Discerning God in Song

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Dave Currie

“A living church always needs new expressions in song to meet the immediacy of current and particular circumstances.” – Dave Currie

Spiritual songs and hymns help us become more discerning leaders. As we sing, regardless of our unique context, we join with the voices of saints from around the world who worship musically with songs of our Christian faith. How may distinct races, denominations, or ethnic groups have you joined in song? Engaging in song theologically, emotionally, and experientially is good for the soul. We evaluate a good song theologically by holding it up to Scripture; we are invited fully into the song experientially and emotionally. Good songs stand the test of time.

For more information about today’s hymns:

• Background: https://hymnary.org/text/lord_you_have_come_to_the_lakeshore
• https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-lord-you-have-come-to-the-lakeshore
• Solo guitar & duet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kdsab4mm4nI&pbjreload=10
• Choir in Spanish & English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdXrgsqIZ8k

• Background: https://hymnary.org/text/here_o_lord_your_servants_gather
• https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-here-o-lord-your-servants-gather
• Japanese/English Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiT6WSdBNhw

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Dave Currie

“Do everything for the glory of God – and with a song in your heart!” – Dave Currie

Singing is a great way to help us notice what God is doing in our midst. When we let the message of Christ dwell among us richly, it’s the songs, hymns, and spiritual songs – offered from our hearts – that solidify the truths about God in our souls. We are made in God’s image, and we share in God’s creative process as we sing and make music in our hearts. What is it about singing that characterizes the formative work of God in us? We explore this question and notice the dynamic work of God as our head and our heart cooperate with one another in song.

For more information about today’s hymns:“GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH”

• Background: https://hymnary.org/text/guide_me_o_thou_great_jehovah
• Sung in English & Welsh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT4n1hGjDDg

“BLESSED ASSURANCE, JESUS IS MINE!”

• Background: https://hymnary.org/text/blessed_assurance_jesus_is_mine
• Alan Jackson/Country: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vfqYwfTqlE
• CeCe Winans/Gospel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMLOlYWM03g

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Dave Currie

“Singing the songs of those who have come before us, especially from other cultures and times, enhances our discernment as leaders.” – Dave Currie

God sings over us out of his great affection, and as a warrior for our soul, he protects and cares for us as his beloved. Songs have been a part of the history of the church as singing helps us stay connected to God and with one another as his children. We know there will be lots of singing in heaven; while we are here on earth, we have a foretaste of that eternal worship. Spanning the history of the church, we note the ways every tribe, nation, and language group are rehearsing for the final praiseworthy performance at the marriage supper of the Lamb!

For more information about “WHEN ISRAEL WAS IN EGYPT’S LAND”:

• Background: https://hymnary.org/text/when_israel_was_in_egypts_land
• Gospel Choir: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P32Vj-R8fkY
• Louis Armstrong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW3EAmKESKA

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Dave Currie

“When Jesus shows up, we want to sing!” – Dave Currie

Sing to the Lord a new song! Songs of our faith are an invitation to intimacy with God, who loves us and enjoys hearing the praises of his people. In this episode we will notice the songs of Zechariah, Mary, and of Simeon – in celebration of the coming of the Messiah. We’ll consider how the second coming of Jesus, as noted in the book of Revelation, includes great songs of adoration. Also, in the writings of the apostle Paul, the people of God are encouraged to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in their hearts. Discerning hearts sing!

For more information about “JESUS, THE VERY THOUGHT OF THEE” by Bernard of Clairvaux:

• Background: https://hymnary.org/text/jesus_the_very_thought_of_thee
• Version by Ghanaian Choir: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF_SAsw0XjU

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net

Host: Steve Macchia, Guest: Dave Currie

“A song is the quickest route on the longest journey – 18 inches from the head to the heart and then back again.” –Dave Currie

Our own leadership discernment grows as we enter into others’ experience of noticing God in worship and song. We get to know others from around the world as we sing their songs. This has been true since the dawn of time, and is expressed throughout the Scriptures. In the Old Testament, particularly the Psalms, we find God’s people singing in times of triumph, lament, confession, thanksgiving, and praise. Words are the poetry that point us to God and the melody expresses the overflow of emotion. When we sing we pray twice. We hold songs in our heart.

To learn more about songs and their backgrounds:

• https://hymnary.org/
• https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/history-of-hymns

For more information about “SAVIOR OF THE NATIONS, COME” by 4th C. Ambrose the Bishop of Milan, translated into German by Martin Luther and into English by William Reynolds:

• Background: https://hymnary.org/text/savior_of_the_nations_come_virgins_son
• Koine—Savior of the Nations Come (contemporary folk version): https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=DsNPi71O7FI&list=RDAMVMDsNPi71O7FI
• Robert G. Farrell—organ & chorale: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=-HxXFatWo9Y&list=RDAMVM-HxXFatWo9Y
• Sister Sinjin—women’s duet: https://music.youtube.com/search?q=savior+of+the+nations+come

Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net