Hard-Hitting Songs (Worship or Otherwise) To You

[Joshua Rhodes]

This is a thread for us to share songs and lyrics that have personally meant something to us. Share the lyrics if you can, and tell why this song has ministered to you.

This song actually made me evaluate (not for the first time, but for the most recent time) what my reaction might have been to all the wonders that Christ's followers would have seen first hand. I wonder, would I fall down and worship at His feet? Or would I walk away?

2000 Years
Travis Cottrell from the CD FOUND

If I could see 2000 years ago, travel back in time and walk in the
Day when just one Man turned this world upside down;
If I could be a guest at the wedding and taste wine that was water moments before,
Would I realize what was really in store...
That there would be so much more?

Would I fall down and worship, leave all that I treasure behind,
For a chance to be closer to the Man who might be the One who saves my life?

If I could hear His voice call to Lazarus,
Stand and stare as my friend stumbles out of the tomb;
Witness blind men see their first morning sky,
Would I believe what He says to be true?
If I was there the night soldiers took Him away,
Would I flee the scene like most of His friends?
Then witness on the cross what I thought was the end...
What would I do then?

Would I fall down and worship, leave all that I treasure behind,
For a chance to be closer to the Man who might be the One who saves my life?

And what would it be like after three days gone by?
Would I believe what they said, or want to see with my own eyes?
Put my hands on the scars, only then realize
My Lord, My God, alive!

Will I fall down and worship, leave all that I treasure behind,
For a chance to be closer, for He is still alive... and the One who saves my life!

 

[Joshua Rhodes]

In light of the Christmas season, this song was pulled out by one of my choir members and sung in service last Sunday. It's a great reminder that Jesus paid the price for our sins, and the reason He came was to be an example and shoulder the weight of our wrong, because He loves us.

We are the Reason
David Meece from the CD ODYSSEY

As little children we would dream of Christmas morn,
Of all the gifts and toys we knew we'd find.
But we never realized a Baby born one blessed night
Gave us the greatest gift of our lives.

We are the reason that He gave His life.
We are the reason that He suffered and died.
To a world that was lost He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live.

As the years went by, we learned more about gifts:
The giving of ourselves and what that means.
On a dark and cloudy day, a Man hung crying in the rain
Because of love, because of love.

We are the reason that He gave His life.
We are the reason that He suffered and died.
To a world that was lost He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live.

I've finally found a reason for living:
It's in giving every part of my heart to Him.
In all that I do, everything that I say,
I'll be giving my all just for Him, for Him!

We are the reason that He gave His life.
We are the reason that He suffered and died.
To a world that was lost He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live.
He is my reason to live!

 

[Joshua Rhodes]

This song revisits the idea of being a living sacrifice vs. trials we go through. Do we put our whole lives on the altar, by climbing on and striking the match? Or do we lay down pieces of out lives one at a time?

Burnin'
Nichole Nordeman from the CD WIDE EYED

Started rubbing sticks together, I thought a spark would take forever,
I never dreamt this fire would appear.
When Moses saw the bush in flames and heard the branches speak his name,
I wonder if he felt this kind of fear?

'Cause I'm burnin', yeah, I'm burnin',
And I know I'm gonna blister in these flames.
So I'll stay here 'till this smoke clears
And I'll find You in the ashes that remain.

Used to be that I could say my faith was one arm's length away
From any flame that ever felt too warm.
Asked for matches, but I received a gallon full of gasoline
Now my cozy campfire days are gone.

'Cause I'm burnin', yeah, I'm burnin',
And I know I'm gonna blister in these flames.
So I'll stay here 'till this smoke clears
And I'll find You in the ashes that remain.

'Knock with caution at the door,' they said, 'beware of what you're praying for,'
So I'll stand here with my whole desire in the middle of this forest fire
'Till I've nothing left to show and new life begins to grow.

'Cause I'm burnin', yeah, I'm burnin',
And I know I'm gonna blister in these flames.
So I'll stay here 'till this smoke clears
And I'll find You in the ashes that remain.

