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Showing posts with the label #CCM

Finding Refuge in Song: "Lead Me To The Rock" by Tom Mottershead and Maria Segerholm

Tom Mottershead and Maria Segerholm release "Lead Me To The Rock" in a unique collaboration across the globe. The collaboration that started with a 2-hour video call a year ago has already resulted in a joint release, and with the release of this song, it continues to bear fruits of musical inspiration and harmony. Tom Mottershead is from Australia, and Maria Segerholm is from Sweden. They have a spiritual connection across the oceans, and for "Lead Me To The Rock" they have drawn inspiration from Psalm 61, as well as the challenges they each have faced in their lives. No matter what difficulties they have been through, their faith in God brings them real peace. This song beautifully describes their deepest longing for God's peace and uses the image of finding safety in Christ's arms. The lyrics are full of biblical truth and read like an honest prayer, the kind one prays when life feels overwhelming. You can hear a cry for God's help in the lyrics, maki...

Thoughts And Notions - ‘Countdown to Forever’: A Journey of Faith and Hope

Philippine's Power Pop CCM band, Thoughts And Notions, are back with a song called 'Countdown to Forever.' Fans of the band will be thrilled to know that the band reunites with their former lead vocalist, Thrina Dimaano, after 15 years! The trigger behind this song is actually their reunion and a desire to declare their dedication to God's path with the world.  The lyrics are relatable, describing the ups and downs of life that ultimately lead to celebrating God's constant presence. It is God's love that can save us when we're going through tough times (if you let Him). The chorus is a powerful affirmation that deserves repeating over and over again: "I'm going to ride through the turbulent waves // Knowing that you're here to save // I'll never let go of my grip // You're the only hope I keep // I'm counting down to forever // I'm counting down to forever." So, sing along when your facing some of life's hardships and le...

Thonia's "You Remain": Praising the One that you can always count on

"You Remain" by Thonia is a special song. The idea for the song came as Thonia was meditating on the unwavering presence of God in our lives. She shares, "Creating 'You Remain" was a deeply spiritual and reflective experience." The central inspiration for the song lyrics is the image of Jesus walking on water, calm amidst chaos.  The song started as a melody, and together with her producer, they created a sound that combines modern Christian music with some folk and pop influences. Thonia shares that the lyrics came naturally, supported by moments of prayer and personal reflection. She poured her heart into writing a song that can inspire anyone looking for hope and resilience. The song clearly and beautifully shows that God is always there for us. Strong and reliable, especially when we are at our weakest. The lyrics express both vulnerability and strength and depict us holding onto God's hand through storms and winds. The chorus reassures us that, de...

Grace Gonzalez's "Red Sea" – Faith and Miracles

Grace Gonzalez's debut single "Red Sea" is a refreshing message of steadfast faith and heavenly intervention while facing some of life's toughest challenges. The song was inspired by the story of Mozes' parting of the Red Sea. Grace uses this story to remind us that God is always at work, even when we can't see it.  In "Red Sea," it becomes clear how important it is to trust in God's timing and to never underestimate what He can do. Grace cleaverly brings the essence of the song back into the here and now, singing with conviction about moments when we feel desperate and our trials seem totally undoable, and still firmly believing that God's provision is always near. With lines like "the Red Sea will be parted, these loaves will multiply," she describes God's ability to make the impossible possible. That is the God who is ready to make the impossible possible in your life as well.  Created in Nashville and enriched with Grace...

James Bizak’s “Don’t Deserve (To Be Saved)”: Undeserved Grace

James Bizak kicks off 2025 with a new single, "Don't Deserve (To Be Saved)." The year 2024 was a successful year for James, and he continues to explore new creative horizons with Christian themes blended with pop/rap sounds.  The lyrics of "Don't Deserve" reflect a deep gratitude and awe for God's mercy and grace. James candidly admits that he has made mistakes as he sings, " I don't deserve to be saved from the choices I made," and he continues by acknowledging that God's love and forgiveness were always there: "You give me your mercy and grace."   James' message is very relatable, because we all have our moments when we are feeling very unworthy of His love. Thankfully, it doesn't matter where you've been or how deep you sank; God's love will always lift you higher... if you let Him.  It's true, we "Don't Deserve To Be Saved", and still He loves & purifies, and He already paid the price...

