blog.worship.com

Interview With Matt Redman

Bob Kauflin and Matt Redman discuss Matt's new CD entitled We Will Not Be Shaken. 

Excerpt:

Bob: Themes of God’s sovereignty pervade the songs on this album. Why did you choose to make that focus for this album?
Matt: I had a sense that many people right now need re-assurance that God is in control in their lives. So many recent events, particularly economic ones, have reminded us that much of this life and this world is fragile, temporary and changing. We’ve heard so many statistics about mortgage payments defaults and unemployment - but these aren’t just facts and figures - this is real people’s lives. So into this environment I wanted the songs to inject some truth - that in contrast to all of this, God is unchanging, unfailing, unshifting and unshakeable. Jesus is the solid ground and firm foundations we can build our lives upon.

Charlie Hall on Worship, Charlie and the Passion University Tour

From Rachael Smith at The Reflector at Mississippi State University:

Worship leader Charlie Hall has rocked the worship music industry with a diverse array of songs, lyrically and musically. With over five released albums, including his latest The Bright Sadness, his wide-ranging music has reached a vast group of people.

Hall said he got involved with the Passion movement when Louie Giglio, the visionary and founder of the project, called after hearing some of Hall's music.

"Louie had a vision and the music fit the vision, which was glorifying God's name," Hall said.

The University Tour will keep Hall's band on the road for two weeks as they lead worship at schools from Mississippi to Virginia. He said it does not become routine or monotonous because what he is doing, not the lyrics, is his worship and offering to God.

"For me, the people change each night and you know that each night is a new moment with God," he said. "My focus is being in the moment with God and with the people."

Hall said it is exciting and an honor to worship with college students.

"I think the greatest thing about that time of your life is you're really starting to find yourself, what you are and what you're after. People are leaving their homes and they have to decide for themselves what they're running after," he said.

In his college years, he was already traveling and playing music. It was his hobby and how he spent his time.

"That college age, though you're busy, you've got more energy," he said. "You've got more opportunities to explore. Your eyes are wide at the world. You get a brand new moment."

Getting his start "goofing off" with instruments and songwriting around 14 years old, Hall said when he was 17, God made an impact on him and his music.

"I didn't set out to be a Christian musician. God grabbed my heart and changed my music as He changed me," he said. "As I discovered music and Jesus, I wanted to help the people around me reach the same goal."

With the knowledge Starkville is a small-town, Charlie said it is the people and what God can do with MSU that has him excited. He said he is looking forward to being in the moment with God and people.

"You guys are what I'm excited for," he said. "I'm excited for this tour - to be with you guys and spend time with you in Starkville. We're excited to open our hearts and let God and music and vision swirl around."

Entire article

U2 Concerts Make You Wanna......Worship?

From our friend Jonathan Dodson at the Creation Project:

There’s something about a U2 concert that makes you want to worship. The raw emotive power alone moves you to sing, to rejoice, to feel for something bigger. Every concert has that song, that moment when the entire crowd is caught up into a moment of ecstasy, of worship. There’s probably a hundred gods at that moment, gods of creativity, success, emotion, power, personality, charisma, talent. But if you listen closely, there’s an unmistakable refrain in Bono’s lyrics, a refrain of worship that points to God, even to Christ. During the 360 Degree Tour, just before he sang ‘Where the Streets Have No Name,” Bono sang “Amazing Grace,” a grace that saves “wretches like me.” Apparently Bono isn’t going PC on that lyric. Now, this grace could be attributed to a lot of things, but Bono sticks with the author of Grace—Jesus. After Amazing Grace, he introduced Where the Streets Have No Name,” with this statement:

“This one’s for you Jesus, glory to the one who died and rose from the grave.”

Whether we agree or not, like it or not, the worship emanating from Bono’s vocal chords, from his soul, is praise to his Magnificent Creator and Redeemer. To Jesus.

