Matt, Eric and Andrew are three of our worship leaders at West Ridge Church. They got together recently to talk about and share the song “God is Able” by Hillsong. This is a new song to our church, and we’re going to be using it over the next several months. Check out the video below.
If the video doesn’t show up in your RSS feed, click here.
Andrew Pray, one of the worship leaders at West Ridge Church, shares the song “Your Love Never Fails” and the story behind it.
You will never take my passion
‘Cause it always will remain
Even if I lose this battle, oh yeah
It’s just blood inside my veinsThat’s all I have to say
The dream won’t go away
You can’t steal from me
What God gave me for freeIt all starts with a dream
The dawn of a new day
The God inside of you
Will always see you through
So hold on to your dream
No one can take the dream
From your heart–Lenny Kravitz, from “Dream” on Black and White America
Blankenship is typically the person that helps me discover creative music examples like this. Check out Stjepan Hauser and Luka Sulic playing Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson for two cellos solo. Very creative.
It’s a great reminder that creative opportunity exists when we collide two seemingly unrelated elements. In this case, the results were brilliant. Of course, you can’t really go wrong with anything written by Michael Jackson.
How do you fuel the creative process to generate ideas like this? Join the conversation by adding your comment.
In case you missed it, the Grammy nominations came out this week. Here are my favorite songs for the “Best Gospel Song” nominees. The first video is “Beautiful Things” by Gungor:
The second video is Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman singing “Our God” from the Passion Awakening album.
Which song will win? What song do you wish was nominated? And, more important, why don’t Gospel artists make decent music videos for their songs?
I’m so not a fan of Christmas music, but it at least becomes bearable when it’s coming from Coldplay. Watch their new video for “Christmas Lights”:
Here’s my Amazon link if you’d like to download the song.
The David Crowder Band recently released an EP called “Summer Happiness“. It has four stripped-down versions of songs from their “Church Music” album…which is one of my new favorites.
I’m thinking you’ll really have some summer happiness when I tell you that everyone who comments on this post will be entered to win the Summer Happiness digital album, the Church Music CD and an exclusive vinyl of Summer Happiness. Since I’m coming off of summer vacation and feeling particularly generous, one winner will also receive a Church Music vinyl along with the other prizes.
So, just to make things real simple, one contest winner will receive:
And three more lucky winners will receive:
To enter, simply leave a comment on this post that includes your email address. Feel free to include your best David Crowder impersonation if you’d like. As always…
Play nice.
UPDATE: We’ll keep the comments open until 5:00 pm EDT on Thursday, July 15.
UPDATE: The three winners of the smaller music packages are Jeff S., JC and Jonathan. The grand prize winner is Tim H. Congratulations!
You like the folk/rock sound of Bruce Springsteen? Then you might really like the music from John Mark McMillan. His new album, The Medicine, released this week from Integrity Music (one of my fave partners). Head on over to iTunes to preview the album and download it for your listening pleasure.
And, if you’re a worship artist, check out the fun project Ben is pulling together for Story featuring JMM’s “How He Loves”.
I was reminded, again, this week how powerful music is in my life. I engage the truth found in the Bible in many ways. I read it. I hear it. I pray it. I watch it in action in people’s lives. But, honestly, where I and most moved by the God’s Word is through music.
But as for me, I will sing about your power.
Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love.
For you have been my refuge,
a place of safety when I am in distress. (Psalm 59:16, NLT)
Music connects the truth from my head to my heart. It helps me know God at a completely different level.
It’s a great reminder to me that the music we select to accompany a message is pretty important. For me, the music is just as important to message as the teaching itself. I’m guessing that may not be the case for everyone, but it’s certainly the way I’m wired up.
How about you? Can you relate? And, if so, what songs has God used to speak to you most clearly?
The newest album from Carlos Whittaker released this week. If you haven’t had a chance to listen to the full album, you can do it here for free:
Like what you hear? Then hustle over to iTunes or my Amazon link
One more thing, check out what Mike Foster had to share about the new album.
