Melanie Tierce’s Debut Album City Of God

CITY OF GOD

Melanie Tierce

Melanie Tierce’s Debut Album, City Of God

City Of God, Chapter 1
Sing (feat. People & Songs)
City Of God
What Love Is Like (feat. Kaden Slay)
Simple
Hallelujah My Soul Sings (feat. People & Songs)
So Close (feat. Kaden Slay)

City of God was written by Mark Benjamin, Michael Lawson, Melanie Tierce, Mark Swayze, and Daniel Riddle. It was A&R and executive produced by Jennie Lee Riddle, and produced by film score composer Bradford Nyght. Bradford brings an epic, cinematic quality to each breathtaking song.

Melanie says, “Once we heard Bradford’s work on the first track, we found it astounding. It was a joy and honor to get to choose him to work with.”

She continues, “Throughout the production process I did wonder how we would express such a huge sound, and yet still keep the closeness of the lyric and the vocal. The heart and the humanness of these songs of worship are incredibly important to me. I am amazed at how this project has accomplished both. A beautiful, huge backdrop of stunning arrangements supporting a very close and intimate experience of worship.”

Jennie Lee Riddle, the PEOPLE & SONGS label head, Executive Producer and A&R for Melanie Tierce, reflects on the album, “This record tells the epic tale of redemption in every lyric and every note. It is stunningly imaginative and fills your spirit to the brim with the Truth-filled tapestry of our life with God. The Gospel goes forth through story and song in an unforgettable, state-altering way that easily becomes a part of you. Each song is a journey into the heart of God.”

“Of all the works I’ve been privileged to touch, by far, this holds my heart. I’ve had the joy of walking with Melanie since she was 17. What a powerful woman of God she has become! She’s so in love with Jesus, and I am thankful for the way she helps me to see Him.”

“The lyrics and beauty of this record begged for a physical keepsake that one could have forever. We went to the time and expense to put together a gorgeous 6-panel cover captured in the ruins of Gary, Indiana, and an 8-page book containing every life-giving lyric. Not customary in today’s digital world, but it had to be done. I had to hold it in my hands, behold the the faith-filled art that promises resurrection, and read each hopeful word with my own eyes!”

Andrew Riddle was Melanie’s choice of photographer, videographer and editor. The layout and design were brought further to life by Daniel Riddle. Together they created a work of art.

City Of God, Chapter 2

Don’t Ever Let Me Go
I Am Your God
One More Step
Give Us Your Heart (feat. Kaden Slay)
Compelled (feat. People & Songs)
When The Stars Burn Down (feat. People & Songs)
O Death

“Compelled” was written by Melanie, Mary Grace and Wesley Nilsen for the first-ever gathering of Assemblies Of God World Mission missionaries from all around the globe. PEOPLE & SONGS had the holy privilege of joining the gathering and leading worship. See full story. Charts are available here.

Autographed Physical CD Album

You can purchase the full album (personally autographed by Melanie) here.

For more information, contact hello@peopleandsongs.com

Hallelujah My Soul Sings

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How I long to join in with Heaven
How I long to meet with You face to face
But until I see You completely
I’ll wait with eyes of faith

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Though we may not recognize it in every moment, our very deepest need is the same one as the first man and woman that walked with God in the garden. They had face to face, heart to heart communion with Him. That was all they ever needed, and all any of us need. But now we live in a broken world facing the consequences of having chosen something lesser.

In Christ, we've been forgiven and made alive; we're given a new heart that yearns for the breath of God the way our bodies require oxygen.

Paul says in Romans 8 that all of creation is groaning as it longs for the day that we will be glorified with Christ as the children of God. And in 1 Corinthians 13, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” What a promise! The earth, the heavens, our very bones, aren’t crying out in vain. One day I’ll know Jesus as intimately as He knows me. For now, In His kindness, He is revealing more and more of Himself through His Word and His Spirit than I’ll ever be able to fully grasp in this lifetime.

How I long to join in with Heaven
How I long to meet with You face to face
But until I see You completely
I’ll wait with eyes of faith

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Get the Charts, the Album or Stream it here.

A Word from Melanie Tierce on City Of God

“For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come” - Hebrews 13:14

There is nothing that more thoroughly reminds me, “You are here on the map”, than when my eyes are filled with the sight of where we, as the Body of Christ, are headed!  Again and again, I tell my soul of the destination toward which we are steadily running, where this race of faith finds its ultimate finish: the City of God.  How often I must remind myself, “This is temporary! Look ahead! Do not forget what Jesus Himself is preparing! Don’t get too comfy! This world is not your home! Jesus is coming!”  It is when I am filled with this faith that I am fueled to do what He has asked of me until He returns.  

 I once heard one of the most profound messages presenting the Gospel from pastor Renaut van der Riet, who spoke of our responsibility as Christ’s followers to “redeem the unredeemed spaces” by bringing the message of Christ’s redemption.  This requires a willingness to go where most people do not want to go.  It requires forsaking comfort and ease for the sake of loving sacrificially. We who have been redeemed can do nothing less than share Christ’s redemption to all people!  We who have had our ashes traded for beauty, now, have the honor and responsibility of seeing all desolate things made beautiful.  

This is why I love how the Lord orchestrated the artwork for this album, City of God.  Right there in the midst of barren ruins, joy compelled me to dance.  Over and over again I decided to spin on top of and in spite of the decay that surrounded me, hoping to capture in a picture the commissioning message of the Body of Christ: to live a life of redeeming the unredeemed spaces. 

As the people of God, there is not a moment we wait aimlessly. As we actively and patiently anticipate God’s Kingdom, here in this in-between, we have the mandate to not grow weary in doing good.  All of our sufferings, joys, tribulations, and triumphs dim in comparison to the glory in Him that is in fact being prepared for us!  It is His word of promise to us, 

“Let not your hearts be troubled […] I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

John 14:1-4 ESV. 

We find our footing on the solid ground of the promise that faith indeed will one day be sight!  Weeping will in fact only last for the night, and joy will stay for good when He brings that final morning dawn. Death will be fully swallowed up.  Tears will be dried.   And we will have Him—all of Him!  No more seeing Him dimly as through a veil.  Our hearts will finally meet what they have been longing for all this time: Our God, face to face.  Jesus, the Son of God, on full display! 

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.  And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. “  And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’”

Revelation 21:1-5

Everything will be shaken.  Everything temporary will pass away.  Build here on Earth with materials that will last into eternity, and stake your life on the only things that will remain: the mercy, the magnificence, and the beauty of Jesus!  Forever and ever, Amen.

• Melanie Tierce

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Get the Album

Sing

SING

By Melanie Tierce

Since I was saved at the age of 15, I have been utterly fascinated with the “off script” pieces of our times of corporate worship.  What I mean by that is….

“Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.”  (Psalm 96:1)

“Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy” (Psalm 33:3)

“He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.” (Psalm 40:3)

“Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, and His praise in the congregation of the godly ones!” (Psalm 149:1)

NEW songs written right there on the spot when the people of God gathered!  Faith, expressed through melody by singers and non-singers alike! My goodness, it was beautiful!  And exhilarating! It was so clear what special role God had designed “new songs” of worship to be!

Now, I know that this space in worship is not one that all denominations emphasize or practice.  I wrote “Sing” as an invitation and challenge for those who are used to this way of worshipping Jesus AND for those for whom it is completely new!  Its aim is to leave space for the believer to practice a posture that I believe is crucial to the life of faith. Brand new, in the moment praise, and the practice of it corporately, is a skill, a muscle, and I would even say a weapon, that God has given to His saints, and that we have the joy and honor of learning how to yield.

“Sing” is a means of posing to you this question, Church.  Do we as a people know only how to follow another in worship, or do we, each of us of our own accord, know how to boldly enter the throne room of God by faith with thanksgiving and praise - any time and anywhere? When discouragement rears its head, and there is no one there to encourage us to sing, will the muscle be developed in us to recount the glories of God? Do we know how to stir our hearts to thanksgiving and praise IN SPITE of how we feel on any given day?

Have we rehearsed the wonders of His character to such a degree that it is our first response when life shakes us to the core and no one is looking?

Perhaps, this powerful skill is a small piece of what it looks like for us as the Body of Christ to continue growing up into  “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). 

It is time we practice our praise.

Is it risky? Perhaps a little.  Of course it is essential we stay grounded in the Word and always only offer healthy food to the body of Christ!  However, it’s not risky enough to not do it! The Holy Spirit is excellent at teaching us the ways of praise!  

Is it awkward?  YES, AND THAT’S THE BEST PART.  It is truly a fast track of growth for the Body!  It immediately requires the corporate letting down of pride, and the LEAPING right on out of our comfort zone!  It allows the worshipper to declare “I care more about God being praised than I care about what others think of me”

Is He worthy? Oh, yes.  And that truly is the bottom line.  Jesus is simply worthy of it ALL. Worthy of 100 percent of the glory. Worthy of a joyful noise, even when we look like fools! So go ahead and fling the doors of your heart wide open.  Tell Jesus how much you love Him! For His glory, for His fame, right there in your living room, right there in your car! As we make our way all the way home... (Isaiah 35:10)

SING, saints of God.... go ahead and sing a new song!

