Growing Pains

Remember the first time you sang in church?  It might be safe to say that it wasn't your best performance...it may have been a real "bomb"!  I can honestly say that after the first time I played in church I wanted to hide for a week, or two!
Any time you have a "first" attempt it is usually not your best.  The first time you make a new recipe you figure out a thing or two you might need to change for next time, or maybe there just won't be a next time...ha!  Sometimes we can get used to a level of "performance" in the church service that doesn't allow for anyone to experience a "first".  Anytime there is a "first", as music coordinator, I practice extra hard, go over every detail, and sweat it out with the new musicians, but there will always be some "pain".  Someone didn't hold the mic right, someone lost their "part", the pianist lost the rhythm, etc... you can go on and on.   But there is something GREAT accomplished - a FIRST!  Someone did something for the Lord for the first time, it is now behind them and they can look on to the next time, and the next time, and then a lifetime of serving the Lord, and hopefully improving as they go, with the Lord's help and blessings.
If you are a mature Christian, get in on the attitude of enjoying someone else's "first time"!  There are enough grouches that will criticize and find fault, let's be the cheerleaders and find the good to encourage.  Maybe it was the time spent, the spirit of the performance, or just the willingness to put themselves out there in front of the congregation.  Praise the Lord for willing servants who put forth the effort!
Encourage yourself and the new musicians with Philippians 3:13, 14 - "Brethren, I count not myself tohave apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, ¹⁴I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

"Brighten the Corner"

Have you heard the song, "Brighten the Corner Where You Are"?  Here's the first verse:
Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do
Do not wait to spread your light afar
To the many duties ever near you now be true,
Brighten the corner, where you are!
Being in the ministry is a different kind of life.  You would like for every effort to be a big effort with big results when God has another economy for living.  It is the day-by-day, unseen, seemingly small tasks that face us every minute.   I love a quote that one of my friends places at the bottom of every email -  “The smallest deed is better than the greatest intention.” - John Burroughs.
We may have ideas of great big tasks for God when God might have a series of a million small ones for us to do for His glory.
Thinking this way will make every thing we do a happy event.  We can accomplish much in small increments, rather than the epic project that never seems to end.  Here are some ways to "brighten your corner":

• pray for your family, church friends, co-labourers in the ministry
• send an email to a missionary or someone serving the Lord who lives far away
• send a birthday card
• send an encouraging note to a shut-in or the caregiver of a shut-in
• cook a great meal for your family
• bake cookies for your kids
• practice your music skills for His glory
• think of someone in your church specifically when choosing a song, special, or offertory - let them know the song is for them
• smile and greet people you don't know
• welcome a new church member or new Christian - remember their name! Ask them what their favorite church song is and try to include it in the prelude or church service.

We musicians can be hard on ourselves.  The group may just not "get it just right", the microphones just aren't perfect, our hands and voices don't cooperate with our brains, sickness sweeps through the music department one singer at a time over a period of three months, etc....  Our big dreams of being the best for God go through the meat grinder.  God doesn't want that, He wants the daily devotion, the sacrifice of giving the best we can possibly do, and our trusting hearts when the schedules have to be changed.
"Brighten the Corner" where you are, when you're there, in every way you can!!!!

