Music Monday: "I Need You" and "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" from the Village Church

Music Monday: Grace Greater by The Village Church

Music Monday: Glorious Day by The Village Church

Music Monday: Love Lifted Me by The Village Church

Have you liked certain parts of a hymn but you are not sure about some other parts? If you have, you are not alone. For years, I have had a like/dislike relationship with the hymn "Love Lifted Me." Here are the lyrics:

I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more,
But the Master of the sea, heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.

All my heart to Him I give, ever to Him I’ll cling
In His blessed presence live, ever His praises sing,
Love so mighty and so true, merits my soul’s best songs,
Faithful, loving service too, to Him belongs.

Souls in danger look above, Jesus completely saves,
He will lift you by His love, out of the angry waves.
He’s the Master of the sea, billows His will obey,
He your Savior wants to be, be saved today.


Nothing wrong with the lyrics, but when you get to the chorus it becomes...well...a feel good song:

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me!


It feels we are singing about the love of God as an action alone without giving God credit for the work He done. The Village Church came up with a modernized version of this hymn, which points to Christ. They have changed the chorus and added a bridge while removing the third verse. The chorus goes like this:

Your love lifted me
O Your love my eyes now see
Your love lifted me
O Your love my heart will sing

Here is the bridge that replaces the third verse:

Jesus You rescue from sin and the grave
You are merciful and mighty to save

Here is the complete song from the album, "Beneath The Canopy":

God and Country Crucified

If you have about 40 minutes to spare, I invite you to watch this sermon by Russell Moore which place this past weekend at The Village Church. This is the best sermon I have ever heard on 2 Chronicles 7.

God and Country Crucified from The Village Church on Vimeo.

Music Monday: Two New Albums I Highly Recommend

Beneath The Canopy by The Village Church

Keith & Kristyn Getty: Live at the Gospel Coalition

Around The Web-September 13, 2013

School Tells Child She Can’t Write About God

Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood to Coptic Christians: Convert to Islam, or pay ‘jizya’ tax

Federal Court Keeps "In God We Trust"

Mark Driscoll shares what Bible tools and resources are available for anyone to use

The Village Church's latest worship album, Beneath The Canopy, is available on iTunes

Jesus said in Matthew 18:20, that he is present where two or three are gathered. Many people are said to refer that Jesus is present with them in the worship service. Is that what Jesus is truly saying or is it something else? Jefferson Bethke explains in this video what Matthew 18:20 is truly about.

Music Monday: My Top 5 Albums of the Year (So Far)

Usually on Music Monday, I would post a song or whole album. This is time I decided to do something a little different. This week marks the final full week of the month of June which means the year is half gone. So here is the list of my top 5 albums of the year thus far (in no particular order):

Citizens

Man of Steel Soundtrack from Hans Zimmer

Lyrical Theology, Pt 1 by Shai Linne

The Good King by Ghost Ship

Raging Strong from The Village Church

Music Monday: Three Great New Albums

We have only been in 2013 for almost two months and there have been some great music released. If I had to pick my top three for this year right, it would be these three great albums. Please note, in order to listen to these album on my website, you must be part of Spotify, which is free.

The Death of Death by Charlie Hall



Release The Panic by Red



Raging Strong by The Village Church