“God is Faithful” in Australia!

“GOD IS FAITHFUL” IN AUSTRALIA!
OUR GOD IS FAITHFUL EVERY DAY AND EVERYWHERE!

Here is a testimony of a specific circumstance in which God used the message of His faithfulness through “God is Faithful” (a choral anthem written by my husband, Travis L. Boyd, and publshed by Lorenz) to bless and encourage the hearts of His people. In 2003, over 300 people from Oklahoma went to Australia for an incredible mission trip. The main performing group was The Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma. The group gave concerts in serveral large and well-known venues, such as the Sydney Opera House, and then split into smaller groups to minister in local churches. Over 90 of the people on this trip were the wives of the Churchmen; and for the first time ever on a Churchmen mission trip, there were enough of us to form 2 women’s choirs, which ministered in Churches and even in a pineapple canning factory during our time in Sydney, Newcastle, and Brisbane and surrounding communities.

The women’s choir that I was in, directed by Singing Churchmen member Tyrone Smith, sang at Annerley Baptist Church, near Brisbane, on Sunday morning, May 11th, 2003, which was Australia’s Mother’s Day. Although the Singing Churchmen were no longer singing “God is Faithful”, the two womens’ choirs were singing an SSAA arrangement of the song. I had been asked to sing the solo on “God is Faithful,” and I had done so during the Worship Service that day.

Our womens’ choir rehearses at Annerley with director Tyrone Smith prior to the service (minus a few members who were taking pictures of the group)

Later on, during the fellowship meal after the service, a woman approached me. She told me that her name was Noela (pronounced Nola), and that she was not a member of Annerley Baptist Church and did not live in Brisbane. She said that she was only at the church that morning because it was Mother’s Day. She and her husband had driven from their home 2 and a half hours away to be there with his Mother. Noela confessed that she almost did not make the trip to visit her Mother-In-Law. She explained that she had been fighting cancer and that she was feeling discouraged.

A lovely lady with a beautiful smile, Noela spoke with a radiant faith as she said, “I believe that I am here today by Divine appointment.”

However, she did feel an urging from the Spirit of God to come to Brisbane; and, with her husband’s encouragement, she made the trip. She told me that she now felt it was a divine appointment for her to be there. Noela said that the message of God’s faithfulness had come across to her so clearly as she listened to “God is Faithful” that she knew why we were there on that day and why God had prompted her to come. Several of us talked with Noela as long as we could, and it was an amazing conversation. God had so touched her and encouraged her heart through the message of His faithfulness that she seemed radiant with faith in His goodness and faithfulness to her, and Noela in turn became an encouragement to all of us. It was a very brief encounter, but I will never forget it.

I can think of many times when God has also touched my heart with His love and encouragement, just as he touched Noela’s heart. Comfort or encouragement can come through a kind word, a prayer, a song, a note, a sermon, a scripture passage or verse, and certainly through God’s presence within us and as revealed to us through the kindness and compassion of others. God is faithful to Noela, He is faithful to me, and He is faithful to you! Be encouraged today as you thank Him for His faithfulness! Encourage others as well. Remember that just as God is eternal, His faithfulness is eternal; and it continues as He continues. God is a keeper of promises, and He is faithful!

So, in light of the eternal faithfulness of our God,…

“When you find it hard to understand
And you’re just not sure you have the strength
To do all God commands…
When the task seems overwhelming,
You can rest within His hands.
For the One who called you is faithful!

God is faithful.
He will not forget His own.
God is faithful.
He’ll never leave you all alone.
He’s right beside you,
Waiting to guide you,
For the one who called you is faithful.
God is faithful!

He is always there when human eyes can’t see…
So aware of all your hurts and all your deepest needs!

God is faithful! He will not forget His own.
My God is faithful!
He’ll never leave you all alone.
He’s right beside you,
Waiting to guide you,
For the One who called you is faithful.
God is faithful!”

Lyrics to “God is Faithful” by Travis L. Boyd, SATB Choral anthem and Orchestration, Copyright 2003, Lorenz Publishing Company, a division of the Lorenz Corporation

Self-published copies of the SSAA, TTBB, and SATB octavos and the Orchestration that pre-date the Lorenz publications, Copyright Travis L. Boyd

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FROM LORENZ MUSIC: “God is Faithful”…SATB Choral Anthem with solo throughout

* A full orchestration is available for this piece, as heard in the studio demo.

* A performance/accompaniment CD is also available, and it features the orchestration as heard in the publisher’s studio demo.

Here is my Sound Cloud audio of the Lorenz Studio Demo Recording for “God is Faithful”.

* Lorenz product page for “God is Faithful” : http://www.lorenz.com/product.aspx?id=10_2978M

Here, you will be able to click the listening link (music notes) and then immediately click the sample pages link (Adobe icon) to allow you to listen to the professional studio demo recording of the anthem while you view the music.

(To returen to this blog, please use the ‘back’ arrow.)

Note: See our blog post entitled “Blessings Through God’s Faithfulness” for more information about the story of this song  (&  info about recordings by both The Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma and The Sons of Jubal). https://worshipsounds.wordpress.com/2011/11/09/blessings-through-gods-faithfulness/

* Vimeo Performance Video link: (TTBB arrangement, recorded at a Sons of Jubal concert in September, 2010) http://vimeo.com/15390308

SoundCloud of the TTBB version of “God is Faithful,”  sung by The Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma, under the direction of Dr. Bill Green, from the Churchmen CD entitled, “God is Faithful.”  (Note:  “God is Faithful” is also the title song on a CD which was recorded by the Georgia Baptist Convention’s Sons of Jubal, under the direction of Dr. Jon Duncan.)

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– C. Boyd

Note: For more information on the story of this Australia mission trip testimony, check these links:
Annerley Baptist Church website: http://www.annerleybaptist.org.au/
Annerley Baptist Church facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Annerley-Baptist-Church/189082151110455#!/pages/Annerley-Baptist-Church/189082151110455
Information about the city of Annerley (near Brisbane, Australia: http://queenslandplaces.com.au/annerley

Pray for the people of Australia and of Annerley Baptist Church. Their Pastor, Brother Jim Johnston, retired at the end of 2012 after 16 and a half years of service there. The people there were so kind, providing corsages for each of the women in our choir, plus a single red rose (mindful of the fact that mothers were being honored and that we had left our families to come). They had prepared a meal for us and were so friendly as we shared time together that day. What a blessing it was to be in the midst of Christian brothers and sisters who live on the other side of the world and to feel so welcome and at home. 🙂

Annerley Baptist Church Pastor, Brother Jim Johnston, and our womens’ choir Director, Tyrone Smith

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Do you know someone who is looking for answers?

