“We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations” – Musical Musings in March

March 22nd, 2014 dsisler

I love to sing old hymns. They were part of my life for so long. So when I hear a hymn from my past, I’m always taken back to the moments of my youth. This is one of those hymns.

 

IMAG1492I grew up in a minister’s home. We lived in the Bible belt and all seemed to be going well. I had friends. The church was growing (as far as this 7 year-old could tell). I was happy in my little, rural world.

 

Until my Dad and Mom said, “we’re moving.” We packed up our belongings, moved in with my grandparents for six months and my Dad and Mom raised financial support to go to Upstate New York and start a new church.

 

At the time, there were very few Christian Church/Church of Christ churches in Upstate New York. My Dad heard the call and we were on the mission field.

 

I have admired people through the years who have joined my parents on the mission field. Whether it was in the continental United States or across the world, the people I’ve come to know and love that have chosen to live in an area outside their norm is admirable. And I believe, God notices as well.

 

Jesus’ last words to His disciples and to us are found in Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV). Jesus asks that we “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

 

Until two years ago, I had believed that God’s use for me in this area was through my local church and my home. Teaching those who would listen. Share God’s love with my family and neighbors. I was pretty satisfied with what I had been doing.

 

I believe, however, that God saw it differently. He wanted me to experience SE Asia. He wanted me to experience how the Gospel was shared in that part of the world. He wanted me to “go.”

 

The possibility of going again excites my soul. I am anxiously awaiting the words, “it’s a go.” So what am I waiting for? For God to gather a team of touched hearts for the mission field. I know that if He can touch me the way He did, He can do it again. So I’m waiting.

 

I only have to wait another 10 days or so…then I’ll know if I’m going to SE Asia again. So until then, I’m praying for God to do His work. I’m praying that God will touch lives here in America as well as SE Asia. I’m praying for the workers doing God’s work on the mission field. I’m praying that God will continue to soften my heart for the work He still has planned for me.

 

You may be reading this and wondering what you might do. First you can pray with me. Next you can ask God if this is something you should consider for yourself. And third, you can begin making plans to help financially when/if I return to SE Asia in June.

 

I love being surprised by God. I love how He opens doors. I love how He uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Perhaps He wants to use you for something wonderful. Keep your eyes and ears open. God will show up.

 

So today’s tune is “We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations.” And what a story it is. It isn’t for those in your “little part of the world.” It is for the whole world! Now let’s share it!

 

“We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations”

 

We’ve a story to tell to the nations,
That shall turn their hearts to the right,
A story of truth and mercy,
A story of peace and light,
A story of peace and light.

 

Refrain

For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
And the dawning to noonday bright;
And Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth,
The kingdom of love and light.

 

We’ve a song to be sung to the nations,
That shall lift their hearts to the Lord,
A song that shall conquer evil
And shatter the spear and sword,
And shatter the spear and sword.

Refrain

 

We’ve a message to give to the nations,
That the Lord who reigns up above
Has sent us His Son to save us,
And show us that God is love,
And show us that God is love.

Refrain

 

We’ve a Savior to show to the nations,
Who the path of sorrow has trod,
That all of the world’s great peoples
Might come to the truth of God,
Might come to the truth of God.

Refrain[i]

 

If you’d like to listen to this wonderful hymn, click here.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna


[i] “We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations,” Words and Music by H. Ernest Nichol, The Sunday School Hymnary (London: 1896).

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“The Butterfly Song (If I Were a Butterfly)” – Musical Musings in March

March 21st, 2014 dsisler

I don’t know that I’ve shared any children’s music in my musical musings, but this genre has also had a huge impact on my life. The song I share with you today is one such song.

 

IMAG1492“The Butterfly Song” was written in 1974 and has caused children to squeal through the years. My introduction to this tune was in high school while visiting friends at a nearby church. And then I heard it again in college while teaching young children in Sunday School. The kids loved it!

 

I shared this cute little song about thanking God for who we are with my children. We’d sing it for hours. My kids would giggle. They received the message loud and clear that God loved them, that He had a special plan for their lives and that they were made just the way God wanted them.

 

The years have passed and now I have the opportunity to share this same message with my grandkids. My oldest grandchild Joy loved the motions and silliness of the song. However, she’s outgrown it.

