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Showing posts from October, 2024

Red Letter Society’s "I Claim": Embracing the Cross for New Life

Red Letter Society releases a powerful song called "I Claim". It's lyrics hit straight to the heart, and urge us to embrace our struggles, how stange that may sound, but it is through these struggles that our relationship with Christ continues to grow. The song is a call to the modern church to not shy away from pain but to see it the same way that Christ did - a route to "true life", a life that He made possible for us with His ultimate sacrifice. The song begins with, "I claim the cross / I'll suffer with the Christ that I adore," an encouragement to let go of our "old selves", pick up our crosses, and follow Jesus. Sure, we will need to surrender ourselves to Him, but He promises to free us from the chains and burdens of our old lives, and He will guide us along the way. "I claim new life / Death defeated in his sacrifice," also reminds us that joy and resurrection are waiting for us when we choose to live in Christ.  We...

"Lepers" by Lauren Lehman: Join the Journey Back to His Grace and Mercy

Lauren Lehman has released a beautiful rendition of "Lepers", originally created by Joshua Leventhal. A song about healing, hope, and renewal. Following a life-changing experience with dialysis and a kidney transplant in 2018, Lauren found a lot of peace and strength by listening to "Lepers." So, it shouldn't come as a big surprise that Lauren wanted to add her personal touch to the song by releasing this cover. This cover is also her way to express thanksgiving to Jesus, and is a personal testament to His undying love and mercy that breathe life into what we believe are the most desolate situations in our lives. The song's lyrics are warm, extending an inviting hand to everyone who feels isolated, burdened, or even unworthy of His love and grace. Lauren sings, "All ye outcasts, undesired, Come to the Man who won't look away," echoing Jesus' call to everyone that is looking for peace and cleansing of their soul. It's a reminder that in...

"Bones" by Wild Olive: A Hauntingly Beautiful Reminder of God’s Presence

In the spirit of this time of year, Wild Olive releases, "Bones," a hauntingly beautiful reminder of God's omnipresence. Not the dead bones that many are thinking about as the Halloween celebration comes closer, but a song about the One who lives inside your bones. A song that helps to make this Halloween a time of spiritual reflection. “When I start thinking that I'm all alone // I need to remember you're inside my bones,” a reminder that God's presence is a close by as your own bones. This track is especially for anyone who feels lost or is battling with inner demons. It turns the spooky season (and for some people, especially in the middle-east, the horrifying times) into a time for personal reflection, reinforcing the message that in our darkest hours, we're never truly alone. That self-reflection also calls us to look at our own behaviour, our intolerance for the opinion of others, as if others are not children of the same God or undeserving of His p...

Kayla Spurlock's 'Yes, He Will' - Finding His Light in the Darkest Nights

In the middle of all of the turmoil that is taking place across the world, "Yes, He Will" by Kayla Spurlock has a powerful message that we all need to hear. With the terrible events of October 7, 2023, in mind - when Israel was invaded - Kayla wrote this song as a testimony that Christ is watching over us, comforting us, and even holding us, dispite the man-made acts of extreme aggression that we are witnessing today.  The song applies to all world conflicts as well as the difficult life circumstances we may be going through - the strife and turmoil that touches (or may even crashes into) our lives, both globally and personally. Kayla doesn't hesitate to bring the fears and doubts to life that gnaw at our sense of peace. "When a rocket screams in the dead of night, Every eye reflects the bright orange light," she begins, setting a scene filled with terror that is the current reality to so many innocent people. This scene is quickly replaced with a powerful chor...

Dive Deeper with 'Let It Fall' by WAVES WORSHIP: A Call to Worship

WAVES WORSHIP’s first worship song, “Let It Fall,” acknowledges God as sovereign. It’s a prayer woven into melody, written by students and staff of Pepperdine University’s worship community. Picture this: worship services with around 600 attendees coming together weekly to sing, seek and praise together. “Let It Fall” is prayer, inviting God’s presence to come over us and fill us with His grace and power. “Worthy worthy worthy // The One who’s overcome,” declaring God’s greatness and acknowledging the ultimate sacrifice He made for each one of us. That sacrifice is personal and intimate, opening doors of possibilities, and the only thing we need to do is open our hearts to experience God’s love and power firsthand and ask Him to let His spirit fill us. What more can we desire than to have a true encounter with Christ, to feel a touch from the Almighty, to know that we can safely let go and let God have His way in our lives? He is waiting to shower His blessings over you and guide you ...

