We are excited to have James MacDonald back as one of our keynote speakers for our 2013 Resurgence Conference in Seattle. Pastor James is the pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel in Illinois, host of the Bible-teaching broadcast, Walk in the Word, founder of Harvest Bible Fellowship, a church-planting ministry that has planted 85 churches across North America, and […]
The terms “contentment” and “discontentment” have become Christian buzz words. I often hear people respond to the question “How are you?” by saying, “I’m content.” It’s the new “I’m fine.” Discontentment isn’t a word reserved just for single people or the poor or those with health issues. Discontentment is a real sin issue for all believers, caused by the la […]
ReTrain student Russell Baca once lived a hard and fast life. Today he shares how Jesus saved him during a year in solitary confinement. My life hasn’t always been easy. I grew up in an abusive home where there was a lot of alcohol and physical abuse. By the time I was 15 years old, I was so mad at the world that all I had was hate in my heart. I joined a ga […]
Today in our Becoming a Better Leader series, Justin Holcomb shares leadership lessons from the lives of leaders in Scripture. Though it does not focus on leadership development methods or offer lists of strategies for being a great leader, the Bible is filled with numerous examples of leaders, both good and bad. There is a lot to be learned simply by examin […]
What does it look like to be a Christian, a professional, and a woman? From Justin Holcomb: Shandel Slaten is an executive coach and the CEO and founder of True Life Coaching in Seattle, WA, and Reno, NV, and she has worked with Mars Hill Church in various capacities. We asked Shandel to share what she has learned about living on mission for Jesus in the wor […]
Around every corner is the lure to consume. A desire to be satisfied. Unfortunately no human being has found anything under the sun that brings satisfaction. So we consume more, and more, and more. Eventually, we overdose. However, there is hope–if Christianity is our Rehab. In Jesus, satisfaction can be found.
Grace, love, peace and hope can be found…and there is always more. Consume more of Jesus. Overdose.
Rehab: The Overdose officially hits stores and online outlets 1.11.11.
Check out the promo video below.
Also, place your order today so you can be among the first to get an extra dose!
Anyone following the work of musician Aaron Strumpel will know that he is increasingly dangerous and defiant of musical convention. And so he wishes to offer you a Christmas gift in the form of a three track EP, at no charge to your good or bad selves.
Yes, it features three well known Christmas tracks, and is available for free from his website (www.aaronstrumpel.com). It will also, most likely, neatly divide people into two camps – those who relish his wild, crazy, bombastic approach to writing, and those who just don’t get it, whatever the heck “it” is anyway.
I’m in camp one. I absolutely love this dude, the music he makes and the beating heart that pours out so much into his songwriting, recording and production. This very statement may cause you to distrust my musical recommendations from this day forward, but so be it – I’m a Strumpel fan, period.
The musical canvas is a fitting blend of modern and traditional, as trumpets, jingling bells, and vocal choruses are filtered through Aaron’s cacophony pedal (at least, that’s what I suspect he uses). It’s a joyful noise and it requires some adjustment to your expectations about music. Think John Coltrane and Miles Davis in some of their more free form moods and you’re on the right track. But rest assured that this “noise” is actually the fruit of much musical study and a profound growth in both knowledge and freedom of expression.
Whilst the rest of the industry tirelessly churns out rehashes of familiar arrangements of traditional tunes, or tries to convince us that more songs about Santa are helpful to our enjoyment of this most festive of seasons, Strumpel’s Christmas EP is going in my playlist next to Sufjan, Bob Dylan, Jars of Clay and some more traditional old favorites.
Thanks for the gift, Aaron – keep being wild and Merry Christmas to you.
The Western church has been extremely blessed with a strong contemporary worship community for the last two decades. We have been well provided for with bands in the vein of Delirious, Hillsong, Gateway Worship and writers such as Tim Hughes, Matt Redman and Chris Tomlin. Parallel to this has been modern hymn writing from people such as Stuart Townend, Keith Getty and company. But between those two camps there has been sparser pickings of both creative and corporately suited worship. (I’d say Enter The Worship Circle, Aaron Strumpel, John Mark McMillan, DC*B and Gungor are some of the ones operating in the wide-open creative center/fringe).
