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Showing posts with the label #CCM

"Into The Light" by Adam and Ali Curry: Finding Hope in the Waiting

"Into The Light" Adam and Ali Curry look at one of the big faith-based questions we have and probably have asked out loud: "Lord, are you really with me like You promised?" It is a perfectly fine question, not a thought that some people tell us that we need to feel ashamed about! It's both a vulnerable and hopeful cry to God, and God understands that doubt can haunt us and cause us to doubt His nature and the value of His promises.  The lyrics in the song show this struggle. On one hand, there's awe for who He is, "You are justice // You are mercy // You are moving // Even in the waiting." On the other side, the lyrics contain a plea: "Where is your light, oh Lord? // Can you bring me out of the dark and into the light?" You'll probably recognize the following line, "It seems like I'm calling and calling and nobody's listening," as we sometimes feel unseen. We all have moments when we feel certain, "Your fam...

"I’m Sorry For Rushing" by Reflect Church: Returning to God’s Rhythm

"I'm Sorry For Rushing" by Reflect Church is an honest apology to God. Reflect Church shared that this is an apology for "living a life that is overly focused on outcomes, achievement and isn't always submitted to the rhythm of the Holy Spirit." It's a reminder for us to return to the slower pace of faith, trust, and surrender… God's pace.  "I'm sorry for rushing // Rushing you, Jesus," we know how easy it is to push ahead instead of staying in His presence. We'll never be able to see the full picture, His plan, so we need to learn how to align to His ways and His timing, "Teach me how to slow down // And stay within your presence." We all know how challenging it can be to let go of control and walk in step with Him.  The song invites you to join in declaring our dependence and asking for His guidance in our lives: "Jesus I need you // So I surrender // Come and lead me Lord." We are lovingly reminded of the ...

"Jesus The Son" by George Case: Declaring Him as Your Everything

"Jesus The Son" by George Case is a worship song that celebrates the hope, healing, and wholeness that Jesus gives us. George Case shared that the song is a declaration that Jesus is the ultimate answer to the deepest needs we may have in life. "Who is He? He's the One, the only one," the song proclaims, acknowledging Him as our Redeemer, Savior, and everything that is in between.  The first verses of the song reflect our awe and gratitude in the form of questions: "Who's the one who took my burdens and laid them down? // Who gave me hope where none could be found // Who paints the stars in heaven for me to I see every night // Who took my broken pieces and made them right." Questions that highlight His ability to fill the voids in our lives that only He can touch.  Through all of the ups and downs in our lives, His love remains constant and always present: "In the joy and all the sorrow, He's by my side." The song isn't just a...

"Heaven Come Down" by Tyler Ratcliffe: A Song Wrapped in God's Timing

"Heaven Come Down" by Tyler Ratcliffe is a song that came together in the most spontaneous, God-ordained way. Tyler and Jonathan had been trying to collaborate for months but so far hadn't been able to coordinate their schedules. While Tyler was with friends walking about the next collab, he spun a wheel of names, picked Jonathan, and just booked a flight to San Diego. What happened next felt like pure divine timing.  They recorded "Heaven Come Down" and then went to Light Chapel to create the supporting reels and content. While filming at Light Chapel, a couple showed up, thinking that there was a worship night scheduled, but none was planned. The couple asked if they could stay and watch, and that is when the idea came to create a Chapel Version of the song. Amazing things happen when God is in the driver's seat, and that theme also runs through the song!  The song is a plea for Heaven to come down, take control, and provide what we need: "We've s...

"Lilies" by Toni LaShaun: How Scripture Inspired a Song of Surrender

Toni LaShaun’s “Lilies” is deeply personal, born out of her lifelong battle with anxiety. Toni shares: "Anxiety and I go way back. It’s something I’ve battled for most of my life — sometimes silently, sometimes desperately — but always knowing that there had to be more peace than panic, more purpose than fear." Through prayer and therapy, she feels more equipped and stronger to face it. It was during one of those raw, still-struggling/still-trusting moments that this song came to life. During her Bible study one day, she came across Luke 12, a passage she’d read countless times, and this time something had changed. Verses 25–26 called her out. “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?” (Luke 12:25–26 NLT) Verse 27 struck her: “Look at the lilies and how they grow…” She realized how God clothes flowers in beauty without them striving or stressing. They simply ...

"Lead Me To The Cross" by Tiffany Ford: Surrendering All at the Cross

Tiffany Ford's rendition of "Lead Me To The Cross" is a tribute to the original song that was released approximately 10 years ago, around the same time that Tiffany started attending church with her family. The song beautifully reflects her own journey of learning about Jesus, especially His style of teaching … not by telling people what they needed to do, but by loving, healing, serving, and through His sacrifice.  One of Tiffany's favorite lines is "Rid me of myself," a contrast to the worldly focus of more is more, and shifting focus to faith, where we have all that we need, and embrace true freedom in Him. Tiffany emphasizes the message she found behind this line: "Lay your worries, your hang ups, lay everything down at the cross and follow me. Jesus died a death he didn't deserve so that we could live freely and this song serves as a good reminder for me."   It all comes together in the lines: "Savior I come // Quiet my soul, remembe...

"Mercy" by Avery Stafford: Finding Freedom in God’s Compassion

Avery Stafford's "Mercy" is a relatable song that has been released on Juneteenth, 2025, a time when the world could use a lot more grace. It's a beautiful Christian-pop crossover with a unique two-meter rhythm. The song delivers a powerful message at a time when our world desperately needs individuals filled with mercy and grace. It looks at struggles that most are very familiar with, like self-doubt, guilt, and our longing for unconditional love. Avery asks, "Would You love me if You knew me like I know me?" We already know God's answer: He loves each and every one of us! "That's mercy!"   We are awed by God's compassion: "Offered kindness in my blindness at my weakest." We cannot earn His grace, and even when we fail, His grace still applies. He already paid the price for us, "The cruel, awful payment so I'd be free" and the cost of redemption was huge! Whatever is weighing us down or holding us away, we ma...

"Glorious Ruins" by Olly Kiff: Rising from Ashes Through Faith

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...

"Noah" by Aaron Holder: A Cry for Redemption in Chaotic Times

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...

Be Still for the Presence of the Lord by Studio Orchestra: Modern Orchestral Rendition on a Timeless Hymn

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...

"Chasing After You (Live)" by Our Church Youth: A Joyful Pursuit of God

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...

"the cost (given for us)" by HOMECOMING: Feeling the Weight of Grace

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 ...

"This Time" by Matthew Carmelo: A Bold Step Toward A Fresh Start

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...

"Psalm 2 (He Who Sits)" by Red Letter Society: Finding Refuge in the King

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...

"Praise The Lord" by Joshua Royal: Shifting Our Focus Back to God

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...

"He Leads Me (Live)" by Compel Worship: Singing the message of Psalm 23:1–6

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...

"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 ...