Today Pastor Erick spoke on having a reverence in church and before God... Something that I think that is really good because, we sort of lost the respect for God and His house. Something I think i've been guilty of doing as well. In the course of being comfortable in the house of God, I've taken certain things for granted. Although I believe more of the posture of the heart rather than outward actions, I'm not going to deceive myself and say that what we do doesn't matter.

Pastor Erick also shared something from our Methodist Hymnal. To be honest, I've been a Christian all my life, and I've seen the Methodist Hymnal for at least 15 years... I never knew there was a page called Directions for Singing in it. I found it hilarious at first but as I read on, I found that behind the authoritative style was a heart that really wanted people to worship God in a proper manner. And this was how John Wesley knew how. And this was what worked for the people in that era. We still worship the same God, and as we know, God never changes. Our style and method of worshipping may have changed but the significance behind Wesley's 'rules' still remain the same.

Directions for Singing
From the Methodist Hymnal

I. Learn these tunes before you learn any others; afterwards learn as many as you please.

II. Sing them exactly as they are printed here, without altering or mending them at all; and if you have learned to sing them otherwise, unlearn it as soon as you can.

III. Sing all. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a single degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up, and you will find it a blessing.

IV. Sing lustily and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, then when you sung the songs of Satan.

V. Sing modestly. Do not bawl, so as to be heard above or distinct from the rest of the congregation, that you may not destroy the harmony; but strive to unite your voices together, so as to make one clear melodious sound.

VI. Sing in time. Whatever time is sung be sure to keep with it. Do not run before nor stay behind it; but attend close to the leading voices, and move therewith as exactly as you can; and take care not to sing to slow. This drawling way naturally steals on all who are lazy; and it is high time to drive it out from us, and sing all our tunes just as quick as we did at first.

VII. Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to do this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve here, and reward you when he cometh in the clouds of heaven.