DearthWord is actively involved in producing unique text and audio media that have no near counterpart in what is currently available to the public.  Hopefully, this will help alleviate the dearth we have.

The following products are now available through amazon.com, as well as (for paperback books) other retail outlets (on amazon.com, search for John K. Pierce):

 

A paperback book (also available an an e-book) entitled “Truth as Strange as Fiction.”  As a result of genealogical research, the life of an individual was discovered whose path might more likely be the work of fiction than could be believed.  He was discharged from the Civil War with a disability, having been hit by a cannonball and spending months in hospitals.  And yet, from the very first, upon applying for disability he was turned down by the Pension Board.  Follow his efforts as events become more and more unbelievable, even through his final success, his death, his widow’s efforts, and his son’s testimony. The truths unearthed here put most fiction to shame. The details of his life and the lives of his family members are, to put it mildly, incredible. An added sidelight of the book is the insight it gives into the difficulty of genealogical research, and how to glean facts from available documents.
http://www.amazon.com/Truth-as-Strange-Fiction/dp/1468023551/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358637964&sr=1-3

 

A paperback (and e-) book, once again available on Amazon, entitled “Iyohb, Between the Lines.” The somewhat unfortunate anglicization of “Job,” with the harsh “j,” is here replaced with the more likely pronunciation of the name of the celebrated anti-hero. Scholars and religious commentators alike have struggled over the issues of suffering, with the most likely interpretations given to “Why is there suffering?” But this book approaches Iyohb with a much more pertinent question: “Why, uniquely, did Iyohb suffer?” And, “Who was Iyohb?” The Old Testament book of Job quickly passes through a threat of Satan to a discourse with three “friends.” But where is the rest of Iyohb’s life? Here is a bold revelation of what might have gone on before, during, and after the Biblical account.
http://www.amazon.com/Iyohb-Between-Lines-John-Pierce/dp/1470118998/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358637964&sr=1-5

 Soon to be released is an in-depth application of combined verses from the book of Proverbs, entitled “The Proverbs Mine.” This book provides an opportunity to be immersed in the concepts of Proverbs with an emphasis on theme, so that hidden insights suddenly become apparent, and new revelation jumps forth. It is currently in the proofing stage, and should be available within the next couple of months.

Then, there is the music section of our product offering.  Offered through Amazon.com via their mp3 library, these will best be found by going to amazon.com and selecting mp3, then doing a search for jkpierce.  Interestingly, if you have qualms about listening to distinctively “religious” music, may I remind you that the bulk of the music composed prior to the 20th century was all “religious” in nature. Please don’t let that deter you from the potential that any music has to offer. Most of this music is based on the Psalms, which have a historical as well as a religious legacy.

The following songs are currently available on Amazon, located at
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-music&field-keywords=jkpierce

 

 

Psalm 107                 Oh, Give thanks unto the Lord, For He is good. Not direct quotes from the Psalm, but capturing the gist of it: We foul up all the time, we don’t deserve God’s mercy, but He gives and gives and forgives, for He is good. In a style reminiscent of ’60s folk rock.

 
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Come Lord Jesus              Instrumental. The result of an accidental chord structure, (for those of you musically inclined, the tonic (I) as a pickup into V7), this built into a joyful celebration of the promised return of the King of Kings. The Spirit and the Bride say “Come.” Let him who is thirsty, come. Let him who hears say “Come.” Come, Lord Jesus, and take Your place.

 
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Psalm 148 instrumental                   This is a difficult genre to define. Perhaps classical, perhaps a smattering of jazz, perhaps even popular instrumental. I was once advised that an arranger should not include more motion than he/she could hear. This one stretches the boundaries, but I find it immensely pleasing. Piano, trumpet, violin and flute voicings layered and in motion – you can’t follow them all at once, but you can “feel” them. I think it captures the fresh joy of Psalm 148.

 
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Psalm 148            Voices added to the Psalm 148 instrumental. So now we layer one more structure upon the already stretched arrangement, with words directly from Psalm 148. Both a joy of praise, and an aid to memorization.

