Friday’s Tune: Joy

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faith, family, Friday's Tune, grief

I’ve thought a long time about sharing this song. In fact, it was among the first to come to mind when I first decided to run Friday’s Tunes. But I’ve hesitated. Not because it’s a terrible song. I mean, what it’s about is right in the title: Joy. Something we all need. I hesitated because this song has become intertwined with memories which bring me both joy and sorrow, the loss of my grandmother. I think about her a lot. I know my Mom misses he terribly too, so I worried that sharing this song and the story behind it would hurt her and I wouldn’t be there to try to ease her pain. I never want to hurt her.

But this song just keeps coming back.

I missed Mom’s call the morning my grandmother died. I was in the shower. I’m so thankful God made me notice the flashing light on the answering machine. I called home immediately but she wasn’t there, so I spoke to my Dad and reluctantly went on with the day. I dropped Little Guy at school and headed to work.

Grandma’s death wasn’t unexpected. She had broken her hip 2 weeks before in a fall. Her heart was failing. It was a release for her from a body that betrayed her joyful spirit. I knew she wouldn’t want us to be sad. She was ready, even though we would never be.

I needed to be near God, to climb in  His lap and rest, and I knew I could do that through music. Something whispered “this one” as I rifled through the stack of cd cases.  I popped it in and joyful music filled the car. It fit.

I couldn’t sing . That doesn’t happen very often, But  I listened and phrases caught in my heart and nearly took my breath away:

“we’re choosing celebration”

“we cast aside our shadows, trust you with our sorrows”

“Though I’m broken, I am running into Your arms of love”

And I could see her, my grandmother young and free, dressed in a white summer dress, running with abandon.  No longer bound by a broken and frail body, but one that was whole. And to whom was she running? Full-tilt into the arms of Jesus. How could I be sad? She belonged there.

“But I miss her”, I blurted out loud to my empty car.

God spoke over me. Even though I hurt, He was present. He was constant. The song of my heart. My Joy.

Lyrics               Youtube Video

Copyright: Rend Collective © 2014 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

 

Friday’s Tune: Until the Whole World Hears

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faith, Friday's Tune, memories, music

It had been an awesome night of worship. I sat with Hubby on one side and Big Guy on the other in a massive church auditorium on a Saturday evening in 2009. Even though we were attending a concert, large screens on either side of the platform had displayed the words to every song so all could sing along, a massive choir from different denominations, different backgrounds.

The lights dimmed as lead singer, Mark Hall, closed the evening in prayer. But before the crowd started to bid the band farewell, he lifted his hands and started to sing “oh– oh– sing until the whole world hears”. We all joined in. I closed my eyes and just let the sound  of a thousand voices surround me. It was an emotional experience, and I’ve never forgotten it.

Keep singing…

Lyrics        Youtube Video
Copyright: Bernie Herms / Jason Mcarthur / Mark Hall / Roger Glidewell © Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol Christian Music Group

 

Friday’s Tune: King of the Jungle

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faith, family, Friday's Tune, music

Big Guy and I moved to the city in August 1995. He was 5 and my parents’ home was the only one he knew. We both missed my parents…a lot! Consequently, we made the 2.5 hour trip to visit…a lot! And what’s the best thing to do on a road trip? Pop in a great cassette tape and sing along.

Both Big Guy and I liked Steven Curtis Chapman’s album, Heaven in the Real World, which was released in 1994.  There were a few tunes that we would belt out as we sped along the highway. One of our favs was King of the Jungle.

Well, the day has just begun and I’m already running late
With too many irons in the fire and too much on my plate
I’d be pulling out my hair if I could just get one hand free
And I’d stop this world if I could find the key

In 1995, I was a single parent trying to balance college (for the second time) and trying to be an awesome Mom. My brain, and sometimes my body, was on the go all the time. Twenty-plus years, and not that much has changed. I added a husband, a home and another great kid, and I’ve swapped college for other responsibilities. The body is slowing down, but the brain is still always on the go.  Thank goodness one thing has never changed: God is still in control.

Put on your dancing shoes – it’s the weekend!

