Newer song for me...old hymn. Off of this really good CD that I would recommend to anyone. Thanks to Kernan for pointing me to the CD, and thanks to Clavid for pointing out this song. Enjoy!
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Before the Throne of God Above
One of my most-loved songs. What a wonderful reminder of our Savior who intercedes for us. Indeed, for believers, our names are written on His heart.
Songbook is....almost ready
For those that have been at Evangel for some time, you know that this songbook has been a long term project (emphasis on "long"). For various reasons (mostly due to my lack of getting it done) the project was never completed. Well, thanks to the hard work of many, especially Junny and Dan, the book is almost done. Essentially it's all done electronically, but Dan and I have been going through each song and literally playing them to make sure the chords are all in the right spots. I can't speak for Dan, but it's actually been a lot of fun. Throughout the process I've re-discovered a few songs that I really like, but haven't sung in a while.
As soon as the songbook is available, we will let EBCers know. Yes, this includes OC, SV, and T. It will most likely be offered for a suggested donation to cover production costs.
Again, much thanks to those who put in the labor. I only know of the two mentioned above, but if others helped behind the scenes, thank you so much. I hope and pray that the Lord will use the songbooks to bless the people of God. Super excited for it to be released.
As soon as the songbook is available, we will let EBCers know. Yes, this includes OC, SV, and T. It will most likely be offered for a suggested donation to cover production costs.
Again, much thanks to those who put in the labor. I only know of the two mentioned above, but if others helped behind the scenes, thank you so much. I hope and pray that the Lord will use the songbooks to bless the people of God. Super excited for it to be released.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Shai Linne: Attributes of God
After several weeks of debating, I gave in and purchased Shai's newest album, Attributes of God. I've had this album on repeat for the last two weeks and I'm ready to give a review of it.
As usual, the lyrics are what really drive Shai's music ministry. Shai takes on the many attributes of God, ranging from the obvious, like "loving" and "faithful", to some we might not think about too much, such as "jealous". Musically, in my opinion, this album is one of his best. In fact, it's probably my favorite album of his.
But getting back to the lyrics, what continues to amaze me about Shai is that he is able to pack so much solid theology into 5 minutes. Here is a breakdown of the album.
Track 1: The Perfection of Beauty
The first track starts off with a poetic monologue done by Shai's wife, Blair. It's a powerful indictment on how we've allowed sin and culture to skew our appreciation for the beauty of God's characteristics.
Track 2: The Glory of God (Not to us)
This song appropriately points away from us and to the greatness of God. Shai portrays God's glory from the Bible to creation. It's a great reminder that all the glory belongs to God.
Track 3: Taste and See
This is a proclamation of the goodness of God. Verse 2 has this great line:
Understand that God is good apart from anything He's done for me
Yet still His goodness has blessed me abundantly
I'll try to give a summary, beginning with His love for me
In sending Christ to die – yes – the blood of Jesus covers me
Track 4: Our God is in the Heavens
This song speaks of the sovereign power of God. "He does whatever He pleases" echoes throughout the chorus. Because He is perfect and good, everything He pleases to do is perfect and good, even if our puny minds can't comprehend it.
Track 5: The Holiness of God (reprise)
This is a snippet remix of a song Shai did before. It contains only several lyrics, but it is powerful stuff. The first couple minutes is purely instrumental.
Track 6: Mercy and Grace
This song is a wonderful reminder to not take mercy and grace for granted. Shai and Timothy Brindle go well together.
Track 7: Lord of Patience
This song reminds me of something Pastor John likes to point out: God patiently waited, over thousands of years of our ancestors, who mostly were idolators, patiently waited for us as we lived our lives in rebellion against God, and at the perfect time, He revealed His truth to us and rescued us. Mind-blowing.
Track 8: All-Consuming Fire
Shai starts the song off reminding us that God's wrath is a subject that is too often ignored.
Track 9: Perfect Love
The lyrics show the balance of God's perfect love, and yet hatred for sin. He asks the question that if God is loving how could there be eternal punishment. He answers it with the truth that God loves His glory. To add to that, He loves His glory, therefore He must remain true to His holy character and punish sin.
Track 10: Faithful God
Probably my favorite song on the album, and maybe of all of his songs. I could listen to this all day. My soul was especially moved as he talks about God's faithfulness despite our often unfaithfulness.
Track 11: Judge of All The Earth
Again, highlighting that our God will judge righteously.
