I hate to be the bearer of bad news. But I know you’re tough. You can handle the truth. And I’m sure you wouldn’t want me to sugarcoat the facts just to save you a little bit of anxiety. So, here goes. You can’t make yourself live forever. There. I said it. And it feels great to lay it all … The rest of the story…
Tag Archives: praise and worship songs
It’s summer time. And no doubt you’ve been in the garden yourself, or you know someone who has. Or you’ve been to someplace to get some of the good stuff that comes out of a garden. Right? And I can tell you, from a LOT of experience, how good it is to go into a garden to feel the dirt … The rest of the story…
Love, peace, and music. I wish those for you. And now, let’s get down to business. No, I’m not smokin’ any halo tobacco. It doesn’t take a dope-smokin’, long-haired, hippy freak to talk about the finer parts of life. And, while we’re on the subject, that leads me into some of the benefits of Christian music. First, there’s no cursing. … The rest of the story…
I first shared this song over a dozen years ago. And about eight years ago I showed how the lyrics explained more of the whole person who created you and me. I went through the words a little at a time and put the explanation in blue. For anyone who’s interested, here’s a rerun of that explanation for… Give Me … The rest of the story…
When I led the praise and worship music, at a church in the greater Denver area, I made sure to include old hymns. Because so many of those “old songs” have such meaningful depth. And one of them has remained so popular, through the years, it was even sung by Elvis. How Great Thou Art was originally written back in … The rest of the story…
It’s not a new cop show. Nope. The Grace and Glory I’m talkin’ about is found in the one story that makes ALL history possible. And this is true whether you believe in the God of the Bible or not. Because your belief, thankfully, doesn’t provide or diminish grace and glory. And that’s because grace and glory are fully contained … The rest of the story…
OK, I heard it again. And without mincing words (who does that anymore?) I gotta say I’m insulted. Because people keep saying they “miss the old hymns in church.” And they say things like, “Only the old hymns stay true to the Bible.” Or something like, “Music, in churches these days, is repetitious ME focused drivel. Modern songs just seem … The rest of the story…
Contemporary schmontemporary Christian music. Most of it could easily be mistaken for another “Top 40 love song.” And most of it is unmanly, to say the least. And real men, in church, won’t sing along with a wimpy song. So, who’s to say what a wimpy song in church is? OK, I’ll go first. One of the signs of a … The rest of the story…
A few years back I put together a collection of praise and worship songs. And I called the collection, “Raise The Praise.” Great title, right? Anyway, I’ve hardly ever mentioned that group of 12 songs since then. Maybe a couple of times. But, c’mon man. You hear ads for total junk about a million more times than that every month. … The rest of the story…
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…
After talking about my former pastor, yesterday, I thought about how that story ties in nicely with what I’d like to share with you now. And it’s about what happens when things get dark. Because when things get dark is when THE Light shines bright. Or at least that Light CAN shine bright. But it’s still your choice. When things … 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…
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…
“From my mother’s womb you have been my God” Several years ago, when I was still the praise and worship music guy for a small Denver area church, our pastor preached a series of sermons from the Psalms. And they connected with me on a deep level. Maybe because King David wrote them, and he was a singer songwriter in … The rest of the story…
Raise The Praise
I’ve just had a great time putting together a collection of praise and worship songs called “Raise The Praise Volume 1”. Here’s a demo of the 12 songs you’ll get… Most of the time, here on my website, I talk, sing, and write about the things I think you’ll find helpful. And yes…I share from an unabashedly Christian perspective. And … The rest of the story…