Shai Linne: Our God is in the Heavens

Man! This song is powerful! I find myself listening to it before work and during my lunchbreak. Our God is just so awesome!

Trip Lee: Satisfaction (Hedonist)

Lately I've been listening to one of my favorite Christian rappers, Trip Lee. His songs are great! Take this one, for example. Trip shows us that wealth, status, and worldly pleasures will never give us the true satisfaction that Christ offers. And he does it to a beat that just makes me wanna bounce! Or at least bob my head...

Lyrics:

Plumbline Collective: Ex (ft. JG Miles and Jay Remnant of iSix5)

 

I love this song because it reminds me where I came from, and that keeps me humble! I may not have been as bad as some of the guys in this song, but I was still "a wretched sinner in desperate need of His grace!" 
The chorus just blows my mind every time:

"I can't believe you died for me!

Ex-hypocrite, fornicator, slave to sin

At the point of the Cross I bow the knee

Ex-atheist, rebel, let the new begin!

You opened my eyes and I can finally see!

Grace through faith Lord, how can it be?

Ex-worshiper of self, I was addicted to me

Ex-hustler... but you set me free"

Shai Linne: Lord of Patience

Wow! This is one of the best songs I've heard in a while!
It's amazing to know that even though I fail constantly, God is still patient with me. I really needed this.

Flame: Power

Here's a cool song by Flame that I've been enjoying lately. It's about God's power: some of the amazing things God has accomplished in people's lives, and the things He can accomplish in yours!
Lyrics:

[Chorus:]
He got power man, You ain't never seen it like this
He got power man, His words make the world exist
He got power man, He can turn your situation 'round
I've seen Him do it, do it, do it, do it, do it
[Verse 1:]
I've seen the Lord do a lot of things in my day
Time after time, He blows my mind and He blows my faith
I like to read, and see what He's done in the past
He can do in the present, if His people would ask
I've seen Him shut a whole strip down
Full of strip clubs, now the dude's a Christian now
Wow, now that's power like you've never seen
How He dug in the man, and made his soul clean
Oh, I've even seen Him heal a broken home
Couple couldn't get along, now you be like, 'get a room!'
Man, I'm so impressed with His slate
I want to trust Him more and more, and strengthen my faith
Yes, I hope you know it's true, all power's in God's hands
What can't you make it through, the proof is the God-man
Nobody took His life, but Jesus He laid it down
And three days later, yes, He popped outta the ground
[Chorus]
[Verse 2:]
Now for the record, we're talking about Almighty God
Please don't forget, what He did with Moses' rod
Please don't forget, when He split the Red Sea
What is a light bill, or a deadly disease
What is a marriage problem, or one that's on the rocks
To the One who speaks to storms, and storms stop
To the One who got Lazarus outta the grave,
Not after one, but two, three, four days
He is the Life, and the Resurrection
You give Him your filth, and get His perfection
I'm trying to get you to see, if He can save a soul
Defeat Satan and sin, all else is micro
And if He chooses to not grant a request
It's not because He lacks power, but He's seeking our best
It's not because He lacks strength, but He's seeking our good
Now go and walk through that trial, like Jesus would
[Chorus]
[Verse 3:]
I know some people in my hood, that's been struggling with some things
They've been addicted for so long, they don't think that they can change
Then I tell them about Jesus, and how He can set them free
But they choose to stay away, man now that's just unbelief
But He's worthy to be trusted, He's a keeper of His word
But it's either you don't believe in Jesus, or that's just scared
Now what you're scared of, you shouldn't be scared of your sin
And not trusting in His name, that's the danger you're in
But you ain't gotta stay that way, you can pray and confess
Live a, life of repentance, receive Jesus' best
Himself, His love, His grace, His power
Give you strength in the darkest hour, so you won't be devoured
Give you strength against temptation, because He's stronger than sin
He's much stronger, than your corruption, erupting within
He's much strong, than your addiction to sex or a drug
To alcohol, or a club
Homie, that's what He does
[Chorus]

On That Cross: I Can't Believe You Died for Me!

