Behind the Praise - Sunday November 1, 2009

"New Doxology"

This is a new arrangement of the traditional Doxology. The added verse was written by Thomas Miller worship pastor at Gateway church in Southlake, Texas.
Click here to listen to Thomas share about how he wrote the additional verses from the third person:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhN5sdKLDcQ

A doxology (from the Greek doxa, glory + logos, word or speaking) is a short hymn of praise to God in various Christian worship services, often added to the end of canticles, psalms, and hymnsThis doxology has widespread use in English circles, in some Protestant traditions commonly referred to simply as "The Doxology" and in others as “The Common Doxology”, is:Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;Praise Him, all creatures here below;Praise Him above, ye Heavenly Host;Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

This text, which was originally the seventh and final stanza of "Glory to thee, my God, this night", a hymn for evening worship written by Thomas Ken in about 1674, is usually sung to the tune Old 100th, but also to Duke Street by John Hatton, Lasst uns erfreuen, and The Eighth Tune by Thomas Tallis, among others.

Click here for a recording of the Gateway version:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_7VhWC4TAU

Click here to listen online:
www.rhapsody.com/gatewayworship

Click here to hear and see the Doxology
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHCGwJvKRBY&mode=related&search=

Click here to hear one of the most accomplished guitarist present a unique version
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBE6dfT87yo&mode=related&search=

“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 Clarks’ myspace:
www.myspace.com/elizabethclarklucid

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2dGtHd5a4k

Click here for another arrangement of the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eygJlLn3vwc

“Brethren We Have Met to Worship”

As a Methodist minister in the early 19th Century, George Atkins began his pastoring in the churches of the Ohio Conference. In 1818, he transferred to Knoxville, Tennessee. Later, in 1826, he received an appointment to preach at Abingdon Town, Virginia. In addition to his ministerial duties, Atkins was also involved with newspapers.In 1819, a year after his arrival in Knoxville, Aktins was inspired to write a powerful hymn text that seemed to distill the essence of the church's purpose as Atkins saw it. This included preaching the Word of God, comforting those in need and saving the souls of sinners be they family, friends or total strangers. In every task, however, Atkins reminded the listener that their various effort were worthless without prayer, which was the key to enabling the grace of God. Atkins compared God's grace to the food that helped sustained the children of Israel during their years in the wilderness--holy manna; bread from heaven. While it is not certain, the hymn may have been used in revival, for it certainly depicts a revived and empowered church as it would have appeared in the culture of the time.Atkins' hymn was first published in 1825 as part of the collection entitled 'The Columbian Harmony' (Cincinnati, Ohio: Morgan, Lodge, and Fisher). The hymn collection was edited by musician William Moore (19th Century) of Wilson County in Central Tennessee. Atkins' text was paired with a melody thought to be written by Moore himself. Appropriately, the melody was called Holy Manna.

Click here to hear the melody and read the words www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/r/brethren.htm

Click here for a guitar arrangement:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw35oK2K1S4

Click here for an organ arrangement: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uphfgg4MTdY&feature=related

"Give us Clean hands"

Charlie Hall wrote this song as a prayer for his generation in 1994. He said he wanted to be a part of the generation that was sold out to seeking God with their whole hearts. When he wrote the song he sensed his generation huddling and praying this prayer, "Oh God let us be the generation that seeks your face Oh, God of Jacob."

Charlie was struck by though that the generation that seeks after him will find him, they will ascend the hill of the Lord. He started praying this scripture and then he says the song just came forth.
The song is based on Psalm 24:3-63 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ?Who may stand in his holy place?4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.5 He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob.

Click here to listen to how Charlie Hall wrote this song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hkQS8A8FiY

Click here to listen to the song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl5zSB3A-Z8

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

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

Click here to worship along with Charlie Hall
www.youtube.com/watch?v=onGbkeWkA64

“Ancient Words”

The following is taken from Lynn Deshazo’s journal on how she wrote this song:

Friday, June 11, 2004 at 10:00
The longer I walk with the Lord, the more love and appreciation I have for the
Bible and for those whom God has used throughout the ages to make it
available to me. I suppose that's the real impetus for my writing "Ancient
Words". I think that I started writing it in the closing weeks of 1998. I'm certain that I finished it on January 13, 1999. I wish I could remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when the idea introduced itself, but I cannot. I was probably doing "normal" things on a "normal" day. What I do remember was how compelling the idea became, and how much I wanted to write it as a contemporary hymn.

