Monday, February 22, 2010

When Life Isn't Fair...

My Vision Every Hour
Arranged & Recorded by: Jennie Bangerter Larsen

Sometimes life doesn't seem fair. Trite as it is, it's the truth. Lately I've heard many stories of dear friends who have been put through the wringer in one way or another, and while I have been saddened by their losses and hardships, I have also been strengthened by their faith and optimism. I know that we all "get" to grow from various hardships throughout our lives, and I'm thankful to have so many good friends who know where to turn in both good times and bad times. This may also sound trite or common to some, but I know that Christ really is "the Way, the Truth and the Light." Let Him guide us as He shapes us into who He really sees in us!

Follow this link to a website which has wonderful quotes and examples of people overcoming adversity when life hasn't seemed fair to them:

www.PersistWell.com

In case you're curious, here are the texts of the hymns:

Be Thou My Vision
by Mary Byrne:

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee, Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle-shield, sword for my fight,
Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight.
Thou my soul's shelter, Thou my high tower.
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heav'ns Son!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.


This melody also is sung to these lyrics written by William D. Longstaff:

Take Time To Be Holy
Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

I Need Thee Every Hour
by Annie S. Hawks

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

Refrain:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

The Valentine's Day Spectrum

Happy Valentine's Day! I was at the store and saw a box of chocolates that had a dog's face ripping through it. The inscription read "Valentine's Day can be ruff..." I thought it was funny, and it reminded of many past Valentine's Days when I would dread the day, knowing there was nothing to look forward to (i.e. no cute guy singing me a song, bringing me flowers and/or chocolates, etc). So, for all of you who feel that way this year, enjoy this first song, Livin' It Up Today, and go indulge in your favorite treat or past time.

Livin' It Up Today
Composed & Recorded by: Jennie Bangerter Larsen
Vocals: April Meservy Guitar: Kristen Bromley Instrumentation: Jennie Bangerter Larsen


For those of you who have found someone to love and who loves you in return, enjoy the second song, Now and Forever in Love. I know I posted this song recently, but I added more tracks and harmonies. Hopefully you find it even more appealing...it's kind of like love, the more you work at it, the better it gets!

Now and Forever in Love
Composer: Jennie Bangerter Larsen
Vocals & Instrumentation: Jennie Bangerter Larsen


Now, for some real sappiness...I was happily surprised to find out that my husband re-recorded the words to his proposal song (Because I Love You)! He, too, got ambitious and added harmonies (as well as a big smoocheroo) to the recording, and I LOVE it! I know that I said I wouldn't share too much sappiness so I wasn't going to include his words, but...it's Valentine's Day, and for some, that means it's a big fat sap fest! So, enjoy the sap! :)

Because I Love You
Composer: Shane Larsen
Vocals: Shane Larsen Piano: Jennie Bangerter Larsen

Happy Valentine's Day, wherever you're at on the spectrum!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Because I Love You





I heard this song 6 years and 2 days ago for the first time, and it changed my life! I heard it on a mountain top, while dancing under the stars with the man of my dreams. This man was also the composer of this particular song, and he is now my incredible husband! Shane wrote this for me and proposed to me at the end of it! He wrote words, but I decided to save you from some of our sappiness. The melody is absolutely beautiful...just like life with him! :) (OK...that was a little sappy, but that's the way love goes!) Enjoy!