Monday's Music Review: God In Me

We are safely and restfully back from vacation! I hope to put updates and pictures on our family blog soon. Thanks for your patience!

Back to the review!
Artists: Daniel Doss Band

(Hear the song here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=juwiFM256po):

It’s not the melody that brings me to you
It’s not even the words that burn in my heart
It’s not the wonderful sounds that cause me to sing
It is knowing you and what you’ve done in me

You are the song of my life
You are the dance in my feet
You are the voice of my heart
You are God in me
You are the bread of my life
You are the life giving drink
You are the everything
You are God in me
Yeah

So I will sing my life a song to remain
And whatever I do it’s all for your fame
Because it’s your beautiful self that causes me to sing
About knowing you and what you do in me

You are the song of my life
You are the dance in my feet
You are the voice of my heart
You are God in me
You are the bread of my life
You are the life giving drink
You are the everything
You are God in me

Yeah me in you
And you in me
I will never stop knowing the joy that you bring
And me in you
And you in me
I will never stop tasting, tasting your goodness
Oh your goodness

Oh You are the song of my life
You are the dance in my feet
You are the voice of my heart
You are God in me
Oh You are the bread of my life
You are the life giving drink yeah
You are the everything
You are God in me
Yeah Yeah Yeah

My thoughts:
I don't really have a lot of comments on this song. It's pretty easy to understand. The lyrics explain how it's not all the great things God has done for us (though there are many), that change us. It's when we know God and what He has done in our hearts that "causes us to sing." As a Christian, I know that apart from Christ, I'm a rotten sinner. However, by God's goodness and grace, He's not only changed my life but continues to do so every day. Because of this change and growing in knowing Him, I have a reason to sing, dance, and praise God. He is my all and He provides all that I need.

A simple, sweet reflection on God's work in our lives.

In Christ,
Terra

Monday's Music Review: In Christ Alone

Song Title: In Christ Alone
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2001 Kingsway Thankyou Music

(Hear the song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLy8ksqGf9w):

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

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

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

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

My thoughts:
This is probably my favorite hymn ever. Yes - even above the beloved Amazing Grace (though I love that one as well). The lyrics to this song are so powerful, gospel-centered and Christ-focused it amazes me. As a matter of fact, this is the song I either sing or hum to Hannah every single time she's tired or upset. So what is so special about this song?

The song begins with a summary of the greatness of Christ. He is our cornerstone, our protector, our "all in all." If He is the Lord of our life as He should be, He is truly all of these things.

The lyrics then move into Christ's life purpose. He was born as a babe, a man - but a God-man! He was scorned, mocked, and ultimately crucified for the sins of all. For the Christian, God's wrath was satisfied in the death of His son. But the best stanza (and my favorite, comes third).

It appears hopeless. He was slain. Darkness held Him. Or did it?! UP from the grave He rose again! I can't help but want to shout that verse every time I hear it. UP from the grave! Even death could not hold Him! Now He stands in victory at the right hand of God and I'm guiltless in the eyes of the Lord. I was bought with His precious blood.

As a result, I should have NO guilt or fear because my God is a mighty God! That's the power of Christ. Nothing (death, life, famine, nakedness, sword, etc. cf. Romans 8) can separate me fr0m the love of Christ. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! What a beautiful song in every way. I pray it blesses your life as it has my own.

In Christ,
Terra

Monday's Music Review: In the Valley

Song Title: In the Valley
Words and music by Bob Kauflin
As recorded on Valley of Vision

Here the sample here (I couldn't locate the entire song online): http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/Media/SongSamples/PlaySongSample.aspx?fn=M4175-01-51-Sample.mp3&ShowBuyIcon=true

Lyrics:

When You lead me to the valley of vision
I can see You in the heights
And though my humbling wouldn’t be my decision
It’s here Your glory shines so bright
So let me learn that the cross precedes the crown
To be low is to be high
That the valley’s where You make me more like Christ

Let me find Your grace in the valley
Let me find Your life in my death
Let me find Your joy in my sorrow
Your wealth in my need
That You’re near with every breath
In the valley

In the daytime there are stars in the heavens
But they only shine at night
And the deeper that I go into darkness
The more I see their radiant light
So let me learn that my losses are my gain
To be broken is to heal
That the valley’s where Your power is revealed

© 2006 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI).

