Often a teacher will hear after years
How they helped a student with knowledge and cheer.
While parents are parenting, thankless it seems,
But they give their little ones great self-esteem.
It’s not only people enjoying their work,
But every soul living a life on this earth
Who leaves unique marks on our wonderful world:
You’re having an impact as moments unfurl,
Inevitable, choices changing our world!
—
67 words for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt, Impact!
Lowell Mason composed the tune “Bethany” in 1856. In many parts of the world, it is the musical setting for the hymn, “Nearer, My God, to Thee.” I first heard this hymn in a documentary about the sinking of the Titanic. It is said the ship’s musicians played “Nearer, My God, to Thee” as the ship took on water.
I hope this zither arrangement brings you reflection, comfort, and peace in the midst of whatever you may be experiencing right now!
I vividly remember playing piano and singing “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” when I was in my teens. It was one of my favorite hymns to sing, and I didn’t know until recently that it was written in 1905. Clearly, it made no difference to me, or perhaps it did, since like many hymns and traditional tunes, it has endured for so long. The lyrics were written by Civilla D. Martin, and the music was composed by Charles H. Gabriel. If that name sounds familiar, you may remember “Send the Light,”
which Gabriel also composed.
Today I hope you enjoy this lyre arrangement of “His Eye Is on the Sparrow!”
1. My body is a little boat
That sails the raging seas,
Where illness, tension, pain and stress
Can get the best of me.
But Spirit guides my little boat
To everything I need.
2. My mind, it is a little boat
That sails a clouded sky.
When darkness falls, I see my fears
That vanish in the Light.
And Spirit guides my little boat
Through every stormy night.
3. My soul, it is a little boat
That sails eternally.
When I forget in trials deep,
To live my destiny,
The Spirit guides my little boat,
And I return to peace.
In 1873 beloved American hymn writer, Fanny Crosby, dictated the lyrics of “Blessed Assurance.” Phoebe Knapp composed the music that brings “Aunt Fanny’s” comforting words into hymnals, homes, and hearts to this day.
I hope you enjoy hearing “Blessed Assurance” played on lyre!
When reality is an illusion,
And you’re fretting and full of confusion…
Simply take a deep breath,
Go deep into yourself
Where the Light gives you calm and conclusions!
I wrote this song 4 years ago. It was inspired by an inflatable flamingo my parents had in their pool, and something my nephew said about hiding sins. It has nothing to do with this week’s photo, but just the word “fantasy” in Sue Vincent’s Thursday #Writephoto Prompt, Fantasy.
This is the closest thing I’ve had to a hit song so far. It was much requested when I performed at nursing homes, rehab centers, etc, and a few listeners would sing the refrain! What an honor for a songwriter! 🙂
Charles H. Gabriel wrote this hymn in 1890. The melody is a tune he entitled “Mccabe.” With its march tempo and evangelical lyrics, “Send the Light” is one of the most popular missionary hymns of all time.
Personally, I marched down the church aisle as a child, singing what lyrics I knew with the rest of the congregation, during the Alabaster Offering. Alabaster is an offering specifically designated for building mission churches around the world and is participated in by many traditional Christian denominations. I don’t mind admitting that as a 3-5-year-old, it was more of a play break from the usual order of service. 🙂
As time passed, I, too, had an Alabaster Box containing whatever change I had to contribute. I put my little box inside the one shaped like a church building and marched back down the aisle to one of the 2 back pews that my parents, grandparents, siblings and I filled to capacity.
Besides the marching, the most memorable part were our pastor and a young man who played trumpets, and the 2 ladies who played piano and organ. Needless to say, the semiannual Alabaster Offering became a treat of sorts, that I still remember many years later.
I’ve come to realize that “Send the Light” is not all about money. It’s about sharing whatever you do, whatever you have (your time, talent, and treasure), and above all, whatever you are. It’s not for their conversion to your belief system, but for the love of other people. We are all God’s creations, whether we want to admit it or not. Because God loves each and every one of us equally, the same Presence within us can help us love ourselves and others as much, if we invoke the Spirit of Healing and Love to work through us.
I hope you enjoy hearing this hymn on lyre! More importantly, I pray you send your own light to those you know, those you love, and those you haven’t met yet! We are all eternally connected in the Light of God, and that will never change!
Mystical Strings 
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