way of salvation to all believers. He has promised He gives us His abiding presence and strength through His Word and Sacrament. We sing of Christ, for the Scripture says;"The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation."(Ex. 15:2)We sing, because through faith, we have salvation. We have strength for the journey. The journey might get rough at times, but Jesus still fills us with His joy.

The songs of praise goes on

The Holy Spirit puts a new song in our hearts. The Psalmist wrote;"He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God." (Ps. 40:3)He fills our hearts and mouths with songs of thanksgiving and praise. Songs of thanks, for all of the rich blessings that have been bestowed upon us. This is a song that we sing in the Divine Liturgy and in our daily lives.

Sing your songs of praise throughout the journey. There will be those times when you'll want to sing the blues, but sing praises instead. Sing your praises to the One who has saved you, and blesses you each day.

As we sing our praises, others will hear our song. Through our songs of praise, we bear witness to our faith and to the One who is our strength. Scripture declares:"Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare among the nations his marvelous deeds among all people." (Ps. 96:2-3) Others will hear our song through the storm. No matter what comes, just keep sing the praises.

Let's leave singing the blues to the performers. Let's not sing the blues in our everyday lives. Life has so much to offer. There are so many good things that God has done. There are too many dreams and goals to be fulfilled. Singin the blues would limit both faith and hope. It would only bring things to a grinding halt. Even in the tough times, the Holy Spirit can put a song of joy in your heart, when you feel like singing the blues.

-Michael Carter.(2007)

The Justice of God-Romans 3:28

In the eternal court in heaven, a trial was taking place. On trial was the whole human race. The charges were sins committed against God's Law.

Standing for the prosecution was the devil. The devil stood up and began to accuse the human race. "Your honor, the human race has broken your Law. They have failed to keep it time after time. They are not worthy of your mercy. They should be cast away into eternal death."

Standing for the defense was Jesus. "Your honor, I stand here and speak on behalf of the human race. They have struggled with sin and need your mercy. I ask you to show them your mercy and not to cast them into eternal death."

When all of the arguments had been made, and all of the evidence had been presented. it was time for the verdict. The Judge read both the verdict and the sentence. "You
have been found guilty of sin. The punishment is death. For the wages of sin is death." Then Jesus stepped forward. "I will take their sentence and the punishment on myself. I will suffer and die in their place so that they will have pardon."

The Judge called the human race to the bar. "I will accept the sacrifice of Jesus. Jesus will pay the price for your sins. Through His death, divine justice will be served. A blessed exchange will take place; Jesus will take your sin and punishment, and you will take His holiness and righteousness. You have recieved grace. You have been justified and made free."

Jesus who knew no sin, became sin for us. He offered Himself as the one time sacrifice for our sins. He stepped in our place, and took the punishment that we deserved. Through His suffering, death and resurrection, He won for us, forgiveness, salvation and life. He makes these gifts available through faith in Him. Because of Jesus, God the Father looks at us through the cross. Through faith in Christ, we have been justified. We have been set free.

By Michael Carter(Written 2007)