“You’re Beautiful” | Shane and Shane
When we arrive at eternity’s shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We’ll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we’ll sing
You’re beautiful
I’ve created a playlist on Spotify featuring all the songs from Midweek Music, feel free to follow it along with the posts.
“Ave Maria” | Franz Biebl (performed by Chanticleer)
Exceptionally beautiful text honoring the mother of Christ set to exceptionally beautiful music. When I heard Chanticleer perform this for the first time, I wanted to cry, and I’m not a crier. I had the privilege of being a part of a small ensemble of University of Montevallo alumni who sang this at the the wedding of two of my best friends. I want to cry then too and I still wasn’t a crier. This week, a group of which I am a part will sing this in concert. I’m sure I’ll want to cry then too and I still won’t be a crier.
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God. That we might be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
I’ve created a playlist on Spotify featuring all the songs from Midweek Music, feel free to follow it along with the posts.
“Take Heart” | Hillsong United
The end of September means one thing to me: it’s almost time for Christmas. I know some of you are “purists” who want each of your holidays in order with no intersection whatsoever. But consider that I’m a planner and I work in ministry. I started preparing for Christmas and Advent in late August, it’s the busiest season of the liturgical year, not to mention my favorite!
In my preparation for this season, I’ve spent a good time dwelling on light. I like the idea of Christ personified as light. I take overwhelming comfort in the fact that in this dark world, there is a light of hope to follow. This isn’t a Christmas song per se, but there is definitely an inadvertent Christmas message behind it. With the birth of Christ, we were given a light…a light of hope…a light of hope that we know will never fail.
Take heart, the wait has just begun but our light of hope is on the horizon.
I’ve created a playlist on Spotify featuring all the songs from Midweek Music, feel free to follow it along with the posts.
“Greater” | MercyMe
There’s a lot wrong with this world. Like everything. See, I’m a bit of what John Piper terms a “Christian Hedonist”. I really do believe that there is no good in this world except that which Christ brings into it. I believe that my base desire is not to do good of my own nature but to serve Christ and glorify Him thereby giving me the most satisfaction and joy in life.
Because of this, I don’t have to be defined by who or what I am. I am defined by my relationship with Christ and what he makes me in spite of my own failings. I’m going to fail at things. I’m going to be disappointed and I’m going to disappoint. I’m going to shame and be shamed. I’m going to experience and cause pain. You are too. It’s our nature.
We are broken humans. I’m thankful for a God who is greater than me. I’m thankful for a God who, through redeeming love, grace, and mercy; makes me greater than that of which I am capable by myself.
I’ve created a playlist on Spotify featuring all the songs from Midweek Music, feel free to follow it along with the posts.
“All Things New” | Elevation Worship
Peace, be still, You are near.
There’s nowhere we can go
That You won’t shine redemption’s light,
Our guilt withdrawn.
I’ve created a playlist on Spotify featuring all the songs from Midweek Music, feel free to follow it along with the posts.
“You Are My Vision” | Rend Collective
I’m a fan of traditional and contemporary worship. Why? Ultimately, I’m a “fan” of any type of worship service that allows a person to actively focus on truly worshiping God. If a Charles Wesley hymn edifies your relationship with God and allows you to express your adoration for Him, sing it. If the latest Hillsong worship song does that for you, sing it. If not singing at all, but sitting back and feeling immersed in the music and experiencing God’s presence is how you worship, do it.
I like it when “old” meets “new”. That’s one reason I like this song. Another reason I like it is the subtle change in lyrics.
“Be thou my vision…”
“You are my vision…”
Rather than making a request, we make a firm declaration. You are my vision. You are my wisdom. You are my battle-shield. You are High King of Heaven.
I’ve created a playlist on Spotify featuring all the songs from Midweek Music, feel free to follow it along with the posts.
“Come to the River” | Ronnie Freeman
It has been some kind of week. One of those weeks where every aspect of your life is invaded by stress and you feel like there is no escape. That kind of week.
