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Showing posts with the label #CCM

North Palm Worship's 'The First Noel' Featuring Deborah Hong: An Uplifting Christmas Classic

North Palm Worship, well known for their heartfelt worship, offers a fresh rendition of "The First Noel," featuring Deborah Hong. This is one of the most famous carols: a herald proclaiming the coming of Christmas. The First Noel's origins are humble.  The song came about during the Proto-Renaissance (the period that led into the Renaissance), during the 13th or 14th century. The First Noel was written as a way to express the excitement and wonder of Christmas. Hundreds of years ago, during a time without internet or phones, the people of Cornwall sang it in the streets as a way to spread hope and joy. The world may look very different today, but we still gather to sing the song for the same reasons. The song is a testament to the fact that no matter what the earth looks like, no matter how much time passes, the encouraging story of Jesus will always connect with the hearts that are desperate for Him. This rendition is also a call to unite in worship and sing this song fo...

Haddon’s ‘In Your Arms’: Finding New Life in Christ

Haddon's song "In Your Arms" does a beautiful job of describing challenges that many of us know all too well. Based on Romans 8:6, Haddon sings about his own battle with sin and how Christ helped him overcome. For many years, Haddon found himself stuck in a cycle of self-destructive habits and sin. Pride and lust had brought him to the end of his rope. He kept going further down and wondered when he would reach the bottom. But remembering Romans 6 brought him hope, realizing true life is found only by setting your mind on Jesus.  The lyrics feel like an honest conversation with a friend, urging those who feel lost or weary to turn to God. If you've ever felt crushed by pride, trapped by sin, or just plain exhausted, Haddon's assures you that life is full and hope is certain, where God's embrace is like a gentle hand that is guiding you back on track.  Only God brings hope and new life. As Haddon shares: "So through fire and water, whatever the trial may b...

Fia Nyxx's "Way Maker" - Finding God Through Music

Fia Nyxx embraces a theatrical approach to her music and is known for her “brilliantly experimental clash of genres”. Nyxx is evolving from her former pop-artist image to Christian music. From the moment you hear her soulful vocals, you’ll be reminded of artists such as Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Toni Braxton. Making music has always been a spiritual experience for Nyxx, one that defies genres. She released a Contemporary Worship EP, called “From The Mountain”, a four-song collection that has helped her during a challenging year of self-reflection, mental health struggles, and doubts about her faith. One of the songs on this EP is a cover of the song “Way Maker”, and despite the fact that this song has been covered by quite a few artists, this is a rendition that clearly distinguishes itself from other covers. Working alongside producer Sam J. Garfield, Nyxx crafted a version of “Way Maker” that’s both unique and preserves the original spirit of the song. It’s got five-part h...

Avery Stafford's "Manna (Come on Down)": A Reminder of God's Faithfulness

Avery Stafford's "Manna (Come on Down)" is a beautiful reminder that God never forgets us. The song was inspired by Avery's own journey of faith. He remembers how excited he felt as a 7-year-old standing in front of a church in San Jose, CA, when he said "yes" to Jesus. Avery has that same fire and excitement for God's constant presence and provision today.  The song's title is a nod to a youth rally called Mannafest, emphasizing that God continues to provide for us amidst life's challenges, just as He provided manna in the wilderness. God reigns, even though hopelessness, loneliness, and disappointments constantly plague our world. The acts and consequences of people's choices can distract our focus from God. It is through lyrics like "Remind me, Lord, just why I need You living in my dreams" and "Spirit, come on down," that Avery calls us to remember God's unending faithfulness and reignite our initial love and de...

Beth Merill's "Messiah": A Celebration of Hope

In Beth Merill's song "Messiah," she recounts the Christmas story with a beautiful pop/CCM melody. Beth indicated that the lyrics were inspired by Luke 2:11–14 and that she wanted to tell the story of Christ's birth in a way that was both personal and relatable. She loved the process of writing and producing this song, beginning back in November 2019. This version includes a hint of Christmas bells and cosy winter vibes.  The lyrics recount the incredible journey of Jesus, who left His heavenly throne to become our Savior. Jesus, the Light, came into a world that was filled with darkness and made it possible for us to be redeemed from all of our sins and return to the Father. The chorus is cheerful and invites us to join the angels as they worship and celebrate the true Light that came to the world on that Holy Night.  His birth isn't just a historical event; His coming to earth continues to be relevant to each and every one of us. May His gift to mankind also bri...

