I received an email yesterday from therebelution.com. They had an interesting article about suffering and pain. At the end of the article they shared the lyrics to a Regina Spector song called "Laughing With" which was written for the "Prince Caspian" movie.
I don't know much about Regina Spector or her music but it seemed appropriate to share this song on this blog.
“Laughing With” Lyrics:
No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one’s laughing at God when they’re starving or freezing or so very poor
No one laughs at God when the doctor calls after some routine tests
No one’s laughing at God when it’s gotten real late and their kid’s not back from that party yet
No one laughs at God when their airplane starts to uncontrollably shake
No one’s laughing at God when they see the one they love hand in hand with someone else and they hope that they’re mistaken
No one laughs at God when the cops knock on their door and they say “We’ve got some bad new, sir,”
No one’s laughing at God when there’s a famine, fire or flood
But God can be funny
At a cocktail party while listening to a good God-themed joke or
Or when the crazies say he hates us and they get so red in the head you think that they’re about to choke
God can be funny
When told he’ll give you money if you just pray the right way
And when presented like a genie
Who does magic like Houdini
Or grants wishes like Jiminy Cricket and Santa Claus
God can be so hilarious
Ha ha
Ha ha
No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one’s laughing at God when they’ve lost all they got and they don’t know what for
No one laughs at God on the day they realize that the last sight they’ll ever see is a pair of hateful eyes
No one’s laughing at God when they’re saying their goodbyes
But God can be funny
At a cocktail party while listening to a good God-themed joke or
Or when the crazies say he hates us and they get so red in the head you think that they’re about to choke
God can be funny
When told he’ll give you money if you just pray the right way
And when presented like a genie
Who does magic like Houdini
Or grants wishes like Jiminy Cricket and Santa Claus
God can be so hilarious
No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one’s laughing at God in a hospital
No one’s laughing at God in a war
No one’s laughing at God when they’re starving or freezing or so very poor
No one’s laughing at God
No one’s laughing at God
No one’s laughing at God
We’re all laughing with God
Laughing With by Regina Spektor from the album Far
Laughing With
on Tuesday, July 7, 2009How Sweet The Sound?
on Saturday, May 23, 2009
We want to send out a big “Thank You!” to the many Choirs who have already sent in their registrations and audition tapes. How Sweet the Sound 2009 began April 1 and the search for The Best Church Choir in America is officially off and running! So don’t miss this opportunity to get in your registration and show us why your church choir is the Best in America. Get your registration information together so your choir can compete to win up to $50K in cash and prizes!
I'm not quite sure how to comment on this. An American Idol of church choirs? Really? Put singing songs to God to a competition? Really? Enough said.
One Of Us
on Wednesday, May 13, 2009Just one of us can put a thousand to flight
And two of us can send the legions fleeing
Just one of us can put a thousand to flight
And two of us rout evil principalities
O there are many of us here
Exalting the name of the Lord
And in His name we declare
Our victory in spiritual war
We bind the powers of the air
By wielding the Word as our sword
Yep. Because we are soooo powerful!
The Worship Service
on Monday, May 11, 2009Many Christians attend Church (service) without giving much thought to the Church Service itself. In reality, very often Church services are carefully orchestrated. Preachers prepare the sermon, Musicians attend practices. And the Ushers, Greeters, Light and Sound crews faithfully serve week-in week-out.
It is easy to understand the need for preaching, worship, and even hospitality; But not all components receive equal attention. Some components receive less attention (and thought). This includes some very traditional aspects of doing Church. Such as....
Sacraments
What is a Sacrament? Seasoned Church-goers will probably identity the Sacraments as Holy Communion and Water Baptism. But what are the Sacraments about, and what makes them different from other Christian practices?
Doxology
What is the Doxology? Praise God from Whom all blessings flow? According to Wikipedia, the words 'doxology' comes from the Greek doxa, belief or opinion + logos, word or speaking. What does this reveal about the Doxology and how we should approach it?
Benediction
What is the Benediction? Is it just a closing prayer?
Your service might not have these three components. This is just an introduction to get you thinking. Your Church service might also include others (e.g. Invocation, Call to Worship, Tithes and Offering, Prophecy and Tongues, etc).
What do you do? Why do you do what you do? Are they really necessities? Does the order matter? These are all questions that can make a difference in how we commune with God as a Church body.
There are also historical Christian terms that we are unlikely to move away from. Here are three to get you started:
Hosanna... Hallelujah.... Amen!
What is the meaning of these words? Do we use them the same way the Bible does? And what do we understand when we use them in song?
Just for fun, here's how the Compact OED describes them,
Hosanna: exclamation, a biblical cry of praise or joy.
Hallelujah: exclamation, God be praised.
Amen: exclamation, said at the end of a prayer or hymn, meaning ‘so be it’.
Cheers & Happy thinking.
*Helpful addendum* Hosanna is often interpreted as a cry for salvation, "God save me" or "Save, now!"
Such A Thing As Too God Centered?
on Tuesday, May 5, 2009I am not approving or condemning this song, nor the artist, but I find the topic very interesting. I heard this song on one of our popular radio stations here semi-local and following the song, one of the announcers stated that they sang a modified version of it in their church on Sunday. I began to think about the context and realized that it was lyrically supposed to be God singing to us.
