Songs

Find out more about the songs we sing here:

Be Still and Know

Words and Music by Steven Curtis Chapman

Arranged by Tom Fettke

Steven Curtis Chapman wrote this song while on a 17-hour flight with his family to South Africa.  He writes the trip was a profound experience which greatly impacted on his songwriting.

On the flight over, Steven began to feel disappointed because he thought that once he left for South Africa he would be at rest and feel God’s pleasure.  Instead, he found himself just as restless as he was in his home of Franklin, Tennessee.

God began to speak to his heart saying, “What you need is to still your heart, turn the noise off, and know that I am God”.

Steven writes, “When you’re still, you quickly realise how un-Godlike you are and how much you need him.

You can watch our PowerPoint presentation and listen to the song here:

Behold the Tabernacle of the God

Words by Leonard Ballantine (based on Revelation 21: 3-5)

Music by Leonard Ballantine

This song is a personal attempt by the composer, Major Len Ballantine, to express dawning truth from the Revelation to John concerning the eternal nature of the Kingdom of God.  It is here and now; there and then; eternal.  You will hear long musical phrases which reflect the length of time itself and also moments of urgency.

The music is overall restful and reassuring reflecting the sense of peace that membership of the Kingdom of God creates.  We hope you will find many hallowed moments in the music as you focus on eternity.

Boundless love

Dianne Wilkinson arranged by Michael E Parks

This song was made popular by one of Southern Gospel’s greatest groups, The Cathedrals.  Boundless Love is one of their most treasured hits.  The song was written by Dianne Wilkinson who has been writing Southern Gospel music since the 1970s. Her first recorded song was “Behold the Lamb” by the Song Masters in 1976, which was recorded by many groups…as late as 2001 by the Dove Brothers.  Gospel quartet singing remains her favorite music even today and continues to be her signature writing style.

Dianne had a close relationship with the Cathedrals for two decades, beginning in the early 1980s and continuing until they retired in 1999. They recorded 16 of her songs during those years, including Boundless Love, Master Builder, There is a Haven, Goin’ in Style, High and Lifted Up and Homeland.  Her songs have been recorded by most of the groups touring today including the Kingdom Heirs, Legacy Five, Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, Gold City, the Hoppers, Greater Vision, The Dove Brothers, the Kingsmen, the Inspirations, Brian Free and Assurance, the Talley Trio, the Booth Brothers, Karen Peck & New River, Triumphant, the Collingsworth Family, the Whisnants, the Mike LeFevre Quartet, HisSong, the Mark Trammell Trio, Paid in Full, Crossway, Ricky Atkinson and Compassion, the Pfeifers, and the Ball Brothers.

There is not a mother, sister, friend or brother loves the way that Jesus can.
He proved His love for me when He died on Calvary;
He gave His life for fallen man.

His love, His love is a boundless love, and it reaches down and touches me;
His love, His love is an endless love, that will last through all eternity.

Jesus wants to love you; there is none above you, You are precious in His sight.
He will never fail you when the doubts assail you; He’ll be with you day and night.

Breathe

Words and Music by Marie Barnett

Arranged by Tom Fettke

Breathe is a sensitive contemporary praise song written by Marie Barnett.  It reminds us that our very breath is a gift from God.  Our every heartbeat is a gift of God.  We are constantly being blessed by the One who loves us.  This music gives the listener the opportunity to stop and meditate alone with God.  God is waiting for us.  As you listen to this music the peace you feel will amaze you.

This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your Holy presence living in me

This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me

And I, I’m desperate for you
And I, I’m lost without you

The essence of this music is that God’s holy presence is the very air we breathe and long for.

Creation Sings!

David T Clydesdale

For over ten years, the music of David T. Clydesdale has been synonymous with excellence in church music. With multiple Dove-award winning anthems, collections and musicals that have shaped the sound of church music today, David’s talents have been used worldwide to communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ.  This song reminds of the words Jesus spoke on Palm Sunday when the Pharisees rebuked his disciples for singing and praising God: “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out” (Luke 19: 37-40).  It is not just we humans who praise and worship God: creation worships him in its own way too.  Imagine man and nature coming together to sing a song of praise.

