Music Mondays

 So my cousin posted a link to this song on Facebook. 

It's from my mom's record, from, well, a long time ago. 

It is a rendition of "Amazing Grace" like I'm sure you've never heard before.

It is also not my mom. Apparently, the album also featured her friend Teddy Swinehart. It didn't sound like my mom and after asking her directly she confirmed that this song wasn't her but her friend.

But I should take this opportunity to praise my mom for her musical gifts. She was an accomoplished guitar player and won a talent context that allowed her to make this record. She met my dad in a music ministry group and they later traveled as a duo even while I was a little kid, singing and speaking in churches.

And if nothing else, she gave a platform to a friend that allowed a cover of Amazing Grace to the tune of "The House of the Rising Sun" to be released to the world.

Music Mondays: Arresting Lyrics

A pastor friend of mine recently used the words "arrested" to describe how he was caught up in singing a worship song. It was in a blog post or Facebook status or something - I can't find it to link to the fuller context - but his name is Tim Sprankle and he pastors the Leesburg Grace Brethren Church. I thought it was the perfect description of something I've experienced too. 

For me it usually happens in the car when I'm by myself and able to sing without shame with regards to my ill-tuned voice. I might get wrapped up in a song and all of the sudden come up on a lyric that stops me in my tracks. It's like the words are too holy to vocalize, too powerful to speak. Tears often well up and I take a deep breath to compose myself. 

It often happens with the same songs and the same lyrics. So that gave me the idea for a Music Monday series on "Arresting Lyrics"  - lines that I find emotionally powerful and profound. Not all of these cause me to ugly cry or anything, but they certainly have etched a powerful mark in my heart, soul, and mind.

This will stretch out over a couple of weeks, separated by my own categories. There are a few artists/bands that in my opinion deserve their own list. There will be a Miscellaneous week of assorted songs and artists too. Today, I've decided I have to start with one particular artist, Rich Mullins.

Mullins came up during the burgeoning age of Contemporary Christian Music in the 1980's. CCM was more or less birthed in the 70's but really hit it's stride when artists like Amy Grant, Sandi Patty, and Michael W. Smith emerged to help CCM become a profitable commercial business. Mullins was certainly a part of that generation, even doing early songwriting for Grant. But it soon became clear he would be "in but not of" the CCM world. From his lyrics to his lifestyle, everything about him signaled there was something different going on. He was tragically killed in an auto accident in 1997 that shocked his peers and his fans, leaving a gaping hole in CCM which no longer had its most passionate voice calling for honest spirituality and helping the marginalized. As time continues to pass, his work continues to resonate as these powerful lyrics attest.

So without further ado, here are what I consider to be Rich Mullin's most "arresting lyrics":

7. "Judgement and wrath He poured out on Sodom, Mercy and grace He gave us at the cross. I hope that we have not too quickly forgotten that our God is an awesome God" - Awesome God

"Awesome" is a word that's been overused and drained of it's full meaning by pop culture. And if you look close enough, you can see the same has happened to this, Mullins' signature song. Here in the second verse, he deftly captures two complimentary aspects of God's character - judgment and grace. I know most audiences will just want to recite the memorable chorus but they'd also do well to contemplate the lesser known verses.

6. "Sometimes I think of Abraham and how one star he saw had been lit for me" - Sometimes by Step

This is another classic that has probably been overplayed by churches and Christian radio. And another made popular because of its chorus - in fact, there is live version on YouTube (not the one linked above) - where he admits writing the verses after his friend wrote the chorus because he liked the chorus so much. 

This line jumped out to me only recently as I was preaching through Romans while also revisiting some of Mullins' music on the side. Romans 4 connects the Abrahamic Covenant of Genesis 12/15/17 to the New Testament Church - so that through faith in Christ, we can all call Abraham "Father", bloodlines notwithstanding. This lyric takes the detail of Gen. 15:5 and makes it personal - really putting it in a way I hadn't thought of before. 

