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"Offerings" (Album) by Red Letter Society - A Journey From Surrender to Celebration


Red Letter Society - Offerings (Album)

The Offerings Album is a collection of 8 songs that the band put together with the church's youth groups in mind! The songs offer us a powerful journey through worship, faith, and the realities of a life with Christ at its center. From the surrender of "Adonai" to the hope found in the song "Heaven," it invites us into deeper devotion even though we may be struggling with pain, purpose, and not understanding God's unshakable presence. The songs "Foundation" and "Valley" remind us of His promises, while "This Life" encourages us to live fully on His terms. The songs "PEACE," "Friend of Sinners," and "I Claim" remind us that suffering isn't wasted but is changed (transformed) through His grace.

Let's have a closer look at each song:

01. Adonai: Adonai is a call to surrender and worship, and to reflect on why we often fall so short of fully obeying and praising God. The song invites us to offer our whole lives as an act of devotion to the One who is truly worthy—Adonai.

02. Heaven: Heaven, how does one even start to describe it? The lyrics in this song move away from the traditional imagery of serene angels with harps. Instead, the lyrics use other descriptions found in the scriptures, such as joyous feast and vibrant party. The song was written with youth and summer camps in mind. 'Heaven' is an upbeat description of what it will be like to be with Jesus!

03. Foundation: "Foundation" is a worship song about Christ, the unshakable cornerstone of faith. The lyrics stand still at His sacrifice—"killed for my salvation"—and His role as the "sure foundation" that replaces our shame with His mercy. The song invites us to build our lives on His grace, and declare, "I have only one foundation: Christ nailed upon the cross." This is such a powerful reminder that He is "The living stone // A sure foundation // My cornerstone."

04. This Life: "This Life" is a raw and honest song about choosing to fully embrace the life that God has set in His sight, even when it's hard. The lyrics acknowledge how we can be struggling—"life can take me, break me"—but it also contains a bold commitment to live a life filled with His purpose and intention, refusing to compromise or settle for less. "But my life is set in your every second // Details of this moment filled to the fullest // For a life that's set in your sight"

05. Valley: "Valley" is a powerful song of faith, one that has been around for a while with a message that never bores. God is always there for us, "In the darkest valley, Your victory gives me joy." The lyrics encourage us to look up when life pulls us down, "For Heaven's king walks with me," and remember that the pain we face is temporary. There is hope and strength in knowing that His victory endures, and His cross speaks freedom over each one of us.

06. Peace: "PEACE" was written after the devastation of two miscarriages. As is normal for the Red Letter Society team, "PEACE" is based off of text found within the Bible. During this season of grief, the songwriters were able to remind each other that God walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23).

07. Friend of Sinners: Just like the King of Kings stoops to wash our feet, "Friend of Sinners" shows the paradox of Christ's holiness vs. meeting the brokenness of mankind. The song connects Christ's sacrifice on the cross, God's grace, the healing that comes from Him, and the fact that Jesus calls us "friend". He is a Friend of all sinners who call on His name.

08. I Claim: Suffering has been part of life ever since Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden. And still, even in modern Christianity, we struggle with life's pain. "I Claim" urges us, the Church, to see our earthly suffering as a pathway to glory in His presence. "If suffering in the present means glory in his presence // Then I claim, I claim Jesus' holy name // It's beyond comprehension how I join the resurrection // So I claim Jesus' Holy Name"

May this journey from surrender to celebration remind you that no matter what struggles you face, His grace turns all things for His good. Heaven's king is eager to walk with you, if you let Him.

(Related scripture: Psalm 23:4; Isaiah 25:6-8; Romans 8:18)

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