'Never Gonna Stop' by Ryan Jones: A Reminder of God's Unending Love

Ryan Jones's new song "Never Gonna Stop" is about that deeply rooted assurance we all are looking for. That no matter how deep we sink, or how far we have gone off-track, God's love can still find us! Ryan's lyrics remind us that we're not too far gone. "There was a day I thought I lost it all… Then I heard your voice say I won't let you fall," he sings, echoing God's promise to you, me, each one of us that His love is unstoppable.  When your life feels darker than night, or hope just seems to be nothing more that a distant flicker, "Never Gonna Stop" is dishing out hope! An encouragement that God's love will reach you as long as you keep trying to do your best and look to God for guidance. Don't give up; reach up to Him!  And just like Ryan does, you too can bank on the same certainty of God's love that is repeated in the chorus: "Never gonna stop, never gonna stop, never gonna stop loving me." The song is a...

'One Day' by Effie: Finding Victory in Life's Unseen Path

Effie's song "One Day" is a beautiful reminder that life's fog of uncertainty is temporary and that victory & clarity are just around the corner. Effie shared that one evening she was sitting in her room with her guitar and thinking about feeling loss and how darkness can seem to sweep over us. She began to sing and play out the words and melody that came into her heart. It seemed to just pour out, and it turned into a song that captures the essence of faith's journey, showing how Christ went from what seemed to be defeat to ultimate victory. Effie sings: "You knew that your final climb // Was leading to victory," about our walk through life's unseen plans, towards a masterpiece we're still not able to fully grasp. An unwavering belief that even in moments when we can't piece together the bigger picture, God is at work in our lives, crafting something that is far beyond our imagination - where "the dark will be swallowed by the ligh...

'All To You' by The James Jennings Project: Worship Beyond Words

The James Jennings Project's "All To You" is an intimate conversation with God shaped into melody and lyrics. "All To You" is a worship song that James wrote back when he was leading worship at a small church. This song captures the essence of true surrender. James shares, "It's far easier to say than to do, but it is my heart's desire." Every word brings you closer to God as you listen to the guitar and the piano.  "Wonderful, Lord, that's what You are," recognizing God's omnipotence and love, a love so immense that it led the ultimate sacrifice that He made on our behalf. "All You had, You gave up willingly, so all that I am, I place in Your hand and give all to You." It's here, in the surrender, that we find the heart of worship, an offering of every moment, every breath taking us back to our Creator.  James reminds us, it's not just about the lifted hands or the words we sing; it's about living a l...

Petition: Demand that Musixmatch Respects Songwriters' Rights and Distribute Their Lyrics for Free

Musicians and songwriters all over the world are deeply upset by Musixmatch's latest policy changes! All of the lyrics you see on Spotify come from Musixmatch, and artists could submit them for free for years… until now!  A policy change that negatively affects every singer/songwriter that releases music to digital streaming platforms , such as Spotify, and all users of streaming services who pay premium monthly subscriptions that include the song lyrics. The petition :  https://www.change.org/musixmatch-limiting-songwriters-exclusive-rights-to-distribute-lyrics Musixmatch recently made changes that now requires all artists to purchase a Musixmatch Pro subscription before their lyrics are distributed and publicly displayed on streaming services like Spotify. This is deemed unethical because: Many artists already pay their distributors (extra) to have lyrics published and synced on Spotify, and other platforms. Now artists are forced to additionally subscribe to Musix...

Hunter Plake, Dancing In The Courts: Joy in His Presence

'Dancing In The Courts' by Hunter Plake is about the essence of true joy and surrender. It reflects Plake's desire to choose Jesus over everything else, and rejoice in His presence and the promise of an eternal life with Him. Growing up in a family of musicians and minsters, Hunter Plake's path to his BEC Recordings debut took a few unexpected detours. As a teen, Plake led worship in his home church, even getting his GED his junior year of high school so he could attend ministry school. But it wasn't until he auditioned for NBC's The Voice that music became a possible career path. 'A friend of mine, Koryn Hawthorne, had just gone to the finale on The Voice. I thought, well, if she can do it,' Plake says with a smile. He ended up placing fifth in his season, opening doors for him to pursue music full-time. After a few years of recording pop songs, producing and trying to make a go of it in Los Angeles, Plake felt something missing in his life. In June of...

