Art and Music

On Sunday, our Sunday school lesson was taught by a young woman who was a youth at our church when she was younger.  She is now working on her PhD in art history. It was a joy to listen to her as she led a discussion in our class about Luca Giordano's Saint Sebastian Cured by Irene.

Notice in the painting that the background is dark and the characters are almost spotlit in the way they are painted. It is dramatic. The painting was created in the Baroque period, which followed the Renaissance. Liz shared with us that the naturalism in the painting and the drama were reactions to people leaving the Catholic church - they were using art to try to attract people back into the church.

It reminded me of the way we have tried in the past to rely on contemporary worship and music to attact people. I'm not saying that either the art or the music are wrong, or even that it's wrong to adapt our practice of religion to speak the language of a younger generation.

What we might want to take care not to do is to rely on only these changes to evangelize. What pulls people into a relationship with Christ? I think it is probably evidence that faith makes a difference - that God makes a difference in our lives.     

You Can Fly

The gospel song I'll Fly Away was written by Alford E. Brumley in the 1920's. The writing was influenced in part by an older secular ballad that was probably "The Prisoner's Song." He had the idea for I'll Fly Away while picking cotton on his family's farm as he hummed the ballad. I imagine he thought to himself, "That'll preach!"

The authorship of The Prisoner's Song is disputed, but it is probable that it originated from Guy Massey, who heard the song from his brother Rob Massey.  Rob Massey spent time in prison, and probably heard the song there. One story says that the lyrics were carved into the wall of a county jail in Georgia.  

I was thinking of that song (I'll Fly Away) after Bishop Abrahams of South Africa told us that it was part of African folk-lore that "you can fly." He told of an older man who would whisper it in the ears of men who had been captured in the slave trade as they waited to board the boats. It gave them courage to face the horrible.

These stories have nothing to do with each other. The African folk-lore story is not part of the history of I'll Fly Away. As far as I know, anyway.

I linked these two stories in my mind because I hear some pastors who judge I'll Fly Away - not liking its theology. I think about the encouragement offered to the man who was about to become a slave (You can fly), the fear of the man in prison who carved a poem into rock that said, "Now if I had the wings of an angel, over these prison walls I would fly," and the hearts of those who have been lifted by I'll Fly Away.

Maybe it's best not to judge, but to encourage. It might be one of the ways we can fly.

Music

Whereas painters work with space - the croquet players on the lawn, behind them the dark foliage of the hedge, above them the sky - musicians work with time as one note follows another note the way tock follows tick.

Music both asks us and also enables us to listen to certain qualities of time - to the grandeur of time, says Bach, to the poignance of time, says Mozart, to the swing and shimmer of time, says Debussy, or however else you choose to put into words the richness and complexity of what each of them is wordlessly "saying."

We learn from music how to listen to the music of our own time - one moment of our lives following another moment the way the violin passage follows the flute, the way the sound of footsteps on the gravel follows the rustle of leaves in the wind which follows the barking of a dog almost too far away to hear.

Music helps us to "keep time" in the sense of keeping us in touch with time, not just time as an ever-flowing stream that bears us all away at last but time also as a stream that every once in a while slows down and becomes transparent enough for us to see down to the stream bed the way at a wedding, say, or watching the sun rise, past present future are so caught up in a single moment the we catch a glimpse of the mystery that at its deepest place time is timeless.  (Buechner, Wishful Thinking)

Have you had that experience - the experience where music brings you to a transparent place. For me, sometimes, that place offers glimpses of the holiness of God. Glimpses of the eternal, where time is timeless.

I have no musical talent of my own, so I am eternally grateful to those who bring music into my life - people like my son, Josh; our music director, Bruce; the choir, the bells, and even those who have written music that we are blessed to sing in worship.

That's how gifts are - when they are shared, God is seen more clearly.

Of Cicadas and Music

Last June, as many United Methodists across the state were gathering in Buckhannon at West Virginia Wesleyan College for Annual Conference, it became immediately apparent to us that we were not the only ones there. The area had been invaded by cicadas.