Days of Elijah

Words and Music by Robin Mark

Arranged by Gary Rhodes

Orchestrated by Don Marsh

Robin Mark is a Northern Irish Christian singer, songwriter, worship leader, and recording artist based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Robin has written several songs sung throughout the world. He is best known for his songs “Days of Elijah”, “Revival”, “All for Jesus”, “The Wonder of The Cross”, “Not by Might” and many more. He has published 13 albums in total with sales of over 2 million world wide.

This is his signature song which has become one of the most sung worship songs ever and his album Revival In Belfast has become a worldwide best seller.

Robin attends Christian Fellowship Church Strandtown, Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Forever

Words and Music by Chris Tomlin

Arranged by Michael Lawrence

The text from this song directly comes from Psalm 136.  Written by Chris Tomlin, the song gives us magnificent form and compelling content for worship.  Note the antiphonal pattern: God speaks and his people respond. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.   The Psalms always sharpen our focus on the target of our worship.   The sharper our focus, the more profound will be our worship.

We praise the Creator, who by his understanding made the heavens, who spread out the earth upon the waters.  God speaks: from the rising to the setting sun. And we respond: His love endures forever.

This song takes us on a journey. We are being led somewhere. True worship begins with awe-filled praise of the Creator. We then confront the fallenness of the creation through confession. At just the right moment we are ushered into the most holy place, the place of atonement, where we taste redemption and respond to God as his new creation. For the life that’s been reborn, his love endures forever.

As we journey into worship with the Psalmist, we are inspired to creatively continue onward and upward with the praise he has begun.  Sing Praise! Sing Praise! Forever God is faithful. Forever God is strong. Forever God is with us. Forever! Forever!

Get on Your Feet

Arranged by Mike Speck, Lari Goss & Danny Zaloudik

Orchestrated by Lari Goss

If you are disheartened about your Christian service then this song is for you!  It’s foot-tapping tempo and lively gospel style cannot help but encourage you to get on your feet and stand up for Jesus.  Coupled with Let the Church Rise Up and even a brief reminder of the old hymn Stand Up for Jesus, you can’t fail to be on your feet and clapping along by the end of this song!

God is able

Chris Machen arranged by Robert Sterling

This song is based on the story of Daniel and his friends who were thrown into the fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar.  They were able to say, with full faith and confidence:

“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king”.

The song reminds us that God’s saving power is still available to us as we face our own fiery trials.

God of my praise

Leslie, Rhonda & Becki Sites & Chris Springer, arranged by Camp Kirkland

This song is a psalm of praise. Its words echo many of the thoughts and feelings found in the book of Psalms. An opportunity to sing praise to God and worship and adore the Rock of our salvation.

He sought me

Sidney E Cox / Damian Wileman

In the Bible, St Luke tells the story of Zacchaeus, a tax collector who struggled to see Jesus from the crowd when he passed by, because he was so short. He climbed into a sycamore tree and when Jesus came to it, he invited himself to tea! During his visit, Zacchaeus confessed to cheating on those he collected taxes from, by taking more than was owed to the authorities. He promised to give half of his possessions to the poor, paying back four times the amount to those he cheated. To those who were muttering that Jesus was spending time with sinners, Jesus replied:

The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.

Salvation Army lyricist, Sidney E Cox might well have had this story in mind when he wrote his song, He sought me:

The Saviour sought and found me,
Far from the narrow way;
He made my blinded eyes to see,
O what a wonderful day!

He sought and found me,
He sought and found me;
When I was wandering far away,
He found me;
What a wonderful day!

He lifted sin’s great burden,
He saw my deep dismay,
And graciously he pardoned me,
O what a wonderful day!

My sin was red like crimson,
He washed it all away;
He filled my heart with melody,
O what a wonderful day!

Young Salvation Army composer, Damian Wileman, a member of both Sheffield Citadel Salvation Army Band and the International Staff Band, has written a new melody for these words, giving fresh insight.