Darrell Vaughn's 'Heaven My Home': Looking Forward to Our Real Home

Darrell Vaughn's new single, "Heaven My Home," is a heartfelt song that was inspired by health battles and the loss of loved ones. Darrell shares how these experiences made heaven more real to him and changed his look on life and eternity.  The lyrics look at the beauty and peace that is waiting for us in our eternal home. Darrell describes what could be in paradise, such as rolling meadows, clear rivers, and endless blue skies. Imagery that may even come very close to reflecting the peace and safety we will experience on that day when we may return home. The chorus powerfully declares: "Heaven my home, it's where I belong // I'm pure and whole by the savior's grace // His glory shines, it lights me up inside // Praise the Lord, On my knees, on my face" . Yes, we may belong and be purified through His grace, and His promise of light and glory that fills us with joy and praise.  "Heaven My Home" is an uplifting song about facing life's c...

"Always Amazing" by Toni LaShaun: A Song About God's Faithfulness

Toni LaShaun's "Always Amazing" is about God's neverending protection and His faithfulness in the midst of every situation we face. The lyrics are inspired by Pastor Nash's sermons on the book of Daniel. Toni recalls two of the stories in Daniel about miraculous protection: the Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace and Daniel in the lion's den. These moments of God's miraculous intervention became the basis for this song, "Always Amazing."  In the lyrics, Toni sings of coming out of the fire without harm and resting untouched between lions; these vivid examples of God's protection show that God makes the impossible possible. The song is an energizing mix of praise and testimony, and encourages us to have unwavering faith in God and His ways. Toni also sings about the importance of standing firm in faith, regardless of what life is throwing at you.  "Always Amazing" is a musical celebration of God's countless miracles and a beautiful ...

Remilekun's "Who Is He?": God's Unmatched Strength and Power in Your Life

Remilekun released a beautiful song called "Who Is He?". It celebrates God's incredible strength and constant presence in our lives. The idea for the song came as a quiet dialogue with God during Remilekun's personal time of reflection. It comes from her desire for understanding and receiving God's direction.  The song was recorded live in The Netherlands, together with the Dream Team and the Sound of Gospel Choir. A powerful combination that resulted in an authentic and uplifting song.  The lyrics powerfully declare the sovereignty of God, and highlight how He can quiet our deepest fears, renew our strength, calm life's harshest storms, and shed light on our path.  This song invites you to lift your voice in worship, trust in His firm foundation, and find peace and safety in His name.  May "Who Is He?" be your reminder that it is in God's hands where you will find hope and your firm grounding, even when life's challenges feel so overwhelming...

Forever Love: The Rock Music & Steele Croswhite

"Forever Love" by The Rock Music & Steele Croswhite is a touching song from Jesus' point of view, expressing His love to us, His struggling children. With everything that the world is throwing at us, it's so easy to feel lost and get hurt. This song helps you to see beyond the chaos and see the love and commitment that Jesus has toward each of us, even if we think too imperfect to deserve it. The Lord is our Shepherd, who goes out of His way to find us. He is the Healer who binds and takes care of our wounds. He is the Guide who will lead us safely home.  The lyrics are as if Jesus is speaking directly to us, asking if we can see Him now and turn around to embrace His love. The song invites us to find joy and peace in His presence and reminds us of the promise He made to all of us… that nothing can separate us from His love.  May this song help you to better understand what it means to experience Jesus' faithful love—a promise of eternal safety and joy. May it...

I Am Yours' by Ryan & Wendy Wegner: The Joy Found After Surrender

In 'I Am Yours,' Ryan and Wendy Wegner sing about the process we all go through at some point in our lives of surrendering to God's will. Written while they were face to face with the harsh realities of life, this song is filled with hope and trust. As Ryan battled a neurological disorder and their family faced severe health challenges and loss, Ryan and Wendy were ready to give up on music, and they didn't think they would ever lead worship again. It is in this setting that the song 'I Am Yours,' a prayer of surrender, became an anchor.  The lyrics reflect a raw, heartfelt prayer to God: "I'm right where you want me—poured out and ready—I'm here to offer my heart completely." A declaration that despite all of the chaos that life is throwing at them, it is God who is in control and who they trust without hesitation.  The message and intent of this song is such a powerful encouragement to trust God, even when it feels like our lives are complete...

