Hey folks!
If there are any Texans or Tennesseans within range, you may wish to hear of the following concerts I will be doing.
On Saturday evening, October 11/08 I will be doing a concert for St. Davids Church at the following location;
We now meet in the chapel at the Boys and Girls Country Academy, which is located at 21225 FM 2920, Hockley, Texas, about 1 mile west of Rosehill Christian School on the south side of FM 2920.
and the contact people to ask directions are the Gene Franklin family. gene@crechouston.org and the Church website is http://www.crechouston.org/
On Sunday eve, 6PM, October 12/08 I will be in concert in Austin, TX at this location;
Park Hills Baptist Church
900 S. MoPac Expressway
Austin, TX 78746
This concert is sponsored by Redeemer Presbyterian Curch (PCA), and the contact person will be Susan Marcus smarcus@redeemerpres.org
On Sunday afternoon, Oct. 18/09 at 4PM I am doing a concert in Nashville, TN, sponsored by the fine folks at St. Mark Reformed Church, at the following location;
501 Brewer Dr. Nashville, TN 37211 at the Nashville First Hispanic Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Contact Joe Thacker for details, pastorjoeccp@gmail.com
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Timbrel as Moses
We were talking around the table tonight about things that happened to the kids when they were little, episodes when they got lost and so forth. I remembered this one...
Timbrel was 4, Zion was in her high 2s, Judah was probably ten months old. The Soles family took a drive out to the Dunes area south of town to look for some flat rocks we could use for a walkway in our backyard. We parked the minivan at the entrance to a gravel pit, and we got out to look around. Judah was sleeping in his car seat; I think we had been going to take him along but then realized he was asleep, so we just set his seat back on the bucket seat of the van, and Val looked around for rocks near the van. I took the two girls on a trip down into the gravel pit to look for flat rocks.
The pit curved sharply to the right just ahead, and kept curving till we had gone probably 220 degrees when we came to the end of the pit. I found some good rocks high up on the bank while Timbrel and Zion played down on the floor of the pit, which was pretty solid and mostly dry, except for a few puddles left by a recent rain. The rock that I had found looked too big for me to carry all the way back to the van, so I had the bright idea to go get the van.
"Girls, Daddy is just going to walk over this ridge and get the van, and I will drive it around to where you are, you just stay there!" Timbrel's eyes widened, but I don't think I noticed...
Bad idea, Daddy!
I went around and found Val loading rocks she had found, so I helped her finish and told her the plan. We shut the door beside Judah, got in, and drove down into the gravel pit, and started around the loop toward my rock, when we saw a rather distressing sight. Timbrel had decided that there was no way we were leaving them there, and like Moses she began to lead the children out of the wilderness. Unfortunately, she didn't have much sense about big puddles, and the one we found her stuck in was about 50 feet across. She was out in the middle, both boots stuck fast, and screaming her head off; Zion was about 15 feet behind her, both boots stuck fast and screaming her head off too.
I saw them and slammed on the brakes, jumped out of the van, and ran out to rescue the girls and their boots, which was a difficult task... that mud was really sticky! We all became quite a mud fest; me carrying two screeching girls up to the van. But the van was screaming too... When I hit the brakes, I had failed to notice that Judah was not buckled into the bucket seat, and he went pitching onto the floor face first, still strapped in his car seat. His lip was swelling up at the same rate as his voice...
The Soles family mourned, and I'm sure half the town heard it.
Timbrel was 4, Zion was in her high 2s, Judah was probably ten months old. The Soles family took a drive out to the Dunes area south of town to look for some flat rocks we could use for a walkway in our backyard. We parked the minivan at the entrance to a gravel pit, and we got out to look around. Judah was sleeping in his car seat; I think we had been going to take him along but then realized he was asleep, so we just set his seat back on the bucket seat of the van, and Val looked around for rocks near the van. I took the two girls on a trip down into the gravel pit to look for flat rocks.
The pit curved sharply to the right just ahead, and kept curving till we had gone probably 220 degrees when we came to the end of the pit. I found some good rocks high up on the bank while Timbrel and Zion played down on the floor of the pit, which was pretty solid and mostly dry, except for a few puddles left by a recent rain. The rock that I had found looked too big for me to carry all the way back to the van, so I had the bright idea to go get the van.
"Girls, Daddy is just going to walk over this ridge and get the van, and I will drive it around to where you are, you just stay there!" Timbrel's eyes widened, but I don't think I noticed...
Bad idea, Daddy!
