The First Noel

Psalm 100 (NIV) reads:

1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

During the Advent season, I try to incorporate as many Christmas carols as possible from Thanksgiving to Christmas.  I don't know why; just that we have always done so.  What I do know is that people love to sing Christmas carols.  It reminds us of our Savior's birth.  It also reminds us of a time when we experienced the wonder of Christmas as a child.

In the words of Third Day:

"I want to feel Christmas, how it used to be
With all of its wonder falling on me
This season has felt so empty, oh, for quite a while
I want to feel Christmas like a child"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzE-u0fr0kQ

But what we do know is that many of the carols are based upon the Word of God.  And their timeless message (some I have come to discover are over 500 years old) does not change.  Just like the Christmas story.  The first and most basic reason we continue to sing the carols (or any hymn or praise & worship song) is to praise our Heavenly Father.  He created this world.  Then, He sent His only son to redeem it from the punishment of sin.  This is the message of God's redemption.  And this is the message of Christmas.

Today, I'd like to focus on the last verse of "The First Noel":

"Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
That hath made Heaven and earth of nought
And with his blood mankind has bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!"

Let's see how this verse of the First Noel corresponds with Scripture:

First, the creation:

• "By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth."  Psalm 33:6
• "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being."  John 1:1-3
• "By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible."  Hebrews 11: 3
• "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him."  Colossians 1:16

Next, his redeeming work of the cross:

• "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace."  Ephesians 1:7
• "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons." Galations 4:4-5
• "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." Hebrews 9:22
• "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  Romans 5:8
• "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect."  I Peter 1:18-19

Finally, His Kingship:

• "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this." Isaiah 9:6-7
• "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."  Micah 5:2
• "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem, and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."  Matthew 2:1-2
• "It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS."  Mark 15:25-26
• "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."  Philippians 2:9-11
• "On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords." Revelation 19:16

All these scriptures wrapped up in one verse of one carol. Praise the Lord!  He has provided for us the means for our salvation.  And with each song we sing, we can be reminded of these simple truths.  So, this Christmas season, take time to reflect on the words of the old familiar carols.  You just might find that God is speaking through His Word.

Recovering from a Rough Week

It's been a long week this past week, both at home and at the post office.  With the passing of Veterans Day, the mail has picked up considerably, and hours are longer and darker.  At home, Hope is fighting her persistent cough, Nikki, her migraine headaches and cough, and me, fighting this bronchitis that's given me great difficulty in breathing over the past month.  And with all our coughing and/or snoring, rest is elusive.  The past few days, I have found joy in song.  These lyrics, from "My Life Is in You, Lord" brought me strength.

"My life is in You, Lord; my strength is in You, Lord; my hope is in You, Lord.  It's in You, it's in You"

I am reminded that I cannot make it on my own.  I am thankful for a Savior who lets us rest on His shoulder when we need.  What I need is a new focus, not new circumstances.  To help me refocus, I found these scriptures on which to meditate:

Psalm 62:1-2 “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”

Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with  thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which  surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ  Jesus.”

Philippians 4:11-13 "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

Hebrews 12:2 "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Hallelujah for the Cross

I just received my copy of the Newsboys lastest CD, a compilation of hymns done in their own contemporary style.  I particularly love their new song, "Hallelujah for the Cross."  Hopefully, we'll be singing this one sometime in the near future.