My thoughts:

I LOVE this song. As many of you know, the day after Easter, we lost our second child to miscarriage. During that incredibly difficult time, few things were comforting to me. God was great in pointing us to Himself and this song was one of the ways He did so.

When do we trust in the Lord most? In suffering. When do we stop relying on ourselves and on God? In suffering. When do we grow more like Christ? In suffering. Yet when do we long for suffering? Never. As the song says, our humbling wouldn't be our decision. I love the analogy of the stars. We don't see them during the day because it's so bright - but they are still there. Yet when it is darkest (as our times of suffering), the stars shine so bright (as Christ). What a glorious analogy.

Even though the singer is commenting on the truth she already knows, she still prays for grace, life and joy that only the Lord can give. Suffering is never easy but the Lord has a great plan for it all. Remember, God works all things together for good for those who love Him. If you're going through a difficult time right now, may this song be an encouragement. Let me know if I can pray for you.

In Christ,
Terra

Monday's Music Review: God of All Glory

Song Title: God of All Glory
Album Title: Full Attention
Artist(s): Jeremy Riddle

(Hear the song here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=qU_ARLcF7pQ):

God of the heavens
King of matchless worth
Lord of all nations
Judge of the earth
By mercy we come
Out of love we cry

Chorus:
God of all glory
Savior of the world
Holy One eternal
Let Your praise fill the earth

We raise holy hands
We extol the King of Kings
We rend our whole heart
As a fragrant offering

Lifting up one voice
Resounding out one cry
(Oh, Let it ring, let it rise)

Chorus

My thoughts:

This song is sweet, simple and beautiful. I've only recently become more aware of Jeremy Riddle and his music. After buying the CD for James for Father's Day, I realized there were several songs on it that I knew from the radio that I just didn't know who sang. Now I'm falling in love with his music!

The downside to simple songs like this is that I can sometimes struggle in knowing what to write in a review. Every word of this song is true to the Bible. What a mighty God we serve! And then towards the end of the song, I get the most amazing picture. Close your eyes and imagine with me for a moment...

You're in heaven...
You hear myriads of people and angels singing praise to the Lord.
The music is unlike anything you've ever heard on the earth.
It is gorgeous.
Spectacular.
Awakening.
Christ-centered.
You raise your hands in praise.
Your whole heart is open to the Lord.
You sing to him:
"God of all glory
Savior of the world
Holy One eternal
Let Your praise fill the earth!"

What a magnificent vision! Songs like these and moments like this cause me to long for heaven all the more! Oh I praise God for songs that draw us nearer to Himself!

In Christ,
Terra

P.S. The video link at the beginning of this post is absolutely breath-taking. Visually, it's more about the beauty of the earth than God - that's the downside. But on a positive note, it does cause us to praise the Lord for the beautiful planet He has created. Take that for what it's worth.

Monday's Music Review: Sweetly Broken

Song Title: Sweetly Broken
Album Title: Sweetly Broken
Artist(s): Jeremy Riddle

(Hear the song here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=-NkzxwpQlXA):

To the cross I look, to the cross I cling
Of its suffering I do drink
Of its work I do sing

For on it my Savior both bruised and crushed
Showed that God is love
And God is just

Chorus:
At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

What a priceless gift, undeserved life
Have I been given
Through Christ crucified

You’ve called me out of death
You’ve called me into life
And I was under Your wrath
Now through the cross I’m reconciled

Chorus

In awe of the cross I must confess
How wondrous Your
redeeming love and
How great is Your faithfulness

Chorus 2x

My thoughts:

This is an amazing song in so many ways. To begin with, the lyrics are incredibly Christ-centered and biblical. Referring to God being both love and just, I direct our thoughts to Romans 3:22-26 (ESV, my italics and underline):

"For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus".

For God to be love, He must also be just. So many people try to argue this in our day. They say if God is love, He should never condemn anyone. Let me give a scenario to clarify this point. If someone stole your wallet and used every credit card you had for their own purposes, would you say, "It's okay. I still love them. It's really not big deal. I'll pay for all of the charges they incurred." Of course not! That is ridiculous. Instead, you would insist on that person being judged for his wrong doing and having to pay the price of his misconduct. After all, that would be just. Why do we think God should be any different? When a person sins against God, there is a penalty to be paid. And yet by God's GREAT grace, He sent His only son, Jesus Christ, to die as the propitiation (subsitution) for our sin. He was raised on the third day and in Him we may have life when we believe. What a beautiful truth!

