The Way It Is

Worship Songs for November 22

2009-11-18T14:07:00.001-06:00

First Baptist Church of Euless – BEHIND THE PRAISE
Worship Songs
November 22, 2009

"In The Sanctuary"

This song of praise was written by Kurt Carr. Singer, songwriter, producer and musician, Kurt Carr is one of the most celebrated talents of our time. Kurt is a Dove-award winner who has been responsible for some of the most well-known Gospel songs, including "The Presence of The Lord", "In the Sanctuary", "For Every Mountain", and "God Blocked It", to name just a few. At the age of 13, Kurt was inspired by gospel greats such as Walter Hawkins, James Cleveland, and Andrae Crouch. Carr attended the University of Connecticut in his hometown of Hartford, CT, graduating with a degree in fine arts and a newfound appreciation of classical music. He was mentored by the classically-trained gospel legend Richard Smallwood, who broadened the young student's horizons to include elements of different musical styles in his compositions and whom Carr still highly respects. In 1986, Carr joined with Reverend James Cleveland and his ensemble, acting as pianist and musical director until the reverend's death in 1991. He formed the Kurt Carr Singers in the early ‘90s, releasing several albums such as: 'Serious About It', 'No One Else', 'Awesome Wonder' which went gold, selling over 500,000 units, and 'One Church' which won him a Dove award and was nominated for a Grammy award. He is back again with his incomparable singers with his latest double CD, 'Just The Beginning' which contains the hot new single "Peace and Favor".

Click here to learn more about Kurt Carr:
www.myspace.com/kurtcarrgospel

Click here to worship along with Kurt Carr:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY88RiXfzU8

Click here to purchase the song:

“Redeemed”

The word redeemed implies the idea of a slave standing on the trader's auction block being offered to the highest bidder. At last the price is paid by a compassionate new owner, who then gives the slave his unconditional freedom. But the freed slave, out of gratitude to his new owner, offers himself as a loving bond servant for life to his redeemer.

This popular gospel song by Fanny Crosby first appeared with William Kirkpatrick's jubilant tune in the hymnal Songs of Redeeming Love, published in 1882. It is another of the more than 8,000 hymns by the blind American poetess, Fanny Jane Crosby, the most important writer of gospel hymn texts in American history.

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed thru. His infinite mercy
His child, and forever, I am.

Redeemed and so happy in Jesus;
No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence
With me doth continually dwell.

I think of my blessed Redeemer.
I think of Him all the day long;
I sing for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song.

I know I shall see in His beauty
The King in whose law I delight,
Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps
And giveth me songs in the night.

Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed, His child, and forever, I am.

Click here for a jazz arrangement of the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNxhcuVodBs

Click here to purchase “Redeemed”:

"My Savior Lives"

This is a new song by Jon Egan and Glenn Packiam of the New Life Church in Colorado Springs, CO. When asked about writing songs for the church in an interview Jon Egan and Jared Anderson shared the following:

Those songs were written out of innocence just to equip our own church. I think that probably is the reason for the success. The heart of these songs, the heart of us as worshippers or worship leaders, has always been to help our people in our spheres of influence. The fact that it's equipped the Church beyond our church is overwhelming, wonderful, and humbling. We weren't really following anyone into it; we were just excited about what God was doing. We started to try our own songs at times other than Sunday morning. We just put it out there to see if it would live. It began that way, and it crept into the culture of Sunday morning.

Click here to listen to the song:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=139038586

Click here to worship with the New Life church:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_SB-SpNm00&feature=related

Click here to purchase “My Savior Lives”:

“Alive, Forever, Amen”

Let the children sing a song of liberation
The God of our salvation set us free
Death, where is thy sting? The curse of sin is broken
The empty tomb stands open, come and see

He's alive, alive, alive. Hallelujah!
Alive! Praise and glory to the Lamb.
He's alive, alive, alive. Hallelujah!
Alive forever. Amen

Let my heart sing out, for Christ, the One and only
So powerful and holy rescued me
Death won't hurt me now because He has redeemed me
No grave will ever keep me from my King

I'm alive, alive, alive, hallelujah!
Alive! praise and glory to the Lamb.
He's alive, alive, alive. Hallelujah!
Alive forever. Amen

Click here to learn more about Travis Cottrell:
www.yourmusiczone.com/go/ymz/music_artist_more/cottrell_travis/

Click here to visit Travis Cottrell's blog:
http://traviscottrellministries.blogspot.com/

Click here to learn more about Travis Cottrell's ministry:
www.traviscottrell.com/

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOOJOXySgyc

Click here for another version of the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgGxPYNM6NI

Click here to purchase “Alive, Forever, Amen”:

"Hosanna"

Paul Baloche wrote this with Brenton Brown to be sung on Palm Sunday. Contemplating that sense of expectancy led Paul to start with the phrase “Praise is rising”. Paul said there is that same sense of expectancy when God’s people gather to worship that was felt along the road in Jerusalem when the people crowded the streets to get a glimpse of Jesus.
Ever wonder what Hosanna really means? Hosanna is Hebrew for "Save now" from Psalm 118. It is an intensified imperative, a cry, addressed to God, particularly used in the Feast of Tabernacles, when prayers for rain were offered. In the New Testament the crowd shouted it when Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. It is used as an exclamation in Christian worship.

Click here to listen to Paul share how he wrote the song:
www.theheartofworship.org/stories.shtml

Click here to worship along with Paul Baloche:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TIg2QOzPpg

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BZoDH2H1Ls

Click here to purchase the Paul Baloche version:

“Worthy is the Lamb”

Australian Darlene Zschech is acclaimed all over the world as a singer, songwriter worship leader and speaker, most notably for spearheading the music that comes from Hillsong Church. Although she has achieved numerous gold albums and her songs are sung in many nations of the world, her success is not the result of pursuing stardom and fame – it stands as a testimony to her life’s passion to serve God with her musical gift.

Click here to learn more about Darlene Zschech who wrote this powerful ballad on the cross:
www.darlenezschech.com/pages/default.asp?pid=20

Thank you for the cross, Lord.
Thank you for the price you paid.
Bearing all my sin and shame, in love you came
And gave Amazing Grace.
Thank you for this love, Lord.
Thank you for the nail-pierced hands.
Wash me in Your cleansing flow, now all I know
Your forgiveness and embrace.

Worthy is the Lamb
seated on the throne.
We crown You now with many crowns
You reign victorious!
High and lifted up
Jesus, Son of God.
The darling of Heaven, crucified…
Worthy is the Lamb.

Click here to worship along with Darlene:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR4CCLnmf1Q

Click here to listen online:
www.imeem.com/people/ewvSYY/music/Xwoirr-Z/darlene_zschech_worthy_is_the_lamb/

Click here to purchase “Worthy is the Lamb”:

“You Are For Me”

Click here to visit Kari Jobe’s website:
www.karijobe.com/

Click here to hear Kari share about how she wrote the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB4phSOaheM&feature=PlayList&p=E7841C140C8806D7&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=7

Click here to listen to Kari Jobe sing the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdfKTTeGj2U&feature=fvw

Click here to purchase “You Are For Me”

Worship Songs for November 15

2009-11-12T17:20:00.000-06:00

First Baptist Church of Euless – BEHIND THE PRAISE
Worship Songs
November 15, 2009

"There is Power in the Blood"

This hymn was written by Lewis E. Jones.

Born: February 8, 1865, Yates City, Illinois.
Died: September 1, 1936, Santa Barbara, California.
Buried: Altoona Walnut Grove Cemetery, Etowah County, Alabama.

A classmate of evangelist Billy Sunday, Jones attended the Moody Bible Institute. After graduation, he worked for the Young Men’s Christian Association in Davenport, Iowa; Fort Worth, Texas (1915); and Santa Barbara, California (1925). Hymn-writing was his avocation. Lewis E. Jones wrote this song in 1899. Jones wrote this song at a camp meeting at Mountain Lake Park, Maryland.

Click here for a gospel arrangement:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=im1Mgg7Dz-g

Click here to worship along with Mahalia Jackson:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaNUzh1dVPw

Click here to purchase the Bart Millard version:

"He Knows My Name"

This worship song was written by Tommy Walker. Tommy shared in a recent interview his conversion and call experience:

When I was 11 years old – that was a very big year in my life. That's when I gave my heart to the Lord, and I started playing guitar. This group Love Song, which was one of the first Christian rock bands of all time, was touring through town. That night they were in my living room, and Chuck Girard – the piano player – was playing my mom's baby grand piano, and we were singing a few songs together. It was one of those moments. I said, "That's it. That's who I want to be when I grow up." It was actually a very profound moment. It's through worship music that God really touched me and spoke to me. It's only natural I'd pursue that.

The following is how Tommy wrote the song:

The story of how “He Knows My Name” was written is not very exciting, nor is it inspirational. Basically it’s a story of just trying to be faithful to do my job. In that way, it is a story of self-discipline. Let’s just say, routine discipline stories are far from riveting. However, the fruit of the smallest act of discipline and obedience can be quite another story altogether. When my pastor, Mark Pickerall, wrote a sermon with the title “He Knows My Name,” he asked me if I could write a song to go with it. I felt utterly uninspired that day; but out of the discipline of song writing, which is part of my job description, I dug in and gave it a shot. I remember thinking as the words and music began to come to me, “Wow, this is the simplest song I’ve ever written. Maybe it will work in kids’ church”. Well, I went ahead and finished it – something all songwriters struggle to do when something isn’t coming out just right. And like a good, obedient, somewhat disciplined worship leader, I taught it to my church and basically, nothing happened.
A few months later, the women of my church sang it at their women’s retreat and suddenly God moved. They told me that a sense of the love of God entered the room in such a powerful way that many of them were weeping and experiencing all kinds of inner healing. When I heard this, I thought maybe I should give this song one more try. The following weekend, we sang it at church and sure enough, it happened: People began to weep. But the funny part is that I also began to weep. God was speaking so intimately to me, reminding me that He knew my name and was concerned about the things that concerned me. *(pg. 3, He Knows My Name – Tommy Walker, Integrity Press)

Click here to read more about Tommy Walker:
http://www.tommywalker.net/

Click here to listen to Tommy’s music on his myspace site:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=97429791

Click here to worship along with the Promise Keepers worship team:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXsiWoyjw60

Click here to purchase “He Knows My Name”:

“Sweeter”

Israel Houghton serves as one of the worship pastors for Lakewood Church in Houston. Here is a portion of his amazing story.

I really should have been one of those abortion statistics you read about. My mother became pregnant with me when she was 17. My mother's white and my biological father's black. Her family wasn't supportive of their relationship and gave her the choice to have a back-alley abortion or to be disowned. I'm here because of the decision she made-and because of her conversion shortly after that. So when I lead worship, I'm crazy. I realize how fortunate I am to be called by God and to be protected, to be covered by him. I'm incredibly grateful.

Click here to listen to the Lakewood church version:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=97a3tV-X334

Click here to purchase the Lakewood version of “Sweeter”:

"Your Grace is Enough"

Matthew "Matt" Maher is a singer/songwriter/worship leader originally from Newfoundland, Canada, who later relocated to Mesa, Arizona. He has written and produced 3 independent albums, The End and The Beginning (2001), Welcome to Life (2003), and Overflow (2006). All three albums were produced by Maher, with Welcome to Life and Overflow both being co-produced by Maher and Nashville engineer Jeff Thomas.

Matt is most known for his song, "Your Grace Is Enough", which Chris Tomlin recorded on his 2004 Gold release, Arriving. The two met at a Youth Specialties conference held in Phoenix when Tomlin's band was asked to "back" Maher up. Tomlin instantly fell in love with the song. Since then, the song has become a popular worship anthem. Matt recorded a new version of the song, combining both his and Tomlin's versions, for the album Empty and Beautiful. The song was released as a single on iTunes in March 2008, and reached #2 on Billboard's Adult Christian Contemporary Chart, where it remained in the top ten for over 8 weeks.

Click here to learn more about Matt Maher:
www.mattmahermusic.com/index.php

Click here to visit Matt’s myspace:
www.myspace.com/mattmahermusic

Click here to listen to how the song was written:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIgGHA27nG4

Click here to worship along:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtnE_e1LylY

Click here to purchase “Your Grace is Enough”:

"To God Be The Glory"

Tommy Walker arranged this great hymn by Fanny Crosby. Fanny Crosby was probably the most prolific hymnist in history. Though blinded by an incompetent doctor at six weeks of age, she wrote over 8,000 hymns. About her blindness, she said:

"It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow, I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me."

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qlfNZiDV4A

Click here to purchase Tommy Walker's version:

“Breathe”

A friend's suicide had left her reeling, but out of Marie Barnett's desperate need for God came a worship classic sung around the world.

Marie Barnett didn't consider herself a worship songwriter, although she had led worship with her husband John for years and wrote her own compositions during her personal worship time. John was the writer, penning what Barnett terms "tons" of worship music through the years (including "Holy and Anointed One").

"He's the worship writer," she explains, adding "I never sat down and wrote thinking, 'This could be sung in a congregation.' It was more between me and the Lord in my bedroom with the door locked."
But that all changed during a Sunday evening service at the Mission Viejo Vineyard in Southern California. The Barnetts were leading worship as they had done hundreds of times before, and words to what would become the worship song "Breathe" just spontaneously came out.
"We had been singing 'Isn't He' by John Wimber," Barnett recalls, "and my husband continued to play. I was so enthralled with Jesus at that moment, thinking I could never live, I could never even take a breath if I didn't have a word from Him every day. And so I heard those words-'this is the air I breathe, this is my daily bread'-and I started singing them."
Before she knew it, the congregation had joined her. Still, it wasn't as if Barnett left that night convinced she had a worship hit on her hands. There had been other spontaneous songs, but she soon realized "Breathe" was different. "People would come up to me at the grocery store and say, 'You know what we were singing on Sunday night? I've been singing it all week.'"

So they began to sing the song regularly in church and it continued to elicit a strong response, bringing many to tears. Barnett says even now she can hardly get through it. "I think the word 'desperate' digs deep into me," she says by way of explanation. "The longer I'm a Christian, the more desperate I am for God."
Not to mention Barnett was feeling particularly desperate around the time the words for "Breathe" came to her. A dance teacher by day, Barnett's boss of 10 years had recently taken his own life, leaving behind a note asking her to take over the dance studio. "He was very depressed and had just gone through a divorce and was on all kinds of weird medications and into New Age thinking," she recalls of the tragic incident. "He even came to church with me once right before he took his life and I was like, 'Well, what good did that do?' In the end, the event left Barnett with questions for which there were no answers. And that desperation came out in her songwriting."

Shortly after being written, "Breathe" wound up on Vineyard's Touching the Father's Heart #25 and seemed to be on its way to finding a broader audience. But if there's one thing Barnett learned from watching her husband's songwriting career, it's that the timing isn't up to us.
"We recorded the song for Vineyard and then nothing happened," Barnett says. "Not that I thought anything about it because to me it was just a neat thing the Lord gave to our church." Five years later, worship leader Brian Doerksen was putting together Vineyard's Hungry and contacted Barnett about including "Breathe." Then came Michael W. Smith's version on his 2001 release, Worship.

Barnett was driving in her car when she first heard the track playing on the radio. "I just started bawling. I love that version because at the end when he's saying 'Cry out to Him' it's like 'Oh! People are worshipping Jesus! Yea!'"
Since writing "Breathe" Barnett regularly contributes songs to the worship time at Vineyard Community Church of Laguna Niguel, the California church plant where she and her husband lead worship today. And she continues to run the dance studio as her late boss wished. With more than 600 students and 20 classes to teach each week, Barnett says the business venture provides her with plenty of material for her songwriting. And to round out her schedule, she also teaches at worship conferences, going "wherever people invite me."

Click here to worship along with Michael W. Smith:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oad8ov10AjY

Click here for a moving video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwLgyMzzh0M

Click here to purchase Michael W. Smith’s version:

“Jesus Saves”

Hear the heart of heaven beating, “Jesus saves. Jesus saves.”
And the hush of mercy breathing, “Jesus saves. Jesus saves.”
Hear the host of angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.”
And the sounding joy repeating, “Jesus saves.”

Freedom’s calling, chains are falling,
Hope is dawning bright and true.
Day is breaking, night is quaking.
God is making all things new.
Jesus saves.

This song was written by Travis Cottrell. After graduating with a church music degree from Belmont in 1992, Travis began to write songs. His first song, "It's Only Thunder," landed on Larnelle Harris' I Choose Joy. His next published work, Waiters: A Youth Musical about Waiting on the Lord, became the year's best-selling youth musical. He continued to write, and was working as an editor at a music publishing company, when out of the blue, the church he attended lost its minister of worship. At the church's request, Travis spent the latter part of '94 and most of '95 as the worship leader for Two Rivers Baptist Church, a 6,000-plus-member church in Nashville. It was during this providential season that God began to stir Travis' heart about worship.
God showed Travis John 4:23-24, which says, "A time is coming and is now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." Travis began to understand that God had not created him only to be a singer, or even a worship leader, but to be a sincere worshiper of the most holy and high God.
"The opportunity of leading worship at Two Rivers Baptist Church that Dr. Jerry Sutton gave me was a blessing," says Travis. "The experience of working with that church body, choir, orchestra, and drama ministry was an unspeakable blessing. In planning worship, I began to learn at an early age how important it is to try to be sensitive to such a diverse group of people of ages and experiences."

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwZqhx8eSN4&feature=related

Click here to purchase Travis Cottrell’s version:

Worship Songs for November 8

2009-11-04T15:53:00.000-06:00

We're excited to share "City On Its' Knees" with our church this Sunday - it's a great reminder that we need to reach our cities and communities through prayer. Everyone we meet needs prayer of some kind. It's amazing when we ask someone, maybe a waiter at a restaurant, "How can I pray for you?", there is always a need and they are always receptive to it. I challenge you to do it - next time you are out to eat and about to say the blessing over the food, ask your server how you can pray for them. You will be encouraged by the result! It's a simple way to "live a life of love". May it be!

First Baptist Church of Euless – BEHIND THE PRAISE
Worship Songs
November 8, 2009

“City On Its’ Knees”

Jeff Richfield shares the following about how this song came about:

In the summer of 2000, after I had lost my business, I had found God in a new way. I was inspired to write a book about the cities of the earth kneeling in prayer, calling upon the Lord to send a great awakening of revival across our land. The book is called, "A City on its' Knees." The song came out of that title as I cried out to God in the woods out at our Camp Eagles Landing. The Lord breathed on it, and many people came to sing on the chorus, and help record it. The first time the song was performed live was in 2001 at our nation's capitol at the National Day of Prayer, DC! As the day came to an end the band played the song, and it began raining. The event host then saw a rainbow on the horizon and she declared, "Look, God really loves this song!" Then came 911, and as I looked back at the course of events that led to the formation of the song and book, I felt the Lord say to me, "See, Jeff, I foretold you of the events to take place, and am using this song”.

Click here to purchase “City on its' Knees”:

“Crown Him With Many Crowns”

This worshipful text is the combined effort of two distinguished Anglican clergymen, each of whom desired to write a hymn of exaltation to our suffering but now victorious Lord.
Matthew Bridges' version first appeared in 1851 with six stanzas. Twenty-three years later, Godfrey Thring wrote six additional stanzas, which appeared in his collection Hymns and Sacred Lyrics. The hymn's present forrn includes stanzas one, two, and four by Bridges and the third verse by Thring.

Each crown in this hymn text exalts Christ for some specific aspect of His person or ministry:
(1) Stanza one for His eternal Kingship;
(2) Stanza two for His love demonstrated in redemptive suffering;
(3) Stanza three for His victorious resurrection and ascension, and
(4) Stanza four as a member of the Triune Godhead ever worthy of worship and praise.

The tune, DIADERNATA (the Greek word for crowns), was composed especially for this text by George Elvey, a noted organist at St. George's Chapel in Windsor, England, where British royalty often attend.

Click here to read more about this hymn: http://songsandhymns.org/hymns/detail/crown-him-with-many-crowns

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdK4lzg8gsU

Click here for another arrangement:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWCEFKsZqLY

Click here to purchase the song:

“We Will Glorify”

We will glorify the King of kings
We will glorify the Lamb
We will glorify the Lord of lords
Who is the great I AM

Lord Jehovah reigns in majesty
We will bow before His throne
We will worship Him in righteousness
We will worship Him alone

He is Lord of heaven, Lord of earth
He is Lord of all who live
He is Lord above the universe
All praise to Him we give

Hallelujah to the King of kings
Hallelujah to the Lamb
Hallelujah to the Lord of Lords
Who is the great I AM

Click here to learn more about Twila Paris:
www.twilaparis.com/

Click here to read more about Twila Paris:
www.musicianguide.com/biographies/1608003440/Twila-Paris.html

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4skT9ndv6ng

Click here to purchase “We Will Glorify”:

“For All You’ve Done”

Reuben Morgan, on men worshipping:

"People are more passionate than ever," Morgan observes. "I think God's stirring the church. For the most part, churches are singing the same songs no matter where you go, which is pretty incredible. Even in countries that don't speak English, they're still singing the same songs."
As a strong male leader, Morgan is particularly interested in seeing the men of the church take more risks in their outward expressions of faith. "I think a really good model for men and worship is David," Morgan says. "Men can be a little more reserved when it comes to expressing their feelings and really being passionate. But I think there's health in a guy really learning how to do that in the right way. I think the Bible is clear on what are appropriate ways to express our love for God passionately. My personal feeling is that lifting our hands, shouting and all of that is a way of connecting with God. They're expressions, and they can be healthy in our growth."

Click here to read more about Reuben Morgan http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuben_Morgan

My Savior, Redeemer
Lifted me from the miry clay
Almighty forever
I will never be the same

‘Cause You came near
From the everlasting
To the world we live
The Father’s only Son

You lived and You died
You rose again on high
You opened the way
For the world to live again
Hallelujah
For all You’ve done

Hallelujah
For all You’ve done

Click here to worship along with the Lakewood Church in Houston: www.youtube.com/watch?v=60cZ5SmlXMc&feature=related

Click here to purchase “For All You’ve Done”:

“All Because of Jesus”

Giver of every breath I breathe
Author of all eternity
Giver of every perfect thing
To You be the glory
Maker of Heaven and of Earth
No one can comprehend Your worth
King over all the universe
To You be the glory

And I am alive because I'm alive in You

It's all because of Jesus I'm alive
It's all because the blood of Jesus Christ
That covers me and raised this dead man's life
It's all because of Jesus I'm alive
I'm alive, I'm alive

Click here to learn more about Casting Crowns:
www.castingcrowns.com/

Click here to worship along with Casting Crowns:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ9HDBJDRvg

Click here to listen to the Steve Fee:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmdylCFUBs8

Click here to purchase the Steve Fee version:

"From the Inside Out"

This powerful worship song is by Joel Houston. Joel Timothy Houston (born September 19, 1979) is a songwriter and worship leader at the Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. He is employed as the producer of Hillsong's youth band, Hillsong United. He is the oldest son of Hillsong Church's pastors Brian and Bobbie Houston and grandson of Frank Houston. He has two siblings, a brother Benjamin and a sister, Laura.

Click here to worship along:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv0qZl_Qu84

Click here to listen online:
www.last.fm/music/Hillsong+United

Click here to purchase the Hillsongs’ version:

“Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners”

J. Wilbur Chapman (1859-1918) was an American evangelist, revivalist and pastor. He wrote the words to the hymns "One Day", "Jesus! What A Friend for Sinners" (Our Great Saviour) and "'Tis Jesus".
Though J. Wilbur Chapman was not converted until years later, at the age of four he was often seen standing on his chair for a pulpit, acting out the role of preacher.
A Presbyterian, he had great success in four pastorates, but is best remembered as a powerful evangelist. Greatly influenced for Christ as a young man by a godly mother and a spiritual father, he was led to accept Christ by his Sunday school teacher and later found absolute assurance that he was a child of God through the personal counseling of Dwight L. Moody.
Why was he such a success as a pastor and leader? “His unusual power with men, his never-failing friendliness, his positive and comprehensive preaching, his extraordinary genius for organization, and the unprecedented results of his manifold labors,” are the reasons given by his biographer, Mr. Ford Ottman.

Click here to listen to an arrangement by Matthew Smith:
www.last.fm/music/Matthew+Smith/_/Jesus,+What+A+Friend+For+Sinners

Click here for an amazing dulcimer arrangement:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CKNkByuVGY

Click here to purchase the Gaither Vocal Band's version:

“Made Me Glad”

I will bless the Lord forever.
I will trust him at all times.
He has delivered me from all fear.
He has set my feet upon a rock.
I will not be moved and I’ll say of the Lord,
You are my shield, my strength, my portion,
deliverer, my shelter, strong tower,
my very present help in time of need.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
There’s none I desire beside you.
You have made me
glad and I’ll say of the Lord,

Miriam Webster is an Australian gospel singer-songwriter. Her career began at the age of 15, when she won the interstate music awards. She has since toured Australia, New Zealand and the United States, and released several albums, of which the first is Never Alone. She has been serving with the Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia since 1996 and featuring on numerous Hillsong Music praise-and-worship albums since 1997.

Click here to worship along with the Hillsong worship team:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCmBTV08ylc

Click here to purchase “Made Me Glad”:

Worship Songs for October 25

2009-10-21T15:57:00.001-05:00

First Baptist Church of Euless – BEHIND THE PRAISE Worship Songs
October 25, 2009

“I Have a Hope”

I have a hope, I have a future
I have a destiny that is yet awaiting me
My life’s not over, a new beginning’s just begun
I have a hope, I have this hope

God has a plan, it’s not to harm me
But it’s to prosper me and to hear me when I call
He intercedes for me, working all things for my good
Though trials may come I have this hope

I will yet praise Him, my great Redeemer
I will yet stand up and give Him glory with my life
He takes my darkness and He turns it into light
I will yet praise Him, my Lord my God

My God is for me, He’s not against me
So tell me whom then, tell me whom then shall I fear
He has prepared for me
Great works He’ll help me to complete
I have a hope, I have this hope

Goodness and mercy, they’re gonna follow me
And I’ll forever dwell in the house of my great King
No eye has ever seen all He’s preparing there for me
Though trials may come, I have this hope

There’s still hope for me today
‘Cause the God heaven loves me

Tommy Walker has led worship at Christian Assembly in Los Angeles, California with his pastor, Mark Pickerill, since 1990. He has traveled with Promise Keepers, Greg Laurie Harvest Crusades, and Franklin Graham.

He has also been privileged to serve with such church leaders as Jack Hayford, Bill Hybels, and Rick Warren. He has recorded worship projects for Maranatha! Music, Integrity Music, and Get Down Ministries.

He has written over 100 songs that are currently being tracked by C.C.L.I. and are being sung in churches around the world, including "He Knows My Name", "Only A God Like You", "That's Why We Praise Him", "Lord, I Believe In You", "Mourning Into Dancing", "Break Through", and "This is What Christmas Means to Me".

For the last decade, Tommy has traveled internationally holding worship concerts and mercy-ministry outreaches in places where people are in great need. He has led his worship team to the Philippines, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Guatemala, Zambia and Brazil.

Tommy has been married to his wife, Robin, for seventeen years. They have four children, Jake, Levi, Emmie and Eileen. To be found faithful to His God, his family and his local church will always be his greatest achievement.

Click here to learn more about Tommy Walker:
http://www.tommywalker.net/
Play the song on Tommy’s myspace:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=97429791

Click here to worship along with Tommy Walker:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcjhNjO_l5o

Click here to purchase Tommy Walker's version:

“The Wonderful Cross”

ISAAC WATTS and CHRIS TOMLIN

The original song was written by Isaac Watts, the new chorus was written by Chris Tomlin. Isaac was born in 1674 and Chris was born in 1972. Even though they are separated by three hundred years, there is no separation between their passion and commitment to leading God's people in worship. The past meets the present.