5. "And your grace rings out so deep, it makes my resistance seem so thin" - Hold Me Jesus

For the longest time, I assumed the line ended "my resistance seems so small". It is really not an important detail but Mullins certainly makes the perfect contrast. This is a song of beautifully written contrasts that exemplifies genuine humility and brokenness.  

Check out the link for an incredible two minute introduction. 

4. "I may falter in my steps, but never beyond your reach" - Sometimes by Step

I might pair this line with one from "If I Stand" - "If I stand, let me stand on the promise that you will pull me through. If I can't, let me fall on the grace that first brought me to you."  

If you watched the intro to the "Hold me Jesus" video, this all fits with Rich's willingness to live freely and risk falling rather than conform to some outward legalistic piety. This is what faith in Jesus is, this is what the life of faith looks like. And the "never beyond your reach" always seems to hit me hard. 

3. "It's so hot inside my soul, I swear there must be blisters on my heart" - Hold Me Jesus

Another lyric I always misunderstood. I thought it was "it's so hard inside my soul". This makes even more sense of course. Beyond that however, these lyrics in particular have always reminded me of the line from "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" that says "prone to wander Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love. Take my heart Lord, take and seal it. Seal it for thy courts above." That is a favorite hymn of many and a verse that has spoke to many hearts over the decades.  I appreciate how Mullins captured the same sentiment and added theological beauty in his own way.

2.  "The stuff of earth competes for the allegiance I owe only to the giver of all good things." - If I Stand
"I'd rather fight you for something I don't really want, than take what you give that I need." - Hold me Jesus.

Millions of gallons of ink have been spilled and thousands of trees have been cut down so that theologians could try to explain the presence of sin in the life of a redeemed believer. Countless sermons have been given describing what Scripture calls "the flesh" or "sinful nature".  

In these two separate songs, with these two separate but similarly-themed lyrics, I think Mullins nails it rather efficiently and effectively. One acknowledges our own internal culpability. The other observes the battle against outward forces pulling us in the wrong direction. The better we understand these realities, the more dependent on God's grace we will be. I should really just stop analyzing though - the lyrics certainly speak for themselves. 

1. "If I sing let me sing for the joy that is born in me these songs. If I weep let it be as a man that is longing for his home" - If I Stand

This song has always made me want to learn how to play the piano. In my car, I feel like I can handle the vocals - but the piano would really put it all together. Daydreams aside, these two lines in particular are "play at my memorial"-type stuff. This song is a song of contrasts, as mentioned before. But the singing/weeping description is the kind of thing that really sums up the home-going of a Christ-follower.

The version linked above is of Jars of Clay from a tribute album that was produced in his honor after his death. I can remember learning about this album and the artists who were featured and hoping Jars would do this song. Dan Haseltine's voice was made to sing this song in my mind. Their version doesn't disappoint and actually exceeded my hopes with one small little thing at the end. Instead of "longing for his home", Haseltine simply sings "longing for home". The change is a subtle and fitting recognition that the presence of God is the Home we are all longing for. 

Next week we will feature another artist, though not with this many selections. Rich Mullins was a treasure that was only fully appreciated after he was gone. His work remains a great legacy. Not to his credit, but to the glorious grace of Jesus.

Music Monday

At the conclusion of a service I was participating in - but hadn't planned out, the worship team played this week's Music Monday selection.

It is a classic hymn that didn't just speak to me personally, but also professionally. 

The particular reasons as to why aren't important, but don't the simplest Gospel truths make the most profound impacts on our hearts. Praise God for the grace that is greater than your, than mine, than all our sin.

Tate's First 4 Minutes

I'm not doing my traditional Music Monday feature today. 

Instead, I'm going to share a post I've been writing in my head since the birth of my son. 

It's a bit of a lengthy story, but it's our family's story and I hope it will encourage you and turn your gaze upon our trustworthy Savior.