 

[Tama]

Almost anything by Casting Crowns

CASTING CROWNS LYRICS

"Praise You In This Storm"

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

 

[Joshua Rhodes]

This song explores the need of people for Adonai, our LORD. Not only is He our Creator, He creates in us a need for Him, and a desire to spread His love to others.

Adonai
Avalon from the CD A MAZE OF GRACE

One single drop of rain, Your salty tear became blue ocean.
One tiny grain of sand turning in Your hand, a world in motion.
You're out beyond the furthest morning star,
Yet close enough to hold me in Your arms.

Adonai, I lift up my heart and I cry, my Adonai!
You're the Maker of each moment,
Father of my hope and freedom, O my Adonai!

One timid faithful knock resounds upon the Rock of Ages.
One trembling heart and soul becomes a servant bold and courageous.
You call across the mountains and the seas,
I answer from the deepest part of me.

Adonai, I lift up my heart and I cry, my Adonai!
You're the Maker of each moment,
Father of my hope and freedom, O my Adonai!

From age to age, You reign in majesty;
Today You're making miracles in me!

Adonai, I lift up my heart and I cry, my Adonai!
You're the Maker of each moment,
Father of my hope and freedom, O my Adonai!

 

[Joshua Rhodes]

This hymn is one that we use in worship some... and it is beautiful. As far as I can tell, it is a more "contemporary" take on Out of the Deep I Call, the hymn by Henry Baker. I'm not certain if one of the Caedmon's Call members re-wrote it or not, but I like it alot.

Be Merciful to Me
Caedmon's Call from the CD IN THE COMPANY OF ANGELS II

Out from the deep I call
To Thee, O Lord, to Thee
Before Thy throne I fall
Be merciful to me

Be merciful to me
Be merciful to me
Through shadow dark and valley deep
Be merciful to me

From the garden to the cross
Thy mercy did endure
My soul purged from all dross
In blood made pure

Be merciful to me
Be merciful to me
Through shadow dark and valley deep
Be merciful to me

Thy mercy, Lord, is true
As ever truth will be
But still I cry for You
Be merciful to me

Be merciful to me
Be merciful to me
Through shadow dark and valley deep
Be merciful to me

 

[corndogggy]

I'm just now getting into modern Christian music so I don't have much to add there other than "how great is our God" by Chris Tomlin. I love it because it's simple.


However, since you DID mention "worship or otherwise", there are several hard hitting secular songs that were obviously written by someone who was in alot of pain, or tells the story of someone who is in alot of pain, and you can just feel the emotion, yet the songs are absolutely beautiful musically, so there's alot of irony going on, and I like these. Examples:

Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Under the Bridge", "Soul to Squeeze"
(first person account about trying to change after the death of a bandmate due to an o.d., mourning the loss, but also trying to not make the same mistakes)

Pearl Jam - Yellow Ledbetter
(third person account of a family that is trying to cope with the news that a son/brother was killed in a war)

Smashing Pumpkins - Disarm
(first person poetic reflecting on a really, really, bad childhood... almost asking, "why did you do this to me?")

 

[Joshua Rhodes]

This song is composed of elements of Isaiah 55:6, 65:24, and Jeremiah 33:3. It's a great reminder that the Lord will show great things to those that seek Him and call on His name. We use this in worship at our church.

Call to Me
Chris Rodriguez from the CD WORD OF GOD SPEAK: ILLUMINATE

Seek the Lord while He may be found
Call upon Him while He is here
Seek the Lord while He may be found
Call upon Him while He is here

It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer
While they're still speaking I will hear
Call to Me, and I will answer you
And show you great and mighty things!
Call to Me, and I will answer you
And show you great and mighty things that You do not know!

Seek the Lord while He may be found
Call upon Him while He is here
Seek the Lord while He may be found
Call upon Him while He is here

It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer
While they're still speaking I will hear
Call to Me, and I will answer you
And show you great and mighty things!
Call to Me, and I will answer you
And show you great and mighty things that You do not know!

It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer
While they're still speaking I will hear
Call to Me, and I will answer you
And show you great and mighty things!
Call to Me, and I will answer you
And show you great and mighty things that You do not know!

 

[Pastor Larry]

I think it's hard to beat And Can It Be, or Arise My Soul Arise, Tis Not That I Did Choose Thee, Before the Throne of God Above. A good modern song is In Christ Alone.

