Praise with Song and Dance

At the beginning of spring with thoughts of summer we head into the days of a the warm and comfortable relaxations. Whether it's classmates, neighbors, or bible groups who encouraged us into every activity to engage, enjoy and join in with the festivities.  All for the frolics of summer. With the song and dance is in the air, one thing we all should try to remember. The question of music and dance....
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In Christ believers, both music and dance has had long life embroiled in controversy. The teachings of pre-religious orders, music a formal and much sought after part of society, but as religion developed and church colonies became communities leaders, music was considered to be an evil warrant, and slowly put the practice away. No more was the instruments, tones, and voices heard. Even to this day the controversy has not ended.

Music and dance was once again introduced surprisingly by the Chinese during the Song Dynasty. It became the obligation of pastors to use music to encourage meditations and penitence for both spiritual development as well as punishment for flesh-fulled sins. Dance remained as the evil 'gyrations'. The twisting and twirling about was likened to the wayward that leading to adultery, covetousness, and divorce. The thoughts on the matter of dance never has subsided, the controversies still are an intricate part of religious teachings as to where the fine line between the good and evil of that activity.
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Psalm 68:25-26 

Singers are in front, musicians behind; between them are young women playing tambourines. 26. Praise God, all you people of Israel; praise the LORD, the source of Israel's life.

Let's put this piece of scripture into something comparable with the activity today. First came singing, "Hey, Joe...Turn up the music. Get the girls in here a let's get some singing done!" The words to the most popular blasted around the room as musical instruments blared from stereo speakers that were pumped up within the acoustics of the room. Singing, dancing, and rebel-rouse was the action that followed close behind the start of the excitement at hand.  Sound familiar.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 4-6 

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven...4.A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. 5. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. 6. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away.

The verse above is probably the single most quoted biblical reference known when the issue as to when and what is the time for all things under God. There are times when both music and dance must be set aside, and likewise, there is a time when both music and dance to the only way people want to celebrate. Personally, it's difficult to say, but people do sometimes get off-track about their actions and somethings find it difficult to forgive themselves. Perhaps a little music will help...clap your hands, stamp your feet, and sing a song of the Lord.

It Is Well With My Soul
http://songsofpraise.org/song.php?songid=388&flashdisplay=Y

.Superbook Kids Radio
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A Word of Warning!  Dance can mellow you out. Times change quickly...today flying around dancing is 'getting into it', tomorrow it could be considered too much 'gyration'. What about potential soul mate think, even if the two of you haven't even or ever spoken. Seeing bodies slamming into each other is very suggestive. The person, mister/madam-right, is now watching just a group of people instead of you? They're apt to get the wrong impression! Keep a tight hold on your physical self. Remember well this verse - Ecclesiastes 3:5... A time to embrace and a time to turn away.

Dance and frolic can have some awful consequences.Being single and missing the first chance to find a first true love is certainly some thing to think about, but what about if your married. Oops!

2 Samuel 6: 20-23

When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet him. She said in disgust, "How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!" 21. David retorted to Michal, "I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the LORD, so I celebrate before the LORD. 22. Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes! But those servant girls you mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished!" 23. So Michal, the daughter of Saul, remained childless throughout her entire life.

David's wife felt he was exposing himself to others, and in front of her handmaidens...Michal, at the end of  this biblical episode, asked David for a divorce.-

Terrible when it's happens in real life. Believing you've have the greatest love and a full life only to see it being severed away. - Ecclesiastes 3:6. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away.

Remember these two scripture passages above. Dancing wildly or intoxicating can have terrible consequences. Even though David felt he was in accordance with the Lord, Michal, David's wife, felt otherwise. That one seemingly innocent action cause he with her to never have any children for their entire lifetime. If honoring the Lord, do so with a full heart. If celebrating the times, whether summer, spring, winter or fall, do so as if everyday of them is one you want to keep.

Psalm 149:1-3 

Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song. Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful. 2. O Israel, rejoice in your Maker. O people of Jerusalem, exult in your King. 3. Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp. 4. For the LORD delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.

Praise God. Never leave us. Moderate our lives. Teach us both about music and with music. Teach us to dance in self-disdain. Come to celebrate in both love and happiness. Make peace among the believers and to the everlasting light that is the God Almighty. Amen.