ChristianDance

This version of "Glorious Ruins" by Olly Kiff is not only a great cover, it was inspired by a terrible event in Olly's life. On September 25, 2024, the unthinkable happened. A fire destroyed his family's home. Fortunately, the family was not injured, but the flames took literally everything else, from everyday belongings to irreplaceable memories. Their journey since then has been marked by God's protection and grace. This song, originally by Hillsong Worship, was one of their lifelines in those early days, and what followed in the nine and a half months since the fire has inspired Olly and his wife to release a special version of the song.  The lyrics echo their experiences, the difficult path of rebuilding everything: "When the mountains fall and the tempest roars // You are with me." Even when life crumbles, we can always rely on His presence, "Still my soul will soar on Your mercy." Olly shares, "We never asked why - we've only s...

With so much chaos and war going on, Aaron Holder feels that the world needs more prayer. Aaron Holder's "Noah" is a cry to the world to pray for redemption and a prayer to Creator to redeem us all.  When you listen to the song and look at the song title, it is obvious that the song is inspired by Noah's days and reminds us of a time when "the land was full of death and sin and no one was listening."   The song echoes a longing: "Oh Lord, won't you take me home." It's both a personal plea and a prayer for the people around us, "Pray on for my brothers / Pray on for my lovers / Pray on for the time that we're redeemed." As we look around at the mess the world is in today, many prayers (and possibly yours) reflect humility and desperation for His intervention: "I want the world to believe / I'm begging you on my knees / Please save us today." Aaron Holder ties the message of his song to Noah's story: "Go...

Studio Orchestra's "Be Still for the Presence of the Lord" releases a beautiful instrumental rendition of a timeless worship classic. Arranged by Bernard Martin, this version replaces the traditional slow pace with a vibrant, orchestral twist. Strings replace the organ in Widor's Toccata F, creating a refreshing take on a song that is cherished by so many.  Did you know that the original song was written in one hour by British composer Dr. David Evans during a quiet time with God? Dr. David Evans wanted a song with lyrics that put more focus on the majesty and presence of God, lyrics with more theological weight. One of the key messages in this song is that God doesn't need to be called down to come and meet with us because His presence is already here with us and in us. That same message echoes in my heart while listening to this orchestral rendition.  The music reminds me that there isn't a defined physical posture for prayer, but the willingness to do so is...

Our Church Youth’s “Chasing After You (Live)” is a fun, upbeat song that reminds us that God relentlessly pursues our hearts. The backstory ties the song to Matthew 6:26, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” The song calls us to trust God, find purpose in His ways, and be filled with joy in Him. The lyrics encourage us to look around to see His hand: “Every sunrise I find // There’s nothing You can’t do.” All of nature points to His faithfulness, “Every sparrow flown high // Reminds me of the truth.” And in our own lives, when things feel overwhelming, like “This mountain in my way,” the song encourages us to let go of worry because “every star moves by design.” In the chorus we get to the key message of the song: “All that I want is all that You want // Is all that You plan for me // I’m chasing after You.” Our surrender to God, with a heart filled with gr...

HOMECOMING's "the cost (given for us)" looks at the weight of what Jesus gave up to save humanity. The backstory that HOMECOMING wrote this song after talking about how easy it is to say "Jesus died for me" without really thinking about what that means. Like, what did it actually cost Him? Their approach wasn't to create another "thank You" song, but a song that invites us to slow down and truly feel the sacrifice He made. His sacrifice wasn't just a painful moment on a cross. It was everything. He gave up heaven. He was rejected, betrayed, beaten… and He still chose the cross for us. That kind of love doesn't make sense. But it's real. The lyrics give words to the awe we feel: "You took my place // How can it be // By your grace I'm saved." And lines like "Your blood washed me clean" and "By your stripes I'm healed" remind us of the freedom and healing that He paid for. Then comes the part that ...

Matthew Carmelo's "This Time" tells the story of someone who was burdened by the weight of sin, shame, and a life lived far from God. It takes us to the moment when someone decides to stop running and start fighting for a life aligned with Jesus. Matthew beautifully describes the struggle: "There's something weighing down on my soul, that I can't fight." That's when life can really feel like everything is out of control, "Like the wheels fell off, now I'm spinning right off the road." So, instead of relying on our own abilities, we can reach out to God for our turning point: "This time, I won't just run, I'll fight // So this time, I'll stay right by your side." It's all about choosing to trust the One who gave His life for us. Making that initial choice is the first step, that's the tough one. It's the first step to standing up, reclaiming your identity in Him, and choosing to walk the narrow path w...

Red Letter Society's "Psalm 2 (He Who Sits)" is the second single from Jordan West's ambitious project with Red Letter Society, a project where all 150 psalms will be put to new meditative and worshipful music. This single captures the chaos of rebellion and the calm authority of the King. "He Who Sits" reminds us that God is not shaken by our actions or even the stupidities that are going on in and between nations, He reigns. God laughs at our futile rebellion!  The point of this Psalm is not to seek an answer but to make a point. There seems to be no good reason why anyone, even kings and rulers, would try to defy God. The motivation for rebelling against God is selfishness and pride. This also comes with anger and hate, and we can see what this all leads to. "Why do the nations rage // The people fight and war in vain." Selfishness, pride, anger, and hate…  Realize that the message of this Psalm is about us and what's going on in our hearts...