Austin Ludwig’s 'Wholeheartedly': A Call to True Worship

Austin Ludwig releases a touching and very personal song called "Wholeheartedly." After aging out of foster care, he found a much-needed sense of belonging and healing through community at a local church. Joining the worship team at 18, this triggered what Austin called his transformative season. During this time he began to write this song; his first original piece led in worship. Nearly a decade later, Austin revisited "Wholeheartedly," breathing new life into it for his sophomore album. The lyrics of "Wholeheartedly" capture the essence of true worship and the process of refining intentions and discovering authenticity in worship. Austin expresses a longing to worship God wholeheartedly, holding nothing back at all. He sings about avoiding the emptiness of mere routine and that it's better to focus on sincere devotion. The chorus emphasizes giving every part of ourselves to God as a total undivided offering.  May "Wholeheartedly" remind yo...

KellyMarie released a touching new song called "Don't Offend the Room."

KellyMarie's latest ballad, "Don't Offend the Room," is a touching message to anyone who is fatherless and those who feel misunderstood or rejected. This song gives you an idea about the struggles of vulnerable children who, just as everyone else, long for love and acceptance.  The lyrics alternate between the harsh judgments that 'outsiders' can make and the innocent voices of children. KellyMarie included a children's choir in this recording to enhance this emotional contrast, and I must admit that this does sharpen the contrast even more for me.  "Don't Offend the Room" is an effective reminder that everyone deserves love, acceptance, and compassion. And when you think about this song, it also highlights the hope we may find in Christ. It's with lines like "Consider Jesus and His love for us" that KellyMarie encourages us to remember God's promises and urges us to embrace those who are suffering in silence. We are all ch...

Whispering HOPE's album "whispering HOPE 6": Songs of faith, healing, and spiritual intimacy

The album "whispering HOPE 6" by whispering HOPE is filled with songs of faith, healing, and spiritual intimacy. Created by lyricist and producer Gresha Schuilling and mastering engineer Shimron Fernando, this 8-track album feels like a conversation with God. Inspired by the teachings of Prophet Jerome Fernando, Gresha and Shimron have once again put their souls into this album, hoping to lead you into the presence of God through each of the songs. Let's briefly look at each of the 8 songs on this album: 1. Power to Cast Out This track is a powerful reminder that we already have the authority in Christ to cast out spiritual darkness. It is through His authority that we will find strength, victory, and freedom from fear. The song is a beautiful declaration of faith that emphasizes God’s continual presence and protection. It also encourages us to walk in the strength of the Holy Spirit. Relevant scriptures: Luke 10:19, Matthew 17:18, Mark 16:17 2. Under His Shadow Even th...

Jay Davids' 'I Say Yes': From Brokenness to Faith

Jay Davids' latest song, "I Say Yes," is a great follow-up to his single, "Free Indeed." Jay shares an important message about God's grace. The song begins with raw confessions that may sound familiar to most of us, of feeling stained and unseen, bearing the weight of past mistakes, and deep feelings of shame. Jay skillfully uses the lyrics to arrive at a moment where Jesus is asking him, "Do you believe?" Jay's responds with "Yes," and is filled with a fire of faith. This song shows how powerful the word "Yes" can really be. One word that starts a heavenly process of transformation in us—where once there was dirt and grime, now there's peace and renewal. May this song remind you that no matter how broken you are, all it takes is to say "Yes" to God, and that will bring His healing presence into your life, turning your ashes into something beautiful, and fill you with hope. (Related scripture: Matthew 11:28...

Cyber Chord - "On That Glorious Day": A Hope-Filled Reunion

"On That Glorious Day" by Cyber Chord is a ballad about the enduring power of love and our hope to be welcomed "home" and reunited one day with loved ones who have passed away. The song starts with so much warmth in the melody (such a professional sound), that it took a few moments before I realized its message. And it wasn't until I reviewed the details behind the song that I realized that the song is AI-generated. That fact doesn't change anything about the beautiful message of hope in the lyrics, but it may trigger some mixed feelings of loss when you realize how easy this cutting-edge technology is already able to replace some of our God-given human talents.  The lyrics tell the story of a loved one's passing and the grief that follows. It beautifully gives words to the bittersweet emotion of losing a loved one, and at the same time it offers a message of comfort, hope, and faith. As a Christian, I cherish this promise of a heavenly paradise, where t...

