Sing to the Lord a new song!
Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Sing to the Lord! Bless his name!
Share the news of his saving work every single day!

Psalm 96:1-2

I play with words for a living. I write inspirational books, novels, blogs, devotionals, feature articles, columns, website content and more. But – and this is generally a much quieter part of my story – I am a songwriter too.

This past Sunday – June 27th – I premiered a new song during worship at Wake Forest Presbyterian Church, with the help of my (very patient) friends Brett and Hans. In many ways I believe this is likely the most rewarding song I have ever composed.

I don’t have a studio, and I don’t have the patience to run through the song umpteen times until it sounds just right, but I did prepare a video to share on YouTube, and I would be thrilled if you gave it a listen.

The version we did at church didn’t record so well, but you can get an idea of what the song sounds like with drums and lead guitar by viewing our church FaceBook Live video, after Rebekah’s message, beginning at the 57:30 mark.

Buoyancy, life, and the Lord’s Supper:

The composition is called “Anthem to Beauty and Light” and it catches, in the best way I know how, the buoyancy, the life, and the optimism of living a life of faith and following Jesus.

Here are the words. May they be a prayer for you today.

(Also, know that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Jesus, even the restrictive and prejudicial rules of the narrow-mindedly religious. So find a church near you today, and show up to take communion; the bread and the wine represent the humbling extent of God’s belief in all of us.)

The bread and the wine represent the humbling extent of God’s belief in all of us.

Peace, always – DEREK

Anthem to Beauty and Light

It’s a beautiful Day

It’s a beautiful Life

  Oh, the birds are singing

  Oh, the sun is shinning

Oh yes it is; oh yes it is

It’s a beautiful day


There’s love all around

There’s love all around

  Oh, I feel it everywhere

  Oh, I know that God is there

Oh yes God is; oh yes God is

Love is beautiful… beautiful


Ummmm, This world is full of light

Ummmm, This life is Wonderful

Life is beautiful


There’s no pillar of fire

You haven’t parted the seas

  But, your love is everywhere

  So long as I’m aware

Just open your eyes; oh open your eyes

To see God’s evidence.


See the people we love

As we channel God’s light

  Oh, I feel it everywhere

  Oh, I know that God is there

I see the signs; We can’t deny

God’s love is beautiful… beautiful


Ummmm, The truth is there to see

Ummmm, In this church Family

Life is beautiful...

This world is beautiful...

God’s Love is beautiful....
(Derek Maul, 2021)