Happy New Year

Wow! 2010 was a year full of some losses, but many blessings for our church.  We started the year by losing Mrs. Mary Robinson to Heaven in January and ended the year with Mr. Robert Peters going to Heaven in December.  Our dear friend, Mrs. Connie Engelman went to Heaven after a battle with cancer.  Many have been sick, there have been surgeries, hospice care, emergency rooms, and near-death situations.  I have to say that throught all of this the atmosphere of our church has been positive and happy.
With my musician's personality, I have always focused on being accurate, to the point, and in sync with the music and director.  Sometimes this left no room for understanding, mercy or tolerance toward those without my exacting point of view.  I am not saying that I have decided to drop my standards, but I have decided to be happy and flexible when things aren't perfect or don't go exactly the way I plan or when people don't understand my way of thinking.
When choosing music to sing or play, the difficulty level of a song, performance presence, or the heavy-duty message of a song can overshadow the effect of the song.  Shouldn't the primary sounds a church member hears and the lasting memory of a service be one that is light-hearted and full of hope?  It shouldn't be, "Did you hear the technique of that musician?  I don't remember the song, but she sure held that high note longer than..."  I decided I don't want to choose a droll or unknown tune just because it shows off my technique or gives a "wow" factor.
When saying "Happy New Year", let's take it to heart.  Let's try to make those around us happier, let's make our loved ones happier,  let's leave people we meet out soul winning happier, let's leave our students happier in the classroom.
I'm all for a meaningful, spiritual, contributing, sacrificial life, but we must try to wrap our lives in a cheerful package of happiness. A series of happy days will lead to having an overall happy life in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ.
II Chronicles 9: ³And when the queen of Sheba had seen 
the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built, 
⁴And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, 
and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; 
his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent 
by which he went up into the house of the LORD; 
there was no more spirit in her. 
⁵And she said to the king, It was a true report 
which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, 
and of thy wisdom: ⁶Howbeit I believed not their words,
until I came, and mine eyes had seen it:
and, behold, the one half of the greatness 
of thy wisdom was not told me: 
for thou exceedest the fame that I heard. 
⁷Happy are thy men, and 
happy are these thy servants, 
which stand continually before thee, 
and hear thy wisdom. 
⁸Blessed be the LORD thy God, 
which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, 
to be king for the LORD thy God: 
because thy God loved Israel, 
to establish them for ever, 
therefore made he thee king over them, 
to do judgment and justice. 

Carols, Home, Holidays, a Funeral, and a Wedding

Music is a lot like food, you don't really think about it until you're hungry or until there's a need.  Me, I think about food all the time and music is the same.  It's not an obsession, just a part of life, like breathing.
The importance of music comes to the forefront, especially at Christmas time.  The holidays just wouldn't be the same if we didn't hear Christmas carols playing throughout our churches, homes, and places of business.   Although we love the Christmas music, it is more difficult to play and requires more practice...which reminds me... So, musicians, it is just an occupational hazard, we have to play "The First Noel" in the key of D major, almost just as written because each beat will have a different chord! In addition to the regular carols we are doing a Christmas cantata, it's been twenty-five years since the last one.  The LBT choir, adult ensembles, teen choir, and drama team will be presenting "Christmas at Home" by Ron Hamilton on December 19.
Just as Christmas wouldn't be the same without the carols, our church members' funerals need a special loving touch where music is concerned.  This week, Bro. Robert Peters, one of our faithful members and deacons, passed away of natural causes.  Today I took some time to make sure all of the piano and organ music was in order and appropriate for his service.  The order of service is ready and we are flexible to meet any of the family's requests.  This service will be held on Saturday, December 4, and we musicians will do our best to be a comfort and encouragement to the family and church membership.
Our daughter, Jessica, is getting married in two weeks.  This week was dedicated to getting all of her wedding music together and finalized.  Hey, since I'm the music coordinator shouldn't this be an easy job?  No, it's been one of the most difficult parts of this wedding.  It must be because she's been at every single wedding, heard every song sung - some good, some ... well, different.  I think we finally got it down.  I will have the opportunity to be on the listening side of the wedding music and I know that jut one song change would change the wedding atmosphere.  It is so powerful.
My husband, Scott, has been remodeling our den, which has created a domino effect.  I think I have straightened, stored, and thrown away all of the "dominos" that lost their places while we de-cluttered.  The one thing that was given priority was our CD collection.  Although downloaded onto mp3 players and computers, the cds in the cases are still valuable to me.  The Christmas music is some of our most precious, it is timeless and holds many memories.
Musicians, take your vitamins.  December is a music-filled month and needs our focus, rehearsals, and undivided attention.  Well, at least we can try!

After Homecoming Revival

It's been a week since our LBT Homecoming Revival began.  We looked forward to it, enjoyed every minute of it, and now we are still seeing and feeling the results of it.  As you can see, Bro. Wells and Oscar had an effect on Alyssa - she's been practicing telling Bible stories without moving her lips.  She has her eye on a puppet at Mardel's.  

The music department ended up doing over 40 specials throughout the week!  I am always amazed at the dedication and willingness of our LBT church musicians.  We had a different color scheme for each day, so that singers in multiple groups would still coordinate.  Three different choirs sang - the adult choir and orchestra, the all men's choir, and the teen choir.  Our grade school and jr./sr/ high pianists played during the dinner hour on Tuesday and the college musicians played on Wednesday evening.  Pastor led the singing!

