This song is written and composed by my sister-in-law, Anna Geevarghese. She is harmonizing with me in this video.
[youtube url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP-G09ZIWdU]
Direct Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP-G09ZIWdU
We had band practice last night and afterwards briefly discussed some songs I would like to play at our June 8th service.
Blessed Be The Name by Matt Redman was mentioned - that’ll work well as I’m very familiar with it. Then Happy Day by Tim Hughes was suggested and I love the song, but I thought I remembered it had a la-la-la part in it. I don’t do songs with la-la-la in it. Or even na-na-na. I can’t bring myself to sing that.
I listened to Happy Day on the way home (several times) and I was glad to find it contained no la-la-ing at all. So we could be good to go with that song for June 8th after all.
Tell me, do you like singing la-la-la (or na-na-na) songs? Let’s hear about your favourite or most despised la-la or na-na song…
Of course, now that Gary knows this I’m pretty sure he’ll be trying to fit the odd la-la-la and na-na-na songs into our upcoming set-lists.
I listened to an interview with Matt Redman yesterday on the March 08 episode of the WorshipCentral podcast. It’s a really good interview and insight into how Matt approaches writing.
I want to write. I have little notebooks by my bedside and everything. I have melodies rattling round in my head. One thing is making it very difficult for me to get started. Fear.
What if someone finds and reads my unfinished scribbles? Will they think it silly? What if my song is no good? Will I be able to take criticism? Matt (or Tim) compares rubbishing someone’s song to calling their baby ugly!
It was encouraging to hear that even though Matt cannot read music or change guitar strings(!) it has not prohibited him from becoming a great song writer and worship leader.
One tip I wrote down is “Write with the door closed. Rewrite with the door open“.
What tips do you have?
Check out the interview by downloading the podcast.
Hi everyone, some friends of mine need to produce sheet music of songs they have composed. What software package do you guys use?
Preferably the package should allow them to input the notes using a keyboard, rather than pointing and clicking notes on the sheet itself.
I’ve passed along a link to Finale Allegro, only because I’ve heard people mention it before.
What are the alternatives?
I got a new book bought to me the other day (thanks Andrew!). It’s called LIFESTORIES
Mud asks a good question on how we take worship to the next level. Check out some of the responses over at his blog.
I came across this Perry Noble post tonight after reading the latest posts on Thoughts Of A Worshiper. Perry has listed eight things he reckons every worship leader should know.
I think it’s a great list. I’ve heard the people say before about keeping your eyes open (#1). I think if you aren’t floating away into your own world but keeping a check on where the congregation is, then closing your eyes now and again is fine.
Don’t talk too much just sing (#2) is ok for me… because that’s just what I do.
I do surround myself with talented people (#3) - the majority of the time more talented than myself!
I like this encouragement to write songs (#4) even if no-one else is going to sing them. This was good for me to read.
Go to concerts (#5). I’m not a big fan of concerts (christian or non-christian) - never have been. I’ve been to a few in my time, but prefer just to grab the cd and listen to that.
I like to read scripture (#6), but I’ll admit - I don’t read it enough. Not nearly enough. Maybe I should be reading it now rather than writing this post?
Some weeks I would ring the pastor (#7) or whoever is leading the meeting and try to work on the theme they will be using on Sunday. Some churches are more organised than others and seem to have their themes worked out way in advance. We don’t - at least I don’t know about it.
Placing God’s plans before my own (#8) is something I know we have to do… and I hope I am doing it. Sure, I have ambitions (musically) and I need to push forward to seize opportunity when it arises. However, I aim to push forward prayerfully so I do not step on God’s toes. His plan comes first. After all - His plan is the best possible for my life - why would I want to spoil that?
Ok, how do you guys line up against that list? Do you agree with the points outlined? Let’s have your comments!
1-3 Good people, cheer God! Right-living people sound best when praising.
Use guitars to reinforce your Hallelujahs!
Play his praise on a grand piano!
Invent your own new song to him;
give him a trumpet fanfare.4-5 For God’s Word is solid to the core;
everything he makes is sound inside and out.
He loves it when everything fits,
when his world is in plumb-line true.
Earth is drenched
in God’s affectionate satisfaction.6-7 The skies were made by God’s command;
he breathed the word and the stars popped out.
He scooped Sea into his jug,
put Ocean in his keg.8-9 Earth-creatures, bow before God;
world-dwellers—down on your knees!
Here’s why: he spoke and there it was,
in place the moment he said so.
When I read that it made me smile…
After seeing this on CECWorship I ordered it last week from Amazon and it arrived today. Had a very quick flick through it this evening and it looks good.
It’s priced at $19.95 on Amazon, but I got it for half the price (new) from Amazon Marketplace (seller inspirationalbookandgift). So save yourself a few bucks!
Whether in your personal praise time, or in a church service full of people, how do you worship God?
Do you leave it for the songs to express your feelings in worship? Or do you find yourself worshipping God with your own words in addition to the songs? In worship, do words come naturally to you? Are you able to express in words what you feel towards God to the extent you desire?
Do you sometimes overflow into worshipping in tongues?
Do you find yourself using the same phrases over and over - “I worship You Lord”, “I magnify Your holy name”, “Hallelujah”, “You are worthy to be praised”, “Your name is above all names”, “Praise You Jesus”, etc?
I do.
It’s starting to bug me too. It’s nearly like being in auto-pilot. I need to start thinking about what I am saying. The church can treat songs in the same way as well. They just sing them without putting their heart behind it.
You might be thinking where all this is stemming from? Well, I face the same problem when I try to write worship song lyrics. I find it really difficult to express myself in words. I’m nearly embarrassed someone will find one of my half finished works and laugh their heads off. Where does that come from?
I have no problem singing songs by everyone else and meaning it with all my heart. So, why can’t I capture in words what I am feeling towards God? This is something I am working through at the moment. Any comments are welcome.