Thoughts on the Way Home

Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts

Sunday, November 20, 2011

"How much more will your Heavenly Father . . ."

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A good exhortation HERE from Ryan Fullerton. While listening to Ryan's message, I was reminded of the old hymn "Give Reviving," which was recently recorded by Sandra McCracken. The lyrics are below, and Sandra's version can be heard HERE.

Give Reviving

“Give Reviving” was written by Albert Midlane around 1850.  The tune was added by Chelsey Scott and Aaron Sands in 2008.  Midlane wrote more than 700 hymns, although not many were widely known.  At one point, he wrote a book of hymns for children called “Bright Blue Sky Hymn Book.”  Although “Give Reviving” one was not intended for use as a children’s hymn, this song was sung at both of our children’s baptisms.  This hymn boldly asks God to bless his people—appealing for his great mercy in Jesus.  (You can find Chelsey’s version on an Indelible Grace album called, Wake Thy Slumbering Children.)

Lyrics

1. Father for Thy, promised blessing,
Still we plead before Thy throne
For the times of, sweet refreshing,
Which can come from Thee alone
Blessed earnests, Thou hast given,
But in these we would not rest
Blessings still with, Thee are hidden,
Pour them forth and make us blest!

2. Prayer ascendeth to Thee ever,
Answer Father, answer prayer
Bless oh bless each, weak endeavor,
Blood-bought pardon to declare
Wake Thy slumbering, children wake them,
Bid them to Thy harvest go
Blessings O our, Father make,
Round their steps let blessings flow

3. Let no people be forgotten,
Let Thy showers on all descend
That in one loud blessed anthem,
Millions may in triumph blend
Give reviving, give refreshing,
Give the looked-for Jubilee To Thyself may,
crowds be pressing, Bringing glory unto Thee.

Tag: Give reviving, give refreshing,
Give the looked-for Jubilee To Thyself may,
crowds be pressing, Bringing glory unto Thee.

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Tuesday, November 08, 2011

Josh Garrels - Love & War & The Sea In Between

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On Stephen's recommendation, I downloaded Josh Garrels' new album a few months ago. I've really been enjoying it. Josh has a unique voice (took a few days for it to grow on me) and a real gift for crafting intelligent and thought-provoking lyrics. Standout tracks for me are "Flood Waters," "Farther Along," "Ulysses," and "Bread and Wine." The album can be download for free HERE and HERE.

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Thursday, January 20, 2011

MC Ryan Fullerton?

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Ryan, I had to.  You KNOW I had to!

I cannot say enough about Marcus “Flame” Gray’s new album, “Captured.” Once again, he has put together an album that combines musical and creative excellence with profound theological depth. As far as I’m concerned, Flame is a genius, and this album is a must-buy both for hip-hop fans and for all those others who might need to broaden their horizons. My favorite tracks on here are “Nonsense,” “Alive,” “All I Need,” and “Move.” The cameo by MC Ryan Fullerton is also at the top of my list, so be sure to listen to “Daniel 10.”
MC Ryan Fullerton?  Surely were not talking about THIS guy, are we?  But here's the really funny part.

Flame's new album was reviewed, track by track, over at Manifold Grace Weekly.  Here's what the reviewer had to say about MC Ryan Fullerton's contribution to the album:
“Daniel 10” – Though this powerful sermon excerpt from Flame’s pastor, Ryan Fullerton of Immanuel Baptist Church, is a bit lengthy EVERY second is worth listening to.
A bit lengthy?  Just how long is this sermon excerpt?  Well, according to the Amazon product page, it is exactly three minutes long.  Three minutes!  In other words, MC-RF's (i.e., MC Ryan Fullerton's) preaching is so dull and boring, that even three minutes of it feels like a looooong time!

Seriously though, the sermon excerpt that Flame used is from a message that I mentioned a while back because it is an extremely helpful message on prayer.  If you haven't listened to it yet, do so HERE.  It is a little longer than three minutes, but you can make it!

All together now: MC!  MC!  MC!  MC! . . .

