Category: Thoughts

Why Is the Organ Going Away?

I’m sure we all know the sound. The thunderous blast of the organ as stops are pulled out, the manuals are played, and the pedals are pressed. There’s nothing quite like it, and it’s the only instrument that can rival the volume of an entire orchestra—the sound it was meant to imitate, actually. But, how many of us actually attend a church with a large, beautiful pipe organ built into the hallowed walls? Precious few these days. How many organs sit dormant for lack of a skilled organist to bring them to life? Way too many. And what exactly is the benefit of a smaller, electric organ which produces a sound nothing like the real thing?

The organ was, hilariously enough, considered to be the devil’s instrument by Martin Luther, though he later became less opposed to it. This fact is rather humorous as the instrument of choice in most Lutheran churches today is, obviously, the organ. When asked why the organ is the best instrument for worship, many respond that the sound of the organ is deep, lofty, and majestic—reflecting the glory and majesty and power of God. This makes perfect sense actually.

But what are these little electric jobs? A smaller, electric organ (often called a Hammond organ), is much more common than a pipe organ for many reasons, not the least of which is space—a pipe organ takes up a lot of space, and is very expensive to purchase, install, and maintain. In comparison, electric organs are small and relatively cheap.

Unfortunately however, they sound almost nothing like a real organ. The sound winds up being pretty hazy and indistinct and does little to support the melody of a song, and absolutely nothing to support the rhythm. This makes singing to an organ exhausting. One needs only watch a ‘church’ episode of The Andy Griffith Show to see how difficult it is to sing with this instrument. The entire congregation is completely out of sync with each other, and the organist. For this purpose, many churches began to add a piano to the mix, using it to support the rhythm. This is quite helpful.

But in today’s age, we are seeing more and more fundamental churches ditch their chapel organ for the lone sound of a piano (and where possible, a small orchestra). Why is this? The reason is simple: most songs are not suitable for organ. The majority of the hymns and songs we sing are simply not designed for the organ (nor do they sound very nice on it). This means that the demand for the organ is simply not enough to endure the cost of having to maintain one—not to mention that good organists are a rare and dying breed these days. So, most churches have instead opted to add an electric piano to their baby grand (or upright).

Is this a good thing?

Wholeheartedly, yes! For multiple reasons. Let’s talk about them.

1. Most songs are not suitable for organ

As I already stated above, most songs are not designed for an organ. They aren’t suitable. To sing every song with a piano and an organ is simply overkill. The vast majority of songs will sound much better with just the piano sound.

2. The extra piano has lots of benefits

Having another piano around is highly beneficial. This means (among other things) that younger or less-experienced pianists can begin playing in church services (along with the first piano) without the pressure of being the only accompaniment in the sanctuary. This can help raise up generations of confident and experienced pianists and at the same time really broadens the sound of the congregational accompaniment, adding additional support and interest. Additionally, this opens up the possibility of piano duos. Also, electric pianos come preloaded with other sounds which can be used, such as…

3. Organ at your fingertips

The vast majority of songs are not designed for the organ and shouldn’t be played on one. But, there are a good number of hymns which a piano simply cannot do justice to on its own. With an electric piano (preloaded with other sounds), you can have a highly realistic organ sound at the touch of a button. Now, there are special techniques that you can use to get an even better sound and I’ll be discussing them on a future video at ValleybrookTV, so stay tuned. Are you curious what songs should be played on an organ? Check out this list of suggestions I’ve put to together to help guide you.

So, while the actual organ is slowly falling out of general use, this is (overall) a good trend, as it paves the way for many other benefits—including the ability to have an organ whenever you want it anyway!

Whether your church uses an organ or not, remember that our final reason for everything we do as church musicians is to glorify God!

Keep Singing!

Thoughts on Christian Patriotism

By Ashton Harat — July 4, 2023

Well friends, if you live in the United States, we all know that today is a very special day. Today is the day that our great nation came into existence, some 247 years ago. On that stormy day in 1776, delegates from all over the colonies came together and declared their intention to stand up and fight for liberty—“for ourselves and our posterity.” They knew full well that they were placing their very lives in danger, writing, “we pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor,” and one even joked that Britain could now “double the reward for my head.” Over the years to follow, brave soldiers fought fearlessly for freedom, and over a sometimes miraculous series of events, triumphed in a war with the greatest military empire on earth at the time.

On this day, July 4th, we celebrate that we live in a nation founded on peace, justice, morality, freedom, rights, and equality. And in an age where the world celebrates and extols the exact opposite of all these things, we need more than ever to stand strong in the fight for our nation.

