Tag Archive | Music

Little Isabel’s Christmas Joy – Part 6

Dec15

 

“He’s here, He’s here. Everybody come and see” Isabel called from the foot of the stairs, “He’s finally here!”

“Who’s here?” Papa said as he rubbed his chin and smoothed his hair which was sticking out in every direction.

“You mean he was here, don’t ya’ Sis?” Eugene said as he slid down the banister and bumped into Mama who ran from the kitchen to see the commotion.

“No! He’s here in the parlor. He’s here – just as He said!”

“Isabel dear,” Mama said softly, what do you mean?”

Isabel took Mama’s hand and ran directly to the stable. She cried out in delight as she looked into the eyes of the Baby Jesus lying in the manger. “All those years, we waited and waited and He Came!”

“Oh, Isabel dear, Jesus came almost 2000 years ago. We celebrate Christmas because He came. The carved baby in the manger is just a reminder that He came. You know that this is kind of a picture that represents Him.  Something we can hold onto as we read God’s Word but it’s just an object. We mustn’t make an idol. You know this doll isn’t Jesus.”

“Yes Mama, I know that. But He came, didn’t He?” Isabel said as her eyes filled with tears. He came because He loved us, right? That’s what Eugene and Curtis said from the Bible.”

“Yes, child,” Mama said softly.

“Jesus loves me Mama and I love Jesus.”

Papa moved in closer, picked her up and held her tightly as she held Baby Jesus in her hand.

“You’re right, Isabel,” Papa said and wiped a tear from her cheek. “We love Him because He first loved us and you know what?”

Isabel shook her head from side to side.

“He’s coming again!”

“He is?” Isabel pushed back to see Papa and Mama’s faces. “Will he be in a stable?”

“No, but He will be riding on a white horse and will come as The King of King and Lord of Lords!”

“We will see Him?”

“Yes Isabel,” Mama said as she wiped the tears from Isabel’s eyes. “We talk to Him every time we pray and He speaks to us through His Word, The Bible! It is my prayer that someday you, your brothers and sisters will receive Christ as your Savior. We will live with Him forever.”

Isabel looked at the image in her hand, at her parents, and to the image again. Finally closing her eyes and said, “Jesus I love you because You first loved me. Thank you for coming! Thank you for Christmas!

“Mama,” she whispered before we look in our socks and open presents, may we sing?”

“That would be wonderful, Isabel. What shall we sing?”

“Joy to the world the Lord has come!”

~*~

What about you, friends? Is your focus on The Son of God, Jesus who gave His life for you or are you focusing on the external trappings that often draw our attention away from Him?

Christmas isn’t about the tree, the decorations, the  Carols, or even the gifts.

It is about God’s love for you.

“We love Him because He first loved us.”

I John 4:19

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“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

For God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved. 

He who believeth in Him is not condemned: but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

John 3:16-18

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

John 3:36

Why did God send His only begotten son – knowing that He would be the sacrifice for our sin? Because He loves us.

God is Holy and cannot look upon sin and yet He loved us – even though we are sinners – and longs for us to be redeemed from the penalty of sin. This is what Jesus did for you and for me. He took the penalty of sin in His own body on the cross. He gave His life so that you and I will spend eternity in Heaven with Him.

When I first heard the Gospel in 1968, I did not immediately receive Christ as my Savior. I was a quiet child and everyone told me that I was “good.” This is not true. I am a sinner. It took me a week to realize it.

“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God:

Being justified (made upright and in right standing with God) freely by His grace (unmerited favor of God) through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

Romans 3:23-24

One night, after a week of conviction that I am a sinner; I could practically see Jesus suffering, dying on the cross for my sin! In the wee hours of the morning, I got on my knees and confessed to Him that I am a sinner and asked Him to save me. Trusting completely in His redemption; He saved me. He Redeemed me. (Bought with a price – the precious shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.) Oh, what a gift He offered to me and to you!

“For the wages of sin is death; (separation from God) but the GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 6:23

So dear friends, this Christmas please look past the manger and see the Gift of God – to you! Receive it just as you would receive a gift from a loving father. It is a gift that you cannot lose and it cannot be taken away. It is yours forever! 

