We've heard one message from the beginning. One word. That Word has a name, and his name is Jesus. This is a seriously important little piece of the Bible that reminds us to always keep doing one thing:

Check yourself against the benchmark of that Word, and do what it says.

Do what he (Jesus) says. Word.

You can be a "partner in the gospel" (Philippians 1:5) with any ministry, by giving your support in prayer or financially. Kenny Grindall, who delivered this monologue "live version" of First John, is a missionary with Wycliffe Bible Translators. He is not a linguist or translator... he is a business communications pro -- he uses his decades of experience in corporate marketing, advertising and media outreach to tell the stories of what God is doing to bring His Word to 26 minority language tribes in Tanzania, East Africa, who don't have it yet.

If you'd like to partner up with Kenny, you can give once or set up a regular monthly, quarterly or annual donation. Start at his official page on Wycliffe.org. Here's the direct link:

http://www.wycliffe.org/Partnership.aspx?mid=7C3FF6


First John: the Live Version - from memory by a Wycliffe missionary

After a big Nashville church choir recorded their take on my song (also available in my tracks), I got this funky CCM radio treatment from a friend of mine named Geoff Thurman (find him in my follow list). A media production in PA later used this version as a "music bed" for a couple years, in monthly episodes of a spoken word program. I still dig this version; thanks, Geoff!

More Than Gold: Thurmanizer Mix

All the trees caught fire quite some time ago
Then Old Man Winter came around and froze your soul
Now there's a layer of ice on everything you see
It blinds you and you find yourself praying just to be free

I know how you feel — like you'd shatter if you fell
I know you're wondering if you'll ever break this spell (you will)
You just gotta hold out now
I know it's cold out now, but April's coming

Then my heart caught fire not so long ago
She passed through like a breeze — ain't that the way it goes
Now it's raining and I'm back at the window in my room
Asking through the glass to the gods for that flower to bloom

You know how it is when these days keep getting longer
You know it's so hard to have to just sit here and wonder like I do
Running low on armor plate
I know that I shouldn't wait but April's coming

I can't help remembering
How you love the Spring
I'd only change one thing

Once the world caught fire so the story goes
I should just be happy for our time here I suppose
Bearing sorrow having fun and holding no regrets
Maybe that's why, yeah maybe that's why I'm not lonely yet

Who knows what we could have been if we'd been ready
Who knows why love is some times light some times heavy
God, how I miss that girl
Here's fair warning: better look out world — April's coming

April's Coming

All you've said and done I know I deserve
But I know better than to kill the messenger
All these words have come and I have wanted them
If only I could feel half alive again

Is there a fine line ahead where my hope of rescue disappears
How long till I can stop this mean silence in my ears

This song is my saving grace
This rhythm is my holy water
Listen to the music leave no trace
Listen as I lay it on the altar

All I've said and done I cannot believe
Still I will go on waiting here for me
All these words reveal is one more life worn thin
If only I could feel something inside my skin

How can you keep on dancing when gravity disagrees
How can you stand there laughing when it brings you to your knees

This song is my saving grace...


All I Have

This was a "project" song for a local church. My homework — set a bit of Scripture to music. I used Psalm 19:7-14, and my love for both modern country and black gospel. The final recording got lots of its best "soulful" touches in overdubs and mixdown. Now, git yer praise on! And yes, I do own the rights to allow free download. So spread the joy, if you like.

More Than Gold

Best fake flute solo ever! My co-writer on this one, Nathan Burbank (he's in my follow list), just dug up our years-ago recording... Nate holds the copyright info on this; I will post it here when he passes it on.

Inherited Treasure

This is my home demo of a song by Tim Quigley, an old (early 80s high school) mutual friend of two of my first writing and performing mates, Steve Ellison and Candi Campbell (Dickerson)... stands the test of time, I think.

Near and Far

Here's a new "spiritual song" (see Col.3:16, Eph.5:19). I spent some months - again - in the Old Testament, and caught three patterns: God's covenant promise, Israel's tradition and liturgy of reminding themselves of God's words, and the faith habit of reminding God in prayer. So I took a lot of those promises, mostly from Deuteronomy, and our right response to them, and came up with this song.

Here's the lyric:

You said You'd make us one...
You said You'd make us strong...
You said You'd make us Your living temple:
Our praise, Your throne!
You said Your rain would fall...
You said we'd hear You call...
You said You'd be right here when we gather:
Our hearts, Your home!

Father, we say yes to You!
Jesus, we say yes to You!
Spirit, we say yes to You --
O, Lord our God!

You said You'd heal our pain...
You said we'd wear Your name...
You said You'd open our eyes to see you:
Your heart, our home!
You said we'd have Your power...
You said this land was ours...
You said You'd make Your enemies fear us,
and Your kingdom come!

Father, we say yes to You!
Jesus, we say yes to You!
Spirit, we say yes to You!

Lead us from darkness into light!
Wash us clean, arm us to fight!
Teach us to love...
to love what is right!

Father, we say yes to You!
Jesus, we say yes to You!
Spirit, we say yes to You!


We Say Yes

The Sandawe people of central Tanzania are translating "Neno la Mungu" (the Word of God) into their mother tongue. As they continue to make progress, they enjoy using Scripture the same way many Christians around the world, to build their personal faith. Since the examples of Moses and David, believers have planted God's Word in their hearts by crafting songs from Biblical texts.

During the translation phase, one Sandawe choir composed a song based on Isaiah 45:5-6. A team of "vernacular media" specialists with Wycliffe Bible Translators recorded them singing it. Here's that text in English:

"I am the Lord, and there is no other,
    besides me there is no God;
    I equip you, though you do not know me,
that people may know, from the rising of the sun
    and from the west, that there is none besides me;
    I am the Lord, and there is no other."

---------   ---------   ---------

For more information about the works of Bible translation, vernacular media, ethnomusicology, and language development in the Bantu languages of East Africa, please contact SIL International, Uganda-Tanzania Branch (UTB) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania:

communications_utb@sil.org


Sandawe Songs

No God But the Lord

No God But the Lord (Isaiah 45:5-6) - Sandawe language

This in response to a songwriting challenge from my friend Sarah Martin: Write and post one new song each week during 2013. No way I will churn at that pace, but it's already a win... this is my first new finished song in about ten years. Thanks for the push, Sarah.

He’s got this radar and a magnet that floats.
Addicted to Lamb, allergic to goats,
He’s always running tests and writing notes;
Says, “However you vote, you gotta keep your head.”
He’s got this radio for news from the war;
Calls his Dad when he forgets what it’s for.
His pack and boots are always by the door;
Says, “Forget the score; keep the faith instead.”

Fist in the air, eyes to the sky, mostly unafraid —
(With guys like this, who needs a Batman?!)
“So help me God, until I die,” boldly he prayed…
“I will be that man.”

He’s got this book of maps to treasure’s whereabouts;
Wears a scar for every drink he’s poured out.
He’ll fight it if you try to talk him down;
Says, “Hand to the plow, full speed ahead.”

He knows what’s up around the bend
He knows just what he’s up against
He knows that there’s
Plenty more he doesn’t know
So off he goes…

I Will Be That Man

I am a regular guy with two key interests -- a missionary journey, and a music hobby. When I encounter or make something I like, I share it here. I like to share. These songs and words are (mostly) mine; once in a while, I include a lot of words from the Bible, which are (obviously) not mine. If you like anything here enough to use it, you'll notice that I've allowed for that. Enjoy!

Kenny Grindall

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