Songs of the Season - It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Our next song of the season comes from an artist whose singing "emotes more feeling in a single line than most artists conjure up in an entire album," according to ChristianityToday.com. In her very first Christmas album O Holy Night (released in 2008), singer-songwriter Sara Groves recreates classic holiday melodies that will warm your heart and point you to the Savior. Groves' rendition of "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" adds a chorus that proclaims:

Peace on the earth, good will to men
From heaven's all gracious King
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels, to hear them sing

As you allow this song to lead you into the Christmas season, remember to acknowledge the magnificent grace and peace that God has bestowed upon his people through the gift of his son, Jesus.

Lyrics:
It came upon a midnight clear
That glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold

Peace on earth, good will to men
From heaven's all gracious King
The earth in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels, to hear them sing

O ye beneath life's crushing load
Whose forms are bending low
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps so slow

Look now for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing
Oh, rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels, and hear them sing

Singing peace on earth, good will to men
From heaven's all gracious King
The earth in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels, the angels sing, sing, sing

Still through the broken skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurled
And still their heavenly music floats
Over all the weary world

Above its sad and lonely plains
They bend on hovering wing
And ever over Babel sounds
The blessed angels, the angels sing, sing, sing

And I can hear the angels sing
And I can hear the angels
And I still hear the angels sing
And I still hear the angels

Glory hallelujah!

Songs of the Season - Welcome to Our World

Our second song of the season comes from inspirational songwriter Chris Rice. "Welcome to Our World" echoes humanity's yearning—a quiet, constant yearning—for the Messiah. Rice's poignant lyrics serve as a reminder of God's redemptive work through the gift of his son Jesus Christ. But this song is not simply about Christ's coming; rather, it is about why Christ has come. Rice describes the infant Christ this way:

Fragile finger sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born, unto us is born

This song reminds us that the story of Christmas does not end with the cradle, but with the cross. Meditate on this truth as you listen to the song below.

Lyrics:

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You've been promised, we've been waiting
Welcome holy child, welcome holy child

Hope that you don't mind our manger
How I wish we would have known
But long-awaited holy stranger
Make yourself at home, please make yourself at home

Bring your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking heaven's silence
Welcome to our world, welcome to our world

Fragile finger sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born, unto us is born

So wrap our injured flesh around you
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy
Perfect Son of God, perfect Son of God

Welcome to our world

Songs of the Season - In the Bleak Midwinter

First off, I apologize. This blog has remained dormant for much too long. Thankfully, however, the holiday season has granted me some spare time to update this blog.

And now, since Thanksgiving is behind us and the Christmas season is at hand, I have decided to create a new set of posts called Songs of the Season. Each week, I will post two Christmas songs (one song on Mondays and one song on Fridays) that, I hope, will put you in the Christmas spirit and remind you of "the old, old story of the power of death undone by an infant born of glory."

This week's offering comes from the brand new Christmas album (appropriately titled Christmas) by husband-and-wife songwriting duo Jill Phillips and Andy Gullahorn. Gullahorn's soothing guitar playing sets the perfect tone for Christina Rossetti's famous lyrics. The song, though unfamiliar to some, will lead you into the Christmas season by reminding you that even in the bleak midwinter, there is hope in the person of Jesus Christ.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy.

Lyrics:

In the bleak midwinter
Frosty winds made moan
Earth stood hard as iron
Water like a stone
The snow had fallen
Snow on snow
In the bleak midwinter
Long ago

Angels and archangels
May have gathered there
Cherubim and seraphim
In the air
But his mother Mary
In her maiden bliss
Worshiped the beloved
With a kiss

Heaven cannot hold him
Nor can earth sustain
Heaven and earth shall fall away
When he comes to reign

What then can I give him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb
If I were a wise man
I would do my part
What then can I give him?
I will give my heart

Song Highlight: Only Your Blood Is Enough

This week, we introduced another song from the music ministry of Sojourn Community Church called "Only Your Blood Is Enough." What makes this song unique is the rawness of its lyrics. "Only Your Blood Is Enough" fully acknowledges that without the blood of Jesus Christ, we are hopeless. Utterly hopeless.

