Tunes for a Tuesday - Agnus Dei

I got a collection of records recently. 

My mom and other relatives are going through my grandma's house and preparing to sell, donate, or get rid of all of her stuff now that she's living in an assisted living facility. Not a whole lot interested me when I stopped by, but I did take a box of records. I didn't even take time to look through the whole set until later, but I could tell this was 70's and 80's Christian music. 

We don't have a record player but there's enough "Christian classic" stuff in there that we may get one soon. First albums of Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith. Top-selling Sandi Patti records, a Gaither Vocal Trio album, and randomly, a Lilly Tomlin comedy recording. 

At some point I will do blog reviews of some of these albums for sure. But they led me down a road of some of the songs and albums that I grew up with in the late 80's and 90's. 

Eventually I stumbled back on an old favorite that I liked "before it was cool". By the aforementioned, Michael W. Smith, Agnus Dei was the next to last song on his popular "Go West Young Man" album. 

It is quite a musical contrast from the rest of his album. It is symphonic, classical, written for a choir. It is beautiful worship. 

The song may have been lost to time, if not for a project Smith produced in 1998 that featured singles by a variety of popular CCM artists. Third Day, a Georgia-based rock band, put their spin on it. As the album's Wikipedia states, this version "is still played on the radio today". It was a CCM mega-hit that turned the song into a rugged worship song that was all the rage in those days.

After taking this drive down memory lane, something struck me. Is there a precedent for this at all? A song taking off in popularity 8 years or so after it was originally recorded?

The answer is yes, but it's pretty rare. Covers are very popular if you do any kind of dive into YouTube, but how many really take the original to a different level?

• In the CCM world, the only comparison that jumps to mind is "In the Light" which was written and sung originally by Charlie Peacock and then sent to the stratosphere when dc Talk covered it for the Jesus Freak album.
• In the pop music world, I would compare this to "I Will Always Love You", where Whitney Houston remade the Dolly Parton song and turned it into a 14-week chart-topper.

I would point out one big difference with Agnus Dei. The above songs are examples of improvements on an original. And this is a matter of opinion, but I think the original Agnus Dei is much better. At the time, I loved the Third Day version as I was really into that style. But given some time and space and a changing musical palate - I prefer the original. Some songs just need to be sung by groups and choirs and great vocalists.

Side note and bonus feature: I am not too entrenched in the old classics to admit that if someone has made a better version, it's these folks. I don't know who the Cottrell's are, but they and their church choir (?) did an inspired job arranging two special worship songs here:

Music Mondays + Sermon Snippets

We are beginning a sermon series in Hebrews and I'm going to do my best to regularly highlight songs that fit the passage. I imagine this will be harder in some parts than others, but I guess we will see.

The winter storm forced us to cancel our service yesterday, though I still shared my sermon in truncated form with a co-starring appearance from our son. 

It was no surprise that Tate's presence was a little distracting, at least to this speaker. It's a little ironic given that our passage, Heb. 1:1-4, is all about tuning into Jesus as the only voice worth tuning into. 

One of the songs our worship team was going to lead us with was an "oldie" I remember from my college days. It's a simple chorus - one that fits the 7/11 repetitious stereotype. And yet, in it's simplicity, it fits the tone of the introductory verses of Hebrews. 

There are many other more popular and more loved songs that focus on Christ and elevate His name. But something about this one seemed just right. May all the other voices fade away and we commit ourselves anew to worshipping and obedience.

Worship at Home - January 3rd

 Sermon

This week's message can be accessed on our FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/Milford-First-Brethren-Church-106750154192984/

Study Guide Questions

After - or even as - you listen to the sermon, try digging deeper into the text by working through these questions:

1. Psalm 113-118 is referred to as the "Egyptian Hallel". What is the significance of that? What does that name refer to?
2. Who does God look out for according to Ps. 113?
3. What major event in the Old Testament is Ps. 114 referring to? What greater New Testament event does that foreshadow?
4. What are false idols in our day that compete for our loyalty and allegiance (Ps.115)?
5. What difference can these truths make in my outlook, my actions, my faith?

Worship Songs

Devotional Reading

- Monday: Psalm 113

- Tuesday: Psalm 114

- Wednesday: Psalm 115

- Thursday: Psalm 116

- Friday: Psalm 117

- Saturday: Psalm 118

Making Golden Calves out of Bronze Serpents

In my sermon prep last week in 2 Kings 17-20, a detail popped out to me as I was working through the text. 

