Category: A Capella

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O Come, O Come Emmanuel

o come EmmanuelAs we consider this hymn many call a ‘Christmas song,’ we find it ancient in not only its text, but in the music as well.  The tune you most certainly know it by (made popular in the 1800’s) actually finds its origin from the medieval times.  The lack of strict rhythmic measures gives the tune a free-flowing style.  You can almost hear the simple intervals as they echo through an old, stone cathedral.

Like many hymns of worship, the text of this song provides a rich source for Christian meditation as we notice that each stanza concentrates on a specific Biblical name for Christ.  Jesus is God with us, “Emmanuel.”  He is the “Wisdom from on high” and the “the Lord of might.”  We read in the scripture He is called “the Rod of Jesse” (Isaiah 11:1) and the “Key of David” (Isaiah 22:22) “…and the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.”  Jesus is the ‘Dayspring’ (17: 76-79); “…And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”  Certainly, our Savior is the “Desire of Nations” (Haggai 2:7) “…and I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.”  The prophets of old wrote and today we sing of our Savior, Emmanuel.

Consider this old, ‘Christmas Hymn’ as we take this month to look at and explore some familiar favorites.  The “Song of the Day”…O Come, O Come Emmanuel.

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Chorus: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel,
shall come to thee o Israel!
O come, Thou Wisdom, from on high, and order all things far and nigh;
to us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go.
O come, o come, Thou Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height
in ancient times did give the law, in cloud, and majesty, and awe.
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse’s stem, from ev’ry foe deliver them
that trust Thy mighty power to save, and give them vict’ry o’er the grave.
O come, Thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heav’nly home,
make safe the way that leads on high, that we no more have cause to sigh.
O come, Thou Dayspring from on high, and cheer us by thy drawing nigh;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death’s dark shadow put to flight.
O come, Desire of the nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind;
bid every strife and quarrel cease and fill the world with heaven’s peace.
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Before the Throne of God

william bradbury

William Bradbury lived during the mid-1800’s (1816-1868) and wrote the music for some well known hymns sung by the saints for generations.  Songs like ” ‘Tis Midnight and On Olive’s Brow”, “He Leadeth Me” and “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less”.  Other favorites like “Just As I Am” and “Soldier’s of Christ, Arise” are all the musical work of William Bradbury.  Perhaps one of his most noted, recognizable tunes was written in 1862 to support the simple words penned by Anna B. Warner, “Jesus Loves Me”.

 

Some may remember the old hymn from W. W. Walford entitled, “Sweet Hour of Prayer”.  This is another musical arrangement from the hand of William Bradbury.  But there was yet another song (same, long meter) which took the same tune with the following words:
{sing these words to “Sweet Hour of Prayer”}before the throne of god

Before the throne of God above,
I have a strong and perfect plea:
A great High Priest whose name is love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands.
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in heav’n He stands.
No tongue can bid me hence depart.

Though you might not be familiar with these words accompanying “Sweet Hour of Prayer”, you might be familiar with these words as they accompany a tune written by Vikki Cook in 1997.  A songwriter and composer, Vikki Cook and her husband Steve have written numerous contemporary songs.  One of her more popular hymns is known as “Holy Lord” or “Great Are You, Lord”.

Listen to this old hymn (penned in 1863) sung to an arrangement developed over 120 years later.  The words are strong as you translate the Old English poetry, but the musical arrangement brings new life to a beautiful, old message.  Before the throne of God I stand…

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LTC…Be Devoted

mqdefaultIn the spring of 2009 this group of young men came together to praise God with their voices.  They practiced for weeks on end to learn how to harmonize and lift before the Father several songs of praise.  These boys were ‘devoted’ to giving God the glory and sought to encourage those who listened. Though the years have passed and they’ve ‘grown and moved away,’ they continue to uplift and edify God’s people with songs of praise.  Take a few minutes to hear their voices and listen to them as they praise the Father.  A memory from the 2009, Leadership Training for Christ.

LTC (Leadership Training for Christ) has been a constant focus for the Waterview church of Christ for more than 30 years.  Students have studied, practiced and devoted months to reading the scripture, Bible bowl, singing with small groups, and song leading as well as public speaking (sermon preparation), sign language and many other areas of preparation to serve in the kingdom of God.  All the while, these young people are being trained and encouraged to give God the glory.