 

So imagine the thrill my heart feels when Percy, my 3 year-old grandson wants to sing this song. He does the motions and he sings the parts he can. He giggles too. But remember the message? God has a plan for their lives. God loves them. God made them just the way they are.

 

How important it is for little ones to hear this message. Obviously as they grow older this message must be shared in other ways, but this is a great start.

 

The lyrics below are to this tune. I know alternate verses with more creatures, and even these animals have managed to move around when we sing this song, and the melody isn’t quite like this recording, but that’s what makes it unique. Sing it the way you know it. Sing it like you believe it. Thank the Father for making you just the way you are.

 

“The Butterfly Song (If I Were a Butterfly)”

If I were a butterfly
I’d thank you Lord for giving me wings
If I were a robin in a tree
I’d thank you Lord that I could sing
If I were a fish in the sea
I’d wiggle my tail and I’d giggle with glee
But I just thank you Father for making me, me

CHORUS
For you gave me a heart and you gave me a smile
You gave me Jesus and you made me your child
And I just thank you Father for making me, me

If I were an elephant
I’d thank you Lord by raising my trunk
If I were a kangaroo
You know I’d hop right up to you
If I were an octopus
I’d thank you Lord for my fine looks
But I just thank you Father for making me, me

If I were a wiggly worm
I’d thank you Lord that I could squirm
If I were a fuzzy, wuzzy bear
I’d thank you Lord for my fuzzy, wuzzy hair
If I were a crocodile
I’d thank you Lord for my great smile
But I just thank you Father for
making me, me[i]

 

You’ll enjoy listening to this children’s song by clicking here. Enjoy!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna


[i] “The Butterfly Song (If I Were a Butterfly), Words and Music by Brian M. Howard, 1974.

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“Jesus is Alive” – Musical Musings in March

March 20th, 2014 dsisler

If you haven’t figured out yet, music has been a huge part of my life. I have enjoyed listening, singing, analyzing, and even playing music.

 

IMAG1492There was a time when music was all that I thought of. I directed church choirs, I played the piano or organ at most worship services, I used my voice to sing praise to Jesus through solos. At the time, I would have never believed that my musical talents would be reduced to clicking on a Youtube video or singing with the crowd on Sunday in worship. But that’s where I am in my life.

 

I do love sharing those tunes that were so special to me all those years ago. March and Monday’s are actually pretty cool!

 

Today I’d like to share a specific song, but I also want to mention what Ron Kenoly meant to me in the early 90’s. Mr. Kenoly was a worship leader and his voice was like silk. I used to listen to his cassettes over and over.

 

On occasion I hear one of his songs and it warms my heart. I’m instantly transported to that special church building in Jeffersonville, Ohio and his music fills the sanctuary with praise to Jesus. It didn’t get much better than that.

 

I’d like to share one song with you, but there are plenty you can search on Youtube. “Jesus is Alive” was one of my favorites. It’s what we as Christians hold to. It is our hope. It is our future. It is our present. Jesus is alive and because He lives, I can live.

 

So let’s shout it from the rooftops. Let’s rock it out in our church buildings. Let’s live lives that are excited about these three words. Jesus is alive!

 

“Jesus is Alive”

 

Hallelujah
Jesus is alive
Death has lost its victory
And the grave has been denied
Jesus lives forever
He’s alive! He’s alive!

 
He’s the Alpha and Omega
The first and last is he
The curse of sin is broken
And we have perfect liberty
The lamb of God is risen
He’s alive, He’s alive!
Jesus is alive![i]

 

You’ll want to click here and listen to this special song…I may have to listen to it several times today!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna


[i] “Jesus is Alive,” Words and Music by Ron Kenoly, Integrity’s Hosanna Music, 1987.

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“God so Loved the World” – Musical Musings in March

March 19th, 2014 dsisler

I’ve recently finished a study on the parables that Jesus spoke to the people of His day. What I’ve come to learn is that even though I’m not a sower, a sheep herder, or a wealthy land owner, these earthly stories with heavenly meanings are very relevant in my life. As a wise student of Scripture, I am entrusted with Jesus’ words and am expected to be transformed by them.

