I’m preparing to write again after a long hiatus from this website. For frequent visitors and past subscribers, it’s just been brought to my attention that the link to my Music Box where I posted songs for years, has been discontinued by WordPress. I apologize that there is no more place on my blog–for now–where you can listen to music. I hope to fix this shortly. In the meantime, God Bless You! And see you soon!!
Tag Archive | music
Page CXVI – Good Friday to Easter
After a long absence, I’m back to share some beautiful worship music for Easter.
I’ve shared Page CXVI’s music before–but it was always for Christmas. But their music is so much more than carols. They selected some timeless hymns for this meaningful season, and made them original. I love hymns, and generally prefer the “ole” tunes. But Page CXVI adds melodious strings, piano, and soft vocals to bring them into the 21st century while maintaining their eternal message!
Jesus is Lord and He is Risen!
The video preview features the song “Three” from the album:
And you can listen to all 8 songs on soundcloud:
Starting today this new CD is available for purchase on iTunes here or Page CXVI’s site.
Join me in worshipping our Lord Jesus through song!
{….I’ll be back.}
A Song in the Night
“….‘Where is God my Maker who gives songs in the night, who teaches us more than he teaches the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds in the sky?’” Job 35:10, 11
Christ’s death and resurrection is particularly dear to me this year, as our earthly celebration follows mere days after my sister-in-law passed away. Over the past four years, some of my posts documented Rebecca’s battle with cancer and requests for your prayers. You shared in her victories and disappointments. Now she is gone–and it’s as difficult to write that as to believe it.
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”
I Corinthians 15:56, 57
Becky wrote a song the night before she had a very difficult back surgery to remedy months of excruciating pain caused by an unforgiving tumor. The song was put to music by the worship team at her church and played at her memorial service last week. I may have a word or two wrong since I transcribed this from a shaky recording, but it deserves to be shared:
Becky’s Song in the Night
Jesus you are the bright and morning star
Illuminate our hearts and guide us where you are
Help us dear Lord in the shining light you send
Oh morning star, we love you, and we long for You
Jesus morning star, our lives in you made new
Jesus morning star, our lives in you made new!
~~
Chorus:
Praise the bright and Morning star
Praise his holy name
Praise the Master and the Saviour,
You won’t be the same
Praise Him, Morning star!
Praise Him, The bright and Morning star!
~~
Now as you rise in heavens glory, morning star
Help our hearts to rise up on your wings
Help us know the ways you made us free,
And let us see your beauty and your majesty!
~~
Praise the bright and Morning star
Praise his holy name
Praise the Master and the Saviour,
You won’t be the same
Praise Him, Morning star!
Praise Him, The bright and Morning star!
How amazing, that her song in the night focused entirely on her Morning Star! Becky’s eyes were fixed on Jesus!
As we remember our Lord’s Passion, his suffering, pain and grief, may our songs in the night melt into praise in the morning, as we see Him, risen with power and glory, paving the way of Hope for our eternal future!
~~
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
And so we will be with the Lord forever.
I Thess. 4:13-17
~
Your Presence, Like Rain
Oh my…the rain is refreshing after the intense heat lately. The grass seems greener, bird’s songs are sweeter, and the air carries a cool comfort that I forgot I even missed.
Refreshed
But sweeter than the rain to my soul, is the very Presence of the Lord. Through Him, my dry heart is softened, my mind cleared, and my voice can carry songs and encouragement not present within myself to utter.
I’ve posted a song today, that might bring a little refreshement, like rain, to your thirsty soul. It has to mine. Holy Spirit is a deeply worshipful song, by Bryan and Katie Torwalt. I can’t promise rain wherever you live, but I can promise, that if you quiet your heart, shut your eyes for just five mintues, and listen to this song, the Lord will minister comfort to you…with His Presence.
~~~~~~
Holy Spirit
There is nothing worth more
That will ever come close
Nothing can compare
You’re our Living Hope
Your Presence
I’ve tasted and I’ve seen
Of the sweetest of loves
Where my heart becomes free
And my shame is undone
Your presence Lord
Holy Spirit
You are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory God is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by
Your presence Lord
Your presence Lord
There is nothing worth more
That will ever come close
You are our Living Hope
Your presence Lord
I’ve tasted and I’ve seen
Of the sweetest of loves
Where my heart is set free
And my shame is undone
Holy Spirit
You are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory God is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by
Your presence Lord
Let us become more aware of Your presence
Let us experience the glory of Your goodness
Lord
Holy Spirit
You are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory God is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by
Your presence Lord
~~~~~
This song is available for download at Amazon Music, Itunes, and Jesus Culture.