Thank you for spending your valuable time reading the contents of this page. We hope that it has been helpful to you. If you or someone that you know is looking for answers about life, we hope that you will visit our page called “Do You Know Jesus?”. The links provided on this page will help to answer life’s deepest questions. Here is the link to “Do You Know Jesus?”: http://www.worshipsounds.wordpress.com/do-you-know-jesus/

Please feel free to share this URL with anyone who is looking for answers about life and eternity.

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Here is a Youtube video of singer Debra Eden’s solo version of “God is Faithful,” recorded on Debra’s CD entitled, “It Was Love.” The video was put together with the recording by Debra’s sister. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIdfLJOo3q8

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WOULD YOU LIKE TO READ MORE POSTS LIKE THIS ONE?

Link to our “Song Stories” category to see all of the song story posts: https://worshipsounds.wordpress.com/category/song-stories/

Note: This post, it it’s entirety, can also be found at the end of our song story poat on “God is Faithful”. This is not the story of how the song came to be written, which forms the main body of “Song Story for God is Faithful”. Rather, it is an additional testimony about the power of the message of God’s faithfulness to encourage and bless.

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Why I Love to Sing in the Choir

I have always loved music, and I love to sing; but the reasons that I love to sing in my church choir are are so much deeper than that.  Here are the top ten reasons why I love to sing in the choir at my church:

MY  TOP  TEN  REASONS
FOR  JOYFULLY  SINGING  IN  THE  CHURCH  CHOIR

1.  Singing in my church choir gives me an opportunity to express my love for the Lord.

I am so thankful for God’s love and mercy and for the sacrificial life and death of Jesus and the victory of His resurrection.  How else could I express the profound spiritual understanding of the goodness of God that goes beyond words and is only revealed in my heart through the work of God’s Holy Spirit?  Someimes, within the congregation, it is only through musical praise that I feel I have done all that I can do, with God’s help, to share the message of God’s salvation and His incredible love for me and for all of mankind.

“O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the people.  Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him; talk of all His wondrous works.  Glory in His holy name; let the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice.”   Psalm 105:1 – 3

2.  Singing in my church choir is more than a hobby or an activity.  It is a calling.

What an incredible privilege it is to know that God has allowed me to have the ability to participate in something that brings Him glory as those who love the Lord assemble together for worship!  He has made each of us with particular gifts and talents.  I believe that the calling to minister through these gifts is what gives faithful choir members the passion to continue their service and to strive for excellence in expressing their praise to the Lord.

There is a lot of  * JOY  * in fulfilling your calling and in giving praise to the Lord, who has given us everything we’ve ever had and all that we ever will have!

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast!  I will sing and make melody!  Awake, my soul!  Awake, O harp and lyre!  I will awaken the dawn!  I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples, I will sing praises to You among the nations.  For Your steadfast love is great above the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.  Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!  Let Your glory be over all the earth.”  Psalm 108:1 – 5

Lift up His name!

3.  Singing in my church choir allows for a type of expression of praise to the Lord that could not be accomplished in any other way.

Although I love all kinds of music and all kinds of arrangements, there are some songs, some lyrics, and some messages that just would not have the same intensity of expression if they were shared in any other way than through choral singing.  The Hallelujah Chorus is one such example.  Can you imagine it as a solo?  It just would not have the same impact.  There is something about voices joined together as a choir to share a message for God’s glory that is just a very unique means of expression.  Although Tom Fettke’s “The Majesty and Glory of Your Name” or Heather Sorenson’s “God of Heaven” would still have a beautiful melody when sung as a solo, the impact would not be as great as if a choir were singing these worshipful anthems and joining their hearts and souls to bring glory to God in a soaring or contemplative or victorious or joyous choral arrangement.

“Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love, for His wonderful works to the sons of men!  And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of His deeds in songs of joy!”   Psalm 107:21 & 22

4.  Singing in my church choir allows me to participate in the overall ministry of leading in worship, which is a joy and a privilege.

As long as I have a voice, I want to use it to praise God.  I don’t want to miss an opportunity to use my voice and even the expression on my face to proclaim God’s goodness through all of the musical praise during congregational worship.  I realize that the choir is not just there to sing an anthem or to perform.  We are there to worship and to lead in worship.  Whether we are singing a new song or an old song, a hymn, a worship song, a choral anthem, or a musical benediction, it is a joy to share these messages of hope and faith with the people of God and to gather in God’s name for the purpose of bringing Him glory.  

“Oh, that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!  Let them exalt Him also in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the assembly of the elders.”   Psalm 107:31 & 32

5.  Singing in my church choir and in other Christian choirs has given me many opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ in many settings, throughout my home country and in other countries as well.

Whether a choir is singing in an outdoor setting, a shopping mall, a small church, a prison, a nursing home or assisted living center, a juvenile detention center, a community center, a state capitol building, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D. C., or in a great concert hall in Australia or a public school in Russia, the opportunity to bring glory to God and to share the message of His love and mercy is a blessing and an incredibly humbling miracle of God’s grace!  If God had not saved a wretch like me, I would have no message to share anywhere!  

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.  Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing.  Know that the Lord is God; it is He that has made us and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.  Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.  For the Lord is good:  His mercy is everlasting, and his truth endures to all generations.”   Psalm 100 (all verses, 1 – 5)

Psalm 107:8

6.  Singing in my church choir and in other Christian choirs has implanted incredibly profound messages within my heart and soul through the lyrics of the songs that I have been able to sing.

I have been incredibly blessed to invest time in learning these wonderful words and then have had the blessing of remembering them so often as the Lord uses them to speak to my heart over and over again.  Often, the words of sacred choral anthems are either entirely scripture, based upon scripture, are paraphrases of scripture, or contain some scriptural content.  Singing them helps me to learn and to remember scripture passages and spiritual truths.  As a choir member, I am not just singing these songs once a week on Sunday morning.  Because of the work aspect that goes into preparation for sharing these messages in worship, we really live with these incredible words, and they have a deep impact in our lives.  What a joy it is to sing these messages, live these truths, and share these words of truth and hope, faith and love, blessing and victory, challenge and mercy, and ministry and grace!

“O sing unto the Lord a new song; sing unto the Lord all the earth.  Sing unto the Lord, bless His name; show forth His salvation from day to day.  Declare His glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people.  For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised.”   Psalm 96:1 – 4a

7.  Singing in my church choir and in other Christian choirs has allowed me to get to know so many wonderful people who love the Lord and have a heart of service.

