Hawk Nelson Keeps Delivering

If you asked me my favorite artists or bands, Hawk Nelson wouldn't be on the list, simply because I usually judge that based on how many songs I own by a particular artist/band. But that leaves bands like Hawk Nelson off, when they probably should be on my favorites list.

Hawk Nelson has been around forever, or so it seems, and they continue to deliver high-energy music, with great messages. You have your fun or goofy songs in there too, and all around, it's a wonderful mix. 

They have some new singles that have been releasing on Spotify, making me wonder if there is a new album in the making? (Please oh please)! If they are going to be releasing a new album, I am pretty excited about it, based on the singles. (Hmmm, according to Genius Lyrics, they are releasing an album called Miracles sometime this year!)

The first one I heard was "He Still Does (Miracles)". It's so encouraging and uplifting and inspiring. God doesn't usually do miracles like He did in the Bible, and it can be easy to think that He just doesn't work that way anymore. But He does. He still does miracles, but sometimes they are through common, everyday things. He might use a doctor for healing, or open up an opportunity at just the right time. There are still miracles.

Favorite lyrics:

Even if you don't see it now
Without a doubt, He's already moving
There is not a pain that you hold
He doesn't know, and He isn't using

Next up is "Parachute". This is a creative take on the theme of our mistakes and our sins weighing us down, pulling at us. Hawk Nelson does an incredible job in their song writing; penning lyrics that connect with people. Let's be honest, we all pretty much deal with the same things, even if the circumstances are a bit different and we don't feel like anyone else would understand. Hawk Nelson understands how people feel when they are going through stuff and their songs reflect it.

Favorite lyrics: 

The weight of my mistakes
My regrets and all my shame
Like gravity, it's pulling me
The waves keep crashing in
Things I've done and who I've been
The gravity, it's pulling me
 

And finally, the song I just heard today, (and will probably listen to several times :), "Never Let You Down". Again, how do they do this? It's like they know exactly what I'm going through. But then, it's not unique to me. We all struggle with our thoughts. We all wonder sometimes if God is there or if He's hearing us. This song kind of reminds me of the Footprints In The Sand poem.

Favorite lyrics: 

I've been wrestling with my thoughts, I've been searching for daylight
Tryin' to make sense of the mess, tryin' to feel like I'm alright
All these questions without answers
Feelin' restless and abandoned

Will You hear my call?
Will You be there when I fall?

 

Happy Listening!!!

I Am A Christian ~ Newsong

I have been waiting ALL YEAR for this song to come out. They performed it at Winter Jam 2017, but it wasn't released until a week or so ago. I don't understand. But it's finally here! 

This song is like a Pilgrim's Progress summary in song form. (I've never read that book, but I know what it's about). In my season of life, the reminder that I just take one step at a time and He is leading is so helpful. I want to have more control, but all I can do is put one foot in front of the other. 

Favorite lyrics: 

Head high keep your eyes above
Don't think of giving up
He brought you this far He won't stop now

Don't ever run away no matter what you face
Don't be afraid 'cause He will not back down
Remind yourself that He is with you now

Happy Listening!

 

In Jesus' Name ~ Kutless

This song just sings the Gospel. A wonderful new worship song from Kutless, "In Jesus Name" is one of my new favorite songs of praise. It also speaks truth into the lives of those singing it. Read these lyrics:

Hope for all the world, You came down,
Traded heaven's throne for a sinner's crown,
Grace poured out.
Son of righteousness crucified,
Hanging on the cross You paid the price,
To give us life...
In Jesus' name our sins are washed away,
In Jesus' name we are rescued, we are saved,
For love has come to make a way for us,
In Jesus' name there is freedom for the broken,
In Jesus' name there is healing for the hopeless,
For all our days, we rest in Jesus' name...
You alone are good forever true,
Never far away, we're holding on to You,
Only You...

Wonderful! Happy Listening!

 

My All In All ~ Phil Wickham

I think this is the first Phil Wickham song I enjoy and actually seek out. Others are fine, but mostly, I just don't really like his music. But I like this song!!!!

