Category Archives: Music

Wedding Flowers and Songs

I took these flower pictures awhile ago…the daughter of a friend of mine had pretty bouquets in mason jars displayed at her wedding reception and I couldn’t resist taking pictures of one of them. As I was going through my photos last month, I came across these pictures and was going to post them, since it was June…because June is the most popular wedding month, right?

Well, I discovered that is changing…July has been the most popular wedding month in recent years, followed by August, September and October. So it seemed appropriate to post these pictures in July!

As I was thinking about some of the weddings I’ve been to, I remembered some songs I really liked that were sung at them.

None of these songs I’m mentioning are very new, but they are beautiful songs–maybe you’ll remember some of these. Click on the song titles if you want to listen to them.

God Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts; this was also recorded by Selah, and their version is more like what I heard at the wedding I went to.

The Prayer by Josh Groban, performed with Charlotte Church

I Will Be Here and Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman

Remember Me by Mark Schultz, performed with Joy Williams (sung when the bride and groom took communion)

What are some of your favorite wedding songs? What songs were sung at your wedding?

The Wonderful Cross

6 Replies

When I survey the wondrous Cross

On which the Prince of Glory died

My richest gain I count but loss

And pour contempt on all my pride

See from His head, His hands, His feet

Sorrow and love flow mingled down

Did e’re such love and sorrow meet

Or thorns compose so rich a crown

Oh the wonderful Cross, Oh the wonderful Cross

Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live

Oh the wonderful Cross, Oh the wonderful Cross

All who gather here by grace draw near and bless Your name…

From THE WONDERFUL CROSS

The lyrics to When I Survey the Wondrous Cross were written by the well-known author of many hymns, Isaac Watts in 1707 (he also wrote Joy to the World and O God, Our Help in Ages Past). The hymn was set to more than one tune; the most popular was written in 1790 by Edward Miller. An updated version of this hymn, The Wonderful Cross, has been performed by several contemporary artists including Micheal W. Smith and Chris Tomlin. You can listen to a version by Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman by clicking here.

Hope you have a blessed Easter Sunday!

Hosanna!

5 Replies

And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

MATTHEW 21:8-9 KJV

If you’re wondering what “Hosanna” means, I found a great explanation here. Hosanna comes from the Hebrew words Hoshiya na! (“Save now!” or “Save, please!”), an expression the people would use when asking a king to help or save them in times of trouble (see 2 Samuel 14:4 and 2 Kings 6:26). Over the centuries, Hosanna gradually became an expression of hope and exultation: “Salvation! Salvation! Salvation has come!” The crowd of people shouting Hosanna in the verse above were recognizing Jesus as their Savior and Deliverer, the prophesied Messiah. And believers use it now as an expression of praise and gratitude to God and His Son Jesus for the gift of Salvation.

I thought this would be a great time to tell you about a song I like called Hosanna. It’s by the Canadian group Starfield, from their CD I Will Go. Filled with hope and praise, it really expresses the meaning of the word Hosanna. Click here to listen to it.

Hope you are enjoying a beautiful, restful Palm Sunday!

Linked to Think on These Things.

Christmas Joy

2 Replies

When I hear or see the word “joy” at Christmas, I’m reminded of the beautiful traditional German carol, HOW GREAT OUR JOY.

While by the sheep we watched at night,

Glad tidings brought an angel bright.

(refrain)

How great our joy! Great our joy!

Joy, joy, joy! Joy, joy, joy!

Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!

Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!

There shall be born, so He did say,

In Bethlehem a Child today.

(refrain)

There shall the Child lie in a stall,

This Child who shall redeem us all.

(refrain)

This gift of God we’ll cherish well,

That ever joy our hearts shall fill.

(refrain)

These simple words echo the prophecy from Micah 5:2: Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me One who will be Ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.*

This Christmas, as we celebrate the One who came, may your heart be filled with joy!

How Great Our Joy, translated to English by Theodore Baker, arranged by Hugo Jungst.

Peaceful Moments

Leave a reply

I was busy at home one day and decided to play one of my Casting Crowns CDs, Until The Whole World Hears. When one of the songs called At Your Feet started playing, I just had to stop what I was doing and listen. The music and lyrics were so soothing and beautiful. The song is about laying everything down from our past, present, and future–our mistakes and burdens as well as our hopes and dreams–laying it all down at the feet of Jesus. And as hard as doing that seemed to be for some things, it actually felt wonderful to “let go,” release everything to Him, and spend peaceful moments resting in His presence.

If you’d like to listen to the song, click HERE. I’ve also posted the lyrics below. Hoping you, too, will be refreshed and renewed from spending peaceful moments at His feet.

Here at Your feet, I lay my past down

My wanderings, all my mistakes down

And I am free

Here at Your feet, I lay this day down

Not in my strength, but in Yours I’ve found

All I need, You’re all I need

Jesus, Jesus at Your feet

Oh, to dwell and never leave

Jesus, Jesus at Your feet

There is nowhere else for me

Here at Your feet, I lay my future down

All of my dreams, I give to You now

And I find peace, I find peace…

Here at Your feet, I lay my life down

For You my King, You’re all I want now

And my soul sings…

Cause I am free (here at Your feet)

All I need (is at Your feet)

I find peace (We’re at Your feet, we’re at Your feet)…

Here at Your feet, I lay my life down.