The song itself lifts phrases right out of scripture to describe our depraved condition: "conceived in sin," "defiled in every part," to name a few. But while these lyrics appear to paint a dismal picture of life, there is still hope in this song. The bridge takes dramatic lyrical turn--asking God to recreate our hearts. All of the aforementioned lyrics of confession and repentance culminate in a prayer for renewal and recreation. And the song ends declaring that "no bleeding bird, no bleeding beast, no hyssop branch, no priest, no running brook, no flood, no sea can wash away this stain from me."

What can wash away this stain? Only the blood of Jesus. What a magnificent, uplifting truth to proclaim day after day. Reflect on this truth as you listen to the song below.

Lyrics:

I am ashamed, conceived in sin, I've always been
Born in a world where Adam's fall corrupts us
Rooted is the seed of death in life's first breath
The Law demands a perfect heart, but I'm defiled in every part

For only your blood is enough to cover my sin
For only your blood is enough to cover me

All this guilt disturbs my peace, I find no release
Who will save me from my crime? I'm helpless
Behold, I fall before your face in need of grace
So speak to me in a gentle voice, for in your mercies I rejoice

Lord, create my heart anew (Father, come and make us wise)
Only you are pure and true (Lead us away from our demise)
Lord, you are the remedy (For only your blood can set us free)
Only your blood can set us free, only your blood can set us free

No bleeding bird, no bleeding beast, no hyssop branch, no priest
No running brook, no flood, no sea can wash away this stain from me

Song Highlight: Wonderful Maker

"For I have chosen [Abraham], that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him." -Genesis 18:19

As we examined Genesis 19 this week, we saw a direct contrast between Abraham and his nephew Lot. In chapter 18, God reveals the proper way to lead a family: to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice. But, as we learned, Lot and his family do not keep the way of the LORD; rather, they are lured into darkness by their depraved surroundings.

As we reflect on this, we come to the realization that our earthly fathers, whether they are following the way of the LORD or not, still stumble and fall into sin. This is an inevitable truth of our fallen world. But we can have hope, for our heavenly Father will never fail us. The same God who created the universe is working in our hearts today. He is working to recreate us—to make us new. He is, as Chris Tomlin's song proclaims, a wonderful maker.

Reflect on this truth as you listen to the song below.

Lyrics:

You spread out the skies over empty space
Said, "Let there be light," and to a dark and formless world
Your light was born

You spread out your arms over empty hearts
Said, "Let there be light," and to a dark and hopeless world
Your son was born

You made the world and saw that it was good
You sent your only son, for you are good

What a wonderful maker, what a wonderful savior
How majestic your whispers, how humble your love
With a strength like no other and the heart of a father
How majestic your whispers, what a wonderful God

No eye has fully seen how beautiful the cross
And we have only heard the faintest whispers of
How great you are

Have No Fear!

You may have noticed that this blog hasn't been updated in the past week. That's because I've been moving back onto Asbury University's campus, which explains the blog blackout. But have no fear! More blog posts are here... well... on the way!

Stay tuned!

Song Highlight: Refuge

For our song of reflection this week, we turned once again to the music of Sojourn Community Church. "Refuge" is a song that highlights the hope that the people of God have even when they are surrounded by the forces of darkness.

In our study of Abraham this week (Genesis 18:16-33), we encountered Abraham's plea to spare the city of Sodom for the sake of the righteous people living there. Abraham is concerned that, when the city is eventually consumed by fire, God will not spare the righteous. However, at the conclusion of their conversation, God tells Abraham that if 10 righteous people are found, he will not destroy the city. Thus, God shows Abraham his unwavering devotion to his people.

Our world today resembles the ancient city of Sodom more than we realize. And we know from scripture that one day, judgment will be rendered and this world will be destroyed. But, unlike Abraham, we do not have to fear. Our sins have been washed white by the blood of Jesus Christ. So when the day of judgment comes, we will be judged as righteous. And we know from this passage that God cares and provides for his people. There is no need to fear.

Reflect on this truth as you listen to the song below.