Here is a collection of scriptures whose truths are contained in this new hymn:

• Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
• I Peter 1:18-19 - Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
• I Corinthians 15:57 - But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
• Romans 6:5-6 - For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
• I Peter 1:3 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
•  I Thessalonians 4:13-14 - But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

HALLELUJAH FOR THE CROSS

Up to the hill of Calvary
My Savior went courageously
And there He bled and died for me
Hallelujah for the cross
And on that day the world was changed
A final, perfect lamb was slain
Let earth and heaven now proclaim
Hallelujah for the Cross
 
Hallelujah for the war He fought
Love has won, death has lost
Hallelujah for the souls He bought
Hallelujah for the Cross
 
What good I’ve done could never save
My debt too great for deeds to pay
But God, my Savior, made a way
Hallelujah for the cross
A slave to sin, my life was bound
But all my chains fell to the ground
When Jesus’ blood came flowing down
Hallelujah for the Cross

Hallelujah, hallelujah
 
And when I breathe my final breath
I’ll have no need to fear that rest
This hope will guide me into death
Hallelujah for the cross
 
Hallelujah for the Cross

©2013 Simple Tense Songs (ASCAP) / Todd Wright Music (BMI)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7NJc1_t6q0

Sing Unto the Lord a New Song

I don't think David was thinking we need to sing different words, lyrics or even familiar lyrics to a new tune when he penned these familiar words in Psalm 96:1.  In fact, he may not have even been thinking of music at all.  Our lives speak volumes of God's working without words being spoken.  And as we are continually sanctified daily through His Word, and His grace and mercy in our lives, we do have more to praise Him for each and every day.  Thus, we have a "new song" to offer to Him to close each day.

This morning, we will be singing a new song entitled Never Once.  Here are the lyrics:

Never Once by Matt Redman

Standing on this mountaintop
Looking just how far we've come
Knowing that for every step
You were with us

Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You've done
Knowing every victory
Is Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Carried by Your constant grace
Held within Your perfect peace
Never once, no, we never walk alone

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Every step we are breathing in Your grace
Evermore we'll be breathing out Your praise
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

"Don't sweat the small stuff"

One question I remember my mother rhetorically asking many years ago, and it has stuck with me - when going through a troubled time, dealing with a problem, just dealing with change or a difficult hand you've been dealt in life - "does this affect my salvation?"  The answer - no.

Our conclusion then, is if it does not affect our salvation, why worry about it?  Worrying about tomorrow does not help us today.  As Jesus said in Matthew 6:33-34, "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."  There are many times we fret over the small things in our lives, many times we just want to have our own way, many times we fear change.  But in the end, life will go on. And our faith will continue to grow, having placed our future in our Savior's hands.  And, whatever the circumstance it is that we had been dealing with, it will fade.  As Ecclesiastes 3 reads, there is a time for everything.  But after spending verses 1-8 naming different circumstances we face in our lives, verse 11-12 concludes, "He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."  After facing our season, we find out what really matters: our faith, hope, and love.  (I Corinthians 13)

So, next time you face the small stuff - you get discouraged, face someone or something you just can't seem to conquer, or just have a bad day - ask yourself, does this affect my salvation?

Now the big question - are we saved?  And if not, how do we become saved?  Answering these questions not only allows us an eternity with God, but while we are still alive, it will also allow God to conquer these issues in our lives. What does it mean to be saved?  Please check out this website, listing step by step what we must do to be saved.  The article is entitled, "How can I be sure of my salvation?"
http://christiananswers.net/q-dml/dml-y005.html

My Life Verse - Answering the Question "What Would Jesus Have Me to Do?"

Many years ago, I worked on Greensprings Farm, a dairy farm owned by Dale Clymer, a fellow church member.  I don't remember when I heard this particular verse, but I remember hearing it on the radio playing one afternoon as I planted some flowers along the barn.  Since then, I have made this my life verse:

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."
Colossians 3:23

This past Sunday, we were studying from I Peter 4:7-11.  It is neat how one portion of Scripture can remind us of another.  Here is verse 11:

"If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.  If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory and the power forever and ever.  Amen."
I Peter 4:11

Colossians 4:17 is also very similar:
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

May this be on our minds, even when difficult times come.  I know I struggle with my anger and get easily annoyed when others make unreasonable or incorrect statements or have unrealistic expectations.  I pray God can use these verses to bring not just my actions, but also my reactions closer to what He would expect.  After all, we should work as unto Him.  As Pastor Jeff shared a few weeks ago, let us not just only say "what would Jesus do", but "what would Jesus have me to do."

Some New "Old" Songs

I was searching for some new music this evening to help lead us in some songs and hymns we have not sung in a while - My Redeemer and He Is Lord.  While looking, I stumbled upon a song that reminded me a lot of something Pastor Jeff shared during this past week's sermon.

Here are the words to the song "He Is Able."

He Is Able

He is able more than able
To accomplish what concerns me today
He is able more than able
To handle anything that comes my way
He is able more than able
To do much more than I could ever dream
He is able more than able
To make me what He wants me to be

Written by Greg Ferguson and Rory Noland
© 1989 Maranatha Praise, Inc.

When I discovered "He Is Lord", I found an additional site that had extra stanzas.  Like many other creeds in the Christian faith, these extra stanzas help highlight portions of Christ's ministry here on earth we should not only believe, but learn to emulate.  As far as I know, these words were anonymously penned and public domain.  The words to the first stanza are based on Philipians 2:10-11; the following verses are based upon John 12:32; John 3:16, and I John 5:11, according to www.hymnary.org.

He Is Lord

He is Lord, He is Lord!
He is risen from the dead, and He is Lord;
Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord!

He is King, He is King!
He will draw all nations to him, He is King;
and the time shall be when the world shall sing
that Jesus Christ is King!

He is Love, He is Love!
He has shown us by his life that He is Love.
All his people sing with one voice of joy
that Jesus Christ is Love!

He Is Life, He is Life!
He has died to set us free and He is Life;
and He calls us all to live evermore,
for Jesus Christ is Life!

He Suffered for You - Do You Stand In Awe of Him?

One other song that came to mind for this Sunday's service is I Stand in Awe of You.  The first verse is well known, but did you know the second as well?

I Stand in Awe of You

You are beautiful beyond description, too marvelous for words
Too wonderful for comprehension, like nothing ever seen or heard
Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom
Who can fathom the depths of Your love
You are beautiful beyond description, majesty enthroned above

I stand I stand in awe of You
I stand I stand in awe of You
Holy God to whom all praise is due
I stand in awe of You

You are beautiful beyond description yet God crushed You for my sin
In agony and deep affliction, cut off that I might enter in
Who can grasp such tender compassion
Who can fathom this mercy so free
You are beautiful beyond description, Lamb of God who died for me

Music and Words by Mark Altrogge
© 1986 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)

Powerful lyrics indeed, reminding us of I Peter 3:18a:

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God."

Remembering some old hymns - from all parts of the world

As I was preparing for this week's service, I stumbled across one hymn called Come Christians Join to Sing. Interestingly, it is sung to a traditional Spanish melody, which is probably why I've never come across it before.  A lot of hymns in our hymn book, entitled "The New Church Hymnal" from 1976, which are not specifically written by a particular composer, are sung to traditional melodies, such as This Is My Father's World (English), Be Thou My Vision (Irish), How Great Thou Art (Swedish), or O How I Love Jesus (American).  But I've rarely seen a Spanish melody before.  It just goes to show, you can praise God in each and every tongue, and that music is a universal language!

So, here are some older hymns for your listening pleasure.  Thanks once again to www.hymnpod.com, a source for good piano music for a lot of well-known classics:
Come Christians Join to Sing http://www.hymnpod.com/2011/03/25/come-christians-join-to-sing/
Have I Done My Best for Jesus http://www.hymnpod.com/2010/07/03/have-i-done-my-best-for-jesus/
Thank You Lord (well known chorus, lesser known verses) http://www.hymnpod.com/2009/01/27/thank-you-lord/

Alleluia! He Is Risen! He Is Risen, Indeed!

Happy Easter, everyone!  I am thankful for the opportunity to lead in song and worship to the Lord this morning as each at Zion Bible Church.  I am thankful we will be spending a lot of time visiting with both Nikki's family and my family.  And I am thankful that both our families, for the most part, celebrate Easter as a day to be thankful for our Lord Jesus rising from the grave to conquer death and save us from our sins.

