Songs We Sing (12.13.2009)

We occasionally get asked what this or that song was after services. So, I thought I'd provide a small service to CCJ'ers and the general lurkers out there. I'll list each song and give you the original artist and/or songwriter and a few details. If you'd like to purchase the original song, I suggest using iTunes or Amazon's MP3 Store.

For the services of December 13, 2009, we sang:

Awesome Is The Lord Most High
Written by Cary Pierce, Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Jon Abel, 2006. This song appears on the Chris Tomlin album "See The Morning." More and more CCJ'ers are paying attention to the chorus. :-)

Little Drummer Boy
Written by Katherine K. Davis, Henry Onorati, Harry Simeone, 1941. This is, of course, not a true story. It does, however, give us a story of something we should strive for - to bring Jesus what we have whatever our circumstances. Our talents have been given to us by God, we should give them back to Him.

O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Written by Phillips Brooks, 1867. Music by Lewis Redner, 1868.

I Celebrate The Day
Written by Matt Thiessen, 2003. I love this new song about a fresh look at Christ's birth. Get it free for a limited time here.

What Child Is This?
Written by William C. Dix, 1865. Music: "Greensleeves," 16th Century English melody.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Author unknown (i.e. this one is VERY old - like 12th Century old). Get Narrow Path's version via the iTunes Store. First service folks ... we really messed this one up today. :-(

Songs We Sing (12.06.2009)

We occasionally get asked what this or that song was after services. So, I thought I'd provide a small service to CCJ'ers and the general lurkers out there. I'll list each song and give you the original artist and/or songwriter and a few details. If you'd like to purchase the original song, I suggest using iTunes or Amazon's MP3 Store.

For the services of December 6, 2009, we sang:

All Bow Down
Written by Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, 2004. From Tomlin's album "Arriving." We've added a wee bit more, uh, funk, to this one.

The Glory Of Your Name
Written by Christy Nockels, Nathan Nockels, 2004. This song can be found on Watermark's album "The Purest Place." (mp3 here). I love the words to this one.

CCJ Christmas Medley (Kings/Faithful/Hark)
"We Three Kings" written by John H. Hopkins Jr., 1857. "O Come All Ye Faithful" written by John Wade, 1743. "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" written by Charles Wesley, 1739. I love kicking off the Christmas season with this one (as you get three songs in one and about 4 different styles of music as well). Hope you enjoyed this one. We had a blast practicing it the other night. Laughter all around. :-)

Here I Am To Worship
Written by Tim Hughes, 2000. From Tim Hughes' album "Here I Am To Worship." (mp3 here).

Mission's Flame
Written by Matt Redman, 2004. From Redman's album "Facedown." (mp3 here). This is a song I wish I could write. Such great words.

Here Is Love
Written by William Rees, sometime in the mid- to late-1800s. Music by Robert Lowry, 1876.Arrangement by Ex Nihilo and Narrow Path (we put our own spin on an arrangement by Mars Hill Church - Seattle - band Ex Nihilo). Their version is available here. It is pretty similar to ours (but more inde rock instead of our power-pop/modern rock approach).

Songs We Sing (11.29.2009)

We occasionally get asked what this or that song was after services. So, I thought I'd provide a small service to CCJ'ers and the general lurkers out there. I'll list each song and give you the original artist and/or songwriter and a few details. If you'd like to purchase the original song, I suggest using iTunes or Amazon's MP3 Store.

For the services of November 29, 2009, we sang:

I Saw The Light
Written by Hank Williams Sr. (with additional verses by David Crowder, 2005). From Wikipedia: "I Saw the Light" is a 1948 Gospel song written and first performed by Hank Williams, not to be confused with the hit song by Todd Rundgren or the #1 country hit by Wynonna Judd. With poetic lyrics, such as "I wandered so aimless, life filled with sin/I wouldn't let my dear Savior in," the song was written about Williams' religious convictions despite his alcoholic vices. Though the song was not a commercial success upon its first release, it has become one of the songs most closely tied to Williams' career. Since its release, the song has been covered by numerous artists, including Crystal Gayle for her album "Someday" (1995), Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Acuff (1948), Bobby Bare (1966), Merle Haggard (1971), Etta James (2001), Bill Monroe (1958), Jerry Reed, Willie Nelson (1979), The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1972), Earl Scruggs (1972), Hank Williams, Jr. (1969), The The (1995), Johnny Cash (In a Columbo episode), and David Crowder Band (2005)".
The David Crowder version is on their album "A Collision."