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

Let me start in 2016. That was a tough year for my wife and me. We had an ectopic pregnancy in the spring and then a 'normal' miscarriage in the fall. We struggled through the pain, tried to look at the positives, and sought to trust the Lord with this process of starting a family. We both did not want to start having kids right away when we got married in 2007 and by the time other life circumstances opened it up, we discovered in a painful way that God wanted us to make this "normal part of life" a matter of faith. 

When we discovered we were pregnant again in the spring of '17, our excitement was tempered by caution. Going through what we did the previous year will do that. We were grateful as each doctor's appointment gave us indications that this baby was healthy and the pregnancy was looking good. 

Nine months seemed to drag along as we went about our lives and prepared here and there for our new arrival. Finally, as we hit December the excitement really began building. We had a due date of January 4 and had conversations with seemingly everyone we knew about the positives and negatives of having a baby around Christmas and/or New Year's. 

Tate was not especially anxious to come early, which was fine (tax benefits notwithstanding). Our primary doctor assessed Stephanie's situation and decided to induce around the due date. So, we were admitted into KCH Tuesday night, January 2nd, so we would be ready to begin the process. 

The steps they take to induce didn't really work on Wednesday and by Thursday - the actual due date - they added Pertussin or something like that, which really kicks in the birth process. Stephanie wanted to do it natural and avoid the epidural, but after long, painful contractions and little progress, we went with the shot.

The epidural sped things up Thursday night and by about 10:30 pm, it was game time. The doctor and nurses were great all week and they were especially comforting and encouraging at this point. We got to the point after midnight where the baby was right there, but pushing was not getting this little guy out. I was feeling a little anxious and frustrated when the baby wasn't coming and I can just imagine how drained my wife must have felt.  

The doctor then went with the little vacuum/suction cup apparatus to pull him out, sensing Stephanie's fatigue. First try didn't work, the cup popped off - ugh. After a few minutes and in line with the next contraction, the doctor was able to pull our little boy out. 

The next moments are both very clear, but also a complete blur. To finally see my son born and them laying him on my wife's stomach was something I'll never forget. He had a little weird color but I'd never seen this before so I had no clue what to expect. His eyes were open and head happened to be turned right towards me. The doctor, who had an hour before confirmed with me that I'd cut the umbilical cord, asked me to do so - "Boy," I thought, "that seems really immediate". Oh well, I'd never been here before. And one snip later, the cord was cut. 

The doctor and nurses had also stated several times during our stay that they promoted "skin-to-skin" care right after birth. It's where they place the baby on mom's chest right away so that mother and child can bond. Tate was laying on her as I cut the cord but pretty quickly after that, they took him off and placed him into what appeared to be a computerized changing station that had been in our room since our arrival. 

"Huh, that was quick. I thought the 'skin-to-skin' thing would be more prolonged." But my mind was overwhelmed by everything I was just taking it all in, not realizing my wife was also wondering the same thing.

As I was taking it all in, I began to sense some tension in the room. The doctor, flanked by two nurses, were speaking in quiet and terse sentences as they powered up the computerized station and cleaned off our son. But they were really doing more than cleaning. The doctor was rubbing his hands over Tate's body. It was then that I realized that Tate had been kind of limp since he came out. That, plus the color I'd noticed earlier began setting off minor alarms in my mind. I tried to ignore them and play cool, realizing my wife couldn't see much from her position and was certainly in a lot of discomfort. 

Moments later, one nurse began putting a CPR-type breathing mask over Tate's mouth and it started to hit me. By now the changing station was powered on and the heart monitor was beeping and showing about the same numbers that the monitors' had while he was still in the birth canal.

Ok, his heart was beating - good sign.
But not breathing - that's a problem.

Now worry was beginning to build. Soon, our medical team decided they needed another hand and the quickest way to do that was to hit the blue button by my wife's bed - a 'code blue' I guess (?). This called all available hospital workers to our room (!). 

We did get that extra hand pretty quickly, but chaos ensued as more and more people poked their heads in our room and offered their services. 

That certainly didn't help soothe the mounting anxiety inside of me. "C'mon little guy, pull through" and "No God, don't let this happen!" are some of the panicked thoughts I still recall as I shot up some prayers the rest of which I'm pretty sure needed the Holy Spirit's interpretation. 

