John Wesley's Singing Rules

I came across this last night while I was looking for something else and thought there is still a lot of truth in what John Wesley believed to be good singing rules. Of course the comment at the top of the list said that he had a "method" for everything, but sometimes I wonder if that is all bad. In case you didn't get the comment about a method for everything, in addition to being a prolific songwriter and evangelist, John Wesley was involved in starting the Methodist Church. With that said here are his singing rules:

1. learn the tune
2. sing the song as it is printed
3. sing all the song
"if that is a cross to you, take it up and you will find a blessing"
4. sing lustily and with good courage
lustily means full of vigor, vitality, powerful, strong, merry, joyous
5. sing in time
do not run before or stay behind
6. sing modestly - do not bawl, sob or cry out loudly
7. above all - sing spiritually
have an eye to God in every word you sing -
aim at pleasing Him more than any other creature -
8. attend strictly to the sense of what you sing and see that your heart is not carried away
with the sound
9. offer your singing to God continually

we continue to sing as we go . . .

where does time go

I think we all wonder where the time goes anymore. When I started this blog I told myself I was going to make sure I made some kind of entry at least once a week. As you can see by the dates, I haven't held up to the deal I made with myself.
There isn't anything new to report on the music front. It seems like there is a lot of behind the scenes things to get accomplished right now.
We are looking forward to this Saturday - September 22, 2007. Circuit Riders, a cowboy gospel group from Cody Wyoming will be at the Pierce Baptist Church at 1:30 pm. After their concert there will be refreshments and a bluegrass gospel jam. I always enjoy the chance to get to sit back and listen to other performers. It is also fun to get to talk to musicians that have been doing this for some time as they are full of information that they love to share. I also feel it's important to support others whenever we can. The church is at 5th and Cave. All are welcome and a love offering will be taken, and I'm fairly sure the group has cd's.