Hymn styles certainly vary, but words like "classic" and "timeless" come to mind.
Gerrit Gufstafson, a songwriter and teacher in the body of Christ, calls hymns the
"redwoods" of Christian worship songs because of their enduring appeal. On the other hand, my friend Tina, who didn't grow up in a traditional church, would probably call them "boring". If you mention "hymn" to her, she makes a face! More often than not, though, "hymn" is a word that suggests "roots". In this era of rapid change, there is something very comforting to me about knowing that my faith is rooted in something
This "longing for things ancient", as Gerrit would put it, is a contemporary trend. What we really long for, of course, is not just "things ancient", but a relationship with the Ancient of Days. As we read God's letter of introduction, the Bible, we discover His invitation to enter into a covenant relationship with Him and also the means by which we may walk with Him day by day, in our day. We learn how to live life as it was really meant to be by embracing the wisdom of these
"ancient words", and thus we receive the power to change.

Click here to learn more about Lynn:
www.lynndeshazo.com

Click here to worship along with Michael W. Smith:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GVfs4qLISw

Offertory Sunday is "Know my Heart" by Sara Groves, and sung by Carrie Hollingsworth

Why do I pray? Do I pray to say I prayed an hour?
Why do I love? Do I want you beholden to me?
Why do I help? Do I help to hear my name called out?
And why do I sing?

Search me and know my heart, oh God.
See if there is any wrong thing in me.
All I have ever really wanted –Clean hands and a pure heart.

Why do I give? Do I give so I can get a blessing?
Why do I praise? Do I praise to do the right thing?
Why do I serve? Do I serve so others will serve me?
nd Why do I sing?

Search me and know my heart, oh God.
See if there is any wrong thing in me.
All I have ever really wanted –Clean hands and a pure heart.

Behind The Praise - Sunday October 25, 2009

"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



"My Hope"

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4zghTKEOX8

This powerful worship song was written by Darlene Zschech. She shared the following on how the song came about.

When I was writing the song, My Hope, there was war about to break out in the middle east, I was sensing fear rising in the community….. and personally I was facing real struggles with my voice, it didn’t want to sing anymore. That is the super short version of the story, but you get the drift… When I went to the Lord in husky, frustrated, barely there worship,
I can confidently say that I KNEW God was hearing my prayer, my concern, and was answering me before I even called.

MY HOPE IS IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, WHERE MY HELP (my support, my rock, my confidence) COMES FROM, MY STRENGTH, MY 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 MIGHT 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

"Completely Done"

The old is gone, the new is come
What You complete is completely done
We're heirs with Christ, the victory won
What You complete is completely done

This song was written by Jonathan & Ryan Baird. Jonathan is part of Sovereign Grace Church in Pasadena, California, where his dad, Lynn Baird, is a pastor. Jonathan leads the worship-team ministry, and is the primary worship leader at his church. Jonathan also sings and plays guitar for the band West Coast Revival (WCR) with his brothers Aaron and Ryan. Jonathan married his wife, Nicole, in October 2005. They live in Sierra Madre, California. Ryan is a member of Sovereign Grace Church in Pasadena, California, where he helps lead worship and leads the sound team. He sings and plays keyboard for the band West Coast Revival (WCR), which recently released its first self titled album. WCR plays for Sovereign Grace churches in the western U.S., and occasionally travels to the East Coast as well. Ryan and his wife, Chalene, were married in July of 2005. They live in Pasadena.

