photo credit here |
is center stage when the band gets started.
Hear drums.
Now keyboard. Saxophone peals.
God-words in amazing vocals,
lifted through speakers, falling down upon a crowd of men with collars buttoned over throat lumps,
women shifting uncomfortably in panty hose, in grief deep.
Picture an entire roomful of people
staring hard into their laps at hands trembling, clutching shredded, tear-soggy tissue.
Her. The woman down front. She is on her feet, chin tipped toward the sky,
singing as if her voice might reach Heaven.
And her hands – they are raised.
For though he often trailed behind his mama,crawling on chubby knees;
though he often had to be carried by the strong arms of his daddy,
on that day, in his celebration – Bane took the lead,
and those who had gathered simply played copy-cat.
We gave it our best doing as he now does perfectly.
Lifted high with Spirit, we joined in chorus with saints above, our words commingling with theirs
as symphonic God-beauty
rattled the walls of the church — the walls of our hearts, too.
that was a foretaste … a bread crumb on the trail
to a place where a chorus of Holy Holy Holy is playing even now…
Now, before you picture that sweet babe with cartoonish cherub wings and a harp, before you equate Heaven’s chorus with the perfunctory hymns performed at your church just before the offering plate is passed, consider that the bible defines worship differently than we often do.
“Scripture depicts people standing, walking, traveling in and out of the city, and gathering at feasts. When doing these things, we won’t be on our faces before Christ. Nevertheless, all that we do will be an act of worship. We’ll enjoy full and unbroken fellowship with Christ. At times this will crescendo into greater heights of praise as we assemble with the multitudes who are also worshipping him”
Bane’s very being is attuned to worshipping Christ. He never gets distracted from it. Every verb he performs could have
“in worship” tagged on to the end of it. He gives glory to God, and he receives joy. It’s a never-ending cycle of giving praise and receiving God’s love.
Chances are (if you are anything like me), you’ll fail miserably at this – at least a dozen times each day … before breakfast. But the call remains. Worship. Right where you are. Give praise so that you can receive joy. It’s a struggle. But I’ve seen it work.
Will you consider this week how and where you might
choose joy by offering worship?
As promised in Bane’s birthday post, we will be including a giveaway at the end of each post in our “7 Days of Heaven”series.
Today’s gift? The gift of music — which isn’t ALL that worship is, but is definitely close to the hearts of the Beasleys, whose home is full of song. For those of you who weren’t in attendance at Bane’s celebration, a special treat: we have linked some of the music that was played that day into the sidebar to accompany this post.
And today’s giveaway? A $25 Itunes gift card, offered by a generous donor and given in hopes that the lucky winner will experience God’s love through song.
To enter today’s giveaway, you may do any (or all) of the things listed below. Simply leave a comment letting us know that you have completed one (or more, if you so choose) of the options listed below. For each option in the list below that you complete, you should leave a separate comment, which will allow you multiple chances to win — up to seven entries total. Contest closes Monday, November 15, 2010, at midnight, CST. Winner will be selected randomly and announced on Tuesday, November 16.
- 1. Leave a comment telling us what you like to sing — even if you’re not any good at it. It can be a favorite hymn, a genre or style of music … even silly children’s songs count.
- 2. Follow this blog by RSS feed, Google Friend Connect (in the left sidebar), or by email.
- 3. Grab our “Where is Bane?” button from the sidebar and post it to your blog or Facebook page.
- 4. “Like” Banebow on Facebook.
- 5. Follow keLi on Twitter.
- 6. Tweet about this giveaway.
- 7. Mention this contest and link back to this site in a blog post.
My radio dial in the car is always set to 88.7 Way FM. I love to sing everything that comes on. Its like my own little praise and worship service, on my way to work each day.
Robbie
I have been blessed to know this family….about thirty years. What a strong, loving family! My heart aches for their loss, but rejoices also, at knowing where Bane is.
Some of my favorite hymns….How Great Thou Art…Take My Hand, Precious Lord….Teach Me, Lord…He Keeps Me Singing.
Sending my love to Sonya and Dra
I became a follower! Keli, your words are worshipful to me so often. God has given you such a gift and we are all privileged to hear from you as you help your dear friends.
Anyway, I love music. Currently, my ipod has songs ranging from Hillsong to Miley Cyrus to Lady Antebellum:).
My favorite hymns are In Christ Alone, Be Still My Soul, & How Deep The Father's Love For Us.
I like to sing Christmas songs.
slb3334@gmail.com
What a wonderful blog you have.
One of my favorites to sing is Old time classic country music. I grew up listening to my parents listen to this music and I grew to love it. Now my kids even listen to it.
