Finding Faith and Connection Through the Gift of Music

 

Summary

Reflecting on my journey, I am reminded of the profound role music has played in my life. From a young age, music was my refuge and a means of expressing emotions I couldn't articulate otherwise. Growing up, I was a rebellious and shy child, often finding solace in the piano. Music became my way of communicating with God, a language through which I could express my love and devotion.

As I ventured into adulthood, I moved to Philadelphia and became involved in a church where I directed the music program for 13 years. It was during this time that I participated in mission trips, one of which led me to Baltimore. There, I witnessed a young man rededicate his life to Christian service, a moment that underscored the importance of being God's alternative in this world, serving as a testament to His kingdom.

My journey took me to South America, where I was part of a crusade team led by Tony Evans. It was there that I met Lois, who would become a significant part of Tony's life. This connection with the Evans family became a cornerstone of my life, providing me with a sense of family I had longed for. Despite not having the biological family I desired, God blessed me with a spiritual family that enriched my life.

After working for the American Bible Society, I faced uncertainty about my future. Tony Evans, recognizing my potential, encouraged me to move to Dallas, where I eventually found work with an independent oil company. When that company folded, Tony offered me a position as his administrative assistant, a role I initially resisted. However, God's timing led me to a fulfilling career at KCBI, where I spent 23 years co-hosting a radio show, learning, and interacting with people.

Throughout my life, music has been a constant companion, often providing answers and comfort through hymns and songs. Looking back, I am grateful for the journey and the divine orchestration that brought me to where I am today. Music has been a gift, a testament to God's faithfulness and provision in my life.

Key Takeaways:

1. Music can be a profound means of expressing emotions and connecting with God, serving as a language of love and devotion. It provides solace and a way to articulate feelings that words cannot express. [00:14]

2. Our life experiences, even those that are challenging, shape us and prepare us for future opportunities. Embracing these experiences with faith can lead to unexpected blessings and growth. [01:02]

3. Being part of a spiritual family can fulfill the deep human need for connection and belonging, offering support and love that transcends biological ties. [04:02]

4. God's timing is perfect, even when it doesn't align with our own plans. Trusting in His timing can lead to fulfilling and unexpected paths that align with His purpose for our lives. [06:07]

5. Reflecting on our journey can reveal the divine orchestration of events in our lives, highlighting God's faithfulness and provision. Gratitude for these experiences can deepen our faith and appreciation for His gifts. [07:47]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - The Role of Music in My Life
- [00:49] - A Rebellious and Shy Childhood
- [01:16] - Expressing Emotions Through Music
- [01:32] - Moving to Philadelphia
- [01:48] - Mission Trips and Baltimore Crusade
- [02:17] - Being God's Alternative
- [02:40] - South America Crusade and Meeting Lois
- [03:43] - Finding Family with the Evans
- [04:15] - Career Uncertainty and Moving to Dallas
- [05:10] - Working in Dallas and KCBI
- [06:27] - Learning Radio and Co-Hosting
- [07:08] - Reflecting on 23 Years at KCBI
- [07:35] - Music as a Source of Answers
- [08:22] - Gratitude for the Gift of Music

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 150:1-6 - A psalm of praise, emphasizing the importance of music in worship.
2. Romans 8:28 - A reminder that God works all things together for good for those who love Him.
3. Ephesians 2:19-22 - Discusses the concept of being part of God's family.

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Observation Questions:

1. How did music serve as a means of expression and communication with God for the speaker during their childhood? [00:14]
2. What role did mission trips play in the speaker's spiritual journey and understanding of being "God's alternative"? [02:17]
3. How did the speaker's relationship with the Evans family fulfill their need for a sense of family? [04:02]
4. What was the significance of the speaker's career transition to KCBI, and how did it reflect God's timing? [06:07]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways can music be considered a language of love and devotion to God, as seen in Psalm 150:1-6?
2. How might Romans 8:28 be reflected in the speaker's life experiences, particularly in moments of uncertainty and change? [04:15]
3. How does Ephesians 2:19-22 relate to the speaker's experience of finding a spiritual family with the Evans?
4. What does the speaker's journey suggest about the importance of trusting in God's timing, even when it doesn't align with personal plans? [06:07]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when music helped you express emotions or connect with God. How can you incorporate music into your spiritual practice more intentionally? [00:14]
2. Consider a challenging experience in your life. How might embracing it with faith lead to unexpected blessings, as suggested by Romans 8:28?
3. Do you feel a sense of belonging in your spiritual community? If not, what steps can you take to build deeper connections, similar to the speaker's experience with the Evans family? [04:02]
4. Think about a situation where you struggled with God's timing. How can you practice patience and trust in His plan for your life? [06:07]
5. How can reflecting on your personal journey help you recognize God's faithfulness and provision in your life? What are some specific moments you are grateful for?
6. Identify a way you can serve as "God's alternative" in your community, as the speaker did during mission trips. What practical steps can you take to make a positive impact? [02:17]
7. How can you use your talents and passions, like the speaker did with music, to serve God and others in your daily life?

Devotional

Day 1: Music as a Divine Language
Music serves as a profound means of expressing emotions and connecting with God, offering a language of love and devotion that transcends words. It provides solace and a way to articulate feelings that might otherwise remain unspoken. For many, music becomes a refuge, a sacred space where the soul can communicate with the divine. It is through music that one can find a deeper connection with God, expressing gratitude, love, and even struggles in a way that words alone cannot capture. This unique form of communication can be a powerful tool in one's spiritual journey, offering comfort and clarity in times of need. [00:14]

"Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the end of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that fills it, the coastlands and their inhabitants." (Isaiah 42:10, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a song or hymn that has deeply moved you. How can you use this music to express your current emotions or prayers to God today?


