Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts with the label #CCM

"Kind (Remix by Cory Asbury)" by Josh Bissell: Why Your Doubts Won't Disqualify You

One of the hardest truths to hold is the fact that God's kindness remains when your life seems to be falling apart. Josh Bissell's acoustic cover of Cory Asbury's "Kind" delivers this message with courage and honesty.  The key message of the song is that it is okay to be real! The lyrics don't flinch from reality: "Sometimes marriages don't work. Sometimes babies die. Sometimes rehab turns to relapse." The pain that you feel is very real and needs to be acknowledged and handled… Yes, it is okay to give voice to your hidden wars, to wonder if God is real, to question why healing seems to be selective, angry at heaven with "fist raised to the sky," or simply feeling that His amazing grace seems to be "for everybody else."   After more than a few Sundays smiling through pain, pretending that all is well, this song finally names the pain and struggle. But more importantly, it points us to the cross. Instead of offering quick fix...

"Dancing On Water" by Mary Oz: When grief has no power over Hope

(by Jasper Tan) I have always been a huge admirer of Mary Oz's music. Since the moment I discovered her songs, without fail, I've always made it a point to add them to my playlists. If there was one CCM artist from the Philippines who deserves to be heard on a global scale, then my vote belongs to Mary.  Her latest single, "Dancing On Water" (which is a part of her forthcoming album), is a pure acoustic folk/rock song that talks about breakthroughs from grief. As Mary shares, "Grief can swallow you whole, but it's not a life sentence. The morning will come, and with it, Joy." This is a very empowering statement that seeks to inspire her listeners to take courage, rejoice, leave the sadness behind, and just conquer their fears.  What I love about Mary's songwriting is her deep metaphorical lyricism that makes her songs stand out among the clutter of songs in this age of digital music. You'll definitely know that her songs are very well thought of...

"Joy Of The Lord" by Marcus & Jalyn McGill: Giving God honor with a grateful heart

(by Jasper Tan) Marcus & Jalyn McGill's new single "Joy of The Lord" offers an upbeat and energetic sound to a worship song that is rooted in gratitude and the power of praise. Written during a SongLab retreat last January, it is a song that speaks about healing, breakthrough, and being moved by the Spirit as we give thanks to the Lord. It features a very driving groove that brings excitement and energy as we worship the Lord. You could definitely feel the joy of Marcus and Jalyn when they wrote and performed this song. The chorus is a simple statement of giving honor to the Lord, as his happiness is the one that gives us strength, and which will eventually bring joy to our lives. It might be an understatement to some, but there's really nothing truer than to make our life a living testament of God's love and grace. Make it a part of our prayer for God to give us strength as we live our daily life, where his life can also be reflected in the way that we live. ...

"Holy (In The Valley)" by Caleb Andrew: Finding His Greatness in the Valley

What if worship wasn't just for mountaintop moments? Caleb Andrew's debut single, "Holy (In The Valley)," addresses this very question. Caleb shared that this song has been in the making for 10 years. What started as a chorus and bridge written during an intense encounter with God's presence has since grown into an anthem for his life.  God's holiness doesn't fade when our life grows heavy! In other words, our God not only meets us in triumph, He also walks with us through uncertainty. The lyrics declare, "You are holy // In the valley // You are holy," turning our gaze from circumstance to Him, our Lord. When Caleb sings, "There in my weakness // You see greatness," he captures the heart of persevering faith. This song empowers you to choose to worship Him, even before a breakthrough. The lyrics have become Caleb's daily reminder: "will you let trials silence your song, or will you sing anyway?" The bridge commands cour...

"beauty & love" by HOMECOMING: God's Inescapable Presence

(by Jasper Tan) Looking for a chill worship song to accompany you when you are in the mood to just chill and relax? Then "beauty & love" by Homecoming might just be the song for you. As shared by the group, "beauty & love is a psalm-like prayer rooted in Scripture and marked by honest, reverent worship. The song reflects on the nearness of God, declaring that He is closer than we often realize and present in every season through His Spirit. With imagery drawn from breath, mercy, and daily pursuit, it affirms a God whose love chases us through both joy and sorrow, meeting them at every step with grace." HOMECOMING delivers a testimony of God's ever always present presence if we learn to acknowledge it in our daily living.  Homecoming poses a question: "can we ever escape God's love for us?" More often than not, we tend to neglect his love because when times are good, we feel like we are on top of our own world, self-absorbed by our own abi...