If there were no more words on the screen
Would we still know how to sing?
How to bring a true offering of our devotion

We can’t rely on building drums
To come and stir our faith up
We’ve gotta know how to come 
and lead ourselves in worship 

Sing, saints of God, Sing!
Make your own melody of praise
And tell Him how you love Him

Sing, saints of God, Sing!
Let your hearts now respond
To our God and give Him glory

All it takes is “You are Good”
All it takes is “Thank you, Lord”
All it takes is “Worthy is the Lamb”
Isn’t he worthy?!

Worthy of a joyful noise
Even if I look like a fool!
My Jesus is just that good
I can’t contain it!

Get the Charts and Album.

Every Day

Every Day

New Single From PEOPLE & SONGS Releases On Leap Day, 2020

Right from the opening “ooo’s,” you know it’s going to be good. And when that first chorus hits, you can’t help but sing along:

I gotta sing out a new song
Until my heart sings along
I’m gonna lift up a true praise
‘Cause You make me glad
So I will rejoice
Every Day…

“Every Day” is the latest single from PEOPLE & SONGS, released (ironically) on February 29, a special day that only comes around once every 4 years. 

Wesley Nilsen, vocalist and bassist for PEOPLE & SONGS and one of the song’s co-writers, reflects, “Psalm 96 says, ‘Oh sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless his name, tell of his salvation from day to day.’

“My salvation story is not always the first thing on my mind when I wake up in the morning, or even the central meditation of my heart throughout the day. But that’s to be expected; as humans, we’re all distractible and forgetful. I have to choose to obey the command to ‘sing a new song!’ My salvation isn’t a thing of the past; every day there is some new way that Jesus is working in me. He’s always leading me deeper in the new life I was born into. Like the chorus of this song says, I have to sing UNTIL my heart agrees with the truths that are being sung. That’s how I choose joy and stay thankful for what He’s done and what He’s doing!”

The third verse begins:

I tried to do life on my own
It left me empty and alone
I needed You to come and fill me...

Mary Grace, who sings lead on the third verse, says, “I love that reminder. We need Him to completely fill every space that we have tried to fill with lesser things. God longs to inhabit every part of our lives. He gives new life. He restores. He is redemption.

“It was such an honor to sing on this song with my good friends Wesley Nilsen and Kaden Slay,” continues Mary Grace. “I love the power behind the words ‘I’ve gotta sing out a new song until my heart sings along.’ Training our souls to sing in spite of what we feel is such a good skill to practice as a believer. I pray that this song helps you to lift your head no matter the circumstances and sing out your very own song to the only worthy King.”

“Every Day” was written by Wesley, Charity Gayle and Jairus Withrow, and recorded at the 3rd annual Turn Up The Lights worship festival in La Porte, Indiana last October. The purpose of Turn Up The Lights is to unite churches and entire cities in lifting up the Name of Jesus. “It’s stunning to realize that what began here in 2017 has quickly spread to various parts of the United States,” said Jennie Lee Riddle, founder of PEOPLE & SONGS and Turn Up The Lights. “This year we have seven festivals scheduled across the country.” For more information, go to turnupthelights.org. 

Charts for “Every Day” are available on the People & Songs web store.

Also available on SongSelect. https://songselect.ccli.com/Songs/7145985/every-day 

CCLI #7145985

Redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb

Reflections by Sean Carter and Melanie Tierce, co-writers

[SEAN] As Melanie Tierce, David Gentiles and I co-wrote "Redeemed By The Blood Of The Lamb" with students at The Emerging Sound summer songwriting intensive, we were talking about the rich legacy of hymns and we wanted to use language that was reminiscent of the songs of old. For years, hymn writers have used the "river" metaphor to describe how the cross of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)

In verse 1 the "crimson river" is the cross of Jesus, that Holy place where blood and water poured from His side. We lay our "burdens on the shore," that is, our sin at the foot of the cross. As we "go down a sinner," we surrender wholly to Christ, and in the power of the cross we are made new. We identify with Paul's words, for we "died with Christ" and walk in newness of life!

 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

[MELANIE]  The chorus of this song reminds me of Psalm 107:2, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.” When you’ve been saved by the grace of Jesus, and brought from death to life, you just HAVE to let others know about it!  The simple gospel truth of not being who you once were, and now belonging to God as a beloved child is worth celebrating and testifying about! 

[SEAN] Verse 2 continues using "water" references to communicate mercy, grace, and new life in Jesus.  Indeed, we found our “life there in that flood,” and we echo Titus 3:5: 

"He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit." 

Also, from Hebrews 9:14: 

"How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!"

Verse 3 echoes the conversation Jesus had with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 and also Jesus’ words in John 7:37-38. He is our Living Water and we will never thirst again. Jesus invites us to come to Him with all the “pangs of life,” that is mental anguish, hunger, and a soul-thirst that can only truly be satisfied in knowing Him.

Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. 

Verse 4 is delivered with such tenderness and delicacy, as Melanie sings about “crossing that river.” The crossing of the river Jordan has long been used in spirituals as a metaphor of the believer passing on from this life and to our heavenly home. We will indeed “fall at His throne and forever worship Christ!”

[MELANIE]  As we do this song live, I see it resonate immediately, even as the people are still learning the melody. It’s simple enough to learn quickly, and the simplicity of the message means that they can grab onto it right away and declare it as their own. It’s every believer’s story.

As we finished the recording, there was this beautiful hush that filled the room.  Sean (who is so thoroughly equipped with the Word and always seems to have the perfect scripture at the perfect time) read the passage in Revelation 12: 10-11. As he was reading, I quickly heard a melody so clearly woven to the lyrics “We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.”  Suddenly, the whole room of students’ faith rose to the occasion!  Again and again we victoriously declared it - overcoming even in that moment, singing the truth of His Word over any and every circumstance we were facing! It was indeed a triumphant sound!

Listen to “Redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb” from “The Emerging Sound Volume 5”

Charts available here.

Compelled

Compelled

A Beautiful Connection Between People & Songs and Assemblies Of God World Missions

By Jennie Lee Riddle

In August 2019, People & Songs had the holy privilege of worshipping with missionaries from all over the world in a historic, first-time gathering. We stood with them and watched these heroes dedicate and rededicate themselves to the high calling of Jesus Christ. Thank you, Assemblies of God World Missions, for inviting us to be a part of such a humbling moment in time. We are compelled, by the love of Jesus and His heart for people, to also recommit our lives to the only One who is worthy. We joyfully echo the cry of these missionaries, “May the Lamb of God receive the full reward of His suffering.”

“Compelled” was written by Mary Grace, Melanie Tierce and Wesley Nilsen for this gathering. It was inspired by the current missionaries that we have the honor of now serving and ones who have gone before. Here is part of their story:

The Moravian Slaves

A popular story about Christian Missions concerning Johann Leonhard Dober and David Nitschmann, describes how these two young Moravian Brethren from Herrnhut, Germany, were called in 1732 to minister to the African slaves on the islands of St. Thomas and St. Croix in the Danish West Indies. Allegedly, when they were told that they would not be allowed to do such a thing, Dober and Nitschmann sold themselves to a slave owner and boarded a ship bound for the West Indies. As the ship pulled away from the docks, it is said that they called out to their loved ones on shore, "May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering!"

Music Resources for “Compelled”
Music Video
Music Video Split Track
Click Track
Audio- Full Stereo
Audio- Music Only
PTX (Practice Track)
STEMS
Lead Sheet (Music Book)

#AssembliesofGod #AssembliesofGodMissions #AGWM #Missions

My Time On The Road with PEOPLE & SONGS: Fall Tour 2019

By Paul Herman

First let me tell you how all this came about…

My name is Paul Herman. I grew up in church, helping lead worship and serving on worship teams all my life.  For the past 17+ years, it was my privilege to work on the marketing team at CCLI, the company that provides licensing so churches can legally project or print copyrighted song lyrics for congregational singing. At CCLI, I was honored to become friends with a number of prominent Christian songwriters, especially Jennie Lee Riddle (writer of “Revelation Song”), along with her husband, Darrin, their family and the entire circle of writers and artists known as PEOPLE & SONGS.

I grew to dearly love these people—and their songs.  I connected with them whenever my schedule would allow. So when my season at CCLI was finished, I was ecstatic at the opportunity to join PEOPLE & SONGS here in LaPorte, Indiana, as their new Marketing Director. Jennie thought that a great way to acclimate to my new position would be to join the group on their 5-week fall 2019 tour. 

From Texas to Mississippi to Georgia to Florida 

I love the Facebook meme that says: “Buying snacks for a road trip should always look like an unsupervised  9-year-old was given $100.”

Let’s just say we would’ve made that 9-year-old proud, mostly courtesy of Buc-ee’s, the undisputed Taj Mahal of southern truck stops. We needed every bit of them, too, because that first leg, LaPorte, Indiana, to Texarkana, Texas, was 17 hours! 

