Joy in the Journey Take 2

You’ll get tired of my Joy Journey, but I’ve got to keep focused on it or keep wandering around in my wilderness.

So today’s joy is music.

We used to have hymn sings at the home where Mama lived, and we were very blessed by the interaction there. We started a monthly hymn sing here. I spent an entire week working on booklets for them. I’m still recovering from that … still need to add a few more requested songs … and clean up the mess which I shoved behind the curtain in the room I call my sewing room. As I don’t have storage, much of the music is being stored in plastic tubs. Ugly mess until I get things figured out. Trying not to let that steal my joy.

One of the old guys invited me to come play his $58K organ. Man, I’ve never seen so many buttons in my life! Of course the pedals reminded me of my funny experiences trying to play the organ. Mercy! That takes more coordination than I ever had!

I’m as quirky in my music tastes as I am my asymmetrical decorating. My most recent play list is 10 hours worth of religious music. It includes classics and more modern songs by my daughter, hymns recorded on piano by yours truly, old school gospel, spirituals, and modern worship songs. People are shocked when I play my Petra Christian rock from back in the day … very loudly – the only way to play it. Throw in a little bit of Celtic hymns, (Come Thou Fount by Celtic Worship) and I am a happy camper.

I’d love to see Disturbed put out a Christian recording. They’d be surprised to learn I pray all the time for them to have a ‘come-to-Jesus’ meeting! Then they could be the ‘No Longer Disturbed!’

Today’s joy was introducing Ronald to a group from Uganda. The Jehovah Shalom Acapella group fascinated him with their tight harmonies and vocal ranges. Listening to their amazing versions of old hymns was very soothing for us both. As soon as I get their music to download, they will be added to my play list. If you want something uplifting and different, try music from Scandinavia or Europe (Hildegard of Bingen:De Spiritu Sancto (Holy Spirit, the Quickener of Life) or some mideastern hymns. Maria Coman from Romania has a lovely voice. Her word Hallelujah comes across pretty much in any language. ‘God be praised’ needs to be my oft repeated mantra. The Voice of One Calling is a group of musicians combining Hebrews and Arabs singing worship songs together. Beautiful!

Music of all kinds (mostly) soothes my soul. I talked before about how important music is to God. I love this verse.

Zephaniah 3:17 ‘The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty One who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.’

Colossians 3:16 ‘Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.’

Good words for me for sure!

Blessings

Kara Beth

PS I do not have permission to print the picture of Jehovah Shalom Acapella. I hope they don’t mind.