Bombs Away - Jonathan Thulin (Feat. Rachel Lampa)

Sometimes we don't take sin as serious as we ought. Sin is deadly. We sometimes take it too lightly. Sin caused Christ to die on the Cross. Our sin. Me. And you. Our sin. And when you start down the wrong path it's easy to let it snow ball out of control. Thankfully we have a Savior who is ready to forgive us and make us new again when we are ready. We just have to ask. Then our Father will see us as unblemished and clean again. Jesus takes away that sin. We are made whole again.

Beautiful imagery in this video. Take a look at the 'Behind the Scenes' first to get a better idea of what Jonathan Thulin is trying to get across. Powerful stuff.

Dry Bones by Gungor

Absolutely the BEST concert I've been to in the last 5 years at least was the Gungor concert earlier this fall. Phenomenal. Fantastic. Intense. Overwhelming. 

This is a great song that comes from the book of Ezekiel 37 with the story of God's interaction with the prophet in the Valley of the Dry Bones. This is a live performance at the Relevant Magazine Studios. The song comes off of their "Beautiful Things" album but is also featured in concert and on their latest album which is a live album entitled "A Creation Liturgy." See lyrics below.

My soul cries out
My soul cries out for you

These bones cry out
These dry bones cry for you
To live and move
'Cause only You can raise the dead
Can lift my head up

My soul...

Jesus, You're the one who saves us
Constantly creates us into something new
Jesus, surely you will finds us
Surely our Messiah will make all things new
Will make all things new

My soul...

These bones...

Jesus, You're the one who saves us...

Life is breaking out, it's breaking out
Life is breaking out, it's breaking out, it's breaking out

And life is breaking out, it's breaking out, it's breaking out

Jesus, You're the one who saves us...

Beauty for Ashes by 737

One of the most powerful music videos/songs I've heard in the recent past is by a new artist to most, 737. This song is written about his wife's experiences and transformation by God. I am reminded of the parable of the Prodigal Son. The son goes away from his family, makes foolish decisions but realizes his huge mistake and when he returns is greeted with open arms by his father. Love it. Great music video. Great interview. Great lyrics. Check it out!

He Said - Group 1 Crew

As I thought about what this song really means I kept going back to what God has promised us in His word. This song talks specifically about not being given so much that we can't handle it. Whatever 'it' is. God will always be with us and anytime we need Him He's ready to take over.  But again, I kept thinking about what He has promised.

Here are some of my favorite promises from God.
1. I am the Lord your God and I never change. (Malachi 3:6)
2. I created you in My own image with My special blessing. (Genesis 1:27-28)
3. I have given you eternal life because you have believed in Jesus Christ. (John 3:16)
4. If you search for Me with all your heart, you will find me. (Jeremiah 29:13)
5. Cast all your worries on Me, for I really care about you. (1 Peter 5:7)
6. You are holy and free from blame because of Jesus Christ's death. (Colossians 1:21-22)
7. I am your shelter and a place of safety from your enemies. (Psalm 61:3)

God always keeps his promises, no matter what. To read more of his promises check out this cool site 365promises. Visiting this site every day would remind us of what God has promised us. How awesome is that?

Lyrics



Want to read more about Group 1 Crew? Check out the latest digital edition of CCM Magazine here.

Matt Redman - 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)

Matt Redman is one of the most prolific modern Christian songwriters. He's written such instant classics as Heart of Worship, You Never Let Go, Never Once, Blessed Be Your Name, Better is One Day, and You Alone Can Rescue, among others. He just happens to be one of my favorites as well. If you haven't heard of Matt you need to take a listen to these other titles.
Having said all that, this is one of my favorites! It opens up quick and begs you to sing along with the chorus at the top of your lungs. Just an awesome worship song to our Creator. I don't know where he got the inspiration but I can only guess from Psalm 103.
David writes,
"Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 
Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits" (NKJV)

Re-stated by the NLT,
"Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 
Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me." 