Click here to hear Chris Tomlin talk about how this new arrangement came about: www.theheartofworship.org/stories/Story-306-TheWonderfulCross-Tomlin.mp3

Click here to learn more about Chris Tomlin:
www.christomlin.com/

You can listen to more of Chris Tomlin's music on his myspace website:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=94631118

Isaac Watts (July 17, 1674 – November 25, 1748) is recognized as the "Father of English Hymnody", as he was the first prolific and popular English hymnwriter, credited with some 750 hymns. Many of his hymns remain in active use today and have been translated into many languages.

Click here to read more about Isaac Watts:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Watts

This is an interesting read on Isaac Watts:
www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/w/a/t/watts_i.htm

Isaac is best known for his emphasizing the role of music in worship, where the congregation actually began to sing with the choir. Watts became the congregation's pastor in 1702. Just five feet tall, he was an unprepossessing figure in the pulpit. Health problems continued to plague him, and an assistant had to be appointed to fill in for him after a severe bout with illness in 1703. Despite these problems, Watts was a powerful preacher. The Mark Lane congregation outgrew its quarters and twice had to move to larger facilities, and Watts' sermons began to be collected and printed. Part of his success was due to his emphasis on the role of music in worship. A minister, he felt, should not only write sermons but should seek to involve his congregation in worship through music.

Click here to purchase Chris Tomlin’s arrangement:

“Redeemed”

The word redeemed implies the idea of a slave standing on the trader's auction block being offered to the highest bidder. At last the price is paid by a compassionate new owner, who then gives the slave his unconditional freedom. But the freed slave, out of gratitude to his new owner, offers himself as a loving bond-servant for life to his redeemer.

This popular gospel song by Fanny Crosby first appeared with William Kirkpatrick's jubilant tune in the hymnal Songs of Redeeming Love, published in 1882. It is another of the more than 8,000 hymns by the blind American poetess, Fanny Jane Crosby, the most important writer of gospel hymn texts in American history.

Redeemed--how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
redeemed thru. His infinite mercy--His child, and forever, I am.

Redeemed and so happy in Jesus; no language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence with me doth continually dwell.

I think of my blessed Redeemer. I think of Him all the day long;
I sing for I cannot be silent; His love is the theme of my song.

I know I shall see in His beauty the King in whose law I delight,
who lovingly guardeth my footsteps and giveth me songs in the night.

Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
redeemed, redeemed, His child, and forever, I am.

Click here for an arrangement by The Martins:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QojShzCMK4&feature=related

Click here for a jazz arrangement of the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNxhcuVodBs

Click here to purchase the Buddy Greene arrangement:

“The Power of Your Love”

Hold me close, Let Your love surround me
Bring me near, Draw me to Your side
And as I wait, I’ll rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You, Your Spirit leads me on
In the power of Your love

Click here to learn more about Geoff Bullock, the composer of this song:
www.geoffbullock.com/

Click here to read the story behind the song:
www.simpleworship.net/pdfs/song_stories.pdf

Click here to listen to the song:
www.imeem.com/people/ejWQlv/music/bS3_d_n2/geoff-bullock-the-power-of-your-love/

Click here for a powerful video of the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA4narr2wyE&feature=fvst

Click here to purchase the Hillsongs version:

“You, You are God”

This song of declaration was written by Walker Beach. Walker Beach is a Pastor of Worship Production at Gateway Church in Dallas, Texas, and a prolific writer of worship songs for the Gateway Worship team. Walker's life motto is “My relationship with you is more important than the project we are working on”. Before becoming Pastor of Worship Production at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, Walker served as director of the School of Worship at Christ for the Nations in Dallas. Walker reminds us that we are to bring an offering of praise into the house of the Lord.

Here I am, I've come to find You
Here I am, to see Your grace
To bring to You an offering
I have to ask myself one thing
How can I do anything
But praise, I praise

You, You are God, You are Lord
You are all I'm living for
You are King of everything
I want my life to praise You

Here I am, I've come to thank You
Here I am, a life You've changed
Because You gave Your life for me
You crucified Your Son for me
Now how can I do anything
But praise, I praise

Click here to worship along with the Gateway worship team:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa0EIFFc6xk

Click here to purchase “You, You are God”:

“Still Standing”

This song was written by Israel Houghton. Israel wrote the following on worship:

When I was 7, I met my grandfather for the first time, who was the same guy who told my mother, ‘You got to move on.’ I saw my cousins and my younger siblings running up and jumping on his lap and hanging out. A great time was being had by all. So I thought, 'Let me do the same thing'. Well, I ran and jumped up on his lap, and the next thing I knew, I was on my back. He had pushed me to the ground. He had still not been able to make peace with this cultural thing. I just said, ‘What’s wrong with me? Why?’
Later on you’d hear, especially when worship started taking shape, you know, Kent Henry was one of those worship leaders, ‘Hey, just crawl into your Father’s lap and let Him love you.’ And I’m sitting there going, I’m having a difficult time with that.

You want to think you’ve moved on from that, but at the same time, the intimacy of worship with God, it affected me. I realized, 'You’ve gone through all of this, not to hurt you but to shape you, to be acquainted with the pain that a lot of people feel'. So it has shaped my life incredibly by just diving into the Father’s love and encouraging others to do it -- not trivializing the pain that a lot of people who come to church and come to a concert or whatever are feeling, but just the sensitivity to where people are at and helping them come into a place of breaking through into what God really has for them.

When you read Psalm 139, it throws out all the ‘I’m here accidentally’ stuff that I believed for so long. I felt like an accident. I felt like a mistake. But when you understand, ‘I’m fearfully and wonderfully made; I’m skillfully crafted; how precious are your thoughts toward me; how marvelous are your works,’ when you start considering all that and going, 'Ok, I didn’t just sneak into the earth, I was created for something great', the more I dwell on that, the more I meditate on that, the more I share that with people who want to hear it, the better I feel about why I’m here.

I love being home. My first ministry is in this house. The church that I pastor is right here. My congregation consists of Malaysia, Mariah, Duncan, and Mylonlily, and everything else is secondary, including Lakewood.
I believe that if I don’t take care of my family as a great leader and husband and father, I could have all kinds of accolades and awards and a big mantle up there or something with a bunch of statuettes, but if my children don’t respect me, if I haven’t been a good husband, then that’s all a joke to me.

My first real experience with worship, I was 19. I was playing drums in the church band at a church in Phoenix, and they asked me to be the worship leader. They had heard me sing or something and they said, ‘Why don’t you consider leading worship for us?’ I said something like, ‘I’ll pray about that.’ He said, ‘Pray hard because you start tonight!’ Honestly, I didn’t know what I was doing. I was like Ron Kenoly Jr. -- I knew three Ron Kenoly songs, and I sang them every service, for weeks. Finally, this lady came up to me and she said, ‘You might want to go find your sound and go find who you are.’ My first real experience of just knowing this is what I was born for, this is what I was created for, I took my piano into the kitchen because I had tile on the kitchen floor, and it was great acoustics in there and I would just worship. Four, five, and six hours would go by, and I’d sit there weeping and crying and having this conversation with God all by myself. I like to say I was doing worship before it was popular. I was doing worship as a lifestyle before it was a section at the bookstore.

When I started getting into the recording industry, I would hear, ‘Choose a style,’ and I used to say, ‘How about we just put it all together?’ Because when we get to heaven, there’s not going to be sections -- ‘This is the black section of heaven. This is the white section of heaven. What kind of music do you like? Well, you’re going to be over in that room.’
I believe the Kingdom has a sound. I believe glory has a sound. So I want to be a part of doing it. I believe it’s a very multi-cultural mix of sound and style and lyric and melody and everything else.

Click here to worship along with Israel Houghton: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtQ2Y4JCgY&feature=related

Click here to purchase Lakewood's version of “Still Standing”:

"Everlasting God"

Brenton Brown wrote this song after both he and his wife had being diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Brown described their illness in the following excerpt from Christianity Today.

It's called fibromyalgia, a form of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. What defines it are the symptoms, the most obvious one [being] fatigue. You feel jet-lagged most of the time. There are other symptoms like nausea, muscle pain, muscle aches. There's no known cure. Basically it was just like waking up one day and finding out that I had someone else's body. Very strange. I wasn't thinking as clearly. And over the last three years we've basically had to relearn how to live life with our new bodies. It's been a challenge.
Chronic Fatigue is a little bit like having mono[nucleosis]. You feel very fatigued, very drained. And no matter how much you sleep, you're still going to feel tired. You can never shake off that tired feeling. I just kept going for six months. And then my pastor, the board of our church and the group of doctors that I was seeing all decided, "This is not working. You're not going to be able to force your way through this."

Brenton Brown, born in South Africa, is a Christian songwriter and worship leader. He left South Africa for Oxford, England in his early twenties on a Rhodes Scholarship. While studying politics, philosophy and theology, he joined Vineyard Music (UK), serving as worship pastor at the Oxford Vineyard, UK, and eventually as coordinator of the Vineyard (UK) Worship Development Team. His songs, "Lord, Reign in Me", "All Who are Thirsty", "Humble King", "Hallelujah [Your love is Amazing]" and "Holy" were recorded on the popular Vineyard UK projects during this time. He has since left the UK and now lives in Malibu, California with his wife, Jude. Brenton is an artist on the worship label Survivor and in 2006 released his first solo album, Everlasting God with Survivor in the UK and rest of the world, and with Sparrow in the United States and Canada.

Check out Brenton’s ministry here:
www.myspace.com/brentonbrownmusic

Click here to listen to him share about how the song came about:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YePOcs88kqw

Click here to listen to Lincoln Brewster's arrangement:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP2nz6PG8KM&mode=related&search=

Click here to listen to Brenton Brown and Paul Baloche:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bLWwnVBuF8

Click here to purchase Brenton Brown's version of “Everlasting God”:

"Jesus Paid It All"

The following is from Alex Nifong, who wrote the additional chorus:

I have an old hymnal that I frequently play through sometimes during my private times alone with the Lord. I was playing through that song one day in January of 2005 and I just started praying and singing out the phrase, "O praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead". It was as simple as that. Just a prayer that came right out of my heart.

This is a new arrangement of the old hymn, based on the recording from the Passion album Everything Glorious. It adds a new line "O praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead". Check out the composer of the tag on his website, www.alexnifong.com/

Here’s a story about the song: The words were written by Elvina M. Hall and the music by John T. Grape on New Year’s night, 1886. Some missionaries were holding open-air services in order to attract passers-by to a near-by mission, where meetings were to be held later. "All to Christ I Owe" was sung, and after a gentleman had given a short address he hastened away to the mission. He soon heard footsteps close behind him and a young woman caught up with him and said: "I heard you addressing the open-air meeting just now; do you think, sir, that Jesus could save a sinner like me?" The gentleman replied that there was no doubt about that, if she was anxious to be saved.
She told him that she was a servant girl, and had left her place that morning after a disagreement with her mistress. As she had been wandering about the streets in the dark, wondering where she was to spend the night, the sweet melodies of this hymn had attracted her, and she drew near and listened attentively. As the different verses were being sung, she felt that the words surely had something to do with her. Through the whole service she seemed to hear what met her oppressed soul’s need at that moment. God’s Spirit had showed her what a poor, sinful and wretched creature she was, and had led her to ask what she must do. On hearing her experience, the gentleman took her back to the mission and left her with the ladies in charge. The young, wayward woman was brought to Christ that night. A situation was secured for her in a minister’s family. There she became ill and had to be taken to a hospital. She rapidly failed and it became evident that she would not be long on earth. One day the gentleman whom she had met on New Year’s night was visiting her in the ward. After quoting a few suitable verses of Scripture, he repeated her favorite hymn, "All to Christ I Owe"…and she seemed overwhelmed with the thought of coming to glory…Two hours afterward she passed away.

Click here to worship along:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=onxhvivQYfI

Click here to worship along with a younger generation led by Kristian Stanfill:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-OOjfaBGnA&mode=related&search=

You can go here to Kristian's myspace and click on the song just to listen:
www.myspace.com/kristianstanfill

Here it is in Spanish:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRRBtWP_buA

Click here to purchase Kristian Stanfill's version:

“Unfailing Love”

Jonathan Stockstill is the worship leader for Bethany World Prayer Center in Baton Rouge, LA. Also a songwriter, he has written or co-written over 50 songs for the body of Christ. Stockstill has played the piano and guitar for over 20 years. Son of Bethany’s current pastor Larry Stockstill and grandson of church founder Roy Stockstill, Jonathan has attended Bethany his entire life. Jonathan has a heart to train and equip worship leaders and further believes this is the generation that will usher in the return of Jesus. His music emphasizes both the necessity for holiness before God but also the urgency of speaking out for Jesus. He and his wife Angie have been married since February 2005 and together they are a fresh voice for God’s kingdom.

Click here to listen online:
www.imeem.com/heavenzsapphire3578/music/HGS06BKi/jonathan_stockstill_unfailing_love/

Click here for a music video of the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pio7U51a93Q

Click here to purchase Jonathan Stockstill's version:

Planning Center Tutorial

2009-10-21T15:30:00.000-05:00

Volunteer Training from Planning Center on Vimeo.

Worship Songs for October 18

2009-10-14T14:22:00.001-05:00

This Sunday we begin a studies in Ephesians 5. Ephesians 4 and 5 are such encouraging words for all of us - if we would only listen to these words and follow them, the world would be such a better place! Listen to some of these great exhortations from Paul:

"Live a life worthy of your calling."
"Be completely humble and gentle, bearing with one another in love."
"Make every effort to keep the unity."
"Speak the truth in love."
"Do not let the sun go down on your anger."
"Do not let unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what will build up."
"Get rid of all bitterness, anger, and slander."
"Be kind and compassionate, forgiving each other."
"Be imitators of God."
"Be filled with the Spirit."
"Be careful how you live, as wise, making the most of every opportunity."
"Live a life of love."

Wow - I could live on those words for years! What a better place this world would be if we followed these! I love the last command, it sums up all the rest: "Live a life of love. WALK IN LOVE." Ask yourself, "How can I walk in love today?"

First Baptist Church of Euless – BEHIND THE PRAISE
Worship Songs
October 18, 2009

"The Solid Rock"

The name of Edward Mote does not often rest on the lips of the church today in the same fashion as Fanny J. Crosby, B.B. McKinney, Ira Sankey, or other greats in hymnody. However, the testimony of his life is one that should inspire all Christians. Mote was not brought up in a godly home and did not have the advantage of early exposure to Scripture. In fact, his parents managed a pub in London and often neglected young Edward, who spent most of his Sundays playing in the city streets. Of his theological upbringing, he said “So ignorant was I that did not know that there was a God.”
Eventually Mote became exposed to the Word of God, and was baptized at the age of 18. This event, however, did not send Mote immediately into the ministry. He was apprenticed to become a cabinetmaker, a career which he successfully conducted for another 37 years. Eventually, at the age of 55, he became pastor of a Baptist church in Horsham, Sussex, where he did not miss a Sunday in the pulpit for the next 21 years. He resigned from this pastorate in 1873 due to ill health, and died the following year at the age of 77.
It was with this background that Mote wrote the hymn we have today, "The Solid Rock." It was during his career as a cabinetmaker that the hymn came into being. One morning in 1834 as he was walking to work, it entered his mind to write a hymn. By the time he got to work, he had the chorus. He wrote four more verses over the course of that day and two additional verses before he was finished.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

"In the day I had four first verses complete, and wrote them off. On the Sabbath following I met brother King as I came out of Lisle Street Meeting…who informed me that his wife was very ill, and asked me to call and see her. I had an early tea, and called afterwards. He said that it was his usual custom to sing a hymn, read a portion, and engage in prayer, before he went to meeting. He looked for his hymn-book but could find it no where. I said, ‘I have some verses in my pocket; if she liked, we would sing them.’ We did, and his wife enjoyed them so much, that after service he asked me, as a favor, to leave a copy of them for his wife. I went home, and by the fireside composed the last two verses, wrote the whole off, and took them to sister King…As these verses so met the dying woman’s case, my attention to them was the more arrested, and I had a thousand printed for distribution."

Click here to listen to an arrangement by the Cadet sisters:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJnb3l9UuYU&feature=related

Here is a gospel arrangement:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkGv-2Yb8a4&feature=related

Here is a more traditional arrangement of the song on organ:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkGv-2Yb8a4&feature=related

Click here to purchase “The Solid Rock”:

"The Lord Reigns"

Here is Klaus' testimony in his own words:

"There are moments in each person’s life that shape us and cause us to change our course. One such moment in my life happened in the spring of 2003 at an “Encounter” event in Mexico. I attended the conference to help with worship and ended up with an encounter that would change my life. The word I received that weekend from Lindell Cooley was that I had not been forgotten, the Lord had need of me in this hour, and that a fountain for the nations was about to open up.
Soon after, I received an invitation to be the Worship Leader at Christ For The Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas. From the fall of 2003 through the spring of 2005, I had the privilege of entering into the presence each morning with about 1,000 students who were hungry to see God move in their life. That season also opened up the opportunity to produce two CFNI Worship projects,"Glorious" and "Overtaken".
I was born in Germany, but by the time I was ten, my family ended up in Canada after several years in Chicago and Michigan. At the age of five, I began taking piano lessons and continued training in classical and jazz until I was about 18. I remember hearing Keith Green for the first time and being captivated by the sound of his heart. A lot of other influences weighed in to shape my musical mindset.
In 1984, I left Canada and moved to Dallas, Texas to attend Christ For The Nations Institute. Soon after graduating, I married Julie, who is an amazing woman and my best friend. We have three children, Candace, 11, Aaron Judah, 2, and Olivia Grace, born June 20th of last year.
After a number of years in music ministry in Plano, Texas, we felt a season of change coming into our lives. In 1995, I left the church where I was leading worship and began getting involved with real estate and remodeling homes. Through the years I have continued traveling and leading worship while building custom homes in McKinney, Texas.
In the spring of 2005, I left Christ For The Nations and started Pure Worship Ministries. We are producing worship that I believe touches the heart of God and ministers to His people. The best is yet to come."

Click here to learn more about Klaus Kuehn:
http://www.klausmusic.com/

Click here to listen online:
www.imeem.com/atst/music/c1gewWR1/klaus_kuehn_the_lord_reigns/

Click here to worship along with Klaus:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaWrJtY4fYY&feature=related

Click here to purchase “The Lord Reigns”:

“Free For All”

Mark Townsend started producing at age 16, working out of a local studio in Houston. After earning his degree in commercial music performance at Belmont University in Nashville, Mark began working as a musician and producer for artists such as Shania Twain, Israel Houghton, Third Day, Toby Mac, Kevin Max, Susan Ashton, The Finalist, DC Talk, and Lakewood Church. Mark has experience in many genres, ranging from rock to pop and country. Having done commercials for companies such as Coca Cola, Radio Shack, and film soundtrack work for movies such as “Chalk”, “Beautiful American”, and recently John Gray's film "31 Falls", his experience is wide ranging across the music industry. Mark earned a nomination for “Instrumental Album of the Year” for the GMA Dove awards, as well as multiple platinum and gold records. Also a writer, Mark has penned top ten hits on radio, as well as songs for multi-platinum records.
Currently residing in Houston, TX, Mark is married to Michelle, and has two children, Maren Chapel (20 months) and London Christopher (7 months). Mark is an avid racquetball player and has earned a medal the last 3 years at the National Championships, including gold last year to make him the current National Champion in his division.

River rich and mercy beckon
Everyone who thirst, is welcome
All who hungers, freely come
Bread of life for everyone

Free for all
Free for all
Over every limitation, free for all

Where the spirit, of the Lord is
There is freedom, free for all

We're proclaiming freedom to nations
Set, and seek your whole salvation
Rivers in the desert... clouds are forming
Celebrate this freedom out-pouring

Click here to visit Israel Houghton's myspace site: www.myspace.com/israelhoughtonmusic

Click here to listen to the song: www.youtube.com/watchv=ob46Yj4uBWE&feature=PlayList&p=77AA353EBA687F26&index=1

Click here to purchase “Free for All”:

“Sweet, Sweet Spirit”

Doris Akers wrote this powerful worship song. Doris Akers was born in Brookfield, Missouri and lived for many years in Los Angeles, California, where she formed and directed the famous Sky Pilot Choir. She also resided in Columbus, Ohio and, until her death in 1995, was Director of Music at Grace Temple Deliverance, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Her most well-known compositions include "Sweet, Sweet Spirit", "Lord, Don’t Move That Mountain” (co-written with Mahalia Jackson), "How Big Is God", and "Sweet Jesus". Her composition, "Trouble", was a hit song in the Broadway production of Me and Bessie (the life-story of Bessie Smith). "Sweet, Sweet Spirit", and her song, "Lead Me, Guide Me", were sung in Elvis Presley’s last movie.
Her unique choir-direction style, and her choir arrangements, are popular around the world and have been emulated by hundreds of choir directors. Her style is often referred to as The Doris Akers/Sky Pilot Method And Sound.
Akers was instrumental in the careers of many popular gospel singers, many of which went on to become famous in the pop and R&B fields.
Doris Akers has been featured recently on television, appearing in the best-selling video series put out by Bill Gaither, entitled Old Friends and Turn Your Radio On. Doris was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2001. Doris died in July of 1995 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Click here to read the story behind the song:
www.cbn.com/spirituallife/devotions/terry_sweet_spirit.aspx

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Az03kqM8Ds

Click here to purchase “Sweet, Sweet Spirit”:

“I Have A River”

I have a river, a river of life,
Flowing in side of me, and it never runs dry.
I have a treasure, a glorious prize,
The Spirit of God in me, in abundant supply.

Jesus, You are my living water,
And I’ll never need what this world offers.
So I will rejoice,
For You have made me glad.
I want this world to want what I have.

Spirit of God, my source of power.
You’ve given more, than I could ask for.
So I will rejoice,
For You have made me glad.
I want this world to want what I have.

Click here to listen to the song:
www.emusic.com/album/I-Have-a-River-MP3-Download/10941126.html

Billy Foote has been a worship leader for 16 years. He travels with his band and his wife, Cindy, is the vocal lead. Together they lead worship at college, youth, mission and church-wide events. Billy is also a prolific worship songwriter. He’s written many widely known songs such as “You Are My King (Amazing Love),” “Sing to the King,” “You Are God Alone (NOT A god),” “I Have a River” and “Break Our Hearts.” Billy and Cindy desire to teach that worship is more than a song or something to do at an event. It’s a lifestyle.

Billy and Cindy adopted their daughter Libby and you can follow their family story at http://www.followthefeet.blogspot.com/. Currently Billy and Cindy are also adopting from Ethiopia. You can follow this adoption journey at: http://www.adoptingaria.blogspot.com/. They make their home in San Antonio, Texas.
You may also visit www.myspace.com/billyfooteband

Click here to learn more about Billy’s ministry:
www.billyfoote.com/

Click here to purchase “I Have A River”:

“At The Cross” (Hillsong)

Here’s another worship song written by Darlene Zschech and Reuben Morgan. Here’s a short portion of her testimony and how God delivered her from bulimia.

Darlene's no stranger to troubled teen years. Outwardly her childhood seemed glamorous—she was singing and dancing on a weekly children's television show in Australia, Happy Go 'Round, at the age of 10. But when she was 13, her parents divorced. The pressures of television, combined with the emotional turmoil of her parents' divorce and the custody battle that ensued, took their toll. By age 14, bulimia reared its ugly head. But in 1980, God intervened: Darlene's father rededicated his life to Christ and started taking Darlene to church, where she asked Jesus into her life at 15. While there she also met Mark, her husband of 16 years, with whom she shared faith in Christ. Darlene and Mark dated for a year and a half and married one week after she turned 19.

Click here to learn more about Darlene:
www.darlenezschech.com/

Click here to worship along with the Hillsong music ministry:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRjXBbtbEpM

Click here to worship along in Spanish with the Hillsong music ministry:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l8_5WXEpF0

Click here to purchase “At The Cross”:

“Reign in Us”

Oh Great and Mighty One, with one desire we come
That you would reign, that you would reign in us
We're offering up our lives, a living sacrifice
That you would reign, that you would reign in us

Click here to learn more about Starfield:
www.starfieldonline.com/

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElSQ4Xqb3ao&feature=related

Click here to purchase “Reign in Us”:

“Healer”

This is an article from the Hillsong church webpage about the "Healer" story. Initially it seemed that Mike Guglielmucci wrote the song and then was healed, but after further investigation it came out that Mike had made up the story. It doesn’t minimize the message of the song or the healing power of the Lord.

Click here to watch a news report on CNN about the song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ei7v2b2lEyQ&feature=related

Click here to hear Brian Houston share his thoughts on the song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1SsMbckSUo&feature=related

Click here to listen to the song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaB53_AS7Ug&feature=related

Click here to worship along with Israel Houghton: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnXO2FGrygM&feature=related

Click here to purchase Kari Jobe’s version of “Healer”:

"Unto The Lamb"

This great worship song was written by Brian Ming, worship director for CHRIST FOR THE NATIONS in Dallas. Here is Brian's testimony in his own words:

"Recently, God has called me out to the body of Christ to impart at local churches, at conferences, and various events. I feel called, not to one exclusive organization, or denomination, but to go where He opens the door. If you are interested in having me, my wife, and/or team come, send me a message. Well, a little background on me.....I've been in full time ministry since the age of 19 (unless you count playing the drums for my parents church at age 9). I was youth pastor, college pastor, music pastor, young adults district cordinator, masters commission director, and the list goes on and on. I pioneered a lot of cool ministries (with the help of amazing people that God put around me).....I love working with young people who are passionate for Christ! We had a group that traveled all over the country leading people to the Lord through worship and dramas. God has allowed me to accomplish many things at a young age. I am very excited at what He is doing in my life NOW! I am currently the worship leader at Christ for Nations Institute and I have the privilege of being around some awesome students! God has put a desire in my heart to challenge this next generation to make a difference in their world, with a life of worship. As well as ministry on the platform, I feel just as called and anointed to be a loving husband to my beautiful wife Kristen, and a father to three amazing children."

Click here to worship along with Brian Ming - the song is on his stand-alone player:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=185732641

Click here for the Woodstock, Georgia recording:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDdE8s_y4c4

Click here to purchase “Unto The Lamb”:

Worship Songs for October 11

2009-10-08T16:00:00.000-05:00

This Sunday is going to be fun - we're singing in Spanish! Well, at least we'll try, on a few choruses. We will have a guest worship team from Venezuela visiting with us, and they will join our worship team in leading us. We'll sing most everything in English, but we'll let our Venezuelan brothers and sisters lead us in Spanish on a few sections. It will be different, but exciting. These are passionate worshipers, and I can't wait to include them with us. This will be part of our IMPACT YOUR WORLD Missions emphasis on Sunday - we will all be challenged to reach out around the world with the love of God. Come ready to be challenged and to respond!

First Baptist Church of Euless – BEHIND THE PRAISE
Worship Songs
October 11th, 2009

“How Great Thou Art”

The history of the hymn "How Great Thou Art" begins with Mr. Carl Gustaf Boberg (1859-1940). He was a Swedish pastor, editor, and member of the Swedish parliament. Mr. Boberg was enjoying a nice walk when a thunderstorm suddenly appeared out of nowhere. A severe wind began to blow. After the storm was over, Mr. Boberg looked out over the clear bay. He then heard a church bell in the distance. And the words to "How Great Thou Art" begin to form in his heart -- O Lord, my God, When I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds Thy hands hath made. . . Can you imagine what Boberg felt as he formed these words? There was such calmness after the fierce storm he could only utter those words of peace.

This poem, titled "O Store Gud (O Great God)" was published in 1891 in Witness of the Truth, the weekly newspaper that Boberg edited. It was later translated in German. In 1927, it was published in a Russian version of the German text.

"How Great Thou Art" was sung by George Beverly Shea at the London Crusade of the Billy Graham evangelistic team in 1954. He later sang this song over 100 times during a revival in New York at a Billy Graham Crusade. This caused the hymn to receive new attention in Sweden and America and be published in several songbooks.

Today millions across the world continue to sing this beautiful song. Giving God all praise, glory, and honor for who He is -- the Creator of this universe.

