Yesterday I posted a link to my daughter Melody’s recording for a wedding of “His Eye Is on the Sparrow.” I hope you had a chance to listen…

As long as we’re into music, I really ought to share a song from Rod Cathey’s memorial service. Rod was one of my son David’s choral music conductors at Azusa Pacific University, and I wrote about him on May 2. I mentioned how I blew the Male Chorale’s signature song, “I’m on the Battlefield for my Lord,” at a concert. Rod’s memorial was June 12, and David was able to be there and participate in the pick-up choir. I watched the live stream. It was two hours of remembrances and fabulous music.

Here’s a sample: it’s Rod Cathey’s kids and nieces and nephews singing “Battlefield.” It’s a different arrangement from the one I botched, but it’s worth listening to. The tall fellow on our right is Rod’s son. He’s a music minister in Washington state, I’m told.

The Bible is filled with battles, real and metaphorical, and many of God’s choice servants were warriors. Here’s how the song starts:

I was alone and idle,
I was a sinner too,
I heard a voice from heaven
Say there is work to do,
I took the Master’s hand,
And I joined the Christian band,
I’m on the battlefield for my Lord.

[Refrain]
I am on the battlefield for my Lord,
I’m on the battlefield for my Lord;
And I promised Him that I would serve Him till I die.
I am on the battlefield for my Lord.

Click the picture or this link to hear the song – it not only has a message, I think it’s the kind of music that ought to be played at a Christian funeral!

Now the angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. And the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.” (Judges 6.11, 12, ESV, emphasis mine)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6.10 – 13, ESV)