As the song says, "He called us out of death" and into life. "What a priceless gift!" This song also describes us being drawn to our knees, sweetly broken, wholly surrendered to God. Romans 5:6-11 (ESV, my italics) speaks on this:

"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are
reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation."

Oh what a beautiful song and a beautiful reminder of God's precious truths!

In Christ,
Terra

Monday's Music Review: All Because of Jesus

Song Title: All Because of Jesus (#10 on album)
Album Title: The Altar and the Door
Artist(s): Casting Crowns
Written by: Steve Fee

(Hear the song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmaSe3z4_ZA):

Giver of every breath I breathe

Author of all eternity
Giver of every perfect thing
To You be the glory
Maker of Heaven and of Earth
No one can comprehend Your worth
King over all the universe
To You be the glory

And I am alive because I’m alive in You

It’s all because of Jesus I’m alive
It’s all because the blood of Jesus Christ
That covers me and raised this dead man’s life
It’s all because of Jesus I’m alive
I’m alive, I’m alive

Giver of every breath I breathe
Author of all eternity
Giver of every perfect thing
To You be the glory
Maker of Heaven and of Earth
No one can comprehend Your worth
King over all the universe
To You be the glory

And I am alive
because I’m alive in You

It’s all because of Jesus I’m alive
It’s all because the blood of Jesus Christ
That covers me and raised this dead man’s life

It’s all because of Jesus

Every sunrise sings Your praise
The universe cries out Your praise
I’m singing freedom all my days
Now that I’m alive

I’m alive, I’m alive, I’m alive

My thoughts:
Though a little repetitive, the message of this song is eternal. We are alive physically because Christ both created and sustains us. We are alive spiritually (if we are Christians) because Christ has transformed and renewed our hearts. First Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV) says this about Christ,

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

Wow! I consider this passage one of the Bible's greatest - if that is possible! No matter how hard we try, we simply cannot fathom Christ's worth, as mentioned in the song. He is ultimately higher and bigger than anything we can dream of. What a mighty God we serve!

In Christ,
Terra

Monday's Music Review: Prayer for a Friend

Song Title: Prayer for a Friend (#9 on album)
Album Title: The Altar and the Door
Artist(s): Casting Crowns
Written by: Mark Hall

(Hear the song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EN3D0Carn3U):

Lord, I lift my friend to You,
I’ve done all that I know to do
I lift my friend to You
Complicated circumstances have clouded his view
Lord, I lift my friend up to You

I fear that I won’t have the words that he needs to hear
I pray for Your wisdom, oh God, and a heart that’s sincere
Lord, I lift my friend up to You

Lord, I lift my friend to You
My best friend in the world,
I know he means much more to You
I want so much to help him,
but this is something he has to do
And Lord, I lift my friend up to You

‘Cause there’s a way that seems so right to him
But You know where that leads
He’s becoming a puppet of the world, too blind to see the strings
Lord, I lift my friend up to You
My friend up to You

My Thoughts:

This is such a sweet song for those of us who have been (or are currently) in such a position. While typing this post, a couple of friends come to mind. As Christians, we all have friends or family members that we long to lead to the Lord. Yet sin is blinding and they may often desire only the things of this world. What we desire may seem foolish to them. Christ, however, has the power to change their hearts and call them to Himself. After all, that's what He did with us. Though we are called to speak the truth (in love) to our nonbelieving friends, there comes a time where we must simply turn them over to the Lord. God will work out the rest. What a sweet meditation...