You Are Holy (Prince of Peace)
Written by Marc Imboden, Tammi Rhoton, 1994. When CCJ really sings, there is little more beautiful than us singing this song together (to me, anyway). I love the female and male voices mixing together singing different words but worshipping the same God.

Mighty To Save
Written by Ben Fielding, Reuben Morgan, 2006. You can buy Hillsong's version here. As usual, we have amped up the song a bit and done it in our own way. This, however, is the original version.

Whole World In His Hands
Written by Tim Hughes, 2004. I love, love, love this song. It's such a great song of hope and inspiration to know that even though we will walk through fire, He has us and we will not be burned. We're not promised that there won't be fire, just that He will be there with us and take us through it. Matt Redman made this song popular. You can buy his version here.

You Never Let Go
Written by Matt Redman, Beth Redman, 2005. See "Whole World ..." Same thing. :-) You can buy Redman's version here.

We Are Called
Written by Daniel Ross, 2008. Read I Peter 2:9-10, then go back and read all of I Peter to get the proper context of why Peter was writing this and to who he was writing it. That's what I based this song on. By the way, we are in the infancy of recording an album of our originals (this one included) and a few public domain hymns. Hopefully, we will have it out in 2010 sometime (no promises though).
:-)

Songs We Sing (11.22.2009)

We occasionally get asked what this or that song was after services. So, I thought I'd provide a small service to CCJ'ers and the general lurkers out there. I'll list each song and give you the original artist and/or songwriter and a few details. If you'd like to purchase the original song, I suggest using iTunes or Amazon's MP3 Store.

For the services of November 22, 2009, we sang:

You Lifted Me Out
Written by Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Louie Giglio, Matt Gilder, Matt Redman, 2008. From Chris Tomlin's album "Hello Love." I love this lyric, "Lost is where You found me/Shattered and frail but You love me still/Trouble may surround me my heart may fail/But You never will/You never will."

On Our Side
Written by Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Jesse Reeves, 2004. From Chris Tomlin's album "Arriving." Kurt does a good job singing this second verse, don't you think? :-)

Leaning On The Everlasting Arms
Written by Elisha A. Hoffman, 1887. Music by Anthony J. Showalter. "What have I to dread/What have I to fear/Leaning on the everlasting arms ..." I think of my grandparents when we sing this song. They left a rich legacy of faith for me and they came from a generation where "leaning on the everlasting arms" meant so much more than it does now (in many ways).

Doxology
Words by Thomas Ken, 1674. These lyrics, sung as the Doxology in many churches, are actually the last verse of a longer hymn, "Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun." Music is from 1551 (attributed to Louis Bourgeois). Arrangement by David Crowder Band and Narrow Path. We took David Crowder's version of this hymn and tweaked it just a bit so it's really kind of a mash-up of the original, David Crowder and us. A great Thanksgiving song.

Keep Me (Psalm 35)
Written by Daniel Ross, 2009. A prayer from Psalm 35. It's really a cry to God to save us but it has that spark of hope in the prayer to "keep me by Your side."

Forever
Written by Chris Tomlin, 2001. From his album "The Noise We Make." We've really revamped this quite a bit from the original version and made it our own. You guys sang well on this today. A great celebratory song that helps us warm up for eternity.

Songs We Sing (11.15.2009)

We occasionally get asked what this or that song was after services. So, I thought I'd provide a small service to CCJ'ers and the general lurkers out there. I'll list each song and give you the original artist and/or songwriter and a few details. If you'd like to purchase the original song, I suggest using iTunes or Amazon's MP3 Store.

