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Looking at contemporary culture from a Christian worldview

MUSIC REVIEWS and NEWS

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Worship Forever – Michael W. Smith
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Michael W. Smith’s best-selling album is Worship, which was released on September 11, 2001, the day our nation was attacked. As a way to honor the tragic September 11 anniversary, Smith has released a reimagined version of the album. Worship Forever was recorded in front of a live audience in Nashville in July with a full symphony orchestra, choir and guest appearances by Amy Grant, Matt Redman, and Tauren Wells.
Smith adds a few newer songs to the track list including “Surrounded/Waymaker” and the new studio recording, the piano and orchestra driven “Sing Again.” Below is the chorus for “Sing Again”:

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  • Music News
  • Song of the Week Lyrics:  Send Out Your Light by Sandra McCracken

This lonely heart will sing again
These barren lungs will breathe again
Through suffering we’re stronger
In the palm of His hand
Like a beacon in the night
Hope illuminates the sky
Reaching for each other
And as we carry on
We are keepers of the light

The project is very well done, though Smith performs the songs a bit slower with the orchestra than he did on the original album.
Here is the track list for Worship Forever:
Forever
Heart of Worship (featuring Matt Redman)
Draw Me Close
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Open the Eyes of My Heart
Above All
Breathe
Let It Rain
Agnus Dei (featuring Amy Grant)
Awesome God
More Love, More Power (featuring Tauren Wells)
Surrounded/Waymaker (not on original album)
Forever (reprise)
Sing Again (new song)


  • New NEEDTOBREATHE Single. NEEDTOBREATHE recently released a summer single “Talk of the Town.” The song takes on the false images people hide behind and the artificial faultlessness society pressures people to manufacture.
  • New Matt Maher Song. I’m enjoying Matt Maher’s new song “The Lord’s Prayer (It’s Yours)”.
  • The Goodness. Enjoy the video for the new single by TobyMac, featuring Blessing Offor. The song will be on TobyMac’s forthcoming album Life After Death, to be released August 19.
  • New Steven Curtis Chapman Song. Steven Curtis Chapman’s new song is “Don’t Lose Heart.” Watch the video here.
  • Rich Mullins Tribute Album. Bellsburg … The Songs of Rich Mullins will honor the legacy of Rich Mullins on the 25th anniversary of his death. The album will feature performances by Andrew Peterson, Amy Grant, Ashley Cleveland, Jason Gray, Mitch McVicker, and over a dozen other artists. Watch this video as the musicians reminisce and record music in Mullin’s former house located in Bellsburg, Tennessee.

Send Out Your Light by Sandra McCracken

This week’s song of the week is “Send Out Your Light” by Sandra McCracken, based on Psalm 43, from her new album Light in the Canyon. You can watch her perform the song here.

Vindicate me, O God
And defend my cause
Against the deceitful man
O deliver us
For You are the God
In whom I take refuge
Why have You rejected me
I walk around confused

Send out Your light and Your truth
Let them lead me
Bring me to Your holy hill
To Your dwelling
Then I will go to the alter of God
To God my exceeding joy
Then I will praise You with all my heart
Oh my joy, my joy

Vindicate me, O God
And defend my cause
Against the deceitful man
O deliver us
For You are the God
In whom I take refuge
Why have You rejected me
I walk around confused

Send out Your light and Your truth
Let them lead me
Bring me to Your holy hill
To Your dwelling
Then I will go to the alter of God
To God my exceeding joy
Then I will praise You with all my heart
Oh my joy, my joy
Oh my joy, my joy

Why are you cast down low
O my soul
Why are you cast down low
And in turmoil
Hope in God for I shall again praise Him
Hope in God for He is my salvation

Send out Your light and Your truth
Let them lead me
Bring me to Your holy hill
To Your dwelling
Then I will go to the alter of God
To God my exceeding joy
Then I will praise You with all my heart
Oh my joy, my joy

Oh my joy, my joy
Oh my joy, my joy

Author: Bill Pence

I’m Bill Pence – married to my best friend Tammy, a graduate of Covenant Seminary, St. Louis Cardinals fan, formerly a manager at a Fortune 50 organization, and in leadership at my local church. I am a life-long learner and have a passion to help people develop, and to use their strengths to their fullest potential. I am an INTJ on Myers-Briggs, 3 on the Enneagram, my top five Strengthsfinder themes are: Belief, Responsibility, Learner, Harmony, and Achiever, and my two StandOut strength roles are Creator and Equalizer. My favorite book is the Bible, with Romans my favorite book of the Bible, and Colossians 3:23 and 2 Corinthians 5:21 being my favorite verses. Some of my other favorite books are The Holiness of God and Chosen by God by R.C. Sproul, and Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper. I enjoy music in a variety of genres, including modern hymns, Christian hip-hop and classic rock. My book Called to Lead: Living and Leading for Jesus in the Workplace and Tammy’s book Study, Savor and Share Scripture: Becoming What We Behold are available in paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon. amazon.com/author/billpence amazon.com/author/tammypence

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