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Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Page CXVI - Hymns III

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Thanks to Page CXVI for making their third album, Hymns III, available as a free stream.  Listen to it below:

 

I've mentioned before how much I appreciate what these folks are doing with their music, and would encourage you to check out what they have available HERE.
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Thursday, June 10, 2010

The Story Behind "Joy"

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About a month ago, I mentioned how much I was appreciating the music of Page CXVI, and encouraged you to check out their first album. One of the songs on that album, "Joy," has since become one of my absolute favorite songs. Listen to it here:



However, the first time I heard it, my response could be summed up like this: "Huh?" But after listening to it several more times, and especially after hearing the version from the album (which ends with the first verse from "It Is Well With My Soul"), I finally "got" what the artist was trying to do. Since then, I've seen the song in a new light, and have been moved profoundly by it.

All that to say that you can now hear the story behind the song from the artist herself. An excerpt:

The first time I played Joy was the night my father passed away. He had a short and painful battle with cancer. My dad was not perfect but he did the best he could with what he had. A year before he died he was diagnosed with dementia. The day he told me he had cancer he said it was a blessing. To him, cancer was a better way to end his story than a mind with no memory of his family or his life. So as I sat at the piano, the only place that felt safe that night to me, the weight of loss hit my chest. I remembered my eyes were blurred with tears and I literally began to play the now familiar progression of Joy. I kept cycling through the progression and then, as if it had already been written, I began to sing a different melody to a song I sang in VBS as a child, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart…” The truth is that I was terribly and profoundly sad. The reality of grief had not even entirely hit me yet. But at the same moment I had a deep sense of peace. He was no longer in pain. He was no longer sick. He was free from all his ailments and restored. Although I still miss him, I know that God has weaved redemption through death into my father’s story. That brings me great joy. It was not until grief became a part of my story that I realized that joy is not simply an expression, but an attitude and acknowledgment of the deep peace of knowing a Savior.


Read the rest HERE. And consider dropping $12.99 to pick up the first two albums from Page CXVI. I can honestly say that it's some of the best music I've heard in quite a while.

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Wednesday, May 05, 2010

When Morning Gilds the Skies

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We don't typically sing the whole thing, but this is a phenomenal hymn!

When Morning Gilds the Skies


When morning gilds the skies my heart awaking cries:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer, to Jesus I repair:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

When you begin the day, O never fail to say,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
And at your work rejoice, to sing with heart and voice,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Whene’er the sweet church bell peals over hill and dell,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
O hark to what it sings, as joyously it rings,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

My tongue shall never tire of chanting with the choir,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
This song of sacred joy, it never seems to cloy,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Does sadness fill my mind? A solace here I find,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Or fades my earthly bliss? My comfort still is this,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

To God, the Word, on high, the host of angels cry,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let mortals, too, upraise their voice in hymns of praise,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this at meals your grace, in every time and place;
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this, when day is past, of all your thoughts the last
May Jesus Christ be praised!

When mirth for music longs, this is my song of songs:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
When evening shadows fall, this rings my curfew call,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

When sleep her balm denies, my silent spirit sighs,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
When evil thoughts molest, with this I shield my breast,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

The night becomes as day when from the heart we say:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
The powers of darkness fear when this sweet chant they hear:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

No lovelier antiphon in all high Heav’n is known
Than, Jesus Christ be praised!
There to the eternal Word the eternal psalm is heard:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Let all the earth around ring joyous with the sound:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
In Heaven’s eternal bliss the loveliest strain is this:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Sing, suns and stars of space, sing, ye that see His face,
Sing, Jesus Christ be praised!
God’s whole creation o’er, for aye and evermore
Shall Jesus Christ be praised!

In Heav’n’s eternal bliss the loveliest strain is this,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let earth, and sea and sky from depth to height reply,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this, while life is mine, my canticle divine:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Sing this eternal song through all the ages long:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

-- Edward Caswall


HT: Mack T

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Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Page CXVI - New Hymns

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A few days ago I mentioned that you could freely download Page CXVI's first album of hymns from their site for a limited time. If you haven't already, I would encourage you to check it out. I love what they've done with some of the arrangements. Their version of "In Christ Alone" is very powerful, and "Joy" left me speechless! I'm sure it's not everyone's cup 'o tea, but it hits the mark in my case.

Anyway, I also wanted to let you know that you can now listen to their second hymns album for free over on Justin Taylor's blog. This will only last a week though, so head over there soon if you're interested. And if you like what you hear, consider supporting the artist by purchasing the album from their site.