I heard this song for the first time about 11 years ago. Ronnie was the worship leader for a time at the church in which I grew up. He left when I was still young to pursue a solo career and after a few years of success, he returned to the church for a homecoming concert at which he performed this song. It became one of those songs that I just fall into. I can listen to it over and over and it never grows old and always encourages me.
I’m doing this song on Sunday for communion, something I planned weeks ago. I didn’t know when I planned it into worship that I would be having the week I’m having, I just felt led to put it on this Sunday. Being able to practice this song and listen to it over the last week has been a great source of comfort and rest for me. It’s in those moments where something falls into place, something I felt led by God to do in the first place, that bring me the greatest comfort. The idea that maybe, just maybe, God knew I was going to need this song this week. That maybe someone in the congregation needs to hear this song, this week. That maybe someone reading this right now needs to hear this song, this week. Rest in God and be comforted by His incredible peace.
I’ve created a playlist on Spotify featuring all the songs from Midweek Music, feel free to follow it along with the posts.
“Nothing is Impossible” | Planetshakers
My Midweek Music posts are by far and away my least read blog posts. When it’s later on Wednesday and I haven’t written one yet, I sometimes think, “I’ll just skip it, who cares?” Last week, I shared “Your Love is Strong” by Jon Foreman for Midweek Music. I received a really nice message from someone who said that song was what they needed to hear. They were having a hard time with someone in their life and needed to hear the redeeming message that Christ loves us despite ourselves. So here I am, late Wednesday afternoon sharing another song with you that means something to me right now, even if only 10 people read it.
We’re doing “Nothing is Impossible” in worship this weekend. I almost took it off the set list. If you know me at all, you know that there is nothing theological that makes my stomach turn quite like “Prosperity Gospel” teachings. It goes against everything I believe Christ is about. I almost took this song off because I was afraid “nothing is impossible” would be misconstrued as “nothing is improbable”. I became pretty wrapped up in what it might be for some people that I wasn’t seeing what it was to me, why I chose the song in the first place.
If we are to call ourselves Christians, we must believe that Christ truly can do all things. Nothing is impossible. Sure, there are lots of things that are improbable but maybe it would behoove our message to not focus on what it is that Christ isn’t likely to do and stick to the message of what is possible through faith in him. We’re doing the song in worship this Sunday and I look forward to declaring to people that through Christ, blind eyes are opened, strongholds are broken, nothing is impossible.
I’ve created a playlist on Spotify featuring all the songs from Midweek Music, feel free to follow it along with the posts.
“Your Love Is Strong” | Jon Foreman
Some days, it’s hard to love. I’m called to love those with whom I agree and disagree. Some days, it’s harder to love. It’s a part of my broken nature to not want to love, but that doesn’t make it okay. I’m not called to love out of convenience. I’m not called to love out of agreement. I’m called to love because I am loved.
I find myself encouraged by Christ loving me despite myself. There’s not a day goes by that I don’t disappoint yet he still loves me. That’s how strong His love is for us. I’m encouraged by that love…even on the hard days.
I’ve created a playlist on Spotify featuring all the songs from Midweek Music, feel free to follow it along with the posts.
“Christ is Enough” | Hillsong Worship
We all “need” something from time to time. A new car, new clothes, certain foods, different job, more money, better social status, etc… I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been guilty of “needing” something that, in actuality, I didn’t.
We play a game with God. “Give me (insert item) and I’ll do better about (insert spiritual attribute)”. We treat our relationship with Christ like a points-based reward system. I’m just curious when Christ stopped being good enough. When did his unjustified love and grace towards us stop being more than what we deserve.
It’s hard to live the words of this song. It’s hard living in a material world and not being a material girl (or guy) to reference a song with a different mindset. It’s hard but it’s worth it. Letting Christ be more than enough, let alone enough, is so worth it. Commit yourself to Christ, be encouraged by his unmitigated grace, and follow the direction toward which he is leading you. Let Christ be enough.
I’ve created a playlist on Spotify featuring all the songs from Midweek Music, feel free to follow it along with the posts.
'til only You remain 