Behind the Praise - Sunday May 17, 2009

“He lives”

“Why should I worship a dead Jew?” This challenging question was posed by a sincere young Jewish student who had been attending evangelistic meetings conducted by the author and composer of this hymn, Alfred H. Ackley. In his book, Forty Gospel Hymn Stories, George W. Sanville records Mr. Ackley’s answer to this searching question, which ultimately prompted the writing of this popular gospel hymn:
“He lives! I tell you, He is not dead, but lives here and now! Jesus Christ is more alive today than ever before. I can prove it by my own experience, as well as the testimony of thousands.”

I serve a risen Saviour,He's in the world today;I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say;I see His hand of mercy,I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him


He's always near.He lives,
He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and He talks with me
Along life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!You ask me how I know He lives:
He lives within my heart.

Click here for a piano arrangement:
/www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUKhNsLPExA

Click here for another recording:
www.hymnal.net/hymn.php?t=h&n=503

"Seek Ye First"

This song was written by Karen Lafferty. She wrote the following on how the song came about. It was back in 1971. I had quit my entertainment job and was trying to support myself with teaching guitar lessons. I had three students! When my savings were all gone and I had no money to make my car payments, I became very discouraged and confused.
One evening I went to a Bible study at church, and we talked about Matthew 6:33.1 was tremendously encouraged and challenged by the words about Christ's kingdom. So I went home, wrote the tune, recorded it on a tape recorder, and then sang this little descant part.
I taught the song at church the next week, and it caught on right away. The Lord really paved the way for me with that song. "Seek Ye First" has opened doors for me all over the world. And because it's in so many hymnbooks, about 40 percent of my mission support comes from that song!

Click here to learn more about Karen:
www.reformedworship.org/magazine/article.cfm?article_id=263

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

"Give us Clean hands"

Charlie Hall wrote this song as a prayer for his generation in 1994. He said he wanted to be a part of the generation that was sold out to seeking God with their whole hearts. When he wrote the song he sensed his generation huddling and praying this prayer, "Oh God let us be the generation that seeks your face Oh, God of Jacob."

Charlie was struck by though that the generation that seeks after him will find him, they will ascend the hill of the Lord. He started praying this scripture and then he says the song just came forth.
The song is based on Psalm 24:3-63 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ?Who may stand in his holy place?4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.5 He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob.

Click here to listen to how Charlie Hall wrote this song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hkQS8A8FiY

Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl5zSB3A-Z8

Click here to visit Charlie’s myspace:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=60771694

Click here to learn more about Charlie Hall:
http://www.charliehall.com/

Click here to worship along with Charlie Hall
www.youtube.com/watch?v=onGbkeWkA64

"Jesus is Alive"

Young. Seasoned. Black. White. Yellow. Ties. Dresses. Jeans. T-shirts. Gray hair. Spiked hair. No hair! These are just a few of the words that describe the people before the throne of the One True God as Travis Cottrell leads them into worship. Having a heart for unity among God’s people, Travis can be likened to a bridge, crossing the boundaries crossing the boundaries of denominations and filling in the gaps that separate the Body of Christ from one another. “God has given Travis what I believe is a gift of favor with audiences and congregations,” says author and speaker Beth Moore. “His approach permeates every denominational wall. His warm yet powerful style engages even the most resistant group into irresistible worship.

Click here to learn more about Travis' ministry:
www.traviscottrell.com/

Click here for a sampling of this powerful song by Travis Cottrell:
www.halleonard.com/closerLook/75716047/JesusIsAlive.mp3

CONTEMPORARY 11:00AM

"Here is our King"

This worship song was written by David Crowder in response the Tsunami on December 24, 2004. David and his wife were watching the images of devastation preparing to attend the Passion meeting in Nashville later that month. David was having trouble processing the level of devestation. He remembered telling his wife that 9-11 made more sense, as we are used to humanity doing something to each other. Historically we've done unkind things to each to each other and all we have to do is turn on the news. David knew how to process that devestation, but to be able to see such devestation unfold before his eyes was a new process for him. He struggeld with how to look at that and still say "God is Good". This song was David's response to God in the face of such a tragedy.From wherever spring arrives to heal the ground From wherever searching comes the look itself A trace of what we’re looking for So be quiet now and wait The ocean is growing the tide is coming in Here it is Here is our king, here is our love here is our God who’s come to bring us back to him He is the one, he is Jesus, Jesus

