Of the Father’s Love Begotten – Music Story

Who is that babe in the manger? God? Or a good man sent by God to save us? “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” is an ancient song affirming the deity of Jesus. It echoes the very earliest claims about Jesus.

The eyewitnesses proclaimed that Jesus is God.[1] The infant church believed that Jesus is God.[2] The ancient church officially acknowledged the deity of Jesus:

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
 eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.[3]

Spanish lawyer, Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, retired from public life to write poetry in defense of the deity of Jesus.[4]  The church used his fifth century poems to create liturgical hymns in worship of Jesus as God.[5] His poem, “Of the Father’s Love Begotten,” is still sung at Christmas

For almost two thousand years Jesus has been proclaimed, believed, acknowledged, defended, and worshipped as God! From the album “The HymnBook – Thirty-Four Hundred Years of Praise” this video is scrolling playback of Prudentius’ Christmas carol.

Kathy

You can get print (PDF) and/or digital (MusicXML™) sheet music for Of the Father’s Love Begotten for Celtic Instruments.

Click here for print sheet music. 

Click here for digital sheet music.
(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.) 

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[1] John 1 | NIV Bible | YouVersion

[2] Philippians 2 | NIV Bible | YouVersion

[3] The Nicene Creed: Its Significance in Church History and Today (christianity.com)

[4] Amazon.com: Prudentius' Hymns for Hours and Seasons: Liber Cathemerinon (Routledge Later Latin Poetry): 9781138202474: Richardson, Nicholas: Books

[5] Discipleship Ministries | History of Hymns: “Of the Father's Love… (umcdiscipleship.org)

Before Time Began – Music Story

I was recently asked how a creation filled with millions of years of pain, suffering, and death could be very good.

Pain and Suffering

I would agree that in the Garden of Eden there was:

•       No relational pain and suffering (Adam and Eve didn’t devalue or abuse each other)

•       No emotional pain and suffering (no depression, no panic attacks)

•       No spiritual pain and suffering (no guilt, no shame)

However, based on scripture, I am convinced that there was physical pain. After the couple disobeyed God, God told Eve that her pain in childbirth would greatly increase. You can’t greatly increase something that is not already present. If Adam stubbed his toe in the Garden, it would hurt. If a coconut fell on Eve’s foot, it would be painful.

Death

Job was a blameless and upright man who trusted God. Satan is a predator.[1] God allowed Satan to prey on Job, to destroy his family, his business, his health. When Job complained to God, God didn’t comfort him. Instead, God directed Job’s attention to very good creation, one filled with predators, prey, and powerful, frightening animals.

Satan was present in the Garden of Eden as a serpent. Adam and Eve were his prey. In a predator-prey relationship something is going to die.

if Adam and Eve’s desire for forbidden fruit didn’t die, they would die.

and, knowing they would eat forbidden fruit, God planned to die.

The serpent deceived Eve. So, God cursed the serpent, limiting its prey to dust.[2] Adam was made from dust, as was Job, as are we. Satan deceives and preys on us.

Pain, suffering, predation, and death have been part of God’s very good creation from the very beginning. Before time began God had a plan to use death to make life possible.[3] From the album “Sing” this video is scrolling playback of a song based on Titus 1:2.

Kathy

Click here and here to read about God’s plan.

Print (PDF) sheet music is available for Before Time Began.

Click here for PDF.

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[1] 1 Peter 5:8

[2] Gen 3:14

[3] Gen 3:15

Doxology – Music Story

The Doxology I grew up singing pales in comparison with the Doxology that ends Jude’s book.

                Now to him who is able

                to keep you from falling

                and to make you stand in his presence

                unblemished, faultless, and with great joy—

                to the only God our Savior

                through Jesus Christ our Lord,

                be glory, majesty, power, authority,

                before all time, now, and forevermore!

                Amen.[1]

From the album “A ChorusBook” this video is scrolling playback of the song.

Kathy

Jude is only 25 verses long. Click here to read Jude.

Click here to hear the Doxology I grew up singing.

Lead sheet (PDF) is available for Doxology.

