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

“Pressing On” – Piano Instrumental Improvisation for Prayer, Meditation, Soaking Worship, and Relaxation

Today’s interlude is called “Pressing On”. This is the first interlude I’ve recorded in more than a couple of weeks. I was actually a bit surprised that they weren’t missed! I expected to start getting emails and questions about why the interludes had stopped. I’m guessing everyone else was as busy as I’d been.

The truth is, I was tired. I needed a break. The last few months of living through this pandemic have been exhausting. While some people were going stir crazy from being quarantined, I was working as hard as ever. My main business is e-commerce and everyone was shopping online. Then, we entered into this season of intense racial division and injustice. The country is rebelling, revolting, protesting, and it feels as if I’m woken up in some other nation. I find myself wrestling with any number of emotions and trying to be informed by listening to our American news only makes me more frustrated. It’s all just been exhausting.

During the last few months I’ve felt like I’ve gotten off track. From personal goals and disciplines like my fitness and weight loss journey to the more important things like consistently recording these interludes – I’ve just been stalled. It’s like I pulled off the road of life and just needed to take a break and reset.

Life is that way. Sometimes things get so crazy that we just love our focus. I confess, that’s where I’ve been. But … we were never called to stay in that place. I took some time to get away with my family for a much-needed vacation. I’ve allowed myself to journal and document some heavy things in my soul that I needed to process. I’ve made some adjustments in my business that have taken away some of the stress and anxiety I was carrying.

So today, I’m back on the road again. I’m pressing on. I hope you’ll join me!

Grace and peace,Fred McKinnon, Pianist/Composer

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“In the Valley” – Piano Improvisation by Fred McKinnon

Life is a journey. Sometimes we feel that we are on the mountaintop admiring the wonderful view. Then there are times when we get down into the valleys. Sometimes valleys are beautiful and sometimes, they are bare. Typically we think of the valley in life as a tough time or a period of disappointment. These can be long seasons where it’s hard to remember what life was like in the other spot.

I don’t feel that I’m in a valley right now by any means but I did wake up to a frustrating, disappointing situation with my business. I don’t think that it will be much of an issue and the problem will probably be resolved by the end of the day. Nevertheless, it was a frustrating way to start my day, and I made the mistake of looking into my work emails before I recorded today’s interlude!

All of this is context for the piece I composed today. It starts minor and deliberate. I felt frustrated. I felt angry. I felt taken advantage of. But thankfully, it ends peaceful and major. My emotions tend to show in some of the pieces I create and I hope you will be able to relate and find peace as you listen. Perhaps you are wrestling with your own valley or frustrations.

Take time for yourself. Breathe. Slow down. Listen. Pray. Be thankful.

Photo by Bogdan R. Anton from Pexels

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“The Journey” – Piano Improvisation by Fred McKinnon

Today’s interlude was a free-flowing improvisation that started in the Key of Bm and resolved in the key of D Major. Many times I will experiment a little before recording to find the melody or motif that is stirring in my soul. This morning, I hit record and just started playing immediately. I loved the expressive improvisation that came forth.

I utilize a digital journal, like a diary, with an app called DayOne. I wish I could say I was a master at the discipline of journaling but I do find it to be incredibly therapeutic. One of the highlights of the DayOne journal is a feature called “On This Day”. Each day it allows you to see all of the historical entries from previous years on that date. I love seeing pictures of my kids as they have grown up. I have the journal set to automatically import any pictures I post on my personal Instagram or Facebook pages. This allows me to see historical entries even when I’m not in the habit of journaling.

I’ve also been able to read some gut-wrenching entries from the past couple of years while my life was going through a major transition with my ministry career. Re-reading those entries reminds me of both immense pain and triumph. I also read entries from my business journal where I was so worried about how we were going to make it financially and then seeing how God always provided for us.

As I contemplated this today, I was reminded that life is a journey. This life is a journey filled with ups, downs, mountains, valleys, rest stops, and unexpected bumps along the way.

As I was thinking about my journey, I took time to express gratitude for all of the countless blessings that I have in my life.

I hope that you will do the same as you listen to today’s interlude, “The Journey”.

