Musical

What role does music play in your life?

 

 

A quick glanced shows that 60 posts on this blog have the tag "music."  I hardly know where to start describing the role music plays in my life.  I've always loved music.  I remember records playing in our home when I was a child.

 

 

In a post called "Courage to Start" I wrote about learning to play the piano after Les and I got married:

I enrolled at Moorpark Community College for a semester of Class Piano.  I knew nothing about music, so I was starting at middle C!  I tried to keep it a secret that I was attempting to learn the piano.  Long before I was ready, Sis. White found out and before I could do a thing about it I was playing a keyboard in church!  Actually, I was attempting to play a keyboard in church! 

I was terrified.  Even though I could hide behind the organ, bass and drums, I was still terrified.  My keyboard wasn't plugged into the house system - I just had a small amp that I usually kept so quiet I couldn't hear it myself!  It took a lot of courage in those early months to come to service and try to play along.

I have had so many people help me through the years.  I don't consider myself a great musician, but I can carry a service entirely if I need to.  Victory Tabernacle is now blessed with many musicians who started at a much younger age and have far surpassed my abilities.  But I do think my courage to start was an example to others that they too could be a blessing to the Kingdom!

 

I wrote about the Sunday school child who said I sing like a Rock Star.  I've also written about the time it all fell apart at Pacific Coast Camp when the organ got out of tune.  I've written about Christmas recitals and music workshops.  I've written many, many posts about how a particular song encouraged or challenged me.

I wrote a post a few years ago called "The Power of Music."  If you're involved in music ministry at your church, it's worth reading.  I just want to share a little:

I have been involved in music in one way or another the majority of my life.  I started in children's choir and have been involved in just about every type of choir or group there is.  I love music and I know how it can move me.  I've written before about crying over "Jingle Bell Rock."  The thoughts I want to share have been in my heart for quite some time.  After reading Long Way Gone, I decided today would be the day to share them. 

Church Isn't American Idol
There are a couple of minor characters in Long Way Gone.  The first chapter opens with an old man playing his guitar on a street corner.  Much later we meet his grandson, Jubal.  When Jubal is going to play in front of a crowd for the first time he is very nervous, wondering how people will respond if he messes up.  "But all those people on the TV shows always get raked over the coals by the judges..."  Cooper sets him straight, telling Jubal that music is a gift that we make to give away.  And anyone who doesn't like that can "go suck on a lemon."

It's tough playing or singing in church sometimes.  Over 30 years ago I was part of a small singing group.  The director stopped us in practice and pointed me out, telling me I was not singing my part correctly.  He went over our part again.  When the sopranos sang, I just listened, trying to hear our part in a female voice and figure out what I was doing wrong.  The director stopped us and again pointed me out, telling me I was still off (even though I hadn't actually been singing.)  I've never forgotten how he made me feel and I've tried to be careful in offering even "constructive" criticism to others.

I've been on the receiving end of criticism many times.  I'm not the greatest singer or musician in the world but I give it my best.  Words hurt and and they can make people back completely away from doing what God wants them to do for His glory. Sitting in church, judging those who are striving to lead the congregation in worship only accomplishes one thing - it takes our minds and hearts away from Who we should be worshiping.  Believe me, musicians and singers know when they've messed up.  You don't need to tell them!

 

Music is Powerful
Choosing songs for a service, whether it's a solo or the entire service set, is something I struggle with.  It's not that I don't have songs.  I've got hundreds of them.  But I don't take the responsibility lightly.

Music is powerful.  It can cause people to dance and shout or bring them to tears.  Hurting souls walk through our doors every service.  They may be first time visitors or long time saints, but life has brought hurt their way.  Music can bring peace and healing. We can't take that powerful gift lightly, but must prayerfully consider each song.  

Keep on Singing!
If you're a musician or singer, I hope you'll be encouraged.   If you've been burned and are thinking about hanging up your microphone, don't!  Remember Who gave you the song in the first place and keep on singing!

Courage to Start

This quote came in an email last night and I really love it:

It takes so much courage to start something new!  23 years ago I was a new bride in a new city attending a new church.  I was content to slowly find my place in Victory Tabernacle.  I wasn't looking for any platform time, I was happy to help where needed.

A need became apparent when Pastor and Sister White were gone for Senior Camp one Sunday.  Our organist was missing and we were hurting big time!  In Fresno there was a never a gap - there were so many musicians that half of them could be on vacation or at camp and we'd still have plenty of music coverage.  That was not the case 23 years ago at Victory Tabernacle.  On our way home that Sunday morning I asked Les a couple of questions:

"Doesn't anyone else play?"  "No."
"Doesn't anyone else want to play?"  "Not that I know of."

And that's when I had to take a HUGE step of courage...

I enrolled at Moorpark Community College for a semester of Class Piano.  I knew nothing about music, so I was starting at middle C!  I tried to keep it a secret that I was attempting to learn the piano.  Long before I was ready, Sis. White found out and before I could do a thing about it I was playing a keyboard in church!  Actually, I was attempting to play a keyboard in church! 

