By Mark Hopper

I have shared some of my thoughts about music in our culture today and what was written and sung in Bible times 3,000 years ago. But there is a big difference between listening to music or hearing a choir perform than there is when you actually sing a song yourself.

Sometimes I will stand next to one of the men in our church service and tell them I want to hear him sing. Women seem to be more comfortable singing out loud than men. I tell my wife I love to hear her voice when we sing worship songs in church. But most of the men sing quietly and most of the women sing loudly.

There is something powerful and personal when we actually sing along with other people. One voice can be beautiful but there is strength in many voices singing together in a church service or public gathering.

I vividly remember the first time a group of men from our church went to a Men’s Retreat at Forest Home Conference Center. There were about ten men from our church and we arrived late. We quickly took our sleeping bags and duffle bags to our cabin and then hurried to join the evening meeting in progress in the Chapel. When we opened the door we were amazed to hear almost 500 men singing together. It was a powerful moment.

The same thing was true when a larger group of guys from our church attended the Promise Keepers gathering at Angel stadium in Anaheim. There were over 20,000 men at the weekend event. It was amazing to hear so many men singing contemporary praise songs and old hymns like Amazing Grace. It was so encouraging to hear men singing boldly with their voices from their heart.

There is a passage in the Bible which says, “Sing hymns instead of drinking songs. Sing songs from your heart to Christ. Sing praises over everything. Use any excuse to sing a song to God” (Ephesians 5:19 – the Message Bible). Let me encourage you to sing with confidence and conviction. Sing hymns and praise songs at church so your spouse and children can hear you and follow your example. Proudly sing the National Anthem at the baseball or football game too. Don’t be a silent spectator. Be a proud participant as you raise your voice in song. You will be glad you did and your family will too.

You can read more stories by Mark Hopper in his new book “Let Me Encourage You More – An Encouraging Story for Every Day of the Year”. Order your copy today at markh@efreedb.org. The price is $25 per book or two books for $40 plus postage ($5). Purchase one for yourself and give one to a friend. You will be glad you did!