I went around and found Val loading rocks she had found, so I helped her finish and told her the plan. We shut the door beside Judah, got in, and drove down into the gravel pit, and started around the loop toward my rock, when we saw a rather distressing sight. Timbrel had decided that there was no way we were leaving them there, and like Moses she began to lead the children out of the wilderness. Unfortunately, she didn't have much sense about big puddles, and the one we found her stuck in was about 50 feet across. She was out in the middle, both boots stuck fast, and screaming her head off; Zion was about 15 feet behind her, both boots stuck fast and screaming her head off too.
I saw them and slammed on the brakes, jumped out of the van, and ran out to rescue the girls and their boots, which was a difficult task... that mud was really sticky! We all became quite a mud fest; me carrying two screeching girls up to the van. But the van was screaming too... When I hit the brakes, I had failed to notice that Judah was not buckled into the bucket seat, and he went pitching onto the floor face first, still strapped in his car seat. His lip was swelling up at the same rate as his voice...
The Soles family mourned, and I'm sure half the town heard it.
Sword Drills
Sword drills are a great way to raise your child's knowledge of where things are in the Bible. I used to do this with my big three, Timbrel, Zion, and Judah, though we have not done it much for a couple years now. I have begun to do it with the next three, Jewel, Jonathan, and Eden, and they have been getting much quicker.
So today we did a sword drill open, to see where the littles stack up against the bigs. Jewel started out smoking with a couple of wins, but then Zion and Timbrel stole the show once they got warmed up. I think Jonathan got a win once, and Judah got one as well. Judah doesn't have great memories of sword drills, just a continual series of losses to his extremely quick big sisters. They are pretty tough competition!
"Swords in the air!" (all the bibles go up into the air, closed and spine upward)
"Find Jeremiah 31:9!" (everyone repeats "Jeremiah 31:9!")
"Go!!" (everyone rushes to find the reference)
Someone stands up and starts to read, hopefully a split second before their neighbor starts, and everyone else groans, especially if they were close...
If your sword drillers are really competent at finding their way around, try this variation;
"In the historical books, find the story of David and Goliath!"
If someone knows the reference they can call it out, and they win; if not, they have to look it up.
(after some digging, someone says "1st Samuel 17!")
This is a great game.
So today we did a sword drill open, to see where the littles stack up against the bigs. Jewel started out smoking with a couple of wins, but then Zion and Timbrel stole the show once they got warmed up. I think Jonathan got a win once, and Judah got one as well. Judah doesn't have great memories of sword drills, just a continual series of losses to his extremely quick big sisters. They are pretty tough competition!
"Swords in the air!" (all the bibles go up into the air, closed and spine upward)
"Find Jeremiah 31:9!" (everyone repeats "Jeremiah 31:9!")
"Go!!" (everyone rushes to find the reference)
Someone stands up and starts to read, hopefully a split second before their neighbor starts, and everyone else groans, especially if they were close...
If your sword drillers are really competent at finding their way around, try this variation;
"In the historical books, find the story of David and Goliath!"
If someone knows the reference they can call it out, and they win; if not, they have to look it up.
(after some digging, someone says "1st Samuel 17!")
This is a great game.
Also overheard...
Val heard Joe singing another of my songs today, only this time a really old one, with a twist...
Set me free to be what I need to be
Cause there's a higher college got a hold on me...
What!?! He's been recruited already?!?
Jonathan must have played that for him, I don't think he has it in his room...
Set me free to be what I need to be
Cause there's a higher college got a hold on me...
What!?! He's been recruited already?!?
Jonathan must have played that for him, I don't think he has it in his room...
Denetch
So I'm playing songs for some of my little kids, when Joseph (4) asks me if I could play "Denetch". (emphasize the first syllable.)
"I'm not sure I know that song."
"It's on your CD. Denetch."
"???!?"
So he starts to sing it for me... "Denetch, Denetch, Denetch, De, MANAMANAMANA..."
It appears that "Golden Calf" has a new name...
"I'm not sure I know that song."
"It's on your CD. Denetch."
"???!?"
So he starts to sing it for me... "Denetch, Denetch, Denetch, De, MANAMANAMANA..."
It appears that "Golden Calf" has a new name...
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Names of the Patriarchs
The question was put to me, "Why memorize the names of the Patriarchs? Why not rather spend your time memorizing some verses that will help you in your walk with the Lord?" My answer is this;
1. God seemed inclined to give us the list of those names and their characters many times in Scripture. It seems to me that God is placing special emphasis on something when He repeats it again and again, I don't think He is big on wasting words. When He repeats something, He really wants us to get it.
