Interfaith Spirit Quest

Taizé-hymn - Bless the Lord my soul

In the spirit of kindness, simplicity and reconciliation, enjoy and participate. 

Taizé-hymn - Bless the Lord my soul (lyrics)

Bless the Lord, my soul,

and bless God's holy name.

Bless the Lord, my soul,

who leads me into life.

What is a Taizé-hymn?  From Wikipedia:  

The Taizé Community is an ecumenical Christian monastic order in Taizé, Saône-et-Loire, Burgundy, France. It is composed of about 100 brothers who come from Protestant and Catholic traditions. The brothers come from about 30 countries across the world.[1] The monastic order has a strong devotion to peace and justice through prayer and meditation. It was founded in 1940 by Brother Roger Schutz.[2]

The community has become one of the world's most important sites of Christian pilgrimage. Over 100,000 young people from around the world make pilgrimages to Taizé each year for prayer, Bible study, sharing, and communal work. Through the community's ecumenical outlook, they are encouraged to live in the spirit of kindness, simplicity and reconciliation.

The music emphasises simple phrases, usually lines from Psalms or other pieces of Scripture, repeated and sometimes also sung in canon.

...more info here.

 

To purchase Taizé music -

Visit Amazon.com's Taize Store to shop for Taize albums (CD, MP3, Vinyl), concert tickets, and other Taize-related items:  Taizé Music

 

 

Read about Taizé Music and the community:

    
 

                         

 

Dolphins are a Dog's Best Friend - amazing Video

We all know that dogs are man's best friend, but who's the dog's best buddy? Watch this amazing video of a friendship developing between a dolphin and a dog. If they can do it, so can we.

Clips are from the movie 'Zeus & Roxanne', and the song is 'Song of the Seas' by Vangelis. The video is a little over 6 minutes long and is worth watching all the way to the end, and the music by Vangelis is awesome! There's a little Shark drama in the middle of the clip, but the Dolphin displays tremendous diplomacy with the encounter. This just might be the greatest Dolphin and Dog story ever told. Enjoy!

Dolphin & Dog - Let's Be Friends

New Christmas Song 2010 - My Favourite Time Of Year

My Favourite Time of Year by Florin Street Band

A beautiful new Christmas song for 2010

Single is available for purchase on Amazon:

While you were sleeping - Casting Crowns

Oh little town of Bethlehem
Looks like another silent night...

There's a very controversial line in this video that stirs the emotions, 'As we're sung to sleep by philosophies that save the trees and kill the children'. 

Who are we kidding?  Do we really think trees deserve more of our concern than our children?  Can we not simultaneously save and lift up our children while also treating the Earth and its resources with good regard?  Yes.  We can.

While you were sleeping - by Casting Crowns

Shibaten Spirits - Music from the Spirit

Shibaten is originally from Japan. His website mentions that he travels around the world throughout Asia, Oceania, Africa, North & Central America and Europe. His music comes from nature and the spirit and his heart.  Music is a means of communication between people of all cultures and knows no boundaries.  The music sampler below shows the range of Shibaten's talent.  I especially like the mellow and soothing 'When you want to cry'. 

"Music is from the Spirit."

 

Shibaten Music on Amazon

Creation Calls and I Believe

The Universe and Planet Earth provide for all of our needs; physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.  Caring about the natural creation is as important as taking care of our own family, our friends, and our own lives.  God cares for us, I believe God carefully prepared this place for us to discover who we are and what we are to God.  We are magnificent spiritual beings and children of God.  God has entrusted us with the Earth, a fascinating, adventurous, magnificent address to call home.  How do you respond to this awesome gift?  Do you look at this earth as something to be conquered, take all you can and give nothing back?  Or do you look at the earth as your lifeblood, as something to be cherished and cared for?  All of nature is interconnected and creates new life, new energy, everyday.  Are we part of this new life process, or are we a destructive force that tramples over the earth?    

Whether you believe the universe was formed out of nothing over billions of years, or whether you believe God said, "Let there be...."  and it was so; I hope this video inspires you to reconnect with nature, because nature offers tremendous healing benefits.  Nature renews the spirit, refreshes and nourishes the body, it gives unconditionally without taking, it trusts you to do the same - we're on the honor system here, folks. 

The magnificent video below was created by the Farmers Branch Church of Christ of Dallas, Texas.  The name of the song is 'Creation Calls' and is sung by Brian Doerksen.  See lyrics below the video.  For a higher quality version of the video, click here.  May your spirit be rejuvenated with new energy and joy, and may it renew your appreciation for the Earth and the life it produces.

Creation Calls

Lyrics

I have felt the wind blow,
Whispering your name…
I have seen your tears fall,
When I watch the rain.

(Refrain)
How could I say there is no God?
When all around creation calls!!
A singing bird, a mighty tree,
The vast expanse of open sea…

(Musical interlude)

Gazing at a bird in flight,
Soaring through the air.
Lying down beneath the stars,
I feel your presence there.

I love to stand at ocean shore
And feel the thundering breakers roar,
To walk through golden fields of grain
With endless bloom horizons fray.

Listening to a river run,
Watering the Earth.
Fragrance of a rose in bloom,
A newborns cry at birth.