Thanks for listening!Grace and peace,Fred McKinnon

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Glorious Light - Piano Improvisation Interlude for Prayer, Meditation, Mindfulness, Relaxation, Soaking Worship, and Rest

Today’s piano instrumental is featured as Episode #227 of the Worship Interludes Podcast.   I’ve named it “Glorious Light” and hope that it brings peace, joy, rest, and comfort to you as you listen.Thank you for your support!

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Mindful Moments, Op. 2 - Short Piano Improvisations

Today’s interlude is the second installment in my “Mindful Moments” series of peaceful, calm, piano improvisations.  These are intended to be shorter and more accessible – with the goal of being no more than 4-5 minutes in length.I really enjoyed playing this today.   It’s in the key of Eb and has a romantic, sweet melody.Whether you listen as background for your times of prayer, quiet time, and meditation, or if you simply listen to relax and rest – I hope this music brings peace to your soul.Thank you for listening!Grace and peace,Fred McKinnon

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Piano Improvisation and Prayers for Yehuda (Yudi) Dukes

Today as I recorded my weekly piano improvisation for my podcast I found myself immediately thinking of and praying for the Dukes family in New York.Sarah Spangenthal Dukes is a fellow pianist and composer.   We met last year at a weekend event for piano artists who are a part of the Whisperings Solo Piano Artists collective.   The coronavirus and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic became more real to me when we discovered that Sarah’s husband, Yehuda (who is called Yudi) was diagnosed and hospitalized with this terrible virus.    Yudi’s condition has been very serious and he has been battling in the hospital for six weeks.Yudi is a Jewish Rabbi.   They have six amazing, beautiful children.   Sarah has been an incredible inspiration to so many as she has held fast to her deep faith and trust.   I have personally been fascinated and blessed to learn so much about Jewish culture.For example, when asking for prayer they will use the full Hebrew name, and the full Hebrew name of the mother.   So for Yudi, the prayer is for “Schneur Zalman Yehuda ben Hinda Yocheved”.Scripture tells us that “death and life are in the power of the tongue”.  (Proverbs 18:21)   In a profound and inspiring statement, they have added the word “Chaim” to the beginning of Yudi’s name, which means “life” in Hebrew.    Every single time you speak Chaim with his name, you are speaking life with your tongue.  So by adding this his new, full name is “Chaim Schneur Zalman Yehuda ben Hinda Yocheved”.   What beautiful life source!This episode #225 is called “Chaim – Life for Yudi”.  I invite you to join me and so many others as we stand together in faith and pray live, healing, health, and full recovery for Yudi.   At the time of writing and recording this episode, Yudi is still in the hospital fighting for his life.   I have to believe that although he is not conscious, he is fully aware of the prayers and love being offered in his behalf.    How To Support This Family:Perform a mitzvah (good deed or take on a new resolution) on behalf of Yudi.  Pray for this young, sweet family.   We believe in miracles.Follow Sarah Dukes:Facebook (personal profile for updates)Instagram (Sarah’s Instagram and Stories)Sarah’s Facebook Page (Piano Artist)You can also support Sarah’s Music by listening on the following channels:Apple MusicSpotifyYouTubePandora 

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Mindful Moments - Short Piano Interludes for Prayer, Meditation, and Mindfulness Exercises

Today I am revealing a new series that is a part of the Worship Interludes Podcast.   The series is called “Mindful Moments” and will consist of piano improvisational interludes that are considerably shorter than the normal interludes I produce.Lots of my listeners have asked for longer interludes – as much as 30 minutes or hours long.  I love this idea and I’ve found a few channels that offer these types of extended interludes that I enjoy myself.I also realize that the majority of people don’t have that much time to devote to their prayer, meditation, or mindfulness exercises.    I’ve been super busy myself, and I’ve realized that even stopping the world from spinning for only 1-2 minutes with intentional pauses can be completely valuable.That’s why I created the new series, “Mindful Moments”.   Unlike the normal interludes which are usually between 7-15 minutes long, these are created to be less than 4:00 minutes, with an ideal length of 2:30 – 3:30.I’ve introduced these and my heart behind the creation in this episode of the podcast and the video below.   I am my own worst enemy and I keep discovering that when I get busy, I neglect these important disciplines.   I wanted to remember that I can create a short, 2-3 minute interlude and that can still bring tremendous value to someone whose season of life is super busy and hectic … INCLUDING MY OWN!I hope you enjoy the new series.  I present to you, “Mindful Moments, Opus 1”.