For the services of November 15, 2009, we sang:

Be Glorified
Written by Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Louie Giglio, 1999. We first learned this one from one of those compilation worship albums several years back (I think Tim Hughes sang the version we do). A nice song of prayer that God would be glorified through us.

The Hand That Holds The World
Written by Jason Ingram, Jon Neufeld, Matt Bronleewe, Tim Neufeld, 2006. Originally recorded by Starfield (you can buy their version here).

Hosanna
Written by Brooke Fraser, 2006. Hillsong originally did this one but I like the Christy Nockels version (found here). Christy Nockels can flat-out sing.

All Creatures Of Our God And King
Written by Francis of Assisi, circa 1225 (this is REALLY old) :-)
Arrangement by David Crowder, 2002. This song really says it all. "Alleluia" (Praise be to God!). Everything praises Him.

Come Thou Fount
Written by Robert Robinson, 1758. Probably my favorite hymn ever. "Jesus sought me when a stranger ..."

Let God Arise
Written by Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Jesse Reeves, 2006. This song can be found on Chris Tomlin's 2006 album "See The Morning."

Songs We Sing (11.08.2009)

We occasionally get asked what this or that song was after services. So, I thought I'd provide a small service to CCJ'ers and the general lurkers out there. I'll list each song and give you the original artist and/or songwriter and a few details. If you'd like to purchase the original song, I suggest using iTunes or Amazon's MP3 Store.

For the services of November 8, 2009, we sang:

Foreverandever, Etc.
Written by David Crowder, Jack Parker & Mike Dodson, 2005. This song is from David Crowder Band's 2005 album, "A Collision." We get some weird looks for the "foreverandeverandeverandeverandever ..." part at the end, but it perfectly illustrates the concept of the song.

Lord Reign In Me
Written by Brenton Brown, 1998. I picked this song out this week because it went perfectly with the sermon topic. It's a prayer that "Over every thought over every word/May my life reflect the beauty of my Lord/'Cause You mean more to me/Than any earthly thing."

Power in the Blood
Written by Lewis E. Jones, 1899. This song is also known as "There Is Power In The Blood." It's a pretty neat songwriting tool that most of the verses are in the form of a question.

The Wonderful Cross
Written by Chris Tomlin, J. D. Walt, Jesse Reeves (all 2005), Isaac Watts (1707), & Lowell Mason (1824). This is a modern chorus added to the old hymn "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross." The great songwriter Charles Wesley reportedly said he would give up all his other hymns to have written this one. It's a fantastic set of lyrics.

Jesus Paid It All
Written by Elvina M. Hall, 1865. An excellent old song about the supremacy of Christ in our lives.

Your Grace Is Enough
Written by Matt Maher, 2003. This song was written by Maher (who has his own version out there) but was popularized by Chris Tomlin on his album "Arriving."

Songs We Sing (11.01.2009)

We occasionally get asked what this or that song was after services. So, I thought I'd provide a small service to CCJ'ers and the general lurkers out there. I'll list each song and give you the original artist and/or songwriter and a few details. If you'd like to purchase the original song, I suggest using iTunes or Amazon's MP3 Store.

For the services of November 1, 2009, we sang:

At The Cross
Words by Issac Watts, 1707. Chorus by Ralph Hudson in 1885. This song is also known as "Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed?" without the "at the cross, at the cross" chorus. You know how we sometimes sing an old hymn with a new chorus? There's nothing new under the sun, as this is a good example. There are some great lyrics to this song. I used to think the line "Would He devote that sacred head/For such a worm as I?" was a bit harsh but, as I've grown, I realize that I have nothing to offer God that is good and that, in the full light of His glory, I am no more than a worm. HOWEVER, there is "Amazing pity/Grace unknown/And love beyond degree ... at the cross."

