Saturday, August 21, 2010

08/22/10: Logan's Worship Blog

You are Here (Dutton)
It's the coolest thing that's happened to me in the first quarter century of my life, so I don't mind sharing the link one more time. Here's a clip of this song being playing in outer space. Click forward to 0:58 to hear our friend, Shane, give us a shout out from the international space station:

STS-126 crew wake-up call, Flight Day 9


Christ is Risen (Matt Maher)
I met Matt Maher in 2005 when we were both community group worship leaders for the Passion Conference in Nashville. We had an immediate connection as I was good friends with his hero, David Crowder, and he was wearing a Darth Vader shirt that said "Who's you daddy?" What I love most about Matt is that he is a reminder of how much we have in common as Christians, if we remain focussed on the cross. Because Matt is not a southern Baptist, no. Matt isn't even a protestant. Matt, my friends, is...brace yourself...

Catholic (gasp!).

I've always relished the irony that a man from the Catholic Church, which is so often criticized for leaning on tradition over scripture, wrote a song called "Your Grace is Enough," which is one of the most Gospel-oriented songs being played in Protestant circles today. "Christ is Risen" is equally focussed on the cross, and is one more step in the process of unifying Christ's church.

Stronger (Hillsong)
I'm always encouraged, humbled, and strengthened when I hear about what's happening in Australia with Hillsong's ministry. Right now, you are sitting at your computer with, presumably, enough free time to be reading this worship blog. If you've been able to read this far, I would encourage you to take a few more moments and allow yourself to worship right where you are, in front of your computer, as you soak in God's presence with this video. And if you're by yourself, sing along. Out loud! Stronger - Hillsong 2008

When Heaven Came Down (Dutton)
If you've ever wondered what it's like to worship with us when we're on the road, this video is closest you will get to the experience. And 1:20 into it, you can hear the crowd singing the "Oh's" on this song: Dutton Worship Video #1

Our God (Chris Tomlin)
I was recently approached by a record label executive and asked about the music I write. After I poured out my heart, the executive informed me that worship music is "no longer the trend." I then informed the executive that "worship music" is the only eternal genre of music. She informed me that she was talking about current radio trends. I informed her that I only listen to my iPod, and then I conceded the argument. However, I was a little confused - after the conversation - when I looked at the charts and saw this song at #1. God will receive His glory long after worship music stops trending, but I am not going to take this era for granted. Passion, Hillsong, Chris Tomlin, and David Crowder albums consistently debut near the top of the secular Billboard 200 chart. To God be the glory.


08/15/10: Logan's Worship Blog

Sing Sing Sing (Tomlin)
Psalm 13:6 - I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.

Come and Listen (Crowder)
psalm 145:11-12 - They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

Christ is Risen (Maher)
1 Thes 4:14 - We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

Sometimes (Dutton)
psalm 130:3-4 - If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.

Stronger (Hillsong)
Isaiah 40:29 - He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

08/08/10: Logan's Worship Blog

Christ is Risen (Matt Maher)
1 Cor 15:55 - "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"

Our God (Tomlin)
Psalm 77:14 - "You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples."

Our God Reigns (Delirious)
Rev 19:6 - "Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns."

After All (Dutton)
John 15:2 - "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."

Awakening (Tomlin)
Psalm 57:8 - "Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn."

Monday, August 2, 2010

08/01/10: Logan's Worship Blog

The Glory of it All (Crowder)
Revelation 22:13 - I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

News flash: Dutton is not the first or last name of anyone in the band. We formed as a group to fill in for David Crowder*Band when they were away from their home church - Ubc, which is on Dutton Avenue in Waco, TX. And although we've filled in for DC*B over 100 times, we've never played an event together...until this weekend.

Friday night we had the honor of playing at the Texas Student Evangelism Conference with the Crowder guys. As I watched them lead, I was reminded of how much this band has influenced what we do. Yes, yes we've done our best to get out from under their shadow, but I must give credit where credit is due. If I need advice about serious issues in our line of work (record labels, hiring an agent, songwriting, royalties, etc), I know I can call David and he will speak wisdom into my life.

And his songwriting is always a little left of what everyone expects in the worship world. The guitar part and lyrics in this song are a perfect example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg-1yM6insA

Mighty to Save (Hillsong)
Zephaniah 3:17 - The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

7,000,000 hits on a live worship video? Wow. This song has brought the good news to so many people all over the world: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-08YZF87OBQ

How He Loves (McMillan)
Ephesians 5:2 - live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Listen to songwriter John Mark McMillan speak powerfully about this beautiful song he has written in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NXWE6AC8ao

Here is Our King (Crowder)
Rev 11:15b - "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever."

Watch Crowder, himself, teach budding worship leaders how to play this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aea5Mq4sSUA

You are Good (Walter)
Psalm 62:2 - He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

verse 2: "I cry in pain, I sing for joy and then I cry in pain. Still you are worthy of my highest praise, for you remain unshaken."

I'm doing things a bit differently this week and writing this blog in retrospect, as we played these songs yesterday (usually we play the day after I write each entry).

On Sunday, our pastor Gary Singleton preached a sermon entitled "Why all the pain?" from James 1:2-4 (consider it pure joy when you face trials) and John 15 (He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful). Writing this blog in retrospect, I'm able to tell you that I immediately applied these passages in a phone conversation with a friend that afternoon. The exact chapter references and verses were on my mind from the sermon that morning, and I was able to reference them to someone who was facing one of life's many trials. I would encourage you to read both of these passages:

James 1
Trials and Temptations
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.-

John 15

The Vine and the Branches
1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunesa]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.