Lyrics:

Unto your hands, O God of truth, my spirit I commit
You have redeemed my soul from death and saved me from the pit
The passions of my hope and fear maintain a doubtful strife
While sorrow, pain, and sin conspire to take away my life

I know my days are in your hands
Though I draw near to dust
You are the God in whom I trust
You are my refuge

So lift up your voice and sing aloud
And praise him, all you saints
How wondrous is his grace
He is our refuge

Make your most beloved face to shine upon me now
And save me for your mercy's sake, for I am lost without
While in my haste I'm quick to say, "Where is your help for me?"
But you attend me when I pray, and you have heard my plea

Ten Good Ideas

While doing some research on Keith and Kristyn Getty, I ran across their blog on worship! The most recent post, entitled "Ten Good Ideas from Contemporary Hymn Writer Keith Getty," was written by a staff writer for Christianity Today named David Neff. The post was so good that I had to repost it here.

Irish songwriter Keith Getty began his workshop Tuesday at the National Worship Leaders Conference by telling those who had come to learn how to write a great worship song to leave. "Because art is the expression of life, you cannot 'how-to' creativity."

Getty collaborates with his wife Kristyn and friend Stuart Townend. "They're the words, and I'm the music," he says, estimating that somewhere between 5 and 20 percent of the words of any of their songs are his. "But we both get involved on both sides."

Here are ten notable and worthwhile ideas edited and distilled from Getty's workshop comments:

1) The primary form we use is the story form. The gospel is primarily story. How do you take people who want 4-line worship songs and get them to sing 32 lines? By structuring the song as a story.

2) It is important to look at things that are harrowing and that don't necessarily make us feel happy. The central core of the Christian faith is not something that makes us happy. We need to acknowledge our need for a redeemer. The reason we worship is that we meet God through the central story of the cross.

3) We need lament. But if you want to write lament, remember that a successful lament resolves. Not into a happily-ever-after ending, but like the psalms of lament, by ultimately acknowledging that God is God.

4) To write strong melodies, remember that folk melody has to be passed on orally (aurally). I try to write songs that can be sung with no written music. I imitate Irish folk melody, with a great deal of contour, of rise and fall.

5) Use pastors and theologians as resources for your writing. But keep company with them. Don't just ask them to fix your text here or there when you're done with it.

6) Trinitarian worship safeguards us from so many problems our worship can get into: either an overly stern view of God or a casual view of God. Both can lead to problems in our lives.

7) Martin Luther is one of ten people from history I would want to have coffee with. I have looked at a lot of Luther's hymns and emulated him. First, Luther had a high view of redemption. He also believed we live our lives in the midst of spiritual warfare. Thirdly, he had a high view of the church and a high vision of the church.

8) The congregation is the choir, and it is merely the privilege of those of us who are musically gifted to help them sing.

9) Lyrics and great writing are the same thing. Lyricism is poetry. If you write lyrics, read as much poetry as you can. Lyricists are people who love words and do crossword puzzles.

10) Growing up, I never listened to pop music as a child. I was steeped in church music. That could be a blessing because everything I write can be sung by a congregation.

Click here if you'd like to visit Keith and Kristyn Getty's blog. Click here if you'd like to visit David Neff's blog. And click here if you'd like to visit ChristianityToday.com.

Source: http://www.gettymusic.wordpress.com/2010/07/29/by-david-neff-christianity-today-ten-good-ideas-from-contemporary-hymn-writer-keith-getty/

Song Highlight: Before the Throne of God Above

"Before the Throne of God Above," by Charitie Lees Bancroft and Vikki Cook, is a modern hymn that proclaims the confidence and hope we have in Christ. The song's lyrics are heavily based upon passages from the New Testament book of Hebrews. If you'd like more info on this hymn's scriptural ties, check out an online blog called The Orchard Keeper. You can find the post on "Before the Throne of God Above" here.

You can listen to Shane and Shane's rendition of this beloved song below.