There wasn't a lot of sound coming from our little guy. Just the piano-key-like beeping of the station that was monitoring him.  These minutes felt like hours and every little baby noise made my heart flutter with hope. At one point I buried my face beside my wife's ear and prayed for the both of us on behalf of our son. I could tell her concern level was matching mine. 

Later on, one of those nurses, Cory, who providentially was a neo-natal resuscitation specialist, would tell us the ordeal went about four minutes.  But Cory, Megan, and Dr. Cook did get our little guy breathing again. It was a relief like I'd never known when their tone changed and they shared that he was doing ok and breathing on his own. Sometimes this happens they would explain, when the baby comes out of the womb and is shell-shocked at this new world they are entering and they don't realize they need to actually breathe. 

Relief and joy and gratitude washed over us. They took him to the nursery to monitor him for a little bit and despite all the machine beeps and alarms, our little guy stayed wide-eyed and pretty chill - just taking in everything, and of course breathing on his own. That's where this picture was taken, probably about 3 am.

It's a scary thing to imagine how close we came to being utterly devastated. We know couples who have lost children late in term. We have heard stories of babies who died at birth. I can't offer a perfect theological explanation for those situations, but in our case I can confidently say that God was so gracious to us. He was looking out for us. We had the perfect set of medical professionals for this kind of problem and the Great Physician watching over us.

Someday, we will tell our son about his first four minutes. I hope to do so in such a way and at such an age where he will truly understand God's protective and providential hand on his life. I hope he will recognize how even with his birth, we can see God's grace and love for us tangibly at work. 

Someday we will tell our son about his first four minutes and how they were a reaffirming experience for us of God's infinite goodness and infinite mercy.

All it took was four minutes.

Music Mondays

This week's Music Monday is unlike any other I've featured. Last night my wife and I had the opportunity to attend a live concert featuring Big Daddy Weave, Plumb, and We are Messengers. 

It was a fun concert that also spoke to my soul. Each artist transparently dates about their lives and struggles and pointed us to the grace of Christ that can transform all people.

 

Here's a short snippet from the concert (bear with me while I figure out how to format it).

*Update - it doesn't look like I can properly rotate it...oh well I tried.

"Of when justice was served and where mercy wins. Of the kindness of Jesus that draws me in." That's my story and I hope it is yours too.

Music Mondays

I was trying to think of a song that fit with our passage from yesterday - Ephesians 3:14-21 - where Paul prays that his readers would be strengthened by the Spirit, be able to grasp God's vast love, and grow into maturity.  It's a pretty powerful prayer that concludes Paul's theological focus which comprises the first half of his letter.

While I didn't feel strong about any song for that passage, one single that I keep hearing on the radio seems to fit well with the first 3 theological chapters of Ephesians.

The song, like Paul's theology, is admission of our own frailty and acknowledgement of dependence on God's grace.

Music Mondays

In Ephesians 2, Paul shares the essence of the Gospel by describing who we were before Christ and who we are after.

"Before"

"After"

In my sermon yesterday, I offered this illustration - a picture of me in my younger basketball playing days vs. me currently. It's kind of the opposite characterization as Ephesians - I mean, I'd love to be what I was physically 13 years ago. 
But I am married now and pastoring, having survived seminary. We own an nice house and have had some really fun experiences. So I guess I really would want to be where I'm at today if I had to choose, anyway, I digress.

The point is, that we are completely transformed spiritually when we give our lives to Christ. We were dead, then God makes us alive. We are not able to save ourselves by our good deeds, but God saves us by His grace and then empowers us to do good works.




God's grace is truly amazing and powerful and wonderful. While we didn't sing it during the service, I find this song to be a fitting one to extol God's wonderful and matchless grace. 

This is a great rendition that really takes advantage of the various parts that can be sung. It also doesn't take away from the focus - which is Jesus and his gracious rescue of us 'defiled' sinners. This style is not as appreciated anymore, but it certainly has value as we ponder God's work and sing His praises for all He's done.