When you read the lyrics of these and compare them with the like of what's posted here, you see a great difference in the doctrinal quality and the sobriety of the writing. There are so few modern songs being written that are worthy of a believer's attention and affection.

 

[Joshua Rhodes]

This song has the line "I'm not holding on to You, but You're holding on to me." It reminds me that even after I give my sins to Jesus, and ask to be forgiven, sometimes I dive back into the sea of forgetfulness to get my sins back. I have to stop that! I've been saved from these sins... and I need to stop picking these chains back up after I've laid them down.

East to West
Casting Crowns from the CD THE ALTAR AND THE DOOR

Here I am, Lord, and I'm drowning in Your sea of forgetfulness,
The chains of yesterday surround me; I yearn for peace and rest.
I don't want to end up where You found me,
And it echoes in my mind... keeps me awake tonight.

I know You've cast my sin as far as the east is from the west,
And I stand before You now as though I've never sinned.
But today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way.

Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west,
'Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been, rising up in me again.
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest,
'Cause You know just how far the east is from the west:
From one scarred hand to the other.

I start the day, the war begins, endless reminding of my sin.
Time and time again the truth is drowned out by the storm I'm in.
Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way.

Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west,
'Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been, rising up in me again.
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest,
'Cause You know just how far the east is from the west:
From one scarred hand to the other.

I know You've washed me white, turned my darkness into light,
I need Your peace to get me through, to get me through this night.
I can't live by what I feel, but by the truth Your Word reveals,
I'm not holding on to You, but You're holding on to me.
You're holding on to me!

Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west,
I don't have to see the man I've been rising up in me again.
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest,
'Cause You know just how far the east is from the west:
From one scarred hand to the other.

 

[Joshua Rhodes]

The homeless woman that came into our church office today asking for assistance reminded me of this song by Chris Rice. What if she was Jesus? Was I compassionate? Was I loving? Or was she a nuisance?

The Face of Christ
Chris Rice from the CD SMELL THE COLOR 9

He shares a room outside with a dozen other guys
And the only roof he knows is that sometimes starry sky.
A tattered sleeping bag on a concrete slab is his bed
And it's too cold to talk tonight
So I just sit with him instead and think:

How did I find myself in a better place?
I can't look down on the from on the other guy's face.
'Cause when I stoop down low, look him square in the eye
I get a funny feeling, I just might be dealing with the face of Christ.

After sixteen years in a cold, gray prison yard,
Somehow his heart is soft, but keeping simple faith is hard.
He lays His Bible open on the table next to me
And as I hear his humble prayer
I feel his longing to be free someday.

How did I find myself in a better place?
I can't look down on the from on the other guy's face.
'Cause when I stoop down low, look him square in the eye
I get a funny feeling, I just might be dealing with the face of Christ.

See, you had no choice which day you would be born
Or the color of your skin, or what planet you'd be on.
Would your mind be strong, would your eyes be blue or brown;
Whether daddy would be rich, or if momma stuck around at all.

So if you find yourself in a better place
You can't look down on the frown on the other guy's face
You gotta stoop down low, look him square in the eyes
And get a funny feeling, 'cause you might be dealing...

How did I find myself in a better place?
I can't look down on the from on the other guy's face.
'Cause when I stoop down low, look him square in the eye
I get a funny feeling, I just might be dealing with the face of Christ.

 

[David Lamb]

This is a thread for us to share songs and lyrics that have personally meant something to us. Share the lyrics if you can, and tell why this song has ministered to you.

Not a song, but a hard-hitting poem that I heard recited at a secular concert in December a few years back:


Christmas Is Really For the Children (Steve Turner)



Christmas is really
for the children.
Especially for children
who like animals, stables,
stars and babies wrapped
in swaddling clothes.
Then there are wise men,
kings in fine robes,
humble shepherds and a
hint of rich perfume.

Easter is not really
for the children
unless accompanied by
a cream filled egg.
It has whips, blood, nails,
a spear and allegations
of body snatching.
It involves politics, God
and the sins of the world.
It is not good for people
of a nervous disposition.