Have you noticed how noisy cicadas can be? There must have been a large group of them in the tree next to the side door of the chapel, because when I would walk out that door, the sound was deafening - not just noisy, but cover your ears and wince loud. In other places on campus, you could hear them, all the time, but it became white noise that you could almost ignore.

It was interesting to me the different comments people made about the sounds. Some people called the cicada sound beautiful - like a choir. Other people (like me) would wince at the chapel side door. One person said the sound they made was exactly the right pitch to strike the chord of his tinitus. Same sound, heard differently by different people.

What made the difference? Location (they were certainly louder at some places on campus than others)? Experience? Did living with them all the time create an immunity to the sound for some people? Obviously physical limitations, such as ringing in the ears, caused a different reaction.  Did attitude (such as, "I am determined to like these creatures, so I will)? All of those responses are legitimate, even if they are different.

My next comment is going to be a big jump.

Do we have the same reaction to music? There are some who love classical, others who do not like it at all. There are some who wish we sang only modern music in worship; others who find it less than sacred. And all of those responses are legitimate.

The problem arises when we value one reaction to cicadas - I mean music - over other ones.  The problem comes when we try to legitimize one person's experience over another person's experience. The problem - or maybe it is an opportunity - arises because we all hear God differently, and that includes the way we experience God in music.

If you hear God in the sound of cicadas (and some people do), then I ought to amplify that for you (even though it sounds like crazy bugs to me). If you hear God in a particular kind of music...

Let's amplify God for each other.

Live Like That

I served on a Walk To Emmaus in the prayer chapel this past weekend.  The last talk of the weekend ended with this song:




One of the verses:

Am I proof 
That You are who you say You are
That grace can really change a heart 
Do I live like Your love is true? 

People pass 
And even if they don't know my name 
Is there evidence that I've been changed 
When they see me, do they see You?

Good questions to consider.  Do I live like Your love is true?

Surround Sound

Last week, I attended three concerts - all of them at our local University and all of them concerts in which my younger son was playing trumpet.  A great music week.

At the beginning of the last one, the symphonic band lined up around the walls of the concert hall, surrounding us.  The lights went completely out, so that the room was dark.  The Director walked down the middle aisle, and began directing the concert band using a glow stick.  Really, really cool idea.

The music filled the space.  I have two trumpet playing sons, and I've been to many band concerts, but this was band music unlike any I've ever experienced.  It was surround sound.  The music wasn't in front of me on the stage, but it was all around me. I was in the center of the music.  And in the dark, the music was all there was.  I couldn't watch the players or the audience.  I was even in front of the conductor, so I didn't watch the bouncing glow stick.  I just closed my eyes, and was IN the music.  It was fantastic.

I wonder perhaps if that is what following regular spiritual disciplines will lead us to.  We come close enough to God that we can close our eyes to everything else - everything that distracts us - and sit in the center of God's will, God's music, and just be.  Surrounded by God.

Power in Music

I have been traveling for the past couple of days.  On one of my flights, to block out the sounds of the engines, I was listening to music on my iPod.  I found a playlist called 'Mom" so I chose it, wondering what songs might be part of the list.  They were contemporary Christian songs from probably 2006 and 2007, just after my Walk to Emmaus.  As I listened, I remembered driving in the car with that playlist going, windows rolled down, singing in joy to the music.

Listening to that music again, that I hadn't heard in so long, not only brought back memories, but also echoes of the closeness I felt to God at the time.  Music has power to do that.

In my reunion group, we've talked about how we don't always feel as close to God as we might have in the past.  I've shared that I think our feelings of spirituality ebb and wane, like waves.  And that's OK.  Notice that I have used the word "feel" pretty often in this post.  I don't think we will "feel" close to God all the time, but that doesn't mean that we aren't close to God, or that God isn't close to us.  It is a gift at times to recognize that the veil is thinner.  Even so, during times when God's presence isn't felt, we can know that God is near.

