Makin’ Up a Quick Little…Um…Something?

 

Very close -- Guitar instrumental

 

The wonderful, mysterious beauty of music

This may not be typical.

I realize everyone will not be able to relate to this post but perhaps some of you will. One of the most extraordinary gifts God has given us is music. For me, it’s not just that certain songs move me deeply and bless my heart in inexpressible ways but some pieces of music can actually, for a moment, treat the difficult, stressful issues of life in such a way that they are gone from my mind. Forgotten.

It may brief, but the mess and struggle are replaced with profound, overwhelming beauty and joy. I don’t even know if it is normal but there are small sections of certain songs—a lick by a horn section, the beginning of a guitar solo, vocals harmonizing, a line in the lyrics—for which I have to make sure no one is looking at me when I hear it because I’m embarrassed that I have tears in my eyes.

Grown men, are not supposed to be that easily moved with emotion. Especially when they are dangerous ninjas.

Thank you Lord for the mysterious, wonderful, staggering, glorious favor you have extended to us through music.

I like when it pops!

My scenic view

This is my very scenic view most Friday nights when the Worship Team is rehearsing for the Sunday morning services.

We have some terrific music planned for this Sunday, December 9^th. Really! I think you’re definitely going to want to check it out.

Inspiration. Challenge. Praising God. Teaching from the Word. Encouragement.

…All of the above will be happening on Sunday.

(…We will even have some fun. Oh I know that’s not supposed to be legal at church but we have fun, anyhow. By the way, you should probably keep that on the down low. Grumpy people get mad when they find out about it.)

If you’re in the area I invite you to join us!

First Church of God

4600 W. 111^th Street

Oak Lawn, IL

Service times: Sunday 9am and 11am

Thank You For So Many Moments of Beauty, Glenn

The music which played during the formative, coming-of-age years of life usually has a special place in our hearts for the rest of our lives. Songs from my teenage years can spark wonderful memories and deep emotions. It can take me back to people, places and events in tremendously fond and moving ways. It is a special and irreplaceable part of this earthly journey.

One of my favorite bands from those early years is the Eagles. For myself—and I realize this is true for millions of others, as well—many of the songs from the Eagles' vast repertoire are masterpieces.

So learning of the passing of one of the founding members and primary songwriters of the Eagles, Glenn Frey, truly saddens my heart.

Thank you Glenn, for helping to bring so many moments of beauty to our hearts.

Here are some of the lyrics from the song “It’s Your World Now” by Glenn Frey and Jack Tempchin…

It’s your world now

Use well your time
Be part of something good
Leave something good behind
The curtain falls
I take my bow
That’s how it’s meant to be
It’s your world now
It’s your world now
It’s your world now

Dan Marler

Oak Lawn, IL

The Power of Music

There is a strange thing that can happen when I listen to music.  This doesn’t happen every time I hear a song but, occasionally, when I’m listening to a particular song I can be emotionally moved at such a deep level that tears, literally, come to my eyes.  It doesn’t have to be a sad song or a slow song, this has happened when I’ve listened to songs with a fast tempo.

But this can happen from just the simple act of listening to a song.  Strange, huh?

Perhaps what I’m writing about is only something that musicians experience, I honestly don’t know, but I doubt it.  I suspect you don’t necessarily have to be a musician to be moved in this way.

The powerful emotional experience I’m writing about happened to me today when I was listening to a song titled, “Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers” played by Jeff Beck.  Jeff plays the guitar with such expressiveness it almost sounds human.  At times his guitar sounds like it is crying, other times it almost seems to be screaming.  It is an instrumental piece and I know some people don’t like instrumental music but this song just feels like musical perfection to me.  [Click here to listen to song.]

If you’re reading this and you’re thinking, “What in the world is this guy talking about?”  I understand.  What I’m trying to communicate is not something that can be adequately explained in words.  Sorry for taking up your time.

But there may be a few folks who read this and say, “Yep, I know what you’re saying, brother!”  If that’s the case, I wrote this for you.