This was PEOPLE & SONGS’ 2nd “Turn Up The Lights” festival in Texarkana and the continuation of the vision to unite the churches and lift high the Name of Jesus over the city. Throughout the 2-night event, God showed up in powerful ways. Many lives changed. 19 baptisms, deliverance from addictions, depression, fear, bondage. We were overwhelmed. And there was much, much more to come…

Texarkana was the first time I heard the new PEOPLE & SONGS’ anthem, ”Hell or High Water,” live. I had heard the recorded single when it was released, and I loved the song. But to hear it live—Wow! It felt like the whole room lifted. The bridge was written in an amazing call-&-response format:

Steady, constant (I have this confidence)
Mercy, goodness (I have this confidence)
Awesome, Mighty (I have this confidence)
I know Who You are
Defender, Healer (You are my confidence)
Protector, Shepherd (You are my confidence)
Jesus, Savior (You are my confidence)
I know Who You are

The sound of the crowd rose to meet the amplified singers and band. Let’s just say it was a room FULL of confidence! 

Across Texas

We then drove all the way across Texas, bound for El Paso, with a wonderful respite for a few days in Dodd City, as we joined Lannius Church of God for 3 nights of Revival meetings. I loved the variety of venues on this tour—from big arenas, auditoriums and state-of-the-art audio and lighting systems to smaller, down-home churches. Same God. Same Spirit. Same Presence.

Jennie spoke about the power of community and reaching beyond the awkwardness. It was beautiful to see a group of believers reach across aisles and beyond natural boundaries to “get up in each other’s business” and really pray and minister to each other. Again, we saw many chains and bondages broken as God’s healing power swept through the room.  

Lights Over El Paso 

We had scheduled a “Turn Up The Lights” festival for El Paso, TX, months in advance. But 3 weeks prior to the event, we—along with the rest of the nation—were horrified to hear of the deadly mass shooting at an El Paso WalMart.

We weren’t sure what to expect, but what we found immediately upon arrival were people ready to worship and ready for a mighty move of God. So we kicked in to a new favorite opener for us (and also a growing number of worship teams across the country), “Welcome King Jesus.”

Shout all you people, dance through the town

Come celebrate because Heaven’s come down

Jesus, Welcome King Jesus

Kaden Slay, co-writer and lead vocalist, said, “God continues to use this song in such an awesome way to give everyone the opportunity to just cut loose and celebrate our King!”   

One thing I love about all our events, and especially this one, is that it’s not a typical concert or night of worship. Our PEOPLE & SONGS people have the freedom at any time to come off the stage, pray with people, worship with people, and just simply minister. It’s beautiful.  It’s powerful. It’s how it should be.
Night one was unbelievable. The responses from the wonderful new friends we made in El Paso lifted our spirits. It was such a privilege to interview Teresa Anekwe, the event coordinator, and hear her heart for the city.

But as we prepared for Night two,  we received word of another shooting, this time in Midland/Odessa, TX, just a few hours away. As the night began, our group and the entire audience gathered and recorded a spontaneous phone video to those hurting in Midland/Odessa, extending the same comfort with which we all had been comforted.   

Spontaneous Stop in Odessa

The following day, on our way to Fort Worth, we stopped at Odessa for an impromptu worship and prayer gathering with local pastors and church members in the city park. 

The Lord’s presence joined us there for an anointed time of comfort and healing. I was standing next to a 12-year-old boy who looked completely shocked and numb. I prayed that comfort and peace would come over him, and as we worshipped, I saw life return to his face. The Lord was near. 

Bethesda

We were so honored to join Bethesda Community Church in Fort Worth for a Friday Night of Worship (joined by their 100-voice choir), then a keynote message from Jennie at their Saturday women’s conference, and we wrapped it up with an amazing Sunday morning worship service. Once again, it was beautiful to see our singers come off the platform to pray and worship with people.  On the Night of Worship, with May Angeles singing “Wide-Eyed Wonder,” the Bethesda Choir joined us in front of the stage to serve as the Prayer Team for a beautiful time of prayer with all who came forward. 

We stand in wide-eyed wonder

Here in this Holy place

We humbly dare to ask for

More of Your glory

More of Your unveiled face...

Texas Football

Part of any road trip is trying to understand and appreciate the culture. Our AirBnB was in nearby Arlington and fairly close to AT&T Stadium, otherwise known as “Jerry’s World” and home of the Dallas Cowboys NFL Football team. I’d heard about Texas football, but I hadn’t really experienced it first-hand until now. On the day before the opening of the NFL season, I had to shop for a few items, and the closest WalMart was right across from the stadium. You know how WalMart always features seasonal items right up front? I’m not exaggerating—from one end of the store to the other and about 5 rows deep was nothing but Dallas Cowboys gear! And the vast majority of shoppers were already wearing Cowboys gear, but still coming in for more. These people are football crazy!

Kaden’s Home Church in Lucedale, MS,

It was wonderful to minister for 2 nights of Revival at Crossroads Church in Lucedale, Mississippi, where Kaden Slay, one of our People & Songs artists, grew up. Appropriately, the physical CD copies of The Slays debut album from Kaden and his wife, Melanie Tierce, were available for the hometown crowd (more than a month before the official album release).  As you can imagine, Kaden’s father Rev. Warren Slay, lead pastor at Crossroads, and Kaden’s mother Alisha were two VERY proud parents!

The release of The Slays album was also a great moment for the entire church, since the album opens with their congregational prayer of intercession, blended and layered with intercessory prayers from the entire PEOPLE & SONGS community. Pastor Slay’s reading of the familiar Scripture passage from 2nd Chronicles 7:14, is a fitting preface to the opening song. “That opening prayer and Scripture is my favorite part of the album. It adds so much heart,” says Melanie. “And it’s the perfect lead-in to ‘Heal Our Land.’

Over the two nights of revival, it was wonderful to see the younger members of PEOPLE & SONGS step up and lead with true Kingdom authority. Kaden, Melanie, May Angeles, Wesley Nilsen and Mary Grace ushered the congregation straight into the Throne Room of God. 

Onwards to Georgia

Our next stop was Azalea City Church Of God in Valdosta, GA  and their “Sounds Like The Kingdom” conference. Leaders from more than 30 local churches attended, and we had an amazing time together. 

It all began with a songwriting session with our PEOPLE & SONGS writers and about 60 conference attendees. This approach had worked previously, at the first “Time To Rise Up” conference at Metropolitan Church in Birmingham, AL, where “Hell Or High Water” was written. This writing session was a success as well, and “The Source Of My Song” was birthed. 

The Thursday night “Worship In The Round” for conference attendees, the Friday “Night of Worship” for the entire Azalea City Church, and the extended worship time at their Sunday morning service were all glimpses of Heaven touching earth. Just astounding! 

The Friday Night of Worship crescendoed with one of my favorites from PEOPLE & SONGS, that Jennie wrote with Shane Bernard - an anthem that vividly describes the unbridled power and majesty of our God. It’s called “Psalm 46 (Lord Of Hosts).”

The oceans roar, You are the Lord of all

The One Who calms the wind and waves

And makes my heart be still

Though the earth gives way

The mountains move into the sea, the nations rage

I know my God is in control

I KNOW MY GOD IS IN CONTROL!

Gator Tail

I also have to mention our Southern cuisine adventure at Bubba Jax Crab Shack. I sat across from Daniel Riddle, the only one of us brave enough to order gator tail for lunch. His reasoning was sound. “I’m coming into their territory,” he said, “so I need to show ‘em who’s boss.”

The Ones You Hardly Notice

Let me pause for a moment and introduce four PEOPLE & SONGS members you don’t often see: 

Daniel Riddle, (Darrin and Jennie’s oldest) runs ProPresenter and coordinates travel and event logistics for the group. Quiet, unassuming, dry sense of humor, and a  razor-sharp wit. I love hanging out with Daniel!

Lexi Pearson is the Hospitality Queen at the People & Songs Headquarters in LaPorte, and just as Queenly on the road. Lexi coordinates the merch booth for People & Songs, and she makes sure all the details are covered. She is a true Godsend!

Gannon Gager is our amazing photographer. You may not notice him, but you see his dazzling work throughout this article. He’s a master at capturing PEOPLE & SONGS artists at just-the -right angles, with just-the-right lighting and with just-the-right expressions.

Andrew Riddle (Darrin and Jennie’s youngest) seemingly has boundless energy, and he puts it to good use as our primary videographer. You’ll see him on stage, camera in-hand and weaving his amazing choreography to get the perfect video angle, all while trying to stay out of the way as much as possible

I love these people!

WFX: Worship for Techs

Our final stop was the Orlando Convention Center for the WFX Conference. I had attended WFX previously, representing CCLI, so I knew what to expect. This conference is very tech-and-gear focused, and to be honest, I always thought the worship sessions took a back seat. The central hub of the conference is a mammoth exhibit hall with booth after booth displaying huge LED screens, the latest projector and video equipment, audio and post-production equipment, and every other church tech thing you can think of. The teaching and worship sessions were typically located in a ballroom or auditorium that’s a lengthy walk from the main hub, and sometimes difficult to find.

Our opening session began pretty much like I anticipated it would. The audience seemed more focused on the sound, lighting and projection systems than anything else. But midway through the session, something turned and the Spirit of God moved through the room in a mighty way. After our worship set, Renaut van der Riet, lead pastor of Mosaic Church in Winter Garden, FL, presented the Gospel story with such passion and clarity, reminding us all why we do what we do. 

