Today’s podcast was written and read by Bernice Howard.

Our Bible verse for today is Col. 3:16 - New International Version says: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

I am not a very good singer. I have a loud voice, but sometimes I tease that I think God forgot to tune it. And while I may frequently sing off key, I can definitely make a joyful noise to the Lord, with gratitude in my heart.

I am happy that singing on key is not our assignment from Colossians Chapter 3. Let’s consider a few more verses from this Chapter for a broader look at our important assignment.

Colossians 3:12-16… ¹² “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. ¹³Bear with one another and forgive one whatever grievance you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

¹⁵Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

Now we have clarification of our assignment! We need to dress ourselves properly, with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience - then “put on LOVE,” like a cloak which will bind all these together. With such beautiful garments binding us, we can joyfully sing praises to God – no matter the key in which we sing!

The Word of Christ is His Message, His Teaching, His Advice. And he gives lots of advice during His time on Earth. He gives advice to friends and enemies, to those who love Him and those who hate Him. But all this advice can be summed up in his answer to the question – “Lord, what is the greatest commandment?” To which he replied (and I paraphrase) – “LOVE GOD, LOVE OTHERS.”

So, clothed in LOVE, with gratitude in our hearts, let’s sing His praises…

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Amen!

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Listen to this special episode where we share the Scriptures used in the episodes this week.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

My dad was almost certainly tone deaf. I mean, literally. He could not carry a tune at all, and I really don’t think he realized it. In other words, he could not hear the variations in pitch that other people could hear.

I am guessing at that, because I could never ask him directly. Sitting next to him in church at an early age, I noticed that what came out of his mouth had absolutely no resemblance to what came from everyone else. I developed some musical ability early, and could “hear” natural major, minor, minor seventh, etc., chords and relationships, so Dad’s atonality grated on me.

But one day in the car as I rode in the back seat on the way home from church, I said something to Dad about how he couldn’t carry a tune. He said, “What?” and looked puzzled. Mom shot me that look that could scorch paint off the side of a barn, and I quickly shut up and never mentioned it again.

In retrospect, I see the kindness of my mother at that moment. I knew Dad couldn’t carry a tune. She knew it. Everyone for six pews around us knew it. But I don’t think Dad knew it. All he knew was how much he enjoyed music. He would listen to old 45s and 78s on the home stereo for hours—Patsy Cline, Dean Martin, Conway Twitty. I don’t know what his experience was like, but I know he loved music. And he loved singing in church.

The Psalmist said, “Sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord! Bless his name! Share the news of his saving work every single day! Declare God’s glory among the nations; declare his wondrous works among all people because the Lord is great and so worthy of praise.” He didn’t say to sing so that others would admire you.

Dad wasn’t singing for me or for the surrounding people. With all his gusto, he sang to the Lord. Had I managed to, in my arrogance, communicate to Dad how he sounded to others, he may have lapsed into silence. It would have robbed him of something precious. It would have robbed the people around him as well. They may not have enjoyed his dissonance, but I know how much people looked up to him. I am certain that his joyful noise uplifted hearts—his own, and those around us.

Dear Lord, thank you for the wisdom you shared through my mother to keep my mouth shut and my dad’s voice open. Grant to us unselfconscious, joyful participation together in singing to you! Amen.

This devotional was written and recorded by Donn King.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.