I have been really convicted lately by how important it is for us as believers to live holy lives that are noticeably different from those around us. Not in a weird, in-your-face manner, but quietly following Christ and living by a different standard. One of the most dangerous lies that Satan tells the church is that our flaws make us able to relate more to unbelievers. All that does is trample grace, numb us to our sin, and make a mockery of our beliefs, causing others to stumble and/or wonder if we really believe what we say we do. While I am certainly not advocating a legalistic, hypocritical lifestyle, I do think it is important for us to heed the Scriptures which command us, But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." (1 Peter 1:15-16)
I have always loved this song by Steve Green. What a beautiful reminder that our faithful "lives we live inspire them to obey. Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful!"
Please continue to pray for Amy, who hosts this great meme, as she mourns the recent loss of her dad and helps her sweet mom adjust.
Back in 1984 Steve Green released his first solo album after singing for a couple of years with The New Gaither Vocal Band. (They've obviously dropped the "new" since they've been around awhile!) I had the privilege of seeing him that year in concert at a relatively small church in Austin. He had (and still has) such a powerful voice, and when he sang A Mighty Fortress is our God, I thought the roof was going to lift off the building!
I had grown up singing that hymn but had never paid much attention to the progression of the verses -- especially since Baptist churches generally sang the first, second, and fourth verse of the hymns! I have loved this hymn since I heard Steve sing it. I heard him sing it again in concert about ten years later, and he still raised the roof. The elements of his rendition -- incredible lyrics and music, a key change with each verse, and the a cappella voicing -- will lead you to worship!
One of the things that has made Easter really special for me in the past few years is time spent reflecting on the cross of Calvary. As believers, we can find ourselves so focused on the resurrection and the joy it brings that we ignore the cross that preceded it. But there can be no resurrection without a death. And the Bible clearly states that Jesus endured horrific suffering and a painful, agonizing death on the cross. Acknowledging and meditating on that makes the wonder of His resurrection that much more glorious. We don't want to get stuck on Good Friday, but we shouldn't skip it either!
About 20 years ago Steve Green recorded this song Embrace the Cross that is a beautiful reminder of the juxtaposed sorrow and beauty of the cross. Reflect on its beautiful message as you worship God today.
EMBRACE THE CROSS
I am crucified with Christ Therefore I no longer live Jesus Christ now lives in me (Repeat twice)
Embrace the cross Where Jesus suffered Though it will cost All you claim as yours Your sacrifice will seem small Beside the treasure Eternity can't measure What Jesus holds in store
Embrace the love The cross requires Cling to the one Whose heart knew every pain Receive from Jesus Fountains of compassion Only He can fashion Your heart to move as His
Oh, wondrous cross our desires rest in you Lord Jesus make us bolder To face with courage the shame and disgrace You bore upon Your shoulder
Embrace the life That comes from dying Come trace the steps The Savior walked for you An empty tomb Concludes Golgotha's sorrow Endure then till tomorrow Your cross of suffering Embrace the cross Embrace the cross The cross of Jesus
One of my favorite Christian musicians is Steve Green. This is an incredible song from about 20 years ago.
SYMPHONY OF PRAISE
The composer and conductor of the universe Steps before the orchestra of God Creation lifts their finely crafted instruments As all in heaven wildly applaud
The seasons well rehearsed begin with His downbeat And on his cue the sun trumpets the dawn The whirling winds swell in a mighty crescendo With each commanding sweep of His baton The oceans pound the shore in march to His cadence The galaxies all revolve in cosmic rhyme The fall of raindrops all in wild syncopation As lightning strikes and thunder claps in time
The symphony of praise Conducted by the Ancient of Days May each creation great or small Lift their voices one and all In the symphony of praise
Heaven waits in hushed anticipation The great I AM then turns to mortal men A massive chorus robed in spotless garments Offer up their song of praise to Him The glories of God explode in full orchestration As all creation joins the thunderous refrain "Worthy, Worthy WORTHY IS THE LAMB THAT WAS SLAIN"
The symphony of praise Glory to the Ancient of Days May each creation great or small Lift their voices one and all In the symphony of praise
"Worthy, Worthy WORTHY IS THE LAMB THAT WAS SLAIN Worthy, Worthy WORTHY IS THE LAMB"
The symphony of praise Glory to the Ancient of Days May each creation great or small Lift their voices one and all In the symphony of praise
Words and music by Jon Mohr and Randall Dennis, 1989
Since doing a study of the Old Testament, I have fallen in love with God's name that is Emmanuel (Immanuel). As a modern-day Gentile believer who has never experienced the limitations of the Jewish law, I can't fathom what it would have been like to be an Israelite on the journey to the Promised Land when God's presence hovered as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. To imagine experiencing that, as well as the system of sacrifices and the stipulation that only the High Priest could venture into the Holy of Holies -- and only once a year, at that! -- and then to ponder the reality of Emmanuel. . .God dwelling with us! Oh, how much I take for granted!
This is a beautiful song from years ago that you rarely hear any more, unfortunately. Michael Card has been gifted with writing incredible songs that speak from and to the heart, and Steve Green joins him in singing this one. Their voices blend so seamlessly. I know I posted it last year, but it deserves to be played regularly!