In describing the spiritual reforms King Hezekiah implemented, the author makes this note in 18:4

"He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan."

If that reference doesn't ring a bell, there's a short little story in Numbers 21:4-8 of the Israelites growing impatient on their Exodus journey to the Promised Land. God sends snakes in their camp as punishment - and then provides a solution, having Moses craft a snake made of bronze. Anyone who was bitten could look at the serpent and live. Jesus even references it to predict his own sacrificial death in John 3:13-15.

So here in the time of Hezekiah, we learn a) Israel had kept this item b) they had begun to worship it and 3) the King ordered it's destruction. 

What are we to infer from these things?

Well, with a), it was not inappropriate for them to have kept this "icon" that reminded them of God's grace. We know that the Ark of the Covenant was a physical item meant to portray (and seat) God's divine presence. And the Ark itself held other items of special notoriety, namely Moses' staff, manna, and the 10 Commandment tablets. 

Point b) and c) naturally go together as one causes the other. Technically, the passage stops short of stating that out-and-out worship was being observed in the presence of the bronze artifact. Yet the context is clear that Hezekiah was not going to stand for anything that went beyond Yahweh-prescribed worship. 

I find it fascinating how b) follows a) though. Maybe convicting is the better word. Doesn't this feel totally normal for the human experience? Human beings were given a visible sign as part of God's gracious assistance and they start to ascribe special value to the statue itself? Of course we did. 

Early on in church history, the Eastern Orthodox and Western portions of Christianity split over issues including the use of images and iconography. Roman Catholic cathedrals around the world feature exhibits (for lack of a better term) of various alleged items of significant objects of historical Christian events. Evangelical churches aren't often that direct. But we like to put a cross prominently on everything and often take great pride in our architecture and building environment. We often glorify experiences - camps, missions trips, the eucharist - making them the main thing rather than the actual experience of knowing God. 

I'm not equating these examples nor am I outright condemning them. To be honest, this is a half-baked idea. I'm not fully sure of what big application I want to make here other than, we better take care not to make idols out of symbols or memorials. Don't hedge your bets with other rituals or let good tokens of grace turn into superstitious lucky charms. Bronze serpents can easily turn into golden calves if we don't keep the main thing the main thing.

P.S. If I really wanted to stir up some stuff, I might question whether or not we Americans do this with our flag, i.e., do we worry about "disrespecting the flag" as an object instead of focusing on what the flag represents - freedom, independence etc?

Music Mondays: Arresting Lyrics

Last week, I introduced this series and kicked it off with a number of Rich Mullins' lyrics that I find startlingly profound and emotionally powerful.

There are several other artists and categories I plan to feature but as I got into organizing and arranging them all, I realized it will take a bit more thought and time than I anticipated.

So for this week, I thought I'd go with an easier one, Hillsong. I am certainly not familiar with their entire catalog and am certainly aware that they have been criticized for a number of different things. For better, or worse, this Australian-founded outfit took commercialized modern worship. They are significantly different than Mullins if you wanted to compare these back to back. But boy have they written some great songs with lyrics that really stand out.

4. "On a hill you created, Light of the world abandoned in darkness to die" - So Will I (100 Billion X)

This song is unique both for it's lack of chorus and how it seamlessly blends biblical themes from Genesis to the Gospels.

I could easily include the lines that follow "and as you speak 100 billion failures disappear. Where you lost your life so I could find it here, if you left the grave behind you so will I". Really the entire stanza always resonates with me. And the particular point it makes about Christ dying on the ground he helped create (Col. 1:15-16) - it is a perspective I hadn't considered before this song and one I will not soon forget.

3. Now this gospel truth of old, shall not kneel, shall not faint. By His blood and in His name, in His freedom I am free. For the love of Jesus Christ, who has resurrected me." - King of Kings

I originally thought of just the first line and then realized that it keeps building and building and crests with the joyous truth that all in Christ have been raised with him in glory (Rom. 6:4). This is a song about the victorious gospel and the praise of the one who has given that victory to us.

2. "Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of your name" - Shout to the Lord

The "original" Hillsong hit that felt like it drew you in to worship from the first time you heard it. Mountains bowing, seas roaring - what a way to convey the power of our God.

