Psalm 3 from Simple Song

Psalm_3_video
Official Video

January 2021 began with tremendous uncertainties in my life.

Psalm 3:1
“O Lord, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!”

In the bible, King David cried out to God because he had to flee from his rebellious son Absalom. He left the palace in the middle of the night with a few of his faithful followers.

The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic in my life resulted in my small business loosing work from all my clients and inevitably moving out of my lovely apartment. After packing every inch of my Kia with the last load of my things, I was finally ready to leave. As I drove out of the parking lot at 1:30 a.m., I was teary-eyed saying goodbye to the apartment and great neighborhood I lived in. This was not my plan but it was the logical choice of action for me.

From Charles Spurgeon’s bible commentary, King David’s foes were rebellion from his son and attacks from his enemies.  The foes haunting me at the time were: I thought my life was out of control, no place to call home, no source of income, losing my small business, and only some savings left to sustain me. Thankfully, my sister and brother-in-law opened their home as a temporary place for me to stay until I can get back on my feet.

Psalm 3:2
“Many are saying of me, ‘God will not deliver him.'”

One night while trying to fall asleep, doubt and worry overwhelmed me to sleeplessness. So I started praying. Completely surrendering my life and will to God, I cried for the Lord God to intervene and help me, asking Him to show me the way I should go, even if it meant letting go of my small business dreams, goals, and plans. In the last week of January, this was my prayer in the wee hours of the morning: “please Lord God help me, please intervene and show me the way, I surrender all!”

Psalm 3:3
But you, O Lord, are a shield for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.”

Psalm 3:4
I cried to the Lord with my voice,
And He heard me from His holy hill.”

The following week, my heavy heart was lifted and replaced with assurance and confidence to begin searching for employment and a new place to call home. The 1st week of February I submitted my CV and application to several employment opportunities. The 2nd week I received an invitation to interview. The 3rd week I completed a personality questionnaire. On the last of week of February, I received an offer of employment. Praise the Lord! for His Faithfulness to provide. I started my new role in March.

Psalm 3:7
“Arise, Lord! Deliver me, my God!”
Psalm 3:8
“From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.”

How amazing and wonderful to realize that this song, recorded a few years ago, would be so meaningful and relevant to me today because I can personally relate to it’s message. This song now serves as one of my daily reminders to “Trust in the Lord” all the days of my life. My faith and love for the Lord God Almighty is deeper and stronger now than it was when I first recorded this song.

I was inspired to write this blog when Peter Vantine, the composer of this song and my collaborator, created the official video of Psalm 3 along with other videos of his solo vocal music compositions featuring my Soprano voice. Watch the video recently published on YouTube.

 

 

 

Happy New Year

My Christmas Song Blog series is almost finished. Happy New Year’s Eve! and Happy New Year to friends and family in Asia, Australia, and Europe! Join me tomorrow for my New Year’s Day blog. JOY Album - Steven Curtis Chapman

Here’s a song to welcome 2021 from Steven Curtis Chapman’s JOY Christmas album. Listen on Spotify if you’re a subscriber or YouTube.

Isaiah 43:19
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.

Thank you for joining me throughout the entire Christmas Holiday season by reading my blog and listening to My 2020 Christmas playlist. Please share your comments below. I’d love to get your feedback. Thank you.

This is the Dec. 31 Song Blog from (my)  Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist.

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Let us Adore Him

Prayer Improvisations Christmas“Adeste Fidelis” is the original Latin title of the Christmas hymn carol known as “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” For many years the writer and composer was unknown. According to Kenneth Osbeck, the hymn was first published in 1751 in the collection “Cantus Diversi” by John Francis Wade, who wrote and composed this Latin hymn carol in 1744. One hundred years after its publication, the carol was translated into English by Frederick Oakeley, an Anglican minister.

John 1:14 New International Version (NIV)
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

As I listen to the Prayerful Improvisation of this beloved Christmas carol performed by Peter Vantine, I reflect on John 1:14 and then think of the third verse of this carol. I invite you to do the same and perhaps realize that the phrase “O come, let us adore Him Christ the Lord!” is an invitation for all of us to do likewise.

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning
Jesus, to Thee be glory given
Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord!

Listen on Spotify if you’re a subscriber or YouTube. This is the Dec. 29 Song Blog from (my) Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

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Angels We Have Heard

Gloria in Excelsis Deo. “Glory to God in the Highest.” In his book “Amazing Grace 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories of Daily Devotions, 2nd Edition,” Kenneth Osbeck writes:

“The Bible teaches that angels are the ministering servants of God and that they are continually being sent to help and protect us, the heirs of Salvation. Certainly, their most important task, however, was this momentous occasion announcing Christ’s arrival on earth!”