IMMANUEL
Words and Music by Michael Card
A sign shall be given
A virgin will conceive
A human baby bearing
Undiminished deity
The glory of the nations
A light for all to see
That hope for all who will embrace
His warm reality
Immanuel
Our God is with us
And if God is with us
Who could stand against us
Our God is with us
Immanuel
For all those who live in the shadow of death
A glorious light has dawned
For all those who stumble in the darkness
Behold your light has come
Immanuel
Our God is with us
And if God is with us
Who could stand against us?
Our God is with us
Immanuel
So what will be your answer?
Will you hear the call?
Of Him who did not spare His Son
But gave Him for us all
On earth there is no power
There is no depth or height
That could ever separate us
From the love of God in Christ
Immanuel
Our God is with us
And if God is with us
Who could stand against us?
Our God is with us
Immanuel
Immanuel
Our God is with us
And if God is with us
Who could stand against us?
Our God is with us
Immanuel
Almost 25 years ago, one of Larnelle Harris's albums, The Father Hath Provided, had a gem of a song hidden on it. It never got any radio airtime, which was a shame, as it was an incredible song, both lyrically and musically. (The album did win a Dove Award in 1987 for Inspirational Album of the Year.) The song made a second appearance on a subsequent album, Larnelle: The Best of 10 Years Vol. 1.
I couldn't resist reaching back into the memory vaults and playing this song. It's the only time I am aware that an album contained a trio composed of Larnelle, Sandi Patty, and Steve Green. They are three wonderful soloists whose voices blend together in beautiful harmony!
{Just a note: imeem always confuses me. Don't push the Play button or you'll just get an excerpt. Click just to the right of the button where it says Play Full Song Here.]
Until we give You first place Until we let You begin To fill us with Your Spirit Renew us from within Nothing matters Nothing's gained Without your Holy Presence Our lives are lived in vain
CHORUS Lord we want to know You Live our lives to show You All the love we owe You We're seekers of Your heart
Because Your heart was broken Because You saw the need Because You gave so freely Because of Calvary We can now be Called Your own Completed creations Filled with You alone
Another American icon has passed. Although my folks watched NBC when I was growing up, I will always remember watching Walter Cronkite in these films during junior high history classes. (Yes, films! On reels threaded through the machine! They sure beat the filmstrips that beeped when it was time to advance to the next scene!) If you grew up in the 1970's, they are likely familiar to you as well, either from school or from Saturday morning TV.
In memory of Walter Cronkite 11/4/1916 - 7/17/2009 You Are There!
From the more recent past (20 years ago instead of 30!) here is one of my favorite songs from Steve Green's early days. The words are so rich and a great reminder of God's sovereignty and the hope we have in Him!
GOD AND GOD ALONE
God and God alone Created all these things we call our own From the mighty to the small The glory in them all Is God's and God's alone
God and God alone Reveals the truth of all we call unknown All the best and worst of man Can't change the master plan It's God's and God's alone
CHORUS: God and God alone Is fit to take the universe's throne Let everything that lives Reserve its truest praise For God and God alone
God and God alone Will be the joy of our eternal home He will be our one desire Our hearts will never tire Of God and God alone
Words and Music by Phill McHugh
All the best and worst of man Can't change the master plan It's God's and God's alone
Amen! What a wonderful truth!
Be sure to visit Amy's for more music for your weekend!
Unless you attend a church that recites a creed weekly as part of its worship rituals, it may have been a while since you've really thought specifically about the details of your spiritual beliefs. And even those who do recite such creeds can find themselves simply rotely reciting the words without really paying attention.
Yet how important it is, especially in this world of political correctness and the increasing sense that "all beliefs are created equal" to know what and why we believe.
Steve Green recorded a beautiful song almost 20 years ago simply titled We Believe. I love the simplicity of its beginning and the way it builds as the song progresses. And the theology is rock solid.
I really liked the pictures on this version, but initially I was disappointed that the lyrics on the screen weren't in English. However, the longer I watched it, the more I realized how perfectly it illustrates the truths of the song, especially the first line of the 3rd verse: We believe in the Spirit who makes believers one, as well as the song's wonderful ending. To see such evidence of this blew me away, and brought to mind these words from Revelation:
And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." Revelation 5:9-10
After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
"Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." Revelation 7:9-10
WE BELIEVE
We believe in the Father, who created all that is And we believe the universe and all therein is His As a loving heavenly Father, He yearned to save us all To lift us from the fall . . . We believe
We believe in Jesus the Father's only Son Existing uncreated before time had begun A sacrifice for sin, He died then rose again To ransom sinful men, We believe
We believe in the Spirit who makes believers one Our hearts are filled with His presence The Comforter has come The kingdom unfolds in His plan Unhindered by quarrels of man His church upheld by His hand . . . We believe
Though the earth be removed And time be no more These truths are secure God's word shall endure Whatever may change, these things are sure . . . We believe
So if the mountains are cast down into the plains When kingdoms all crumble, this one remains Our faith is not subject to seasons of man With our fathers we proclaim We believe our Lord will come as he said The land and the sea will give up their dead His children will reign with Him as their head
We believe We believe
Words and music by Nathan DiGesare and Dan Scott, 1991
Be sure to join us at Amy's for more songs for your weekend!
I'm in my "fabulous fifties" and my husband and I have been married 25 years. We have a son and a daughter who are both in college. so we are reluctantly entering the empty-nest years. I was an RN in my former (pre-kids) life which comes in handy as I serve in our church's care ministry.
Chatting over a cup of coffee with a friend to encourage and support one another (and share a laugh or even a tear) is one of my favorite things to do.
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