The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

At our church here in Wake Forest we are blessed with a wide selection of musical talent. Consequently, both the chancel choir and the contemporary praise band bring both inspiration and enjoyment.

So when someone with my relatively simple gifts is invited to sing a song it’s a privilege I do not take lightly. I was accompanied by bass and drums at 9:00 then played solo at 11:00. Music always moves me, but when the music moves through me I am exponentially blessed.

I shared Steven Curtis Chapman’s “My Redeemer is Faithful and True.” Rebekah and I first met Chapman when he played a concert at Trinity Presbyterian in Pensacola in the early 1990s. We invited him to come to church Sunday morning and sing during the offering.

There was resistance to “violating sacred worship space” with a guitar (no, I’m not making this up) but it was allowed “under protest.” But after Steven Curtis Chapman played “My Redeemer is Faithful and True” the simple beauty of both the song and his guitar-playing put the objections to rest for ever.

For our small family, the song has become a theme for our life together ever since.

As I look back on the road I’ve travelled,
I see so many times He carried me through;
And if there’s one thing that I’ve learned in my life,
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.

My Redeemer is faithful and true.
Everything He has said He will do,
And every morning His mercies are new.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.

“In every situtation,” the song continues, “he has proved his love to me…”

After a long, difficult week it was refreshing and encouraging to be in church with hundreds of people, celebrating together, learning together, enjoying being part of such a positive community where we engage our faith with passion and purpose.

It is almost Thanksgiving, and there is so much that reminds me how grateful I am for this good life. I am counting my blessings – but not waiting for Thursday, because every day is a reason to celebrate.

I wish we had a recording from the Praise Service, with bass and drums and crowds of people, but you can still pick up my song at the 48-minute mark at the 11:15 service video, right after Rebekah’s excellent message then John’s pastoral prayer.

My Redeemer really is faithful and true – DEREK