Musical Unity in the church

Pastor Tullian:

So, we miss out on some great things God intends for us to enjoy when we separate in worship according to musical tastes. The idea to do this comes, not from the Bible, but from American consumerism and we adopt this practice to our own peril.

As my friend Steven Phillips rightly says, we ought to use the best music, prayers, and traditions of our Christian past, so that our worship is guided and enriched by our fathers in the faith. In doing this we demonstrate that our Christian faith reaches back thousands of years. And we ought also to use the best new songs and styles – to “sing a new song to the Lord” as the Psalms say – so that we can demonstrate that the grace of God is ever new. God’s saving power is available now, in the present day, to all who call on Him in faith.

By musically blending things in this way we exercise love toward those who resonate with different musical tastes than us. We recognize that our worship service is a shared time and a shared space, so that if a particular song or style doesn’t inspire us, we can still look across the sanctuary and give thanks from our hearts for the diversity of people who are here. The gospel of Jesus Christ invites us to look across the aisle and say, “Though this song or style may not appeal to me, I see that God is using it to move you. I love you in Christ and I’m glad you’re here.”

Read the whole thing.

God of This City...Kris Allen

My Soul Finds Rest

By Aaron Keyes and Stuart Townend

Resurrection Letters, Volume 2

Anyone that knows me, knows that I am a big Andrew Peterson fan!

We have had the opportunity over the years to see him perform several times, as well as meet up with him and the crew several times. God has really given him the gift of words...and we are blessed that we can listen to those words in song.

You can preorder his cd right now for $15, and he'll send you two!

To give you an idea of what you'll be getting...here is a link that will let you listen to his new cd in its entirety.

Resurrection Letters, Volume 2

Hosea is an incredible song....my favorite...at least today!

Enjoy and let me know what you think!

Are you down with that??

Music Recommendation

We just bought the new Sovereign Grace cd called Come Weary Saints.

I cannot recommend it more highly!

Savior: Celebrating the Mystery of God Become Man

Last year, John and I were very excited to discover that Sovereign Grace Music released a Christmas cd titled Savior. It was placed into our cd player and remained there for weeks. I even found myself listening to it over the past year. This is definitely not your generic Christmas albun. It's more about our sinfulness and our need for a Savior.

My youngest son, Jamison, will be a year old on December 9th. The two weeks before he was born were filled with nights of useless contractions. I remember spending the wee hours of the morning listening to this cd as I folded laundry, timed contractions and prayed for my little one to arrive. I thought of Mary and her anticipation as she neared Christ's birth. I would sing Sleep Jesus Sleep, thinking about her and how she knew who her little baby was. He was the Savior...yet so very small and frail.

My favorite song is Rejoice. There is such an incorporation of who God is...How God came to the Earth in the form of Jesus...and what it will be like when God returns!

It is so refreshing to hear Christmas music that points right to Christ and the cross. In How Sweet the Day, you are reminded of why and how we have been redeemed. We are 'freed from our fears', the 'power of sin is broken' and we are 'given the power to follow Him'. The day Christ appeared was a sweet day....as will be the day that Christ returns!

You can hear clips of all of the songs here.

I highly recommend you purchase this! Make sure you buy it for gifts too...it will definitely be a blessing to your family and friends!

Someone stole Bob Kauflin!

Ok, it was only an Upwards cd....you can run, but you can't hide!

And now it's time for silly songs with Larry

If you don't know who Andrew Peterson is, you should. He's one of my favorite music artists, and I've had the privilege to have dinner with him on several occasions. Recently, Andrew and his buddy Randall Goodgame teamed up to make a silly song for the upcoming Veggietales movie.

Here is a sneak peak:

In Christ Alone

Overdressed

Yesterday was a good day. We received Overdressed, the new Caedmon's Call cd, that we preordered months ago! With Derek Webb back in the mix...it is reminiscent of old music, but unique, all in one. I urge you to go out and get it!!

Here is my favorite from the cd so far :)

Sacred

this house is a good mess

it's the proof of life

no way would i trade jobs

but it don't pay overtime

I'll get to the laundry

i don't know when

i'm saying a prayer tonight

cause tomorrow it starts again

could it be that everything is sacred?

and all this time

everything i've dreamed of

has been right before my eyes

the children are sleeping

but they're running through my mind

the sun makes them happy

and the music makes them unwind

my cup runneth over

and i worry about the stain

teach me to run to You

like they run to me for every little thing

chorus

when i forget to drink from You

i can feel the banks harden

Lord, make me like a stream

to feed the garden

wake up, little sleeper

the Lord, God Almighty

made your Mama keeper so rise and shine

rise and shine cause

chorus