Admittedly, this song is repetitive. One verse and one chorus repeated several times. For me, it's like watching a great movie and then re-watching it a bunch more times to pick up on all the nuances and things you missed the first time. Repetition can be a weakness of modern worship music, but in this case I think it helps us better appreciate the truths contained within.

1. "You have no rival, you have no equal. Now and forever God you reign. Yours is the Kingdom, yours is the glory. Yours is the name above all names" - What a Beautiful Name

This entire verse deserves the top spot really. I especially like how they come back to this last half of the verse in the live renditions.

This may come off weird, but I think I have probably cherished this song and this verse in particular in the last couple years because of the many funerals I have had to officiate over the past 18-24 months. For me it has become a protest anthem. Death is our enemy, but it cannot hold a candle to our Lord and Savior.  What a powerful name it is!

Home Worship 5/17/20

Sermon

This week's message can be accessed on our FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/Milford-First-Brethren-Church-106750154192984/
Or through our website here: https://www.milfordfirstbrethren.org/live.html (video will post by Sunday afternoon)

Study Guide Questions

After - or even as - you listen to the sermon, try digging deeper into the text by working through these questions:

1. How does Paul describe his calling in 15:15-16 - what is his goal?
2. Read this article as it relates to Paul's mention of "Illyricum". What are the options for what he's saying? When would he have ministered there?
3. How does Paul taking the collection to Jerusalem picture the Gospel in his estimation - 15:25-27?
4. What warning does he give as he wraps things up in 16:17-18?
5. Who does Paul want to be the focus as he ends his letter - 16:25-27?

Worship Songs

Devotional Guide

Let's take a look at other endings Paul writes in his letters to other churches.

Monday - 1 Corinthians 16:10-24

Tuesday - Galatians 6:11-18

Wednesday - Colossians 4:7-18

Thursday - 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Friday - 2 Timothy 4:6-22

Saturday - Titus 3:9-15

Home Worship - 5/3/20

Sermon

This week's message can be accessed on our FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/Milford-First-Brethren-Church-106750154192984/
Or through our website here: https://www.milfordfirstbrethren.org/live.html (video will post by Sunday afternoon)

Study Guide Questions

After - or even as - you listen to the sermon, try digging deeper into the text by working through these questions:

1. Who are some examples, from the Bible and elsewhere, of people who blessed their persecutors (12:14)?
2. Who are some examples of people of "low position" whom you can reach out to (12:16)?
3. Why does Paul tell us not to get even in 12:19?
4. Why should we submit to our government (13:1-2)?
5. What example does he give of how we can do this (13:6-7)? What are other ways you can think of?

I'd highly recommend reading this post by Pastor Jordan Muck with summarizes well the biblical foundation for how we ought to interact with our governing powers.

I would also encourage you to become familiar with the life stories of Paul Schneider, Franz Jagerstatter, and Dietrich Bonhoffer. 

Highly recommended viewing - A Hidden Life which tells the story of Mr. Jagerstatter.

Worship Songs

Devotional Guide

Monday - Romans 12:14-13:7

Tuesday - Daniel 6

Wednesday - Acts 4

Thursday - Matthew 5:38-42

Friday - Matthew 17:24-27

Saturday - 1 Peter 2:11-25

Home Worship - 4/19/20

Here's this week's Worship Supplement to go along with our message in Romans 11.

Sermon

This week's message can be accessed on our FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/Milford-First-Brethren-Church-106750154192984/
Or through our website here: https://www.milfordfirstbrethren.org/live.html (video will post by Sunday afternoon)

Study Guide Questions

After - or even as - you listen to the sermon, try digging deeper into the text by working through these questions:

1. What evidence does Paul give that God hasn't outright rejected Israel? 11:1-6
2. What is God's purpose in allowing Israel's rejection?  11:11
3. What does Paul hope to do as he preaches Jesus to the Gentiles? 11:13-14
4. How can we be sure God will draw Israel back to himself?  11:28-29
5. Given God's plan to redeem both Jew and Gentile, how should we respond?  11:33-36

Worship Songs

Weekly Devotional Guide

• Monday - 1 Kings 19
• Tuesday - Psalm 69
• Wednesday - Psalm 92
• Thursday - Isaiah 29:1-10
• Friday - Isaiah 29:11-14
• Saturday - John 15:1-17

If you wanted some good perspective from a Christian journalist and author, I'd encourage you to also read this article that I find to be a convicting yet fair assessment of our response as Christ-followers: https://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/are-we-christians-the-rich-young-ruler-covid-19/

Home Worship - Easter - 4/12/20

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

Here's this week's Worship Supplement to go along with our message in Acts 2:22-36.