Beth Vinton was the primary event coordinator for WFX, and it was her vision to make the worship and teaching sessions a more prominent focus of the conference. It was truly exciting to see that unfold. One of Beth’s ideas was for us to “flash-mob” unannounced and spontaneously right in the middle of the exhibit hall aisles. That was a blast! Smiles all around…

At the end of the event, the Tech Director for the whole WFX Conference told us, “I’ve never seen church tech guys worship like that before.” This was a real breakthrough. God be praised!

Reflections

The thing I’ll remember most is the joy, contentment, and yes, relief that I saw in the faces of hosts that had scheduled us for their event. More than even their words of gratitude and affirmation, I saw in their eyes that God had accomplished what they’d hoped and prayed for—and in many cases, abundantly more!

When we left a tour stop, our hearts were overflowing, even though we’d left a piece of our hearts there! Funny how that works.

In my new role here, I’m AMAZED to see how many online friends we have! It’s wonderful to know that we’ve touched your lives in a meaningful way, and our tour stops are where we get to deepen those friendships as we spend time together with the Lord. So let me encourage you, if you haven’t yet joined us live, here is my personal invitation. We’d love to greet you, look in your eyes, pray for your needs, and rejoice with you in victories.

2020 is going to be a very busy year for PEOPLE & SONGS. Check our upcoming schedule at peopleandsongs.com/events and hopefully we’ll see you soon!

God's Gonna Get My Praise

PRAISE IS OUR WEAPON

By Kevin Jones

Psalm 21:13 — “Accept our praise, O Lord, for all your glorious power. We will write songs to celebrate your mighty acts!”

This song was written as an authoritative roar and proclamation of our victorious King. First and foremost, Jesus is supreme. He is over all and is absolutely, positively, no-doubt-about-it, in-control. No one can mess with Him. Through Jesus, we have complete deliverance and victory over sin & death.

As a member of People & Songs, I can tell you this: we have collectively decided together that praise is our weapon—no matter how we feel, no matter what surrounds us, and no matter what may come our way, God’s GONNA get our praise!

As we give God our praise, we are doing two things:

1. We are celebrating Jesus!

2. We are defying our enemy.

I think a great example of using praise as a weapon is found in Acts 16. Let me set the stage: Paul and Silas were in the city of Philippi, ministering together in the name of Jesus. To make a long story short, they cast an evil spirit out of a girl. This particular spirit was one of “divination,” or simply put, fortune telling. The girl that the evil spirit was controlling was actually a slave. Her owners had gained much profit from her fortune telling and were now enraged at Paul and Silas.

What followed was an intense public beating. In verses 22–24 it says that Paul and Silas were stripped and beaten with rods and then put in stocks in the inner chamber of the prison. This has never happened to me but if it did, you better believe that I would be crying out to God for help like I never had before. Paul and Silas certainly prayed, but here’s what is so incredibly awesome—they also praised. Verse 25 says, “But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.”

Now, why in the world were they singing? Praying makes sense. But singing?! It was late. Midnight to be exact. I can only imagine how much pain they were in and how physically and emotionally exhausted they were. They had no idea what was going to happen to them. Will they be beaten again? When will they eat again? How long they were going to be held captive? I can only imagine that they were at a place of total devastation.

In the eyes of men, they were weaponless, but in the eyes of God, they had the greatest weapon. They had learned that singing, especially while in the face of suffering, is not merely a response to God’s grace but also a weapon of spiritual warfare. What I really love about this is that they prayed and sang together. Our enemy wants to attack us alone. Any professional zoologist will tell you that a pride of lions never attack a whole group of wildebeests. They always single out one. The Church is meant to stick together, war together, and praise together.

As you keep reading, God displays His power and mercy in response to their praise. Here’s what happens in Verse 26: “And suddenly there was a great earthquake . . . and immediately all the doors were opened and every one’s fetters were unfastened.”

Isn’t that awesome?! God accepts Paul and Silas’s praise and makes it an occasion for His power! When we praise, God flexes! Here we see the truth confirmed, that God has assigned the use of spiritual songs as a powerful and advantageous weapon against His greatest enemy - the devil.

“Like” A Lion

While we were writing “God’s Gonna Get My Praise,” we rallied around 1 Peter 5. Verse 8 says, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” I remember the moment when we realized something very profound about this particular verse. It specifically says that the devil is “like” a lion, meaning he isn’t a lion. The devil is an imposter. He is not God.

1 Peter 5 goes on to say in Verse 9 to “Resist him, firm in your faith…” I think we could all agree that it is easy to praise God when it is 75 degree weather and everything is smooth sailing. But a true test of our faith is when we praise God specifically in the midst of storms, valleys, trials, and tribulations. When we resist our enemy firm in our faith, that means we praise God in and through all seasons and walks of life. We are looking to the One (Jesus) who is for us and not against us. He gives us His strength to stand firm in our faith. Jesus is not a distant God. He is not in another room expecting you to fight all alone.

Back to that word - together. God has given us His Bride (the Church) to help us not be alone in the fight. Hallelujah! But we are also not alone in the fact that He has also given us His Spirit. The Holy Spirit is where our true power comes from. Ephesians 5:18–19 says, “Be filled with the Holy Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to the Lord with all your heart.”

As we see here, being filled with the Holy Spirit happens when a heart is filled with praise. So if we are warring against the devil by the power and fullness of the Holy Spirit, we are weaponizing and arming ourselves with melodies. We are fighting him with song!

Honestly, Paul and Silas are just one out of many examples throughout the Bible where worship is warfare and praise is a weapon in the hands of believers. So now let us lean on each other “…knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” - 1 Peter 5:9. Let us ultimately rely on the Holy Spirit where we obtain the power to sing in the face of our enemy. May the Holy Spirit empower our obedience & praise!

Praise is our weapon as we celebrate Jesus and defy our enemy! It doesn’t matter what surrounds me, what I’m going through or how I feel about it. God’s gonna get my praise!!

- Kev
People & Songs

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Listen to “God’s Gonna Get My Praise” from The Emerging Sound Volume 5

PEOPLE & SONGS Releases The Slays

One year of marriage. And one deeply profound worship album.

A few weeks following Kaden Slay’s and Melanie Tierce’s first wedding anniversary, PEOPLE & SONGS released the young couple’s debut album, appropriately titled The Slays on Oct 18, 2019 at the “Turn Up The Lights” worship festival in La Porte, Indiana. 

Sometimes gritty, sometimes tender but always genuine, heartfelt, Americana-infused worship songs from two artists totally in love with Jesus, His Church—and each other. 

“It was all a seamless stream of events, from the wedding to the honeymoon to the first few months of marriage to working on the album,” says Kaden.

Kaden’s first album as a solo artist, The Mercy Of Jesus, was released in 2018 and debuted at #2 on iTunes Christian/Gospel category. It featured the title track, along with “One Thing I’ve Learned” and “There Is A Lamb,” sung with Melanie Tierce. In 2017, Melanie released a very personal single, “One More Step.” They were both prominently featured in PEOPLE & SONGS’ The Emerging Sound projects, including “Touched By A Fire,” “Give Us Your Heart,” “Redeemed By The Blood Of The Lamb” and “Welcome King Jesus.” Melanie’s stunning American Idol audition in 2016 earned a unanimous Golden Ticket from the judges and brought Keith Urban to tears.  

The PEOPLE & SONGS label head, executive producer and A&R for The Slays, Jennie Lee Riddle, chose Old Bear Records, with Chris Hoisington of Brothers McClurg to co-produce. It was a perfect fit for the Slays’ natural leaning toward Americana and that down-home Southern sound. “We’d hung out with them a year prior,” remembers Kaden, “And we just loved their vibe and their taste in music. So we were ecstatic for the opportunity to work with them!”

The album opens with audio from a church service at Crossroads Free Pentecostal Church in Lucedale, Mississippi, where Kaden grew up, blended and layered with intercessory prayers from the entire PEOPLE & SONGS community. The pastor is Rev. Warren Slay, Kaden’s father, reciting the familiar Scripture passage from 2nd Chronicles 7:14, a fitting preface to “Heal Our Land.”

“That opening prayer and Scripture is my favorite part of the album. It adds so much heart,” says Melanie. “And it’s the perfect lead-in to ‘Heal Our Land.’ The whole first section of that song came out of a spontaneous worship moment at our 4th Emerging Sound  summer camp. From there, we crafted the song around the simple truth that healing is directly tied to repentance and a repentant people.” 

“Arms Of My Beloved,” written by Kaden, Melanie and Wesley Nilsen, is a tender, deeply intimate song about the love and mercy of Jesus. It begins: I used to think that I was living when all I did was long for more...

Then the chorus turns and declares, Thank you Jesus for Your mercy that holds me steady on my way, Leaning on the arms of my Beloved, in the arms of my Beloved I’ll stay.

Kaden reflects,

“Jennie quotes this scripture a lot from Song of Solomon 8:5, ‘Who is this coming out of the wilderness leaning upon her beloved?’ I’ve always loved that. I also love the hymn, ‘Leaning On The Everlasting Arms’ so ‘Arms Of My Beloved’ is our take on all that.” 

