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"Need You" by Ben Buhler: Anchored in Divine Dependence

Looking for a song that describes how you can feel overwhelmed and desperate for God's presence? Then Ben Buhler's "Need You" is for you! Wrapped in electronic beats, Ben Buhler and Josh Snyder Music beautifully put their finger on the tension there is between faith and fear and link it to the chaos of life… the chaos of running wild, losing direction, and carrying around what we feel as heavy burdens. "I been running wild tryina do my thing // Getting lost who am I meant to be," they sing, voicing a struggle that many listeners will also know all too well. Ben and Josh don't shy away from vulnerability: "I'm stuck in my bed and I'm lost in my head // Focused on that storm instead of doing what you said." The best thing to do when anxiety screams loud in our lives is to look upward and ask God for help, "God I need you in my life // Heal this hurt inside." There is nothing wrong or weak about surrendering to God and asking ...

"I Noah Guy" by MrR: Trusting God Through Chaos

"I Noah Guy" by MrR combines honesty with hope and brings an interesting vibe to Christian contemporary music with his signature "Righteous Funk" style. The song is about those moments of desperation that most of us are familiar with, where it feels like we're fighting against the tide. Life often may feel like chaos, with dreams that are breaking, the constant pressure, and emotions that run high. We see chaos all around us, and our lives are not exempt from chaos. MrR sings, "God I'm drowning, chaos roars," and despite being overwhelmed, we still have a choice, a way forward. MrR keeps pointing us back to God and reminding us that He is always there for us, "Yea I know a guy…" . Even in the chaos, there's Someone who never leaves us. "Your love is my anchor, it changed my rebel heart," God is the anchor that offers stability in our life, and His love not only protects us, but it also changes our mindset and how we react....

"The Christ" by NewSpring Worship: Answering the Call to Confess

NewSpring Worship's new release, called "The Christ", invites us to answer Jesus' timeless question: "Who do you say that I am?" The song takes us to the scene of Mark 8:29, where Jesus and His disciples were on their way to Caesarea Philippi, and He asked His disciples: "Who do men say that I am?" After the disciples answered, Jesus turned the question around and made it personal… He asked them: "But what about you? Who do you say I am?' Peter answered, 'You are the Messiah.'" Tom, one of the members of NewSpring Worship shared: "… we want that to be a confession of every individual in our church and outside of our church. And we want that to be a confession of everybody." That's the heart of the song. Ask yourself, if you had been there together with the other disciples on that road with Jesus, what would your answer be to His question, "Who do you say that I am?" With this song, you have the oppor...

"How Far (Psalm 139)" by Josh Bissell and Elenee: Finding Comfort in God’s Love

This rendition of Josh Bissell's song "How Far (Psalm 139)" features the Canadian artist Elenee. Josh Bissell co-wrote it with friends during a season of personal reflection. They wanted to capture both the comfort and mystery of knowing God fully. "How far could I go where You won't find me?" John sings about the fact that God is always there for us.  "You know my words before I say a thing // You are the reason that my heart is beating," reminding us that it doesn't matter how far we drift away or what we have done, we can rely on His love for us. "There is no height nor depth / To keep me from Your love / Nothing in life or death / Could keep me from Your love." As the original of this song came to life, Josh sensed it needed another voice - someone who could carry its tenderness and depth. That someone is Elenee, with a voice that adds a special tender touch to the song, not only increasing the richness of the song but also incre...

"Mercy (cover)" by Emmanuel Songsore: God, You're always there to help me

Today is the second day of Pentecost, a public holiday where I live, and I'm listening to my new release playlist. I like to close my eyes while I'm listening so I can better enjoy the musical abilities that artists have been blessed with and be amazed by the way that they use their talents to honor our Lord and Savior. Emmanuel Songsore is not a stranger to me; I have written about several of his earlier instrumental releases. I didn't realize at first who was playing, but I was moved to tears by this piano solo. When I opened my eyes to look at the song details, a smile appeared on my face… welcome back, dear friend.  A cover of the song "Mercy" by Moses Bliss. Knowing that Emmanuel selects music with care, I turn on the PC to look up the lyrics and listen to the original. I ponder about the lyrics: "It's all because of You // It's all because of Your grace // That I'm still standing here right now // It's all because of You // It's all ...

Walk By Faith by Haddon: Moving Beyond Doubt

Have you ever struggled with feelings of doubt? Then "Walk By Faith" by Haddon is definitely a song that will help to change your point of view! Haddon wrote this song when he was struggling with doubts. He shares that he felt like Peter when he tried walking on water. He was basing his faith on feelings in that moment, feelings of fear, doubt, and anxiety. Instead of letting those feelings control him, Hadon turned them into a prayer: "Lord take my doubts and throw them all away // I'm sinking down, help me walk by faith." The song talks about waiting for signs or emotional highs to feel close to God. But Haddon reminds us, "When faith is just a feeling // It's fleeting." Our feelings may constantly be going to and fro, but God's love for us does not. True trust isn't about what we can see or feel; it's all about stepping forward (the leap of faith) even when we think we can't. Haddon admits, "Took 20 years just to teach my h...

"Covered by the Cross" by Ezra Worship Initiative: Redemption Through His Finished Work

"Covered by the Cross" by the Ezra Worship Initiative is a song about redemption and grace that (for me) echoes truths found in Romans 3:23–24 and Colossians 1:13–14. That, together with great worship music and vocals, makes this song a pleasure to listen to. The lyrics remind us what authentic faith is and the freedom that we all may find in Christ's finished work.  We can only start to appreciate His sacrifice when we take a closer look at our own lives and start to realize that we need God in our lives, "I was broken beneath my blame // I was a slave to my sin and shame // till I found you." He changes lives once we reach a turning point, "I found passion and reasons to praise, cause you're my home." It's up to us to keep our eyes on Him and grow our faith. It is then that we can sing, "I believe that when You say it's finished // My blame, my sin, my shame // Is covered by the cross."   Christ's sacrifice on the cross is...