Singing with saplings

This morning's car journey was huge fun. I just massively enjoyed singing along to Songs for Saplings Vol 1 (we got through 7 songs in a 20 min journey). 
Truly these CD's are one colossal blessing ... fun and formative. Child friendly but in no way childish. 
In days of unsteady economics an investment truly worth making (digital download is $5 per album! So not even an investment - A BARGAIN!).  

Dave Thomas has helpfully blogged about the whole series. 

Good Advice - Jamie Soles

This album is as good as it's CD Cover is bad. 

So it is EXCELLENT!

"Built on the premise that children prefer food to fluff, Good Advice treats children like grown-ups; it does not talk down to them, or play to their natural foolishness, but rather builds on the expectation that the child will one day be an adult. These are songs to grow by." [Jamie Soles]

This song list will give you a sense of what it covers (and if you click on the song name it will take you to a sample): 

1. In the Beginning   

2. Adam and Eve  

3. The Garden of Eden  

4. Cain and Abel  

5. Judgement Day  

6. The Patriarch Song  

7. Marah 

8. Set a Guard  

9. Good advice  

10. I Crossed my Eyes 

11. Nadab and Abihu  

12. Rahab  

13. Sin in the Camp   

14. Hope in the Lord  

15. A Gentle Answer  

16. Books of the Bible  

17. Low in the Grave He Lay  

18. Paul and Silas  

19. Praise Him Praise Him 

Our 4 and 2 year old love this. But not as much as we do! I think Jane and I have learnt much more than they have. 
And what other children's albums are there that tackle Cain and Abel, Nadab and Abihu, Achan and Rahab?! 
These songs are slowly becoming the sound track to our home. We pray that this would be more than merely in song but in deeper holiness and happiness in Christ. 

Here are the lyrics of one of our favourites: 

Marah (Exodus 15.22-27)  [click for a sample]

There at Marah where the water was bitter
The people got bitter too
They said “Give us better water
Than this bitter bitter water!”
They grumbled and complained all day

“We don’t like manna!
We want new shoes!”
How they pouted, sulked and whined
But if they would have trusted the Lord their God
Then things would have been just fine

What do you think that the Lord will think
When He hears your voice today?
Thankful trust or angry lust
As you grumble and complain all day

So learn a lesson from the Israelites
Let your words be sweet today
You will wander in the desert UNTIL YOU’RE DEAD!
If you grumble and complain all day!

The Christmas Scale

Joyful, joyful, we adore thee

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,
Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, all who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us, brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward in the triumph song of life.

©God (the links)

Click here for links to the songs we sang during the conference on Saturday (©God - the Psalms and Worship Today). 
A number of these were new to me! Like 10000 Reasons by Matt Redman (everyone else seemed to know it!):

And Down into Darkness (with it's James Bond undertones!!): 

All in all it was a very helpful day and definitely a conference I'd recommend. 
It is probably hitting the middle ground well (meaty without being too theologically heavy nor too musically technical -- though I did opt for the technically light seminars ... so I think a keen musician or PA person could have got loads more of that than I chose). 
It was a bit light on it's engagement with the Psalms and singing them today - that idea was not dismissed exactly but seemed to be sidelined a bit too easily.  Psalms are a pattern for our worship to inform and shape our emotions and our response to God - which is rich and varied, including grief and agony as well as joy and gladness. I agreed and found all that was said very helpful. I guess the talks will be available online in due course. I had just hoped for a bit more help in thinking through actually, you know, singing Psalms. 
The day handled the whole area of music very wisely and in the context of John 13, Ephesians 4, 1 Corinthians 12-14 ... so with a strongly anti-consumer mentality, encouraging us all in our musical choices to put service in love first as we seek to build up others (and the body of Christ).
All in all, a big thank you to Graham Beynon and the Music Ministry guys. 

great is His love towards us

Appropriate as I go to this today (early train!):

Because He Lives

Owl City & Christ Alone

I've just come across In Christ Alone ... given the Owl City treatment! 

and this led me to something I had missed ... their new album All Things Bright And Beautiful , which includes the song Galaxies: 

Tune in on Sunday to see why this might be of particular interest to me.

Womb Songs

There are many Christian contemporary hymns today about adult conversion from unbelief, yet there is not one psalm in the Scriptures that speaks of that subject. On the other hand, have you ever sung a hymn that called for you to put yourself in the place of one who was regenerated in the womb?  Why Baptize Babies? Mark Horne p 21

Mission Praise and Christmas

Early (I know) ... but logging this for the planning ahead! And in case this is of use to anyone else. 

