I have started to try my hand at music composition (?) / arranging (?) / whatever you call it.
I would love to know what I am doing but I really have no clue.
I have the melodies in my head (and heart) and the words "haunt" me day and night so I thought this would be a great way to express where I'm at in my journey with God.
I started to link two such melodies together on the above theme.
I was reminded this week of a "old" chorus we used to sing in The Salvation Army and I though it would be great if we (the band) could play it at some point.
As with most things with my music thoughts, other melodies and words flooded my mind until I came up with two "oldies" that seemed to fit nicely.
O I love him, yes, I love him,
Since for me he bled and died!
O I love him, yes, I love him,
More than all the world beside!
Can you wonder, can you wonder;
Can you wonder why it is I love him so?
When I think of what he's done
For me the guilty one,
Can you wonder why it is I love him so?
I would doubt if many of the "younger" generation would know these choruses, but as I read through the words and listening to the melodies on my computer, I was reminded (again) that I probably should share the reasons why "I love Him So" to others around me.
I have a great opportunity to share these thoughts (as appropriate) in my current employment as I discuss the work of The Salvation Army to people who have had some dealings with us in the past and want to assist in it's work in the future - I pray for more opportunities to "share" this experience with others.
When I think of what he's done
For me the guilty one,
Can you wonder why it is I love him so?
Friday, June 24, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
Wonderful Grace!
The Salvation Army Doctrine #8.
We believe we are justified by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that he that believeth hath the witness in himself.
Two songs using the term "grace" have been going over and over in my mind for several weeks. The first came as I was looking on You Tube for a piece of music ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2iTQu78i1U ). I knew the words and have heard it sung, but not played by a brass band. I found it and it now becomes a a valuable addition to the Preston Salvation Army Band's repertoire.
Listening to it again today - I literally lost my breath and tears rolled - how stupid I feel (thankfully no one was home), but how awesome is the grace of God - who, no matter what I've done or where I've been....
He LOVES ME!
Yes, even me!
Wonderful grace
That gives what I don't deserve,
Pays me what Christ has earned,
Then lets me go free.
Wonderful grace
That gives me the time to change,
Washes away the stain
That once covered me
And all that I have,
I lay at the feet,
Of the wonderful Saviour who loves me
Wonderful love
That held in the face of death,
Breathed in its final breath,
Forgiveness for me.
Wonderful love
Whose power can break every chain,
Giving us life again,
Setting us free.
And all that I have,
I lay at the feet
Of the wonderful Saviour who loves me.
Song 2:
Oh, Be Ye Glad, Be Ye Glad,
Every debt that you ever had
Has been paid up in full by the grace of the Lord,
Be Ye Glad, Be Ye Glad, Be Ye Glad.
We believe we are justified by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that he that believeth hath the witness in himself.
Two songs using the term "grace" have been going over and over in my mind for several weeks. The first came as I was looking on You Tube for a piece of music ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2iTQu78i1U ). I knew the words and have heard it sung, but not played by a brass band. I found it and it now becomes a a valuable addition to the Preston Salvation Army Band's repertoire.
Listening to it again today - I literally lost my breath and tears rolled - how stupid I feel (thankfully no one was home), but how awesome is the grace of God - who, no matter what I've done or where I've been....
He LOVES ME!
Yes, even me!
Wonderful grace
That gives what I don't deserve,
Pays me what Christ has earned,
Then lets me go free.
Wonderful grace
That gives me the time to change,
Washes away the stain
That once covered me
And all that I have,
I lay at the feet,
Of the wonderful Saviour who loves me
Wonderful love
That held in the face of death,
Breathed in its final breath,
Forgiveness for me.
Wonderful love
Whose power can break every chain,
Giving us life again,
Setting us free.
And all that I have,
I lay at the feet
Of the wonderful Saviour who loves me.
Song 2:
Oh, Be Ye Glad, Be Ye Glad,
Every debt that you ever had
Has been paid up in full by the grace of the Lord,
Be Ye Glad, Be Ye Glad, Be Ye Glad.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Following Jesus ? Where to ?
This continues my thoughts and struggles on Following Jesus - Where to ?
This post is dedicated to all those who are actually out there doing something about it !! Those who have heard the cry of others and the call of God. Those who are getting down with the down trodden and assisting in the well being of others (in most cases, doing it without thought of themselves).
