Behind the Praise - Sunday November 2, 2008

BLENDED WORSHIP 9:30am

"Friend of God"

Israel Houghton serves as one of the worship pastors for Lakewood Church in Houston. Here is a portion of his amazing story. I really should have been one of those abortion statistics you read about. My mother became pregnant with me when she was 17. My mother's white and my biological father's black. Her family wasn't supportive of their relationship and gave her the choice to have a back-alley abortion or to be disowned. I'm here because of the decision she made-and because of her conversion shortly after that. So when I lead worship I'm crazy. I realize how fortunate I am to be called by God and to be protected, to be covered by him. I'm incredibly grateful. I grew up in a fairly legalistic home. My parents loved God, and they did the very best they could with what they knew. They came from a very discipleship-oriented, fairly heavy-handed way of doing kingdom work. So I would have more easily said, "I am afraid of God" than "I am a friend of God." The view I had of God was dysfunctional, almost like he was looking for opportunities to punish me. That was more what I caught than what was taught. But the more I said "I am a friend of God," the more that old, condemning view was purged from my life. I gained a healing sense of God saying, "I want to know you."

Here is a devotional thought on the song
www.gospelflava.com/articles/songinword-friendofgod.html

Here is an interview with Israel that gives great insight into Israel’s walk with the Lord. www.cbn.com/700club/guests/interviews/israel_houghton_041205.aspx

Click here to listen to the song
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty0SO7IvtXM

Click here to purchase "Friend of God"


"What a Friend We have in Jesus"

More than a century ago, on the streets of Port Hope, Ontario, a man could be seen walking along carrying a saw and a sawhorse. One day a rich man from across the street saw him and said to a friend, "He looks like a sober man. I think I'll hire him to cut wood for me." "That's Joseph Scriven," the friend replied. "He wouldn't cut wood for you. He only cuts wood for those who don't have enough to pay." And that sums up the philosophy of Joseph Medlicott Scriven, a devoted member of the Plymouth Brethren Church, who took the Sermon on the Mount literally.Scriven was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1819. He fell for a lovely young woman, but on the eve of their wedding she accidentally drowned.Scriven never recovered from the shock. The Irishman began to wander, hoping to forget his sorrow. At age 25, he finally settled in Canada.His faith led him to do menial tasks for poor widows and the sick. He often worked for no wages and was regarded by the people of the community as a kind man, albeit a bit odd.He later fell in love again and planned to marry a wonderful Canadian woman. But again, tragedy struck. His fiance died after contracting pneumonia.In 1855, a friend visited an ill Scriven and discovered a poem that he had written for his ailing mother in faraway Ireland. Scriven didn't have the money to visit her, but he sent her the poem as an encouragement. He called it "Pray Without Ceasing." When the friend inquired about the poem's origins, Scriven reportedly answered, "The Lord and I did it between us."Scriven never intended for the poem to be published, but it made its rounds, and was set to music in 1868 by musician Charles Converse, who titled it "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." It has since become one of our greatest hymns.Scriven died in 1886 (ironically, in an accidental drowning). In his memory, the town of Port Hope erected a monument with this inscription from Scriven's famous song: In His arms He'll take and shield thee. Thou wilt find a solace there.

Click here for the various arrangements of "What a Friend"
www.youtube.com/results?search_query=what+a+friend+we+have+in+jesus+&search_type=&aq=f

Click here to listen online: www.last.fm/music/James+Morrison/_/What+A+Friend+We+Have+In+Jesus

Click here to purchase Alan Jacksons' "What a Friend we have in Jesus"


“Give Thanks”