2. They are our fathers. If we have been adopted into Christ, then His history has become our history. We have been brought into relationship, into covenant, with all that God has worked in before. Honor your father and mother, the Lord tells us. So we learn about them, but not just about them; we learn what God has done in history as we learn about them. And learning all the whats, whos, wheres, etc. in the Bible DOES help us in our walk with the Lord, because we learn who He is and what He does and how He works.
3. For little kids about 4 years old this song is a fun challenge. They haven't had a great grasp on how to speak for very long, but now, a challenge! They love it. And besides, I'd much rather fill my kids heads and hearts with "Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," than with "heavenly sunshine" or "arky, arky" kinds of songs. Abe and company, that is real stuff; the other stuff is fluff that someone made up. Little kids are knowledge sponges, fill them up with Bible, and not with distractions.
4. Little kids can grasp a story, or a list of names, much better than they can grasp an abstract concept like justification by faith alone. That is how God built us; we learn by stories when we are little, we learn to think abstractly in our teens. I'm quite sure that is why God built the Bible with so many stories in it, so that His children would remember.
1. God seemed inclined to give us the list of those names and their characters many times in Scripture. It seems to me that God is placing special emphasis on something when He repeats it again and again, I don't think He is big on wasting words. When He repeats something, He really wants us to get it.
2. They are our fathers. If we have been adopted into Christ, then His history has become our history. We have been brought into relationship, into covenant, with all that God has worked in before. Honor your father and mother, the Lord tells us. So we learn about them, but not just about them; we learn what God has done in history as we learn about them. And learning all the whats, whos, wheres, etc. in the Bible DOES help us in our walk with the Lord, because we learn who He is and what He does and how He works.
3. For little kids about 4 years old this song is a fun challenge. They haven't had a great grasp on how to speak for very long, but now, a challenge! They love it. And besides, I'd much rather fill my kids heads and hearts with "Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," than with "heavenly sunshine" or "arky, arky" kinds of songs. Abe and company, that is real stuff; the other stuff is fluff that someone made up. Little kids are knowledge sponges, fill them up with Bible, and not with distractions.
4. Little kids can grasp a story, or a list of names, much better than they can grasp an abstract concept like justification by faith alone. That is how God built us; we learn by stories when we are little, we learn to think abstractly in our teens. I'm quite sure that is why God built the Bible with so many stories in it, so that His children would remember.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Thanks for those brakes, Mr. Stephen!
On our recent trip, we took the exciting route to Vancouver. We crossed from the Yellowhead to the Caribou highways at Little Fort, just south of Clearwater, and stayed at a campsite in Bridge Lake. The next day we drove out to Clinton. Now, on my map there is a road connecting Clinton to Lillooet, but I stopped to ask one of the locals about it just the same.
To old lady in store; "Is there a road connecting Clinton to Lillooet?"
"Yes, just up there." pause... "Some of it is gravel..." pause... "It gets a bit washboardy sometimes, if you are in a hurry, you better go around by the highway."
OK, I'm not in a hurry."
So we drove on a paved road for 17km west of Clinton, to a nice little provincial park, where the pavement ended, and the road narrowed to one lane (!), and began to climb in switchbacks up this mountain. We climbed and climbed, a couple hundred yards this way, a couple hundred yards that way... I remember pointing out the view to my kids at one point, when the lake was a couple thousand feet below us, looking down at it from about a 60 degree angle. One lane, gravel, hoping nobody came from the other direction. When we finally topped out we were overlooking the valley where Lillooet is, but seeing it from very high up. That side of the valley was all open, and made for a long trip downhill.
My big kids are of the sort that wants the trip to be fast and done, no dilly-dallying or shortcuts (which always take longer); this time I was told that I could take more shortcuts if they were like that one...
The rest of the drive from Lillooet to Whistler was pretty spectacular as well. Driving down from the pass into Pemberton the road was a 15% grade for 5km., full of switchbacks, and my brakes were smoking by the time I reached the bottom. We were very thankful for Stephen's brake job he had just done on the van. The old ones would have left us in a pile somewhere in those hills...
To old lady in store; "Is there a road connecting Clinton to Lillooet?"
"Yes, just up there." pause... "Some of it is gravel..." pause... "It gets a bit washboardy sometimes, if you are in a hurry, you better go around by the highway."
OK, I'm not in a hurry."
So we drove on a paved road for 17km west of Clinton, to a nice little provincial park, where the pavement ended, and the road narrowed to one lane (!), and began to climb in switchbacks up this mountain. We climbed and climbed, a couple hundred yards this way, a couple hundred yards that way... I remember pointing out the view to my kids at one point, when the lake was a couple thousand feet below us, looking down at it from about a 60 degree angle. One lane, gravel, hoping nobody came from the other direction. When we finally topped out we were overlooking the valley where Lillooet is, but seeing it from very high up. That side of the valley was all open, and made for a long trip downhill.
