Andy Mineo: Rappers Are Missionaries, Too. Andy Mineo talks to Christianity Today about Christian hip-hop, the role of creators and entertainers in the church, and how he feels God pushing him out of his own comfort zone.

• 2016 Grammy Award Nominations. The Grammy Awards nominees were announced last week. Among those receiving nominations were Matt Maher, Toby Mac, James Taylor, Don Henley and Bob Dylan.
• The Year in Christian & Gospel 2015: Hillsong United and Tasha Cobbs Triumph. Jim Asker of Billboard Magazine writes “Australian worship music collective Hillsong United finishes 2015 as the top Christian artist, repeating from 2014.”
• Worship Night in America. Chris Tomlin presents five Worship Night In America dates with Louie Giglio, Max Lucado, Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Israel Houghton, and Phil Wickham and Tomlin. Closest one in the Midwest is in the Chicago area July 16.
• Adore Exclusive Edition. Target is caring a special edition of Chris Tomlin’s Adore: Worship Songs of Christmas featuring two additional songs
• Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat – Take 8. Listen to this song from Bob Dylan’s new The Best Of The Cutting Edge 1965-1966: The Bootleg Series Vol. 12.

 

The Power of a Great Affection by Andrew Peterson

 

This week we continue our countdown to our annual “My Favorites” listing with our #2 song of the year, “The Power of a Great Affection” by Andrew Peterson, from his excellent album The Burning Edge of Dawn. Listen to the song here.

I cannot explain the ways of love
Life cannot explain the grace of kindness
There’s no reason that can satisfy enough
The healing of this blindness

I’ve been seized by the power of a great affection
I’ve been seized by the power of a great affection

And even in the days when I was young
There seemed to be a song beyond the silence
The feeling in my bones was much too strong
To just deny it. I can’t deny this

I’ve been seized by the power of a great affection
Seized by the power of a great affection

Now this is the theme of my song
Now I must forgive as I am forgiven
And even when the shadows are long
I will sing about the Son that’s risen

That His kingdom has no end
And His kingdom has no end

I will praise Him for the fields of green and gold
I will praise Him for the roar of many waters
I will praise Him that the secret things of old
Are now revealed to sons and daughters

I’ve been seized by the power of a great affection
I’ve been seized by the power of a great affection

So Father I will give You thanks and praise
The Son has opened wide the gate of glory
He declared your mighty love and gave His grace
And I will tell his story
It is my story

I’ve been seized by the power of a great affection
Seized by the power of a great affection

Now this is the theme of my song
Now I will forgive as I’m forgiven
And even when the shadows are long
I will sing about the Son that’s risen

That his kingdom has no end
His kingdom has no end
His kingdom has no end
His kingdom has no end
His kingdom has no end