I do believe that there is an appropriate time and place to a song of this nature, and have heard a wonderful song written by a friend that tells a story of someone crying out to God, and then God responding. This song, is simply God telling us he loves us and is with us. Two other songs that come to mind are 'I Have Always Loved You' by Third Day, and 'I Am The Way' by Mark Schultz, both songs I have enjoyed listening to.
The first question of the day is when can we sing a song that is first person from God to us, without in some fashion deciding that we are God? My 5 year old son in church today recited John 14:6 which says, "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." He immediately stopped and said, "Well Daddy, you know not through me, but God right?" Just the fact that he said it sparked his conscience to realize that the words he spoke were flawed if they were coming from him.
Secondly, is it ever appropriate for us to sing this manner of lyric, and why?
Thirdly, doesn't singing as though God is singing to us automatically make it 'me' centered?
Here is Matthew West's "More".
Take a look at the mountain
Stretching a mile high
Take a look at the ocean
Far as your eye can see
And think of me
Take a look at the desert
Do you feel like a grain of sand?
I am with you wherever
Where you go is where I am
And I'm always thinking of you
Take a look around you
I'm spelling it out one by one
I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine and you shine for me too
I love you
Yesterday
And today
And tomorrow
I'll say it again and again
I love you more
Just a face in the city
Just a tear on a crowded street
But you are one in a million
And you belong to me
And I want you to know I'm not letting go
Even when you come undone
I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine and you shine for me too
I love you
Yesterday
And today
And tomorrow
I'll say it again and again
I love you more
I love you more
Shine for me
Shine for me
Shine on, shine on
Shine for me
I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine and you shine for me too
I love you
Yesterday
And today
And tomorrow
I'll say it again and again
I love you more
I love you more
And I see you
And I made you
And I love you more than you can imagine
More than you can fathom
I love you more than the sun
And you shine for me
Singing In The Spirit
on Sunday, May 3, 2009The following is an article written by Dr. Joe Nesom, the Pastor of First Baptist Church in Jackson, LA. I found it very edifying. The original article can be found by clicking on the link above.
C. S. Lewis described the ideal "Christian society" as "full of singing and rejoicing." Historically, Christians have been a singing people and that is especially true of those denominations that have a reformed heritage. Still, not all those who profess faith in Christ are equally enthusiastic about music in the life of Christ's church. Many years age, a friend told me that he did not care much for the "preliminaries." He would have preferred to go to the sermon without any initial "distractions."
What does God's Word teach us on this subject? Should we sing? Why? Further, what songs are appropriate to the worship of our God?
Singing in the Spirit
Our Lord told the Samaritan woman, "God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in Spirit and in truth" (John 4:24, NIV). What is the meaning of the phrase "in the Spirit?" Without the motivation and aid of the Spirit of God, there can be no true worship. Those who would worship God in the manner that pleases him must be born of the Spirit and filled with the Spirit.
The new birth is a miracle of the grace of God. It is nothing less than the Holy Spirit's coming to the rescue of a soul that is dead in trespasses and sins and imparting to that soul the life of God. Without regeneration no one can do anything in the Spirit. The unconverted man does not have the Spirit of God. He is devoid of any legitimate impulse to adore our God. He may sing with the congregation of the redeemed but he does not sing "in the Spirit." His "worship" is not acceptable to the Lord.
But what of the converted? Is his worship always acceptable? Is it not possible for the regenerate man to fail in the practice of acceptable worship? Indeed it is. He must be filled with the Spirit of God; i.e., his worship must be the product of his faith in the Lord (Eph. 5:18).
Why Should We Sing?
We serve a master who is King of kings and Lord of lords. When he commands us we must obey.
God's word is filled with commands that call for his worship and many of these instruct his servants to sing his praises, "Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious" (Psalm 66:1-2, NIV). It is true that the Lord graciously invites us to sing his praises, but we must not err in thinking that singing the glory of the name of God is optional. God's gracious invitations are also commandments to be obeyed.
We also find a rationale for singing in that our God deserves such adoration. Psalm 66 calls us to "Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man's behalf" (Psalm 66:5, NIV). The psalmist recounts the great salvific acts of God and rightly calls us to worship. What greater motive for praise than the character and works of God? We are to sing because the Lord is praiseworthy.
A third reason for singing is that it is good for us. Singing is a useful means of edification. Paul taught the Ephesians to "speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" (Eph. 5:19, NIV). We sing to the Lord but in doing so we speak to each other. By singing the great doctrines of the faith we build each other up in truth.
And, we sing because it is the most appropriate way of expressing the joy we find in our Lord Jesus Christ. James taught that a heart filled with delight should find a voice. "Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise" (James 5:13, NIV).
What Should We Sing?
Psalms
Our God has given us a hymnal which was inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is the Old Testament collection of songs that we know as the book of Psalms. The word "psalmos" used by Paul in Ephesians 5:19 always denoted a song sung to musical accompaniment and was understood to refer specifically to the psalms found in the collection that constituted the prayer book and hymnal of ancient Israel.
It was inevitable that the church should also sing the praise of God using the Psalter and that she should model original hymns on the inspired hymns of the book of Psalms.
Baptists and other Christians have at times debated whether the church should sing anything other than biblical psalms.
