You will love this testimony by Connie, written in response to my devotion LET'S SING MORE on May 7th, posted further below.
Our journey began with our family devotions. Early each morning, the children fed the puppies, kittens, bunnies, chicks, and ducklings. Then they came inside to take up sticks to drum on oatmeal containers or mallets or pound on a toy xylophone, while singing, “O for a thousand tongues to sing, my great Redeemer’s praise.” Our faithful, teaching Dad would quote something like Psalm 8:2: “Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants you have ordained strength, because of your enemies, that you may silence the enemy and the avenger.”
The disciples tried to quiet the girls and boys who were praising Jesus, but instead they shouted, “Hosanna” (Matthew 21:15, 16). If we try to quell these girls and boys, the very rocks will shout for joy! “If we keep silent, He will make the rocks cry out” (Luke 19:40). We won’t let the rocks cry out instead of us. We will lift our voices to to the Lord!
My husband likes a peaceful home. I like some semblance of neatness and order. My wishes all went out the door when the children were younger. One afternoon, Stephen spilt the milk that was now cascading down onto the dining room floor, I heard loud crying outside. Dashing out the door I found Sarah, who was inevitably trying to play “Mama,” had tripped while holding baby Rachel. I was relieved to find no broken bones. While investigating the injury, Daniel and Joshua got into a tug of war over the toy fire truck. After settling that dispute, Anna Joy was crying to get down from her highchair. In an instant, my nerves were as rattled as a cat on a hot tin roof and all my love for law and order was gone!
God spoke to me in this midst of this riot as he had calmed the storm at sea with the words, “House of praise, heavenly dew.” He told me that if I created a home of praise that He would send His heavenly dew upon our home. “House of praise, heavenly dew.” Wow. The confusion would leave as we extolled and praised Him.
Demonic strongholds were evicted the moment those babes opened their mouths to sing His praises. When a family joins their voices as one, they lock shields in worship to create a formidable, impenetrable force against the enemy. As He is magnified, the heavenly dew comes down to water the thirsty souls of every heart, applying a refreshing gauze to every wounded and damaged soul.
Our children started taking up instruments around 20 years ago, on Joshua’s twelfth birthday. His aunt gave him a new guitar. After him, Daniel picked up the bass. When my friend was moving, she gave us her piano. Stephen had an affinity for the piano, and his playing made the home come alive. Nicole is our flute player. Sarah’s on the trombone and piano. Anna Joy’s our violinist. Rachel plays the clarinet. Jonathan’s our trumpet player. Mommy’s on the drum, having lots of fun! Whenever he can, Dad gives a stirring message! Eight worshippers, along with Dad and Mom, makes a total of ten Lanfords. When you get that many strong personalities together, you are bound to have uproarious, tumultuous, hilarious, and amazing interactions—and bucketloads of humor.
When the hordes of hell were coming against them, the Israelites were instructed to unite together as one and march seven times around the city of Jericho. On the seventh time around they lifted up a loud, shout of praise and blew the shofars. As their voices were lifted up together, the walls of Jericho fell down (Joshua 6).
We started singing around the home hearth. On many occasions while entertaining folk in our home, their instruments and singing ministered to our guests. Our journey has brought this family of ten to the highways and byways (outreaches to the inner city, city events, churches, nursing homes, restaurants and conferences). The Lanford Ten have traveled to Illinois, California, Ohio, Texas and Virginia visiting relatives and playing for family reunions. From India to Uganda we have shared the gospel in word, worship, and deed. As our forefathers sang His praises, we will continue to exalt God. We sing hymns and worship songs, like “All who came before us and all who will remain, sing this song of ages to the Lamb” (Holy Forever).
Through it all, He’s calling us to possess the gates of our enemies; to pull down strongholds of strife and division that the King of Glory may come in. His royal inhabitants usher in His presence. By one brush on the keys and a stroke of the strings, we proclaim His decrees. As our voices are lifted up, we bring Heaven down. We will be praising Him in heaven for all of eternity, singing with loud voices: “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:11-13).
CONNIE LANFORD
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Baton Rouge, LA, USA
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