"Good Are You" by whispering HOPE: When Seasons Shift, He Stands

What does it mean to worship when nothing around you feels stable? whispering HOPE tackles this question head-on in "Good Are You," a declaration rooted in scripture and fresh conviction.  The song opens with morning light and immediate recognition: God's mercy meets us exactly where we are. "When the morning breaks again // And I lift my eyes to see // Your mercy meets me where I am // You meet me faithfully." Instead of demanding that we first clean up ourselves / our lives, He meets us just as we are. In other words, His presence doesn't depend on our performance, and He loves us and is ready to guide us forward. The lyrics remind us that "When the world weighs on my heart // And I cannot find my way," His love stands unshaken -  "firm and sure," and His "grace remains secure." I love how the chorus reminds us of a simple and unshakeable truth, "Good are You, good are You // Faithful, kind, and true." No theolog...

"The Fisherman’s Offer" by David Bollmann: Laying It Down to Follow

(by Jasper Tan) Are we ready to take on the Fisherman's offer? That's the big question that David Bollmann asks in "The Fisherman's Offer." The moment I hit the play button, the jangly guitars immediately caught my attention and captivated me. Being a huge fan of the CCM band Jars of Clay, I could immediately tell that David Bollmann's latest single is something pretty much sounded like it was influenced by such CCM bands from the late 90's to mid 2000's. It's just the kind of CCM that I am into. David shares that "The Fisherman's Offer" is a reflective, cinematic indie praise song that was inspired by Jesus' simple but life-changing invitation: "Follow Me." The song draws from the book of John, chapter 15, and the calling of the disciples by the sea. The song explores the idea of being pursued by sacrificial love and responding by laying everything down. "The Fisherman's Offer" opens with driving guitars ...

"Stand In Awe (Live)" by Perimeter Worship: Grace Upon the Cross

(by Jasper Tan) If you are looking for a very beautiful praise and worship song this month, then look no further than listening to Perimeter Worship's song "Stand In Awe." From the get-go, you'll feel the chills and the calming presence of the Holy Spirit as the opening notes are played. And the song gets right to it when the opening lines "Christ alone be lifted high, Christ alone be glorified" immediately glorify God. As Perimeter Worship shares, "'Stand in Awe' is a declaration of worship centering our hearts on Christ, reminding us of His finished work on the cross, and thanking Him for the grace He lavishly poured out for us. We worship with both humility and confidence, ascribing all majesty, power, and authority to Christ alone (Psalm 96:7–8)." The song is a through-and-through worship song that is tailor-fit to be sung at churches. It's a call to worship with humility and confidence, ascribing all majesty, power, and authority ...

"I Know You're Angry" by Stephen M. Miller: A Gentle Lament That Meets You Where You Are

Have you ever felt so angry at God that you couldn’t bear to listen to His still, small voice? Stephen M. Miller knows that feeling all too well. After losing someone he loved deeply, he was angry at God for how it happened—so he wrote “I Know You’re Angry” to imagine what God might say if He spoke plainly, meeting Miller in his fury instead of pulling back. This quiet lament doesn’t fix the grief; it sits with it. Verse 1’s opening lines, “I know you’re angry // I know you feel its pain // I know you think that I’m to blame” , don’t shut down anger—it validates it. Instead of rushing to answers, the song echoes the honesty of Psalm 13, with God saying, “It’s okay to feel the way you do // I feel it too.” The chorus is the part that really anchors us: “where you go // Is where I am // And where you hide // I’ve always been.” The message of this song isn't about getting over grief, it’s about knowing God is with you through every part of it. It's okay to feel and not have answe...

"New Jerusalem" by whispering HOPE: When Heaven Comes Down to Heal Everything

whispering HOPE's New Jerusalem follows Revelation 21 and 22. After the final judgment has cleared the stage, God unveils a new heaven and a new earth, where the New Jerusalem descends like a bride. "Behold the New Jerusalem bright, descending robed in holy light."   "Then I saw heaven and earth made new," creation is healed, the old order gone, tears wiped away, and grief finally finished. Our hope is concrete, written down, and rooted in God's faithful reign.  The second verse is about the city's strength and welcome, with gates and foundations that echo the apostles, yet no temple at all, because God and the Lamb are the center. No sun is needed, because Christ lights up every street. The gates stay open; mercy welcomes the nations.  The bridge of the song celebrates the restored Eden: a clear river, the tree of life, healing, and servants who see God's face.  Key scriptures emphasized in the lyrics of this song are:  Revelation 21:1–2: I saw a n...