Kaden and Melanie’s version of “Hell Or High Water” infuses that down-home Americana flavor into the powerful anthem from PEOPLE & SONGS. “We wrote that song at a conference in Birmingham, Alabama, with our P&S people and about 60 attendees,” remembers Kaden. “From the get-go, this song had unbelievable punch. Every time we get to the chorus, the room erupts in praise! We were excited about how that one turned  out. It went a direction we weren’t expecting, but really ended up loving.” 

Melanie added,

“We deliberated for a long time about using the word ‘hell.’ We didn’t want to be divisive or offend, but we wanted to write a song that does the work of bringing peace.” 

The discussion among the 60 conference attendees included a number of pastors who felt that this was an honest heart cry that they would want their congregations to sing, Come hell or high water, You’re still on the throne… 

Jennie points out “In a day when all music has gone to the cloud, this one is worth holding in your hands, so you can fix your eyes on every word. The lyrical content alone is worth the  8-panel beautiful album cover. Worth the vinyl. It’s a forever keepsake, filled with some of the strongest songs and most anointed voices I’ve ever encountered. This album has become a part of me. Kaden and Melanie are loved-filled, creative, and inspiring servants of the Lord. The Slays have won my heart.” 

Reflecting on the project as a whole, Kaden says,

“Our heart for this album is for people to experience the full-range of everything Jesus has to offer, These songs cover the different aspects of all that God has for us and displays our full walk with Jesus.” Melanie sums it up simply, “I want them to see Jesus, and have those moments of just being with Him.”

New Name Written Down In Glory

Reflections from David Gentiles, co-writer

Four years ago, my wife Emily and I began a journey to grow our family through foster care and adoption.  We had been wrestling with infertility for many years and felt affirmed by the Holy Spirit that we would walk through the Texas foster care system to build our forever family.  Little did we know that our lives would be eternally altered when an 8-month-old little boy and a newborn baby girl were placed in our home. We fell in love at first sight. We didn’t know what the next days, months, or even years would look like, but we had a sense that the Lord would make us a forever family one day.  Many who have walked similar roads like ours would tell you that days like these can be filled with joy, fear, anxiety, excitement, tension, release, defeat, and victory.

David, Bethel, Royal and Emily Gentiles

On July 26, 2018, something miraculous happened. Something legal happened.  Something only God could do happened. We officially and legally welcomed Royal David Gentiles and Bethel Joy Gentiles into our family through the miracle of adoption.

With family and friends, we stood before a District Judge and covenanted before God and the State of Texas that we would receive these two children as our own for all of our lives.  We would receive them “as if” we had born them ourselves. We would accept them fully and intentionally to forever love, care for, and affirm as “ours”! 

Then we gave them our name! Gentiles.  The Gentiles Family name. Such a powerful thought that the name that gave me identity, history, heritage, holiday memories, family vacations, and a place to belong to, is now their name.  Even more than that, I gave Royal my name, David, as his middle name.

Royal - David - Gentiles. Our children have our name. My son has my name.

Your New Name

If you have given your life to Jesus and decided to follow him as Lord and Savior, you also have a new name. You’ve been given the family name of the most high God! He is the Alpha & Omega, The Lord of Lords, The Creator and Sustainer of all things.  He holds your very breathe in his hands and has welcomed you in as a son and daughter!

We know this because the apostle John shared with us in the first chapter of his gospel that: “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name..” (John 1:12).

What’s more incredible than that revelation is the reality that if you are in Christ, God will also give you a new name that only you and He will share in eternity. He simply says, “To him who overcomes, .. I will give a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.’  (Revelation 2:17)

This picture of the white stone is so powerful! In the ancient law courts, white and black stones were used for registering the verdicts of juries—black for guilty, white for not guilty. You and I are found guilty under the penalty of sin without the work of Jesus breaking sin’s power and applying the perfection of Jesus’ sacrifice upon our sin to redeem us from death and liberate us to eternal life!  But if Jesus is your Savior and Lord you can be confident that you have a white stone with your new name waiting for you in eternity. “There is a New Name Written Down in Glory” and it’s yours!

Thoughts On The Song

A few days ago I was tagged on Twitter by a worship director who was posting a video of his church singing this song in The United Kingdom. The United Kingdom! I was so excited to see God send this truth all over the world! I was humbled that He would allow me to be a part of writing this powerful song to remind all of us about who we are in Christ!

In the writing session with Charity Gayle, Denita Gibbs and students at The Emerging Sound summer songwriting intensive, I remember so vividly the moment these words and melody came:

“I am who I am because the I AM tells me who I am…”

We were in the middle of talking about how our identities were changed from enslaved to free, broken to whole, orphan to adopted, and abandoned to son and daughter of our loving God. It was like a truth train came storming down the tracks of my mind. I could see the electricity in these truths in the flow of the melody and lyrics.  It just came out of my mouth like a tidal wave! The whole room just went crazy. We knew the Lord had given us something special to share with the world.  

And then just a few days ago I saw this video.. The world is singing those same truths that came out like a fountain of resurrection from the heart of the Father.  

Birmingham City Church, Birmingham, UK, courtesy of Kevin Thomas Levingston, Worship Director

I’ve got a new name!
You have a new name!
And it’s written down in glory!

Charts for New Name Written Down In Glory are available at the People & Songs Store

Also on CCLI SongSelect

The Emerging Sound Vol. 5

The Emerging Sound Vol. 5 - Quickly
Becoming A Worship Leader Favorite

by PAUL HERMAN Published Nov. 5th, 2019

Right from the start, the intention of The Emerging Sound - Vol 5 is clear:

God’s gonna get my praise
God’s gonna get my praise
Devil, get outta my way
‘Cause God’s gonna get my praise

That opening chorus sets the tone for an album that’s already resonating with believers and churches around the world. Released in July, 2019, The Emerging Sound, Vol. 5 debuted at #1 in the iTunes Christian/Gospel section, just like Vol. 3 and 4.

Crystal Yates, Kevin Jones and Wesley Nilsen co-wrote the song with Emerging Sound students, and Crystal talks about the motivation behind the song. “It’s a war cry from the position of victory we have in  Christ,” she says. “Especially when we are in the midst of the battle! We have an enemy but our God is greater, and He has the eternal victory. Everything was finished at the cross, the work is complete. As His children, we can lift up a shout of praise, knowing our victory is assured in Jesus!” 

From there, the momentum just keeps building throughout the album. Kaden Slay and Melanie Tierce take the lead on “Welcome King Jesus,” an uptempo, high-energy opener, bursting with praise:

Shout all ye people and dance through the town
Come celebrate because heaven’s come down
Jesus, Welcome King Jesus

Kaden Slay reflects on the writing session with co-writers Melanie Tierce, Jennie Lee  Riddle, Joshua Sherman and Emerging Sound students. “I don’t think any of us expected the response it got, but God continues to use it in such an awesome way. It gives everyone the opportunity to just cut loose and celebrate our King Jesus!”  

David Gentiles, who co-wrote “New Name Written Down In Glory” with Charity Gayle, Denita Gibbs and Emerging Sound students, reflects on the line that’s become such a favorite,  “I remember so vividly the moment these words and melody came: 

I am who I am because the I AM tells me who I am… 

“We were in the middle of talking about how our identities were changed from enslaved to free, broken to whole, orphan to adopted, and abandoned to son and daughter of our loving God. It was like a truth train came storming down the tracks of my mind. I could see the electricity in these truths in the flow of the melody and lyrics.  It just came out of my mouth like a tidal wave! The whole room just went crazy. We knew the Lord had given us something special to share with the world.” 

Sean Carter, one of the co-writers and lead vocalists in “Redeemed By The Blood Of The Lamb,” talked about the inspiration with co-writers Melanie Tierce, David Gentiles, Will Yates and Emerging Sound students:

I went down to the crimson river
Left my burdens on the shore
I went down a sinner, came up a saint
Died with Christ, now I’m reborn

“We wanted to use language that was reminiscent of the songs of old. For years, hymn writers have used the ‘river’ metaphor to describe how the cross of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9),” said Sean.

Once listeners are ready for the Throne Room, then “Throne Room Song” flings those doors open wide.

If all of the heavens are singing along
With the saints and the elders in glorious song
And the praises they sing never seem to get old
Then I’ll stay here forever singing...

“Full access into the Throne Room means full access  to the Father,” says May Angeles, co-writer and female lead vocalist. “It opens our eyes to understand what it means to truly live and the responsibility of what it means to truly die. Death means one of two things: the inevitable end of a life lived for selfish gain, or the entrance into eternity of a life lived for Jesus Christ. But it cannot be both.”