In Christ,
Terra

Monday's Music Review: I Know You're There

Song Title: I Know You're There (#8 on album)
Album Title: The Altar and the Door
Artist(s): Casting Crowns
Written by: Jeff Chandler

(Hear the song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb0P8co7ofQ):

If all I had was one last breath
I’d spend it just to sing Your praise
Just to say Your name
If all I had was one last prayer
I’d pray it ‘cause I know You’re always listening
If I could live a thousand lives,
bind the hands of time
I would spend every moment by Your side

‘Cause I,
I know You’re there, I know You see me
You’re the air I breathe
You are the ground beneath me
I know You’re there, I know You hear me
I can find You anywhere

If all I had was one more song to sing
I would raise my voice to make the heavens ring
If all I had was one last chance, I’d take it
I would stake it all on You

If I could raise up high and catch a
glimpse of every eye
I would make them believe
What I feel inside

If I could live a thousand lives and bind the hands of time
If I could rise up high and catch a glimpse of every eye

I know You’re there
I know You’re there
I know You’re there, You’re there

My thoughts:
I love this song! Not only is it sung beautifully, the words are such a sweet reminder of how close the Lord truly is to us. Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV) says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." Then in 2 Samuel 22:7, "In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I called. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry came to his ears." What a great God!

I do want to make one quick comment regarding God being the "air I breathe" and the "ground beneath me." This is not meant to be taken in a pantheistic way. The Bible does not teach everything around us is a part of God, as some would say. However, the artists are pointing to the fact that God is so incredibly near to us, it's "as if" he's the air and the ground. As a matter of fact, the Bible does teach that Christians have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them. So God is truly as near as He could possibly be.

I love how this song declares, "if all I had was one more song to sing" and also "If all I had was one last chance, I’d take it I would stake it all on You." How we should echo the same sentiment! If all we had was one more moment, we should spend it praising God!

Praise the Lord, this song has encouraged me already this day!

In Christ,
Terra

Monday's Music Review - Somewhere in the Middle

Song Title: Somewhere in the Middle (#7 on album)
Album Title: The Altar and the Door
Artist(s): Casting Crowns

(Hear the song here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=4WN37XYqrmY):

Somewhere between the hot and the cold
Somewhere between the new and the old
Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be
Somewhere in the middle,
You’ll find me

Somewhere between the wrong and the right
Somewhere between the darkness and the light
Somewhere between who I was and who You’re making me
Somewhere in the middle, You’ll find me

Just how close can I get, Lord,
to my surrender without losing all control

Fearless warriors in a picket fence,
reckless abandon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end
and we are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences,
the God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His
or are we caught in the middle
Are we caught in the middle

Somewhere between my heart and my hands
Somewhere between my faith and my plans
Somewhere between the safety of
the boat and the crashing waves

Somewhere between a whisper and a roar
Somewhere between the altar and the door
Somewhere between contented
peace and always wanting more
Somewhere in the middle You’ll find me

Just how close can I get, Lord,
to my surrender without losing all control

Lord, I feel You in this place and I know You’re by my side
Loving me even on these nights when I’m caught in the middle

My thoughts:

This song is very similar (in topic) to last Monday's post, so I don't feel the need to add much to what I said then. What a sweet song and how true it is. So often, we get caught in the middle: in the middle of where Christ calls us and where the world pulls us. The lyrics say it well.

In Christ,
Terra

Monday's Music Review - The Altar and the Door

Song Title: The Altar and the Door (#6 on album)
Album Title: The Altar and the Door
Artist(s): Casting Crowns

(Hear the song here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=CjRFZEpihNc):

Careless, I am reckless
I’m a wrong-way-travelin’-slowly-unraveling shell of a man
Burnt out, I’m so numb now
That the fire’s just an ember way down in the corner of my cold, cold heart

Lord, this time I’ll make it right, here at the altar I lay my life
Your kingdom come but my will was done, my heart is broken as I...

Cry, like so many times before
But my eyes are dry before I leave the floor, oh Lord
I try but this time, Jesus, how can I be sure I will not lose my follow through
Between the altar and the door

Here at the altar, oh my world so black and white
How could I ever falter
What You’ve shown me to be right

I’m trying so hard to stop trying so hard
Just let You be who You are
Lord, who You are in me
Jesus, I’m trying so hard to stop trying so hard
Just let You be who You are
Lord, who You are in me

My thoughts:

This song does a great job responding to the words of Paul in Romans
7:15-20:

"I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing." - Romans 7:15-19 (ESV)

Often times we have the desire to do what is right. And yet, over and over again, we do the opposite. If Paul, a great man of God, struggled with the same problem, why shouldn't we?

