Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father (Ephesians 4:18-20 NAS).

Did you know "Amazing Grace" can be sung to the tune of "Gilligan's Island" or "House of the Rising Sun?" Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley and writer of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," often used other melodies — even those used in local taverns — to make it easier for people to recognize and sing his hymns. Imagine that? Some of our most popular hymns used melodies sung in a bar.

Speaking of bar tunes, many years ago, my aspiring writer and musician son, Stephen, age 13, asked me to listen to his favorite style of music: rap. I listened carefully ... and honestly told him I didn't like it but then I challenged him. "Why don't you write a Christian rap song and sing it for our church?"

Why did I say that? Our church was a typical country church which sang mostly hymns written over one hundred years ago. How would these precious people respond to a rap? Oh well. Why worry? Stephen would never write a Christian rap song and he certainly would never sing it in church, would he? Oh, yes he would. He wrote that song within a week and so I reluctantly fulfilled my part of the promise and one Sunday he stood before our entire congregation and sang or rapped, "Stand Up for the Lord."

After the service was over, young people surrounded Stephen to eagerly tell him it was the best song they ever heard in church. Others asked for the words. At this point, I figured it would be smart to take another look at Stephen Davies' rap for Jesus, "Stand Up for the Lord."

Take it to the top, not just another Christian rappin'

Here to tell you what's really happenin'

All this violence in the streets, I don't want to hear it

It's time that the people got the fever for the spirit.

He gave us our life and He gave us our choice

But we are the youth and we've got the voice

For serving Christ is a price we can all afford

C'mon yall, Oh yeah, stand up for the Lord.

As I read the words, the message coming from a youthful perspective really hits home. Stephen was clearly pointing out world wide problems and urging Christians to action. "All this violence in the streets … It's time that the people got the fever of the spirit." But more importantly, my son saw the loving relationship and the choice Christ offers us all, even today: "He gave us our life and He gave us our choice." Stephen declared that our youth do have a voice and we should, "Stand up for the Lord."

Think twice about the way you live your life

You don't go to heaven or hell with a roll of the dice

Jesus Christ loves everyone and all

Just think of his grief when he feels us fall

Out of his hands, into the devil's deed

And by him dying on the cross we were all freed

We're just sparks and God is the fire

The one and only God-preacher, teacher, Messiah

I know you wanna, You know you wanna, So why ain't you gonna?

Okay, okay so it's not a classic hymn, and when Stephen stood before our church and sang, all of us old people mostly stared. However, I noticed that the youngsters began nodding their heads in rhythm with the beat and by the smile on their faces you knew they were enjoying and understanding the message.

Stephen said something simple but profound in the second verse: "Think twice about the way you live your life. You don't go to heaven or hell with a roll of the dice." In other words, there is a real God who celebrates our joys and grieves over our failures. "Just think of his grief when he feels us fall." My favorite line in the song, however, is this one: "We're just sparks and God is the fire." What a wonderful way to describe our mission. "I know you wanna. So why ain't you gonna?"

C'mon, let's stand up for the Lord.

Makin' controversial music and pullin' the money

But after a little while, you just ain't funny

Our youth do have a voice.

Just give your life to the Lord

The person who all your life you've ignored

The world is full of crime and sin

Don't ya think it's about time we let the Lord in?

You'll see the light if you open the door

C'mon ya'll, Oh yeah, stand up for the Lord.

Two Hearts Praying as One by Dennis and Barbara Rainey "Praying together may be the single most important spiritual discipline you and your spouse will ever share," say the Raineys--it reduces conflicts and safeguards marriages from divorce.

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