My big kids are of the sort that wants the trip to be fast and done, no dilly-dallying or shortcuts (which always take longer); this time I was told that I could take more shortcuts if they were like that one...
The rest of the drive from Lillooet to Whistler was pretty spectacular as well. Driving down from the pass into Pemberton the road was a 15% grade for 5km., full of switchbacks, and my brakes were smoking by the time I reached the bottom. We were very thankful for Stephen's brake job he had just done on the van. The old ones would have left us in a pile somewhere in those hills...
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Old people and old songs
I had the opportunity to lead the singing yesterday at PRBI's 75th anniversary celebration. As I expected, the vast majority of the heads in the crowd were white or gray; people to whom PRBI's influence has meant a lot in their lives, and are free to travel to such an event.
I have noticed a phenomenon with regard to congregational singing. If you are doing the music for a conference, and you want the audience to sing poorly, do new songs, or do contemporary worship songs. If you want them to sing heartily, do hymns. Especially if there are white heads in the crowd.
We did a number of hymns on powerpoint, like Holy, Holy, Holy, And Can It Be, Day By Day, Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, and about 10 more, all done in the original hymn style with no modern updating, singing all the verses, accompanied by my daughter Timbrel on piano and myself on the guitar. The only thing I did that was new to these people was that I substituted Christ Shall Have Dominion (from Ps.72) for Onward Christian Soldiers. And all these old pre-mil dispensationalist folk sang it with delight.
I heard many comments afterward about how good it was to sing good hymns together, and that the singing was wonderful. "I love singing these hymns, because you can do the harmonies!" one lady told me. "I knew ALL the songs!" said another. "I liked your selection, you picked all good ones!" said one man.
A 60ish lady told me of attending the 85th Anniversary for PBI, where the singing was led by some son of Three Hills who had made it big in music, and who did all his own songs for congregational singing. Of course, hardly anybody knew them, so the congregational singing was very poor, and the lady was somewhat disgusted. But she was delighted by our singing last night.
The only comment I heard about the song selection which was not good was from the young (maybe early 20's?)lady who ran the powerpoint. The program was going a bit long, so I needed to cut one song, During a break I went back and told her which one to cut. She sort of winced, and said "but that was the only one I know..."
There are some serious problems in the evangelical churches in this part of the world, and I am poking at the edges of one of them here. I hope to write more later about this.
I have noticed a phenomenon with regard to congregational singing. If you are doing the music for a conference, and you want the audience to sing poorly, do new songs, or do contemporary worship songs. If you want them to sing heartily, do hymns. Especially if there are white heads in the crowd.
We did a number of hymns on powerpoint, like Holy, Holy, Holy, And Can It Be, Day By Day, Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, and about 10 more, all done in the original hymn style with no modern updating, singing all the verses, accompanied by my daughter Timbrel on piano and myself on the guitar. The only thing I did that was new to these people was that I substituted Christ Shall Have Dominion (from Ps.72) for Onward Christian Soldiers. And all these old pre-mil dispensationalist folk sang it with delight.
I heard many comments afterward about how good it was to sing good hymns together, and that the singing was wonderful. "I love singing these hymns, because you can do the harmonies!" one lady told me. "I knew ALL the songs!" said another. "I liked your selection, you picked all good ones!" said one man.
A 60ish lady told me of attending the 85th Anniversary for PBI, where the singing was led by some son of Three Hills who had made it big in music, and who did all his own songs for congregational singing. Of course, hardly anybody knew them, so the congregational singing was very poor, and the lady was somewhat disgusted. But she was delighted by our singing last night.
The only comment I heard about the song selection which was not good was from the young (maybe early 20's?)lady who ran the powerpoint. The program was going a bit long, so I needed to cut one song, During a break I went back and told her which one to cut. She sort of winced, and said "but that was the only one I know..."
There are some serious problems in the evangelical churches in this part of the world, and I am poking at the edges of one of them here. I hope to write more later about this.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Interviews
I did an interview this morning with Kevin Swanson of Generations Radio. I'm told that it will be airing on Thursday, Aug.14/08. You can catch it here http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Generations_Radio/ when the time comes.
I also did an interview with the local newspaper, who had heard somehow that I have a new CD coming out soon.
I also did an interview with the local newspaper, who had heard somehow that I have a new CD coming out soon.
