Jacksonville Chapel/Emergence

I was recently challenged by a worship leader named Aaron Ivey. He leads worship down at The Austin Stone, in Austin, Tx. I was checking out his blog and saw that he regularly takes the opportunity to share about the worship set for the weekend and the reason for the song choices as well as some insights into the music. I figured I'd give it a shot.

I think a lot of people think that worship guys just pick out a few songs they like, and "let 'er rip." If they're doing that, then... they should stop. We do our best to make sure that there's a good reason for each song. Sometimes it matches the theme of the entire service. Sometimes it's a song we're repeating to make sure everyone has an opportunity to learn it. Other times, to be honest, it's just a song I felt led to pick after spending some time in prayer about the weekend. Ryan and I are amazed most weeks at how things just seem to fit together well, whether we planned it that way or not. You may call it luck... I call it the Holy Spirit.

I'm really looking forward to this weekend's worship set. I missed last weekend while we were in Texas, and to be honest, I always miss it when I can't be in my home church. It should be a great weekend. We're finishing up the Ephesians series this week, and the message is all about drawing close to Jesus.

When Ryan told me the theme, the first thought that popped into my head is the song "Better Is One Day". It's an "oldie but goodie." I think that the best worship songs are those that are taken directly out of Scripture... because... well, you can't write better lyrics than God. The other awesome part about that is by the time you've learned the song, you've also memorized Scripture. That's one benefit of most modern worship over most hymn repertoire. Better Is One Day is one of those songs that are almost verbatim out of the Bible:

Later on the song calls out "I will draw near to you"... the thrust of the whole day's message.

What makes this song even more special to me is the fact that it means so much to my wife. She lost a great friend of hers a couple of years ago. Pam Young was one of her best friends growing up. She was a strong believer, and was excited to become a young mom. Pam died during childbirth.

I met Pam only once. Melissa was thrilled to have us meet. I was just doing some personal worship on my guitar and they came in and joined me in singing "Better Is One Day." I'll never forget it. A fitting song... as that would be the last time Melissa would see Pam alive.

Directly out of that song comes Matt Redman's "You Never Let Go".

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
Even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won't turn back, I know You are near.

As we sing this song, I'm always reminded that it is God that never let's go. I've let go far more times than I'd like to admit. He never has. While I tell God I want to draw near, I don't always show it. God's actions are all about drawing us to Himself--drawing us near.

Right before the message, we'll be going into a Phil Wickham tune called "Always Forever." It's a great song... one of the most reflective tunes we do. Phil is truly one of the great psalmists of a new generation.

You are the love I need, You are the air I breathe
You are my love, my life, always forever.

You really can't draw much nearer than the air you're breathing, right? Can't wait to hear the people singing that one out. 

Following the message, Ryan suggested that we sing "Marvelous Light" by Charlie Hall. I don't yet know how it ties in... but I trust him  on it. He did write the message :)

My dead heart now is beating. My deepest stains now clean.
Your breath fills up my lungs. Now I'm free.

I see a running breathing theme, intentional or not.
See you in 10 1/2 hours!