Tag: Music

More on Casting Crowns

~ fundyreformed ~ 4 Comments

Click to see this CD on Amazon (and listen to song samples)While we’re on the theme of music, I thought I’d point out a good review of some of Casting Crowns’ songs by my blogging friend Will Dudding.

It made me remember my previous look at the motivations behind Casting Crowns and Mercy Me, which might be a good follow up to Will’s post for you all to check out. Casting Crowns is one of my favorite Christian music groups and I’ve highlighted their great song: Who Am I?, and also their 2nd album Lifesong, and its title song.

As you see the challenging lyrics that Will shares, maybe one fact should encourage you. This group is enormously popular and has sold more than 2.5 million records in a couple short years. This doesn’t count there newest album which came out a few months ago. The first song on that to hit the radio was number 1 on the charts for 19 weeks straight, which gives you the idea of their popularity.

And in this case, I think this shows that Christians (at least the kind that listen to and follow CCM) are hungering for a deeper message and really are trying to grow in the Lord. Granted I wholeheartedly agree with the criticism that much of CCM is shallow and trendy today. But there is a real turn around happening. And Casting Crowns isn’t the only group producing some real soul-searching, deep, faith-building songs.

To check out Casting Crowns more I recommend using Rhapsody.com which allows you 24 free online songs a month. Just search for Casting Crowns and tune in.

Modern Hymn Writers

~ fundyreformed ~ 4 Comments

Keith Getty, one of the founders of what I term the “modern hymn movement”, was recently interviewed along with his wife Kristyn by Christianity Today. The Getty’s new CD “In Christ Alone” is doing very well, with some of its songs being sung on Christian radio, now.

The interview explores how and why the Getty’s are writing their hymns. “Singable Doctrine” is how CT describes them. The article is worth the read.

Some of Keith Getty’s songs that he either wrote or co-wrote, are: “In Christ Alone“, “The Power of the Cross“, “O Church Arise“, “My Heart is Filled“, and “Speak, O Lord“. We sing all of these at my church along with a few others. They are excellent songs that are singable across generations and music styles.

For more on the “modern hymns”, read my earlier post: “The Rise of the Modern Hymn Movement“.

[Thanks, Grace, for pointing out this interview to me!]

Super Sale at Sovereign Grace

~ fundyreformed ~ 8 Comments

If you haven’t heard, Sovereign Grace Ministries is having a big February Sale.

All of their music CDs are discounted to $6 with free shipping. At my church, probably 30% of what we sing in worship times are songs written by Bob Kauflin and the other Sovereign Grace songwriters. I recommend Songs for the Cross Centered Life (which I have), and I’ve heard that Valley of Vision and their Christmas CD are really good. Their store will let you preview clips of the songs, as well as preview the lyrics and scores for free. Many of the songs I’ve reveiwed on my blog, are Sovereign Grace songs.

They also are discounting their Pursuit of Godliness books, and other materials as well. I encourage you to take advantage of this super sale!

“Across the Lands” by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

~ Bob Hayton ~ 6 Comments

Here is another great song from the authors of “In Christ Alone”. Keith Getty and Stuart Townend are producing what has been called modern hymns. I discuss their work in my post, “The Rise of the Modern Hymn Movement”.

We sang this song in church Sunday. It is a wonderful, God-centered song focused on the global mission of the Gospel. It works well as a congregational song. I hope you are encouraged spiritually by the lyrics of this song, and that if possible, you will aim to incorporate some of these modern hymns into your own church’s corporate worship.

Across the Lands

Words & Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

Verse 1
You’re the Word of God the Father
From before the world began.
Ev’ry star and ev’ry planet
Has been fashioned by Your hand.
All creation holds together
By the power of Your voice.
Let the skies declare Your glory;
Let the land and seas rejoice!

Chorus
You’re the Author of creation;
You’re the Lord of ev’ry man;
And Your cry of love rings out across the lands.

Verse 2
Yet You left the gaze of angels,
Came to seek and save the lost,
And exchanged the joy of heaven
For the anguish of a cross.
With a prayer You fed the hungry;
With a word You calmed the sea;
Yet how silently You suffered
That the guilty may go free!

Verse 3
With a shout You rose victorious,
Wresting vict’ry from the grave,
And ascended into heaven,
Leading captives in Your way.
Now You stand before the Father,
Interceding for Your own;
From each tribe and tongue and nation,
You are leading sinners home!

 © 2003 Thankyou Music.

You can listen to a sample of the song here, or you can listen to 2 versions of the entire song for free on Rhapsody.com: this one from Keith & Kristyn Getty’s CD In Christ Alone & this one from Stuart Townend’s CD Lord of Every Heart. If you would like, you can also purchase sheet music for this song here.

"You Are My King (Amazing Love)"

~ fundyreformed

It seems lately that I’m always highlighting another Keith Getty or Bob Kauflin song. I don’t want to make it seem that only GettyMusic and Sovereign Grace Ministries are producing good songs!

Before I introduce “You Are My King”, let me encourage you to check out my recently updated Music page. You’ll see 26 other songs I’ve highlighted, as well as links to important discussions concerning the music debate.

The song for today is simple, yet it speaks volumes. It is arranged in such a way to encourage an exclamatory joyful praise. I’m always struck by the first few lines. Christ suffered so I wouldn’t have to. He died so I could live. Praise the Lord! I hope this song is a blessing to you.

 

You Are My King (Amazing Love)

by Billy James Foote

I’m forgiven, because You were forsaken
I’m accepted, You were condemned
I’m alive and well, Your spirit lives within me
Because you died and rose again

Amazing love, how can it be
That You my king would die for me?
Amazing love, I know it’s true
And it’s my joy to honor You
In all I do I honor You

You are my king, You are my king,
Jesus, You are my king,
Jesus, You are my king

If the Son has set you free
You are free indeed.
If the Son has set you free
You are free indeed.

 © 1997 worshiptogether.com Songs (admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing, Inc.) CCLI# 130553.

To hear a sample of the melody click here for the verse and here for the chorus. Or listen to the entire song (for free) at rhapsody.com. You may also be interested in the guitar chord sheet, or the musical score for the song.

Also don’t forget to check out my music page!

***Oh, I should mention something else. If you’re like me, you’re a sucker for free music. You might enjoy downloading a free album of the Robbie Seay Band’s new album Give Yourself Away (it is Christian music and so far I like it, although I haven’t listened too carefully to it, yet).

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