All Bow Down
Written by Chris Tomlin & Ed Cash, 2004. This is from Chris Tomlin's "Arriving" album (if you're looking to buy it). Our version is stylistically a bit more funky (I like it better, but that's just me). When we did this one at The Burner last Sunday night, there was some loud singing that warmed my heart. We got to the line "You are coming again, like a thiief in the night/You are coming again, with a shout from the sky." The kids (and adults) really let loose on the "shout from the sky part." It was awesome. :-)

Nothing But The Blood
Written by Robert Lowry, 1876. Man, this guy really was a prolific songwriter back in the late 1800s, wasn't he (go look at previous "songs We Sing" posts to see what I'm talking about)? This song has fantastic words that help remind us that it is not of our doing, but God's that we are saved - ONLY through the blood of Jesus.

Here I Am To Worship
Written by Tim Hughes, 2000. You can buy the mp3 here, if you want it. This one is a modern classic, so to speak. This takes us to a place of pondering just how much Jesus gave up for us. That requires our worship.

How Deep The Father's Love For Us
Written by Stuart Townend, 1995. This is written in hymn-style so many think it is an old song but it's fairly new, in reality. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the lyrics to this song. I've not found a version that is quite like ours so, I'll give you an old YouTube video of us doing it in 2007. For whatever reason, this video has been downloaded from our web site about 70-100 times each month and has been viewed on YouTube nearly 14,000 times. The video from the ccjasper.com site has been embeded in some South Korean web site and has been heavily viewed in China and other Asian nations over the past two years. God uses the weak in His ways, doesn't He?

Image of the Invisible
Written by Daniel Ross & Kurt Neighbors, 2008. We wrote this one back in late 2008 when CCJ was working through the book of Colossians. I was trying to hammer home the point that Jesus is the supreme ruler over everything. This will be available in a recorded form ... someday.

Songs We Sing (10.25.2009)

We occasionally get asked what this or that song was after services. So, I thought I'd provide a small service to CCJ'ers and the general lurkers out there. I'll list each song and give you the original artist and/or songwriter and a few details. If you'd like to purchase the original song, I suggest using iTunes or Amazon's MP3 Store.

For the services of October 25, 2009, we sang:

Victory In Jesus
Written by Eugene M. Bartlett, 1939. I told everyone this morning that I have sung this song since I was a little kid and had no idea until the other day what the word 'ere' meant in the chorus ("O victory in Jesus/My Savior forever/He sought me and bought me/With His redeeming blood/He loved me ere I knew Him/And all my love is due Him/He plunged me to victory/Beneath the cleansing flood."). The word 'ere' simply means 'before.' It is awe-inspiring that He loved us even when we were His enemies and dead in our own sins.

We Are Called
Written by Daniel Ross, 2009. This song is taken from I Peter 2 (we often read I Peter 2:9-10 before we sing it). Once again, it is awe-inspiring to know that we are a "chosen people, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that we may declare the excellencies of Him who called us from darkness into His marvelous light." I hope you are encouraged by this song.

Blessed Be Your Name
Written by Beth Redman and Matt Redman, 2002. The main theme of this song is from Job 1. One of my favorite lines is that "my heart will choose to say 'blessed be Your name.'" As Job 1 says, "the Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." This song is available here for purchase. There are other good versions by other artists out there as well. Feel free to suggest your favorite in the comments.

I Need Thee Every Hour
Written by Annie S. Hawks (music by Robert Lowry), 1872. A young housewife wrote this in the 1870s. Awesome. The story behind the song (as found here - link will have an audio file playing so turn your volume down):
"One day as a young wife and mo­ther of 37 years of age, I was bu­sy with my reg­u­lar house­hold tasks. Sud­den­ly, I be­came so filled with the sense of near­ness to the Mast­er that, won­der­ing how one could live with­out Him, ei­ther in joy or pain, these words, “I Need Thee Ev­e­ry Hour,” were ush­ered in­to my mind, the thought at once tak­ing full pos­sess­ion of me."
After writ­ing the lyr­ics, Hawks gave them to her pas­tor, Ro­bert Low­ry, who add­ed the tune and re­frain. The hymn was first pub­lished at the Na­tion­al Bap­tist Sun­day School Con­ven­tion in Cin­cin­na­ti, Ohio, in No­vem­ber 1872. Some years lat­er, af­ter the death of her hus­band, Hawks wrote:
"I did not un­der­stand at first why this hymn had touched the great throb­bing heart of hu­man­i­ty. It was not un­til long af­ter, when the sha­dow fell over my way, the sha­dow of a great loss, that I un­der­stood some­thing of the com­fort­ing pow­er in the words which I had been per­mit­ted to give out to others in my hour of sweet se­ren­i­ty and peace."