Even so, we are not pingpong balls floating on the ocean.  We have the capacity to open ourselves up to God, and to be ready for God-encounters.  How do we do that?  There are many spiritual disciples that we can do, and they are called disciplines, I think, because we are to do them even when we don't feel like it.  Think of the word discipline as translating to "routine."

How does that relate to music?  It might be that if you are looking to have a few moments of "feeling" close to God, you might want to listen to music that has been part of your spiritual moments in the past.  Like the scent of baking bread, those songs have the power to trigger memories and feelings from higher worship moments in the past.  Secondly, listen to music that you haven't heard before, or that you don't associate with those moments - yet.  See if the music itself can draw the experience of God closer.

Music has power.

*The playlist was called "mom" because one of my sons, probably Grant, set it up for me because I didn't yet know anything about iTunes.  

Directions for Singing

One of the exercises in my Certified Lay Ministries module is to consider Wesley's Directions for Singing.  Have you ever read those?  You can find them in the first few pages of the UM Hymnal, or at this link.

Here are my thoughts:

As I read these rules, I am struck by the idea that the same rules could apply (in some ways) to life in a community of believers.  As you read these, be aware of the word "sing" in a metaphorical sense, not a literal one.

1. Focus first on learning what we have in common, and then branch out. Once you know how we sing, imagine how it can influence what you learn beyond our song. Imagine what you can bring to the community from other songs.
2. Accept how we sing. Learn the rhythm, tunes and words the way the community will teach them to you.
3. Be present. Sign with the community. Just sing!
4. Enter into the community with energy. Your attitude will affect all of us, so contribute your voice and you life. Do not be a drain; be a contributor. Also, know that we will not judge your voice or your song; we will accept you as you are, so do not be afraid to sing.
5. Be modest; be humble. Contribute your gifts in a way that lifts up God, not yourself. Unite with the community.
6. Move with the community, sharing one timing. Lead when called; follow when called.
7. Above all, place God first. Let him be the purpose of why you are here.

I think Wesley was trying to tell us to focus on the Church. Learn the music of the church before other music – be committed. Learn how to sing it as part of the community, in time and in harmony with the community. Do not be afraid to participate, and do not believe you are the most important voice to be heard. Before all else, place God first. What does that mean for a modern church planning its music ministry? As with any other part of worship, planning for the music should be done with an eye to God’s will.

1. Spend some time teaching music. If a tune is unfamiliar, practice it with the congregation during the announcement time.
2. Use a Song Leader when necessary. 
3. Design the music ministry in worship with the same intentionality as the rest of worship.
4. Encourage people to sing.
5. Use accompanying instruments that are appropriate to the style of music.

For One Great Peace

This thread I weave
This step I dance
This stone I carve
This ball I bounce
This nail I drive
This pearl I string
This flag I wave
This note I sing....

Have you ever been sitting in a Bible study class or in Sunday school when you are asked the question, "How do you dedicate the work you do to the purposes of God?" Or, "How can God use what you do for a living for His glory?" Do you sit and think, and wonder?

This pot I shape
This fire I light
This fence I leap
This bone I knit
This seed I nurse
This rift I mend
This child I raise
This earth I tend

We get confused, I think, believing that there are certain jobs that are "God's Work" and other jobs that are not. We think pastors or counselors or maybe nurses have the market cornered on nurturing care. We think that can't possibly be anything sacred about the work we do.

This check I write
This march I join
This faith I state
This truth I sign
this is small part,
in one small place,
of one heart's beat
for one great Peace.

The truth is, everything we do, everything we are, can be used for the Glory of God. If we realized that then what we do would be transformed into God's work.

We sang the above song this morning in Early Worship. I've never heard it before, but I like it a lot. Great words; great tune. It's called For One Great Peace, and it was written by Shirley Erena Murry with music by Jim Strathdee. (Number 2185 in The Faith We Sing).

