Along the Western Front in Belgium, it was a dark and bitterly cold night — Christmas Eve, 1914. Soldiers had already seen far too much blood. They were deeply traumatized, aching for their families. The distance between what they believed the war would be and what it had become felt like a gaping chasm. Then, …
Colorful lights, an eclectic mix of bought and handmade ornaments, stockings hung on the wall, and a Veggie Tales Christmas CD on repeat all month long. These are some of the sights and sounds from the Christmas’s of my childhood. The focus of the season was always directly on Jesus and the story of his …
Christmas, something many long for and others dread. It often begins before fall decor is finished being placed in stores, and most don’t wait until Thanksgiving is over before the tree wreaths and ornaments make us feel very “holidayish”. Interestingly enough, it is a holiday that is greatly commercialized, and yet no price tag can …
My Tribute by Andrae Crouch, touches my heart. It is so full of gratitude, giving of thanks, & praise. As a teenager, I remember singing this song with Dad, Mom Sylvia, & Renay as we took drives, or looked at the ocean with its waves. I will never forget those moments that drew me closer …
In Pakistan’s church liturgy, the Punjabi Zabūr (“Psalms in Punjabi”) are central. Originating in the late 19th and early 20th centuries through the tireless efforts of Rev. Dr. Imam-ud-Din Shahbaz (1845–1921). A Punjabi convert to Christianity who translated all 150 psalms into Punjabi poetic verse. He, then, collaborated with a music committee to set them …
Have you ever made a paper boat? They hold so much promise for about five seconds — until reality (and water) hit. I’ve made choices in life that felt the same way: beautifully folded plans that didn’t seem waterproof once the storms came. When we moved to Ukraine to help start a church, I had …
Can you say with confidence, “It is well with my soul”? Our family will sing this beautiful song Saturday, at my Dad’s memorial. Heartbreak is the motive behind many great songs we know and love including this one. How much heartbreak can a person face before they curse God and want to die? Horatio Spafford …
It was one of those moments, being a gospel pianist, that I forgot the music and watched the song leader. Of course, that’s what you are supposed to do, but with this song, at this time, with a church full of singers, the song leader was taking his liberty to lead. It was an old …
This has been a tough year. I lost a job in January, and then a second in May, and a third in July. I have filled out more applications than I care to recall, attended interviews, and put in hours making cold calls—all while the debt kept climbing, towering over me like a tsunami about …
Music. When I was four years old, I came home from my aunt and uncle’s wedding and played “Here Comes the Bride” on the piano by ear. My parents put me in music lessons. That was my introduction to music. We were a musical family. All six of us kids knew music, and I …
