I don't post anything unless I have thought it through, mulled it over and will it be of any worth of encouragement, or thought-provoking. I would never put down anyone else's music or say anything bad about anyone's songs because I don't want anyone talking bad about my music or the songs I write. I'm not saying that all Christian music is like this, or all the worship songs out there are like this but it seems that so many of the songs start off negative. Life is bad, I'm a worm, I'm guilty and deserving of everything I get. I mean the song doesn't provide any hope until maybe the chorus.
I know songs are birthed out of life situations and stories to help others. Well, if they are to help others...why don't they just start off providing hope and encouragement and pointing straight to Jesus? Stop dwelling on the problems and how bad things are and go right to WHO the solution is...JESUS!
I strive when I write to sing TO Jesus and not just ABOUT Him. I'm in a writing season and my focus has been more on the songs and the music that will eventually be used in a congregational setting. Before I present a song or teach it to my band...I worship with it. I sing it over and over. I make changes. I change words...I make it to where it does nothing but magnify Jesus and point TO Him. I have to visually in my head see and sometimes hear the congregation singing the song. If it doesn't move me, or make me wanna worship...I go back to the drawing board. Just recently, I was working on a new song and I had something happen that I have actually not experienced in a long time. I mean everything I write, moves me and ministers to me before you hear it, but this time was different.
The song is called "I Am Free" and possibly subtitled "The Same Power." Still working on that. I got to the part that will be a pre-chorus and it goes, "I'm no longer chained to darkness, You have made all things new." That went right through me! I has to stop what I was doing and had to breathe that in and wipe away my tears and catch my composure and move on. WOW...that line still gets me.
"I'M NO LONGER CHAINED TO DARKNESS, YOU HAVE MADE ALL THINGS NEW!"
Then there's another line then to the chorus, which starts, "If the same power that overcame the grave lives in me, lives in me, If the same power of Jesus live in me, I am free, I am free, I'm free indeed!"
Or at least that's the way it is now. But anyway...I love other worship songs from other artists. They inspire new songs in me and give me ideas, but the words in some of the songs, just baffles me at the gloom and doom in them. I want to write hopeful, and joyful and encouraging songs that people will sing over and over and get stuck in their head. The new project we are working on...our producer told us he had been singing "Revival" all week! That's the one of the songs we are working on. I mean if he's singing it after he had heard it, I've done my job. That makes me feel good.
Worship is not about me, the songs are not about me, the music is not about me. All I do, everything I play and sing is for the One Who has given me the ability to do it. I don't look for applause, it's not a performance when I sing or lead worship. IT NEVER HAS BEEN nor WILL IT EVER BE. PERIOD. I want to make a difference. I want ti make an impact. I want to have influence. I want to be someone that is simply an open vessel ready, willing and always able to be used by God in whatever capacity He wants. May the songs I write and the music that I produce go farther than my expectations and do more than my mind can fathom. May they be tools to lead God's people into His presence. "Every praise belongs to You, every song belongs to You. Everything I say and do is all because of You."
