Category: Music

Posted on in Faith, Memories, Music, Praise, Worship

Camp Song?

You likely know how I am regularly graced or haunted by songs or lyrics. Recently I awoke with these lyrics, “I’ve been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb…”

I learned this, not at camp, but while teaching weekly in the Women’s facility at Hamilton County Justice Center. I would teach a short Bible study. My friend, Linda, would lead worship with her guitar. When I first noted to write about, later in the day, I remembered my toddler daughter singing it as, “I’ve been redeemed by the Blood of the Wham.” And doesn’t Jesus just pack a wham!?!?!

So the lyrics draw our attention to the finished work of Jesus, as I mentioned in blog entry https://treasuresinplainsight.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=19380&action=edit

And so, remembering all that was done for us: the cross, the tomb, the resurrection and ascension, longing for Christ’s coming in glory, and presenting to you these gifts your earth has formed and human hands have made, we acclaim you, O Christ …

I think this song upon awakening was my soul’s acclaim to Christ. Are you listening for what your soul is saying about Christ as you awaken? You might want to try this one! Here are some lyrics and below is one man doing an a cappella rendition.

1 I’ve been redeemed (I’ve been redeemed)
by the blood of the Lamb. (by the blood of the Lamb.)
I’ve been redeemed (I’ve been redeemed)
by the blood of the Lamb,
I’ve been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb,
saved and sanctified I am. 
All my sins are washed away,
I’ve been redeemed.

2 I’ve been redeemed (I’ve been redeemed)
by the blood of the Lamb. (by the blood of the Lamb.)
I’ve been redeemed (I’ve been redeemed)
by the blood of the Lamb,
I’ve been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb,
filled with the Holy Ghost I am.
All my sins are washed away,
I’ve been redeemed.

3 I’ve been redeemed (I’ve been redeemed)
by the blood of the Lamb. (by the blood of the Lamb.)
I’ve been redeemed (I’ve been redeemed)
by the blood of the Lamb,
I’ve been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb,
oh, and I praise God I am.
All my sins are washed away,
I’ve been redeemed.

4 And that’s not all; (and that’s not all)
there’s more besides. (there’s more besides.)
No, that’s not all; (No that’s not all;)
there’s more besides.
No, that’s not all; there’s more besides.
I’ve been to the river, 
and I’ve been baptized.
All my sins are washed away,
I’ve been redeemed.

5 He’s coming back (he’s coming back)
to take me home. (to take me home.)
He’s coming back (he’s coming back)
to take me home. (to take me home.)
He’s coming back to take me home.
I’ll shout “Hallelujah” before his throne.
All my sins are washed away; 
I’ve been redeemed.

6 It’s by God’s grace (it’s by God’s grace)
that I’ve been saved. (that I’ve been saved.)
It’s by God’s grace (it’s by God’s grace)
that I’ve been saved. (that I’ve been saved)

How to do acclaim your Gd?

Posted on in Faith, Music, Praise, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Yield

Such a Great Centering Song

When I was a young spiritual seeker I eventually learned Jesus is the only thing going on forever.

I think this is an ideal Lenten season song. There are times during Lent when I just need to settle down with Christ. This song does that for me. Enjoy!

Posted on in Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Listen, Music, Poetry, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth

Drop Thy Still Dews of Quietness

Medication was making it tough to sleep. This phrase dropped into my mind. I was uncertain as to entire lyrics. You have to love this aspect of the internet. I entered the phrase and then I had entire song lyrics, author etc. Here is my story about Whittier and the song.


Dear Lord and Father of Mankind | John G. Whittier written 1872. I have a book of poetry by him that belonged to my grandfather. We had it recovered as it was starting to fall apart.