Lyrics:

Before the throne of God above, I have a strong and perfect plea
A great high priest whose name is love, who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on his hands, my name is written on his heart
I know that while in heaven he stands, no tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence impart

When Satan tempts me to despair and tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see him there, who made an end to all my sin
Because the sinless Savior died, my sinful soul is counted free
For God, the just, is satisfied to look on him and pardon me
To look on him and pardon me

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Praise the one, risen son of God

Behold him there! The risen Lamb, my perfect spotless righteousness
The great unchangeable I AM, the King of glory and of grace
One with himself, I cannot die; my soul is purchased by his blood
My life is hid with Christ on high, with Christ my Savior and my God
With Christ my Savior and my God

Recommended Reading: I'm Outnumbered!: One Mom's Lessons in the Lively Art of Raising Boys by Laura Lee Groves

Again, I'm taking a break from the norm this week to inform you about an outstanding parenting book. Although, I may be just a little bit biased.

Written by Laura Lee Groves (my mother), I'm Outnumbered!: One Mom's Lessons in the Lively Art of Raising Boys provides valuable insights and practical tips for mothers of multiple sons. Having raised four boys over a span of 20+ years, Laura knows what she's writing about. She's seen food fights, arm wrestling contests, make-believe characters, and everything in between.

But through it all, there remains a constant focus on raising children according to the word of God. In a world of relativism and plenty of poor parenting examples, I'm Outnumbered! offers a more biblically-based, hands-on parenting model that I experienced firsthand.

So check out Laura Lee Groves' very first book release from Kregel Publications! If you'd like to purchase I'm Outnumbered!, you can find it at your local Christian bookstore or at Amazon.com.

And if you'd like to know more about Laura Lee Groves, visit her website called Outnumbered Mom. You can also find her on Facebook here.

Song Highlight: In Christ Alone

Penned by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend in 2002, the modern hymn "In Christ Alone" encapsulates the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ in song. Not only that, but the song also points to the awesome hope we have through the power of Christ that now resides in us. I could say more, but why don't you check it out for yourself?

Click the video below to watch a live performance of "In Christ Alone" by Keith and Kristyn Getty.

Lyrics

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground his body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave he rose again
And as he stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am his, and he is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from his hand
Till he returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand



If you'd like more information about the music of Keith and Kristyn Getty, click on the following link.

Recommended Music: Counting Stars by Andrew Peterson

This week, I'm taking a break from the norm to inform you about some new Christian music that's worth a look. Counting Stars, the eighth studio album by singer/songwriter Andrew Peterson hits stores on July 27th, and believe me, you don't want to miss out on this. The music of Andrew Peterson is rife with heartwarming melodies and poignant lyrics that will challenge you and inspire you. It is also evident that Mr. Peterson has an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, as it flows through his music like a rushing river.

Personally, I have been a fan of Andrew Peterson's music for quite some time now. What attracts me most to his music is his lyrical depth. In an age of shallow, pop-driven radio singles, Andrew Peterson provides more mature, profound melodies. And at the center of Peterson's music is the most important thing: the Creator. In addition, Peterson's latest offering, Counting Stars, mirrors what we as a church have been studying this summer. This album draws its title from Abram's encounter with God in Genesis 15:

"And [the LORD] brought him outside and said, 'Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.' Then he said to him, 'So shall your offspring be.' And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.'" - Genesis 15:5-6

The same God who taught Abram lessons of faith thousands of years ago is still living and active today. He is working in the heart of Andrew Peterson, and he is working in our hearts too. Counting Stars is a welcome reminder of this truth. Find the album at www.andrew-peterson.com or at your nearest Christian bookstore.

Click the player below to hear the newest single from Counting Stars called "The Reckoning (How Long)."

Click the video below to watch the music video for the song "Dancing in the Minefields" from Counting Stars.

Song Highlight: Standing on the Promises

Through our sermon series on the life of Abraham, we have discovered many themes throughout the narrative. One theme, however, stands out among the others: the theme of God's faithfulness. We've followed Abraham through times of trial and triumph, and along the way, we've seen Abraham make both good and bad decisions. But the one thing that remains constant in the story of Abraham is this: that God's promises are true. God can be trusted. God should be trusted. And we can stand on the promises of God with confidence. That is why we sing "Standing on the Promises" (words by Fanny J. Crosby, music by Phoebe Palmer Knapp). This song proclaims exactly what we are learning in the scriptures. Meditate on these words and cling to God's promises this week.