Official videos from a number of the songs have been released, and as of this writing, the Vol 5 videos have collectively amassed over 2.5 million YouTube views. Worship leaders from around the country are quickly learning these songs and introducing them to their congregations. Here are a few responses:

“This is seriously my favorite album right now! Every time I listen to it, I hear something new. Our church sang ‘Throne Room’ yesterday (the first song I introduced). I’m having a hard time deciding what’s next. I love ‘Echo’ and ‘New Name Written Down In Glory,’ and ‘Redeemed By The Blood Of The Lamb is on my list, too. I love the unique sound, the collaboration of artists and the fresh approach these songs bring to congregational worship.” -Lori Fast, Assoc Pastor: Worship & Ministry Development, Centralia Community Church, Centralia, WA

“PEOPLE & SONGS and The Emerging Sound albums have had a significant influence in how I lead worship. We recently introduced "Throne Room Song" into our worship service. It was incredible to truly get a glimpse of God's glory through this song. Their songs are all written with excellence and allow us to hide God's Word in our hearts. My prayer is that God will raise up more young artists that cling to Scripture as they write the songs we present to our congregations!” -Whitney Payne, Worship & Arts Director, Independence Hill Baptist Church, China Grove, NC 

“This album is FIRE! I can’t listen to ‘God’s Gonna Get My Praise’ without my stank face! I love the line ‘Jesus is the Lion that cannot be TAMED’!!  ” -Dallas Stevens III, Worship Pastor SW Campus, St. Luke’s,  Lubbock, TX

“I love PEOPLE & SONGS, and it was so good to worship with them last year at their ‘Turn Up The Lights’ festival in La Porte, IN. ‘The Emerging Sound - Vol. 5 is AMAZING!’ There are so many good songs. I heard ‘Welcome King Jesus’ and immediately thought it would be a GREAT Palm Sunday song. Now I’m wondering, how great would this be at Christmas?” -Tandy Adams, Castleton United Methodist Church, Indianapolis, IN

“We introduced “New Name Written Down In Glory” by PEOPLE & SONGS to our church this  morning (with a little help from our choir). We’re a church in Birmingham, U.K. with around 90 different nationalities represented, and songs like this capture of so many folks across a wide spectrum of musical preferences and church backgrounds.” -Kevin Thomas  Levingston, Birmingham City Church, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Just like the entire Emerging Sound album series, all the songs were written and recorded within the span of a few days at the annual Emerging Sound summer camp #TEScamp.  So many of the songs you’ve come to know and love were written at this young writers camp: 

• What Mercy Did For Me 

• Give Us Your Heart

• Let Revival Come

• Amen

• Psalm 23

• Touched By A Fire

For more camp information, go HERE. You can order audio CDs,  performance tracks, charts—even the commemorative Emerging Sound Camp T-shirt HERE.

Or you can purchase/listen on your favorite digital platform. If you’re like many listeners, it will be on repeat for quite awhile.

"O Death" - Stephen Marti

O DEATH by Stephen Marti.

When I was a kid, my family had a big alder tree in the backyard. I loved that tree.

There was something mesmerizing to young me about the way it interacted with the wind. The captivating whisper of the leaves stirring with every breeze gave the tree a personality. It felt like it was communicating with me. I spent a lot of time in that tree, just listening. We were friends.

But unfailingly, every year with the onset of fall, the leaves would turn colors. And then, lamentably drop. By winter, as far as I was concerned, my favorite tree was dead.

I have distinct young memories of fearing that was it. That it had died and was not coming back. Judging on looks alone, I don’t think I can be faulted for that. Bare and desolate, void of the green life that had populated it’s branches mere weeks prior, it was hard to understand how it would ever be the same again. My dad tried valiantly to explain the life cycle of a deciduous tree, but I had trouble comprehending it.

I wonder if that’s how the early disciples might have felt that first Holy Saturday. As Jesus lay lifeless behind a tombstone, they must have ached in the irreconcilable tension between what they knew to be true about Jesus and what they knew to be true about the grave he lay dead in.

They had witnessed the miraculous. They had heard the heralding of a coming kingdom. They had joined him on the triumphal entry. And then, they watched him die.

That Saturday, they found themselves in the winter between belief and new reality.

Enduring the winter between belief and new reality is what this song is all about.

The very wrestle those early Jesus followers contended with that Saturday finds its parallels in the modern Church. While we have the fortunate privilege of perspective and know how that ancient weekend gloriously resolved, the enemy wants us to forget it. To live in the gap. To fear the implications of being wrong about it it rather than taking courage in light of it.

But fear isn’t from God. No, fear is a weapon formed in hell that Satan wields in an effort to convince us that the Gospel isn’t real.

From a deception in a garden, to a temptation in a desert, to a death on a cross, Satan has forever been madly fixated upon subverting God’s ways. But God’s way has always been about working every ounce of that evil for good.

What I was too naive as a child to understand about the leaves I was so heartbroken to see fall was that, when they fell, they hadn’t yet finished their assignment. As they decomposed, their nutrients would percolate into the ground to the benefit of future generations of plant life. Nature works its own death for good.

What the early disciples were too naive to understand was that God was using death on Friday to bring life on Sunday. To the benefit of future generations, God was working death for good.

When Jesus triumphantly roared back to life that first Easter, it was the greatest twist of fate the world has ever known. And that’s just the way God would have it. Death thought it had won, but God used death for life and death died instead!

Click to Listen

I wrote this song in a winter season iced over with fear and doubt. Though it was beginning to look like spring outside, my heart hadn’t thawed with it. I was struggling to grapple with my own mortality and that of those I so dearly love. Knowing that Jesus is risen and that His very resurrected life resident in me rendered death dead was one thing. Feeling at peace with death was another.

Anxiety had claimed me. It had convinced me to abdicate my Gospel authority.

So I wrote ‘O Death.’ Like a lifeline to my future self, I penned the words I knew I would need to sing at my fears time and again.

Thankfully, I’m much more ecologically enlightened these days and know not to worry about the fate of the deciduous trees anymore. They’ll be just fine. But I know I will, now and then, find myself in the winter between what I know to be true about who Jesus is and what’s sometimes hard to understand about the still in-process new reality of my resurrected eternity. I’ve been and will continue to be grateful to be able to sing this song that reminds Satan of his failure and reminds my heart of the Gospel.

My prayer is that this song gives you the resolution you need to take back what the enemy tries to steal from you. He can’t walk back the defeat he’s already suffered at the hands of the resurrection, but that’s not going to stop him from trying to cause you to lose sight of the truth.

Remind him of his place. And remind your heart of what Jesus has done.

Here’s to fall, and to all of the unseen ways death brings life. Winter isn’t the end. It’s in the design. God isn’t finished. It’s all part of the process.

Fear not. Death is dead. Jesus is alive. And we’ll live on forever.

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chord charts

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Stephen Marti is an artist and songwriter based in Seattle, WA. As a writer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, he has a penchant for bringing songs to life that narrate glimpses of the wonder of the Gospel and provide voice to those hoping to find their place in it all. He is passionate about crafting songs that help the Church respond in increasing faith to who God is, all He has done, and all He has yet to do.

Stephen resides in Seattle with his wife Tayla.

The Emerging Sound Vol. 4 Now Available!

TURN UP THE LIGHTS - Live from La Porte- November 2nd - 3rd

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November 2nd-3rd, 2018

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Turn Up The Lights, hosted by People & Songs

Get The Album Now!

LIVE FROM LA PORTE HAS EVEN MORE THIS YEAR!
 

Nov. 2nd - Friday Night of Worship | 6:30 - 9:30 pm // $15

---Join PEOPLE & SONGS and the church of La Porte as we gather for a Night Of Worship to kick-off Turn Up The Lights. This Night Of Worship will feature all the PEOPLE & SONGS artist as a super group and will be recorded live.---

Nov. 3rd - Featured Performaces | 10:30 am - 3 pm // $15

--- Featuring Crystal Yates, Joshua Sherman, Sean Carter, Ryan Kennedy, Charity Gayle, Steven Musso, Melanie Tierce, May Angeles, David Gentiles & Kevin Jones ---

Nov. 3rd - A Night Of Ministry | 6:30 - 9:30 pm // FREE

--- Encounter God: We invite you to come and encounter God with us. We believe that when we encounter the very presence of God, we leave changed. So, whether you're in need of healing, comfort, freedom, joy, provision, refuge, strength, restoration, or a very present help in time of trouble - Jesus will be with us and we will not leave the way we came. ---
Invite your friends and family to this acoustic night of ministry and let's encounter God together.

The community of People & Songs is bringing in a large roster of artists from around the nation for this two-day event. A wide variety of music will be offered as individual sets from critically acclaimed and award winning acts. Enjoy varying genres that range across country, folk, singer/songwriter, gospel, and contemporary worship.

Frontline Foundations will be bringing a live gallery of client artwork from their Art Recovery program, print-on-demand apparel of client artwork, a smoothie and coffee cafe, and live music performed my their Music Recovery program collaborative group, The Salt Exchange. La Porte’s own ARTS IN THE PARK will be hosting a silent auction (proceeds go towards ARTS IN THE PARK). Food will be available in the food court from TOP SKILLET , HEROES HOT DOGS, and TIN ROOF. We’ll have food trucks like SMOQ TRUQ, COOL RUNNING’S JAMAICAN, and FIREBRICK ROAD PIZZA.