Forty years and a lifetime ago…
“No,” I said apologetically, “I wasn’t at Woodstock.”
My girls seemed disappointed that I didn’t take part in the iconic festival of my day. And I felt a tinge of regret, too, because it seemed I missed out on a major identification point with my generation.
But God did one better. He sent me to a festival of eternal proportions.
Explo ’72
Exactly 40 years ago today, as 80,000 candlelights flickered across the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, the Lord filled my heart with His light. “It only takes a spark….”
What an awesome week!! Just six days after my high school graduation, the Lord set favourable boundaries around my future, by sealing my will in His. And that one day made all the difference in the next forty years, and eternity, for me.
The days before that amazing night were filled with seminars, street evangelism, and some exceedingly convicting teaching on sex and purity by Josh McDowell. And then there was the music–Johnny Cash, Larry Norman, Love Song, Andre Crouch and the Disciples, Randy Matthews, Children of the Day, and many others! The evenings were filled with a call to follow Jesus. On June 15th, candles were distributed to a Bowl full of young people, while Dr. Billy Graham spoke:
“I am asking you to light a candle…and we will start a spiritual fire here tonight that could sweep the world.”
The entire stadium glowed with candlelight. We can’t really know, and only eternity will be able to reveal how much the world may have been affected by that evening. But I know this…I changed. It was the culmination of a mother’s prayers and the beginning of a new life in Christ.
As much as that one day changed the course of my life, it cannot be isolated from everything that took place prior to that time. My earliest memories are of my mom reading the Bible to me every night before bedtime. She also made me watch every single Billy Graham Crusade, go to church, Sunday School, and behind the scenes, prayed for me daily!
And, as anyone knows who has read about Moses’ forty years in the wilderness, Israel’s forty years of wandering in the desert, or David’s forty year reign, there was much more that needed to be worked out in my life after my initial surrender to the Lord–much more!
For the first several months following that momentous day, I probably sinned more than I did in the 17 years prior!! What a wreck, as I grappled to hold onto my will, my desires, and the future I thought I wanted for myself! A rigorous tug-of-war raged in my mind and almost took away all God had in store for me.
But, God’s grace is greater. He had new mercies waiting for me every morning. He guided me through decisions, 36 years of marriage, raising children, homeschooling, serving 20 years in the military, and too many other things to recount here. He has been, is, and always will be, FAITHFUL. That is my favourite characteristic of God! I can truly sing with the heavenly host, Great is Thy Faithfulness!!
That day and the thousands since, constantly reveal His love to me, over and over and over again, through the Cross of Jesus, the Word of God, and the gentle wooing of His Holy Spirit. There is no other place I would rather be than in Him.
I feel blessed and privileged to have been part of something much deeper and greater than Woodstock. Explo 72 was a place in time where God stepped in and turned a remnant of young people to Him; He ignited a generation to serve Him around the world, and stirred up wave upon wave of new music and praise to glorify His name among the Nations!
I used to tell my daughters that sometimes a very simple decision could potentially be a life-changer. Reaching out to the “new kid” at school, deciding NOT to go a party, or choosing TO go somewhere else..taking the road a little less travelled.
My life changed in 1972 when I decided to join our youth group on their journey to Dallas, Texas.
Yeah, Woodstock made quite an impact on my generation.
But Explo 72 changed us for eternity.
Life Magazine wrote about it.
And there was even a little book about it.
But in case you haven’t heard of Explo 72, you can read what Wiki says about it HERE!
It would take a book and a village to write about my forty year journey with the Lord. Suffice it to say,
“Whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him…that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:7-11, 14
Here’s a few YouTube videos created from The Jesus Explosion record album (yes, the vinyl product) recorded Live at Explo 72.
Randy Matthews: Didn’t He
Larry Norman: Sweet, Sweet Song of Salvation
Johnny Cash: I See Men as Trees Walkin
~~
What decision is God asking of you today that might make the difference of a lifetime for you–or someone else?
