Raiders for Christ
Song and Worship

I hope that I do not offend anyone with the title of this message, but I am sure everyone knows what I am talking about. This style of praise has been portrayed in many Hollywood movies, sports acts probably being the most popular, but the energy and excitement that they show is just so contagious. Sometimes I think Pentecostal churches could still learn a lot from these breath taking tributes. While I think that Pentecostal worship is out going to a degree, a lot of worshippers are still very restricted, but when you watch praise and worship songs being played, you see everyone dancing and clapping and just being joyful in God’s presence. And that is what worship is all about!

There is an abundance of music created and used for entirely irreligious purposes—everything from seducing members of the opposite sex to selling room deodorizers, but I don't believe those secular uses can strip music of its essentially spiritual nature. It might not be "religious," in the most literal interpretation of the word, but is it spiritual? Oh yeah. There may not be chapter and verse references to back this feeling up, but a through reading of every Scripture mentioning "music," "musicians," "sing," or "songs," paints a pretty clear picture of its power and purpose.

Music falls into one of those mysterious in-between places—the kind the ancients believed was prone to magic. Like the mythological space between night and day, darkness and light, or the present and the future, music inhabits a place somewhere between our mind, emotions, and soul—and it colors all of them. Across cultures and through all ages, music has moved mountains. Its power is beyond language and laws. It can motivate a nation to war, move a soul to repentance, or sell a cheeseburger. It was created by God with special power and usefulness. It is a strong tool that, like a sharp blade or large hammer, can be used for good or evil.

We should always take music seriously. Some of us possibly take it too seriously. Many of us could express our hearts through song. Many of us in the Raider Nation have been obsessed, no doubt fueled by past generation's paying tribute to the Silver and Black. Carlos Santana with his song "touchdown Raiders." or the sounds of "Tower of Power, We Came to Play." Now we have "Ice Cube" the well known rapper with a tribute to the Raider Nation? It's what the autumn wind has brought forth the warm glow of music and radio stations. We all seem to want music to be playing constantly. Whether it's Jesus Music being played or the everyday sounds of this world. It provides an escape in dark times. It's a source of instruction, inspiration, and hope. We as human beings are fueled by imagination and led by our spirit. Music stimulates our memories and unveils feelings we thought we had forgotten. Have you ever noticed how a song can bring back a flood of emotions? A familiar melody can take us back in time, and although our physical appearance might expose middle-age, our emotional age is the current in song.

If you don’t think music can transform you internally, pay attention to the songs that give you happy feelings. Even if your body isn’t up to the dance moves of your youth, your heart hears the music and your feet want to move. Music does not save our lives; God does. But He seems to use music an awful lot to do it. Smoky Robinson the great R&B singer is blessed with God's goodness with words of mingled sincerity and eloquence, often describing love with unique metaphors. Once pronounced as America’s “greatest living poet.” As a singer, Robinson could evoke joy, sadness and their bittersweet combination with his velvety high tenor. Legend has it that audience members would break into tears when Robinson and the Miracles sang their many hits.

With the expections of continued tributes by the hometown, no other city can claim as close allegiance to it's fans as the Silver and Black. As the Oakland Raiders embark on their 50th Season on September 14, 2009 against the San Diego Chargers. One can only keep our ears open on the newly created work in keeping with our commitment to new music that pays tribute to our hearts desire, wheter it's in our personal relationship with the Lord or on game-day..."God Bless the Raider Nation in 2009!!

Pastor Mando
"keep the faith"