ChristianDance

Have you ever found yourself at a loss for words when you tried to describe God's greatness? Darrell Vaughn is a worship leader at the Rockpile Church in Texas, and he knows that feeling. This song, "Holy Is Your Name", takes a closer look at this struggle. Darrell has been involved in leading worship and church planting for four decades. He uses his experiences and musical skills to turn this struggle between our human limitations and God's majesty into a faith-boosting song. The melody of the song is an intriguing mix of country, soul, and modern Christian music with a bit of a laid-back vibe.  There is nothing laid-back about the message of the song. The lyrics challenge us to look for new ways to express God's worthiness. Vaughn sings, "I'm searching for a new word," showing the challenge we all face from time to time to express what we feel using words. It's a bit like the challenge we have to describe the taste of a strawberry or the feeli...

"MIRACLES" by Citizen Way, Jasmine Murray, and Kevin Winebarger is a catchy and energetic song that makes you want to throw your hands up and shout "Hallelujah!" . MIRACLES stands on the core belief that God is very much still in the miracle business. If you've ever doubted whether He could also do for you what He's already done for so many others, then this song is here to silence those doubts. As the lyrics say, "They said the storm would never break, but I've seen You make a way."   The key message? Have full confidence in His power. Don't doubt. Whether it's turning darkness into light or moving mountains, Citizen Way, Kevin Winebarger, and Jasmine Murray sing with bold assurance: "I've seen it time and time again // Oh, there's nothing out of Your hands."   Lines like "I've seen the grave get out the way // You're making Friday feel like Sunday" declare that even in the toughest moments, breakth...

"Back to Life" by Taylor Charmayne is a song of strength, redemption, and faithfulness. Taylor Charmayne had what she calls a "Damascus moment", a moment where she realized that her music wasn't in line with God's plan for her life. She was a rising star in secular pop at that time, and she turned away from the fame and the record deals to give her life back to Christ. The lyrics describe the change,  "I've been feeling like I'm on E," she sings, describing her struggle. But she knew He was with her, even when she couldn't see His hand. “What’s Goliath to a stone when you with me?” The chorus is full of thankfulness and reminds us that God is always there: “You always show up on time… every time I lost my fight, you brought me right back to life.”   This song isn't about being perfect; it's all about trust. It's about healing and knowing that God has prepared a way, regardless of how tough things...

Dave Langdon's "Outrageous" is the kind of song that makes you stop for a moment and think, "Wow, He really did that for me?" Co-writer Chelsea Brandow was driving in her car when the concept and melody for the chorus just flowed out. They loved the idea she shared and decided to run with it.  The song celebrates how Christ gave everything on the cross, even though we didn't deserve it. Lines like "I'm amazed that you would give your life for me" remind us how incredible and astonishing it is that Christ chose to give his life for us on the cross.  What stands out the most is how personal this song feels. Dave sings about being undeserving yet forgiven and broken yet healed. The bridge beautifully captures this: "My heart can barely fathom the measure of Your love." The lyrics are catchy, and you'll quickly find yourself singing along, especially with this part, "Your love is outrageous," over and over again.  This s...

"Follow Jesus" by S.D.G. (Soli.Deo.Gloria) is a song that started in a miraculous way. S.D.G. shared that 95% of the song lyrics, melody, and harmony came to mind completely unexpectedly in 1–2 days. He compares it to lightning, lightly, seemingly without his effort, as if somebody else from High sent it all to him and said, "do it"!  A song sparked by the realization that many people just say, "Has not been born on earth yet… // Man who can wisely teach me life." But look at Jesus! He's already here, sowing love and offering wisdom that is way beyond human understanding.  The song challenges us to reflect on our feelings of pride and self-reliance: "When I do say - I'm always right… Am I not blind?" It invites us to exchange our arrogance for humility and reminds us that Christ already lives among us and guides us with His grace. "Jesus - He lives in our midst, // He's the best teacher that the earth has ever known!"   Th...

