#6 - How Great Is Our God

A better title for today’s song should be “song of a generation.” This song, written by Chris Tomlin, has been the most successful song in the modern worship era. In fact, the only other song that rivals it in the past 100 years is “How Great Thou Art” which ironically is frequently paired with “How Great Is Our God.” I think that it is fantastic that the two most popular songs in the church over the past 100 years are about the greatness of God! I realize that some people will see this song of the week post and skip over it because it has become common. But the reason that I chose the song is because we, as humans, are always looking for the next big thing (I’m definitely guilty of this). In a culture that is fast paced and a contemporary church model of songs making brief appearances, “How Great Is Our God” has stood the test. So much so that it has stayed at the top of CCLI’s (Christian Copyright Licensing International) list for the past 5 years straight. In fact, it is still #1 today! If you are a worship leader allow your congregation to be a part of history. Don’t write off the song because it’s 5 years old, but instead embrace the message that it represents. Take time today to celebrate how great and how awesome God is!

Quick Guide

Key: A - C# (Depending on Use)

Tempo: 4/4 Meduium (76 bpm)

Style: Multiple

Application (Recommended): Congregational Worship

#5 - Courageous

This week’s song choice is a little different from what I would normally choose. It’s more about an idea than a song. What if today, the men inside the church would take a stand and be courageous for their families. Spend more time with their families. Making disciples in the most important place on earth - the home. What if? I believe that this country would look completely different if only Christian men stood up. I also believe that this would cause a lot of other people to take notice. In a world where divorce, unfaithfulness, selfish parenthood are accepted as “common,” Christians should be different. If you haven’t seen the movie, then I strongly encourage you to see it soon (see the movie trailer).

Being a soon-to-be father myself, it shook me to my core. It was a much needed reality check. The way to change the world is one person at a time - one family at a time. Even if you haven’t seen the movie, do something special for someone that you love today. It doesn’t have to be big (although it can be). Start changing the world today!

Quick Guide

Key: C

Tempo: 4/4 Slow (64bpm)

Style: Multiple Genres

Application (Recommended): Solo, Personal Reflection, Christmas Planning, Video

#4 - Others

This week’s song is by one of the most talented musicians I have ever seen - Israel Houghton. He is a pioneer for this generation musically and it will take decades to really unpack it all. While known for his fusion of gospel and latin, this song takes a turn from the usual. The song’s simplicity allows the listener to immediately “get it.” He encourages us to love those around us with God’s love.

This song has incredible lyric imagery. But more than that it as a message. This is a great thing to learn for the aspiring songwriters out there. As things speed up over the next few months, pull out this song and remind yourself to slow down and focus on what’s important - Love God and Love Others.

Quick Guide

Key: C

Tempo: 4/4 Slow (64bpm)

Style: Multiple Genres

Application (Recommended): Solo, Personal Reflection, Christmas Planning, Video

#3 - You Were On The Cross

We are quickly approaching a season full of thanksgiving and gift-giving.  As human beings we get really excited about things then move on to the next event or next big thing.  Don’t believe me?  Then just look at the jump from iPad to iPad 2.  We do this a lot as Christians too.  At Easter we focus a lot on the cross and resurrection, and at Christmas Jesus’ birth.  Both are great things to focus on, but both should be on our minds regularly as Christians.  Here’s a good reminder to us of the cross.  Matt Maher does a fantastic job with this song.

This song gets me every time. It reminds me that Jesus went to the cross alone (God had to turn away because of sin), and because of this act He can fulfill the promise “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Because of Jesus, sin can no longer separate us from the Father! I’m not going to analyze this song this week. Instead I encourage you to listen to it one more time and think of the areas in your life that you need a reminder that He was on the cross.

Quick Guide:

Key: Dm

Tempo: 4/4 Medium (76bpm)

Style: Multiple Genres

Application (Recommended): Solo, Personal Reflection, Video

#2 - Fall Apart

Welcome back! I hope that you enjoyed last week’s post. This week’s song is another heavy hitter (a song that leaves a strong impact on you). You may know Josh Wilson for his well known song I Refuse, but after today you should know him for “Fall Apart” and that he’s an awesome songwriter. This song is great no matter what stages of life that you are currently in. We’ve all been there when everything seems to fall apart. If you are there today or have been recently hopefully this song will encourage you.

The first time that I heard this song I thought “How did Josh read my mind then write a song about it?” Within a matter of 3 minutes and 28 seconds I relived some of the harder points in my life and was reminded of God’s faithfulness during those times. The point of view comes from a person who just realizes that he experiences God greater in times of trouble. If you’ve already realized this reality, then you get to watch another person’s point of view transform into something new.

To me, this is the real beauty of song. Within just a few minutes, Josh was able to take the majority of us simultaneously on a journey about hardship in the presence of God. There’s only one more way of doing something like this - the Bible. It only took one listen to understand the song, but God used this song through multiple listenings to teach me more about His faithfulness and love for me. Listen to it a couple of days this week. Spend some time listening to it because I feel that God can use this song to teach you something new about Himself.

Quick Guide:

Key: F

Tempo: 4/4 Medium (72bpm)

Style: Contemporary (Acoustic)

Application (Recommended): Solo, Personal Reflection, Video

Download the song from iTunes