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Where's The Brakes?!?
I took my big van in to my mechanic brother, Stephen, for a check-up, and was told that it was a good thing I came in, the brakes were almost gone. He tells me that they work as normal right up until they go, then they suprise you. But I'm looking at $800 to replace them...ouch.
Val came home from a drive about town today, and told me the brakes just started squealing on my little van... OUCH!
Val came home from a drive about town today, and told me the brakes just started squealing on my little van... OUCH!
Friday, August 01, 2008
Sickening
"...and the second is like it; you shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Except in Canada, where we read this command as "You shall leave your neighbor by himself."
Most of you have probably heard by now of the (surely) demon-possessed fellow who stabbed and decapitated a fellow passenger on a bus in Manitoba. How many people were on that bus at the time? It surely takes at least awhile to complete the deed of removng someone's head, why did nobody intervene? There were lots of things at hand that could have been thrown at him, to distract him long enough for somebody to tackle him and disarm him.
He could have been stopped cold, before he did the deed, if it were legal to carry concealed firearms in this country. In fact, you can be sure this would not have happened at all if that were the case...
I strongly suspect that there will now be a push to outlaw knives in Canada. Just watch.
Except in Canada, where we read this command as "You shall leave your neighbor by himself."
Most of you have probably heard by now of the (surely) demon-possessed fellow who stabbed and decapitated a fellow passenger on a bus in Manitoba. How many people were on that bus at the time? It surely takes at least awhile to complete the deed of removng someone's head, why did nobody intervene? There were lots of things at hand that could have been thrown at him, to distract him long enough for somebody to tackle him and disarm him.
He could have been stopped cold, before he did the deed, if it were legal to carry concealed firearms in this country. In fact, you can be sure this would not have happened at all if that were the case...
I strongly suspect that there will now be a push to outlaw knives in Canada. Just watch.
The Difficulty of Movie Smooches
You know how it works. When the guy finally gets the girl they smooch, and usually with open mouths. I have told my children that those kind of kisses are essential, but not until they are married, and that they should not engage in such activities until then.
Easier said than done... Val was sitting at the table the other day while 6 year old Chloe was eating a peach. Chloe seemed to be greatly enjoying the sensation, with great big bites and long contact with the peach.
"What are you doing, Chloe?" says Val.
Chloe replies, "I'm kissing my wedding boy!"
Sigh...
Easier said than done... Val was sitting at the table the other day while 6 year old Chloe was eating a peach. Chloe seemed to be greatly enjoying the sensation, with great big bites and long contact with the peach.
"What are you doing, Chloe?" says Val.
Chloe replies, "I'm kissing my wedding boy!"
Sigh...
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The Standard Song
This was a kind of a kids song before I was writing kids songs. My wife tells me I should record it again...
The Standard Song
Watch your eyes, they might see
Things they’re not supposed to see
Always screen the things you view
They become a part of you
Have a standard and stand by it
As a safeguard against the devil’s lies
You’ll regret it if you cross that line
It will lead you into compromise
So watch your eyes
Watch your tongue, it might say
Things it’s not supposed to say
Careless words can leave a scar
So stop and think before you go too far
Have a standard and stand by it
May a song of love always be sung
Your neighbor feels the effects of it
He may be blessed or he may be stung
So watch your tongue
Watch your mind, it might think
Things it’s not supposed to think
What you think is what you’ll do
So dwell on what is good for you
Have a standard and stand by it
Don’t be fooled into changing your design
You can choose what you will think about
You can leave those evil thoughts behind
Oh watch your mind
Have a standard and stand by it
May the Lord’s reflection never dim
Victory is certain if you will
Take your thoughts as captives unto Him
©Mar.31/1987 Jamie Soles
The Standard Song
Watch your eyes, they might see
Things they’re not supposed to see
Always screen the things you view
They become a part of you
Have a standard and stand by it
As a safeguard against the devil’s lies
You’ll regret it if you cross that line
It will lead you into compromise
So watch your eyes
Watch your tongue, it might say
Things it’s not supposed to say
Careless words can leave a scar
So stop and think before you go too far
Have a standard and stand by it
May a song of love always be sung
Your neighbor feels the effects of it
He may be blessed or he may be stung
So watch your tongue
Watch your mind, it might think
Things it’s not supposed to think
What you think is what you’ll do
So dwell on what is good for you
Have a standard and stand by it
Don’t be fooled into changing your design
You can choose what you will think about
You can leave those evil thoughts behind
Oh watch your mind
Have a standard and stand by it
May the Lord’s reflection never dim
Victory is certain if you will
Take your thoughts as captives unto Him
©Mar.31/1987 Jamie Soles
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Trusting In You
This is the oldest song of mine that i have on any of my albums. I had been writing songs for about 3 years when i wrote this, and it is on my Fidelity album.