  1. Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
    Forgive our foolish ways;
    Reclothe us in our rightful mind,
    In purer lives Thy service find,
    In deeper rev’rence, praise.
  2. O Sabbath rest by Galilee,
    O calm of hills above,
    Where Jesus knelt to share with Thee
    The silence of eternity,
    Interpreted by love!
  3. Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
    Till all our strivings cease;
    Take from our souls the strain and stress,
    And let our ordered lives confess
    The beauty of Thy peace.
  4. Breathe through the heats of our desire
    Thy coolness and Thy balm;
    Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
    Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
    O still, small Voice of calm.
  5. In simple trust like theirs who heard
    Beside the Syrian sea
    The gracious calling of the Lord,
    Let us, like them, without a word,
    Rise up and follow Thee.

Pursuing the topic today I looked it up online. Wikipedia said:

“The text of the hymn is taken from a longer poem, “The Brewing of Soma“. The poem was first published in the April 1872 issue of The Atlantic Monthly. Soma was a sacred ritual drink in Vedic religion, going back to Proto-Indo-Iranian times (ca. 2000 BC), possibly with hallucinogenic properties.

“The storyline is of Vedic priests brewing and drinking Soma in an attempt to experience divinity. It describes the whole population getting drunk on Soma. It compares this to some Christians’ use of “music, incense, vigils drear, and trance, to bring the skies more near, or lift men up to heaven!” But all in vain – it is mere intoxication.

“Whittier ends by describing the true method for contact with the divine, as practised by Quakers: sober lives dedicated to doing God’s will, seeking silence and selflessness in order to hear the “still, small voice”, described in I Kings 19:11-13 as the authentic voice of God, rather than earthquake, wind or fire.

The poem opens with a quote from the Rigveda, attributed to Vasishtha:

These libations mixed with milk have been prepared for Indra:
offer Soma to the drinker of Soma. (Rv. vii. 32, trans. Max Müller).

So I found the poem in my grandfather’s book. It has seventeen stanzas. Reading it reminded me of the Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans and elsewhere where the celebrants go carnally nuts just before Lent begins. “Mardi Gras, which is also known as Fat Tuesday, is a day of indulgence that marks the end of Carnival.”

So the hymn writers took various stanzas from his poem and arranged them out of order. I want to add one that they seemed to have left out.

With that deep hush subduing all
Our words and work that drown
The tender whisper of thy call,
As noiseless let thy blessing fall
As fell thy manna down.

Yes, Lord help us to stop using too many words with You. To wait for the tender whisper of Your call, Your blessing as when Your fell manna. Feed us today with Your word of encouragement, challenge and joy. Yes, we are to once again return to stillness.

Oh crap. Remember those Post-its with so much adhesive? One took off some of the print in Grandfather’s old book of poetry, the poem entitled Disarmament. Foolish me used teh Post-it to count the stanzas and figure out what the hymn folks left out. I found the complete poem online and restored the words. But goodness! Was that necessary? Guess with this brain adjusting yet again to a higher dose of medication, I do stupid things.

Things that make this writer go, “GRR!”

Posted on in Aging, Faith, Family, Humor, Illness and Health, Marriage and Memories, medical treatment, Music, Praise, Thanks

TV Humor and At Home Humor

Do you ever watch All Creatures Great and Small on PBS? This season there is a baby involved in the family. (There are several different babies playing the part if I am not mistaken.) This one child has a giggle and laugh that cracks me up! There is a toy with a jingle bell on it that seems to be his trigger. They are fortunate to have this child on the show!

All Creatures Great and Small S5 Baby on Board

They did not capture his giggle for this clip. Our loss! They did confirm though there are 5 babies!

Certainly you have heard of the song House of the Rising Sun? Our home has become House of the Moans and Groans. The medication side effects for me include increased muscle pain: think arms, legs, back, ankles, hands, upper arm, it just goes on and on. Bob had a rather severe hamstring injury several weeks ago. He did not detach the hamstring from the bone, but has been in lots of pain. The steroids they put him on brought a whole new level of suffering. As the sun begins to set we both grow weary from fighting off pain and stiffness. Then the oompah-pa-pa band begins.