Days

I was listening to the song "Days of Elijah" the other day. As each verse was sung, I was thinking about church, and asking myself questions.

These are the days of Elijah,
Declaring the word of the Lord:
And these are the days of Your servant Moses,
Righteousness being restored.
And though these are days of great trial,
Of famine and darkness and sword,
Still, we are the voice in the desert crying
'Prepare ye the way of the Lord!'

I thought about John the baptist, preparing the way of the Lord. We are called to do that -- to prepare the way for the Lord's work in people's lives. Do we do that? Do we declare the word of the Lord? In these times of great trial, are we a voice in the desert? Do we provide living water to the thirsty world?

Behold He comes riding on the clouds,
Shining like the sun at the trumpet call;
Lift your voice, it's the year of jubilee,
And out of Zion's hill salvation comes.

Does salvation come from our churches? Are we declaring freedom to God's people? It is the year of Jubilee, or can people even hear God through our actions and words? Do we shine with God's love?

These are the days of Ezekiel,
The dry bones becoming as flesh;
And these are the days of Your servant David,
Rebuilding a temple of praise.

In a time when our churches need rebuilding, are we at work? Are we preaching to dry bones and allowing God's breath to bring them back to life? Are we a resurrection people? Or do we live in the past? Are we rebuilding the temple of praise? Have we even noticed the need to rebuild?

These are the days of the harvest,
The fields are as white in Your world,
And we are the laborers in Your vineyard,
Declaring the word of the Lord!

If we are the laborers, are we at work? Are we harvesting? The fields are full of wheat, ready to be brought forth to God? Are we doing it?

Can people be directed to God for their salvation through us?

Music

On the drive home today from work, JtM and I were talking about music in worship -- how the style of music isn't necessarily as important as the way it is presented in worship.

He had emailed me a wav file of a song that someone else had sent to him earlier in the day. Here is part of the chorus:

If there is no fire from heaven
And if there is no human passion
Then the music won't matter at all
And we'll go down into the quicksand
Fighting battles no one wins
Over whether to sing Bach chorales
Or ditties on the wall

(Ken Mederna)

I'm not someone who believes that worship is judged by the emotion it conveys, but I do believe there are times in worship -- usually memorable ones -- when God is so obvious to us that his presence is palpable. Often, music plays a role in that awareness.

Amazing grace sung at Ichthus with over 10,000 youth participating in communion...The same song sung on an Emmaus walk....The Days of Elijah sung at a team meeting....The Voice of Truth in the car....The final line of a hymn in worship pointing directly the presence of God in our lives, and in the room....It is Well with My Soul played and sung at Annual Conference....Music in church kitchen as I worked solo to prepare a meal for a grieving friend's family....Listening to our youth sing surprisingly well....

It's not the place. It's not the style. It's the awareness of God that makes worship really worship. God does it. Not us.

Image: Tulip in my office. REALLY ready for spring.

Freedom

Joyce, in her devotional in our office meeting today, read us the words to a Charles Wesley hymn, Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus:

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set they people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

She read more than that, but as I listened, I was struck by a similarity to a contempory song I had just listened to as I baked on Saturday morning, Free by Ginny Owens:

So when I am consumed by what the world will say,
It's then You're singing to me,
As you remove my chains

You're free to dance-Forget about your two left feet
And you're free to sing-Even jofful noise is music to me
And you're free to love,
Cause I've given you My love, and it's made you free
I have set you free

Free from worry, free from envy and denial
Free to live, free to give, free to smile

They aren't the same, of course, but as I listened to the one written in 1744, I was reminded of the one written at the just a few years ago. Our desires have not changed. The freedom we are offered through Christ remains the same.

I think that's one of the reasons I like so many different kinds of music. I'm always struck by the idea that we -- both the ones of us born ten centuries after Christ and the ones born 20 centuries after Christ -- have the same desires, the same longings, and the same God.

The words of one song and the words of the other speak to that idea.

Whatever Works

I've been thinking about music lately. We're involved in a search for a new music director at our church, and I'm a member of the Search Committee. I've been asking questions and listening to answers.

