Al Green’s Lament

The event that altered Al Green’s life as a famous R&B performer, began October 18, 1974. On this date Mary Woodson, a woman who had walked away from her family to be with Green, attacked him in his bathroom and in a fit of rage threw a boiling pan of grits on Green. She then shot and killed herself in Green’s Memphis home. During his long recovery from third-degree burns, Green fully devoted himself to his faith. After he recovered, he bought a church, the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Memphis and began leading services there.

Later, suffering a slight lull in his gospel career with 1984's “Trust in God,” Green reunited with producer Willie Mitchell to help re-energize his album sales. Even though, Mitchell admittedly preferred the secular to the religious music, Green remained unwavering in his faith. Together they worked on and published the gospel soul album “He Is the Light,” released in 1985.

“Power” is a beautifully heartfelt lament and worship song by Al Green and Willie Mitchell, released on this same album. While not typically remembered for its relevance to Easter, it still resonates with praise for Him who has the power over life and death (John 10:18). The only One who is able to change the hearts and circumstances of those whose trust is in Him.

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Sources: Biography + AllMusic + Jesse Dittmar

In The Sweet Bye and Bye

When Jospeh P. Webster (1819-1875) came into Dr. Samuel Fillmore Bennett’s (1836-1898) office one day looking a bit depressed. Bennett asked ‘What’s the trouble now?’ ‘Oh, nothing,’ Webster replied, ‘Everything will be alright by and by.’

Bennett then turned back to his desk where he mused “By and by.”  Thinking to himself, he said, “The sweet by and by,” that would make a good hymn.”

Webster, a musician by trade, hummed out a melody and in a few minutes Bennett had completed three verses and a chorus. With the help of Webster and some friends, who were also present, the hymn was set it to music almost on the spot. After one of the other men played the melody on a violin a few times. The small group of men sang the new hymn in Webster’s office for the first time.

“In The Sweet Bye and Bye” was popularized by The Salvation Army and has often been sung at Army funeral services.

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Sources: Plymouth Brethren + Popular Hymns + Artem Kovalev + Rodion Kutsaev

The Doxology

“The Doxology” is an expression of praise to the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. First published in 1709 by composer Thomas Ken, this short hymn of praise is one of the most well known in Christian worship.

Thomas Ken was orphaned in childhood. It’s interesting to note that he was raised by his older sister, Ann, and her husband, Izaak Walton, noted for his classic “The Compleat Angler.” Ken would eventually become Bishop of Bath and Wells in 1684, where he spent most of his life intertwined with both College and Cathedral in Winchester.

Lyrics:

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

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Source: Christianity Today

Praise Him! Praise Him!

A classic hymn of praise written by Fanny Crosby in 1869 with music by Chester G. Allen. 

Even though Crosby was totally blind from early childhood, she is widely recognized as the most prolific writer of hymns, songs and poems since the writing of hymns began. And this is even more amazing, considering she only started writing hymns at age forty-four. 

Wonderful repeats, in her lyrics, tell us to praise God for His “excellent” greatness. While reminding us that Jesus, like a shepherd, will guard and carry His children in His arms all day long. So let us, who believe, honor Jesus Christ by singing His praises with our full heart and soul.

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Source: Popular Hymns

Southern Journey

This work was inspired by the traditional old-time gospel version of “Beulah Land” from Alan Lomax’s “Southern Journey Vol. 1: Voices from the American South.” It’s the result of two different recording trips to the Georgia Sea Islands during the ’50s and ’60s and is one of the essential documents of American folk music. From an original performance by the Georgia Sea Island Singers with the drum, fife, banjo and delightfully syncopated hand clapping, all led by John Davis with Bessie Jones as 2nd lead.

If you’re interested in the foundation from which nearly all American music originated, then hearing the “Southern Journey Vol. 1: Voices from the American South” is recommended.

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Source: Bluegrass Messangers

Personal File

Johnny Cash’s “Personal File” album was released on a two-disc set in 2006. The first contains some originals plus lesser-known folk songs about the family, which he loved to sing. The second contains songs that were nothing short of a testament to the depth of Cash’s faith. 

“Wildwood in the Pines” is a song on the second disc of this album, a gospel song performed by Cash and written by one-time son-in-law and friend Rodney Crowell. Crowell recounts his inspiration in writing this particular song for his mother, who told him… son, God blessed you with the ability to write songs. So you’d better write a sacred song for Him. You can hear Crowell and Johnny’s son John Carter Cash narrate the history and selection of songs for the “Personal File” album at PRX.org.

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Sources: PRX.org + Luca Bravo

William Charles Fry

“The Lily Of The Valley” is a Christian hymn written by William Charles Fry for the Salvation Army on December 29, 1881.