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Friday, April 30, 2010

Page CXVI - Hymns

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I've recently discovered the group Page CXVI, and am REALLY liking what I've heard. According to their website:


In order to promote the release of their second album, you can download their first album for free HERE. I really appreciate the new arrangements, and the lead singer has a wonderfully powerful and unique voice. Here are a few songs from the first album to give you a feel for their style.









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Saturday, March 06, 2010

Love is Not Safe

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C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves, p. 121:


To love at all is to be vulnerable.

Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken.

If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal.

Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness.

But in that casket—safe, dark, motionless, airless—it will change.

It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.



HT: JT for the quote

For more music from Seth Slay, see HERE.

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Thursday, March 04, 2010

God of This City

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I've been really blessed lately by this Chris Tomlin song (also check out the version by Benji Taylor below). It has caused me to examine my own heart regarding the burden (or lack thereof) that I have for the lost in my town.

"And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, 'Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city'" (Acts 18:9-10)



Here is another version by Benji Taylor:




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Friday, February 26, 2010

NoiseTrade

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If you're looking for some new tunes to check out, head over to NoiseTrade where you can download albums from independent artists for the cost of your email address and zip code. A few that I've been listening to:
















If you like what you hear, consider supporting the artist by making a donation!

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Saturday, January 02, 2010

Friday, November 27, 2009

A Free Man's Song - Stephen Gates

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UPDATE: This was originally posted back in August, but since then, the site I was using to host the music files went the way of all flesh. I've since found a new site to host the files, so I wanted to update the links, and once again draw attention to this post for those who are interested.



One of the greatest blessings I've experienced over the last few years was the conversion of my friend, Stephen Gates, a couple of years ago. Ever since, he has been a tremendous encouragement to me personally and to the body of believers here, especially through the use of his gifts as a musician.

When God saves a man, He puts a new song in his mouth (Ps. 40:3; Rev. 5:9). Stephen has compiled some of those new songs into an album he calls A Free Man's Song. Three of the tracks are covers ("He Brought Me Out", "Thy Way, Not Mine, O Lord" and "Give Thinks"), while the other seven are originals. You can listen to the entire album below:





If you're having trouble getting the embedded player to work - or if you want to have the album on your own computer - you can also freely download tracks from A Free Man's Song using the following download links:

01 Not Myself.mp3

02 Take Me.mp3

03 He Brought Me Out.mp3

04 Bring Life.mp3

05 Words of Life.mp3

06 Count It Loss.mp3

07 Thy Way, Not Mine, O Lord.mp3

08 Turn.mp3

09 Give Thanks.mp3

10 Saviour.mp3


If you would like to get in touch with Stephen regarding his music, or to send him a gift for his labors, feel free to contact me and I will be glad to put you in touch with him. I know he would certainly appreciate any feedback you might have. Also, if anyone would like a hard copy of the CD, I would be glad to provide that as well.

May the Lord be pleased to use these songs for His glory, and for the edification of His church. I know Stephen desires nothing more than this.



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Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Melissa Yakes & Friends

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Melissa Yakes, who is a member of the body here in Kirksville, has recently finished a CD project that I would highly encourage you to check out. It has been a tremendous blessing to my wife and I, and I trust will be to you as well. In Melissa's words:

I've put some songs together over the past couple of years, and now the finished product is before your eyes. Many thanks to Dan Thompson for his recording and musical skills. I also want to thank Rachel Vann, Stephen Gates, Meghan Kelly and Kaitlyn Kelly for their contributions. Special notes: #1 lyrics by Bob Fleming(my great uncle), #6 lyrics by Rachel Vann, and #15 lyrics by Dan Hargrave. If you have any other questions, just ask.

The entire album can be listened to online using this music player:



In addition, the individual MP3s can be downloaded below:

01_Praise_Him_More.mp3
02_Baby.mp3
03_Peter_s_Denial.mp3
04_Peace__Be_Still.mp3
05_Hannah_s_Prayer.mp3
06_Look_at_Me.mp3
07_Draw_Near.mp3
08_Command_My_Strength.mp3
09_Glory_of_Christ.mp3
10_Transformed.mp3
11 God Moves in a Mysterious Way.mp3
12_Restoration.mp3
13_Resting_in_Grace.mp3
14_Garrison.mp3
15_In_Trouble_with_the_Law.mp3
16_Praises__Instrumental_.mp3
17_There_is_a_Peace.mp3
18_My_God_is_So_Big.mp3




Praise the Lord for the gifts He has given for His glory and the edification of the body!

