I am a music guy. I love to listen to music. I love to study music. I love to play music.
I love to watch people play music.  

Some of my richest times of playing music were back in my college days, where we would spend chunks of time having vocalists work our 3 and 4 part harmonies. We would spend time trying to seamlessly work out song transitions and key changes. In college, I was part a community of musicians growing together, doing our best to serve His Kingdom through the gift of music. 

I am blessed to serve Missio Dei Church as the leader of our Music Ministry. Week in and week out I have the humbling priveldge to sit in the Scripture for the upcoming Sunday and to pray though what the Lord would have us sing on that given Sunday to compliment the Word of God. From there, I then put together a liturgy for the morning. I get to carefully research and create a Call to Worship, Confession, and an Assurance of Pardon. Through all of this, I am listening to the Holy Spirit and often have music playing in the background as I write these liturgies. 

As I sit and pray though what songs would lead people to the Throne of Grace - I often have the old celtic hymn, 'Be Thou My Vision' playing through my head. If there had to be a favorite song/hymn of mine, 'Be Thou My Vision' would undoubtably make the top five list. Week in and week out, this song is very hard for me not to put into the "setlist" for Sunday - for the words of this hymn resonate for me as a person who has been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. The words in this hymn are also used to help my pray for us as a church:

"Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light." 

I have long searched for a version that really resonates with me. I honestly enjoy the "artsy" type stuff, but find they often get away from the traditional meter and rhythm of the song, but sound amazing. Others stay true to the origional meter and rhythm - but sound rather dull and lifeless. 

I recently married my wife on August 4, 2012. We had a time of corporate singing as a part of our worship gathering. We opened with Glory to God Forever and Be Thou My Vision. Our videographer was able to get the audio feed into his camera and record it for us. To my surprise, the recording was well done - better than I had anticipated. As I have listened to this recording I have found it to become one of my favorite versions. I am doing my best not to present a personal bias, but rather a turth of the matter. 

I thought that I would share it with you, to listen to and to enjoy. However, my prayer is that this would lead you to the person and work of Jesus Christ as you listen to these weighty words. This is a recording done by some of my dear brothers in Christ and friends - Greg Hartnett and Vinnie Adams. 

Click the following songs to download or listen. 

• Glory to God Forever - Steve Fee
• Be Thou My Vision