Fry found his inspiration in writing this hymn after reading these words. “‘I am the rose of Sharon, And the lily of the valleys.’ Like a lily among thorns, So is my love among the daughters. Like an apple tree among the trees of the woods, So is my beloved among the sons. I sat down in his shade with great delight, And his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, And his banner over me was love.”
— Song of Solomon 2:1-4 [NKJ]

To Fry, Jesus was both the “beloved” in Song of Solomon, as well as, the lily of the valley. He wrote this hymn while being employed by the Salvation Army. The tune was later adapted from the son “Little Old Log Cabin” and composed by William Hayes.

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Sources: Diana Leagh Matthews + Flickr - Jesewg

Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)

The song “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" was written by Matt Crocker, Joel Houston and Salomon Ligthelm with lead vocals by Taya Smith. It was released on 10 September 2013 as Hillsong United's second single from their album, Zion and became the longest-running No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart. Billboard later named it as the No.1 song on the Hot Christian Songs chart for 2014.

Hillsong’s arrangement is quite different from the majority of contemporary Christian songs. Its orchestration slowly builds in both ambient and expansive sound. The symbolic lyrics define the desire for a stronger faith, one described as trust without borders. A real faith for all who call and hope upon their saviour.

The biblical description of this type of faith is contained in Matthew 14:23-33. By faith, Peter moved beyond what would seem possible for anyone on the water.

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Sources: Wikipedia + Metro Youth Network + Hillsong Movie + Unsplash - Caleb Georg

Zack Williams’ Story

Zach Williams was in college before he learned how to play any music. He taught himself how to play his college roommate’s guitar. Only after he had been laid up in his room with a bad ankle injury. From that point on he immediately fell in love with music.

Eventually, Zach ended up in a Southern Rock band. Shortly after going into the studio to record the band’s first album, his career just seemed to take off. The band got a booking agent in Europe and booked a month long tour all across France, Belgium and Spain. Although with this seemingly desirable lifestyle, over time, came a lot of bad choices. 

In Zach’s own words he says, “Even though I grew up going to church every Sunday as a kid, even though I knew right from wrong and said I was a Christian, there was absolutely nothing about the way I was living that reflected these things. It took a trip to Europe in 2012 to stop me dead in my tracks and show me just how lost I really was.” Then, after hearing a song by Big Daddy Weave called “Redeemed,” Zach’s faith became real to him. He called his wife to tell her he was quitting the band and joining the church they had been visiting.

Out of his experience, four years later Zach crafted his first single “Chain Breaker” from his newly released self-titled album. It’s a real southern rock gem about what Jesus did for him and could do for you. One that you might find yourself singing along too.

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Sources: Zach Williams Music + Leero

Revelation Song

When I first heard Kari Jobe’s “Revelation Song,”  it was the live online version from the Passion 2013 conference in Atlanta, GA. It’s a song written by Jennie Riddle and subsequently included on Kari Jobe’s self-titled album.

At Passion 2013 Kari delivered both a powerful and uplifting performance of this beautiful song. Still, for me, the most moving part of this contemporary song has to be the simple lyrical phrases adapted from Revelation. Some of which included: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain / Sing a new song to Him who sits on / Heaven's mercy seat (Rev 5:9) / Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty / Who was and is and is to come (Rev 4:8) / With all creation I sing praise to the King of Kings (Rev 5:13 and Rev 19:16).

If you’re a believer in need of some encouragement, I’d recommend looking up this performance to witness an auditorium full of young people singing heartfelt praise together with Kari.

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Sources: Wikipedia + Littlefield Productions

Away in a Manger

This well-known song was first published in the late nineteenth century. While some consider it to be the work of Martin Luther, it is now widely believed to be a work of unknown origin.

Fred Gealy (1894-1976) writes that the lyrics were probably written in the mid-1800s by an anonymous American. The music was composed by a J. E. Clark. Afterward, the music director of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, a man named Charles Hutchinson Gabriel, published a new version of the hymn that included the third verse.

Whoever may have written the original version, “Away in a Manger” remains to this day one of the most beloved Christmas songs for believers.

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Sources: Discipleship Ministries + Pexels - Rasmus Svinding

George Strait

“You’ll Be There” is a song performed by George Strait on his 2005 album “Somewhere Down in Texas.” Every time Strait performs this song he thinks of Jenifer, his 13-year-old daughter, who was killed in a tragic car accident. It happened late one night when the driver of a Ford Mustang lost control after taking a turn too fast and Jenifer, not wearing her seatbelt, was thrown through an open window. She died right where she fell.