In 2009, seventeen young men (now in college or college graduates) came together to sing 3 songs with the hope of edifying the congregation and glorifying their God.  These men sang three songs, Surround Us, Lord, and a medley consisting of Poured Out Like Wine, Make Me New, Teach Me Thy Ways and I Am Mine No More.  They concluded with a song taken from the text of Galatians 6:2 and Romans 12:10-13, Be Devoted.

My prayer is that you will enjoy listening to these young men as they praise God with the voice of youth.  The first song, Surround Us, Lord comes from the book of Psalms, chapter 125, verse 2… “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the Lord surrounds His people From this time forth and forever.”  When times are difficult and the way seems hard, don’t forget; the Lord surrounds His people!

The concluding song, Be Devoted, took lots of practice and work.  As noted earlier, the words are taken from Galatians 6 and Romans 12.  Notice how clearly this passage speaks to our relationship with each other:  “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

Carry each other’s burdensEncourage (sunset)
Carry each other’s burdens
And in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ

Chorus:
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love
Honor one another above yourselves
Never be lacking in zeal
Keep your spiritual fervor
Keep your spiritual fervor
Serving the Lord

Love one another
Serve one another
Pray for each other
Encourage one another
And build each other up

Chorus:

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love

Thanks guys for the reminder from years gone by.  My prayer is that you will stay faithful to God’s word and honor your song to be devoted in brotherly love.  We are reminded by your song that we are to be poured out before the King, commit ourselves to being new (putting off the old self) and then seek to have Him teach us His ways.  When we do that, we will no longer be our own.  May God bless each of you and your walk with Christ.

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Do We Want More? (part 1)

molassesA young, southern boy was sitting down to the breakfast table with his older brothers and sisters, ready to feast on momma’s pancakes.  As the youngest in this family finally gets his plate of hotcakes, his momma asked if he’s ready for some molasses.  With all the southern slang the little boy had grown up with, he innocently replies; “How can I have mo’ lasses when I hasn’t had any yet?”

A comical story about a little boy’s understanding of ‘more,’ but an idea I’d like for us to follow for while.  As we consider wanting/needing ‘more’ of something perhaps we should ask the obvious, more of what?  On a tangible level, we might want more money, more help, or more vacation time.  But in reality we might say we want more strength, more understanding, or more time.  But either way we tend to want ‘more.’

The hymn we will be examining is focused on our lives and the holiness we aspire to.  Written and composed by Philip Bliss in 1873, this song repeats the word ‘more’ twenty-four (24) times.  With just three short verses what could we possible be praying for more of?  Look deeper at how much ‘more’ we should be aspiring for.

In verse one alone we seek (sing); more holiness, more striving, more patience and more sorrow.  More faith, more sense, more joy and more purpose.  One by one let’s consider what are we asking God to give us ‘more’ of:
1) More holiness give me…  Holiness, by definition, is the state of being set apart.  We are asking to be set apart for God’s service.  Read Titus 2:11-14, through Christ we are redeemed to God, “…a people for His own possession.”  We are called to be holy.  Deuteronomy 7:6, “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God…”

2) More striving within… why would we pray for striving?  It indicates we are looking for an inter-struggle.  A fight against our human nature of worldliness.  Paul explained it when he wrote, “…I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate…” Romans 7:14-15.  Consider how many times you’ve said, ‘I wish I hadn’t done that.’  In short, we need ‘more striving within.’

struggles3) More patience in suffering.  Again, read the text in James 1:1-2, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”  Not something we want or look forward to, but something we know we need, patience.

4) More sorrow for sin. This alone should make us stop and think about our life.  Do we feel regret, guilt or sorrow when we sin?  Not when we’re CAUGHT in sin, but for our sinful acts.  We sing (and pray) that we’d be more sorrowful for our sin.  Philip Bliss would agree, more conscience of our sin.

5) More faith in my Savior.  What does it take for us to strengthen our faith?  Perhaps we find the same sentiments from the father of a young boy in Mark 9.  You’ll remember the discussion Jesus had with the man until the boy’s father in desperation cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief.”  In other words, I need more faith in my Savior.

6) More sense of His care.  How much does God care about you?  Do you understand (can you sense) how much you matter to God?  “For God so loved the world…”  We do have some realization of His care.  But do you care enough to concern yourself with Him?  If we had the sense to realize His gift (Christ on the cross) we’d do all we can to give Him our all.

7) More joy in His service.  Many of us equate serving to working.  Who finds joy in their work?  Paul states it best in Colossians 3:24, “…do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men…”  When our heart is right with God, then we’ll service (work) with joy.