Go here to get a free download of the song:
www.sovereigngracemusic.org/albums

Click here for a sample at the Worship God '09 conference:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-4xnWaaWs8

"Break Dividing Walls"

David Ruis is a great song writer. He wrote songs like "Sweet Mercies", "You're worthy of my praise", "We will Dance", "Let your Glory Fall" and this great song based on Psalm 133 known as the Psalm of unity. Here is a paragraph from his testimony:

I was raised in a very conservative religous household and trained classically musically. My musical journey took me through boys' choirs and classical piano and very little more in the church than the classic "hymn sandwich" every Sunday. My theological journey took me through cessasionsim, suits and ties and very little awareness - let alone understanding or application - of what I now know as "worship".That all began to shift as a young church planter with an encounter with the Lord as the result of colliding with the Vineyard movement of churches in February of 1987. The proverbial paradigm shift propelled me into an intimacy with God that I never even dreamed was possible - a roller coaster of a ride through the gifts of the Holy Spirit and power encounters - to an awareness of the kingdom of God, power that is anchored in compassion and community that has the poor and marginalized at its center.

Click here to listen to the song:
www.imeem.com/melissasolomon/music/hholVDhf/david-ruis-break-dividing-walls/

Behind the Praise - Sunday October 18, 2009

"Counting on God"

This song was written by Jared Anderson, he shared the following on the song.

This song has come to the forefront in the life of our church because of the recent trials we've had to face. The testing of our faith has made us more resolved to endure and overcome the sufferings for the all-surpassing glory of God. It is not only our obstacles that will be defeated, but the Kingdom of our God will overtake the kingdom of this world. This song helps us put our battles into proper perspective. The evidence that this is taking place is seen in the transformation of our lives and community. We are nothing like we used to be.

Click here to listen to the song:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz6bxExXwwQ

“I Have a Hope”


I have a hope, I have a futureI have a destiny that is yet awaiting me

My life’s not over, a new beginning’s just begunI 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 meGreat 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 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:
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

"Trading My Sorrows"

Here is a short description of how this popular song came about written by Darrell Evans.

This song was birthed out of a prayer and worship service at Open Bible Fellowship in Tulsa, Okla. 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

"Completely Done"

What reason have I to doubt

Why would I dwell in fear

Wehn all i ahve know is grace

My future in Christ is clear

My sins have been paid in full

There's no condemnation here

I live in the good of this

My Father has brought me near

I'm leaving my fears behind me now

The old is gone, the new is come

What You complete is completely done

We're heirs with Christ, the victory won

What You complete is completely done

I don't know what lies ahead

What if I fail again

You are my confidence

You'll keep me to the end

I'm leaving my fears behind me now

This song was written by Jonathan & Ryan Baird. Jonathan is part of Sovereign Grace Church in Pasadena, California, where his dad, Lynn Baird, is a pastor. Jonathan leads the worship-team ministry, and is the primary worship leader at his church. Jonathan also sings and plays guitar for the band West Coast Revival (WCR) with his brothers Aaron and Ryan. Jonathan married his wife, Nicole, in October 2005. They live in Sierra Madre, California. Ryan is a member of Sovereign Grace Church in Pasadena, California, where he helps lead worship and leads the sound team. He sings and plays keyboard for the band West Coast Revival (WCR), which recently released its first self titled album. WCR plays for Sovereign Grace churches in the western U.S., and occasionally travels to the East Coast as well. Ryan and his wife, Chalene, were married in July of 2005. They live in Pasadena.

Go here to get a free download of the song:

www.sovereigngracemusic.org/albums

Click here for a sample at the Worship God '09 conference:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-4xnWaaWs8

Click here to purchase the song "Completely Done"

“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 Tomlins' 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.

"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

Behind the Praise - Sunday October 11, 2009

"Celebrate"

Worship choir with Darin Hobbs

Click here to listen to this song by Luther Mano Hanes:

www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:3p5txqthldae

"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

"Back II Eden"

Click here to listen to this song and visit the Crossroads youth choir blog:
http://crossroadsstudentchoir.blogspot.com/

“Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble”

Martin Smith 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. 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.