Thanks so much for this giveaway
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com
I'm a GFC follower (rickpeggysmith)
Thanks again
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com
I'm a FB friend (Margaret E. Smith)
Thanks
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com
I like to really belt out to some early Beatles stuff…lol. reddon30@gmail.com
I follow your blog… reddon30@gmail.com
I Liked on FB (Lee Dyer)…Thank you.
I love singing Bad Romance by Lady Gaga!
Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com
I like you on Facebook – my FB name is Amanda Moore
Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow your blog with google friend connect
Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow you on Twitter – I'm @AmberGoo
Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com
I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/AmberGoo/status/3234229961887744
Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com
I like to sing gospel music.
I love singing Billy Joel songs.
I enjoy singing along to the radio. I especially like the "oldies"!
I am following via Google Friend Connect
tweeted http://twitter.com/annedoggett/status/3281908897153024
I like to sing old church spiritual songs.
honeybeez80@yahoo.com
I like to sing along with the Oldies station on my radio.
rhoneygt atyahoo dot com
Ilike to sing children's songs to my young boys.
renski17@fortaj.com
I love to sing with my granddaughter. We make up silly songs and have a wonderful time together.
marcia.goss@gmail.com
I sing silly songs with the kids. Other than that I am not a very good singer. 🙂 Thanks for the chance.
kdimaina(at)hotmail(dot)com
I follow you on Google Friend Connect.
marcia.goss@gmail.com
I tweeted.
http://twitter.com/mgoss123/status/3435169448992768
marcia.goss@gmail.com
we love to sing twinkle twinkle and wheels on the bus. 🙂 amypugmire@live.com
i follow u via gfc. amypugmire@live.com
i like banebow on fb. amy bolda pugmire. amypugmire@live.com
tweeted. amypugmire@live.com
http://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/3471448618307584
love worship music and old hymns. On Jordans Stormy Banks is my fav… "we ARE bound for the promise land"! JJ Heller is my new fav artist check her out!
I "liked" banebow on facebook 🙂
I love singing "Twinkel, Twinkle Little Star" to my daughter! she loves that song.
all music
I like to sing along with my Ipod in the car!
katfam95 at aim dot com
I love to sing Christmas Caroles, my favorite is Come On, Ring Those Christmas Bells, by Evie.
mintstatesportswear(at)juno(dot)net
I love to sing the silly songs Grandpa used to sing to me, such as "Buttons and Bows" and "Yes! We Have No Bananas!"
I like to sing Beatles songs and also TV show theme songs. lucillemcg27@yahoo.com
I like to sing pop songs (Britney, Kelly Clarkson, Lady Gaga)
R & B for me!
Awesome contest! Thanks for entering me!
Janna Johnson
jannajanna@hotmail.com
Janna@Feedyourpigblog.com
http://www.feedyourpigblog.com
I have recently found a new love for old hymns and one of my favorites is How Great Thou Art….I sing it to my 1 year old daughter every night.
I am now following Keli on twitter….I have never met you, but I am addicted to your words….thank you for using this amazing gift that God has given you! You are truly a blessing to all those who read your words!
I am following this blog….my heart still aches for Sonya and Drason every single day, and with every ache, goes up another prayer.
I have all of Bane's buttons on my blog….I love to share this story, because as tragic as it is, the miraculous things that God is doing through this family just have to be shared!
I also "like" Banebow on Facebook…..
I love singing classic rock songs, thanks!
Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com
I like to sing old 80's songs.
imjessica(at)mail(dot)com
I love singing the kids' songs we sang in church when we were little – like "Deep and Wide" and "Father Abraham". They bring me joy and remind me of singing them with my sisters!
wilburnnewsome atyahoodotcom
Following on twitter (giantsis)
wilburnnewsome atyahoodotcom
I like to sing the "Human Nature" Song.
hellrzr(at)juno(dot)com
I like to sing nursery rhymes to my children to help them sleep. The Mocking Bird song is one of their favorites. 🙂
kristiana @ live dot com
Liked Banebow on Facebook. (Christina C.)
kristiana @ live dot com
Followed keLiweed on Twitter! (WellChristina)
kristiana @ live dot com
Wow! You have a powerful gift and I thank God that you are using your voice to help your friends and spread the love of Christ. My fave song to sing at the top of my lungs is Trading My Sorrows.
trinitygsd at yahoo dot com
I have a terrible singing voice but I love to sing 80's rock songs really loud in the car while I drive home from work.
I follow on GFC
I like you on facebook
Debra Ford
tweeted
http://twitter.com/fairydancer35/status/3912971264720896
I am a lover of Just AS I am
GFC Follower Kathy Persons
kathypersons@yahoo.com
LIke Banebow on FB
Kathy Persons
http://twitter.com/mkjmc/status/3926562210586624 tweeted
i love to sing country! all the time!
vanitizebaby at yahoo dot com
google follower
i like banebow on fb- courtney bella
tweet
http://twitter.com/MeandBells/status/3936364596822017
I love to sing anything country!
follow blog with GFC
like you on facebook
tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/hbbs55/status/3955104323469313
follow on twitter as hbbs55
I love to sing showtunes. When I was nine, I WAS Julie Andrews.
