“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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The Mercy Of Jesus - Devotional

Mercy of Jesus

Devotional By Kaden Slay

When I think about the Mercy of Jesus, it always brings me back to what could have been. What SHOULD have been. My heart was broken, my body was tired. Apathetic and bitter. I had no hope or faith left to believe in anything. Maybe that's the boat you're in. Maybe you've lost something you once held dear and now you're lost in a wilderness. Maybe your life is exactly what you want it to be. Maybe you have everything you need, but you feel like there's something more.

You need an anchor. A guiding light. Something to hope for.

You're not alone, and you never have been. You're not blind, your eyes are squeezed shut for fear of seeing what could hurt. Your heart is numb now. Get up. Look around you. Those burdens you're dragging around? That heartbreak? That guilt from past mistakes made? That fear of what may come? That sin that's separating you from God? That deadness deep inside you? That's all too heavy for you to carry and impossible for you to make right. Turning your head away won’t solve it and it's too broken for you to fix alone. But you're not alone.

All of us, even believers, have let flesh carry us to a place beyond what we ever intended. We do the things we don’t want to do, and don’t do the things we want to do. (Romans 7:19) We all sin, we all fall short. There is no exception. But we’ve been given the invitation to a new life with Christ. We are to set our sights on the things of Heaven and turn away from lust, greed, revelry, malice, all the things that eat away at what we know is right. In God’s mercy we our dead to these things and are made alive in Christ Jesus. (Colossians 3)

Jesus took the full weight of all the sin, shame, and guilt upon Himself on the cross. Then He died the death that our sin was dragging us all toward. Then, 3 days later, He rose from the  grave proving that once and for all He had conquered death, Hell, and the grave. We were all destined for that punishment. That's what SHOULD have been. But, Jesus thought you were worth it then. He sees you worth it now.  

The wages of sin is death. But because of what He did, every ounce of sin and regret you carry is no longer yours to bear. We're ALL in need of a Savior, all you have to do is being honest about it with Him and let Him in.

Turn to Him. I prayed a prayer one day when I found myself desperate to be clean, desperate to breathe. Hungry to live. I've never been the same since. It went something like this:

"Dear Jesus, I know what I've done. I know that you've seen it all. I know that I've ignored you. I'm broken beyond worldly repair. So I will relinquish all my control. I've lost all control. I give up my right to justify my behavior and act based on how I feel. I ask that you would please forgive me for it all and give me a new heart and a future. I want to trust and follow You alone as my Lord and Savior. I want You to be my God, this moment now and forevermore.

Amen."

For the believer, there is a new grace and mercy to lean into every morning. For the unbeliever, the door is open to life and life more abundantly with a Father who loves you more than anyone on this Earth ever could. The Mercy of Jesus covers us all.

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People and Songs Writers Intensive in La Porte

Are you a pro or semi-pro Christian singer/songwriter? Do you long for time with Jesus-loving worshippers like you? Would you like to enjoy a cost-effective, beautifully refreshing, productive week with like-minded creatives?

You should come experience the People & Songs Community at our headquarters in La Porte, IN! Apply now for the opportunity to participate in a life-enriching 5-day worship and songwriting intensive. 

When: March 12th - 16th, 2018 

Where: La Porte, IN at the People & Songs headquarters

Cost: $700 for lodging, meals, and registration

Space is very limited and the bar is set very high. This is not a “come one, come all" event.

Check out our FAQ for more info.

Here is how to apply: 

• Create an account in the portal below. Your account will save your progress and will allow you to log back in and complete forms, if for some reason you are unable to complete them, or need to update information.
• Once your account has been created, complete all the fields in the application, and you are done for now!
• Once your application has been reviewed (2-3 weeks) you will hear from us. 

An active YouTube link of an original song video audition is required to complete your application. If you do not have an original song, please upload and submit your best performance of a cover song. Ensure that the link is not set to private.

If you are a minor, your legal guardian must apply for you.

If you are fundraising to attend this event, as a matter of integrity, please refrain from beginging until you know you have been accepted. 