You can listen to an instrumental version of the hymn below.

Lyrics

Standing on the promises of Christ my King
Through eternal ages let his praises ring
Glory in the highest I will shout and sing
Standing on the promises of God

Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior
Standing, standing,
I'm standing on the promises of God

Standing on the promises that cannot fail
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail
By the living Word of God I shall prevail
Standing on the promises of God

Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord
Bound to him eternally by love's strong cord
Overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword
Standing on the promises of God

Standing on the promises I cannot fall
Listening every moment to the Spirit's call
Resting in my Savior as my all in all
Standing on the promises of God

What Makes a Good Hymn?

I ran across this quote some time ago while perusing the Sojourn Community Church Music Blog. It's not a long quote, but it gives a nice summary of what makes a good hymn.


From The Hymns Of Watts & Wesley, by Bernard Manning:

“What makes a good hymn? … these hymns combine personal experience with a presentation of historic events and doctrines… the writers look back from their own experience to those experiences of the Incarnate Son of God on which their faith was built. This gives them a steadiness, a firmness, a security against mere emotionalism and sentimentality which more recent writers, trying to lay bare their souls, have found it difficult to avoid.”

I couldn’t agree more with this ingredient in good worship songwriting. What are some other things that make a good hymn or song of praise?


Source: http://www.sojournmusic.com/2010/05/19/what-makes-a-good-hymn/

Song Highlight: Far Country

This week, our song of reflection was "Far Country" by acclaimed singer/songwriter Andrew Peterson. In this week's sermon, which focused on the rest of Genesis 15 (verses 7-21), we discovered that God's promises are not always fulfilled in the timetable that we expect.

You see, God had promised Abram the land of Canaan back in chapter 12 when he called Abram out of Ur. And God reiterated that promise repeatedly. But when Abram finally arrived in the land of Canaan, he saw more people groups than I have the space to type here (check verses 19-21). Understandably, Abram was concerned by the presence of these peoples, and he asked God, "O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess [this land]?"

This is where Abram learned a very important truth: He would not live to see the fulfillment of this promise. In verses 13-16, God explained that there would be four hundred years of sojourning and suffering before Abram's offspring would inherit the promised land. Thus, while Abram was faithful, he would not experience the fulfilled promise for himself. Like his descendants, he would live his life in the hope of this promise. Abram lived in the in between.

In the same way, we live in a world that is in between the promise and its fulfillment. God has promised in his word to restore this broken world and establish a new heaven and a new earth. We too live in anticipation of this promise not yet fulfilled. We long for our true home...our heavenly home. We acknowledge that, like Abram, we are sojourners in a far country. The more we look at this world around us, the more we yearn for the promised land that is not yet here.

The song "Far Country" touches on this sentiment with the lyrical richness and spiritual sensitivity characteristic of the music of Andrew Peterson. As we meditate on this song, let our hearts dwell on the faithfulness of God. We know from scripture that God's promise to Abram did come true. Thus, we also know that his promised return will one day come. Let that be our hope as we live in this far country.

You can listen to the song below.

Lyrics:

Father Abraham, do you remember when
You were called to a land, and you didn't know the way?
'Cause we are wandering in a foreign land
We are children of the promise of the faith

And I long to find it
Can you feel it too?
That the sun that's shining is a shadow of the truth

This is a far country, this is a far country
Not my home

In the dark of the night, I can feel the shadows all around me
Cold shadows in the corners of my heart
But the heart of the fight is not in the flesh but in the spirit
And the spirit's got me shaking in the dark

And I long to go there
I can feel the truth
I can hear the promise of the angels of the moon

This is a far country, it's just a far country
Not my home, not my home

I can see in the strip malls and the phone calls the flaming swords of Eden
In the fast cash and the news flash and the horn blast of war
In the sin-fraught cities of the dying and the dead
Like steel-wrought graveyards where the wicked never rest
To the high and lonely mountain in the groaning wilderness

We ache for what is lost
As we wait for the holy God
Of Father Abraham, oh, Father Abraham

I was made to go there
Out of this far country
To my home, to my home

This is a far country, it's just a far country
Not my home, oh, Father Abraham
And I long to go there

FYI - Andrew Peterson is releasing a new album called Counting Stars on July 27th, 2010. If you'd like more information about the music of Andrew Peterson, click on the following link.