Click here for PDF

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[1] The lyrics for Doxology are compiled from these versions of The Holy Bible:

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24 – 25 ESV)

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24 – 25 NASB)

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 24 – 25 NIV)

Now to him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish and with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24 – 25 Christian Standard Bible)

And to Him who is able to guard you not stumbling, and to set you in the presence of His glory unblemished, in gladness, to the only wise God our Saviour, is glory and greatness, power and authority, both now and to all the ages! Amen. (Jude 24 – 25 Young’s Literal Translation)

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. (Jude 24 – 25 KJV)

 

The State of the Heart – Music Story

According to the Teacher, the Son of David, King in Jerusalem, life is characterized by

Unceasing oppression
Frustrating work
Out-of-whack priorities
Wrong motivation
Broken dreams
Misplaced hope
Risky speculation
Stifling bureaucracy
Limited resources
Pointless future
Shallow religiosity
Limiting vision and mission

He was dismayed by the misery around him, the power of the oppressors, the jealousy and envy undergirding the drive to succeed. He declared that it was all meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Even so, he decided that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his toilsome labor during the few days God has given him. For who knows what is good for a man in life, during the few and meaningless days he passes through like a shadow?

According to the Teacher, the Son of David, King in Jerusalem, life can bring joy, but it cannot give meaning.

From the album “Ecclesiastes” this video is scrolling playback of a rap based on Chapters 4 – 6.

Kathy

Click here to read Ecclesiastes Chapter 4

You can get print (PDF) and/or digital (MusicXML™) sheet music for The State of the Heart.

Click here for print sheet music.

Click here for digital sheet music.
(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.) 

 

 

Secret Lives – Music Story

Naked without their cloaks of verdant green, the twisted remains of once majestic trees lie wrecked on the ground, their roots too shallow to hold them upright in the violent wind, their grotesque shapes now laid bare.

Naked without the luxuriant cloak of cultural correctness, what shape would a violent wind uncover if my world view be so shallow that I lay uprooted, exposed, and wrecked on the ground? 

From the musical The Majesty of the Maker! this video is scrolling playback of the song.

Kathy

Click here to download 50-page PDF of the musical: book, music in lead sheet format, lyrics.

Click here to read about shallow world views.

The song asserts that children are hard-wired to believe in God. Click here and here to read why.

You can get print (PDF) and/or digital (MusicXML™) sheet music for Secret Lives.

Click here for print sheet music.

Click here for digital sheet music.
(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.)

Hangman’s Game – Music Story

Their enemies were cruel. And on the march. The nation had a leader, a man who had united them politically. He was a prophet and a priest and a judge. He taught the people God’s laws and settled civil disputes. But the nation wanted more. The surrounding nations had kings. And that’s what they wanted. A king. A man who would lead them into battle against their enemies.

So, God asked Samuel to anoint Saul as their king. Saul was successful in war. In the first two and a half years of his reign he led the nation into victory against almost all their enemies. Then God asked Saul to wage war and destroy God’s enemy, the Amalekites. Saul assembled the soldiers for battle. They defeated but did not destroy God’s enemy. They saved the best of the spoils of war for themselves. They captured king Agag and made him a prisoner of war. According to one source, by “… letting the king of Amalek live, his line eventually gave birth to the likes of Haman and Hitler.”[1]

King Saul was a tragic figure. Instead of leading his soldiers, he bowed to their wishes. That was the beginning of his demise. From the album “This and That – A Little Bit of Everything” this video is music overlaid on slides.

Kathy

Click here to read about King Saul’s downfall.

Digital (MusicXML) and/or print (PDF) sheet music is available for Hangman’s Game.

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.)

Click here for PDF.

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[1] Saul: The First King(jewishhistory.org)

Make This House Our Home – Music Story

There’s a new breed of legalism infecting society. It’s not your grandpa’s legalism. No, no. It’s much worse.

This ditty from the 1940s and 50s epitomizes grandpa’s legalism: “I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I don’t chew, and I don’t associate with those who do.” Grandpa’s legalism was judgmental and hypocritical. Children chafed at the rules. But this legalism peacefully coexisted with outsiders who didn’t share its values.

Today’s legalism is not a live and let live legalism. It is venomous. It refuses to coexist with those who do not share its beliefs. It sues those who choose not to celebrate what it values![1]

Children read the culture. How can families work through differences and disagreements in a culture that models bullying?

From the album “Silly or Celebratory – Songs for Sara Lily” this video is scrolling playback of the song.

Kathy

Click here for Buzz Thompson’s song about grandpa’s legalism.

Print (PDF) sheet music is available for Make This House Our Home.

Click here for PDF.

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[1] Colorado baker sued again over alleged LGBTQ bias - ABC News (go.com)

Living Hope – Music Story

Have you ever been startled, then disappointed by something Jesus said?

Seven churches. Real churches that existed when John wrote Revelation. But they could represent seven periods of church history or seven types of churches that have existed throughout church history.

