You Are What You Listen To

I've been saying for some time now that for a retiree like me, the "stay-at-home" order is starting to feel a bit like the "Groundhog Day" movie - every day feels exactly the same. I've got my routine down pat; stay up too late, get up too late, read my Bible for a while (which has been a real blessing!), and eventually ask myself the crazy question "where did this day go"?! So, I want to share my secret weapon trick for maintaining sanity in a considerably insane world... LISTEN TO PRAISE AND WORSHIP MUSIC! Look, it's much easier to do than you think and 100 times more soothing. Every time I turn it on, my blood pressure drops at least 20 points and my heart goes from a frown to a smile:) You will be AMAZED at how many wonderful songs Julie and the Praise Team have taught you over the years, and even if you're not a big worship music lover or singer in church - you've just got to TRY this to see what a difference it makes!

So, for all of you technologically challenged individuals (trust me, if I can do it ANYBODY can), here's how to begin praising God through music:

On your smartphone, download one of the free music apps such as Pandora or Spotify. Personally, I use Pandora but my kids prefer Spotify. Both are free, both are extremely easy to use. You can play it directly through your phone, or for louder and better quality sound you may want to purchase a compact speaker that can be plugged into your phone or received through Bluetooth. Compact speakers can be purchased for $20 or $30 on Amazon and are amazingly good! You can also use earphones or earbuds to listen without bothering anyone else. For the music genre, search for "Praise and Worship" and you'll find that you know most of the songs from church.
Access one of the internet Christian radio stations such as AllWorship.com, iHeartRadio, or Moody Radio that can be streamed through your computer. Again, search for "Praise and Worship" music. You can purchase speakers that can be plugged directly into your computer or listen with earphones or earbuds as well.
Listen on YouTube - search for "Praise and Worship Music"
Go old school and buy praise and worship CD's on-line for your CD player. Search for some of the Praise and Worship mixes, such as WOW Worship, Top 50 Praise Songs, Songs 4 Worship, etc.
Go really old school and listen on FM 91.3 WCSG out of Grand Rapids.

However, you do it, next time you're feeling down in the dumps and feel the need for something really familiar and special - dial-up "Praise and Worship", close your eyes and you'll find yourself back in our sanctuary feeling God's love again!

-John E