Today, singing from the Psalter is virtually a thing of the past in most evangelical churches, but some of the great metrical versions of the psalms still survive. Perhaps the best known is the adaptation of Psalm 23 from the Scottish Psalter of 1650:
The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want;
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green
He leadeth me the quiet waters by.
My soul He doth restore again,
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
E'en for His own name's sake.
Yea, tho I walk through death's dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill,
For thou art with me, and thy rod
And staff me comfort still.
My table thou hast furnished
In presence of my foes;
My head thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.
Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me,
And in God's house forevermore
My dwelling place shall be.
It is important to observe that the psalms give us examples of both hymns of praise to God and songs that describe the experience of God's people. The book of Psalms is very much a complete hymn book for the people of God. Had no other hymn or spiritual song ever been written, we could hardly complain of hymnodic impoverishment.
Hymns
In classical Greek this word was used of a festive lyric written in praise of a god or hero. Therefore we understand a hymn to be a song that is of extra-biblical origin and employs us in the direct praise of the Most High. Such hymns are sometimes overtly "Christian," that is, Christ is the subject.
One such example is "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name."
All Hail the power of Jesus name! Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem, And crown him Lord of all!
In a day when subjectivism and individualism threaten the cause of truth and genuine Christian experience, the singing of hymns provides a much needed corrective.
Spiritual Songs
There does exist a need for musical vehicles that express the many concerns of spiritual experience. The nineteenth century provided us with thousands of spiritual songs that have served the church well for many years. Many are exhortative in character. George Duffield wrote one of the best known.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, The trumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict,In this his glorious day.
Ye that are men now serve Him Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger, And strength to strength oppose.
Practical Warnings
The church is ever in need of reformation, and it is our responsibility to examine contemporary practice to see if it conforms to biblical precept. We have already alluded to the sad absence of psalm singing in the churches today. A revival of psalmody in the churches would be very welcome indeed. Can we go on pretending that our worship is "biblical" if we do not sing psalms?
But what of innovations that detract from the worship of God "in Spirit and in truth?" Can we have reformation in these areas?
The Show Business Syndrome
When I was a teenager I attended a youth camp where young people were encouraged to "give their testimony." Camper after camper paraded to the "altar" where a microphone was available. Most of the "testimonies" were primarily subjective in character but were sprinkled with pious sounding sentiments. One little girl got caught up in the spirit of the thing and told us her life story minus the "piety." She saw people performing and she jumped at the opportunity to take center stage for herself.
Today there is little embarrassment about such behavior. Religion is show business. The sacred desk, symbolic of the primacy of preaching, has been all but obscured by something that looks increasingly like a theatrical stage. In many churches the "audience" sits and is entertained by choirs and soloists. The "audience" often expresses its appreciation by applause. If hymns are sung few verses are used.
"Choruses" (which are not always to be despised) are preferred because they are short. The church that emphasizes hymn singing is a precious commodity in our day.
Balance
Little thought seems to attend the choice of songs in Christian worship today. Well-intentioned people often lead the congregation in several good songs, but they may all be hymns or they may all be songs of Christian experience. A mixture of the two would be far better. Best of all would be the inclusion of a psalm in every service as well as appropriate hymns and spiritual songs.
Musical Integrity
Finally, let us show care in the choice of musical settings. A "catchy" tune may be popular but inappropriate. Our God is a Sovereign of matchless dignity and therefore is worthy of our best offering. We may pander to popular taste and please man, but the worship--including music--that pleases the Lord God is that which reflects his glory.
Heaven And Hell
on Wednesday, April 29, 2009“I’m always suspicious when we talk too much about ourselves. Somebody pointed out that hymnody took a downward trend when we left the great objective hymns that talked about God and began to sing the gospel songs that talk about us. There was a day when men sang ‘Holy, Holy, Holy,’ and ‘O Worship the King,’ and they talked objectively about the greatness of God. Then we backslide into that gutter where we still are where everything is about ‘I.’ ‘I’m so happy,’ ‘I’m so blest,’ ‘I’m so nice,’ ‘I’m so good,’ always ‘I.’ The difference between heaven and hell is the difference between God and I. Jesus Christ, by canceling His ‘I’ was the Christ of God, not as I will, but as Thou wilt. The devil by magnifying his ‘I’ became the devil -- when he said, ‘I will arise, I will raise my throne above the throne of God’.” - A.W.Tozer, Sermon, “Ezekiel”
Sensuality Accountability. Who Me?
on Monday, April 20, 2009
I was listening to a radio show last week of one of my favorite preacher/teachers as he spoke of the problem with Christianity today. He gave some startling statistics of how there are more Christian family divorces in America today then secular family divorces and gave some other grave news about the state of our country pertaining to our faith, (or lack of). He then was giving some reasons for what has become of "American Christianity" as he gave a poll statistic of how over 50% of Christians in America do not read their bibles, as they get their theology from the Christian music they listen to. As I examined myself, I can see how in years past not only did I think I knew God through the songs that I sang, but I thought that it was my measurement of my spirituality.