35 Angels from the realms of glory [youtube]
39 As with gladness
47 Away in a manger
80 Christians awake! Salute the happy morn
83 Come and join the celebration
98 Come now with awe, earth's ancient vigil keeping
102 Come Thou Long expected Jesus
105 Come watch with us this Christmas night
107 (tune ii) Cradled in a manger meanly
110 Darkness like a shroud (Arise shine)   
114 Ding Dong Merrily
116 Down from his glory 
120 Emmanuel
156 For unto us a child is born 
157 For unto us a child is born
162 From heaven you came
175 Glory be to God in heaven
177 Glory to God in the highest 
180 God came among us, He became a man
196 Good Christian men rejoice 
204 Hail to the Lord's anointed
211 Hark the Herald Angels Sing
216 He is born, our Lord and Saviour 
236 Holy Child, how still you lie
266 I cannot tell
337 In the bleak midwinter
342 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
345 It came upon the midnight clear
393 Joy to the World the Lord has come!
425 Look to the skies (Worship the king)
451 Love came down at Christmas
491 O come all you faithful
493 O come, O come, Emmanuel
503 O Little Town of Bethlehem
535 O what a mystery I see [clip here]
537 On Christmas night all Christians sing
538 On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's cry
539 Once in Royal David's City 
588 See amid the winter's snow
589 See him lying on a bed of straw
597 Silent Night 
644 The first nowell the angel did say
652 The Light of Christ
690 This Child
693 Thou art the everlasting Word
700 Thou who was rich beyond all splendour 
713 Tonight while all the world is sleeping
714 Unto us a boy is born
740 We three Kings
749 What child is this?
752 When he comes 
764 While Shepherds Watched their flocks
928 Since the Day the Angel came
931 So many centuries of watching and waiting
959 What kind of greatness
965  Wonderful Counsellor
1045 From the Squalor of a borrowed stable
1235 What kind of throne


Other Ones: 
Thorns in the Straw 

Other Resources:

© God

This looks fantastic. Or could be anyway.

Mission Praise and Psalm Singing

This won't be of interest to many people - but I'd have been glad to lay my hands on this list. I just couldn't find it on the web. 
It is a list of songs in the 'Complete' Mission Praise book that in some way are 'singing the psalms'. I have included hymns based upon psalms as well as some very short choruses that are a verse or two of a psalm. I make it 37. I expect I have missed some. 
When you think that there are 1250 songs in Mission Praise it is a pretty low number given Ephesians 5:19-20. 

Psalm 13 - MP 848 How long, O Lord, will You forget?
Psalm 16 -MP 886 Lord, when the storms of life arise
Psalm 18 - MP 286 I love You, O Lord, You Alone
Psalm 23 - MP 649 The King of Love 660 & 1008 The Lord's my shepherd 
Psalm 42 - MP 37 As the deer pants for the water
Psalm 45 - MP 893 My heart is full of admiration

Psalm 46 - MP 188 God is our strength and refuge

Psalm 63 - MP 904 O Lord, I want to sing Your praises
Psalm 69 - MP 962 When my sorrows cover me, save me, O God
Psalm 84 - MP 248 How lovely is Thy dwelling place O Lord of hosts
Psalm 89 - MP 707 Timeless love! We sing the story
Psalm 90 - MP 498 O God our Help in Ages Past, 909 O Lord the refuge of each generation
Psalm 91 - MP 583 Safe in the Shadow of the Lord 
Psalm 93 - MP 890 Mighty God, we give You praise
Psalm 98 - MP 393 Joy to the World, 599 Sing a new song to the Lord, 600 Sing to God new songs of worship
Psalm 100 - MP 20 All people that on earth do dwell, 394 Jubilate, everybody
Psalm 103 - MP 57 Bless the Lord, O my soul, 560 Praise my soul the King of Heaven, 1111 The Lord is gracious and compassionate
Psalm 104 - MP 528 O worship the King 
Psalm 113 - MP 163 From the rising of the sun
Psalm 119 - MP 546 Open thou my eyes, 915 Open our eyes, O Lord, we pray
Psalm 121 - MP 281 I life my eyes, 283 I look to the hills
Psalm 130 - MP 908 O Lord, hear my prayer
Psalm 134 - MP 88 Come, bless the Lord
Psalm 136 - MP 415 Let us with a gladsome mind
Psalm 138 - MP 963 With undivided heart and ceaseless songs
Psalm 142 - MP 961 When I life my voice
Psalm 147 - MP 147 Fill your hearts with joy and gladness
Psalm 148 - MP 920 Praise the Lord, you heavens adore him 

Psearle Psalms

Jane and I have been thoroughly enjoying our Easter present to each other! 

Matt Searles's album Now and Not Yet 

If you have not listened online to this. DO IT! 

And then buy it. 

Lyrical Theology

Who is this man?

