Sovereign Grace Worship Songs

Short clips of really, really God-centered music. Enjoy. I sure did tonight.

Two New (Old) Resources

At community group last night, I mentioned two resources you might be interested in.

1. The speech from which I plucked Pastor John Piper's thesis, "the doctrine of glorification is in the Bible to help you suffer well on the path of love to show that Jesus is more valuable than life," is called "Man as Glorified" and was given at the 2002 Mid-Atlantic Founders Conference in Raleigh, NC. It is, unfortunately, not available online, but it can be ordered here.

If you live near me, though, just ask me for it and I'll burn you a copy. As a sermon, it is biblical-theological gold.

2. The band I used to be in has old websites here, here, and here. We were called Fairbanks, and our last recorded music is on purevolume. If you want our anthology of hard grungy rock, just ask me for a copy.

We didn't always ride mowers, but we sure did rock.

Fairbanks

Once upon my time, I was in a rock band. Yes, that's right, a rock band. And that is exactly what we did:

We rocked. Hard.

In case you're interested in exactly how hard we rocked, here are two websites for your perusal and amusal:

The Old One (no music, lots of funny pics, old graphics)

The Newer One (not really a whole website, just new music)

Let me know how much you enjoy the FBX.

Cool Hand Luke: The Band, The Music

Cool Hand Luke is my favorite band. Period. And here's the reason why: I've never heard a band who so musically combines Scripture with feeling, and who does it so well.

Check some lyrics from their last album, The Fires of Life:

"Friendly Jas"
I thank my God for every (Philippians 1:3) / Memory of you
The lessons learned and / The way the Spirit moved
I remember hearing “church is more than just a building”
I remember when we proved it true

Flowers fall and seasons change / And you know how we treat the rain
In times of drought we pray it comes / And when it falls we turn and run
The moon is new; you’ve left your seat / The time has come to go in peace
With my own hand the bow was strung / The arrow shot now falls beyond

Everything has changed / But our hope remains the same
I want you to know that I’ll be here / Through a hundred years of rain

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"I'm Not Running"
For the message / Of the cross is
Foolishness / To those who are perishing
But to us / Being saved
It’s the power / Of God (I Corinthians 1:18)

There’s no turning back / Unless we’re turning back to you

I’m not running away from this / I’m not falling asleep
I’m not taking a bribe from anyone for anything
I’m not running away from this / I’m not falling asleep
I’m not turning back on the one thing that I know

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Their new album, The Balancing Act, is coming out on February 20, and I will be getting it.

"Time After Time"

Thanks again to Pandora, I found another great song (and band). Quietdrive's version of Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" is quite possibly the best new cover of an 80's song. It's definitely the best I've heard. Check it out at myspace.

PS - this makes me want to rock with Sylvie and SDay at the Berkley again! Let's do it!

Pandora Radio

Pandora is a great website service for those of us who like to rock at work. You get to make you own radio stations according to the bands you like. Just pick a band, and Pandora makes a radio station based on that band's music, just for you. Not only do you get to hear your favorite bands, but you get to meet new bands in the same genre. You can then approve or disapprove of the new music and change what the station plays. Check it out for a while, then the registration is free and simple.

Music: This Day and Age

I found this band on purevolume.com a few days back, and their music has surprised and blessed me. Check these lines from "Second Star to the Right":

Don't give up on me
Your love is like the sea
Surrounding me

Of course, both secular and Christian bands can become obsessed and sugary about love in very vague terms, but I appreciate the music and the musicians who can explain the Biblical truth of the merciful, everlasting, all-encompassing love of God in fresh and new ways.

(Originally posted at old site 8/31/2006.)