I used to crave what worship music did to my senses. I thought that God wasn't moving unless the songs I sang gave me the tingles. I thought God wasn't forgiving me or was unhappy with me unless I could feel some euphoria during a praise song. Not only did I think these things, but I was told by my worship leaders that this was goal. We sang songs that brought glory to the singer which made me feel good to sing because they made me feel important (I'm Your Beloved). There were songs that contained such bad theology (though I didn't know it at the time) dealing with my importance in the grand scheme of things or that talked about the prosperity gospel (Peace of God, Let It Reign), but the bass line before the chorus was so cool that it made half the church raise their hands in awe. People get their theology from the Christian music they listen to? Yeah. He was talking about me. Again.
This weekend at church I came across this verse in 2 Peter which reads: And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. As I read this I started thinking about what sensuality was. Sensuality is dealing with the senses right? The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company says that sensuality means: 1.The quality or state of being sensual. 2.Excessive devotion to sensual pleasure. So sensual pleasure is not necessarily sexual. I enjoy back rubs, watching sunsets, the taste of lasagna, the smell of Downy dryer sheets, and the relaxing sound of Fernando Ortega. If I had to have these 5 things in order to co-exist with humanity, might this be excessive devotion to sensual pleasure? If I have to have my favorite 5 praise songs played during church in order to allow my senses to achieve heightened levels of goodness so I can feel like I worshipped God, might that be excessive devotion to sensual pleasure? And since when is sensual pleasure a requirement for church? Oh yeah, American Christianity. I guarantee that our African brothers and sisters in Christ do not go to stand under a shade tree to listen to their preacher or missionary preach the gospel for 5 hours (without music) out of devotion to their sensual pleasure.
Now, I lead my congregation in song. I direct my team of singers and musicians as our praise team leader. I write some music, make my own arrangements, breathe new life into older traditional hymns, and also bring new popular praise songs in. I pick between 4 and 8 songs to sing on Sunday mornings. I am now in a position to have a control over the words that will come out of a corporate congregation for a period of around 20 minutes. At our nursing home ministry on Sundays, the sermons are only about 20 minutes, so we are talking about a serious amount of time to have control over lyrics. A teacher, is someone who takes material, learns it and teaches it to someone else. Since half of America gleans their theology (study of God) from the songs they sing, isn't it possible that this could mean that people in the position of praise leader could fall under the category of teacher? Quite an incredible thought, but we as praise leaders have the ability to teach false doctrine, bad theology and even secretly bring in destructive heresies and exploit you with false words.
James chapter 3 also speaks of taming the tongue: Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For with the tongue, words are spoken. Even so with a song, lyrics are spoken. If I have chosen a song to bring before another, let alone a group of people, giving it my stamp of approval, am I not now a teacher? Am I not now to be held responsible if someone is led astray in heresy because of my teachings? Am I also now not in a position to carefully choose songs that will be appropriate for a congregation and not only for personal praise? Am I not to look for songs that can be sung by all honestly before God. A simple example would be "I Surrender All". What would transition better into your pastors sermon? Telling God I surrender all even though many in your attendance aren't there in their life, or singing of God's sovereign grace and holiness?
A big reason there is so much sin in Christianity is because people do not see God for His holiness and majesty. They do not see God in truth. They are too busy singing about themselves, and whether realizing it or not, trying to make themselves on level with God. Who helps makes this possible? Christian music artists with songs on the CCM charts because their song had to do with being a better person, even though it is not biblical. Who is enabling them? Praise team leaders who keep singing their songs on Sunday mornings because the congregation will think they are hip for singing a song they heard on the radio.
Now I'm not knocking music ministers and I know how much work goes into what we do, but I have to battle this myself. Our pastors spend a full time 40 hour week (sometimes more like 80 hours) reading and studying, going to the Greek, going back to their study, ministering, visiting the sick and needy, going back to study, to make sure his sermon has all the nougats that God would have him to feed his flock with on Sunday morning. Music ministers spend 4 maybe 8 hours at best (maybe 7 minutes on Saturday night at 9:36 pm) putting together a dynamic set of songs of epic proportions to knock the congregations socks off. By the time we are done singing songs, is there any energy left for the preacher man, or is everyone coming down off their 'spiritual high' and ready for a visit with the back of their eyelids? Be fair to your pastor! If he asks you to choose and order your songs carefully, or limit your number of songs, or even to pay attention to what is man-centered versus God-centered then submit to him and make sure you are doing everything you can to fully understand what he wants. Make sure you understand that you are in a position of leadership and teaching and that the bible says it will not be taken lightly if you are to lead someone from the truth. Make sure you are accompanying the congregation in song and not putting on a laser light show of fluffy emotions and sensuality for everyone, and that you are honoring your pastors requests, otherwise you are in rebellion and should be removed from service.
Being a leader or member of a praise team is to be of service to one another and your congregation. Remember that people in service do not get to do what they want to do. A butler serving his master does not get to do what he wants, but what his master wants. How many of us are serving only to the extent that we are willing to go, but not to the extent that the master has requested of us? If the butler does what he wants rather then the wishes of the master, he will soon be an unemployed butler. We are not in service for ourselves, but for others. Christianity is not about I. It is about people. Yet, we still want to sing the me me, what about me songs.