Kaleb Kaps Releases a Heartfelt Single 'Feet of the Father'

Kaleb Kaps has released his debut single, 'Feet of the Father'! This is a song that Kaleb wrote and released with the help of his producer in Nashville. The song is perfect for listening with the windows down on a summer day or for those moments when you're struggling and need His guidance.  Our deepest desire is to feel God's presence in our lives, especially when we're going through hard times. Kaleb sings about giving up control and placing your worries and fears at the feet of the Father. In doing so, you will feel His comfort and peace in your heart.  Kaleb's song beautifully captures the constant struggle we all go through: the weariness, the shame, and the low points in our lives. May you take a moment to listen to the lyrics, especially the part where Kaleb sings, "All my worries, He's got 'em." That is my biggest takeaway from this song, an invitation to find revival and peace at His feet and know that when we place our lives in God...

Maria Segerholm's "One Child (Acoustic Version)"

Maria Segerholm released a fresh acoustic rendition of "One Child." The original song is by Mariah Carey and co-written with Marc Shaiman, a song that deeply touched Maria since she performed it at Christmas concerts with orchestra, choir, and children's choir in Jönköping, Sweden, back in 2016. Maria normally releases original works, and this year she decided to step outside her comfort zone and release an acoustic cover of a well-known song. She not only hopes that this rendition will be appreciated by fans new and old, but even more important, that this song will shift your focus to Jesus as the true reason for the season. The lyrics retell the story of Jesus's birth, from the angel's visit to Mary to her journey to Bethlehem and Jesus' humble birth in a manger. Each verse reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas. The chorus emphasizes the key message of this story: "One child can change the world." Maria passionately shares this message of ho...

"Endless" by Emily Lindquist: Celebrating God's Infinite Wonder

Have you ever wondered about the endless nature of God's love? Although we can't even begin to grasp the endless nature of it, Emily Lindquist's song "Endless" does manage to beautifully capture the feeling of awe that this gives us. The lyrics remind us that His works and wonders never cease. Emily's lyrics were written with the idea that we will always have reason to worship because God is infinite in nature!  The verses describe the inadequacy of words and melodies to fully capture God's boundless love for all creation. Emily reverently acknowledges His glory, beauty, marvel, and wonder and expresses, "With every breath I have my soul will sing," a hymn of praise, a heartfelt offering to our loving Creator.  The bridge rings with sacred echoes of "Holy, holy is the Lord" and "Worthy is Your name," emphasizing the eternal nature of our praise. God's love and mercy have no end and are ever-present.  May "Endless...

Celebrating Christ's Birth with Shawn Thomas' "Glory to God"

"Glory to God" by Shawn Thomas is a Christmas song with a message that can lift your spirits just, as the angels did on that night that Christ was born. The message of the song was inspired by the birth narrative that we can read in Luke 2:13–14. Shawn beautifully captures the feelings of celebration and reverence of that moment that changed everything for humanity.  The song takes us from the humble manger all the way to the cross, emphasizing the importance of God's incredible gift of grace. Feel reverence with lines like "In a stable wrapped in love's embrace, Heaven's gift - promise of grace," and share the joy of angels as they sing "Glory to God in the highest, Peace on earth, goodwill to men."  Beautiful lyrics that beautifully wrap up some of the highlights of Jesus' life, from celebrating His birth to His divine mission to His ultimate victory and gift to all people. Shawn's message is filled with faith and joy, and helps us fe...

Tania G's "Amazing Grace": God's Healing for Today's Brokenness

Tania G has reimagined the well-known hymn "Amazing Grace," with success! This is a total makeover with a fresh modern sound that stays true to the core message of the song. This song is part of Tania's EP project that reimagines old hymns into fresh modern-day variations.  "Amazing Grace" is about the life-changing power of God's love, and Tania invites you to let His grace heal your brokenness. She sings about feeling fragile and the misconception that we're never quite good enough. "But from the moment I believed…," Tania sings, that is when everything changed.  God's grace healed Tania's breaking heart and put her life back on track: "From someone who's lost // To someone who's found." God's grace ensures we are never alone, even when we are facing dangers or fears. It is His amazing grace that will guide believers through life's storms and lead us to a better and brighter tomorrow.  May Tania's soulf...

