Showing posts with label blessing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blessing. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Exciting news!

I love how a figurative door can open and I suddenly realize there was a room on the other side I didn't know existed until that moment.  That's what happened last week when I was asked to blog for the Presbyterian Record's online presence.  The website has been renovated and now, under the "Blogs" tab on the main page, you will find a sub-heading "Affiliated blogs".  That's where you will find my pieces as well as those of other affiliated bloggers.  I am grateful for this opportunity that has come my way!  I haven't quite figured out the best way to post.  Should I write one post for both places?  Maybe it would be better to write separate entries for here and there.  Whatever way I work it out you can be sure that I will continue to invite (and welcome!) your comments in either place.  I will continue to express opinions on music - worship music most of the time - and hopefully relate life to faith and music. 

So what song has been going through my head today?  The song it seemed I dreamt all last night:  By faith we see the hand of God, a new hymn (2009) by Stuart Townend, Keith Getty and Kristyn Getty.  If I had to summarize it, I'd say the text was Hebrews chapter 11 set to a very singable tune which is exactly what I've come to expect from this writing team.  You can read the text and download the music by going here.  Better yet, you can hear it at Gettymusic.

Monday, November 21, 2011

In the service of the King

Yesterday was Christ the King Sunday, the final Sunday in the church year. I heard a very good, thought provoking sermon titled "Active in the service of the King". This title, as well as thoughts brought out in the message made me think of an old song I haven't heard for years. Of course, I had to look it up. Here are the words of verse and the refrain:

I am happy in the service of the King.
I am happy, O so happy!
I have peace and joy that nothing else can bring,
In the service of the King.

Refrain

In the service of the King
Every talent I will bring.
I have peace and joy and blessing
In the service of the King.

Cyberhymnal indicates that these words were written in 1912 by Alfred H. Ackley and there are days when I quite agree with Ackley: I have peace and joy and blessing as I serve my heavenly King to the best of my ability.

But I also think there are days when serving doesn't bring that much joy. Rather it brings headaches, planning nightmares, logistical diplomacy to the nth degree. Maybe we have to work through those parts to get to the blessings.

Thoughts my faithful readers?