In the stars his handiwork I see. On the wind he speaks with majesty. Tho he ruleth over land and sea, What is that to me?

I keep near my desk what I call my Falls Creek Bible. This is a hardback edition of the Good News Bible (Today’s English Version) from the hippy-dippy era of church music. I turned to it when I learned of the recent passing of composer and lyricist Ralph Carmichael, creator with Kurt Kaiser of Tell It Like It Is: A Folk Musical About God. I carried this Bible to the Falls Creek youth camp for many summers. Occasionally I would make it available for the young people to record a commitment to the Lord that they had made that week, and sign and date it. It is a treasure chest of the Spirit at work. 

I will celebrate nativity, For it has a place in history. Sure, he came to set his people free, What is that to me?

A highlight of every night of every Falls Creek camp was the mass choir of teenagers under the leadership of Warren M. Angell, Dean of the School of Fine Arts at Oklahoma Baptist University from 1936-1975. On the night of August 2, 1979, both Ralph Carmichael and Buryl Red, the founding director of a national choir of Baptist Music Ministers, The Centurymen, rehearsed and led the choir in some of their beloved songs like Carmichael’s Pass It On and The Savior Is Waiting, and Red’s In Remembrance of Me and He Is Alive from Celebrate Life! I treasure both of their autographs in my Falls Creek Bible.

Then I met Him face to face, And I felt the wonder of His grace. Then I knew that He was more than just a God who didn’t care, who lived a way up there.

Ralph Carmichael was the musical composer, artist and director for many famous singers, such as Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, Elvis Presley, and Peggy Lee. He was a self-confessed sinner. But he found his joy and much controversy in introducing “contemporary music” into church worship. He has been called by many “The Father of Contemporary Worship.” He was 94 when he died on October 18.

And now He walks beside me day by day. Ever watching o’er me lest I stray. Helping me to find the narrow way, He’s everything to me.

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. He’s Everything. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.

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