If you haven’t discovered Matt Redman’s album, Let There Be Wonder (released early 2020), please seek it out. It has been a wonderful refuge for the soul in the midst of these turbulent days. Here is a beautiful acoustic version of “Upon Him”.
Here is a powerful song from Matt Redman’s new live album released at the start of 2020, “Let There Be Wonder”. Lyrics are in the YouTube link. Enjoy! I think this is the standout song from the album. Let me know if there are others you have on repeat!
1“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?3When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4And you know the way to where I am going.” (John 14:1-4)
This song from Mercy Me is a great encouragement in the midst of the weariness and challenges which 2020 has brought us. The film clip is also quite a unique and creative one! I trust you find these words from the bridge an especially beautiful glimpse of the joy of heaven to come.
“I know that the cross has brought heaven to us But make no mistake there’s still more to come When our flesh and our bone are no longer between Where we are right now and where we’re meant to be When all that’s been lost has been made whole again When these tears and this pain no longer exist. . .”
Are you disappointed Are you desperate for help You know what it’s like to be tired And only a shell of yourself
Well you start to believe You don’t have what it takes ‘Cause it’s all you can do Just to move much less finish the race But don’t forget what lies ahead
Almost home Brother it won’t be long Soon all your burdens will be gone With all your strength Sister run wild, run free Hold up your head Keep pressing on We are almost home
Well this road will be hard But we win in the end Simply because of Jesus in us It’s not if but when So take joy in the journey Even when it feels long Oh find strength in each step Knowing heaven is cheering you on
We are almost home Brother it won’t be long Soon all your burdens will be gone With all your strength Sister run wild, run free Hold up your head Keep pressing on We are almost home Almost home Almost home
I know that the cross has brought heaven to us But make no mistake there’s still more to come When our flesh and our bone are no longer between Where we are right now and where we’re meant to be When all that’s been lost has been made whole again When these tears and this pain no longer exist No more walking we’re running as fast as we can Consider this our second wind
Almost home Brother it won’t be long Soon all your burdens will be gone With all your strength Sister run wild, run free Hold up your head Keep pressing on We are almost home Almost home Almost home We are almost home Almost home Almost home We are almost home
O Holy night, starry sky We were dead until tonight Christmas changes everything Long lay the world inside our sin He has come here to forgive Christmas changes everything [Chorus] Hallelujah, love has found us Hope in a manger our Saviour is setting us free This is rescue, Christ has come to make us new Oh Christmas changes everything Now God has met us where we are A thrill of hope for hopeless hearts His perfect love will shatter every fear We’re coming back to life again And it’s all because of Bethlehem Rejoice, oh rejoice! [Chorus] Hallelujah, love has found us Hope in a manger our Saviour is setting us free This is rescue, Christ has come to make us new Oh Christmas changes everything We will fall on our knees We will fall on our knees We will fall on our knees O Holy night, holy child We were dead till you came to life [Chorus] Hallelujah, you have found us Hope in a manger, oh Saviour we fall on our knees You are rescue, you are making all things new Oh Christmas changes everything Yeah Christmas changes everything Christmas changes everything.
I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play And mild and sweet their songs repeat Of peace on earth good will to men
And the bells are ringing (peace on earth) Like a choir they’re singing (peace on earth) In my heart I hear them (peace on earth) Peace on earth, good will to men
And in despair I bowed my head There is no peace on earth I said For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men
But the bells are ringing (peace on earth) Like a choir singing (peace on earth) Does anybody hear them? (peace on earth) Peace on earth, good will to men
Then rang the bells more loud and deep God is not dead, nor does he sleep (peace on earth, peace on earth) The wrong shall fail, the right prevail With peace on earth, good will to men
Then ringing singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day A voice, a chime, a chant sublime Of peace on earth, good will to men
And the bells they’re ringing (peace on earth) Like a choir they’re singing (peace on earth) And with our hearts we’ll hear them (peace on earth) Peace on earth, good will to men
Do you hear the bells they’re ringing? (peace on earth) The life the angels singing (peace on earth) Open up your heart and hear them (peace on earth) Peace on earth, good will to men
Peace on earth, peace on earth Peace on earth, Good will to men
Songwriters: John Mark Hall / Dale Oliver / Bernie Herms
You spoke the truth that healed their broken souls
You’d never leave us here to fight alone
With love we earn the right to speak Your truth
It’s not just what we say, it’s what we do
I want to be a bridge that leads to You
So reach through me
Let them see, Lord, let them see
No rescue so relentless
No greater love than this
Where sin leaves a canyon
Your love builds a bridge
Writers:
Mark Hall, Matthew West, Bernie Herms and Seth Mosley
Be Essential Songs (BMI) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). My Refuge Music (BMI) (adming at CapitolCMGPublishing.com). Hickory Bill Doc / So Essential Tunes (SESAC) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com) (C) 2018 Provident
This is a great little TED talk that reminds us how ‘making music’ makes our brains engage, stretch and grow. It’s like a ‘whole body’ workout for your brain, that strengthens connections between your hemispheres. If you ever despised the idea of taking your child to music lessons, or practising your own instrument, keep this in mind!
Words, words, words... well said Hamlet! A little blog to go off on tangents within the worlds of history and literature that interest me. From the Tudors to Tom Hardy's Tess, or from the Wars of the Roses to Wuthering Heights, feel free to browse through my musings to pick up extra ideas and points for discussion!