Does being a follower of Jesus mean following him to church every Sunday ? Leading a musical section on Tuesday night ?
Working in a fundraising/PR function during the week ?
I was fortunate to met a man the other day in my work as a Wills and Bequest Representative for The Salvation Army, who was in desperate need of help (although we didn't know it at the time).
A telephone call near midnight on the Long Weekend sat me up in bed as this man pleaded for me (and The Salvation Army) to help him with his addiction. After about 15 minutes of conversation, I realised that (thankfully) he was not desperate enough to do something stupid, but was desperate to call for help.
As the mobile phone cut out, I found myself in a place where I felt helpless. I called the Police and we discussed the situation. I felt a lot happier knowing that there was some one else that could assist in this matter. We both made the decision not to follow through until the morning as he did not make any thoughts to hurt himself or others.
The next morning, I called the local Salvation Army Officers in the town nearest my caller - They were only too glad to assist in my request for a physical visit and check up of his health and well being.
A visit was arranged and now we are in the process of getting him some help. I pray for his journey through this addiction and thank God for his openness and courage to admit he has a problem and his genuineness in asking for help.
I pray, too, for the Local Salvation Army Officers and employees who work in the locations God has placed them - may you be blessed and encouraged in the work that you do for others.
A song played on the radio www.lightfm.com.au the other day that I thought appropriate for this post.
You live among the least of these
The weary and the weak
And it would be a tragedy
For me to turn away
All my needs You have supplied
When I was dead You gave me life
So how could I not give it away so freely?
And I’ll…
Follow You into the homes of the broken
Follow You into the world
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy, God
Follow You into the world
Use my hands, use my feet
To make Your kingdom come
To the corners of the earth
Until Your work is done
Faith without works is dead
On the cross Your blood was shed
So how could we not give it away so freely?
And I give all myself
I give all myself
I give all myself to You
© 2009 Meaux Mercy (BMI) / Meaux Jeaux Music (SESAC) (both admin. by EMI CMG Publishing) / Alletrop Music (BMI) (admin. by Music Services)
I was also reminded of the chorus in the Salvation Army Song Book -
SACB 57
Where he leads me I will follow,
Where he leads me I will follow,
Where he leads me I will follow,
I'll go with him, with him, all the way.
Some Quotes from Servant Leadership to finish with:
"People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care." John C Maxwell.
"A leader lives with people to know their problems. A leader lives with God in order to solve them." John C Maxwell.
"Whatever our career may be, true leadership means to receive power from God and to use it under Gods rule to serve in Gods way." Leighton Ford
This post is dedicated to all those who are actually out there doing something about it !! Those who have heard the cry of others and the call of God. Those who are getting down with the down trodden and assisting in the well being of others (in most cases, doing it without thought of themselves).
Does being a follower of Jesus mean following him to church every Sunday ? Leading a musical section on Tuesday night ?
Working in a fundraising/PR function during the week ?
I was fortunate to met a man the other day in my work as a Wills and Bequest Representative for The Salvation Army, who was in desperate need of help (although we didn't know it at the time).
A telephone call near midnight on the Long Weekend sat me up in bed as this man pleaded for me (and The Salvation Army) to help him with his addiction. After about 15 minutes of conversation, I realised that (thankfully) he was not desperate enough to do something stupid, but was desperate to call for help.
As the mobile phone cut out, I found myself in a place where I felt helpless. I called the Police and we discussed the situation. I felt a lot happier knowing that there was some one else that could assist in this matter. We both made the decision not to follow through until the morning as he did not make any thoughts to hurt himself or others.
The next morning, I called the local Salvation Army Officers in the town nearest my caller - They were only too glad to assist in my request for a physical visit and check up of his health and well being.
A visit was arranged and now we are in the process of getting him some help. I pray for his journey through this addiction and thank God for his openness and courage to admit he has a problem and his genuineness in asking for help.
I pray, too, for the Local Salvation Army Officers and employees who work in the locations God has placed them - may you be blessed and encouraged in the work that you do for others.
A song played on the radio www.lightfm.com.au the other day that I thought appropriate for this post.
You live among the least of these
The weary and the weak
And it would be a tragedy
For me to turn away
All my needs You have supplied
When I was dead You gave me life
So how could I not give it away so freely?
