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.

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.

[twelve one and two] now available at iTunes

My own personal digital revolution has finally begun. [twelve one and two] (in EP form) is now available at iTunes. It contains two live, unreleased versions of “Fan The Flame” and “You Know My Heart”. And feel free to leave a review…as long as it’s good.

[twelveoneandtwo] bonus EP now available at amazon.com

Recently, I released a version of my last CD, [twelveoneandtwo], to the digital domain. Although I am still waiting for it to get posted to iTunes, mp3 downloads just recently became available through amazon.com for $0.89/each. I’ve re-released it as [twelveoneandtwo] bonus EP as it contains two bonus live tracks as well as my original songs and hymn arrangements from the original release.  You can access the site by clicking on the CD cover to the right.

This is kind of exciting as I’ve been slow to join the digital revolution.  It’s mostly cool because it’s a great distribution method and I love the fact that people can get the music NOW through a source like this.

Purchase the whole EP for $6.99 or $0.89/track.  Purchase online and purchase often!!

only the sinner

Reflecting on the song, “Only The Sinners” by Josh Bales today. Here’s a portion of the song that grabbed me:

Never the righteous, never the good,
Never the man who does all the things he should;
Never the rich, no, never the strong,
Never the woman who never breaks the law,
Never the healthy, never the wise,
Never the man who claims to have some alibi.

Only the dirty,
Never the clean,
Only the beggar men,
Never the king;
Only the messed up,
Never the made;
Only the sinner,
Jesus saves.

Download this song here. Check out Josh Bales at www.joshbales.com