I’ve always loved Derek’s music and his ability to use his lyrics as a sword that pierces the heart of your beliefs and pre-conceived ideas about the world around us. This album looks like it will be more of the same.

The "words" are fitting to the message he’s trying to convey. Nothing gratuitous in my opinion. Interested in hearing what you think.

Hat tip to Matthew Paul Turner over at Jesus Needs New PR for sharing the video on his blog.

I wanted to share the lyrics of the song with you and see what you though about them? I was also caused to think of Dave’s name as well, pretty Biblical sounding as well.

Oh, Oh Deep water
Black, and cold like the night
I stand with arms wide open
I’ve run a twisted mile
I’m a stranger
in the eyes of the Maker

I could not see
for fog in my eyes
I could not feel
for the fear in my life
From across the great divide
In the distance i saw a light
John Baptist
walking to me with the Maker

My body is bent and broken
by long and dangerous sleep
I can work the fields of Abraham
and turn my head away
I’m not a stranger
in the hands of the Maker

Brother John
Have you seen the homeless daughters
standing there
with broken wings
I have seen the flaming swords
there over east of eden
burning in the eyes of the Maker
burning in the eyes of the Maker
burning in the eyes of the Maker
burning in the eyes of the Maker

oh river rise from your sleep….

Good stuff. Thoughts?

Lyrics: LyricsOnDemand.com
Photo: DaveMatthewsBand.com

My wife just told me that she had just heard this new song by Casting Crowns. I looked for it on YouTube hoping to get to hear the whole thing. Luckily it was there but it’s just the audio, no video.

The lyrics are powerful and in-your-face, which reminds me a lot of what I’ve been liking about Todd Agnew.

What this world needs is not another one hit wonder with an axe to grind
Another two bit politician peddling lies
Another three ring circus society

What this world needs is not another sign waving super saint that’s better than you
Another ear pleasing candy man afraid of the truth
Another prophet in an Armani suit

What this world needs is a Savior who will rescue
A Spirit who will lead
A Father who will love them in their time of need
A Savior who will rescue
A Spirit who will lead
A Father who will love
That’s what this world needs

What this world needs is for us to care more about the inside than the outside
Have we become so blind that we can’t see
God’s gotta change her heart before He changes her shirt
What this world needs is for us to stop hiding behind our relevance

Blending in so well that people can’t see the difference
And it’s the difference that sets the world free
Jesus is our Savior, that’s what this world needs
Father’s arms around you, that’s what this world needs
That’s what this world needs

In the middle of the song there’s a section of spoken words with different people sharing even more ways that we need to get out of the way and just share who God is and let Him be Him and do the work.

Lyrics: LyricsOnDemand

I didn’t sign-up for the retreat because we didn’t have the money and my schedule wouldn’t allow me to miss work on that weekend. Through a series of events, my supervisor who was another Christian man, found out about the retreat and told me to head home. He’d cover for me and figure it out. This was the Friday morning of the day we were to leave that evening for the retreat. There was still the question of paying for the retreat. On my way home from Lowe’s I received a phone call from a company I do some sporadic work for doing movie trailer checks. They called me and had a number of assignments around town if I could do them all. I said sure and rushed around Indianapolis taking care of all the jobs as quickly as possible so I could get to the church on time to leave. Guess how much I made? That’s right! Enough to cover the cost of the retreat and I finished just in time to rush home and pack stuff together and get to the church in time to leave.

As I said before, I first heard this song at the retreat and it obviously resonated with me that weekend. Now everytime I hear the song I’m reminded about just how great our God really is and how he watched over, protected and provided for me and my family in that rough period of my life.

The chorus states:

Chorus:
How great is our God
Sing with me
How great is our God
And all will see
How great, how great is our God

The phrase and music that builds into the last line always hits me right in the spirit of my soul. What a great song. You can read the rest of the lyrics here.

What songs really minister to you and remind of you the tough and great times in your life?

Chris has a great website setup for himself where you can really learn more about him and all the normal things like photos, albums and tour dates. A music player on the site let’s you hear clips from his current songs and more.

If you visit the site you can listen to the album in streaming format and preview the images that appear in the accompanying book. I like the graphic quality of the images. Very stark, strong lines and bold colors. Pretty much black, white and red.

His lyrics are very powerful and by the titles of the songs on this album, I’m sure there’s going to be some really challenging messages being spoken and heard in our lives.

For those that pre-order the album now from the website, you can then immediately download the entire album in digital format. How’s that for a marketing option. You don’t see the big labels doing that kind of stuff now do you?

How many other Derek Webb fans are there out there? I’d love to hear from you.

Derek Webb’s The Ringing Bell

Then what do you know, within a couple of hours I get an e-mail from HearItFirst letting me know that there’s a new free song available and it’s from none other than Derek Webb.

Derek Webb’s song “Wedding Dress” is the currently available free song from HearItFirst.com

Be sure and sign-up for their newsletter so you too can be pleasantly surprised when they let you know you can get another free song from one of your favorite artists!

As I am listening to it now, I had to share the lyrics from the second song on the album entitled “A New Law”. I came from a great church heritage and am thankful for how I was raised and taught in the church. However, as I’ve grown I’ve come to belief that there’s much more freedom in being a Christian than was taught to me. I think far too often, we ask for more laws and rules to live by, not to change our lives, but to measure how well we’re doing compared to those around us. I specifically like the last part below that I’ve bolded for emphasis.

Derek Webb A New Law Lyrics

(vs. 1)
don’t teach me about politics and government
just tell me who to vote for
don’t teach me about truth and beauty
just label my music

don’t teach me how to live like a free man
just give me a new law

(pre-chorus)
i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy
so just bring it down from the mountain to me

(chorus)
i want a new law
i want a new law
gimme that new law

(vs. 2)
don’t teach me about moderation and liberty
i prefer a shot of grape juice

don’t teach me about loving my enemies

don’t teach me how to listen to the Spirit
just give me a new law

(pre-chorus/chorus)

(bridge)
what’s the use in trading a law you can never keep
for one you can that cannot get you anything
do not be afraid
do not be afraid
do not be afraid

What song lyrics speak to you? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

What I’m more interested in discussing now though is the what U2 and Bono are doing to promote Christianity. It’s been awhile since I’ve posted about mainstream artists being overtly or covertly Christian and those were quite active posts.

I just read a great paper that’s available on The Thoughtful Christian website entitled “The Music and Message of U2″. It’s an article that’s available for purchase in PDF format for $5. At the request of the author, he’d prefer I not share any details about the article specifically, but it was interesting and worth $5.

Has anyone read this? What are your thoughts on U2? Bono? I’m looking forward to your comments.

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Spread the love and give them a look-see over at In the Pursuit of God – Music

One Trick Pony

I’m a one trick pony, if you will
I got a one track mind with a heart that’s real
And don’t forget I’ve got tunnel vision
For something much bigger than superstition
Call me hard headed for the One that changed me
Say what you will, it will not phase me
No need for anything up my sleeve
There’s just one thing that I’ll ever need

You are my one and only
You are my one and only
Oh, I’m a one trick pony

If I hear just one more time
That I should try and be more open-minded
I think I just might scream
The world says this is all there is
Yet I believe the One who says there’s life after this
Now tell me how much more open can my mind be?

MercyMe is probably most famous for their “I Can Only Imagine”, which is a beautiful song.