Dorothy Wallace released a beautiful song called "Peace Lord Make Me an Instrument". The lyrics of the song are inspired by the timeless "Peace Prayer" that is attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi. Dorothy shares: "Growing up, my mother had the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi hanging on the wall in our home. It was her favorite prayer. When she went home to be with the Lord, we printed it on her funeral cards." This prayer is a favorite of Dorothy, and she brings it to life in her latest release. "I definitely think the world needs Peace more than ever," she says, and I'm confident most will agree with that.  The lyrics of the song ask God to change us, "Lord make me an instrument of Your peace // Where there is hate, let me bring love." His Peace isn't passive, and we have a part to play. "Let me bring love" is a call to action, urging us to step into the broken places around us with mercy, faith, and hope...

Here it is! The extended version of "Rest" by Olly Kiff featuring Alison Kiff. As Olly shared with me, this song came out of a time of uncertainty, when he had to lay aside his agenda and trust in God. We're probably already all too familiar with moments in life when we're trying to follow our agenda and do everything on our own. Olly reminds us that this isn't how it has to go; we don't have to do this on our own.  The lyrics reflect a tension we are probably very familiar with, a tension between knowing the right prayers to pray, like "God have full control" and "let Your kingdom come," and still struggling to fully surrender control to God. "I can sing I surrender all / I can sing God have full control," Olly sings, "But somehow I still try to do it on my own." You're not the only one who faces these struggles when walking through the unknowns and storms of life.  Rest in God, trust in His plans and His timing...

Thoughts And Notions' 20th Anniversary Edition of "Savior" is a heartfelt comeback that links the past with the present with a new recording of earlier work. And… as expected with all of the experience they gained during those 20 years, their artistic maturity can be heard in this updated rendition for a new generation. Savior was their very first praise and worship song. It was initially recorded in 2004 for their first album, "In Awe of His Amazing Love," a fundraising project for their church. The lyrics are very relatable for anyone who's ever felt "shaken, broken, failing" or lost in life's chaos. "You're my answer, my lord and founder," they sing—a reminder that Jesus is the ultimate anchor and stronghold in life. The chorus, "Lord Jesus my savior / You came and became my redeemer / I was lost but you saved me," hope for anyone who feels they're drowning in confusion. As the song continues, it shifts to cele...

"Oh Praise" by Amy Hillis is an intriguing song that captures both the weight and the wonder of the cross. It asks us to think about who we really are! When we read the accounts of the Crucifixion of Jesus with sober, honest eyes, do we see ourselves in the violent mob of people? Do we see ourselves in Pilate, who simply washes his hands of this tragedy? Do we find ourselves walking free after the crowd chose to kill the innocent—our Savior—over us, the guilty? Our ideal reality says that we would have come to the defense of Jesus. Deep in our heart we see ourselves in the eyes of Jesus as he says, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." He loves us, regardless of our imperfections, and this makes the collision between God's holiness and His incomparable love for us more clear. Jesus knew there was more to his death. "The blood that spilled down from His veins // Dripped with mercy and called my name," reminding us that His sacrifice is ...

"Wanna Be Like You" by One Common is an interesting song that was born out of this duo's struggles with wanting to please people and the pressure they felt to perform. The song reminds us to stop chasing others for their approval and start chasing Jesus instead. "I'm so done tryna be someone else just to keep people's attention," they sing. It can be very exhausting to constantly pretend and perform. The song reminds us to keep our hearts and lives centered on Jesus—the only one who truly is worthy of being our role model. Not for applause. Not for attention. But because His way is the only one that brings real peace and fulfillment in our lives.  The need to please others and perform is probably a feeling that many of us know all too well — but it doesn't have to define us.  The lyrics of the song put the issue right there on the table: "Who am I tryna be, who am I tryna please? That's the question." And the answer? Ofcourse, Jesus i...