"My All In All" is a song of praise and worship. They lyrics proclaim who God is

In the desert You're the river, an everflowing stream of life
In the battle You're the victor, and we raise Your banner high
In the darkness You're the fire, a holy flame for all to see
And in my heart You reign forever, my all, my everything

and who is is to us

 You are my life, You are my love
You are my reason
You are my hope, You are my joy
You are my passion
My all in all, Jesus my all in all
My all in all, Jesus my all in all  

Happy Listening!

  

Nichole Nordeman's newest album

There are so many good songs on Nichole's new album "Every Mile Mattered" that I'm going to do one post with all the songs. Happy Listening!

"Every Mile Mattered" is the title track of the album. It takes the analogy of life as a trip and a map and says that there are stories in our past and that everything that happened matters in our life; it shapes who we are. 

Favorite lyrics: 

And every road and every bend
Every bruise and bitter end
All you squandered, all you spent
It mattered, it mattered
Mercy always finds a way
To wrap your blisters up in grace
And every highway you'd erase
It mattered, it mattered

 "You're Here" shares the truth that God is everywhere and always with us. Simple as that.

Favorite lyrics:

 Anywhere You are is sanctuary
Everywhere You are is where I'm free

You will always be my home
I don't have to be alone
Don't have to be alone
You will always be my home

"Dear Me" was the first song I heard off this album, thanks to Spotify's Release Radar or Discover Weekly playlist (I can't remember). I listen to it at least once a week right now and it is so powerful! It's a letter to Nordeman's younger self and - ostensibly - to all of our younger selves about what really is important, though we make other things important.

Favorite lyrics:

And you cannot imagine all the places you'll see Jesus
But you'll find Him everywhere you thought He wasn't supposed to go
So, go!.. Go!..

And hold all the mothers, whose babies bleed from bullet holes
And feel all the hunger, the bellies and the bones
Shout for the prisoner, cry for justice, loud and long
And march with the victims, as Jesus marches on
And sit at all the tables, 'cause Jesus eats with everyone
And dance to the music, if you can't sing its native tongue
And cry for the wombs, the mothers and the empty arms
And hold high the warriors, fighting now for freedoms' song

And love, love, love, love
Like it's your own blood
And love, love, love, love
As you have been loved
Love, love, love, love
Like it's your own blood
Love, love, love, love
As you have been loved
Love, love, love, love, love
Like [you have been?]
Love, love, love, love, love
It's all about love!
Love, love, love, love, love
His name is love
Love, love, love, love, love

Okay, I know that's like half the song, but do you see how powerful this is?

If I had to pick a theme for the song "No Longer" it would be stepping out of the comfort zone. The song starts out listing a bunch of big miracles that God did with people He pulled from their comfort zones. It goes on to say how much Nordeman wants to live fully and "recklessly", if you will, for God.

Favorite lyrics:

This my red sea and my Jericho
This is my Philistine and my five stones
But talk is cheap, so is bargaining
So, here I go
I don't want to live, like I'm half alive
I don't want to walk, where the road is wide
All this fear that, I've been tryin' to hide
Is going to start to show

"Lean" is one of Nordeman's trademark ballads. It explores our tendency to feel like we need to perform for God; to wear the mask we put on for those around us with our Father. I also really like the harmony on the chorus. It is one of my favorite parts of the song. 

Favorite lyrics:

When will I let go
Be still and just know
When will I see, when will I just believe

I could stand, I could fall
You want all of me
I could run, I could crawl
You will always be
You're not impressed, with all of my best
Not disappointed, when I don't land on my feet
In everything, You are asking me
To lean 

"Listen To Your Life" only works for the Christian. If you're not a Christian, it's just another standard "listen to your heart" type message. But we can listen to our lives, to what's on the inside, because what's on the inside is the Holy Spirit and He can be trusted. 

Favorite lyrics:

Listen to your life-life-life-life
And what's on the inside-side-side-side
All the other sound, turn it down and
Listen to your life, life, life, life
Let the Spirit flow-ow-ow-ow
And let the Spirit show-ow-ow-ow you
All that He was meant to
Only when you learn to
Listen to your life-life-life-life

I can see "Sound of Surviving" becoming an anthem for the seasons when everything is going wrong. Or maybe when you get out of that season, this is your victory song. We all survive so much in our lives, and we do it with the power that comes from God.