Thanks for a great giveaway!
I follow with Google Friend Connect.
Tweeted you!
http://twitter.com/Ida_Sessions/status/3996370868375552
Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi, because that's my life.
dolniaks[at]consolidated[dot]net
my current most fav songs to sing by myself and also with my children are banebow jams…"Grateful" and the one playing now, "Bless the Lord, Oh My Soul!" Two of Evan's favorite songs to sing at night (and I even faintly hear him singing during the day) are "Jesus Loves Me" and the other that will always bring Bane close to us, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." Some things on my ipod: Harry Connick, Jr., Glee Cast, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, and Allison Kraus.
I like to sing Christmas songs year round!
I like to sing "kiss me" by sixpence 🙂 it reminds me of the 90s~
kimplovely(@)gmail.com
I like to sing songs that were popular when I was a kid. Thanks!
I follow you on GFC =)
I like to sing mary Did You Know at this time of year.
I love to sing Beyonce's songs all day!
stephaie_adkins#yahoo.com
I watch so many cartoons sponge bob is my favorite to sing with my son!
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
follow by gfc
amydelong
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
I love to sing silly songs with my daughter – mainly Barney's I love You song.
aleksa91 hotmail com
I love to sing Raise you Up!! Great Song!
shelleymikey at gmail dot com
i love to sing . i do in the car when i am alone
I like to sing Mr Jones and Me.
clarkmurdock@yahoo.com
My favorite songs to sing are lullabies to my son.
nera_caligula(at)yahoo(dot)com
GFC follower (NeraCaligula)
nera_caligula(at)yahoo(dot)com
I like Banebow on FB (daviaj)
nera_caligula(at)yahoo(dot)com
I like to sing oldies along with the radio!
Thanks for the giveaway!
email in blogger profile.
I follow your blog on google friends connect- Joanne Schultz .
email in blogger profile.
I "Like" Banebow on Facebook.-Joanne Schultz. http://www.facebook.com/js2222
email in blogger profile.
i follow keLi on twitter – js22222222 .
email in blogger profile.
tweet: http://twitter.com/js22222222/status/4320707932594176
email in blogger profile.
well I like to sing to the radio, or favorite Christmas songs
I follow on GFC as Emma Peel
We sing "Elmo's Ducks" all the time…it's my daughter's favorite
I follow by GFC
I like Banebow on facebook
Posted Where is Bane button on facebook
I love to sing kid's songs with my daughter all the time—it's the best!
pittsy82@hotmail.com
I follow via Google Connect
pittsy82@hotmail.com
Tweeted http://twitter.com/pittsy82/status/4330119057375232
pittsy82@hotmail.com
I subscribe via rSS google reader
pittsy82@hotmail.com
For some reason, "Silent Night" especially this time of year. And no I'm definitely not good, so I hope that God hears with a different sense than the actual sense of hearing.
ewalsh40(at)gmail(dot)com
Following you on Google Friends under ewalsh
ewalsh40(at)gmail(dot)com
Like you on Facebook under Erin Walsh
ewalsh40(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow on google. Thanks.
magic5905@embarqmail.com
I "like" Banebow on Facebook.
coletucker17@gmail.com
I like all types of music, and I have a lot of favorite songs.
coletucker17@gmail.com
The "where is bane" button is posted on my facebook page.
coletucker17@gmail.com
your words and this site are truly annointed by God Almighty. I can't enter this webpage without crying…… out of sadness for Bane's family and also out of joy for the people who will witness the realness of God by reading your posts and hearing about Bane. You are a witness/example of the God who comforts, forgives and who loves us. He deserves our worship and praise. May God bless you and Bane's family and continue the work that he has started. My prayers are with you.
I like to belt out Amazing Grace when there's no one around but me and God.
msurosey@yahoo.com
When my 3 year old is in a cranky mood, I like to sing Wiggle songs with him. Fruit Salad and Rock-a-Bye Your Bear are his favorites. He also loves to sing Christmas songs together.
hafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com
GFC follower
hafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com
I follow you via Twitter- ksh123
hafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com
As embarassing as it is for me to admit it I love to sing Disney songs, especially in the shower hehe
bakergurl02 @ yahoo.com
GFC Follower of your blog @Alisha L.
bakergurl02 @ yahoo.com
Facebook Fan of Banebow @Alisha Lesage
bakergurl02 @ yahoo.com
Twitter Follower of keLiweed @Xizelle
bakergurl02 @ yahoo.com
I'm a GFC follower 🙂