Click here to see the different arrangements available from Elvis Presley, Alan Jackson, The Grand Ole Opera, Sandy Patti, Crystal Lewis, and David Phelps.
www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+great+thou+art+&search_type=

Click here to purchase Carrie Underwood’s version:

"You Are Good"

Nearly Disposed - Israel Houghton's Testimony

"My mother became pregnant at the age of 17 in Waterloo, Iowa. You can imagine how this is shaping up. She was given the choice of a back-alley abortion or being disowned by her family. Thank God she chose the latter. Ultimately, she was disowned, abandoned by my biological father, and ended up in San Diego, California. Picture this. It was 1971 and my mother was 8 months pregnant, all alone, thousands of miles from home, and forced to enter reality unprepared. Pretty bleak. One day while walking down the street, a lady pulled up in her Volkswagen Bug, got out, and respectfully yet boldly, began to share the Gospel with her. Words of life and hope began to overtake the words of rejection and abandonment she had grown accustomed to. There on a street corner, she ended up on her knees and cried out to God-committing her life to Jesus Christ. The lady gave her a bible and that's how I got my name. My mother started reading at page one and well, you know-you have a bible, my name's on every page!
I'm often asked by skeptics or the stoic, why I'm as passionate about worshiping God as I am. The answer is simple for me. In this age of disposable relationships, I could have easily become a statistic and at best, a distant memory of a youthful mistake. Instead, a Sovereign God rescued my mother and me and gave us hope, a future, and a testimony of the providence of God. The very least I can do is enter into His gates with fresh thanksgiving, His courts with a passionate praise, and eventually bow before His throne in intimate worship. As far as leading worship goes (which is my passion and calling), I now realize that there have been demands put on me from every part of my experience since day one - culturally, emotionally, musically, and more. So things tend to sound cross-cultural, cross-denominational, and cross-generational. I like to call it, "The Sound of New Breed Worship." I tend to lead from an internal platform founded in Psalm 124:2, "If it had not been for the Lord who was on my side"....where in the world would I be? In an age of disposable relationships, maybe we should be asking ourselves that question a lot more often. I am confident that we would worship with far more conviction, intensity, and overwhelmed gratitude if we did. It is my delight to encourage you today."

Israel leads a worship band called New Breed - here's their website. You can listen to portions of the songs they sing, including "You Are Good":
www.newbreedmusic.com/

Click here to learn more about Israel Houghton:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Houghton

Click here to worship along with Israel:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAGZ8HmiWCM

Click here to see Israel singing "You Are Good" in concert:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCpy1Bg255A&feature=related

Click here to purchase “You Are Good”:

“Open the Eyes of My Heart”
Dove-Award winner Paul Baloche believes the best worship songs spring from the act of worship itself. Case in point: "Open the Eyes of My Heart," birthed during prayer time at Community Christian Fellowship in Lindale, Texas, where he has served as worship pastor for more than 15 years.
Several years earlier Baloche heard a pastor pray, "Open the eyes of our hearts so that we can understand Your Word." The phrase stuck, inspiring Baloche to search the Scriptures—primarily Ephesians 1:18 and stories of biblical heroes who had seen the Lord in His glory.
Then one morning Baloche was lightly strumming his guitar as men and women came to the altar during a revival at his church. "The music had gone on for hours, and I had played everything I knew," he remembers. Aloud, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, we ask You to come and touch our hearts." At that moment "the phrase popped into my mind: 'Open the eyes of our hearts, Lord. We want to see You.'"
"It felt right—a sincere prayer," he says. "I sang the phrase a few times and people started singing with me. I don't recall how the rest came about. I was just remembering when Isaiah saw the Lord, and thought, Lord, to see You high and lifted up. It's shining so bright, Lord. Shining in the light of Your glory."
Later that week, Baloche polished the idea into a simple prayer song. "I'd much rather stumble upon a song idea in the midst of worship or in the midst of prayer," he says, "because it rings more true than sitting in a room trying to come up with clever lyrics."
Baloche receives numerous e-mails from Christians sharing the impact the song has had in their lives. His voice cracks as he tells the story of a family that had gathered around the deathbed of a loved one who had asked them to sing "Open the Eyes of My Heart" together as his last prayer.
The song has been recorded many times and in many languages. According to Baloche, some of the most exciting moments on his recent world tour occurred in Sweden and Germany when he sang the song and the audience sang it back to him in their native language.
"It was beautiful," he says. "I feel extremely grateful to be part of a song that helps people connect with God."

Click here to listen to the song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ3tn2nJrDo

Click here for another arrangement:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wutmEjdbedE

Click here to purchase Paul’s version:

"Friend of God"

Israel Houghton serves as one of the worship pastors for Lakewood Church in Houston. Here is a portion of his amazing story:

"I really should have been one of those abortion statistics you read about. My mother became pregnant with me when she was 17. My mother's white and my biological father's black. Her family wasn't supportive of their relationship and gave her the choice to have a back-alley abortion or to be disowned. I'm here because of the decision she made-and because of her conversion shortly after that. So when I lead worship, I'm crazy. I realize how fortunate I am to be called by God and to be protected, to be covered by him. I'm incredibly grateful.
I grew up in a fairly legalistic home. My parents loved God, and they did the very best they could with what they knew. They came from a very discipleship-oriented, fairly heavy-handed way of doing kingdom work. So I would have more easily said, "I am afraid of God" than "I am a friend of God." The view I had of God was dysfunctional, almost like he was looking for opportunities to punish me. That was more what I caught than what was taught.
But the more I said "I am a friend of God," the more that old, condemning view was purged from my life. I gained a healing sense of God saying, "I want to know you."

Here is a devotional thought on the song:
www.gospelflava.com/articles/songinword-friendofgod.html

Here is an interview with Israel Houghton that gives great insight into Israel’s walk with the Lord: www.cbn.com/700club/guests/interviews/israel_houghton_041205.aspx

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty0SO7IvtXM

Click here to purchase the Chris Tomlin and Israel Houghton version:

“Shout to the Lord”

Darlene Zschech is the worship pastor of Hillsong Church, in Sydney, Australia (an Assemblies of God church). As worship pastor, she oversees the Worship and Creative Arts Department at Hillsong Church at the Hills and City congregations. Darlene leads worship most weeks for the Hillsong Television program (the official website says that the program reaches 125 countries around the globe). Hillsong made global headlines when their 2004 live CD release, For All You've Done reached number one in the Australian secular music charts.
Zschech was a child star of an Australian television series titled "Happy Go 'Round". She was traumatized at 13 when her parents divorced and a custody battle ensued. At 14, Zschech suffered from bulimia. A year later, as a young adult, she sang jingles for a number of international companies including McDonald's, KFC and Diet Coke.
Darlene wrote the song during a difficult time in her life. She slipped away to her study one evening and began to meditate on Psalm 96. Twenty minutes later she had the song completed. As a timid person she reluctantly approached her worship pastor about sharing with him the song. She was so embarrassed that he might not like it that as she fumbled her way through the song she kept saying “now you can change anything you want.” She finally was able to finish the song when her worship pastor stood with his back toward her. The first time the congregation sang the song it just took off, people stood and later commented that Darlene had written the song that expressed what people had always wanted to say but didn’t have the words to.
Currently, she and husband Mark Zschech have three daughters, Amy, Chloe, and Zoe Jewel. Zschech's best known song is "Shout to the Lord", sung by an estimated 25–30 million churchgoers every week. Darlene composed the praise anthem (based on Psalm 96) at the time that she was feeling discouraged. "I felt I could either scream and pull my hair out — or praise God" she said. This song is the title track for the first live album co-produced with Integrity Music featuring Darlene as a prominent female worship leader. Shout to the Lord was nominated as 'Album of the Year' for the 1997 Dove Awards and 'Song of the Year' for the 1998 Dove Awards. It has been recorded on over 20 different albums. In 2000, Darlene received a Dove Award nomination for 'Songwriter of the Year' and has received the 'International Award' from GMA (Gospel Music Association, USA).
In 2003, Zschech released her debut solo album entitled Kiss of Heaven. This was followed by her 2005 album, Change Your World.
In addition to writing songs, Zschech has written two books: Extravagant Worship (2001) and The Kiss of Heaven (2003).
Darlene Zschech and her husband Mark are executive directors of Mercy Ministries, which runs a residential program to help young women struggling with eating disorders, unplanned pregnancy and other life controlling disorders.

Click here to learn more about Darlene Zschech:
http://www.darlenezschech.com/

Click here to listen to Darlene share how she wrote the song:
www.theheartofworship.org/stories.shtml

Click here to visit Darlene’s myspace:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=32111098

Click here for the many recordings of “Shout to the Lord” - listed first is the recording on American Idol: Gives Back:
www.youtube.com/results?search_query=shout+to+the+lord+&search_type=
=

Click here to purchase "Shout to the Lord":

“A New Hallelujah”

This powerful song of praise was written by Michael W. Smith. Michael Whitaker Smith was born October 7, 1957 to Paul and Barbara Smith in Kenova, West Virginia. A sister named Kim would follow. Michael was a typical boy - active in baseball, his family's church activities, and playing piano. But in not-so-typical fashion, he wrote his first song at age five. At the age of ten, he made a decision to give his life to Christ. He dreamed of playing professional baseball.
Michael attended college at Marshall University in West Virginia but after one semester dropped out to move to Nashville and pursue a career in music. (side note trivia: In 1992, Michael received an honorary Doctorate of Music degree from Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia.)
The years 1979-1981 are best written by Michael himself in his book It's Time To Be Bold. From chapter 1, we read:
While playing keyboards for the group Higher Ground, I signed my first songwriting contract with Paragon/Benson Publishing Company. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I was knocking down $200 a week to do something that I loved. Writing songs for a living meant that I didn't have to wait tables anymore, or work at Coca-Cola, or plant shrubs with a landscaping company.
I thought my life had peaked and God didn't have to do anything else for me. I wasn't looking for a record deal, a higher salary, or even a girlfriend - and especially not a wife. Writing music, I was as content as I'd ever been, and I labored at it sixteen hours a day. Then one afternoon while I was working in my office, Deborah Kay Davis walked by.
I thought she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. When she passed by, it was all over for me. I was blown away. Totally head over heels in love. I frantically picked up the phone and called my mother in West Virginia.
"Mom, I can't believe it. You're not going to believe this, Mom. I just saw the girl I'm going to marry." "What's her name?""I don't know, Mom. I haven't met her yet. But I gotta go. I'll find out and call you back."
My poor mother! She must have thought I'd lost my mind. But I'd never been so clearheaded in my life.
I left my office and went searching for this girl in the warehouse. Sherlock Holmes couldn't have done a better job of tracking her down, and eventually I found myself standing outside the ladies' restroom, waiting for her to emerge. She walked out. I introduced myself. We were engaged three and a half weeks later - and married four months after that!

In 1982, Michael was asked to play keyboards in a band that was backing up young artist Amy Grant. He also continued to write songs for himself.
The story goes that Amy's managers, Mike Blanton and Dan Harrell could not find a Christian record label that would sign Michael or a young New Yorker named Kathy Troccoli. Believing so much in these two young talents, they started Reunion Records. The rest is history, Michael has been writing, singing and leading worship for the body of Christ ever since.

Can you hear, there’s a new song
Breaking out from the children of freedom
Every race and every nation
Sing it out sing a new Hallelujah
Let us sing love to the nations
Bringing hope of the grace that has freed us
Make Him known and make Him famous
Sing it out sing to the new Hallelujah

Arise
Let the church Arise
Let love reach to the other side
Alive come alive
Let the song Arise

Click here to visit Michael W. Smith's myspace: www.myspace.com/michaelwsmith

Click here to learn more about Michael W. Smith:
www.michaelwsmith.com/

Click here to worship along with Michael W. Smith:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjxtWwi9vbk

Click here to purchase “A New Hallelujah”:

“Here I Am to Worship”

If songs are like children to their writers, then 25-year-old Englishman Tim Hughes carried "Here I Am To Worship" to full term, letting the reverent tune take perfect shape over a nine-month period. Back in 1999 while still in college, he first sat down to craft a musical response to his reading of Philippians 2:5, which says, "Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus." And from the start, he had the humility part mastered.
"I was playing around with my guitar when the verse just came out," he modestly recalls. "However, I couldn't get a chorus that I was happy with. The original one was embarrassingly bad!"
Thankfully, Tim recorded the verse into his Dictaphone, and months later during a quiet creative time, he patched it together with another strong melody idea and brought "Here I Am To Worship" to fruition.
"I'd been reading about the cross and thinking through Jesus' amazing sacrifice," Tim says of the lyrical theme. "Sometimes when God meets with us we don't quite know how to respond properly. It's often too much for us to take in. Hopefully in a small way the chorus captures that: 'Here I am to worship. Here I am to bow down. Here I am to say that you're my God. You're altogether lovely, worthy, wonderful.'"
Although the song had been completed, the writer was still not convinced of its potential. Leading worship at his Soul Survivor home church one day, Tim sang "Here I Am To Worship" for his fellow members and was duly advised by his pastor Mike Pilavachi to start using it more often. Since then, Hughes - who built his own chops leading Delirious and Matt Redman favorites - has seen the song take on a life of its own.
"It must be a God thing.... People have seemed to really connect with it, and we've had some special times in worship using the song," he admits. "I remember one time at the end of a Worship Together conference in San Diego when we'd been performing the song. The band stopped, and then the congregation just kept singing the chorus for about 15 minutes."

Click here to listen to the story behind the song by Tim Hughes:
www.theheartofworship.org/stories/Story-196-HereIAmtoWorship-Hughes.mp3

Click here to worship along with Michael W. Smith:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_kAjok4-Uk

Click here to read more about the composer Tim Hughes
www.crosswalk.com/spirituallife/worship/1227531/

Click here to purchase Tim Hughes’ version:

Worship Songs for October 4

2009-09-30T14:36:00.001-05:00

This Sunday will be a special Sunday for us - we're calling it Home Improvement Weekend. We'll focus on our families (which is everyone, really) - how to encourage and build better husbands, wives, grandparents, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and everything in between! It will be a great focus, and so needed for the days we're living. Strong families are the key to a better nation, a better community, a better church, a better school, you name it.
We've decided to include kids and students on our worship team to help lead this week, and the kids will help us get everyone involved in the worship - should be fun! God has given us some great celebration songs that will speak to young and old - check it out and hope to see you there.

First Baptist Church of Euless – BEHIND THE PRAISE
Worship Songs
October 4, 2009

"One Way"

This song was written by Joel Houston and Jonathan Douglass. Houston is a musician and songwriter, best known as the key worship leader and producer of Sydney-based worship band Hillsong United, the worship band of Hillsong Church's youth group. In 2008 he became the Creative Director at Hillsong Church.

Houston began playing piano at a young age, at the suggestion of his parents. As he was not interested in piano, he soon diverted his efforts to playing guitar instead.

Jonathan Douglass' first experience of what he describes as God's tangible presence was at a Christian youth camp. At 12, he was actually too young to attend the camp but tagged along with his older brother and sister anyway . One night while the band was playing, he felt something he is almost unable to put into words: "I just remember lifting my hands, not really knowing what I was doing and singing these words that had a meaning I didn't really understand. I developed a longing for God's presence without knowing much about it."

"The most powerful songs come from a personal relationship with God and are filled with meaningful scripture", JD says. Three years ago, JD wrote "One Way", a song inspired by a personal search. "I questioned what I was doing and why I was doing it." He was still going to church, reading the Bible and praying but he felt like he had lost the reason for it all. "I sat down one night after hanging out with God and the verses just came out back-to-back within a couple of minutes. Things about God, how He's always there, how He never changes and how I'll never live for anyone but Him."

Click here to learn more about Jonathon Douglass:
www.jonathondouglass.com/

Click here to worship along with the Hillsong worship team:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPuUIUWE8h8

Click here to listen online:
www.last.fm/music/Hillsong+United/_/One+Way

Click here to purchase “One Way”:

“Happy Day”

The greatest day in history, Death is beaten
You have rescued me
Sing it out Jesus is alive
The empty cross, The empty grave
Life eternal, You have won the day
Shout it out, Jesus is alive
He's alive!

Oh, happy day, happy day
You washed my sin away
Oh, happy day, happy day
I'll never be the same
Forever I am changed

This new song was written by Tim Hughes. Tim Hughes is a British-based Christian music artist, worship leader, and songwriter. Widely respected in Christian music circles, Tim is renowned for his Dove Award-winning modern worship anthem: “Here I Am To Worship”.

Tim and his wife Rachel have been involved with Soul Survivor events around the world as well as the Soul Survivor Watford church for many years.

Tim now heads up the worship at Holy Trinity Brompton, having previously been Worship Pastor at Soul Survivor Watford (a post now held by Ben Cantelon) and is passionate about resourcing musicians and worship leaders.

Click here to learn more about Tim:
www.timhughesmusic.com/

Click here to sing along:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAq_CVciNSs

Click here to purchase Tim Hughes' “Happy Day”:

“Soon and Very Soon”

This song was written by Gospel artist Andrae Crouch.
Click here to learn more about the composer Andrae Crouch:
www.andraecrouch.com/

Click here to learn more about Andrae Crouch:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrae_Crouch

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmGiu9JfbIs

Click here to purchase “Soon and Very Soon”:

"Sing to the King"

This song was written by Billy James Foote. The song is based upon the hymn by Charles S. Horne. Here are the original words penned in 1910. Notice the similarity between Horne's words and Billy's adaptation of the song:

Sing we the King Who is coming to reign,
Glory to Jesus, the Lamb that was slain.
Life and salvation His empire shall bring,
Joy to the nations when Jesus is King.

Come let us sing, praise to our King,
Jesus our King, Jesus our King,
This is our song, who to Jesus belong:
Glory to Jesus, to Jesus our King.

"In the summer of 2001, I was sitting in my office, in Evergreen, CO, reading through a Baptist Hymnal when I came across an old hymn called "Sing We the King", written by Charles Silvester Horne. As I read the first verse I was amazed by the lyrics. There was not a wasted word. I had been working on a melody for several weeks, but did not have any lyrics. Horne’s first verse was a perfect match to the melody I had written. It did not take long to come up with a chorus. The second verse takes two phrases from Horne's last verse including, "Satan is vanquished and Jesus is King". Of course, I have documented this on both of my worship projects and try to make sure everyone who records "Sing to the King" does the same.
My prayer is that this song will remind the church that the King really is coming back. It seems as though we have left this fact out of worship songs for too long. It is encouraging to be reminded that the enemy does not win (Rev. 20:10). We have a hope in the knowledge that the King is going to one day split the sky and the dead in Christ will rise, and believers, who are alive, will be caught up in the clouds to meet Him. I also pray this song will give the church a sense of urgency to win the lost; as Fanny Crosby said, to "rescue the perishing, care for the dying." We must not be idle, but live as those who know the King and know He is coming to reign."

Learn more about Billy's ministry on his myspace website and ministry website:
www.myspace.com/billyfooteband

Learn more about Billy's ministry here:
www.billyfoote.com/

Click here to worship along on the passion recording:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrsrPfGmpPg&feature=related

Click here to purchase “Sing to the King”:

“When We All Get To Heaven”

A beautiful inspiring hymn of old, it has inspired believers in Christ for many generations to anticipate the glories that await us in God’s great Home. The words were written by Eliza Edmunds Hewitt for use with children, originally.

Eliza Hewitt was a schoolteacher in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Eliza had her career cut short by a serious spinal problem. As an invalid she turned to hymn writing just as her cousin Edgar Page States had done. She was a lay worker who had deeply devoted her life to the Sunday School movement. Eliza had written her songs with the goal of reaching and teaching children with the truths of the gospel. She was the Sunday School Superintendent at the Northern Home for Friendless Children and later at the Calvin Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. She was also a regular contributor to the Sunday-School Helps.

Along with Hewitt, the composer of this hymn, Emily D. Wilson, attended the Methodist camp meetings in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. They collaborated together and came up with this hymn. This hymn first appeared in Pentecostal Praises, published by the Hall-Mack company in 1898. The anticipation of Heaven has often been described as the oxygen of the human soul. “Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (I John 3:3)

Click here for an arrangement by Brad Paisley: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZnUY3CcH8A

Click here for an arrangement by Alan Jackson: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN_PNnoUJkY

Click here for a black gospel arrangement: www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6pkmWoeuTs&feature=related

Click here to purchase “When We All Get to Heaven”:

"We're Marching to Zion"

Isaac Watts wrote this song because of the controversy between singing of Psalms and the singing of hymns. The church decided to sing Psalms at the beginning of their service and then after the preaching, they would sing hymns. Many people who were still against the hymns would get up and leave the service at this time. Isaac Watts wrote the hymn to refute this practice of people walking out during the hymn singing. Just read the words, especially stanza two.

Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God,
But children of the heavenly King,
but children of the heavenly King,
May speak their joys abroad,
may speak their joys abroad.

Click here to hear the song:
www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh733.sht

Click here to worship along on the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2xJsO_Xzns

Click here to purchase “We’re Marching to Zion”:

"Mighty To Save"

This is another song from the Hillsong music ministry in Sydney Australia. This song is by Reuben Morgan and Ben Fielding. This song has a great re-occuring text. "OUR GOD IS MIGHTY TO SAVE". This is taken from the passage in Zephaniah 3:17. “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

Click here to read more about Reuben Morgan http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuben_Morgan

Click here to worship along with the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR8rlTIU8_Y

Click here to purchase “Mighty to Save”:

“Total Praise”

This song was written by Richard Smallwood. Richard is a world-class composer, pianist and arranger, who has clearly and solidly changed the face of gospel music. He can impeccably blend classical movements with traditional gospel, and arrive at a mix that is invariably Smallwood's alone. A diverse and innovative artist, Richard Smallwood has achieved many honors; Dove Awards and a Grammy also attest to his talents.

Lord, I will lift mine eyes to the hills
Knowing my help is coming from You
Your peace You give me, in time of the storm
You are the source of my strength
You are the strength of my life
I lift my hands in total praise to You, Amen.

Click here to worship along with Richard:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv9-WlymKg0

Click here to purchase the song:

Worship Songs for September 27

2009-09-23T14:17:00.000-05:00

We continue our series this week "Arms Around The City", and God has given us some great songs to sing about this. It seems more and more songwriters are feeling the conviction to explore the great themes of our day - social justice, global outreach, and caring for our fellow man. The first song below was written after Hurricane Katrina, as a call for the church to be light in the darkness. And I'm excited to share a new song with our people this week, "A New Hallelujah". This is another call for the church to arise and let love reach from here to the ends of the world. May it be! What will you do this week to bear someone else's burden?

First Baptist Church of Euless – BEHIND THE PRAISE
Worship Songs
September 27, 2009
“Let the Church Rise"

Jonathan Stockstill is the worship leader for Bethany World Prayer Center in Baton Rouge, LA. Also a songwriter, he has written or co-written over 50 songs for the body of Christ. Stockstill has played the piano and guitar for over 20 years. Born in 1981, he started at 4 years old and eventually received formal training in classical and jazz piano. Son of Bethany's current pastor Larry Stockstill and grandson of church founder Roy Stockstill, Jonathan has attended Bethany his entire life.

Jonathan has a heart to train and equip worship leaders and further believes this is the generation that will usher in the return of Jesus. His music emphasizes both the necessity for holiness before God but also the urgency of speaking out for Jesus. He and his wife Angie have been married since February 2005 and together they are a fresh voice for God's kingdom.

Click here for Jonathon Stockstill's myspace:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=282501685

Click here to worship along on the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=32VJeiDwhJE

Click here to purchase “Let the Church Rise”:

“A New Hallelujah”

This powerful song of praise was written by Michael W. Smith. Michael Whitaker Smith was born October 7, 1957 to Paul and Barbara Smith in Kenova, West Virginia. A sister named Kim would follow. Michael was a typical boy - active in baseball, his family's church activities, and playing piano. But in not-so-typical fashion, he wrote his first song at age five. At the age of ten, he made a decision to give his life to Christ. He dreamed of playing professional baseball.

Michael attended college at Marshall University in West Virginia but after one semester dropped out to move to Nashville and pursue a career in music. (side note trivia: In 1992 Michael received an honorary Doctorate of Music degree from Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia.)

The years 1979-1981 are best written by Michael himself in his book It's Time To Be Bold. From chapter 1, we read:
While playing keyboards for the group Higher Ground, I signed my first songwriting contract with Paragon/Benson Publishing Company. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I was knocking down $200 a week to do something that I loved. Writing songs for a living meant that I didn't have to wait tables anymore, or work at Coca-Cola, or plant shrubs with a landscaping company.
I thought my life had peaked and God didn't have to do anything else for me. I wasn't looking for a record deal, a higher salary, or even a girlfriend - and especially not a wife. Writing music, I was as content as I'd ever been, and I labored at it sixteen hours a day. Then one afternoon while I was working in my office, Deborah Kay Davis walked by.
I thought she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. When she passed by, it was all over for me. I was blown away. Totally head over heels in love. I frantically picked up the phone and called my mother in West Virginia.
"Mom, I can't believe it. You're not going to believe this, Mom. I just saw the girl I'm going to marry." "What's her name?""I don't know, Mom. I haven't met her yet. But I gotta go. I'll find out and call you back."
My poor mother! She must have thought I'd lost my mind. But I'd never been so clear-headed in my life.
I left my office and went searching for this girl in the warehouse. Sherlock Holmes couldn't have done a better job of tracking her down, and eventually I found myself standing outside the ladies' restroom, waiting for her to emerge. She walked out. I introduced myself. We were engaged three and a half weeks later - and married four months after that!

In 1982, Michael was asked to play keyboards in a band that was backing up young artist Amy Grant. He also continued to write songs for himself.
The story goes that Amy's managers, Mike Blanton and Dan Harrell, could not find a Christian record label that would sign Michael or a young New Yorker named Kathy Troccoli. Believing so much in these two young talents, they started Reunion Records. The rest is history - Michael has been writing, singing and leading worship for the body of Christ ever since.

Can you hear, there’s a new song
Breaking out from the children of freedom
Every race and every nation
Sing it out, sing a new Hallelujah
Let us sing love to the nations
Bringing hope of the grace that has freed us
Make Him known and make Him famous
Sing it out, sing to the new Hallelujah

Arise
Let the church Arise
Let love reach to the other side
Alive, come alive
Let the song Arise

Click here to visit Michael's myspace: www.myspace.com/michaelwsmith

Click here to learn more about Michael W. Smith:
www.michaelwsmith.com/

Click here to worship along with Michael W. Smith:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjxtWwi9vbk

Click here to purchase “A New Hallelujah”:

"Days of Elijah"

We’ll begin our worship with this great song of proclamation by Robin Mark.
Robin Mark is a Christian singer, songwriter, and worship leader based out of Belfast. Robin has written several songs sung throughout the world. He is best known for the songs "Days of Elijah", "Revival", "All for Jesus", "The Wonderful Cross", "Not by Might" and many more. He has published 13 albums in total with sales of close to 2 million world wide.

Though known within the the United Kingdom and throughout Canada from the early 1990's, it was not until his 1999 live album Revival In Belfast that Robin became known in the United States, Australia and the rest of the world. His song "Days of Elijah" has become one of the most-sung worship songs ever and his album Revival In Belfast has become a worldwide best-seller with sales of over 400,000. Half of these sales were in the US, where the album stayed in the top 50 worship albums sales chart for over four years and continues to be in the top 100. The album was certified Gold in Canada in 2004 and in Australia in 2006 - it has also become one of the best-selling worship albums ever in South Africa.