"Temptation" by Dax: Fighting Spiritual Warfare Through Faith and Prayer

Have you ever felt like the battle against temptation is relentless? In his powerful track "Temptation," Dax reminds us that every moment of resistance is a victory. He doesn't shy away from the reality that "temptations outside, knocking at my door." Instead of hiding the struggle, he exposes it. He admits that while he "won the battle last night," the war continues. In other words, spiritual discipline is a daily choice. Dax explains that temptation finds safety in an "idle mind" and when we lack purpose. But most of all, he offers a strategy for triumph: "starve my flesh, then feed my spirit with faith." So, why trade your peace of mind for fleeting pleasure? The lyrics trace our struggles back to the garden and "Adam and Eve," and also point us toward redemption.  "Down by the Riverbend // in the garden, where the snake tempted Adam and Eve, // they ate the fruit and from those seeds // grew the roots of this ...

"The Perfect Love of Christ" by John Long: Mercy That Draws Us Near

(By Jasper Tan) It's the "love month" already, and there's no other way to celebrate it best but to remember the greatest lover of all, Jesus Christ. In John Long's CCM Folk song "The Perfect Love of Christ", John emotionally sings about how overwhelming it is to be loved by Jesus. All that He did for us is something that we cannot easily replicate, yet we usually take it for granted in favor of other earthly pleasures. We always want to say that we love someone, yet we can't fully back it up with a love that is pure. Because often than not, there's still a piece of our selfishness residing in our hearts. But Jesus does not have that. His love is selfless and always puts others' welfare before Himself. For how can He still love the sinners that wronged Him? That mocked Him and took away His life? As John emotionally sings these lines, "Oh my God, how could it be? That You would love me, That You would hold, That You would take the ones t...

"Jesus Is His Name" by Aaron Goodhew: The Name That Changes Everything

“Jesus Is His Name” by Aaron Goodhew is a song written as a Christ-centred declaration of who God is and what He has done. The song begins by asking, “Who designed creation and called it into being?” and quickly answers by pointing our eyes “high above the heavens” and leading us to the very place “where he rests his feet.” In other words, this is worship from creation to restoration. Each verse walks through different parts of Christ’s work: parting waters, calming storms, healing lepers, restoring outcasts, setting captives free. The chorus invites the church to confess together: "He is the Lord God // Lifted up // Mighty to be praised // Sovereign King of kings // Name above all names." But most of all, He is the personal Savior “The one who paid our ransom // The one who saved a wretch like me.” The bridge crowns this declaration, calling Jesus “wonderful counsellor, mighty king and friend,” the Lion and the Lamb whose glory we cannot fully comprehend. A declaration...

"Heaven Country" by Jensen & Company: Where Faith Meets Fiddles

Jensen & Company's 'Heaven Country' features Heidi Jensen North. It's a song that bursts with an infectious Texas swing energy, with steel guitars, fiddles, and washboard rhythms that pull you into the vibe. Beneath this melodic energy is a message with a promise: heaven isn't just a destination, it's a homeland where every tear is wiped away!  Can you imagine streets where lions walk with lambs, hunger vanishes, and divisions dissolve into unity? What a contrast compared with today's world! One of the lines that stands out: "There's no divide - there's just one side // The Son is shining every day."  What if we were to start living today as citizens of that eternal country? What's stopping us? The song challenges us: "All the love that you've acquired here - it's your money // Be sure to fill your account." It's a call to invest in what truly lasts. You've never seen its glory, never heard its songs - but...

"Great White Throne Judgement" by whispering HOPE: The Final Rebellion

“Great White Throne Judgement” by whispering HOPE takes us to Revelation 20, and how the chaos of this world will come to an end. The lyrics begin with the release of Satan after a thousand years and his ultimate defeat, where “fire comes down from God above.” In other words, Satan’s rebellion is consumed by God’s fire… chaos is instantly met with God’s perfect order. This song reminds us that justice is inevitable. The bridge is about that awe-inspiring moment that will come when “earth and heaven fled away” and the dead stand before the throne. (That’s mind-blowing!!) The question we can ask ourselves is, why live in fear when you can walk in confidence? Choose life today! Recognize that you have the choice to align with truth, His truth, right here and now. Find your security in Christ! Above all, you don’t need to wait for the books to be opened to ask where you stand. May this song inspire you to live faithfully and with confidence that the Judge is righteous eternally. His grac...