There are times in life when words fall short, when language isn't able to capture the depths of our cry for God. "Tongues of Fire" by Vel Colins was created in one of those moments. Alone in his prayer room, he asked God, "Lord, fill me afresh." What came next was not just inspiration; it was instruction. The lyrics are inspired by Acts 2:3, "Tongues of fire // Break me // Remold me," asking God to change us from the inside out, making way for the Holy Spirit to "ignite this place" and "have your way."   The power of the early Church, its boldness, the healing, and the miracles are still available to each of us through the Holy Spirit. The chorus shows us the steps to take, "We surrender, we want more," having a heart that is desperate for God to be present with each and every step we take. Having a relationship with God that is much more than receiving His blessings. Lines like "Fill me till I overflow // Fill u...

Luke John created a great remix of "Fallen Walls" by Broken Chalice. This remix stays true to the original message of faith and triumph. The backstory of the song explains that we need to look beyond the lies and fear, because there is always hope. "The situation in front of you isn't the end of the story," because God's power shatters every barrier!  The song describes those inner battles that keep us awake at night, "I lie awake with my mistakes // Convinced the battle's done." Doubt creeps into our lives, and it tends to grow out of proportion, unchecked, "But just in time, Lord, you remind // My battered heart to say." The victory is already decided, it's just that the enemy doesn't realize it yet, "Tell that to the fallen walls // Around my enemy's camp." And if we still have doubts, we are given more examples where God made the impossible possible, "the giant lion // Dead by a shepherd's hand...

Time flies, and distractions are constantly entering our lives, sometimes to the point that we forget about God. Oops!! It may not be what we intended, and sometimes all it takes is a song to help us to refocus. Joshua Royal's "Praise The Lord" is that kind of song, and it came from a real moment where Joshua needed to shift his focus back to God. "Praise the Lord" is joyful and upbeat, with great lyrics and worship vibes. Joshua sings, "When I wake up in the morning // I will join in your creation song again," setting the tone for a day filled with praise and thankfulness.  The song reminds us that there is always a reason to praise, regardless of our circumstances: "Even if I'm in the valley // Let there be a sound of joy flow from my lips." So, get up, lift your hands and dance! You can praise Him to celebrate your deliverance or praise Him just to simply acknowledge His presence. "You're the Lord of my deliverance // You ha...

Discover the connection between Compel Worship's song "He Leads Me" and Psalm 23:1–3, 4, 6. This live rendition of "He Leads Me" celebrates God as the ultimate Shepherd who lovingly guides and provides. The lyrics are directly linked to this Psalm, reminding us that God is with us through it all.  When you wake up in the morning, the goodness and mercy of God are not just waiting for you, they're pursuing you. When you open your eyes and you first come to consciousness in the morning, goodness and mercy from God are flowing into your life.  Even when the world is turbulent, we may have His peace in us. He guards our hearts and minds with His peace. He leads us beside still waters, restores our soul, restores our strength, restores our joy, and restores everything we truly need. He fills us and leads us. He leads us over paths of righteousness if we are prepared to follow Him. And when we drift away, He is there to put us back on the right path, "For the...

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 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....

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...

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...

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 ...

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 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...

Grace, freedom, and transformation… these are the main themes in the song "Where Would I Be" by Presence Music Band. The jazzy, ska-influenced sound makes the song fun to listen to, and the lyrics go deep. This song reflects on who we were and who we may become thanks to Him.  The song starts by looking at our brokenness: "I was like Lazarus // No breath for these lungs to breathe." It compares parts of us with Adam and Eve, believing the lies. And with Cain, hurt, filled with hate, and wandering, and how we are being held captive by sin. With God we have the assurance that there is always a turning point within our reach: "'Til you drew me in all over again."   Our hearts fill with gratitude when we realize, "Where would I be if it wasn't for mercy // Where would I be if it wasn't for grace." The song reminds us of the cross and the high cost that He paid for you and me. He makes it possible for us to sing, "The new me is look...

"Scott Declare Jr.’s “Solid Ground” came out of Joshua 3, when the priests had to step out into the water of the Jordan river during the most dangerous season of flooding. Unlike the Red Sea miracle, they had to trust God before seeing the waters part. This song captures that same call to step out in faith, even when the path looks and feels very uncertain, and God came through as soon as they stepped out onto the water. The lyrics reflect the tension they faced, “The wilderness hardened my heart and dried up my tears // I been waiting for answers // Roaming for 40 years.” It’s so relatable, because waiting can feel endless. And then comes the choice, will they take that small step of faith to get into the water: “I could go back to Egypt // Or I could trust the Lord?” We already know their answer, “I’m stepping out on the water // Some call it faith some call it crazy.” What would your answer have been? Scott reminds us that courage isn’t about having all the answers! The key ...

The idea behind Marcus & Jalyn McGill's new song, "Empty Hand," was triggered by a deeply personal season of infertility. One of their writers, Jennifer, had a vision where God was extending His hand to her, not holding the longed-for child, but an empty hand offering something much greater… His presence in the waiting. This vision became the center of this song and is an important message for anyone who is holding onto a wish/longing for a miracle that hasn't come to pass.  In this song we hear the message that comes along with His extended hand. "I've been watching as you've been waiting / As you focus on your lack," reminding us that it's so easy to get trapped in our pain when prayers don't seem to be answered. It's a pain that distracts and causes us to forget that He's "… more than enough." God already has a miracle for you, "I'm holding out My hand to you // Don't think because it's empty // I h...