Emotions are not the problem and using and enjoying the senses that God gave us is not bad. It's like a huge delicious cake. It appeals to all five of my senses. One piece is absolutely wonderful, and if my kids didn't finish it off then maybe I can have seconds. If I were to eat the whole thing, trying to help my senses into a euphoric goodness, I would have heartburn and would gain 10 pounds. If I wanted to do that everyday, I would go into diabetic shock and eventually lose my life to my sickness of wanting too much cake. I would be a destructive fool. If I got others to follow me and eat the cake every day because they trusted my judgement and eventually couldn't live without it either, then I would be partially responsible for their fate. Lets make sure we are serving modest hors d'oeuvre portions of praise (cake), and save room for everyone to feed on the healthy main course; the Word.
The Adonai or My Adonai
on Monday, March 23, 2009I started google-ing Hebrew lyrics for this blog. I know only a little hebrew. So i Google Adonai
I was shocked to see how many mainstream "christian" artist have songs titled "Adonai".
Adonai means "master or Lord". Correct me if i am wrong.
Lets all guess who Hillsong's Lord is:
I lift my voice
I lift my praise to You
I lift my hands
I lift my worship to You
And I love You more than I can say
Oh I love You more than I can say
Oh I love You always
Oh I love You always
Avalon's rendition of "Adonai" is:
Adonai, I lift up my heart and I cryMy Adonai
You are the Maker of each moment
FATHER of my hope and freedom
Oh, my Adonai
One timid faithful knock
Resounds up the Rock of Ages
One trembling heart and soul
Becomes a servant bold and courageous
You call across the mountains and the seas
I answer from the deepest part of me
From age to age you reign in Majesty
And today You're making miracles in me
Brian "Head" Welch- from Korn:
Let your worries rest on Adonai -
Make your escape from life with Adonai -
Everything in life depends on Adonai -
Lift all your worries up to Adonai -
You will all stop hurting come to Adonai -
The OC Supertones was too embarrassing to put up,
nah changed my mind....
Well I'm as ugly as sin, that is to say I'm not good lookin' who are we talking about?
But I can bust some ska, in fact the rhythm rhyme is cookin'
Brighten up your soul and loosen up your brain
Make my heartbeat all fast like rebecca st. james Rebecca is Lord?
Now please allow me to proceed and bust my rude boy flow
On the underground scene at the underground show
Grownups, kids and inbetweens I guess it takes all kinds
'Cause I guess we got true love, my blood, my blood true love is blind
One purpose is to worship and to make the body strong Worship? Exercise?
I don't care about your haircut, can't we all just get along?
Not just get along, but to really love and care
If your eyes are on the lord you can't see nobody's hair
Oh God isnt a picky hairdressor
thats a relief
Adonai adonai!
Well I don't claim to be a rhymin' apparatus
I don't want to be a gangster, I don't want to be the baddest
I ain't no al pacino and I ain't no al capone
I'm just a rude boy with a new toy
Add two speakers and a microphone
So listen up, listen up and make sure that you can hear me
I'm your brother and I'm your friend so come on and get near me
I'm a sinner just like all of you don't make me into an idol
I'm a preacher, I'm a saint and sinner, guess I fit the titles
Gotta keep a humble heart, because my good is not enough TRUE
Jehova jireh gotta give the glory up up up Finally
To y'shua me salvitore
Gotta give you all the glory god, I give you all my fears
God I give you all my years uh wait wait
You're my god and I will bow, I'll show all the proud people how
You're my god and I will bow, in fact I think I'll bow right now
so lost...who are we talking about again
Adonai adonai! Oh thats right, who's that again
Petra: I think petra is closer than hillsong..oh geez
This thirsting within my soul
Won't cease til I've been made whole
To know you, to walk with you
To please you in all I do
You uphold the righteous and your faithfulness shall endure
(Chorus)
Adonai, Master of the earth and sky
You alone are worthy, Adonai
Adonai, let creation testify
Let your majesty be magnified in me
Adonai, you are an endless mystery
Unchanging consuming fire
Lift me up from mud and mire
Set my feet upon your rock, let me dwell in your righteousness
When the storms surround me, speak the word and they will be still
And this thirst and hunger is a longing only you can fill
Now we All know THE CURE (adonais).
awakes from out this dream of life
and leaves us sleeping
storm racked blind consumed
by phantom pale displays of grief
he slips from out this shadow land of pain
where heads grow sorrow grey
and age destroys all hope
and spirits crushed
lament and hide away
but wordless watch the soft sky smile
and breathless hear the low wind sigh
"what death may join no more let life divide"
but wordless watch the soft sky smile
and breathless hear the low wind sigh
"what death may join no more let life divide"
"dream yourself awake" he calls
"eternity awaits us all
open your eyes and be with me
be with me... "
the cure lyrics seem a little more relevant and appropriate than our christian artist's.
MY MAN!
Now thats Praise
Who is like Him
The Lion and the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Mountains bow down
Every ocean roars
To the Lord of hosts
Praise Adonai
From the rising of the sun
'Til the end of every day
Praise Adonai
All the nations of the earth
All the angels and the saints
Sing Praise
I may have sounded sarcastic in some of my comment. I dont write songs. I can imagine how difficult it must be to be correct 100% of the time. But you have too agree some of these songs are incredibly disrespectful to "Adonai" Lord and Master.