Registration system for: People & Songs

THE INTERVIEW – JENNIE LEE RIDDLE

JENNIE AND DARRIN RIDDLE

PEOPLE OF THE CROSS – SELAH

I GOT SAVED, THE AFTER-PARTY – SELAH AND People & Songs

LIVING ROOM SESSION – PEOPLE & SONGS

Fixing our eyes on Jesus can sustain us through anything. This video captures over an hour of full-on “Church” with many of the People & Songs artists and writers – right in the middle of Jennie and Darrin Riddle’s living room at the People & Songs Headquarters in La Porte, Indiana. Heaven truly opened and God’s Spirit poured out. So many beautiful moments of joy and reflection in His presence. Be sustained. Be blessed. 

Turn Up The Lights

This November 11th, our People & Songs Community will again be gathered in La Porte, Indiana. Not for a writers retreat or camp this time, but serve you our community and friends. We will be teaming up with Arts In The Park, a local group that organizes concerts, artist galleries and poetry readings throughout the summer in local parks free for the community. #TES40wk & some P&S Community members have performed at Arts In The Park events throughout this summer and have had a ball doing it, but more than that, have had a literal stage in the public eye to share the gospel from. So Arts In The Park and P&S Community are hosting Turn Up The Lights to raise funds to expand and build facilities at one of the parks local amphitheaters. 

Turn Up The Lights will be a day-long, live-recording festival. Artisan booths, art galleries, food and a full day of music with individual performances from P&SC members throughout the day, as well as a set from The Tom Milo Big Band, with headlining performances from Selah and People & Songs. It is all going to be recorded live.

We are looking forward to this opportunity to serve the town where P&SC and The Emerging Sound call home. Tickets to this event start at $35 are on sale now.  

Let Revival Come (Revive Me)

All across the world the Church is waking. She is up and singing, bold and unafraid and is not going back down! #LETREVIVALCOME

What a joy it was to write this song with my People & Songs brother Josh Sherman and the students of The Emerging Sound! We had a blast seeking Jesus through the Word of God and putting what the Holy Spirit impressed upon us to melody.

Psalm 51 is a prayer, written by David after biting into sin’s empty promises and experiencing its bitter aftertaste. It’s David acknowledging, confessing, and repenting of his sin. As David walked through that miserable valley of sin, he understood that God alone could restore and revive the joy in his heart. And in Psalm 51:12, he asked God to do just that!

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit."

Don’t we all need that in some way today? Don’t we all need Jesus to restore the joy of our salvation, to revive our hearts? Without this joy-reviving work of Jesus, our hearts have a way of sinking into fear. Here’s just a small sampling of why we need Jesus to rescue us from fear and revive the joy in our hearts.

• Fear immobilizes but JOY mobilizes.

• Fear reminds you of your past and desires to keep you there but JOY reminds you of the hope set before you and helps you strive toward it.

• Fear enables doubt but JOY enables faith.

• Fear hardens our heart but JOY tenderizes our heart.

• Fear closes you up but JOY opens you up.

• Fear is always dissatisfied and discontent but JOY is always satisfied and content.

• Fear causes you to be sin focused but JOY causes you to be grace focused.

"Let Revival Come (Revive Me)" is a prayer modeled after David’s! It’s intended to remind us that God is so gracious to meet us in our sin and fear and restore the joy of our salvation! As we sing this song, we are agreeing with the apostle Paul as he writes in 2 Corinthians 12:9,

"But He (Jesus) said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

As we sing this song together, my hope is that it would lead you to embrace your weakness and to find new hope in Jesus – who loves to restore our joy!

Written by: Kevin Jones

I Need Jesus

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Photo Credit: @matt_marrs

Dear Friends,

I'm looking forward to sharing a live music video of "I Need Jesus" with you. I had the honor & privilege of co-writing this song w/ my brother David Gentiles a few years back. Later, another one of my brothers, Jimmy Needham decided it needed some lyrical love and added his creative genius. 

This simple song of confession & belief is special to me. Over the years, of serving the Church, I have witnessed God move in too many ways to count. I've seen many people place their faith in Jesus, obtaining the outcome of faith; the salvation of their souls! Praise Jesus! 

My hope and prayer friends, is that we can grow so dependent on Jesus that we finally recognize we need nothing else. He is the absolute Source. My life is nothing without Him. #ineedJesus

- Kevin Jones

Watch the video for "I Need Jesus".