Click here to read about how this song was written:
www.crosswalk.com/spirituallife/worship/11540702/

Click here to learn more about Robin Mark:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Mark

Click here to worship along with Paul Wilbur:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra4HWj1jrJA&feature=related

Click here to purchase Robin Mark's version:

“Jesus Saves” (hymn)
The heart of the Christian gospel is a person, not a church or a system of doctrines. The angel proclaimed: “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
Priscilla J. Owens, a Baltimore public school teacher for 49 years, wrote these stirring soul-winning words for a missionary service in the Sunday school of the Union Square Methodist Church. Fourteen years later, William Kirkpatrrick wedded his vibrant music to her words. And through the years they have challenged God's people with the urgency of soul winning:

We have heard the joyful sound: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to every land, climb the mountains, cross the waves;
Onward! ’tis our Lord’s command; Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Waft it on the rolling tide: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Tell to sinners far and wide: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Sing, you islands of the sea; echo back, you ocean caves;
Earth shall keep her jubilee: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Sing above the battle strife: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
By His death and endless life Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Shout it brightly through the gloom, when the heart for mercy craves;
Sing in triumph o’er the tomb: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Give the winds a mighty voice: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Let the nations now rejoice: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Shout salvation full and free; highest hills and deepest caves;
This our song of victory: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Click here to listen to Buddy Green and Russ Taff: www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_Z5ScrUB3Y

Click here to listen to a gospel arrangement of “Jesus Saves”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ6TKNQmaTI

Click here to purchase the Steve Amerson version of “Jesus Saves”:

“By Our Love”

Christy Nockels was born in Ft. Worth, TX as a seminary baby. She grew up in Oklahoma as the daughter of a pastor and a piano teacher, which infused her heart early with a love for both music and God's Word.
Christy met her husband Nathan in 1993 at the Christian Artists Seminar in Estes Park, CO. They married in 1995 and the two began serving as worship leaders in their local church in Oklahoma City, while Nathan finished college at Oklahoma Baptist University. It was during these early years that they began writing songs together in their tiny, one bedroom apartment. In 1996, the two made an album entitled Holy Roar under the name Sons & Daughters with fellow worship leader and friend, Charlie Hall. Louie Giglio, the founder of Passion Conferences, got a hold of this album and invited Christy, Nathan and Charlie to attend the very first Passion Conference in Austin, TX in 1997. Later that year, Christy and Nathan moved to Texas where they led worship for Metro Bible Study, a weekly gathering of 3,000 young adults at Houston's First Baptist Church. It was there that they were "discovered" by the folks at Rocketown Records, a small label owned by Michael W. Smith. Eventually they signed a recording contract as Watermark and moved to Nashville, TN in 1998.

Together as Watermark, Christy and Nathan recorded five albums with Rocketown Records. They composed a journey full of songs, 7 of which were #1 radio singles. They have been nominated for numerous Dove Awards, including Christy's nominations for Female Vocalist of the Year, and their album A Grateful People was up for both Inspirational Album of the Year and Praise & Worship Album of the Year. After 5 albums, Christy and Nathan felt led to end their Watermark season to focus on other areas of ministry. This gave Christy more time at home with their children, and more availability to focus on leading worship and even teaching some for various women's events. Christy and Nathan have continued to serve at Passion Conferences and in 2008, they moved to Atlanta, GA to be a founding family of Passion City Church. Christy will be releasing her first solo worship project with sixstepsrecords, produced by Nathan, in June of 2009. Christy's heart through leading worship and song writing is to help people communicate intimately with the living God, and to leave a legacy of proclaiming Jesus' fame to this generation. Christy's most treasured legacy is her three children, Noah (8), Elliana (6) and Annie Rose (18 months).

Click here to learn more about Christy Nockels:
www.christynockels.com/

Click here to listen to the song:
www.last.fm/music/Christy+Nockels/_/By+Our+Love

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5NPUWCzsU0

Click here to purchase “By Our Love”:

“I Will Go”

To the desperate eyes and reaching hands
To the suffering and the lean
To the ones the world has cast aside
Where you want me I will be

I will go, I will go
I will go, Lord, send me
To the world, To the lost
To the poor and hungry
Take everything I am
I'm clay within your hands
I will go, I will go, send me

Let me not be blind with privilege
Give me eyes to see the pain
Let the blessing You've poured out on me
Not be spent on me in vain
Let this life be used for change

Inspired by their home congregation, Starfield's new songs are accessible enough for corporate worship while offering listeners a potent combination of substance and style. The substance turns out to be the theme and title of the record—I Will Go.

"We are so privileged, yet we're so dissatisfied with our lives no matter how well we're doing", lead singer Tim Neufeld says. "There's always this underlying pressure to be doing better, when the exact opposite should be the case. The pressure and call on our lives should be to live with less and give away more."

While Tim is the first to admit that he doesn't have it all figured out, he wanted to offer up a worship song that commissions people to go out and do something; not to just give money to those in need, but our time and energy. That idea gives a worship song a different agenda, Tim continues. "I Will Go" is a difficult song to sing and not act on. Ultimately, we hope to provide perspective on how comfortable and convenient our lives have become.

With I Will Go, Starfield's musical mission has never been clearer. Instead of offering the masses yet another CD, the band ventures out into a hurting world with an intentional message that encourages listeners to step behind the confines of comfort for a life of faith that is truly extraordinary.

Click here to learn more about Starfield:
www.myspace.com/starfield

Click here to listen to Starfield:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TTatFY_76Y

Click here to purchase Starfield's version:

Worship Songs for September 20

2009-09-16T15:28:00.004-05:00

We're excited to share "I Then Shall Live" with our church this Sunday. Look below for details about the song and the words. They are based on the writings of the late Francis Shaeffer, a Christian activist in the 1970s. These are great directives for us today, in these days that we're living. We may not like the politics going on in our nation today, but let's stop complaining and get out there doing something! There are always people in need, and that's what Jesus was always about - may it be with us!

ALSO, check out the story of Lincoln Brewster below. We love singing his songs, but he has a unique story. Did you know he played guitar on Steve Perry's album, "For the Love of Strange Medicine"?

First Baptist Church of Euless – BEHIND THE PRAISE
Worship Songs
September 20, 2009

“Let The Praises Ring”

This powerful worship song was written by Lincoln Brewster. Brewster has been musically inclined since his early childhood in Homer, Alaska. At the age of one, his mother, Cheryl, noticed how well he could keep rhythm on a drumset his grandfather had given him. At the age of five, his mother introduced him to the mandolin. Quickly mastering the instrument, he began playing for cruise ship tourists alongside his mother in Homer, Alaska.

By the age of 12, Brewster had a band called Lincoln and the Missing Links, which included his mother on bass and vocals. In his late teens, he moved with his family to California where he joined the high school jazz band (playing guitar and drums) and marching band (playing snare drum).

Due to connections gained in Los Angeles, he had recording contract offers by 19. Feeling an emptiness in his life, Brewster attended church services with his high school sweetheart, Laura. He recalls feeling God drawing him close after attending a drama ministry performance with Laura. "I was afraid to lay down a lot of things in my life," Lincoln said. "One night, I laid all my cards on the table. I asked the Lord to come into my life, all by myself. It was the best night of sleep I'd ever had. I was very peaceful. I think that was what enabled me to blow off that record deal."

After receiving a call from Steve Perry inviting him to audition as lead guitarist for his next solo project, For the Love of Strange Medicine, Brewster accepted and began songwriting and rehearsals for the album. Brewster's guitar technique, tone, and equipment choices possessed similar qualities and texturing to Journey's Neal Schon, and was touted as a favorable feature in the resulting album. He also toured with Perry for six months from 1994 to early 1995.

At the end of the tour, Brewster and wife Laura moved to Modesto, California where they attended Calvary Temple Church. After working as a sound technician for the church for a while, the senior pastor offered Brewster the position of associate music director and youth worship leader.

In 1997, the Brewsters left California and moved to Nashville to serve as youth pastors and eventually as full-time music ministers at The Oasis Church. It was there that Brewster met with executives from Integrity Incorporated who were there to work on a new Hosanna! Music album. After seeing his talent on the guitar, one executive listened to a demo project Brewster had produced. Already impressed with the production work and artistry, the executive also learned that Brewster had played every instrument and performed all the vocals himself. In 2001, Lincoln moved back to California to become the worship pastor at Bayside Church in Sacramento.

Click here to visit Lincoln’s myspace:
www.myspace.com/lincolnbrewster

Click here to learn more about Lincoln:
www.lincolnbrewster.com/

Click here to visit Lincoln’s church website:
http://www.baysideonline.com/

Click here to worship along with Lincoln Brewster:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIg6RIbLz1c

Click here to purchase “Let The Praises Ring”:

“I Then Shall Live”

In response to a book written by the late Dr. Francis Schaeffer in the 1980s, Gloria Gaither penned this wonderful poem, set to the music of Jean Sebelius' FINLANDIA:

I then shall live as one who's been forgiven;
I'll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.
I know my name is clear before my Father;
I am His child, and I am not afraid.
So greatly pardoned, I'll forgive another;
The law of love I gladly will obey.

I then shall live as one who's learned compassion;
I’ve been so loved that I'll risk loving, too.
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges;
I dare to see another’s point of view.
And when relationships demand commitment,
Then I'll be there to care and follow through.

Your kingdom come around and through and in me,
Your power and glory, let them shine thru me.
Your Hallowed Name O may I bear with honor,
And may Your living Kingdom come in me.
The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor,
And may You feed a hungry world thru me.

Click here to listen to the song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_p3lDJJRWc

Click here to purchase the Gaither version of the song:

"My Savior Lives"

This is a new song by Jon Egan & Glenn Packiam of the New Life Church in Colorado Springs, CO. When asked about writing songs for the church in an interview Jon shared the following:

Those songs were written out of innocence just to equip our own church. I think that probably is the reason for the success. The heart of these songs, the heart of us as worshippers or worship leaders, has always been to help our people in our spheres of influence. The fact that it's equipped the Church beyond our church is overwhelming, wonderful, and humbling. Jared: We weren't really following anyone into it; we were just excited about what God was doing. We started to try our own songs at times other than Sunday morning. We just put it out there to see if it would live. It began that way, and it crept into the culture of Sunday morning.

Click here to listen to the song:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=139038586

Click here to worship with the New Life church:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_SB-SpNm00&feature=related

“Marvelous Light”

This song was written by Charlie Hall. Charlie Hall has been traveling for almost 15 years, from OKC to Kuala Lumpur, enthralling friends and strangers with his goatee and his songs. With a musical journey that has criss-crossed all kinds of rock music, folk music, and electronic music, he carries a songwriting sense that aims to capture dense images of life with God, in compositions that can be carried with the listener.
He aims to tell the old story of the Gospel in an ever-shifting world, without resorting to easy truisms, or lazy language. His new collection of songs, The Bright Sadness, echoes a journey pressed to the chest of God, joyful and sorrowful at once, with God's heart clear and pulsing in each note and word. It wraps liturgy with the unexpected, and daily mundanity with daily surprise.

Click here to learn more about Charlie Hall:
www.charliehall.com/

Click here to visit Charlie’s myspace:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=60771694

Click here to worship along with Charlie Hall:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTkB6cBJGZg

Click here for a slower arrangement:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbEEeB0Dyew

Click here to purchase Charlie Hall’s "Marvelous Light":

“All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name”

Some years ago, missionary E. P. Scott went to India. He set out to visit a remote mountain tribe which had never heard the name of Christ. As he neared their land, he was suddenly surrounded by a savage band of warriors, all pointing their spears straight at his heart. Expecting a quick death, the missionary pulled out his violin and began playing and singing in their native language the hymn "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name." He reached the stanza that reads:

Let every tribe and every tongue
On this terrestrial ball
To him all majesty ascribe
And crown him Lord of all...

The natives lowered their weapons and some were in tears. E. P. Scott spent the rest of his life ministering to these primitive people.

The hymn which so effectively moved this Indian tribe is often referred to as the "National Anthem of Christendom" and has been translated into almost every language where there are Christians. The author of the hymn, Edward Perronet, was the descendent of a French Huguenot family which fled first to Switzerland and then to England to escape religious persecution. Perronet was a pastor who worked closely with John and Charles Wesley for many years in England's eighteenth-century revival.

At that time, Methodists were savagely persecuted. According to John Wesley's diary, Edward did not escape his share of abuse either. "Edward Perronet was thrown down and rolled in mud and mire" at Bolton, he wrote.

Edward was uneasy about preaching in front of John Wesley. Wesley urged him to do so several times. Finally, Wesley forced the issue. He announced that Brother Perronet would speak the following week. A week later, witty Edward mounted the pulpit and declared he would deliver the greatest sermon ever preached. He then read Christ's "Sermon on the Mount" and sat down!

Click here to hear an organ arrangement of the song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d54CqTpLW9E

Click here to sing along with Avalon: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucF_C7rYe58

Click here to purchase “All Hail the Power”:

"Take My Life and Let it Be"

Frances R. Havergal wrote the following about how he wrote the song:

I went for a little visit of five days (to Areley House). There were ten persons in the house, some unconverted and long prayed for, some converted, but not rejoicing Christians. He gave me the prayer, “Lord, give me all in this house!” And He just did. Before I left the house every one had got a blessing. The last night of my visit after I had retired, the governess asked me to go to the two daughters. They were crying, then and there both of them trusted and rejoiced; it was nearly midnight. I was too happy to sleep, and passed most of the night in praise and renewal of my own consecration; and these little couplets formed themselves, and chimed in my heart one after another till they finished with “Ever, Only, ALL for Thee!”

Click here to hear a newer version of the hymn:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEzbwcMG9Gc

Click here for a great arrangement:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU9Pi4g_3No

Click here to purchase the Christ for the Nations' “Take My Life and Let it Be”:

"Majesty” (Here I Am)

This song from Delirious? is the expression of a heart humbled by the love shown in the sacrifice, grace and majesty of our God. The song was written by Martin Smith & Stuart Garrard.

Martin James Smith (born 6 July 1970) is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and main songwriter of the English Christian rock and worship band Delirious? He is generally considered to be one of the foremost songwriters in modern Christian worship music, along with people like Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, and David Crowder. He co-wrote three songs on Michael W. Smith's album Healing Rain and is going to be collaborating with Michael W. Smith on his upcoming album. Martin also co-wrote two songs on Matt Redman's album Beautiful News ("Take It To The Streets" and "All Over the World"). Some of the most recognized songs by Delirious? include "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever", "History Maker", "My Glorious", "Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble", "Shout To The North", "Deeper", "Majesty (Here I Am)", and "What A Friend I've Found".

In 1995, Martin was involved in a near-fatal car accident, and during the weeks of his recovery, he decided to become a full-time musician. He wrote the 'King Of Fools' song 'August 30th' based on this experience. Smith was one of the founding members of Delirious? along with Stewart Smith (no relation) and Tim Jupp, when they formed the band under The Cutting Edge.

Stuart Garrard is a guitarist who has developed his own unique style of playing, which has become known to some people, although probably not many, as 'octave distortion'. He also writes music and lyrics, and sings backing vocals and occasionally lead vocals. He is instantly recognizable as a result of his bald head and goatee beard. He is the oldest member of the band Delirious?

Here I am humbled by your Majesty
Covered by your grace so free
Here I am, knowing I'm a sinful man
Covered by the blood of the Lamb
Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine
Since you laid down your life
The greatest sacrifice

Majesty, Majesty, Your grace has found me just as I am
Empty handed, but alive in your hands
Majesty, Majesty, Forever I am changed by your love
In the presence of your Majesty

Here I am humbled by the love that you give
Forgiven so that I can forgive
Here I stand, knowing that I'm your desire
Sanctified by glory and fire
Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine
Since you laid down your life
The greatest sacrifice
Click here to worship along with Delirious?:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNjH8QDpBFY

Click here to visit their myspace:
www.myspace.com/delirious

Click here to purchase the Delirious? version of “Majesty”:

Worship Songs for September 13

2009-09-11T08:47:00.003-05:00

First Baptist Church of Euless – BEHIND THE PRAISE
Worship Songs
September 13, 2009

“He’s Worthy”

This powerful song was written by Sandra Crouch. Born in Pacoima, CA, with twin Andrae, she's an accomplished drummer and a Black gospel performer and songwriter of high esteem.

He's Worthy, God's Worthy,
Almighty Creator,
Alpha, Omega, Beginning And The End.
Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which Was And Is,
and is to Come.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

Blessing And Glory, wisdom And Power,
God Of My Rock, in Him Will I Trust.
My Strong Tower And My Refuge,
Savior, Deliverer And Soon Coming King.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

The King Will Come In The Clouds with Great Power And Glory With Him.
But No Man Knows The Day Nor The Hour, but We Await His Soon Return.

Click here to listen online:
www.rhapsody.com/sandra-crouch

Click here for an organ arrangement of the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=txKkXxzqFa4

Click here to purchase Sandra’s version of “He’s Worthy”:

“Worthy is the Lamb”

Australian Darlene Zschech is acclaimed all over the world as a singer, songwriter, worship leader and speaker, most notably for spearheading the music that comes from Hillsong Church. Although she has achieved numerous gold albums and her songs are sung in many nations of the world, her success is not the result of pursuing stardom and fame –it stands as a testimony to her life’s passion to serve God with her musical gift.

Click here to learn more about Darlene Zschech who wrote this powerful ballad on the cross: www.darlenezschech.com/pages/default.asp?pid=20

Thank you for the cross, Lord.
Thank you for the price you paid.
Bearing all my sin and shame, in love you came
And gave amazing grace.
Thank you for this love, Lord.
Thank you for the nail-pierced hands.
Wash me in Your cleansing flow, now all I know
Your forgiveness and embrace.
Worthy is the Lamb
seated on the throne.
We crown You now with many crowns
You reign victorious!
High and lifted up
Jesus, Son of God.
The darling of Heaven, crucified…
Worthy is the Lamb.

Click here to worship along with Darlene:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR4CCLnmf1Q

Click here to listen online:
www.imeem.com/people/ewvSYY/music/Xwoirr-Z/darlene_zschech_worthy_is_the_lamb/

Click here to purchase Darlene’s version:

"Your Grace is Enough"

Matthew "Matt" Maher is a singer/songwriter/worship leader originally from Newfoundland, Canada, who later relocated to Mesa, Arizona. He has written and produced 3 independent albums, The End and The Beginning (2001), Welcome to Life (2003), and Overflow (2006). All three albums were produced by Maher, with Welcome to Life and Overflow both being co-produced by Maher and Nashville engineer Jeff Thomas.

Matt is most known for his song, "Your Grace Is Enough" which Chris Tomlin recorded on His 2004 Gold release, Arriving. The two met at a Youth Specialties conference held in Phoenix when Tomlin's band was asked to "back" Maher up. Tomlin instantly fell in love with the song. Since then, the song has become a popular worship anthem. Matt recorded a new version of the song, combining both his and Tomlin's versions, for the album "Empty and Beautiful". The song was released as a single on iTunes in March 2008, and reached #2 on Billboard's Adult Christian Contemporary Chart, where it remained in the top ten for over 8 weeks.

Click here to learn more about Matt Maher:
www.mattmahermusic.com/index.php

Click here to visit Matt’s myspace:
www.myspace.com/mattmahermusic

Click here to listen to how the song was written:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIgGHA27nG4

Click here to worship along:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtnE_e1LylY

Click here to listen to purchase Matt Maher’s version of the song:

"Praise to the Lord, the Almighty"

Joachim Neander was an important hymn writer for the German Reform church. His hymn, “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,” was written at Dusseldorf, during a time in his life when he needed comfort. He learned to have close communion with God and nature. This hymn is a paraphrase of Psalm 103:1-6 and Psalm 150: “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name.”

Click here to learn more about this great composer who died at the young age of thirty:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joachim_Neander

Click here to hear the story behind the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7qq_0UNREE

Click here to read the lyrics and sing along:
www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/p/t/pttlta.htm

Click here to listen to the hymn played on tubular bells:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNy8UOvdyNM

Click here to hear a Finger style guitar arrangement:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0aPO9k037k&mode=related&search=

Click here to hear a hear a solo violin arrangement:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcOysumrQfc&mode=related&search=

Click here to purchase the Passion version of “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”:

“Shout To The Lord”

Darlene Zschech is the worship pastor of Hillsong Church, in Sydney, Australia (an Assemblies of God church). As worship pastor, she oversees the Worship & Creative Arts Department at Hillsong Church at the Hills and City congregations. Darlene leads worship most weeks for the Hillsong Television program (the official website says that the program reaches 125 countries around the globe). Hillsong made global headlines when their 2004 live CD release, For All You've Done reached number one in the Australian secular music charts.
Zschech was a child star of an Australian television series titled Happy Go 'Round. She was traumatized at 13 when her parents divorced and a custody battle ensued. At 14, Zschech suffered from bulimia. A year later, as a young adult, she sang jingles for a number of international companies including McDonald's, KFC and Diet Coke.

Darlene wrote the song during a difficult time in her life. She slipped away to her study one evening and began to meditate on Psalm 96. Twenty minutes later she had the song completed. As a timid person she reluctantly approached her worship pastor about sharing with him the song. She was so embarrassed that he might not like it that as she fumbled her way through the song she kept saying “now you can change anything you want.” She finally was able to finish the song when her worship pastor stood with his back toward her. The first time the congregation sang the song it just took off, people stood and later commented that Darlene had written the song that expressed what people had always wanted to say but didn’t have the words to.

Currently, she and husband Mark Zschech have three daughters, Amy, Chloe, and Zoe Jewel. Zschech's best known song is Shout to the Lord, sung by an estimated 25–30 million churchgoers every week. Darlene composed the praise anthem (based on Psalm 96) at the time that she was feeling discouraged. "I felt I could either scream and pull my hair out — or praise God" she said. This song is the title track for the first live album co-produced with Integrity Music featuring Darlene as a prominent female worship leader. Shout to the Lord was nominated as 'Album of the year' for the 1997 Dove Awards and 'Song of the Year' for the 1998 Dove Awards. It has been recorded on over 20 different albums. In 2000, Darlene received a Dove Award nomination for 'Songwriter of the Year' and has received the 'International Award' from GMA (Gospel Music Assoc USA)

In 2003, Zschech released her debut solo album entitled Kiss of Heaven. This was followed by her 2005 album, Change Your World.

In addition to writing songs, Zschech has written two books: Extravagant Worship (2001) and The Kiss of Heaven (2003).

Darlene Zschech and her husband Mark are executive directors of Mercy Ministries, which runs a residential program to helping young women struggling with eating disorders, unplanned pregnancy and other life controlling disorders.

Click here to learn more about Darlene:
www.darlenezschech.com

Click here to listen to Darlene share how she wrote the song:
www.theheartofworship.org/stories.shtml

Click here to visit Darlene’s myspace:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=32111098

Click here for the many recordings of “Shout to the Lord” – listed first is the recording on American Idol (Gives Back):
www.youtube.com/results?search_query=shout+to+the+lord+&search_type=

Click here to purchase Darlene’s version of “Shout to the Lord”

“Let God Arise”

Hear the holy roar of God resound
Watch the waters part before us now
Come and see what He has done for us
Tell the world of His great love

Our God is a God who saves
Our God is a God who saves

Let God arise
Let God arise
Our God reigns now and forever
He reigns now and forever

His enemies will run for sure
The church will stand, she will endure
He holds the keys of life, our Lord
Death has no sting, no final word

This high-energy song was inspired by Psalm 68:1. The song affirms that death does not get the final word over humanity.

Click here to worship along with Chris Tomlin:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaLckqfvZHQ

Click here to listen online:
www.imeem.com/nimrod/music/3TuQOCzZ/chris-tomlin-let-god-arise/

Click here to purchase the song:

“Hosanna” (Fraser)

I see the King of Glory
Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes
The whole earth shakes yeah
I see His Love and Mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing
The people sing

Hosanna hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith
With selfless faith
I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees
We're on our knees

Hosanna hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity

Hosanna hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

Brooke Gabrielle Fraser is an award-winning New Zealand singer/songwriter. Brooke is the eldest of the three children born to former rugby star Bernie Fraser and his wife Lynda. Brooke started taking piano lessons at age 7 and she continued to take these until she was 17. She started writing songs at age 12 and taught herself the acoustic guitar at 16.

Brook started performing at the “Parachute Festival”, a Christian music festival held annually in Australia and has continued to do so each year since 2000. She is one of the worship leaders at the Hillsongs church in Sydney, Australia.

Click here to visit Brooke’s myspace: www.myspace.com/brookefraser

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7SMUf6QcyQ

Click here to purchase the Hillsong’s version:

“Glorify Your Name”

For over 15 years, Kevin Singleton has been inspiring students to make a difference on their campus and in their communities. Traveling across the United States and internationally, Kevin speaks to and performs for over 200,000 young people each year. Kevin’s basketball skills, combined with his musical talent and motivational speaking produce an entertaining performance that holds student’s attention and challenges them to make the right choices today. Kevin also leads worship at the Lamb’s Theater in New York City.

Click here to learn more about Kevin Singleton:
www.kevinsingleton.com/index.htm

Click here to visit Kevin’s myspace where you can also play the song:
www.myspace.com/msnyworshipteam

Click here to worship along with the Lakewood Church:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkOUA0B7t8I

Click here to purchase “Glorify Your Name”:

"From the Inside Out"

This powerful worship song is by Joel Houston. Joel Timothy Houston (born September 19, 1979) is a song writer and worship leader at the Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. He is employed as the producer of Hillsong's youth band, Hillsong United. He is the oldest son of Hillsong Church's pastors Brian and Bobbie Houston and grandson of Frank Houston. He has two siblings, a brother Benjamin and a sister, Laura.

Click here to worship along:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv0qZl_Qu84

Click here to listen online:
www.last.fm/music/Hillsong+United

Click here to purchase "From the Inside Out":

Worship Songs for August 16

2009-08-15T22:11:00.002-05:00

First Baptist Church of Euless – BEHIND THE PRAISE
Worship Songs
August 16, 2009

“Oh Taste and See”

This song based on Psalm 34:8 was written by Percy Gray. Percy E. Gray Jr., Grammy, Stellar, and Dove-Award Nominee is a native of Chicago, Illinois. He is considered to be one of the nation’s most outstanding gospel music producers and songwriters. To his record, he has written over “100” songs that have been recorded by nationally-acclaimed gospel recording artists. He is constantly in demand for his producing and songwriting abilities.

Percy’s love for Gospel music began during his teenage years. It was at this point that Percy began to listen to the Saturday afternoon gospel radio program that was hosted by the late Rev. Milton Brunson. His love for gospel music deepened and he was inspired to attend the monthly musical services of Thompson Community Singers. He observed both Rev. Brunson and the “Tommies” and considered Rev. Milton Brunson as his mentor. While attending Bethel Green M.B. Church, Percy served as the director of the Senior Choir. He possessed an aggressive and accelerated teaching style that required a challenge beyond working with the church choir. Rev. August Brown Observed Percy’s unique teaching style and encouraged him to organize his own choir so that he could teach his own music and grow professionally.

Click here to worship along with the Chicago Mass choir:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJjfrEzOaAI

Click here to purchase the song “Oh Taste and See”

"You Are Good"

This song was written by Israel Houghton. Israel wrote the following as a testimony:

“My mother became pregnant at the age of 17 in Waterloo, Iowa. You can imagine how this is shaping up. She was given the choice of a back-alley abortion or being disowned by her family. Thank God she chose the latter. Ultimately, she was disowned, abandoned by my biological father, and ended up in San Diego, California. Picture this. It was 1971 and my mother was 8 months pregnant, all alone, thousands of miles from home, and forced to enter reality unprepared – pretty bleak. One day while walking down the street, a lady pulled up in her Volkswagen Bug, got out, and respectfully yet boldly, began to share the Gospel with her. Words of life and hope began to overtake the words of rejection and abandonment she had grown accustomed to. There on a street corner, she ended up on her knees and cried out to God-committing her life to Jesus Christ. The lady gave her a bible and that's how I got my name. My mother started reading at page one and well, you know-you have a bible, my name is on every page!

I'm often asked by skeptics or the stoic, why I'm as passionate about worshiping God as I am. The answer is simple for me. In this age of disposable relationships, I could have easily become a statistic and at best, a distant memory of a youthful mistake. Instead, a Sovereign God rescued my mother and me and gave us hope, a future, and a testimony of the providence of God. The very least I can do is enter into His gates with fresh thanksgiving, His courts with a passionate praise, and eventually bow before His throne in intimate worship. As far as leading worship goes (which is my passion and calling), I now realize that there have been demands put on me from every part of my experience since day one - culturally, emotionally, musically, and more. So things tend to sound cross-cultural, cross-denominational, and cross-generational. I like to call it, "The Sound of New Breed Worship." I tend to lead from an internal platform founded in Psalm 124:2, "If it had not been for the Lord who was on my side"....where in the world would I be? In an age of disposable relationships, maybe we should be asking ourselves that question a lot more often. I am confident that we would worship with far more conviction, intensity, and overwhelmed gratitude if we did. It is my delight to encourage you today.”

