Hymnals are an important and beloved part of the Christian tradition during worship service.

Many hymnals sung in churches were written centuries ago, but the lyrics are just as relevant today.

However, God raises up talented, creative and anointed psalmists for every generation. Yes, there’s plenty of meaningless, forgetful music out there intended to appeal to the senses and not the spirit, but there’s also tons of Christian songwriters and musicians who focus on honoring the scriptures with their music.

They write powerful, scriptural lyrics that live in specific genres to connect with believers all over the world.

Just as much as these ‘new hymnals’ are contemporary, those old songs were once ‘new school’ too.

The truth is, that as powerful and meaningful that, “Yield Not To Temptation” may be, the song and songs like it just won’t connect with some people in our generation or generations to come. However, all sincere believers have favorite spiritual songs that deliver the same message and help them connect with God.

None of the traditional songs that are so revered today (except for the Psalms) were written during ‘bible times.’ They’re spiritual but not scripture.

There are some Christians who will make you feel guilty about omitting classical hymnals during worship and using ‘bible apps’ instead of bound bibles.

They must be reminded that classical hymnals were once new, and bound bibles were ‘new technology’ after scrolls.

God DOES accept your worship as long as the songs are God-inspired and scriptural.

Traditional hymnals are a beautiful tradition, but they’re still just that…tradition NOT SCRIPTURE.

One day, the new songs written today will be Old School too.

Colossians 3:16 (NKJV)

¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another ^(A)in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

I remember during my years in school as a student the occasional teacher who would give an assignment during winter or spring break. I also remember the same as a parent when my children were in students.

I hated it then for myself and my children, and I hate it now.

Now, after years in corporate America, I’m now an educator, and I refuse to assign work to students over breaks. My wife is also a high-performing, veteran educator.

We work in an amazing district and have administrators that actively look for opportunities to lighten teachers’ workloads in a macro-culture of unrealistic expectations, responsibilities and legal liability…many teachers are overworked and overwhelmed.

All breaks are earned and well-deserved. And, a BREAK should be a real BREAK. It should be a time when one doesn’t have to do or think about work… a time of refreshing.

That being said, as an educator, I feel it’s hypocritical for any educator or administrator to expect children to do work or think about school over their breaks as well….it should a time of refreshing and being a kid.

Even God gets extremely angry when we refuse to appreciate and enjoy His weekly day of rest: NOTICE HOW MUCH IT PISSES GOD OFF WHEN WE REFUSE TO REST…

Of course there’s research that supports assigning work during breaks, but there’s research and data to support any agenda…that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right thing to do.

One must honestly ask oneself is it about what’s truly most beneficial to the child’s mental well-being or about an educator’s education ego?

Work life balance isn’t only important for adults, but for children too.

BE BLESSTIFIED!