Enough
Written by Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio, 2002. "You're my supply my breath of life/Still more awesome than I know/You're my reward worth living for/Still more awesome than I know/" You can buy this song here. As with nearly all Chris Tomlin songs, many, many people have done their own versions.

It Is Well With My Soul
Written by Horatio G. Spafford, 1873 (Music by Philip Bliss, 1876). This hymn has a great/horrific story behind it. If you've never read it, check it out at Wikipedia.

Songs We Sing (10.18.2009)

We occasionally get asked what this or that song was after services. So, I thought I'd provide a small service to CCJ'ers and the general lurkers out there. I'll list each song and give you the original artist and/or songwriter and a few details. If you'd like to purchase the original song, I suggest using iTunes or Amazon's MP3 Store.

For the services of October 18, 2009, we sang:

Beautiful One
Written by Tim Hughes, 2002. Hughes also made the song most popular so if you want to buy a version, I'd suggest his. I love the lyric "my soul, my soul MUST sing." Nothing on earth compares to who Jesus is.

Here Is Our King
Written by David Crowder, 2005. Available on the David Crowder Band album "A Collision." (You can download Narrow Path's rougher version here). "Here is our God who's come to bring us back to Him/He is the One, He is Jesus."

All My Tears
Written by Julie Miller, 1993. Her version is on her album "Orphans And Angels." Jars of Clay made it most popular on their album "Good Monsters." Emmylou Harris also has a version out there. This one was chosen for today because of the line "Gold and silver blind the eye/Temporary riches lie/Come and eat from Heaven's store/Come and drink and thirst no more." Fantastic song.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Written by Helen H. Lemmel, 1922. Ponder these lines of this old hymn ... "and the things of earth will grow strangely dim/In the light of His glory and grace."

Mission's Flame
Written by Matt Redman, 2004. I first heard this on the album "Passion: How Great Is Our God." This song conveys the power with which we are to care about the glory of God's name on the earth. I love it. "Let worship be the fuel for mission's flame/We're going with a passion for Your name/We're going for we care about Your praise/Send us out."

The Heart of Worship
Written by Matt Redman, 1999. This song always means a lot to me, particularly today as I've been wrestling with some things in my own life and in the life of CCJ. There is a fantastic story behind the writing of this song. Please take a second to read it all.
The song dates back to the late 1990s, born from a period of apathy within Matt (Redman)’s home church, Soul Survivor, in Watford, England.
Read the rest of the story >>>

Songs We Sing (10.11.2009)

We occasionally get asked what this or that song was after services. So, I thought I'd provide a small service to CCJ'ers and the general lurkers out there. I'll list each song and give you the original artist and/or songwriter and a few details. If you'd like to purchase the original song, I suggest using iTunes or Amazon's MP3 Store.

For the services of October 11, 2009, we sang:

Glory To His Name
Written by Elisha Albright Hoffman and John Hart Stockton, 1878. This song is also known as "Down At The Cross." We do several "boom-chuck-a" songs. This is my favorite. You can download our version here. "Come to this fountain so rich and sweet/Cast thy poor soul at the Savior’s feet/Plunge in today, and be made complete/Glory to His Name!"

The Glory Of Your Name
Written by Christy Nockels, Nathan Nockels, 2004. We did this one today primarily because of these lines: "And there is nothing in this world/That could take the place of You/That could take the place of You/My Jesus/And there is nothing in this life/That could take the place of one life/And one love/One pow'r to save us all/One hope/And one truth/And one glory in it all/One glory in it all." If you've never heard Christy Nockels sing, you should check her out. This song is available on the compilation album "Passion: How Great Is Our God." Get the song here at Amazon's mp3 Store.

