Dear Members & Friends of Zachary UMC,
Back in the day, one of the gifts I would sometimes give to friends and family was the gift of a mix tape. I had a radio double cassette tape player (remember those?), and I would curate a mix of special songs for someone as a gift. This Christmas as I prepare to step back from pastoral ministry due to my health, I would like to give you the gift of a mix tape. It is a YouTube video playlist I call “Songs from My Journey”. Each song has a special meaning for me and captures times and ways I have known the Lord in the walk of faith and in the practice of ministry. I hope it is a blessing.
Merry Christmas!
Josh Milliron
Songs from My Journey: A “Mix Tape” by Josh Milliron
Here is the link to the full twelve song playlist. Songs from My Journey - YouTube
Listed below are the individual songs and a description of why it has been meaningful to me.
The Lord Bless You and Keep You
At the end of Centenary College Choir concerts, the choir would come down and fill the aisles, and they would offer a blessing to the congregation through this song. I came across this video of a virtual choir doing the same song they used to do. Through this song I speak blessing over you and your family this Christmas.
The Lord Bless You and Keep You (Peter Lutkin) | Mater Dei High School VIRTUAL CHOIR
Psalm 34
The Brooklyn Tabernacle is a church built on prayer. They are known for their six time Grammy Award winning choir, and I experienced the fullness of the Spirit and the powerful fruit of love, joy, and peace when I worshiped there. There is a beautiful faith and a dynamic joy in this song, and it will help you get your praise on!
The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir - Psalm 34 (Live)
I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry
This is hymn #2051 in the United Methodist Church’s “Faith We Sing” hymnal. It describes the providence and faithfulness of God in every season of our lives. As a pastor, I have been invited into the sacred moments of the lives of countless number of people over the years, and in each of those moments I found the truth of this hymn. I found a God who was present and faithful to people in each season of their lives. This video of the hymn features the pictures and voices of a local congregation and helps proclaim the truth of the love and faithfulness of God.
Borning Cry
As We Worship/O Lord, Your Tenderness/Prophetic Song
This video is a live recording of a healing service. It came to me in a season of life when I had known a lot of grief and my heart was filled with bitterness and pain. Sitting at my kitchen table, I worshiped along, and the grace and presence of Jesus came to me. In that moment the Lord delivered me, freed me, and healed my heart. In the words of Psalm 23, “He restores my soul.”
As We Worship/O Lord, Your Tenderness
Jesus, Your Love
This song talks about “when seasons change and stories end”. Part of the experience of itinerant pastoral ministry is staying in step with the Lord through the seasons, changes, and transitions through different churches and communities. It is not always easy. Actually, it is quite difficult, but I have found the words of this song to be true. It says:
There is a STRENGTH that rises up in me
To know that You've been here before me
A strength beyond what I can see
Jesus, Your love
Jesus, Your love
To communicate the STRENGTH of God artistically and musically, the song employs a large bass drum and a choir. Praise God that “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Kristene DiMarco - Jesus, Your Love (Live)
Revelation 19:1
The Book of Revelation proclaims the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and it has multiple descriptions of heavenly worship. It is full of every tribe, language, and nation. It is like the sound of many waters, and it is glorious and victorious! This choral anthem comes from Revelation 19:1, and we used to sing it at one of the congregations I served. I would sing with the men’s section. “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory! Honor and power! He is wonderful!”
Revelation 19:1 (feat. Naomi Raine & Mav City Gospel Choir) | Maverick City Music | TRIBL
It Is Well
Like everyone’s journey, my journey has had mountains to overcome and seasons with storms to go through. The great lesson I continue to learn is to keep the eyes of my soul on the Lord. This is the very essence of faith. It is just keeping my eyes on Jesus (Matthew 14:29-30 & Hebrews 12:1-2). Through doing this I can say with peace in my heart, “It is well with my soul.” This song says:
Far be it from me to not believe
Even when my eyes can't see
And this mountain that's in front of me
Will be thrown into the midst of the sea
And through it all, through it all
MY EYES ARE ON YOU!
And through it all, through it all
It is well
It Is Well - Kristene DiMarco | You Make Me Brave
The Majesty and Glory of Your Name
Wow! This anthem is special. It is from Psalm 8. It is majestic, and it has been performed at ordination services at the Louisiana Annual Conference and by just about every choir in every church I have served. The organ intro is kind of slow, but the anthem builds to something powerful! All I can say is wow!
The Majesty and Glory of Your Name (Tom Fettke)
The Voyage
This song pictures the journey of walking with the Lord to be like a voyage on a ship. It makes the promises, “I'll send the rain wherever we end up, and “I am the wind in your sails.” As I have journeyed through 29 years since hearing a call to ministry, it brings gratitude to my heart when I remember how these promises have proven true. In every season, the Lord has a purpose. In every place, the Lord brings grace that comes like the rain. In every time, the Lord sends the wind and power of the Spirit. Even though there are moments like the song says of “being afraid” and feeling the “risk”, it has been my experience that I find “adventure” and “the rhythm of my heart” as I continue to follow the Lord. As I prepare to step back from pastoral ministry due to my health, the voyage continues for me.
