| Music Connection |
L i b e r t y - A m e r i c a
The Inspiration
The author-composer has known a lifelong love for our nation, the United States of America. As the child of a military man, she absorbed the patriotic-inspirational words and music of her time. After her conversion to Christ in 1960, she learned of the faith and courage of her ancestors, and came to understand why she was gifted in words, music and dramatic presentation. As the nation moved further and further away from its beginnings under the Christian Covenant of its founders, she spent much time in prayer and study of the Word of God. As she prayed, she found that God was answering, sharing His heart of love, and giving insight concerning America's departure from Him.
The Creation
The music for "If My People" came during the late 1960s. So also did the song, "For God and Country". The latter became the theme song for a weekly radio program produced in Northern Virginia in 1969. Six weeks of programs were also heard on the CBN radio station which existed at the time in Portsmouth, Virginia. In 1970, while at home with pneumonia for a week, she was led to the quotations by Columbus, Franklin and Jefferson. In short order the "Liberty" section came together. The prophecy was one of many which the Spirit of God spoke during the years between 1965 and 1970. Liberty-America was recorded with the musical group, GLAD, in 1980.
What Will Our Response Be?
Scripture tells us that no one comes to Our Lord Jesus Christ, unless the Holy Spirit draws them. We're also told that without our prayers, the angels of God stand with furled wings, unable to do their work of fulfilling the perfect will of God.
Returning to Our loving Father and fervent prayer then, are the means that God has given us to obtain the salvation of our loved ones, remove the curses which have come upon us because of sin, and return our nation to its destiny in God.
1. "Liberty" - the yearning of God Himself is heard in the minor mode at the beginning. The melody is stated by a cornet, then the word "Liberty" is sung seven times.
Christopher Columbus speaks from the journal of his discovery voyage to the New World:
"The eternal and almighty God, our Lord, gives to all who walk in His way, victory over things apparently impossible...These great and marvelous results are not to be attributed to any merit of mine...for that which the unaided intellect of man could not understand, the Spirit of God has granted to human effort."
The Holy Bible then speaks: "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (2 Corinthians 3:17b)
"In this situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of Lights to illumine our understanding?
In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor.
To that kind Providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance?
"I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth--that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that 'except the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it.'*
I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel..."
*(Psalm 127:1a)
"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" is sung again.
Thomas Jefferson wrote in a letter:
"Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath! Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever."
The cornet plays the "Liberty theme" a last time, as the singers, in a subdued dissonance, sing the one word, "Liberty".
2. "If My People" - In this section, God states His promise to hear His humble, repentant people:
"If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
(2 Chronicles 7:14)
3. "Prophecy" - God now answers the prayers of His people in a prophetic message addressed
"to the unbelievers and to the heathen":
I am speaking now to the unbelievers and to the heathen.
The wicked have rejoiced to tread down My people and to afflict them, but you shall oppress them no more! For I, the Lord your God shall bring vengeance upon you, and I shall not suffer My people to be oppressed any more.
For I have heard the cries of My people and I will have mercy, says the Lord. Woe unto you who have trampled My Word under foot and have done despite to the Word of My Grace! Woe unto you who have accused and condemned the righteous, and exalted the doers of iniquity! I have seen your sin, your pride, and heard your blasphemy!
Woe unto you, says the Lord, for you are judged. This nation is judged for she has departed from the living God. You would not drink of My living waters of eternal life, so you shall not have the natural rain waters to nourish your poisonous foods, and your grain for alcohol, and your deadly tobacco.
My protection is removed from you, for your sins are great and are a stench in My nostrils. You have profaned My sanctuary. You have preferred the ungodly. You have judged unjustly.
You shall not escape My anger.
But I shall hide My people in the cleft of the rock, and they shall be kept safely. They shall glorify Me, and you shall know that I AM GOD. I have given you space to repent, and you have not.
Are you so stiff-necked that in order to humble you I must pour out My full judgment upon you?
Do you fear man? Then you shall know the wrath of the Lord, and man shall spoil you.
Fear GOD! Repent, confess, seek My face, let the Blood of the Lamb cleanse you.
Receive My Spirit. Then I may count you among the sheep at My right hand.
If you choose to be a goat, I am forced to reject you.
Obedience and heaven --
Rebellion and hell --
Make your choice, you unbelievers and heathen of America.
I came in My Father's love to save the world, not to condemn it.
To reject the Lord Jesus Christ is to love death.
Hear Me, America. Behold, I stand at the door and knock.
If any man will hear My voice and open the door,
I will come in and sup with him, and he with Me.
He who receives Me and overcomes the world,
to him will I give a crown of life.
Choose this day whom you will serve,
satan or the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our merciful Savior has used their words to remind us of His plan for the United States of America, and how He birthed our nation.
The believer can now declare his commitment to God's plan.
To the God Who made you great!
For God and Country, I now give my life.
For God and Country, 'mid a world full of strife.
I'll sing for My Savior, and work in this dear land,
For God and Country I will now take my stand.
America, blessed America, return, return
To the God who made you great!"