New Album from The Emerging Sound

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THE EMERGING SOUND VOLUME 2 IS HERE!

Volume 2 features the voices and writing of Jennie Lee Riddle, Dustin Smith, Corey Voss, Benji Cowart, Travis Ryan, Crystal Yates, Melanie Tierce, Micah Tyler, Sean Carter, Jade Lundgren, Charity Gayle, Kevin Jones, Bryan McCleery, Jake Richards and The Emerging Sound students.

This album includes “House United,” “Praise God,” and “I Believe You Can."

Learn more about The Emerging Sound

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Registration is open for The Emerging Sound 2017

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Registration for The Emerging Sound 2017 is open!

The Emerging Sound Camp is a week long songwriting intensive for creative young adults and teens. Over the week, students attend daily chapel, general assembly, writing circles, core groups, and break-outs. Students will write daily with both peers and pros and over the week participate in multiple co-writing sessions. 

The Emerging Sound 2015

A team comprised of the founder, Jennie Lee Riddle, members of the People & Songs Community, and invited guest teachers assemble to train students by walking with them through the process of songwriting, singing, living a lifestyle of worship, and serving others.

The Emerging Sound 2015

When & Where:
JULY 17 - 21, AUSTIN COLLEGE, SHERMAN TX

APPLY AS A STUDENT

(Ages 13 - 17)

Apply as an intern

(18yrs +)

Learn more at
THE EMERGING SOUND.com

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New Album from Crystal Yates

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Country/Americana singer/songwriter, Crystal Yates has released a new EP that is aptly titled, The Other Side.

Crystal wrote this album from redeemed memories, plucked-up alcoholic roots, healed marital disillusionment and mercy from consequences of poor choices. This collection is offered as her invitation to come and journey to The Other Side.

Many notable country and christian co-writers worked with Crystal in this collaborative project that she co-produced alongside her husband Will and good friend, McKenzie Smith.

True to her country, gospel, and soulful upbringing, Crystal delivers messages that are human and honest about how “messy” life can be sometimes. They lyrics reach down deep and touch the raw places of the human heart. Though not overtly stated, the listener can hear that the lyrics come from one who has experienced ups and downs alongside the life-changing grace of God.

The first track,

Leave Me Alone To Die

is a nod to musical influences like Merle Haggard, Don Williams, Waylon Jennings and other classic country legends. Yates says this song was written to “stand down evil.” The song comes from her memories of being kidnapped when she was 5 years old. Crystal recalls, "it was the first time I remember experiencing real evil. There is an enemy that wishes to steal, kill, and destroy in a very personal way.” She remembers being led out the back door of a store by a strange man; “all I could think about was what my Grannie taught me”, recalls Crystal, “‘if you are ever in trouble, call on Jesus and He will save you!’” Crystal reminisces, “with the faith of a child, through tears, I prayed and asked Jesus to help me.’ She remembers well how the man who had taken her immediately stopped undressing and asked her if she wanted to go home. “He never harmed or touched me. The name of Jesus literally saved me and the evil fled in that very second."  You will be encouraged by the full testimony and acoustic version of Leave Me Alone To Die

 

Already Yours

is reminiscent of Motown and Crystal’s soulful influences such as Etta James, Percy Sledge, Aretha Franklin, and Whitney Houston. However when asked about where her messaging came from she acknowledged that ”It is easy to be moody and pessimistic in general.” This song serves as her reminder “to be grateful for all that I have in Christ.” She states that Already Yours is God’s response to the “love, acceptance, and goodness” that she seeks. “He draws my eyes to look higher; to focus on what I have and not what I believe I lack.” This moving song is available right now at iTunes pre-order (https://itun.es/us/Knn2bb)

 

Made To Last

was written with songwriting veteran Barbara Cloyd. Crystal said, "I wanted to make people in a seasoned marriage laugh while also setting the record straight for those who fantasize about fairy tale lives. I wanted to write a song that awakens desire for committed, steadfast and faithful love, which really is a determined decision and choice."

"Anytime we try to find rest for our souls in anything but God, it leads to a dead end." Yates states  with conviction.