Songs of Procrastination
on Saturday, March 21, 2009The following was written by Tim Challies, April 26, 2005. His origional blog can be found here.Several days ago I posted an excerpt from an essay written by D.A. Carson that is published as the introductory chapter of Worship by the Book. Carson suggested that some Christians have come to worship worship instead of worshipping God through worship. He says, “This point is acknowledged in a praise chorus like ‘Let’s forget about ourselves, and magnify the Lord, and worship him.’ The trouble is that after you have sung this repetitious chorus three of four times, you are no farther ahead. The way you forget about yourself is by focusing on God – not by singing about doing it, but by doing it.”
Over the past days, these words have been playing in my mind, and have been causing me to examine every worship song I encounter. I listened to some of the worship albums I have accumulated over the past years and was struck by how true Carson’s words are. Carson also writes, “Despite the protestations, one sometimes wonders if we are beginning to worship worship rather than worship God. As a brother put it to me, it’s a bit like those who begin by admiring the sunset and soon begin to admire themselves admiring the sunset.”
This morning I thought of Sonicflood’s self-titled debut album. This one rocked the Christian music scene when it arrived a few years ago and immediately many of these songs went from nearly-unknown to exceedingly popular. Take a look at the lyrics for “I Want to Know You” (In the Secret):
In the secret, in the quiet placeIn the stillness You are there
In the secret, in the quiet hour I wait only for You
‘Cause I want to know You more
I want to know You
I want to hear Your voice
I want to know You more
I want to touch You
I want to see Your face
I want to know You more
I am reaching for the highest goalThat I might receive the prize
Pressing ownward, pushing every hindrance aside, out of my way
‘Cause I want to know You more
I had to conclude that song really says nothing of substance about God. As the Christian sings this song he pleads to know God more, to hear His voice and to see His face, yet all this time he probably has the Bible sitting on the pew behind him. As Carson says, after you have sung this song through a few times you are no farther ahead. This song will not help you know Him, hear Him, touch Him or see Him. Consider another favorite from the same album:Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see you, I want to see you
To see you high and lifted up,
Shining in the light of your glory.
Pour out your power and love,as we sing holy, holy, holy.
Holy, holy, holy Holy, holy, holy Holy, holy, holy
I want to see you
I want to see youFor sake of brevity I removed the portions of the lyric that are repetitive. This song is similar to the last in that it pleads what the songwriter wants to do (he wants to see God), yet it brings him no closer to doing so. Granted this song has at least somewhat more depth of theology to it than the first example, but it still does not bring the person any closer to what he desires. We can tell God that we want to see Him, but that does not make it happen! Allow me to provide one final example. Here are the lyrics for “You Are Worthy of My Praise” by David Ruis.
I will worship (I will worship)With all of my heart (with all of my heart)
I will praise You (I will praise You)
With all of my strength (all my strength)
I will seek You (I will seek You)
All of my days (all of my days)
And I will follow (I will follow)
All of Your ways (all Your ways)
I will give You all my worshipI will give You all my praise
You alone I long to worship
You alone are worthy of my praise
I will bow down (I will bow down)
Hail You as king (hail You as king)
And I will serve You (I will serve You)
Give You everything (give You everything)
I will lift up (I will lift up)
My eyes to Your throne (my eyes to Your throne)
And I will trust You (I will trust You)
I will trust You alone (trust You alone)
Once more, the lyrics of the song do not express any worship to God. They talk about all the things the songwriter (and thus the person singing the song) intends to do, but does not actually do it. We do not worship God by telling Him that we will, at some point in the future, worship Him. It is akin to a husband heading to work and instead of telling his wife that he loves her, telling her that he will express his love for her at some other time. That is not an expression of love!I wonder if we shouldn’t term these “songs of procrastination.” After all, by singing them we are procrastinating the very thing we claim to desire. Why not forget “In the Secret” and instead sing a song that will tell us about God and how we may know Him? If we want to know Him so badly, perhaps we should just end the song and open the Scriptures. Instead of telling God “I will worship you” and “I will bow down,” why don’t we just do it! Worship Him and bow before Him instead of just expressing the desire.
Thankfully, there are many songs that do this. Last week I purchased the new album by Jars of Clay. I have never been a great fan of Jars of Clay, but I do admire their musical ability, and realizing that their new album was recordings of traditional hymns, I could not resist. The album is excellent and you really ought to buy a copy for yourself. I can’t imagine anyone regretting it. But I digress. The first track of Redemption Songs is “God, Be Merciful to Me” which was penned by Joseph P. Holbrook. It is an adaptation of Psalm 51. I can hardly imagine a better song to lead an album or a worship service.
God, be merciful to me,
On Thy grace I rest my plea;
Plenteous in compassion Thou,
Blot out my transgressions now;
Wash me, make me pure within,
Cleanse, O cleanse me from my sin.
My transgressions I confess,
Grief and guilt my soul oppress;
I have sinned against Thy grace
And provoked Thee to Thy face;
I confess Thy judgment just,
Speechless, I Thy mercy trust.
I am evil, born in sin;Thou desirest truth within.
Thou alone my Savior art,
Teach Thy wisdom to my heart;
Make me pure, Thy grace bestow,
Wash me whiter than the snow.