D28 Band's "A Psalm of Praise": A Song to Strengthen Your Faith

Get ready to be deeply moved by D28 Band's latest song, "A Psalm of Praise." This song is a song that celebrates our faith and the redemption we may receive through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. A song about His gifts to us, not only very relevant for this time of the season, but even more important for every day of our lives.  In the spirit of this season, lean in and listen to how D28 Band unwraps the gifts that God has in store for each one of us. These gifts are so precious that it can sometimes be challenging to believe they are ours through His grace. Maybe that is why the band starts this song by reminding us that God never breaks His promises: "there's nothing that my God can't do." If you're anything like me, this message of hope and reassurance can't be repeated enough!  The chorus looks at the gift of joy and freedom that we may receive through the "blood of the Lamb." The melody is catchy, and the lyrics emphasize a li...

Lanre O.'s "The Shore" – A Journey From Addiction to Freedom and Peace in Christ

Lanre O. takes you on a very personal journey with his song "The Shore." He shares how he not only broke free from the chains of pornography by God's grace but also moved from shame and guilt to finding peace in Christ. The message is very relatable for anyone that is struggling with any form of addiction or is stuck in a cycle of sin.  In the lyrics, you can hear Lanre crying out for a change, a plea to be freed from those repetitive cycles that don't align with God's truth and His plan for our lives. Lanre speaks from his own experience and knows what it means to break free from all of the lies we keep telling ourselves and the people around us. But most important, Lanre is clear: no matter how far we've gone astray or how deep we think we have sunk, we all may find peace in Christ. The lyrics beautifully illustrate how we may shift from sinking in our doubts and fears to walking on water by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.  There is safety and freedom to be...

"whispering HOPE 5" by whispering HOPE: Reflecting on the Nativity Story

This week we're blessed with a fresh take on the nativity story with the album "whispering HOPE 5", the latest release by whispering HOPE. This album takes us on a reflective journey through the nativity story, offering us insights from the perspectives of the Israelites, Mary, Joseph, the Angels, and the Shepherds. I'll briefly introduce each of the tracks, and I encourage you to check out the lyrics to really grasp the meaning and intent of each song. "The Coming Light" sets the tone by celebrating Jesus as the Light of the world. This song not only speaks of His arrival but also encourages us to find hope and peace through His presence, and let Him guide us throughout our lives, including our darkest moments. "Magnify" gives us a modern take on Mary’s Magnificat. The takeaway is to celebrate God's endless mercy and faithfulness, and it encourages us to praise God's name with gratitude and in recognition of everything He has done. The s...

A Refreshing Anthem: "Living Water" by Coming Kingdom

"Living Water" is the final track on Coming Kingdom's debut EP, 'Awakening'. The song was penned and performed by Zac Carpenter, together with Joel Lane, Brendan Lee, and Bethany Tucker. It's a song that has been transformational in times of worship within the Croydon Vineyard church community. It's a song of invitation, submission, and expectation. Invite the Holy Spirit to make a real impact in your day-to-day life, surrender your heart and mind to God, and expect His powerful presence in everything you do and whatever challenges you face. This song is meant to reach into your heart and give words to your deepest longing for God's refreshing touch. Life is meaningless when we try to leave God out of the equation, and it's lines like "Spirit, come and fall afresh on us" and "Rain down, Spirit of God" that perfectly capture that longing.  "Living Water" is a prayer, a plea to God, set to music, asking the Holy Spirit t...

Cindy Clark's "Good Shepherd (Psalm 23)" - An Invitation to Experience God's Loving Rescue

Music can be such a beautiful sanctuary when life feels dark and without hope. That's how Cindy Clark uses music. When she is fighting depression, pain, and loss, she finds peace behind the piano. It's a place where Jesus places melodies in her heart so she can sing His word into her life. This didn't 'just' happen… God intervened!  Good Shepherd (Psalm 23) is her 8th release, but it is the first song of many written that led Cindy out of her own "valley of the shadow of death." Cindy shares that while she was watching Netflix one night, she began to hear a melody in her mind, and she couldn't escape it. This melody in her head was the start of an amazing change in her life!  Cindy has a piano, and at that time she hadn't touched the keys of the piano or sang a song for several years. As a result of this melody in her head, she went over to her piano. This melody was written on the spot, but it took a few months (and time spent in prayer) for the l...