The word, "Liberty", now ends the work in triumph, in a major mode.
by Raylyn Terrell
Textual description of Liberty-America
was prepared for the National Day of Prayer, May 3, 2001.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
The musical recording of Liberty-America was made in 1980, the year when Ronald Reagan was elected as President of the United States. This recording is available through Lindsay House Publishing.
Contact us: lindsayhouse14@earthlink.net
MUSIC !
Another Front in the War On Terror
by Raylyn Terrell
Proposal for Musical Component in War on Terror
During WWII my father, Richard C. Lindsay, served on both Eisenhower's and MacArthur's staffs. After the war he talked with Col. George S. Howard, founder and director of the USAF Band and other decision makers and a remarkable idea was born. As a result, the USAF Band made diplomatic history when they toured Europe and Asia as ambassadors of peace and good will.
My husband, Serge de Gastyne (deceased in 1992) joined the Band in 1956 as staff composer/arranger and remained eighteen years until his retirement.
Earlier, in 1953 for the 50th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first flight, Serge and I wrote a two-act musical panorama depicting the history of man's yearning to fly, called "Conquest of the Air". It was performed at Sampson Air Force Base, NY. (An audio tape of the performance was given to Cdr. Paul Garber, Director, Smithsonian Air Museum.)
My father's last command before retirement was of NATO Air Forces, Southern Europe, based in Naples, Italy.
Going back to ancient times, the Holy Bible contains examples of miraculous interventions by God on behalf of His Covenant People against aggressors when they obeyed His specific direction to praise and worship Him with music. (Please see 2nd Chronicles, 20th chapter.) God has not changed.
Is it possible that when God's biblical conditions are met by today's believers, God will intervene? That He will send an angelic army to fight for us as we praise Him? We are rejoicing, for we have heard it in the spirit!
"M e d i t a t i o n"
"But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself;
the LORD hears when I call to him.
Tremble, and do not sin;
Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still." Psalm 4:3,4
Hmmmmmm... How do we do that?
Doesn't that mean "think about it?"
Someone once wrote that it's comparable to a cow chewing its cud...
In the popular culture of today, a picture comes to mind of a person seated on the floor in a "lotus position" with palms of hands together, pointed upwards.
Think: oriental religious practices, when a novice is encouraged to either
1. empty the mind of conscious thought or
2. learn and chant a mantra.
However, for a Christian believer, "Meditation" involves a relationship with the Living God of the Holy Bible, and with His Word.
Apostle Paul had a spiritual son named Timothy. He wrote to him as follows, in
2 Timothy 2:7
"Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything."
Paul had taught Timothy well and the young man knew that his teacher had been taught by the ascended Christ, Jesus Himself. He trusted his teacher, and he trusted the risen Christ. Their relationships were solid, for they had been proved.
So Timothy remembered the words of Jesus taught to him by Paul, and he spent much time listening to God's voice through the Holy Spirit.
Timothy really knew how to MEDITATE! And he lived out the truth in his everyday life.
He meditated on God's Word, and he became a strong servant of the Living God. He led many others as well into living relationship with God through the Body and Blood of God's Lamb, Jesus Christ.
What a beautiful lifestyle it is, filled with God's love, His peace and His joy!
All we need to do to receive it is to become like little children, and
snuggle up to our Heavenly Father! We will then
Believe -- Obey -- Worship -- Meditate -- Pray -- Be Thankful!
Here's a song lyric which can help us stay on the right path:
God's Holy Word the Bible, gives light so we can know
The truth about God's love for us, His people here below on earth, so
Don't Settle, Don't Settle, Don't Settle for a Counterfeit!
Don't Settle, Don't Settle, Don't Settle for a Counterfeit!
The devil wants to fool you. He tells so many lies
To turn your hearts from Jesus Christ, Who died and rose beyond the skies, so
Don't Settle, Don't Settle, Don't Settle for a Counterfeit!
Don't Settle, Don't Settle, Don't Settle for a Counterfeit!
God promises rich blessing to those who will believe
On Jesus Christ, God's Holy Lamb. Your soul He has redeemed from hell, so
Don't Settle, Don't Settle, Don't Settle for a Counterfeit!
Don't Settle, Don't Settle, Don't Settle for a Counterfeit!
(c) 2005 Raylyn Terrell
Posted on the worldnetdaily.com website
Forum on National health care
RE: The Healthy Song
Posted by SADDLESORE on Aug 10, 2009 22:59
"I LOVE THIS"
Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego proved to be health-wise.
Here's a song lyric that goes right to the root of the matter:
by eaglsinging
Momma's in the kitchen making chicken soup -
It's an anti-viral, you see.
Dad is in the garden spreading compost and manure -
So our food will healthy be!
We're learning how to take care of ourselves,
Care of ourselves, and each other.
We're learning how to take care of ourselves
To live long in the Land of the Free!
Johnny's out a-tending to the animals -
They're a part of our life, you see.
Janie's in the henhouse, gathering some eggs
Because for breakfast, they are a key!
We're learning how to take care of ourselves,
Care of ourselves, and each other.
We're learning how to take care of ourselves
To live long in the Land of the Free!
God's gift to us is life abundant
So brave we are determined to be -
As happy, as healthy as He called us to be
And to live long in the land, long in the land,
To live long in the Land of the Free!