Rockstanding

And now, for a little break, here is the late, great Nickel Creek (not disbanded, but on hiatus) with their cool video rendition of “When In Rome.”

Hip hop artist Trip Lee explains how he uses the Bible to write his rhymes for his compositions:

HT: Don’t Waste Your Life

One of the favorite bands in this house, Remedy Drive, has just recently released a new single from their upcoming album, which is coming out in August. It sounds awesome. Below is the iTunes link where you can download it. (Folks over 40, find a teenager and have them explain that to you).

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=281620167&s=143441

As I look at this blog I get a sense that you can sometimes overdo the video. That’s said, I’m going back to the video vault for a little refreshment for you all.

I saw this video a few months back after Larry Norman passed away. If you’re not familiar with Larry Norman, he was a guy who lived off the fringes of Christianity and then came to Christ. Larry was prone to be rough around the edges, but he spoke clearly for all to hear.

Larry, in poor health for several years, went to be with the Lord on Feb. 24 of this year. I would suggest checking in at ChristianDiscs.com to hear more of what Larry had to say. Musical tastes are personal, so I can’t say that everyone will appreciate the music he made. But I can say that his was a voice that deserves to be heard.

And now, a small dose of Larry Norman (with help from 77’s front man Mike Roe):

There has been a renewed interest the last several years in worship music, specifically hymns. Many of my favorite recording artists have recorded worship albums, among them Michael W. Smith, Third Day and Jars of Clay. Of those, I would have said that that Jars of Clay’s “Redemption Songs” has been one of my favorites for the way they breathed new life into some great, old songs through updated music.

In the last month or so, I was introduced to the music of Matthew Smith and I have to say that it has been incredibly uplifting. Smith, who has sung lead with the group Indelible Grace, released his first full-length solo album in 2006, entitled “All I Owe.” It is a collection of hymns that have been updated musically. The result is a treasure of 10 songs whose lyrics powerfully minister while sung to very accessible music.

It has been my pleasure to be introduced to great hymns like “The Lord Will Provide,”My Lord I Did Not Choose You,” and “All I Owe” while reconnecting in a new way with hymns like “Jesus I Am Resting” and “Thy Blood Was Shed For Me.” You don’t have to be a hymn-lover (although you should be!) to enjoy this album.

And if you like that, you’ll appreciate the work of Indelible Grace because the group has been devoted to putting the words of hymns to updated music. It is like finding new treasure when you hear some of these great hymns that have been brought back so we may worship God through them. And, ultimately, we can treasure God more through them.

Currently, you can buy “All I Owe’ at the iTunes Store and online (and at your local music store, if you are old school). The Indelible Grace albums are not available at the iTunes Store, but can be purchased online at the link provided.