Israel leads a worship band called "New Breed" – here is their website; you can listen to portions of the songs they sing, including "You are Good":
www.newbreedmusic.com/

Click here to learn more about Israel:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Houghton

Click here to worship along with Israel:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAGZ8HmiWCM

Click here to see Israel singing "You are Good" in concert:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCpy1Bg255A&feature=related

Click here to purchase Israel’s version of “You are Good”

“Everywhere That I Go”

This is another energetic song from Israel Houghton.

Click here to learn more about Israel:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Houghton

Click here to worship along with the Lakewood Church:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0W0oCGcu8k&feature=related

Click here to listen online:
www.imeem.com/pickurnose/music/fEmluTVP/everywhere_that_i_go/

Click here to purchase Israel’s version:

"Blessed Assurance"

The story behind the writing of "Blessed assurance" is simple, yet interesting. One day Miss Crosby was in the home of her friend Mrs. Joseph F. Knapp. In the Knapp home was installed what was believed to be the largest pipe organ ever placed in a private dwelling. However, on this particular day, Mrs. Knapp called her guest over to the piano to listen to a new melody she had just composed. After playing the tune a few times she asked, 'What do you think the tune says?' "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine", answered Fanny Crosby, and then, drawing from her vast storehouse of Scripture knowledge, continued with “Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine, Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.” In a very short time, a new sacred song was born with words by Fanny Crosby and music by Mrs. J. F. Knapp. Although written as far back as 1873, “Blessed Assurance” still remains a firm favorite with Christians everywhere.

Click here to read more about Fanny Crosby:
www.sermonaudio.com/hymn_details.asp?PID=blessedassurance#history

Click here for an arrangement by The Isaacs:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE7AGB5nXTs&feature=related

Click here to worship along with Randy Travis:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fon84ecsAbI&feature=related

Click here to purchase Avalon’s arrangement of “Blessed Assurance”

"Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King"

This arrangement is by Thomas Miller, Worship Pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas. Thomas has said that the added chorus came to him on a Saturday morning watching college football. He was singing through the order for that evening’s service and wanted to have some kind of transition to the next song and the following simple chorus came to him.

"Come Thou fount, come Thou King,
Come Thou precious Prince of Peace;
Hear Your bride, to you we sing,
come Thou fount of our blessing."

The original hymn was composed by the 18th century Methodist pastor and hymnist Robert Robinson. The hymn is set to an American folk tune known as NETTLETON, by attribution to the evangelist Asahel Nettleton, who composed it early in the nineteenth century. Robinson penned the words at the age of 22 in the year 1757.

Click here for a version of the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_OLyPhHHWk

If you like more of a traditional arrangement, check out this choir arrangement here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUhU0HgTq94&mode=related&search=

Click here to purchase "Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King"

“Hosanna”

I see the King of Glory
Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes
The whole earth shakes yeah
I see His love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing
The people sing

Hosanna hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith
With selfless faith
I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees
We're on our knees

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity

Brooke Gabrielle Fraser is an award-winning New Zealand singer/songwriter. Brooke is the eldest of the three children born to former rugby star Bernie Fraser and his wife Lynda. Brooke started taking piano lessons at age 7 and she continued to take these until she was 17. She started writing songs at age 12 and taught herself the acoustic guitar at 16.

Brooke started performing at the ''Parachute Festival'', a Christian music festival held annually in Australia and has continued to do so each year since 2000. She is one of the worship leaders at the Hillsongs church in Sydney, Australia.

Click here to visit Brooke’s myspace:
www.myspace.com/brookefraser

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7SMUf6QcyQ

Click here to purchase “Hosanna”

“God is Here”

This powerful song of proclamation was written by Martha Munizzi, Israel and Meleasa Houghton. In the last decade, acclaimed music minister Martha Munizzi has risen to the upper reaches of the Christian and gospel music spheres, becoming an in-demand worship leader, songwriter, and speaker across the United States and beyond.

Since the 2002 release of her first independent effort, Say the Name, Munizzi has expanded her ministry reach thanks to an unflinching commitment to cross-generational, multiethnic praise and worship music—a calling that began when she was 8 years old in her family’s traveling music ministry.

Munizzi got her first taste of musical and ministry autonomy when, at 16, she and her sisters formed the group Testament, a praise ensemble that in time created enough of a buzz to book its own concerts at various church events and conferences across Florida.

Of her heart’s passion for global worship expressions, Munizzi says, “My deepest desire is to transcend cultural, generational, and denominational boundaries, and to bring all people together through worship.”

Click here to learn more about Martha’s ministry:
www.marthamunizzi.com/Martha%20Munizzi%20-%20HOME.html

There is a sweet anointing in the sanctuary
There is a stillness in the atmosphere
Come and lay down
The burdens you have carried
For in this sanctuary, God is here

He is here, He is here
To break the yoke and lift the heavy burdened
He is here, He is here
To heal the hopeless heart and bless the broken
Come and lay down
The burdens you have carried
For in this sanctuary, God is here

Click here to worship along with Martha Munizzi:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1j8JYWQW90&feature=related

Click here to purchase “God is Here”

2009-08-08T12:04:00.002-05:00

First Baptist Church of Euless – BEHIND THE PRAISE
Worship Songs
August 9, 2009

“Mountain Mover”

This moving gospel song was written by the trio of writers, Tony Wood, Barry Weeks, and Jim Brady. These guys often write songs together. This is one of their most popular.

Click here to listen to the Talley Trio:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPxKeXkgD_Y

Click here to purchase the Talley’s version:

“Great is the Lord Almighty”

Dennis Jernigan is a singer-songwriter of contemporary Christian music. He is native to Oklahoma, and headquarters a music-based ministry from there. Formerly a homosexual, Jernigan now lives in Muskogee, Oklahoma with his wife of nearly 24 years and their nine children.

A primary source of inspiration for Jernigan's message and music is an experience he describes as his "deliverance from homosexuality", which he states to have begun during a 2nd Chapter of Acts concert in 1981 at Oklahoma Baptist University. Jernigan has stated that he believes his prior identification as homosexual was related to a childhood perception that he had been rejected by his father. He claims that both perceptions were erroneous:

As a boy I needed a role model to show me the way to manhood. But because I felt rejected by the main man in my life I, in turn, rejected him and began to yearn for intimacy with a man in perverse ways. Because of this wrong thinking I came to believe I was homosexual. It must have begun early in my life because I remember having those feelings for the same gender at a very early age.
It was then [during a critical moment at the 2nd Chapter of Acts concert] that I lost the need to be accepted or loved by others because I realized Jesus would love me and accept me no matter what, even when I was rejected by others! It was also at this same time that those sexually perverse thoughts and desires were changed...and He began to replace them with holy and pure thoughts about what sexual love was all about.

You may know the music of Dennis Jernigan rather than the mention of his name. Songs like: "You Are My All in All", "Great is the Lord Almighty", and "Nobody Fills My Heart Like Jesus", as well as hundreds of others are sung literally all over the world. Dennis believes worship is all about relationship rather than performance...and he believes he is called to help people get honest with themselves and with God simply because he has found in his own life that honesty and truth have set him free. He has an incredible testimony that he shares very openly with his audiences.

To read more about Dennis visit his website at
www.dennisjernigan.com

Dennis and his wife Melinda, along with eight of their nine children make their home in Muskogee, Oklahoma where they serve Christ through the local body of believers known as New Community Church.

Click here to worship along on the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbmZHzrysuI

Click here to listen to Dennis on his myspace:
www.MySpace.com/dennisjernigan

Click here to purchase Dennis Jernigan’s version:

“I Will Rise Up”

You’re calling me to a deeper place
You’re calling me to come away
This is the day that You have made
To walk in Your love and Your grace
And I will sing to You, my King
Forever and ever

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAbhmOCetxc

Click here to purchase the song:

"Before the Throne of God Above"

This song was written by Charitie Lees Smith Bancroft in 1863, but was recently published by Vikki Cook who wrote an alternate melody for it.
You can hear the old version by clicking here. http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/e/beforetg.htm
You’ll recognize the tune as “Sweet Hour of Prayer”

Click here to read through the words:
www.inchristalone.org/BeforeTheThrone.html
What a great line in the second verse:
“For God the just is satisfied to look on Him and pardon me”.

Click here to worship along:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_GB_N_79-Q&mode=related&search=

Click here to purchase Selah’s version of “Before the Throne of God Above”

"Beautiful One"

Tim wrote this song based upon Isaiah 53:

Click here to listen to Tim Hughes share how he wrote the song
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJj6fiJ2aW8&mode=related&search=

Click here to worship along with Jeremy Camp
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdF-cBk9CBU

Click here to worship along with Tim Hughes
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMyVZW0zY14&mode=related&search=

Click here to learn more about Tim Hughes
www.timhughesmusic.com/

Click here to purchase Tim Hughes’ version of “Beautiful One”

“You are So Good to Me”

This song was popularized by Third Day and Waterdeep. The song was written by
Don Chaffer. Don met his wife Lori at the University of Kansas. They played together for a year in a band called Hey Ruth, recording several early projects between 1990 and 1992 that now comprise a double CD collection called Old Stuff. While recording a solo project in 1994, Don met the players, including Brandon Graves, who would, in June of 1995, become Waterdeep’s first lineup.

Click here to worship along with Third Day:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9PowifINSk

Click here to listen online:
www.last.fm/music/Third+Day/_/You+Are+So+Good+to+Me

Click here to purchase Third Day’s version of “You are So Good to Me”

“When I Speak Your Name”

The following is a testimony from Elizabeth Clark who wrote the song.

Music as well as the Word of God has been a part of me even from the beginning of life in my mother's womb; and I have done my best for the past 20 years to follow hard after the heart of God. I have been leading worship for ten years, in youth groups, women's conferences, outdoor events, marriage conferences, worship conferences, youth camps, and have opened for Carmen, Sierra, and Scott Kripaynne, and I have also shared the stage with Rita Springer, Klaus Kuehn, and Lenny Leblanc. Worship leading is not something I just do, I really try to live it, for I was born to worship my Creator. He just happened to give me the gift to sing, play the piano, and write songs. He is my true love.

CHRIST FOR THE NATIONS has been a major part of influence, and a molding and shaping ground for me. I attended there in the fall of 2002-2004, and will never forget the memorable moments of pure and intimate worship, as well as the high praise that went up! God is truly leading the way there. Klaus Kuehn, (a man of wisdom, transparency, and a love for his Savior) has played one of the major roles of inspiration and encouragement in my life and "world of music". I praise my God for what he has done, what He is doing, and what He will do!

Click here to visit Elizabeth Clark’s myspace:
www.myspace.com/elizabethclarklucid

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPKzCyc0GXY

Click here for another arrangement of the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTE5Dn-5IDs

Click here to purchase “When I Speak Your Name”

"Something Happens"

Meditate on the lyrics:

Jesus, Something special, Supernatural, about your name
Jesus, Something happens when I mention your name
Demons have to flee when I say Jesus (Jesus)
Sickness has to heal when I say Jesus (Jesus)
Every knee shall bow before and every tongue proclaim
With worthy praise that matchless name of Jesus
When I call upon Your name, the very atmosphere will have to change
We'll be transformed, We'll never be the same, By the power of Your Holy name

Worship along Kurt Carr
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCfInYK_9Vg

Worship along with the Marcus Pointe worship choir
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0NhSITwd4o

Click here to purchase Kurt Carr’s version of “Something Happens”

Worship for Sunday, August 2, 2009

2009-07-30T10:40:00.004-05:00

BEHIND THE PRAISE

“Free for All” 9:15am, 10:45am,

Mark started producing at age 16, working out of a local studio in Houston. After earning his degree in commercial music performance at Belmont University in Nashville, Mark began working as a musician and producer for artists such as Shania Twain, Israel Houghton, Third Day, Toby Mac, Kevin Max, Susan Ashton, The Finalist, DCTalk, and Lakewood Church, Mark has experience in many genres, ranging from rock to pop and country. Having done commercials for companies such as Coca Cola, Radio Shack, and film soundtrack work for movies such as “Chalk”, “Beautiful American”, and recently John Gray's film "31 Falls", his experience is wide ranging across the music industry. Mark earned a nomination for “Instrumental Album of the Year” for the GMA dove awards, as well as multiple platinum and gold records. Also a writer, Mark has penned top ten hits on radio, as well as songs for multi platinum records.

Currently residing in Houston, TX, Mark is married to Michelle, and has two children, Maren Chapel (20 months) and London Christopher (7months). Mark is an avid racquetball player and has earned a medal the last 3 years at the National Championships, including gold last year to make him the current National Champion in his division.

River rich and mercy beckon
Everyone who thirst, is welcome
All who hungers, freely come
Bread of life for everyone

(Pre-chorus)
Free for all
Free for all
Over every limitation, free for all

(Chorus)
Where the spirit, of the Lord is...
There is freedom, free for all

We're proclaiming freedom to nations
Set, and seek your whole salvation
Rivers in the desert... clouds are forming
Celebrate this freedom out-pouring

Click here to visit Israel Houghtons’ myspace site: www.myspace.com/israelhoughtonmusic

Click here to worship along with the Lakewood church worship ministry: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZZdxqK7MFY

Click here to purchase the Lakewood version of “Free for All”

"The Solid Rock" 9:15am

The name of Edward Mote does not often rest on the lips of the church today in the saym fashion as Fanny J. Crosby, B.B. McKinney, Ira Sankey, or other greats in hymnody. However, the testimony of his life is one that should inspire all Christians. Mote was note brought up in a godly home and did not have the advantage of early exposure to Scripture. In fact, his parents managed a pub in London and often neglected young Edward, who spent most of his Sundays playing in the city streets. Of his theological upbringing, he said “So ignorant was I that did not know that there was a God.”

Eventually Mote became exposed to the Word of God, and was baptized at the age of 18. This event, however, did not send Mote immediately into the ministry. He was apprenticed to become a cabinetmaker, a career which he successfully conducted for another 37 years. Eventually, at the age of 55, he became pastor of a Baptist church in Horsham, Sussex, where he did not miss a Sunday in the pulpit for the next 21 years.³ He resigned from this pastorate in 1873 due to ill health, and died the following year at the age of 77.

It was with this background that Mote wrote the hymn we have today, "The Solid Rock." It was during his career as a cabinetmaker that the hymn came into being. One morning in 1834 as he was walking to work, it entered his mind to write a hymn. By the time he got to work, he had the chorus. He wrote four more verses over the course of that day and two additional verses before he was finished.

‘On Christ the solid Rock I stand,All other ground is sinking sand.’

In the day I had four first verses complete, and wrote them off. On the Sabbath following I met brother King as I came out of Lisle Street Meeting…who informed me that his wife was very ill, and asked me to call and see her. I had an early tea, and called afterwards. He said that it was his usual custom to sing a hymn, read a portion, and engage in prayer, before he went to meeting. He looked for his hymn-book but could find it no where. I said, ‘I have some verses in my pocket; if he liked, we would sing them.’ We did, and his wife enjoyed them so much, that after service he asked me, as a favour, to leave a copy of them for his wife. I went home, and by the fireside composed the last two verses, wrote the whole off, and took them to sister King…As these verses so met the dying woman’s case, my attention to them was the more arrested, and I had a thousand printed for distribution.

Click here to listen to an arrangement by the Cadet sisters

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJnb3l9UuYU&feature=related

Here is a gospel arrangement by the:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkGv-2Yb8a4&feature=related

Here is a more traditional arrangement of the song on organ:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkGv-2Yb8a4&feature=related

Click here to purchase the Avalon version:

“At Calvary” 9:15am

The words for "At Calvary" were written by American hymn writer, William Newell (1868 – 1956). Song leader Daniel Towner wrote the musical portion of the hymn. One afternoon, Newell was walking to teach his next class while thinking about Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. When he got to his classroom, he grabbed the only paper around, an old envelope, and the lyrics began to flow out of him. He showed the poem to his friend at the school, Towner, and just as quickly the song leader penned the musical portion. Thus, " At Calvary" was born in a quick manner.

Both of these composers have Ohio roots. Newell was born in Savannah, Ohio and graduated from Wooster College. Towner served as the song leader for York Street Methodist Episcopal Church in Cincinnati, Ohio from 1882 to 1884. They met at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. There, Newell served as an instructor and later assistant superintendent. Towner was director of music at Moody. Together their work, "At Calvary," has been loved by Christians worldwide for its testimony about Christ’s love for us.

Years I spent in vanity and pride,
Caring not my Lord was crucified,
Knowing not it was for me He died on Calvary.

By God's Word at last my sin I learn,
Then I trembled at the law I'd spurned,
Till my guilty soul imploring turned to Calvary.

Now I've giv'n to Jesus everything;
Now I gladly own Him as my King;
Now my raptured soul can only sing of Calvary.

O, the love that drew salvation's plan!
O, the grace that brought it down to man!
O, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary!

Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty, At Calvary.

Click here to listen to Lynda Randle & Jesse Dixon: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTsREFcTKbE

Click here for a southern gospel piano arrangement: www.youtube.com/watch?v=15br-Gy3Z-c

Click here for a more traditional arrangement: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYxRPEZSYLo&feature=related

Click here to purchase the Gaithers’ version of “At Calvary”

"You are Good" 10:45am

Nearly Disposed - Israels' Testimony

My mother became pregnant at the age of 17 in Waterloo, Iowa. You can imagine how this is shaping up. She was given the choice of a back-alley abortion or being disowned by her family. Thank God she chose the latter. Ultimately, she was disowned, abandoned by my biological father, and ended up in San Diego, California. Picture this. It was 1971 and my mother was 8 months pregnant, all alone, thousands of miles from home, and forced to enter reality unprepared. Pretty bleak. One day while walking down the street, a lady pulled up in her Volkswagen Bug, got out, and respectfully yet boldly, began to share the Gospel with her. Words of life and hope began to overtake the words of rejection and abandonment she had grown accustomed to. There on a street corner, she ended up on her knees and cried out to God-committing her life to Jesus Christ. The lady gave her a bible and that's how I got my name. My mother started reading at page one and well, you know-you have a bible, my name's on every page!

I'm often asked by skeptics or the stoic, why I'm as passionate about worshiping God as I am. The answer is simple for me. In this age of disposable relationships, I could have easily become a statistic and at best, a distant memory of a youthful mistake. Instead, a Sovereign God rescued my mother and me and gave us hope, a future, and a testimony of the providence of God. The very least I can do is enter into His gates with fresh thanksgiving, His courts with a passionate praise, and eventually bow before His throne in intimate worship. As far as leading worship goes (which is my passion and calling), I now realize that there have been demands put on me from every part of my experience since day one - culturally, emotionally, musically, and more. So things tend to sound cross-cultural, cross- denominational, and cross-generational. I like to call it, "The Sound of New Breed Worship." I tend to lead from an internal platform founded in Psalm 124:2, "If it had not been for the Lord who was on my side"....where in the world would I be? In an age of disposable relationships, maybe we should be asking ourselves that question a lot more often. I am confident that we would worship with far more conviction, intensity, and overwhelmed gratitude if we did. It is my delight to encourage you today. Israel

Israel leads a worship band called "New Breed" here's their website, you can listen to portions of the songs they sing including "You are Good"

www.newbreedmusic.com/

Click here to learn more about Israel

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Houghton

Click here to worship along with Israel:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAGZ8HmiWCM

Click here to see Israel singing "You are Good" in concert:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCpy1Bg255A&feature=related

Click here to purchase Israels’ version of “You Are Good”

“All because of Jesus” 10:45am

Giver of every breath I breathe

Author of all eternity
Giver of every perfect thing
To You be the glory
Maker of Heaven and of Earth
No one can comprehend Your worth
King over all the universe
To You be the glory

And I am alive because I'm alive in You

It's all because of Jesus I'm alive
It's all because the blood of Jesus Christ
That covers me and raised this dead man's life
It's all because of Jesus I'm alive
I'm alive, I'm alive

Click here to learn more about Casting Crowns:

www.castingcrowns.com/

Click here to worship along with Casting Crowns:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ9HDBJDRvg

Click here to listen to the Steve Fee:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmdylCFUBs8

Click here to purchase the Steve Fee version:

“Overcome” 9:15am & 10:45am

Seated above, enthroned in the Father's love

Destined to die, poured out for all mankind
God's only son perfect and spotless one
He never sinned, but suffered as if he did

Pre-chorus
All authority, every victory is Yours
All authority, every victory is Yours

Chorus

Savior, worthy of honor and glory, worthy of all our praise, You overcame
Jesus, awesome in power forever, awesome and great is Your name, You overcame

Verse::2
Power in hand speaking the Father's plan
You're sending us out, light in this broken land

Bridge
We will overcome by the blood of the Lamb
And the word of our testimony, everyone overcome

Click here to learn more about Jon Egan composer of this powerful song:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=34106535

Click here to listen to the story behind the song:

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=33819070&blogID=440712561

Click here to worship along with the Desperation Band:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sjYWrpNoCs

Click here to purchase the New Life Worship:

“I Never Lost My Praise” 9:15am & 10:45am

This gospel song was written by Trumaine Hawkins.

In 1969, Lady Tramaine joined the Edwin Hawkins Singers and was a part of the Gospel Music Revolution via the recording of Oh Happy Day the first million-selling Gospel single to top the Pop record charts as well as the first cross over hit, in all cross-sections of the world. Lady Tramaine then moved on to the Los Angeles area to join Andrea Crouch and the Disciples, where she sang lead vocals on the Grammy nominated single "Christian People". After sharing her gifts with Andrea Crouch and the Disciples, Lady Tramaine returned to the Oakland area where she rejoined the Edwin Hawkins Singers. Lady Tramaine can be heard singing lead vocals on the Love Alive Series with Walter Hawkins and The Love Center Choir and also with The Hawkins Family in the 70's and 80's.

Click here to worship along with Trumaine:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOkwUKn_gfc

Go here to listen to the song on Trumaines’ myspace standalone player

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=85236027

Click here to purchase Trumaine’s version:

“In Christ Alone” 9:15am & 10:45am

This song was written by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

Townend and Getty both admit they are motivated by the idea of capturing biblical truth in songs and hymns that will not only cause people to express their worship in church, but will build them up in their Christian lives. “I’ve been amazed by the response to this song,” says Townend. “We’ve had some incredible e-mails about how people have been helped by the song through incredibly difficult circumstances.” One e-mail described how a U.S soldier serving in Iraq would pray through each verse of the song every day, and how the promises of God’s protection and grace helped to sustain him through the enormous pressures and dangers of life in a war zone.

Click here to read more about how the song was composed
www.crosswalk.com/1275127/

Click here to worship along with the Newsboys

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8welVgKX8Qo

Click here to worship along with Natalie Grant

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA9WbEn-Nj8&feature=related

Click here to purchase Stuart Townends’ version of “In Christ Alone”

Worship Songs for July 26

2009-07-23T11:41:00.003-05:00

First Baptist Church of Euless – BEHIND THE PRAISE
Worship Songs
July 26, 2009

“Because He Lives”

Today, millions of Americans and people around the world are coming to love southern gospel music, and a big reason is the popularity of the Bill and Gloria Gaither Homecoming concerts and videos. For more than 40 years, the Gaithers have been writing and performing Christian songs. "He Touched Me," "There's Something About That Name," and some 600 others are featured in many church hymnals. But "Because He Lives" is perhaps the best known.
In the late 1960s, while expecting their third child, the Gaithers were going through a traumatic time. Their firstborn, Suzanne, was 4, and her sister Amy was three months old. The timing for another baby wasn't ideal. On top of that, Bill was recovering from a bout with mononucleosis.
The breakup of the marriage of Bill's sister, Mary Ann, had left his family devastated. What's more, a close friend's accusation that Bill and Gloria were using their ministry just to make a buck blindsided the couple and plunged Bill into a deep depression.
Gloria also remembers it as a time of fear and sadness. The educational system was being infiltrated with the "God is dead" idea, while drug abuse and racial tension were increasing. The thought of bringing another child into the world was taking its toll.
But after a simple prayer by one of Bill's close friends—a prayer that commanded the devil to back off—both Bill and Gloria recall that the strength of the Holy Spirit seemed to come to their aid. Christ's resurrection, in all its power, was reaffirmed in their hearts. They were assured that the future, left in God's hands, would be just fine.

In July 1970 a healthy baby, Benjamin, was born. Inspired by the miracle of their son's birth, "Because He Lives" poured out of the Gaithers' grateful hearts. The song clearly affirms the hope believers have in Christ. We can face tomorrow, with all its uncertainty, as we realize that God holds the future and makes life worth living.

Click here to listen to the song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQBBihRwP8o

Click here to listen to the Gaither Vocal Band sing the song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYjj0R4ONlE

Click here to purchase the song:

“Alive, Forever, Amen”

Let the children sing a song of liberation
The God of our salvation set us free
Death, where is thy sting? The curse of sin is broken
The empty tomb stands open, come and see

He's alive, alive, alive. Hallelujah!
Alive! Praise and glory to the Lamb.
He's alive, alive, alive. Hallelujah!
Alive forever. Amen

Let my heart sing out, for Christ, the One and only
So powerful and holy rescued me
Death won't hurt me now because He has redeemed me
No grave will ever keep me from my King

I'm alive, alive, alive, hallelujah!
Alive! praise and glory to the Lamb.
He's alive, alive, alive. Hallelujah!
Alive forever. Amen

Click here to learn more about Travis Cottrell:
www.yourmusiczone.com/go/ymz/music_artist_more/cottrell_travis /

Click here to visit Travis’ blog:
http://traviscottrellministries.blogspot.com/

Click here to learn more about Travis’ ministry:
www.traviscottrell.com/

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOOJOXySgyc

Click here for another version of the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgGxPYNM6NI

Click here to purchase “Alive, Forever, Amen”

“Break Our Hearts”

This song was written by Billy James Foote as a confession of our brokenness.

Learn more about Billy's ministry on his myspace website & ministry website:
www.myspace.com/billyfooteband

Learn more about Billy's ministry here:
www.billyfoote.com/

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBLEckfWPWY

Click here to purchase the song:

“Just As I Am”

I am just like you before God; I too have been taken from clay (Job 33:6)

Charlotte Elliott was angry. ‘Carefree Charlotte’ was 30 years old, and loved her life in Clapham and Brighton, England in the 18th and 19th centuries as a gifted artist and writer. So why did she get sick and become invalid for the remainder of her life? We’d understand, if that’s what went through her mind, wouldn’t we? Her body made her miserable, so lashing out at a Swiss minister, Caesar Milan, was understandable when he told her she needed God’s peace. As she mulled over the minister’s visit, she later relented, and asked him how she could fix her life and come to God. Milan answered ‘Just come as you are.” She did. And, Milan’s words stuck with her for another 14 years, until 1835 when she finally composed the words of this simple, but memorable song, “Just As I Am”.

Click here for an organ arrangement: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsuPMj0bCrI

Click here for an Irish arrangement: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gj6wCbb8iY

Click here to purchase Johnny Cash’s version of the song:

"Majesty” (Here I Am)

This song from Delirious? is the expression of a heart humbled by the love shown in the sacrifice, grace and majesty of our God. The song was written by Martin Smith & Stuart Garrard.