He's the King of Kings,

He's the Lord of Lords,

He can heal the sick, 

He can calm the storm,

He's the Son of God, 

He can save us from sin

and He calls us to follow Him. 

Jesus met a man covered in disease, 

Knew he needed to be clean.

Jesus just touched him the disease was gone! 

(Only God could do that!)

Who is this Man?

He's the King of Kings ...

Jesus and his friends caught in a storm.
Lookin’ like they’re gonna drown.
Jesus yelled: “QUIET!” and the storm was calm. 

(Only God can do that!)
Who is this man?

He's the King of Kings ...

Jesus on a cross was crucified. 

Darkness covered all the land.
After three days Jesus rose again.
(Only God can do that!)
 Who is this man?

He's the King of Kings ...

(after final chorus)

Yes He calls us to follow Him. 

Are you gonna follow Him?

© 1998 Plainsong Music Ph: 1800 688874 www.plainsong.org.au    

He Must Be God

Lyrics to He Must be God

1. Jesus healed a paralysed man Who was brought to him.
Jesus healed him, so he could show: He forgives our sin.


How cool is that!
How cool is that!
He told the man to pick up his mat 
He must be God
If he did that,
How cool is that!


2. Jesus calmed a terrible storm While he was at sea.
Jesus calmed it, so he could say "Fear not, trust in me."


How cool is that!
How cool is that!
He spoke a word - the waves went dead flat 
He must be God
If he did that,
How cool is that!

3. Jesus fed a very big crowd Who'd no food to eat.
Jesus fed them, so he could show He's all that we need.


How cool is that!
How cool is that!
From all the bread you'd almost get fat 
He must be God
If he did that,
How cool is that!


© 2003 Words: Bryson Smith Music: Philip Percival Emu Music Australia Inc.
emu.mu • emumusic.com.au 

Give thanks ... His Love endures Forever!

 

Psalm 136 rocks.

Thorns in the Straw

Jesus Saves! Jesus Saves!

FROM: King of Christmas (To the tune of "Jingle Bells")

1. The world belongs to God
He spoke and there it was 
Though it was very good
It all went bad because
The man that God had made 
And the woman there with him 
Turned their back on God to get 
A deadly taste of sin (But)


CHORUS
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Jesus is the Way
Jesus is the Saviour
You can come to Him today - Hey! Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
People from their sin
You will find forgiveness
When you put your trust in Him

2. Well if you look around 

You’ll see how sin has spread 

Turning light to dark
And living things to dead 

But God still rules the world 

He always had a plan
To send his Son to save us
In the likeness of a man

CHORUS

Well if you come to God
(You still have time you know) 

He’ll wash your sinful heart
And make it white as snow 

Come taste eternal life 

And death will have no sting
All who trust in Jesus are
The children of the King

 ___________________________________________________

Colin Buchanan
© 2005 Universal Music 

  

Carols

35 Angels from the realms of glory [youtube]
39 As with gladness
47 Away in a manger
80 Christians awake! Salute the happy morn
83 Come and join the celebration
102 Come Thou Long expected Jesus
105 Come watch with us this Christmas night
107 (tune ii) Cradled in a manger meanly
110 Darkness like a shroud (Arise shine)   
114 Dind Dong Merrily
116 Down from his glory 
120 Emmanuel
156 For unto us a child is born 
157 For unto us a child is born
162 From heaven you came
175 Glory be to God in heaven
177 Glory to God in the highest 
180 God came among us, He became a man
196 Good Christian men rejoice 
204 Hail to the Lord's anointed
211 Hark the Herald Angels Sing
216 He is born, our Lord and Saviour 
236 Holy Child, how still you lie
266 I cannot tell
337 In the bleak midwinter
342 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
345 It came upon the midnight clear
393 Joy to the World the Lord has come!
425 Look to the skies (Worship the king)
451 Love came down at Christmas
491 O come all you faithful
493 O come, O come, Emmanuel
503 O Little Town of Bethlehem
535 O what a mystery I see [clip here]
537 On Christmas night all Christians sing
538 On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's cry
539 Once in Royal David's City 
588 See amid the winter's snow
589 See him lying on a bed of straw
597 Silent Night 
644 The first nowell the angel did say
652 The Light of Christ
690 This Child
693 Thou art the everlasting Word
700 Thou who was rich beyond all splendour 
713 Tonight while all the world is sleeping
714 Unto us a boy is born
740 We three Kings
749 What child is this?
752 When he comes 
764 While Shepherds Watched their flocks
928 Since the Day the Angel came
931 So many centuries of watching and waiting
959 What kind of greatness
965  Wonderful Counsellor
1045 From the Squalor of a borrowed stable
1235 What kind of throne


Other Ones: 
Thorns in the Straw 

Other Resources: