Be Faithful – Solo Piano Instrumental Music for Worship, Prayer, Meditation, Relaxation

It’s been a couple of weeks since the last episode of the “Worship Interludes Podcast” was released.  I’ve taken a break from the interludes the past two weeks to finish up my Christmas album, “Silent Night“.  This album is something I’ve been wanting to record for many years and I’m very pleased that it’s finally going to become a reality.

Now that the hard work of recording the album has been finished and I await the release, it’s clearly time to resume these piano instrumentals.   My soul needs this time today!

Earlier this morning I was having a time of devotion and I read one of my all-time favorite Psalms, which is Psalm 15.   In this chapter of the Bible it describes the kind of man that I would like to become.  It describes the kind of man that I’d like to remembered as.  When I began recording this morning I was thinking about being faithful.   It’s so easy to give up.  It’s so easy, especially when we fail, to quit.  In the end, we are called to be so much more than this.

How do I define success?   Simply, being faithful.  I’m realizing that I can’t define success in dollars, jobs, or the world’s accolades.  I think that a person who has been FAITHFUL is a success.   Faithful to their marriage.  Faithful to their calling.  Faithful to their family.  Faithful to God.  Faithful to your friends and neighbors.  So few people are steadfast and faithful.   I desire to be one of the few.

Take time to listen to this interlude, “Be Faithful”, and celebrate the areas of your life where you are being faithful.   Perhaps you’ll become aware of some areas where you haven’t been as faithful as you should.  If this is the case, take up the challenge and make a change today.  Make a decision to be faithful.

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Preparation – Solo Piano Instrumental

Today’s piano instrumental interlude is called “Preparation”.   As I recorded this morning I was thinking of all the things I’d like to accomplish today.   I’m working on a new Christmas album and Tuesdays (today) is one of the days that I reserve to focus on writing and recording.  This day started out well – I was able to join my fellow F3 men for a solid workout at 5:15 AM.  It was a crisp and cool 51 degrees as we exercised outside.  Upon returning home I was able to spend time in the Bible and enjoyed a quiet time of devotion.  Lastly, I was able to sit down with my kids (well, two of them) for breakfast.

All of these things are important.  It’s a great way to start the day.   Preparedness is everything and as the old saying reminds us, “failing to prepare is preparing for failure“.

This piano melody came quickly and easily.  Take a listen and spend the next five minutes preparing your mind, your soul, and your spirit for whatever you have ahead of you.   Meditate on what is important in your life.  Give thanks.  Take time to just breathe and be still.   This will prepare you for the day to come.

I hope you enjoy this interlude.

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For Such A Time As This – Solo Piano Interlude by Fred McKinnon

Today’s interlude is a peaceful, soothing melody in the Key of Bb.  As I was recording this morning I thought about the whirlwind of change that has been happening in my life recently.   As I pondered these things I began to reflect on how we respond to adversity.  We can choose to be discouraged and own the role of a victim or we can lift our heads and look ahead to a bright new future.   The second path is the best route without any question.

For such a time as this … to love one another.

For such a time as this … to try new things.

For such a time as this … to choose to be uplifting and positive.

For such a time as this … to trust and obey.

For such a time as this … to look for the beautiful and the good in everything.

For such a time as this … to chase new dreams.

What time are you in?  Have you given up on dreams?  Have you settled into a way of life that is no longer fulfilling?  There is so much more for you.   For such a time as this!

I hope that as you listen, you’ll begin to reawaken and reimagine the dreams and hopes in your heart.

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Love One Another – Solo Piano Instrumental

Over the past couple of days I’ve been touched by a number of people in my community who just felt impressed to reach out to me.   It’s odd that so many people would do so in a 48-hour window.  I experienced a major life change earlier this month.  The dust around that situation had settled and I felt like everyone had moved on … until the calls started.   These calls had one purpose, and one purpose only.   They were friends who just wanted to check in on me.  They wanted to show me love and acceptance.

This outpouring of love for myself and my family is what I pondered this morning as I recorded this interlude.  I almost didn’t record today because I was running late but disciplined myself to sit down here in my home studio and just play.  I hope that you will sense and feel my response to the care and compassion we’ve felt.  I would encourage you to listen and think of someone in your life that you could express unconditional love towards.  Call them.  Text them.  Send them a letter.   Do something extravagant for them.

Remember that you can always listen here, or subscribe to this “Worship Interludes Podcast” in both iTunes and Spotify.

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Sweet Mornings – Solo Piano Music for Prayer, Meditation, and Relaxation

Today’s interlude comes from a short, but sweet, time at the piano.  My day started very early and I was awake by 4:00 AM.   I made a small pot of coffee and tackled a few emails and projects in my business before heading out to my 5:15 AM workout with a group called “F3” (which stands for Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith).   It was a hot, humid, sticky morning outside but the workout and fellowship were great as always.   Once I returned home I cooled off a bit and sat down and played this interlude.

As I played I felt a sense of sweet, tender peace.  It was as if there was calm in my heart.  The melody that came forth during this recording was lyrical and I hope that it carries you to a sweet place as well.

This is a fairly short interlude at only 5:30.   It’s a great way to take a quick break in your busy day and just be still.   Perhaps as you listen, you can just close your eyes and relax.  You may wish to pray or express gratitude for the blessings in your life.

I do hope that you enjoy it.

Fred

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The Helper – Solo Piano Instrumental Music by Fred McKinnon

Today’s Episode #107 of the “Worship Interludes Podcast” is inspired by my devotional time yesterday.  I will post my notes from this devotion below which speaks for itself.  I hope you enjoy the music!