In Uzbekistan, a country just north of the war-torn land of Afghanistan, a group of Uzbekies gather together and begin to sing a Christian song they recently learned. This is an unusual sight in a country that is a mixture of Soviet industrial atheism, Islam, and the Orient. The group is singing Henry Smith's "Give Thanks," which has traveled from America to this place. Other stories, perhaps not as unusual but heartwarming to say the least, can be told of the blessing that this song has been to Christians during the past thirty years. The popularity of the song has been dramatic and even unprecedented at times. Henry Smith, Jr., was born in Crossnore, North Carolina. He started piano lessons at age seven but wanted no part of that. In his early teens, however, he picked up his brother's guitar and learned how to play it by reading the instruction manual. Henry's songwriting ventures started during those early years and have lasted until the present. Of the nearly three hundred songs he has written, only one has been published. While Henry was a sophomore at King College in Bristol, Tennessee, the Lord seemed to increase His blessings as He poured out His Spirit upon Henry. "Music for me has not been the same since that time,"' he says. "I only wanted to write songs for Christ." Henry started putting psalms to music, which revitalized his songwriting. Six years later, in an apartment in Williamsburg, Virginia, he wrote the song, "Give Thanks." At the Williamsburg New Testament Church, where he attended, the pastor had taught from the Scripture how Jesus became poor in order that we might be made rich in Him. Henry thought that the teaching would be a good background for a song.
Shortly thereafter, Henry and his future wife, Cindy, sang the song at the church and repeated it a number of times during a period of several weeks. Henry recalls, "There happened to be a military couple who attended the church for a while who carried songs learned in the United States back with them to Germany. As far as I know that is how my song got to Europe. It did a lot of traveling before Integrity Music published it. It is a 'God thing' that the song took off as it did. " In 1986, eight years after Henry wrote the song, a friend brought him a cassette tape and said, "Listen to this song and see if you have ever heard it." After listening to it, Henry exclaimed, "I wrote that song!" His friend had ordered the Hosanna! tape from Integrity Music, and "Give Thanks" was listed as "author unknown." Henry immediately called Integrity and told them that he had written the song. They gladly responded, "Good! We have been trying to find you,"' and gave Henry a writer-publisher agreement. Now more than fifty companies have recorded the song, and it has been published in a number of songbooks. A few years later, the Smiths attended a live Integrity Music recording session in Washington, D. C. During the session, Don Moen played a recording that featured Henry's song being sung in Russian. Henry recalls, "My wife and I began to weep. We were overwhelmed to hear my song in that language. Moen had no idea we were in the audience. "
For five or six years "Give Thanks" has been in the top ten of Christian Copyright Licensing International's Top 25 list of songs used by churches in the United States, reaching as high as second and third. Many people worldwide love this song because the "weak" can sing "I am strong!," and the "poor" can say "I am rich!," for the allencompassing reason: "because of what the Lord has done for us. " Henry is now preparing to record a CD commemorating his thirty years of writing Christian songs. Since 1996, Henry has owned Christian Media Resources and is also the proprietor of the Outback Studio. He is also a worship leader at the Mechanicsville Christian Center. Henry and Cindy have two children and reside in Mechanicsville, Virginia.

Click here to learn more about Don who popularized the song:
www.donmoen.com/

Click here to worship along with Don Moen:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVEUfmiKHp0

Click here to purchase Don Moens' "Give thanks"


"Lord I Lift Your Name on High"

by Rick Founds (Reprinted from Worship Leader Magazine - March/April '98)
Worship leaders know that "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" is a rare gem. The song is as effective in an intimate small group as a public praise outreach. Methodist Junior High kids settle into the song as sweetly as Baptist senior citizens, and it never seems to get tiresome. In less than a decade, Rick Founds' little four-chord flock-rocker has become known and loved internationally. It hurdles denominational barriers effortlessly, and is sung in every conceivable musical style. The song rocketed into CCLI's highest position several years ago and remains comfortably nestled there. It's unusual to find a modern songbook without "Lord, I Lift," or an evangelical church that doesn't sing it. More than an accessible and catchy praise song, "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" accomplishes something priceless: it summarizes the whole gospel, responds with adoration, and then places it on the lips of uncounted millions. All this is quite a feat for a guy who does research and development at a fiber optics company. Rick Founds, however, is far more than a techno-geek with a pocket protector; he's logged over 15 years in full-time ministry, and has authored nearly 500 praise songs. Dad to three teen-age daughters, Rick has been leading worship since he was a teen himself. Even so, Founds is awestruck at the impact of "Lord I Lift Your Name on High," a song that is at home around a campfire, or in the shadow of the Washington Monument with a million Promise Keepers. "It's an honor," he ponders, speaking slowly as he takes it all in again for the umpteenth time. "I'm happy about it. It's what anybody would hope for." "Lord, I Lift Your Name" was written in 1989 during Found's morning devotion. Having developed the habit of playing guitar while watching television, he found it very natural to play while reading Scripture on his computer monitor. "I'd just reach over and grab my guitar," he recalls. "I'd plunk along with whatever I was reading that day."