In the beginning, the song mentions crying before the altar and yet having dry eyes before we even stand. Have you ever been caught up in the emotional whirlwind of "doing" good for God? I know I have. I tell the Lord things like: "This time God. This time I'll do it right." Or maybe even, "Lord, I'll never do ___________ (fill in the blank) again." And then before we know it, we're struggling with the same sin. What seemed so black and white is now all of a sudden gray.

Yet Paul did not end with verse 19 of Romans seven. In verses 24-25 he says:

"Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin." - (ESV)

We can never live in sinless perfection. BUT the great news is that, in Jesus Christ, we have a God who did.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. - Heb 4:15 (ESV)

If we know Him as our Lord and savior, we are forgiven in Christ. Should we try to live as He has called us. Of course! Yet when we fail, we have forgiveness and reconciliation in God.

Praise the Lord!

Terra

Monday's Music Review - The Word is Alive

Song Title: The Word is Alive(#5 on album)
Album Title: The Altar and the Door
Artist(s): Casting Crowns

(Hear the song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukMix2pUpPo):

Looking out from His throne,
the Father of light and of men
Chose to make Himself known
and show us the way back to Him
Speaking wisdom and truth
into the hearts of peasants and kings
He began to unveil
the Word that would change
the course of all things

With eyes wide open, all would see

Chorus:
The Word is alive
And it cuts like a sword through the darkness
With a message of life to the hopeless and afraid
Breathing life into all who believe
The Word is alive
And the world and its glories will fade
But His truth, it will not pass away
It remains
yesterday and forever the same
The Word is alive

Simple strokes on a page
Eternity’s secrets revealed,
carried on from age to age
It speaks Truth to us even still
And as the rain falls from Heaven,
feeds the earth before it returns
Lord, let Your Word fall on us
and bring forth the fruit
You deserve

With eyes wide open, let us see

*Repeat Chorus

Spoken:
The Bible was inscribed over a period of 2000 years.
In times of war and in days of peace.
By kings, physicians, tax collectors, farmers, fisherman, singers, and shepherds.
The marvel is that a library so perfectly cohesive could have been produced by such a diverse crowd over a period of time which staggers the imagination.
Jesus is its grand subject, our good is designed and the glory of God is its end.

*Repeat Chorus

My thoughts:

Wow! What a beautiful and powerful song! I immediately think on Hebrews 4:12: "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

To the Christian, the Word of God (the Bible) is the fountain of life. Everything we know about how to live a life glorifying to God can be found in it's pages. As this song says, it gives life to the hopeless and afraid. It also gives warnings to the stubborn and evil at heart. As they pray, I pray, "Lord, let me not just read the words on the page and move on. Let me LIVE the words on the page. Let Your Word produce great fruit in my life!"

The part that is spoken during the song is also a great encouragement. As diverse as the Bible is, it's overall cohesiveness is astounding. What a great God we serve! I pray this song encourages you to read and love His Word this day!

In Christ,
Terra

Monday's Music Review - East to West

Song Title: East to West (#4 on album)
Album Title: The Altar and the Door
Artist(s): Casting Crowns

(Hear the song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6zdihmwy1M):

I wrote about this song a long time ago (on our family blog) so I'll just copy that post here. This is truly an amazing song on forgiveness. I pray it blesses you as it has me.

--------

I sit awake tonight, wondering why I can’t sleep. It’s past 11 and I have a 7 week old baby – I should be tired, right? Why am I not? As I listened to a new song by Casting Crowns, I think I know why. Here are the lyrics:

East to West
By Casting Crowns

Here I am Lord and I’m drowning,
in Your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me,
I yearn for peace and rest
I don’t want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind
Keeps me awake tonight
I know you’ve cast my sin as far as
the East is from the West
And I stand before You now as though I’ve never sinned
But today I feel like I’m just one mistake away
From You leaving me this way

Chorus:
Jesus can you show me just how far
the east is from the west
‘Cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been
Rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
‘Cause You know just how
far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day, the war begins
Endless reminding of my sin
And time and time again
Your truth is drowned out by the storm I’m in
Today I feel like I’m just one mistake away
from You leaving me this way

I know You’ve washed me white
Turn my darkness into life
I need Your peace to get me through
To get me through this night
I can’t live by what I feel
About the truth Your word reveals
I’m not holding on to You
But
You’re holding on to me
You’re holding on to me