Martin James Smith (born 6 July 1970) is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and main songwriter of the English Christian rock and worship band Delirious?. He is generally considered to be one of the foremost songwriters in modern Christian worship music, along with people like Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, and David Crowder. He co-wrote three songs on Michael W. Smith's album HEALING RAIN and is going to be collaborating with Michael W. Smith on his upcoming album. Martin also co-wrote two songs on Matt Redman's album BEAUTIFUL NEWS ("Take It To The Streets" and "All Over The World"). Some of the most recognized songs by Delirious? include "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever", "History Maker", "My Glorious", "Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble", "Shout To The North", "Deeper", "Majesty (Here I Am)", and "What A Friend I've Found". In 1995, Martin was involved in a near-fatal car accident, and during the weeks of his recovery, he decided to become a full-time musician. He wrote the KING OF FOOLS song “August 30” based on this experience. Smith was one of the founding members of Delirious? along with Stewart Smith (no relation) and Tim Jupp, when they formed the band under The Cutting Edge.
Stuart Garrard is a guitarist who has developed his own unique style of playing, which has become known to some people, although probably not many, as 'octave distortion'. He also writes music and lyrics, and sings backing vocals and occasionally lead vocals. He is instantly recognizable as a result of his bald head and goatee beard. He is the oldest member of the band Delirious?.

Here I am humbled by your Majesty
Covered by your grace so free
Here I am, knowing I'm a sinful man
Covered by the blood of the Lamb
Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine
Since you laid down your life
The greatest sacrifice

Majesty, Majesty Your grace has found me just as I am
Empty handed, but alive in your hands
Majesty, MajestyForever I am changed by your love
In the presence of your Majesty
Here I am humbled by the love that you give
Forgiven so that I can forgive
Here I stand, knowing that I'm your desire
Sanctified by glory and fire
Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine
Since you laid down your life
The greatest sacrifice

Click here to worship along with Delirious
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNjH8QDpBFY

Click here to visit their myspace:
www.myspace.com/delirious

Click here to purchase the song:

“Worthy is the Lamb”

Australian Darlene Zschech is acclaimed all over the world as a singer, songwriter worship leader and speaker, most notably for spearheading the music that comes from Hillsong Church. Although she has achieved numerous gold albums and her songs are sung in many nations of the world, her success is not the result of pursuing stardom and fame – it stands as a testimony to her life’s passion to serve God with her musical gift.

Click here to learn more about Darlene Zschech who wrote this powerful ballad on the cross.
www.darlenezschech.com/pages/default.asp?pid=20

Thank you for the cross, Lord.
Thank you for the price you paid.
Bearing all my sin and shame, in love you came
And gave Amazing Grace.
Thank you for this love, Lord.
Thank you for the nail-pierced hands.
Wash me in Your cleansing flow, now all I know…
Your forgiveness and embrace.
Worthy is the Lamb
seated on the throne.
We crown You now with many crowns
You reign victorious!
High and lifted up
Jesus, Son of God.
The darling of Heaven, crucified…
Worthy is the Lamb.

Click here to worship along with Darlene:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR4CCLnmf1Q

Click here to listen online:
www.imeem.com/people/ewvSYY/music/Xwoirr-Z/darlene_zschech_worthy_is_the_lamb/

Click here to purchase the song:

“The Wonderful Cross”

ISAAC WATTS & CHRIS TOMLIN

The original song was written by Isaac Watts, the new chorus was written by Chris Tomlin. Isaac was born in 1674 and Chris was born in 1972. Even though they are separated by three hundred years, there is no separation between their passion and commitment to leading God's people in worship. WOW! The past meets the present.

Click here to hear Chris Tomlin talk about how this new arrangement came about. www.theheartofworship.org/stories/Story-306-TheWonderfulCross-Tomlin.mp3

Click here to learn more about Chris Tomlin
www.christomlin.com/

You can listen to more of Chris Tomlin’s music on his myspace website.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=94631118

Isaac Watts (July 17, 1674 – November 25, 1748) is recognized as the "Father of English Hymnody", as he was the first prolific and popular English hymnwriter, credited with some 750 hymns. Many of his hymns remain in active use today and have been translated into many languages.

Click here to read more about Isaac Watts.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Watts

This is an interesting read on Isaac Watts.
www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/w/a/t/watts_i.htm

Isaac is best known for his emphasizing the role of music in worship, where the congregation actually began to sing with the choir. Watts became the congregation's pastor in 1702. Just five feet tall, he was an unprepossessing figure in the pulpit. Health problems continued to plague him, and an assistant had to be appointed to fill in for him after a severe bout with illness in 1703. Despite these problems, Watts was a powerful preacher. The Mark Lane congregation outgrew its quarters and twice had to move to larger facilities, and Watts' sermons began to be collected and printed. Part of his success was due to his emphasis on the role of music in worship. A minister, he felt, should not only write sermons but should seek to involve his congregation in worship through music.

Click here to purchase "The Wonderful Cross"

“Above All"

Paul's Story
“On a Tuesday morning a few years ago at my church, alone at the piano, I began worshiping the Lord. As I sang, I started thinking of how Jesus is so much greater than all the temporal things that our culture esteems as great - power, fame, riches, wisdom, etc. The words just came out…."Lord, you are above all kingdoms, above all thrones, above all wonders the world has ever known..." Over the next year, I tried to write a chorus that fit the verses, but I never felt like it was "the one."
Then one day, Lenny LeBlanc and I got together to write. I played him about twenty ideas for songs and the only one that caught his ear was the verse for "Above All" that had no chorus. He woke up the next morning and said, "How about.... 'Crucified, laid behind a stone...like a rose trampled on the ground....'" " Whoa!" I thought, "What a contrast, what a picture - that's Jesus. The One who is and always will be above all, was willing to be crucified and rejected, just to demonstrate His love for an unappreciative world."
By the time we got to "You took the fall and thought of me....above all," Lenny and I were in tears. The revelation hit us and broke our hearts. It made us realize how worthy He really is. That He truly deserves our worship.
This song means a lot to me because it came from an honest place. I wasn't "trying" to write a song originally. I sincerely just wanted to worship Him and praise Him for His greatness. Getting to finish the song with Lenny was such a bonus since he has been such a mentor and friend to me for years.
I have had many people tell me through tears that they feel such love for the Lord as they sing "Above All." The revelation that the God of the universe was willing to humble himself to the point of crucifixion and death, just to reveal His love for us inspires a broken and contrite heart - like a fragrance of worship coming from a broken jar of perfume.
I remember one time in particular that I heard people singing "Above All" in worship. I was sitting on the floor with my children, watching the inaugural prayer service for President Bush on Fox News Live. Michael W. Smith walked up to the piano and began to sing "Above all powers, above all kings....." Tears began to pour out from my eyes. My 8 year-old daughter asked, "Are you all right, Daddy? What's wrong?" I replied, "Honey, these are happy tears." I'm humbled and blown away that a simple prayer of worship, started at my little piano, found its way to the President of the United States. The possibility that this song could be an encouragement to him is such an honor. I pray that he would draw strength and wisdom from The One who is above him......and above all. It blesses me to know that Jesus will be worshiped with this song for years to come.”

Lenny's Story
“When Paul Baloche and I finished writing "Above All," I somehow knew in my heart that it would touch millions of people. It all started when Paul and I got together to write some songs for my soon-to-be-recorded project for Integrity Music. Paul flew in and arrived late in the afternoon. We spent the rest of the day talking and kicking around song ideas that we had started. As the evening progressed, Paul played me the verse to "Above All" except for a few lines that we later changed. Something about the verse really touched me and I told him I thought it was a great idea. He shared with me that he had written several different choruses for the song and had even sung them in various forms during worship times at his home church. He also said he wasn't happy with any of the versions he had written. We chatted for awhile then headed off to our rooms.
Early the next morning before Paul woke up, I started playing around with a chorus idea. Later on that morning, we started and finished the song "Closer." After a short break, I played my idea for an "Above All" chorus. Paul really liked it and we began fine tuning the song. Every time we got to the line, "Like a rose trampled on the ground," we would both begin to weep. Here we were - two grown men in a puddle of tears trying our best to finish writing a song.
I think the reason "Above All" has impacted us so powerfully - and many others including Michael W. Smith - is because it's such a beautiful picture of how a God that is above everything, would become like a rose trampled on the ground, take the fall and think of us….above all."

Click here to listen to Paul share about how the song came about:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3JklFhKmvE

Click here to worship along with Paul:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbrMSEwDo8o&feature=related

Click here to purchase “Above All”

“At The Cross” (Hillsong)

Here’s another worship song written by Darlene Zschech and Reuben Morgan. Here’s a short portion of her testimony and how God delivered her from bulimia.

Darlene's no stranger to troubled teen years. Outwardly her childhood seemed glamorous—she was singing and dancing on a weekly children's television show in Australia, Happy Go 'Round, at the age of 10. But when she was 13, her parents divorced. The pressures of television, combined with the emotional turmoil of her parents' divorce and the custody battle that ensued, took their toll. By age 14, bulimia reared its ugly head. But in 1980, God intervened: Darlene's father rededicated his life to Christ and started taking Darlene to church, where she asked Jesus into her life at 15. While there she also met Mark, her husband of 16 years, with whom she shared faith in Christ. Darlene and Mark dated for a year and a half and married one week after she turned 19.

Click here to learn more about Darlene:
www.darlenezschech.com/

Click here to worship along with the Hillsongs music ministry:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRjXBbtbEpM

Click here to worship along in Spanish with the Hillsong music ministry:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l8_5WXEpF0

Click here to purchase “At the Cross”

“Nothing But the Blood”

Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, would write these words, "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God." (Romans 3:25) The emphasis of this verse is on the shed blood that satisfies or propitiates our sin debt. Another way of saying the same thing is, "What can wash away our sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus." More than likely it was this verse or one like it, dealing with the subject of blood, which caused Pastor Robert Lowry to write a hymn.
Born in Philadelphia, on March 12, 1826, young Robert accepted Christ as his personal Savior at the age of 17 and later graduated from Bucknell University with high scholastic honors. In the 73 years of his life here on earth, he pastored churches in Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York City and Brooklyn. Along with his preaching, Dr. Lowry also had the gift of music in the writing of hymns. When asked about his method for writing songs, he would answer by saying:
I have no set method. Sometimes, the music comes and the words follow…. I watch my moods, and when anything strikes me, whether words or music, no matter where I am, at home or on the street, I jot it down…. My brain is sort of a spinning machine, for there is music running through it all the time. The tunes of nearly all the hymns I have written have been completed on paper, before I tried them on the organ. Frequently, the words of the hymn and the music have been written at the same time.
He supplied the music for such familiar hymns as We’re Marching to Zion, Savior, Thy Dying Love, Where Is my Wandering Boy Tonight, I Need Thee Every Hour and Fanny Crosby’s song, All the Way my Savior Leads Me. The words and music would come together in 1864 to produce Shall We Gather at the River. Then, in the Easter season of 1874, Christ Arose would flow from his pen and his heart. Finally, in 1876, Pastor Lowry would give us the answer to our sin debt in his song, Nothing but the Blood.

Down through the ages, man has tried to work off his sin debt in good works and religion—only to fail. The Bible says, "Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness." (Hebrews 9:22) Robert Lowry understood this very well:

Oh! Precious is the flow That makes me white as snow No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Click here to sing along with the song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxDHamIhF7o

Click here for an organ arrangement:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvNNFPBkEsw

Click here to purchase an arrangement by Fernado Ortego:

"Amazing Grace" (My Chains Are Gone)

This song was co-authored by Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio. Chris was touched by the story of John Newton and his testimony of God’s grace. In researching the song Chris discovered that the traditional final verse “When we’ve been there ten thousand years” was actually added a hundred years later. Chris and Louie added this verse back in along with the new bridge-chorus.

Here is the original last verse:
“The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbid (forget) (forbear) to shine
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine”

Click here to hear Chris Tomlin share about how he wrote the alternate chorus:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU_4lIik9D8

Here is more information on how the song came about.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IliVc9JqW0I

Click here to watch the music video
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXV6HJxUebg&mode=related&search=

Click here to purchase the song:

"Revelation Song”

Ever had one of those days when, smack in the middle of all the everyday “stuff” that screams for attention, all you wanted was a sure sign that God was present and at work? Worship songwriter Jennie Riddle has.
I gave my life to Jesus back in 1988. There was a new song out at the time entitled, "I Hear Angels" by Gerrit Gustafson. The lyrics read:

I hear angels singing praises, I see men from every nation,
bowing down before the throne
like the sound of many waters
like the rushing wind around us
multitudes join the song
and a symphony of praise arises
tears are wiped away from eyes
as men from every tongue and tribe all sing…
Holy, holy, God almighty, who was, and is, and is to come

I remember looking up and around, asking, "Where God? I want to see and hear that too!" Those prophetic words from Mr. Gustafson took residence within me, became the lullaby sung over each of my children, and fueled an earnest, decade long prayer to see multitudes gathered around the throne.
Back in 1999, I had just changed my 20,446th diaper (Yes. I count. Don't you? ), when I began singing the aforementioned lullaby over my fourth son, Andrew, as we cuddled in our blue chair. My keyboard was broken down, and I simply didn't have the energy to set it up. It had been a really tough "mommy" day. The guitar (which I didn't really play) was accessible, but the spaghetti dinner I’d yet to cook was screaming my name. But so was the Holy Spirit! I, again, began telling Him how much I wanted to SEE and HEAR all creation worshipping Him. The songs being sung by the Bride at that time were focusing on need. My heart longed to focus on something far greater than my need, knowing that all needs would be satisfied with just one glimpse of Him.
Therefore, I asked the Holy Spirit to help me write a song that painted Him—a song that the angels and creation were already singing, so we could join in with One Voice, as One Bride, to One King. My heart recalled Ezekiel 1:26-28 and Revelation 4:
"And then, as they stood with folded wings, there was a voice from above the dome over their heads. Above the dome there was something that looked like a throne, sky-blue like a sapphire, with a humanlike figure towering above the throne. From what I could see, from the waist up he looked like burnished bronze and from the waist down like a blazing fire. Brightness everywhere! The way a rainbow springs out of the sky on a rainy day-that's what it was like. It turned out to be the Glory of God!” (Message)
"A throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns[] of gold on their heads. And from the throne proceeded lightening, thundering, and voices. Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures. And they do not rest day or night, saying: ' Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!'"
I put the baby down to play with his toys, picked up the guitar, and began to play four chords I had "discovered" the day before. Immersed in those scriptures, the Lord helped me paint what I was seeing through those passages: "Clothed in rainbows of living color, flashes of lightening, rolls of thunder..." The melody stuck. It had the sound of heaven in it. The song wouldn't leave me, and I sang it for weeks. I can still hear the Lord whispering to me that He would carry this song across the world. I remember thinking how cool it was going to be to have a couple of my missionary friends carry it to the natives in the bush to be sung around campfires. I had no idea.
"Revelation Song" made its very first public outing when I introduced it to my local church. That Sunday, the Lord moved in such a way that I felt it was called for, so we offered it unrehearsed and "on the fly." The song resonated with the congregation, and Jesus danced, I'm just sure of it. It quickly became a loved song. Next, it was introduced to my students at the high school. God met us every time we used it from that point on.
The first demo of the song was done for me by Walker Beach a couple of months after I wrote it. Klaus Kuehn helped me do a second demo in 2002. They both remembered it when it came time to select songs for the annual live recording at Christ for the Nations where Klaus was leading worship and Walker was directing the School of Worship. They introduced it to the student body during chapel, and it was decided that it would be sung by Kari Jobe, to release on the Glorious album in 2004. The anointing on those gifted worshippers, the excellent production, the tremendous musicianship, and the glory of God was fully captured in that recording. God met us powerfully that night!
Even though I had been writing songs for years, I had not promoted my music and didn't know how to begin had I wanted to do so. The Holy Spirit kept nudging me and saying, "Give it to the Bride." Finally, determining to send it to the two places that kept coming to mind, I mustered my courage, obeyed, and sent two recording. That act of obedience was my only attempt to "do something" with the song. From there it spread. Encouragement and support materialized from all corners. Lindell Cooley with Music Missions International, the International Worship Institute, Song Discovery, and LeadWorship.com were instrumental in the early grass roots spread of “Revelation Song.”
The most widely circulated version, however, that released the song out to the church at large, was recorded by Gateway Church in 2006 under the direction of Thomas Miller and Walker Beach on the popular Living for You album. The song was signed to Gateway to be administered by Integrity. I was so impressed with the heart of Michael Coleman and all the folks at Integrity. That same year Don Moen placed it on his personal album entitled Hiding Place. That was especially dear to my husband and I as we sang one of his songs in our wedding. In summary, there have now been several different renditions springing up by various artists, colleges and churches, the most recent of which is another brand new version from Gateway Worship again featuring the unmistakable voice of Kari Jobe on their just-released Wake Up The World album. The song features a new musical bridge that is absolutely stunning. They have brought the song to a whole new level.
"Revelation Song" has taken on a life of its own, and it has been an intense joy to watch the Father "grow it up” and to hear the Voice of the Bride sing to Jesus. Her voice is so lovely.
I often get asked the song story, and even more often, the question of "how" it got "out there" comes up. My only answer is that God chooses what He chooses. No amount of maneuvering, strategizing, posturing or pitching would have gotten my music "out there." Whatever that means.
I remember telling Jesus with complete sincerity that I could wait until I got to heaven to hear my song sung. Although, I also suggested that it would be a terrific song for the angels and great cloud of witnesses to sing when He comes back for us. In the event that He had not already chosen one for the occasion, I didn't think it would hurt to ask!

Jennie Riddle wrote this powerful worship song: She is housewife from McKinney, Texas who simply heard what some would call a song from the "other side". She said it was between cooking spaghetti and changing one of the kids’ diapers.

You can listen to "Revelation Song" on Jennie's myspace, the recording is by Kari Jobe.
www.myspace.com/jennieriddlemusic

This song is sweeping the country and literally being sung around the world.
Click here to listen to the song.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FObjd5wrgZ8

If you’ve been blessed by the song, send Jennie an encouraging note here –
jennie@jennieriddle.com

Click here to purchase Kari Jobe’s version of “Revelation Song” :

"That's Why We Praise Him”

This song was written by Tommy Walker: Tommy has led worship at Christian Assembly in Los Angeles, California with his pastor, Mark Pickerill, since 1990. He has traveled with Promise Keepers, Greg Laurie Harvest Crusades and Franklin Graham.He has also been privileged to serve with such church leaders as Jack Hayford, Bill Hybels and Rick Warren. He has recorded worship projects for Maranatha! Music, Integrity Music, and Get Down Ministries. He has written over 100 songs that are currently being tracked by C.C.L.I. and are being sung in churches around the world, including “He Knows My Name”, “Only A God Like You”, “That's Why We Praise Him”, “Lord I Believe In You”, “Mourning Into Dancing”, “Break Through”, “This is What Christmas Means to Me”, and his latest song, “I Have a Hope”. For the last decade Tommy has traveled internationally holding worship concerts and mercy ministry outreaches in places where people are in great need. He has led his worship team to the Philippines, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Guatemala, Zambia and Brazil. Tommy has been married to his wife, Robin, for seventeen years. They have four children, Jake, Levi, Emmie and Eileen. To be found faithful to His God, his family and his local church will always be his greatest achievement.

Check out Tommy Walker here
www.tommywalker.net/

Click here to sing through the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3OopRS5hYg

Click here to listen to the song:
http://wordmusicnow.com/Song.asp?SongID=100

Click here to purchase Tommy Walker’s version:

"Your Grace is Enough"

Matthew "Matt" Maher is a singer/songwriter/worship leader originally from Newfoundland, Canada, who later relocated to Mesa, Arizona. He has written and produced 3 independent albums, The End and The Beginning (2001), Welcome to Life (2003), and Overflow (2006). All three albums were produced by Maher, with Welcome to Life and Overflow both being co-produced by Maher and Nashville engineer Jeff Thomas.

Matt is most known for his song, "Your Grace Is Enough" which Chris Tomlin recorded on His 2004 Gold release, Arriving. The two met at a Youth Specialties conference held in Phoenix when Tomlin's band was asked to "back" Maher up. Tomlin instantly fell in love with the song. Since then, the song has become a popular worship anthem. Matt recorded a new version of the song, combining both his and Tomlin's versions, for the album "Empty and Beautiful". The song was released as a single on iTunes in March 2008, and reached #2 on Billboard's Adult Christian Contemporary Chart, where it remained in the top ten for over 8 weeks.

Click here to learn more about Matt Maher:
www.mattmahermusic.com/index.php

Click here to visit Matt’s myspace:
www.myspace.com/mattmahermusic

Click here to listen to how the song was written
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIgGHA27nG4

Click here to worship along
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtnE_e1LylY

Click here to purchase Chris Tomlin’s version:

Worship Songs for July 19

2009-07-16T14:57:00.003-05:00

First Baptist Church of Euless – BEHIND THE PRAISE
Worship Songs
July 19, 2009

“Crown Him With Many Crowns”

This worshipful text is the combined effort of two distinguished Anglican clergymen, each of whom desired to write a hymn of exaltation to our suffering but now victorious Lord.
Matthew Bridges' version first appeared in 1851 with six stanzas. Twenty-three years later Godfrey Thring wrote six additional stanzas, which appeared in his collection Hymns and Sacred Lyrics. The hymn's present form includes stanzas one, two, and four by Bridges and the third verse by Thring.

Each crown in this hymn text exalts Christ for some specific aspect of His person or ministry—
(1) Stanza one for His eternal Kingship;
(2) Stanza two for His love demonstrated in redemptive suffering;
(3) Stanza three for His victorious resurrection and ascension; and
(4) Stanza four as a member of the Triune Godhead ever worthy of worship and praise.

The tune, DIADERNATA (the Greek word for crowns), was composed especially for this text by George Elvey, a noted organist at St. George's Chapel in Windsor, England, where British royalty often attend.

Click here to read more about this hymn: http://songsandhymns.org/hymns/detail/crown-him-with-many-crowns

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdK4lzg8gsU

Click here for another arrangement:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWCEFKsZqLY

Click here to purchase “Crown Him With Many Crowns”

“We Will Glorify”

We will glorify the King of kings
We will glorify the Lamb
We will glorify the Lord of lords
Who is the great I AM

Lord Jehovah reigns in majesty
We will bow before His throne
We will worship Him in righteousness
We will worship Him alone

He is Lord of heaven, Lord of earth
He is Lord of all who live
He is Lord above the universe
All praise to Him we give

Hallelujah to the King of kings
Hallelujah to the Lamb
Hallelujah to the Lord of Lords

Click here to learn more about Twila Paris:
www.twilaparis.com/

Click here to read more about Twila Paris:
www.musicianguide.com/biographies/1608003440/Twila-Paris.html

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4skT9ndv6ng

Click here to purchase “We Will Glorify”

"My Life is in You, Lord"

Daniel Gardner wrote about the meaning of this song he composed:
This comes down to being our ultimate declaration. We are in Christ; he is in us and works through us. Our true life is in the heavenlies, not here on earth.
The only way we can grow into that understanding is the same way we grow into anything—we have to “think on it,” repeat it to ourselves, speak/sing it aloud, pray it. We have an easy habit of saying and repeating what is true, and having not a clue as to what it really means. Use the declarations in this song, sung again and again, to invite the Holy Spirit to work this understanding of your position in Christ deeply inside of you.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0M0NALW7EM

Click here to purchase “My Life is in You, Lord”

“Nobody Fills My Heart Like Jesus”

This powerful worship song was written by Dennis Jernigan. Dennis Jernigan is a singer-songwriter of contemporary Christian music. He is native to Oklahoma, and headquarters a music-based ministry from there. Self-avowedly ex-gay, Jernigan now lives in Muskogee, Oklahoma with his wife and their nine children. Jernigan has been married to his wife for more than twenty-five years.

A primary source of inspiration for Jernigan's message and music is an experience he describes as his "deliverance from homosexuality". Jernigan states that this began during a 2nd Chapter of Acts concert in Norman Oklahoma. Jernigan believes his prior identification as homosexual was related to an erroneous childhood perception that he had been rejected by his father.

As a boy I needed a role model to show me the way to manhood. But because I felt rejected by the main man in my life I, in turn, rejected him and began to yearn for intimacy with a man in perverse ways. Because of this wrong thinking I came to believe I was homosexual. It must have begun early in my life because I remember having those feelings for the same gender at a very early age.

It was then [during a critical moment at the 2nd Chapter of Acts concert] that I lost the need to be accepted or loved by others because I realized Jesus would love me and accept me no matter what, even when I was rejected by others! It was also at this same time that those sexually perverse thoughts and desires were changed...and He began to replace them with holy and pure thoughts about what sexual love was all about.

Following the experience at the concert, Jernigan developed a ministry based on his personal experience, which he shares at churches and other locations around the world.
Dennis has written many of the worship songs we sing including "Who Can Satisfy", "We Will Worship the Lamb of Glory", "I Belong to Jesus", "When the Night is Falling" and "You Are My All in All". Here are some links that will share more about Dennis' ministry.

Click here for an article about Dennis www.okbu.edu/news/view_article.php?id=1127

Click here for Dennis' website
www.dennisjernigan.com/

Click here to listen to the song online: www.imeem.com/imyaya/music/yraNtNgA/dennis-jernigan-nobody-fills-my-heart-like-jesus/

Click here for an acapella arrangement: www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ed4f66a00527a13ba699

Click here to purchase “Nobody Fills My Heart Like Jesus”

"Hosanna"

Paul Baloche wrote this with Brenton Brown to be sung on Palm Sunday. Contemplating that sense of expectancy led Paul to start with the phrase “Praise is rising”. Paul said there is that same sense of expectancy when God’s people gather to worship that was felt along the road in Jerusalem when the people crowded the streets to get a glimpse of Jesus.
Ever wonder what Hosanna really means? Hosanna is Hebrew for "Save now" from Psalm 118. It is an intensified imperative, a cry, addressed to God, particularly used in the Feast of Tabernacles, when prayers for rain were offered. In the New Testament the crowd shouted it when Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. It is used as an exclamation in Christian worship.

Click here to listen to Paul share how he wrote the song:
www.theheartofworship.org/stories.shtml

Click here to worship along with Paul Baloche
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TIg2QOzPpg

Click here to purchase “Hosanna”

"My Jesus, I Love Thee"

Sixteen-year-old William Featherston of Montreal, Canada wrote this simple but profound hymn in 1862, not long after he was converted to Christ. William wrote no other hymns that we know of and his brief life ended just before his twenty-seventh birthday. Here is a story about the influence of this song:
A Protestant Episcopal Bishop of Michigan once related the following incident to a large audience in one of the Rev. E. P. Hammond’s meetings in St. Louis. “A young, talented and tender-hearted actress was passing along the street of a large city. Seeing a pale, sick girl lying upon a couch just within the half-open door of a beautiful dwelling, she entered, with the thought that by her vivacity and pleasant conversation she might cheer the young invalid. The sick girl was a devoted Christian, and her words, her patience, her submission and heaven-lit countenance, so demonstrated the spirit of her religion that the actress was led to give some earnest thought to the claims of Christianity, and was thoroughly converted, and became a true follower of Christ. She told her father, the leader of the theater troupe, of her conversion, and of her desire to abandon the stage, stating that she could not live a consistent Christian life and follow the life of an actress. Her father was astonished beyond measure, and told his daughter that their living would be lost to them and their business ruined, if she persisted in her resolution. Loving her father dearly, she was shaken somewhat in her purpose, and partially consented to fill the published engagement to be met in a few days. She was the star of the troupe, and a general favorite. Every preparation was made for the play in which she was to appear. The evening came and the father rejoiced that he had won back his daughter, and that their living was not to be lost. The hour arrived; a large audience had assembled. The curtain rose, and the young actress stepped forward firmly amid the applause of the multitude. But an unwonted light beamed from her beautiful face. Amid the breathless silence of the audience, she repeated:

‘My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Saviour art Thou;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.’

This was all. Through Christ she had conquered and, leaving the audience in tears, she retired from the stage, never to appear upon it again. Through her influence her father was converted, and through their united evangelistic labors many were led to God.”

Worship along with Crystal Lewis by clicking here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgjkl_Nv1Yg&feature=related

Click here for another arrangement:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYfBZnMve_E

or here
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BZoDH2H1Ls

Click here to purchase “My Jesus, I Love Thee”

“I Love You, Lord”

This popular song was written by Laurie Klein. Here is the story: A remote mobile home gleams faintly in the crisp Autumn sunrise. Within that metal refuge in the high deserts of central Oregon, a young mother is having a quiet time with the Lord. Her toddler is still asleep. Her husband is a full-time college student, and the couple is surviving on $400 per month. They have no home church, no friends nearby, and she does not drive. Even the expense of a long distance phone call might leave them without milk or bread in weeks to come.