Each beat of the rhythm brings one of us going “Ooh” or “ouch.” Grunt, moan, gasp. “How did we get to this point,” we ask each other? Seems we were just meeting and dating and falling in love. Then we shuffle off to the bathroom and come back to watch another evening recording.

Laughter truly is the best medicine! We just celebrated our 55th Valentine’s Day. This is the card I gave Bob.

Yep, I have been a grump. Trying not to take things out on him, but still grumpy.

The good news is we have booked a flight to visit our neighbors who are “snowbirds.” Since surgery is not imminent we decided to take off. A few days out of here will do us both good. This will be our first experience with Allegiant Airlines. Will let you know how it goes!

Down south they live in Clearwater, Florida The airport is abbreviated PIE. Hoping we can find some pie while we are there! Or at least a conch shell for our grandson.

Ompah-pa-pa. Oompah-pa-pa. Keep singing your way to laughter!

Posted on in Faith, Music, Rest, Thanks, Trust

Being Hymned Again!

We only see the tip of the iceberg when we consider God’s love for us. Consider this hymn and plumb the depths of that love!

I have found this hymn, then lost this hymn, and then found it again many times over the years. This morning it came to mind and at least THIS TIME I had left a sticky note in the hymnal as a bookmark for it! Hope it comforts you, too!

We are held. We are loved. He is always with us. No matter what.

Published by George Matheson in 1882, it is now in the public domain. It draws on Scripture from Jeremiah, Corinthians and Romans. 

O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

O Light that foll’west all my way,
I yield my flick’ring torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.

O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.

O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.

The Lord appeared to us in the past,saying:

“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
    I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 2 Corinthians 5:14

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Romans 8:35

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Art, Challenge, Faith, Family, Music

Amazing Musical Family

On PBS we saw a documentary entitled “Seven Lives of Music.” It was absolutely amazing! Here is a 31 second tiny preview.

I was so enchanted I ordered the book their Mom wrote entitled “House of Music.” It had rave reviews on the cover and did not disappoint. Can you imagine raising seven highly talented, perhaps gifted, children? She also covers the topics of racism, inclusion, prejudice and sacrifice.

Then I began listening to their son Sheku who plays cello on Amazon Music. As a child his first cello was “1/4 size”! I am a sucker for cello music. Here is a short clip of him, 2.36 minutes. The song haunts me. I suppose I had heard it before but this one makes me stop and breathe deeply.

It was wonderful to read how others helped provide for the needs of this amazing family. An education and career in classical music is not inexpensive by any means. One clothing designer was so taken by Sheku’s talent that he provides designer suits and accessories for his concerts! Sheku was even invited to play at the Royal wedding. The 9 minute program below is from when they were featured on the American TV program Sunday Morning. It is quite enlightening as to how they go about their extraordinary, down to earth lives together! Having read the book I was tickled to see the inside of their home. Single income folks with Dad traveling all over the world with his job.

This book is an amazing story of family support, perseverance, and choices. They even include how they made it through the pandemic and the ways they were affected by the murder of George Floyd. If you are looking for a good read buy this one or get it from your library or order a used copy. There were times when Kadiatu (the mom) wrote above my head when discussing the challenges of various classical pieces, but I enjoyed it none the less!

Many comments on YouTube spoke about weeping over this song. The arrangement is their own. Redemption Song by Bob Marley.

Enjoy this huge treasure at the touch of your electronic fingertips!

Posted on in Aging, Faith, Humor, Music, Rest, Trust

Humor and His Hand

Walking the dog I sometimes listen to podcasts and often the NPR news. On a podcast recently the presenter was telling about talking with her granddaughter about mastering the hula hoop. The child said every time she tried it just fell to the floor. Grandma asked her how she finally got it to work. the child responded, “I pursed my verance.” I love that!! The child had been introduced to the concept of perseverance even though she could not pronounce it! She pursed her verance. Hoping this finds you pursing your verance, too.