She believes that "temporary fixes do more harm than good.” That is the value that inspired the fourth track -

Hell On My Soul

"This is an raw, honest song with hindsight that hopefully warns against choosing to mask vs. receiving the deep healing that only comes from the love of God."  Crystal’s cowriter, Texas female singer songwriter, Kylie Rae Harris, also stars in the new video releasing with album. The hope is that it will “reveal destructive paths in the light of day.”  

The final offering and title track of the album is

The Other Side

written with friends and fellow songwriters Jennie Riddle, Richie Fike, Grant Pittman. “Life is a worthy struggle to The Other Side.”  That messaging is the common thread in every song. “This song was a blast to create” states Crystal. “We all gathered around a piano in Jennie's Nashville home and started singing. The idea flowed out easily as if we knew it already! This song truly embodies my musical roots in every way; soulful and swampy.” Crystal states that she hopes this song will embolden an “intentional lifting of eyes to the promise of a new day.”

Crystal wants to leave us with the following thoughts to ponder: “My identity is found, first, in knowing I am a child of God and then secondly, in knowing that He put me here comfort others the way He has comforted me. I pray that whatever I write and release is always done through the lens of someone that has been rescued by the mercy of God."

You are welcomed and encouraged to join Crystal at Love and War in Plano May 14th for a release party with a full band and surprise guests!  You can pre-order the new album here: The Other Side - EP by Crystal Yates

Crystal and her husband Will travel with sons Hayden and Evan, sharing their lives and the love of God. Please pray over them as they release this new music with hope that it will invite people to real life, found only in Jesus Christ.

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RAISING UP THE NEXT GENERATION OF WORSHIP SONGWRITERS

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“SING A NEW SONG,” SCRIPTURE REPEATEDLY INSTRUCTS.

Perhaps it is because we are born to grow from faith to faith (Rom 1:17), glory to glory, (2 Cor 3:18) and strength to strength; (Ps 84:7) and song is one of the smartest all-purpose tools for the journey.

Song helps trump our circumstances with a current hallelujah. Song is a tool that enables the right response at the right time. In the moment of challenge, when flight or fight reactions rise, we don’t always have the presence of mind to remember where we left our Bible. Praise Jesus, for the presence of His Holy Spirit who calls to memory God’s Word (Jn 14:26).

The Emerging Sound 2015

With that said, The Holy Spirit can only call to memory what actually resides in memory! The Holy Spirit is our Helper. But God asks us to bind the Word on our hearts (Prov 6:21). We should make sure we are not asking God to do what He has asked us to do! Then the command to sing a new song begins to make sense. Via the tool of music, we can easily digest the right response in advance of the need. With the powerful aid of meter, rhyme, and melody we can assimilate a continual influx of the right information; The Word of God – “living, active, sharper than any two-edged sword, dividing between soul and spirit, joint and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Heb 4:12 .

When I craft scripture into song, Truth becomes part of who I am. I become sharp. The Holy Spirit is able to make a withdrawal when I need it most, and out comes a new song in the night full of overcoming, double-edged-sword power! And I grow again. Over time, rich with the indwelling Word, a muscle is developed for creating song in the moment and we grow into unstoppable, joy-filled, overcoming giants with mouthfuls of pre-existing “It Is Finished” victory.

MY DESIRE TO INVEST IN THE LIVES OF SONGWRITERS HAS NEVER CHANGED AND HAS ONLY INCREASED. IT BURNS HOTTER WITH EACH PASSING DAY.

I will write songs that will impact my sphere of influence. However, if I will also be purposeful in sowing skill into others, the multiplication effect of the gospel through God’s people and songs could be exponential. I can’t think of anything more important than raising up the next generation of worship songwriters; servants who will write to fill the lips of God’s Children with the Word and awesome high praises of God (Ps 149)!

The Emerging Sound, is a non-profit 501c3 dedicated to making disciples through music. What began in Texas, as a summer songwriting intensive for teens, has now steadily blossomed. We have added a location in the Maritimes of Canada and are adding two additional states in 2016. Additionally, an internship program for college-aged and career has been formalized as well as multiple retreats for adults.