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Slowing Down - Piano Instrumental for Prayer, Meditation, Soaking Worship, Mindfulness, and Relaxation

To say that my life has been busy over the past month would be an understatement.   While much of the world has been on pause during a global pandemic caused by the corona virus, I have been working relentlessly.My professional life is comprised of two separate paths.   One path is that of an e-commerce entrepreneur.   This path has been overwhelming because most people who are in the e-commerce space have been incredibly busy since so many people are forced to shop online instead of going into physical stores.    The other path is the one you are more familiar with here – that of a pianist who creates soothing, peaceful instrumental music to share with the world.   During this season of life, it’s been important to continue to provide this music to be a tool and resource for overcoming anxiety, fear, depression, sickness, and despair.Today is Saturday and I normally race off early in the morning to join some friends for an outdoor workout.   It’s the first Saturday in a month where the tribe was gathering back together for some safe exercise.   I woke up early enough to attend but felt like I was simply in need of a morning to slow down.SLOWING DOWNOur bodies were not meant to be in overdrive every single day.   The principle of sabbath rest is so incredibly valid, regardless of what faith you may hold dear.    Sooner or later, your body will make you slow down.   I’d rather do this voluntarily.So this morning that’s exactly what I did.  I took some extra time to read.  I enjoyed my coffee, spent time with my wife, and recorded this interlude.   I missed my workout and missed seeing my buddies but this morning, it was just right to stay home and slow down.I hope this music helps you slow down and find peace and rest. 

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Cloud of Witnesses - Piano Improvisation by Fred McKinnon

This morning I was inspired by one of my favorite passages in the New Testament of the Bible.   Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.   (Hebrews 12:1-2, NKJV)One of the things that I love in this passage is the idea that we are being cheered on and watched by those who have gone on before us.    It reminds me that I am never alone.   The other thing that inspires me is the idea that we are in a race.   This life we live is a journey.   We have a finish line that is established for us and I want to cross that line and finish strong when my day comes.Staying on course is a battle in itself.   This is the third week in a row that I’ve declared to myself and others “no matter how crazy life is during this pandemic we are facing, I am going to get myself back on a normal schedule”.   That normalcy has lasted a day or two, or sometimes I’m able to string together a few days.   But with each passing week I’m beginning to find my stride and my rhythm again.It seems that we are beginning to see a possible end to our “stay at home” demands.   In my state of Georgia here in the USA, some of our businesses and services will slowly begin to reopen this weekend and next week.     Little by little, you begin to feel that you are getting some of your life back.But even in this dramatic change to our lifestyles, we can be comforted by knowing that it’s all part of our journey.   We are not alone.  There is a great cloud of witnesses cheering us on.   It’s time to lay aside every single thing that would hinder us.Put on your running shoes, friends.  It’s time to get back in the race.Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

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Freedom - Piano Improvisation and Background Music for Prayer, Meditation, Soaking Worship, and Relaxation

Easter Sunday morning, April 12, 2020, I sat down in my home studio and did a Facebook Live Broadcast called “Coffee and Instrumental Worship”.   It was an interactive concert where I was able to communicate and talk to those who were watching and read their comments and requests.   It was designed to be an hour long but after the hour passed, we were having too much fun.

I played my own arrangements (most of them improvised on the spot) of some of our favorite hymns and choruses.  My hope was that people could sing along at home or just enjoy the melodies as they prepared to celebrate Easter Sunday in their homes.     Thinking of our churches being empty was such a surreal thought.

At the end of the concert I spent about ten minutes improvising one of my worship interludes.   That is the piece that I’m featuring for you today.

Regardless of our situations during this pandemic we are facing, we can rest assured that those who put their hope and trust in our Lord can find FREEDOM.

I hope and pray that this music blesses you today.

Grace and peace,Fred McKinnon, Pianist/Composer

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