And I’ll…
Follow You into the homes of the broken
Follow You into the world
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy, God
Follow You into the world
Use my hands, use my feet
To make Your kingdom come
To the corners of the earth
Until Your work is done
Faith without works is dead
On the cross Your blood was shed
So how could we not give it away so freely?
And I give all myself
I give all myself
I give all myself to You
© 2009 Meaux Mercy (BMI) / Meaux Jeaux Music (SESAC) (both admin. by EMI CMG Publishing) / Alletrop Music (BMI) (admin. by Music Services)
I was also reminded of the chorus in the Salvation Army Song Book -
SACB 57
Where he leads me I will follow,
Where he leads me I will follow,
Where he leads me I will follow,
I'll go with him, with him, all the way.
Some Quotes from Servant Leadership to finish with:
"People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care." John C Maxwell.
"A leader lives with people to know their problems. A leader lives with God in order to solve them." John C Maxwell.
"Whatever our career may be, true leadership means to receive power from God and to use it under Gods rule to serve in Gods way." Leighton Ford
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Take Up Thy Cross....... And Follow Me.
Luke 9:23 (New International Version, ©2011)
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
An e-mail sent to me this week set my mind on a piece of music that, whilst I love listening to it, stirrs my heart and makes me somewhat uncomfortable.
The little cartoon illistration is excellent:
We complain about the cross we bear but don't realize it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we can't.
Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,
there will always be sunshine, after the rain....
Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;
But God's always ready, to answer your call.....
He knows every heartache, sees every tear,
a word from His lips, can calm every fear...
Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish, dawn's early light...
The Saviour is waiting, somewhere above,
to give you His grace, and send you His love....
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
SASB 490.
I heard a voice so gently calling:
Take up thy cross and follow me.
A tempest on my heart was falling,
A living cross this was to be;
I struggled sore, I struggled vainly,
No other light my eyes could see.
Chorus
I’ll follow thee, of life the giver,
I’ll follow thee, suffering redeemer,
I’ll follow thee, deny thee never,
By thy grace I’ll follow thee.
I heard his voice unto me saying:
Take up thy cross and follow me.
My heart is thine, now thee obeying,
Speak all thy will, dear Lord, to me.
Make weakness strength, thy power now give me,
And from this hour I’ll follow thee.
My prayer/response:
My heart is thine, now thee obeying,
Speak all thy will, dear Lord, to me.
Make weakness strength, thy power now give me,
And from this hour I’ll follow thee.
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
An e-mail sent to me this week set my mind on a piece of music that, whilst I love listening to it, stirrs my heart and makes me somewhat uncomfortable.
The little cartoon illistration is excellent:
We complain about the cross we bear but don't realize it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we can't.
Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,
there will always be sunshine, after the rain....
Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;
But God's always ready, to answer your call.....
He knows every heartache, sees every tear,
a word from His lips, can calm every fear...
Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish, dawn's early light...
The Saviour is waiting, somewhere above,
to give you His grace, and send you His love....
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
SASB 490.
I heard a voice so gently calling:
Take up thy cross and follow me.
A tempest on my heart was falling,
A living cross this was to be;
I struggled sore, I struggled vainly,
No other light my eyes could see.
Chorus
I’ll follow thee, of life the giver,
I’ll follow thee, suffering redeemer,
I’ll follow thee, deny thee never,
By thy grace I’ll follow thee.
I heard his voice unto me saying:
Take up thy cross and follow me.
My heart is thine, now thee obeying,
Speak all thy will, dear Lord, to me.
Make weakness strength, thy power now give me,
And from this hour I’ll follow thee.
My prayer/response:
My heart is thine, now thee obeying,
Speak all thy will, dear Lord, to me.
Make weakness strength, thy power now give me,
And from this hour I’ll follow thee.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Heavenly Anthems.
Romans 15:6 (The Message).
Then we’ll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus!
Today (at The Salvation Army Preston) we sang an old song to a new, contemporary tune. I found myself scrambling for a pen to jot down some thoughts that hit me right between my eyes.
SASB 156 v.1
Crown him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon his throne;
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
All music but its own;
Awake, my soul, and sing
Of him who died for thee
And hail him as thy matchless King
Through all eternity.