This Covenant

By Kaden Slay

One of my dearest friends and heroes, Jennie Lee Riddle, developed a study based on the folklore of betrothal that has impacted the way I live in the here and now, and has set my heart towards eternity. She and I wrote this song together as a way to celebrate Communion, and as a way to respond to Jesus’ Covenant with us. I see no need to rewrite what she taught me through that co-writing session. Rather, I will provide her words for you here:

We, the ransomed Bride, once had the dowry price of blood hanging over our head. Our former master demanded the absolute highest price to release us. For Love’s sake, our Groom, Jesus, paid with every last drop until He fully won the legal right to us. The price to free us from captivity was negotiated long before our Love approached us with the cup and asked us to be His. Jesus, The Lamb of God, was slain from the foundations of the world. When Love was slain, the dowry price was paid in full and the marriage covenant was established (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Peter 1:18-20).

In the Hebrew culture of Jesus’ time, it was customary for the parents of a young bride and groom to arrange a marriage and negotiate an agreeable bridal price sometimes when the couple were mere infants. When the groom’s father decided the couple had reached sufficient maturity and the time had come for the formal betrothal season, a simple ceremony would commence. The father would give the son a precious cup. The groom would then hand the bride this cup, awaiting to see if she returned his affection. Perhaps he even said words like, “This is the cup of my covenant with you” (1 Corinthians 11:25). If the bride put the Kiddush (sanctification) cup to her lips and drank of the wine, signifying agreement, the joyful wait began. The groom would bestow to her the most extravagant gifts his family could afford and would care for her material needs during the betrothal season.

“Do this in remembrance of me.” The words Jesus used at the last supper ring with the romance of a groom to a bride. Betrothal marked the end of childhood and singleness, and began a legally binding season in anticipation of life together in marriage. This traditional bitter-sweet season was one of separation and preparation, usually a year to two years long. “I go to prepare a place for you” and “I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you” (John 14:2, Matthew 26:29).

“I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). She would joyfully work on her dress as he would construct their dwelling. During that time, the father of the groom would watch over the progress of both projects. In a wealthy home, this task was entrusted to the father’s most trusted personal servant, who was responsible for carrying their love letters to each other. We recognize this as a type and foreshadowing of our Holy Spirit.

Once the father became satisfied that the home was suitable and knew the bride’s dress was fully prepared, gleaming white, and without spot or wrinkle (2 Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:27), he would be the one that announced it was time for the nisuin (formal marriage ceremony). At this point the groom would gather the wedding party, with shouts and trumpets and celebration (1 Thessalonians 4:16) to go and “kidnap” the bride. Because it was customary for this grand parade to occur at night, the bride was to keep her lamps burning at all  times to signify her readiness and eager waiting for her groom.

This beautiful tradition is a stunning representation of our relationship with Jesus. This is our reality as the “Bride of Christ.” Jesus paid our dowry price in full as the Lamb of God, slain from the foundations of the world. The highest price for our ransom was exacted. He offered us the Cup of Covenant. He gave us His blood, His breath, and His Spirit (our Helper - the Holy Spirit) and is currently preparing our place with Him. Now we await our soon approaching Wedding Day, the Marriage Supper of The Lamb. Soon Jesus will sweep us up into His arms and take us away to be with forever with Him for eternity.

“REVELATION SONG” TURNS 20 THIS YEAR - (Article and interview from CCLI)

Source: https://worshipfuel.ccli.com/revelation-song-turns-20/

Editor’s Note: “Revelation Song” has been a constant on CCLI’s Top 20 for over a decade. The iPhone recording of the rehearsal for People & Songs‘ new version has over 30 million views (with 20 million coming in the first 2-3 weeks!). We are honored to share the reflections of its writer, Jennie Lee Riddle, and also share some of our own Q-&-A with Jennie.

As I awoke this morning, it was with an unusual amount of grateful joy and an overflowing heart. Today People & Songs releases “Revelation Song” with a version that leaves me undone. Time flies. It turns 20 this year, and I can’t help but reflect on the journey this song and songwriter has taken.

“Revelation Song” has traveled far and wide and has been on the lips of millions of saints carried by artists we all know and love. It has been recorded multiple dozens of times, won awards, “gone gold,” and found its way into hymnals. The Holy Spirit carried it like wind. Now He has carried it to the hearts and mouths of those I love as my very own children.

I will never forget the day I wrote that song. My son Andrew, who also turns 20 this year, was playing at my feet on a blanket. My habit was to use the afternoon for songwriting and Bible study as a means to bless others (cheaper than a hallmark card and more personal); music makes learning so expedient and fun.

On this particular day, however, I was in a bit of a disconcerted funk. It was one of those seasons where I couldn’t get away from myself, and I was thoroughly annoying me. And what I was being required to sing at Church at that time was not helping. I remember telling the Lord that day that I was tired of songs that focused on “me” and asked Him if we could write something that was all about Him; something that filled my eyes, our eyes, with Jesus. The Holy Spirit suggested we write the two passages that had mesmerized me into song; Revelation 4 and Ezekiel 1. I wrote it on guitar (which I really didn’t know how to play), and it originally had 5 verses that I pared down to three. I did not know what to name it, and so I wrote what we now know as the title at the top of my notes to remind me to find a real title. That never happened. It was a sweet time with the Lord. I remember the Lord saying He would carry “Revelation Song” across the earth. I thought this possibly meant my missionary friends would teach it while out in the field. God always means what He says. His words echo long and wide. He asked if He could have it. I said yes. And He gave it to the Church.

I never could have imagined the trajectory and scope the Lord had in mind.

This version that People & Songs has released has made it new all over again for me. It is the most honoring and special thing I could imagine in all the world. I didn’t ask for it, it was a gift. It gives me fresh vision to see Jesus with all over again as I see Him through the eyes of those I love. This anointed recording was captured at the one-year anniversary of our grand opening of our miracle headquarters in LaPorte, IN at our first annual “Turn Up The Lights” festival. I’m truly overwhelmed by God’s faithfulness.

I look forward to worshiping together with you, who have also become so dear. We’ve read all of your comments. We’ve prayed for you. We will stand before Him together. Until that day, let’s lift up our voices as one to the only One worthy! Holy, Holy, Holy is He!

Jennie Lee Riddle

Special thanks to the lead voices on this recording: Melanie Tierce, Sean Carter, Crystal Yates, Kevin Jones, Ryan Kennedy, May Angeles, Charity Gayle, Kaden Slay

Q-&-A FOLLOW UP

CCLI: JENNIE, THE SIMPLE IPHONE VOCAL REHEARSAL VIDEO FOR THE NEW VERSION OF “REVELATION SONG” HAS BEEN VIEWED OVER 30 MILLION TIMES IN 3 MONTHS. YOUR THOUGHTS?

Well, we certainly didn’t strategize the iPhone video release with the thought it would reach that far. I’m glad we didn’t. That too is grace. We were simply worshipping through our vocal rehearsal in preparation for Turn Up The Lights. David Gentiles grabbed his phone and captured a snippet of our time together. It is astounding to us, and so encouraging as worship leaders, to turn around and discover so many hungry hearts following us from our living room to the Throne. Simply put, all the awesome things that happen, happen in spite of us. That’s God. He keeps us on our toes and running to keep up! He is a wild adventure that we enjoy and respond to with childlike obedience and faith. What we hope and pray is that the overflowing love we have for God and one another would be contagious. We know that in homes across the world, saints will gather and behold Him with no need to be led because Jesus is the well-worn path to the feet of the Father! We can all just boldly enjoy God! Ephesians 3:12, Hebrews 4:16

CCLI: TELL US ABOUT PEOPLE & SONGS COMMUNITY.

We are missionaries and vastly different from one another; purposefully multi-denominational, of varying traditions, cultures and generations. We love Jesus and we are learning to love each other as He has asked in John 17. We use the tool of music, community service, and hospitality to preach the Gospel and make disciples. Song-writing is the means by which we study the Word of God, and write it upon our hearts. We love to take God at His Word and obediently act on His promises in faith. Sometimes we gasp for air, sometimes we swim, and sometimes we walk on water. But He is always Emmanuel; God with us. There is not a second where He has not been. He is the wild adventure worth enjoying and spending your life for!

CCLI: GIVE US A GLIMPSE INTO YOUR HISTORY AND WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO SERVE..

We are just beginning to see the fruit of an almost 30-year patience. In 1988, as newly saved believers in a tiny CFNI church plant in Anchorage, AK, the Lord filled my eyes and I’ve never recovered. We’ve been actively practicing and training throughout our whole married life for the season in which the Church is now entering. What did I see?

I saw a spotless radiant Church made up of every tribe, tongue, generation, denomination, united as one standing, at attention, eagerly waiting the joyful sight of Jesus’ face. The Church wasn’t weak; She was strong! Her head was not hung low; She was standing tall and radiant with a fierce, loving courage. The Church was the hospitality agent of God on the earth. She was His Help-Meet, Friend, Co-Laborer, and Beloved Co-Heir. Everywhere She stepped She made the city glad. She was not afraid of the days to come. She laughed at them, because this world was not Her home. I saw Her as an army; a Band of Saints. I heard Her singing. It was Her joyful response of faith that superseded Her circumstances and called the wanderers home. The sound of Her echoed across the land. The Church moved with grace and ease without need to be led, because Her obedience and responses were so perfectly tuned to Him. I saw the barren places becoming springs and the wastelands becoming flourishing gardens. I saw the rising of the Bride. And I saw a way in which to serve Jesus by serving Her. I would help raise People & Songs to raise People & Songs on repeat.

