"Art, like morality, consists of drawing the line somewhere."
--G.K. Chesterton
"The man's body is sacred and the woman's body is sacred.../Each belongs here or anywhere just as much as the well-off, just as much as you."
--Walt Whitman
Comments on this blog are moderated. Anonymous comments will not be accepted. Please include your full name and a valid email address. Comments that fail to engage respectfully with the arguments on this blog, or create a hostile environment for other participants, will be deleted, and their authors may be blocked from the site.
According to the Buddha, right speech is a statement that is timely, true, kind, helpful (connected to liberation), and spoken with a mind of good-will. Let us all try to observe this precept.
This entry was posted on 11/7/2009 8:05 PM and is filed under Music, Faith and Doubt.
Ten years ago, during the time of personal crisis that led to my conversion, I used to listen to the WOW 1999 album over and over. (WOW is a CD series that compiles the year's best contemporary Christian and gospel music.) Avalon's "Testify to Love" was one of my very favorites. It still brings me joy today.
[Verse 1:]
All the colors
of the rainbow
All the voices of the wind
Every dream
that reaches out
That reaches out to find
where love begins
Every word of every story
Every star in every sky (in every sky)
Every corner of creation
lives to testify
[Chorus:]
For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love
I'll be a witness in the silences
When words are not enough
With every breath I take
I will give thanks to God above
For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love
[Verse 2:]
From the mountains to the valleys
From the rivers to the seas (rivers to the seas)
Every hand that reaches out
Every hand that reaches out
to offer peace (give peace a chance)
Every simple act of mercy
Every step to kingdom come (to kingdom come)
All the hope in every heart will
Speak what love has done
(Repeat Chorus)
[Bridge 1:]
Colors of the rainbow
Voices of the wind
Dream that reaches out
Where love Begins
Word of every story
Star of every sky
Corner of creation
Testify
[Bridge 2:]
Mountains to the valleys
Rivers to the seas
Hand that reaches out
To offer peace
Simple act of mercy
Step to kingdom come
Every heart will speak
What love has done
[Repeat Bridge 1]
[This is the 2nd chorus]
(For as long as I shall live, I'll testify, testify
All my life, I'll testify)For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love
I'll be a witness in the silences
When words are not enough
(Every breath I take, give thanks and testify, testify)
With every breath I take
I will give thanks to God above
For as long as I shall live
I will testify
[Repeat Chorus]
[Repeat 2nd chorus]
[End: Sung along with the added parts in 2nd chorus]
Testify Your way
Testify Your truth
Testify Your life
Your love and mercy
(Repeat End)
This is serendipitous in deed, for the words of "Testify to Love" are just what "the Doctor ordered" in the sequences of my correspondences with "omotaylor".
She is another friend of mine, through "africanloft", and describes herself as an "evangelist". She has proven herself to be a great-hearted lady.
However, she has reached her own personal stumbling block, and has been unable to grant her full written acceptance of GLBTQ&Q's, insofar as "the church" goes", and especially "in church".
The words of the song you have provided may very well be the key to unlocking the last chain - for her. And for the very many of her readers who look to her for leadership in this matter.
And you have provided me with another spectacular "quote" to add to my collection "Every corner of Creation lives to testify...."
Many thanks again ! Long may your love-light shine long ! May all of life's benefits and blessings be yours, also ! Reply to this
I can't think of a better use of that wonderful song than to open someone's heart to their GLBT brothers and sisters in church! "All the colors of the rainbow" indeed. Blessings to you too.
5/3/2011 11:22 PMDonald Chalmers wrote:
Go Jendi ! I have only just discovered your comment and link while searching out my name and "wound-wisdom". Thanks for that !
