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
...

Exciting times :)

Formatting seems to have gone a bit strange but woop woop

This is the original link - http://www.thisisannouncements.co.uk/7677632?s_source=clsw_tiwg_glec

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

A Merry ipad/iphone christmas

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

Forever Reign

We've played this song a couple of times now at church. I love how it has so much truth in it and helps fix our gaze on our Saviour (by saying "You are... You are...) rather than looking to ourselves. An immensely memorable tune and you'll be singing to yourself "Oh I'm running to your arms..." without realising it because it's so catchy! I hope you find it as stirring as I have

Lyrics are:

V1:
You are good, You are good
When there's nothing good in me
You are love, You are love
On display for all to see
You are light, You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sin

V2:
You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy
You're the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life,
In You death has lost it's sting

Chorus:
Oh, I’m running to Your arms,
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

V3:
You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, You are here
In Your presence I'm made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else I'm letting go

Bridge:
My heart will sing
no other Name
Jesus, Jesus

copyright Jason Ingram & Reuben Morgan, Hillsong Publishing 2009