In an interview with USA Today, Strait said, “I’m a religious person. I honestly believe we will see each other in heaven someday,” he says. “I wanted to do the song badly. The writer, Cory Mayo, held that song out because he knew I wanted to do it, and he waited until I had the chance. It was kind of him to do that.”

Now if you’ve ever lost a loved one, it would be hard for you, not to shed tears after hearing such a beautiful song.

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Sources: Jenifer Strait Memorial Foundation + Keith Carter + Martin Ezequiel Sanchez

Brooke Fraser

One of the highlights of “This Is Our God,” the seventeenth contemporary worship album from Hillsong Church, would have to be “You’ll Come” by Brooke Fraser. In 2008 it was recorded live in front of over 10,000 worshippers and opened at No. 2 Top 50 Albums in Australia.

New Zealand native Fraser based her song on Hosea 6:1-3, a story of those who strayed far from the Lord. Then in their despair resolve to wait on the Lord and his loving kindness, confident that He will indeed come and restore them. “You’ll Come” is the kind of uplifting praise and worship song that easily resonates with believers… worth hearing this Christmas.

Fraser doesn’t just sing about her faith. In 2006, she and her husband adopted a Rwanda orphan named Albertine, about whom she wrote one of her most popular songs. “Albertine,” the same titled album, went double platinum in 2006. In between concerts she still devotes much of her time to fund-raising for African children, displaced by genocide.

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Sources: SlideShare - John Wible + Scott Ligertwood + Unsplash - Heather Dou

Nichole’s Wide Eyed

Nichole Nordeman has memories of her mom playing the piano, singing songs, and encouraging her and her brother to sing along. It’s this time with her mom, she remembered developing a real love for Christian music. She then spent almost her entire childhood at a Christian school. While Nordeman’s thankful for this kind of education, she has come to realize the drawback to being raised so isolated.

On “Wide Eyed” from the 1998 album of the same name, Nordeman confesses her own struggle with the condemnation and her short-sighted judgment of others who thought differently from herself. The very same struggle most of us share in the world today, whether raised in a Christian school as a believer or not.

Shouldn’t we be the ones who offer grace in our world without condemnation? As a wise man once said, “We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Sources: YouTube + Unsplash - George Bohunicky & Alexandre Chambon

Bruce Springsteen

“Jesus Was An Only Son” is a passionate Bruce Springsteen song with two points of view from the 2005 album “Devils & Dust.“ It details human emotions, as His blood was being spilled, on Calvary Hill.

One view, a mournful wish for a different fate in the garden of Gethsemane. A second view, the relationship between Jesus and his mother, as foretold by Simeon to Mary in the gospel of Luke 2:35, “Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Springsteen’s heartfelt lyrics include:

Mary’s former prayer — ‘A mother prays, Sleep tight, my child, sleep well for I'll be at your side… that no shadow, no darkness, no tolling bell, shall pierce your dreams this night.’

Jesus’ yearning — ‘In the garden at Gethsemane he prayed for the life he'd never live, he beseeched his Heavenly Father to remove the cup of death from his lips…’

Death’s cost — ‘Now there's a loss that can never be replaced, a destination that can never be reached, a light you'll never find in another's face, a sea whose distance cannot be breached…’

Transformation’s destiny — ‘Well Jesus kissed his mother's hands, whispered, Mother, still your tears, for remember the soul of the universe willed a world and it appeared.’

I think Springsteen had it right in his own summation, “The choices we make are given meaning by the things that we give up, by the things that we sacrifice with them. That’s what gives them weight, and meaning.”

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Sources: VH1 Storytellers + Nepascene + Gertrude Käsebier

Matt Redman

Matt Redman’s popular Christian album, “10,000 Reasons,” peaked at No. 1 on the US Christian Album chart for three straight years from 2011 to 2013.

The title song on this album, “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)” is probably one of the fastest songs Redman has ever written.” Redman estimated it took less than an hour to create. When Jonas, his friend, played its melody during one of their songwriting sessions, Redman with guitar in hand, began singing the verse Bless the Lord, Oh my soul from Psalm 103. After that, the remaining lyrics just flowed from him.

In Redman’s own words, this particular song almost didn’t make on the album, ‘I thought, “Oh, that’s a bit simple, it’s a bit folksy,’ he recalls. ‘It doesn’t have a pre-chorus, it doesn’t have a bridge.” That’s how silly I am. We had, like, 20 songs to choose from. Hand on heart, without a team around me, I may not have put that on.’

But the song soon gained traction, more than justifying its inclusion on the album. ‘It seemed like the song was connecting with people,’ he says. ‘I think some of the songs that have traveled around the most with us, I had no clue when I was writing it; had no clue when I was recording it. Sometimes you just write your heart out, record it and just see what God does with it.’ 