(Refrain)

I love to stand at ocean shore
And feel the thundering breakers roar,
To walk through golden fields of grain
With endless bloom horizons fray

I believe
I believe
I believe

(Interlude)

I believe
I believe

I believe just like a child

(Choir I believe…..)

I believe

~ ~ ~

This song is featured on the Christian music CD 'Today'

by Brian Doerksen - available for purchase here.

Ask the Planet, fun nature music for kids

Fun nature music for kids - this Ask the Planet CD features the Missoula Coyote Choir and friends with songs written by Amy Martin.  What a fun way to teach kids about nature, naturally through song.  The CD features 16 original songs including:

• Ask the Planet
• The Great TV Rebellion (see video below)
• School of the Wild
• What Kind of Animal are You
• Outside Get Out

Age group:  Toddlers to Tweens

From Amazon:  Ask the Planet is a musical celebration of nature's genius. A joyously written and produced recording of 18 songs where the music and lyrics are designed to connect children to nature, create a sense of awe for the environment and teach them about the concept of biomimicry. Biomimicry is a practice that studies nature s best ideas then imitates them to solve human problems. What better way to introduce children and their parents to the concept than to set it all to music. 

 

Watch the Great TV Rebellion music video from the CD Ask the Planet

Purchase the CD here on Amazon:

Kiss the Rain, Smile in the Sun

Kiss the Rain is actually a song about how much love hurts, see the lyrics below.  The person who made this particular YouTube video for Kiss the Rain had their reasons for not using photos featuring rain; I happen to think the sunflowers were a good choice.  There are many other videos that incorporate rain, there are even versions with singing. 

To kiss the rain is to experience it; in love it is to experience the pain.  Listening to the music, reading the lyrics, we can allow ourselves to experience the pain.  As we view the cheerful sunflowers, hope rises up.  The sunflowers remind us of happier times and give us hope for the future.  So, kiss the rain and smile in the sun.  Love is good, rain or shine. 

Kiss the Rain

Played by Yiruma

I often close my eyes
And I can see you smile
You reach out for my hand
And I'm woken from my dream
Although your heart is mine
It's hollow inside
I never had your love
And I never will

And every night
I lie awake
Thinking maybe you love me
Like I've always loved you
But how can you love me
Like I loved you when
You can't even look me straight in my eyes

I've never felt this way
To be so in love
To have someone there
Yet feel so alone
Aren't you supposed to be
The one to wipe my tears
The on to say that you would never leave

The waters calm and still
My reflection is there
I see you holding me
But then you disappear
All that is left of you
Is a memory
On that only, exists in my dreams

I don't know what hurts you
But I can feel it too
And it just hurts so much
To know that I can't do a thing
And deep down in my heart
Somehow I just know
That no matter what
I'll always love you

So why am I still here in the rain

Relaxing music - online radio

 Listening to a relaxing, spiritual music station on Shoutcast:

I'm Alive

I'm Alive, performed by Celine Dion.  To me, this song is about God, a Higher Power, that First Source and Center, the Creator, the Energy of the universe.  It's about life itself.  There are several wonderful versions of the I'm Alive song YouTube, this particular version of the song is embedded with images of mostly animals, animals who appear to be quite aware of their aliveness!  This video creator liked the song so much they run through the song twice, using lots of great images!  There are images of people and animals together, and images of nature.  There are several images of lightning striking the earth, which I see as God's infusing the earth with energy, almost like visualizing the sustenance of our existence! 

I'm Alive stirs my spirit and makes me feel alive! This song can be about someone or something you love, God, people, animals, nature.  Either way - it's a beautiful song to listen to and daydream about.  Enjoy!  Dance in your aliveness! 

See lyrics for I'm Alive below.  You can purchase Celine Dion's music here: 

I'm Alive by Celine Dion

I'M ALIVE

Performed by Celine Dion

Songwriters: Kristian Lundin and Andreas Carlsson

Mmmmm ... Mmmmm ...

I get wings to fly
Oh, oh ... I'm alive ... Yeah

When you call on me
When I hear you breathe
I get wings to fly
I feel that I'm alive

When you look at me
I can touch the sky
I know that I'm alive

When you bless the day
I just drift away
All my worries die
I'm glad that I'm alive

You've set my heart on fire
Filled me with love
Made me a woman on clouds above

I couldn't get much higher
My spirit takes flight
'Cause I am alive

When you call on me
(When you call on me)
When I hear you breathe
(When I hear you breathe)
I get wings to fly
I feel that I'm alive
(I am alive)

When you reach for me
(When you reach for me)
Raising spirits high
God knows that...

That I'll be the one
Standing by through good and through trying times
And it's only begun
I can't wait for the rest of my life

When you call on me
(When you call on me)
When you reach for me
(When you reach for me)
I get wings to fly
I feel that...

When you bless the day
(When you bless, you bless the day)
I just drift away
(I just drift away)
All my worries die
I know that I'm alive

I get wings to fly

God knows that I'm alive

* * * * *

Other versions of the I'm Alive song on YouTube.

Music of Celine Dion:  I'm Alive by Celine Dion