Here Is Love
Written by Robert S. Lowry, William Edwards and William Rees, 1876. Do you know this one yet? Today concluded the introduction of this new/really old song to CCJ. I'm really digging this one. "Who His love will not remember?/Who can cease to sing His praise?"

Holy, Holy, Holy
Words written by Reginald Heber (1826) and music by John B. Dykes (1861). A great song proclaiming the glory and just plain bigness/holiness/grandeur, etc. of our God.

Raise Up The Crown (All Hail The Power Of Jesus' Name)
Words written by Edward Perronet (somewhere between 1779 and 1786) and music written by Oliver Holden (1793). Additional chorus written by Chris Tomlin, 2004. "Ye chosen seed of Israel's race/Ye ransomed from the fall/Hail Him who saves you by His grace/And crown Him Lord of all." How great is that?!?! Chris Tomlin's version is available on the album "Passion: Hymns, Ancient and Modern." (Single mp3 available at Amazon's mp3 store here).

This Is Our God
Written by Kurt Neighbors and Daniel Ross, 2009. An original song for CCJ taken from Isaiah 25. Go read it. That's what the song is about. Song not yet recorded.

Songs We Sing (10.04.2009)

We occasionally get asked what this or that song was after services. So, I thought I'd provide a small service to CCJ'ers and the general lurkers out there. I'll list each song and give you the original artist and/or songwriter and a few details. If you'd like to purchase the original song, I suggest using iTunes or Amazon's MP3 Store.

For the services of October 4, 2009, we sang:



Shall We Gather At The River?
Written by Robert Lowry, 1864. I'm starting to realize that Robert Lowry (pictured left) was the Chris Tomlin (pictured below) of the mid-1800s (well, Chris Tomlin is probably the Robert Lowry of today, but I digress ...). Part of this hymn was sung in the Academy Award winning movie, "Trip to Bountiful" (1985). It was also sung at the funeral of American Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas. Lowry said this of the song:
"One afternoon in July, 1864, when I was pastor at Hanson Place Baptist Church, Brooklyn, the weather was oppressively hot, and I was lying on a lounge in a state of physical exhaustion…My imagination began to take itself wings. Visions of the future passed before me with startling vividness. The imagery of the apocalypse took the form of a tableau. Brightest of all were the throne, the heavenly river, and the gathering of the saints…I began to wonder why the hymn writers had said so much about the “river of death” and so little about the “pure water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and the Lamb.” As I mused, the words began to construct themselves. They came first as a question of Christian in quiry, “Shall we gather?” Then they broke in chorus, “Yes, we’ll gather.” On this question and answer the hymn developed itself. The music came with the hymn."

Mighty To Save
Written by Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan, 2006. Originally recorded by Hillsong (appears on a few albums including "Mighty To Save" and "Hillsong Ultimate Worship Collection Volume II"). I love the emphasis on Jesus rising and conquering the grave. BECAUSE of that, we can "Shine y(our) light, let the whole world see/We're singing/For the glory of the risen King, Jesus."

Shout to the North
Written by Martin Smith, 1995. Originally recorded by Delirious? Appears on their album "Cutting Edge." A great song of unity and admonition to the church.



How Great Is Our God
Written by Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash and Jesse Reeves, 2004. Appears on the Chris Tomlin album "Arriving." This is what you would call a "modern classic." It is consistently the most sung song in churches across the U.S. and the world each year since its release.

God Of this City
Written by Aaron Boyd, Andrew McCann, Ian Jordan, Peter Comfort, Peter Kernaghan and Richard Bleakley, 2006. Originally written and recorded by Bluetree on the album "God Of This City" (this is the version we play). This was also made popular by Chris Tomlin on his album "Hello Love." This is a personal opinion, but I think Tomlin's version is much more watered-down (much more pop) than Bluetree's and I would recommend Bluetree's version if you are going to buy it.