See for yourself what God has done with “10,000 Reasons” by viewing an online video showing thousands of people openly praising God in the middle of New York’s Time Square on August 1, 2016.

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Sources: Premier + Unsplash - Valentina Aleksandrovna

Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder was a child prodigy and Michigan native who signed with Motown at age 11. Stevie became a devout Christian who got his start in music at church. To this day, his faith plays strongly into life and music. One great example is the song “As” from the 1976 album “Songs in the Key of Life,” the Grammy award winner for “Album of the Year.” This same album was preserved into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress, which credited it for being “culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant.”

Here’s some of the inspirational lyrics from “As” / We all know, sometimes life’s hates and troubles / Can make you wish you were born in another time and space / But you can bet you life times that and twice its double / That God knew exactly where he wanted you to be placed / so make sure when you say you’re in it, but not of it / You’re not helping to make this earth a place sometimes called Hell / Change your words into truths and then change that truth into love / And maybe our children’s grandchildren / And their great-great grandchildren will tell / I’ll be loving you.

According to Wonder, God gave him the ability and opportunity to rise to the top in the music industry despite his considerable handicaps. He said many years ago, some people would say, ‘Well, you have three strikes against you: You’re black, you’re blind and you’re poor.’ But God said to me, ‘I will make you rich in the spirit of inspiration, to inspire others as well as create music to encourage the world to a place of oneness and hope and positivity.’ I believed Him and not them.

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Sources: Hollowverse + Saintheron + LoboStudio Hamburg + Dominik Schröder

Johnny Cash Redeemed

Johnny Cash credited both Nick Lowe and Nick’s then-wife Carlene Carter with bringing him a song they said belonged to him. When Johnny first heard it, he did indeed know it belonged to him. “Redemption,” was released on Johnny’s “American Recordings” album in 1994. 

On this song, Johnny sang unapologetically Christian lyrics, “The blood gave life to the branches of the tree / And the blood was the price that set the captives free / And the numbers that came through the fire and flood / Clung to the tree and were redeemed by the blood.”

You should know that Johnny’s connection to the song came from his earlier drug-filled life in the music industry. In his own words, “I believe what I say, but that don’t necessarily make me right," he told Rolling Stone magazine in 2000. “There’s nothing hypocritical about it. There is a spiritual side to me that goes real deep, but I confess right up front that I’m the biggest sinner of them all.” 

Here was an honest man who truly believed in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the ultimate purpose for God’s redemption!

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Sources: Christianity Today + ABC Television/Getty Images + Justin Laberge

U2

You probably know by now how much I adore symbolism. It’s one of the things I admire most about the biblical parables and scripture in general. My belief is that symbols are given by God’s Spirit to help show eternal truths that would, otherwise, not easily be understood. Within the proper context of a story, symbols can become wonderfully illustrative.

The song “Magnificent” by U2, released in 2009, provides both symbolism along with a shimmering guitar and iron-horse bass I can’t help but love. Its rich lyrical symbolism includes: Magnificent — The Magnificat [Latin: magnifies], also called the Canticle of Mary, is recorded in the Gospel of Luke (1:46-55); I was born to be with you (Psalm 139:13); only love can heal such a scar (John 15:13 + John 20:24-29); I was born to sing for you (Psalm 96:1-2); my first cry, it was a joyful noise (Psalm 98:4): Justified till we die (Acts 13:38-39).

Maybe Bono, the lead singer for U2, had it right when he said, “All the best songs are co-written by God, ya know!”

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Sources: Patheos + Sistine Chapel + Pexels - Markus Spiske

God’s Sovereignity

Although I’ve always enjoyed and admired the artistry of a wide variety of music and songs, it’s pretty rare to be so emotionally connected to one after first hearing it. For me, Nichole Nordeman’s song “I Am” is one of those rare exceptions. When I heard it and several times afterward, the tears just flowed. Without a doubt, it’s the absolute jewel on her 2002 album “Woven & Spun.”

In her own words, “’I Am’ is similar to ‘Every Season’ in that the bottom-line message is God’s sovereignty throughout the passage of time and circumstance.” “And, you know, our lives change so much and who we need God to be changes on a dime and somehow, He continues to steadfastly say, “I Am. I Am. I Am.” and puts the period right there after those two small words. For me, that is still hard to sort of wrap my mind around, but I am incredibly grateful.”

While Nichole’s third album “Woven & Spun” may not be her best... this song may well be. I can't recommend it highly enough!

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Sources: CBN + Unsplash - Volkan Olmez