Tag: God
Writing Music with CAIN
Trio shares how God’s Word inspires creativity
We are all created in the image of God and given the ability to create. Whether it’s through music, art, writing or other forms of expression, we have the power to communicate and inspire others with our creative work.
CAIN, a contemporary Christian music group, recently discussed their songwriting process in an interview with Family Life Radio. They explained that their songs are initially created with the intention of being successful and catchy, but they also aim to make them encouraging ministry tools. CAIN notes their music becomes personal and ministers to themselves as they create it.
“He’s calling you to walk out of the dark.” Taylor said, referring to the lyrics of their song “Rise Up,” which encourages listeners to seek God’s help in difficult times. The trio believe God gives them ideas and bits of inspiration for their music, and they strive to ensure that their songs are scripturally founded and able to point to Scripture. “The crazy thing is God uses our own music because while “Rise Up” was happening, we were stuck at home. We couldn’t go anywhere. We couldn’t play this song for you. I just had to sit there and sing it. There were a lot of times when you don’t feel like you’re in a dark place when you write [the song] and then all of a sudden, you’re like, Man, I need to minister to myself using the words that we came up with.
Madison agreed, “It’s extremely personal to you. God gives you bits, like ‘The Commission.’ That’s one of our songs. Taylor came in and was like, what about – Go tell the world about me. It just starts there, but how cool is it that as we were all in the synergy of us talking about the Great Commission. And the song has grown into something that we never intended to,” Madison interjected, highlighting how God can inspire and guide creative processes in unexpected ways.
As Christians, we too have a responsibility to use our creative abilities to inspire and minister to others. The Bible tells us that we are called to use our gifts and talents to serve others and bring glory to God. In 1 Peter 4:10-11, it says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen” (NIV).
When we create with the intention of serving and ministering to others, we are using our gifts and talents to bring glory to God. It’s important to remember that our creative work is not just about us and our own success, but about how it can impact others and bring them closer to God.
“One pillar about us and the music we make is it has to be scripturally founded,” Logan shared. “You have to be able to point this to Scripture. And so I believe the Holy Spirit has people in mind who are thinking about suicide. The Holy Spirit knows, and so we are just trying to tether it to Scripture and allow scripture to do the work.”
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” (Colossians 3:16 NIV). When we use Scripture in our creative work, we are allowing the message of Christ to dwell richly among us and inspire and minister to others.
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Take Time to Trust
Spending time with God grows our trust
Mike Kankelfritz
I had the opportunity to take a quick flight from Arizona to Seattle to see my mom and I took my son with me. I was looking forward to it, but my son, 12 at the time, who hadn’t done much flying, was leery.
But I didn’t know he was anxious about flying. That information came out, literally right before we left for the airport, on the day of our trip. He said, “Dad, I don’t know if we should go. What if something happens at the airport?”
I told him I’d flown a lot, and I was sure everything was going to be fine.
And then at the airport, when we were about to board the plane, he expressed more concern, “I don’t know about this, Dad. What if something happens to the plane while we’re flying?”
I reassured him again and told him there are hardly any major airline accidents, and it’s pretty safe. After talking a bit, we prayed together and got on the plane.
We had a layover and halfway through the whole thing, my son looks at me and says, “Dad, this is easier to thought it was going to be.”
Then it hit me. Why does my son trust me? He trusted me enough to follow me onto that plane, even though he had some apprehension. I think it’s because he’s spent a lot of time with me, and he knows my nature. We’ve experienced a lot of life together, and that’s added up to trust.
So, why don’t I trust God like that? Maybe it’s because I’m not spending enough time with Him. In fact, how can you trust anybody if you haven’t spent any time with them? If I spent enough time with Him each day, I would also know His nature and I wouldn’t question His plans. I’d just know because of my time with Him this morning, He’s got me with each step of this day.
If you focus on who God is and how much He loves you, there is no question whether you can trust Him.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart” in Proverbs 3:5 begins with Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.”
We all struggle to take enough time to be still. The challenge for me is to focus on that more. If I do, I know my trust will grow.
Let’s do it together.
Wouldn’t It Be Great to Get a Do Over?
Our Amazing God is the king of second chances! God can redeem you. Nothing you do can take away His love for you, when you come to Him. He is patient while you learn your need for Him. Family Life Radio member Chuck shares his testimony.
But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself. Psalm 49:15
Never Fear…God is here!
Lately I’ve been thinking about fear. It comes in all shapes and sizes. It weasels its way into our hearts and our lives. And then it sets up shop. Have you ever noticed that? Once it gets inside you, it lingers. And it spreads. It starts to affect every area of your life. Things we might have thought were safe territory become a breeding ground for insecurity and anxiety. And that’s the enemy’s plan.
But I was reading a Max Lucado book, Fear Not, recently, and this passage really struck me.
“Fear never wrote a symphony or poem, negotiated a peace treaty, or cured a disease.
Fear never pulled a family out of poverty or a country out of bigotry.
Fear never saved a marriage or a business.
Courage did that. Faith did that.
People who refused to consult or cower to their timidities did that. But fear itself? Fear herds us into a prison and slams the doors.
Wouldn’t it be great to walk out?”
Courage and faith. Those seem to be the keys. When you’re feeling stuck in the prison of fear, take a stand. Trust in God. You might be surprised what fear you can conquer.