Lyrics                  Youtube

Steven Curtis Chapman © 1994 Primary Wave Brian (Chapman Sp Acct) (Admin. by BMG Chrysalis US)Spar row Song (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

 

Friday’s Tune: Goodness of God

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faith, family, Friday's Tune

Yesterday was a terrifying and exciting musical adventure for me. This week’s worship leader recorded his vocals and guitar for Sunday’s worship set and sent it to 3 homes, so we could add our layer. Once recorded, we sent it back to him for complete the onerous task of putting it altogether. In theory, it’s not that difficult. In reality, it was a challenge. Do I own a device that will record? Where do I record so I don’t have family wandering through at the wrong moment? Where is my hairbrush?

I was asked to sing, just sing…harmony if possible. I’m thankful I didn’t have to play keys or lead too. I knew 1/2 the songs really well. I knew the first one kinda’ sorta. I didn’t know one at all. By now, my whole family knows it because I played it over and over. It’s speaks of God’s goodness and faithfulness.

Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me.

David wrote in Psalm 23,  “Surely your goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life”. Goodness and mercy. Not goodness alone for we are sinners in need of mercy; not mercy alone for we are fragile and in need of goodness.

In the Message, this portion of the scripture reads “Your [God’s] beauty and love chase after me”. Do we dare to envision a God who loves us so much that He follows us when we should be following Him? I believe we can.

We don’t know what lies down the road or just around the next bend. We tend to envision a God enthroned in heaven who rules from a great distance. David, however, knew that God was a moving, living, active God who holds our hand and walks with us.

The second verse reminded me of a passage of scripture, a promise given to me after Big Guy was born, from Isaiah 43:1-5a. It was read to him when He was baptized.

But now, this is what the Lord says—He who created you, Jacob,  He who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;  I have summoned you by name; you are mine.  When you pass through the waters,  I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…Since you are precious and honored in my sight,     and because I love you…do not be afraid, for I am with you

It didn’t say “IF…” but “when…” Big Guy, in his 30 years, has had some deep waters, but was there, and when he is in that place again, I know God will be there.

God is here now.  He is walking through our current situation now, and He, in His goodness ,will never stop running after us.

Happy Weekend!

Full Lyrics           Youtube Link

Goodness of God: Ben Fielding | Brian Johnson | Ed Cash | Jason Ingram | Jenn Johnson © 2018 Alletrop Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Fellow Ships Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Bethel Music Publishing

Photo by Valmir Dzivielevski Junior, http://www.unsplash.com

Friday’s Tune: The Stand

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faith, Friday's Tune, music

You stood before creation
Eternity within Your hands
And you spoke all life into motion
My soul now to stand

I started a little light reading this week: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching on the Isaiah 40-66 by Paul Hanson. OK. maybe not so light. But Isaiah is one of those books of the Bible that has blessed me in different seasons of my life. Sure, it’s a book filled with “doom & gloom”. The Israelites were a nation that had been invaded, subjugated and scattered.  They had chosen to follow their own paths, to compromise their faith, and to ignore God’s pleas to return to Him. It’s heady stuff. But as in many books of the Bible, there are treasures hidden in its pages. I love digging for treasure.

By chapter 40-ish, Isaiah begins to speak on God’s plan to redeem His people. His intent had never been to abandon them to their circumstances. Before the exile, the temple had been the centre of their worship, but the temple was destroyed. Isaiah reminds them that God alone should be the centre of their worship.  Isaiah 40:25-26:

To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:  Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,  not one of them is missing.

Hope for deliverance starts with a reverence for the Creator. In the presence of God’s majesty, I feel very small and insignificant. But if He calls the stars by name and cares for each one, how much more will He care for me?

During this pandemic, I sometimes feel like I’m in exile. It’s easy to focus on what I’m missing (and who I’m missing), and to be discouraged in the waiting. I am thankful for the reminder that, just as God didn’t leave the Israelites, He isn’t going to leave me. Regardless of where I am, He is the still the centre of my life. Tonight I am going to look to the stars and reflect on all that He has made.

Happy Weekend!

Lyrics   YouTube

Copyright: Joel Houston © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol Christian Music Group

Photo: I Stand: Photo by Greg Rakozy, http://www.unsplash.com, https://unsplash.com/photos/0LU4vO5iFpM

Friday’s Tune: The Victor

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Easter, faith, Friday's Tune, music

Just as we all have our favourites at Christmas, those tunes that make the season feel like the season, The Victor is one of my Easter tunes. I know you’re not supposed to jump ahead to Easter morning on Good Friday…but I can’t help it! I just want to celebrate!

