Friday, January 8, 2010

Glorious One

by Steve Fee

We praise God's glory and the wonder of his greatness in this song. He is great and yet intimate with us as our Healer and Redeemer. My favorite line so far in this song is, "You hold the universe and still you run to the broken". I think this song connects well with our need as a church to see God as great, but also be more aware of his presence among us and in our lives. His love for us is demonstrated in the sacrifice of Christ, he desires a relationship with us. That is something to sing about.

Lyrics...
Our hands are lifted high, our hearts are bowing in reverence
And we're surrounded by the glory of Your presence
With ev'ry creature ev'ry tongue, we're lifting our voice to the Glorious One

Glorious One, Glorious One
Light of the world, You outshine the sun
King of all kings, eternity sings - Glorious One

Oh God of infinite worth with hands that carved out the ocean
You hold the universe and still You run to the broken
With ev'ry heart that's been redeemed we're lifting our songs to the Glorious King

There is none more beautiful...none more wonderful - Glorious One

Scripture Prayer...
Since I am receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, may I be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for my God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:28-29)

Friday, November 20, 2009

My Savior My God

lyrics by Dorothy Greenwell in “Songs of Salvation”, 1873.
New music and chorus by Aaron Shust.

“I am not skilled to understand what God has willed what God has planned
I only know at his right hand, stands one who is my Savior

I take him at his word and deed; Christ died to save me this I read
And in my heart I find the need for Him to be my Savior

Yes, living, dying, let me bring; my strength, my solace from this Spring
That he who lives to be my King; once died to be my Savior

That he would leave his place on high; and come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I; before I knew my Savior

My Savior loves, my Savior lives, my Savior’s always there for me
My God he was, my God he is; my God he’s always gonna be”
_____________________________________________
From the lyrics of this beautiful hymn, the author was struck by the honesty of them. He desired to bring it back to his church, so he took the time to translate the music and write a new chorus that would communicate how our King is also our Savior.

The people who sat at the feet of Jesus during the Sermon on the Mount felt the same way as the religious leaders made it impossible for them to understand how to have a relationship with God. They were the outcaste of the religious society, but Jesus comforts them and calls them blessed.

For us today it is the same principle, we are unified in our humble need for a Savior. May we never forget that and in the words from the author of Amazing Grace John Newton, there are only two things we need to know, that we are great sinners but he is a great Savior.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

For Your Glory

Written by Matt Maher
Devotional Themes: In every season of life seek God’s face,
Trust Him through Trails, and demonstrating Christ’s love.

Why we sing this song...
This song comes right out of our study in Ecclesiastes especially chapter two. We are called to seek God’s face in all the seasons of life - that is why worship is called a sacrifice of praise sometimes. “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name”(Heb 13:15). The bridge reminds us that Christ lives in us through the Holy Spirit and as a response we love and serve others.


Verse 1
There is a time to live; there is a time to die
There is a time to laugh; there is a time to cry
There is a time to dance; a time for joy's embrace
And in all seasons God, we humbly seek Your face

Verse 2
There is a time to sow; there is a time to reap
A time for victory; a time to claim defeat
A time to be renewed; a time to be reborn
And in all seasons God, we bow before Your throne

Chorus
This is our offering to You - this is our offering
Ev'rything I am is for Your glory; ev'rything I am for You Lord

BRIDGE
The earth stands still without You
We could only move because You made us to
The world is nothing without You
We could only love because You made us to


Thursday, July 16, 2009

Summer Blast Kids Songs


I absolutely loved singing with the kids this last week and I was blown away by the songs and response from the kids. God indeed was glorified as we came together each morning and worshiped him. Thank you Lyndsey for letting me apart of the team (and for the dance moves). Here were some of my favorite lines to sing with the kids;

"King of Majesty I have one desire, just to be with You my Lord/ Jesus You are the Savior of my soul and forever and ever I'll give my praises to You"
"Oh I believe the King of heaven died for me...Jesus loves me..."
"Oh Lord anything You want from me I'll give it - I'll fie it 'cause I know I'll find all I need in You...Lord I will lean on You"
"Tell the world that Jesus lives... Tell the world that He died for them...He lives again"

These are words that the kids will not forget and will take root in their hearts as they learn about what a relationship with Christ about. I am blessed to be a part of what God is already doing in the lives of these kids. Please pray with me, Lyndsey and the whole team that God would draw these kids to His heart.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Sunday Reflections

