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.

Deeper, Deeper Still

There’s a joke now (thanks to the timely sketch comedy of the one and only, John Crist) that pokes fun at Christian music writers and our overuse of water references. I’m not debating whether that be true or not (and maybe there are more creative ways to talk about it), but I think it’s notable to point out that there’s a good chance we, the Church, reference the water so often because of what the water represents. And what the water represents is so important, it’s worth taking the time to talk about (and write songs about).

Let’s start here: So, the prophet Ezekiel has a vision. In this vision, he’s shown the temple of God. And by ‘shown,’ I mean He gets the grand tour (even into the inner courts - and now I’m jealous. Thanks, Ezekiel.) But, read it for yourself, it’s amazing. Eventually, He ends up at the headwaters of a river flowing up and out of the temple. His tour guide leads him into this river one thousand cubits at a time and as their distance increases so does the depth and width of the river. First to his ankles, then to his knees, then to his chest, and soon after so deep “...that no one could cross”. So, he swims (I assume) to the edge of the river, and when he reaches the bank, he looks and sees a bunch of trees. Then, his guide tells him that “wherever the river flows everything lives.” (Sidenote: you’re gonna slap that verse on the side of a coffee mug when your done reading this). So, if you’re like me, you’re probably thinking, “okay… this is cool and all, but what’s your point, Ryan”. Well, I’m glad you asked. Let’s jump to the new testament.

Enter: JESUS.

So, now it’s AD 33 (roughly), and Jesus has come to earth, and He calls himself the temple of God. I’ll give you a scripture reference cause I’m nice. In John 2, one of my favorite moments of Jesus’s life on earth happens. He sees a bunch of people selling stuff in the temple courts, gets zealous for His house and starts flipping tables. (He’s so much more than the blue-eyed, clean-shaven, hovering halo Jesus you’ve seen in the pictures on your grandmother's wall). Then, the jews demand He explain himself and Jesus simply says, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” To which they reply, (and I’m paraphrasing) “No way… this temple took 46 years to build”. And then, thankfully John gives us the insider knowledge and says, “But the temple He had spoken of was his body.” There you go. Jesus is the temple.

Then, in John 4, Jesus calls himself the Water of Life. He says, that whoever drinks of this water will never thirst. He’s not talking about thirst in the physical sense, but of spiritual thirst. How often do we find ourselves grasping for the things we think will bring us life, but in the end fail to satisfy. And how many time do we thirst for the “real thing,” but instead drink up the cheap lie? Jesus calls us to drink from the fount of living water - to drink from the well of life, Himself - the water that will always satisfy.

Now, let’s draw some parallels! (Yay!) So, Ezekiel speaks of a river that flows from the temple in an endless, exponentially vast supply and wherever the river runs, there is life. And life abundantly. And then hundreds of years later, Jesus comes down to earth and calls himself the temple. And while hanging on the cross, giving His life for us so that we might have life and life abundantly. He is pierced for our sins and from His side poured out living water. This Water of Life, Jesus, is the gift offered to those who thirst (Rev: 22:17). Jesus came so that we would have life! Everything lives where this river runs and the current of grace washes over those who are dead in their sin, making them eternally alive in Jesus.

And so, Jesus, because He first loved us, offers Himself to us. And He invites us to believe. And for those who believe, He gives this promise, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” This glorious river flowing from the throne of God, bringing life wherever it runs, is now bursting forth springs inside us. So, in the same way, Ezekiel was lead one thousand cubits at a time deeper into the river, the invitation for those who have been made alive by the river is to also dive further into its depths. To explore the incomparable riches of His grace and His love for us. Just past the surface, is we were we truly begin to scratch the surface of our understanding of just how high, just how wide, and just how deep the Father’s love is for us. There, we experience the freedom, the healing, and the victory that is our in Christ Jesus. Because “... we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Roman 8:37-39)

So, if you need freedom, dive into the waters. Embrace the love He has poured out for you and His Spirit will spring up inside you. Rivers of life. And life abundantly. If you need healing, dive into the waters. For we know that everything lives where the river runs. And if you need victory, dive into the waters. If God is for us, who then can be against us. We are indeed more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

He’s calling us deeper. And we’ll never reach the end. And I don’t know about you, but I want all of Him. While you can’t have all of what’s infinite because infinity cannot be contained, by gosh by golly, I want all that I can get. What about you? Do you hear the Lord calling you deeper? Maybe even one cubit at a time. Deeper still into His infinite, immeasurable, and unending waters.