They would do better to
think on rabbits, chickens
and the first snowdrop
of spring.

Or they'd do better to
wait for a re-run of
Christmas without asking
too many questions about
what Jesus did when he grew up
or whether there's any connection.

Of course not every detail is biblical, but the stark contrast between the popular picture of the Nativity, and the Crucifixion is set in focus.

 

[LeBuick]

Sorry, I know it's a old hymn of the Church but I tear up about every time we sing it.

There is a fountain filled with blood
drawn from Emmanuel's veins;
and sinners plunged beneath that flood
lose all their guilty stains.
Lose all their guilty stains,
lose all their guilty stains;
and sinners plunged beneath that flood
lose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoiced to see
that fountain in his day;
and there may I, though vile as he,
wash all my sins away.
Wash all my sins away,
wash all my sins away;
and there may I, though vile as he,
wash all my sins away.

Dear dying Lamb, thy precious blood
shall never lose its power
till all the ransomed church of God
be saved, to sin no more.
Be saved, to sin no more,
be saved, to sin no more;
till all the ransomed church of God
be saved, to sin no more.

Edited to add... Just thinking about it is filling me with joy

 

[Joshua Rhodes]

Sorry, I know it's a old hymn of the Church but I tear up about every time we sing it.

There is a fountain filled with blood

Don't be sorry! This is a great hymn of the faith and certainly worth tearing up over LeB!

 

[rbell]

A good modern song is In Christ Alone.

Which "In Christ Alone?"

There's two of them...that both have a great message.

My fave of the two is "In Christ alone, I place my trust...He is my Light, my Strength, my Song..."

Is that the one you're referring to? Or is it the one written about 10 years ago...starts with "In Christ alone will I glory..."

 

[Joshua Rhodes]

One of my favorite "new" hymns, because it tells the whole gospel story. Excellent writer(s) of this one, and they've got plenty of good ones!

In Christ Alone
Keith Getty and Stuart Townend from the CD IN CHRIST ALONE

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
That heights of love, what depths of peace,
Then fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
Me comforter, my all in all -
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned byt he ones He came to save.
Til on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisified;
For every sin on Him was laid -
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the groun His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death -
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home -
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

 

[Sopranette]

The ladies choir sang "Emmanuel, Emmanuel" a capella today, and it was heavenly, but then sang "Mary, Did You Know" a capella and it was a theological mess. Of course Mary knew, Gabriel told her beforehand.

love

Sopranette

 

[rbell]

The ladies choir sang "Emmanuel, Emmanuel" a capella today, and it was heavenly, but then sang "Mary, Did You Know" a capella and it was a theological mess. Of course Mary knew, Gabriel told her beforehand.

love

Sopranette

I think "theological mess" may be a bit strong. Did Mary know the crux of the matter? Yes...but that doesn't mean she fully understood every singl implication of the Incarnation, or "got" every bit of the message the first time around. Remember...Mary "pondered these things in her heart." I doubt the full implications of the Incarnation set in for a long, long time, if ever. I think the message of the song still stands.

 

[Joshua Rhodes]

I think "theological mess" may be a bit strong. Did Mary know the crux of the matter? Yes...but that doesn't mean she fully understood every singl implication of the Incarnation, or "got" every bit of the message the first time around. Remember...Mary "pondered these things in her heart." I doubt the full implications of the Incarnation set in for a long, long time, if ever. I think the message of the song still stands.

Agreed rbell.

 

[youngmom4]

Do you honestly think Mary could completely understand the death of her baby boy and what it would accomplish beforehand? I don't think so. I think she probably stood at that cross and cried her eyes out just like any mom would. Granted, she wholly committed to God and never stood in the way of His plan, but I'm sure she had her doubts at that moment. It probably wasn't until later that she really understood and appreciated the purpose, probably after His resurrection. All I know is I'm a mom...and there is no way I could have stood there and watched one of my boys beaten and killed for something he didn't do. I'm sure glad the salvation of mankind wasn't up to me cause we'd have all been toast! :laugh: I really don't know how Mary, or God for that matter, could stand to watch it. That was the part that hit me the hardest in the movie The Passion. People just don't get how hard that had to be.