I attended Annual Conference a few weeks ago and was impressed by the mixture of music that was used in worship -- classically based, old hymns, new hymns, praise music, contemporary anthems. The Music Director for Annual Conference's philosophy is "Whatever works."

I like that philosophy. Whatever works.

Why is it, I wonder, that the genre of music becomes more important in some people's minds than the ability of the music to reach God's people with his message? Why is it that we are willing to believe that we all have different gifts and different ways of being reached by God (in fact, is it Ortberg or Yancey who explains that we all connect to God in different ways). If that is the case, why do we assume that people will hear God in through music in the same way that we do ourselves?

Whatever works.

Nine Lessons and Carols

After I wrote the poems to parallel the Nine Lessons and Carols, I thought I might have some fun placing them among hymns and carols, so that is what is included in this posts.

As you read this, you'll find some of the music which floated through my Advent and Christmas season, music that I just like, and music that I found for just this post. Not all of them are carols. I don't imagine that any congregation could actually sing all of these songs -- probably way to0 much, but I did have fun picking them.

Scripture and poems are hyperlinked. Some music is. Hymn numbers are from the United Methodist Hymnal unless otherwise specified.

Prelude:

Invocation:
Holy Creator, we come to the incarnation of your son as a people in darkness. We are broken, sinful and lost. We are in need of grace. Fill our worship this day with light and joy, inhabit our praises, encourage our confessions and affirm our forgiveness. You are the source of every blessing. Awaken our realization of your grace. In the name of the son you sent to bring us into the light, Amen.

Call To Worship:
Leader: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of Power and might, come to us today. We lived in darkness, and yet you have graced us with light.

People: Sing verse 1 of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing using tune Hyfrydol (Hymn 400 (Robert Robinson); tune found with hymn 196)

Come, thou fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing thy grace
Streams of mercy never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above
Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it
Mount of thy redeeming love.

Leader: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of Power and might, light for us your way. Teach us your Word, lead us in songs of praise.

All: Come, Emmanuel, joy of every longing heart.

First Lesson from Genesis 3: 8–15; 17–19 (Adam and Eve, hiding in the garden)

Poem: Walking into Darkness
Hymn: I want to walk as a Child of light (Kathleen Thomerson) (206)
Reading: Canticle of Light and Darkness (205) using Response 2

Second Lesson from Genesis 22: 15–18 (Abraham and Issac)

Poem: Can You Even Imagine?
Hymn: Lord of the Dance, Verse 1 (Sydney Carter) (261)
Hymn: Love came down at Christmas (Christina G. Rosetti) (242)

Transition: Sing verse 1, In the Bleak Midwinter (Christina G. Rossetti, Gustav Holst) (221)

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Third Lesson from Isaiah 9: 2; 6–7 (Light in darkness)

Poem: Could We Dare Dream of This?
Carol: O Little Town of Bethlehem (Phillips Brooks, Lewis H. Redner) (230)
Hymn: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (Charles Wesley, Rowland H. Prichard) (196)

Fourth Lesson from Isaiah 11: 1–3a; 4a; 6–9 (Lion and Lamb)

Poem: Peace
Carol: Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming (Theodore Baker +) (216)
Hymn: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (211)

Transition: Sing verse 2, In the Bleak Midwinter (221)

Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Time of Prayer

Prayer Response from Congregation:
Emmanuel, Emmanuel (Bob McGee) (204)

Fifth Lesson from the Luke 1: 26–35; 38 (Mary’s dream)

Poem: Expectations
Solo Anthem: Breath of Heaven – Words & Music by Amy Grant and Chris Eaton
Carol: To a Maid Engaged to Joseph (Gracia Grindal, Rusty Edwards) (215)

Sixth Lesson from Luke 2: 1; 3–7 (the Birth of Jesus)

Poem: His Wife Slept
Carol: What Child is this? (William C. Dix) (219)
Solo Anthem: Joseph’s Song – Music and Lyrics by Michael Card

Transition: Sing verse 3, In the Bleak Midwinter (221)

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air
But his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.

