When you see heads turning during worship, people cringing, others whispering… you know Jennifer Slattery is close by. Kicked out of campus choir my freshman year in high school for, and I quote, “throwing the entire choir off-key”, you’d think I would’ve learned to keep my mouth closed, or at least, to sing quieter. But nope. Can’t do it.

Considering I’m tone-deaf, embarrassingly so, some find it odd that music plays such a big part in my walk with Christ. And yet, there’s something profoundly spiritual about lifting our hearts in praise musically. Today my sweet friend and multi-published author LoRee Peery shares some beautiful thoughts on singing.

But first… I wanted to invite you to join me on Dawn Janis’ blog as I talk about the niggling of a story that came in the middle of the Katrina chaos, an idea that was soon forgotten, but ultimately, blossomed into a novel reviewers have called hilarious and heartwarming. Read more HERE.

A Song in My Heart from LoRee Peery

Have you ever considered the possibility of going to jail for being a Christian? What would occupy your mind? You can be assured there’d be no Bible behind those bars.

I have no doubt the Holy Spirit would bring verses and passages to mind, but I believe I’d sing to keep my focus on the Lord as well as to keep my sanity.

David and other psalmists filled the book of Psalms with singing. My Bible is filled with underlined verses referring to music. We are to sing to the Lord, sing for joy, and sing praises.

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth, Psalm 8:1.

His song will be with me in the night, Psalm, 42:8.

I will praise the name of God with song, Psalm 69:30.

The Bible references psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. We are to sing from a thankful heart and with a joyful soul.

Sing! Sing of His strength, and praise His mighty power.

My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God, Psalm 84:2.

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live, Psalm 104:33.

Sing to the Lord a new song, Psalm 149:1.

We are to use tongue, mouth, lips, flesh, and instruments, according to the writers of the Psalms.

May you take to heart, and implant in your soul, the words you voice during future times of Sunday worship. Go ahead and sing as you meditate on the Psalms.

Oh, my dear Author of music, I pray no matter where You plant me in life, You will bring a song to my heart and mind. I praise you for who You are, I praise You for past victories. I praise You for now. I long to forever sing from my soul to your ear. In your precious Name, amen.

Christian romance author LoRee Peery writes to feel alive, as a way of contributing, and to pass forward the hope of rescue from sin. She writes of redeeming grace with a sense of place. LoRee clings to I John 5:4 and prays her family sees that faith. She has authored the Frivolities Series and other e-books. Her desire for readers, the same as for her characters, is to discover where they fit in this life journey to best work out the Lord’s life plan. She is who she is by the grace of God: Christian, country girl, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and author. She’s been a reader since before kindergarten. One day she slapped a story in her lap. “I could write better than this.” (Lofty assumption, eh?) Her dear hubby challenged, “Why don’t you?” Thus her writing journey began many moons ago.

Her latest release is titled Where Hearts Meet:

Shattered by the loss of her parents, Deena pours her love into her patients at an assisted living facility. When the son of one her charges starts showing up to spend time with his mother, Deena’s wary heart is warmed by his attention to his mother…and to her. Simon is plagued by his ex-wife’s disappearance years before. When he meets Deena, who closely resembles the woman, he fears his attraction is based only on Deena’s looks. But she exhibits a warmth his ex-wife never had. Dare he risk his once broken heart? As two lonely souls pursue a tentative, budding love, secrets and lies come forward to tear them apart. Can Simon and Deena overcome loss and allow their hearts to mend?

But it HERE!

Let’s talk about this! In what ways has music helped to center your heart in Christ or bring you peace and comfort during a difficult time? Share your thoughts here in the comments below or at Living by Grace on Facebook.

Speaking of music and praise, I hope you’ll join me and my Takin’ it to the Streets friends for a hilarious, musical, unexpected night of talented performers, exceptional speakers, and great auction items. Tickets are available at Divine Truth Christian Bookstore, Reality Church, and can be purchased at the door.