Jeff music man testimony
Re: a life of true worship and the Music of Heaven, I wanted to
share with you the "Jeff music man testimony" which I just finished
writing tonight. It is the story of how God has faithfully revealed
HImself to me over 20 years as a musician and worshipper of Jesus,
the WORTHY One. The Lord is my strength and my SONG!
Grace to you In Jesus,
Jeff
Jeff the music man, a man after
God's own heart
I am a musician after the Lord's heart. I desire more than
anything else to love God and express it. To humbly seek Him and to
be found in His Presence, loving Him and being touched and comforted
by His Presence every day.
I have played musical instruments seriously since age 12 (saxophone). Then later I learned to play piano & guitar. Since 1988 or so I have done part time work tuning pianos, teaching piano and guitar lessons. I also sell musical instruments and computers. I like to compose and handwrite sheet music. And sometimes I typeset sheet music for other Christian songwriters who write songs. The blend of computers and music in my businesses leads customers to me for whom I build digital audio recording computer workstations (usually using Macintosh G3 & G4 Tower machines). I have twice completed college degrees (studying music, communications, business and teaching - ending up with two bachelors' degrees, one from Ball State and a 2nd from Indiana University. I also completed an Indiana State teacher's license (through IU). Which I finished in 1995.
My primary instruments and musical talents for years have been jazz saxophone, piano, guitar and songwriting. To worship Jesus in music and song the last two decades has been one of the greatest privileges of life. Music is one of the primary ways I express love for God and share Jesus with others. Playing music is still one of my favorite things to do everyday. And God keeps giving me new songs. The Lord never seems to run out of ideas.
I have spent many years growing as a Christian musician and worshipper of God. Music became all about God for me when I found the Lord's reality touching my life starting in the late 70's and early 80's. By 1982, I was a full fledged worshipper, Psalm-writer and full-time Bible ponderer. These became my favorite things.
The Lord has been so incredibly gracious to me for 20 years now to pour out to me His life of song. I haven't known a day hardly in 20 years when Spirit-touched song was not there flowing in my heart to encourage, comfort and give life. Many of these are new and original songs given by the Lord to reveal His Presence and truth. To me and to others. I often record these on cassette and give them out freely to others whenever opportunity permits.
I have learned that worship is fixing our eyes on Jesus, then beholding and loving Him. It is so blessed just to worship the Lord for Who He is. The minutes and hours can make you lose sight of what planet you're on if you spend time seeking the Lord within His courts! Psalm 84
God has helped teach and mold me into a true hearted disciple by using both scripture and songs to proclaim His truth to me. God has generously and wonderfully given hundreds of songs to me over the years. Many of these were a great help to train my heart in knowing His Word, and to lead me into a life of worship and ministry to others. It has been such a help to know that if we simply draw near to God each moment He will draw near to us. James 4:8 Jesus is there for us every day. If we only seek. He said: "Lo, I am with you always." Matt. 28:20
For years the encouragement and word of the Lord has flowed to me via music. I would liken this to streams in the desert. I often have such a needy heart and the song of the Lord comes like the Balm of Gilead (Jesus revealed bringing comfort, truth and healing). The Lord has birthed in me more and more of the gifts of Heaven's song as the years pass by. Jesus Himself is the most beautiful music our ears will ever hear. And every song, rightly sung, should be about Him. Heaven itself is full of the most powerful music man has ever known. Just read the numerous music passages and chapters in the Book of Revelation. Quite an orchesta and chorus of praise! Truly Jesus, there and here, is our strength and song!
I love to sing songs to God and find His comfort and help for each day. It is a great joy to sit at the piano or play the guitar and worship the Lord, pray for others, and seek God's face and there enjoy the Lord. Even if I am discouraged or hurting or feeling bored or burdened with life, the throne of God is my Refuge and Hiding Place! I would recommend seeking God's face to anybody. I sing prayer as much as I speak or talk to the Father. And God hears and answers!
Prayer and prophetic insight and utterance have often come to be both through scripture and music. I find these revelations can be a great channel of grace and blessing. I have learned to go to the Secret Place (where Jesus is) and there play my instruments and sing my songs for "an audience of One." Nobody else, for that moment, really matters, just you and Jesus.
I love to pray and listen to God's Word everyday and delight to share His Word and song with others! Despite being raised as a confused atheist (in a straying world), I love Jesus. And I want to more. With all that is within me. Psalm 103 More than anything and anyone, God is WORTHY of our love and attention. I know it is each Christian's call to love God with all of our hearts! And I want to. More as the years go by.
A few years ago the Lord gave me a dream. In it I was sitting at the piano singing and weeping: "The longer I serve Him the sweeter He grows." Well it is so true. While all earthly things pale or fade or lose their meaning, Jesus grows sweeter and sweeter, and His love shines brighter and holds faithful year after year. Jesus is life's Best Foundation, an unchanging Rock, a Sure Place to stand. Seek Him always.
As a musician, I love and play and write only Christian music. I found years ago that 99% of secular music (with lyrics and proud, conceited songsters uttering mostly unimportant things) was usually too tainted and misdirected to be worth anyone's time or attention. Despite some musicians' great popularity most of them have nothing to say. The Bible says: "It is better to heed a wise man's rebuke than to listen to the songs of fools." We could all probably benefit from paring down our music listening only to what is blessed. So the gospel has become the theme of my song. Psalm 119 says: "Your Word is the theme of my song wherever I lodge." And so it has been. For 20 years now. I love God's Word. And to put it to music is still such a thrill! No other book draws my attention and holds my heart like the Bible. And it thrills my heart to hear God's Voice. And forever I want to play His song.
"I could sing of Your Love forever."
- brother Jeff
To listen now to: Songs of Throneroom Worship "live" right here online, launch Real Player on your computer and click here Isaiah 6:1-8 tells the inside scoop on music in the throneroom where true worship takes place.
For more blessings, encouragements & free gifts,
please see more on this website www.MacIndy.com/ms
Teaching & ministering via exclusively Christian music, Guitar & Piano lessons, Indianapolis, Indiana, Training, teaching & ministry with Christian music, Christian Piano lessons, Indianapolis, Indiana, Christian Guitar lessons, Indianapolis, Indiana, Christian piano tuning, Indianapolis, Indiana, Christian piano tuner, Indianapolis, Indiana, Christian songwriter, songwriting; Christian worship leader, servant. A sinner saved by grace. Brother Jeff, the music man.
Teaching & ministering via exclusively Christian music, Guitar & Piano lessons, Indianapolis, Indiana, Training, teaching & ministry with Christian music, Christian Piano lessons, Indianapolis, Indiana, Christian Guitar lessons, Indianapolis, Indiana, Christian piano tuning, Indianapolis, Indiana, Christian piano tuner, Indianapolis, Indiana, Christian songwriter, songwriting; Christian worship leader, servant. A sinner saved by grace. Brother Jeff, the music man.
Teaching & ministering via exclusively Christian music, Guitar & Piano lessons, Indianapolis, Indiana, Training, teaching & ministry with Christian music, Christian Piano lessons, Indianapolis, Indiana, Christian Guitar lessons, Indianapolis, Indiana, Christian piano tuning, Indianapolis, Indiana, Christian piano tuner, Indianapolis, Indiana, Christian songwriter, songwriting; Christian worship leader, servant. A sinner saved by grace. Brother Jeff, the music man.