Tenth Avenue North - Losing

Tenth Avenue North has had some great hits over the last five years including Healing Begins, By Your Side and You Are More. Those are just three of my favorites. It seems they've done it again with their latest single entitled Losing. The video is well produced but more than that the meaning of the song really hits home. I'm confident you're gonna really like this video.
In Colossians 3, Paul instructs the church in Colosse with these words. ^"Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony."




Lyrics
I can't believe what she said
I can't believe what he did
Oh, don't they know it's wrong, yeah?
Don't they know it's wrong?
Maybe there's something I missed
But how could they treat me like this?
It's wearing out my heart
The way they disregard
This is love, this is hate...
We all have a choice to make

Oh, Father won't You forgive them?
They don't know what they've been doin' (oh no)
Oh, Father, give me grace to forgive them
'Cause I feel like the one losin'

Well it's only the dead that can live
But still I wrestle with this
To lose the pain that's mine
Seventy times seven times
'Cause Lord it doesn't feel right
For me to turn a blind eye
Though I guess it's not that much
When I think of what You've done.
This is love, this is hate...
We've got a choice to make

Oh, Father won't You forgive them?
They don't know what they've been doin' (oh no)
Oh, Father, give me grace to forgive them
'Cause I feel like the one losin'
Oh, no!

Why do we think that hate's gonna change their heart?
We're up in arms over wars that don't need to be fought
But pride won't let us lay our weapons on the ground
We build our bridges up but just to burn them down
We think pain is owed apologies and then it'll stop
But truth be told it doesn't matter if they're sorry or not
Freedom comes when we surrender to the sound
Of mercy and Your grace, Father, send Your angels down

[x2]
Oh, Father won't you forgive them?
They don't know what they've been doin'
Oh, Father, give me grace to forgive them
'Cause I feel like the one losin'
Yeah, I feel like I've been losing
Oh, Father, give me grace to forgive them
'Cause I feel like the one losin'
I feel like I've been losin'
Oh, Father, give me grace to forgive them
'Cause I feel like the one losin'

Jeremy Camp - Overcome

Not many 8 minute songs become very popular in today's culture. Back in the heyday of rock bands like Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers, Boston, The Who, The Doors, etc. there were many more longer (6+ minutes) than even now. Out of the iTunes Top 200 there is only 1 song that is 6+ minutes in length. Yes. One. Going a step further, I can't think of many Christian songs that are 6 minutes or longer besides some (many) Hillsong hits. But this one from Jeremy Camp, which actually came out two years ago this month is an instant classic. I've been waiting for months to share this with my students and Jeremy finally came through with a video. And what a great video it is. I don't have a lot to share besides the lyrics you see below as well as the video itself. I think it speaks for itself. 

Lyrics
Seated above, enthroned in the Father's love
Destined to die, poured out for all mankind
God's only Son, perfect and spotless one
He never sinned but suffered as if He did

[Bridge]
All authority
Every victory is Yours
All authority
Every victory is Yours

[Chorus]
Savior, worthy of honor and glory
Worthy of all our praise, You overcame
Jesus, awesome in power forever
Awesome and great is Your name, You overcame

Power in hand speaking the Father's plan
You're sending us out, light in this broken land

Bridge + Chorus

We will overcome by the blood of the Lamb
And the word of our testimony, everyone overcome (x4)

Chorus

Don't Have Love - Holly Starr

A bright new voice is on the scene once again and this time her name is Holly Starr. She's new to me but she's been around for a few years. Her first album is entitled Tapestry and you can pick it up on iTunes or wherever you purchase music. This is the first single off her upcoming release later this year entitled Focus. 


This song, to me, comes straight from 1 Corinthians 13 (aka The Love Chapter). Paul writes in verses 1-7,  "If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."


My favorite line is, "it's never gonna be enough if you don't have love." Very cool song and video. Enjoy!

