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Wednesday 29 December 2010

Keep Singing Of The Cross

A video that still resonates with me is this one by C J Mahaney where he talks about why we sing so many songs about the cross



When it comes to song writing I try to write with a view of looking at whichever topic through the lens of the cross. For this song I've attempted to write a celebration song, where we're declaring the glory of our God and what He's done for us. I've had the line "Keep singing of the cross" in my head for a bit and a riff for the intro has emerged. Now it's just the hard work grafting of trying think of fresh ways of saying the important truths of the gospel, and not settling for cliched lyrics. These lyrics I have are not certain but at least I have a song shape! For those in Reading maybe you might hear it at somepoint... (or perhaps on the RFC Cd!)...

Keep Singing Of The Cross

Verse 1:
The cross of Christ
God's love displayed
Our Father made a way
Our sin and shame,
By/His grace erased
For Jesus came to save
Yes Jesus came to save

Chorus:
Now we'll keep singing of the cross
For God so loved us
He sent His Son that we might live
Yes we'll keep singing of the cross
Where grace restored us
It's all we'll boast of evermore

Verse 2
...
...
...
The law fulfilled, sin's cursed removed
...
We're one man now in Christ

Bridge
...

Thursday 23 December 2010

Tuesday 21 December 2010

Evermore



Phil Wickham's "Songs for Christmas", which is fast becoming my favourite Christmas album, contains what in my mind is a stunning song called "Evermore" It's based on an old hymn called "Of the Father's love begotten" and Phil Wickham added a chorus onto it (and probably tweaked some words but I haven't gone through the 2 and compared!). Most people would agree that carols at times fall on the weak side in terms of words and theology... "The little lord Jesus no crying He makes" one of the more famous strange lyrics...

Evermore though I think falls more on the "Hark the Herald" line with some brilliant lines to do with incarnation and condescension. The chorus  to me is just one of those you want to sing out loudly at the top of your voice. Verse 3 really stands out for me

He is found in human fashion
Death and sorrow here to know
That the race of Adam's children
Doomed by law to endless woe
May not henceforth die and perish
In the dreadful gulf below
But forever rest in beauty
In the lights of Heaven's glow



I love the depth of lyrics and how the gospel rings out from it! The old hymn it was based on has some interesting words too - check it out here 

Do check it out and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.


Here are the full lyrics

Verse 1:
Of the Father's love begotten
'Ere the world began to be
He the source of all that has been
And all the future years will see

Chorus:
Evermore, evermore
He shall reign forevermore
Humble King, Sovereign Lord
He shall reign forevermore
Verse 2:
Oh that birth forever blessed
When the chosen virgin go
By the Holy Ghost conceiving
Bore the Savior of our world

Verse 3:
He is found in human fashion
Death and sorrow here to know
That the race of Adam's children
Doomed by law to endless wo
May not henceforth die and perish
In the dreadful gulf below
But forever rest in beauty
In the lights of Heaven's glow

Wednesday 15 December 2010

A Merry ipad/iphone christmas



sometimes you just have to sit back and smile at some fantastic creativity! Enjoy!