A choir becomes a family as we serve together and care for one another.  We pray for one another.  We love each other and share God’s love with each other.  There is an incredible bond when you have worshiped and cried and smiled and laughed and worked and learned and prayed together.  I can sing a wrong note or sing in the wrong place, and my choir family just considers such things to be part of the process of learning the music and growing in faith and in musical expression together.  I have never heard anyone groan or complain about singing the same portion of a song over and over in order to get it right.  We embrace our humanity as we strive to sing beyond our own abilities in order to bring God glory.

“Blessed are those who dwell in Thy house, ever singing Thy praise!   Selah”    Psalm 84:4

8.  Singing in my church choir allows me to participate in something that is so much bigger than myself.

The spiritual and emotional and mental messages that flow out of the marriage of music and lyrics in each song become so much more meaningful as I sing with my brothers and sisters in Christ.  I know something of their stories and their lives.  I know when someone is singing about God’s healing for broken hearts with deep emotion that flows from their own fountain of personal pain.  I know when someone is singing of the joy of the Lord even when they have just experienced a personal loss.  I know when the message of Christ’s victory over death has very personal meaning to one of my dear sisters or brothers.  I know when the hearts of all of us are touched with God’s mercy and when the joy is so real that I am amazed that it is not visible in the air around us.  So, not only is the sound and the arrangement something that I could never accomplish on my own.  The collective testimony of this group and the way that God is ministering to our individual hearts as we sing (and to us and through us as a choir) create an impact through the very real and heartfelt sharing of musical testimony that extends far beyond myself or any one individual.

“O come, let us sing unto the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.  Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms.  For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.  In His hand are the deep places of the earth; the strength of the hills is His also.  The sea is His, and He made it; and His hands formed the dry land.  O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.  For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.”   Psalm 95:1 – 7a

9.  I believe that singing praise to God is the closest thing to Heaven that I can experience on this earth.

What could be better than the times when I have the blessing of joining my own voice and heart with the voices and hearts of a group of people whose desire is to praise God, encourage God’s people, share the story of who God is and what He has done, tell the good news of Jesus, and bring blessing and honor and glory to God?  The Bible speaks of the singers and the musicians and of choirs.  The scriptures talk about the voice of God and how He rejoices over us with singing.  There is something special about the way that God created us to use music as a form of expression that goes far beyond words.  If is much more that the music itself.  It is about how God Himself speaks through the music and then allows us to speak to Him and about Him through the music.  

“And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, ‘Great and wonderful are Thy deeds, O Lord God the Almighty!  Just and true are Thy ways, O King of the ages!  Who shall not fear and glorify Thy name, O Lord?  For Thou alone art Holy.  All nations shall come and worship Thee, for Thy judgements have been revealed.”  Revelation 15:3 & 4

10.  I love to sing in my church choir and in other Christian choirs because of the incredible songs that God has inspired men and women to write, which then become part of my own spiritual journey.

I believe that before a spiritual song can touch the hearts of people, God must first touch the heart of the song-writer (composer) of the song.  I believe (and know!) that every song begins with a revelation of truth from God or a new way of looking at or expressing a truth already known.  It is like experiencing my own spiritual journey as I try, then make mistakes, and then try again in rehearsal, while simultaneously experiencing the revelations that flow from the spiritual journeys of others.  I have learned so much, and my own journey has been blessed beyond words by the profound spiritual truth that I have learned through the songs I’ve been priveleged to sing with my brothers and sisters in Christ.  To me, a choir rehearsal is not just working on music.  It is a time of worship.  I have wept as my heart has been moved by the message of a song.  I have reached out to grab the hand of a friend.  I have felt my heart swell until I thought I might burst.  I have experienced joy so great that I was amazed to find my feet still on the floor.  My soul has been convicted and stirred.  My heart has been broken and mended and strengthened and challenged.  My faith has grown.  I have walked through deep valleys and enjoyed the view from some mountaintops… all while praising the Lord through the songs that he has inspired men and women to write and then to arrange for choir, for the blending and unity of hearts and minds and souls as we learn and grow and rejoice together in this lovely, human expression of the eternal and divine that we call choir.

“The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets.  Then Hezekiah commanded that the burnt offering be offered on the altar.  And when the burnt offering began, the song to the Lord began also, and the trumpets, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel.  The whole assembly worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded; all this continued until the burnt offering was finished.  When the burnt offering was finished, the king and all who were present with him bowed themselves and worshipped.  And Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praises to the Lord with the words of David and of Asaph the seer.  And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed down and worshipped.”  II Chronicles 29:26 – 30

What a blessing a joy it has been to sing in church choirs and in other choirs made up of my brothers and sisters in Christ!  I will continue to praise the Lord through choral music for as long as I have the opportunity.  I am so thankful to God for my salvation and for His presence in my life.  I cannot help but sing.

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This post was written by Cynthia A. Boyd, with thanksgiving to God for giving me something of eternal meaning and worth to sing about, and with love and appreciation for my favorite Choral Director, Travis L. Boyd, for giving me a love song in this life.

I am also thankful for all of the wonderful choral and band directors and voice and piano teachers who have taught me so much about music and then about singing and playing music for more than the here and now.  They include:  Dr. Jon Duncan, Dr. Bill Green, Dr. Terry Segress, Eugene Beck, Steve Westmoreland, Dr. Charles Jurrens, Mrs. Betty Westomoreland, Dr. Robert Reynolds, Faye Casey, John Robinson, Steve Smith, John Casey, Dr. Charles Chapman, Dr. Merle Taff, Lillian Loe-Stoddard, Eugene Butler, Dr. Irving Bunton, Lloyd Pfautsch, Wynn Anne Hook, Ron Stanton, Eph Ely, and John Gerber, who was directing the invitation hymn when I laid down my music and left the choir loft to say “yes” to Jesus.

Sharing this post:  In order to share this blog post with your choir, congregation, or worship team, a link to this post may appear in a newsletter, bulletin, or e-mail.  In addition, reprint information is provided below (as a result of the volume of inquiries). Link to the post:  https://worshipsounds.wordpress.com/2013/04/29/why-i-love-to-sing-in-the-choir/

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REPRINT INFORMATION FOR THIS ARTICLE

Non-paid publications:   This article may be re-printed in non-paid publications (church newsletters, bulletins) without further permisson, provided that the author’s name is posted at the end of the article, along with the link to our blog:  http://www.worshipsounds.wordpress.com

Paid publications:  To reprint all (or a portion) of the article in a paid publication, permission must be obtained.  You may comment on this post in order to request permission, stating the type of publication (and terms) plus providing a return e-mail address for a reply from us.  Your comment will not be seen by others since comments to our blog are not seen publically unless we approve them, and we will reply within 48 hours (unless providentially hindered).