CCLI: YOU’VE SHARED THAT THIS VISION HAS CHANGED THE WAY YOU AND DARRIN HAVE LIVED. TELL US ABOUT THAT.

This single vision has informed every song I have ever written, the core of every decision , and the heart of every young leader we’ve attempted to train. It has required we wear the glasses of faith that sees the crooked way made straight when brokenness is staring you in the face. The Lord of the Harvest invited us into the harvest field and it is very ripe. He invited us to yoke up with His other laborers. He suggested we be given to hospitality. He worked in us the heart posture of Abraham in Genesis 18:3. He required idolatry to cease. He beckoned us into a life of service. Into a life of oneness (John 17) and community (Acts 4:32) and sacrificial giving. He formed in us the heart of a steward. He called us to the cross and the empty tomb. He called us to a life of worship. He promised that if we would sow our lives into others we would see the Kingdom come in our midst.

And so we began. We opened up our hearts and home and lives. We’ve faithfully done so for our whole married life.

CCLI: WHAT NOW?

For Darrin and I, growing People & Songs has been a long-time habit and joy. We’ve had to formalize and put more structure in place out of pure necessity because there are now so many of us. By faith we took possession in 2016 of the historic Ruth C. Sabin mansion, our debt-free headquarters in La Porte IN. It is home to People & Songs, The Emerging Sound, our 40-week internship program, and our full-time residential missionaries. This is the first of many training/sending/receiving hubs to come for musical missionaries that will reside around the nation.

We hope that the lives we lead and the songs we sing bring Revelation of Christ Jesus. We are grateful to join our voice and heart to the collective Song of the Bride. We will serve until Her own Revelation Song is lifted high echoing across the land, across the crystal sea, to the heavens, encircling the Lamb! Holy, Holy, Holy is He.

If you want to learn more about People & Songs you can visit www.peopleandsongs.com and follow them on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube. Their songs can be purchased on iTunes.

The video below is a sweet moment of worship with my People & Songs family in my living preparing for the live recording at Turn Up The LIghts in LaPorte IN

New Album From Charity Gayle

One of the beautiful things about discovering new music or a new artist is the experience of getting to know the artist through their sound, their passion, and their lyrics. Each song has a place of origin; a story, event, purpose, message, or obstacle that becomes a meaningful and relatable connection to those who listen.

The vision behind “Lord You are My Song” the debut full length album from Charity Gayle was to blend sounds of old time gospel and contemporary worship in order to unite all generations, denominations, and cultures.

“My childhood is full of songs that anchored my heart to The Gospel,” Charity explains. “Gospel choirs and songs that proclaimed biblical truths and moved us to praise are a huge part of my heritage and I want to take the Church to CHURCH with this record.”

Three years of prayer, experiences and stories took form in rhyme, melody, and lyric that brought to life to each song. The song CLEANSED brings that deep rooted soulful feel to the sweet reality of sanctification. BENEDICTION (AS YOU GO) a prayer over the church, and the simple but powerful gospel ballad, PSALM 100 (ENTER IN) are all included on this record. AMEN, is an especially meaningful song to her community that she wrote with the students of The Emerging Sound, a ministry dear to her heart. It has made its way around the choral and church world, and even had an outing at Carnegie Hall featuring a stunning arrangement by Bradley Knight. The teaser release which included nine of the seventeen tracks debuted at #3 on iTunes, and the Deluxe edition will released on January 12th of 2018.

“I knew I wanted a record that would speak to all people, joining them in worship and praise, and to do that, I brought in friends, that shared my vision for unity- Jennie Lee Riddle (executive producer / A&R), Will Yates (Producer), and Sean Carter (post production / mix engineer). My vision was to bring the voices of worship leaders from all over the US and Canada to help bring this album to life,” Charity says. “I wanted my worlds to collide, so I brought some of my very best friends, who also lead and are worship driven- my brothers and sisters, to meet each other for the first time and to create a rich blend of culture.”

“It was such an honor and a ton of fun to be a part of Charity Gayle’s album recording. What an anointed worship project this is , I believe it is going to touch the nations with God’s presence!” - Corey Voss (Integrity Music)

“Lord, You are My Song” Deluxe Edition features guests artists such as Micah Tyler, Corey Voss, Kaden Slay, Joshua Sherman, and Kevin Jones. “The church is made up of so many wonderful and different sounds of worship and I’m honored to have these amazing artists a part of capturing those sounds on my record,” Charity says. ‘This project is a glimpse into what our ‘People & Songs’ Community is like- multiple voices, styles, and backgrounds, coming together to create a brand NEW sound!”

Micah Tyler comments, “I met Charity at an event in 2012 where she quickly became one of my favorite voices to ever hear; but even with that being said, the incredible talent she brings to the microphone still can’t be matched by her passion and love for Jesus. It’s been an honor to call Charity a friend and so special to watch her create songs and music in her pursuit of Christ and His church. I was so grateful to be asked to sing along with her and Kaden Slay on a song I wrote with Charity and our friend, Jeff Mathena, a few years ago at a People & Songs writer’s retreat. So proud of who she is and can’t wait for the people to hear a voice that has drawn me closer to the Lord for years.”

Charity continues, “One of my favorite things about this record is the spontaneous praise break that happened right in the middle of the recording. I love it because God keeps proving that when you give Him control to the plan, He takes it far beyond where we can! We kept everything rolling, and ended up with an amazing section of the record that came completely out of that pure time with Jesus! It was so refreshing and what was almost a half an hour of flat out praise, really only felt like a few minutes! It was so refreshing and ‘refreshing’ is exactly what this record is suppose to be!”

He Is Right Here - Devotional

He Is Right Here

By Kaden Slay

Are you feeling extra human today? Need someone bigger than you today who can handle your world full of cares? Do you need someone who can answer the cause of your prayers? It’s easy in moments of vulnerability and pain to distance ourselves and even pull away from God, if that’s possible. It’s easy to medicate ourselves with routine, escape, and any other thing we think might help ease the pain; intentionally and unintentionally. Maybe it’s because we don’t feel worthy, or maybe we’ve just blown it. Maybe we’re just actually afraid of intimacy with God.

But here’s the thing: in reality, that’s all God wants with us. It’s the reason He created us. To love and be loved by Him. He doesn’t need us, but He wants us. He wants to draw close to us. To have relationship with us. God’s desire is to draw close enough to us, to enter into our hearts, to fix all of the problems we think we have to handle on our own.

But that requires us to be vulnerable. Flesh does not want to be vulnerable. Vulnerability eats at our pride and the closeness makes us feel uncomfortable. But for the healing we need to take place, we have surrender some things: our pride, our will, our need for control. But with the surrendering of these things comes the surrendering of a few other things as well. We get to lay down all of those heavy things we carry. All of that sorrow, all of that regret, the burdens, the guilt, the bitterness, it all goes onto the shoulders of the one Person who is strong enough to carry it all: Jesus. It’s not too heavy. You’re not too heavy. He is right here to handle everything you’re not big enough to carry.

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One Thing I've Learned - Devotional

One Thing I’ve Learned
By Kaden Slay

There was never really a time in my life where I didn’t believe in God. I grew up the son of a Missionary who would later become a Pastor. I knew the Word, I heard the stories, I sang the songs. I had two faithful, God fearing parents who taught me right from wrong. But when it came right down to it, although I believed in Him I did not believe Him or know Him. I had relied solely on the Light in others to get me through my own darkness . A season of physical illness, a heartbreak, a few wrong friends were all it took for me to turn around and find myself completely stranded in a self-made wilderness. Like that prodigal son I had always read about, I took what God had given me and ran as far and as fast as I could only to waste it all on things that I was sure would make me happy. I made my bed in a wasteland, and man, did I lay in it.

How often do we, the Sons and Daughters of God find ourselves leading lesser lives? Princes and Princesses, living as beggars, eating with pigs? So scared of their mistakes that they’re willing to settle for less than everything God has promised them. For me the trap was the need to be right vs. righteous. I would have much rather hid my sin (my pride prefers to call them mistakes, but my heart knows it’s sin) from everyone than admitting the truth. I would have rather slowly died. It was mortifying to tell the truth. That’s pride. It kills.

But the all-sufficient grace of God is relentless.

“I can never escape from your Spirit!
   I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there;
   if I go down to the grave,you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning,
   if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
even there your hand will guide me,
   and your strength will support me.
I could ask the darkness to hide me
   and the light around me to become night—
but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
   Darkness and light are the same to you.” PSALM 139: 7-12

Where can we go? Where can we run? I say from experience that there is NO WHERE. He is not a man that He would lie. It’s easy to want to hide and let ourselves believe that we have gone too far. But Psalm 103:12 tells us that we are not defined by the things we once did. God takes them as far as the east is from the west, and when He does that, it’s no longer ours to carry, it’s no longer our’s to see, it’s no longer our’s to deal with. Fighting with our past is redundant because it’s undoing what God has already done. The Lord is a good Father, faithful to love and to give. We don’t deserve it, we could never earn it, yet it’s completely given unto us. All we have to do is receive it.

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