Broken, humbled to the dustBy Thy wrath and judgment just,
Let my contrite heart rejoice
And in gladness hear Thy voice;
From my sins O hide Thy face,
Blot them out in boundless grace.
Gracious God, my heart renew,Make my spirit right and true;
Cast me not away from Thee,
Let Thy Spirit dwell in me;
Thy salvation’s joy impart,
Steadfast make my willing heart.
Now this songwriter accomplishes what he sets out to do. He does not merely tell God that he is sorry for his sin, but he asks God to cleanse and forgive him. He admits his sinfulness and his brokenness and acknowledges that God’s judgment is just. He expresses confidence in God’s grace and forgiveness. It is a powerful and moving song. It is a fitting song to begin a worship service so the believer can acknowledge his unworthiness, plead God’s mercy, and rest in the acknowledgement of God’s pardon. Do not think that I am denigrating contemporary music in favor of hymns. There are many contemporary songs that likewise express depth and go far beyond mere suggestions.
Returning to Worship by the Book, Carson makes an analogy between a person who watches a sunset and another person who stands before the same sunset but becomes fixated on watching himself watch the sunset. The first person delights in the beauty of Creation, while the second person can see no further than the act of watching it. In this way he misses the sunset altogether. What folly it is to miss the beauty of the sunset by fixating on ourselves. And what a tragedy it is if we go no further than asking God to touch us or speak to us, but do not use what He has given us to accomplish that end.
Here I Am To Worship
on Friday, March 20, 2009Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness.
Opened my eyes, let me see.
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You
So here I am to worship,
Here I am to bow down,
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy,
Altogether wonderful to me
King of all days
oh, so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came
To the earth You created
All for loves sake became poor
So here I am to worship,
Here I am to bow down,
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy,
Altogether wonderful to me
I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
Well, I'm going to get yelled at a lot for this one. I've seen hundreds of posts all over the net with people praising this song and saying how "I could finally hear from God after singing this song", and "I had amazing personal revelations of God while hearing Tim Hughes sing this in concert". How about, "The writer of this song is highly favored by the Almighty God. It is a song from God which i believe God Himself really loves it so much.I love it so much,it always inspires me to worship God and makes me have the revelation of who God is.", and "I really love this song! I kept listening to it over again and again because it touched my heart. Try listening to it while thinking of the sin that we do and yet GOD still loves us. I am proud to sing this song to God. I am very proud to be a Christian."
That's it isn't it. We are so proud of ourselves and who we are and what we have become in the kingdom; super-Christians per se. God, You are sovereign and have done amazing things and have shown remarkable acts of mercy. In light of these facts, I, super-Christian, am here to worship. If You hadn't done all of these things then being God of the Universe is not enough to get me to bow down and call you my God, but since You have made Yourself worthy then here I am! Super-Christian!
Your altogether? This is another word I have a hard time with. To say altogether is to say entirely, utterly, with all included or counted, on the whole; with everything considered. God, on the whole and with everything considered, You are wonderful to me. Sounds weird huh? Not to mention that 'altogether' is a common term meaning 'a state of nudity'. Makes it really weird now huh?
I'll never know how much it cost? I have read that Ron Kenoly has said he couldn't sing this Bridge to the song. He didn’t agree with the lyrics “I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sins upon that cross”. He felt like Scripture has made the cost clear - John 3:16. So, he changes the lyrics to some way of thanking God for the price that Jesus paid. I have also read the cross examination of this saying that emotionally we will never be able to fully comprehend it even though we can read what Jesus did in the Word and be told about the price paid. I'll never know the cost reminds me of the great mysteries that the Catholic priests talk about when you ask them about their theology. I have to side with Ron Kenoly.
The only redeeming quality I can find is that it is reformed theologically with that line "Opened my eyes, let me see." It doesn't hold enough weight to redeem the song though. I'll throw that baby out with the bathwater.
I Repent
on Tuesday, March 10, 2009I regret the hours I have wasted
and the pleasures I have tasted
that you were never in.
And I confess that though your love is in me,
it doesn't always win me
when competing with my sin.
I lament the idols I've accepted,
the commandments I've rejected
to pursue my selfish end.
And I confess I need you to revive me,
put selfishness behind me
and take up my cross again.
And I repent, making no excuses.
I repent, no one else to blame.
And I return to fall in love with Jesus.
I bow down on my knees and I repent.
Lyrics by Steve Green
Well if there ever were a reason to have a man-centered song, this would be it. If I am going to sing about me the topics should be: God, I see the sin and depravity of my actions, and I repent! I repent making no excuses! No one else to blame! I confess that I don't always choose God when He is competing with my sin!
Kudos to Steve Green for singing lyrics that many Christians have a hard time saying in their prayer life. He however could have left out the "return to fall in love with Jesus", as I feel it gives the wrong impression of our relationship with our Creator. I cannot find that terminology or reference in the Bible used toward God. To me, to say "fall in love" would include feelings of infatuation and that elated, "high" feeling that accompanies it. This kind of "love" is something that lasts typically a short time and, unless replaced by true love, results in broken relationships. When I think of the love I have for Jesus it is not that high, elated, infatuation I experienced 2,384 times before I graduated high school. It is for that reason that this song creeps it's way slightly into the "Jesus is my boyfriend" category.