Internet postings:  In order to post this article online on your own site (other worship blogs, music ministry or church websites), you must have a working link back to our blog, with a notation that states: This article, and many others, can be found on the Worship Sounds blog at http://www.worshipsounds.wordpress.com  In addition, the article must be posted in its entirely.  If it is going to be online, we prefer that the original wording stays intact.  An edited version might read differently from our intent.

So, online postings must:

1.  Contain the statement previously mentioned.
2.  Be un-edited, posted as written.
3.  Contain the author’s name at the end of the article, as it appears in the blog post.

We will stand by our words and prefer to have the opportunity to answer any inquiries about the content of the article ourselves. Let us hear from you! We would love to hear about how the Lord has used the message of this article to encourage and inspire your choir, worship team, or congregation.  If you can do a follow-up comment after sharing it, that would be a real blessing to us. Thank you so much for your interest in spreading the word about the very vital and incredible experince of being a part of a worshipping choir and worship ministry in general.  It is an indescribable blessing.

…And we all thank You, Lord, for allowing us to have a part in leading others to worship You!!”

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Here are two of my favorite choral anthems, written by my husband, Worship Minister and Composer Travis L. Boyd.

For more information about this anthem, with purchasing links, click on the title to go to our Sound Cloud page for “Jesus, My Redeemer”.  There is also a set of other Publishers’ demos on our Sound Cloud.

For more information about this anthem, with purchasing links, click on the title to go to our Sound Cloud page for “Praise God”. There is also a set of other Publishers’ demos on our Sound Cloud.

Information about additional Choral Anthems, Orchestrations, Vocal Solos, and Congregational worship music by Travis L. Boyd, which can be found on our Worship Sounds Music website, is below.

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Click this image to go to our WorshipSounds website.

Find Worshipful  CHORAL  MUSIC  for your Choir written by Travis L. Boyd of Worship Sounds  Music at the links in our sidebar, especially Sheet Music Plus.

You’ll find downloadable and print Choral Anthems for Adult Choirs, Senior Adult Choirs, and Student Choirs in several voicings (SATB, SAB, SSATB, 2-Part, SSAA, and TTBB).  Many of our anthems also have Full Orchestrations available, and some also have downloadable Mp3 Accompaniment Tracks.  In addition, at Sheet Music Plus, you’ll also find our Vocal Solos, with most available in 3 keys, Solo Accompaniment Tracks, and Congregational worship music.

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Looking for answers for yourself or for a friend? Thank you for spending your valuable time reading the contents of this page.  We hope that it has been helpful to you.   If you or someone that you know is looking for answers about life, we hope that you will visit our page called “Do You Know Jesus?”.   The links provided on this page will help to answer life’s deepest questions.   Here is the link to “Do You Know Jesus?”:  http://www.worshipsounds.wordpress.com/do-you-know-jesus/ Please feel free to share this URL with anyone who is looking for answers about life and eternity.

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Singing a New Song

What does the Bible have to say about new songs or new music, and what can new songs mean for us?

Here are some scripture verses about a having a new song and some thoughts about how new songs can bring new life.

A new song, wherever you are!

Sing a new song to the LORD.  Sing His praise from the ends of the earth, you people who sail on the seas and all the creatures that live in them, you coastlands and all who live on them.

–  Isaiah 42:10

God has given us the gift of music so that we might creatively express thoughts and feelings with a depth of emotional and spiritual meaning that goes beyond what mere words can convey.  He has given music as a tool whereby we might respond and communicate with each other and with Him.  He has given us the ability to appreciate and enjoy music.  And, He has given us the ability to create music.

When we return a new song to God in praise, we have completed a circle of giving.  He gives the capabilities to hear various pitches, to internalize rhythms, and to understand the meaning of lyrics.  He has created, and He gives us the ability to create.  God has given to us a revelation of truth or a new way to express truth that becomes the message and style, melody and rhythm, harmony and expression of the new song.  Together, these elements form the whole of a gift that we can then give back to our Father God as we worship Him.

No matter where we are, we can live in relationship with God in a way that allows Him to give us a song.  Whether your song is one you recently discovered, written by someone else, which expresses exactly where you are on your spiritual journey or whether God used your gifts to write the song 6 minutes ago, He knows when our hearts are pouring out a new message of love and thankfulness to HIm.

A new song as a personal expression of worship

I will sing a new song to You, O God; Upon a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You.

–  Psalm 144:9

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At its highest and noblest purpose, music can be a vehicle whereby we communicate the truths of God’s word or His character and lift that message up to God in worship, with the purpose of bringing glory to Him, encouraging the body of Christ, and sharing a message of testimony and truth that God’s Spirit can use to draw hearts to the Lord.

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A new song as congregational praise

Praise the LORD!  Sing to the LORD a new song.  Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful.  

–  Psalm 149:1

There are times when we need a new song.  Perhaps the songs we already know don’t say exactly what we want to say.  Perhaps God has given inspiration for both melody and words to say something new or to share a well-loved truth in a new way.  Every song begins with an idea, whether that idea is a musical idea or a lyrical one.  However, songs that are written to bring glory to God begin with something more profound:  a revelation.  God speaks to the heart of the songwriter or lyric writer through His Spirit, through the Word, through something that someone says, or a book or article, or even through His creation.  A revelation of spiritual truth can also come through the lessons in a time of trial or even in a time of victory as we learn to trust God in all of life.  All of these kinds of experiences can be used by God to inspire someone that He has gifted with songwriting abilities in the creation of a new song.  This song in turn can become a vehicle for the writer and sometimes for the praise of the congregation or for multititudes of congregations.

A new song as a hymn of praise and a powerful testimony that draws others to the Lord

He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see what he has done and be amazed.  They will put their trust in the LORD. 

