Did you ever attend a church where “In The Sweet By and By” was part of the praise and worship time? I did. And I think, if I close my eyes and listen real close, I can almost hear my Grandmother singing it in her kitchen. In The Sweet By and By There’s a land that is fairer than day, … The rest of the story…
Category Archives: praise and worship
This might come as a shock. But over the course of my songwriter life I wrote some of my songs for girls. (gasp!) I know. What a sexist, toxically masculine thing to do. Right? But seriously, you gotta play to your strengths, as they say. But what most people don’t know is how I rewrote some of my original love … The rest of the story…
I’m a dwelling place. And that’s not a typo. I didn’t mean to say I have a dwelling place. I said what I meant. And I meant what I said. But when I think of me as a dwelling place, one question comes up. A one word question. Why? Or it could be a two word question. Why me? And … The rest of the story…
Back when I was the praise and worship music leader for a church in the Denver metro area, I remember announcing, with a quip, a song we were about to sing. I said something like, “This next song is called My Father’s World. But I don’t think this is our Father’s world. Because it’s filled with evil and rebellious people.” … The rest of the story…
I’m gonna share a post I made about my “Raise The Praise” collection of praise and worship music. And you’ll notice I mentioned the CD or the downloadable versions of this uplifting music. But disregard those old school options. Because I’ve got a better, much cooler old school deal for you. Here’s what I said… “Most of the time, here … The rest of the story…
I remember singing what we called “old spiritual songs” way, way back when I was in choir in high school. One, that always comes to mind, said “soon ah will be done uh wit da troubles of da world. Goin’ home to see my Lord.” And my high school was composed of 99.99% latte toned people. I can only recall … The rest of the story…
Just before the dawn of the twenty-first century, I wrote a song about this very day. No, not April 4, 2021. I’m talking about Resurrection Sunday. Also known as Easter. But, believe it or not, there are still people who don’t know what it means. And they don’t understand the way it all came about. So, my resurrection song is … The rest of the story…
Sometimes people ask me why I spend so much effort writing “Christian stuff” instead of just writing “more popular music.” And the short answer is, because there’s so much of the “popular stuff” that’s anti-God. So, there’s an urgent need to offset it with strong Christian words and music. The longer answer is “Christian stuff” will last a lot longer. … The rest of the story…
Imagine you’re a sheepherder. I know it’s a stretch. But go with me on this for a couple of minutes. OK, you’re a sheepherder out in a field at night. And all is calm. All is bright…clear sky, big stars. And you start to get a little sleepy and your mind starts to wander. Somewhere deep inside your thoughts is … The rest of the story…
A praise and worship leader should follow THE Leader Maybe you already know this. But contemporary music, in church, started in the charismatic movement. And now it can be found in just about every kind of modern church in the world. More and more churches, regardless of their theology, seem to prefer praise and worship music that sounds like music of … The rest of the story…
Rhymes without reason in church Have you noticed how many rhymes without reason there are in church songs these day? And I say church songs because so many of them aren’t worship songs. And they don’t even rhyme all that well. Am I biased about this? Of course. But I’m also right. Rhymes without reason are almost like treason. Not … The rest of the story…
I’ve been reading, lately, where at least a few Christians are starting to question the merit of contemporary praise and worship music. And before you younger ones try to tell me it’s the old fuddy duddies, this isn’t just coming from older Christians. And I’m glad to see it. Because I’ve listened to just about all the mantra music, in … The rest of the story…
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
The old Christian hymns often said things so much more wisely and profoundly than the “praise and worship” music that permeates many churches today. They weren’t so repetitive and chant-like. They told stories and conveyed such faith in a relationship with the one true living, loving God. I’m sharing one of those old standards here again. It uses what’s often … The rest of the story…
Most Christians will tell you there are virtually limitless reasons for having faith in the saving Grace of Jesus. Maybe you have your own. If so, send me a message, and I’ll share it here if you’re willing. In these last few days leading up to Christmas 2014, I’m sharing some of my reasons. And I’ve been using the lyrics … The rest of the story…