'In Your Hands' by Jeff H. Ulrich: A Soul-Stirring Journey Through Faith

Jeff H. Ulrich's song 'In Your Hands' isn't just any song, it is a peak behind the curtain of Jeff's life, his journey of ups and downs, seeking God's guidance, and trusting in His plan. Did you know that Jeff was born blind, got partial sight when he was 9 months old, was battling for his life when he was 9 years old, and endured various personal and financial crises? Jeff didn't share this in order to get a pat on the back. He lived through these trials, supported by his faith with each step, and now shares this to encourage others as they face their own challenges. 'In Your Hands' is a reflection of Jeff's journey, a journey that deserves more than a summary of few words. That is why you'll find links to a YouTube video with Jeff's backstory, and a podcast episode where we deep dive into Jeff's story and this song. Looking at the lyrics, 'When I was lost - Drifting all alone, Not sure I'd ever come to find My way,' Jef...

'For God So Loved the World' by Divine Vibes: A Melodic Techno Worship Experience

Divine Vibes’s debut single, “For God So Loved the World,” is an inspiring blend of Melodic Techno & House combined with a timeless message. The song is about John 3:16, an important reminder of God’s love for us: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The Melodic Techno & House vibes make this track a unique experience that quickly gets my energy flowing and puts a smile on my face, as the beats blast into the room with the repetition of the phrase “For God so loved the world” . I can appreciate how the line “For God so loved the world” is repeated like a mantra, because it actually helps to make this stick longer in mind throughout the day. The lyrics also repeats a promise that I believe can’t be repeated enough: “Whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This is an interesting musical reminder that there is no end to God’s love, and eternal life is His gift ...

‘Goodness of God’ by Cultivation Worship: A Beautiful Acoustic Cover

Cultivation Worship's rendition of 'Goodness of God' by Bethel Music is a beautiful acoustic cover, with an intimate blend of acoustic guitar, cello, a strong female lead, and male background vocals. It's a version they made for their church services, and loved so much by the congregation that the band decided to share it with the world. For anyone who is not that familiar with the song, the main theme of the song is about God's unwavering faithfulness (dispite everything we do to counter that) and His enduring goodness that is there to enter every moment of our lives (if we let Him in), and invites us to respond with gratitude and praise.  It is because of His goodness that we can wake up each morning and lay our head down each night, fully aware that we are held in His loving hands. 'I love You, Lord // Oh, Your mercy never failed me // All my days, I've been held in Your hands,' the lyrics remind us that from dawn till dusk, we can experience His goo...

'From the Ashes' by Maria Segerholm ft. Tom Taylor: A Journey From Despair to Praise

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by life's challenges, then think of what Job went through. Maria Segerholm and Tom Taylor released an EP called 'From the Ashes', with a title song (also named 'From the Ashes') inspired by the extreme challenges that Job faced. Maria and Tom make an inspiring link between Job's ancient story and the personal struggles we all face in our lives (albeit that some seem to face more struggles than others).  The lyrics try to describe Job's anguish: 'Even though I've lost everything, barely making it through the day.' And in the pre-chorus, you can almost hear Job cry out with raw honesty: 'I breath in, breath out. Where are You, Lord? Are you there?' If there is only one thing that you take-away from this song, let it be the example of Job's unwavering faith in God.  When Maria and Tom wrote this song, Maria realized that this song had to be part of her lament EP. A song that places everything you...

'A Heart That's Empty'', Home Sweet Homies' Quest for Fulfillment

Home Sweet Homies presents a fresh and energetic sound with their song 'A Heart That's Empty.' This pop rock song is all about finding your life's true purpose and happiness. Everyone can relate to this topic, regardless of their religion or background. It's a message about those moments many of us are all too familiar with, like when you're tired of pretending, your heart is empty, and nothing feels real.  This song was written during a group jam night in 2022, and they regularly perform it live as a band. They capture the feeling of searching for something that is truly authentic, with lines like, 'How do you fill a heart that's empty?' and 'So I come back to you, seeking out the truth.' They also point you in the direction of the solution... find peace by turning to the source of life.  For anyone feeling lost and alone, the lyrics 'How do you still a mind that's running?' strike a chord. The song beautifully paints our searc...

Arcadia Worship's 'Overflows (Live)': A River of Renewal

You've got to listen to Arcadia Worship's new song, 'Overflows (Live).' It's a heartfelt plea for God to enter our life, heal the brokenness in our heart (and the world around us), and shape us. Just like rivers can shape rocks and canyons, and water can find its way through the barricades. The lyrics call for a divine restoration and witnessing the impact of God's love and justice.  The opening lines, 'This world you created, this land that you gave us,' remind us that our lives are gifts, His gifts to us, a gift with a larger plan behind it. But, as imperfect as we are, 'Our sin has made dirty' the gift that was meant for beauty. The chorus is where you really feel the heartbeat of the song: 'Let your river run deep into our soul, carve a canyon into our heart of stone.' A reminder that we really need God's redeeming love to 'flood' / saturate every part of our life and the community around us.  The live recording of ...

