I happily stumbled across this at www.worshipmatters.com

It is an excerpt from a British Christian television interview, in which Matt makes a BIBLICALLY CHALLENGING and insightful point regarding the modern evangelical church’s proclivity towards inserting “erotic”/romantic (i.e., lovey-dovey, sentimentalized, ‘I’m in LOVE (*sigh*) with a guy named JESUS!’) language into some of its worship lyrics.

I had that exact same “epiphany” years ago when I was attending an evangelical church where I (we, my family and I) was living, that made heavy use of contemporary Christian rock and pop ballads in its corporate worship–not necessarily a wrong or bad thing, provided the musical selections pass scriptural muster (which these often DIDN’T!)

Among some of the QUOTABLE remarks and turns of phrase made in this interview (like “scripturally watertight” lyrics, another “Redmanism”!) is when Matt says that someone once told him the modern Church has alienated the “blokes” (i.e., the MEN) in the congregation because it has been “underfathered and overmothered.”

A-MEN to that! (pun intended)

Got three minutes? Watch this:

Footnote: it is encouraging to see that, in fact, it is still possible to get CHRISTIAN TELEVISION in the UK!

I first learned this song while attending Mountain Bible Church in Payson, Arizona (a little town 90 minutes north of Phoenix), where my family and I (wife and daughter) lived from 1999-2004.

I was surprised to discover this was a NEWSBOYS song!

I never followed the Newsboys’ career much because, frankly, they seemed like another secular rock wannabe band to me.

But their transformation (metamorphosis!) into a praise and worship band during the decade of the ROARING 2000’s has been a successful and God-honoring one–a change I liken to someone nibbling around the edges of the faith, hovering around the banquet table for a while and conversing a little with the guests, then FINALLY taking a seat and DINING WITH THE KING!

These guys have written and composed a number of really good songs during this time.  Amazing Love is one of my favorites. (Those of us familiar with some of the great hymns of John and Charles Wesley will recognize similar language and phrasing in some of the stanzas here–that’s okay because to me this is an EXCELLENT 21st century remake of a marvellous old hymn!)

P.S. In case you’re wondering, the original hymn written by Charles Wesley (1738) containing the ‘amazing love, how can it be’ line was titled (infelicitously!), “And Can It Be That I Should Gain.” The complete lyrics can be found here. (Careful! When you leave this page, you RESET the video and it has to RELOAD again.)

In the same vein as the Revelation Song, only more subdued, is Holy, Holy, Holy (Agnus Dei) performed by Michael W. Smith et al.

It is a lilting, moving rendition of the song. Peaceful, simple, powerful. Calm leading into measured, Holy Spirit-led catharsis. The words remind me of the choruses repeated endlessly by the elders falling down before the throne of the Lamb in Rev. ch. 4., followed by the refrains sung by the angels and all the earth’s creatures in Rev. ch. 5.

Enjoy! (It’s almost as good as being there!)

Here’s a beautiful song that became one of my favorites the first time I heard and saw it. This is the “original” video of the Gateway worship team with Kari Jobe leading the congregation.

This version was first posted on my daughter Elisabeth’s birthday, March 27, 2007 (she turned 17 that day–of course she’s MUCH OLDER now!).

A year and a half later, a newer version was posted. See it here. You’ll immediately notice the difference between them in almost every respect. Both of them are FABULOUS–and I think they are OUTSTANDING examples of modern worship that elevates the soul to a MAGNIFICENT level of communion and ADORATION of our great God and Savior. PRAISE BE TO HIM!

Here are the lyrics:

Worthy is the,
Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to Him who sits on
Heaven’s Mercy Seat
[Repeat 2x]

(Chorus)
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And I will adore You…!
Yeah!

Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and
Glory and power be
To You the Only Wise King,
Yeah

(Chorus)
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come, yeah
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And – I – will – adore You!
Yeah!

Filled with wonder,
Awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your Name
Jesus, Your Name is Power
Breath, and Living Water
Such a marvelous mystery
Yeah…

(Chorus)
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come, yeah
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And – I – will – adore You!

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come,
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And – I – will – adore YOU…

(Chorus) (Repeat at a cappella)