But what about us as Christians? What should our perspective be as citizens? Well, in the book of Romans, in chapter 13, Paul writes,

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. (Romans 13:1-2)

This is pretty clear. The government is to be obeyed. We are to be subject to its authority because God Himself has granted it any authority it has on earth. To resist the government is to resist “the ordinance of God” and that carries severe consequences. But, we also see in the book of Acts a passage which gives us a little bit more information on this subject. 

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)

This might seem confusing at first, but we have to understand the context. In this passage, the apostles were told by the leaders in Jerusalem to stop preaching of Jesus. But Christ had clearly told them to “go and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). So what were they to do? This is a clear and important principle. We obey the government, but when their requirements are contrary to the principles of God’s Word, we must stand up and obey the Lord, no matter the cost. 

The Bible tells us that we are to be “an example of the believers” in word and conduct (I Timothy 4:12), and the political realm is no exception. When we think of the early believers being persecuted by the godless tyranny of the day, we should rejoice that God has given us a nation where we are guaranteed the freedom to worship as we choose, and a government which is directly accountable to us as citizens.

This lays upon our shoulders a great responsibility. Millions of people—from the first century Christians to many still suffering today—were persecuted and martyred for speaking the truth unashamedly, and countless more have willingly risked or laid down their lives in freedom’s cause. We have been given a nation which guarantees under the law the basic human rights given by God, and we must never let those freedoms vanish—those freedoms that countless heroes died to protect.

Now, we know the Bible says that Satan is the prince of this world (John 12:31) and that “the world” system is under his control. Remember how he offered Jesus “all the kingdoms of the world” if he would simply bow down and worship? (Matthew 4:8-9) Ever wonder about this? Well, think of it this way. God owns everything,but He’s loaned out lots of His things to others. Everything we ‘own,’ for example, actually belongs to God. One of these things God has ‘loaned’ is the world we live in. God, in His sovereign, perfect will, allowed the Devil to seize control of this earth—but one day will vanquish Satan fully, “making a show of [him] openly” (Colossians 2:15) and taking back the earthly throne which is rightfully His. 

Knowing this, we have to conclude that—in essence—no nation can actually be called a ‘Christian nation’ since “all the kingdoms of the world” belong to Satan. However, we can—and should—recognize the Christian foundation of our nation from a historical and philosophical perspective. Now, I want to break down some practical applications for our daily lives as citizens. I believe that God’s Word is clear that we must strive in all our political affairs and public dealings to do three specific things.

1. Uphold the Historical Foundation of Our Country

This is just being a good citizen. The Constitution of the United States outlines the basic freedoms and rights which govern every aspect of life and policy in America. It is the highest canon of law which we have in this country and we should stand up and boldly say that it be followed, and that the original intent of the founders of this nation be honored in our public policy today (I Timothy 1:8). We should also support logical, common-sense policies, making sure to remain well-informed and basing opinions and actions on hard facts and good research. As Paul said, “Let all things be down decently and in order” (I Corinthians 15:40).

2. Promote Biblical Principles in All Matters of Public Policy and Leadership

This is being a good Christian citizen. There’s nothing wrong with identifying as ‘a conservative,’ or ‘Republican,’ but if that’s all we’re standing for, we have problems. Our greatest passion in public policy should be to advance the cause of Christ (Matthew 6:33). This means we should be fighting for religious liberty and calling out sinful and unethical behavior when we see it (Galatians 5:1, Isaiah 1:17). We should be championing societal norms which are consistent with God’s Word (Proverbs 14:34). We should be defending those who are helpless, and serving those who are in need (Psalm 82:3). And we should support and elect leaders who will do the same (I Peter 2:14).

3. Show the Grace and Love of Christ to the Thirsty, Dying World Around Us

This is being a good Christian. A good citizen of heaven. We must show Christ—His grace, mercy, Love, holiness, Justice, patience and compassion. The world around us is searching to be filled, trying to quench the thirst that burns in their soul—longing for something more (John 4:13-15). People are broken and sinful, yes, but more importantly, they are thirsty and despairing. What they need is Jesus. So reach out and show them His Love. This is the greatest and most important calling any person can have—to “go into all the world, and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15).

Here’s something to really praise God for this Independence Day. My pastor pointed out recently how much we are grateful to veterans who have fought to keep our nation free. We owe them a great debt. Then he said, “But how much more grateful should we be to Jesus? He died to save us from eternity in hell.” Ponder how great a Love has been lavished upon us (1 John 3:1).

