Seeds and Psalms

dandelion seeds via imageafter

Media choices are so crucial to the fabric of a family, and we try to make sure that those that get air time or viewing time in our household help us to set our minds on things above.  While God must ultimately open the "blind" eyes of my children and capture their hearts with His effectual call, it's my responsibility to help them see their need for a Savior, and recognize their inability to do anything good on their own.  That's not exactly the heartbeat of Disney, but as we say at our church, it's "preparing heart soil for Gospel seed."   To that end and with God's help, we try make our home a God-glorifying, Christ-centered, Scripture-saturated environment.

Seeds Family Worship and Sovereign Grace Music greatly aid us in this; we own just about everything these two wonderful ministries have published. 

When I find myself listening eagerly as my 4 year old turns on the CD changer and receiver (something she's known how to do since before she was 2 as the devices sit rather near the floor), it's noteworthy, for I think it's the rare piece of music that can appeal to both adults and children.  Granted I might not choose to listen to something as many times in a day as she does, but on the whole, we can both enjoy what's been spinning 'round recently--Seeds of Courage, Seeds of Faith, and The Power of Encouragement from Seeds Family Worship, and To Be Like Jesus from Sovereign Grace.  If you have children whose minds you'd love to fill with God's promises,  hope, and peace, I enthusiastically commend them to you.  And if you'd like a lighthearted way to memorize Scripture yourself, you'll get that too.

One of my favorite songs from Seeds comes from Psalm 40 (Volume 1, Track 4).  You can listen to it, and all the other tracks, here:  Listen Online to Seeds.  It's made me to think over with gratitude how the Lord drew me up from the pit of destruction and put a new song in my mouth.   Great is the Lord!

PSALM 40 (ESV)

[My Help and My Deliverer]
[TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID.]

    I waited patiently for the LORD;
        he inclined to me and heard my cry.
     He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
        out of the miry bog,
    and set my feet upon a rock,
        making my steps secure.
     He put a new song in my mouth,
        a song of praise to our God.
    Many will see and fear,
        and put their trust in the LORD.

    Blessed is the man who makes
        the LORD his trust,
    who does not turn to the proud,
        to those who go astray after a lie!
     You have multiplied, O LORD my God,
        your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
        none can compare with you!
    I will proclaim and tell of them,
        yet they are more than can be told.

    In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,
        but you have given me an open ear.
    Burnt offering and sin offering
        you have not required.
     Then I said, “Behold, I have come;
        in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
     I delight to do your will, O my God;
        your law is within my heart.”

    I have told the glad news of deliverance
        in the great congregation;
    behold, I have not restrained my lips,
        as you know, O LORD.
     I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
        I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
    I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
        from the great congregation.

    As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain
        your mercy from me;
    your steadfast love and your faithfulness will
        ever preserve me!
     For evils have encompassed me
        beyond number;
    my iniquities have overtaken me,
        and I cannot see;
    they are more than the hairs of my head;
        my heart fails me.

    Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me!
        O LORD, make haste to help me!
     Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether
        who seek to snatch away my life;
    let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
        who delight in my hurt!
     Let those be appalled because of their shame
        who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”

    But may all who seek you
        rejoice and be glad in you;
    may those who love your salvation
        say continually, “Great is the LORD!”
     As for me, I am poor and needy,
        but the Lord takes thought for me.
    You are my help and my deliverer;
        do not delay, O my God!