High Above the Earth

Words and Music by Twila LaBar and Maurice Carter

Arranged and Orchestrated by Cliff Duren

Twila LaBar is a prolific songwriter with success in the Christian music industry, (Avalon, Point of Grace, Charles Billingsley, Dottie Peoples, Babbie Mason, The Talley Trio, The Hoskins Family and many more).  This song invites us to join with creation and exalt the name the Lord, praising him as the one who reigns high above the earth.

How great is our God

Chris Tomlin

How Great is our God by Chris Tomlin is a really majestic modern worship song.  It proclaims God’s greatness as it moves from quiet amazement at God’s splendour, building up to a fantastic crescendo as we proclaim How Great is our God.  This particular arrangement couples this song with the well-known hymn, How Great Thou Art.

The splendour of a King
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice

He wraps himself in Light
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God and all will see
How great, how great is our God

Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end

The Godhead three in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God and all will see
How great, how great is our God

Then sings my soul, my Saviour, God to Thee!
How great Thou art!
How great Thou art!

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God and all will see
How great, how great is our God

I go to the Rock

Words and Music by Dottie Rambo, arranged and orchestrated by Cliff Duren

We really enjoy this one!  It’s soulful, but also a rollicking arrangement of a Southern Gospel song by the late Dottie Rambo.  The arrangement by Cliff Duren has the splendour and touch of a theatrical production, including a “curtain call”!

Where do I go
When there’s no body else to turn to
Who do I talk to
When no one wants to listen
Who do I lean on
When there’s no foundation stable
I go to the Rock I know He’s able
I go to the Rock

I go to the Rock of my Salvation
I go to the Stone that the builders rejected
I run to the mountain and the mountain stands by me
When the earth all around me is sinking sand
On Christ, the solid rock I stand
When I need a shelter, When I need a friend,
I go to the Rock

I will rise

Words and Music by Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Louie Giglio and Matt Maher

Arranged by Jay Rouse and orchestrated by Rolin R Mains

An uplifting new song which tells of what victory over sin and death means for those who believe in Him.

Chris Tomlin told ChristianMusicPlanet.com the story of the song, I Will Rise: “Toward the end of the ‘How Great is our God Tour,’ Louie [Giglio] challenged me to write a song of worship for people in their hardest time of grief. We were talking about the reality that we need more songs like the hymn ‘It is Well’ that can be sung as worship and hope at a funeral; to be able to find words to say and sing in that moment of sorrow when you lose someone you love. A few days later, Louie sent me an email with a few thoughts about the song, and the one line that struck me the most was…the grave is overwhelmed. I took that idea and ran. This song speaks the truth that we have a Saviour and a God that has defeated death, and we have victory over it as well in Him… He has made us alive, and even though all of us one day will say goodbye to our earthly bodies, we will rise when He calls our name. I love the passage in Revelation 4 and 5 where you see the angels and all the creatures gathered ’round the throne of God in celebration, singing in a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb.’ That’s what I am pointing to in this song–that we will join those angels, and we will stand before the throne of our God and our risen Saviour alive forever! Amen!”

There’s a peace I’ve come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There’s an anchor for my soul
I can say, It is well

Jesus has overcome
and the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise
When He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise, on eagle’s wings
Before my God
fall on my knees,
and rise…
I will rise

There’s a day that’s drawing near
when this darkness breaks to light
and the shadows disappear
and my faith shall be my eyes

And I hear the voice of many angels sing
Worthy is the Lamb!
And I hear the cry of every longing heart
Worthy is the Lamb!

In this quiet moment

John Gowans / Ivor Bosanko

David wrote in Psalm 51:

Generous in love—God, give grace! Huge in mercy—wipe out my bad record.

Scrub away my guilt,
soak out my sins in your laundry.

I know how bad I’ve been;
my sins are staring me down.

You’re the One I’ve violated, and you’ve seen
it all, seen the full extent of my evil.
You have all the facts before you;
whatever you decide about me is fair.

I’ve been out of step with you for a long time,
in the wrong since before I was born.

What you’re after is truth from the inside out.
Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life.

Soak me in your laundry and I’ll come out clean,
scrub me and I’ll have a snow-white life.