Seven letters. A letter to each church from Jesus telling them to expect his coming. Except that Jesus didn’t tell all seven to expect his coming. He only told six of the seven. But, repeatedly, Revelation says that Jesus is coming and coming soon.

Rev 1:7 he is coming with the clouds
Rev 2:5 I will come to you
Rev 2:16 I will soon come
Rev 2:25 I come
Rev 3:3 I will come
Rev 3:11 I am coming soon
Rev 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door
Rev 16:15 I come like a thief
Rev 22:7 I am coming soon
Rev 22:12 I am coming soon
Rev 22:20 I am coming soon

Experts on Jesus’ coming cite passages outside of Revelation to show that Jesus’ coming for his church is imminent. It could happen at any time, even today. No prophetic event needs to happen first. And the church is to be encouraged and find hope in this. So, I read Jesus’ letters to the churches with deep disappointment. The church that would find the most hope in Jesus’ imminent return is told to expect something else.

“Do not be afraid 

of what you are about to suffer.

I tell you,

the devil will put some of you in prison to test you,

and you will suffer persecution for ten days.

Be faithful, even to the point of death,

and I will give you the crown of life.”

Revelation 2:8, 10

Where is the suffering church to find hope, if not in Jesus coming? From the album “Apologia – Answers for Troubled Minds” this song finds an answer in the first chapter of 1 Peter.

Kathy

Peter wrote to a church facing persecution. Click here to discover where Peter found hope.

Click here and here to read the disquieting things the church can expect when Jesus comes.

You can get digital (MusicXML™) and/or print (PDF) sheet music for Living Hope.

Click here for digital sheet music.
(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.) 

Click here for print sheet music.

Jesus' Family Tree

 According to ancestry.com “Every family has a story.” And they are in the business of helping you find your family’s story, one ancestor at a time.

Here’s my family’s story, one ancestor at a time. Dad and Mom’s wedding photo is in the middle. My siblings and I are above them. The houses we lived in flank us. Dad’s ancestors are to the left of their wedding photo and Mom’s to the right.

The list of Dad’s ancestors in his handwriting goes back to 1654. You can see that Dad was a cutie as a little boy. And one of the houses he lived in is next to him. His parents are below him. There’s a photo of his mother’s sod shanty next to her. And Dad’s grandparents are on the bottom row.

On the right is Mom as a child. She loved animals. Her folks are below her, and the vertical log farmhouse her father built is below them. (I inherited a plant stand he made.)

My family tree tells the story of humble, hard-working people.

What story does Jesus’ family tree tell?

Both Matthew and Luke contain his genealogies. But the names are different; they don’t line up. In fact, they contradict each other. Bible critics claim that the Bible cannot be trusted because of the genealogies. But a close examination of his family tree tells an astonishing story.

This eleven-minute presentation examines Jesus’ family tree.

Kathy

Click here to read J Warner Wallace’s article “Ten Principles when Considering Alleged Bible Contradictions."

The presentation concludes with the last verse of the song “Light of the World.” Click here for the whole song.

Is Christmas a Pagan Holiday?

It’s an internet version of an inside joke. It’s shared by thousands of people. It grows, spreads until it becomes part of the culture, and then it dies. But some that should die, live on in Facebook. What is it? A meme.

According to the online Oxford Dictionary a meme is “an image, video, piece of text, etc., typically humorous in nature, that is copied and spread rapidly by internet users, often with slight variations.”

Memes frequently pop up on my Facebook news feed, some silly, some affirming, some trite, some humorous, some thought-provoking, some cute, others a failure, some that question Christianity.

Those memes are the ones that deserve a response! That’s what this 35-minute presentation is about. Answering memes about Christmas that populated my Facebook news feed last Christmas.

Kathy

GC Veritas is the apologetic outreach of Ginger Creek Community Church. Click here to for other GC Veritas presentations.

The Calling - Music Story

 We’re called to
                One hope
                One Lord
                One faith
                One baptism

We’re called to
                One God and Father of all
                Who is over all
                And through all
                And in all

Live a life worthy of this calling

Live a life of love

From the album “Sing” this video is scrolling playback of a song based on Ephesians 4.
Kathy

Click here to read Ephesians 4.

Print sheet music for choir is available for The Calling.

Click here for PDF.

Do you teach or play a wind, reed, brass, or string instrument? The Calling is on SmartMusic, the comprehensive music practice app!

Click here to practice the music. 

Click here for SmartMusic help.

You can change key and instrumentation with MusicXML – digital sheet music.

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.)