Josh White, who has been leading worship for over a decade and recently planted a church in Portland, has just released “Achor” and it sits somewhere between Enter The Worship Circle, Sufjan Stevens and the Lost Dogs – in other words, it reeks of rootsy, bluesy, folksy music that is so rooted in Americana that it is one of the most honest worship records you’ll hear all year. It sounds like this album just grew out of the ground, as acoustic guitars, layered vocals, flutes, double basses, dobros, clarinets, strings and more chorus their way through 12 tracks.
The album title means “trouble” and is a reference from Hosea 2:15 – “the valley of Achor as a Door of Hope.” There is honest reflection that considers the weight and struggle of both existence and the comprehension of God’s grace.
“I can’t seem to calculate/All the patience it must take/To love me./ You perfectly covered me/ With blood that flowed from your hands and feet/ Consume me/ You are my center you’re my song/ You have been there all along/ I’ve been swallowed up by you/ There is nothing I can do/ Yes you amaze me,” sings White on “You Amaze Me”. It is not easy to sing so honestly about our lack of standing or deserving, but it is essential to the testimony of the church.
On the other end of the spectrum is the loose and wild “Holy Ghost Revival” which calls in revival for today or the slow but grand build of “Our God is Present” which envelops the listener in sound and the majesty of God. We need to be singing these songs and receiving such a gift of songwriting for today that really connects at a cultural level with a section of the church that has utilized the contemporary worship scene but has not necessarily considered it to be their own voice in the topography of worship.
There is a lot of material on here to work with for corporate worship settings, and the decade of leading people in worship really shows in White’s songwriting and recording. There’s a space to the sound and a feeling of community worship that pervades the album.
Yes, I’m musical-crushing again – it’s been quite the year for it, and I think you’ll fall in love too.
This review was originally written for Foursquare and the album was provided for reviewing by BEC Recordings at not charge to me, or Foursquare, and no attempt was made to secure a favorable review. All views expressed are my own.
Even putting two of those terms together might have been difficult in the past. But it’s the 21st century now.
Reach Records’ Unashamed tour will be making a stop at Moody in a couple of weeks, and I will probably be going with a group from church. Should be fun!
Lecrae’s long-awaited fourth album, REHAB, is now in stores!
The album features Tedashii, Trip Lee, Sho Baraka, Sonny Sandoval, Anthony Evans and many more. You can check in by picking up a copy of Rehab now on iTunes or at Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Mardels, LifeWay, Berean and Family Christian. For more information on where to find Rehab in-store click here.
You can also purchase the deluxe and/or vinyl version of Rehab as well as album merchandise at the storefront.here.
For more information about the album and to listen to the three singles click
Track Listing
1. Check In
2. Killa
3. Divine Intervention ft. J.R.
4. Just Like You ft. J. Paul
5. Gotta Know ft. Benjah
6. Used To Do It Too ft. KB
7. Children of the Light ft. Sonny Sandoval & Dillavou
There’s a resurgence of old hymns right now. The Mars Hill guys are pouring out lots of them through the Re:Sound label, and now Come&Live‘s band, Ascend the Hill, release their second album on the label called Take the World, But Give me Jesus. It might seem like a strange move, early in their career, to cover a bunch of ancient songs, but when considering the heart of this band it makes perfect sense. They aren’t interested in building their own kingdom, they just want to make Jesus famous and will draw from wells new and old to achieve that end.
Opening with “The Love of God“, it is clear from the outset that though not straying far from the sound that they created on their debut release, they have honed and perfected it, and though they open with the declaration, “The love of God is greater far/Than tongue or pen can ever tell,” these boys are going to give it their best shot to tell of that love. This is an album of dynamics, more so than their first album was. The first two numbers clip along, and then comes the stripped down and intimate “Rock of Ages” and the haunting titular track of the album. What is so astounding is how fresh these hymns sound. It isn’t outlandish what they have done with these treasures of church liturgy, but somehow they have contextualized these expressions of worship and truth, making sense of them in our current musical climes, yet retaining the original phraseology. (more…)
Lecrae’s highly anticipated fourth album REHAB is now available for pre-order! The album features Tedashii, Trip Lee, Sho Baraka, Sonny Sandoval, Anthony Evans & more. REHAB hits stores and will be available on iTunes on September 28. Place your order today and be among the first to receive your copy and also qualify for a chance to win an exclusive pair of REHAB Nike Dunks! Pre-order here.
