Another Grace Song - This is Amazing Grace

Phil Wickham - This Is Amazing Grace - Story Behind The Song

This is one of my favorite songs that we present at church, but when I first heard this song I said to myself "Another Grace Song".  It was not until our music coordinator decided to sing this song during one of our services did I listen to the words. This song contains many truths from the bible, my favorite lines in this song are:

   Who brings our chaos back into order
   Who makes the orphan a son and daughter
   The King of Glory, the King above all kings

This Is Amazing Grace

• Song Writters: Josh Farro, Phil Wickham, Jeremy Riddle

Song Videos

• The Story Behind the Song
• Phil Wickham
• Jeremy Riddle - Bethel Church
• Israel Houghton and Lakewood Church

Songs are Written and Rewritten

Lord I Need You – Lord I Need Thee Every Hour

I had never heard the song “Lord I Need Thee Everyone Hour” until about three weeks ago. I was driving north on highway 29 near Danville, VA. I was channel surfing on the radio when I came across the song. The version of the song I heard was by Jamie O'Neal (video).  The lyrics for the original song are credited to Annie Sherwood Hawks and Robert Lowry and the melody is credited to Robert Lowry (Ref. www.hymnal.net).

Well recently we presented the song “Lord, I Need You” at our church. That is when I did some background research on the songs. The song “Lord I Need You” has been recorded by Matt Marr and others. It was written by Daniel Carson, Kristian Stanfill, Christy Nockels, Matt Maher, and Jesse Reeves (bass player). The story is Jesse Reeves came up with idea of using the refrain from the song “Lord I Need Thee Every Hour” as the central theme for this song. A video on the Worshiptogether.com website gives details on how the song was written and how to play it. (video)

Water - Background on the Songs

For some reason I started reading scriptures in the bible related to water.  From this came the project of writing a group of songs based on water.  I had always loved the song "Wade in the Water", so this was the first song I reworked. The following are the songs in the Water project and a little background. The only exception to the water theme is "Come Unto Him" which is based on the sermon on the mount.

Wade in the Water – an old negro spiritual.  I used some of the verses from the original song and wrote some new verses.  The bass line used in the song came from a lesson from Scott's bass lessons.

God of All Power – I wrote, I found an odd version of the Bible which referred to him as the God of All Power. Part of the song came from 1 John 5, verses 6-8 “This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.”

Come to the River: I wrote this, it came from Revelations 22 “ Then the angel[a] showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city;”

Still and Peaceful Waters: Verses one and two are from the spiritual titled “Amen”, but I think I also saw it in a hymn.  The other verse and the chorus came in part from Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2     He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.[a]

3     He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness[b]

What Can Wash Away My Sin: Old hymn, one of my Emmaus friends played the piano for me.

Come Unto Him: I wrote this one, it came from the sermon on the mount.

Jordan River:  I wrote this one which came in part from John 1:28 – about 1:30.  I found the loops for the cello and violin on line.  I built the chorus of the song around these loops.  In the case of this song the music came first and words came second.

I’m Going Down to the River:  I wrote this one. While looking for background for the Jordan River song I read all the gospels related to John baptizing Jesus.  This song was inspired by Matthew 3 where John tells Jesus I need to be baptized by you:

The Baptism of Jesus

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him,[b] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son,[c] with whom I am well pleased.”

Wayfaring Stranger:  This is listed as either an old Negro spiritual or an Appalachian hymn. No one is sure who originally wrote it.  I love the Johnny Cash version. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIlbZAP8ASQ

A lot of country and folk artists have record this song.  Often the verse about the savior is left out which I put back in the song. The bass line used in this song also came from Scott's bass lessons.

I Am Back Again

I have been away for awhile.  I have completed a couple of music projects during this time.  I titled one project "Water" and the other is named "Hard Truth".

You can find Water at:  http://wlm23.bandcamp.com/

Hard Truth is located at:  http://loudr.fm/release/hard-truth/uBXdK

Joy To The World (Unspeakable Joy)

Writer(s): Ed Cash , Chris Tomlin , Matt Gilder
Scripture Reference: John 16:21

Chris Tomlin’s version of the song updates the melody and adds a chorus.

Chorus
Joy, unspeakable joy
An overflowing well
No tongue can tell
Joy, unspeakable joy
Rises in my soul
Never lets me go

The original song "Joy to the World" was written by English hymn writer Isaac Watts, based on Psalm 98 in the Bible. The song was first published in 1719 in Watts' collection; The Psalms of David: Imitated in the language of the New Testament, and applied to the Christian state and worship. Watts wrote the words of "Joy to the World" as a hymn glorifying Christ's triumphant return at the end of the age, rather than a song celebrating His first coming. Only the second half of Watts' lyrics are still used today.

Today Is the Day

Today Is The Day

• Writers: Lincoln Brewster and Paul Baloche
• Lincoln Brewster - Song Story - Today Is The Day 
• Lincoln Brewster Song Video
• Paul Baloche Song Video

Lincoln Brewster is one of best guitarist to ever pick up the instrument and he walked away from the promise of rock stardom to take a job at his local church.  You can find a short bio on him on his website.

 

Today is the Day

I'm casting my cares aside

I'm leaving my past behind

I'm setting my heart and mind on you

Jesus

I'm reaching my hand to yours

Believing there's so much more

Knowing that all you have in store for me is good

Is good

Today is the day you have made

I will rejoice and be glad in it

Today is the day you have made

I will rejoice and be glad in it

And i won't worry about tomorrow

I'm trusting in what you say

Today is the day

I putting my fears aside

I'm leaving my doubts behind

I'm giving my hopes and dreams to you

Jesus

I'm reaching my hands to yours

Believing there's so much more

Knowing that all you have in store for me is good

Is good

Today is the day you have made

I will rejoice and be glad in it

Today is the day you have made

I will rejoice and be glad in it

And I won't worry about tomorrow

I'm trusting in what you say

Today is the day

I will stand upon your truth

I will stand upon your truth

And all my days i?ll live for you

All my days I'll live for you

And i will stand upon your truth

I will stand upon your truth

And all my days I'll live for you

All my days I'll live for you

Today is the day you have made

I will rejoice and be glad in it

Today is the day you have made

I will rejoice and be glad in it

And I won't worry about tomorrow

I'm giving you my fears and sorrows

Where you lead me I will follow

I'm trusting in what you say

Today is the day

Lyrics provided by http://www.kovideo.net/

Favorite Song of 2012 - Your Love Never Fails

My favorite song which I discovered in 2012 is "Your Love Never Fails" which was written back in 2004 by Chris McClarney and Anthony Skinner.  The version that I enjoy the most is done by Jesus Culture.  A version of the song done by Chris can be found here.  

Chris tells in an article on New Release Tuesday website that "One night at church, I began spontaneously singing this line during worship: “All things work together for my good. You make all things work together for my good.” For more than an hour it continued."  The complete article about the song can be found on NRT.

Your Love Never Fails Lyrics

Verse 1:
Nothing can separate
Even if I ran away
Your love never fails

I know I still make mistakes
But, You have new mercy for me everyday
Your love never fails

Chorus:
You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night
but joy comes with the morning

And when the oceans rage
I don't have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me
Your love never fails

Verse 2:
The wind is strong and the water's deep
But, I'm not alone here in these open seas
Cause Your love never fails

The chasm was far too wide
I never thought I'd reach the other side
But Your love never fails

Thank You Jesus, thank You Jesus, ooh

Bridge:
You make all things work together for my good