I’ve posted new audio for the song My Only Comfort, which is a song I wrote many years ago to summarize the first question and answer of the Heidelberg Catechism. Sheet music and a chord chart are also available on that page.
Asleep in a Storm, a CD of creative remixes of Sovereign Grace songs, is now available at the Sovereign Grace Store.
The January 2007 issue of Matthias Media’s Briefing contained several articles on Hillsong, including an 8-page cover story their teaching, methods, and effect on other churches. It’s very insightful, and in many ways, pretty alarming.
Here are two quotes:
“Words like ‘Jesus’ and ‘salvation were proclaimed loudly and often, but what these words meant were never explained, and what we took them to mean was never mentioned.”
“In this sense, Hillsong seems to present more of a threat to evangelical Christians and churches than more traditional Pentecostalism. Hillsong looks less pentecostal, and more mainstream, and so is more inviting. Its music is a natural bridge or entry point, and once inside evangelicals will not be pressured into accepting baptism in the Spirit or speaking in tongues. Instead, they will find themselves enjoying a superbly produced ministry package with a powerful punch. Yet at the level of core gospel content – the bedrock platform on which we both might stand in fellowship and explore our differences – there is an alarming disconnect. The gospel is not preached. Its content is not expounded. Its great terms and concepts are not taught or explained. Whatever is driving the bus, it’s not the gospel.”
The magazine costs a few dollars for the e-copy, but it’s well worth the read.
Glorify is the first of what we hope are many Sovereign Grace “regional” CDs – recordings put together by churches in specific regions within our family of churches.
This CD was put together by our churches in Florida, led by Todd Twining and the crew at Metro Life Church in the Orlando area. Steve and Vikki Cook (also members of the church) contributed significantly as well. You can listen to the tracks online, and purchase it as well from the site. It includes many excellent congregational songs.
Last fall, Steve and Vikki Cook set up a group called Before the Throne Music. Their site features a CD by the same name, with tracks from previous Sovereign Grace CDs, as 5 new original songs. “Jesus Died For Me” is my personal favorite – a classic example of their excellent songwriting skills.
Tim Challies’ new game at conferences is to see how many sessions go by before “In Christ Alone” is sung.
Alex and Brett Harris at therebelution.com have posted the songs sung at New Attitude.
Keith Getty did a session on “modern hymns in a postmodern world” at Parkside Church’s Basics Conference. You can get the audio here.
A quote from Let the Reader Understand by Dan McCartney and Charles Clayton:
“Hymns and other expressions of praise should not merely be evaluated by Scripture, but be driven positively by the Word of Christ. Scripture is not merely a “sieve” of doctrine; it should be the creative and motivating force behind our worship” (p253).
(HT: Joe Stigora)
I’ve posted a new song, called “Living the Story.” It’s a song I wrote for my sister and brother-in-law when they got married, and then later used it when Rachael and I got married.
It was written out of a desire to have a song that clearly stated God’s purpose for marriage – to display the gospel through pointing to Christ’s relationship with the church.
You can access it here. Let me know if you have any comments or thoughts.
Thanks!