Sermon

This week's message can be accessed on our FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/Milford-First-Brethren-Church-106750154192984/
Or through our website here: https://www.milfordfirstbrethren.org/live.html (video will post by Sunday afternoon)

Study Guide Questions

After - or even as - you listen to the sermon, try digging deeper into the text by working through these questions:

1. What "miracles, wonders, and signs" (2:22) come to mind when you think of Jesus' life?
2. What does it mean that "it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him" - 2:24?
3. Why does Peter say David wrote Psalm 16 as a prophesy about Jesus - 2:29-32?
4. What blessings are ours now that Christ has been exalted - 2:33-36?

Worship Songs

Weekly Devotional Guide

• Monday - Luke 24:36-53
• Tuesday - Acts 1:1-11
• Wednesday - Acts 1:12-26
• Thursday - Acts 2:1-13
• Friday - Acts 2:14-36
• Saturday - Acts 2:37-47

Home Worship - 4/5/20

Happy Palm Sunday! I'm not happy we cannot meet together yet, but hopefully our thoughts can begin to focus on the hope of the Holy Week and Easter.

Here's this Sunday's Worship Supplement to go along with our message in Romans 9:30-10:21.

Sermon

This week's message can be accessed on our FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/Milford-First-Brethren-Church-106750154192984/
Or through our website here: https://www.milfordfirstbrethren.org/live.html

Study Guide Questions

After - or even as - you listen to the sermon, try digging deeper into the text by working through these questions:

1. Who was the "stumbling stone" that tripped up Israel? Why did they trip up? What were they focused on instead? (9:30-33)
2. What is the reason Israel lost its way according to 10:3-4?
3. How can people find salvation according to Romans 10:9-10?
4. Who bears responsibility for Israel's rejection? (10:21)
5. What are some ways we as Christians can be obstinate and reject God's clear Word like Israel did (be specific)?

Worship Songs

It is well

Hosanna (Praise is Rising)

Mighty to Save

King of Kings

Daily Devotional Guide

Here are some related passages to our Romans 10 and this Easter Week to study in your daily devotional time.

• Monday - Deuteronomy 30:1-14
• Tuesday - Isaiah 28
• Wednesday - Mark 12
• Thursday- Mark 14
• Friday - Mark 15
• Saturday - Mark 16

Home Worship - 3/29/20

Greetings! We're trying something a little "extra" for this week's worship. Given we're all still following the "self-isolation" guidelines to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, I thought we'd give you a supplement for doing church at home.

Sermon

This week's message can be accessed on our FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/Milford-First-Brethren-Church-106750154192984/?modal=admin_todo_tour
Or through our website here: https://www.milfordfirstbrethren.org/live.html

Study Guide Questions

After - or even as - you listen to the sermon, try digging deeper into the text by working through these questions:

1.     Paul, a Jew, calls himself an “apostle to the Gentiles” (Rom.1:5). What is his response to the Jewish people rejecting the Gospel – 9:1-3? 

2.     What are the spiritual privileges Israel had – 9:4-5? 

3.     What is the point Paul is making about the true children and descendants of Abraham – 9:6-9? 

4.     Who are the other Old Testament people Paul references in 9:10-18 and what is the truth about God he is teaching? 

5.     In 9:25-26, Paul quotes verses from Hosea that originally were about Israel. Who does he apply them to now here in Romans? 

6.     What does this chapter teach us about God’s larger plan of salvation?

Worship Songs

Had we gathered in person today, here's a sample of what the worship would have been like. Given our passage's focus on God's plan and promises, focus on these hymns that highlight the same sorts of themes.

Originally, our worship teams were planning to introduce a song to our congregation this week called "King of Kings" from Hillsong. We were going to use it as an offertory and then start teaching it to you over the next couple weeks. Ultimately the goal is to incorporate it into our worship service on Easter. It is an incredible worship song that reflects on the meta-story of the Bible that culminates in the beautiful events of Easter (and beyond).