Prayer Improvisations ChristmasTo ease your mind, heart, and soul on this Lord’s Day. Listen to Peter Vantine in his piano solo recording of this French Carol, while you reflect on Luke 2:14 New International Version (NIV):

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Are you an heir of Salvation? When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You become an heir of Salvation and have Peace that transcends all understanding because God’s favor rests on you.

Listen on Spotify if you’re a subscriber or YouTube. This is the Dec. 27 Song Blog from (my) Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

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Joy To The World

“Let heaven and nature sing, Joy to the world the Lord has Come!” This is the reason the birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated by Christians around the world. The Lord has come to earth. JOY Album - Steven Curtis Chapman Hymn writer and English Christian minister, Isaac Watts wrote this song. It was first published in England in 1833, and popularized by American church music composer, Lowell Mason.

Hymnologist Kenneth Osbeck writes, “‘Joy to the World’ is a paraphrase of the last part of Psalm 98.” He also adds “…this psalm was intended by Watts to be a New Testament expression of praise. It exalts the salvation that began when God became incarnate…”

Jesus is “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” He came as a baby and grew up to be a man who was without sin. The perfect sacrifice to atone (make amends) for the sins of man. The Messiah (Savior).  William Peterson writes “We need to look back and praise God for the glorious gift of his Son, Jesus. But we should also look forward to Christ’s return, when God will bring a righteous conclusion to all things. Then we will begin to fully enjoy the ‘wonders of His love’ for all eternity.”

Listen to this recording and arrangement that is full of Joy for Jesus’ birth and expectation for his second coming. Steven is joined by the The African Children’s Choir sounding like angelic voices singing out loud “Joy To The World.” Listen on Spotify  if you’re a subscriber or YouTube.

This is the Dec. 25 Song Blog from (my) Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

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Do You Hear What I Hear? (piano solo)

Christmas Romance - Jim BrickmanOn this Christmas Eve 2020, I’m embracing a more relaxed and quiet evening than last year. 2019 was the year I was cast in an elaborate and beautifully staged production of a Christmas pageant called “The Majesty of Christmas” at Six Flags in Eureka, MO.  There were twelve performers including the main characters of the Christmas story and live animals including six cuddly looking sheep, a temperamental donkey, and Clarence the camel.

We performed 3-4 shows a day every weekend starting the weekend of Thanksgiving and then everyday during school Christmas break except for Christmas Eve & Day, and all the way to New Year’s Day. This was the most performance I’ve done for a show in my career. It was close to 50 shows and my voice stayed strong in singing 1st Soprano, until I got sick with a cold then flu and missed one day of shows.

What a stark contrast Christmas 2020 has been with almost no live shows except for “live on-line.” While tonight is not the traditional Christmas Eve I’m accustomed to, I’m embracing this time to reflect and treasure the true meaning of Christmas. Instead of rushing to get ready to perform, I can be still and pause with my heart filled with Joy for the birth of My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ who is the reason my family and I celebrate Christmas, along with others who believe in Jesus Christ as the begotten Son of God who came to be the Savior of the World.

As I reflect on Matthew 1-2, with my Christmas playlist in the background, Jim Brickman’s contemplative piano solo recording of this song allows me to sing along and imagine the time when the Wise Men came to visit the baby Jesus.

Matthew 2:10-11 English Standard Version (ESV)

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. ESV

Listen on Spotify if you’re a subscriber or YouTube. This is the Dec. 24 Song Blog from (my) Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

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Do You Hear What I Hear?

In 1962 a record producer invited Noël Regney to write a Christmas song. With his then wife, Gloria Shayne they wrote “Do You Hear What I Hear?” Regney wrote the lyrics that was set to music by Shayne. JOY Album - Steven Curtis Chapman While it was meant to be a Christmas song, they wrote it as a plea for peace, since there was a threat of war in the midst of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The song’s narrative combines parts of the Christmas story and its characters along with the message to pray for peace.

While the Harry Simeone Chorale originally recorded it in 1963, it was Bing Crosby’s recording that made it a hit song. So many prominent artists have since recorded it and is now considered one of the Holiday standards.

The first time I learned and sang this song was the year my Mom recruited me to join our church choir. I think I was 11 or 12 years old at the time. It was one of the fun songs I liked to sing during Christmas time.

The African Children’s Choir once again sings in this recording. It’s a wonderful crescendo and build up to the message of the song “pray for peace people everywhere! the child sleeping in the night, he will bring us goodness and light.”