Trusting In You
Sometimes life gets hard, don’t know just which way to turn
And it seems like one way or another I’m gonna get burned
But Jesus I know that You’re holding my hand
And You’re gonna be there when I need You, helping me stand
Helping me stand, I’m trusting in You
When I see the storm closing in around me
There’s no shelter in sight and it seems like it’s gonna drown me
But You’re a rock I can cling to, to weather the storm
And no matter what happens Lord I’m safe in Your arms
I’m safe in Your arms, I’m trusting in You
Trusting in You
Jesus when you are near anxieties fade away
My fears and troubles seem to disappear cause they can no longer stay
Lord in Your marvellous presence I’ll always want to be
Cause Jesus when I am with You my bonds are loosed and I’m free
I truly am free when I’m trusting in You
Lord I need to trust in You more
Won’t you help me open up my door
Lord by Your hand You uphold me with strength from heaven above
You take my thoughts from this world full of sin
And surround me with Your love
And when my work here is finished, my final day is done
I know to heaven You’ll take me to live forever with the Son
Forever with the Son because I’m trusting in You
©Mar.5/1984 Jamie Soles
Trusting In You
Sometimes life gets hard, don’t know just which way to turn
And it seems like one way or another I’m gonna get burned
But Jesus I know that You’re holding my hand
And You’re gonna be there when I need You, helping me stand
Helping me stand, I’m trusting in You
When I see the storm closing in around me
There’s no shelter in sight and it seems like it’s gonna drown me
But You’re a rock I can cling to, to weather the storm
And no matter what happens Lord I’m safe in Your arms
I’m safe in Your arms, I’m trusting in You
Trusting in You
Jesus when you are near anxieties fade away
My fears and troubles seem to disappear cause they can no longer stay
Lord in Your marvellous presence I’ll always want to be
Cause Jesus when I am with You my bonds are loosed and I’m free
I truly am free when I’m trusting in You
Lord I need to trust in You more
Won’t you help me open up my door
Lord by Your hand You uphold me with strength from heaven above
You take my thoughts from this world full of sin
And surround me with Your love
And when my work here is finished, my final day is done
I know to heaven You’ll take me to live forever with the Son
Forever with the Son because I’m trusting in You
©Mar.5/1984 Jamie Soles
Thursday, July 17, 2008
The Least Of These
This song was recorded on my first ever album project which is now (thankfully) unavailable, "Walk By Faith". Our band, Damascus Road, was pretty popular in our town, and people were clamoring for a tape, so one of our guys booked a studio for us. I think we had been apart all summer, and had about a week to practice these songs... After a total of 9 hours in the studio, we had recorded our 10 song first album! By the time it came out we were sick of it...
The Least Of These
Another heartbeat, another voice
Another hand reaching out for help
Do we have a choice
A man is hungry, a man is ill
In a world so self-preserving
If we don’t help no-one will
CHORUS
We are to be the light of the world
Shining out to the lost and the lonely who are near
But will a man listen to the good news
When he has no bread to eat
Or he has no shoes upon his feet
I tell you he is the least of these
The least of these
Another drunkard, another bum
Another derelict on the street
Will you be the one
He needs the gospel, he needs a meal
Don’t give one without the other
He doesn’t need a halfway deal
CHORUS
You did it unto the least of these
You did it unto Me
You did it not to the least of these
You did it not to me
You did it unto the least of these
You did it unto Me
You did it not to the least of these
You did it not to me
©Apr.14/1986 Jamie Soles
The Least Of These
Another heartbeat, another voice
Another hand reaching out for help
Do we have a choice
A man is hungry, a man is ill
In a world so self-preserving
If we don’t help no-one will
CHORUS
We are to be the light of the world
Shining out to the lost and the lonely who are near
But will a man listen to the good news
When he has no bread to eat
Or he has no shoes upon his feet
I tell you he is the least of these
The least of these
Another drunkard, another bum
Another derelict on the street
Will you be the one
He needs the gospel, he needs a meal
Don’t give one without the other
He doesn’t need a halfway deal
CHORUS
You did it unto the least of these
You did it unto Me
You did it not to the least of these
You did it not to me
You did it unto the least of these
You did it unto Me
You did it not to the least of these
You did it not to me
©Apr.14/1986 Jamie Soles
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Leave 'Em Behind
Leave ‘Em Behind
I have seen the dying embers of desire in silence lay
Half buried in the ashes of defeat
I have known the waves of apathy to break upon my shore
And swirl the dust of death around my feet
I have listened to the whisper of deception in my ear
And felt the subtle poison in my mind
But I have seen the wind of heaven blow away the clouds
And it’s time to leave those other things behind
Leave ‘em behind
I have noticed the condition in the shadows of my heart
To choose to do what’s wrong instead of right
I have harbored my ambition in the shelter of my soul
And made myself an idol in Your sight
