Think It Over 'Fore You Do

 What kind of thinking can change, I do to I don't! What kind of thinking can change, Oh, I will, to no! I won't. What kind of thinking would change boys playing with balls, to men fighting with bats, worse still with guns that shoot and maim, with no care or thought. No thought that there is a tomorrow of remorse, or regret. So what if the neighbors are having a party, and it is too loud for you to rest or sleep. You ought to congratulate them for doing something nice. My goodness! buy them a cake and a bottle of wine,  leave it at the door, with a note that is kind, that says, may you have many more...signed, from your neighbor next door. Be part of the pleasure of happy endeavors, give others a chance to be happy-timers, instead of crime head-liners. It must be a very fragile mind set and thinking without structure, to so quickly fly off base and hurt another. 

This song was written years ago when I was working the night shift. With the kids off to school, I had another cup of coffee, and the morning paper in hand. The paper blasted, what seem to be the same news as yesterday, young people in gangs in trouble of all kinds, missing their opportunities, ruining their young lives and spoiling their futures. Having 4 kids, I couldn't help but focus on what the future held for my own children. No matter what the parent does for the child, at one point in time, the child has to pull the reins on his own life directions. Hopefully, God is in his thinking.

Paul the Apostle wrote to the Christians in Philippi, and in his letter, he told them what to think. There are no questions about this verse. How clear. He says..."Think true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, any virtue, any praise, think on those things (Philippians 4:8). 

How many people today would unravel time, to undo a mean word to a loved one, a nasty remark to an official, a demeaning word to a child, and on and on. I read a sermon by very wise minister. He said, an argument is like a feather pillow fight. After the fight, trying to gather up all of the feathers, is a near impossible task, there will always be a few feathers hidden behind some place, in a couch, under a dresser, in a corner, etc. In the future, regardless of when a feather is found, it is bound to make the memory of the fight and the pain come to surface. 

Think It Over 'Fore You Do, is a relationship song. Everyone should be aware of it's meaning. Some  unnecessary breakups, hurt feelings, broken homes, sadden friendships, could be avoided just by thinking first, before you do.

I thought the words important enough to match it with a melody,  to catch your ears. I persuaded my daughter to sing it with me, with my one finger accompaniment. For me to sing must impress you about how much I want you to hear this song. I do it for you my loves, Bye.

Re: Get Up Thoughts

 Here's  Get Up Thoughts, performed so excellently by vocalist Janet Van Klein and keyboardist, Michael Delorenzo. Love this duo, you will too!

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.

My Inner Room

Except for God and I, no one can enter this room. Angels stand at the entrance of this room with swords bare and ready for battle. The Earth's finest representatives of access and entry to the human mind, be it spiritual or mental, physical or emotional, have no power here. Blocked are idle thoughts, evil thoughts, vain imaginations...only God and I can go beyond the door. Only God and I meet here.
In this room I have no wound that cannot be healed. No shame that cannot be covered, and no sin that cannot be forgiven. Only love, Jesus' love exists within the walls. In here I am neither tall or short, fat or thin, male or female, light or dark. I am merely me. That is all He sees. Into my Heart. 
I am welcomed into this room, day or night, no matter what my condition. Sometimes the tears are flowing. Sometimes the smile on my face is happy and bright. He welcomes me. 
He made this place for me. Every man has one. To discover yours, you must. You can. This earth was not meant for you to walk alone (Wouldn't that be a miserable fate). The throne in your heart must be occupied by the God who made this room for you. At his feet all burdens can be laid...and left. 
Even in your house wouldn't it be nice to have a place you can call, "A special, special place to be", if only on your knees or your rocking chair or your garden, etc.
To you all, Peace, Love, God. 

God Is Now

After a particularly devastating experience in her life, my friend came to me and asked me to write a song for her, and her son as a memorial. Unable to even imagine a song addressing what she had gone through, I slowly and sadly shook my head, "No, I could not even begin to try".  She replied, "He'll (Holy Spirit) give you something to say to me, don't worry".