Seventh Lesson from Luke 2: 8–16 (The Shepherds and the Angels)

Poem: Light in a Manger
Carol: O come, all ye faithful (John F. Wade) (234)
Responsive Singing: Rise up Shepherd and Follow (Afro-American Spiritual) (TFWS, 2096)

Eighth Lesson from the Matthew 2: 1–12 (Wise men)

Poem: Star Leading to Light
Carol: Sing we now of Christmas (Traditional French Carol) (237)

Ninth Lesson from the John 1: 1–14 (Word)

Poem: Word With Us
Hymn: Go Tell it on the Mountain (Afro-American Spiritual) (251)

Offertory: Trombone and piano duet of Sing we now of Christmas/God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Prayer of Dedication:

Response: Sing verse 4, In the Bleak Midwinter (221)

What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can give him: give my heart.

Benediction:
Rise up, people of God. You are blessed beyond imagination. Christ is alive in this world and in you! You are a people transformed by Grace. Go forth, as one blessed by God, and be the light in the world. Amen.

Response: Sing Verse 4 of Hidden Christ, Alive for Ever to Hyfrydol
(Hymn 102 in Upper Room Worship Book (Brian Wren); Tune found with hymn 196)

Christ our hope, alive among us, take our love, our work, our prayer
We will trust and tell your purpose, braving evil and despair;
In your name befriending, mending, making peace and setting free,
Showing, giving, and acclaiming signs of joy and jubilee.

Postlude

Youth Music

Ebenezer UMC here in town had a Youth Music night in conjunction with their 137th anniversary celebration. Our youth "orchestra" was invited to take part, so we took them over this evening.

All of the music was done by youth and children. Was it perfect? No. But it was perfectly real and inspiriting. Was it without mistakes? No. But it was full of beauty and grace. Was it professional? No. But it was inspired by the Holy Spirit and was inspiring to those who listened. Were the children and youth free from nerves. No. But they were brave and courageous.

I wonder if there is a lesson in that for all of us. God knows us well enough to not expect or demand perfection. Instead he brings us the inspiration to be courageous. All he asks is that we step out of the boat and take a chance. When we do, it brings the presence and awareness into the room around us.

We have gifts. They have been given to us by God to be used to accomplish his mission here on earth. Sometimes we hesitate to use our gifts, fearing that we won't be good enough or perfect.

The lesson tonight is that perfection is not the goal. Declaring the presence of God through our actions and words is the brass ring. Do that, and God will be with us. Do that, and everything will be changed.

Hymn Survey

Do you remember me mentioning the hymnal survey a while back? The GBOD conducted an internet survey as it prepares for the compilation of a new hymnal.

The results are in, and they can be found at this link.

What do I notice?

• People REALLY like Amazing Grace. Is it because we all know it? Or is it truly that it touches such a deep chord in all of us?
• I'm glad to see Be Thou My Vision among the favorites.
• Is it interesting that some of the same songs are listed as among the top 20 favorites AND the 20 least favorite hymns? Does that say anything to us about our congregations? Don't we need to realize that God reaches all of us in different ways?
• Some of my very favorite hymns made it onto the two top lists - top 20 from the hymnal and top 20 from The Faith We Sing.
• I wonder from the top three - five least favorite hymns that there was perhaps some external pressure exerted from more conservative groups to remove hymns which give God a feminine face. Perhaps I'm wrong?
• Silence, Frenzied Unclean Spirit is one of my least favorite hymns.
• I wonder if we should be singing more hymns than we do rather than repeating them so much.

Do you agree with the survey?

What is he learning?

I went to watch my son practice with the all-county high school band tonight.

Imagine over 100 kids, all with instruments, in one place, trying to make music. I don't know how they do it. The concept itself is amazing to me. They played pieces of music with sounds imitating buffalo walking across the prairie, birds chirping, rain falling, thunder -- on top of all of that, they made music!

