new music for worship services

I spent a part of my morning today looking for new music (it’s a discipline…) and I’m finding myself a little uninspired. I have to believe there are songs for congregational worship yet untapped that are theologically rich and melodically and musically engaging. Here’s my struggle in looking for quality new songs: Most of the material being “put out there” is being written and released for modern rock bands - you know, crank it up, let it loose, sing it high and sing it loud. And where that works for arenas, nightclubs, and intense, emotional camp/conference settings, there’s a little translation needed for the rest of the world. The responsibility of that translation, however, is not up to the record producers and touring bands who saturate K-LOVE with their new, high-energy single. The responsibility of translation is in the hands of real life, week to week practitioners who have to burrow through the pile to find the nugget that can actually relate to real world application. And frankly, that can be tiresome.

Not that I want you to do my work for me, but I am inquiring for my edification. So…here’s the challenge: based on the above criteria, send me a list of newer songs you think I need to consider. Now, there are a couple limitations. You cannot send me any songs by David Crowder, Chris Tomlin, or Hillsong United…I love them all, but we all know about those. So, bring it on. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Happy Birthday from Joe Cocker

Saw this today and enjoyed immensely. I actually really like Joe Cocker, but this made me laugh.

Stolen My Heart?

“You’ve stolen my heart,
Yes, You have.
You’ve stolen my heart,
Yes, You have.
You’ve wiped away the stains,
And broke away the chains,
Yes, You have.”
-Leeland

When I first heard this song, I began to ask questions about it lyrically and theologically. For example, is it possible for God to “steal”? Is this really the best description of the work of God in a person’s life…you know, to steal a heart? Does God come and “take” a person or is it that God draws them? Is this a theologically sound lyric or is it careless language that will incorrectly communicate the work of Christ?

Then, I stopped myself. You see, I now had to wrestle with another conflicting thought. Had I become so sensitive to language that I could no longer see the beauty in hyperbole or metaphor? Had I forgotten or even possibly abandoned the romantic use of language? Had I become afraid to paint pictures or turn artful phrases in communicating God’s beauty? Had I devalued or even left no room for “poetic license” in the role of art that reflects the Creator?

So I thought about one of the most prolific artists whose work fills the pages of Scripture, King David. In Psalm 42 did David’s soul truly pant and thirst (Psalm 42:1-2)? Or was he trying to capture a longing that was difficult to convey without using the creative brush strokes of language? Or must I believe he was truly eating his tears as “food day and night” (Psalm 42:3)?

And so I have come to the conclusion that I need to lighten up a little bit. I think I need to be more gracious in allowing artistry to speak with passion and poetry a little bit more, both by others and myself. There is a distinct difference between communicating untruth and representing the beauty of God’s grand story and our individual stories poetically. Our imaginations need this kindling if we are truly to find meaning in Truth. And so I need to re-imagine (carefully and responsibly, of course) my own story and God’s truth with fresh, creative, artistic eyes, ears and words. “Stolen my heart”? Yes, in a beautiful way…I think He has.

retreat

I’ve been taking a bit of a personal retreat this week.  There are moments that seem to be fueled with inspiration and others with lethargy.  However, I feel like this has been important for me.  In my responsibilities as the worship pastor at Christ Community, I’ve been reminded by those around me that there is a cadence or rhythm of engagement AND withdrawal.  And though most people see withdrawal as “vacation time”, I believe there is great value in retreating to advance in my work.  The margin that I was able to create this week has allowed me to begin addressing thoughts and actions for weeks and months to come because I took just a little time to focus on thinking about things around me and ahead of me.  Believe me, there were still things to accomplish this week and I still have to lead on Sunday, but I am thankful for this time and the regeneration it has brought.

Kim Walker is an intriguing cross between artist and worship leader.  This video really grabbed me and I have been recently caught up in the idea of how He loves us.  I love the lyric “Heaven meets earth like a sloppy, wet kiss.”

Merry Christmas, Baby…in April

Yeah, I know it’s not Christmas, but I finally got around to posting a video up at youtube of Hannah and me singing “Merry Christmas, Baby”.  It was from a radio show style program we did this past Christmas and it included our own little version of this Charles Brown/Bonnie Raitt duet.

Little girl…big voice. Singing the blues. I don’t know where she gets it.