'Jeremiah 29:11' by Sow In Peace: Connecting to God’s Plan

Mike, the artist behind Sow In Peace, brings us a powerful reminder with his latest track, 'Jeremiah 29:11.' This track has a modern CEDM vibe, blending soothing electronic beats with the timeless promise from God that we can read in Jeremiah 29:11. 'For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' It’s an energetic melody that doesn't distract from the core message, a song that invites you to reflect on God's promise in your life, reminding you that His plans are driven by love and purpose. Mike grew up in a family of musicians, and it shouldn't come as a surprize that music has always been an important part of his life. He went on to have a successful career writing music for TV shows and movies after finishing his formal education in music. While living the fast-paced Los Angeles lifestyle, he gave his life to Christ and found a new calling—a calling to slow down and re...

"This Is Your Heaven" by Jim Vierra: Feel the Promise

“This Is Your Heaven”, Jim Vierra latest release featuring grammy award artist Ceron Mays, Latavius Mulzac and Madeline Statter, is a powerful gospel track. It's a song that brings together the uplifting power of gospel music with contemporary rap. The lyrics reflect the happiness and hope we all may have in Christ, knowing that God has prepared where we can be with Him one day. That's what this song is about!  The first line of the song is a strong affirmation of faith: 'I believe in Your Spirit, I believe in Your love. Thank You for Your forgiveness and Your mercy from above.' This is honest praise for God's boundless grace. We love the chorus, as it quickly has you singing along: 'I know where I'm going because of what You've done. My lips sing Your praises, God's one and only Son.' There's such a comfort in these lines - feeling like God's warm embrace. 'Every tongue will proclaim that Jesus, He is the risen King,' the rap ve...

Emmy Rod's 'Trust in God': Finding Faith in Uncertain Times

Emmy Rod's album 'Trust in God' is a journey of faith that you can relate to, especially if you're struggling with uncertainty. Eight beautifully written songs encourage you to place your trust in God and be assured that His promises will never change.  'Trust in God,' the title track, immediately sets the tone of the album. You can count on God to be there for you as you face one of life's many storms. Emmy sings, 'When the storms of life are raging // And my heart is filled with fear // I remember You are with me // Your promises are always near,' reminding us that God never let's you down. He is always there and is your refuge (if you let Him be part of your life).  'At the Cross' takes you to the heart of Jesus' sacrifice, encouraging you to take time to reflect on His unconditional love and grace. He already paid the price for you… all you need to do is accept.  The song 'In Moments of Despair' acknowledges that we al...

'Climbing Mountains' by Jesus Saves: A journey with faith, resisting temptations, transformation, and praise.

The album 'Climbing Mountains' by 'Jesus Saves' contains 15 honest and inspiring songs. The songs address five themes: Unwavering Faith Resisting Temptations Personal Transformation Confronting False Teachings Praise Unwavering Faith: A big part of our faith is being able to truly trust God's plan, look to Him for direction, and be strengthened by His love. The lyrics in the following four songs express gratitude for His blessings and acknowledge His role in overcoming the challenges we face in life. The following lyrics stand out: Praise His Name - 'Trust the Spirit, not the men, Most these men, will never understand, That His Grace is there for everyone' If You Give Your Pride - 'If you give up your pride, You’ll see the reason why, He sacrificed His Son, For us to have eternal life' Better Days - 'Oh Lord, give me words to speak, In the time of need, When they question me' Eternal Life - 'God gave us the Spirit, So we could see, The wo...

'Lonely Dirt Road' by Dax: A Journey to Solitude and God

Dax's 'Lonely Dirt Road' is a conversation that Dax has with himself and God. Dax shares his journey of turning mental health walks into healing solitary drives. As you listen, you can almost feel the cruise, where it's just you, your thoughts, and God.  The chorus is so relatable: 'When I need space, that's where I go, a place to escape that nobody knows.' What do you do when life's pressures stack high? Do you also have a space where you can let go? That lonely dirt road that Dax sings about symbolizes solitude, but it is also an incredible opportunity for connecting with God.  Dax's honesty is raw and relatable. 'I didn't want my family to see me cry… dealing with the pressure of trying to provide.' There are times when we all put on a smile to hide how challenging situations may be. Like his father, Dax says that he finds peace on this lonely road, where challenges become opportunities to grow. This shows the core of our faith: that...