Well, Friend

Jesus loves me this I know...

How do we know Jesus loves us?

For the Bible tells me so.

How I know Jesus Loves Me

I used to have all sorts of measuring sticks to gage God's love for me. I relied on him to answer my prayers to show me he saw me and loved me. I relied on that feeling of peace when circumstances weren't great; "a light in the darkness", it's often called. I depended on him showing up in my life and rescuing me from harm and danger.

So when I stumbled through terrible and dark situations, and God did none of the things I relied on to prove his love, I thought he must not love me anymore.

I hear this a lot. People want to see God's love from them in this life. They go to churches that promise them miracles, with pastors who only tell stories from the pulpit that end with earthly redemption...but what if there is no earthly redemption? What if we go through trauma, losses, or violence, and we go to our death beds with empty hands? It happens all the time! What if there is no rainbow baby, or new relationship, or the healing never physically comes? How can we know God loves us when our sight is blinded, and we can't see God's love in our lives?

It's simple really.

Jesus Loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so...

The Bible describes the event that proves God's love for us is not superficial. There is no statement anyone can give that shows more love than laying down one's life for ones friends. And Christ laid his life down for us while we were still his enemies! The Bible tells me so.

We all have that choice to make; will we walk by faith or by sight? Will I walk by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:27)? No one can take that from you. No heighth nor depth, not life or death, angels or demons... (Romans 8:38-39) Or will I walk by sight in God's goodness in our lives that is fragile and circumstantial?

For me personally, I chose to know Jesus loves me, not because my life may tell me so, but because the Bible tells me so.

What a friend we have in Jesus...All our sins and griefs to bear...

Our Friend Jesus Piano Medley

Anyway.

I think I have quite a few intermediate to advanced pianists in this email list, so I decided to write something for you all...

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This is a piano solo medley I wrote last week that I am going to play at my church soon, and I thought I would offer it to you so you can play it at yours.

I'm not sure why we think the song "Jesus Loves Me" is only for children when the reminders in it of God's love are for everyone. (Maybe that was part of what triggered my former faith crisis...leaving the cross in my childhood?) These pieces remind us where we can see God's love really displayed- in Jesus Christ, something everyone needs to be reminded of, no matter what age they are.

Just some fun facts about the piece: Although the melody is unchanged for the most part, I changed up some harmonies as a nod to some historic musical influences. The chords I use in the first two pages reflect my love for cinematic 90's soundtracks...especially those depicting the civil war era. However the simple, not-tampered-with chordal structure of these pieces reminded me of Mozart (I used to perform his works when I was a competitive pianist a lot), so we had to put a little Mozart throw-back in there in the third page. I hope you enjoy it! I thought it was fun to play.

Also I kept the song in C the entire time because as a piano teacher I know the intimidation factor of lots of sharps and flats for my students. So...you're welcome!

I'm offering the music at a 40% off discount until September 20th.

All proceeds go toward this ministry and allow me to write you more music. Thank you for your support!

Until Tuesday at ten,

Amanda Joy Smith

Composer and Producer | Songs from the Valley

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