Mary & Martha – Music Story

Women flourish where they have the power to publicly and freely sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to him. That power comes from their country’s legal system. It’s a nation’s laws (not an individual’s spirituality or vague sense of kindness to women) that protect women from violence and discrimination.

Laurie Stewart, JD, looks at four major religious worldviews and compares their impact on laws regarding the treatment of women. She asks, “Who or what holds the greatest hope for women?”(1)

1.       Islam: Women and the Laws of Saudi Arabia

2.       Hinduism: Women and the Laws of India

3.       Atheism: Women and the Laws of China

4.       Christianity: Women and the Laws of the United States

Professor Stewart concludes that Christianity is good for women!

Women flourish where they have the legal right to publicly and freely sit at Jesus’ feet and learn from him. The original documents detailing Jesus’ life and teachings make it clear why Christianity revolutionized the treatment of women.(2)

From the album “Faces” this video is scrolling playback of the song based on Luke 10:38-42.

Kathy

Scroll down here to read Luke 10:38-42.

Print (PDF) sheet music is available for Mary & Martha.

Click here for PDF.

(1) Click here for Stewart, JD, Laurie, “On the Record of Women’s Rights”

(2) See: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

Grandma’s Christmas Tree – Music Story

For Sara, age 14, so she remembers Christmases past.

Grandma’s Christmas Tree

Tiny white lights are woven in branches.

Red balls of all sizes and candy cane horses.

Cross-stitched pictures in gilded frames.

Little red stockings stitched with our names.

Three little kittens who found their mittens.

Vintage tree topper and little toy engines.

Glass icicles, red tambourines.

Needlepoint wagon, glass figurines.

Rotund Santa,

little red hearts,

sequined balls,

sequined trees.

Horns and trumpets,

candy canes,

picture frames,

choo-choo trains.

Memories grace Grandma's Christmas tree.

Granny Square stockings boast chocolate.

Three little bears, Baby, Mister, Misses.

Three wise men,

sheep and shepherd,

Christmas star,

Baby King!

Bring us joy and delight

this holy Christmas night.

Memories grace Grandma's Christmas tree.

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

Kathy

Print (PDF) sheet music is available for Grandma’s Christmas Tree.

Click here for PDF.

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.) 

 

 

Livin’ Large – Music Story

Can possessions and pleasure give meaning to life?

The Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes examines that question.

What if you were incredibly skilled and worked hard to get it all,

And

You accomplished all your dreams,

You achieved it all,

You owned everything you wanted,

You didn’t deny yourself any pleasure,

You created paradise,

You tasted it all,

Would you be fulfilled?

From the album “Ecclesiastes” this video is scrolling playback of a song based on Ecclesiastes 2:1-23.

Kathy

Click here to read Ecclesiastes 2.

You can get print (PDF) and/or digital (MusicXML™) sheet music for Livin’ Large.

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.)

Magic Eight – Music Story

How do you celebrate your eighth birthday when you have a touch of Irish in your blood and were born on St. Patrick’s Day? Have a sleepover with four girlfriends and do as many mythical things as you can think of!

Wear fairy wings.

Make dragon snot slime.

Store slime in dragon eggs.

Make mermaid brew from instant.

Toast with edible Jolly Rancher shot glasses.

Serve unicorn poop ice cream with birthday cake.

And, of course, your friends howl “Happy Birthday to You” like they were werewolves.

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

Kathy

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

Click here for print sheet music (lead sheet format).

Click here for digital sheet music for pop/rock band.
(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.)