The guest conductor had never worked with this particular group of kids before. He stood in front of them, and explained the rules -- he would never embarrass them, he would not yell at them. He expected them to be on time, to bring a pencil, to listen when he talked, and most of all, to do their best. Even if they got every note wrong, if they did their best, he would be happy.

As they practiced, he would stop and give them suggestions. He didn't just direct them, but he would explain to them why he wanted them to do what he was asking them to do. He taught them as well as directed them.

At one point he stopped their progress through a piece of music, and told them why what they were doing was sounding better than it had before. "Are you surprised that I would stop to tell you something good? We could too easily fall into the habit of stopping to tell each other what we are doing wrong; I try very hard to not do that."

I couldn't count the number of times that he told them to be bold. "Be bold. Play it aggressively. I don't care if you make a mistake -- don't worry about that." He wanted them to play their instruments with confidence.

I think my son may be learning more than how to play a trumpet, and I'm glad.

Shuffle

There is a MEME in the blogworld that goes like this -- set your iPod on Shuffle and record the first 10 songs which play.

Just to start us off, I have songs on my iPod.

Here are the first 10 songs that shuffled:

• Free by Ginny Owens
• Beautiful by Audio Adrenaline
• Ancient of Days by Gary Sadler and Jamie Harvill
• Twenty Four by Switchfoot
• Time Loves a Hero by Little Feat
• Track 7 of Hot Money by Dick Francis (audio book)
• He Leadeth Me by David Wells
• Track 4 of The Edge by Dick Francis (audio book)
• Never Alone by Barlow Girl
• Track 6 of Hot Money by Dick Francis (audio book)
• In Silence by Michael W. Smith
• Let Everything that has Breath by Matt Redman
• Simple Things by Amy Grant

Notice that there are actually 13 listed. I Did three extra since three of the ones which came up were actually book tracks and not songs.

Deeper Still

I was listening to XM radio this morning on the way to drop J off at school, and a I heard a new song called Deeper Still, sung by Scott Krippayne. I've never heard of him or the song before, but I like it. I don't know if this will work or not, but here is a link to an mp3 of the beginning of song -- first verse and chorus -- on Scott's web page.

Here I am in this familiar place again
Standing on the shore of my complacency
Ankle deep in love I once was swimming in
Shallowness has taken over me

How often do we find ourselves on the shores of our complacency, ankle deep in a love that we were once swimming in. Do you have days like that? Days when the experience of God seems a remote dream and there is little passion in your faith? I think we all do.

But the current pulls the sand
And moves my stubborn feet
From the dryness of the land
To where the wave pound over me

Current. Have you ever experienced a strong current at the ocean? It pulls you, and it's hard to fight. In fact, at times there are warnings along the beach that there are strong undercurrents. God is like that. His grace is like a current, pulling us, and never releasing up. He pulls us from our dryness to his living water. Sometimes we are stubborn, but we have learned our stubbornness from our Father. He loves us with a stubborn relentless force.

CHORUS:
Take me deep enough where I can see
The bottom of Your heart
Deep enough that I can know Your will
Deep enough to know that we
Will never be apart
And when I get there
Take me deeper still

That's a great prayer. Take me deep enough where I can see the bottom of your heart. I can't imagine that there is a bottom to God's heart. His heart -- his love -- is infinitely huge. But the writer knows that. He asks God to draw him close, so that he can know God's will. We all stumble around, I think, trying to discern God's will. And when we get there, pull us deeper still!

Take me through the wonders of Your faithfulness
Help me see the depth of my own need
Lead me to the water where Your mercy is
For You and You alone can set me free

Do we really want to know the depth of our own need? If we trust God enough, we can handle what he will show us. It is through knowing God, learning of his mercy, that we are finally set free. Free so that we can say:

I am covered by Your grace
Far away from shore
As You’re taking me to places
I have never been before

And Amen.

Image is from this link (the ocean in Washington State)