Being just a part of so great a meeting was a privilege.  The preaching dominated the week and the invitations were the highlight of each service.  I couldn't wait to see how the Lord worked in lives, including mine.  

My mind is already thinking about great songs for next year!  Since we have an idea about what revival is all about we will be more excited as we prepare.  This week four people have let me know that they would love to join the special music ministry!  Praise the Lord for that!

Here's a photo of the Men of Victory quartet practicing on a Saturday evening for the Homecoming revival.  Bro. B.J. Benton, Bro. Travis Smith, Bro. Terry Thompson, and Bro. Pete Londeau (on cell phone, out of town!).  These men have been in the LBT music ministry for a combined total of 100 years!

Are you a Believer?

I have had the privilege of teaching some wonderful Christian young people in the past years.  This semester is no exception.  The Texas Baptist College freshmen class is one of the best groups of young people I've ever met.  We've only had a few weeks together in music practices and classes and the bond of fellowship is already there.  Two new groups have learned five songs in just three rehearsals. Wow!  I can't believe it, I'm very joyful about their enthusiasm, but I'm more amazed at what God can do when we yield our time, spirits, and talent to His will.
Today during a piano lesson, I noticed my student's keychain.  It said "Believe", that is her "word".  Mine is "hope".  "Believe" is a great word for anyone setting out to do something great for God and I thought today that we all need that in every ministry when we want to accomplish something eternal.
I read this morning that "the just shall live by faith", Galations 3:11.  Each time, musician, that you go to practice with a music group, choir, teach a lesson, or choose a song, you are exercising faith.  You have to "believe to see".  There is no guarantee that any of your labor will turn out, but you must BELIEVE.
Humanly speaking, with all of the obstacles, human failures, schedule changes, and attitudes that need adjusting there could be little or no music made in our churches.  But when we, by faith and belief, are faithful to take the steps day by day, then God does a miraculous work - He responds to our faith and trust in Him.
I am believing, by faith, that God will give our church musicians the strength, concentration, health, and ability to sing over forty specials for our Homecoming Revival coming up in October.  If you think about it, it is a daunting task.  But, we haven't crossed our eyes, sighed, or dreaded the challenge, we are excited and know that we need to BELIEVE and exercise our faith, God will do the rest and will bless beyond our expectations.
Are you a Believer?

"The Domino Effect"

We have often heard and spoken of the value of just one soul.   That's what our focus as a Christian should be - to reach just one more soul.  This morning John and Amy Robinson sang a beautiful song - "Reach Just One More Soul", written by Amy.  It hit the mark as does all of the songs that they write and sing together.
You can also use this point of view in the your music ministry - each soul that you have the honor to work with is so valuable.  If you take just one person out of your music ministry for one weekend it can change the whole program and your options.  Three weeks ago Travis and Ruth Smith were on vacation. What did that mean?  It meant that the Men of Victory Quartet could not sing and that we would need another song leader for the auditorium Sunday School class.  If I would have wanted to schedule Voice of Triumph Ensemble or the Faith Trio, that would not have worked.  This is all because one family was out of town.  The same thing can happen on any given week with any given musician out of town - that is the domino effect.
The music ministry is unlike the Sunday school and bus ministry, where workers can be replaced at the last minute or the assistant teacher or bus captain can step into a position.  Musicians work together and have to practice a song for hours before they can be ready.  So when one is out or sick, the group is usually not functional.
I have learned the value of one musician when four families are out of town and the second solo spot needs to be filled.  When I call the "one" and they agree to sing, I am grateful and know their value - irreplaceable!
When scheduling, dealing with people, and choosing music for musicians treat each one with special value.  Pray for each musician every week and express your gratitude regularly.  Birthday cards, thank you notes, and letters are thoughtful ways to make each person feel that they are valued.
When I think of musicians that have come through our church, I hope that they have fond memories of participating in the music ministry of the Longview Baptist Temple.  I also hope that every one that is currently involved in special music knows that they are special and are doing a great work.
Recognize the value of "one" and God will take care of the big picture!