Such is the backdrop of Laurie Klein's classic praise song, "I Love You, Lord", written in 1974.
"It was a very hopeless time, a very depressed time," she summarizes. "I felt the poverty of my own life keenly at that point, both emotionally and physically."
"That morning I was so empty," she says, recalling her time with the Lord. "I knew I didn't have anything to offer Him. I asked if He would like to hear me sing . . if He would just give me something He would be in the mood to hear."
Klein describes "I Love You, Lord", as a gift from God that emerged spontaneously: "I sang the first half and put the chords with it with no effort," she says.

I love You Lord
and I lift my voice
To worship You
O my soul, rejoice!

Intrigued and moved by these words, she remembers thinking, "maybe I should write that down." She stopped long enough to get a pen. When she came back, the last two phrases came just as easily:

Take joy, my King
in what you hear
May it be a sweet, sweet sound
in Your ear.

Laurie's husband, Bill, recognized the simple beauty of the song and encouraged her to play it for a local pastor and some visiting musicians. Eventually the song surfaced at Jack Hayford's Church on the Way in Van Nuys, California. There Buck and Annie Herring learned the song and included it on Annie's Kids of the Kingdom. But its greatest exposure was on Maranatha! Music Praise 4 in 1980.

Since then, Bill Klein has lost count but estimates the song has been released on 60 or 70 recordings. As of this writing, the most recent recording is a classic rock arrangement on Petra Praise 2: We Need Jesus. Laurie's personal favorite is Phil Keaggy's instrumental on The Wind and the Wheat.
"I Love You Lord" has emerged in at least a half-dozen dialects, but the author particularly enjoys a Pidgin English version that starts, "Me like-a You, Papa-God".
Pondering the enduring popularity of the classic, she says, I feel like God not only gave me the song, but He kissed it. He has kind of a "Midas touch." The things He touches are golden ... and I think people recognize this.
I also think that's why it has translated well into other languages and cultures.

The Kleins, now parents of two grown daughters, live in Dearpark, Washington. Both have served on staff at various churches over the years, but their focus these days is House of Mercy, through which Bill acts as consultant to worship leaders of various denominations. A sampling of their song writing, including a stunning version of "I Love You, Lord", is available on a 1996 independent recording called All My Days.
Now 47 years old, Laurie Klein is more driven by a thirst for intimacy with God than ever. God has placed the phrase, "prepare Me a place" on her heart as a personal theme for this year. "We're called to prepare room for Him," Laurie explains. The heart of a worshiper becomes evident as she speaks. "We must be prepared to meet Him no matter who we're talking to or what we're doing, whether we're worshiping in church or worshiping with all the tasks that make up our day."
That, she has come to understand, genuinely makes a "sweet, sweet sound" in God's ear.

Click here for a choral arrangement of the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6QE2k1FepQ

Click here to purchase an instrumental arrangement of “I Love You, Lord”

“I Never Lost My Praise”

This gospel song was written by Tramaine Hawkins.

In 1969, Lady Tramaine joined the Edwin Hawkins Singers and was a part of the Gospel Music Revolution via the recording of “Oh Happy Day”, the first million-selling Gospel single to top the Pop record charts as well as the first cross-over hit, in all cross-sections of the world. Lady Tramaine then moved on to the Los Angeles area to join Andrea Crouch and the Disciples, where she sang lead vocals on the Grammy-nominated single "Christian People". After sharing her gifts with Andrea Crouch and the Disciples, Lady Tramaine returned to the Oakland area where she rejoined the Edwin Hawkins Singers. Lady Tramaine can be heard singing lead vocals on the “Love Alive” Series with Walter Hawkins and The Love Center Choir and also with The Hawkins Family in the 70's and 80's.

Click here to worship along with Tramaine:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOkwUKn_gfc

Go here to listen to the song on Tramaine’s myspace standalone player
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=85236027

Click here to purchase “I Never Lost My Praise”

"Here is Our King"

This worship song was written by David Crowder in response to the Tsunami on December 24, 2004. David and his wife were watching the images of devastation preparing to attend the Passion meeting in Nashville later that month. David was having trouble processing the level of devastation. He remembered telling his wife that 9-11 made more sense, as we are used to humanity doing something to each other. Historically we've done unkind things to each other and all we have to do is turn on the news. David knew how to process that devastation, but to be able to see such devastation unfold before his eyes was a new process for him. He struggled with how to look at that and still say "God is Good". This song was David's response to God in the face of such a tragedy.

From wherever spring arrives to heal the ground
From wherever searching comes the look itself A trace of what we’re looking for
So be quiet now and wait
The ocean is growing the tide is coming in Here it is
Here is our king, here is our love here is our God who’s come to bring us back to him
He is the one, he is Jesus, Jesus

Click here to worship along with David Crowder:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6Fl_nqGJc0

Click here to listen to David share about how the song came about:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aea5Mq4sSUA

Click here to purchase “Here is Our King”

“Let God Arise”

Hear the holy roar of God resound
Watch the waters part before us now
Come and see what He has done for us
Tell the world of His great love

Our God is a God who saves
Our God is a God who saves

Let God arise
Let God arise
Our God reigns now and forever
He reigns now and forever

His enemies will run for sure
The church will stand, she will endure
He holds the keys of life, our Lord
Death has no sting, no final word

This high-energy song was inspired by Psalm 68:1. The song affirms that death does not get the final word over humanity.

Click here to worship along with Chris Tomlin:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaLckqfvZHQ

Click here to listen online:
www.imeem.com/nimrod/music/3TuQOCzZ/chris-tomlin-let-god-arise/

Click here to purchase the song:

“Our God Saves”

Paul Baloche wrote this song of declaration. Paul said “people are looking for the magic pill, the thing that will give them life, and God is the only answer. We come in the name of the Father, in the name of the son, in the name of the spirit, as we worship, we will rise with you and world will see that our God saves.”

Click here to learn more about Paul’s ministry:
www.leadworship.com/

Click here to hear Paul share the story behind the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqJy6NHe6Po

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=our+god+saves&aq=f

In the name of the Father
In the name of the Son
In the name of the Spirit
Lord we've come

We're gathered together
To lift up Your name
To call on our savior
To fall on Your grace

Hear the joyful sound of our offering
As your saints bow down, as your people sing
We will rise with You, lifted on Your wings
And the world will see that
Our God saves, our God saves
There is hope in Your name

Click here to purchase “Our God Saves”

"Jesus Paid it All"

The following is from Alex Nifong who wrote the additional chorus:

I have an old hymnal that I frequently play through sometimes during my private times alone with the Lord. I was playing through that song one day in January of 2005 and I just started praying and singing out the phrase “O praise the One who paid my debt, and raised this life up from the dead.” It was as simple as that – just a prayer that came right out of my heart.

This is a new arrangement of the old hymn, based on the recording from the Passion album "Everything Glorious". It adds a new line "O praise the One who paid my debt, and raised this life up from the dead". Check out the composer of the tag on his website www.alexnifong.com/

Here’s a story about the song: The words were written by Elvina M. Hall and the music by John T. Grape on New Year’s night, 1886. Some missionaries were holding open-air services in order to attract passers-by to a near-by mission, where meetings were to be held later. "All to Christ I owe" was sung, and after a gentleman had given a short address he hastened away to the mission. He soon heard footsteps close behind him and a young woman caught up with him and said: "I heard you addressing the open-air meeting just now; Do you think, sir, that Jesus could save a sinner like me?" The gentleman replied that there was no doubt about that, if she was anxious to be saved. She told him that she was a servant girl, and had left her place that morning after a disagreement with her mistress. As she had been wandering about the streets in the dark, wondering where she was to spend the night, the sweet melodies of this hymn had attracted her, and she drew near and listened attentively. As the different verses were being sung, she felt that the words surely had something to do with her. Through the whole service she seemed to hear what met her oppressed soul’s need at that moment. God’s Spirit had showed her what a poor, sinful and wretched creature she was, and had led her to ask what she must do. On hearing her experience, the gentleman took her back to the mission and left her with the ladies in charge. The young, wayward woman was brought to Christ that night. A situation was secured for her in a minister’s family. There she became ill and had to be taken to a hospital. She rapidly failed and it became evident that she would not be long on earth. One day the gentleman whom she had met on New Year’s night was visiting her in the ward. After quoting a few suitable verses of Scripture, he repeated her favorite hymn, "All to Christ I owe”, and she seemed overwhelmed with the thought of coming to glory. Two hours afterward she passed away.

Click here to worship along
www.youtube.com/watch?v=onxhvivQYfI

Click here to worship along with a younger generation led by Kristian Stanfill:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-OOjfaBGnA&mode=related&search=

You can go here to Kristian’s myspace and click on the song just to listen
www.myspace.com/kristianstanfill

WOW - here it is in Spanish
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRRBtWP_buA

Click here to purchase “Jesus, Paid it All”

"The More I Seek You"

This worship song was written by Zach Neese. Here’s a little background information on Zach.

Education: I got my B.A. in English from UT Austin (after trying art, advertising, pre-med and astronomy), then became Secondary Ed certified.
Previous Lines of Work: I mostly worked as a teacher of one stripe or other before entering fulltime ministry. I also worked with emotionally disabled kids and was an Autism Therapist. I served as a Youth and Worship Pastor for five years before becoming the Director of the Christ for the Nations Institute (CFNI) School of Worship. Since then, I have primarily been leading worship and training worship leaders.
One of the Things I Find Most Fascinating: The cross never ceases to amaze me.
Best Thing Someone Said to You: “You make me love Jesus more.”
Life Motto: He who knows, knows that he knows not.
People I’d Like to Meet: After you meet Jesus, everyone else is pretty unimpressive. I guess I wouldn’t mind picking David’s brain, Moses’, or Jesus’ parents (Mary and Joseph). I have two sons in heaven that I am looking forward to meeting very much.
Most People Don’t Know This About Me: My grandmother was a synchronized swimming coach. I was too young to know that it wasn’t a cool guy pursuit, so now I’m the only man I know who can do a Flamingo Bent Knee.

Zach Neese likes to place himself in the middle of a biblical story and see if a song comes forth. This song came out of Johns’ emotion at the Last Supper.

Click here to visit Zach’s myspace:
www.myspace.com/zachneese

Click here to read more about Zach Neese, who wrote this powerful worship song
www.gatewaypeople.com/churchinfo/index.php?action=staffbiodetails&sid=180

Click here to worship along with Kari Jobe
www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3GijrnfStk

Click here to purchase “The More I Seek You”

Worship Songs for July 12

2009-07-08T14:45:00.002-05:00

First Baptist Church of Euless – BEHIND THE PRAISE
Worship Songs
July 12, 2009

"This is My Father’s World"

These lyrics were written by Maltbie D. Babcock around 1901. While a pastor in Lockport, New York, Babcock liked to hike in an area called “the escarpment,” an ancient up-thrust ledge near Lockport. It has a marvelous view of farms, orchards, and Lake Ontario, about 15 miles distant. It is said those walks in the woods inspired these lyrics. The title recalls an expression Babcock used when starting a walk: “I’m going out to see my Father’s world.”

This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied, And earth and Heav’n be one.

Click here for the different arrangements of the song:
www.youtube.com/results?search_query=this+is+my+fathers%27+world+&search_type

Click here to purchase Fernando Ortega’s version:

"God of Wonders"

This song by Steve Hindalong has become a classic. Here is a description of how the song came about:

"When Marc played the chord progression and melody, it felt really big. I kind of got a chill – I got goose bumps on my arms. I just thought, 'This song needs to be big, with really vast language.' So 'God of wonders beyond our galaxy' was as big as I could think." Having attended an Episcopal church for the last few years, Hindalong has been introduced to a new inspiration for his songwriting. "The liturgy, the old words, is kind of new to me. I flipped through The Book of Common Prayer, and I remember 'Lord of all creation, water, earth and sky.' That became the first line of the song." Lord of all creation / Of water, earth and sky / The heavens are your tabernacle / Glory to the Lord on high / God of wonders beyond our galaxy / You are holy, holy / The universe declares Your majesty / You are holy, holy / Lord of heaven and earth / Lord of heaven and earth. But it isn't the vastness of the song that seems to really impact people, relates Hindalong. "People have sent me emails about the song and referred to the second verse. I think the real power of the song is there, when all of the sudden it gets intimate. It says 'When I stumble in the darkness, I will call Your name by night.'
This God that is the God of not only our earth, but of all the worlds, that is so big – but when I'm afraid, when I'm alone, when I sin, when I'm in trouble, He comes close enough that I can call His name. It's the truth that's powerful, not the song. It is that particular truth that is so moving."

Click here to worship along with Third Day & Caedman’s Call:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CBNE25rtnE

Click here for another version:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZL0cjcLBYY

Click here to purchase Third Day’s version:

"To God be the Glory"

Fanny Crosby was probably the most prolific hymnist in history. Though blinded by an incompetent doctor at six weeks of age, she wrote over 8,000 hymns. About her blindness, she said: "It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me."

Click here for a newer arrangement by Tommy Walker:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qlfNZiDV4A

Click here a more traditional arrangement of the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymrZO1PZbU4

Click here to purchase a bluegrass version of the hymn:

"That's Why We Praise Him"

This song was written by Tommy Walker: Tommy has led worship at Christian Assembly in Los Angeles, California with his pastor, Mark Pickerill, since 1990. He has traveled with Promise Keepers, Greg Laurie Harvest Crusades and Franklin Graham. He has also been privileged to serve with such church leaders as Jack Hayford, Bill Hybels and Rick Warren. He has recorded worship projects for Maranatha! Music, Integrity Music, and Get Down Ministries. He has written over 100 songs that are currently being tracked by C.C.L.I. and are being sung in churches around the world, including “He Knows My Name”, “Only A God Like You”, “That's Why We Praise Him”, “Lord I Believe In You”, “Mourning Into Dancing”, “Break Through”, “This is What Christmas Means to Me”, and his latest song, “I Have a Hope”. For the last decade Tommy has traveled internationally holding worship concerts and mercy ministry outreaches in places where people are in great need. He has led his worship team to the Philippines, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Guatemala, Zambia and Brazil. Tommy has been married to his wife, Robin, for seventeen years. They have four children, Jake, Levi, Emmie and Eileen. To be found faithful to His God, his family and his local church will always be his greatest achievement.

Check out Tommy Walker here:
www.tommywalker.net/

Click here to sing through the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3OopRS5hYg

Click here to listen to the song:
http://wordmusicnow.com/Song.asp?SongID=100

Click here to purchase Tommy Walker’s version:

“Wonderful, Merciful Savior”

Eric Wyse wrote the following information on the song:
The song "Wonderful, Merciful Savior" was written in 1989 by my wife Dawn Rodgers and me, and has been recorded by several Christian artists including SELAH, Phillips Craig & Dean, Kathy Troccoli, Travis Cottrell for Beth Moore, Katie Giguere, Kim Hill, Susan Ashton, Women of Faith, and Steve Camp. It was nominated for a DOVE Award in 2002 for Inspirational Song of the Year, as recorded by SELAH.

Eric serves as the Director of Music at St. Bartholomew's Church (Episcopal) in Nashville, Tennessee. He studied Piano, Organ and Church Music at Cedarville University. He is the owner/president of an independent music company Martingale Music. He has released a solo piano Christmas CD "Carols of Christmas - 25 Christmas Favorites for Solo Piano" and a three-CD hymns collection "Reflections”. Both are currently available at www.christianbook.com.

Click here to worship along with Selah:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQzrqmcwg8o

Click here for another arrangement with Selah:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HitJoDstUyE&feature=related

“Without the Cross”

Dottie Peoples wrote this powerful song. One of the most honored gospel vocalists of the 1990s, Dottie Peoples debuted with two 1991 cassette albums, Is It Worth It All? and Surely God Is Able, then broke out with her 1993 LP Live, which caused her to be nominated for a Stellar Award for Best Female Solo Performance: Traditional. Her next effort, On Time God, won her four Stellar Awards – for Traditional Female Vocalist, Traditional Choir, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year (the title track). She also won the prestigious Vision Award that year. Another Female Vocalist of the Year award followed in 1996, and she was additionally nominated at the Soul Train Awards and Dove Awards. Peoples has also performed with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. She released Testify in 1997, God Can & God Will followed two years later, and Show Up & Show Out was issued in fall 2000.

Click here to visit Dottie’s myspace:
www.myspace.com/190679055

Click here to listen to the song:
http://mog.com/music/Dottie_Peoples/Do_It/Without_the_Cross

Click here to purchase Dottie Peoples’ version of the song:

"Trading My Sorrows"

Here is a short description of how this popular song came about:

This song was birthed out of a prayer and worship service at Open Bible Fellowship in Tulsa, OK. It was an ordinary night. The room was filled with voices lifting up the name of Lord and worshiping Him. Toward the end of the service people began to step forward for prayer. Darrell watched as one by one, people came - their hearts heavy, some weeping and some still dealing with deep sorrows. Kneeling before the Lord, they allowed their deepest pains to be exposed and their lives to be healed.
As he watched, the Lord began to speak to his heart about his own internal condition. Evans had been holding onto personal shame that was consuming him. His gaze once again moved to the people bowing before the Lord. The worship continued and Darrell in agreement with the Lord said two words, "Yes, Lord." He kept singing. The words of what would become 'Trading My Sorrows' simply came to him as he recounted all that he was experiencing. People were coming forward heavy hearted but leaving with their burdens lifted. It was one of those rare times when the Spirit decides to speak succinctly, and the result is part of the Church's musical history.
At that very moment "Trading My Sorrows" was written, nearly word for word. It is an expression of the miraculous love and grace of the Lord being poured out onto a people full of sorrow and pain: "I'm trading my sorrows/I'm trading my shame/I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord." The words flowed not only from what he could see God doing in the lives of the people, but also from what he knew God was doing in his own life.
Evans felt the mood of the room change from the tenderness of the moment to a joyful celebration, for the Lord had made this exchange possible - a literal trade of mourning for dancing. People laid down their emptiness, guilt, pain, and sorrows and in exchange, received joy and love from the Lord.

Click here to worship along with Darrell Evans:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXi5iq1zAl4

Click here to listen to Darrell Evans songs on his standalone player:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=36203670

Click here to purchase Darrell Evans’ version:

“God is Great”

This song was written by Marty Sampson, one of the Hillsong worship leaders from Australia. When asked about the modern worship movement, Marty commented recently “I think young people are getting more and more passionate about their relationships with God and His kingdom. They desire to see God moving in their lives and in the lives of those around them.” Marty Sampson (b. May 31, 1979) is a Christian songwriter and a worship leader at the Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. Originally featuring in the Youth Alive albums of the late 1990s, he was one of original Hillsong United worship leaders and has led worship on every United album to date. He plays guitar and occasionally piano.

When it comes to penning songs, Marty is sometimes a little unorthodox in his approach. For example, he explains the inspiration behind "God is Great." "The story is that me and Joel Houston, another guy in our youth group, were cruising along in his car, with a tape recorder. And we were just talking about music and singing, and we decided we needed to write a new song for the youth. We were near my house, and we were singing as loud as we could! Joel started doing this beat box, and then I just started singing, 'God is great, and His praise, fills the earth, fills the heavens!' We both turned around, looked at each other, and said, 'Whoa! That's awesome!' So I put on the tape player and recorded it, and it went from there."

Click here to worship along with Marty:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfZOUVD46TI&feature=related

Click here to learn more about Marty’s ministry:
www.myspace.com/martysampsonmusic

Click here to check out Marty:
www.martysampson.net

Click here to purchase the song:

“Do It, Lord”

This song was written by Tommy Walker. Tommy has led worship at Christian Assembly in Los Angeles, California with his pastor, Mark Pickerill, since 1990.

Click here to listen to Tommy sing the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtO2lNBK1Cs

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ny-61xRBHpk

Click here to purchase Tommy’s version:

"God Of This City"

The following is a short version of how this song came about.

A group named "Bluetree" wrote the song "God of this City", and it's quite an amazing. It happens that the members of Bluetree are Christian and were on a missions trip serving as a band in Thailand. They were asked to play in a bar in some small town called Pattama (or something of that nature), and were scheduled to play almost 2 hours of music for the bar patrons (pretty weird eh?). Well, while they were there, the lead singer Aaron was taken back by the fact that there were over 400 underaged prostitutes in that same town. He spontaneously started singing about the thoughts and emotions he had about this and most of the song came to be that night. In a way, he told Passion Los Angeles, that the song was written for both their hometown of Belfast (which they've been praying for revival to happen in), and also for that town of Pattama in Thailand.

How Chris and the band heard it was Chris was doing worship at a conference out in the UK. Bluetree was also in attendance and Daniel Carson (Chris' guitarist) heard the song and told Chris to come over to give it a listen. Chris didn’t make it in time to hear the song, but talked with Aaron and heard the story of the song afterwards and brought the song to Passion and Louie as they planned to do their Regional USA Tour and World Tour.

Click here for the Bluetree version:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqQhZKpZVCo&feature=related

Click here to worship along with Chris Tomlin:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d61LamkXfwk

Click here for Chris Tomlins’ version of the song:

“Here I Am to Worship”

If songs are like children to their writers, then 25 year-old Englishman Tim Hughes carried "Here I Am To Worship" to full term, letting the reverent tune take perfect shape over a nine-month period. Back in 1999 while still in college, he first sat down to craft a musical response to his reading of Philippians 2:5, which says, "Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus." And from the start, he had the humility part mastered.
"I was playing around with my guitar when the verse just came out," he modestly recalls. "However, I couldn't get a chorus that I was happy with. The original one was embarrassingly bad!"
Thankfully, Tim recorded the verse into his Dictaphone, and months later during a quiet creative time, he patched it together with another strong melody idea and brought "Here I Am To Worship" to fruition.
"I'd been reading about the cross and thinking through Jesus' amazing sacrifice," Tim says of the lyrical theme. "Sometimes when God meets with us we don't quite know how to respond properly. It's often too much for us to take in. Hopefully in a small way the chorus captures that: 'Here I am to worship. Here I am to bow down. Here I am to say that you're my God. You're altogether lovely, worthy, wonderful.'"
Although the song had been completed, the writer was still not convinced of its potential. Leading worship at his Soul Survivor home church one day, Tim sang "Here I Am To Worship" for his fellow members and was duly advised by his pastor Mike Pilavachi to start using it more often. Since then, Hughes - who built his own chops leading Delirious and Matt Redman favorites - has seen the song take on a life of its own.
“It must be a God thing.... People have seemed to really connect with it, and we've had some special times in worship using the song," he admits. "I remember one time at the end of a Worship Together conference in San Diego when we'd been performing the song. The band stopped, and then the congregation just kept singing the chorus for about 15 minutes."

Click here to listen to the story behind the song by Tim Hughes.
www.theheartofworship.org/stories/Story-196-HereIAmtoWorship-Hughes.mp3

Click here to worship along with Michael W. Smith:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_kAjok4-Uk

Click here to read more about the composer Tim Hughes:
www.crosswalk.com/spirituallife/worship/1227531/

Click her for Tim Hughes’ version:

Worship Songs for July 5

2009-07-04T14:25:00.001-05:00

First Baptist Church of Euless – BEHIND THE PRAISE
Worship Songs
July 5, 2009

"He Keeps Me Singing"

A Methodist preacher by the name of Luther Bridges, born in 1884, married Sarah Veatch – three lovely sons were born of their union. Pastor Bridges accepted an invitation to minister at a conference in Kentucky in the year 1910, so he left his family in the care of his father-in-law and made the trip to Kentucky. There, two wonderful weeks of ministry resulted. The last service closed with great joy and he was excited to be called to the telephone. He couldn't wait to tell his wife about all the blessings. But it wasn't her voice on that long distance line. He listened in silence to the news that a fire had burned down the house of his father-in-law and his wife and all three of his sons had died in the blaze. That distraught father leaned heavily on His Savior and expressed his faith in God during a tearful moment by penning these words:

There's within my heart a melody
Jesus whispers sweet and low,
Fear not, I am with thee, peace, be still,
In all of life’s ebb and flow.

Click here to listen to a quartet arrangement:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNQ4RbfF4jM

Click here for a recording of the song:
http://my.homewithgod.com/heavenlymidis/hekeepsmesinging.mid

Click here for a ragtime piano version:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiJrzRg17l4

Click here to purchase the Cathedrals’ version of “He Keeps Me Singing”:

“Sweeter”

Israel Houghton serves as one of the worship pastors for Lakewood Church in Houston. Here is a portion of his amazing story.

I really should have been one of those abortion statistics you read about. My mother became pregnant with me when she was 17. My mother's white and my biological father's black. Her family wasn't supportive of their relationship and gave her the choice to have a back-alley abortion or to be disowned. I'm here because of the decision she made – and because of her conversion shortly after that. So when I lead worship, I'm crazy. I realize how fortunate I am to be called by God and to be protected, to be covered by Him. I'm incredibly grateful.

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOrG-P9jnfE

Click here to purchase the Lakewood version of “Sweeter”

“I Have A River”

I have a river, a river of life,
Flowing in side of me, and it never runs dry.
I have a treasure, a glorious prize,
The Spirit of God in me, in abundant supply.

Verse 1
Jesus, You are my living water,
And I’ll never need what this world offers.
So I will rejoice,
For You have made me glad.
I want this world to want what I have.

Verse 2
Spirit of God, my source of power.
You’ve given more, than I could ask for.
So I will rejoice,
For You have made me glad.
I want this world to want what I have.

Click here to listen to the song:
www.emusic.com/album/I-Have-a-River-MP3-Download/10941126.html

Billy Foote has been a worship leader for 16 years. He travels with his band and his wife, Cindy, is the vocal lead. Together they lead worship at college, youth, mission and church-wide events. Billy is also a prolific worship songwriter. He’s written many widely known songs such as “You Are My King (Amazing Love),” “Sing to the King,” “You Are God Alone (NOT A god),” “I Have a River” and “Break Our Hearts.” Billy and Cindy desire to teach that worship is more than a song or something to do at an event. It’s a lifestyle.

Billy and Cindy adopted their daughter Libby and you can follow their family story at www.followthefeet.blogspot.com. Currently Billy and Cindy are also adopting from Ethiopia. You can follow this adoption journey at: www.adoptingaria.blogspot.com. They make their home in San Antonio, Texas.

You may also visit www.myspace.com/billyfooteband

Click here to learn more about Billy’s ministry:
www.billyfoote.com/

Click here to purchase “I Have A River”

"America The Beautiful"

Pike's Peak is an American beauty spot, about 10 miles west of Colorado Springs, in the state of Colorado. It is actually a 14,000 ft mountain, with a road up to the summit, although many people choose to climb to the top and look out across the "spacious skies", and "purple mountain majesties".
Katherine Lee Bates did just that back in 1893, and the view she saw inspired her to write the words to “America The Beautiful”.
She was born in 1859, the daughter of a Pastor, and she graduated from Wellesley College, in Massachusetts. Later she returned to teach at the college, and became head of the English department.
By 1893 she had written a number of books, including her research into the history of American literature. But the work that she is best known for is the poem that became the country's second most popular patriotic song.

She had been on an extended holiday in 1893 when she visited Pike's Peak, in Colorado. After she returned to her room that night, she remarked to friends that countries such as England had failed because, while they may have been "great", they had not been "good" ... she went on "unless we are willing to crown our greatness with goodness, and our bounty with brotherhood, our beloved America may go the same way."
The poem itself remained unpublished until it appeared two years later in the Congregationalist Newspaper, and after that it went through a number of revisions before eventually being published by the Boston Evening Transcript in 1904.
It was originally never intended to be sung, but its meter fitted a number of tunes around at the time. The one that it is most closely associated with is a tune called MATERNA, written by Samuel Augustus Ward in 1882, originally for a hymn, “O Mother Dear, Jerusalem”.