This morning, I was going to lead in several classic hymns, including Christ the Lord Is Risen Today, Christ is Alive, Lead Me to Calvary, and Because He Lives.  We will also be singing Victor's Crown, by Darlene Zschech, for the first time as a congregation. It is based on the following scripture, from the International Standard Version (ISV):

1Then Pilate had Jesus taken away and whipped. 2The soldiers twisted some thorns into a victor’s crown, put it on his head, and threw a purple robe on him. 3They kept coming up to him and saying, “Long live the king of the Jews!” Then they began to slap him on the face.

4Pilate went outside again and told the Jews,a “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” 5Then Jesus came outside, wearing the victor’s crown of thorns and the purple robe.

Pilate told them, “Here is the man!”

John 19:1-5

and, taken from the NIV:

“Where, O death, is your victory?
    Where, O death, is your sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I Corinthians 15:55-57

Jesus is indeed the Victor over death.  And because of this, we can sing Alleluia.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
He's my Savior, He's my Savior, He's my Savior, He's my Savior,
He's my Savior, He's my Savior, He's my Savior, He's my Savior.
He is worthy, He is worthy, He is worthy, He is worthy,
He is worthy, He is worthy, He is worthy, He is worthy.
I will praise Him, I will praise Him, I will praise Him, I will praise Him,
I will praise Him, I will praise Him, I will praise Him, I will praise Him

Words by Jerry Sinclair, copyright 1972 Manna Music

Now, I love the tune to Alleluia.  I really like the opportunity to focus on such simple words to praise our Lord.  But, the repetition is a bit much sometimes.  Therefore, take a look at the following, a post by Wayne S. Walker, putting new words to the tune, and renaming it Jesus Is Lord, My Redeemer:

This song offers praise to Jesus Christ as Lord, Redeemer, Savior,
Master, and King.

I. Stanza 1 identifies Jesus as Lord
"Jesus is Lord, my Redeemer; How He loves me, how I love Him;
He is risen, He is coming, O come quickly, Alleluia!"
A. Jesus is the Lord who came to be our Redeemer: Acts 2.36, Eph. 1.7
B. Because He died for us, we know that He loves us, and we should love
Him: 1 Jn. 3.16, 4.19
C. Also, as the one who has risen, we look for His coming: Mk. 16.9,
Acts 1.9-11

II. Stanza 2 identifies Jesus as Redeemer
"He was born to die on Calvary, To redeem the lost and sinful:
Conquering death He rose triumphant, And is reigning, Alleluia!"
A. He came to die on Calvary to save sinners: Rom. 5.8, 1 Tim. 1.15
B. But He conquered death by rising triumphantly from the grave: Rom.
1.3-4, 1 Cor. 15.4
C. And now He is reigning at the right hand of God: Acts 2.32-33, Heb.
8.1

III. Stanza 3 identifies Jesus as Savior
"He is worthy, He is precious, He is loving, He is saving,
He is glorious, He is coming, Lord, come quickly, Alleluia!"
A. Jesus is both worthy or deserving of honor, and precious or valuable:
Rev. 5.9, 1 Pet. 2.6
B. Furthermore, He is both loving and saving: Eph. 5.2, Matt. 1.21
C.In addition, He is both glorious, or full of glory, and coming: Jn.
17.5, 1 Cor. 1.7

IV. Stanza 4 identifies Jesus as Master
"He's my Savior, I will praise Him; He's my Master, I will serve Him;
He's my Shepherd, I will love Him; He's my Jesus, Alleluia!"
A. He is our Savior, and we should praise Him: Lk. 2.11, Heb. 13.15
B. He is our Master, and we should serve Him: Jn. 13.13, Heb. 12.28
C. He is our Shepherd, and we should love Him: Jn. 10.11, 15.14

