Worship Interludes - Piano Instrumentals for Prayer, Meditation, Soaking Worship, Relaxation, Study, and Rest

I’d hoped to do something very special for the 50th episode of my “Worship Interludes” podcast but I never dreamed it would be a tribute composition and video from our experience the past week with Hurricane Irma.

Our area was impacted in a significant way by the hurricane.  As I did not evacuate we found ourselves in the middle of the cleanup and recovery efforts.   It was extremely rewarding to be able to serve the community with my family and friends.

I had a strong desire to compose a piano instrumental from this experience and I’m happy to share with you episode #50, “After Irma”.

Today’s interlude is called “Peace, Be Still”.   Hurricane Irma is a major hurricane that is ripping through the Caribbean and is threatening Florida, Georgia and the southern US. We are still a few days away from having the impact of this storm and her path is uncertain.   Nevertheless, people here are already getting stressed, anxious, and worried.   Mandatory evacuations have been ordered and it’s hard to not get caught up in the frenzy of hysteria and worry.

I recorded this today in hopes that people would take six minutes to take a deep breath, slow down, breathe, and just say “peace, be still”.

I continue to pray that this storm veers north and goes out to sea.  In the meantime, we exercise caution and make plans and preparations. In the midst of the turmoil there is a peace that we can find and I hope this interlude helps you find it.

 

Today’s interlude is called “In The Waiting”.   We all have times when all we can do is wait.   We’ve done everything else we know to do.   Waiting is often the most difficult part of life.   Waiting for dreams to become a reality … waiting for prayers to be answered … waiting for others to come around … waiting for healing …

What do we do in the waiting?   Remain steadfast.  Hold tight to what you believe.   Don’t doubt.

I hope this interlude brings a sense of peace to you as you listen.  Whether you are meditating, praying, or just listening for relaxation or entertainment, my hope is that you will find peace and comfort through these interludes.

Fred

Determination:  we need it in life.  Whether you are determined to make a goal, to resolve a problem, or to get back on track … getting the right mindset is so important.   In many cases, sheer will power is never enough.   The cares of life will quickly drag us away from the things that we are determined to do.   That is why taking time to be still and reflect is so important.

Today’s interlude is a bit more update and happy.  It’s meant to lift you and give you a positive outlook on the things in your life that you are determined to push through.

God bless!

Fred

Stones.   Young David in the Bible used a stone and a sling to conquer the feared giant, Goliath.   Stones.  Some in the Bible used them to execute justice on sinners who violated the Law.   Once, Jesus even rescued a woman who was about to be stoned to death.   She’d actually committed a crime that was punishable by stoning in that culture yet he drew some mysterious something on the ground and simply said “let whoever is without sin be the first one to throw a stone”.   (John 8:7, paraphrased)

Stones are like words.   They can be used to rescue but they can also be used to judge.  Stones, like words, may seem insignificant.  If you throw them into a lake they just sink to the bottom; yet, there is a ripple effect that extends far beyond the reach of the actual stone.

I’ve taken a short break from recording these interludes as I worked to release the first compilation of interludes into an album.   Now as I begin a new week I have been questioning my own words, my own actions, my own reactions, and how they impact others.   It’s a sobering thought.

My hope is that as you listen, you will be moved to consider these things.

Today’s interlude is called “Speak to Me”.   It was inspired by the story of young Samuel in 1 Samuel 3 of the Bible.   In this story Samuel hears a voice calling his name but does not realize it’s the voice of God.   He goes to his priest, Eli and says to him “here I am, you called me” and Eli has to tell him that he did not call him.  After the third time Eli realized what was happening and suggested that young Samuel return to his rest and to listen for that voice.   If the voice calls out to Samuel again he was told to respond “Speak, Lord for your servant is listening”.

I am quite confident that God’s voice is speaking to us many times and we do not recognize it.  Perhaps it’s drowned out from all the noise of the world or perhaps we mistake it for something else.

My hope is that as you listen to this interlude that it will prepare you to be still and listen for that voice.

Are you weary?   I love this great photo courtesy of Pexels.Com.   This guy looks like he’s just about to give up.  He can’t take it anymore.  Just pull over, stop it all, and crash.

I’ll be honest.  July has been a very difficult month for me.  Where God is opening new doors, He is closing familiar ones.  Even today, in the past hour, I’ve been faced with frustrations and agonizing disappointments.   I hold my head high, but I’ll be honest, I’m weary.

Jesus spoke in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”.   (NIV)

There is a rest when we find peace.   So in the hectic pace of my routine and my day, after managing some chaos and disappointment in my business-life, what did I do?  I turned to the source of Peace.   For me, that is in my relationship with Jesus Christ.    I prayed and played this interlude.   I recognize that there are many who listen to this music who are not of the Christian faith.   I hope that this music will still impact you in a significant way as you face your own trials and disappointments.

 

For those who read the show notes, I’m grateful.   You’ll begin seeing that these instrumental interludes are part of my life.  I play them first for me, for my own times of devotion, prayer, meditation .. and then share them with the world.   As a result, if you follow along closely you can see the thread of my life in these interludes, much like a personal diary.

This interlude is called “Storms”.   The past week has been a week of storms in my life.  I’ve had some serious issues in my business that were very painful.  At the same time, I’ve been battling sickness in my body and have not felt good for over a week.   The combined stress of the business struggle, the erratic schedule of a holiday week, combined with getting sick has me somewhat struggling.

That’s why there haven’t been new interludes since July 4th.   But I’m back.   I’m here today to play, to worship, to share, to be vulnerable.   This interlude, “Storms” is for all those who are in the storms of life.

The overwhelming majority of my interludes are recorded in “one take”.   I started this one at least three or four times and at once point just banged the keys out of frustration.   That’s where I am.

Even still, I find peace and comfort in playing this music and sharing it with the world.   Because even in the storms, I have the Prince of Peace inside of me.

Happy 4th of July.   I realize that thousands of listeners to this podcast are outside of the United States of America but today is our birthday as a country.   I hope you enjoy my piano interlude of “America the Beautiful” and the slideshow.

God bless America.

Questions.

I love this picture (courtesy of Pexels.Com).   As I thought about today’s worship interlude I was reminded of all the questions that I have.   I’ve been reading about Gideon in the Bible and how despite being visited by the “angel of the Lord” Himself, Gideon had so many questions and doubts about his purpose.   He went through numerous questions and tests and still doubted.

How many questions do we have unanswered?  How many doubts do we have?   I hope that during this interlude you will ponder those things in your heart that you question … or even doubt.   Ask for guidance to know the perfect will and plan for these things.

It’s OK to have questions.   I hope you find answers.