–  Psalm 40:3

In our experience, the music that Travis has been inspired to write has been a chronicle of our spiritual journey and what the Lord has been doing in our hearts along the way.  Many of these songs were born out of a moment of recognition or revelation when a spiritual lesson was beginning to become a clear guiding light of recognizable truth that God would use to move us further along down the road to becoming more like Jesus.   Many of these spiritual life lessons are truths that we thought we already knew.  However, God has allowed us to experience them in a deeper or more profound way that has changed our perspective, focused our efforts, and refined our character.   For example, we had always heard and read and known intellectually that God is faithful.  However, through some rocky experiences over a long period of time and the simple fact that we were able to hang in there and keep hoping until we saw the faithfulness of God manifested in various situations, God taught us again to trust His faithfulness.  We learned once more that we could choose to trust Him even when we had no understanding of why things happened as they did and even when every fiber of our being was desperately crying out for resolution to pain and crisis NOW!  We learned that we have the easy part (if you could call waiting in desperation easy) of just holding on, while God is not only working throughout the situation but also working in the hearts of we who are struggling to believe while knowing that we must believe even when belief seems contrary to every indicator of reality.  How patient He is with us as we learn the same lessons over and over again, hopefully at a deeper level of spiritual understanding and growth.  Out of such experiences came songs like Travis’ “God is Faithful,” “I Am Here,” (the assurance of God’s presence) and “Much More Than a Song” (the recognition of the fact that God is worthy of praise in any circumstance).

A new song as a Psalm of thanks for what God has done.

Sing a new song to the LORD, for he has done wonderful deeds.  His right hand has won a mighty victory; His holy arm has shown his saving power!

–  Psalm 98:1

The fact that God continues to give “a new song” is an encouragement for individual Christians and for the people of God.  It means that God is still at work in the hearts of His people.  It means that God is still “with us” and is striving to complete His work in our lives, as He has promised.  It means that God’s patience (long-suffering) is still delaying His judgement of this world because of His mercy and grace and His great love.  Like a sermon or a book that someone has been inspired to write and to proclaim, a new song means that there are still lessons to learn and souls that need to be saved.  As long as God continues to inspire new songs as messages of His love, His faithfulness, His mercy and grace, His plan for our lives and for all of creation, God’s people are reminded through another means that God is still working to accomplish His purposes.  His Spirit is working in our hearts, His Word is instructing us in righteousness, and the messages that God inspires men to write or speak or act or paint or sing or sculpt (and, especially, to live!) for His glory are testimonies of God’s faithfulness in all of these things.

A new song for everyone!

Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! 

–  Psalm 96:1

Some of the songs that individuals feel inspired to write may never be heard by many people.  The purpose of a song may be as an individual expression of praise to God.  This kind of new song is very personal to the writer as a part of their spiritual journey and may exist only to serve as a vehicle of praise for that person.  Someone who has never thought of themselves as a song writer may even find themselves singing to the Lord in worship with lyrics that are uniquely their own.  A song does not have to be sung by millions in order to be a valid expression of praise to God.  He knows when your “new song” expresses the praises of your heart or speaks of a lesson learned or a truth that has been understood in a new way.  In essence, every time we sing any song of praise to God, it can be a “new song” of praise to Him when it becomes the very real and sincere praise of the present moment, when our hearts cry out anew in thankfulness and awe.

A new song in Heaven

And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain; and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 

–  Revelation 5:9

Our God is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.  But His creation continues to change even as He creates newness in hearts and lives.  The heartbreak of pain and loss will not always be with us.  All of the trials of this world are temporary.  Someday, He will make all things new, just as He is now making our hearts new.  The process of His work on our spiritual creation gives us some new songs to sing along the way.  Is is a joy to know that someday we will sing of His victory in a place where there is no more to overcome.  We will have overcome all things through the blood of the Lamb, through the giving of our lives to Him, through the Word of truth, and through the word of our testimony.  Our songs of trusting God when we don’t understand will become obsolete.  Finally, we will know Him even as we are known, and God will give us a new song of thanksgiving and praise for all of eternity.

A new song of joy

Sing a new song of praise to Him; play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy. 

–  Psalm 33:3

For now, we will continue our songs, both old and new.  We will sing of God’s salvation and power.  We will sing of His faithfulness and love.  We will sing of God’s mercy and His amazing grace.  We will sing with joy, for we know that we are not the only ones who are singing.  Our God rejoices over us as his dearly beloved children, and He sings over us as well.  He is with us.  He is mighty in power and yet tender and gentle in His patience, renewing us with His love until that day when we will dwell with Him and the former things will all pass away.

His song for you and me

The LORD your God is with you. He is a hero who saves you. He happily rejoices over you, renews you with his love, and celebrates over you with shouts of joy. 

–  Zephaniah 3:17

My husband, singing his song, “Much More Than a Song” (available as a Vocal Solo or Choral Anthem on http//:www.worshipsounds.com )

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Looking for answers for yourself or for a friend?

Thank you for spending your valuable time reading the contents of this page.  We hope that it has been helpful to you.   If you or someone that you know is looking for answers about life, we hope that you will visit our page called “Do You Know Jesus?”.   The links provided on this page will help to answer life’s deepest questions.   Here is the link to “Do You Know Jesus?”:  http://www.worshipsounds.wordpress.com/do-you-know-jesus/

Please feel free to share this URL with anyone who is looking for answers about life and eternity.

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Song Story: “Walking by Faith”

The song, “Walking By Faith,” was composed by Travis L. Boyd, inspired by scripture and by the testimony of an Oklahoma Minister of Music and Worship.  Royce Brown lived his life by faith, walking with Jesus and serving the Lord through every challenge he faced.  Though he had lost his eyesight, Royce not only served faithfully in his ministry calling but also in his community.  He was known as an effective, servant leader, whose community involvement and faithful perseverance was an inspiration to his family, friends, neighbors, and his colleagues in ministry.   “Walking by Faith” was written with the ministry and character of this man (and the faithfulness of God as our Shepherd and guide) uppermost in Travis’s mind.

Royce Brown, a long-time Minister of Worship and Music, community volunteer, charter member of The Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma, and Minister of Music Emeritus for the First Baptist Church of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, was a man who walked by faith, both spiritually and physically.  He left behind a legacy of service and faithfulness as well as a testimony of trust in God and a transparent love for his Lord and Savior.  Royce and his family moved to Sapulpa, Oklahoma in 1966, when he became the Minister of Music at the First Baptist Church there.  After more than 5o years of service in ministry at Sapulpa and in other communities such as Blackwell, Ada, and Pauls Valley, Royce retired from full-time ministry. Continuing to live in the community of Sapulpa, Royce sang in local nursing homes every week.  He was also involved in the Sapulpa Ministerial Alliance and in the local Lions Club.  Royce was named Citizen of the Year by the Sertoma Club of Sapulpa, and June 9, 2002, was proclaimed Royce Brown Day by the Sapulpa Mayor, in honor of Royce’s long history of community service and ministy.

The Logo for The Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma

Royce had been widowed in 2001, and he had also lost his eyesight.  However, he never lost his love for the Lord or his desire to serve.  He continued to sing with the Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma, depending on friends within the group for transportation to and from concerts all over the State of Oklahoma and around the world on Churchmen Mission trips.  Royce inspired fellow Ministers of Music and Worship with his dedication and perseverance, memorizing all of his music and accepting the help of others as he navigated through the buildings and upon the worship center platforms of the churches where concerts were held.