Why We Worship

We worship because

We are so thankful that we don't know what else to do.

We are thankful because

God ransomed us from death and gave us new life.

God saved us because

He loves us despite our stubbornness and our imperfections.

God loves us because

He is good, not because of any goodness in us.


God is good, and his love fills up our cup.


Why do we worship?

We worship because our cup overflows.

Song Highlight: Never Let Me Down

The song "Never Let Me Down" by Andy Gullahorn was chosen for our song of reflection this week as we continued our sermon series through the life of Abraham. This week, we focused on Genesis 15:1-6. In this passage, God reiterates his promise that Abraham's heir will be his very own son.

As we observed in this passage, Abraham doubted these promises for a variety of reasons, but God responded by reiterating his promises and making a covenant with Abraham. This covenant is an awesome display of God's faithfulness to Abraham...and to us. Despite our doubts, our misgivings, and our failures, our God will never let us down.

You can listen to the song below.

Lyrics:

I guess I learned the hard way
The world can't give me what I need
Even though the house I built on sand
Was swallowed by the sea

You never let me down, you never let me down
You never let me down, you never let me down

Sometimes I think I'll only be content
With things that money buys
It's like trying to squeeze water from a stone
It will not provide

But you never let me down, you never let me down
You never let me down, you never let me down

You might let me cry
You might let me sing
You might let me feel a fraction of your suffering

But you won't let me down, you never let me down

If I could just stop striving
And surrender to your holy power
I know your loving arms will lift me up

And never let me down, you never let me down
You never let me down, you never let me down

Personal Pronouns in Worship

I'm forgiven because you were forsaken. I'm accepted; you were condemned. I'm alive and well; your Spirit lives within me because you died and rose again.

- You Are My King (Billy Foote)

I'm trading my sorrow. I'm trading my shame. I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord.

- Trading My Sorrows (Darrell Evans)

Who am I that you are mindful of me? That you hear me when I call? Is it true that you are thinking of me? How you love me...it's amazing. I am a friend of God. He calls me friend.

- Friend of God (Israel Houghton and Michael Gungor)

For most of us, the term personal pronoun doesn't come up in our everyday conversations, much less our conversations about Christian worship. However, personal pronouns are essential to setting the tone of our worship services.

Let me explain.

As you may have noticed in the excerpts above, many modern worship songs use personal pronouns called first-person singular (me, myself, I) rather than first-person plural (us, ourselves, we). On the surface, this doesn't appear to be a very serious issue. But let's dig a little deeper, shall we?

In Colossians 3:16, Paul gives these instructions to the Ephesian believers: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." When we examine the early church, we see that almost all references to worship are in a corporate setting. And this makes sense, doesn't it? We gather together on Sunday mornings to worship our God as a community of believers, not just as individuals. How foolish it is to stand among believers on Sunday mornings without lifting up our voices together. We are the body of Christ; we are the church.

To be fair, there is most assuredly an aspect of worship that is individual. We choose to worship God. And our relationship with the creator and sustainer of all things is deeply intimate. But on Sunday mornings, we collectively lift our voices in worship to the King of kings. We do this as a sign of unity. And we do this because we are "thankful... in [our] hearts to God."

To conclude, there is nothing theologically wrong with songs of worship that use first-person singular pronouns. However, when we (as a congregation) sing these songs on a Sunday morning, we do not accurately reflect the appropriate mode of corporate worship. Thus, let us strive to lift high the name of Jesus not just as individuals, but as a community of believers devoted to our Lord and Savior.

