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"Holy Forever" by Stephanie Staples: When Music Becomes an Offering

Stephanie Staples has just recently released her own rendition of Chris Tomlin’s recent critically acclaimed worship song “Holy Forever”. For this version, Stephanie transforms this song into a soulful and reverent version of this classic hit. While Tomlin’s version is more grandiose and soaring, Stephanie’s version feels more grounded and meditative. Leaning on her more emotive expression of the song, this version offers an alternative listen to a song that is well loved by this generation of Christian worshippers. Just like Tomlin’s original version, "Holy Forever" themes gives focus on eternal worship and the unchanging dominion of Jesus Christ over us. The song gives reverence to the value and the importance of having Jesus in our life. Our continued reverence and submission to him is crucial in our quest to know him more and understand how his presence in our life transforms us to become better Christians. Foremost to this is accepting the fact that Jesus is the only tru...

"No One Like Jesus" by Joseph Jordan: The Friend Who Never Fails to Show Up

There's a feeling that most of us know too well — reaching out and finding that no one is there. Joseph Jordan captures that pain in "No One Like Jesus," and reminds us what Jesus truly gave us. The song opens with vulnerability, where Jordan describes a feeling of exhaustion caused by loneliness, the frustration that pushes people away, and the painful silence that follows when friends don't show up. Joseph is singing what many of us feel, but rarely say out loud. "I got lonely and called on a friend, and no one showed up just like always." That line hurts and cuts deeply, because most of us have been there. "No One Like Jesus" is a song about a turning point that we all may experience (yes, you too!). After years of running "to never get nowhere" and being "blinded by lies," Jordan finally sees what was there all along. "Oh, How could I not see // That you were right in front of me." Jesus, who is always present...

"Going Outta My Mind" by Fisher of Men: He Challenges You to Stop Living for Yourself

(by Jasper Tan) "Going Outta My Mind" by Fisher of Men is a modern indie pop CCM song that focuses on the suffocating nature of being self-centered, rather than being freed by the truth of God's love. With the lines "Yeah I've been livin' in my head too long, spinnin' every little worry like a broken song," it quickly establishes our tendency to dwell on our problems. And once we get in too deep with it, we more often than not get drowned by the darkness it brings. These intrusive thoughts are not healthy for us. And the only way to break free from these thoughts is to acknowledge and receive God's love, and place your problems in His care.  A simple "tap" by Jesus is all that it takes to be set free from this cycle of darkness. But the question is, are we ready to acknowledge it and let go? Jesus is always there ready to offer His help. He's always there ready to offer His friendship. Are we ready to receive it? Are we ready for H...

"Good Grace / Clean Slate" by Century Worship: Heaven Came Down to Meet You

There is no one like Jesus. That's the key message of "Good Grace / Clean Slate - Live" by Century Worship, and once this truth sinks in, it's hard to shake. The song opens with a question that stops you in your tracks, pulling the essence of Christ's sacrifice right into your life: "Who is God that He would take our place?" Just think about it for a moment... what kind of God steps down from glory to walk the very ground He created and pay the price on your behalf? The answer to this question unfolds throughout the song. This answer talks about this exchange. "Good grace, clean slate // God met me where I was,"  a God who doesn't wait for you to get it together. He came down and paid it all. That's the story. That's the gospel. The bridge declares: "There's never been, never been, anyone like our God." Century Worship isn't asking you to take their word for it... They're inviting you into the moment where th...

"Just Like You" by Senora Boyd: Chasing Christ Above All Else

What does it really mean to be transformed? Senora Boyd answers that question boldly in her Christian Rock/Pop anthem, "Just Like You" — and the answer might surprise you.  Less than a year before meeting her now-husband, "notlouwee!", and connecting with Billboard-charting producer "I Project", Boyd's life was looking completely different compared to where she is today. Her desires shifted, her priorities became centered on God, and the way she created music changed, together with her faith. We're talking about a full reset! What started out as a new spiritual journey quickly grew into a creative movement. Together with notlouwee! and I Project, she recorded nine songs within seven months. "Just Like You" is Boyd's fourth release, and it may be her most personal release yet.  The song is a raw, faith-filled confession. Lines like "Strip away my sin, I feel like a criminal" and "I was lost, running from the truth"...