I grew up in a musical family. My mother’s family was musically gifted. My grandparents were musical evangelists who traveled throughout the Midwest with their two daughters conducting revival meetings. They played a variety of musical instruments. We still have copies of their promotional pieces with the four of them surrounded by enough instruments to stock a small music store.
My dad’s family wasn’t musical at all. But at a very early age he demonstrated a God-given gift for the piano. In the ‘60’s he traveled for three years as the pianist for one of the great gospel quartets – The Blackwood Brothers. Since then, my parents have ministered all over the country in various venues, proclaiming the gospel through music.
I have one sister – Cheri. She was born with perfect pitch (she can tell you what key your hair dryer is blowing in!) and is an accomplished pianist. For the first several years of my life I showed little if any musical talent. I began to think the musical blessing had bypassed me completely. Then my dad bought me my first bass guitar. It was love at first sight!
That was nearly forty years ago. Since then, music has been a huge part of my life and ministry. In 1984 I married a beautiful young lady who is very musical. We now have three children who are gifted and involved in music ministry. So the legacy continues.
Last month we saw the passing of a musical giant. Whitney Houston’s death shocked the world. Whitney began singing in church. She started by using her talent for the Lord. Can you imagine the impact she could have made for the kingdom if only she had used her gift for Jesus? Instead, she ended up using it for that which profits nothing. She made the same mistake as Esau who sold his birthright for a bowl of beans. What a waste!
This reminds me of the repeated refrain in the poem, Only One Life, written by missionary Charles Thomas Studd –
“Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
We all have a gift. Some are blessed with several. Whatever your gift may be, use it for Jesus. Use it for His glory, and the advancing of His kingdom. When this life is over, it’s over. As the great missionary said, “Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Pastor Todd Weston
My dad’s family wasn’t musical at all. But at a very early age he demonstrated a God-given gift for the piano. In the ‘60’s he traveled for three years as the pianist for one of the great gospel quartets – The Blackwood Brothers. Since then, my parents have ministered all over the country in various venues, proclaiming the gospel through music.
I have one sister – Cheri. She was born with perfect pitch (she can tell you what key your hair dryer is blowing in!) and is an accomplished pianist. For the first several years of my life I showed little if any musical talent. I began to think the musical blessing had bypassed me completely. Then my dad bought me my first bass guitar. It was love at first sight!
That was nearly forty years ago. Since then, music has been a huge part of my life and ministry. In 1984 I married a beautiful young lady who is very musical. We now have three children who are gifted and involved in music ministry. So the legacy continues.
Last month we saw the passing of a musical giant. Whitney Houston’s death shocked the world. Whitney began singing in church. She started by using her talent for the Lord. Can you imagine the impact she could have made for the kingdom if only she had used her gift for Jesus? Instead, she ended up using it for that which profits nothing. She made the same mistake as Esau who sold his birthright for a bowl of beans. What a waste!
This reminds me of the repeated refrain in the poem, Only One Life, written by missionary Charles Thomas Studd –
“Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
We all have a gift. Some are blessed with several. Whatever your gift may be, use it for Jesus. Use it for His glory, and the advancing of His kingdom. When this life is over, it’s over. As the great missionary said, “Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Pastor Todd Weston