"Road of Wonder (Mary's Song)" by Heidi Elgaard is an invitation to walk alongside Mary Magdalene, one of the pivotal people in Christianity. Released just in time for Holy Week, this song captures Mary's change from brokenness to unwavering devotion. The song starts with the lyrics, "When I first met Him, // I was shattered and broken," Mary's initial encounter with Jesus. With "a touch and a word," her life gets an extreme makeover: "He brought back a life // I thought the demons had swallowed." Heidi beautifully describes Mary's faith journey - her decision to follow Jesus, her anguish at the cross ( "I wept by the cross but tears could not drown my sorrows" ), and her awe at His resurrection: "That's when you revealed to me your truth and your glory." This song reminds us how Jesus reaches out and meets us in our darkest moments and calls us into purpose. Mary's faith journey is so relatable beca...

"Land I'm Livin In" by Isaiah William is a beautiful song, but the making of the song wasn't easy—it was a labor of love, with six different choruses written before they landed on the perfect one. For Isaiah William, this song is a reminder that God's goodness is always there, regardless of whether we feel it or not. The lyrics declare, "Surely I will see Your goodness // In the land I'm livin'," expressing hope that we can trust God to do for us what He has done for others so many times before. God's goodness is always there, even when we can't feel it. The lyrics are inspired by well-known Bible stories about faith and how God provided. It's lines like "Give us faith // Like Daniel in the lion's den" and "Like Elijah fed by the raven's hand" that remind us that God has always been true to His promises; He is there, even before we call out. The song calls us to have faith that His plan "is working ...

"One True Savior" is the first studio-produced single of Josh Grove, a 15-year-old Christian singer/songwriter, and what a debut this is! This is the kind of song that feels like a warm, comforting, and encouraging hug when life feels a bit too much. The lyrics remind us of God's goodness, especially when we're feeling weighed down by discouragement or "the enemy's" lies. "I was feeling down // I was buying out // Lies from the devil's mouth," the lyrics confess, and shifts with a message of hope: "But now I've been feeling close to You." Such a relatable testimony, and honestly, who hasn't been there before? This song is a battle cry, and it triumphantly declares, "I've been saved // By the One True Savior / Claimed // By the risen Jesus." As I listen, I need to constantly remind myself that Josh is a 15-year-old, because the sound of the song and its message are much more than what I expected. This song ...

"Shout Your Name" by Crossing Life Worship was written in 2020 as a response to a message that was shared during "@crossingwindham" about the importance of praise. It wasn't until 2023 that the song was introduced at their church, Crossing Life Church. The song is now one of the favorites in their local church and throughout the region. The inspiration for this song comes from passages in Isaiah 61 and Acts 16, passages that remind us to praise throughout the day, during all phases of our lives, not only when everything is going easy. The song's message isn't to ignore our problems; it's to choose to honor and praise Him even when our life is filled with chaos. In exchange for our praises, God offers us "Beauty for ashes // Joy for mourning." The lyrics of the bridge encourage us to "Throw off that shame // Dance on those chains," breaking free from the burdens that hold us down and steer us away from God. Step into His freedom ...

"Beautiful Savior" by Rorie is a heartfelt conversation with God that was born during a visit to the ER at 3:30 am on Easter morning. Rorie was getting help for an asthma episode, and while waiting, Rorie reflected on the paradox of pain and hope: "It was a dark night and day waiting for answers," she penned, echoing her own vulnerability. Rorie shares, "I was sitting there thinking about how Jesus knew what was going to happen to Him and yet still chose to die for us, even while we were so undeserving. He went through unimaginable suffering and paid the price for our sins so that no matter where we have been or what we have done, we can have new life and eternal life through believing in and following after Him. All because of who He is and what He has done!" As the truth of the Gospel flooded her heart, she realized that she couldn't stay silent about it, even though her voice couldn't sing. She continues, "Not only did He pay the price for...