Move over, Shai... JK. But wow... Flame has got to be one of my new favorite rappers. This song? It's moving. Extremely powerful. You must read the lyrics:

[HOOK:]
When you were on that cross
I can't believe you died for me
Oh Lord you gave me eyes to see
When I was lost
You showed me which way to go
Oh Lord you even saved my soul
When you were on that cross
[Repeat]

[VERSE:]
Yes, the Lord reigns robed in majesty
The
Mountains melt like wax
Before the Lord cause He's Holy
And it has to be
Nothing but pure reverence
By His wisdom
And understanding He stretched out the heavens
Who can
Endure His presence?
Let us make a joyful noise to the rock
Of our salvation
We praise Him with all that we've got
Even
The seas roar
Let the trees of the forest sing for joy as the
Rivers clap before the Lord
In case you've ever
Wondered
Why was it all done?
What is it for?
My Lord the
Stars moon and sun
Even the skies testify to your
Greatness
Revelation 4:11 praise for all your creation
It's all
For your glory
Through your infinite power
Your intricate
Skill is seen through a blossoming flower
But yet Father you
Were pleased to bruise your own Son
So that sinners could
Come and be redeemed
Amen

[HOOK:]
When you were on that cross
I can't believe you died for me
Oh Lord you gave me eyes to see
When I was lost
You showed me which way to go
Oh Lord you even saved my soul
When you were on that cross
[Repeat]

[VERSE:]
We spend a lifetime looking for satisfaction in
Wrong places
But a blind man embraces whatever catch his
Fall
But if he's spiritually blind and can't see that he's
Falling
Then quite naturally this cat a keep bumping into
Walls
But if a man who was also God offered him sight
Said
He could save him from his behavior and sorry plight
And
Give him eyes to see the beauty of God the creator
Would
He take Him by faith and stop putting up a fight?
Would he
Fall to the ground with his face to the pavement?
Just to
Worship the man who was God making His payment
For the
Sin he was born in that made him blind
And the debt he
Accumulated for loving lying
And bringing peace between
The one in which he has beef
And sins against every week
When he's hugging the streets
And bring him close by the
Power of the Holy Ghost
The same God who crushed His
Son 2000 years ago

[HOOK:]
When you were on that cross
I can't believe you died for me
Oh Lord you gave me eyes to see
When I was lost
You showed me which way to go
Oh Lord you even saved my soul
When you were on that cross
[Repeat]

[VERSE:]
Listen...
Every step Jesus took on the way to
Golgotha
Echoed throughout the universe - for you
Father
For the glory of God is of infinite worth
And his
Death'll justify many and bring new birth
And every blow to
His hands every thrust to his side
Every heave on the cross
Is for the glory of God
And now the murderer the prostitute
And even the thug
And average person can now be
Cleansed by blood?

[HOOK:]
When you were on that cross
I can't believe you died for me
Oh Lord you gave me eyes to see
When I was lost
You showed me which way to go
Oh Lord you even saved my soul
When you were on that cross
[Repeat]

Simply Trusting/Trusting Jesus

I know I usually say "this is one of my favorite hymns!" but this particular hymn is "favoriter" to me than those others I've posted. Perplexingly enough, I couldn't find any good versions of this song on youtube. It seems to have been mostly forgotten here in the western world, whereas the far east seems to really like it (or at least, that's the impression I was given by my search results). In any case, the best video I could find was this dude playing an organ. Nobody is singing in this video, so here are the lyrics for you to read yourself:

Simply trusting every day,
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.  

Refrain:
Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him whate’er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all. 

Brightly doth His Spirit shine
Into this poor heart of mine;
While He leads I cannot fall;
Trusting Jesus, that is all. 

Singing if my way is clear,
Praying if the path be drear;
If in danger for Him call;
Trusting Jesus, that is all. 

Trusting Him while life shall last,
Trusting Him till earth be past;
Till within the jasper wall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

I really, really love this hymn. It reminds me so much of Pilgrim's Progress, especially the last two verses.  Definitely one of my "favoritest" hymns, if not my very favorite.

Jesus is Alive!