As for the rest of it, again, kudos!
To the Ends of the Earth by Hillsong United
(Listen on Youtube/ Lyrics below)
When I was a young Christian, I refused to sing this song because I felt it was out of touch with reality. After all, the world is round and has no ends. Noticing this, a brother helpfully suggested that I worship by singing it without the S.
"to the end of the earth"
Years later, I was horrified to realize that the Bible uses the expression "ends of the earth" 46 times in the NIV. This forced me to recognize my pride. I had felt that I worshiped better because I did not allow any overstatement.
Often we look to find the most theological by going to hymns, the relevant to culture from our favorite vocalists, and only recognize the presence of God in our appreciated styles of music. We have no room for anything else because we claim to offer God only the best. But the reality is that a true worshiper lifts up holy hands... without anger or disputing (1 Tim 2:8).
***
Lyrics:
Love unfailing
Overtaking my heart
You take me in
Finding peace again
Fear is lost in all you are
And I would give the world to tell your story
'Cause I know that you've called me
I know that you've called me
I've lost myself for good within your promise
And I won't hide it
I won't hide it
Jesus, I believe in You
And I would go, to the ends of the earth
To the ends of the earth
For you alone are the son of God
And all the world will see
That You are God
You are God
Our Great God
on Tuesday, March 3, 2009Eternal God unchanging
Mysterious and unknown
Your boundless love unfailing
in grace and mercy shown
Bright seraphim in ceaseless flight
around your glorious throne
They raise their voices day and night
in praise to You alone
Lord we are weak and frail
helpless in the storm
Surround us with your angels
Hold us in your arms
Our cold and ruthless enemy
his pleasure is our harm
Rise up oh Lord and he will flee
before our Sovereign God
Let every creature in the sea
and every flying bird
Let all the mountains, all the fields
and valleys of the earth
Let all the moons and all the stars
throughout the universe
Sing praises to the Living God
who rules them by His word
Hallelujah! Glory be to
our great God
Hallelujah! Glory be to
our great God
I heard this song again today and marvelled at it's vivid descriptions and lyrical awe of the Creator. It gets better then this I'm sure.....but not much.
You Are Worthy Of My Praise
on Monday, March 2, 2009I will worship, with all of my heart
I will praise you, with all of my strength
I will seek you, all of my days
I will follow, all of your ways
I will give you, all my worship
I will give you, all my praise
You alone, I long to worship
You alone, are worthy of my praise
It never occurred to me until I typed this song out how many times it says "I will". If you think about it, by singing this song we are merely telling God what our future plans are. Then there are the unrealistic promises we are making. They are ideal, yes, but to say we can make them is to say we have some power or skill. The truth is it would only be by God's grace that we could worship with any of our heart and strength, follow any of His ways, serve and give Him anything, and trust Him alone. Then the idea of telling God that we are going to give Him ALL our worship seems like we are hoping that if we sing the stanza just ... one more time ... that God might begin to believe it, but while we are still in this flesh the truth is that "our worship" will probably be shared with other things whether we like it or not. It is still full of ideals that we can strive for, but is too unrealistic to sing to the God of the Universe.
This letter was written by a kid who obviously was nudged by the Holy Spirit and started to think things through. This seemed a very fitting first post for this blog. A ceremonious breaking of the bottle so to speak.
Dear K-LOVE staff:
I listen to your station every so often when I do not feel like listening to Narnia, or some of my other epic soundtracks while driving to school and back.
I'll admit up front, I'm not terribly fond of some of the music on the station. Please don't misunderstand. I'm a true, Biblical believer. I am a Christian, committed to Christ.
And there are quite a few good songs on your station.
But there's one in particular that made me stop and think. Superchick's "Stand in the Rain." I'm not a big fan of rock or heavy metal (hence, why I dislike some other songs you play) but despite that, I still enjoyed the song.
However, the song gave me pause to ask, what about the song points to Christ?
Even though I'm young, and have yet to weather some of life's heavier storms, I can still identify with the song. I think most people can identify with in one fashion or another. Everyone feels beaten down by the world at times. A lot of people have to hold back the tears that they want to shed over the situations they've been in, or are in.
But on a station like K-LOVE, Christ is supposed to be central. Yet "Stand in the Rain", while inspiring, doesn't mention Christ or even point to Him as any kind of solution to the problems the world throws at us. It sounds like an inspirational feel-good song one might hear on a soft-rock station (I wouldn't be surprised to hear that it turns up on one some time in the future.) where the only virtues are "belief" and holding fast to what you believe, and staying true to yourself. With no hard foundation (Christ) for why these are virtues.
There was at least one other song K-LOVE plays that is similar, the song "I Need You." This song was able to make the transition from K-LOVE airwaves to secular airwaves as a love song to a boyfriend WITHOUT CHANGING A SINGLE WORD. Nowhere in the Bible do I find anything to suggest Jesus is anyone's boyfriend.
This message isn't intended to demoralize, condemn or shame the station or its staff in any way. I'm not going to stop listening or write nasty letters. I still enjoyed the song, and I still enjoy some songs on the station.
I'm just saying perhaps it didn't occur to K-LOVE producers that the song, while powerful, has nothing Christian about it, and they may want to consider this when reviewing content for airing.
Sincerely,
David