I just received Trip Lee’s new album “Between Two Worlds” and offer some thoughts. First of all, Trip Lee is one of my favorite lyricists in the hip hop realm and he matches that with his unique delivery of smooth flowing rhymes that come off as if he is not even trying. Anyhow, here is a recap on some of the tracks from the album:
No Worries- Southern beats, smooth lyrics
Covenant Eyes feat. Pro – This song is about what we set our eyes on. Mentions the deadly effects of lust and how we need to make a covenant not to lust after others. Pro balances Trip Lee’s smooth delivery with a strong rugged sound.
Life 100 w/ Chris Lee – a nice R&B beat with hooks from Chris Lee
Yours to Own w/ Jimmy Needham – a nice Jazzy tune with guitar and piano
Bear with You w/ Tedashii – some of my favorite beats, features a futuristic robotic sound. Tedashii offers a high energy passionate sound to complement the smooth Trip Lee
My favorite song!!! “The Invasion (Hero) ft Jai” – well, you will just need to listen to it yourself. Jai’s hooks sound a lot like Alicia Keys, but better. Actually, I included a youtube clip at the end of this post. Here are the lyrics:
Creation’s groaning, lost their hope and feel they always closed in Lots to cope with, on the ropes, wish they was in the open This broken world is so dim, our souls are searching, groping For one with hope to hold us close, and set goodness in motion I remember growing up in Dallas, I thought me and my close kin Was more than straight, our folks was great ,not broke that paper flowed in Not boasting man, just saying in my brain I didn’t know then That all went wrong, and it just can’t go right like a broke pen My mind was blind and cloaked in, but then that foolishness departed I saw this thing’s an ocean, and we just tryna swim real far but But can’t nobody float when we ain’t got boats or no fins We need a hero to go in, cause our solutions don’t win Education can’t fix it, more dough just leads to more sin Medicine is temporary, government seems so thin With all these weighty problems, that ain’t shrinking they just growing Who’s adequate to save us, how about He knew no sin?
Hook:
Like a G5 yeah you rushed to rescue me Took a cross in exchange for a throne to save me You began the work and I know you’ll finish And make all things right when you come back Cause you’re my hero, you already saved the day Cause you’re my hero, and I know you’re coming back for me
Verse 2:
Follow the steps bro, Adam sinned now we all dead so We gotta sentence on our head like death row, everything is wrecked All creation is a mess bro, In the fullness of time, in steps the hero no red cloak, He’s Jesus No flashing lights, glitz n glam, and no cameras He came to serve needy folks, and point them to the answer You see Him healing, feeding folks, and telling them the standard Our most basic need is to be ransomed by Jesus It has first place, yeah we separated in the worst ways Even physically peep how the earth quakes Separated socially, murder and the worst rapes Even separated from ourselves, we in the worst state It’s so major, that’s the reason that we need a Savior Cause the root of needs is separation from Creator Jesus came humbly to restore us to our maker And later He’ll restore all that He made bruh, He’s Jesus
Verse 3:
God is not pleased man, it’s clear that His standards missed The world is running rampant with, sin it’s an abandonment Man is feeling stranded, feeling hopeless since his banishment God is angry at the distortion and the mismanagement Evil is at work, but don’t be thinking He can’t handle it He promised He would do away with all of it, dismantle it He’s put up with this damage in His world, but He’s promised us That He’ll destroy all His enemies and then He’ll walk with us New Heaven, new Earth that’s where all His sheep dwell Cause Jesus succeeded in every part of life that we failed Died the death we couldn’t die, paid our price with 3 nails Began the work He promised, in the end we all will be well Already beat our enemies and when His Kingdom’s realized All those who oppose Him will see Jesus with some real eyes Deliverance is offered us, the hero He is urging us Salvation is exclusive to His people who have turned to trust.