Day 2: Embracing Life's Challenges
Our life experiences, even those that are challenging, shape us and prepare us for future opportunities. Embracing these experiences with faith can lead to unexpected blessings and growth. Life's trials often serve as a refining process, molding us into stronger, more resilient individuals. By trusting in God's plan, even when the path is unclear, we open ourselves to the possibility of transformation and new beginnings. These experiences, though difficult, can become the foundation for future success and fulfillment, as they teach us valuable lessons and build our character. [01:02]

"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a recent challenge you faced. How can you see God's hand in that situation, and what lessons have you learned that can prepare you for future opportunities?


Day 3: The Gift of Spiritual Family
Being part of a spiritual family can fulfill the deep human need for connection and belonging, offering support and love that transcends biological ties. In a world where many feel isolated, a spiritual community provides a sense of belonging and purpose. This family, bound by shared faith and values, can offer encouragement, guidance, and unconditional love. It is through these relationships that individuals can experience the fullness of God's love and grace, finding strength and comfort in times of need. [04:02]

"For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." (Matthew 12:50, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your spiritual community. How can you deepen your connections with those around you and offer support to someone in need today?


Day 4: Trusting in God's Timing
God's timing is perfect, even when it doesn't align with our own plans. Trusting in His timing can lead to fulfilling and unexpected paths that align with His purpose for our lives. Often, we may feel impatient or frustrated when things don't happen according to our schedule. However, God's perspective is eternal, and His plans are always for our good. By surrendering our timelines to Him, we open ourselves to the possibility of divine surprises and opportunities that we could never have imagined. This trust requires faith and patience, but it ultimately leads to a life that is rich in purpose and meaning. [06:07]

"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." (Proverbs 16:9, ESV)

Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you are struggling with timing. How can you practice patience and trust in God's perfect timing today?


Day 5: Recognizing Divine Orchestration
Reflecting on our journey can reveal the divine orchestration of events in our lives, highlighting God's faithfulness and provision. Gratitude for these experiences can deepen our faith and appreciation for His gifts. As we look back on our lives, we can often see how seemingly random events were actually part of a larger plan. This awareness can lead to a profound sense of gratitude and awe for God's work in our lives. By acknowledging His hand in our journey, we can cultivate a deeper trust in His ongoing provision and guidance. [07:47]

"Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered." (1 Chronicles 16:12, ESV)

Reflection: Take time to reflect on your life journey. Can you identify moments where you see God's orchestration? How can you express gratitude for His faithfulness today?

Quotes


i love that music just it gives me a way to tell god how much i love him now i was a rebellious child i couldn't live off of somebody else's experiences i had to experience stuff for my own i had a mother who she did not take up from me and now that i'm older i appreciate that but that was hard growing up i was withdrawn i was very shy if i got upset or mad i'd go and bang bang bang bang bang on the piano um and so that was a means of expression for me music [00:22]

when i was old enough and could get away from the house i moved into philly into my own apartment i went to a church in philadelphia b sam hart was the pastor and i played for the church and directed the music program for 13 years he started doing mission trips and they got an invitation to go to baltimore and so i went with them and played for the crusade and the last night of the crusade this young man comes forward to rededicate himself to christian service [01:28]

we are god's alternatives we are the ones who serve notice on this generation that the kingdom of god is alive and well we are his divine [02:17]

i just marvel now when i look back to those days that was in 1968. the first assignment b sam hart gave to tony evans was to go to south america to be the lead man for a crusade they wanted to do there we were invited as a part of the team the trio i played the piano for the crusade we sang and tony was the lead guy [02:40]

i have always felt the need for family and while i did not have the biological family that i would have hoped for the lord has just given me family that's why i feel as i do about the evans family i worked for the american bible society for 10 years and they wanted me to move to new york and to take a bigger position there and i didn't feel comfortable doing that [03:47]

well after i left tony evans came to our church in philly we all as young people we all took him out to dinner afterwards and we always wanted to fellowship with him and so he would ask everybody what are you doing what are you doing what are you doing when he asked me i told him i didn't know what i was going to be doing his words were we need to get you in dallas [04:15]

he recommended me for a job down here in dallas for an independent oil company well for the first six weeks that i moved to dallas i stayed with them lois to her wonderful credit took me in as a member of the family i sat around the table with them the children eventually came to call me at joe which i also loved [04:38]

the independent oil company i worked for them for a year and maybe a year and a half but they went belly up tony evans was starting tony evans ministries which is what it was known at that time he knew that i was looking for work after i left the oil company and he would say to me well i need an administrative assistant no i don't want to do that i want to do something different [05:10]

from time to time you say how's the job hunt doing i said not finding anything well i need an administrative assistant no i don't want to do that so that went on several times and he said it to me one more time and i said oh okay one month later is when i met the general manager of kcbi [05:34]

the lord knew i didn't know i didn't know i wouldn't have waited so long but it was in his timing and i was with kcbi for 23 years so i had an interview with carl singer and he told me what it entailed and i'm like i don't know nothing about radio so he said no but you know people and we can teach you radio [06:04]

and so he and i co-hosted together for i can't remember how long but a while then he decided to retire then for over the next 15 years probably that i had the talk show and was able to decide what guest i wanted to bring in what topic someone didn't talk about it was a wonderful time of learning it was interacting with people and it was the most beautiful thing in my life ever [06:47]

so grateful to the lord for bringing me through those 23 years throughout the day music especially the old hymns come to me and sometimes an answer to something i'm looking for comes to me in a hymn or a song [07:21]

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Transcript
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