Music Mondays

#Blessed has become an over-used social media hashtag. Sure, some people use it ironically, but it cheapens the significance of real blessings when we attach it to our latest Starbucks drink or Amazon purchase.

Ephesians 1:3-14 sets us straight. It is effusive in describing all the true blessings we've been given by God and it is extravagant in how it praises God for those gifts. 

Sometimes we need a reset in our heart's perspective. For me, the above song has that effect.  "Amazing Grace", "Unfailing Love", "Laying Down Your Life So I Would Be Set Free" - beautiful, real blessings.

 

Music Mondays

Because I'm naturally cynical and like to play the devil's advocate, I often roll my eyes when I hear people share how they heard the perfect song at the perfect time. 
But tonight on my way home, I found myself wrestling with some serious things in my heart and mind. And this song came on and it was just right...

This is the stripped down acoustic version, as opposed to the well-produced and faster-paced style that was on the radio. But it's combination of declaration and supplication really spoke to my spirit this evening. May it bless you as well.

Music Mondays: Inspired by Genesis

This past weekend, we continued to follow the life of Noah, specifically looking at The Flood episode. The previous week's passage (ch.6) detailed everything leading up to the historic catastrophe, and the following chapters leave no doubt about God's powerful judgment.

While The Flood is largely about God's punishment of humanity for their pervasive sin, it is equally as much about God's grace to Noah, his family, and the animals on the Ark. God graciously directs, protects, remembers, and restores Noah.  Noah's response of obedience, patience, and worship provide examples for us to emulate. 

"Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" is quite possibly my favorite older hymn and it echoes those same themes found in Genesis 7-8.  It expresses commitment, praise, and humility much like Noah did through the most trying year of his life. 

The Flood renewed the physical creation that was Earth. It did not permanently renew the human heart (8:21) however, but God still promises blessing and we know ultimately had a solution in mind with Jesus. This great hymn likewise recognizes our continuing proclivity to sin and turns to Christ our Savior for the victory and forgiveness we need.

Music Mondays: Songs that teach us stuff

I'd run low on ideas for Music Monday until it hit me. My posts are typically music-oriented or theologically-oriented, depending on if it's Monday or Friday. Why not combine them and follow the Scriptural idea of focusing on music that teaches?

In two different letters, Paul encourages Christians to use music and worship to teach one another:

"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord"               Eph. 5:18-19 (NIV)

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."                                                              Col. 3:16 (ESV)

The Church's music should encourage spiritual growth and be the product of God's Word and the Spirit having free reign in our lives. Little is said in Scripture about the style, but clear admonitions are given about it's substance.  

I've come to observe something interesting about the music world. Popular contemporary Christian music often derives from popular secular music in style. When it comes to substance, the world's music revolves around one thing. Whether it is country, hip-hop, or Top 40, it's almost exclusively about one thing. It begins with 'l' and ends in '-ust'. The Church's music should be about better things.

Thankfully, we have an incredible tradition of music that fulfills the Bible's exhortations. And in upcoming editions of "Music Mondays", I'll highlight great songs of the faith and what they teach us.  Some may surprise you, as we often lose sight of the meaning of those songs that are most familiar to us.

For this initial entry, I wanted to start with a true classic. "Amazing Grace" is one that I could sing in my sleep, and I imagine you could too if you grew up in church. And yet, take another look at the lyrics and observe the progression the song takes:

Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav'd a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev'd;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believ'd!
Thro' many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promis'd good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call'd me here below,
Will be forever mine.

Especially in verses 2-5, John Newton describes the impact God's grace has on us from our spiritual birth through the trials of life and ultimately on the hope of heaven it points us towards. It's a biblical and affirming progression for us, no matter what stage of life we are in. Older hymns tend to follow a progression more than newer songs and it's one reason why songs like this have stood the test of time. 

So next time you hear this played or sing it in church, appreciate the overlooked nuances of this classic hymn of praise.