Songs we sang this week.
  • O Praise Him - Crowder
  • Mighty to Save - Feilding and Morgan
  • Jesus Paid it All - Hall and Nifong
  • O Sacred King - Redman
Reflections
In an effort to take notice of the Spirit's work among us when we gather, I wanted to jot down some notes that I wrote down during our worship time together (By the way, when I say 'worship time' I mean the whole service). I was caught up in the phrase "Author of Salvation" which was a line in the song "Mighty to Save". It was a phrase that stood out to me while I practiced the song and when we sang it together I was overwhelmed by God's message that he is mighty to save because he is the creator of salvation. Scott went on to talk about what was distinguishable about God and what was beautiful about him and it was that he is the mighty judge who made salvation possible...He is the Author of Salvation, the pioneer. Praise God for revealing these truths this week and I hope that it is an encouragement for your week and as you pray for your Oikos.

Please respond with comments about what you noticed the Spirit doing Sunday in our midst. You can leave a comment below or send me an email and I will post it for you. jrnall@fbcsd.com

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Blessed Be Your Name

As you prepare for our time together Sunday morning, here are some thoughts and scripture to pray through. Be expectant for God to move in You and in us as a family.


O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing        (Wesley)
We thank You for Your love, give us the courage and strength to demonstrate and announce it to others.

Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion”
(Psalm 103: 1-4)
“Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD” (Psalm 150:6).
Indescribable        (Laura Story)
Lord we are in awe of You, and of Your creation. Thank You for choosing to love us.

"All Your works will praise you, O Lord, and Your saints will bless You.  They will speak of the glory of Your kingdom and talk of Your power, so that all men may know of Your mighty acts and the glorious majesty of Your kingdom.  Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations"  (Psalm 145:10-13).
Blessed Be Your Name         (Redman)
Sometimes I don’t feel like worshipping You Father because of the circumstances of life, help me to call You Lord even when the darkness closes in.

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:15-16).

For Your Glory         (Maher)
In all of the seasons teach me to seek Your face and submit to Your Sovereignty.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven” (Ecc. 3:1).
“When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future” (Ecc. 7:14)



Tuesday, March 3, 2009

We Give You Glory

Here is a new song that we are introducing with some themes and scripture.

We Give You Glory
by Jeremy Camp on the album "Beyond Measure"
Devotional Themes: God's Glory and greatness, He is worthy of our Praise, Hope and trust in God's sovereignty alone.

Verse 1
We have raised a thousand voices just to lift Your Holy Name
And we will raise thousands more to sing of Your Beauty in this place
Oh none can even fathom no not one define Your Worth
As we marvel in Your Presence to the ends of the earth
Verse 2
As we fall down before You with our willing hearts we seek
In the greatness of Your Glory it's so hard to even speak
There is nothing we can offer no nothing can repay
So we give You all our praises and lift our voices to sing
Chorus
We give You glory
Lifting up our hands and singing holy - You alone are worthy
We just want to touch Your Heart Lord (touch Your Heart)
Glory lifting up our voice and singing holy - You alone are worthy
We just want to touch Your Heart Lord (touch Your Heart)
BRIDGE
Our hope is found in You
Our faith has been renewed
We trust in Your ev'ry Word
Nothing else can even measure up to You

©2006, Thirsty Moon River Publishing CCLI #155583

Why We Sing this Sing
This is definitely a "family song" that reminds us when we get together that He is worthy of our praise and nothing else can compare with Him. In this song we can corporately declare that we put our hope in Him. We are reminded about God's presence being among and that we are to come before God in humility.

Verses found in this song
Isaiah 24:14-16, “They raise their voices, they shout for Joy; from the west they acclaim the Lord’s majesty. Therefore in the east give glory to the Lord; exalt the name o the Lord, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea. From the ends of the earth we hear singing; ‘Glory to the Righteous One’”

The first verse tells us about the indescribable greatness of God (Dt. 3:24; 5:24; 32:1-3; Isa 64:4; 1 Cor. 2:9) and realizing His presence among us when we gather together (Matt. 18:20; Phil. 3:15; Heb. 10:25)
The second verse reminds us to be humble in His presence (Is 61-6; Ecc. 5:1-2)
The chorus highlights two worship responses raising hands and voices. Lifting our hands is both a sign of humility and surrender to God (Ps. 141:2; 1 Tim. 2:8).