Charts for Deeper, Deeper Still are available at the People & Songs Store

A Few Things I’ve Learned: Marriage advice from Jennie Riddle (30 year anniversary)

Recently People & Songs Founders Jennie Lee Riddle and Darrin Riddle celebrated 30 years of marriage. They have impacted all of us in indescribable ways. One of these ways is how they model Godly marriage and service to Jesus. Here is a list of 10 points of advice regarding marriage from Jennie Lee Riddle herself.

1) Just do it. Get married. Figure all the rest out together. TOGETHER. 
2) If you can, do it young before your frontal lobes develop and you start over thinking everything. 
3) Don't look back. Hold the hand next to you and use the free hand you each have left to get stuff done 
4) Be a safe place to fail- don't expect perfection - could you bear up under that expectation? 
5) A marriage license gives you the legal right to build something awesome - it's not a right to inherit awesome - build awesome together. 
6) There is no back door. There is no escape hatch. You either live together happy, live together miserable, or kill each other. Divorce is not an option--- so live together happy. How? 
7) Let go of the need to be right, first, best, top, etc. Be grateful to lift up, follow suite, make the way, consider others, forgive quickly, forgive completely, laugh at and with each other, on repeat [things I learned from my husband who says "you just can't go wrong serving"] 
8) Give each other permission to be themselves and expect nothing less than their “best selves."
9) Forgive first and forgive fast.
10) Love Jesus. Love Him by the way you love your spouse.

"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.

---

chord charts

---

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!

PEOPLE & SONGS writers intensives in June!

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 4-day worship and songwriting intensive. 

Dates (NEW):
June 24th - 28th | Participants should arrive the evening of the 24th. 

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

Cost:
$700; includes 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 days) 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 beginning until you know you have been accepted. 

Event Registration Software for: People & Songs| Registration Software Payment Processing| Registration tools| Online Payment Processing Software

The Emerging Sound 2018 July 15th - 21st. 2018

The Emerging Sound (TES) is NOW ACCEPTING Applications/Auditions to attend The Emerging Sound 2018. 

As always, the People & Song Community is super excited to host #TEScamp, however this year we are a little bit more excited. This year The Emerging sound will be hosted at our Headquarters in La Porte, Indiana and we're adding two days! 

We will be hosting our La Porte #TEScamp July 15th -21st.

THATS NOT ALL! also for the first time ever we are offering a Summer long internship program at Headquarters in the historic Ruth C. Sabin house, La Porte, Indiana! If you want to spend the summer with #TES40wk making The Emerging Sound happen, then this is for you. We're looking for graphic/web designers, worship leaders, photographers, videographers, social media gurus, cooks, and WRITERS! (writers who want to write a lot) Space is very limited so don't waste any time. Apply Now!

TURN UP THE LIGHTS - Live from Texarkana - August 17th

---

August 17th, 2018

---

Get The Album Now

Turn Up The Lights, hosted by People & Songs, is a Live-Recording Night of Worship. 

The community of People & Songs are bringing in a large roster of artists from around the nation for this day-long 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.

Glorious Marriage Revolution - AUG 10, 2018

Mark your calendar now and get ready to celebrate your Glorious Marriage! Join People & Songs and Glorious Marriage Revolution as we grow deeper in our walk with the Lord, with Holy Spirit filled dynamic teaching and praise & worship. 

Check in desk open Friday 5:00pm - 6:00pm and Saturday 8:00am - 9:00 am

We are excited to announce that People & Songs will lead us in worship for all sessions!

No on-site ticket sales. LADIES ONLY!!! Limited Space available. Tickets are 1st come, 1st serve. Get yours early because they WILL sell out quickly!!! Earlybird ticket $25 until May 1st!!

Find us on Facebook and Instagram for more details.

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

---

November 2nd-3rd, 2018

---

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.

Accelerant Fire Conference JAN 31 - FEB 3, 2019

Accelerant exists to challenge and encourage teens to know who they are in Christ and to live that out everyday in His presence and power. While our society has one careless way of shaping the hearts and desires of young people, Jesus has a far better Way. Not only does He love you, but He also has a calling for you - an incredible purpose lived out as the Holy Spirit empowers & equips. That's the message of Accelerant. God wants to light a fire in your heart. And we want to fan the flame. Join us for worship, teaching and fun on the slopes of OBER GATLINBURG. 

Linger Conference - 2019

Join PEOPLE & SONGS at Linger Conference 2019...

---

---

A two-day event,
designed to cultivate
a rhythm of rest and worship
in your daily life.

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.

GET THE SONG
GET THE CHARTS
GET THE ALBUM

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.

get the song
Get the CHARTS
GET THE ALBUM

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.

GET THE SONG
GET THE CHARTS
GET THE ALBUM

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