Track 12: The Jealous One
My second favorite song. Shai paints a story of a man being cheated on by his wife. The imagery is so vivid, you can feel the hatred that man feels, and you get to the point where you start thinking to yourself, how can his wife be so unfaithful? And then Shai hits us with the second verse by telling it to us straight: we are all guilty of being adulterous idolators. Praise the Lord that in Christ there is no condemnation. Married people will appreciate this song especially.
Track 13: The Omnis
This song exalts the ALL-ness of God. That He is ALL-knowing, ALL-present, ALL-powerful. That's ALL.
Track 14: Self-Sufficiency
This one is by Timothy Brindle. What a humbling reminder that God is self-sufficient. He didn't need us. He didn't need to create us. This is all for His glory. I love this line about God creating the world from nothing:
That God made all things out of nothing!
Ex Nihilo!
How may tools did You use to create? Yup, it's zero bro!
Track 15: Triune Praise (remix)
This is a remix of his song off of the Atonement album, another great cd. This a much-needed song as we often forget to worship God the Spirit, even though He is fully God as well.
Conclusion
Overall, this is a great buy because the lyrics and music move the soul, inform the mind, and touch the heart with biblical truths that ought to grow your love for God, for who He is and all He does. If you're not a fan of hip hop, I'd say it's still worth to buy simply for the value of the lyrics.
As usual, the lyrics are what really drive Shai's music ministry. Shai takes on the many attributes of God, ranging from the obvious, like "loving" and "faithful", to some we might not think about too much, such as "jealous". Musically, in my opinion, this album is one of his best. In fact, it's probably my favorite album of his.
But getting back to the lyrics, what continues to amaze me about Shai is that he is able to pack so much solid theology into 5 minutes. Here is a breakdown of the album.
Track 1: The Perfection of Beauty
The first track starts off with a poetic monologue done by Shai's wife, Blair. It's a powerful indictment on how we've allowed sin and culture to skew our appreciation for the beauty of God's characteristics.
Track 2: The Glory of God (Not to us)
This song appropriately points away from us and to the greatness of God. Shai portrays God's glory from the Bible to creation. It's a great reminder that all the glory belongs to God.
Track 3: Taste and See
This is a proclamation of the goodness of God. Verse 2 has this great line:
Understand that God is good apart from anything He's done for me
Yet still His goodness has blessed me abundantly
I'll try to give a summary, beginning with His love for me
In sending Christ to die – yes – the blood of Jesus covers me
Track 4: Our God is in the Heavens
This song speaks of the sovereign power of God. "He does whatever He pleases" echoes throughout the chorus. Because He is perfect and good, everything He pleases to do is perfect and good, even if our puny minds can't comprehend it.
Track 5: The Holiness of God (reprise)
This is a snippet remix of a song Shai did before. It contains only several lyrics, but it is powerful stuff. The first couple minutes is purely instrumental.
Track 6: Mercy and Grace
This song is a wonderful reminder to not take mercy and grace for granted. Shai and Timothy Brindle go well together.
Track 7: Lord of Patience
This song reminds me of something Pastor John likes to point out: God patiently waited, over thousands of years of our ancestors, who mostly were idolators, patiently waited for us as we lived our lives in rebellion against God, and at the perfect time, He revealed His truth to us and rescued us. Mind-blowing.
Track 8: All-Consuming Fire
Shai starts the song off reminding us that God's wrath is a subject that is too often ignored.
Track 9: Perfect Love
The lyrics show the balance of God's perfect love, and yet hatred for sin. He asks the question that if God is loving how could there be eternal punishment. He answers it with the truth that God loves His glory. To add to that, He loves His glory, therefore He must remain true to His holy character and punish sin.
Track 10: Faithful God
Probably my favorite song on the album, and maybe of all of his songs. I could listen to this all day. My soul was especially moved as he talks about God's faithfulness despite our often unfaithfulness.
Track 11: Judge of All The Earth
Again, highlighting that our God will judge righteously.
Track 12: The Jealous One
My second favorite song. Shai paints a story of a man being cheated on by his wife. The imagery is so vivid, you can feel the hatred that man feels, and you get to the point where you start thinking to yourself, how can his wife be so unfaithful? And then Shai hits us with the second verse by telling it to us straight: we are all guilty of being adulterous idolators. Praise the Lord that in Christ there is no condemnation. Married people will appreciate this song especially.
Track 13: The Omnis
This song exalts the ALL-ness of God. That He is ALL-knowing, ALL-present, ALL-powerful. That's ALL.
Track 14: Self-Sufficiency
This one is by Timothy Brindle. What a humbling reminder that God is self-sufficient. He didn't need us. He didn't need to create us. This is all for His glory. I love this line about God creating the world from nothing:
That God made all things out of nothing!