Have a blessed Christmas!

Kathy

My Mother Gentle Love – YouTube Ron Hamilton Song

May6
I know this is a few days early but I thought you might enjoy this sweet song all week!

My Mother’s Gentle Love by Ron Hamilton

You may purchase this song and others on Ron Hamilton’s album, Cherish the Moment. (Another wonderful song for Mothers and Fathers too.)

Cherish The Moment by Ron Hamilton

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“Strength and honor are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom;” and her tongue is the law of kindness,

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth.”

Proverbs 31:25-28 (KJV)

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I taught this sweet Ron Hamilton song to my class of preschoolers and had them each sing the song on a cassette tape for Mother’s Day. I was delighted to see a group of children singing the same song on YouTube. This is for all Mothers!

Happy Mothers Day,

Kathy

 

My Tribute

Feb11

I have been planning to have a different song and verse from scripture about the Love of God and then I saw a video of this gentleman playing on facebook and it blew me away.  His name is Hugh Waddy. I went to the facebook page of the Church who posted the video.

(Of course, you know I had to sing along!)

You may want to check it out as well.  This is what I learned from one of the posts.

There are more videos! check out the link: https://www.facebook.com/JacksonFirstBaptistChurch/… was Mr. Hugh Waddy, a concert pianist that has played at places such as Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. He did a concert here at the church this past Saturday night and it was truly amazing. If you are interested in a DVD of the entire concert, send an e-mail to jay@jacksonfbc.com.

(This youtube was Published on May 25, 2016
Hugh Waddy Fayetteville, GA plays “My Tribute” at Bethany UMC church, Fayette County Georgia. Recorded by Ardon Smith.)

I hope you are as blessed as I am by Mr. Waddy’s music. We are never too old to serve Him with all our heart.  Thank you, Mr. Waddy for blessing us!

Wait until you hear him playing How Great Thou Art!

His Eye is on the Sparrow

Jan14

“Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows”
Matthew 10:31

Only A Little Sparrow

Author unknown

I’m only a little sparrow,
A bird of low degree;
My life is of little value,
But the dear Lord cares for me.

I know there are many sparrows –
All over the world they are found;
But our Heavenly Father knoweth
When one of us falls to the ground.

Tho’ small, we are not forgotten;
Tho’ weak, we are never afraid;
For we know that the dear Lord keepeth
The life of the creatures He made.

I just fold my wings at nightfall,
Wherever I happen to be;
For the Father is always watching,
And no harm can happen to me.

I am only a little sparrow,
A bird of low degree;
But I know that the Father loves me;
Doest thou know His love for thee?

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“Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?”

Luke 12:6

No one sings His Eye is on the Sparrow like Ethel Waters! Whenever I think of this old song, I hear her voice. Even though I have heard wonderful soloists with their own rendition and I this is one of my favorite solos. When she sings this song at the Billy Graham Crusade in 1975, she sings from her heart. Cold, hardened, timid, fearful and arrogant hearts are softened as the Holy Spirit speaks through her. Souls turn to the Lord when they understand that He loves, He cares, He provides for a sinner like me.

“His eye is on the sparrow and I know He cares for me.”

His Eye is on the Sparrow

Southern Raised

Aug14

Those of you who have read The Vision of a Mother’s Heart, you know that this is a musical family. This past Sunday, we were honored to meet another musical family. My husband discovered their music on YouTube a few weeks ago, ordered their DVD’s and listened to them constantly. Their music is fabulous but it their testimony that truly won our hearts.

The name of the group is Southern Raised. They were classically trained and the Lord directed their ministry to Christian bluegrass. Check out their testimony on their website! http://southernraisedbluegrass.com/

This ministry was a result of their parents prayer many years ago for their family to serve the Lord as a family. At the time, music was the last thing they expected. Isn’t that just like the Lord? He opens doors and provides opportunities we never expected.  All the glory goes to Him.

