Musings from a Christian Concert

On March 1, I was able to go with some friends to a Casting Crowns concert, also featuring For King and Country and Laura Story.

 I will say right off that I really hope Laura Story can come for a whole concert sometime – what an inspiring woman of God and incredible songwriter! (I had no idea that she wrote “Indescribable” and “Mighty to Save”!!!!)

This was my 3^rd Casting Crowns concert (2^nd in the last 6 months). I’ve been to a number of Christian concerts over the years, but they have been my favorite. They put all their lyrics up on the screen so it’s not just a concert – its a few thousand people all singing worship to the Lord.

 

As they are youth leaders most of their songs come from messages that they gave to their youth groups which explains why many of their songs are story-like. And why, Mark Hall (the lead singer) joked they can’t write a song shorter than 5 minutes! :-) 

 

For the past year especially, their music has really spoken to my spirit, encouraged me, I think because they speak realistically to life’s struggle and suffering, and bring the hope that only Christ can give. They have also led me to worship God and I greatly appreciate their heart and their lyrics. Some have said they’re lyrics are simplistic, and yes, they often are. But yet, I find them simplistically deep if there is such a thing. There are beautiful nuggets of truth in their songs, and words that speak deep to the soul.

If your eyes are on the storm
You'll wonder if I love you still
But if your eyes are on the cross
You'll know I always have and I always will

And not a tear is wasted
In time, you'll understand
I'm painting beauty with the ashes
Your life is in My hands

So when you're on your knees and answers seem so far away
You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your worlds not falling apart, its falling into place
I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held

  (-“Just Be Held”)

Here I am, Lord, and I'm drowning in your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me
I yearn for peace and rest
I don't want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind, keeps me awake tonight
I know You've cast my sin as far as the east is from the west
And I stand before You now as though I've never sinned
But today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way

I know You've washed me white, turned my darkness into light
I need Your peace to get me through, to get me through this night
I can't live by what I feel, but by the truth Your word reveals
I'm not holding on to You, but You're holding on to me
You're holding on to me

Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west
I don't have to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other
   (-  "East To West")

My favorite song of theirs at the moment (and it's not one they did at this concert either):  "At Your Feet"  -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yT6lFcM-Fv8

Though You Slay Me (Shane&Shane)

What an encouragement this song has been to my heart this past week! May it be the song of your heart as well! He truly is the One who's all we need!
"Though You Slay Me..." by Shane & Shane
For video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyUPz6_TciY&feature=youtu.be

I come, God, I come
I return to the Lord
The one who's broken
The one who's torn me apart
You struck down to bind me up
You say You do it all in love
That I might know You in Your suffering

Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who's all I need

My heart and flesh may fail
The earth below give way
But with my eyes, with my eyes I'll see the Lord
Lifted high on that day
Behold, the Lamb that was slain
And I'll know every tear was worth it all

Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who's all I need

Though tonight I'm crying out
Let this cup pass from me now
You're still all that I need
You're enough for me
You're enough for me

Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who's all I need
Sing a song to the one who's all I need

The Gospel Hymn

The Lord looked down on me and saw

A rebellious wretched child

‘Tis a woeful sinner here

No beauty here no bride.

Yet He took a spotless robe of white

And wrapped me there within,

He purified the darkest spot

And made me whole again.

Jesus cleanser of my soul

The blood that washes clean,

Find a grateful sinner here

‘Tis all I have to give.

I surrender Him His rightful throne

To wear the lawful crown,

If He ‘dost rule the foe must keep

Underneath His feet.

Jesus let me bear a cross

That I may like Thee be,

And walk the road of suffering

As though I bear a crown.

Blood-stained, rough though it may be

And cause my body wear,

‘Tis my joy to walk with Thee

My privilege and my prize. 

Jesus I am Resting....

I recently discovered a music artist named Matthew Smith. He has a song called “Jesus, I am Resting”, that I’ve come to love, so I will share the lyrics with you:

Jesus I am resting, resting, in the joy of what Thou art,

I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart.

Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee as Thy beauty fills my soul,

For by Thy life-transforming power, Thou has made me whole.

Jesus I am resting, resting, in the joy of what Thou art,

I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart.

O how great Thy loving kindness, vaster, broader than the sea!

O how marvelous Thy goodness, lavished all on me.

Yes I rest in Thee beloved, know what wealth of grace is Thine

Know Thy certainty of promise and I’ve made it mine.

Jesus I am resting, resting, in the joy of what Thou art,

I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart.

Simply trusting Thee Lord Jesus, I behold Thee as Thou art.

And Thy love so pure so changeless, satisfies my heart!

Satisfies its deepest longings, meets, supplies its every need.

‘Compasth me round with blessing, Thine is love indeed!

Jesus I am resting, resting, in the joy of what Thou art,

I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart.

Ever lift Thy face upon me, as I work and wait for Thee,

Resting ‘neath Thy smile O Jesus, earth’s dark shadows flee.

Brightness of my Father’s glory, sunshine of my Father’s face,

Keep me ever trusting, resting, fill me with Thy grace!

Jesus I am resting, resting, in the joy of what Thou art,

I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart.

Listen HERE: 

 http://matthewsmith.bandcamp.com/track/jesus-i-am-resting