Due to his longevity and faithfulness in ministry, Royce was recognized by the Historical Commission of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma as Music Minister Emeritus of the First Baptist Church of Sapulpa.  In addition. he was also presented the Lifetime Music Ministry Award, instituted in Royce’s honor, by Dr. Bill Green, Associate Executive Director of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma and, at that time, Director of both The Singing Churchmen and The Singing Churchwomen of Oklahoma.  This award continues to be given to Music and Worship Ministers in the State of Oklahoma who have served faithfully for many years.

Introducing “Walking by Faith”

Travis played “Walking by Faith” for Royce in the Worship Center of First Baptist Church of Sapulpa, Oklahoma.

After Travis had written a TTBB arrangement of “Walking By Faith” with a tenor solo; and Dr. Bill Green had selected the song for inclusion in the repertoire of The Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma, Travis and I travelled to Sapulpa to share the song with Royce and introduce him to the solo.  Royce had a mellow tenor voice, and he did not hesitate to use it in praise to his Lord.  I am smiling even now as I recall meeting Royce in the Worship Center of his church, where Travis sat down at the piano with Royce just behind him, listening and ready to sing.  Royce picked up on the song so quickly that it seemed miraculous.  He was singing along with portions of the song before he had even heard them being played or sung and without the benefit of being able to see the music.   It was definitely a very spiritual experience to hear Royce singing “Walking By Faith”, knowing that the Lord had inspired Travis to write the song so that Royce could have further opportunity to proclaim the message of God’s goodness and guidance throughout life.  Travis knew that the message of “Walking By Faith” would be shared with integrity and conviction by this man who had lived his own faith walk through many decades of ministry and service.

From the July 11, 2002 Baptist Messenger: HONORED: Royce Brown, left, Music Minister Emeritus at Sapulpa, First, accepts congratulations from Ron Fannin, Associate Executive Director of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, right, and Bill Green, BGCO Associate Executive Director of Church and Family Equipping Ministries and Director of The Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma, of which Brown is a charter member. Brown was honored by Sapulpa, First, for more than 50 years of ministry. Fannin presented an award from the BGCO Historical Commission, and Green announced the establishment of the Royce Brown Award for Lifetime Achievement in Music Ministry.

Hearing Royce sing “Walking By Faith” was something very special to Travis, to our brother, Dr. Bill Green, and to all of The Singing Churchmen and the audiences at each of the Worship Concerts.  Beyond the sound of Royce’s beautiful tenor voice singing a pleasant tune with with a message of encouragement and challenge, the Holy Spirit used the life and spirit of the man singing the solo and the testimony of The Singing Churchmen singing the choral parts to touch the hearts of all who heard “Walking by Faith” during this time period. On one occasion, Travis and some friends stopped at a restaurant after a concert during which “Walking By Faith” was one of the anthems sung by The Churchmen, with Royce as the soloist.  Royce and his traveling buddy had also stopped at the same place; and Travis witnessed a woman who had been at the concert and recognized Royce as she told him how blessed she had been by his solo on “Walking By Faith.”  Royce had beamed as he thanked her, and we are so pleased that God allowed Royce to share the testimony of his spiritual journey with Jesus through this song.

Our brother Royce went home to be with His Lord in June of 2003.  The Singing Churchmen sang “Walking By Faith” and other songs of testimony at his funeral service.  For those who witnessed his life, there remains an unforgettable testimony of the faithfulness of God and the faith journey of a man of God that will live on in our hearts.

There are so many faithful servants of God who have the same testimony of walking by faith and trusting the Lord throughout their lives.  Along the way on our journey, we are thankful to have met so many wonderful people who love the Lord and are walking with Him one step at a time.  Most of all, we are thankful to know the Lord and to be able to trust Him throughout our lives as we continue walking by faith.

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The track below is the publisher’s demo version of,”Walking by Faith,” with the solo sung by Sue Martin.  Click “Listen in browser” to hear it (unless you already have or want to install the Sound Cloud app).

“Walking by Faith” was published as an SAB Choral anthem with Solo by Shawnee Press/Hal Leonard.  The anthem is still available at the links below, and a Performance/Accompaniment CD is also available.

One step at a time…

Lyrics for “Walking By Faith”:

Walking by faith and not by sight,
Guided by a Holy light.
Step by step, the way is clear.
The Spirit of the Lord is near.

I will follow where He leads,
For I know the path is right
When I’m walking by faith
And not by sight.

Trusting in One I cannot see,
For He knows what’s best for me.
Tenderly, the Shepherd guides.
The Spirit of the Lord abides.

I will follow where He leads,
For the Lord will be my light
When I’m walking by faith
And not by sight.

(Bridge section)
Though at times I stumble,
I will never fall;
For I know God is always faithful
To hold my hand, and lift me up,
And see me through it all.

When I’m living by faith, I’m not alone.
As I travel on toward home.
When the road is hard to bear,
The Spirit of the Lord is there.

I will follow where He leads,
For the way is always right
When I’m walking by faith
And not by sight.

(Tag ending)
I’m walking by faith and not by sight.

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HERE IS THE PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION of “Walking By Faith”:

“Full of youthful confidence and motivational lyrics, “Walking By Faith” is a challenge to Christians of all ages to “walk by faith and not by sight.” Gentle syncopations are easily learned and help give the piece a nice contemporary feel. The SAB voicing is particularly well suited to youth choirs.”

“Walking by Faith”  is available from:

Shawnee Press at:  http://www.shawneepress.com/product/viewproduct.do?itemid=35024936

Hal Leonard at:  http://www.halleonard.com/product/viewproduct.do?itemid=35024936&lid=1&keywords=TravisBoyd&subsiteid=1

Sheet Music Plus (with 2 sample pages to view plus a listening link) at http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/Walking-by-Faith/5206355

J. W. Pepper at  http://www.jwpepper.com/8065838.item

 

The first page of “Walkig By Faith”, copyright Shawnee Press, with the dedication, “For Royce Brown”, appearing above the title.

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This post was written by C. Boyd

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Do you know Jesus? 

The decision to ask Jesus to come into your heart and life as your Lord and Savior is the best decision you could ever make!  The one true God is ready to give you forgiveness and eternal life as soon as you understand your need for Him and believe on the name of His only Son, Jesus, for your salvation.