Click here to worship along with David Crowder: www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6Fl_nqGJc0

Click here to listen to David share about how the song came about: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aea5Mq4sSUA

“How can I keep from Singing”

There is an endless song echoes in my soul I hear the music ring and though the storms may come I am holding on to the rock I cling

How can I keep from singing Your praise How can I ever say enough How amazing is Your love How can I keep from shouting Your name I know I am loved by the King And 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

“Here I Am to Worship”

If songs are like children to their writers, then 25 year-old Englishman Tim Hughes carried "Here I Am To Worship" to full term, letting the reverent tune take perfect shape over a nine-month period. Back in 1999 while still in college, he first sat down to craft a musical response to his reading of Philippians 2:5, which says, "Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus." And from the start, he had the humility part mastered. "I was playing around with my guitar when the verse just came out," he modestly recalls. "However, I couldn't get a chorus that I was happy with. The original one was embarrassingly bad!" Thankfully, Tim recorded the verse into his Dictaphone, and months later during a quiet creative time, he patched it together with another strong melody idea and brought "Here I Am To Worship" to fruition. "I'd been reading about the cross and thinking through Jesus' amazing sacrifice," Tim says of the lyrical theme. "Sometimes when God meets with us we don't quite know how to respond properly. It's often too much for us to take in. Hopefully in a small way the chorus captures that: 'Here I am to worship. Here I am to bow down. Here I am to say that you're my God. You're altogether lovely, worthy, wonderful.'" Although the song had been completed, the writer was still not convinced of its potential. Leading worship at his Soul Survivor home church one day, Tim sang "Here I Am To Worship" for his fellow members and was duly advised by his pastor Mike Pilavachi to start using it more often. Since then, Hughes - who built his own chops leading Delirious and Matt Redman favorites - has seen the song take on a life of its own. It must be a God thing.... People have seemed to really connect with it, and we've had some special times in worship using the song," he admits. "I remember one time at the end of a Worship Together conference in San Diego when we'd been performing the song. The band stopped, and then the congregation just kept singing the chorus for about 15 minutes."

Click here to listen to the story behind the song by Tim Hughes.
www.theheartofworship.org/stories/Story-196-HereIAmtoWorship-Hughes.mp3

Click here to worship along with Michael W. Smith: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_kAjok4-Uk

Click here to read more about the composer Tim Hughes
www.crosswalk.com/spirituallife/worship/1227531/

"Beautiful"

I see Your face in every sunrise The colors of the morning are inside Your eyes The world awakens in the light of the dayI look up to the sky and say You’re beautiful I see Your power in the moonlit night Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright We are amazed in the light of the stars It’s all proclaiming who You are You’re beautiful, You're beautiful I see you there hanging on a tree You bled and then you died and then you rose again for me Now you are sitting on Your heavenly throne Soon we will be coming home You’re beautiful, you're beautiful When we arrive at eternity’s shore Where death is just a memory and tears are no more We’ll enter in as the wedding bells ring Your bride will come together and we’ll sing You’re beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful I see Your face, You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautifulI see Your face, You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautifulI see Your face, I see Your face I see Your face, You’re beautiful, You’re beautiful, You’re beautiful

This song was written by Phil Wickham. In a world where swagger usually triumphs over substance, it’s refreshing when a young singer/songwriter arrives on the scene with something to say. With the multi-faceted sound of a much older soul and shimmering melodies that match the intensity of his heartfelt lyrics, 21-year-old Phil Wickham’s self-titled debut can’t help but stand out in a crowd of cookie-cutter pop and angst-fueled rock. And it’s his personal journey of faith expressed in the songs that really makes the difference.Even though singer/songwriter Phil Wickham grew up in a devout Christian home, there came a point early in his life when he knew his faith needed to become his own. He no longer wanted to coast on his parents’ coattails or go to church simply because that’s what he was supposed to do. He wanted something real, that personal friendship with Jesus. And that crucial realization, combined with moving to a new city while he was in junior high, paved the way for Phil to pick up a guitar and start writing songs about his growing faith.