He remembers marvelling one early morning at the love of God who created the world though He knew we would rebel and fall. It amazed Rick that God had a plan to redeem us from the very beginning. As Founds meditated over his cyber-Bible and touched his guitar strings, God's plan struck him as something of a cycle. He thought of the cycle of rain that comes down, waters the earth, evaporates back into the clouds and then returns. Suddenly, the now famous chorus emerged: "You came from heaven to earth to show the way/From the earth to the cross my debt to pay/From the cross to the grave/From the grave to the sky..." Interrupting his own lyric, Founds explains, "The response to grasping even a little bit of that knowledge is praise, thanksgiving and gratitude!" When he completes the line, 'Lord, I Lift Your Name on High,' a moment of silent awe follows. Founds was worship leader for a large church, so the song found its way easily to Maranatha! Music and was soon recorded. A then new men's movement called Promise Keepers began to use the song at their rallies with both Anglo and Latino lyrics, helping lift the song into profound prominence. The composer enjoys visiting churches and anonymously adding his voice to their versions of his song. He has found many of these renditions to be... unique. He warns young praise songwriters to prepare themselves for this shock. "Every congregation has its own personality and style," he observes. "It's a lot of fun to hear things you have written done in the character of that church. I've heard 'Lord, I Lift Your Name on High' done in reggae, in 3/4 (almost a polka), and in a Spanish flavor. I've heard it done country. These were the musical characteristics of the praise band or predominant style [of that ministry]. That's exciting, because it means they have taken ownership of it, made it their own." Founds says he is most touched when people tell him that his songs have given expression to the cries of their own hearts. He treasures letters from believers in Croatia and Russia thanking him for his songs. Founds is known for many other fine praise songs, including: "Jesus Draw Me Close," "I Need You," and "I Love Your Grace." WL

Click here to worship along with on the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBezK_v_FqY

Click here to purchase Petra's version of "Lord I lift Your Name on High"



“The Wonderful Cross”

The original song was written by Isaac Watts, the new chorus was written by Chris Tomlin. Isaac was born in 1674 and Chris was born in 1972. Even though they are separated by three hundred years, there is no separation between their passion and commitment to leading God's people in worship. WOW! The past meets the present.

Click here to hear Chris Tomlin talk about how this new arrangement came about. www.theheartofworship.org/stories/Story-306-TheWonderfulCross-Tomlin.mp3

Click here to learn more about Chris Tomlin
www.christomlin.com/

You can listen to more of Chris Tomlins' music on his myspace website.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=94631118

Isaac Watts (July 17, 1674 – November 25, 1748) is recognized as the "Father of English Hymnody", as he was the first prolific and popular English hymnwriter, credited with some 750 hymns. Many of his hymns remain in active use today and have been translated into many languages.

Click here to read more about Isaac Watts.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Watts

This is an interesting read on Isaac Watts.
www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/w/a/t/watts_i.htm

Isaac is best known for his emphasizing the role of music in worship, where the congregation actually began to sing with the choir. Watts became the congregation's pastor in 1702. Just five feet tall, he was an unprepossessing figure in the pulpit. Health problems continued to plague him, and an assistant had to be appointed to fill in for him after a severe bout with illness in 1703. Despite these problems, Watts was a powerful preacher. The Mark Lane congregation outgrew its quarters and twice had to move to larger facilities, and Watts' sermons began to be collected and printed. Part of his success was due to his emphasis on the role of music in worship. A minister, he felt, should not only write sermons but should seek to involve his congregation in worship through music.

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9oIJUK8QLA

Click here to purchase "The Wonderful Cross"


CONTEMPORARY SERVICE 11:00am

“Everyday”

Joel Timothy Houston (born September 19, 1979) is a song writer and worship leader at the Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. He is employed as the producer of Hillsong's youth band, Hillsong United. He is the oldest son of Hillsong Church's pastors Brian and Bobbie Houston and grandson of Frank Houston. He has two siblings, a brother Benjamin and a sister, Laura. Houston's first debut with the Hillsong United was in 2002. As part of Hillsong United music team, Houston has helped lead worship conferences in North America, South America, Africa, Europe and Asia. He has also contributed to the main Hillsong album recordings as well, which are led by worship pastor Darlene Zschech. Many of the songs he has written or co-written are sung in churches worldwide and have been translated into 32 languages, including Korean and German. His music has been featured on Hillsong albums that have quickly risen on both the Australian and American Christian music charts. In March 2007, Hillsong United's eighth album All of the Above debuted at #6 on the ARIA charts His song, "Everyday", is ranked number 49 on the CCLI top 100 songs.