Some things we love about this family group is that:

  • They give God all the glory in their testimonies.
  • They weave in the Gospel.
  • They dress modestly
  • The focus is on Him and not themselves.

For years before singing, I have always asked that it is His voice that is heard and not mine. I can see this in this family. They are instruments of His love.

 

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My husband, John with Matt, Sarah, Lindsay and Emily. If you look closely, you will see their Mom, Sharon in the background. She is the lovely lady in the black outfit.

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Be sure to click on the link below to hear their music and to read more about them. Listen for Matt’s fabulous bass!

 

Southern Raised

 

(I’ll Have A New Life!)

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Majesty

Jan7

f7de73123e48c4498df3b4341cceb384How Majestic

Delighting in His Majesty!

When you hear the word Majesty, what comes to mind? A king in robe and crown; surrounded by people who must do his bidding? Is the background that of splendor with the man sitting on a throne holding a golden scepter?

The word majestic comes to mind whenever looking at a sunset, the beautiful stars that sparkle like diamonds against a black velvet cushion, or a lovely sunrise whose beauty makes one breathless.

Or perhaps, if you love conservative Christian music as I do, you may think of the publishing company Majesty Music. Ron Hamilton wrote a beautiful song many years taken from this verse. It has been years since I sang it but I still remember hearing him sing this at a conference. The cd is available on the Majesty Music or Ron Hamilton facebook page and on his website. Look for the Rejoice in the Lord cd.

I was trying to locate the lyrics or more specifically, a video of Ron singing How Majestic is Thy Name. Instead, so many wonderful hymns and spiritual songs were listed in the search and I have spent about two hours just singing praises to The Lord. Thinking of His power, majesty and of His great love for us. It still humbles me to think that He – the creator of the universe; the One who spoke the world into existence loves me. I feel as the shepherds must have felt when they – the lowest workers of their day, were visited by an angel of God announcing the birth of the long awaited one; the Savior, which is Christ our Lord. (Luke 2)

Remember how they must have been frightened, The glory of the Lord shown around about them and they were sore afraid.” the Glory of God” had once caused Moses to cover his face so that those who looked upon him would not be blinded. The same Light that illuminates Heaven so that there is no need for sun nor moon in Heaven. And then they were serenaded by a Heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth; peace, good will toward men.”

The most wonderful experience for these weathered, lowly shepherds that night was that they were able to bow down and worship the babe – Emmanuel (which means “God with us”), our Savior, the long awaited Messiah, the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world, our sacrifice, the Good Shepherd, Redeemer, the Light of the world, the Bread of Life, God in flesh. The one who came to bear their sins and mine on the cross of Calvary.

On Christmas Eve, at our wonderful service, my mind kept going to Isaiah 53 where His death is prophesied. “He was led as a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before it’s shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.  This my friends, is majesty. This is love. Oh, how my heart swells with love for Him whenever I read this chapter. You see, it was written long before He was born. He inspired the Words (literally were God breathed.) I look at the cross – the death, burial and resurrection of the precious, sinless Son of God and praise Him.  And then I look forward to the rapture when we shall meet Him in the clouds and so shall we ever be with the Lord. What splendor!

He will come again as The King of King and Lord of Lords. Every knee shall bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!

That tiny little virgin born baby is all of this. He is Majesty.  One song kept popping up in the search and I must have played it three times tonight.  http://youtu.be/CHZcgK43Sr0 Bow The Knee.

As we begin this new year, lets reflect on His Majesty and bow the knee. He alone is worthy of our praise.

I must share this one thing. As I was reviewing the videos, dwelling on the meaning of the songs and singing along, my heart felt it would break as one of the videos showed Ron Hamilton directing a choir at what was listed as Music College. Why should this bring tears? For as long as I can remember, singing was always a part of my life. When I received Christ as my Savior in 1968, I promised I would sing only for Him as He opened the doors. And He opened many doors! My prayer through the years prior to singing has always been, “may they hear Your voice, Lord not mine – that You will be glorified.”  Because of poor health, it has been a long time since I have been able to sing solos and years since I had the joy of singing with a choir. Oh, that He may allow me to sing in the choir in Heaven some day! Until then, I will continue to sing to Him in devotions, in prayer, as I wash dishes…

So friends, as you bow the knee before Him in prayer, if He prompts you, sing with the joy of knowing Him and His majesty.