Free Downloads: 2009 VBS Kids Music From Lifeway

We recently found some of the music from the 2009 Lifeway VBS curriculum online for download without charge.  The Boomerang Express music is here (which is the VBS our son attended), and the music from the Truth Trek track is here.  A couple of songs from next year's VBS themes are also available---Saddle Ridge Ranch and Route 254.

Gone Fisching: John Fischer

From Steve Brown, Etc.:

Join us on this week's Steve Brown Etc. as we talk with author and musician John Fischer about uptight religious folks, contemporary Christian music, and our misguided attempts to change the world.

With 12 albums and 15 books to his credit, John currently writes for Chuck Colson's Breakpoint.org, Relevant magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. His daily devotional, Catch of the Day, reaches an audience of over 400,000 people five times a week.

Glory Revealed 2

Glory Revealed 2 is now available. Produced by Mac Powell (Third Day) and David Nasser.

1. "How Great" - Mac Powell (Third Day), Shane Everett (Shane & Shane), Jonathan Shelton, Brian Littrell
2. "Rejoice In The Lord" - Trevor Morgan, Mark Hall (Casting Crowns)
3. "Wake Up, Oh Sleeper" - Jason Crabb, Jonathan Shelton, Bear Rinehart (NEEDTOBREATHE)
4. "Since The World Began" - Matt Maher, Amy Grant, Ed Cash, Mac Powell
5. "Psalm 23" - Trevor Morgan, Geoff Moore
6. "Praise The Lord" - Natalie Grant, Laura Story
7. "What We Proclaim" - Brandon Heath, Mike Donehey (Tenth Avenue North), Aaron Shust
8. "Blessed Hope" - Mac Powell, Shawn Lewis (Hyper Static Union)
9. "There Is A City" - Sara Evans, Bethany Olds
10. "Cup Of Salvation" - Shane & Shane
11. "Never" - Shawn Lewis, Bethany Dillon
12. "To You Be The Glory" - Matt Maher, Kari Jobe  

 

Third Day: Revelation (Live on Craig Ferguson)

Tenth Avenue North Tops New Christian Artists of 2008| Christianpost.com

Tenth Avenue North Tops New Christian Artists of 2008| Christianpost.com.

With nearly 60,000 in physical sales, Tenth Avenue North was the best selling new Christian artist of 2008, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The CCM band was also the only new artist in 2008 to break the 100,000 digital download mark since the May 20 release of its debut album, Over and Underneath, and the only new artist to have claimed two No. 1 radio singles (with “Love is Here” and “By Your Side”).

“We're just trying to find our way in the Christian music industry, ‘dodging traffic at the intersection of art, faith, and commerce,’ as Jon Foreman once put it,” states the four-man band consisting of lead vocalist Mike Donehey, drummer Jason Jamison, bass guitarist Scott Sanders, and electric guitarist Jeff Owen.

“What we're hoping for with this music that we're making is to not just entertain people. I think it's safe to say that we already have plenty of that,” they add.

“What we're wanting is to see people encounter truth.”

2008 in Christian Music The Biggest Christian Music News Stories of 2008 | Christian Music | Christ Community Music | CCM | CCMmagazine.com

2008 in Christian Music The Biggest Christian Music News Stories of 2008 | Christian Music | Christ Community Music | CCM | CCMmagazine.com.

This week, we bring you the first of a two part series chronicling Christian music’s major moments of 2008.

Ten Reasons to Share Musical Opinions Humbly

In today's technological age, it's easier than ever to be an armchair quarterback, criticizing and critiquing everything that is not the way we think it should be.  Music is certainly not immune.  Writes Bob Kauflin:

I’ve been musing recently about how we express our musical opinions. Why do we feel so strongly about songs, bands, and styles? And why do we draw conclusions so quickly? Nope. Don’t like it. That stinks. I can’t stand that kind of music. You like that stuff? Is there anything wrong with raving about the music/artists we love and and being swift to trash those we despise?

If we’re Christians, yes. Let me suggest ten reasons why musical forbearance might be good for our souls.

Continue reading