Lyric writing is like working a puzzle. “This a great line but it doesn’t rhyme. “ “This word makes it rhyme but now I’ve got too many syllables.” “This word fits perfectly but I already used that word in the first verse.”

Being a songwriter means some part of your brain is constantly engaged in solving the puzzle. As result you are never really off.

The danger is that writers can get to the place where they attach their value as people to how many songs they’ve written lately. Or to how well those songs have been received.

But doesn’t this notion apply to each of us, no matter what profession or role we find ourselves in? Moms, pastors, authors, counselors, nurses, dads, and so on?

When we allow our worth as human beings to be attached to our performance, no matter who we are or what position we are in, we have fallen into a dangerous trap.

Time to renew our minds with some truth.

God doesn’t love us because of what we do. God loves us because of who He is.

Anytime we try to perform our way into God’s good graces – or our own – we miss out on the beauty of the unmerited favor that God pours out on to us every day.

This mindset hurts our relationship with God, and it can also harm our earthly relationships too, not to mention our own sense of well-being.

So, dear reader, if you are one of those writers or mothers or leaders who throws yourself with relentless dedication into your role, your ministry, your career every day, please listen to this one small piece of advice.

Take a walk. Go sit outside and listen to the birds or watch the clouds float by. Go have a cup of coffee with a friend and talk about something besides your work. Take your family out to see a movie. Read a good book. Non-song writers: listen to a song!

Waste time. Permission granted.

Whatever you are currently working on will be all the better for it. And so will you.

The post Waste Time. Permission Granted. appeared first on Music For The Soul.

If you are someone who personally uses our resources, a counselor, or a pastor who is new to Music for the Soul, we’d like to hear from you.

In order that we might better meet the needs of those we wish to serve, we would like to ask ten questions in the surveys below.

Please take a few minutes to help us understand the ways in which we can best share the compassion and hope of Christ, through the ministry of Music for the Soul.

All answers are confidential and appreciated.

Take our Personal User Survey

Take our Counselor Survey

Take our MFTS Pastoral Survey

The post Ten Question Survey from Music for the Soul appeared first on Music For The Soul.

Healing’s slow to come
from this chaos of the heart

~ Lyrics from Chaos of the Heart

At Music for the Soul, our team has been prayerfully reading and re-posting various blogs and articles written in response to the very tragic loss of Rick Warren’s son, who took his own life through suicide.

Al Hsu, with Christianity Today, recently wrote in his article, “Even without knowing why someone chose to take his own life, survivors can experience God’s comfort and healing.”

At Music for the Soul we understand that the journey between those two points – questioning or understanding why to experiencing that comfort and healing – can be a long and treacherous path when it comes to losing a loved one to suicide.

Lyrics from the song, How Could You, capture a piece of that journey:

What kind of God would let this happen?
How could you be so unfair?
You’re the one whose love
is supposed to be enough
It feels like you don’t even care
I thought that I could trust you

How could you?

I’m the Lord your God who loves you
Your rage is safe with me
I will never leave you
I’ll meet you where you’ll meet me
Tell me everything you’re feeling
You can’t make me turn away

Our hearts go out to those who have been affected by this recent news, to those who struggle with the questions, to those who have experienced or are experiencing what the Warren family and their church are going through right now.

It is our desire at Music for the Soul to offer hope and a safe place at times such as this.

Our resource, Chaos of the Heart, a unique, award-winning CD sensitively captures the wide range of emotions experienced in the family and the church in the aftermath of a suicide.

To download or order a physical copy of this CD today, click here.

Chaos of the Heart offers the hope and assurance of a God who is big enough to handle our honesty when the pain feels unbearable. It also thoughtfully addresses the often-misrepresented issue of the afterlife for one who has taken their life.

The accompanying Chaos of the Heart Discussion Guide, written by Sue Foster, MA, LMFT (Counseling for Individuals, Couples, and Families) is a six-week series designed to offer hope for the millions who have lost a loved one to suicide and for those families and friends wishing to be a part of the healing process. It can be used with large or small groups.

~~~~~~~~~~

Overwhelmed by circumstances
out of your control
Hope can be the hardest thing to find
When you’re like a heart without a home
You don’t have to face this hurt alone

He sees every single tear

~ lyrics from Every Single Tear

The first time I listened to Chaos of the Heart, the music said everything I was feeling, and the words helped me so much…I can now say I am a Survivor of Suicide. ~ Sandy S

~~~~~~~~~~

The post Healing’s Slow to Come: our response to suicide grief appeared first on Music For The Soul.

“I’m so excited to see the wonderful new review of Dignity.  It is truly a blessing to hear that it is resonating with the people for whom it was intended in such powerful ways.

Doing the Dignity project was such an honor and a privilege for me.   I heard story after story from courageous, selfless people who had sacrificed everything to provide the kind of love and care they believed their loved ones deserved.  I heard from professional caregivers who, for a season, became a lifeline for the ones they served and came to love them in the process.