Keith Green had a huge impact on me as a kid. Not only was he a brilliant songwriter, he could play the piano with a fire in his soul, and I wanted to play like that! I was still playing Mary Had a Little Lamb. Sometimes his songs were humorous, like So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt or Dear John Letter to the Devil. But most often, he boldly sang against hypocritical and complacent believers. He possessed zeal to love and serve the Lord with everything he had. He stirred my soul to want more than just to warm a pew. He was passionate about His relationship with Jesus Christ, having studied and lived multiple faiths and schools of thought in his quest to find purpose and peace in this life. Though he was far from perfect and his black & white, apostle-Paul approach sometimes created conflict within the music industry, his devotion was unquestionable. He wasn’t willing to compromise his faith in any way.

Keith Green died in a plane accident in 1983, several years before I even started to listen to his music. Though the “style” is dated (and the hair and clothes), the message is timeless. It gives me Easter joy any day of the year.

Keith’s joy is contagious and his humorous interjections (which are more prominent in the recording on his album, No Compromise, never fail to make me smile.  Victory over the enemy. And when he pleads, Listen…oh listen”, I close my eyes and listen. From somewhere deep inside. I imagine the angels rejoicing on that first Easter morning and I imagine how they will rejoice on the day that Christ returns for me. My voice joins with theirs.

Do not abandon yourself to despair. We are the Easter people and Hallelujah is our song. Pope John Paul II.

Happy Easter!

Youtube Video – Live               Lyrics

Jamie Owens-Collins (c) 1975 Bud John Songs, Inc. (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

Photo courtesy of Miguel Bruna on http://www.unsplash.com

Friday’s Tune: Waiting

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faith, Friday's Tune

Waiting. We can do it with patience or impatience, with a sense of anticipation or dread. We have some choice in how we wait, while we rarely have any choice but to wait.

We are all familiar with waiting.

Waiting to open your birthday presents. Waiting for an important phone call. Waiting for an answer to prayer.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:30-31

When I was pregnant with Big Guy, this was the verse that kept me anchored. Just like any expectant mom, I was anxious to meet my little one. But at 16 and unmarried, there were only 9 months in which to make big decisions and I had few choices. I was waiting on God to show me what those decisions were to be.  I knew I was in over my head (and too young to be as afraid as I should have been) – I knew I needed His strength.

In college, I was lonely and trying to balance my studies and time with my little man. It meant doing homework after 11 p.m. and cuddles at 6 a.m. When Big Guy needed surgery, it meant sleeping and studying for exams in a hospital ward. I can remember walking out of those exams with no memory of the questions. I was too weary. I wouldn’t have made it without lots of support from my parents and grandparents. I had to wait on God to keep me running.

 

By the time Little Guy came along, I was pretty faint. My whole world felt like it had collapsed around me and I was simply stumbling through the motions. All my beliefs were stripped down and my only choice was to wait on God or walk away from faith. Little Guy was just one of the many blessings

 

 

Well I’ve got nowhere else to go ’cause the only life that I know comes from You
And I can’t walk away, though the truth is that it can be so hard to wait

I am familiar with waiting.

But I can also see now that, even though it didn’t feel like I had any choice, whether I raged or quietly endured, was a choice. I can also see now that both the waiting and the response to it refined my character and reshaped how I approach each day.

So I stand on the promise ’cause I know that the promise is sure.

Sometimes I can take a step back and re-frame the situation. I can choose to laugh or cry – and I’d rather embrace the opera of the everyday with a smile. Some of those silly operas end up here. 🙂

Sometimes I am content to stand upon the promise that God is still there. Even when I can’t feel His presence or I am too busy running in any direction but to Him. When I feel helpless, I am not hopeless. I can share it all with God – the hopes and disappointments, the anxiety and anger, even those thoughts that I try to lock away even from myself because I don’t want to admit that they exist at all. God has proven His faithfulness over and over, even when I am faithless. Every waiting period throughout my short history has been to prepare me for the next place where He was leading.

Sometimes it can be so hard to wait to see just where that place will be. And I can see that I have such a long way to go before I will soar like an eagle.

Happy Weekend.

Lyrics                  Youtube

Photo by Dawn Lioon http://www.unsplash.com

Copyright: David (Beaker) Strasser | Rich Mullins © 1992 Kid Brothers Of St. Frank Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)

Friday’s Tune: Never Been Unloved

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faith, Friday's Tune, love, music

Sometimes we just need the reminder. Happy Friday!