8) More purpose in prayer.  Why do you pray?  Do you have an objective when you bow in prayer or is it just a routine, something you’re supposed to do?  What is your purpose?  We pray for the sick, for those who are traveling, for those who are hurting…we have a purpose, don’t we?  I Corinthians 14:14, 15 (one of my favorite passages), “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.  What is the outcome then?  I shall pray with the spirit and I shall pray with the mind also…”  In other words, be purposeful in prayer.

We’ll continue the study of this song in later weeks, but until that time take a look at the other two verses; there are still sixteen more ‘mores’.

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We’re Marching and Singing to Zion…Pt 3

As this three part study comes to a close, perhaps the strongest reminder of how we are to sing comes when we consider the words of the author of Hebrews.

When we sing songs of praise we are offering a sacrifice to God.  Hebrews 13:15, ‘…let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.’  Singing songs of praise, ‘the fruit of lips’ is our giving to God a sacrifice of praise. (Hebrews 2:12)  What kind of a sacrifice are you offering?  Before you answer, let me remind you of Leviticus 10:1-3.  During the offering of sacrifices in the Old Testament, Nadab and Abihu offered ‘strange fire’ before the Lord.  These two men, sons of Aaron, violated God’s command for sacrifices and were subsequently struck down.  Notice how Moses responded to this tragedy… “It is what the Lord spoke, saying, ‘By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, and before all the people I will be honored.”  We must ask ourselves, ‘When I’m singing on Sunday morning, what kind of sacrifice am I offering God?’  Do I sing and listen for my own satisfaction?  Am I honestly thinking about what I’m singing?  My prayer is for God’s people everywhere to stop and think about our singing in worship.  Let’s sing with the Spirit!

Standing with our brothers and sisters in Christ and opening our minds and hearts (not to mention our voices), we might sing another hymn penned more than 300 years ago; “Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above, ye heavenly host.  Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!”  Doxology is a simple song of praise to our God and Father and echoes our soul’s unquestionable need to praise our Creator.  As Christ entered Jerusalem in Luke 19, just days before His arrest, the crowds praised Him saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Hearing this praise, some of the Pharisees, approached Jesus and told Him to reprimand and silence His followers.  But notice His response; “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!”  In short…we were made to give praise to God. If we refuse to, His creation will sing it out.  If you’re not sure about that, read Psalm 148 (or sing “Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah”).  Though many might ignore our God-given need to praise Him, and while many more may offer excuses as to why they’re not singing praises to God, remember Romans 14:11, “…Every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.”Mt. Hayden

As brothers and sisters in Christ we remember that we’re singing and ‘marching to Zion’. Consider the second verse of this spiritual song; “Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God; but children of the heavenly King may speak their joys abroad.” Some don’t know the joy that comes in being a child of God.  Their refusal to sing is out of ignorance.  But those of us who are ‘children of the heavenly King’ must be ready and willing to speak (to sing) our joys abroad.  You and I know as we are marching, we’re also singing along the way to Zion.

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Growing Up…in the Lord!

Daddys-shoesPerhaps you’ve been asked the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”  Little children are often asked this question and the response can be interesting…if not a little comical.

Some little boys might reply with, “When I grow up I want to be a fireman.”  In the 70’s it was not uncommon to hear younger boys say they wanted to be an astronaut or a policeman or maybe even president.  Actually, growing up in my ‘neck of the woods’, we all wanted to be cowboys when we grew up.  If you were to ask the ladies, their response might not be much different.  They too have dream of tomorrow with aspirations of what their life will be like.  One little girl once told her parents, “When I grow up I want to be a mommy.”  We consider our future and wonder what we’ll do tomorrow.  As we plan for the unknown, most truly wonder what they will do as they reach that level of accountability.  Where will I work, where will I live, what will I become when… ‘I grow up.’

As a junior in college (many years ago), I had my mind set on teaching.  I loved every aspect of working with younger minds and imparting some obscure nugget of reason.  The responsibility of molding and directing the hearts and minds of children was a challenge I eagerly embraced.  However, almost 30 years later, time and circumstances have had a way of altering my path.  Though I’m no longer an ‘educator’ by trade, my profession remains the same.  I love working with people as they mature and grow stronger.  Only today, it’s more of a spiritual growth that I seek to inspire in those who come into my ‘classroom’ of life.