Above All

Nov8

In the disappointment of the presidential election and the concern about the way our country is going, our Maine Coon, Skippy (yep, a cat!) reminded me what is most important.

My hands were getting stiff so I decided to play the piano a while to ease the pain and calm the soul. Skippy lay on the floor near the piano and listened as I played Silent Night, As A Deer and Give Thanks. Skip stood up and gave me a long look before sauntering into the bedroom.

“Do you want me to play your song, Skippy?” I asked as I started to play Above All. Skippy came running! Instead of his usual barking sound which is his “meow” he kept repeating what sounded like “mine!” I played the song and reached the end and he chirped, “mine” while jumping up on the piano bench with me. He has never, ever done that! So I began to play again and sing,

Above All

By Michael W. Smith

Above all powers, Above all kings

Above all nature And all created things

Above all wisdom And all the ways of man

You were here Before the world began.

Crucified, Laid behind the stone

You lived to die; Rejected and alone

Like a rose Trampled on the ground

You took the fall And thought of me

Above all.

By this time, Skippy wasn’t just sitting beside me, he was rubbing his head on me and giving me kitty kisses on my arm. And so I played the next verse for Skippy, for me and especially, for The Lord.

Above all kingdoms, Above all thrones

Above all wonders The world has ever known.

Above all wealth And treasures of the earth

There’s no way to measure What You’re worth.

Crucified, Laid behind the stone

You lived to die; Rejected and alone

Like a rose Trampled on the ground

You took the fall And thought of me

Above all.

Like a rose Trampled on the ground

You took the fall And thought of me

Above all.

Wow, that puts things into perspective doesn’t it? Have I focused so much on the election that I did not truly focus on the King of Kings and Lord of Lords as I should? Suddenly, I felt like Jesus’ disciples and His followers after the crucifixion in the dark days before He arose. And He did rise from the dead. He conquered death and hell.

Surely, He can bring us through the next four years. Thanks, Skippy for reminding me Who is important. My Savior and my Lord.

(Skippy is still sitting beside me on the chair at the kitchen table as I write this. Playing Michael W. Smith’s Above All for Skippy. Hope it gives you goosebumps too!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7Sn5rV6oM0

Oh yes, why did I call this Skippy’s favorite? He comes and lays down the piano every time I play it. (He also likes Somebody’s Praying by Ricky Skaggs as played on Gaither Music).

 

Hymn Requests

Nov4

In The Vision of a Mother’s Heart, one of the chapters portrays Song Requests in Church.
Little Jimmy was confused about the title of his favorite song but the song leader knew which song he meant and they all sang Trust and Obey. 

On their way home from Church, “Mama” announced that she had borrowed a hymnal from the song leader so that the children could copy the songs so that they would learn the songs they sang most often.

The Church where I grew up asked for requests almost every Sunday night. When the music director asked for requests, we all knew that Mr. Drain would request page number 292.
Surely Goodness and Mercy by John W. Peterson and Alfred Smith. We sang all of the verses as well as the chorus at the end. We sang this with enthuasum. We sang with joy. We sang with smiles as we watched Mr. Drain singing with all his heart.

Back in the “old days,” we had hymnals. Children stood by their parents and learned to read the music as well as the words as they shared their song book with Mom or Dad. Many of us remember all five verses to How Great Thou Art and Just As I Am because the hymns became a part of who we are. Sometimes I fear that we will have a generation of children who do not know how to read music because they have missed out on this wonderful tradition of sharing a hymnal.

What about you? Do you have any memories of learning hymns with your parents in Church?
What would song would you request?

I must admit that I prefer the older songs. Songs filled with doctrine and have a good melody as well. Crown Him With Many Crowns, Wonderful Grace of Jesus, At Calvary, and Mr. Drain’s favorite – Surely Goodness and Mercy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDMqlwsfa2kImage