One final thing. We who are citizens of the USA have rights and privileges (and also responsibilities) pursuant to our citizenship. But remember! We are not only citizens of the United States. We are citizens of heaven first. And with that comes the responsibility to be a witness for Christ—but also the right to come boldly before the throne in the Name of Jesus, and the privilege of one day being totally freed from sin and death to spend all eternity with God. So if the condition of the world right now has you depressed, let your double citizenship and your clear title in heaven encourage you and lift your spirits as you continue to press on for the Lord.

Salvation and Sunglasses

By Ashton Harat — March 29, 2021

The other day, I was getting in the car to take a drive, and I put on a pair of new sunglasses. I had never worn these before—they were a gift. The effect was pretty cool, and it made my surroundings more bluish than they actually were on a very sunny day.

It struck me as I looked, intrigued, at the world around me through these glasses, that the wonder of this new pair would fade away quickly. In mere minutes, the effect was unnoticeable. I had become used to them, and I had no more wonder and awe at the marvelous effect. When I spoke to a few people I know in my life who wear glasses, I found that they were amazed and in awe when they first got their specs. But the wonder of it was rapidly lost as they quickly took their newfound sight for granted.

As I pondered this, I realized something else. As it is with sunglasses, so it is with salvation. When we are first saved, what great joy and wonder we have at the great gift we have received! But as time goes on, our wonder tends to obey the second law of thermodynamics (i.e. “All things have a tendency to run down, to run toward disorder, toward less energy, toward less organization, toward less quantity”), and we begin to take our salvation for granted. Of course, none of us mean to—it’s a natural tendency.

The story of Ed Dunlop’s great series, The Terrestria Chronicles, follows a young slave-turned-prince named Josiah who is redeemed by the great King Emmanuel. In the first book, the King rescued him from the clutches of slavery by Argamor (i.e. Satan), and then sent him to live a new life in the Castle of Faith. Naturally, the great gift he was given filled Josiah with gratitude and wonder. He met another prince—a young man named Thomas—who was rude, stuck-up, braggadocious, assaultive, and all-around annoying. Josiah asked Sir Faithful—the castle steward and his personal mentor—just what makes Thomas so… difficult. Sir Faithful explained to him that Thomas was once full of wonder and joy like Josiah. Thomas was thankful to have been rescued from his chains and enslavement, and grateful to be a prince. But over time, he began to think he deserved to be royalty. He forgot he was once a wretched slave. He forgot what the king had done for him, and he lost his awe for being justified.

Sadly, this a natural tendency—and a common one too. But as Paul said, “Brethren, this ought not be so!” God has set us free from our old man and our naturally operating flesh to “put on the new man,” and live in supernatural peace and victory.

I live in constant wonder for the beauty of creation. And I love to see changes and variations in light, including what would happen with a pair of sunglasses. In fact, though that first time I put the pair on was the most amazing, every other time I don them after that first experience, I have a slight amount of wonder at the change. In the same way, we will often have moments when we are moved to stand in awe of our salvation, and praise the Lord because of it. But these are few—and far between.

When we lose the wonder of our salvation, we tend to lose our zeal for the Lord. An evangelist who has come to my church a few times once asked me at the end of a 5-day revival, “You gonna stay on fire for Jesus?” That, indeed, is the question. Are we going to stay on fire for the Lord? Then we must not grow complacent towards the great sacrifice He’s given. The wonder of sunglasses is incomparable to what Christ has done for us, and we should praise Him for it every day. I think that’s why the early church celebrated Communion so often. To keep us constantly mindful of the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf.

Another instance in the world of Terrestria that sheds light on this subject would be the village of Indifference. The people of this village let their houses fall into disorder. They slept till all hours of the morning. They hadn’t finished building the wall around their town. They were lazy and ill-tempered. They wasted their time in frivolous pursuits, such as racing paper boats, which is the chief occupation in the city. And they completely ignored the repeated warnings of a rockslide. What is the deal with these folks? Once again, Sir Faithful explains. All of the people were redeemed children of King Emmanuel, but they had lost the wonder of salvation, and no longer desired to serve Him. Telling story, isn’t it? Let us beware.

As we move into the warm seasons of the year, we will most likely be using sunglasses with increasing frequency. The next time you put a pair on, thank the Lord that He has rescued you from the chains and shackles of sin and guilt. Let us never forget what He’s done for us.

If you do not know this freedom that Christ offers, then call to Him. He eagerly awaits to hear you ask Him: “Cleanse my heart and set me free—free from guilt, and free from sin. Free from guilt, and free from sin.”