Morning Devotion:

If Jesus Christ were alive today, and he was talking to you… could it get any better? Would there be ANYTHING that could be more powerful?

Actually, Jesus answered this question when he was with His disciples in John 16:7 (ESV)

“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. “

Jesus was saying that it’s to OUR ADVANTAGE that we receive the Helper (the Holy Spirit).

So wait a minute, did I just process that correctly? Jesus is saying “boys, if you think it’s been good having me here with you, just wait until I leave and send you the Holy Spirit, then it will be even better”… (that’s my South GA interpretation)

Jesus Christ, in physical form, on this earth, could only be at ONE PLACE at a time. Yet, His Spirit – the Helper – the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of God Almighty – the “same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead (see Romans 8:11)… this HELPER is available to EVERYONE.

The POWER and PRESENCE of JESUS, with all of His strength, wisdom, love, and power, is available, to all Believers. (sadly, I realize we seldom realize the fullness of this!). He can be EVERYWHERE, ALL THE TIME, and what He had on this earth, He’s made available to us.

Do you believe?

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Ready For Battle – Piano Instrumental Music for Prayer and Intercession

Today’s interlude was inspired by my morning devotion.  I was reading Psalm 144 and the first verse stood out to me:

“Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle”

[Psalm 144:1, ESV, emphasis mine]

For my friends who are Biblical scholars, let me be the first to say that I realize the context of this verse doesn’t mean my hands and fingers on the piano.   However, music and prayer have often accompanied one another for thousands of years.   As I play and pray, I do believe, with all of my heart, that I am doing battle in the heavens.

I tend to find a minor key when praying more intensely.  There are scriptural references that liken prayer to war.  I love some of the beautiful passages that help us envision our prayers as offensive weapons in a cosmic, spiritual universe.

Locally, there are lots of things happening that need our prayers.   There is a new Tropical Storm that is approaching us from the Gulf of Mexico.  There is a young man named Landon who is fighting for his life with a serious medical condition.   Our nation is coming out of an intense few weeks of extreme, partisan divide.  So many people are hurting and need prayer.

I wanted to create a musical soundtrack that would provide a sense of tension and that would push us to pray.   I hope that as you listen to this interlude you’ll stop and intercede for those whom you know need your prayers.

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Uplifting – Piano Instrumental

“Uplifting” was recorded early in the morning, Wednesday, October 3, 2018. This piece is released as Episode #105 of my “Worship Interludes” podcast which is intended as a soundtrack for prayer, quiet time, meditation, relaxation, and soaking worship times.

In our lives we have a choice. We can be negative or positive. We can be a person who discourages those around us or we can be a person who uplifts and encourages those around us.  All of us have trials and situations that may bring us down but our lives will be better if we choose to be uplifting.

How do we get there? Take some time while listening to this interlude to reflect on things you are thankful for. Reflect on what is good in your life. Don’t overlook the simple, little things such as your daily provision, health, family, and friends.

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Prayers at Dawn – Piano Interlude

My morning prayers began well before dawn on this significant day.   This is the day that I close the book on eleven years of ministry at St. Simons Community Church.   Sunday, September 30th, 2018.

Although my alarm was set for 6:30 AM, sleep eluded me and I found myself awake around 4:45 AM.   By 5:00 AM I was enjoying my time of devotion and prayer.  This piano composition came shortly afterwards.    The emotions that were swirling around me were numerous, including excitement but also some pain, grief, and anxiety.   Would I be able to lead our team on my final Sunday without breaking down?   Would I break down in tears on stage in front of nearly 1,000 people?  Would I be so overwhelmed with emotion that I was unable to effectively lead our band or congregation?    What would I say to the people that I love so dearly who are so sorry to see my departure?   What would I say to those who, for whatever their ultimate reasons, were instrumental in my dismissal?

This interlude is rather short but brought me a sense of peace as I played.   I love to play these and linger in the spaces, uttering simple phrases and prayers as I play.  Many times I just say “Lord, come”.   My desire is that the music will touch thousands and thousands of souls across this planet and bring them peace and comfort.

I’m excited about the dawn of a new day.  It’s a new season.

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Seasons | Solo Piano Instrumental

Last week I recorded an interlude called “Finish Strong“.   It was inspired by conversations I was having with a friend who has a father in failing health.   Little did I realize that the title of that composition and the emotion I poured into it was more significant than I’d realized.

Many who know me personally are aware that my family is entering into a change of seasons in our life this week. I have found myself repeating that “seasons come, seasons go, and we don’t control the weather”. And that is so true.

There are seasons for everything. As much as we’d like to think the season we are in is forever, it’s simply not true on this side of eternity. Perhaps you are in a wonderful season of abundance and peace. I hope that this continues for as long as possible. Some of you may be in a season of turmoil and unrest. The good news is that this season will eventually pass as well.

Living here in Southeast Georgia, we don’t really get to enjoy dramatic seasonal changes. It’s really hot. Then, somewhere in the late Fall we get a little whiff of Autumn and cool breezes that eventually turn into some cold nights. Spring seems to last only for a moment and we’re back into Summer again.

The beautiful thing about seasons is that they are different and they each have their purpose. Learning to appreciate the beauty of each season and it’s purpose is paramount in making it through life.

As we enter into a new season of our lives, I pray for you in your seasons of life. I hope that this new piano composition will be a blessing to you. It’s a soundtrack to stunning videos and images freely available on Pexels.Com by gracious artists who have donated their work.

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