Click here for the story behind the song

www.theheartofworship.org/stories/Story-197-DidYouFeeltheMountainsTremble-Smith.mp3

Click here to listen to the song

www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4Q5vVa0q8Q

Click here to sing along:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICRukDH7eKo

Click here to watch Martin Smith:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO_bKR2Wzhk&feature=related

"God You Reign"

Click here to listen to how the song was written:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TySkbs0RbWE

Click here to learn more about Lincoln Brewster:

www.lincolnbrewster.com/

Click here to worship along with Lincoln Brewster:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_RN3nZMSJE

Click here to purchase "God You Reign"

"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 didnt 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

Behind the Praise - Sunday October 4, 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 drum set 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 and Christian, 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 churches website:
www.baysideonline.com/

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

"Turn Your Eyes Upon the Cross"
Worship choir - Soloist Tami McLallen

"Today is the Day"

This song was written by Lincoln Brewster with Paul Baloche. Lincoln believes there is power when we sing God's word back to Him. Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." We are to live each day as if it's our last.

Click here to listen to Lincoln share how he wrote the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Pved9U-P1g

Click here to listen online:
www.last.fm/music/Lincoln+Brewster/_/Today+Is+The+Day

Click here to worship along with Lincoln Brewster:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngHP6ppfRw4

"God You Reign"

Click here to listen to how the song was written:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TySkbs0RbWE

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

Click here to worship along with Lincoln Brewster:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_RN3nZMSJE

Click here to purchase "God You Reign"


“Turn Your eyes Upon Jesus”

Words & Music: Hel­en H. Lem­mel, 1922.
This hymn was first pub­lished in Glad Songs, by the Brit­ish Na­tion­al Sun­day School Un­ion. Its lyr­ics were in­spired by the Gos­pel tract Fo­cused, by Lil­i­as Trot­ter, which in­clud­ed these words:

So then, turn your eyes upon Him, look full in­to His face
and you will find that the things of earth will ac­quire a strange new dim­ness.
O soul, are you weary and troubled?No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,And life more abundant and free!
Refrain:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Click here to worship along with Michael W. Smith:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR0LiRiz4l4

Click here to sing along with Alan Jackson:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO4uIyz_d90&feature=related

"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

Offertory will be "Oh Buddha"

Click here to listen to the song:
www.rhapsody.com/the-imperials/the-imperials-classic-hits--id18896763

Behind the Praise - Sunday September 27, 2009

“Love the Lord Your God”

Lincoln Brewster
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 Lincolns’ ministry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Brewster

"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 Tally Trio:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPxKeXkgD_Y

Click here to purchase the Tally’s version:


"You are My All in All"

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 to listen to Dennis share about the song; http://shareyourstorynow.org/2007/09/19/dennis-jernigan-jesus-worth-every-struggle/

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 hear Dennis ministering in Brazil * must see
http://mickey.tv/r/Video.aspx?v=B_O6TUAMWIw&key=Dennis+Jernigan

Click here to hear Dennis’ share about his daughters’ traffic accident and her amazing story:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K2KX9yy2v4

Click here for an arrangement of the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC617kE1maU&feature=related

"O How I love Jesus"

Frederick Whitfield was an Anglican clergyman who lived from 1829-1904. The hymn he wrote, "Oh, How I Love Jesus", became a favorite in the evangelistic crusades of Moody and Sankey. It originally had 8 stanzas but only 4 are found in most hymn books. It was first written in tract form in 1855. The entire hymn revolves around the name of Jesus. What a powerful name! The name of Jesus promises us great things from the Father. It promises to be with us in every circumstance. How we should love Jesus for all the great things He has done and is doing for us.
There is a name I love to hear, I love to sing its worth;
It sounds like music in mine ear, the sweetest name on earth. It tells me of a Savior's love, who died to set me free;

It tells me of His precious blood, the sinner's perfect plea.
It tells me what my Father hath in store for eve'ry day,
And tho' I tread a darksome path, yields sunshine all the way.
It tells of One whose loving heart can feel my deepest woe,
Who in each sorrow bears a part, that none can bear below.
Oh, how I love Jesus, Oh how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus, Because He first loved me!