Click here to worship along with the Hillsongs worship team:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RiDQmlC9uY

Click here to purchase "Everyday"


“How can I keep from Singing”

There is an endless song echoes in my soulI hear the music ring and though the storms may comeI am holding on to the rock I clingHow can I keep from singing Your praiseHow can I ever say enoughHow amazing is Your loveHow can I keep from shouting Your nameI know I am loved by the KingAnd it makes my heart want to sing Chris Tomlin joined Ed Cash and Matt Redman to write this song. The song is on the album "See the Morning". This song anchors the theme of hope found on the album. "How Can I Keep From Singing," is a rendition of the 1860 hymn by Robert Lowry. "How Can I Keep From Singing?" is listed in some hymnals by the opening line "My Life Flows On". The original composition has now entered into the public domain. The song is frequently cited incorrectly as a traditional Quaker hymn. Chris reworked the original text and crafted a song that could be sung to God during the difficult times.

Click here to listen to Chris share how he wrote the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6lTZySpbpo

Click here to worship along with Chris:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQI5wxtH6OY&feature=related

Click here to purchase "How Can I keep from Singing"


"Majesty"

This song from Delirious? is the expression of a heart humbled by the love shown in the sacrifice, grace and majesty of our God. The song was written by Martin Smith & Stuart Garrard.

Martin James Smith (born 6 July 1970) is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and main songwriter of the English Christian rock and worship band Delirious? He is generally considered to be one of the foremost songwriters in modern Christian worship music, along with people like Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, and David Crowder. He co-wrote three songs on Michael W. Smith's album Healing Rain and is going to be collaborating with Michael W. Smith on his upcoming album. Martin also co-wrote two songs on Matt Redman's album Beautiful News (" Take it to the streets" and "All over the World"). Some of the most recognised songs by Delirious? include "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever", "History Maker", "My Glorious", "Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble", "Shout To The North", "Deeper", "Majesty (Here I Am)", and "What A Friend I've Found". In 1995, Martin was involved in a near-fatal car accident, and during the weeks of his recovery, he decided to become a full-time musician. He wrote the 'King Of Fools' song 'August 30th' based on this experience. Smith was one of the founding members of Delirious? along with Stewart Smith (no relation) and Tim Jupp, when they formed the band under The Cutting Edge.
Stuart Garrard is a guitarist who has developed his own unique style of playing, which has become known to some people, although probably not many, as 'octave distortion'. He also writes music and lyrics, and sings backing vocals and occasionally lead vocals. He is instantly recognisable as a result of his bald head and goatee beard. He is the oldest member of the band "Delirious".

Here I am humbled by your Majesty
Covered by your grace so free
Here I am, knowing I'm a sinful man
Covered by the blood of the Lamb
Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine
Since you laid down your life
The greatest sacrifice

Majesty, Majesty Your grace has found me just as I am
Empty handed, but alive in your hands
Majesty, MajestyForever I am changed by your love
In the presence of your Majesty
Here I am humbled by the love that you give
Forgiven so that I can forgive
Here I stand, knowing that I'm your desire
Sanctified by glory and fire
Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine
Since you laid down your life
The greatest sacrifice

Click here to worship along with Delirious
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNjH8QDpBFY

Click here to visit their myspace:
www.myspace.com/delirious

Click here to purchase "Majesty"



THIRD SERVICE 6PM

“Point of Difference”