 

IMAG1492In a couple of parables we’ve studied, we’ve learned about giving. Financial support of God’s kingdom is taught throughout Scripture. It is something we are called to do.

 

God doesn’t ask us to give of ourselves or our talents or our money because He needs it. He asks us to give so that we might be transformed. So that we might be more like Him.

 

One statement made in this study went something like this (I can’t seem to find the actual quote in the book) in regard to John 3:16. When we give we are most like God.

 

I’m reminded of Jesus’ words in Luke 21 as He watched the rich place their offering into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow place two small coins into the treasury. This is what Jesus said. “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more in than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:3-4 – NIV)

 

This widow placed her trust in God. She believed that if she gave all that she had, He would care for her.

 

That’s what God is looking for. Willing people whose hearts completely trust Him.

 

God gave His only Son for mankind. He gave the ultimate gift. When we are open to sharing what we have, we are most like God.

 

Today, I want to share this beautiful song that encapsulates the Gospel. As you read and listen, I pray that you place your trust in God. I pray that you’ll look at giving in a new light. I pray that God’s Word will transform you.

 

“God so Loved the World”

 

God so loved the world.
God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoso believeth, believeth in Him
should not perish, should not perish
but have everlasting life.

For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world.
God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world;
but that the world through Him might be saved.

God so loved the world.
God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoso believeth, believeth in Him
should not perish, should not perish
but have everlasting life,

everlasting life, everlasting, everlasting life.
God so loved the world.
God so loved the world.
God so loved the world.[i]

 

Click here to listen to this beautiful melody.

 
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna


[i] “God So Loved the World,” Words from John 3:16-17, Music by John Stainer (1840-1901), 1887.

 

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“Here is Our King” – Musical Musings in March

March 18th, 2014 dsisler

Today’s melody is a fairly new song by a young composer in comparison to some I’ve shared this month. I’ve only known it a short time, and yet, when I hear it, I’m touched by the words and I’m transported back to another time.

 

IMAG1492I learned this song for an Easter drama we were performing at LifeBridge Christian Church. The worship teams and ensemble joined forces to raise the message of Easter. And as Jesus walked into the room, we sang this song.

 

Oh it was exciting. Now I knew that Jesus really wasn’t walking into the room…in fact the man who performed this role was my neighbor. I knew who he was. So I would suggest that it was the music that drew me closer to the real Jesus.

 

Yes indeed. As I sang this song, Jesus was my King. Jesus was the One. Jesus was He who came to bring us back to God. And my heart still rejoices each time I hear this song.

 

Now you may not care for the style of music as presented in “Here is Our King,” but I would ask that you focus on the words. Do you find hope in these lyrics? Do you find love? Do you find purpose? Do you find redemption? Do you find peace? Do you find a call to grow spiritually? Do you find the return of a prodigal heart? Do you find Jesus? I certainly do.

 

Easter is coming. It won’t be long until we are singing with the multitudes of Jesus resurrection from the dead. Perhaps it is a time for your heart to be resurrected as well. Allow Jesus to penetrate your heart and bring you back from spiritual death. Then you too will join me in singing, “Here is Our King!”

 

“Here is Our King”

 

Chorus:

Here is our King, here is our love
Here is our God who’s come
To bring us back to Him
He is the One, He is Jesus

And He is our King, He is our love
He is our God who’s come
To bring us back to Him
He is the One, He is Jesus, Jesus

 

From wherever spring arrives to heal the ground
From wherever searching comes the look itself
A trace of what we’re looking for so be quiet now and wait
The ocean is growing, the tide is coming in, here it is

(chorus)

 

And what was said to the rose to make it unfold
Was said to me, here in my chest so be quiet now and rest
So be quiet now and rest
The ocean is growing, the tide is coming, here it is

(chorus)

 

Majesty finally, Majesty finally here[i]

 

Click here to listen to this beautiful worship song.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna


[i] “Here is Our King,” Words and Music by David Crowder, worshiptogether.com songs/sixsteps Music, 2005.

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    "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe." Ephesians 1:18-19


    I am a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. I lived in the beautiful state of Colorado for 20 years where I found great inspiration for my novels and devotional writings. Currently living in southwest Ohio.

    I am passionate about helping women find their way to Jesus through Bible study, teaching, speaking, inspirational writing and creative Bible journaling.

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