Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Behind the Praise - Sunday September 6, 2009

"Fields of Grace"

This powerful song was written by Darrell Evans one day as he was taking a walk. He felt the Lord telling him to dance on a high school football field. The song was birthed as he began to enjoy the fatherhood of God.Darrell Evans is an evangelica singer and songwriter , known primarily for his contributions to contemporary Christian worship. Influenced by the music of Bruce Springsteen and U2, his style of music is noted for its extensive use of free form composition, with several of his songs having been written spontaneously during concerts and worship times. Besides his music writing, he is an accomplished guitar player and singer.

Click here to hear Darrells Evans story of how he wrote the song:
www.theheartofworship.org/stories/Story-209-FieldsofGrace-Evans.mp3

Click here to sing the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d-QHrGIP3I&feature=related

Click here for a high school choirs version - this is from Davenport High school show choir in Davenport, Iowa
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTxnPtfTLcU

"Sing, Sing, Sing"

This song was written by Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Daniel Carson, Travis Nunn and Matt Gilder. Chris shared the following on how the song was written. "This song was written together as a band. Really it’s the only song that we’ve written together like that. Usually I have most of the song written before I bring it to the band, so this one is unique because it came out of us being in the room together. I remember the guys getting the feel of it and it beginning to come together musically. So I just found a corner of the room listening to what they were doing with my headphones and started singing out that first lyric idea of the chorus, “sing, sing, sing.” This song became a big part of our Passion regional events and World Tour. It is crazy to see how immediate this song is with the audience. It’s the most fun I’ve had with a song in a while. I love the energy and the connection this song brings with the audience."

Click here to worship along with Chris Tomlin:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGPN2Z-bgS0

Click here to purhase Chris' version:
Chris Tomlin - Hello Love - Sing, Sing, Sing

"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 thronelike the sound of many waterslike the rushing wind around usmultitudes join the songand a symphony of praise arisestears are wiped away from eyesas 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

"Sweet Mercies"

This song of confession is by David Ruis, click here to hear his story behind the song
www.theheartofworship.org/stories/Story-238-SweetMercies-Ruis.mp3

Click here to learn more about David's ministry
http://www.davidruis.com/

Click here for the lyrics
www.mixed-up.com/lyrics/worship/sweet-mercies

“Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus”

"'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" is a popular Christian hymn with music by William J. Kirkpatrick and lyrics by Louisa M. R. Stead. The lyrics were written in 1882. They appeared in Stead's Songs of Triumph. It is said that Louisa M. R. Stead wrote the lyrics after she watched her husband drown and die. The song is included in many hymnals and has been recorded by many artists.
Click here for a mens choir arrangement:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=M98sTXVvftY

Click here for a guitar arrangement:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Nmv8kzx9N8

Click here for a Gospel arrangement by the Winans:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCusafJzh7A&feature=related

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