I have to admit that until working on Dignity I never realized just how difficult the caregiving journey is and what a price it extracts from those who choose to walk that road.  In interviewing people about the topic I heard one profound and compelling story after another.  The constant effort involved – often given with little or no acknowledgement at all – seemed staggering and all consuming.

For me the story of every caregiver was a story of the triumph of the human spirit; people doing more than they thought they ever could – people choosing to love even when it cost them dearly of their time, their money, their job, and even their own health.

It is my prayer that the Dignity project will provide hope, encouragement, and a sense of companionship for those doing one of the most lonely, most difficult, and most selfless jobs imaginable in this life – caregiving.

Through this project may they feel supported and loved – by others – and by God. ”

Read the review now…

The post Dignity – A Lifeline Reviewed by Caring.com appeared first on Music For The Soul.

We recently filmed our public service announcements in Oklahoma City at Victory Church inviting groups of women ranging in age from four to seventy-five to come and be a voice for the dignity of women and children everywhere.

After giving a brief history of the ‘Somebody’s Daughter’ journey and explaining the vision of our ‘She’s Somebody’s Daughter’ initiative, each lady was invited to stand in front of the camera and say,

“I am Somebody’s Daughter.”

We encouraged each one to be a voice for the voiceless; to picture those in their lives who needed to hear this message, and to speak with whatever emotion filters to the surface.

The amazing thing to watch was how each one told their own unique story, spoken through their tone of voice, facial expressions, body language, and most meaningfully through their eyes.

Some women were proud to the point of being regal.  Others were defiant.  Some were broken.  Some spoke quietly and timidly, and others spoke with strength and authority.  Some sobbed within seconds and others became emotional more slowly.  Some didn’t cry at all.

One women in her seventies turned to us with tears streaming down her cheeks and said, “I was affected as a child by this kind of abuse when Playboy was the worst thing there was.”

Incredibly a few ladies conveyed a staggering array of conflicting emotion – joy, sadness, dignity, disillusionment, and resolve – all at the same time.

Many of the women left with tears in their eyes saying thank you.  Several said that participating in this had brought a sense of healing.  And still more said that as they spoke the words of their relationship to others they were overcome with a deep sense of their own value.

“I never realized how important I am to so many people.”

Their openness and vulnerability, their dignity and courage are to be admired and commended.

We also asked each lady to feel free to speak aloud the other important relationships in her life.

I am somebody’s sister.

I am somebody’s mother.

I am somebody’s friend.

Interestingly enough, several men volunteered to step up and speak into the camera with messages of their own:

I am somebody’s son.

I am somebody’s brother.

I am somebody’s father.

It was a blessing to see and hear many participants share how the process awakened in them a new sense of their own value. Some even stated that saying these four words in such a way turned into a healing experience for them personally.

An awareness is stirring in our country as hearts and lives are being touched in certain ways. We are excited to be a part of it, and can say with confidence: no matter what else happens in 2013, all those who took part in this filming were blessed and will never forget this experience.

What would you like to say?

‘I am somebody’s ___________.’

Look for more details to come later this year about our PSAs and ‘She’s Somebody’s Daughter’ initiative.

The post I am somebody’s daughter. appeared first on Music For The Soul.

There is an old Irish story about Fionn Mac Cumhail. Fionn asks his followers, “What is the finest music in the world?”  They suggest answers: the cuckoo calling from the hedge, the ring of a spear on a shield, the baying of a pack of hounds, the laughter of a gleeful girl.

“All good music,” agrees Fionn.  “But what is best?” they ask.

Fionn answers: “The music of what is happening.”

Being present in the here and now, aware of what is happening in and around us is the music Fionn was speaking of.

Watching the first snow fall of the season as large snowflakes cover the ground, feeling sad as thoughts of my neighbor who will be moving away soon filter through my mind – and this is just the first verse! – yet this is the music of what is happening in and around me this very moment.

We all experience times, though, when the music of our lives is forlorn, painful, and threatens to overwhelm.  And many of us often feel that we are walking through those times alone.

I was reminded recently of the familiar footprints in the sand story, and while it often is overused, I could appreciate the comforting reminder that we are not alone during painful times, for we have a Heavenly Father who loves us and promises never to leave or forsake us.

At Music for the Soul, it is our desire to create music that blends with the music of what is happening in your life; to remind you that you are not alone and to help you feel understood. Whether it’s recovery from an addiction, grieving a loss, journeying through cancer, caring for a loved one, or healing the innocent child within from abuse, we want to walk the difficult path with you.

While no one may be experiencing exactly the same music you are right now, we trust that through our resources, you will find a song or spoken word piece that will help you live out what you are going through, restoring hope and opening the door for healing.

~ T. S.

Listen to the music of TWENTY-THREE:

The Lord is My Shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures. 

He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul.

He leads me in the paths of righteousness, for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death; I will fear no evil,

For you are with me.

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me; All the days of my life
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord,

Forever.

~  Psalm 23

Explore our resources and listen online today.

The post The Music Of What Is Happening appeared first on Music For The Soul.

Treasure your child, for she will lead you into the heart of God.”