This songs from the Hillsongs worship was written by Joel Houston. Joel Houston is a musician and songwriter, best known as the key worship leader and producer of Sydney based worship band Hillsong United, the worship band of Hillsong Church's youth group, also known as Hillsong United. In 2008 he became the Creative Director at Hillsong Church. He is the oldest son of the church's senior pastors Brian and Bobbie Houston and grandson of the church's founder Frank Houston. He has two siblings, a brother Benjamin and a sister, Laura.
Lyrics:
The tide is turning this is redemption's hour
In the midst of the world lost for love you are all we have now
The lost returning salvation is all around in the midst of the world broken down
You are all we have now for You are God and this hope is ours
So Father open the skies flood the earth with your light
This is love, to break a world indifferent
Our hearts are burning the fire that won't burn out
In the midst of a world that's grown cold you are all we have now
The earth resounding the anthem of your renown
As we lift up our eyes and look to your glory
Call us out let the world see you are God and this hope is ours
So call us out, let the world see You are God as we sing
Open the skiesFlood the Earth with your light This is love to break a world indifferent
As we lift up our eyes fill our hearts with your fire
In a world the same we'll be the difference, the difference
So call us out let the world see you are God and this hope is ours
Our eyes are open every chain now broken in this world we are different
Let your love become us as we live to make you famous
We're in this world but we are different
So call us out, let the world seeYou are God as we sing
Father open the skiesFlood the Earth with your life
This is love to break a world indifferent as we lift up our eyes
Fill our hearts with your fire in a world the same we'll be the difference, the difference
So call us out let the world see You are God one and only
In this world you are all we have now

Click here to worship along with the Hillsongs worship ministry:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohyE2vxwoxM

Click here to purchase "Point of Difference"

"Matchless"

Your name is matchless, Your name is priceless

Your name means more than I could know

You're so far above me, the way that You love me

Goes further than any love could goWonderful Counselor,

Root of David, Morning StarYou are the Way, the Truth,

the LifeLion of the tribe of Judah, Mighty God is who

You areThe only perfect Sacrifice

Click here to read Aaron's blog: http://aaronshust.blogspot.com/

Click here to visit Aaron's myspace: www.myspace.com/aaronshust

Click here to worship along with Aaron Shust: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XW9NJiSXHmE

Click here to purchase "Matchless"

"O Lord Your Beautiful"

Click here to read Keiths' extensive biography:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Green

Click here to see Keith as an eleven year old on "I've got a Secret"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=foHRDsFL260

Click here to listen online:
www.last.fm/music/Keith+Green/_/Oh+Lord,+You're+Beautiful

Click here for an arrangement by Keith Green:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=irxIrnlD-Z4

Click here to purchase "O Lord Your Beautiful"

"Lead me to the Cross"
Brooke Fraser
Click here to read Brooke's bio: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooke_Fraser

Click here for the Hillsongs arrangement: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdq9Q8wJdjc

Click here to purchase "Lead me to the Cross"

“The Wonderful Cross”

ISAAC WATTS & CHRIS TOMLIN

The original song was written by Isaac Watts, the new chorus was written by Chris Tomlin. Isaac was born in 1674 and Chris was born in 1972. Even though they are separated by three hundred years, there is no separation between their passion and commitment to leading God's people in worship. WOW! The past meets the present.

Click here to hear Chris Tomlin talk about how this new arrangement came about. www.theheartofworship.org/stories/Story-306-TheWonderfulCross-Tomlin.mp3

Click here to learn more about Chris Tomlin
www.christomlin.com/

You can listen to more of Chris Tomlins' music on his myspace website.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=94631118

Isaac Watts (July 17, 1674 – November 25, 1748) is recognized as the "Father of English Hymnody", as he was the first prolific and popular English hymnwriter, credited with some 750 hymns. Many of his hymns remain in active use today and have been translated into many languages.

Click here to read more about Isaac Watts.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Watts

This is an interesting read on Isaac Watts.
www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/w/a/t/watts_i.htm

Isaac is best known for his emphasizing the role of music in worship, where the congregation actually began to sing with the choir. Watts became the congregation's pastor in 1702. Just five feet tall, he was an unprepossessing figure in the pulpit. Health problems continued to plague him, and an assistant had to be appointed to fill in for him after a severe bout with illness in 1703. Despite these problems, Watts was a powerful preacher. The Mark Lane congregation outgrew its quarters and twice had to move to larger facilities, and Watts' sermons began to be collected and printed. Part of his success was due to his emphasis on the role of music in worship. A minister, he felt, should not only write sermons but should seek to involve his congregation in worship through music.

Click here to purchase "The Wonderful Cross"