This made my day - Easter Recap from the OC

I love to see Jesus glorified through art! It is great to see people who's lives are radically transformed by His love and experience true joy in the hope that He gives them. God has been working in Orange County and we see renewed passion for God.

This video really got me stoked once again on artistic expressions of our lives in Him. This is from Easter this year. It includes a bunch of local churches and is coordinated by Rockharbor. A church that I have come to love and respect.



To view this on the original site: http://costamesa.rockharbor.org/wp-content/themes/rockharbor/embed.php?post=2353&blog=9

What is your expression of Christ's change in your life? What ways do you allow yourself to show those around you? Through words, through relationships, through a smiling face, through art???

Remember where you came from and live like the changed person you are.

Song Review - You alone can rescue

There is something great about a new song catching on fast. Maybe it is just random chance that people love a song the moment they hear it, but I doubt it. I think there are two things at play; the Holy Spirit and a really great hook!

This song, You Alone Can Rescue by Matt Redman, is obviously inspired by the Holy Spirit and has been a hit this past year. We introduced it around this time last year in preparation for Easter and it was a favorite from the first time through it.

To start off, being the music geek that I am, I really appreciated the placement of the song on the original album (We Shall Not Be Shaken). The first few songs set up a place of dependance for mankind on a God who is faithful and loving. When we come to this song we first take inventory of our place and our state (See verse 1). There is this understanding that God loves us, He is faithful, and His grace is sufficient despite our inability which leads us to a truer understanding of the lyrics in the chorus (and title) "You ALONE Can Rescue".  This incredible God (as we will continue to see throughout the remainder of the songs on the album) is our only hope at true life. 

The Second verse sits in harmony with the first and talks about how God has made a way for us to to be rescued. Notice that this line "when our hearts were far away" connotes that despite our condition His love goes further still! We really have nothing to do with it! Jesus does it!

By far my favorite line in the song is, "You came down to find us and led us out of death". Powerful! Aren't you excited for that. We see in this some rich theology. As Christians, our sin, shame, filth, and death has been taken to the grave, buried and our new life is raised with Christ from the dead. That which was dead now is made new.  So we read this line again, "You came down to find us and led us out of death" and we are reminded once again that this is Christ's work not ours.  I don't know about you, but I trust Him over me any day.

The bridge is just a proclamation of this "highest praise" that the chorus speaks of. "We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes. You’re the Giver of Life!" Jesus, our Lord, is the Giver of Life and we lift our eyes to Him in humble adoration because of HIS work.

You Alone Can Rescue
Who, oh Lord, could save themselves,

Their own soul could heal?

Our shame was deeper than the sea

Your grace is deeper still

You alone can rescue, You alone can save

You alone can lift us from the grave

You came down to find us, led us out of death

To You alone belongs the highest praise

You, oh Lord, have made a way

The great divide You've healed

For when our hearts were far away

Your love went further still

Yes, your love goes further still

We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes
You’re the Giver of Life

Great song. 

Thanks Matt for another rich song.

- Luke

New song for Easter! 'Christ the Lord' by Paul Baloche

So excited to sing this song on Easter morning. "Christ the Lord" is a wonderful new song by Paul Baloche echoing the meaning and essence of the hymn "Christ the Lord is Risen Today".

Here is a video from Paul explaining how to play it. One of the many practical videos that Paul has offered to the worship community displaying his heart for seeing worship leaders equipped for ministry. You can find more at leadworship.com or just search for his videos on Youtube.



The Lyrics are great and give a "sing a new song unto the Lord" feel to this hymn which is seen as foundational to many worshipers. Plus it is fun to play and sing!

Let's do a comparison!

Christ The Lord

VERSE 1
Son of God proved His love
That while we were sinners Jesus died for us
No more shame, no more fear
Our Savior is alive for ever, God is near

CHORUS
Christ the Lord is risen today
The Lamb of God has taken our sins away
Love's redeeming work is done
Raise Your voice! The King has overcome
Hallelu- jah, Hallelu- jah

VERSE 2
By His grace, long ago
Our sins were as scarlet, now they're white as snow
Love was nailed to the cross
His dying and His rising has changed our hearts

CHORUS

BRIDGE
Made like Him, like Him we'll rise
Ours the cross, the grave, the sky
(Repeat)

CHORUS
Christ the Lord is risen today
The Lamb of God has taken our sins away
Love's redeeming work is done
Raise Your voice! The King has overcome, Hallelujah!
Christ the Lord is risen today
The Lamb of God has taken our sins away
Love's redeeming work is done
Raise Your voice! The King has overcome
Hallelu- jah, Hallelu- jah
Oh, Hallelujah!


Here are the lyrics from the original Hymn to compare. The bolded parts are common themes the underlined are direct quotes, and the italics are places where Paul captured the 'overtones' of the meaning:


Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia! 
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia! 
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! 
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia! 

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia! 
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia! 
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia! 
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia! 

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia! 
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia! 
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia! 
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia! 

[the last two lesser sung stanzas - not in the hymnal at my church]

     Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
     Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia! 
     Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
     Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!

     King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!
     Everlasting life is this, Alleluia! 
     Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia! 
     Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!


All in all, I feel that Paul did a great job bringing new life to this hymn's legacy with Christ the Lord. For people like me to did not grow up singing these hymns, songs like these are much welcomed because we need to hold on to the great content and truths that have stood the test of time. Yet, we get to do so in a way that is enjoyable to us! With lyrics that bring clarity and not mystery.

Thanks Paul, looking forward to this Easter!

Luke

PS> Another great song this Easter (while we are on the topic of hymns) is Evan Wickham's He's Alive. Take a look at that when you get a chance! Great chorus with addicting melodies to "I Know That My Redeemer Lives".

What is Easter

Here is a great video that speaks for itself...

http://vimeo.com/8560816


What is Easter? (Man on the Street) from joe perez on Vimeo.