Daily Devotional Reading

Paul traces Israel’s history through this chapter to show how God’s plan has been unfolding in unique and unexpected ways from the beginning. This week, let’s look at the Old Testament background passages to gain a fuller appreciation of Romans 9.

Monday – Abraham & Isaac, Genesis 21, 22:15-19

      Tuesday – Isaac/Rebekah and Jacob/Esau, Genesis 25:19-34

-       

Wednesday – Moses and Pharaoh, Exodus 9-10:20

Thursday – Moses and Pharaoh, Exodus 10:21-11, 12:29-36

Friday – the Potter and the Clay, Jeremiah 18

Saturday – the Prophets, Isaiah 10:12-34

Music Mondays

Our worship team led us in a song yesterday that made me go "oh, that's a Christmas song? That's a Christmas song."

It's one of those I've heard, but never really listened to or connected it to Christmas. 

If you don't believe me, try the lyric video.

We are unpacking Isaiah's prophecy of a coming King in 9:6-7 in our Advent sermon series, so even though it surprised me a bit, this song was very fitting. Jesus embodied each of Isaiah's royal titles in a unique way and he certainly continues to embody the king who reigns and will reign forevermore.

Music Mondays - Can a heretic still teach (or sing ) God's truth?

I came across this article over the weekend and there were parts I liked and others I didn't like. I agreed with some of it and disagreed with enough of it that I began formulating a response in my head that I realized would make a good Music Monday post.

Now I fully admit critiquing another's critique may be a low-brow approach in a form (blogging) that is already low-brow. But my aim is not to trash anyone's opinion. only to critically think through this issue - and do so within the parameters the author himself sets. Let me also admit at the top that I own 1 song by Bethel on iTunes ("You Make Me Brave") and I'm not sure our church has ever used their music.

To sum the article up, or just give you a TL;DR version, the author uses the following four questions to ultimately conclude that churches shouldn't use Bethel Music's worship songs*:

1. Are you examining everything you consume through the lens of God’s Word?
2. Does the song stand on its own, proclaiming the truth of God’s Word without explanation?
3. Is it possible to separate the truth being sung from the error of its associations?
4. Would using the song cause us to actively support an errant ministry?

*To be fair, the author doesn't explicitly write that Bethel Music should be avoided. But it is clearly implied.

I completely agree with the first two standards the author provides. It would be accurate to say that they are biblical criteria even. 

Here's why I believe the article fails to fully make it's point. The author provides no evidence that Bethel's music fails to meet the biblical standards in either of the first two areas. One would expect each of those four criteria to shed negative light on Bethel's worship music. Yet under the first two questions, no particular lyric and no songs are given to demonstrate the problematic nature of their worship music. There are nods towards questionable teachings in Bethel's church ministry but the author doesn't even hint that any particular song fails to line up with God's Word.

I am not convinced by the case the author makes for the third and fourth standards either. I believe they are worthy questions. But I am not sure they have as strong of a biblical basis, nor does the article convince me that Bethel Music disqualifies itself in these areas. 

The last question is the easiest for me. Someone can show me the CCLI receipts and prove me wrong, but if an individual church sings one or two of their songs a month, that is 12-24 a year. I doubt the royalties are very significant at that level. I'm sure there would be more egregious examples of this kind of "bad support" if we scrutinized the list of corporations that our retirement plans are invested in or if we evaluated moral quality of the Hollywood production studios we support when we go to the movies. 

With the case of question #3, the author actually makes a good argument for embracing music from Bethel earlier in the article. He cites three classic hymns from three different writers who each had problematic views on various doctrinal issues. Are we sure Bethel is more erroneous than those examples? We aren't advocating Luther's anti-Semitism when we sing "A Mighty Fortress" nor are we affirming all of Bethel's theology by singing their version of "It is Well". And how realistic is it for our people to leave our ministries to embrace with Bethel's questionable doctrinal beliefs as the author implies? What does that say about my church's ministry if my people are so easily swayed by a doctrinally-sound song authored by a theologically-questionable church? 

This gets us to a larger question. Can a heretic ever teach God's truth? Could they author a song that is truthful? 

I'm of the persuasion that all truth is God's truth. I will not seek out secular psychologists for discipleship principles, but I might seek out their observations for how to best deal with addicts or those dealing with mental health issues. A con man who leads revival services so he can fill his pockets rather than save souls can still be a vehicle through which the Spirit convicts hearts. The Bible is full of examples of less-than-worthy vessels being used to further God's Kingdom. He even uses a donkey to prophesy at one point!