My sister was telling her daughter about giving a baby shower on an upcoming date. Her grandson was listening to the conversation and finally asked, “Grammy, how do you give a baby a shower?” Don’t you just love it?!?

On the news there was a report that the march to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was held early in Washington DC because of all of the activities surrounding the inauguration. They quoted one speaker saying,”We will not let King’s dream die. We will go forward when we put our hand in the hand of the Man.” (Of course, I did not catch the speakers name.) Whew! That was like an old time flashbulb went off in my mind. I had not heard that song for many, many years. I offer it here for your encouragement. The speaker hit me just exactly where I am living this moment!

Lyrics by Gene MacClellan likely written 1970

Put your hand in the hand of the man who stilled the water
Put your hand in the hand of the man who calmed the sea
Take a look at yourself, & you can look at others diff’rently
Put your hand in the hand of the man from Galilee

Every time I look into the Holy Book, I wanna tremble
When I read about the part where a carpenter cleared the temple
See those buyers and the sellers were no diff’rent fellas
Than what you & I profess to be
And it causes me shame to know that man is not what he should be

Put your hand in the hand of the man who stilled the water
Put your hand in the hand of the man who calmed the sea
Take a look at yourself, & you can look at others diff’rently
Put your hand in the hand of the man from Galilee

Hey, my mama taught me how to pray, before I reached the age of seven
When I’m down on my knees, hey, I’m close to heaven. “
My daddy lived his life with 2 kids & a wife
& you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do
But he showed me enough of what it takes to see you through

This is what he used to tell me…

Put your hand in the hand of the man who stilled the water
Put your hand in the hand of the man who calmed the sea
Ya got’a take a good look at yourself, & you can look at others diff’rently
Put your hand in the hand of the man from Galilee

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Art, Faith, Music, Special Event, Thanks

Yes, Again

Gratitude places you in the energy field of plentitude. Glow with gratitude and see how awe and joy will make their home in you.

MICHAEL BERNARD BECKWITH

The above quote is from Grateful.org. https://grateful.org/ I am so impressed with this organization that I am going to take their training to lead a gratefulness group. Hoping that is a way to reach others in 2025.

On Sunday afternoon, January 12, 2025, Bob had purchased tickets for us to hear the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto #3 at the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. This was the second time he made a way for us to hear it in person! This man spoils me!!

This is the view from our seats in the first balcony.

Only a few musicians warming up

The first piece was described some where as the “most beautiful awful piece you would ever hear.” As the man next to me said it was mercifully short.

Then they set the stage for the Rach 3, rearranging chairs and rolling out the grand piano. The excitement in Music Hall was palpable!

Special piano placed next to the conductor step.

Bob got this photo of the pianist, George Li, as he took one of his many bows.

Two encores and he blessed us with the melody below.

I had never heard his encore in my life! I tried the music app Shazam and it could not identify the score. It was so moving, and I was so grateful to be included in this performance, I just closed my eyes, listened, and let tears run down my face.

Evidently Yuja Wang played this at the encore of one her performances. Now if I was totally unfamiliar with it, how did I find out what it was? Well, I was parched after the first half of the symphony and stood in line to get a bottle of water. It was a very long line as only one counter was open and only one woman was working it. So I struck up a conversation with the two guys in line behind me. One young man had waited 20 years to get to hear the Rach 3 in person. He was as ecstatic as I was. I made him promise he would not wait another 20 years before he attended a performance of the Rach 3. Eventually I asked them if they knew what George Li had played at the encore. These guys had put it into their music app and the title above showed up. (This technology fascinates me!) None of us could pronounce it so I asked if I could take a photo of the phone screen and look it up later. They said certainly! So that is how I can share it now with you!