One of my favorite songs by Shai Linne; very catchy, and very true!
This is my favorite part:

"Criminal minded, you've been blinded
Lookin' for the body of Jesus? You won't find it
We never lack spirit, lettin' you cats hear it
Because His tomb is empty like most secular rap lyrics"

My other favorite line:

"No resurrection, Christianity would've never spread
The disciples weren't stupid guys 
Who would ruin their lives
And then choose to die
For what they knew was a lie"

There is another version of the same song, featuring Lecrae! I personally like the original better, but this one is still cool:

Oh the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus

Wow. I used to have this song memorized, but hadn't heard it in quite a while up until just yesterday, when I thought of it.

It is a beautiful, powerful, and moving hymn. There's nothing more I can say.

Mission Accomplished

Shai Linne delivers a hard-hitting message on Limited Atonement and the efficacy of Christ's death. The typography is great without being showy or distracting, the lyrics are superb, and the beat is pleasant (especially for Hip-Hop).

Shai brings up a few points that I myself have never thought of. "If the election of the Father is not universal, and the regeneration of the Holy Spirit is not universal, then why would the atonement of the Son be universal?" Very good points.

Man of Sorrows / Hallelujah, What a Savior!

Sometimes we describe songs like these as being "beautiful." And well, it is, isn't it? What we need to remember is that the beauty is not in the song itself, but rather, in the message the song is communicating. "Guilty, vile, and helpless we, spotless Lamb of God was He, Full atonement, can it be? Hallelujah! What a savior!" This is the Gospel. That's where the beauty lies.

Ben-Hur: Parade of the Charioteers

I don't have much to say about this soundtrack, other than that it's really good. I'll let you form your own opinion. ;)

The Ninety and Nine

The Ninety and Nine has been one of my family's favorite hymns for almost 4 years now.

I don't know who Andrew Peterson is, and I'm sure there are other people who sing this song better than he does. I just chose this particular video because it's the same one my family used to learn the hymn for the first time (if my memory serves me correctly).

As should be obvious, the hymn is based on the parable of the lost sheep which Jesus told in Luke 15:4-7.

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance."

Does your family have a favorite hymn? :)

Musicalvinist Christmas Special!

In the spirit of Christmas, I've got four five Christmas songs for ya!

First up is a sci-fi Christmas song by Jonathan Coulton called Chiron Beta Prime:

I don't know who Jonathan Coulton is, or what the background is on Chiron Beta Prime, but it's a pretty funny song, even if you're not a big sci-fi person. "I think the robots sent us a pie!"

EDIT: I meant to post this, but forgot to. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, by Mannheim Steamroller:

A very nice twist to the classic. :)

Next we have two Christmas songs, both of which are new to me (I hadn't heard them until last night's Christmas Eve service at Lone Rock Bible Church).

How many Kings:

Love it, love it, love it. Some people act like Christianity isn't unique, and that it's just like (or even copied from) other religions. But that's clearly not true, and the reason why is expressed in the chorus of this song:

How many kings stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

The answer is "Only One!"
Some other parts of the song bug me a little because they seem a somewhat man-centered, but other than that, this is one of my new favorite Christmas songs.

Then we have Hope Was Born This Night:

This is one of those really beautiful songs that you can just lose yourself in. There's not really anything I want to say about it! It's just beautiful!

Last but not least, we have the "Hallelujah" Chorus from Handel's Messiah, preformed by the famous Andre Rieu and his uber-talented peeps:

Technically, this isn't a Christmas song. Handel wrote it for part II of Messiah, which details Christ's Passion and crucifixion, not His birth. However, I think it makes a wonderful Christmas song. Why? Because Christ has come, and as the song says: He is "King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and He shall reign forever and ever!"

Merry Christmas!

In Christ Alone

I typically prefer hymns for worship, but honestly, what I prefer doesn't matter. What matters is whether or not I'm worshiping God with my heart, and this song allows me to do that very well. It's one of those songs that I can throw my whole self into, and belt out with all my soul.

The lyrics are poetic and beautiful, while at the same time remaining biblically accurate, something which is rarer than it should be in more modern Christian music. I really appreciate that.

The execution in this video isn't the best, since it sounds like a congregation singing instead of professionals. Honestly though, I like it better this way. This is how I would hear it in church, sung alongside other believers, as it should be.

What's your opinion on this song?