I was terrified.  Even though I could hide behind the organ, bass and drums, I was still terrified.  My keyboard wasn't plugged into the house system - I just had a small amp that I usually kept so quiet I couldn't hear it myself!  It took a lot of courage in those early months to come to service and try to play along.

I have had so many people help me through the years.  I don't consider myself a great musician, but I can carry a service entirely if I need to.  Victory Tabernacle is now blessed with many musicians who started at a much younger age and have far surpassed my abilities.  But I do think my courage to start was an example to others that they too could be a blessing to the Kingdom!

It also takes a lot of courage to start over.  I remember walking into a Weight Watchers meeting in 2005.  My head hung in shame as I stepped on the scale, knowing I had regained all the weight I had previously lost and added more.  But I courageously attended meetings every week until I reached my goal once again.  Then I continued going to meetings for another 5+ years.  I was determined to get it right this time!

What are you hoping to finish?  Do you need to make some changes in your life?  Does that task seem overwhelming and you wonder if you can do it?  Have the courage to start (or start over) today!

Busy!

Expect my blog to have hit and miss posts for the next two weeks.  We are enjoying lots of Christmas activities and I may not post on a daily basis.  Let me catch you up a little...

Last Sunday morning (12/9) our Sunday school department put on a program.  There were puppets and the kids choir singing Christmas carols.  Voices of the puppets were some of our children, including one of our van riders. (I apologize for the quality of the pictures in this post, they were all taken with my phone.)

Last Sunday night, Les preached at our Santa Clarita daughter church.  We've visit many times for special services but that was the first time we have been there on a "regular" service. They have a growing work and it was good to see the young saints being faithful when their pastor was not there.

Last night was our Music Department recital.  It was one of our best yet!  There were a total of 25 songs ~ several instrumentals, groups, kids, young people and the finale of the night was by a couple of old folks, Les and me!

Carolers singing "Carol of the Bells"

Italia Castro directing the carolers - she did great!

Flores family - Dad and Nic on Saxophones and Caitlin singing

Youth Chorale

Les playing "Do You Hear What I Hear?" on his trumpet - he blew us away!

Making a Joyful Noise... Or at Least Trying

After I posted on Saturday about playing the piano, I received a comment from Mary that said, "Didn't know you could play the piano..." I guess I've never written about that. Before I tell you how it came to be, I will tell you that I in no way considered myself an accomplished or talented musician. This is not a post to brag ~ believe me, I know my shortcomings when it comes to playing and they are many. I love to sing and am happiest when I'm in the pew doing just that, but sometimes there is a need...

When Les and I were first married, Sis. White was the organist for our church. She did, and still does, a great job playing and keeping the service flowing. I wasn't the least bit concerned about the music in Burbank since she had it covered. Until one Sunday morning in August when Pastor and Sister White were gone to Senior Camp. There wasn't anyone else who stepped onto the platform that Sunday to fill in...


You have to realize that I grew up in Truth Tabernacle in Fresno. There have always been several piano and organ players. When I was a little girl, the Layne family was there and they could all play. Hermon Lindley, Bekki Cantu, Pam Gregg, and many others, filled that role while I was in Truth Tabernacle. I never felt the need to learn to play. I was completely happy just singing in the soprano section of the choir, singing an occasional solo or in a trio.


So back to that Sunday morning... On the way home I asked Les, "Doesn't anyone else play?" "No." "Doesn't anyone else want to play?" "I guess not." That Fall found me enrolled at Moorpark Community College taking Class Piano on Monday nights ~ at the age of 27. Flats, sharps, middle C, scales, whole steps, half steps, or many other new terms were filling my brain.


At this point, Sis. White did not know I was taking piano. I didn't want her to know. I wanted to learn how to play first! Eventually she found out and before I knew what was going on, I found myself sitting at a little keyboard trying to play in church! How in the world did I get here? I was terrified. I wasn't ready. Fortunately, I wasn't plugged into the house system, I just had a little monitor next to me. A monitor that I kept turned down so low I couldn't even hear it myself!!


I kept at it and slowly (VERY slowly) saw improvement. I have had a lot of help along the way from some very kind people. I still have a long way to go, but here I am 20 years later still playing. There have been plenty of mistakes, wrong chords, flat notes that should have been sharp, but God has somehow used the little I have. During these 20 years, Victory Tabernacle has been blessed with many musicians that have started at a young age and have progressed to the point that there are many that play much better than me! Since I am now the choir director, I am very appreciative of all their work and talent.

One of the most rewarding things about learning to play is helping others. I have students from a neighboring church. At some point, I hope they'll need another teacher because that will mean I have taught them all I can and they are going to be better than me, too! My favorite times to play aren't on Sunday night or during a special service, but at home, when it's just me and God.

I am glad I learned to play. Through the mishaps and embarrassing moments aplenty, I've learned that God still wants me to give Him my best. When I have a really bad night and can't seem to play anything correctly, I go back to the reason why I started playing in the first place ~ to be a help to our church. I give it all back to God and ask Him to help me do better next time.

Be careful when you sing, "If you can use anything Lord, You can use me... take my hands, Lord, take my feet..." He might take you up on it.