You might have noticed I've been thinking a lot about music lately. Taking a break from Twitch has allowed me to sort of “musically reset” as I have tried to focus on listening to music that elevates the soul and draws me closer to God. It is reawakening a long-dormant part of myself that once loved to play musical instruments and create my own music.

Early in my life, I wanted to pursue a career in music education. I played clarinet and tenor saxophone in concert bands, ensembles, jazz bands, jazz combos, etc. throughout my entire secondary and post-secondary education and I wanted to do nothing else. But life took me down a different path.

This morning I remembered a project I started about 22 years ago. I was serving as an executive secretary in the bishopric of the Mesa College Third Ward (a student ward at Mesa Community College in Mesa, AZ). In a bishopric meeting Bishop Burton mentioned that one of his favorite hymns was “Come unto Him” (#114 in the green hymn book) but that he wished someone would set the lyrics by Theodore E. Curtis to different music. I never forgot that comment and thought I might take a stab at putting this beautiful text with my own composition.

(1) I wander through the still of night, When solitude is ev’rywhere— Alone, beneath the starry light, And yet I know that God is there. I kneel upon the grass and pray; An answer comes without a voice. It takes my burden all away And makes my aching heart rejoice.

(2) When I am filled with strong desire And ask a boon of him, I see No miracle of living fire, But what I ask flows into me. And when the tempest rages high I feel no arm around me thrust, But ev’ry storm goes rolling by When I repose in him my trust.

(3) It matters not what may befall, What threat’ning hand hangs over me; He is my rampart through it all, My refuge from mine enemy. Come unto him all ye depressed, Ye erring souls whose eyes are dim, Ye weary ones who long for rest. Come unto him! Come unto him!

Over the years I have composed new music for this hymn on the piano, but I have never made a serious effort to arrange it or write it down.

This morning, out of the blue, this project came to my mind once again and I decided it was time to get these ideas out of my head and onto print. And also GarageBand (Apple's free music creation software). I even started thinking of some new musical ideas I could work into it.

Rather than compose it as a straightforward hymn, I want to make it a choral arrangement. This has all come about because of my recent discovery of VOCES8, the angelic-sounding vocal octet from the UK. I can't get enough of their music these days. And I've been imagining writing my own music for a group like them.

I'm not saying my version of “Come Unto Him” will ever be sung by any group, let alone the likes of VOCES8.

But I have been reminded of how integral music has been to my life and to my understanding of and faith in God. For me, music is one of the most beautiful of all of God's creations, and I believe He delights in good and sacred music. I can't imagine a Heaven without music.

I'm excited to see how this composition turns out. I'll be sure to share it with you when I finish it.

#100DaysToOffload (No. 146) #faith #Lent #music

I need to do better at recognizing the tremendous blessings in my life and acknowledging God's hand in all of them.

A favorite hymn among Latter-day Saints is “Count Your Blessings”. It's fun to sing and has a good message.

(1) When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings; name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Chorus Count your blessings; Name them one by one. Count your blessings; See what God hath done. Count your blessings; Name them one by one. Count your many blessings; See what God hath done.

(2) Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings; ev’ry doubt will fly, And you will be singing as the days go by.

Chorus

(3) When you look at others with their lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold. Count your many blessings; money cannot buy Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.

Chorus

(4) So amid the conflict, whether great or small, Do not be discouraged; God is over all. Count your many blessings; angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Chorus

It's easy to fixate on what I don't have or on bad things that have happened. But I have everything I need. And good things have happened, too.

I'm reminded of a favorite scene from a favorite movie, “Joe Versus the Volcano” – the “moon scene.”

Joe and Patricia are stranded in the middle of the ocean. The situation is looking pretty grim. Joe, thirsty and exhausted, is awakened from a restless sleep by a most magnificent moonrise.

The moon, larger than life, slowly rizes above the horizon. Gazing at the celestial spectacle unfolding before him, Joe struggles to his feet and raises his arms in amazement, basking in the brilliant moonlight.

And then Joe says: “Dear God, whose name I do not know, thank You for my life.”

It's a beautiful scene, and one I reflect on whenever I think about counting blessings, especially during the hard times.

I want to be like Joe and thank God for my life, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

#100DaysToOffload (No. 145) #lent #gratitude #faith #Christianity

I received some good news about my job today. I'm just grateful to have a job in the first place, but it's nice to know my contributions are valued and are making a difference. It made me realize how starved for good news I've been.

I've gotten used to bad news. In my extended family. In my community, state, country, and world. It's been relentless. And it's taken a toll.

So it makes good news all the sweeter.

There's another kind of Good News that has the power to dispel all the bad news if we'll let it. The Gospel of Jesus Christ. The word gospel is derived from the Anglo-Saxon term god-spell, which means “good story.” The Good News is that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and He has overcome the world. In a way we will never fully comprehend, He has taken upon Himself the sins, sorrows, and pains of the world, making it possible for us to be with and like Him someday.

And because of Him, it is also possible for us to find relief and comfort even in the midst of our suffering in this life.

There's more to it than that, but that's the overarching message. It's a message of hope, love, and healing. And it is endless.

So even if there is a dearth of good news in our personal life, family, community, state, country, or world, we can always turn our thoughts and our focus to the Good News of Jesus Christ. We can turn our hearts to God and find refuge and peace in Him. We can trust that He has the power to mend what is broken, restore what has been lost, compensate for what is lacking, heal what has been wounded. He always keeps His promises. We can trust His plan and His timing.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27)

“In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

I've never heard better news than this.

#100DaysToOffload (No. 144) #faith #Lent #Christianity