Doxology – noun, an expression of praise to God, a short
hymn sung as part of a Christian worship service. The Psalmist praises God for
his love and faithfulness in the shortest chapter in the Bible.
From the album
“Main Street – Songs for Today,” this song is a short hymn of praise from Psalm
117.
Click here
for Brass Instruments MusicXML.
(MusicXML™ is the standard open format for sharing digital sheet music. Check
the help files in your music notation app for directions on importing MusicXML
files.)
Shouldn’t life-long investments pay off after retirement?
But all too often retirement is followed by …
Shattered dreams Financial instability Deteriorating health Relationship loss
In addition to
Cataracts Hearing loss Missing teeth Memory loss Chills Aloneness
Life seems to get smaller. Isn’t there more to life than
this? The Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes tells us that God has put the
desire for something permanent in our heart, for the eternal. And that’s where
life’s investments will pay off.
From the album
“Ecclesiastes” this video is Wisdom’s investment advice from chapters 11-12 of
Ecclesiastes.
Click here
for MusicXML.
(MusicXML™ is the standard open format for sharing digital sheet music. Check
the help files in your music notation app for directions on importing MusicXML
files.)
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You
believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that
were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for
you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to
be with me that you also may be where I am.”
From the album
“Redemption” this video is scrolling playback of a modern-day parable based on
John 14:1-14.
Does nurturing a hidden all-consuming desire to do away
with someone make one a murderer?
Satan wanted to do away with God. But an eternal, all
powerful Creator cannot be done away with. When confronted, Satan lied, denying
that he wanted God’s demise.1 He had motive to murder (a lust for
power), but lacked means and opportunity. So God set about exposing his heart.
Opportunity: God
created a universe where life is mortal, where murder could become rampant, and
then entered his creation as a mortal man.
Means: Satan’s
agents were the political and religious leaders who rejected Jesus, their
Creator.
Murder: Jesus
died by crucifixion on a Roman cross.
But God cannot be destroyed, he is immortal. Jesus rose
from the dead, conquering death! He offers life beyond the grave to his
followers.
From the first century onward Satan has persecuted Jesus’
followers. The Apostle Peter wrote his first epistle to encourage a persecuted
church. Eight years ago I composed a song from each of the five chapters in 1
Peter and included 2008 persecution statistics in the videos. Since then the
number of Christians facing extreme persecution has more than tripled.2
From the album
“Apologia” this video is scrolling playback of a song based on 1 Peter 2:6-8
and Daniel 2.
Kathy
Click here to read
1 Peter2:6-8 and here to read Daniel 2.
1 John 8:44: “He was a murderer from
the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he
lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
Isaiah 35 is one of the most beautiful poems in the
Bible. It sings with joy because the Creator rescues and restores those of his
who are destitute. I set the themes of this passage to song when I was in need of hope.
From the album
“Redemption” this video is scrolling playback of the song based on Isaiah 35.
Click here for MusicXML.
(MusicXML™ is the standard open format for sharing digital sheet music. Check
the help files in your music notation app for directions on importing MusicXML
files.)
John played the harmonica. He found backing tracks of
songs he loved and played along.1 But there was one song that he
couldn’t find a backing track for. So he asked me to play it on my piano and
record it for him. He would use the recording as a backing track.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the sheet music anywhere. I had to tell John that I
didn’t have the ability to play the song by ear.
But!
I did find a chord progression for the song. I took
the chord progression to my piano, wove a melody around it, and penned lyrics that
reflected John’s love of fishing. I sent John a recording of the song.
A few years
later I realized the melody and refrain from John’s song would be perfect for
a song I was writing based on Philippians 4:6-7. I posted “Surprised by Peace”
in my blog in the middle of COVID.2
John died this December. The family contributed photos
for a memorial slideshow.3 You can hear John playing the harmonica
throughout the photo montage. The last few pictures are accompanied by John
playing his harmonica to the recording of this song that I composed for him.
From the album
“Paper Book Colors – Nature Sings” this video is scrolling playback of a song I
wrote for my brother, John.
What does water sound like when it cascades down a hill,
tumbling over rocks, falling, splashing into pools? Do you hear a heehaw,
chuckle, guffaw, titter, snigger, howl, hoot, chortle? Is there mirth, joy,
glee?
Laughing water – Minnehaha. How would you notate that?
From the album
“Paper Book Colors – Nature Sings” this video is scrolling playback of a flute solo
overlaid with audio, photos, and video of laughing water from my backyard.
Kathy
Print (PDF) sheet
music for flute is available for Laughing
Water. You will need to supply the sound of water.
