Draw Near

Draw Near  [Download]

This is true. Hebrews 4. So incredibly encouraging. Thank you, Richard. Again, enjoy this one!

Hebrews 4:14-16 (NKJV)
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Indiana Home

My family and I recently had the pleasure of traveling 'home' to Indiana. Following a blessed week of introducing Aelah to the many family members she had yet to meet, we traveled to Fort Wayne, where I had the unique opportunity to open for Jenny & Tyler. Powerful music, a beautiful gathering of old and new friends at The Well, and Jesus ... what joy! Thank you to all who were present. And, thank you to all who purchased a CD. All proceeds ($100.75) will be donated to the current projects here at SongsGiving. Amazing!

Wild Truth

Wild Truth (Truth)  [Download]

I wrote this song several years ago after being introduced to the wonderful writing of Mark Buchanan. Reading his first book, Your God is Too Safe, I was encouraged to re-envision my Christian faith and walk. He challenges us to step from the comfort of 'Borderland' into the 'Holy Wild', and live with the God who is not safe, but most certainly good.

Mark Buchanan, The Holy Wild
Borderland describes the condition of stuckness - a conversion without regeneration, an initial encounter with Jesus that doesn't lead to a life abiding with Jesus. It's an acquaintanceship devoid of intimacy, dependency, obedience.  People on borderland have grown comfortable with boredom. They have settled for a God ... This god resembles not even remotely the God whose Spirit broods and dances, the God who topples entire empires, sometimes overnight, the God who reveals himself in the Christ who looks big men in the eye and says, "Follow me," and then walks away, not waiting for a reply. The God who calls us off borderland.

The other term, the Holy Wild, describes life with the God who is. The Holy Wild is what life, drunk to the lees, lived to the hilt, is like - life where we walk with the God who is surprising, dangerous, mysterious, alongside us though we fail to recognize Him, then disappearing the minute we do. It is the terrain where God doesn't always make sense of our sad or bland lives, our calamities and banalities, but who keeps meeting us in the thick and thin of those lives.

Unlike the writing of Mark, the lyrics of this song are a bit labored. Yet, truth remains.  Enjoy!

One Land

One Land (Food)  [Download]

Awaken the sleeper.  Enjoy this one! We think it's great.

John Lennon, Imagine
Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us and the world will be as one.

Jesus, (John 17, NKJV)
I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Millions of Meals

Since 1987, Feed My Starving Children has fed God's children hungry in body and spirit. Along with other organizations, they have been making a great impact in this world. According to their recent press release, FMSC has, in 25 years of existence, sent over 500 million meals to the poor and hungry in 70 developing countries.  Last year alone, volunteers produced over 133 million meals.

The following graphs show how, during the past 25 years, the prevalence of malnutrition has declined in countries to which FMSC has provided at least 4 million meals. Surely, they have played an instrumental role in this change.  Through SongsGiving, your purchase of a single song can provide 2 meals to a child in need.

58: Here I Am

58: Here I Am (58:)  [Download]

Many Christians devote themselves to fast during Lent. But, what does it mean to fast? Is it simply to give up coffee, chocolate, or Facebook? Is it to reflect on our own immortality and need? Is it not, also, to properly gauge our place in the greater story of humanity, thereby, increasing our hunger for God Himself and for His kingdom come and will done on Earth as in heaven?

Isaiah 58:6-9a
"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.'"

Here, we see the fast that God desires. The song, 58: Here I Am, reflects the hope that is given through obedience to the call of the Lord found in Isaiah 58. All proceeds from this song support 58:, an "unprecedented global alliance of Christians, churches and world-class poverty-fighting organizations working together to end extreme poverty in our lifetime by living the True Fast of Isaiah 58." Want to know more about 58: and what you can do to join the movement? Watch the video above. Thank you for your continued service to the Kingdom of Christ!

Want chords for 58: Here I Am?  Find them here.

alef: oh that my ways were blameless

alef: oh that my ways were blameless (Truth)  [Download]

As we've entered Lent, the season of "Bright Sadness", we penitentially reflect upon our relationship to the greater story. Where do we stand with God, with our neighbor, and with ourself? This song allows us to resonate with the desire of the psalmist. Oh, that our ways were blameless!

Nick Mott on 119:alef
Having seen clearly that the blessing of the LORD is a life of obedience to His commands, the Psalmist reflects on his own life. He sees that while the LORD has indeed blessed him, he longs for more blessing that would result in a greater obedience and more praise to the God who saved him. He longs that he might not be put to shame in this life by walking in disobedience. He longs too that on the day when the Lord Jesus returns he would not be ashamed having strayed from the way of the word of the LORD. No, he will praise Him in this life, and glorify Him on the last day. May our longing be the same!