Ex Nihilo!
How may tools did You use to create? Yup, it's zero bro!
Track 15: Triune Praise (remix)
This is a remix of his song off of the Atonement album, another great cd. This a much-needed song as we often forget to worship God the Spirit, even though He is fully God as well.
Conclusion
Overall, this is a great buy because the lyrics and music move the soul, inform the mind, and touch the heart with biblical truths that ought to grow your love for God, for who He is and all He does. If you're not a fan of hip hop, I'd say it's still worth to buy simply for the value of the lyrics.
Friday, December 30, 2011
If you don't like praise music, something's wrong with you
I'm not talking about the sappy, cheesy praise songs that you could replace "Jesus" with "romantic interest" and sing without missing a beat. I'm talking about those good ol' hymns and theologically-sound praise songs that have the power to move the soul. Now that's good music. Here's what Martin Luther had to say about people who don't like praise music (from Kenneth Osbeck's 101 Hymn Stoires, page 14,):
"If any man despises music, as all fanatics do, for him I have no liking (ouch, kind of harsh, don't you think? But Luther goes on to explain why he feels so strongly.) For music is a gift and grace of God, not an invention of men. Thus it drives out the devil and makes people cheerful. Then one forgets all wrath, impurity, and other devices."
If you're not convinced of Luther's love and commitment to praise music, here's one more quote from him from the same book, same page:
"I wish to compose sacred hymns so that the Word of God may dwell among the people also by means of song."
One can't help but admire such a lofty goal. Would this be the desire of every praise leader.
And since I've been pulling quotes from this book, it's only fair that I give some props to the author, Mr. Kenneth Osbeck. What a great little book to read. It combines my love for Christ, music, AND history into a wonderful book. Go check it out.
"If any man despises music, as all fanatics do, for him I have no liking (ouch, kind of harsh, don't you think? But Luther goes on to explain why he feels so strongly.) For music is a gift and grace of God, not an invention of men. Thus it drives out the devil and makes people cheerful. Then one forgets all wrath, impurity, and other devices."
If you're not convinced of Luther's love and commitment to praise music, here's one more quote from him from the same book, same page:
"I wish to compose sacred hymns so that the Word of God may dwell among the people also by means of song."
One can't help but admire such a lofty goal. Would this be the desire of every praise leader.
And since I've been pulling quotes from this book, it's only fair that I give some props to the author, Mr. Kenneth Osbeck. What a great little book to read. It combines my love for Christ, music, AND history into a wonderful book. Go check it out.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Favorite reads of the week
There's always so many articles to read, but here were a few that helped me in various ways:
Justin Taylor - Spectrums of Theological Truth and Error
Justin Taylor - Ray Comfort's 180 - watched it last week. Thought-provoking and challenging questions.
Tim Challies - Did I Marry the Wrong Person? - I know, I know. The title is scary. But I promise, it's not what you think. A very humbling and joyful reminder of the sanctification of marriage. So thankful for my dear wifey.
Thabiti - Moms - cute anectdote
Thabiti - Marriage - one of my favorite articles this year. Way to go, Thabs
Last, but not least, I love gadgets and I thought this one looked pretty cool, especially since I bike a lot. Would I actually get it? Not sure.
Justin Taylor - Spectrums of Theological Truth and Error
Justin Taylor - Ray Comfort's 180 - watched it last week. Thought-provoking and challenging questions.
Tim Challies - Did I Marry the Wrong Person? - I know, I know. The title is scary. But I promise, it's not what you think. A very humbling and joyful reminder of the sanctification of marriage. So thankful for my dear wifey.
Thabiti - Moms - cute anectdote
Thabiti - Marriage - one of my favorite articles this year. Way to go, Thabs
Last, but not least, I love gadgets and I thought this one looked pretty cool, especially since I bike a lot. Would I actually get it? Not sure.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
If It Wasn't For You by Jimmy Needham
My favorite part of the song:
"to run and work, the law commands
but gives me neither feet nor hands.
Better news the gospel brings:
Bids me fly and gives me wings!"
What a good reminder that under the law of works we will fail every time by our fallen nature. But under the law of Christ, we are set free to live for the Lord, knowing that we are right with God because of Christ.
"to run and work, the law commands
but gives me neither feet nor hands.
Better news the gospel brings:
Bids me fly and gives me wings!"
What a good reminder that under the law of works we will fail every time by our fallen nature. But under the law of Christ, we are set free to live for the Lord, knowing that we are right with God because of Christ.
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