I wondered if I (we) was so wrapped up in my own "music" that I drown out the heavenly anthems ? Or as the song suggests, after giving him the glory and the crown, is it His "music" that can be heard in my everyday life.
Awake my soul and sing! I needed to hear this today. How often do we get so caught up in the everyday "stuff" that we walk around in the daze of life and forget there are others around that need us to be fully awake and coherent to what God is wanting us to do? It's then we can be made useful - not feeling useless!
My prayer for today:
Renew my will from day to day;
Blend it with thine, and take away
All that now makes it hard to say:
Thy will be done.
Then we’ll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus!
Today (at The Salvation Army Preston) we sang an old song to a new, contemporary tune. I found myself scrambling for a pen to jot down some thoughts that hit me right between my eyes.
SASB 156 v.1
Crown him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon his throne;
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
All music but its own;
Awake, my soul, and sing
Of him who died for thee
And hail him as thy matchless King
Through all eternity.
I wondered if I (we) was so wrapped up in my own "music" that I drown out the heavenly anthems ? Or as the song suggests, after giving him the glory and the crown, is it His "music" that can be heard in my everyday life.
Awake my soul and sing! I needed to hear this today. How often do we get so caught up in the everyday "stuff" that we walk around in the daze of life and forget there are others around that need us to be fully awake and coherent to what God is wanting us to do? It's then we can be made useful - not feeling useless!
My prayer for today:
Renew my will from day to day;
Blend it with thine, and take away
All that now makes it hard to say:
Thy will be done.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
In My Life Lord - Be Glorified
I was looking through some music this afternoon, when I came across a tune that I had forgotten about. We (Launceston) used to play it as the brass arrangement was written by one of our own.
I remembered the words to the chorus, but was stopped in my tracks by the lyrics of the first line of the first verse.
Today at Preston, we had an excellent church service with the Melbourne Staff Songsters leading us in a great time of worship.
The music was excellent and the the worship experience (for me anyway) was fantastic.
The Band played a new arrangement of Abide With Me (Creamer). The group did an exceptional job and the comments after the meeting were very encouraging.
I suppose the issue of "what do I do it for", was raised (again) in my head. I have Blogged before that I know that it's not all about me and that our efforts on Sunday's or in a concert setting are for His glory - NOT mine.
So whilst I believe we (Preston Brass) did an exceptional job today and many people commented - I believe that we are all on the same page and we are in it for God's glory and His alone.
Lord I long to see You glorified
In ev'rything I do.
All my heartfelt dreams I put aside
To see Your Spirit move with power in my life.
Jesus, Lord of all eternity,
Your children rise in faith.
All earth displays Your glory,
And each word You speak,
Brings life to all who hear.
Lord of all,
All of creation
Sings Your praise
In heaven and earth.
Lord we stand,
Hearts open wide.
Be exalted!
Today's Prayer:
I'm your child,
I give my life to you,
Wholly available,
Faithful and true.
And in my life,
Let your light be seen,
So that the world may know,
I am your child.
Take me, Lord,
I am your child,
Send me, Lord,
Set my heart on fire.
I remembered the words to the chorus, but was stopped in my tracks by the lyrics of the first line of the first verse.
Today at Preston, we had an excellent church service with the Melbourne Staff Songsters leading us in a great time of worship.
The music was excellent and the the worship experience (for me anyway) was fantastic.
The Band played a new arrangement of Abide With Me (Creamer). The group did an exceptional job and the comments after the meeting were very encouraging.
I suppose the issue of "what do I do it for", was raised (again) in my head. I have Blogged before that I know that it's not all about me and that our efforts on Sunday's or in a concert setting are for His glory - NOT mine.
So whilst I believe we (Preston Brass) did an exceptional job today and many people commented - I believe that we are all on the same page and we are in it for God's glory and His alone.
Lord I long to see You glorified
In ev'rything I do.
All my heartfelt dreams I put aside
To see Your Spirit move with power in my life.
Jesus, Lord of all eternity,
Your children rise in faith.
All earth displays Your glory,
And each word You speak,
Brings life to all who hear.
Lord of all,
All of creation
Sings Your praise
In heaven and earth.
Lord we stand,
Hearts open wide.
Be exalted!
Today's Prayer:
I'm your child,
I give my life to you,
Wholly available,
Faithful and true.
And in my life,
Let your light be seen,
So that the world may know,
I am your child.