Lyrics                  Youtube Link

Michael W. Smith | Wayne Kirkpatrick © 1997 Deer Valley Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Sell The Cow Music (Admin. by CURB / Word Music Publishing) Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (Admin. by CURB / Word Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Milene Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing)

Friday’s Tune: Lions

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faith, Friday's Tune, music

We’re not waiting for permission, we defy our inhibition
Like our middle name is “fearless”, unafraid

As I’ve made lists and considered different songs for Friday’s Tunes, I’ve noticed a pattern. I gravitate toward songs that encourage boldness to stand up and fight for what you believe in. I was taught to watch out for the overlooked and to speak up for the vulnerable. Too often, I have been them. As I’ve grown older, I have learned to speak up more, in love, and worry less about what others may think. More so as I depend on the Lord to give me the courage to stand up for what is right.

If we’re gonna fly, we fly like eagles, arms out wide
If we’re gonna fear, we fear no evil. We will rise…
If we’re gonna stand, we stand as giants.
If we’re gonna walk, we walk as lions.

The Skillet video didn’t offer much insight into the song, Lions, but this past summer, song leader, John Cooper shared at a concert I attended, that it was inspired by the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. These 3 young men were taken from their homes as teenagers and immersed in the culture of their captors, but they chose to remain steadfast in the faith of their families. They defied a king when he asked them to compromise their beliefs, and they were sentenced to death. The amazing conclusion to their story is found in Daniel, chapter 3.  John Cooper also spoke to reporter, Kevin Davis, in August 2017 (News Release Today Article and full lyrics).

I am hardly fearless, nor do I carry myself with the confidence or majesty of a lion. But I do aspire to live with freedom and boldness, and perhaps someday, my middle name will be “fearless”.

Happy Friday!

Lions –  John Landrum Cooper, Korene M Cooper, Mia Fieldes, Seth Mosely (© 2016 CentricSongs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)/ Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) / Upside Down Under (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)

Friday’s Tune: Terrify the Dark

Tags

faith, Friday's Tune, music, Skillet

I finished last week feeling blind-sided and wounded. And unlike a 30 minute sitcom, or a one hour drama, there’s been no miraculous resolution. The music isn’t swelling as tears of laughter and joy run down our cheeks. Not yet.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t any music.

Last week, I debated over several “Friday tunes”. Today’s was a close second. I liked the concept long before the phone began to ring last week.

 

Skillet‘s song, Terrify the Dark,  begins with “No power on Earth, no power in Hell is gonna steal my peace”. But peace can be elusive when you feel threatened, overwhelmed, terrified. When suddenly you’re facing the unknown and you feel completely unprepared and oh so very small. Fear squeezes the breath from your lungs. It toys with your emotions. It wakes you up in the middle of the night and clomps around in army boots. Fear is greater when it seems darkest. So we have a choice: to cower in fear in a corner, or to expose it to light.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:5

I always had a nightlight. I was an imaginative kid, and the craziest things used to terrify me. I was scared of raccoons. I was scared of demon-possessed cars that wanted to crash through our front window and drive up the stairs to kill me. I was banned from watching Dr. Who. For awhile, I even believed something lived in the cellar of our enclosed back porch. Our only bathroom was downstairs off the kitchen. So was the back porch. I would lie awake at night waiting for the furnace to run so the sound would cover my footsteps and I could pee undetected. I had terrible dreams too, and I would lie awake for hours waiting for the sun to rise. As soon as the room began to lighten, I felt safe and I would drop right off.

Your light will terrify the dark, I call upon the name
That tears another part
My doubt will answer to your scars, and fear will have no place
No hold upon my heart

I still have terrible dreams, but I can more easily dismiss them and go back to sleep. I don’t use a nightlight anymore. The fears, though, they can still steal my breath at times and wake me up at night. But when they do, I pray.  I can’t hasten a happy ending in our current circumstances, but I  choose not to let any power, including fear, steal my peace or hold my heart. Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World” (John 8:12). He will be my comforter and my defender. Not only will He expose the darkness that has no place in my life, He will terrify it. And that thought makes me smile!

Keep smiling & have a great weekend!

Terrify the Dark, John Cooper / Korey Cooper / Mia Fieldes / Seth Mosley © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics                         YouTube