Favorite lyrics:

These pieces
The ones that left me bleeding
Intended for my pain
Became the gift You gave me
I gathered those pieces into a mountain
My freedom is in view
I'm stronger than I knew 

 I know that was super long; I apologize. But I didn't want to do so many separate posts and there are so many good songs on this album. 

 

Fearless // Introducing Jasmine Murray

love, Love, LOVE this song!!! Can we all just appreciate that from the first notes of the song, you want to move and dance? Songs like that are the best!

The first verse it totally relatable to me:

I wake up, I feel it

Those fears are back again

Can't shake them

Can't make them

Ever fade, ever end

Am I good enough

Do I measure up

Feels like a 

War I can't win

Then comes the pre-chorus, which is what all believers have to remember in times of doubt and fear:

But I wasn't given a spirit of fear

I was given the power of love

Everything I've been fighting against

I'm gonna lift it up

The chorus is hard for me to sing and really mean it, but I want to mean it. At the end is my prayer:

Come set me free

God I want to be

Fearless

Happy Listening!

A Billion Stars ~ One Sonic Society

The new song from One Sonic Society explores the question like what the Psalmist asked, "in comparison to creation, all God has done, what is man?" (I'm paraphrasing, obviously :)

It's really awe-inspiring to think about the God who is above all things, caring for us. Sometimes it's a hard thing to trust in. That's what this song talks about. 

You light up the night

With a billion stars

Surely you'll light my way

When the road gets dark

I will walk by faith

And not by sight

This I know

God is faithful

Happy Listening!

Wake Me Up (Amnesia) ~ G1C

This is the Group 1 Crew after Blanca left. I love the upbeat tempo of this song and the message that speaks to the struggle we all face - doing what we don't want and not doing what we do want. G1C asks God to remind us of who we are, to "wake us up" when we forget or "get amnesia". It's very clever and very accurate. 

Happy Listening!

Lyrics
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/group1crew/wakemeupamnesia.html

Prince of Peace ~ Michael W. Smith

Ready to have some fun? You can sing this song in parts with a friend! We sang this song at the other church (we sang a lot of great music at that church :). I sing the girl part, but I think I know the men part too. If only my brothers would sing with me.... (:

Happy Listening!

[Verse 1:]
You are holy (you are holy)
You are mighty (you are mighty)
You are worthy (you are worthy)
Worthy of praise (worthy of praise)

[Verse 2:]
I will follow (I will follow)
I will listen (I will listen)
I will love you (I will love You)
All of my days (all of my days)

[Chorus (men):]
I will sing to, and worship
The King who is worthy
I will love and adore Him
And I will bow down before Him

I will sing to, and worship
The King who is worthy
I will love and adore Him
And I will bow down before Him

[Chorus (women):]
You are lord of lords
You are king of kings
You are mighty god
Lord of everything

You're Emmanuel
You're the great I am
You're the prince of peace
Who is the lamb

You're the living God
You're my saving grace
You will reign forever
You are ancient of days

You are alpha, omega
Beginning and end
You're my savior, messiah,
Redeemer and friend

[Ending:]
You are my prince of peace, and I will live my life for you.

1GN has new music

Down to three members now since Lindsay got married, Carmen, Kayli, and Lauryn-Taylor are back with some fresh new music! I put some of my favorite lyrics before each song. The absolute best might be from Impossible! I saved the best for last :) Happy Listening!