A Time for Everything
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Eccl. 3:1
After several months of intense activity and 2500 more miles on Trustee Toyota, we arrived back at The Hollow and I aggresively set out to tackle a personal to-do list; as one can imagine, The Hollow is ever in want of care and upkeep.
The Hollow
We inherited a lovely herb garden when we bought our home 6 years ago. It is often a source of blessing, and less frequently, a curse. Loads of herbs, fragrances, and enjoyment; but not without regular weeding and transplanting, and battling with the lemon balm which always wants to take over.
The Herb Garden
But today the Lord let me learn and enjoy a little blessing from it. He gave me Rest.
Rosemary Clippings
These cuttings were leftover from the day I did the dirty, weeding and pruning work.
But the restful part was bundling them up. Why?
Because, what else can one do while sorting through little sprigs, tossing the bad ones, gathering 12-15 fresh ones together, cutting twine just so, and tying the twine around each little bundles? Not much, but…
Listen.
I listened to worship music, the birds singing, hummingbirds at our feeders, and other buzzing things. And I listened to the Holy Spirit, reminding me how much more important my relationship is with Him, than being busy.
Rosemary sprigs, all cozy in the basket
All in all, it was a pretty productive day.
“This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength….” Isaiah 30:15 NIV
“God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” Eccl. 3:11 (NLT)
[Little disclaimer–these photos aren’t from John’s talented eye; instead, my eye and little HTC cellphone are the culprits.]
Easter better than Christmas??
Is it not strange, the darkest hour
That ever dawned on sinful earth,
Should touch the heart with softer power,
For comfort, than an angel’s mirth?
That to the Cross the mourner’s eye should turn,
Sooner that where the stars of Bethlehem burn?
John Keble, Good Friday
As much as I LOVE Christmas, this season of Jesus’ death and resurrection brings me even greater tidings of comfort and joy! Jesus birth was a glorious and beautiful foretaste of what He actually Finished at Calvary and the surprising dawn of His Resurrection. And though there’s nothing quite like the all-cozy-inside feeling I have when I hear Christmas carols, the hymns and praise of Easter ring out assurances of Hope, Love, and eternal Life!
~~
I serve a Risen Saviour! Christ the Lord is risen today!! Hallelujah!! Hallelujah!! Because He lives I can face tomorrow! He’s Alive! He’s Alive! Arise, My Soul, Arise!!
~~
I shared the last song, by Charles Wesley, under a different post, melody and musicians. Today’s rendition is compliments of Sovereign Grace Music (where you can purchase their newest CD for only $5)! The tune is new, soulful, and brilliant! But the classic words and message remind us that we are ever inscribed on Christ’s hands and forever accepted in the Beloved!
~~
by Charles Wesley
Arise, my soul, arise
Shake off your guilty fears
The bleeding sacrifice
On my behalf appears
Before the throne my surety stands
Before the throne my surety stands
My name is written on His hands
~~
He ever lives above
For me to intercede
His all redeeming love
His precious blood to plead
His blood atoned for every race
His blood atoned for every race
And sprinkles now the throne of grace
~~
CHORUS
~~
O my soul, arise
Behold the risen Christ
Your Great High Priest
Your spotless sacrifice
O my soul, arise
God owns you as His child
Shake off your guilty fears
My soul, arise
~~
Five bleeding wounds He bears
Received on Calvary
They pour effectual prayers
They strongly plead for me:
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry
“Don’t let that ransomed sinner die!”
~~
My God is reconciled
His pard’ning voice I hear
He owns me as His child
I can no longer fear
With confidence I now draw nigh
With confidence I now draw nigh
And “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.
~~
from From Age to Age, released 10 April 2012 .Verses by Charles Wesley (1742), music and additional words by Eric McAllister © 2012 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)
~~
And
If you want to read another beautiful Easter poem, check Beth Stone’s blog for an amazing Love poem by C.S. Lewis. It is simply, profoundly…beautiful.
…
Love’s as warm as tears, Love is tears….
…
What special song or poem speaks to you about Christ’s love, Easter, and His Resurrection?
Approach My Soul, the Mercy Seat
I blog hop. Yeah, it can be a real time waster. But if I submit my web journey to the Lord, and let Him take the mouse :-), there are little treasures, and pearls of grace and mercy, just waiting to be discovered.