Awesome Is The Lord Most High
Written by Cary Pierce, Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves and Jon Abel, 2006. From the Chris Tomlin album "See The Morning." I appreciate how many of you do what the chorus says we are doing.
;-)

Songs We Sing (09.27.2009)

We occasionally get asked what this or that song was after services. So, I thought I'd provide a small service to CCJ'ers and the general lurkers out there. I'll list each song and give you the original artist and/or songwriter and a few details. If you'd like to purchase the original song, I suggest using iTunes or Amazon's MP3 Store.

For the services of September 27, 2009, we sang:

Your Grace Is Enough
Written by Matt Maher, 2003. This song was made most popular by Chris Tomlin on his "Arriving" album. "Your grace is enough/Heaven reaching down to us."

O, For A Thousand Tongues To Sing
Written by Charles Wesley, 1739. Music by Music: Carl Gläser, 1828. (Additional words by David Crowder, Jack Parker, 2007). "His blood can make the foulest clean/His blood availed for me. So come on and sing out/Let our anthem grow loud/There is one great love/Jesus!" This modern version is available on David Crowder Band's 2007 album "Remedy."

Here Is Love
Hymn written by Robert S. Lowry, William Edwards and William Rees, 1876. Arrangement by Ex Nihilo and Narrow Path. You guys know this one by now, hopefully. We'll give it a week off and then come back with it the second week of October.

Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing
Written by Robert Robinson, 1758. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this song. Fantastic hymn.

Keep Me (Psalm 35)
Written by Daniel Ross, 2009. Written as a prayer of request from the words of Psalm 35. Often, though we know God is in control, we ask Him to free us from the oppression of our enemies. Like our lives, this song is both a prayer for understanding as well as a statement of our ultimate hope in God's deliverance.

Happy Day
Written by Ben Cantelon, Tim Hughes, 2006. "Oh happy day, happy day/You washed my sin away!" That needs several exclamation points. This song is found on Tim Hughes' 2006 album "Holding Nothing Back." (It has also been done recently by several other artists, such as Fee on their album "We Shine.")

Songs We Sing (09.20.2009)

We occasionally get asked what this or that song was after services. So, I thought I'd provide a small service to CCJ'ers and the general lurkers out there. I'll list each song and give you the original artist and/or songwriter and a few details. If you'd like to purchase the original song, I suggest using iTunes or Amazon's MP3 Store.

For the services of September 20, 2009, we sang:

Image of the Invisible
Written by Kurt Neighbors and Daniel Ross. Words taken from book of Colossians. This is a song helping us understand who Jesus really is (king over ALL).

Nothing But The Blood
Written by Robert Lowry, 1876. I like this line "Nothing can for sin atone/Nothing but the blood of Jesus/Naught of good that I have done/Nothing but the blood of Jesus." Arrangement by Narrow Path.

Here Is Love
Hymn written by Robert S. Lowry, William Edwards and William Rees. From 1876. Arrangement by Ex Nihilo and Narrow Path. "Heaven's peace and perfect justice, kissed a guilty world in love."

How Deep The Father's Love For Us
Written by Stuart Townend, 1995. This is written in hymn style so it's often mistaken for a hymn. It was, in fact, written in 1995. Great lyrics. Arrangement by Red Letter and Narrow Path.

Restore
Written by Kurt Neighbors and Daniel Ross. Written as a prayer for restoration, cleansing and thanksgiving (You are with us though we push You away).

You Lifted Me Out
Written by Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Louie Giglio, Matt Gilder and Matt Redman. This song appears on Chris Tomlin's album "Hello Love." Theme taken from Psalm 40. The bridge to this song is very powerful to me "Lost is where You found me/Shattered and frail but You love me still/Trouble may surround me my heart may fail/But You never will/You never will." I love the words "my heart may fail." In our society, we too often think our hearts will not lie to us. Unfortunately, this couldn't be further from the truth. That's why we must lean on the One who will NEVER fail.