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Saturday, July 25, 2009

Necessity of Love + A Caution

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I've been listening to Jimmy Needham's album Not Without Love recently. One of the songs on the album is called "Come Around." Here are the lyrics:

I thought I’d win them all with words
I’d say a smooth little line to win the room every time
And they’d be moved by what they heard
My tongue as empty as my heart
It’s not enough to play the part
O Jesus give me more than words

CHORUS:
We pass out paper facts all week but they won’t come around
We can debate theology but they won’t come around
Apologetic reasoning but they won’t come around come around
There’s only one way they’ll come and its love

I am a one man marching band
And you’ll be mighty surprised to realize just how I’m playing my songs
Its all live music ten till one come hear some cymbal crashing, son
And maybe hear me beat the gong

CHORUS

Men with other men loving the mammon more than God, man
They’re in a sinking ship and who can save them? God can

Maybe for a minute I can get back to the heart of it
Sure I’ve got zeal but does love have a part in it?
Passionate words and beautiful phrases
They just don’t mean much if I don’t have Jesus in it

CHORUS

And its love
And its love
And its love
And its love

The central point of the song is clear: winning people to Christ requires more than smooth speech, passing out tracts, and being able to win theological debates. It requires a life of love poured out for the sake of others. Apart from love, ALL of our efforts are nothing more than a noisy gong and clanging cymbal (see 1 Cor. 13). (Do we REALLY believe that?!)

But here's the point I want to make. The last line of the chorus says this: "There’s only one way they’ll come and its love."
The problem is that this isn't correct either! True, people won't "come around" with mere slick speech, good tracts and theological debate. But they also won't come around through love either!

Don't believe me? Look at the life of Christ. What greater evangelist has there ever been? Who has ever preached the gospel like Him? Who has ever lived a greater life of sacrificial love than our Lord? And yet, not even He won over everyone He shared the Gospel with.

The bottom line is this: without love, ALL of our efforts are worthless and are a stench in the nostrils of God. But even love is not enough; we need the power of God through the Holy Spirit. We need to preach the gospel "by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven" (1 Pet. 1:12). We need the wind of God to blow (John 3:8), or nothing will be accomplished. Sometimes the wind will blow 3000 into the kingdom (Acts 2), and sometimes just one (Acts 16:14). God is responsible for the increase (1 Cor. 3:6).

Whatever the case, we can be sure that there will be no results
whatsoever apart from the working of the Spirit of God. Even the purest gospel combined with the most sacrificially loving life will bear no fruit without the aid of the Spirit. We must pray brothers and sisters; we must pray for the wind of God to blow.

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Monday, July 20, 2009

Notes From The Road

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I just returned from a road trip to Northeast Iowa (my old stomping grounds), and return with some random thoughts from the journey.

1) I don't know how many times I've had to learn this lesson, but I never have the "free time" I think I'm going to have to read and pray while I'm visiting family. It just doesn't happen. The bottom line is that I must be "read up" and "prayed up" before ever getting into the car to leave town. The spiritual battle on the home front is nothing to take lightly, and I simply cannot count on having time while I'm there to get to where I need to be in order to fight. Preparations for battle are taken care of BEFORE setting foot on the battlefield!

2) When you drive through the Midwest, you see a lot of "three cross" displays outside of church buildings and homes. They usually look something like this:


Something always seemed odd to me about these things, but I could never put a finger on what it was until this trip. It's the fact that the center cross, the one the Lord Jesus would have hung on, is always made to stand out in some way. It's usually always taller than the other two and sometimes a different color as well. This seems to me to send a message that is completely opposed to that portrayed by the life of Christ. Jesus' life was one of constant humbling and taking the low position, never being loud or showy, but always taking the low route. Wouldn't it seem odd then, if at the most humiliating point of his life (hanging on the cross), he was suddenly given a position of prominence and exaltation? I'm probably just overreacting here, but it seems like these cross displays would be more accurate if the center cross was actually much smaller than the other two, not sticking out in any way. That would seem to be more consistent with the life of Jesus we have in the New Testament.

