Friends:

Welcome to the First Pres Contemporary Music email/blog, dedicated to enhancing your Contemporary Christian music experience!  We’re open to ideas about music items, so send them on.

In Christ,

Mark mb@markbeccue.com

Celebrating Mother’s Day this week –  Yay Mom!

SONG OF THE WEEK This week’s feature song is GOD WILL LIFT YOUR HEAD (GWLUYH) by Jars of Clay. I know, I know, this one is a few years old too, but by fate I had it on my iPod when I was running this morning and it was too good to pass up.  This song will rattle through your head for days as it is both musically and lyrically addictive – key elements to an anthem – which I think this is.

Musically, the key here is the distinct bass line (yep, I can hear Alicia nailing it) and the unusually sung chorus. Lyrically, this is borrowed genius.  GWLUYH comes from Jars’ 2005 release called REDEMPTION SONGS, a collection of Jars’ interpretations of classic hymns.  GWLUYH is based on COMMIT NOW ALL YOUR GRIEFS, a hymn written by Paul Gerhardt and John Wesley in the 1600s and 1700s.   Here are the GWLUYH lyrics:

Give to the wind your fear
Hope and be undismayed
God hears your sighs and counts your tears
God will lift up
God will lift up
lift up your head

Chorus:
God will lift up your head
God will lift up your head
God will lift up your head
Lift up your head

Leave to His sovereign sway
To choose and to command
Then shall we wandering on His way
Know how wise and how strong
How wise and how strong
How strong is His hand

Chorus

Through waves and clouds and storms
He gently clears the way
Wait because in His time so shall this night
Soon end in joy
soon end in joy

God will lift up your head
Soon end in joy

Apparently the hymn authors were inspired by two sets of bible passages –

1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

and Psalms 37:5

Commit your way to the LORD;  trust in him and he will do this:

Here’s a news flash – life is tough.  Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise – sooner or later in your life you will be tested to your limits.  But every day, you have this hope – God is way, way bigger than you and the problems of life.  Cling to him and his strength.  “Know how wise, how strong”.  Yell this song at the top of your lungs in the car.  It’s okay, I do it all the time.  It’s therapeutic.  This song is an anthem, a mantra.  GOD WILL LIFT UP YOUR HEAD.  No matter what.  “Wait because in His time, so shall this night, soon end in joy.”

You can hear GOD WILL LIFT UP YOUR HEAD here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsT0iowdBCQ Forewarned, this version was put together with cardboard testimonials.  The first 50 seconds are people talking scattered conversation on a black screen, then song and video starts.

SONGS THIS WEEK: Partial list includes YOU ARE A CHILD OF MINE (featuring the kids!!), AIN’T NO ROCK, HOLD US TOGETHER (New!), AMAZING GRACE/PEACEFUL EASY FEELING, SHOWER THE PEOPLE

VERSE OF THE WEEK:

see above

FEATURED MUSIC Songs we are listening to – some for church, and some for just the fun of it.  Let us know what you think of them!

DESPERATE – FIREFLIGHT Whoa. WARNING – heavy rockin song with female vocal. Thanks to Mason and THE FAITH HD and ONLINE for that one. Very excellent. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm9NV7Pft9A

WHAT COULD BE BETTER? – 33 MILES New to me, a country sounding band playing straight up CCM.  Nicely done! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08miGpjt5Ns

UPCOMING CONCERTS

GLORY AT THE GARDENS featuring Matthew West, Brandon Heath, Jonny Diaz, Skillet, Building 429, Kirk Franklin and Mandisa – May 1, 8 and 15, Busch Gardens, Tampa. http://www.gloryatthegardens.com/gatgt.html

GO FISH — June 18, Grace Lutheran Church St. Pete, kids concert, www.gofishguys.com