The Rescue - Adam Cappa

A lot of folks go through the very same thing that Adam depicts here in this (his first) music video for The Rescue (also title track of the album). All of us are touched by family struggles. Whether those struggles come from divorce, separation, or just parents who constantly are at war in the home. Everyone knows someone or is the someone that has been affected by it.
Regardless of your past family history, God plan is for each and every home to be a safe place for children. Sometimes though, because of sin, this doesn't happen. Children get caught in the cross fire and get hurt. Some of them find an outlet or way to get help and others don't.
I love the way this boy acts out in order to get his parents attention/escape from reality. Sometimes we all would love to build a space ship and get away from the pressures around us. I love this video. I hope you do to.
May God bless your family with peace and reconciliation if that's what's needed. May moms and dads step up and be the man or woman in the house that the children need.



To find out more about Adam go visit his website here.

The Reason I Sing - Jimmy Needham

I don't think there's anything I can add to what Jimmy pens so here are the lyrics of this incredible song:


If its just to top a song chart
To feed the kids and get a bigger car
The skies already have a lot of stars
And they all sing Your name

And if I'm here to write a #1
To get a gold or maybe platinum
Make me a singer who is unsung
Cuz You won't share fame

Cuz even accolades someday will fade away
Oh just like me
Yes everything but You, yeah
And many years from now it won't matter
How I write the rhymes I do, yeah
Help me get back to the reason I sing for You

I'm always looking for the limelight
To dim my house and make the stages bright
Compared to You I'm just a night light
Against the blazing sun

I enter rooms and hope they notice me
To fill my social insecurities
I'm asking if there's any hope for me
Cuz there is room for only one

Cuz even accolades someday will fade away
Oh just like me
Yes everything but You, yeah
And many years from now it won't matter
How I write the rhymes I do, yeah
Help me get back to the reason I sing for You

Why are we so convinced a bigger audience
Is simply common sense to have?
Maybe success is measured best
By nothing less then our obedience

So if I'm destined for a small stage
The small crowds and the small pay
Then maybe even in a small way
I can bring You fame

Cuz even accolades someday will fade away
Oh just like me
Yes everything but You, yeah
And many years from now it won't matter
How I write the rhymes I do, yeah
Help me get back to the reason I sing for You

Help me get back to the reason I sing for You

Bring Us Home - Joshua

I am so thankful that Andrew H. suggested this song for a class devotional a few weeks back. I knew about the album (Music Inspired by The Story) but hadn't really given it adequate play time. What a great group of artists and excellent collection of songs from the view point of key characters in the Bible. From Adam and Eve to Moses, Joshua, David, Jesus and Paul. This one's going to be played a lot around my house. 
Joshua is one of my favorite characters in the Bible. He is such a key figure in the history of the Israelites. I love that he was one of the two "good" spies that assured Moses that with God's help the Israelites could conquer the land of Canaan. The other ten "bad" spies were more convincing though and talked Moses out of the attack; hence the 40 years in the desert. Then as he takes over as the leader of his nation he gets to attack Jericho. But not head on mind you. He gets a message from the Lord who shares the battle strategy with Joshua that does not include any weapons (at least at first). It involves walking around the city and then eventually shouting and blowing horns. What a crazy plan but Joshua trusts God and everything works out to the benefit of the Israelites. 
One of my favorite scriptures also comes with Joshua. In Deuteronomy 31:6 Moses tells Joshua, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Then in Joshua 1:9 God tells Joshua, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Worth Dying For: Rebuild

This will get your blood pumping. What a great sound and really cool video. Hope you all enjoyed it in class!

White Flag - Chris Tomlin (Passion 2012)

What a jewel I found while searching for my next video to share with my students the other day. I really wish the Passion Conferences would have been around when I was in college. What a great movement! My hats off to Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio and all involved with making this not just a yearly conference here in Atlanta but a real event and something folks save up for and look forward to all year long.

After several listens, the first couple were just for enjoyment, I really got the meaning of the song. Everyday I have to surrender to God's will. I have to wave my white flag and invite His Spirit to indwell me. I have to consciously submit to God. I've heard it a hundred times but everyday I have to do it again. If I don't I fall into Paul's "I don't do what I want to do" syndrome from Romans 7.