In the end, I wonder if this concern over Bethel Music could be an example more like Mark 9:38-41 than Arius. Yes, I find the reports of their theological drifting to be troubling. Yes, I think some of their "spontaneous worship" tacked on the end of their live performances is likely planned and it is certainly not my style. But if there are no glaring doctrinal problems with their worship music and if their music library instead has Christ-honoring qualities - what is specifically wrong with using it for your own God-glorifying purpose? 

Music Mondays - Manufacturing Controversy

Several years ago, as an pastoral intern at my home church, I was witness to a brief encounter after a worship service that really made me cringe.

Our church music was a "blended" style mixing contemporary songs with traditional hymns. As part of the worship set, we sang "Create in Me A Clean Heart" which is based word for word on Psalm 51. 

I was near the stage at the end of the service when I noticed an older lady in our church approach the worship leader and associate pastor. She told him she objected to that song because it mentioned "taking the Holy Spirit" from the author/singing audience. That was just incorrect theology and we should not have sung it. 

Now the leader graciously received her input and agreed with her theologically. As I remember it, he also mentioned that we'd sung that a few months prior and had made comments of qualification before singing it then (I do remember this instance and it was clear and well-done). He apologized for not repeating that step this time and promised to do so in the future. 

Crisis averted. 

On the one hand, it's good that this person was thinking critically about her worship. 

But at the same time, I'm cringing watching that go on precisely because of the context. Our church was staunchly theologically conservative with clear statements about their beliefs about Holy Spirit written in it's constitution. And this pastor had previously made a recent extra effort to clearly explain the nuances of our NT position in Christ vs. the OT differences - that affect seven words of a beautiful song about confession and repentance. Side note, how many other worship songs are there about confession and repentance?

Again, I'm all for discernment and thinking through what we're singing in worship. I don't want to dismiss the idea that our worship should be theologically sound. I'm very much for that. 
Maybe it's the effect of modernity on our society or maybe it's a ripple effect of the Church's own "Worship Wars" over the past 30 years but I've observed a lot of manufactured controversy over various modern and traditional church music. 

This case wasn't "manufactured" exactly, but over the next month or so I'll be featuring cases where some within Christendom have stirred up controversy needlessly. 

They will run the spectrum of very recent to very old. But all will be cases where - in my opinion - some people are "straining gnats while swallowing camels".

And if you have some examples you can think of, feel free to leave them in the comments.

Music Mondays - In defense of Contemporary Worship

I'm a pastor, so my world is unique. The people I meet, the conversations I have, the routine of my job - all unique. And one part of the uniqueness of my calling is that from time-to-time, I will encounter people who still want to fight a war that's already been lost. 

Ultimately, in the larger American Christian culture, this issue is settled. The worship wars were waged and the "contemporary side" gained the most ground and is the most favored form of worship music in (American) Christendom. The traditional side still staunchly continues and those of us who prefer a blended approach still hold pockets here and there. But contemporary worship that involves bands and soft-rock music and lights and visual presentations has won the day.

They will lob snarky criticism at contemporary worship, creating straw-man arguments and generalizations about how nobody writes with any theological depth anymore. All the new music is simply sensual love songs repackaged and rewritten with "God", "Jesus", and "the Lord" edited in. The classic hymns passed down throughout history, resplendent with all of their progressive verses and rousing choruses are far superior than the repetitive and shallow songs of this generation. 

And I understand their comments and to an extent they have a point. 

However they are completely fixated on the mediocre while ignoring the large quantity of evidence that contradicts their assertions. 

Well, let's add more to the growing list of modern worship songs that reflect the popular cultural styles but include strong biblical theology:

I'm sure some curmudgeonly nit-picker will find fault with a word or phrase or other detail. 
But wow is this creative and comprehensive. And the best part in my opinion is that it's not merely a feel-good song, but a song of commitment. 

It enlarges our vision of God and pledges to faithfully follow Him.

So Will I, indeed.

Music Mondays - El, Elohim

I don't know exactly what next week's sermon will look like as we study the names "El" and "Elohim" that are used of God in Scripture. 

