Cornerstone – Music Story

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.

Songs for the persecuted church from 1 Peter:
Living Hope
Stand Firm

You can get print sheet music (PDF of lead sheet) for Cornerstone.

Click here for print sheet music.

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."

² Compare the statistics at the end of Cornerstone with World Watch List 2026.

Restorer – Music Story

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.

Kathy

Click here to read Isaiah 35.

Print music (PDF of lead sheet) and digital music (MusicXML for orchestra) is available for Restorer.

Click here for PDF.

    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.) 

In the Blue – Music Story

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.

Kathy

Click here to read Philippians 4:6-7.

Print (PDF) sheet music is available for In the Blue.

Click here for PDF.

¹ John on the harmonica with a backing track: DON'T LET THE SUN CATCH YOU CRYING
² #songsofmyheart: Surprised by Peace – Music Story
³ The slideshow can be seen here: Obituary for John C. Stillman