MELODIES

 

MELODIES

A wren woke me this morning

with a melody forthcoming.

Several notes were heard sung

strung together in a run.

Was it practicing a concerto

with an audition in alto?

It didn't seem to follow the rules

as so many musicians are taught to.

It was up and down the scale

as the melody sailed

through the air,

a loud blare...

for it got my attention

through the window open.

If only I could imitate the melody,

I know you too would think the song was lovely.

If someone would memorize than record,

it would be a #1 hit record.

A heavenly melody

sung without harmony.

Until a cardinal joins in.

What a happy way to begin

this weekday morning -

with joyous singing.

The air is filled with tweets,

chirps, twitters, and cheeps.

This feathered band

awakens humans.

Be sure to start your day with a song.

Before long you'll be singing along.

Your day will be better for it,

if there is a song in it.

* * * * *

Keep a song in your heart

no matter what

for you'll find cheerful singing

changes your disposition.

A joyful attitude

brightens everyone's mood.

Turn some music on

and sing to the song.

You'll feel better.

Your heart lighter.

For music soothes the soul

and fills your heart full.

Not a song of heartache and despair.

A song of joy and hope should fill the air.

Learn a lesson from the birds.

Start each morning in accord

with an attitude of gratitude.

Try it. It will change your mood.

Sing to the Lord a new song;

sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, praise his name;

proclaim is salvation day after day.

Declare his glory among the nations,

his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

Psalm 96:1-3

Sing to the Lord a new song,

for he has done marvelous things;

Psalm 98:1

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,

burst into jubilant song with music;

make music to the Lord with the harp,

with the harp and the sound of singing,

with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn -

shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

Psalm 98:4-6

Our mouths were filled with laughter,

our tongues with songs of joy.

Then it was said among the nations,

“The Lord has done great things for them.”

The Lord has done great things for us,

and we are filled with joy.

Psalm 126:2-3

Is anyone happy?

Let him sing songs of praise.

James 5:13b

...as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs

with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Colossians 3:16b

NIV: Psalms refers to the OT psalms, some of which may have been set to music by the church. Psalm could also describe a song newly composed for Christian worship, where hymn is literally psalm in the Greek text.

A hymn was a song of praise, especially used in a celebration, much like the OT psalms that praised God for all that he is. A song recounted the acts of God and praised him for them, much like the OT psalms that thanked God for all that he had done.

 

Knock, Knock

Knock, knock.  Knock, knock.

Knock, knock. Knock, knock.

There’s no one at the front door

so around the house I tour.

It’s not the washer

nor the dryer.

Knock, knock. Knock, knock.

Knock, knock. Knock, knock.

Is someone building at the neighbors?

I’m going to check out the back door.

I don’t see anyone up and about.

Besides, it’s too early to be out.

Knock, knock. Knock, knock.

Knock, knock. Knock, knock.

There it goes once again.

I’d better check again.

I’ll check out back.

Be right back.

Knock, knock. Knock, knock.

Knock, knock. Knock, knock.

I see titmice.

To see them is nice.

There’s also chickadees

in the big pine tree.

Knock, knock. Knock, knock.

Knock, knock. Knock, knock.

I see who it is. He’s a hungry knocker.

Do you know who it is? It’s a woodpecker.

He’s eating bugs

and hidden grubs.

Knock, knock. Knock, knock.

Knock, knock. Knock, knock.

Louder than a clock’s tock.

I’m glad he’s not in a flock

otherwise the noise would sound like rock.

So loud it would knock your socks off!

Knock, knock. Knock, knock.

Knock, knock. Knock, knock.

After a high protein breakfast

this woodpecker flies away fast,

but the titmice and chickadees

still hang around to entertain me.

* * * * *

Please correct me if I’m wrong,

but I think these are words to a song:

“Who’s that knocking at my door?

Who’s that knocking at my door?”

The Bible says there is a door to our lips.

This door attains or distances relationships

for what comes out of our mouth

either tears down or builds up.

There is also a door to faith,

through the goodness of God’s grace.

Faith is believing that God knows best

and has a plan better than we can guess.

Do you realize your heart has a door?