Here’s a blog page link to help you find the answers to your questions about Jesus.  http://www.worshipsounds.wordpress.com/do-you-know-jesus/

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Song Story: “The Magic of Jesus”

Velma Baptist Church, where Travis and Cindy were saved in 1978 and first became involved in worship ministry. Velma Baptist was our home church during the time that this song story took place.

The stories of our songs are really stories of our faith journey.   At the time that these events took place, Travis and I were both teaching public school music.  Travis was a Band Director for grades 5 – 12, and I taught Elementary Music, K – 5.  When Travis and I were both saved at Velma, Oklahoma, on September 3rd, 1978, we came out of the choir loft to respond to the invitation to know Christ as our Lord and Savior.   Having been invited to the church by one of Travis’ band students, we had first attended on Father’s Day.   We’d been attending all summer at the time of our salvation, and we had already begun serving in the music ministry of the church.  God’s Holy Spirit had been at work in our hearts, drawing us to the Lord.  After we were both saved and then baptised a week later, we rapidly became more active in the life of our church, looking for new ways to serve.  Both of us helped with youth, entertained at youth functions (in a band with our Pastor on drums, our part-time Music Minister and teaching colleague on piano, and Travis on bass guitar), worked in Vacation Bible School, went as sponsor on youth trips and to youth camp at Falls Creek,  sang solos when asked, and did all we could to learn and grow as Christians in the first year of our faith walk.   During that year, Travis also began going to a class our Pastor had begun for young men who were called to ministry.   Though he hadn’t yet made public his acceptance of God’s call on his life to vocational ministry, Travis demonstrated his willingness to serve through his desire to attend this special class.  In the midst of all of these rapid changes in our hearts and lives, another change took place.  Travis began to write songs about his faith walk and to sing them when given the opportunity.   The first song that he was inspired to write was “The Magic of Jesus.”

In February of 1979, we attended our churchwide Valentine Banquet.  The entertainer for the event was a Christian magician.  He did a great job with the tricks he performed and then spoke about real magic.  Stating that all of the tricks were just illusions, he explained that the only real magic was the magic of Jesus.  He talked about how magic that is real is truly supernatural, going beyond what we call the laws of nature in a way that defies any ‘natural’ explanation.  Whether walking on water, healing people, or changing a life from the inside out, the real magic of Jesus demonstrates that He is Lord over all of Creation.   This message and the truth that it conveyed inspired Travis to write “The Magic of Jesus.”   Until this point, I know of only 2 songs that Travis had written with lyrics.   He wrote a song called “Money” (while in High School) about how people place too much importance on material things that don’t bring happiness.  Then, when we were dating, he wrote a song for me.   He did write other music, but it was all instrumental.  He wrote original pieces for his bands to play in concert when he was a Band Director, and he did arrangements of well-known songs for his marching bands.  “The Magic of Jesus” was the beginning point of the faith songs that Travis would write for decades to come.   The next time that Travis was scheduled to sing a solo at church, he sang “The Magic of Jesus,” accompanying himself on piano.  When I heard him play and sing this song, I knew that something was happening.  It was my first realization that the Lord was going to use Travis in some way for His Kingdom, even beyond our local church music ministry.  This event took place only a few months before Travis again responded to the invitation in May of 1979.  This time, he was sharing with his church family the fact that he felt the Lord was calling him into some kind of vocational ministry.   Since that time, I’ve been an eyewitness to the work of God through Travis’ life and music.  It really has been magical…in the truest sense of the word.  What God has done through Travis with these messages of faith has been far beyond what Travis could have or would have done on his own.  The ministry of and through music that God has allowed Travis to share flows from the supernatural power of Christ in him….the ONLY kind of magic that is real and eternal.

“Water turned into wine, and He fed the multitude.

Come and see what the magic of Jesus can do for you.

Healing the leper, and causing the blind to see,

The magic of Jesus is here today for you and me.

CHORUS:
If you’ll open your heart, and let the Son of God come in and cleanse your soul,

He’ll mend your sin-torn life, if you let Him take control.

Eternity is just a prayer away…a sinner’s pleading call.

Because the magic of Jesus is the greatest magic of all.”

(lyrics from “The Magic of Jesus”  c.  1979  by Travis L. Boyd)
Song story by Cynthia Boyd

You’ll find many Choral Anthems, Vocal Solos, Orchestrations, Accompaniment Tracks, and Congreational Worship Songs by Travis L. Boyd on our WorshipSounds Music  website @ http://www.worshipsounds.com

Click photo above to go to our WorshipSounds website

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Do you know Jesus?

The decision to ask Jesus to come into your heart and life as your Lord and Savior is the best decision you could ever make!  The one true God is ready to give you forgiveness and eternal life as soon as you understand your need for Him and believe on the name of His only Son, Jesus, for your salvation.  Here’s a blog page link to help you find the answers to your questions about Jesus.  http://www.worshipsounds.wordpress.com/do-you-know-jesus/

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WOULD   YOU  LIKE  TO  READ  MORE  POSTS  LIKE  THIS  ONE?

Link to our  “Song Stories”  category to see all of the song story posts:  https://worshipsounds.wordpress.com/category/song-stories/

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Blessings through God’s Presence

This photo is of The Singing Churchwomen of Oklahoma in concert at Regency Park Baptist Church in Moore, Oklaoma, with Dr. Bill Green directing.

**THE  SINGING  CHURCHWOMEN  OF  OKLAHOMA**

The Singing Churchwomen of Oklahoma are a group near and dear to my heart.  Not only was my wife, Cindy,  a member of this group for over 14 years, but we also know so many of the women personally.   When Cindy joined the group, we were living in Western Oklahoma; so she was part of the Singing Churchwomen West (the group is so large that they only combine the East & West groups once of twice a year.  In most months, each group gives a concert on their side of the state of Oklahoma).  A few years later, I was called to a church on the East side of the state, so Cindy was then a part of the Singing Churchwomen East for several years and eventually served as their President-Elect and then President.   In addition to these connections, some of the women are the wives of Ministers of Worship; and their husbands are in The Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma, a group which I was a member of for 18 years.   I’ve met some of the wives of my brothers when they would come to our concerts or even come along as travelling companions on our mission trips.   There were also women in the group who had been part of my church choirs from all 4 of the churches that I had served in full-time ministry in Oklahoma.  The Singing Churchwomen are a very special group of women who love the Lord and each other and love to sing praises to the Lord.  I have heard some amazing, angelic sounds from this group.