I do know that at least part of it will want to reflect the worshipful declarations of this son, because it gets the significance behind those names:

 

This is God in His holy place

This is God, clothed in love and strength

 

Sing out, lift your voice and cry out

Awesome is our strong God, mighty is our God

Sing out, raise your hands and shout out 

Awesome is our strong God, mighty is our God

Music Mondays

Over the weekend, my wife and I attended a local Pastor's Appreciation Banquet that featured an really good musical artist named Ted Yoder, who specializes in the hammered dulcimer.

It's an unusual instrument but one that creates beautiful melodies. One well-known artist who utilized this was Rich Mullins. And throughout his concert, Mr. Yoder mixed in some songs from Mullins.

The concert reminded me of how GOOD Rich Mullins' music was. He's still appreciated for 'Awesome God' and his tragic death. But you comb through his library and not only will you find sing-able songs but a powerful voice of a broken man who enjoyed an intimacy with God. I fear those qualities are sorely lacking in our American Church leadership let alone the Christian music industry.

But complaining misses the point and is not what this post is about. Let's allow ourselves to be moved by the wonder and faith of some of these classics.

This one features the aforementioned dulcimer:

This one contains lyrics that haunt my heart every time I listen:

I'd rather fight You for something
I don't really want
Than to take what You give that I need 

...And Your grace rings out so deep
It makes my resistance seem so thin

Music Mondays

Last week I was at a pastor's retreat with my wife down in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. One of the few scheduled activities they had was a mini-concert by Russell & Kristi. 

This concert featured several original pieces but was mostly centered on leading us in worship. One of the songs they led us in was a flashback to my high school days.

The song: "Wonderful, Merciful Savior"

The flashback memory it triggered was watching my youth group choir singing this through the various levels of Word of Life 'Teens Involved' competitions. I think I was a sophomore because that was the first year I had chosen not to sing in the choir. 

And I immediately regretted that as soon as I heard them sing that for the first time.  

It isn't a good worship song, it's a GREAT one. The seminary-trained theologian in me tends to closely critique the songs we sing and this one stands up to even the closest of scrutiny. It focuses on all three members of the trinity and offers nothing but honor and glory to our great God and awe for what He's done in saving us.

Music Mondays

This week's song selection is a popular tune that's over ten years old but still holds a top-five ranking of most popular worship songs of our day. Below is a live version that effortlessly incorporates its thematic parent, "How Great Thou Art". I anticipate us singing it this coming Sunday as it naturally connects with our sermon series subject matter, especially as we focus on the beginning and end of Revelation which both describe our victorious and great King.

In our contemporary worship context, a ten year-old song is 'ancient'. But I find it refreshing how even a familiar song can have new life breathed into it with creative arrangements and alterations.

Music Mondays

It is freezing cold outside right now in Northern Indiana and we got our first legitimate snow overnight - and are expecting more this evening.

It's times like this I like to daydream about summer, laying out at the beach while soaking in the hot sun. I like to imagine swimming, although as a guy in my 30's I don't do it with the same enthusiasm as when I was a kid. What I do find enjoyable these days is swimming in the ocean or Lake Michigan when the wind and/or boats are creating waves and choppy seas.

This summer I had the opportunity to travel to the Philippines on a missions trip. I documented the trip on this blog and detailed how we used basketball to share the gospel. One afternoon, when we had some free time, we visited a beach near Subic Bay. It was a super-humid day, as most are. I remember the water was warm and it also happened to be fairly windy so the waves were pretty good size. 

A couple times as we were jumping into the waves, I would rise up out of the water to get my bearings and get knocked over by another one I didn't see coming. A couple times it almost knocked the wind out of me, but it was a lot of fun.

What does that have to do with music? 

Well, shortly after returning home, I heard this song and it took me back to that day on the beach and getting momentarily bowled over by the water. And as this song pictures God's love unrelentingly coming at us, I thought about how God's love should affect my soul with the same force that those waves affected my body. 

There is more to this special song as it exalts God and His love and then expresses how that strengthens us and gives us courage. I'm pretty sure any time I hear this song I'll think of the Philippines and likewise any time I get crushed by a wave, I'll think of this song.

One final note: if I'm ever unmoved by the lyrics "You are for us, You are not against us" - if that doesn't wreck my spirit at it's core - I will know I have some serious issues with my heart. What a truth: that we undeserving people have been graciously made His.