Listen on Spotify if you’re a subscriber or on YouTube. This is the Dec. 22 Song Blog from (my) Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

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O Holy Night (piano solo)

Four days until we celebrate Christmas here in America. As I write this blog I am reminded by the news that the Christmas Star, that hasn’t appeared in 800 years, will shine brightly tonight! Prayer Improvisations Christmas

One of the most beloved classic Christmas carol is “O Holy Night.” The origins of the lyrics come from the Christmas poem Cantique de Noëlwritten by French poet Placide Cappeau in 1843.  The composer Adolphe Adams set the poem to music in 1847, and then the poem was translated to English by minister and abolitionist John Sullivan Dwight in 1855.

This piano solo arrangement by Peter Vantine captures the reverence of the night Jesus Christ was born. Peter begins with musical notes that somewhat depict the motion of a mother rocking her child to sleep in her arms. Can you imagine the blessed Virgin Mary with Jesus in her arms as she soothes and rocks him to sleep?

Now imagine the angelic voices as they sing and proclaim the birth of the long-awaited Messiah. Jesus Christ the savior of the world is born! Finally, imagine everyone who came to see the baby Jesus and falling on their knees in awe and reverence for the fulfillment of prophecy. Try to think of the lyrics as you listen to this recording and  reflect on the words. Listen on Spotify if you’re a subscriber or YouTube.

This is the Dec. 21 Song Blog from (my) Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

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What Child Is This?

This week I’m blogging about songs that focus on the meaning and reason Christmas is celebrated by Christians around the world. Christmas Romance - Jim Brickman

Greensleeves is a traditional English folk song that dates back to 1500. The writer of this song is unknown. Today, the tune of this song is associated with the Christmas hymn “What Child Is This?” The hymn text is part of a Christmas poem written by William Dix called “The Manger Throne.”

This arrangement begins with the chorus or refrain played by the harp. The harp is a stringed musical instrument that was popular in Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance Period, around the same time this English Folk Tune became popular. This recording highlights the ethereal sound of the harp and I’m imagining angels singing “This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing…” The harp and piano playing beautifully and blending to create a delightful and heavenly sound together.

Listen on Spotify if you’re a subscriber or YouTube.

Chorus:
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The babe, the son of Mary.

Stanza 1
What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?

Stanza 2
Why lies He in such mean estate, where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here, the silent Word is pleading.

Stanza 3
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh, come, peasant, king, to own him.
The King of kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone him.

This is the Dec. 20 Song Blog from (my) Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

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O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Prayer Improvisations ChristmasAn evening  blog about the real meaning of Christmas. This piano solo is the bonus track of the Prayerful Improvisations Christmas album. We’ve been through many trials and challenges during this pandemic that shook us. And we didn’t know it would change our lives drastically. Now more than ever the world needs a Savior.

Two thousand years ago, the Jewish people cried out for the promised Messiah to come and save them from captivity in Babylon. The birth of Jesus Christ announced in Luke 2:11 in the Bible is the fulfillment of prophecy for the long-awaited Messiah. John 3:16 says “For God so Loved the World that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus is the Son of God who came to live among us and then died on the cross for the sin of mankind, so that when we accept Jesus Christ as Our Lord and Savior, we are reconciled to God and live through all eternity .

Based on the chant or plainsong, Kenneth Osbeck writes “‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’ was originally used in medieval church liturgy as a series of antiphons sung for the week of Vesper services just before Christmas Eve.” Each stanza (verse) below is about the different biblical names of Jesus Christ: Emmanuel-God with us; Wisdom from on high; Desire of nations; and Dayspring. Today, this hymn is sung in churches as Christians prepare for Christmas which is the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth.

Stanza 1  Stanza 3 
O come, O come, Emmanuel, O come, Desire of nations, bind
And ransom captive Israel, All people in one heart and mind;
That mourns in lonely exile here Bid envy, strife, and quarrels cease;
Until the Son of God appear. Fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel. shall come to thee, O Israel.
Stanza 2  Stanza 4 
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high, O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer
And order all things, far and nigh; Our spirits by Thine advent here;
To us the path of knowledge show, Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And cause us in her ways to go. And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel. shall come to thee, O Israel.

This recording is a reflective musical interpretation of the song.  Imagine the opening musical notes representing  the heavens and the space between heaven and earth. The oboe then plays the melody as if praying to God to send Emmanuel.

Listen to Peter’s piano solo arrangement and performance on Spotify if you’re a subscriber or watch the video on YouTube. This is the Dec. 18 Song Blog from (my) Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

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