Click here for the various arrangements of the song:
www.youtube.com/results?search_query=american+the+beautiful+&search_type=&aq=f

Click here to purchase the Ray Charles’ version of “America The Beautiful”

“Because Of The Brave”

Click here to listen to this powerful tribute to those who’ve paid the price for freedom:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPN8H_B3674

Click here to purchase “Because of the Brave”

“Marvelous Light”

This song was written by Charlie Hall. Charlie Hall has been traveling for almost 15 years, from OKC to Kuala Lumpur, enthralling friends and strangers with his goatee and his songs. With a musical journey that has crisscrossed all kinds of rock music, folk music, and electronic music, he carries a songwriting sense that aims to capture dense images of life with God, in compositions that can be carried with the listener.
He aims to tell the old story of the Gospel in an ever-shifting world, without resorting to easy truisms, or lazy language. His new collection of songs, The Bright Sadness, echoes a journey pressed to the chest of God, joyful and sorrowful at once, with God's heart clear and pulsing in each note and word. It wraps liturgy with the unexpected, and daily mundanity with daily surprise.

Click here to learn more about Charlie Hall:
www.charliehall.com/

Click here to visit Charlie’s myspace:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=60771694

Click here to worship along with Charlie Hall:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTkB6cBJGZg

Click here for a slower arrangement:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbEEeB0Dyew

Click here to purchase Charlie’s version of “Marvelous Light”

“Love the Lord”

This powerful worship song was written by Lincoln Brewster while his church was going through the study “40 days of purpose”. He was asked to write some songs based upon the scriptures that coincide with each study. The first passage Mark 12:28-30 dealt with worship.

(NIV, Mark 12:28-30)
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'

Click here to worship along with Lincoln Brewster
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV7qTD_X0Rk&feature=related

Click here to listen to Lincoln share about how the song came about:
www.theheartofworship.org/stories/Story-358-LovetheLord-Brewster.mp3

Click here to sing through the lyrics
www.christian-lyrics.net/artist/lincoln-brewster/track/love-the-lord-lyrics.html

Click here to read more about Lincoln’s ministry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Brewster

Click here to purchase Lincoln’s version of “Love the Lord”

"From The Inside Out"

This powerful worship song is by Joel Houston. Joel Timothy Houston (born September 19, 1979) is a song writer and worship leader at the Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. He is employed as the producer of Hillsong's youth band, Hillsong United. He is the oldest son of Hillsong Church's pastors Brian and Bobbie Houston and grandson of Frank Houston. He has two siblings, a brother Benjamin and a sister, Laura.

Click here to worship along:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv0qZl_Qu84

Click here to listen online:
www.last.fm/music/Hillsong+United

Click here to purchase “From The Inside Out”

Vacation!

2009-06-23T17:13:00.002-05:00

Worship Songs for June 28

2009-06-23T17:02:00.003-05:00

I am looking forward to a great Sunday this week. We'll celebrate GOD & COUNTRY DAY. It's always a special time. We'll have several ways for our people to get involved and bless our troops. They always respond on days like this and go the extra mile for our country and our armed forces. May we continue to pray for our nation and our leaders - that God will shed His grace on us!

First Baptist Church of Euless – BEHIND THE PRAISE
Worship Songs
June 28, 2009

“Battle Hymn of the Republic”

(Words by Julia W. Howe, 1861.) This hymn was born during the American civil war, when Howe visited a Union Army camp on the Potomac River near Washington, D. C. She heard the soldiers singing the song “John Brown’s Body,” and was taken with the strong marching beat. She wrote the words the next day with a strong marching beat.

"I awoke in the grey of the morning, and as I lay waiting for dawn, the long lines of the desired poem began to entwine themselves in my mind, and I said to myself, “I must get up and write these verses, lest I fall asleep and forget them!” So I sprang out of bed and in the dimness found an old stump of a pen, which I remembered using the day before. I scrawled the verses almost without looking at the paper."

The hymn appeared in the Atlantic Monthly in 1862. It was sung at the funerals of British statesman Winston Churchill, American senator Robert Kennedy, and American presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon.
Music: “John Brown’s Body”, possibly by John William Steffe
John Brown was an American abolitionist who led a short-lived insurrection to free the slaves.

Click here to listen to the many arrangements of this great hymn:
www.youtube.com/results?search_query=battle+hymn+of+the+republic&search_type=&aq=0&oq=battle+hymn+o

Click here to purchase this song:

“Because We Believe”

This song of declaration was written by Jamie Harvill & Nancy Gordon.

Click here to learn more about Jamie Harvill and his ministry:
www.jamieharvill.com/meet-jamie

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eTxEpHNJh8

Click here to purchase Don Moen’s version:

"The Lord Reigns"

Here is Klaus' testimony in his own words:

There are moments in each person’s life that shape us and cause us to change our course. One such moment in my life happened in the spring of 2003 at an “Encounter” event in Mexico. I attended the conference to help with worship and ended up with an encounter that would change my life. The word I received that weekend from Lindell was that I had not been forgotten, the Lord had need of me in this hour, and that a fountain for the nations was about to open up.
Soon after, I received an invitation to be the Worship Leader at Christ For The Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas. From the fall of 2003 through the spring of 2005 I had the privilege of entering into the presence each morning with about 1000 students who were hungry to see God move in their life. That season also opened up the opportunity to produce two CFNI Worship projects,"Glorious" and "Overtaken".
I was born in Germany, but by the time I was ten, my family ended up in Canada after several years in Chicago and Michigan. At the age of five I began taking piano lessons and continued training in classical and jazz until I was about 18. I remember hearing Keith Green for the first time and being captivated by the sound of his heart. A lot of other influences weighed in to shape my musical mindset.
In 1984 I left Canada and moved to Dallas, Texas to attend Christ For The Nations, Institute. Soon after graduating, I married Julie, who is an amazing woman and my best friend. We have three children, Candace, 11, Aaron Judah, 2, and Olivia Grace, born June 20th of last year.
After a number of years in music ministry in Plano, Texas, we felt a season of change coming into our lives. In 1995 I left the church where I was leading Worship and began getting involved with real estate and remodeling homes. Through the years I have continued traveling and Leading Worship while building custom homes in McKinney, Texas.
In the spring of 2005 I left Christ For The Nations and started Pure Worship Ministries. We are producing Worship that I believe, touches the heart of God and ministers to His people. The best is yet to come.

Click here to learn more about Klaus Kuehn:
http://www.klausmusic.com/

Click here to listen online:
www.imeem.com/atst/music/c1gewWR1/klaus_kuehn_the_lord_reigns/

Click here to worship along with Klaus:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaWrJtY4fYY&feature=related

Click here to purchase “The Lord Reigns”:

"Sing To The King"

This song was written by Billy James Foote. The song is based upon the hymn by Charles S. Horne. Here are the original words penned in 1910. Notice the similarity between the Horne's words and Billy's adaptation of the song.

Sing we the King Who is coming to reign,
Glory to Jesus, the Lamb that was slain.
Life and salvation His empire shall bring,
Joy to the nations when Jesus is King.

Refrain
Come let us sing, praise to our King,
Jesus our King, Jesus our King,
This is our song, who to Jesus belong:
Glory to Jesus, to Jesus our King.

“In the summer of 2001, I was sitting in my office, in Evergreen, CO, reading through a Baptist Hymnal when I came across an old hymn called Sing We the King, written by Charles Silvester Horne. As I read the first verse I was amazed by the lyrics. There was not a wasted word. I had been working on a melody for several weeks, but did not have any lyrics. Horne’s first verse was a perfect match to the melody I had written. It did not take long to come up with a chorus. The second verse takes two phrases from Horne's last verse including, "satan is vanquished and Jesus is King". Of course, I have documented this on both of my worship projects and try to make sure everyone who records Sing to the King does the same.
My prayer is that this song will remind the church that the King really is coming back. It seems as though we have left this fact out of worship songs for too long. It is encouraging to be reminded that the enemy does not win (Rev. 20:10). We have a hope in the knowledge that the King is going to one day split the sky and the dead in Christ will rise, and believers, who are alive, will be caught up in the clouds to meet Him. I also pray this song will give the church a sense of urgency to win the lost; as Fanny Crosby said, to "rescue the perishing, care for the dying." We must not be idle, but live as those who know the King and know He is coming to reign.”

Learn more about Billy's ministry on his myspace website & ministry website:
www.myspace.com/billyfooteband

Learn more about Billy's ministry here:
www.billyfoote.com/

Click here to worship along on the Passion recording:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrsrPfGmpPg&feature=related

Click here to purchase “Sing To The King”

"The Star-Spangled Banner"

This melody was first published in England circa 1780 as “To Anacreon in Heaven.” The melody was probably written by British composer John Stafford Smith. The words to that song were written by Ralph Tomlinson. Both were members of the Anacreontic Club of London. “To Anacreon in Heaven” was their theme song. The Anacreontic Club was a group of wealthy men who met to celebrate music, food and drink.
The melody was particularly popular in America during the War of 1812 and several Americans wrote patriotic songs to it. The most famous of these was Francis Scott Key, an American lawyer.
While aboard an English ship trying to secure the release of a friend, Francis Scott Key witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry. When the bombardment was over, the American flag was still flying. He wrote a poem The Defense of Fort McHenry, which was first printed anonymously on a broadside in 1814. On September 20 it was published in The Baltimore Patriot. Key's brother-in-law suggested he set the words to the tune “To Anacreon in Heaven.” When the sheet music was published in 1815, the name was changed to “The Star Spangled Banner.” The song was first adopted by the Army and Navy as the national anthem. It was officially recognized as the American National Anthem in 1931 by an act of Congress.

Click here for the various arrangements of the song:
www.youtube.com/results?search_query=the+star-spangled+banner&search_type=&aq=0&oq=the+star-span

Click here to purchase Jennifer Hudson’s version:

"May We Never Forget"

This song was written by Joyce Martin McCullough, Matt Huesmann, and Grant Cunningham and was popularized by The Martins trio.

Click here to learn more about their ministry:
www.the-martins.com/factsheet.html

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JASTp2IkFA

Click here to purchase The Martins’ version:

Worship Songs for June 7

2009-06-06T22:23:00.003-05:00

First Baptist Church of Euless – BEHIND THE PRAISE
Worship Songs
June 7, 2009

We’ll be led in worship this Sunday by Deborah Klassen. You’ll be blessed by Deborah’s music ministry, but you’ll be challenged by her testimony. Here is a short excerpt from her story:

I have survived many things in my life; abuse, rejection, tremendous fear, clinical depression resulting in a 6-week psychiatric hospitalization, financial loss and the disappointment of torn relationships and faded dreams.

I never imagined, however, that I would have to live through my young son’s debilitating facial cancer, my husband’s brokenness from kidney cancer and then, turn around and face the shattering of that same son’s life-changing, near fatal, catastrophic car accident.

If you had asked me at the start of each phase of my journey if I was going to make it through, I would have said “No”, but standing on this side, the other side, I can tell you without a doubt that I did make it.

I continue to make it and you can too. I have learned to hang on when I felt I couldn’t catch my breath, to put one foot in front of the other and to choose to believe with all my being that God gives me strength because of Jesus Christ. Sometimes it is just enough strength for the moment, but each moment adds up to make another day; another day of overcoming; another day of choosing to really live.

Click here to read more of her testimony:
http://mannagospel.com/?page_id=9

Click here to read an article about Deborah’s ministry:
www.cbn.com/cbnmusic/Artists/Klassen_Deborah.aspx

"Days of Elijah"

We’ll begin our worship with this great song of proclamation by Robin Mark.
Robin Mark is a Christian singer, songwriter, and worship leader based out of Belfast. Robin has written several songs sung throughout the world. He is best known for the songs "Days of Elijah", "Revival", "All for Jesus", "The Wonderful Cross", "Not by Might" and many more. He has published 13 albums in total with sales of close to 2 million world-wide.

Though known within the The United Kingdom and throughout Canada from the early 1990's it was not until his 1999 live album Revival In Belfast that Robin became known in the United States, Australia and the rest of the world. His song “Days of Elijah” has become one of the most sung worship songs ever and his album Revival In Belfast has become a worldwide best seller with sales of over 400,000. Half of these sales were in the US where the album stayed in the top 50 worship albums sales chart for over four years and continues to be in the top 100. The album was certified gold in Canada in 2004 and in Australia in 2006, and it has also become one of the best selling worship albums ever in South Africa.

Click here to read about how this song was written:
www.crosswalk.com/spirituallife/worship/11540702/

Click here to learn more about Robin Mark:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Mark

Click here to worship along with Paul Wilbur:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra4HWj1jrJA&feature=related

Click here to purchase “Days of Elijah”:

"Love Lifted Me"

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th_L2IA94Gg

Matthew 14: 30-33 (NASB) But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshipped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!”

Rowe and Smith wrote this song in Saugatuck, Connecticut. According to Rowe’s daughter: “Howard E. Smith was a little man whose hands were so knotted with arthritis that you would wonder how he could use them at all, much less play the piano…I can see them now, my father striding up and down humming a bar or two and Howard E. playing it and jotting it down.”

Click here to purchase “Love Lifted Me”:

"Are You Washed in the Blood"

This song was written by Elisha Hoffman. Hoffman (1839-1929) was an American minister and Gospel song and hymn writer who wrote the words and music for such familiar hymns as "Are You Washed in the Blood?," "I Must Tell Jesus," "Is Your All on the Altar?," and "What a Wonderful Saviour!"

Click here for a bluegrass arrangement:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyI1ab0hgFI

Click here for an arrangement by Loretta Lynn:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXUKWiwmWew&feature=related

Click here for an arrangement by Alan Jackson:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNGDTTiM_v4

Click here to purchase “Are You Washed”:

“Let God Arise”

Hear the holy roar of God resound
Watch the waters part before us now
Come and see what He has done for us
Tell the world of His great love

Our God is a God who saves
Our God is a God who saves

Let God arise
Let God arise
Our God reigns now and forever
He reigns now and forever

His enemies will run for sure
The church will stand, she will endure
He holds the keys of life, our Lord
Death has no sting, no final word

This high-energy song was inspired by Psalm 68:1. The song affirms that death does not get the final word over humanity.

Click here to worship along with Chris Tomlin:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaLckqfvZHQ

Click here to listen online:
www.imeem.com/nimrod/music/3TuQOCzZ/chris-tomlin-let-god-arise/

Click here to purchase the song:

"Mighty To Save"

This is another song from the Hillsong music ministry in Sydney Australia. This song is by Reuben Morgan & Ben Fielding. This song has a great re-occuring text. "OUR GOD IS MIGHTY TO SAVE". This is taken from the passage in Zephaniah 3:17: “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

Click here to read more about Reuben Morgan:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuben_Morgan

Click here to worship along with the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXCAhKDZRlo

Click here to worship along with the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR8rlTIU8_Y

Click here to purchase “Mighty To Save”:

Worship Songs for May 31

2009-05-27T15:37:00.003-05:00

First Baptist Church of Euless – BEHIND THE PRAISE
Worship Songs
May 31, 2009

“O God Our Help in Ages Past”

Isaac Watts wrote "Our God, Our Help in Ages Past" as a paraphrase of Psalm 90. His desire to write the hymn was born, in part, out of his dissatisfaction with the church music of his day. At 20 years of age, he complained that the metrical psalms they had to sing at Above Bar Chapel in Southampton were grim and ponderous. But to sing anything other than the actual words of Scripture was said to insult God.

Watts’ father heard Isaac’s complaining and challenged him to "write something better for us to sing." In 1719, he published an important hymnal titled The Psalms of David in the Language of the New Testament. In it he paraphrased the entire Psalter with the exception of twelve Psalms he felt were unsuited for usage.

At this time in England, religious freedom was severely limited and Watts’ father was jailed twice for his religious views. Isaac himself was considered a radical churchman, since he wrote many "hymns of human composure” songs that did not directly quote Bible passages.

In such uncertain times, Watts looked to Psalm 90 for comfort and wrote more than a paraphrase of its heartening words. His hymn actually gave a grand commentary on the subject of time and how God stands above human time.

Originally, "Our God, Our Help in Ages Past" contained nine verses. Today most hymnals use only verses 1, 2, 3, 5, and 9. In 1738, John Wesley changed the first line from "Our God" to "O God." Some feel that the change makes it easier to sing and also calls the vocative case which causes the singer to expect the "Thy" of the second stanza.

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home!

Under the shadow of Thy throne
Still may we dwell secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.

A thousand ages in Thy sight,
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night,
Before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the op'ning day.

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guide while life shall last,
And our eternal home.

Click here to sing along with Westminster Abbey church: www.youtube.com/watch?v=asrwlIxLeko

Click here for an organ arrangement: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo-byfEpXu8

Click here to purchase the song:

“When We All Get To Heaven”

A beautiful inspiring hymn of old, it has inspired believers in Christ for many generations to anticipate the glories that await us in God’s great Home. The words were written by Eliza Edmunds Hewitt for use with children, originally. Eliza Hewitt was a schoolteacher in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Eliza had her career cut short by a serious spinal problem. As an invalid she turned to hymn writing just as her cousin Edgar Page States had done. She was a lay worker who had deeply devoted her life to the Sunday School movement. Eliza had written her songs with the goal of reaching and teaching children with the truths of the gospel. She was the Sunday School Superintendent at the northern Home for Friendless Children and later at the Calvin Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. She was also a regular contributor to the Sunday-School Helps.

Along with Hewitt, the composer of this hymn, Emily D. Wilson attended the Methodist camp meetings in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. They collaborated together and came up with this hymn. This hymn first appeared in Pentecostal Praises, published by the Hall-Mack company in 1898. The anticipation of Heaven has often been described as the oxygen of the human soul. “Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (I John 3:3)

Click here for an arrangement by Brad Paisley: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZnUY3CcH8A

Click here for an arrangement by Alan Jackson: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN_PNnoUJkY

Click here for a black gospel arrangement: www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6pkmWoeuTs&feature=related

Click here to purchase Brad Paisley's version of “When We All Get to Heaven”

“I Have A Hope”

I have a hope, I have a future
I have a destiny that is yet awaiting me
My life’s not over, a new beginning’s just begun
I have a hope, I have this hope

God has a plan, it’s not to harm me
But it’s to prosper me and to hear me when I call
He intercedes for me, working all things for my good
Though trials may come I have this hope

Chorus
I will yet praise Him, my great Redeemer
I will yet stand up and give Him glory with my life
He takes my darkness and He turns it into light
I will yet praise Him, my Lord my God

My God is for me, He’s not against me
So tell me whom then, tell me whom then shall I fear
He has prepared for me
Great works He’ll help me to complete
I have a hope, I have this hope

Goodness and mercy, they’re gonna follow me
And I’ll forever dwell in the house of my great King
No eye has ever seen all He’s preparing there for me
Though trials may come, I have this hope

Bridge
There’s still hope for me today
‘Cause the God heaven loves me

Tommy has led worship at Christian Assembly in Los Angeles, California with his pastor, Mark Pickerill, since 1990. He has traveled with Promise Keepers, Greg Laurie Harvest Crusades and Franklin Graham.

He has also been privileged to serve with such church leaders as Jack Hayford, Bill Hybels and Rick Warren. He has recorded worship projects for Maranatha! Music, Integrity Music, and Get Down Ministries.

He has written over 100 songs that are currently being tracked by C.C.L.I. and are being sung in churches around the world, including “He Knows My Name”, “Only A God Like You”, “That's Why We Praise Him”, “Lord, I Believe In You”, “Mourning Into Dancing”, “Break Through”, and “This is What Christmas Means to Me”.

For the last decade Tommy has traveled internationally holding worship concerts and mercy ministry outreaches in places where people are in great need. He has led his worship team to the Philippines, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Guatemala, Zambia and Brazil.

Tommy has been married to his wife, Robin, for seventeen years. They have four children, Jake, Levi, Emmie and Eileen. To be found faithful to His God, his family and his local church will always be his greatest achievement.

Click here to learn more about Tommy:
www.tommywalker.net

Play the song on Tommy’s myspace:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=97429791

Click here to worship along with Tommy Walker:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcjhNjO_l5o

Click here to purchase Tommy Walker's “I Have A Hope”

"He Knows My Name"

This worship song was written by Tommy Walker. Tommy shared in a recent interview his conversion and call experience:

When I was 11 years old – that was a very big year in my life. That's when I gave my heart to the Lord, and I started playing guitar. This group Love Song, which was one of the first Christian rock bands of all time, was touring through town. That night they were in my living room, and Chuck Girard – the piano player – was playing my mom's baby grand piano, and we were singing a few songs together. It was one of those moments. I said, "That's it. That's who I want to be when I grow up." It was actually a very profound moment. It's through worship music that God really touched me and spoke to me. It's only natural I'd pursue that.

The following is how Tommy wrote the song:

The story of how “He Knows My Name” was written is not very exciting, nor is it inspirational. Basically it’s a story of just trying to be faithful to do my job. In that way, it is a story of self-discipline. Let’s just say, routine discipline stories are far from riveting. However, the fruit of the smallest act of discipline and obedience can be quite another story altogether. When my pastor, Mark Pickerall, wrote a sermon with the title “He Knows My Name,” he asked me if I could write a song to go with it. I felt utterly uninspired that day; but out of the discipline of song writing, which is part of my job description, I dug in and gave it a shot. I remember thinking as the words and music began to come to me, “Wow, this is the simplest song I’ve ever written. Maybe it will work in kids’ church”. Well I went ahead and finished it – something all songwriters struggle to do when something isn’t coming out just right. And like a good, obedient, somewhat disciplined worship leader, I taught it to my church and basically, nothing happened.
A few months later, the women of my church sang it at their women’s retreat and suddenly God moved. They told me that a sense of the love of God entered the room in such a powerful way that many of them were weeping and experiencing all kinds of inner healing. When I heard this, I thought maybe I should give this song one more try. The following weekend, we sang it at church and sure enough it happened: people began to weep. But the funny part is that I also began to weep. God was speaking so intimately to me reminding me that He knew my name and was concerned about the things that concerned me. *(pg. 3, He Knows My Name – Tommy Walker, Integrity Press)

Click here to read more about Tommy Walker:
www.tommywalker.net

Click here to listen to Tommy’s music on his myspace site:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=97429791

Click here to worship along with the Promise Keepers worship team:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXsiWoyjw60

Click here to purchase Tommy Walker’s “He Knows My Name”

“He Came Looking for Me”

(1st Verse)
One night while on life's raging sea it looked as if I would suffer defeat.
As the blackness of night closed off the light my heart sank with fear.
My desperate cry rang out with fright; all I could see was no hope in sight.
With faith all but gone I met the one who came looking for me.

(Chorus)
He came looking for me, He came looking for me.
He made a way when there was no way that I could see.
When I drifted so far Jesus was near to rescue my soul and calms all my fears.
Now I'm safe from all harm since I met the one who came looking for me.

(2nd Verse)
Satan had already picked out my grave, his plan was to foil and put me away.
I'd drifted so far, would anyone care that I'd soon be lost.
I knew my destruction was a matter of time but Jesus appeared and said this one is mine.
Now I'm safe with no harm for he walked through the storm
When he was looking for me.

Click here to listen to the song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=advyy6JOuBw

Click to listen online: www.rhapsody.com/album/nqc-live-vol-4?artistId=art.20944

Click here to purchase the Crabbs’ version:

** Our 10:45 worship service will be led by Aaron Wagner.
Aaron Wagner is a Christian artist and worship leader on a mission to draw people closer to the heart of God. He started seriously learning to play guitar at the age of 17 and, shortly after, realized his gift to use music as a way to lead people to the truth of Christ! In May of 2007, after seven years in youth ministry, Aaron stepped out and began to travel the country full-time performing concerts and leading a new generation in worship. During that time Aaron had the opportunity to play guitar and sing extensively with his good friend and mentor Joel Engle. In August of 2008, after more than a year of intense prayer and dedication, Aaron released his long anticipated debut album, “Paint Me A Picture.” This pop/rock album reflects the transparency Aaron so desperately wants to bring to the stage anywhere he plays. “My prayer for each person who comes in contact with me or my music is that their eyes would be opened wider to the beauty of God!”

Click here to learn more about Aaron.
www.aaronwagnermusic.com

Click here to listen to Aaron’s music:
www.myspace.com/aaronwagner

"Not To Us"

One of the premier songwriters of today, Chris Tomlin is shaping the language of worship for generations present and future. And yet his gifts are rooted in one central truth, that God is the center of everything. Even as a small town Texan boy pounding out new tunes with his rag-tag garage band, Chris Tomlin had been blessed with a passion for purpose. He wanted to be more than just another guy with a song. As he grew, he became even more aware of the fact that everything-what we do, who we are-exists only for God's glory. Tomlin's sophomore studio project, NOT TO US, is an organic, edgy pop blend of his most compelling lyrics to date, the longest and most rewarding mile in his passionate pursuit of real life. NOT TO US is not just another worship album; it's a soundtrack for all of life. "God is a mystery beyond our comprehension," says Tomlin, whose most recent work includes WoW Worship and Passion: Our Love is Loud. "We can't figure God out. He won't be boxed in. He's bigger than all our questions and bigger than our answers. And when our lives become aligned with Him, we see life in a different light, hearts are restored and people are healed."

Lyrics:
The cross before me the world behind
no turning back raise the banner high
Let the heavens shake and split the sky
Let the people clap their hands and cry
It's not for us it's all for YOU

Not to us but to YOUR name be the glory
Not to us but to YOUR name be the glory

Click here to listen to Chris share more about how he wrote the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zt9K5rLHVk

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFlwKpQmmFQ

Click here to purchase “Not to Us”

"King of Majesty"

This song was written by Marty Sampson. Marty (b. May 31, 1979) is a Christian songwriter and a worship leader at the Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. Originally featuring in the Youth Alive albums of the late 1990s, he was one of original Hillsong United worship leaders and has led worship on every United album to date. He plays guitar and occasionally piano. He was married in November of 2006 to Michelle.

Sampson was a former worship leader for Hillsong United together with Joel Houston (son of pastor Brian Houston). His last album with United in the 2007 United album All of the Above, could be his last album with Houston and the Hillsong United team.

Since his marriage with Michelle, Sampson has moved from Hillsong United to the Hillsong band and helps lead worship with Darlene Zschech and the rest of the team. He is now one of the main worship leaders in Hillsong Church along with Zschech and Reuben Morgan.
Sampson recently released a solo album entitled "Let Love Rule".

Click here to learn more about Marty Sampson:
www.martysampson.net

Click here to worship along with the Hillsong worship ministry:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyyRfx563Zs

Click here to purchase “King of Majesty”

“Our God Saves”

Paul Baloche wrote this song of declaration. Paul said “people are looking for the magic pill, the thing that will give them life and God is the only answer. We come in the name of the Father, in the name of the Son, in the name of the Spirit, as we worship, we will rise with You, and world will see that “OUR GOD SAVES”.

Click here to learn more about Paul’s ministry:
www.leadworship.com/

Click here to hear Paul share the story behind the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqJy6NHe6Po

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=our+god+saves&aq=f

In the name of the Father
In the name of the Son
In the name of the Spirit
Lord we've come

We're gathered together
To lift up Your name
To call on our savior
To fall on Your grace

Hear the joyful sound of our offering
As your saints bow down, as your people sing
We will rise with You, lifted on Your wings
And the world will see that
Our God saves, our God saves
There is hope in Your name

Click here to purchase “Our God Saves”

"Your Name"

This song is by Paul Baloche. Paul is a native of Camden, New Jersey, and is currently the worship pastor at Community Christian Fellowship in Lindale, Texas. You can learn more about Paul on his myspace, and can listen to the song on his myspace standalone player:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=70931079

You can read more about Paul’s ministry on his ministry website.
www.leadworship.com/

Click here to worship along with Paul:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5i2pELpqBg

Click here to purchase “Your Name”

“Gotta Be More”

This song was written by Aaron Wagner.

Click here to learn more about Aaron.
www.aaronwagnermusic.com

Click here to listen to “Gotta be More” on Aarons’ myspace standalone player.
www.myspace.com/aaronwagner

Click here to purchase Aaron Wagner’s “Gotta Be More”