It has been my joy to arrange and compose music for The Singing Churchwomen, and to hear them sing some of my music in concert and in the recordings that they have made.  In addition to pieces that I was asked to arrange or re-voice for the group, they have also sung (and sometimes recorded) many of my original choral pieces in SSAA arrangements, including “You Are a Spring,”  “Let the Trumpet Sound,”  “He Took Up a Cross,”  “One Like Me,”  and “God is Faithful.”   I’d have to say my favorite song to hear them sing was my choral anthem entitled, “I Am Here.”   This anthem is a message of hope and encouragement and a reminder that God is right here with us even when the circumstances of life are very difficult.   Knowing so many of these women and the challenges and trials they have overcome and endured, it was like listening to the beautiful combined voices of so many sisters in Christ, sharing their personal testimony of God’s nearness in their time of need.   This particular photo is very meaningful to me because I served at Regency Park Baptist Church, where this concert took place, from 1989 until 1993.   We still have a lot of friends from this church and attended their 50th Anniversary Celebration in July of 2011.  It was this church for which I wrote “I Am Here”  after their buildings and over 40 members’ homes were destroyed in the May, 1999 F5 tornado that hit Moore and Southwest Oklahoma City.   The nearness of God’s presence is so necessary and comforting when our lives have been turned upside down; and there is no more meaningful picture of this fact for me than to see this photo of the group that so beautifully sang the message of  “I Am Here”….  in concert in the new worship center built by Regency Park.

And, He was there…just as He is here now.

Sometimes, we need a reminder of the nearness of our God.  Whether we are just feeling alone or are in a time of trial, the assurance of God’s presence is a healing gift to our spirits.  This assurance often comes directly from His spirit within us.  Sometimes it comes through reading scripture or through a sermon or testimony.  And sometime, it comes in a song.  Be encouraged.  He is here!

Some of the lyrics from “I Am Here”:

Be encouraged!  I am here….
Bring comfort for each tear,
Giving hope when all seems lost
In the power of the cross.

When the walls around you crumble,
And your heart is filled with fear,
Rest assured that I’ll be with you!
I Am here.”

copyright Travis L. Boyd

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“I Am Here” is available on the WorshipSounds Music website
as an SATB Choral Anthem and as a Vocal Solo in 2 keys

  You can view the music for the Vocal Solo as you listen to a computer demo
(Solos are on our website’s Home Page in the left side bar)

The Video Demo for the Choral Anthem can be found on our website’s Adult Choir music page
(Click “see and hear the music”)

There is also an Orchestration for the Choral Anthem.

http://www.worshipsounds.com

Click photo above to go to our WorshipSounds website

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Our post entitled Song Story for:  “I Am Here”  also references “I Am Here” and the circumstances that inspired the composition of the song. http://www.worshipsounds.wordpress.com/2011/11/08/blessings-through-gods-presence/

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Do you know someone who is looking for answers?

Thank you for spending your valuable time reading the contents of this page.  We hope that it has been helpful to you.   If you or someone that you know is looking for answers about life, we hope that you will visit our page called “Do You Know Jesus?”.   The links provided on this page will help to answer life’s deepest questions.   Here is the link to “Do You Know Jesus?”:  http://www.worshipsounds.wordpress.com/do-you-know-jesus/

Please feel free to share this URL with anyone who is looking for answers about life, eternity, and peace with God.

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Blessings through testimony

***  THE  PASADENA  TABERNACLE  SONGSTERS  ***
The testimony of others can be uplifting and encouraging to believers.  That’s really our main task… our mission… to share the good news about the love of God, His gift of salvation, and how He continues in relationship with His children, at work in our lives in ways that we often don’t even see.   We must share these truths and the difference that knowing Him has made in our lives with those who don’t know the Lord and also with each other.   We never know how the Lord may use our personal salvation or faith walk story in the lives of others.   As Christians, sometimes the testimonies that help to strengthen our faith walk are from people that we know personally.  At other times, we may read them in a book or magazine, hear them on the radio, in a movie or television show… or even in a song!

The group in this photo takes the mission of sharing their testimony of faith very seriously.  They are the Pasadena Tabernacle Songsters from the Salvation Army’s Pasadena, CA, Tabernacle.  This group has recorded several CD’s and does a major mission trip every year.  They recorded Travis’ SAB Anthem, “Children of Light,”  (published by Shawnee Press / Hal Leonard) on their “New Day”  CD just prior to a mission trip to Australia and New Zealand.   The CD is still available at this link:  http://www.tabsongsters.org/previous.html , along with their current CD, “Amazing Grace” and several other previous CDs. Travis’ anthem, “Children of Light”  is song #12 on the “New Day” CD (yellow cover), and the text is a perfect description of the testimony of this group:  “Saved by grace, walking in faith, following Jesus Christ…we are the children of Light!”

Here is the audio from my Sound Cloud of the Pasadena Tabernacle Songsters’ recording of “Children of Light”.  Although this anthem has also been recorded by others, the Pasadena Tabernacle Songsters are the only group which has recorded the song with the full Orchestration.  Because the Publisher, Shawnee Press, had not requested or published an Orchestration, the group’s director contacted Travis and commissioned him to write a Full Orchestration for this recording and for all of the times that the song has been shared on mission trips and in their home church.  (See the note about availablility below.)

The recording of their incredible choir and orchestra, singing and playing “Children of Light” can also be found on the web at:  http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2515.mp3

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“Children of Light” is still available from the following sources:
Pine Lake Music at www.pinelakemusic.com/Results.aspx?s…ch=Travis+Boyd
It is also available from Sheet Music Plus at www.sheetmusicplus.com/composers/Travis-Boyd/18033

Note:  The Orchestration heard on the Pasadena Tabernacle Songsters’ recording of “Children of Light”, commissioned by the Choir’s Director specifically for their recording project and mission trip repertoire, remains unpublished.  Travis contacted the publisher after finishing the Orchestration to see if they wanted to publish it.  However, the publisher declined.  It is, unfortunately, not available for purchase since the song is under Shawnee Press / Hal Leonard copyright and the commissioned orchestration is owned by the group (though they were willing for it to be published).

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Many more songs written by Travis L. Boyd can be found
on our Worship Sounds Music website.

Worshipful, Affordable Music for your Choir, Orchestra, Ensembles, Soloists, and Congregation

http://www.worshipsounds.com

Click photo above to go to our WorshipSounds website

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Do you know Jesus? 

The decision to ask Jesus to come into your heart and life as your Lord and Savior is the best decision you could ever make!  The one true God is ready to give you forgiveness and eternal life as soon as you understand your need for Him and believe on the name of His only Son, Jesus, for your salvation.  Here’s a blog page link to help you find the answers to your questions about Jesus.  http://www.worshipsounds.wordpress.com/do-you-know-jesus/

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