Tonight some of the sins of my past crept into my mind. I’m not sure what brought the memories to me. Well, actually – I am sure – it was Satan. He always tries to remind us of how unworthy we are by resurfacing the sins of our pasts. Tonight, I let him get to me. My problem is that I’m trying to fight the memories on my own. It won’t work that way. Apart from Christ, I’m exactly the person Satan makes me out to be. However, I “have been crucified with Christ. It is not longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me.” “By grace [I] have been saved by faith, not a result of works so that [I] may not boast.” Jesus Christ has washed me white as snow. This song is so perfect for this night. Each word rings truer then I could have penned. I want to know how far the east is from the west because that’s how much Christ loves me. As the song says, the length is “one scarred hand to another.” Jesus Christ died for each and every one of the sins of my past, present and future. I must rest in Him and Him alone this evening. Praise God for His mercy and grace!

I pray this post encourages others who may be struggling in the same way.

Take care,
Terra

Monday's Music Review - Every Man

Song Title: Every Man (#2 on album)
Album Title: The Altar and the Door
Artist(s): Casting Crowns

(Hear the song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQn1DEv4z3U):

I’m the man with all I’ve ever wanted
All the toys and playing games
I am the one who pours your coffee, corner booth each Saturday
I am your daughter’s favorite teacher
I am the leader of the band
I sit behind you in the bleachers
I am every man

I’m the coach of every winning team and still a loser in my mind
I am the soldier in the airport facing giants one more time
I am the woman shamed and haunted by the cry of unborn life
I’m every broken man, nervous child, lonely wife

Is there hope for every man
A solid place where we can stand
In this dry and weary land
Is there hope for every man
Is there love that never dies
Is there peace in troubled times
Someone help me understand
Is there hope for every man

Seems there’s just so many roads to travel, it’s hard to tell where they will lead
My life is scarred and my dreams unraveled
Now I’m scared to take the leap
If I could find someone to follow who knows my pain and feels the weight
The uncertainty of my tomorrow, the guilt and pain of yesterday

There is hope for every man
A solid place where we can stand
In this dry and weary land
There is hope for every man
There is Love that never dies
There is peace in troubled times
Will we help them understand?
Jesus is hope for every man

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What artists say about this song:

This is the anthem of the world. The world is full of normal everyday people who
are on a search for hope and happiness. For many, darkness has pulled the wool
over their eyes, and they are trying to make it happen on their own. They’re
searching and they’re listening. Question is, are we saying anything?

~2 Corinthians 5:16-21 / 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Written by Mark Hall, Bernie Herms, and Nichole Nordeman

My thoughts:

I really don't feel the need to add much to this song. It's a pleasant song to listen to and a great reminder our broken world. I really appreciate the lyrics: "If I could find someone to follow who knows my pain and feels the weight; The uncertainty of my tomorrow, the guilt and pain of yesterday." There IS someone to follow that knows our pain and feels the weight. Jesus Christ understands. And because of the forgiveness He offers, we can deal with the guilt and pain of yesterday. If you're interested in reading about that, check out an older post of mine about another song by Casting Crowns entitled East to West.

In Christ,
Terra

Monday's Music Review - What This World Needs

Song Title: What This World Needs (#1 on album)
Album Title: The Altar and the Door
Artist(s): Casting Crowns

(Hear the song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StF1r0GysEE):

What this world needs
Is not another one hit wonder with an axe to grind,
Another two bit politician peddlin` lies,
Another three ring circus society.

What this world needs
Is not another sign wavin` super saint that's better than you,
Another ear pleasin` candy man afraid of the truth,
Another prophet in an Armani suit.

What this world needs
Is a Savior who will rescue,
A Spirit who will lead,
A Father who will love them in their time of need.

A Savior who will rescue,
A Spirit who will lead,
A Father who will love,
That's what this world needs.

What this world needs
Is for us to care more about the inside than the outside.
Have we become so blind that we can't see?
God's gotta change her heart before He changes her shirt.

What this world needs
Is for us to stop hiding behind our relevance.
Blendin` in so well that people can't see the difference
And it's the difference that sets the world free.

What this world needs
Is a Savior who will rescue,
A Spirit who will lead,
A Father who will love them in their time of need.