But what about you?  As you read this you may be a long time business man (or woman) who has been in the work force for years.  Or you might be a young college student still trying to settle your mind on a degree.  Some reading this might be retired and still wondering, “What will I be when I grow up?”  What ever your station in life, however far you have gone or still have to go, think about making your life more than just a career, a ‘job’, that you do.  The apostle Paul wrote an admonition to the young preacher Timothy, “…be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” II Tim. 4:5  Could you really be an evangelist?  Is ministry really your calling? Let me encourage you to do more than just consider it…make that your priority.  Know that I am not promoting that you quit your job or drop out of school, but I do think we all need to change our thinking when it comes to what is most important in life.  You work to make a living, so you can pay the bills, so you can live your life.  But life won’t be worth the living if you don’t live it for God.  Where does He fit into your career and your future plans? Does God figure into life at all?

Regardless your degree (college students) or your career I hope we will all realize that in the Lord’s church, we are all called to ‘minister’ to a lost and dying world (Matthew 28).  Everything else is temporary.  Classes, projects, responsibilities to your employer are important, but God’s desire for you to work in the fold should supersede all that.  Work hard and fulfill your obligations for the task at hand, but ask yourself…what will I really be when I grow up?

A Cappella, directed by Keith Lancaster, sings a song about this every issue.  Would that we make God our number one objective and teach that to our children.  Does the world know who you are or are they still waiting to see what you’ll be ‘when you grow up.’ Trusting like a Child

“Growing up in the Lord” [LINK]

Chorus:
I’m growin’ up in the Lord.
Oh I’m gettin’ stronger; turnin’ back no longer:
I’m growin’ up in the Lord…I’m growin’ up in the Lord.

I make mistakes but that’s part of growin’ up.
Part of growin’ up in the Lord.
His understanding is what I need the most,
I am staying close to His word.

Sheltered from harm when I am safe in his arms
And I am learning to do His will.
Hearing his call although I stumble and fall. I can get up and keep growing still.

Repeat Chorus

Now as I’m growin’ I’m learning what to say, Learning how to walk in the light.
I’m made aware of the devil every day Learning how to handle the fight.

Tempted by wrong, He keeps me ready and strong So I can handle the Tempter’s snare.
Jesus is mine and since he’s there all the time I am protected within His care

Repeat Chorus

 

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What Does ‘A Capella’ Mean?

“Suppose they asked you if you could sing A Capella, would you know what to do?”

Barney Fife tries to explain to Rafe Hollister what it means to ‘sing A Capella’ and though he doesn’t get the definition right, he says what many may be thinking. [LINK]  To defend his thoughts about A Capella singing, Barney comes up with a song that he sings about ‘A Capella’.  Watch the short video, enjoy a laugh and then we’ll talk about ‘A Capella’…

By definition, a cap·pel·la means:

1. without instrumental accompaniment…or
2. in the style of church or chapel music.
Notice the FIRST definition; when we sing A Capella, we’re singing with our voices…only.  Read Ephesians 5: 19 “…speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord…”  Speak to one another…sing and make music in your heart… God’s word explains (better yet) commands, that we are to sing.  And if you look closely, this singing is done with our voices and not with an instrument.  Therefore we are to sing A Capella.  Our culture doesn’t know much about this type of singing.  Listening to music on the radio is almost exclusively with instrumental accompaniment.  That would mean we aren’t much of an A Capella culture.  But is it easy to sing ‘without instrumental accompaniment’?  It takes work and that work takes practice.  We need to be more focused on singing without instrumental assistance.  Turn the radio off and start singing A Capella.
But you might be wondering, where do I start?  Begin with a search for A Capella singing groups.  Consider these as a few: His Harmony, Legacy, The McCoy Family Singers, Hallal, Acappella, Zoe, GLAD and many more.  [LINK]  But let me encourage you to consider this…why would we try to sing A Capella songs and still make ‘instrumental’ noises with our voices?  Doesn’t make sense to me…but that’s just me.  in my opinion, let’s support all of the true A Capella Groups (songs) who sing without any ‘instrupella’ or vocal band (using your voice to sound like a snare drum).  Singing without any instruments or trying to act like an instrument is true A Capella.

 

The SECOND definition for A Capella states; “…in the style of church or chapel music.”  A Capella singing, choral singing performed without instruments is done in the manner in which the early church, or chapel did their singing.  The expression means “in chapel style” in Italian.  Hundreds of years ago, religious music was composed for use in the chapels, which, unlike large churches today, had no bands, organs or instruments.  Singing and music in the early church, via historical documentation was exclusively designed to be sung using the human voice only!  A Capella singing is described in God’s word and was practiced in the early church.  Even early on within the denominational world, instruments were universally rejected.

So…”Suppose they asked you if you could sing A Capella, would you know what to do?”