Never Wanna Go Back

The heart of Never Wanna Go Back is in many ways the spiritual grand-child of Leslie B. Tucker’s I Have Decided to Follow Jesus. 

“The cross before me, the world behind me; no turning back, no turning back” 

It’s about never wanting to go back to old crutches, unhealthy coping mechanisms, or vices. It’s about leaving things that belong in the past to finally stay in the past and, with everything in us, pressing forward in pursuit of health, hope and trust in SOLID ground—that is Jesus. I’m here as a living testimony to the wonder-working power of Jesus leading me to health, hope and solid ground. Where would I be without Him? ..ah yes, I remember. I never wanna go back to that way of living.

I remember being obsessed with trying to live a perfect life and making sure Jesus only had good things to say about me on the Final Day of Judgement. Growing up in church, I learned all the do-not things and spent my adolescent years making sure I NEVER did any of the do-not things. “Do not be unkind”, “do not dishonor your parents'', “do not be selfish”, “do not be prideful”, “do not--” this consumed my mind 24/7. I spent every moment interrogating myself and, because of my small perspective, I convicted myself guilty every time. When I did fall short (because we all have and will fall short) and mess up, those moments became confirmation bias of the lies I bought into about myself.

That was a gateway to anxiety, depression, fear, worry, bitterness, anger, self-loathing, and comparison to name a few. I might as well have run right up to the Judgment Seat, taken the gavel out of Jesus’ hand and tried to do His job better. “Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!”, I would say. If you know me, I bet you’re thinking “what? no way.. sweet little joyful May?” Yes sir, yes ma’am. Sin looks ugly on everyone, and it will warp your ability to understand Grace. Looking back now, leaning on my own understanding was a big oof-and-a-half. All the while, sweet Jesus with His kind eyes (that brought me to repentance) was looking at me with care and perfect love. He was fully aware of everything I was feeling and thinking, but felt no need to give attention to what wasn’t true. He gently took the gavel back from my hand and struck the sounding block. Not Guilty! Not Guilty! Not Guilty! ...rang each hit. I couldn’t help but think about His sacrifice on the cross. He cast my sin away as far as west to east. Now that’s Grace.

I remember being on the floor on my knees when He opened my eyes. Repentance hit me like a salty wave, but washed me clean like His blood. It was like I could finally breathe for the first time and this weight I grudgingly carried all my life was lifted and placed where it belonged—not on my shoulders, but Jesus’. Perfectionism took its true and hideous form right before my eyes and I could see it for what it was. Ew. I couldn’t believe I wore that every day! Since then, I’ve resigned from trying to do God’s job. He does it so much better!

I’ve stopped searching and judging my own heart and I’ve dived head first into Psalm 139:23-24, “search me and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” I’ve found life now, and I’m leaving guilt in the past where it belongs. It’s so much better this way. Why would I ever want to go back to how I was? That chapter is sealed in Jesus’ name, and I praise the Lord for it! Now every time the enemy tries to attack me, I hang onto God’s every word of Revelation 12:11 which says, “they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”

When we’re caught in the crossfire of anxiety and defeat, we have a third choice. And it’s a path far less traveled. One that often feels invisible when we’re blinded by our loyalty to ourselves. It’s a path that requires us to fix our eyes upward, rather than on ourselves. Who knows what treasures we’ll miss if we walk through life staring at our own feet in fear of whether the ground will hold or give way. I don’t know what you’re struggling with today, but one: it doesn’t define you. Two, there’s a better way and His name is Jesus. He leads to Life. I know that’s what you’re looking for. Three, behold, Jesus will make all things new. Journey onward with me toward this Promise:

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying:
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them.
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 there will be no more death
or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Revelation 21:3-4

It is an invitation to go forward with Jesus, and not go back. Are you in?

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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.”

“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