David Crowder*Band: Church Music

With the title of Church Music, I was expecting something different--something like Indelible Grace's updating of older hymns. And while the first song, Phos Hilaron, is from the 4th century, the David Crowder*Band isn't so much interested in updating the old, but making something totally new.

These songs are all about meeting with God. That's the church part--at least what church is suppose to be. That opening 4th century song (translated Hail Gladdening Light) is the invocation to bring God near:

Hail gladdening light/ Of Your pure glory poured/ Who is the immortal Father/ Heavenly blesses/ Oh holiest of holies/ Jesus Christ our Lord.

There are songs that welcome His nearness:

Like springtime to winter's hush/ Like laughter to solemness/ Like a sun rising up/ You come, You come to us --Alleluia Sing

And some that long for His nearness:

Send me a sign, a hint, a whisper/ Throw me a line 'cause I'm listening/ Come break the quiet/ Breathe Your awakening/ Bring me to life 'cause I am fading--SMS [Shine]

Can I lie here in Your arms/ Can I lie here in Your arms/ My only calm is You/ Save me/ Oh how lovely this place, To be with You/ To be with You/ Oh the brightness of Your face/ Here with You/ Here with You
--Can I Lie Here

Some explore the results of having God near:

Heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss/ And my heart turns violently inside of my chest. I don't have time to maintain these regrets/ When I think about, the way../
That He loves us/ Oh, how He loves us...
--How He Loves

If the whole world could feel it/ If the whole world could feel it/ We could love/ We could love 'cause we are loved--We Are Loved

My hands are searching for You/ My arms are outstretched towards You/ I feel You on my fingertips/ My tongue dances behind my lips for You/ This fire rising through my being/ Burning, I'm not used to seeing You/ I'm alive/ I'm alive
--All Around Me

Some tell us how to bring God near:

Dance if you're wounded/ Dance if you're torn in two/ Dance if you're broken open/ Dance with nothing to lose/ Perfectly free/ Dance if you wanna be
-- Church Music-Dance[!]

The Veil tells of the One who came near in the flesh:

The love of angels becomes the love of men/ Oh, heavenly light takes on earth and skin/ What a Savior, what a King

The last song, In The End [O Resplendent Light!], speaks of being near to God throughout eternity:

In the end, in love our souls will rise/ All the nations, all the sides/ No fear in me for that dark place/ For I will be in His embrace

Church Music has powerful lyrics that work their way into your soul bringing the light of God's glory, love, and mercy. A more intimate group of songs may have never been written.

Musically, the album almost feels like one long song. There's not a lot of variation in rhythm and tempo, and one song just transitions into the next without ever stopping. David Crowder*Band has designed an entire album around a theme that leads the listener from Light to Light.

Hail Gladdening Light to O Resplendent Light.

The glory of the Beginning...
Son of our God, giver of life alone

to the glory of the end...
Our bodies die, but our souls will rise/ We were made to live forever

Brilliant

and Beautiful

Love is a verb

Just before Christmas, I gave myself a present--a daughter. It's actually my third. There's Maria in the Dominican Republic, Lalitha in India, and now Night in Uganda. These girls, aged 11, 9, and 7, are my Compassion daughters.

I received my first letter from Night recently and was taken back by her excited, "Thanks very much for loving me!"

I thought, gee, we just started this thing. I've never even written yet. She doesn't know what I look like....in fact, she doesn't know anything about me. And me, well, besides what she looks like, all I know about her are a few facts--her favorite color is blue and she wants to be a teacher someday. How could she presume that I love her already?

Ah, but young Night already knows that love is a verb. She's not interested in words of love--they don't fill her stomach. And she's not interested in platitudes about love--they don't put clothes on her body or give her an education or even teach her about God. Because even God did more than talk about love--He came down here and demonstrated the greatest act of love we could have never imagined. And all along His way to the cross, He helped, He healed, He fed.

He loved.

Compassion Sunday is coming soon to a church near you (or go to www.compassion.com). Don't walk past that table of faces without stopping to look. And don't just look with your eyes, look with Jesus' eyes.

Then I know you won't go home empty-handed.

Dr. Kevin Leman’s book Have a New Husband by Friday makes some pretty big claims. Is it really possible to “change his attitude, behavior, and communication in 5 days”?

Leman’s commonsense plan begins with understanding the differences between men and women. He insists that one of the main problems in marriages today is that gender differences aren’t understood or respected.

Leman then lets women in on some secrets: men need to be respected, needed, and fulfilled. If those needs are met, most husbands will bend over backward trying to please their wives, Leman contends.

Leman encourages women, “observe your male creature in his environment” to find out what makes him tick, looking at his background, family, and the way he was raised.

Leman explores the subject of communication —the way he does it, the way she does it, and how to meet in the middle. “Give him the Cliffs-Notes, not the whole enchilada,” says Leman.

Sex is a subject that can’t be avoided when talking about marriage, and Leman believes that “a couple’s satisfaction with their marriage is revealed in how healthy their sex life is.” Leman encourages, “Take a risk. Step out of your comfort zone. Surprise him.”

Over all, Leman says, “Treat him as your hero, and he’ll act like it.”

Leman’s plan for a happy marriage is simple—each member must put the other member’s needs above their own— but women have to get the ball rolling, because “he wants to be a good husband. He wants to please you. But he doesn’t know how to do that. He needs your help.”

Leman is quick to say that not every marriage is this simple. Abuse, addiction, and psychological issues change the game, and no woman should put up with being a door mat for a man who refuses help.

Leman employs Christian marriage principles without preaching. An excellent book for any wife or woman with marriage in her future.