"Wake Us to Pray" by Michelle K: Breathing Life into Brokenness

“Wake Us to Pray” by Michelle K is a wake-up call to find union in Christ and pray. Does your spirit feel heavy today? Michelle acknowledges this reality, asking, “My soul, why are you down?” The song doesn’t linger on the downside, but is an act of evangelism, urging us to “Come and put your hope in God.” The message is clear: it calls us to “pray in the midst of the pain.” With God by our side, we have the capacity to shift our mindset. The first step is simple… “lift my gaze,” then invite the “Breath of God” to “Bring these bones back to life.” The lyrics empower us to believe that “When we pray, he lights the darkness // When we pray, he breaks down the walls.” Do you want to see those walls break down? Then let His “refining fire” purify your heart. Realize your potential to usher in the breakthrough in your life, for “In his name, is the power of heaven // When we pray he opens the doors.” May this song awaken you to the voice of the Lord. Go ahead and listen to “Wake Us to P...

"I Lift My Eyes (Psalm 121)" by Cindy Clark: A Psalm Turned Present-Tense

Cindy Clark's "I Lift My Eyes (Psalm 121)" was born during a special friendship. The backstory that Cindy shared says it all and deserves to be shared with a larger audience.  Cindy wrote:  "In 2024 I had the honour of meeting a young lady named Stephanie. This was what I would call a divine appointment, and it changed my life. Unfortunately I didn't have a lot of time to get to know her, as her health took a turn for the worse and she ended up in the hospital for a few weeks before passing away at the early age of 25. The time we did have together she shared a little bit of her journey with OCD/addiction and it was heartbreaking. During this season I met with her weekly, and prayed for her daily. Every time I did I would sing this old Vineyard worship song by Brian Derksen's called "I Lift my eyes up". For 4 months I sang that worship song numerous times a day, when one day I felt that inner prompting in my soul, this voice whisper "go and sin...

"A Love Song" by Seek and Surrender: The Three-Stranded Covenant

(By Jasper Tan) We always see people say "I love you" to someone, professing their love to that significant other. But we often see how a marriage united by love easily shreds to tatters, and we ask ourselves, "Why?" Where did it all go wrong? How did something joined together by love easily get broken and be accepted as "falling out of love"? But the biggest thought that comes to mind while listening to Seek and Surrender's latest song, "A Love Song," is: do we really understand what it feels like to love? In Seek and Surrender's song, there are countless lines in which the singer professes his love to his bride. It seeks to highlight the sincerity of his love, the magnanimity, the pureness. But in those lines, there's this line that we all should focus on —  "If Christ gave Himself for His bride, Oh, then I'll give myself for mine." Do we know how Christ gave himself for his bride (the Church)? He sacrificed himself w...

"If Jesus Could (Walk on Water)" by John Fumo & Robert Fumo: A Funky Call to Compassion

Have you ever considered Jesus’s actions as a benchmark for our own compassion? In their funky, soulful new track, John and Robert Fumo do just that. In their song, “If Jesus Could (Walk on Water)”, the brothers Fumo share how easy it is to be compassionate and loving in light of the accomplishments and miracles which Jesus performed. In other words, His incredible acts should make our own acts of kindness feel entirely achievable.  For example, “If Jesus could …walk on water,” the lyrics challenge, “then we can …love one another.” There’s more… If He could feed thousands with a few fish and loaves, surely “it shouldn’t be hard to keep the people fed.”   The song reframes Jesus’s acts into a call to action. Instead of seeing insurmountable problems, we are reminded that if Christ could “rise from the dead, // We could trade hate for love instead.” The song not only triggers a paradigm shift, but it also empowers. At its core, it reminds us of Jesus’s promise that ...

"Holy Is Your Name" by Jensen & Company: A Beautiful Song of Praise and Worship

Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, Jensen & Company's "Holy Is Your Name" is an all-original Christian Contemporary song that features Heidi Jensen North and "Sing Gospel", a finalist in the popular talent show called Britain's Got Talent.  The song is a straight up Praise and Worship song that is in tune with modern times. Churches nowadays need to sing these types of songs and update their catalogue of Praise and Worship songs to listen to. The song puts God in front and center right away as we are encouraged to give praise and worship to him. Heidi delivers a very powerful performance of the song. You could clearly see that this isn't just a mere singing performance, but an outright Praise and Worship prayer session from Heidi. And this beautiful song is enhanced by the presence of the "Sing Gospel" choir, who delivered the supplementary vocal choir that gives this song a more church-friendly vibe. As the title suggests, the song gives Prai...