PLEASE VISIT WWW.THEEMERGINGSOUND.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

The Emerging Sound 2015

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HEAR OUR PRAYER

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HEAR OUR PRAYER

This blog post was originally published on CCLI.com June 2, 2015.

People of the Cross, by Jennie Lee Riddle, Todd Smith and Jordan Merritt. Performed by Selah.

CCLI Song #7040175  Available on SongSelect

"Here at CCLI we recently received an email from Jennie Lee Riddle, one of our favorite songwriters and a good friend. In it she said,

I wanted to let you know about this song, “People Of The Cross” that we wrote the day ISIS executed the 21 martyrs.

“We also wrote the attached prayer. Would you please consider sharing this with the Church? I believe we need to begin instilling a new level of courage in these days. It was written by myself, Todd Smith, and Jordan Merritt, and recorded by Selah as a means to garner the prayer of the Church for the persecuted and the persecutors.”

Jennie, we’d be honored to. Here it is:

Jesus said “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” Jn 15:20 (ESV) So many Christians have given their lives for their faith in Jesus. So many more will. Let’s stand with them and pray that they stand strong as they glorify God through their suffering. We are The People Of The Cross.

We pray with the families whose loved ones have been abducted or martyred.

God we ask that You would strengthen, comfort, and embolden them in this hour. Please surround them with Your saints to help lift and carry their burdens. Give them faith-filled intercessions and hear them according to 1 John 5: 14-15.

Give them the grace to forgive, so that they may be free from carrying the bondage of hatred.

We stand with them and acknowledge You, Jesus, as the One to whom every knee shall one day bow. We rejoice with them in the knowledge that this world is not our home and that there will come a day when every tear is wiped away. We look forward to that day along with them. Psalm 147:3,Matt 5:4, Matt 6:14-15, Luke 23:33-34, Acts 7:59-60, 1 Cor. 13:4-7, Phil 2:5-11, Heb 13:14, Rev. 21:4,

God, we hold up the persecutors before You now and ask that You would remember the persecutor, Saul.

Your mercy overcame Him and as You converted Him, You gave us Paul – a great gift to the Church. We pray that those like Saul will come to know You, God, through the suffering of those they are persecuting. We pray that complete transformation would occur by Your Spirit, and that they would be made willing to suffer for the name of Jesus as laborers of Your Kingdom. Matt 5:43-48, Luke 6:27-28,Luke 23:33-34,Acts 7:59-60

We pray for our brothers and sisters facing persecution.

We know that You number our days. We remember the way You opened prison doors for Your saints. We remember their song in the night. We ask for Your mighty and full deliverance until the time of Your return. We remember the way You walked through angry crowds until Your time had come. Like You, Jesus, when the time comes, we ask for Your strength and courage to not give in or waver even if facing brutality or imprisonment. We pray that their spirit would not be broken, their faith would stand strong, and that Your Holy Spirit would rise up in them.

Give them joy in their homegoing with no fear or shrinking back. Give them grace to finish well.

We ask for Your light to shine forth; and that Your name, Jesus, would be ever on the lips of Your saints. We pray that the life they sow would yield a great harvest and reward. We praise You as The Way, The Truth, and The Life. Matt 5:10-12, Matt 26:38-39, Luke 4:28-30, Luke 22:15, Jn 8:48-59, Jn 14:6, Jn 15:20-21, Jn 16:33, Jn 21:15-19,Acts 6:8-7:60, Acts 12:1-19, Acts 16:16-40, Eph 6:19-20, Col 4:2-4, Heb 10:32-34, Heb 11:35-40, 1 Peter 4:13

We pray for the Church in America and around the world.

We ask for faithfulness and resolve to stand with those in persecution. We pray for revival. We confess our sin and ask You to forgive us. We acknowledge that we have not been mindful of the hour in which we live. We have been selfish and blind. Where we have claimed our lives are Yours, we have nevertheless lived them as our own. We humble ourselves at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ. We ask for Your healing, power, and grace to obey. We ask for unity. We stand with You, Jesus, and give our lives to You all over again. We ask for grace to live well and die well, and that from the rising of the sun to it’s going down, we would be found faithful and You would be ever praised. 2 Chronicles 7:14,Psalm 51:10, James 4:6-10, 2 Tim 3:1-5, 1 John 1:9

We pray for those in places of authority and government and ask that You would embolden them to protect innocent lives.