Beautiful Song of Praise: Tasha Layton's "Praise (live)"

Tasha Layton's live version of "Praise" is a touching rendition of a song that topped the charts in 2024. The message in this song is so important that it cannot be overstated: "There are so many reasons to declare and praise God today! He deserves our continuous praise!" We're going to see this song back on her upcoming worship album that is releasing in March. The lyrics echo the message that no matter what situation we're in, God's love never wavers—never forgets, never abandons; we're never too broken for Him to heal. No matter how shaky life feels, He's holding it all together. Our praises aren't just a sound; it's an act that drowns out our enemies, and a shout that brings down walls, much like Jericho's fall. Tasha urges us to praise God through every moment because His love is relentless and His grace covers all our flaws. Even when life tests us, it's songs like this one that help to remind us that God's in contr...

"Friend of Sinners" by Red Letter Society: A Reflection on the Lord's Supper and Baptism

"Friend of Sinners," the latest single from Red Letter Society and the final single prior to their next full-length album. The song is a beautifully soft and reflective piece that looks at the Friend who sees us as we are.  It's a moving song that invites us to ponder the profound love that Christ has for us. The lyrics remind us of our Savior, who humbly washed His disciples' feet, and sacrificed His body and blood so we could be freed from our sins.  The lyrics highlight His humility as well as the new covenant that He has given us. A covenant that is signed, sealed, and delivered through baptism and our promise to follow Him. We have a God that will break every stronghold and set us free, so that we may embrace the love and guidance that we will find in our holy Friend. Yes, our Lord is the friend of sinners.  In just over three and a half minutes, "Friend of Sinners" beautifully reminds us of Christ's grace, love, and profound sacrifice. It points us...

Finding True Belonging: 'Home to You' by Jesse Bless

Jesse Bless's "Home to You" is a heartwarming and spirit-lifting song that touches on three themes: belonging, love, and spiritual discovery. Jesse is a single foster parent, and the inspiration for this song came during a weekend respite placement with a 10-year-old boy in foster care. The boy wanted to write a song about a child who runs away from home, and when he returns, he discovers that there are different people in his home.  The lyrics of this song tell the story of a child searching for a place to call home, a search that also mirrors our own search for refuge and belonging in Christ. The verses start with expressing loneliness and struggle, and the chorus is where hope is ignited. As the song continues, the voice of fear finally quiets as we discover what we're supposed to do. We just have to get "home to You" . "Home to You" is a call to action. We all in some way need to run away from parts of our lives and find our true Home. May you ...

Finding Purpose Through Faith: Alma Rei's "Without You"

The Alma Rei worship community has released a new song called "Without You", a song with a chill indie pop vibe. It is one of the songs on their album Back to the Garden.  Without You reflects on how no matter where we go, God's presence is there. It touches the ups and downs of life, the coming and going, rising and falling, seeking and finding, living and dying, and understanding that in every moment of life, God is right there with us—as our eternal companion.  The members of Alma Rei beautifully express that this life would really be nothing without His love.  "Without You" is a worshipful meditation on a psalm that has continued to speak to followers of Jesus for thousands of years. May this song help you to remember that no matter where you go or what ever you face, you are never alone. Life truly gains purpose in His presence. If your journey in life feels lonely or without purpose, give this song an extra listen... and call out to Him. He's waiting t...

Frankeke's "My Helper": Finding Comfort in Knowing That God Has Your Back

Frankeke's song "My Helper" is all about finding comfort in divine support. It beautifully blends gospel and contemporary styles of music. The lyrics are very relatable for anyone who's felt that life's challenges seriously weigh them down. When Frankeke sings, "I know I will overcome," you can hear that she is confident that God's got her back. That is the confidence that Frankeke hopes you too will find through this song, because knowing that God is watching over you gives you courage to keep going no matter what you encounter.  Frankeke's sings, "When life gives lemon, I will make a lemonade," and shows how God is working "with" us. God can turn everything for our good, and we need to nurture a mindset of trust, knowing that He is there for us and guiding us. He asks us to trust Him and keep moving forward, because that is when He "makes things better."   The key message in My Helper is a call to action. Frankek...