I have shared the yolk of bondage with the proud and evil men
And joined them in the scorn of those who find
But I’ve been drawn with power by the Man upon the cross
And it’s time to leave those other things behind
Leave ‘em behind
There is no room for excuses there is no room left for pride
There are no unbridled passions left untamed
When you’re chosen by the Father there is nowhere you can hide
From the gates of hell your life will be reclaimed
To the ones who will not listen, to the ones who will not hear
To the ones who close their eyes and ears and minds
In this life and ever after let the consequence be known
That Jesus Christ is leaving you behind
He’s gonna leave you behind
©Nov.26/1989 Jamie Soles
This song was an expression of my early readings in reformed theology. I can track when I first started thinking along these lines by looking at my songs... They generally started moving from a "the-end-is-coming-soon!" approach to a much longer view of history, in September of 1989, three months after Val and I were married. What a ride I have taken her on! Wheee!!!!
I have seen the dying embers of desire in silence lay
Half buried in the ashes of defeat
I have known the waves of apathy to break upon my shore
And swirl the dust of death around my feet
I have listened to the whisper of deception in my ear
And felt the subtle poison in my mind
But I have seen the wind of heaven blow away the clouds
And it’s time to leave those other things behind
Leave ‘em behind
I have noticed the condition in the shadows of my heart
To choose to do what’s wrong instead of right
I have harbored my ambition in the shelter of my soul
And made myself an idol in Your sight
I have shared the yolk of bondage with the proud and evil men
And joined them in the scorn of those who find
But I’ve been drawn with power by the Man upon the cross
And it’s time to leave those other things behind
Leave ‘em behind
There is no room for excuses there is no room left for pride
There are no unbridled passions left untamed
When you’re chosen by the Father there is nowhere you can hide
From the gates of hell your life will be reclaimed
To the ones who will not listen, to the ones who will not hear
To the ones who close their eyes and ears and minds
In this life and ever after let the consequence be known
That Jesus Christ is leaving you behind
He’s gonna leave you behind
©Nov.26/1989 Jamie Soles
This song was an expression of my early readings in reformed theology. I can track when I first started thinking along these lines by looking at my songs... They generally started moving from a "the-end-is-coming-soon!" approach to a much longer view of history, in September of 1989, three months after Val and I were married. What a ride I have taken her on! Wheee!!!!
Old Songs
I periodically look back thru my catalogue of songs from the old days. Some of them need to stay in the catalogue... but others could stand an airing.
I think I will start posting the lyrics to some old songs that have either never seen the light of day, or the day they saw was a lot of years ago.
I think I will start posting the lyrics to some old songs that have either never seen the light of day, or the day they saw was a lot of years ago.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Benny
Remember that story at the end of the life of David, where he gives Solomon instructions about dealing with a few tough nuts in Israel? "Bring his gray head down to the grave in blood.", he says of Joab. Solomon hears and heeds, and the first couple chapters of 1 Kings tell the tale of the deaths of Adonijah, Joab, and Shimei. In each case, Solomon sends Benaiah to do the deed. It sort of looks like the tale of a don with his hit man, so I have taken the liberty to shorten Benaiah's name to something more manageable. Bible stories meets The Godfather...
Benny (1 Kgs.1:52-2:46)
If you show yourself a worthy man
Not a hair of your head shall fall
But if wickedness is found in you
You know who I’m gonna call
I’ll call Benny, Benny, Benny
I’ve got a job for you
If you play your game of subterfuge
If you seek to undermine
If your hat size grows too big for you
You fight against your life
Hey Benny, Benny, Benny
I’ve got a job for you
If you hold onto the altar horns
To escape from what you’ve done
In the day of peace you shed the blood of war
Your blood thirst days are done
Benny, Benny, Benny
I’ve got a job for you
If you break the oath you swear to God
If you love to disobey
If you think your words will be forgot
We’ll remind you yet today
Benny, Benny, Benny
I’ve got a job for you
@Mar.31/2006 Jamie Soles
Benny (1 Kgs.1:52-2:46)
If you show yourself a worthy man
Not a hair of your head shall fall
But if wickedness is found in you
You know who I’m gonna call
I’ll call Benny, Benny, Benny
I’ve got a job for you
If you play your game of subterfuge
If you seek to undermine
If your hat size grows too big for you
You fight against your life
Hey Benny, Benny, Benny
I’ve got a job for you
If you hold onto the altar horns
To escape from what you’ve done
In the day of peace you shed the blood of war
Your blood thirst days are done
Benny, Benny, Benny
I’ve got a job for you
If you break the oath you swear to God
If you love to disobey
If you think your words will be forgot
We’ll remind you yet today
Benny, Benny, Benny
I’ve got a job for you
@Mar.31/2006 Jamie Soles
Friday, June 20, 2008
Off To Camp...