Guard Your Heart
Know your worth ‘cause you are priceless
More than gold, more than diamonds
Be the light inside the dark
Keep your faith and guard your heart
It’s where life, it’s where love is
Every beat has a purpose
It holds everything you are
Above all else
Guard your heart

The One
Looking for love in all the wrong places
Searching for love to fill these spaces
Tried it my way but it left me alone
How could I forget

You're the One, the One
Who's always by side
You're the One, You're the One
For me You gave Your life
You're the One
Jesus You're the One, the One
You are my, You are my first love

Unite
It’s time to throw away the hate, just let it go
It’s time to change the game, let’s take control
There’s so much more to life, don’t compromise
It’s all about one hope, so let’s unite

Impossible
Anytime I reach out for a star
You make me understand
You’re holding every one of them
So I’m reaching for Your hand

You Are Loved ~ Stars Go Dim

I discovered this song on my iPod radio (you know, the radio in the music app?) on the Christian station and I really liked the lyrics:

We hide pain in the weirdest places

Broken souls with smiling faces

Fighting for surrender

For now and the after

Just look around and you see that people 

Are scared to say how they really feel

 We all need a little honesty

You are loved

If your heart's in a thousand pieces

If you're lost and you're far from reason

Just look up know you are loved

Just look up know

You are loved

When it feels like something's missing

If it hurts but you can't find healing

Just look up know you are loved

Just look up know

You are loved

That's just the first verse and chorus. Can you see why I like it so much?

Happy Listening!

Prodigal ~ Sidwalk Prophets

New from Sidewalk Prophets is a song about coming home to God from wherever you have been in your life; just like the Prodigal Son in the Bible parable. Happy Listening!

It's been a long time since you felt peace
In the valley you made where you're not meant to be
Where the shame throws shadows on you
But don't you forget

That you're headed to more
But you've settled for less
Don't buy the lie “it's as good as it gets”
The same feet that left you lost and alone
Are the very same feet that can bring you back home

Wherever you are, whatever you did
It's a page in your book, but it isn't the end
Your Father will meet you with arms open wide
This is where your heart belongs
Come running like a prodigal

There will be nights, when you hear whispers
Of the life you once knew, don't let it linger
Cause there's a grace that falls upon you
Don't you forget
In the places you're weak
He is very strong
Don't ever believe “you don't deserve love”
The same God that protects you when you're lost and alone
Is the very same God that is calling you home

Wherever you are, whatever you did
It's a page in your book, but it isn't the end
Your Father will meet you with arms open wide
This is where your heart belongs
Come running like a prodigal

Oh…
Let your life be made new
Oh…
As you come into view
Your Father's not waiting, no he's running too
He's running straight to you

Wherever you are, whatever you did
It's a page in your book, but it isn't the end

Your Father will meet you with arms open wide
This is where your heart belongs
Come running like a prodigal

Where The Light Is ~ Dan Bremnes

I think I'm just going to let this song speak for itself. Here are the lyrics. Happy Listening!


 

This is me Grew up in church 

Raised on the gospel trained in the word 

Had a faith so fearless thought it was all I needed 

But life hit me hard 

More than I planned 

It knocked me down 

Like an avalanche 

On the edge of hopeless I called you from the darkness 

God, come quickly 

Only You can save me 

Will You lead me where the light is 

God be with me 

Don’t know where I’m going 

Will You lead me where the light is 

I’ve been living in the dark 

I’ve been looking for daylight, You’re my daylight 

So God, come quickly 

Only You can save me 

And lead me where the light is 

There’s no hurt 

No scar or bruise 

There’s not a wound 

Too deep for You 

‘Cause You’re everything You say you are 

You’re bigger than a broken heart 

So hear me now, hear me now, I’m calling 

God, come quickly 

Only You can save me 

Will You lead me where the light is

God be with me 

Don’t know where I’m going 

Will You lead me where the light is 

I’ve been living in the dark

I’ve been looking for daylight, You’re my daylight 

So God, come quickly 

Only You can save me 

And lead me where the light is 

When I’m lost in the night 

When I’m losing the fight 

Lead me where the light is 

When the tears fill my eyes 

When the hope’s hard to find 

Lead me where the light is 

God, come quickly 

Only You can save me 

Will You lead me where the light is 

God be with me 

Don’t know where I’m going 

Will You lead me where the light is 

I’ve been living in the dark 

I’ve been looking for daylight, You’re my daylight 

So God, come quickly 

Only You can save me 

And lead me where the light is 

When I’m lost in the night 

When I’m losing the fight 

Lead me where the light is 

When the tears fill my eyes 

When the hope’s hard to find 

Lead me where the light is