"Be Thou My Vision"

"Be Thou My Vision" is one of my favorite Hymns.  I hesitated to post this recording because it really needs some more work.  But, I love this song, and it's one of the most finished recordings I have.  This was one of the hymns I put on the CD for my grandma along with "I'll Fly To You."  Mr. Incredible is playing the piano and that's me on the flute and vocals.  If nothing else, I hope the words are an encouragement to you. 

 May your vision be filled with the 

High King of Heaven today!

"I'll Fly To You"

This song was written for my grandma Helen.  She was born and raised in "paradise" (Hawaii) and she has now passed on to the eternal paradise (Heaven).  When I visited her in January 2010 I knew it would most likely be the last time I saw her on Earth.  I always remember her being so strong.  Her arms were strong from a life time of house work and carrying babies.  Her voice was strong from singing, laughing, and yelling at kids : )  She loved the old church hymns and she loved reading the Bible.

When I visited her for the last time she was so weak she couldn't walk on her own and I couldn't understand her quiet, mumbled words.  At night I would read the Bible to her and sing hymns.  She would cry and I could only imagine the memories that those old hymns and verses brought back to her fading memory.  I wished I had more time with her.

When I returned home I was inspired to write this song and send it to her with other hymns so she could listen to them.  And about a year later, it was played at her memorial service.  We recorded this song in our makeshift home studio.  My dad is playing the ukulele and guitar, Mr. Incredible is playing the bass, and that's me singing.  Enjoy.

"Gone With the Tide"

We spent the 4th of July weekend at the coast which gave me an opportunity to do one of my favorite things:  running on the beach!  The day was perfectly sunny and cool at the same time.  It was low tide and the sand was still wet which made it the perfect surface for shoe prints.  There were still a few pools of water that I had to jump over and weave through, but for the most part you would never guess that the area I ran on was covered by the ocean only minutes before.  I marveled at how quickly the tide pulled away from the shore and took everything with it.  Only a dead starfish, some driftwood, and a few broken shells remained as evidence of the receding waves.  

As I ran, my mind went to this verse:  "...that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives"  (Hebrews 2:14, 15).  His death completely nullifies the fear of death that keeps us in captivity.  As we allow His power to work in our lives, only a few old and decaying signs are left of the sin that once consumed us.  His sacrifice removes any reason to hide who we truly are, because we are free.  All the things that we feared are swept away by the powerful tide of His cleansing blood.  

Whether you are being held by strong addictions, or struggle with everyday shortcomings, I hope these words help you to know that the truth of Christ's power overcomes all that enslaves us. 

Here are the words:

Gone with the tide, shackles open wide, the fear of death that kept me in chains has died.

Gone with the wind, He wiped away my sin.  He ended His life so that my life would never end.

Now I can let go, of the things that demanded so much of me.

And I don't have to hide, I can be who I'm meant to be.

And I can take off this mask that I've worn for all these years.

And say thanks for protecting me from my many fears.

Now my Jesus is setting me free and drawing me near.

So goodbye, Jesus will take it from here.

© Tennille, 2011

"Make His Praise Glorious"

New Music: "Make His Praise Glorious" Psalm 66

Last Thanksgiving I was running on the beach (this seems to be an inspiring activity for me.  See: "Gone With the Tide.") and thinking about how skillfully nature praises God.  The waves, the birds, the rain, even the hills praise Him so majestically.  I listened to the waves as I ran.  They crashed thunderously at perfect intervals then faded off into delicate swooshing sighs that swept over the sand.

Nature is flawless in its worship to the creator and I long for my praise to be even half as glorious.

After the warm shower and cup of coffee that usually follows a run in the sand, I sat down and read Psalm 66.  (If you desire for your praise to be revived and refreshed, please read this chapter!)  The first verse says "Shout." The second verse says "Sing."  The third verse says, "Say."  We can praise God in so many ways, but it is clear that He wants us to use our voices.

Yesterday my boys were away at grandma and grandpa's house, so I used some of my alone time to record this song.  Usually, I have Mr. Incredible  play the keyboard for me, but he was hard at work so this is me on the keys, the flute, and vocals.  My hope is that this song inspires you to view praise as something that we strive to improve on.  It is not just something we do when we feel like it or when it's singing time at church.  Like the continual crashing of the waves, praise is often a continual sacrifice that we should endeavor to make worthy of it's object, God.

So whether you are shouting, singing, or just talking, use your voice to make His praise glorious today!  

Here are the words:

He turned the sea into dry land.

They passed through the river by His hand.

Come and see the awesome works of God.

He judges all with equity. 

He gives to us abundantly.

Oh, bless our Lord and sound His praise abroad.

Make His praise glorious.  Strive to adorn His songs with wonder.

Make His praise glorious.  Skillfully shout with joyous thunder.

Ascribe to His name glory.  Say to our God, "You are holy."

Awesome in power, Your enemies tremble in fear before You.

He rules by might eternally, mindful of humanity.

Sing to God the praises due His name.

He keeps our feet.  He gives us life.

He became our sacrifice.

Lift your voice and celebrate His reign.

© 2010, by Tennille