3) On the way up to Iowa I was listening to some music when John Mayer's "Heart of Life" came on.



The basic idea of the song is that, even when times are rough, we need to remember that "the heart of life is good." It's a catchy tune and, to be honest, I like the song. But a couple of thoughts here. First of all, what in the world does "the heart of life is good" even mean? As far as I know "life" doesn't have a "heart" to speak of. Mere existence is just that: mere existence. And if you reject the Bible in favor of, say, evolutionary naturalism, then you're really in trouble because evolution has no heart whatsoever, as it's been taken out and replaced with a "survival of the fittest" ethic where bad things happen to people in order to weed out the weaker elements of society. Hardly something to write a song about!

Secondly, notice the hypocrisy here. John Mayer can sing a song about the heart of life being good, and people go bananas and buy a million albums. But what happens when someone says "God is good"? Suddenly everyone is in an uproar, wondering why there is so much starvation and murder and rape, etc. in the world if God is good. What a joke! I want to see some outrage directed at John Mayer! If "the heart of life" is so good John, then why is there so much starvation and murder and all kinds of suffering in the world? This "heart of life" you talk about must not even exist, because if it did, all this bad stuff would not be happening! But of course, no one is going to object to Mayer's song, because deep down people WANT there to be SOMETHING good behind everything, giving meaning to suffering and direction in times of hopelessness. They just don't want that "something" to be the God of the Bible! Rom. 1:18ff is fulfilled yet again...

4) Outside of Dunkerton, IA I saw a sign that said "Jesus is Lord Over Dunkerton," or something close to that. I appreciate the sentiment, but if Jesus is Lord AT ALL, then He is Lord OF ALL. He is Lord over every single town, village, city, and hamlet in the entire world! Of course, that Lordship is only recognized now in the hearts of believers (Rom. 10), but there will come a day when it is recognized by every part of creation (Phil. 2).

5) While on the trip I read Longfellow's peom "Evangeline," which is one of his most famous and enduring works. It's a tragic love story, which I'm a sucker for. Anyway, I don't know much about Longfellow himself, but I was encouraged to find this quote from him: "Not father or mother has loved you as God has, for it was that you might be happy he gave his only son.—When he bowed his head in the death hour, love solemnized its triumph; the sacrifice there was completed." I love that phrase "love solemnized its triumph." But I like the way Jesus said it even better: "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends."

6) On the way back I stopped to see Vaylard Zupke, a dear man of God in NE Iowa. Among other things, he stressed to me the importance of finding another man (or woman, if you're one of our three female readers) to pray with on a consistent basis. He talked about Peter and John in the book of Acts, going to a specific place at a specific time in order to pray. He said that it has been one of the greatest joys of his Christian life to have someone to pray with at a specific time on a consistent basis. This is advice to act upon brothers and sisters!

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Thursday, July 16, 2009

Before and After - Jimmy Needham

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I went to hear my brother Stephen Gates play some tunes last Friday evening at a restaurant, and one of the songs he played that caught my ear was a cover of "Before and After" by Jimmy Needham. I had never heard of Needham before, but the song was a real blessing. Here it is:






The story behind the song is given by Needham on his website:

The big, dark secret of my past was my addiction to pornography. Since the age of nine, I had been an addict. I didn't become a Christian until my sophomore year of high school, but the battle with porn didn't conclude there. In fact that is where it started. I hated it, yet I kept returning to it. It was such a time of frustration, shame and disappointment in myself. One night after stumbling yet again, I fell to my knees in my room calling out to God, trying to tell him how sorry I was, and that I knew I had let him down. In that moment I had a vision. I saw the LORD kneeling beside me. Slowly He slipped His hand onto my back. He didn't say a word, but He was there, and I knew that He was loving me through my struggle. That moment gave me a new sense of hope and eventually led me to be completely free from pornography later in college.
Praise the Lord that He is able to deliver! I ended up downloading Needham's entire album today, and would commend it to you. The music is fresh, and the lyrics full of truth. And what's more, you can currently download the entire album from Amazon for $1.99! That, my friends, is tough to beat.

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