The Voyage (Official Lyric Video) - Amanda Cook | Brave New World
Saviour King
This song has held more meaning for me than any other. The song is a series of prayers for the mission of the Church, for the empowerment of the Spirit, and for the Church’s witness, but it is all centered in a commitment of the heart in worship. It says:
I LOVE you Lord, I worship you
Hope which was lost, now stands renewed
I give my life to HONOR this
The love of Christ, the Saviour king
With everything in me that I know to be true, the Church and its Gospel mission only come alive when its people come to a place of being set apart, to a place of LOVING the Lord, and to a place of giving their life to HONOR the Lord. Like all people, I am a human being who is still growing in faith and being sanctified in holy love, but since the moment I heard the call to preach the Word and do the work of an evangelist (2 Timothy 4:1-8), I have done my very best to LOVE the Lord and give my life to HONOR my Saviour King. My hope is that people have seen this through me. For me and for all of Christ’s Church, this song is the prayer of my heart for the present and future.
Saviour King - Hillsong Worship
I Then Shall Live
This song was played at my grandmother’s funeral. It was important to her. It has been important to me too. Verse 1 has been a reminder to me of the call to receive grace and forgiveness and offer that same grace and forgiveness to others. Verse 2 has been a reminder of what it looks like to be a peacemaker in a world filled with divisions and strife, and verse 3 echoes a deep call I have known in my soul to preach the Word and be like Peter who was told to “feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17). This song has been a hope and a prayer during my time of pastoral ministry. It says:
Your Kingdom come around and through and in me;
Your power and glory, let them shine through me.
Your Hallowed Name, O may I bear with honor,
And may Your living Kingdom come in me.
The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor,
And may You feed a hungry world through me.
Gaither Vocal Band, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound - I Then Shall Live (Live)
Amazing Grace (the Black Notes)
You will not hear a better performance of “Amazing Grace” than this one by Wintley Phipps! He also shares the background story to the hymn. It is truly a blessing! Like many people, I can see my journey in the different phrases of this beloved hymn. Grace & redemption, suffering & help, protection & hope, eternity & praise. It is all here. Thank God for amazing grace!
Bill & Gloria Gaither - Amazing Grace ft. Wintley Phipps (Live)
Back in the day, one of the gifts I would sometimes give to friends and family was the gift of a mix tape. I had a radio double cassette tape player (remember those?), and I would curate a mix of special songs for someone as a gift. This Christmas as I prepare to step back from pastoral ministry due to my health, I would like to give you the gift of a mix tape. It is a YouTube video playlist I call “Songs from My Journey”. Each song has a special meaning for me and captures times and ways I have known the Lord in the walk of faith and in the practice of ministry. I hope it is a blessing.
Merry Christmas!
Josh Milliron
Songs from My Journey: A “Mix Tape” by Josh Milliron
Here is the link to the full twelve song playlist. Songs from My Journey - YouTube
Listed below are the individual songs and a description of why it has been meaningful to me.
The Lord Bless You and Keep You
At the end of Centenary College Choir concerts, the choir would come down and fill the aisles, and they would offer a blessing to the congregation through this song. I came across this video of a virtual choir doing the same song they used to do. Through this song I speak blessing over you and your family this Christmas.
The Lord Bless You and Keep You (Peter Lutkin) | Mater Dei High School VIRTUAL CHOIR
Psalm 34
The Brooklyn Tabernacle is a church built on prayer. They are known for their six time Grammy Award winning choir, and I experienced the fullness of the Spirit and the powerful fruit of love, joy, and peace when I worshiped there. There is a beautiful faith and a dynamic joy in this song, and it will help you get your praise on!
The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir - Psalm 34 (Live)
I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry
This is hymn #2051 in the United Methodist Church’s “Faith We Sing” hymnal. It describes the providence and faithfulness of God in every season of our lives. As a pastor, I have been invited into the sacred moments of the lives of countless number of people over the years, and in each of those moments I found the truth of this hymn. I found a God who was present and faithful to people in each season of their lives. This video of the hymn features the pictures and voices of a local congregation and helps proclaim the truth of the love and faithfulness of God.
Borning Cry
As We Worship/O Lord, Your Tenderness/Prophetic Song
This video is a live recording of a healing service. It came to me in a season of life when I had known a lot of grief and my heart was filled with bitterness and pain. Sitting at my kitchen table, I worshiped along, and the grace and presence of Jesus came to me. In that moment the Lord delivered me, freed me, and healed my heart. In the words of Psalm 23, “He restores my soul.”