~ Brennan Manning, Ruthless Trust, The Ragamuffin’s Path to God

She can see all things through the eyes of the spirit
She is whole in the sight of God

Whole In the Sight of God is designed to offer encouragement and support for those who face the challenges and triumphs of loving someone with a disability. It brings an inspiring message of hope and deep comfort, with a reminder that though all of us are broken in some way the path to wholeness begins when we see ourselves and others through the eyes of our loving Lord.

(Download now for a gift of any amount or consider giving ‘Whole In the Sight of God’ as a gift this holiday season)

The post Into the Heart of God appeared first on Music For The Soul.

Battling cancer takes an emotional toll on everyone involved — from the diagnosed to family members and friends. Inspiration can run short and comfort is in high demand.

More Beautiful

‘More Beautiful’, a DVD and CD set, was created from real life stories of breast cancer survivors. The DVD includes personal interviews, a music video (Wildest Ride on Earth), and other behind-the-scenes footage. The CD includes songs, poetry, and an affirmation.

This gift is a support and encouragement for any woman going through breast cancer and provides understanding for the husband and family that love her.

Consider how you will make a difference this month in the lives of those affected by this disease. Perhaps you have a friend who would enjoy receiving More Beautiful as a gift to let her know that you care.  Or maybe it’s time to treat yourself with a gift.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, order a physical copy of More Beautiful and receive a free copy to share with a friend or keep for yourself.  

“Although my tears after watching this DVD were rooted in the painful experience of battling cancer for years, the result was a healing deep in my soul.” ~ Breast Cancer Survivor

Other Things You Can Do This Month:

• Tweet and FB this blog to help raise awareness this month for the Breast Cancer Awareness Page.
• Post this video to your Facebook or Twitter: Wildest Ride on Earth.
• “Like” the Breast Cancer Awareness Page on Facebook.
• Look for the specials in your town such as discounted haircuts at participating hair salons, ‘eat pink’ specials at participating restaurants, or matching dollar gifts at various dealerships and sponsors.
• Wear pink this month in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

“Seeing all this pink is awesome. You never notice how great this month is till it actually affects your family.”

The post More Beautiful: Breast Cancer Awareness Month appeared first on Music For The Soul.

“No fault, no wrong
No dark of night, can hide me from your eyes –
I cannot fall or climb, farther than your grace can reach”Discontinued / (c) Adrian Outlaw

“She is whole in the sight of God
She can hear all things through the words of the spirit
She is whole in His sight”Poetic Transcription / (c ) Carol Dickman

“So, lift your hands to the binder of the broken”Untitled  / (c ) Van Williams

“Carry Me, over the water;
Carry Me, through the dark of night”Wings  / Lisa Bachman

“What I’ve become is not who I am;
We both were created by the very same hand
I’m a child of God “Take Up the Melody  / (c) Adria Bernardi

“The healer, oh he heals her; Beautiful Jesus, make me look like you”Sara Beth Geoghegan sings “Beautiful Jesus”

“When you need someone who understands to get you through the day, He comes down”

“Words make you think a thought.

Music makes you feel a feeling.

A song makes you feel a thought.”

~ E.Y. Harburg

Visit us today and listen online!

www.musicforthesoul.org

The post Art of Healing appeared first on Music For The Soul.

” as in using twenty-first century technology to more effectively communicate messages of the hope, healing, and compassion of Christ.

The purpose and mission of our ministry is to extend the hope and compassion of Christ to people through songs & stories – helping them to feel known, loved, and understand by others and by God.  Put in the simplest terms we want people to know they are not alone.

We never know from where the next great story is going to come.  Having easily portable professional recording equipment will enable us to be prepared at all times and in all places to capture moving, powerful testimonies – stories that up until now have been lost to us forever – in a way that will allow them minister to those we serve again and again. Vote

Additionally, having a portable device capable of sharing our resources in a way that sounds and looks professional will enable us to share these stories at any time, no matter where we are, which increases our ability to minister in the moment.

You can make an eternal impact right now at your computer or on your phone. Here’s how you can be a life-giver today:

cast your votes. First, take this opportunity to Giving of Life for our “21CT” Project at http://givingoflife.com/project/21ct. Go ahead, we’ll wait while you vote….

Invite everyone you know to vote. And then invite them to invite everyone they know to vote. And then . . . okay, you get the point! Forward this link: Donate in an email to your friends and family using this subject line: Vote for ‘Music for the Soul’ Going 21CT!

clicking here. You can also donate to Music for the Soul by Encourage or at Giving of Life itself by using the donate button on page and give more votes to MFTS in the process.  Giving of Life will match all the gifts to MFTS up to $1,000!

Encourage this ministry. If you visit our MFTS profile page, you will notice an area at the bottom left that says “Share.” Within that section, you can send an email, Tweet, or post a message to Facebook that will give props.

share. It’s easy to Giving of Life with others. From banners to badges, social media to blog posts. Help spread the word about MFTS and other ministries who are participating in Giving of Life.

This is an easy way to offer support to MFTS, but one that can have an eternal impact! Thank you for your support!

The post Vote for ‘Music for the Soul’ Going 21CT! appeared first on Music For The Soul.