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We Are Alive

Got home late last Thursday night to find a great surprise in the mail from one of my favorite people/pastors and one of my favorite churches in the country. The surprise was so good that I had to tell you about it.

We Are Alive is the latest worship record produced by Elevation Church, which is led by my good friend, Pastor Steven Furtick. Steven invited Lara Beth and me to the live recording of Elevation's first worship project, The Sound, last February and it proved to be a landmark experience for us. The Sound became a fixture with us and our girls as a reminder of God's activity to move us into this new chapter of life and ministry.

After listening to We Are Alive all weekend, I can confidently say that this record will become a fixture not just in our family, but in the Awaken community as we live and tell the story of Jesus in Columbia.

Each song is filled with a passionate vision for the glory of God to rise up in a city combined with an awe-inspired gratitude for the flow of blessing and favor that God is already sending to Charlotte through Elevation Church. At some point in every song, I can't help but pump my fist and nearly stomp a hole in my car's floorboard!

And, what makes We Are Alive even better is that all three Elevation worship leaders have roots in the great city of Columbia, SC. I can't help but think that as Wade, Chris, and Mack wrote these songs, Columbia was on their mind and in their heart at some level.

So, do yourself a favor and pick up this record - if God uses it in your life and church community half as much as He is using it in mine, it will be worth it! WE ARE ALIVE!

Good Music: Brett Younker

Gotta tell you about my good friend Brett Younker and his first record, This is Life. About a year ago, Todd Fields, the veteran worship leader at North Point, called to tell me about Brett and to give his high recommendation not just of Brett the worship leader but Brett the Jesus-follower. After getting to know Brett, I see what Todd saw - a gifted musician who's heart burns to follow and honor Jesus.

From poppy grooves to raw acoustic to fist in the air rock, this album has it all when it comes to sound. The one constant is Brett's solid, unique vocals and honest lyrics. Brett says about the album, "I hope these songs point you to know God a little bit more and give you peace wherever you are. I hope they offer you life." Mission accomplished.

My personal favorite is "Savior of the World." I've heard Brett lead this song twice and loved it the first time I heard it. The chorus is right on...

You're the hope for the hurting
Life to the dying
Jesus, Savior of the World

You give grace to the broken
And peace to the searching
Jesus, Savior of the World

Brett regularly leads worship at North Point and Encounter, a weekly environment in Auburn. AL. He also travels around to lead in various venues. In fact, he'll be in Columbia TONIGHT leading at Columbia Metro. If you're smart, you'll be there. :-)

In all seriousness I love this record. No doubt these songs communicate that Jesus is life, and Brett's a believable storyteller because he is living it. Check it out on iTunes...you won't be disappointed.

Good Music: Starbore

Gotta make sure you know about the music I haven't been able to get out of my head for a week. My great friend Chris Brown just released Starbore, his first solo pop/rock project. The 5 song EP is nothing short of infectious.

I don't know anyone who has a more natural powerhouse vocal tone than Chris - his vocals are so smooth and effortless at the same time they are so powerful. And it shines on this project along with some catchy melodies and amazing harmonies. Chris wrote all 5 songs and shows tremendous maturity and range in his writing.

Chris Brown is a gifted singer/songwriter and the future is bright for him. But, better than his vocal ability, better than his songwriting ability, the guy loves Jesus and is as humble a man as I have ever known. We need more guys like Chris who will leverage the gifts God has given them to make great music that appeals to a wide audience. That's exactly what Chris as done with Starbore.

So, do yourself a favor and drop the $4.95 to pick up Starbore through iTunes...or you can purchase the CD through CDBaby. I promise, you won't be disappointed.

Good Music & That's Quotable: Ben Harper

Lovin' Ben Harper's new album, Lifeline. Perfect mix of soul, funk, blues, and a bunch of other stuff. Has a raw, jam-session feel...because that's what it was. Harper and his band, The Innocent Criminals, recorded the album on an analog track with no use of computers in just 7 days. I can't stop listening to "Fight Outta You," "In the Colors," "Say You Will," and "Put It On Me."

Harper is a fabulous songwriter and two lines on the album spoke deep into my soul, I guess because they speak directly to what God is doing in my heart these days.

From "Fight Outta You:" "I'd rather find out who you are, than who you're not." Message: surprise people with impeccable character, not carefully positioned masks.

From "Heart of Matters:" "You can't just say 'I love you;' You have to live 'I love you.'" Speaks for itself.

I've got a feeling Lifeline will be in my music rotation for quite a while.

Good Music: David Crowder*Band

LOVIN' Crowder's new album, Remedy!
Music: about what you would expect from Crowder
Lyrics: movement-igniting!

No doubt, the title of the album is justified by the songs and their lyrics. This isn't A Collision for sure...but it's solid and the message is loud - the remedy is Jesus and we are His hands and feet; the remedy is in our hands. What will we do with it?

Glory of It All, Can You Feel It, Remedy, and Surely We Can Change alone make it worth it. 10 songs without weirdness that will make you worship, pump your fists, and take action.

From Surely We Can Change:
Where there is pain
Let us bring grace
Where there is suffering
Bring serenity
For those afraid
Let us be brave
Where there is misery
Let us bring them relief
And surely we can change
Surely we can change
Oh surely we can change
Something

Good Music: Josh Bayne

Well, I've tried for about 37 minutes to upload a pic of my man Josh Bayne's album, but crazy Typepad won't let it happen.

ANYWAY...I'm a little behind the game, but I wanted to make sure everyone knows that Josh's EP "Grace Changes Everything" is available for download on iTunes. I've grown to love and appreciate Josh more and more everytime he leads at Catalyst and I think you'll see and hear why in this album.

So, do yourself a favor and drop $5.94 for some great music from a young leader with a load of talent and big heart for Jesus!

Good Music: Charlie Hall

Really digging this new version of Marvelous Light from Passion 07. You can get it...and you should...with the new bundle of songs and a sermon on iTunes. I love the new bridge and the focus on the lyrics that are really the heart of the song. Great stuff.

CC'ers...don't be surprised if this shows up at Catalyst soon. :-)

Good Music: Steve Fee

Go get this album RIGHT NOW! Steve Fee is one of the primary worship leaders in the North Point organization and just put out his new album. I downloaded it last night and have not stopped listening to it since! CC'ers...look for a couple of these tunes to show up on Sundays at CC very soon. Maybe Steve will come, too....:-)

Good Music: Michael Olson

Our worship leader this past week was Michael Olson. Loved hanging out with him...great heart, great character, big vision for the Kingdom! Let me tell you...the guy can flat out sing!

So, today, we noticed that he is one of the featured FREE downloads on iTunes! His new record releases February 13, but you can download his first single NOW. So...go do it and tell your friends.