Weeks later the song began to write itself. I handed the song to my friend. She, in turn, sang, God Is Now one Sunday morning in church, to a standing ovation. A professional singer, no, but nevertheless a wonderful, gifted,  spirit-filled choir member. 

Listen as she sings this song for you now, in memory of her adult son who took his own life, with her as his only witness. What a painful goodbye. Perhaps the message here is God is with us every step of our life's journey. Sustaining us. Ever present with us as we parent our kids as best we know how. 

To you fathers who have found themselves having to act as mothers as well, in circumstances you could not have forseen, Happy Mother's Day.

From my house (Leap Over Walls) to your house, a most happy Mother's Day.  As you read this, may the Holy Spirit fall afresh and renew you, as you continue your charge to nuture your loved ones. 

Tell them about Christ, the Parent of us all. 

Trust Him

Easter is past and gone, leaving with it an entirely new way for the Christian church, and others to recognize this holiday's gift and glory to the world. The invisible enemy (COVID-19) effectively stopped the gathering of church goers, acitivities and festivities. The outward beauty of clothing, extravagant hats, Easter egg hunts... not this time. BUT WAIT. "All things work to good for them that love God"...(Romans 8:28). BUT WHAT? This invisible enemy dressed up as a medical, life-threatening, catastrophe is not a virus, but a spiritual plague, to be defeated by a Spiritual God who has the whole world in his hands. A loving God who hears the prayers of His people...(2 Chronicles 7:14). 

From generation to generation, the deliverances of God has been told, retold and retold, etc. The government is still on His shoulders. Our job is to Trust Him! No matter what facade the Destructor wears to trick you, continue in the faith and victory, on your knees. Trust Him! He sees you! He hears you! He is able to keep you from falling (Jude 24).

The conversation of a mother and daughter is the background for the song, Trust Him. My friend spoke to me about her daughter's disappointment in her new job, in another country. Speaking long-distance to her mother, she told her the job description was no where near the promised job opportunity. Between her teary story, my friend said, "I couldn't think of a thing to say except, trust Him". I could tell you how long ago this was written but, it is enough to say it still holds true today. Trust in the Lord.  

Bye for now.

The Promise

"...and I'll be very careful, so very careful to give You the praise". I know I've heard that phrase before, many many times before in church, and in other religious meetings. Raised by a church- going family, it was nothing to attend church three to five times on Sunday, and a few times during the week, so most terminology used in services I'd heard before. This Sunday afternoon service, during missionary meeting, the term came through a prayer. The hostess spoke this as she closed the service, thanking God for the many blessings received, and asked for. She simply said, "After all I asked for is received, I'll be very careful to give You the praise".
It stuck.
I know I'd heard it before, like I said, but the depth and intensity of the words sang itself to me for days after the event. Recognizing in my spirit, Father meant for me to write. I'd allowed the song to flow as He directed. The Promise says, not in your own strength did you do it, or can you do it, or will you do it. It being, whatever the blessing itself becomes. God is the Hand that directs the destiny of man. Knowing that, we must be very careful to give Him the praise.
By the way,  wishing you a Happy Palm Sunday.

Think It Over by Lee Waire

A Special Love by Lee Waire

Over Again

….Am forming an ensemble of some very talented people to present a short program of my inspirational compositions. Inviting you to be onboard for it's kickoff. Will zero in on a date on the next post. 

Now where have I been for the last few years? Lots of answers coming at you. The best one...LIFE! Sickness, Health, Success, Not so successful, Up, Down, Around. You know. Life. Really good to see you. To see you missed me. It's sad to not be missed. Life goes very slow, then zoom, it's gone. But there's a spark that burns within you (don't you agree) that keeps you going. Even when the wind is blowing hard in your face. Many names have been given to that spark. What do you call yours?

Bye for now.