Songwriting is the act of baring one's soul to another in the form of words and music.
I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus, is the suggested song for the New Testament lesson “Perfect That Which Is Lacking in Your Faith” studying the books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. This song was also the “suggested song” for Haggai and Zechariah in the Old Testament.
Paul is a great example to me of someone who continuously rejoiced in the Lord. There have been times in my life when thinking of the grace of Jesus Christ, his atonement and resurrection and the ability for us to be forgiven through repentance and to be saved…has been the only thing that has given me hope and peace! I am forever grateful for the mercy of God and his Son.
“Give,” Said the Little Stream, is the suggested song for the New Testament lesson “God Loveth a Cheerful Giver” studying 2 Corinthians 8–13. This primary song is the one my Dad would choose whenever we needed a nice song to sing for our family meetings growing up (or family home evenings)! It is a favorite amongst the toddlers at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I feel bad because I didn’t realize I was singing the wrong lyric and ended up recorded it that way, but I decided to leave it! The reason I recorded “grass” instead of “field” is because I grew up singing it that way and honestly thought those were the lyrics until after I had already polished the recording. I figured it would be our family’s own special touch on the song. Ha ha
Help Me, Dear Father , is the suggested song for the New Testament lesson “Be Ye Reconciled to God” studying 2 Corinthians 1–7. This primary song isn’t one of the more well known ones, but it has a simple, sweet and pure message that is relevant to each of us. The style of this arrangement is a simple piano accompaniment that could be used to sing along with.
He Is Risen, is the suggested song for the New Testament lesson “God Is Not the Author of Confusion, but of Peace” studying 1 Corinthians 14–16. This hymn is such a vibrant and joyful creation; and it is most often sung at Easter time. The sheet music for this specific piano arrangement can be found here http://marileekaymusic.com/sheet-music/.
Love Is Spoken Here, from the Children’s Songbook, is the suggested song for the New Testament lesson “Ye Are the Body of Christ” studying 1 Corinthians 8–13. My husband, Brad, reluctantly agreed to sing the male part of this duet with me. 🙂 I am so grateful to him and the good man that he is; he is truly the example in our home of someone who is kind, calm and patient with everyone. The Sheet Music for this duet arrangement is an intermediate level for the piano part, and can be found here: http://marileekaymusic.com/sheet-music/
I Feel My Savior’s Love from the Children’s Songbook, is the suggested song for the New Testament lesson “Overcome Evil with Good” studying Romans 7-16. This song was also published for the Old Testament lesson studying Jeremiah and Lamentations.
When I Am Baptized, from the Children’s Songbook, is the suggested song for the New Testament lesson “The Power of God unto Salvation” studying Romans 1-6. I added a third verse to it, focusing on the sanctification of the Holy Ghost that continues to cleanse and purify us throughout the rest of our lives post baptism.
I Know That My Redeemer Lives is the hymn I chose to do this week. The suggested song for the New Testament lesson “A Minister and a Witness” was actually “My Redeemer Lives” which has a similar title, but different lyrics and music. I decided to use a previously recorded version (done for the book of Job in the Old Testament) since I felt it still fit very well with the message of the lesson in Acts chapters 22-28.
This children’s song isn’t one that seems to be sung very often, at least in my experience, but I remember teaching it to a primary group (children’s class at church) probably six years ago; I liked it and wanted them to get to know it. At first, I thought of this song as just being about people with special needs, but this lesson helped me see that it can be applied much more broadly. I feel that it has nice application with Peter’s revelation to take the gospel of Jesus to all the world, in that every individual is precious to God, no matter their appearance, socioeconomic status, race, ability or other factor.