Click here to worship along on the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTv2Eg4lxBM

Click here to hear Elvis sing the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2z5IacR_3A

Click here to worship along with Melinda Watts:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY0fI4FXJOM

"Thanks"

This song was written by our own Sam Best. This song reminds us that we need to have a heart of thanks.

For all you've done I will give you thanks,
Even though I don't deserve it you showed amazing grace,
Your endless love has brought me through
Times I almost gave up and were helpless without you Lord,
For all these things I give you thanks.

"Come Thou Fount"

Robert Robinson, following the tradition of ministers of the time, wrote "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing" as a hymn-poem for the conclusion of his sermon for Whitsunday, 1758. He was 23 years old at the time. It was published the following year in A Collection of Hymns used by the Church of Christ in Angel Alley, Bishopsgate (1759). There has been some speculation that it was written by the Countess of Huntingdon, but it is generally agreed to be the work of Robinson.

Originally "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing" had four stanzas. The fourth stanza was omitted by Martin Madan in Psalms and Hymns, 1860 and has not been used since. The statement in stanza two, "Here I raise my Ebenezer" refers to I Samuel 7:12, "Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped us." Ebenezer is the Hebrew for "Stone of Help." Israel had suffered defeat because of its sin. But the people had repented of their sin, God had helped them and they were victorious. Samuel placed the stone to remind Israel that God had them, their victory was because of Him.
In stanza three, Robinson speaks of being "prone to wonder, prone to leave the God I love". This seems to be a forecast of his later life, when he lapsed into sin, unstableness and involvement with Unitarianism. There is a well-known story of Robinson, riding a stagecoach with a lady who was deeply engrossed in a hymnbook. Seeking to encourage him, she asked him what he thought of the hymn she was humming. Robinson burst into tears and said, "Madam, I am the poor unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the feelings I had then."

Click here to watch and sing along with the Gateway church version
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BFNvhbuNg4&mode=related&search=

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

"Creedo"

This song was written by our own Scott Gammill. This song makes a proclamation of our faith.

We your people stand and we proclaim,
That You, O Lord are He who came
You were born, lived and died
You're Christ the crucified
And we know nothing else but this

We know that you climbed up that hill
And we know that you cried "Not my will"
And we know that Your heart's beating still
Yes we know You love us so

And we believe that You are Lord
And in the promise of Your word
You are God Three in One
Spirit and the Son
More than our minds can comprehend

Our faith is resting on a stone
Our hope is built on Christ alone

For we know that you climbed up that hill
And we know that you cried "Not my will"
And we know that Your heart's beating still
Yes we know You love us so

And we believe when time is gone
That we will fall before Your throne
And we'll cry holy is our God
Our mighty risen Lord
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain

You are God Three in One
Spirit and the Son
More than our minds can comprehend

“Only a God Like You”

Tommy Walker didn’t speak until he was three years-old. They say once he started he hasn’t stopped. Tommy has led worship at Christian Assembly in Los Angeles, California with his pastor Mark Pickerill, since 1990. Tommy believes every person is created to give glory to their Creator. Only in fulfilling this purpose can we find true meaning in life. Tommy has traveled with Promise Keepers, Greg Laurie Harvest Crusades and Franklin Graham. He has written over 100 songs that include “He Knows my Name”, “That’s Why we Praise Him”, “Lord I Believe in You”, “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 and they have four children. Tommy’s prayer is that he will be found faithful to His God, his family and his local church.

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

Click here to sing along on the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nr117slPVEg&feature=related

"All My Life"

This song is by the Parachute BandJohn 8:36 says: 'So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed'. All My Life was written in response to the freedom found in Jesus. It's a simple song, but it's a simple message. Jesus is my freedom and my reason and I love Him with all my life.

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

"Thanks"
This song was written by our own Sam Best. This song reminds us that we need to have a heart of thanks.
For all you've done I will give you thanks,
Even though I don't deserve it you showed amazing grace,
Your endless love has brought me through
Times I almost gave up and were helpless without you Lord,
For all these things I give you thanks.