Ryan Patrick White's "As For Me and My House": A Story of Redemption and Faith

In "As For Me and My House" Ryan Patrick White tells about how Jesus radically changed his life. The song begins with the time that Ryan was struggling with addiction and pride. Ryan shares how his life turned from darkness into finding light in Christ. Ryan shares how a faithful Christian brother encouraged him to re-evaluate his old work (live performances and releases) on his YouTube & Instagram channels, in which he was glorifying Satan and his own pride. This resulted in deleting approximately 300 videos on his YouTube channel, losing thousands of views, and deleting his Instagram account. He also walked away from a very promising musical career because that music was deep into the occult and Satanism at that point.  Fueled by his newfound faith, Ryan dedicates his life to God's glory. You recognize this radical change as Ryan sings lyrics like, "If it doesn't glorify God, it glorifies the liar," lyrics that underscore his decision to literally aba...

"Silent Night" by Tammie Lecque: A Modern Take on a Timeless Classic

Tammie Lecque releases a soulful rendition of "Silent Night," and we're confident that you not only enjoy listening but also love to know how this rendition came together. The inspiration for this rendition started under the shower. Tammie was doing some vocal warm-ups and playfully started to include little bits of Christmas music. The melody stuck in her head and continued to shape as she was making dinner and during her drive to work.  This creative process brought Tammie back to her roots. Rooted in her family's a cappella tradition as "The Bellamy Spiritual" (that was founded by her grandfather Pastor Chavis Bellamy) and inspired by various genres, such as jazz and soul, Tammie's rendition of 'Silent Night' brings a fresh, soulful take to this beloved classic. The lyrics remind us of that holy night where "all is calm, all is bright" as the tender infant Jesus slept peacefully. The lyrics speak of the shepherds' awe and the he...

"Baby Jesus" by Thonia: An Fun and Uplifting Song About the True Essence of Christmas

Thonia's "Baby Jesus" passionately captures the joyful message and miracle of Christmas. The song is a mix of pop-folk and contemporary Christian vibes, with a few off-notes that remind us that only God is perfect, that shares the true essence of Christmas - Jesus' humble birth. The melody is fresh and feels like a dance of joy, pulling you closer to the reason why Jesus came to earth as a baby. The lyrics look at that moment when Jesus was born in a manger, a moment overlooked by many yet orchestrated by heaven. Thonia highlights the amazing truth that it is this baby, swaddled and serene, who would grow up to become our Lord, Savior, and King. Her artful lyrics and passionate presentation invite us to join this celebration. She calls us to "light up the fire" and "raise up the banner" with infectious energy, spreading the good news of Jesus to the world. At the same time, the song also encourages us to have a closer look at our own lives, living ...

Mama Tee, Awipi, and Tina Philips Bring Joy with 'The Angel's Message (Afro Christmas)'

Mama Tee, Awipi, and Tina Philips released an inspiring medley of timeless Christmas classics, 'The Angel's Message (Afro Christmas).' A medley that beautifully blends familiar melodies like "Ding Dong Merrily on High," "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," "Gloria in Excelsis Deo," and "The Little Drummer Boy," songs with lyrics that are centered around the angel Gabriel's messages.  The lyrics tell how the shepherds were watching their sheep at night when the angel Gabriel came with the news that Jesus had been born. The praise, "Glory to God in the highest," sets the tone for a most inclusive celebration that is passed down through the generations. Gabriel's message brings hope and divine love, reminding us that Christ's birth is a fulfillment of prophecy, a gift of peace, and a reconciliation for humanity. It's a message to cherish every day of our lives.  As the song declares Jesus as Immanuel, "God with...

Coming Kingdom's New Anthem, "Power in the Blood"

Coming Kingdom's latest single, "Power in the Blood," is a heartfelt worship anthem performed by Joel Lane and Lara Sokunbi.  Joel Lane and Zac Carpenter have penned a song that speaks about the healing, forgiveness, and freedom that are available to each and every one of us through the power of Jesus' sacrifice. The lyrics remind us of the redemption that He has made possible as we sing, "By your blood we are forgiven" and "By your blood we're free." The song starts by acknowledging our cleansing through His blood and moves to proclaiming absolute victory in Jesus' name. The message and vibe of the song encourage us to lift up our hands in praise and celebrate the freedom and healing that His blood brings to everyone who accepts Him as their Lord and Savior.  The message of the song is clear: there's undeniable power in Jesus' sacrifice, and the beauty is that this power never ceases. His sacrifice is just as relevant to you toda...