As We Worship/O Lord, Your Tenderness
Jesus, Your Love
This song talks about “when seasons change and stories end”. Part of the experience of itinerant pastoral ministry is staying in step with the Lord through the seasons, changes, and transitions through different churches and communities. It is not always easy. Actually, it is quite difficult, but I have found the words of this song to be true. It says:
There is a STRENGTH that rises up in me
To know that You've been here before me
A strength beyond what I can see
Jesus, Your love
Jesus, Your love
To communicate the STRENGTH of God artistically and musically, the song employs a large bass drum and a choir. Praise God that “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Kristene DiMarco - Jesus, Your Love (Live)
Revelation 19:1
The Book of Revelation proclaims the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and it has multiple descriptions of heavenly worship. It is full of every tribe, language, and nation. It is like the sound of many waters, and it is glorious and victorious! This choral anthem comes from Revelation 19:1, and we used to sing it at one of the congregations I served. I would sing with the men’s section. “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory! Honor and power! He is wonderful!”
Revelation 19:1 (feat. Naomi Raine & Mav City Gospel Choir) | Maverick City Music | TRIBL
It Is Well
Like everyone’s journey, my journey has had mountains to overcome and seasons with storms to go through. The great lesson I continue to learn is to keep the eyes of my soul on the Lord. This is the very essence of faith. It is just keeping my eyes on Jesus (Matthew 14:29-30 & Hebrews 12:1-2). Through doing this I can say with peace in my heart, “It is well with my soul.” This song says:
Far be it from me to not believe
Even when my eyes can't see
And this mountain that's in front of me
Will be thrown into the midst of the sea
And through it all, through it all
MY EYES ARE ON YOU!
And through it all, through it all
It is well
It Is Well - Kristene DiMarco | You Make Me Brave
The Majesty and Glory of Your Name
Wow! This anthem is special. It is from Psalm 8. It is majestic, and it has been performed at ordination services at the Louisiana Annual Conference and by just about every choir in every church I have served. The organ intro is kind of slow, but the anthem builds to something powerful! All I can say is wow!
The Majesty and Glory of Your Name (Tom Fettke)
The Voyage
This song pictures the journey of walking with the Lord to be like a voyage on a ship. It makes the promises, “I'll send the rain wherever we end up, and “I am the wind in your sails.” As I have journeyed through 29 years since hearing a call to ministry, it brings gratitude to my heart when I remember how these promises have proven true. In every season, the Lord has a purpose. In every place, the Lord brings grace that comes like the rain. In every time, the Lord sends the wind and power of the Spirit. Even though there are moments like the song says of “being afraid” and feeling the “risk”, it has been my experience that I find “adventure” and “the rhythm of my heart” as I continue to follow the Lord. As I prepare to step back from pastoral ministry due to my health, the voyage continues for me.
The Voyage (Official Lyric Video) - Amanda Cook | Brave New World
Saviour King
This song has held more meaning for me than any other. The song is a series of prayers for the mission of the Church, for the empowerment of the Spirit, and for the Church’s witness, but it is all centered in a commitment of the heart in worship. It says:
I LOVE you Lord, I worship you
Hope which was lost, now stands renewed
I give my life to HONOR this
The love of Christ, the Saviour king
With everything in me that I know to be true, the Church and its Gospel mission only come alive when its people come to a place of being set apart, to a place of LOVING the Lord, and to a place of giving their life to HONOR the Lord. Like all people, I am a human being who is still growing in faith and being sanctified in holy love, but since the moment I heard the call to preach the Word and do the work of an evangelist (2 Timothy 4:1-8), I have done my very best to LOVE the Lord and give my life to HONOR my Saviour King. My hope is that people have seen this through me. For me and for all of Christ’s Church, this song is the prayer of my heart for the present and future.
Saviour King - Hillsong Worship
I Then Shall Live
This song was played at my grandmother’s funeral. It was important to her. It has been important to me too. Verse 1 has been a reminder to me of the call to receive grace and forgiveness and offer that same grace and forgiveness to others. Verse 2 has been a reminder of what it looks like to be a peacemaker in a world filled with divisions and strife, and verse 3 echoes a deep call I have known in my soul to preach the Word and be like Peter who was told to “feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17). This song has been a hope and a prayer during my time of pastoral ministry. It says:
Your Kingdom come around and through and in me;
Your power and glory, let them shine through me.
Your Hallowed Name, O may I bear with honor,
And may Your living Kingdom come in me.
The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor,
And may You feed a hungry world through me.
Gaither Vocal Band, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound - I Then Shall Live (Live)
Amazing Grace (the Black Notes)
You will not hear a better performance of “Amazing Grace” than this one by Wintley Phipps! He also shares the background story to the hymn. It is truly a blessing! Like many people, I can see my journey in the different phrases of this beloved hymn. Grace & redemption, suffering & help, protection & hope, eternity & praise. It is all here. Thank God for amazing grace!
Bill & Gloria Gaither - Amazing Grace ft. Wintley Phipps (Live)