"Lead me to the Cross"

Savior I come quiet my soul remember
Redemptions hill Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom everything I once held dear I count it all as lost

Lead me to the cross Where Your love poured out Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down rid me of myself I belong to You lead me,
Lead me to the cross

You were as I tempted and tried You are
The word became flesh Bore my sin and death Now you're risen
To your heart To your heart Lead me to your heart Lead me to your heart

Brooke Fraser was born in New Zealand. She is on of the main key worshippers of Sydney Australia's Hillsong Church and is married to on of Hillsong United's songwritters Scott Ligertwood. She has appeared on many live worship albums. She is a born again Christian. She was born to former 'All Black' Bernie Fraser and Lynda Fraser and is the oldest out of 3 children

Click here to learn more about Brooke Fraser:
www.brookefraser.com/

Click here to listen online: www.imeem.com/people/riK9nJK/music/Mj1XCeWj/hillsong_united_lead_me_to_the_cross/

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

"I Surrender All"

This powerful hymn was written by Judson W. Van DeVenter in 1896. He wrote the following in his journal:
The song was writ­ten while I was con­duct­ing a meet­ing at East Pal­es­tine, Ohio, in the home of George Seb­ring (found­er of the Seb­ring Camp­meet­ing Bi­ble Con­fer­ence in Seb­ring, Ohio, and lat­er de­vel­op­er of the town of Seb­ring, Flor­i­da). For some time, I had strug­gled be­tween de­vel­op­ing my tal­ents in the field of art and go­ing into full-time evan­gel­is­tic work. At last the pi­vot­al hour of my life came, and I sur­ren­dered all. A new day was ushered in­to my life. I became an evang­el­ist and dis­cov­ered down deep in my soul a tal­ent hi­ther­to un­known to me. God had hid­den a song in my heart, and touch­ing a ten­der chord, He caused me to sing "I surrender all, I surrender all, all to Thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all" Win­field S. Weed­en wrote the music. In 1896 Weeden pub­lished a num­ber of books of re­li­gious mu­sic, but this song must have been one of his fa­vo­rites: its ti­tle was on his tomb­stone.

Click here to hear Ce Ce Winan sing this hymn:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjsz6fRnsDc

Click here to hear the Isaacs sing the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOq7p3RTm5w

Click here to watch a very moving liturgical dance to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-VnQShgRYs

"Alabaster Jar"

This song was written by Zach Neese, he wrote the song based on Luke 7. He wrote the following about the song. When I write a song, I begin in a moment with God, a gem of truth, and a cry that the Church needs to learn to vocalize. Alabaster Jar is a moment in the life of a person who remains at the feet of Jesus. The truth is that worship is not something we simply sing, but it is an attitude of the heart that motivates the actions of our lives. The cry is the chorus, "Here I am. Take me as an offering. Here I am giving every heartbeat for Your glory."The title refers to the sinful woman in Luke 7 who anointed Jesus' feet with oil and tears and wiped them clean with her hair.I understand that womanWhen you have been pulled off of the dung heap where the world casts aside its used-up, worthless garbage you cannot remain unmoved. This woman permitted God to move her. And when she moved, it was an all-out act of worship – selfless, pure, extravagant, even embarrassing to the religious establishment. It takes a heart that has been wooed by forgiveness to love that deeply. She bowed at His feet and poured out the wages of her past - everything she was. She poured out the security of her future - everything she could ever afford to become. She even poured out the tears of her broken heart and laid bare the wounds that they had pooled in. Then this amazing woman loosed her glorious hair and used it to wipe Jesus' filthy, neglected feet clean. She used her glory as a dust rag to serve Christ.Her actions more eloquently expressed gratefulness than any words she could have spoken. That is worship. Worship is not lip service, but the grateful response of a heart that has been won by mercy (Romans 12:1).That is how I want to live. God is worthy of nothing less.

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkP52EZ2HFY

Click here to listen to the song online:
www.imeem.com/mach-v/music/B1SFaIqL/zach-neese-walker-beach-alabaster-jar/