When you’re preaching through the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) its hard to find music to go with each of the fruits. As I searched for an appropriate song I felt inspired to write my own. When we experience the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives we discover these fruits surface in such amazing ways. It is…
I wrote this song as a help to my Bible Study group to memorize scripture. As I began working on it I was inspired by the story of Joseph forgiving his brothers who years earlier tried to kill him. Genesis 50:20 demonstrates God’s influence in a man who realizes God’s work in his life. What was meant for harm became…
Words are powerful. What we say and how we say it can lift someone’s spirit or trash their self-esteem. As I was writing this song I was thinking of the passages in Proverbs when talking about our speech. I’ve loved the tune O Waly Waly most of my life. I loved the melody but really didn’t understand the song itself. …
As Jesus’ ministry progressed and the miracles became known, I’m sure people began to ask this questions, “Who is this man?” Even the disciples when Jesus calmed the storm at sea asked, “Who is this man?” Even today people make all kinds of assumptions and they still ask, “Who is this man?” It is my hope that all will discover…
While I was serving as a worship leader at the Vancouver Church in Vancouver, WA, we were studying a book on prayer. Pastor Chris Kainu was encouraging the church to gather for prayer through prayer summits and the use of a special designated prayer room. I was moved at the thought of our needing to change the status quo of…
The night after Jesus was crucified must have been horrific. That Saturday night, the day of Sabbath, had to be frightening since you didn’t know what the Roman soldiers or Jewish Leadership would. Realizing that the Rabbi you loved was now laying dead in a borrowed tomb. I’m sure the grief was overwhelming. Laying in bed at night trying to…
“We Will Reclam” was a title I picked up from a national ministers convention for the Church of God back in 2016. To me this song would have made a great theme song for the convention. I was inspired by the messages and the testimonies shared regarding how different churches were making a difference in their neighborhoods. God is still…
Our church has a tradition of “laying on of hands” as a form of corporate prayer. A person who has requested the church to pray for them comes forward at the Pastor’s invitation. The congregation gathers around the person reaching out and laying their hands on the person or if they cannot get close enough to touch then they lay …
This song was not written based upon any biblical text but my own imagination. It occured to me that Joseph’s family was involved with the Sanhedrin for generations. Just as his father was a member of the Sanhedrin so he would become a member. If Joseph was near the age of Jesus, then his father might have been there when…
As I wrote this song I was imagining Mary holding Jesus. She was rocking Him back and forth as mothers do. Singing softly to Him and loving Him. In my mind this is a lullaby that Mary could have sung to baby Jesus. Even though I sang this on the recording, I’m imagining a woman’s voice to sing Mary’s song.…
12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12-14 NIV). I discovered this hymn…
Many of the songs that I included in this album “The Christmas Light” were songs inspired by my sermon preparation for the advent season. Thel song was written in 2016 for advent. I felt bringing in the carol, “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” would add a familiar Christmas feel as well as convey the essential meaning; the birth of…
During my time as Pastor of the Holladay Park Church of God in Portland OR, I became acquainted with Coralla Fritzler. She was still the church’s treasurer in her 90’s. A dear saint who deeply loved the Lord and the church. At age 15 (1940) she wrote a poem in response to her feelings regarding her then Pastor’s wife who…
This song was written out of the inspiration from a sermon I was working on. 2 Timothy 2:11-13 where Paul states that this is a trustworthy statement. He uses that saying about five times in his New Testament writings. Paul is drawing our attention to an important truth. In this case he’s telling us that if we are faithful and…
For the ending of the musical I wanted a reminder of the two main themes. The prayer of asking God to make us one as a church and a song of praise for that unity. Two themes that we need reminding of often. Thanks for listening. Blessings! Music Sheet: 10 Make Us One In You – Praise God For Our…
I have always been inspired by the Church when she acts in unity. The wonderful things we can accomplish. The truth is that we are all unified under the blood of Jesus. We each have our gifts but we are still one body. Praise God for our unity!!! Music Sheet: 02 Praise God For Our Unity Chord Sheet: 05 PRAISE…
In November 2005 my mother-in-law, Lois Wells, took my family on a wonderful trip to the Grand Canyon. My sons were teenagers and this is one of those memorable experiences as a family I’ll never forget. We spent the night there and in the evening we had dinner at a restaurant with a beautiful view of the canyon. However, at…
Advent means “coming.” Looking forward to the coming King. Searching for our savior and redeemer. Over the years I haven’t found many good songs about the Prophets looking forward to the time of Christ. But look forward they did. With great earnest. They prophesied the Virgin birth (Isaiah. 7:14), born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), Miraculous Ministry (Isaiah 35:5-6), that He…
Years ago I had taken a few guitar lessons where the teacher taught me how to do a pentatonic scale on the guitar. The sound fascinated me. At the same time I was preaching a series on unity and the song lyrics just flowed while I was sitting and having lunch at a restaurant. I had in mind an old…
At my church in Portland, OR, Holladay Park Church of God, I was working on a sermon series I called “Love, Learn, Live.” It was based on the scripture passage Philippians 1:9-11 from the Message Bible. It was my desire to help the message of that passage sink into each heart and soul. That it would be a great challenge…