We are leaving early tomorrow for a 12 hour drive down to Abbottsford, where we will stay overnight, go to church in the morning, and head to a family camp just outside of Princeton, BC on Monday morn. It is sponsored by Christ Covenant Church of Langley, and is promising to be a great time. This is a good tool for the building of body life, if it is in the hands of elders who care about their flock. And the men in Langley certainly qualify in this regard.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Pure Words
The album we just recorded will be called "Pure Words", from the text in Psalm 12 "The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times." ESV
I have been in the studio recording an album of the early Psalms (1-
16, but missing Psalm 9, which I may one day be man enough to
write.). I have done mostly through-composed, word for word versions
from the ESV, in song style, most of which could be sung by a
congregation that sings modern music. But I do have a few
chant/quasi-chant numbers that may interest you.
I have a vigorous antiphonal version of Psalm 7 that I have now
recorded (John Barach translation) with guitar, bass, drums,
tambourine, and other percussion.
It will take a thorough learning of the song for a drummer or a bass
player to know when to change. But it seems to me to be easily
memorized.
I have also done a chant version of Psalm 4, in high Anglican style,
brought low by me...:-) It seems to me easily sung. I have
accompanied it with guitar, bass, a string pad (I think...), four
part harmony, and another instrument following the words and melody.
I think this one will be hard to accompany until the musicians learn
it well.
I have a Psalm 5 version that is very easily learned and very easily
played by most normal accompaniment instruments. When I first played
this for our church, the guys came to me afterward and said "Gordon
Lightfoot!"... It apparently reminded them of The Wreck Of The Edmund
Fitzgerald. (Which may or may not commend it to you...)
For Psalm 10 I did the Cantus version of the Genevan, minus the
harmonies and twice the speed. This song will, I think, be very
difficult to accompany as I am doing on the album, but hey, you have
the Cantus! My drummer and bass player had to greatly stretch their
imaginations to make this one work... The bass guy did it, but we had
to put the drums together piece by piece. It sounds pretty awesome to
me, but I am biased.
This album will not be available for a few months yet, it is still
being edited, but I hope to keep you posted. And I will try to get sheet music built for it as well.
I have been in the studio recording an album of the early Psalms (1-
16, but missing Psalm 9, which I may one day be man enough to
write.). I have done mostly through-composed, word for word versions
from the ESV, in song style, most of which could be sung by a
congregation that sings modern music. But I do have a few
chant/quasi-chant numbers that may interest you.
I have a vigorous antiphonal version of Psalm 7 that I have now
recorded (John Barach translation) with guitar, bass, drums,
tambourine, and other percussion.
It will take a thorough learning of the song for a drummer or a bass
player to know when to change. But it seems to me to be easily
memorized.
I have also done a chant version of Psalm 4, in high Anglican style,
brought low by me...:-) It seems to me easily sung. I have
accompanied it with guitar, bass, a string pad (I think...), four
part harmony, and another instrument following the words and melody.
I think this one will be hard to accompany until the musicians learn
it well.
I have a Psalm 5 version that is very easily learned and very easily
played by most normal accompaniment instruments. When I first played
this for our church, the guys came to me afterward and said "Gordon
Lightfoot!"... It apparently reminded them of The Wreck Of The Edmund
Fitzgerald. (Which may or may not commend it to you...)
For Psalm 10 I did the Cantus version of the Genevan, minus the
harmonies and twice the speed. This song will, I think, be very
difficult to accompany as I am doing on the album, but hey, you have
the Cantus! My drummer and bass player had to greatly stretch their
imaginations to make this one work... The bass guy did it, but we had
to put the drums together piece by piece. It sounds pretty awesome to
me, but I am biased.
This album will not be available for a few months yet, it is still
being edited, but I hope to keep you posted. And I will try to get sheet music built for it as well.
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