Music Monday: No Doubt

Since my last blog post was about John Schlitt, the lead singer for Petra, I figured I'd share a Petra song today! This song is called No Doubt, and it is one of the most encouraging songs I've ever heard. I've gone through a lot of dark times, and this song literally was a lifeline to catch hold of in those times. Please share this song with someone who's down or discouraged this week... it may make a difference!

Music Monday: Kings and Queens

Today's Music Monday features one of my favorite songs ever. I get chills whenever I watch the music video, featuring the band Audio Adrenaline and Haitian children from the Hands and Feet Project. This to me is the quintessential missions songs. Please enjoy and share!

Music Monday: Faz Um Milagre Em Mim

Looking back over my blog, I can’t believe how long it’s been since I shared a Music Monday with you all! I intend to change that in the new year.

The song that I want to share with you today is a special one. It’s a Portuguese song written by Regise Danese. Because you may not understand the lyrics, here is the translation of them.  (Note that this is Google Translate, so it may not be entirely accurate.)

Like Zacchaeus

I want to climb,

The highest I can

Just to see You

Looking for You

And call your attention to me.

I need You, Lord

I need you, Oh Father!

I'm too small

Give me Thy Peace

Leave everything to follow you.

Come into my house

Come into my life

Move in my structure

Heal all wounds

Teach me to have Holiness

I only want to love you,

Because the Lord is my highest good,

Make a miracle in me.

The song is sung by Gospel singer Milena, who is quite famous in spite of her young age. She excitedly announces the name of the song she will be singing. I love her bubbly and precocious spirit! As the song builds, she is joined on stage by Regise Danese, the song’s author himself. Together, they sing an incredible duet. Despite the fact that I don’t speak the language, I adore this worship song and couldn’t help the tears that came to my eyes when I first heard it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Music Monday: From Sea to Sea

In honor of Canada Day tomorrow (July 1^st) I want to share a very special song with you. It’s not on You Tube so I was unable to embed it, but you can click on the link below and view it. This is Luc Gingras and his wife Nathalie, ministers at La Place in Granby, Quebec, singing one of Luc’s original songs. The song is called “From Sea to Sea” and it is a prayer for the nation of Canada. It is based on Psalm 72:8, which states "He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth." Canada is the only nation outside of the middle East whose modern-day boundaries are clearly defined in Scripture.

I hope that this song touches and blesses you as we pray it over the Dominion of Canada. 

Sea to Sea - Luc Gingras

Music Monday: When Life Gets In The Way Of Living

I can’t believe how long it’s been since the last time I shared a “Music Monday” post with you all! Life has been a little crazy lately, with twists and turns and ups and downs. I have high hopes of getting back to blogging regularly though… be on the lookout for a LONG post with lots of updates!

And now, since life has really gotten in the way of just living lately, I have a really good song to share with you all… “When Life Gets In The Way Of Living” written and performed by my friend Blair Lane. Blair is a Nashville recording artist who lives right here in Newfoundland and has written some beautiful songs. This one is off of his second album, also entitled When Life Gets In The Way Of Living. I hope you all enjoy this wonderful song… and don’t forget to take some time to just enjoy life to the fullest; it goes by far too quickly!

Music Monday: Overcomer

This Monday I want to share with you a song that I only discovered a few days ago! I’d heard of it and knew that people were saying it was good, but I just never bothered to look it up. This week has been kind of a struggle for me, so a friend of mine sent me this song. It was exactly what I needed to hear at that moment and I think it’s become this week’s theme song for me! It’s a “get up and dance” song, so turn your speakers up LOUD for this one!

Without further ado, here’s Mandisa with her song, “Overcomer”!

Music Monday: Prayin' For You

This week, I want to share a song with you folks that has really touched me. I often tell people that it’s the only rap song that ever made me cry. The song is called, “Prayin’ for You” and it’s by Christian rap artist Lecrae. It has a smooth, easy-listening beat, and the lyrics, like all of Lecrae’s works, are just powerful and full of truth. This song has been my heart’s cry this week. Make sure you listen right to the end… there’s a powerful twist that floored me first when I heard it. Very sobering message.

Without further ado, here’s Lecrae with his music video for “Prayin’ for You.”

May you all have a blessed week and remember to pray for a friend today!

Music Monday: Can't Get Over You

Music seems to be an integral part of who we are as people.  It’s a pervasive part of our culture; from the music played in stores and offices, to the music played over the phone while you are on hold, to the jingles used in advertisements and the poignant songs used in movies. Music is an effective way to teach children colors, shapes, and the alphabet. Our lives start with the lullabies sung by our parents and end with the hymns played at our funerals. We have stereo systems to enjoy at home, radios and car stereos for when we travel, and “portable music” has evolved from ghetto blasters to portable cassette players to barely visible ear buds. And of course, online music sharing sites attract millions of visitors. No matter what we do, it seems that our lives are twined together with music.

Martin Luther, the 16^th century Reformer, must have agreed, for he wrote:

   With all my heart I would extol the precious gift of God in the noble art of music… Music is to be praised as second only to the Word of God because by her all the emotions are swayed. Nothing on earth is more mighty to make the sad joyful and the joyful sad, to hearten the downcast, mellow the overweening, temper the exuberant, or mollify the vengeful… This precious gift has been bestowed on people to remind them that they are created to praise and magnify the Lord. But when natural music is sharpened and polished by art, then one begins to see with amazement the great and perfect wisdom of God in His wonderful work of music…He who does not find this an inexpressible miracle of the Lord is truly a clod and is not worthy to be called a human being.

So, I’ve decided to begin a new series here on my blog: Music Mondays! Each week you’ll hear a new song… everything old and new, from classical pieces to modern selections, from worship songs to music from different cultures around the world. Fast and slow, quietening and uplifting… I look forward to sharing my favorite music with you all.

And to begin our series, here’s the relatively new band Anthem Lights doing an acoustic version of one of their own songs, called, “Can’t Get Over You.” The first time I heard this song, I was impressed by the beautiful way that these men harmonize together and by the pure worship that is expressed in their song. I find myself listening to this song over and over again, and I’m sure you will as well!

May you all have a blessed week and make a joyful noise unto the Lord!