Click here to worship along with Phil: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg4cYdP1ngw

"Jesus is Alive"

Young. Seasoned. Black. White. Yellow. Ties. Dresses. Jeans. T-shirts. Gray hair. Spiked hair. No hair! These are just a few of the words that describe the people before the throne of the One True God as Travis Cottrell leads them into worship. Having a heart for unity among God’s people, Travis can be likened to a bridge, crossing the boundaries crossing the boundaries of denominations and filling in the gaps that separate the Body of Christ from one another. “God has given Travis what I believe is a gift of favor with audiences and congregations,” says author and speaker Beth Moore. “His approach permeates every denominational wall. His warm yet powerful style engages even the most resistant group into irresistible worship.

Click here to learn more about Travis' ministry: www.traviscottrell.com/

Click here for a sampling of this powerful song by Travis Cottrell: www.halleonard.com/closerLook/75716047/JesusIsAlive.mp3

THIRD SERVICE 6PM

"Great and Mighty"

Hold my heart, O God, keep me ever in Your will There is joy within Your presence here and now But better will is the the day that is to comeWhen Your full glory is revealed I have long endured the trials of the age

But I will sayYou are great and mighty God Robed in majesty You set us apart, You set us free When You captured out hearts You are great and mighty So in You I will rejoice, make my life an offering I'm enraptured by the mercies of my King And I will sing I will sing Your praise, I will sing Your praise O name above all names I will count the days until I see Your face I will evermore proclaim

Click here to learn more about Caedmans' Call: www.caedmonscall.com/

Click here to worship along with Caedmans' Call: www.rhapsody.com/caedmons-call/great-and-mighty

"Grace"

Phil Wickham's music has been called every flowery adjective in the thesaurus and some that may have even been made up. And while they are often accurate descriptors they are at the same time distracting. When hearing these buzz words it's too easy to lump an artist into a meaningless equation consisting of two musical references, a vague genre title and a classic predecessor. Welcome to missing the point. The point is that Wickham is at his core a humble and sincere artist who writes songs and worships God using the medium of music. It is with that brush that he paints images of a loving and creative God across the canvases of listeners' hearts and minds.

Click here to read Phils' biography: www.sweetslyrics.com/bio-Phil%20Wickham.html

Click here to listen to the song "Grace" www.youtube.com/watch?v=vemzS9SlqeA

Click here for a live version: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgrNijfWamk&feature=related

"Lead me to the Cross"

Savior I come Quiet my soul remember Redemptions hill Where Your blood was spilled For my ransom Everything I once held dear I count it all as lost Lead me to the cross Where Your love poured out Bring me to my knees Lord I lay me down Rid me of myself I belong to You Lead me, lead me to the cross You were as I Tempted and trialed You are The word became flesh Bore my sin and death Now you're risen To your heart To your heart Lead me to your heart Lead me to your heart Brooke Fraser was born in New Zealand. She is on of the main key worshippers of Sydney Australia's Hillsong Church and is married to on of Hillsong United's songwritters Scott Ligertwood. She has appeared on many live worship albums. She is a born again Christian. She was born to former 'All Black' Bernie Fraser and Lynda Fraser and is the oldest out of 3 children

Click here to learn more about Brooke Fraser: www.brookefraser.com/

Click here to listen online: www.imeem.com/people/riK9nJK/music/Mj1XCeWj/hillsong_united_lead_me_to_the_cross/

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

“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.

"Beauty of Your Peace"

Tim Hughes wrote the following about how he wrote the song:
I love the old hymns. So much poetry and theology contained within such haunting melodies. A while back I was reading through an old hymnbook when I came across these words from the hymn 'Dear Lord and Father of Mankind.'Take from our souls the strain and stressAnd let our ordered lives confessThe beauty of Your peaceWe live busy lives. Everything is fast paced. We get hugely frustrated if we have to wait for anything. On top of this we live under enormous amounts of stress. It seems that whenever I ask someone how he or she is doing the response is - 'Life is very hectic and busy at the moment.' Busy jobs, demanding hours and high expectations placed upon us are leaving many struggling to cope with life. In the UK, like many other nations around the world, depression is soaring. The number of prescriptions for anti-depressants has risen from 12 million in 1991 to 24 million a decade later. Many of us aren't coping. However in the midst of the turmoil, there's a voice that can still the raging storm.

Click here to learn more about Tim Hughes: www.timhughesmusic.com/

Click here to worship along with Tim Hughes: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRJEBC-rCtc

Click here to listen online: www.last.fm/music/Tim+Hughes/_/Beauty+of+Your+Peace