A Savior who will rescue,
A Spirit who will lead,
A Father who will love,
That's what this world needs.

(Spoken)
People aren't confused by the gospel,
They're confused by us.
Jesus is the only way to God,
But we are not the only way to Jesus.
This world doesn't need
My tie, my hoodie,
My denomination, or my translation of the Bible,
They just need Jesus.
We can be passionate about what we believe,
But we can't strap ourselves to the gospels.
Because we're slowing it down
Jesus is going to save the world,
But maybe the best thing we can do
Is just get out of the way.

What this world needs
Is a Savior who will rescue,
A Spirit who will lead,
A Father who will love them in their time of need.

A Savior who will rescue,
A Spirit who will lead,
A Father who will love,
That's what this world needs.

Jesus is our Savior,
That's what this world needs
Father's arms around you,
That's what this world needs
That's what this world needs

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My Thoughts:
To be completely honest, I'm not a big fan of the style of music in this song. But that's a personal preference and nothing more. Regarding the lyrics...this song says a great deal. Casting Crowns does a good job of pointing out hypocrisy in both the world and the church. Unfortunately, even Christians are not without hypocrisy. I know that I'm personally not without hypocrisy, as much as I'd like to be.

"What this world needs is a Savior who will rescue, a Spirit who will lead, a Father who will love them in their time of need." While this world does not need me, it needs to be balanced with verses like Romans 10:14-15, "But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'" We should be telling the world about Christ but we should not be imposing our personal agendas at the same time.

It's interesting how the lyrics mention "God changing her heart before her shirt." Upon first hearing, that may not make much sense. And it may actually mean two different things from my reading of it. One: Sometimes as Christians, we get so wrapped up in mercy ministries (such as feeding the poor, clothing the homeless, etc) that we never get past the outward problems to the inward problems. Mercy ministries are definitely necessary. And yet God is still blessed when we deal with the sin in these people's hearts and point them to Him. Two: it may be referring to the person that wears shirts that are not glorifying to God (eg. immodest, tight and low-cut or t-shirts with nasty comments or graphics on them). A person will not "change her shirt" until her heart has first been changed. We cannot expect a non-Christian to act like a Christian.

This song has many good admonitions for the Christian hypocrite. When balanced with Scripture and the need to proclaim Christ, the message is relevant in today's culture.

In Christ,
Terra

Monday's Music Review - Slow Fade

Song Title: Slow Fade (#3 on album)
Album Title: The Altar and the Door
Artist(s): Casting Crowns

(Hear the song here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=c4CIwkYi2R0):

Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see

-----------------------

My thoughts:
This song rings so true in so many circumstances of life. Think about it. It says, be careful what you see and where you go. Why? Not necessarily because of the first glance or the location you may be going – it’s the temptation to do it again or the intrigue of the one following you.

Let me further explain. A while back, in one of my parenting magazines, I read an article that simply infuriated me (in a Godly way, I believe). The article was telling women that it was OK to have a “little, schoolgirl-type” crush on someone other than their husbands. In fact, the article said that it would actually be good for her marriage! Their theory was this: when you crush on someone else (say the UPS guy or the Starbucks barista), it causes you to feel pretty again. You feel wanted. You start to dress nice and wear makeup again. After all, nothing would ever happen with this little crush anyway. I STRONGLY disagree with this thought process! Let me ask you this: how many men or women go into a marriage thinking “I think I’ll cheat on my spouse in about 5 years.” No one does! As this song reminds us, “It’s a slow fade.” It starts with little “crushes” that DO turn into more.

Rarely would these types of sins ever turn from black to white. No. They turn from black and white into gray. A guy happens to see an online advertisement of a Victoria’s Secret model. He turns his head. The next day, he’s sees the ad again. This time, he takes a little longer of a glance. After a few weeks, he’s checking out their website. After another few weeks, he’s been sucked into the world of pornography and has no idea how he got there or how to get out. It is indeed a Slow Fade!

I love the verses towards the end that say, “Be careful if you think you stand, you just might be sinking.” This is a straight up biblical concept. We should never think we are too good or too “Christian” to be above these things. They can happen to anyone – including YOU and including ME. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 says this, “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (ESV).

If you haven’t already clicked on the link above to listen to this song, do so now and enjoy such powerful lyrics.

In Christ,
Terra