Songs We Sing (09.13.2009)

We occasionally get asked what this or that song was after services. So, I thought I'd provide a small service to CCJ'ers and the general lurkers out there. I'll list each song and give you the original artist and/or songwriter and a few details. If you'd like to purchase the original song, I suggest using iTunes or Amazon's MP3 Store.

For the services of September 13, 2009, we sang:

Foreverandever, Etc.
Original Artist & written by: David Crowder Band. From their excellent album "A Collision." The DCB does a great job of this one live (complete with key-tar).

Beautiful One
Written by Tim Hughes. I love the line "my soul, my soul MUST sing." this is really a song about how nothing in this life can compare with the beauty and majesty of God.

Here Is Love
Hymn written by Robert S. Lowry, William Edwards and William Rees. From 1876. Arrangement by Ex Nihilo and Narrow Path. I love the line "Heaven's peace and perfect justice/Kissed a guilty world in love."

Blessed Assurance
Hymn written by Fanny Jane Crosby in 1873.

Whole World In His Hands
Written by Tim Hughes. Made most popular by Matt Redman on the album "Passion: How Great Is Our God, Live from Passion '05."

Here Is Our King
Original Artist & written by David Crowder Band. From the album "A Collision." (Must've been "A Collision" Sunday). I love the idea of God being rescuer and bringing "us back to Him."

Songs We Sing (09.06.2009)

We occasionally get asked what this or that song was after services. So, I thought I'd provide a small service to CCJ'ers and the general lurkers out there. I'll list each song and give you the original artist and/or songwriter and a few details. If you'd like to purchase the original song, I suggest using iTunes or Amazon's MP3 Store.

For the services of September 6, 2009, we sang:

God's Gonna Cut You Down
This is actually an old blues standard (sometimes called "Run On" or "Run On For A Long Time"). It has been done by everyone from Johnny Cash ('American V: A Hundred Highways' album), Elvis Presley ('The Elvis Presley Collection: Gospel') and Moby ('Play') to The Blind Boys of Alabama ('Spirit of the Century'). Great song to kick off a sermon called "Noah: Picture of God's Wrath." Sometimes we need warning songs as well as songs of praise.

Let God Arise
Artist: Chris Tomlin. From his 'See The Morning' album. "Death has no sting, no final word. Our God is a God who saves!"

Blessed Be Your Name
Written by Matt & Beth Redman. A bunch of people have re-done this but Matt Redman was the original artist. "You give and take away. Still my heart will choose to say, Lord, blessed be Your name."

Give Us Clean Hands
Written by Charlie Hall. Great song of repentance and prayer. this has also been done by a bunch of folks.

Thy Mercy
Written by Isaac Watts & John Stocker. This is an old, old hymn sometimes called "Thy Mercy My God Is The Theme Of My Song." Caedmon's Call has probably the most popular version on their "In The Company of Angels" worship album. The lyrics are fantastic.

All Bow Down
Artist: Chris Tomlin. From his 'Arriving' album.

Songs We Sing (08.30.2009)

I thought I'd try a new feature (hopefully, a regular feature) here on the blog.

We occasionally get asked what this song was or that song was after services. So, I thought I'd provide a small service to CCJ'ers and the general lurkers out there. I'll list each song and give you the original artist and/or songwriter. If you'd like to purchase the original, I suggest using iTunes or Amazon's MP3 Store.

For the services of August 30, 2009, we sang:

In The Sweet By And By
Traditional hymn. Depending on your preference you can find this song recorded slow or fast - the way we play it. Dolly Parton has a nice, slow version out there.

The Hand That Holds The World
Artist: Starfield

All My Tears
Written by Julie Miller. The most famous recorded version is by Jars of Clay. Emmylou Harris has also recorded the song.

As The Deer
Written by Martin Nystrom. Recorded by a million different artists. This was a very popular worship song back when "contemporary" worship music started to take hold in churches in the 1980s.

You Never Let Go
Artist: Matt Redman

This Is Our God
Original song for CCJ. Written by Kurt Neighbors & Daniel Ross. No recorded version exists yet.