"Clues" by Josh Bissell and Spencer Annis is a beautiful indie folk ballad for anyone who's ever felt lost and wants to find their way again. The song offers quiet but undeniable hope, like the first hint of dawn after a long night. The lyrics navigate the messy journey of confronting our inner "monsters" and buried (childhood) wounds. "Where did the monsters come from? // How did I come to meet them?" Bissell asks, voicing the feelings we experience when past hurts are unraveled. This song isn't about keeping those pains "safely" wrapped up in darkness, "Reaching through the shadows to the edges of my mind // Filling every corner with illuminating light."  Clarity usually doesn't come in grand revelations but as small sacred nudges. "I guess I'm just looking for clues." The approach is to shine a bright light on it and ask God to help find the clues needed to figure out a way forward. It's a song about s...

"All My Praise" by Crossroads Bigfork Worship is a song that emphasizes that worship should be an expression of our devotion to God in every circumstance and through every season of life. Written by Worship Pastor Ben Erickson from Montana, it's a response to a common struggle we all may feel during or after church services, where worship sometimes gets gets tied to emotions or preferences. "Worship isn't about the feeling," Erickson explains, "but about who Jesus is." That is one of the key messages that you immediately see in the lyrics: "It's not a feeling emotion // Or a space that I'm in // It's a reverence, a constant // Oh, I know who my God is."  The song's heartbeat is consistency. "In every single season // My heart will choose to give," and "Jesus, Redeemer, my strength and strong tower // The calm in the middle of the storm." Life will throw chaos on our path, and whatever happens, your ...

"Trust in the Lord" by Michael Encarnacion feels like a warm embrace during some of life's raging storms. The song was written on Memorial Day 2024, Michael shares: "I was casually scrolling through Facebook and found a chord progression for a John Legend song. I stopped scrolling to go to my Logic Pro DAW, where I began playing the chord progression. Started mumbling some random lyric and melody, which began to gradually form into a verse. I've never been in a co-writing session, but I could feel the spirit of God moving through my thoughts."   The outcome is a song for anyone who finds themselves wrestling with doubt or loneliness. "When you feel alone, // And hope is nowhere near," an all-too-familiar feeling when we're disconnected from God, and the chorus describes the solution: "Put your trust in the Lord, // He'll never let you down." A solution that may seem easier said than done, but the fact is that He is always presen...

"Captive" by Luminate House is one of those songs that really grabs your heart and doesn't let go. It's a story of redemption, freedom, and God's relentless love. A journey from feeling trapped by shame to experiencing God's overwhelming grace that breaks every chain. "When I was a captive, I heard You call my name," the moment that God steps in to our lives, ready to rewrite our story (if we let Him). The song beautifully describes His nature, how He wants to meet us right where we are, and welcome us back home. "With ring and robe, You call me home," where we as prodigal sons and daughters may return to His unconditional acceptance and grace. Where "Chains break, fall down // I feel the shame undone." That is His promise to you, and if you've ever felt stuck in your past, you know firsthand how important this is.  This song is an invitation to step into the freedom that only God can give us. And if you have doubts whether...

"My Father's Voice" by Lucas Hampton is a powerful song about finding our true identity in Christ. In Christ there is no room for shame, no matter what we have done or how badly we have messed up our lives. Lucas reminds us that we find our worth in Jesus, even when others (or the shame we feel) are trying to tell us otherwise. Lucas emphasizes the truth that his love and grace are for us, and ultimately we belong to Jesus.  The lyrics hit hard right from the start: "I can't believe, the love you lavish over me / I am undone because of all that you have done for me." This is the awe-inspiring reality of God's grace for everyone who invites Him to be part of their lives. Letting God be part of our lives means: "I let my Father's voice define me, He's the only one who can / I tell my shame to get behind me, Cause that's not who I am." It's the best way to silence the lies and embrace His truth. God is constantly at work with us,...