Yesterday, I hopped from Miscellanies, to The Gospel Coalition, to Sojourn Music, where this gem of a song was available as a free MP3 download: “Approach My Soul, the Mercy Seat.” The hymn was originally written by John Newton, but updated a bit by singer/writer Jamie Barnes. It’s quickly become a favourite of mine! You can listen from the Music Box, or go HERE for the free download.
Approach My Soul, the Mercy Seat
Approach my soul, the mercy seat
Where Holy One and helpless meet
There fall before my Judges’ feet
Thy promise is my only plea, O GodSend wings to lift the clutch of sin
You who dwell between the cherubim
From war without and fear within
Relieve the grief from the shoulders of crumbling menO God—Pour out your mercy to me
My God, Oh what striking love to bleed.Fashion my heart in your alchemy
With the brass to front the devil’s perjury
And surefire grace my Jesus speaks
I must. I will. I do believe. O Lord.O God—Pour out your mercy to me
My God, Oh what striking love to bleed.
I must. I will. I do believe. Thy promise is my only plea!!
Wholly Surrendered
I wish I had better control of the songs and tunes that float through my brain. Sometimes, out of the blue, I’ll start *hearing* or humming a tune from my past dark ages, and wonder, “where in the world did THAT come from?”
The only way to combat the ol’ tunes is to begin singing, thinking on, and uploading new ones to my brain. Life-giving songs, that minister grace. That’s one reason I frequently share songs on this site, and even have a Music Box where you can listen to them, over and over. A few other reasons are:
- So we can magnify the Lord together! See Psalm 34:3
- To share something with others that blesses me.
- To, perhaps, introduce a fellow reader to a new song or group.
- And, to get a head-start on worship, this side of heaven!
Many of you probably already know today’s song, Sweetly Broken, but may need to get its message into your mind (and heart) afresh. The world’s voices yell out fear and anxiety, our flesh shouts for inappropriate desires, and Satan subtly seeks to fill our minds with accusations. We don’t have to surrender to those thoughts. By singing new songs of the Lord, and His great love, we are placing that ‘helmet of salvation’ over our minds. Don’t surrender…be wholly surrendered…to the Lord.
Sweetly Broken
by Jeremy RiddleTo the cross I look
To the cross I cling.
Of its suffering I do drink.
Of its work I do sing.
On it my Savior, both bruised and crushed,
showed that God is love, and God is just.Chorus
At the cross You, beckon me,
draw me gently, to my knees and I am,
lost for words
so, lost in love
I’m, sweetly broken,
wholly surrendered!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What a priceless gift, undeserved life
have I been given through Christ crucified.
You’ve called me out of death. You’ve called me into life.
And I was under Your wrath,
now through the cross, I’m reconciled.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At the cross You, beckon me,
draw me gently, to my knees and I am,
lost for words so, lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken,
wholly surrendered!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At the cross You, beckon me,
draw me gently, to my knees and I am,
lost for words so, lost in love, I’m sweetly broken,
wholly surrendered!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In awe of the cross I must confess,
how wondrous Your redeeming love
and how great is Your faithfulness!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At the cross You, beckon me,
You draw me gently, to my knees
and I am, lost for words so, lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken,
wholly surrendered!
Listen and worship with this song in the Music Box! Surrender to His Song today, not the world’s.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For me and for you
Today, I just want to offer a little comfort through song, for anyone feeling all alone, like no one is on your side, and everything in life seems stacked up against you. Follow along with the lyrics and song in the Music Box, from worship leader Kari Jobe. And come back tomorrow, because I’ll share some Scriptures that serve as a reminder that God is for YOU!
So faithful, so constant and so true
So powerful in all You do
You fill me, You see me
You know my every move
You love for me to sing to You
I know that You are for me, I know that You are for me
I know that You will never forsake me in my weakness
And I know that You have come now even if to write upon my heart
To remind me who You are
So patient, so gracious, so merciful and true
So wonderful in all You do
You fill me, You see me
You know my every move
You love for me to sing to You
Lord, I know that You are for me, I know that You are for me
I know that You will never forsake me in my weakness
And I know that You have come now even if to write upon my heart
To remind me
Lord, I know that You are for me, I know that You are for me
I know that You will never forsake me in my weakness
And I know that You have come now even if to write upon my heart
To remind me who You are
To remind me
I know that You are for me, I know that You are for me
I know that You will never forsake me in my weakness
And I know that You have come now even if to write upon my heart
To remind me who You are
Absolutegrace 