c.j. mahaney on cross-centered songs

during the worshipGod09 conference (which i was blessed to attend back in august), c.j. mahaney and bob kauflin had an interview session on what they've learned from leading a church in worship together for the past 30+ years. i highly recommend listening to that session.

one bit that particularly impacted me was one of the reasons sovereign grace has so many songs about the cross and the gospel. below is part of c.j.'s response.

"we must never leave the impression during corporate worship that we do not need a mediator. There isn’t a moment where I don’t need a mediator. In light of the Father’s holiness and my sinfulness, I cannot approach him directly apart from Christ. It is quite possible for us to sing songs that are accurately extolling the attributes of God. But if the cross is absent, we leave the unintended impression that somehow I can approach the Father apart from a mediator—that I can experience intimacy with God apart from the One who died for my many sins."

this idea has significantly changed how i think and pray. i hope you take the time to meditate on this, and that it blesses you as well.

the prodigal

as i posted before, the guys at sovereign grace music released their sons and daughters album at worshipGod09. the songs are awesome, being musically well-crafted, lyrically poetic, and theologically informed. last time, i posted on "completely done", which you can now download for free from their website.

today i want to highlight on of the songs on the album called "the prodigal", a music representation of Jesus' well-known parable in Luke 15. the lyrics are as follows:

"You held out Your arms, i walked away.
insolent, i spurned Your face,
squandering the gifts You gave to me,
holding close forbidden things.
destitute, a rebel still, a fool in all my pride.
the world i once enjoyed is dead to me
no joy, no hope, no life.

where now are the friends that i had bought?
gone with every penny lost.
what hope could there be for such as i,
sold out to a world of lies?
oh, to see Your face again. it seems so distant now.
could it be that You would take me back,
a servant in Your house?

You held out Your arms, i see them still,
You never left, You never will.
running to embrace me, now i know,
Your cords of love will always hold.
mercy's robe, a ring of grace, such favor undeserved.
You sing over me and celebrate,
the rebel, now Your child."

this particularly hit me today, in repenting for sin in my life and asking forgiveness. with us mere humans, if someone sins against you, you may indeed forgive them, but there is still a wound there, especially for deeper sins, and it still hurts. with the Father, there is no talk of "you know, that really hurt Me". no, there is singing and rejoicing, "for this, My son, was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." oh, what a gracious God we serve, family. may His grace and mercy be evident to you today.

completely done

among great things from the worshipGod09 conference, sovereign grace music released their new album, sons and daughters, which all the attendees received sheet music for. we sang several songs from the album at the conference, which convinced me to buy the album. after listening through it a few times, i would highly recommend buying the cd. anyway, here are the lyrics to one of the best songs on the album, "completely done". may God bless you guys.

"what reason have i to doubt,
why would i dwell in fear,
when all i have known is grace,
my future in Christ is clear?

my sins have been paid in full,
there's no condemnation here;
i live in the good of this,
my Father has brought me near.
i'm leaving my fears behind me now.

the old is gone, the new has come,
what You complete is completely done.
we're heirs with Christ, the victory won.
what You complete is completely done!

i don't know what lies ahead,
what if i fail again?
You are my confidence,
You'll keep me to the end.
i'm leaving my fears behind me now.

the old is gone, the new has come,
what You complete is completely done.
we're heirs with Christ, the victory won.
what You complete is completely done!"

links and music

hey guys,
i'll have a lot to update in the next week, but for now check out the links section on the left, especially the joshua project "unreached people of the day"; it's a great resource for daily prayer focus, and if you've never heard of the joshua project, click the link.
also, if you have any suggestions for new music i should get, see the previous post.
grace and peace from our awesome God.

new music

so in addition to celebrating Christ's birth this Christmas, i received some itunes gift cards, and i'm looking for what music i should buy with them. right now i'm looking at stuff by lecrae, sho baraka, trip lee, and flame. if you could recommend specific songs/albums, i'd appreciate it. grace and peace from JC!