Only God In Disguise

True story. There we were, flying down the biggest expressway in the Mid-West, bumper to bumper with cars going way over the speed limit. Yeah, that's the way they roll but not the way I roll, especially with my four children aboard. The brake light came on for the third time that week. Each time I had them fixed by a (reputable?) mechanic. My oldest daughter, about 10 years old at that time, looked at the light, then did a side glance at me, saying nothing. The youngest, about 3 years old, lay with his head in my lap and his feet on his sister. Seat belts weren't required at that time. My other two children who were seated in the back were quiet. Have you ever noticed when God is working, everything gets a little quiet. Just knowing my God answers prayer, I said, "What shall I do Lord?". The only phone I had was inside my quiet room, so you can listen in if you want to. Father said..."Get off next exit". When I got off the exit, the left lane was backed up to the street, the right lane was clear. Until, a semi trailor, impatient with waiting in line, began to pull out in front of me. Since the exit was on an upgrade, I was probably going faster than before. I beeped the horn loudly, and like a cartoon truck in a Walt Disney movie, the truck moved sideways back into line. Praise God! Can trucks move like that? But now me and mine, faced crossing a blind traffic corner, into a large downtown shopping area. 

May I stop here to tell you, God don't lead you where He hasn't prepared the way. We hit the street. I hadn't seen an alley way there but I was guided to go in that direction and there it was. Driving wildly into that alley, we were safe for just a short time. Closing quickly onto more shopping streets, I could see the buildings opening up into a large parking space. "In here", immediately I drove into that blessed space. Note.. in the middle of a working day, all the stores open, no cars were parked, no trucks, no bicycles, no motorcycles. No people walking, just us going round and round, in a circle, on two wheels, until we finally stopped. What happened? We limped home, with lights flashing. Even today, my daughter still looks at me sideways, as if to say, "I remember".  

Here's something to think about...
1) "Yea, though I walk through the valley..."(Psalms 23:4)
2) "If I ascend up into Heaven..."(Psalms 139:8)
3) "God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him..." (John 4:24)
4) "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby...(Hebrews          13:2)
5) "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? (Psalms 8:4)
6) Jesus never fails (Proof, the kids and I are fine).

Regarding Leap Over Walls Music Library

I call the Leap Over Walls Music Collection, "Everybody's Gospel". Why? Because there is something good e.g. "Good News", for everybody included in it's 90 or more compositions. It covers many genres, keeping the root or focus on Jesus. Telling people in all the world about HIM. The Grand Commission. We've all been given something to do and talent to do it with. Paul speaks of the talents and the callings (Romans chapter 12:6). Sometimes talents are given outright (Born with it, and aren't we amazed when we see it in action). Some, you have to work hard for (Schooling, trial and error, or just hard experience). No one can express your talent like you can, and if you don't do it there is a space left on the world stage where you should have been. I'm just saying. 

"The Lord is my strength and my song..." (Exodus 15:2). The words I compose come from Him and I thank Him for using me. The Bible says, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven". This verse keeps me from being shy of the gifts God gave to me.

Leap Over Walls music is diverse in content. If I were to list the songs accordingly, it would probably be: Children's songs, Southern Gospel, Modern, Contemporary, Rap, Word-in-Verse, Humor, Spiritual, and Theatrical songs, ALL in praise to God.

Were this blog a story of my life, you would readily understand why I speak this way. I love the Lord, I encourage you to do the same. My dream, my hope is to one day present Leap Over Walls Music to you in it's finest form but as I am prone to say, use what you got.

When I began to develop as a composer, I had just joined a small church that just starting up. Our choir was 4-6 people, maybe. Untrained, they were willing to voice their praise in song. These are the voices you hear. Most of the ladies have passed on, God bless them in their on-going. I'm still here and so is my dream. I direct your attention to,  I Make My Way With A Song. As you listen to it, enjoy the robust delivery, the energy and the simple message. 

There Was A Great Calm (aka Calm)

After teaching the multitude by the seaside, Jesus said, "Let us pass over unto the other side". Sending the multitude home, He and His disciples then entered a ship, and with other ships, launched forth. 

In the New Testament Books, Matthew, Mark, and Luke recall this particular miracle of Jesus; The calming of the storm at sea (Matthew 8:23), (Mark 4:35), (Luke 8:22). 

It was only a short journey across the lake. Good weather prevailed. Hardy seasoned fishermen and disciples manned the vessels. What could go wrong? In the stern, Jesus was sleeping.

As in life, with no forewarning or agitation, a furious squall came up! The wind went from a gently breeze to a howling wail. It began to blow strong enough, to whip the water into frothy waves, that filled the boats with water. Enough to capsize. Enough to sink the boats. Enough to sweep the men overboard. Lord, where are you?

I'm overwhelmed! Experienced fishermen tried to get the boats under control, but to no avail. Faith quickly turned to fear. 

But wait! They forgot, Jesus was onboard. With Jesus onboard, this song cannot be only about the storm, or the fear of it. It is about calm. It is about victory, it is about Peace. The omnipotent command had been given from the Master Himself. He spoke three words, just three...There was a great calm.

Using my imagination, I see the Master standing at the boatside, observing the riotous play of the wind, as it whips the waves high into the sky. The screaming of the men added to the panic as they fall and slide on the deck, distruction and disaster palpable. 

While composing Calm, I musically wondered if the actual sound of calm could be translated into the music. I felt Calm should feel mysterious, mystical and even unique. Remember the movie Jaws? Everyone, even on dry land, looked nervously over their shoulder when those few notes signified the shark was coming.

I was playing in the Key of B flat M. I found Calm in the Bass Cleft (g,a,b). This is my interpretation. As you listen, can you identify the calm. Enjoy.