That they would not be afraid to carry out holy and swift judgment to rout out evil. We ask that You would give them clear eyes, super-natural wisdom, discernment, understanding, and knowledge. Help them to embrace responsibility and act. We pray that the fear of You, the One True God would keep them moving to decree, promote, and work righteousness. Psalm 146:5-7,Romans 13:1-4,Hebrews 11:32-34, 1 Peter 2:13-14

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EASTER PLAYLIST 2015

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Painting by Robin Oas - RobinOasDesigns.com - Inspired by Passion Song

DIVINE EXCHANGE

written by Charity Gayle, Jennie Lee Riddle, Melanie Tierce and Brandon Collins
For personal connection to the power of the cross we have chosen Divine Exchange. "On the cross hung my pain", "He took my place", "Grace is mine" are truths worth meditating on, and allow the worshipper to really exalt the work of the cross, where Jesus took our place, and in doing so, made us heirs of salvation. The bridge turns to a decisioned response, "I lay down all lesser things for greater gain." In 4 min Divine Exchange shares the whole of the Gospel, sinks it deeply into the heart, and compels it to respond.
iTunes - Charts - CCLI Song Select

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PASSION SONG

written by Sean Carter and Tyler Ellison
An incredible telling of the events of Holy Week told from the narrative perspective of John the Beloved. The ground covered in this song makes it a perfect consideration for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Resurrection Sunday. The visual and emotional poetry in "Passion Song" allow the listener to almost see the crowds on the triumphant entry of Jesus, taste the last supper, and even feel the heartbreak of John at the last words of Jesus, and the Joy of finding an empty tomb.
iTunes - Charts - CCLI Song Select

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IT IS FINISHED

written by Jennie Lee Riddle and Matt Papa
A victory shout for Easter Morning, "It Is Finished" paints a picture of the power in the final words of Jesus. "It is finished, It is done, To the world salvation comes! Hallelujah we're alive! Hell was silenced when You cried "It is finished" The bridge is a powerful celebration that reminds us that the veil was torn, darkness was defeated, and the keys of the kingdom were given over to us! If you are looking for a great Easter closing song this is it! 
Mp3 (Magen Thurman) - iTunes (Matt Papa) - Song Select

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WHEN LOVE WAS SLAIN

written by Jennie Lee Riddle and Crystal Yates
"When Love Was Slain" has a timeless hymn-like quality that even at first listen feels like coming home. The verses are sweet confessions "My home's been made at heavens throne" "I am His and His alone" "Come now walk with me" and these verses stand on the powerful chorus "Now ransomed, I am freedoms slave. My Jesus raised me from the grave". Connect your congregation to their own personal security and resurrection by including this in your Easter playlist.
iTunes - Chart - CCLI Song Select

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THE PASSOVER SONG

written by Sean Carter and Caroline Cobb
A beautiful merging of the Jewish Passover Feast and Jesus on the cross. Jesus is our passover lamb, His blood saved us from the curse of sin, just as the Passover lamb freed the Jewish people from the great plagues. "His cross will be our doorway". Just as the children of Israel danced in the streets, "Daughters and sons rejoice in resurrection and death swallowed up in endless life".  The Passover Song works well to celebrate the passover, is as perfect backdrop to communion and is easily followed by a congregational singing of "Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus", as each chorus uses lyric from the classic hymn to draw its parallel lines of Passover and Easter.
iTunes

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COME TO THE CROSS

written by Charity Gayle, Melanie Tierce and Sean Carter
The remembrance of Christ's words in Matthew 19:21 “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Begin the Hymn-like "Come To The Cross". The invitation continues to examine the cross, and then proclaims the empty grave inspired by the words of the angel in Matt  28:6 "He is not here; He has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where He lay." The bridge reminds the believer that we have the Holy Spirit, and we too can take up our cross, follow Jesus, and tell the world! As well as inspiring the believer, "Come To The Cross" is a perfect song for an invitational moment in an Easter worship service.
iTunes

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