Song Highlight: Warrior

If you've been checking this blog regularly, you may have noticed that the only posts so far have been song highlights. I apologize for that. The past couple of weeks have been extremely busy, but I have some good news! From now on, a new topical post will appear on this blog every Thursday afternoon.

But now, to our song highlight! "Warrior" by Caedmon's Call was released on the 2001 album In the Company of Angels: A Call to Worship. This was the first of two albums by Caedmon's Call that leaned more toward songs of worship. While this album is certainly not Caedmon's best, it does contain some powerful songs. "Warrior" was chosen as our song of reflection this week as we continued our sermon series through the life of Abraham. This week, we read through Genesis 14, which chronicles Abraham's Gideon-like victory over Kedorlaomer and his allies. Only through the power of the almighty warrior could Abraham and his 318 men achieve such a stunning victory. Thus, this song reminds us that our God is still that warrior of old that will protect us and fight for us.

You can listen to the song below.

Lyrics:

The Lord is a warrior
The Lord is mighty in battle
The Lord is warrior
Lord of hosts is he

My Lord is a fortress
He is a sun and a shield
The Lord is a deliverer
To those who put their trust in him

He gives strength unto his people
He guards his own with his right hand
The angel of the Lord camps around the ones who fear him
And delivers them

Song Highlight: Living Faith

This past Sunday, we introduced a new song called "Living Faith." Believe it or not, this song finds its roots here in Kentucky! The music ministry of Sojourn Community Church in Louisville, Kentucky, has slowly but surely been churning out new songs of worship that are both biblically based and theologically sound. Many of their songs, including this one, are adapted from the writings of Isaac Watts, the prominent English hymnwriter of the 18th century.

The text of "Living Faith" is adapted from Watts' "Hymn 140." As we continue to sing this song over the next few weeks, I challenge you to meditate on the words. These words remind us of the same truth that James 2 points out: that "faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead." Let the words of this song become the desire of your heart as you pray for a living and active faith. Then, look for ways to put that faith into action everyday so that an unbelieving world may see the love of Christ.

You can listen to the song below.

Lyrics:

Mistaken souls that dream of heaven
And make their empty boast
Of inward joys and sins forgiven
While slaves to greed and lust

Vain is the will of mortal men
If faith is cold and dead
None but a living power unites
To Christ the living head

Pray for a living faith
That leads us to trust this grace
We cannot come to God on our own
A faith that truly sees
That drives us to bended knee
Looking for hope in the cross of Christ alone

True faith will purify the soul
And faith will work by love
It forces sinful thoughts to go
And lifts our minds above

This faith will conquer earth and hell
By God's celestial power
This is the grace that will prevail
In the decisive hour

It takes every breath to God alone, it takes every breath to God alone



If you'd like more information about the music of Sojourn Community Church in Louisville, Kentucky, click on the following link.

Song Highlight: Step by Step

This past Sunday, we began our worship service with one of the most well known praise songs of the past 20 years, "Step by Step." But the chorus we sang on Sunday is only part of Rich Mullins' memorable song. After sifting through some YouTube videos, I was able to find this live performance of "Step by Step." It contains the full song as well as an introduction by Rich Mullins himself.

Check out the video below.

Lyrics:

Sometimes the night was beautiful
Sometimes the sky was so far away
Sometimes it seemed to stoop so close
You could touch it, but your heart would break
Sometimes the morning came too soon
Sometimes the day could be so hot
There was so much work left to do
But so much You'd already done

Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
I will seek You in the morning
And I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You'll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days

Sometimes I think of Abraham
How one star he saw had been lit for me
He was a stranger in this land
And I am that, no less than he
And on this road to righteousness
Sometimes the climb can be so steep
I may falter in my steps
But never beyond Your reach

Welcome!

Welcome to The Music of Mt. Freedom, a blog from the music ministry team at Mt. Freedom Baptist Church in Wilmore, Kentucky. The posts on this blog will cover a wide range of topics such as: the state of worship in the American church today, the hymns vs. praise songs debate, and song highlights from previous worship services at Mt. Freedom.

Check in each week and become a part of the dialogue by adding your own comments!