You'll have to forgive me for having Revelation on the brain, but we're just wrapping up a sermon series in that book. And as I've been preparing for it, I've come to a greater appreciation for how the book unfolds and what it is communicating. We finished the book yesterday, looking at 22:6-21. Even if you take just a cursory glance at that passage, it's hard to miss the fact that three times, Jesus declares "I am coming soon!" And the Church responds at the very end "Amen. Come Lord Jesus." While there are important specific responsibilities based on this key overriding message, this week's song selection ties directly into the fact that Jesus is coming again soon.
This is a new song from Passion 2015 that I've already heard on the radio multiple times. It captures the essence the conclusion of Revelation, expressing a desire for His return and a commitment to be ready.
I was first exposed to this week's song through Kristian Stanfill and the Passion 2012 album. Originally a Hillsong creation, it's a sing-able worship song that's gotten some radio play that I've come to like despite myself. Being a theologically-trained pastor, I almost automatically revert to analyzing songs when I'm listening to or singing them. I'm sure this revelation will come as a shock to those of you who have read this blog.
So in the end, I'm left with enjoying a song despite my mental dissonance. It offers a great proclamation and hope that we can run to God's arms and find a love that "will always be enough".
I was flipping through our church's hymnal thinking of New Year's songs. After all, we just got through a Christmas season that has plenty of songs associated with it. 'What about New Years?' I thought.
There were a grand total of 7 listed. And I only had heard of 3 of them.
That's too bad, because the New Year holiday is a perfect time to celebrate what God's done for us. While not expressly a biblical holiday like Christmas or Easter, the themes of the New Year of new beginnings, starting over, resolutions, and looking towards the future perfectly fit with biblical principles.
So why not scour my iPod and come up with my own list of New Year's-related songs?
And that's what I did.
I will present them in ascending order starting with numbers 6-10 today and present #1-5 next week. Along with corresponding videos, I will also offer a short commentary on why it makes my list.
With no further ado, here we go:
10. "Always" by Kristian Stanfill
Why is it on the list?
This song evokes many of the Psalms where David declares his absolute trust and dependance in God to vindicate and save him. Those aren't exclusively 'New Year's' ideas, but they are important perspectives to have as we look to what may lie ahead. No matter the good or bad 2014 brings, we can be confident in our great God.
9. "Valley of Tomorrow" by Needtobreathe
Why is it on the list?
This band just knows how to write great songs. And this one is a song of re-commitment to God no matter what:
Chorus: Oh, this is the way I wanna go down
(This is the last time) I'm starting over with you
This is the way I wanna go out
(This is the last time)
I also personally love it because it talks about seeing "the daylight breaks through the buildings of Chicago" and I've seen that very thing during my days recruiting for Grace Seminary. It's just a great, soulful song of re-dedication and listening to the Spirit's guiding whisper - totally relevant to us as we make our New Year's resolutions.
8. "In the Light" - dc Talk (nod to Charlie Peacock)
Why is it on the list?
It's an oldie, but a goodie. And to say that means I must be really old. Much like the previous song, this classic from the Jesus Freak album is a declaration of commitment to God and desire to pursue Him. If you're still reading at this point, you are probably sensing a theme. But along with the fitting lyrics, the music is fun, upbeat, and invites us to sing a long.
I've run out of ideas when it comes to themes for Music Mondays. So today, I thought I'd go with a song that's been getting stuck in my head. It's especially appropriate for the current sermon series in Daniel:
Daniel's message communicates the hope we have in our God. It reminds us over and over that God is faithful and in control. God is the light of all and all that we need, because he will bring deliverance for His people. Can't get enough of this song, admittedly because virtually all the heavy hitters of the current worship scene are playing together.
This week's featured revised hymn is one of the more faithful renditions when it comes to the original songs. Some of the others have drastically changed the music and/or lyrics while keeping the theme of the original.
"Jesus Paid It All" by Music Monday favorite Kristian Stanfill is very true to the original but adds a powerful yet simple bridge:
"O praise the One who paid my debt And raised this life up from the dead!"
Repeating those lines while ratcheting up the intensity of the vocals and music is breathes new life into this familiar classic hymn.