 
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Psalm 114 instrumental                  A jazz/blues arrangement to accompany the words of Psalm 114. The Psalm is a blatant statement of God’s power in bringing Israel out of Egypt and into the promised land. “The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills, like lambs.” Eventually, I hope to produce a full version with words, but for now, the music rejoices on its own. Really, “What ailed thee, oh thou sea, that thou fleddest???”

 
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Majestic                       This is another instrumental-only piece, reminiscent of a movie score, capturing elegance and majesty. Listen, and hopefully you will find inspiration and peace.

 
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Psalm 47 – Clap Your Hands           A Psalm of rejoicing – Sing Praises!  God is gone up with a shout; the Lord with the sound of a trumpet!

 
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Psalm 100 – Make a Joyful Noise         The melody for this song uses a chord progression that was ahead of its time and behind its time. Long before hearing the beautiful Zulu melodies from South Africa, and before this progression ever showed up, to my knowledge in any published music of the time (I think that soon after I wrote this I heard an Andrae Crouch song with a similar progression), the LORD dropped this sound (C – D – dm – C) into my ear, circa 1968-1971. It also contains a very unique chord structure between the bridge and the verse, eventually transitioning from a B to a C chord seamlessly – it surprises me how well it works. I chose the picture as the epitome of a joyful noise.

 
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Psalm 130 – background              I have words for this, and hope to eventually publish a version with words and music. Probably will use someone else’s voice. But the poignancy is compelling – “Out of the depths, I have cried to Thee, oh Yahweh. Oh my LORD, hearken to me! … Wait on Yahweh. For, with Yahweh, is lovingkindness.” The music itself is like a movie score waiting for a movie with tragedy and resultant victory to come on the scene!

 
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Sing Alleluia                           This is a quest and a story song, that finally ends up as a praise song – “Sing Alleluia.” I still remember the circumstances when the words for this were dropped into my lap one day, and the message is even more valid for today. Either we are the result of cosmic randomness, with no meaning at all, or we are the result of creative, loving intelligence, with ultimate meaning. I try to capture the search, and the beauty, of meaning and love in the face of meaninglessness and despair.
1. Are we just the result of meaningless randomness?

2. When we find the answer, He is due all our praise.

 
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Proclamation (Psalm 2)           This is a very straightforward statement about the sovereignty of God. However, it is perhaps too easy to misunderstand. The intent is not to proclaim “God as our possession” but rather to proclaim “His omnipotence.”  “Our God” refers not to a god we possess, but rather to the God in Whom we have faith. This does not set us apart from other men and women, but rather sets God apart from all else. The proclamation is that God, being God, does not answer to man.

 
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Psalm 46 – God is Our Refuge                 Almost verbatim from Psalm 46. Musically, again, reminiscent of a movie score. The declaration of the psalmist, captured with energetic fervor. “Refuge, strength, a very-present help, He lifts His voice, come and behold, He maketh wars to cease, breaks the bow and shatters the spear, burns the chariots with fire:  LET BE, and know that I am God.”

 
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Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness – background                There are words to this song, and eventually I hope to have the full song available. It captures everything:  beauty, holiness, worship –
For now, here is an excerpt that is the background for “…With New eyes we see as in a heavenly mirror His Goodness, Mercy, Kindness, Purity; and as His Spirit is here, we see eternity nearer, and Bow…”

Worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness,
Bow down before Him and rise in the fire of His
Radiance, Splendor, Beauty, Majesty;  and as His
Peace fills your soul, be by His
Spirit made whole, and be clean;   Be clean.

As we approach Him our vision grows clearer;
With New eyes we see as in a heavenly mirror His
Goodness, Mercy, Kindness, Purity; and as His
Spirit is here, we see eternity nearer, and
Bow down before Him, love and adore Him, we
Bow down before Him, we love and adore Him; we
Bow down before Him – We love and adore Him – we

Worship You, Lord in the beauty of holiness,
Bow down before You and rise in the power of Your
Glory:  awesome, stunning, holy; and as our
Hearts overflow, eternal life floods our souls, and we
Bow down before You, we love and adore You….