Take me, Lord,
I am your child,
Send me, Lord,
Set my heart on fire.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Tasty ?
Psalm 34:8.
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. If you have, rejoice in the hope of the resurrection that your faith in Him brings.
This was sent to me the other day. I believe the story to be fictional, but I thought the reading from Psalm 34 was a good one for today.
Each year at the University of Chicago Divinity School they have what is called 'Baptist Day.' On this day each one is to bring a lunch to be eaten outdoors in a grassy picnic area. Every 'Baptist Day' the school would invite one of the greatest minds to lecture in the theological education center.
One year they invited Dr. Paul Tillich. Dr.Tillich spoke for two and one-half hours, proving that the resurrection of Jesus was false. He quoted scholar after scholar and book after book. He concluded that since there was no such thing as the historical resurrection, the religious tradition of the church was groundless, emotional mumbo-jumbo, because it was based on a relationship with a risen Jesus, who, in fact, never rose from the dead in any literal sense. He then asked if there were any questions.
After about 30 seconds, an old, dark-skinned preacher with a head of short-cropped, woolly, white hair stood up in the back of the auditorium. 'Docta Tillich, I got one question,' he said as all eyes turned toward him.
He reached into his sack lunch and pulled out an apple and began eating it. 'Docta Tillich. (CRUNCH, MUNCH) My question is a simple question.
(CRUNCH, MUNCH...) Now, I ain't never read them books you read (CRUNCH, MUNCH), and I can't recite the Scriptures in the original Greek. (CRUNCH, MUNCH...) I don't know nothin' about Niebuhr and Heidegger. (CRUNCH, MUNCH...)
He finished the apple. 'All I wanna know is: This apple I just ate... Was it bitter or sweet?'
Dr Tillich paused for a moment and answered in exemplary scholarly fashion: 'I cannot possibly answer that question, for I haven't tasted your apple.'
The white-haired preacher dropped the core of his apple into his crumpled paper bag, looked up at Dr. Tillich and said calmly, 'Neither have you tasted my Jesus.'
The 1,000 plus in attendance could not contain themselves. The auditorium erupted with applause and cheers.
Dr. Tillich thanked his audience and promptly left the platform.
Have you tasted Jesus?
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. If you have, rejoice in the hope of the resurrection that your faith in Him brings.
This was sent to me the other day. I believe the story to be fictional, but I thought the reading from Psalm 34 was a good one for today.
Each year at the University of Chicago Divinity School they have what is called 'Baptist Day.' On this day each one is to bring a lunch to be eaten outdoors in a grassy picnic area. Every 'Baptist Day' the school would invite one of the greatest minds to lecture in the theological education center.
One year they invited Dr. Paul Tillich. Dr.Tillich spoke for two and one-half hours, proving that the resurrection of Jesus was false. He quoted scholar after scholar and book after book. He concluded that since there was no such thing as the historical resurrection, the religious tradition of the church was groundless, emotional mumbo-jumbo, because it was based on a relationship with a risen Jesus, who, in fact, never rose from the dead in any literal sense. He then asked if there were any questions.
After about 30 seconds, an old, dark-skinned preacher with a head of short-cropped, woolly, white hair stood up in the back of the auditorium. 'Docta Tillich, I got one question,' he said as all eyes turned toward him.
He reached into his sack lunch and pulled out an apple and began eating it. 'Docta Tillich. (CRUNCH, MUNCH) My question is a simple question.
(CRUNCH, MUNCH...) Now, I ain't never read them books you read (CRUNCH, MUNCH), and I can't recite the Scriptures in the original Greek. (CRUNCH, MUNCH...) I don't know nothin' about Niebuhr and Heidegger. (CRUNCH, MUNCH...)
He finished the apple. 'All I wanna know is: This apple I just ate... Was it bitter or sweet?'
Dr Tillich paused for a moment and answered in exemplary scholarly fashion: 'I cannot possibly answer that question, for I haven't tasted your apple.'
The white-haired preacher dropped the core of his apple into his crumpled paper bag, looked up at Dr. Tillich and said calmly, 'Neither have you tasted my Jesus.'
The 1,000 plus in attendance could not contain themselves. The auditorium erupted with applause and cheers.
Dr. Tillich thanked his audience and promptly left the platform.
Have you tasted Jesus?
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