(Jai): I give my gratitude (Jesus), you died to make all things new yeah, my knight in armor when our world is falling, your love never failing.
Thats right Sho Baraka’s Lions & Liars is available in stores now! Featuring Lecrae, JAMM, Trip Lee, Tedashii and many more. Pick it up your copy at Walmart w/bonus tracks for only $9.99
Also available at:
Family Christian, LifeWay, Berean, and Mardel Christian stores
Deluxe versions are available here. There are five versions to choose from.
Entermission the debut album from DJ Official available in stores now!.
After producing for over 10 years and serving as traveling deejay, Official finally has the opportunity to reveal the dynamic of his skill-set on one project. The album is purposed to influence Christians to think about the Great Commission (Matt 28:19) and the Great Commandment (Luke 10:27) on a local level. As Christians we have a personal mission field, which consist of those that God has placed in our sphere of influence. With a missional mindset we can affect the people around us with the Gospel message by the way we live and conduct ourselves in our everyday walk. This is a message that needs to be heard and with everything from Reggae, Downsouth, East Coast, Commercial, Underground, Electro, and Rock/Hipster featured on the album there is something for everyone!
EnterMission features over 20 artists such as Lecrae, Flame, Sho Baraka, JR, Tedashii, Trip Lee, R-Swift, Thi’sl, Jahaziel, and more! Every single track on EnterMission is produced by DJ Official.
I had Caution come out to perform for the “Refuge” youth group at Second Reformed Church in Marion, NY when I was an assistant pastor over there. Anyhow, Caution repped Christ, was ministry-minded, and is a God-saturated lyricist. Check him out.
Caution’s 2nd Project. This album can best be described as diverse musically. It’s Hip Hop expressed through Rock, Worship, Funk, powerful story telling, a capella’s, R&B and more.
credits
released 29 November 2008
SLR Ministries: Production Credits
Goodi & MIST: Album Art
I lived in upstate NY for a few years and had the privilege of meeting a bunch of brothers who rep Christ in their rhymes. This is one such brother that I enjoy listening to. Check him out!!!
Exactly what the album states, it is a compilation of random thoughts from Deadmanwalking. He deals with such varied subjects that range from dying to oneself, dealing with relationships, the importance of biblical basics, and just plain having fun. This project should encourage you, humble you, refresh you, and, hopefully, make you laugh.
credits
credits
released 03 October 2008
All songs written and performed by David Rosado.
All instrumentals by www.kingzmenproductions.com with the exception of “Intro” and “Basics”, produced by Chino D Beats, “Driven” By Spectacular Productions, “Times That Are Hard” and “Gettin It” by Witness of Frontlynaz, and “Why Do We” Produced by Brian Tate.
I just finished listening to a 9Marks Audio installment where Mark Dever interview Christian hip hop artists shai linne and Voice. I’ve heard shai linne’s “Atonement Q&A” before; it’s something like a rap catechism that’s part of his album “The Atonement.” Shai and Voice are both theologically Reformed, and they view their work as a way to build up the church with “lyrical theology.” If you’re interested in their explanation of the purpose of their work, the best 15 minutes to listen to are from about 40 minutes in through about 55 minutes in. They see their artistry as God’s redemption of a sinful medium to be used for his glory. It’s not intended to replace preaching or congregational music, but instead to do what rap does very effectively: communicate a worldview. Dever has become a fan and actually says that no other form of music matches the “theological density” of shai linne’s music.
In the last 30 years or so, there have been a lot of Christian “knock-offs” of secular music, clothing, etc. I think that the “holy hip hop” movement is more original and edifying, although I don’t know for sure yet. For one opinion, check out Thabiti Anyabwile’s short explanation here. (more…)
Andrew McIntyre
Dave Jenkins
Prof. Dan Lioy
Greg Burkheimer
joelmartin
Jonathan
Brian Andrews
Matthew Masiewicz
Rick Hogaboam
Scott Kistler
mimi
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