V. Stanza 5 identifies Jesus as the King who should dwell in our hearts
"Every day, Lord, how I need You, In my heart, Lord, in my spirit;
Every day, Lord, yes I need You; I am Yours, Lord, Alleluia!"
A. Certainly, we need the Lord to direct our lives: Gal. 2.20, Col.
3.3-4
B. And He has promised that He will dwell in our hearts by faith: Eph.
3.17, Col. 1.23
C. But for Him to do so, we must always remember that we are to belong
to Him: 2 Cor. 6.16, 1 Pet. 2.9-10

CONC.: This is one of those "praise songs" which seemed to have
arisen out of nowhere and caught on like wildfire. The tune is simple,
eminently singable, and easy to memorize. The words can be quite
repetitive, but this arrangement seeks to use lyrics that would say
something beyond mere repetition. The term "alleluia" means "Praise the
Lord." It is the Latin form of the Hebrew "Hallelujah" which was made by
joining "Hallelu" meaning "praise" and "Jah" which is the first syllable
in the Hebrew name for God. Since it is found in the sacred scriptures,
there is certainly nothing wrong with my saying, "Alleluia," to the
divine Son of God because "Jesus Is Lord, My Redeemer."

Taken from https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/hymnoftheday/conversations/topics/488

Either way, whether by a simple Alleluia or whether by more meaningful words, please accept and worship our Savior today!  No one other than Jesus can save us by conquering death and presenting himself to the Father as our substitute Shepherd!

Same tune, different number

I love when a traditional hymn tune is reused with new words, or vice versa.  Many times in the past, hymns and hymn tunes were specific projects commissioned by someone of authority, for instance by an individual in authority, like a king or duke, or a particular institution, like a university or cathedral.  King David himself was such a king, penning the book of Psalms.  Many of the traditional tunes and lyrics we still use today came from particular times in the history of the church, such as the Reformation period.

In honor of the place music now has within our faith, here are some familiar names in the world of traditional hymns:
Isaac Watts (1674-1748)  - When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, Joy to the World, O God Our Help in Ages Past, Alas and Did My Savior Bleed, I Sing the Mighty Power of God

Charles Wesley (1707-1788) - Christ the Lord Is Risen Today, Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, Love Divine All Loves Excelling, Rejoice the Lord Is King, O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing, Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Fanny Crosby (1820-1915) - He Hideth My Soul, Near the Cross, Rescue the Perishing, Praise Him Praise Him Jesus Our Blessed Redeemer, To God Be the Glory, All the Way My Savior Leads Me, Blessed Assurance, I Am Thine O Lord (Draw Me Nearer), My Savior First of All

Here are two examples of hymn tunes being reused:
Come Ye Thankful People Come
& Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

I Sing the Mighty Power of God
& Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

New Inspiring Song - Victor's Crown

"At the cross, Your work was finished
You were buried in the ground
But the grave could not contain You
For You wear the victor's crown."
- Darlene Zschech, "Victor's Crown"

I recently purchased two new CD's I've been listening to - Jesus Firm Foundation: Hymns of Worship and Revealing Jesus by Darlene Zschech.  I have had these replaying for quite some time, and they are some of the best inspirational music I've listened to recently.  I have always been a fan of Darlene's "Worthy Is the Lamb" song.  But her "Victor's Crown" is not only lyricly powerful, but instrumentally inspiring.  It just brings chills every time I hear it on the radio.

It is even more powerful, in that this song has a strong scriptural background, but also a story of overcoming in Darlene's life.  She was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2013.  And to me, having my own grandmother go through this trial, it is of no greater strength than to know that in Christ we can have that same "Victor's Crown" and overcome through his strength.

Victor's Crown (with lyrics):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3UQ42qmiI8

Here is Darlene's story behind the music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObCCMb9mHr4

Darlene's blog:
http://www.darlenezschech.com/blog/2013/12/29/important-update-from-darlene-and-mark/