It’s the door through which faith continues to pour

for faith grows through relationship -

daily praise, worship, and fellowship.

Faith leans on God’s Word

when life’s problems blur -

like asking why do bad things happen to God’s people.

Just one question we sometimes ask, as an example.

It’s not that life will ever be perfect,

it’s in knowing that God is with us

whatever it is we’re daily going through -

which is one of God’s promises, so true.

Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord;

keep watch over the door of my lips.

Psalm 141:3

...opened the door of faith...

Acts 14:27

I stand at the door and knock.

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,

I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

Revelation 3:20

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

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Chorus

What’s this I hear?

Pleasant to my ears.

One instrument starts,

though it’s not a harp,

than another joins in -

soon it sounds like singing.

Another member joins

this joyful chorus line.

A new composition

is being written.

It’s an original opus

which seems to greatly please us.

One member of the choir, late

joins this original debate

richly enhancing the song

with his aCapella long.

Confident, he’s not at all shy

as his voice floats through the sky.

Another member who felt sick

now feels better for the music

lifted his woebegone spirit

and he soon feels better for it.

He now joins in with song

while tapping his toes along.

This chorus sings without instruments

for their voices are their instruments.

Finely tuned they sing,

morning and evening,

songs of thanksgiving -

a heartfelt offering.

You’re met these chorus members before.

They were welcomed outside your door

when the first robin of spring

and other joyfully singing

songbirds

are heard.

Take a minute to lend an ear.

Which bird sound did you hear?

Or maybe it was a cricket you heard,

even though they never say a word.

Nature creates a beautiful synchronized harmony

as all God’s creation comes together in unity.

* * * * *

Music can lift our spirit

whenever we hear it.

Not just from constructed musical instruments,

but also from nature and all it represents.

The buzz of bees is sweet to hear

when to flower blossoms they veer.

The singing of birds

is joyous music heard.

The lapping of the ocean’s foam,

the rushing of the river’s drone,

the wind that blows,

the cattle’s low.

The bleating of sheep,

a chick’s peep-peep-peep,

the rooster’s er-er-er-er-errr,

the drip of a passing rain shower.

And quacks and clucks and gobbles and honks

all add to the music that talks...

in fact, shouts for joy to the Lord

for nature is never bored.

It celebrates with music.

Don’t be shy, join in it.

Make any joyful noise.

Your spirit will be buoyed.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,

burst into jubilant song with music;

make music to the Lord with the harp,

with the harp and the sound of singing,

with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn –

shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

Let the sea resound, and everything in it,

the world, and all who live in it.

Let the rivers clap their hands,

let the mountains sing together with joy;

let them sing before the Lord.

Psalm 98:4-9

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people,

the sheep of his pasture.

Psalm 100:1-3

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Giving and Receiving

 Giving & Receiving

Sun’s arising.

New day dawning.

Songbirds awaking.

Welcoming morning

by singing

songs of thanksgiving.

Although not certain what the day will bring

songbirds begin each day with thanksgiving

shared with us in the songs they’re singing.

Have you noticed that’s how their day starts?

With joyful music heard from their heart.

Something of which we should all take part.

“When morning gilds the skies

my heart awaking cries...

may Jesus Christ be praised!”...

should always begin our days.

Though we never know what each day may bring,

we know there is always much thanks we should be giving

for God’s daily faithfulness for the lives we’re living.

We take so much for granted that others are praying for:

even basic necessities like electricity and water.

When was the last time you thanked Christ the Lord for?

Let’s be like the birds each morning and evening

as they thank God each morning before receiving

then again at evening after daily receiving.

May our day start with joyful thankfulness

to our Creator for His faithfulness

from a heart filled with much gratefulness.

* * * * *

Happiness begins

with each day’s dawning,

not due to receiving,

but from a heart of thanksgiving

for many daily blessings

that the Lord is freely giving.

Here’s a lesson

to be learning:

to offer up thanksgiving

before receiving.

To give thanks before receiving,

then again after receiving.

Always giving thanks to God the Father

for everything,

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:20

Let us continually offer to God

a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips

that confess his name.

Hebrews 13:15

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