The last half of the symphony was Aaron Copland’s Symphony No. 3 . Cincinnati has a love affair with Copland. I was delighted with the varied instruments in this piece. The program lists them as 3 flutes (incl. 2 piccolos), 3 oboes (incl. English horn), 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, E-flat clarinet, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 4 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, anvil, bass drum, chimes, calves, crash cymbals, glockenspiel, ratchet, slapstick, snare drum, suspended cymbals, tam-tam, tenor drum, triangle, wood block, xylophone, 2 harps, celeste, piano, strings.

Those men in percussion were SO busy! Some of the instruments were actually played with real hammers and mallets! One of the drums looked as if it was played with a club topped off with red tennis balls. And I wondered how the orchestra members hearing tests came out after years of sitting near the percussion section or even playing in the percussion section!

I do not remember ever having seen a contrabassoon! It is so large it actually sits on the floor on a skinny little leg. Watch closely in this very short, fast video and you will see how it rests on the floor.

I had a delightful time on that Sunday afternoon. Knowing I was to face the Cardiologist in just a couple days deepened my gratitude. The music still haunts and calms me. What a treasure to get to go witness all of this in person.

If you are totally unfamiliar with the Rach 3 here is a link!

You might recognize the melody from the film and Broadway musical Shine! Wikipedia summarizes: Shine is a 1996 Australian biographical psychological drama film directed by Scott Hicks from a screenplay by Jan Sardi, based on the life of David Helfgott, a pianist who suffered a mental breakdown and spent years in institutions.

Posted on in Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Just do it, Listen, Music, Obedience, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Worship, Yield

Food for Thought

My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together. Desmond Tutu

Isn’t that an interesting thought? Along with there is no we and them, just all human beings.

I pray you have calm and merry holiday preparations. Stay in touch with the humanity of others! Celebrate the coming of Christ both as a child and His return in glory!

“As I open my front door, remind me that I follow in the footsteps of others who have kept their eyes fixed on you.” From a Walk in My Neighborhood, Every Moment Holy Volume 3 Oh Lord, help me, help me keep my eyes fixed on You!

Rumi wrote, “There a thousand ways to kiss the earth.” How do you bow before the Majesty born to us? So many this to give thanks and praise for.

I cannot hear this song too often. I first heard it on a Christmas CD that Christ Tomlin recorded a few years ago. This year my heart just sings it again and again. No, I have not mastered the lyrics, but I made certain to find a recording that supplied them for you. Enjoy as you worship!

Written by Chris Tomlin, Jonas Myrin, Matthew James Redman

Posted on in Art, Faith, Just do it, Listen, Music, Obedience, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Trust, Yield

Quiet, Soft and Slow

Are you familiar with the three images in Old Testament about God: wind, fire and earthquake.

In 1 Kings 19 Elijah was exhausted and afraid of the threats of Jezebel and had fled to the wilderness. Eventually, after an angel had fed him twice, he traveled forty days and nights into the wilderness of Mt Horeb. He slept in a cave and then the LORD God came to Him and told him to go outside, as follows,

He said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ 1 Kings 19:11-13

There have been many songs written about this incident and how the LORD calls us to listen to His still, small voice. The one below was written by and sung by Audrey Assad. Lyrics below are slightly different from recording, but you will get the idea. Recorded and released on a Chris Tomlin Christmas CD entitled Abide. Snow is unusual in Bethlehem, but not unheard of. We have had a few light snows in our area lately. This song always returns me to listening for that still small voice in my heart.


Could’ve come like a mighty storm
With all the strength of a hurricane
You could’ve come like a forest fire
With the power of heaven in your flame

[Chorus]
But you came like a winter snow
Quiet and soft and slow
Falling from the sky in the night
To the earth below

[Bridge]
Ooh no, your voice wasn’t in a bush burning
No, your voice wasn’t in a rushing wind
It was still, it was small, it was hidden

[Chorus]
You came like a winter snow
Quiet and soft and slow
Falling from the sky in the night
To the earth below

[Outro]
Falling, oh yeah, to the earth below
You came falling from the sky in the night
To the earth below

Listen for that tender voice as we celebrate Advent and await His coming again.