Tune me in to foot-tapping songs,
set these once-broken bones to dancing.

Don’t look too close for blemishes,
give me a clean bill of health.

God, make a fresh start in me,
shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.

Don’t throw me out with the trash,
or fail to breathe holiness in me.

(The Message)

John Gowans words, which the Songsters will sing this Sunday morning, In this quiet moment, to music by Ivor Bosanko, echo this heart cry of David. It is a simple prayer, which we can all echo on a frequent basis. A prayer to be set free from our evil nature and desires and to become the people we want to be and which God has created us to be:

In this quiet moment, still before your throne,
Conscious of your presence, knowing I am known.
In this quiet moment, set my spirit free.
In this quiet moment, make a better me.

Indescribable

Words and Music by Laura Story

Laura Story’s song Indescribable contains some weighty lyrics unashamedly based on Scripture and has become a favourite.  It expresses the indescribable nature of God.

Laura says:

When I first wrote “Indescribable,” it never occurred to me that this song could be used in a corporate worship setting. Let’s face it, there aren’t a whole lot of praise choruses that use a string of five-syllable words. I was driving through the mountains of North Carolina, admiring the blue haze of each mountain and the unique form of each tree and leaf. Psalm 19 tells us that the heavens declare the glory of God, and on that day, God was truly nourishing my soul with the beauty of His creation. My first inclination was to sing, but initially, no words came to mind. And that’s when I started to consider how indescribable God is. What words could mere humans give to express His grandeur? Any praises we lift to Him are our feeble attempts at capturing a small glimpse of the magnitude of who God is. Even now, five years later, I never tire of singing that song at all my concerts. I am always reminded of how small I am in comparison to His greatness and how fortunate I am that a God who holds all of time in His hands still seeks to know me intimately. And that is a truth worth singing about!

The lyrics to the song truly are amazing, as is the God which they describe:

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation’s revealing Your majesty

From the colours of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God
You are amazing God
Indescribable!

The Lord bless you and keep you

Words - Numbers 6: 24 / Music - John Rutter

John Rutter CBE is a British composer, conductor, editor, arranger and record producer, mainly of choral music. Rutter’s compositions are chiefly choral, and include Christmas carols, anthems and extended works such as a Gloria, a Magnificat, and a Requiem. His music is eclectic, showing the influences of the French and English choral traditions of the early 20th century, as well as of light music and American classic songwriting. Almost every choral anthem and hymn that he writes, in addition to the standard piano/organ accompaniment, has a subsequent orchestral accompaniment as well, utilizing various different instrumentations, such as strings only, strings and woodwinds, or full orchestra with brass and percussion, among others.

Despite composing and conducting much religious music, Rutter has said he is not particularly a religious man, yet still deeply spiritual and inspired by the spirituality of sacred verses and prayers.

This slow, gentle and solemn meditation anthem uses the words of one of the best prayers in the Bible for blessing and peace upon those we love and care for.

Morning song

Eric Ball

Morning Song was originally written for girls voices, but was reworked for adult voices in four parts by the composer for the Salvation Army’s premier choir, the International Staff Songsters.  Eric Ball was a Salvationist known around the world both in the Salvation Army and in the wider brass band scene as a composer of fine brass band music. But he also turned his hands to choral music, producing much loved classics, including this song, a wonderful prayer by which to start any day:

You are here, Lord,
And the morning sun shines with promise of a wonderful day.
I shall walk upright in the power of your love
And your light shall illumine my way.
You are here, Lord Jesus,
Christ of my every day.

You are here, Lord,
Though the clouds are dark
And the day may bring some burden to share;
I shall walk by faith with my head held high,
Never doubting your love or your care.
You are here, Lord Jesus,
Christ of my every day.

You are there, Lord,
In the future years, love eternal holding all I shall need.
In your likeness growing, transformed by your power,
Spirit guided in thought, word and deed.
I shall know your presence,
Christ of my every hour.

Nothing but thy blood

Richard Slater / Donna Peterson arranged by Simon Gash

Richard Slater was a prolific Salvation Army composer, writing over five hundred songs during his lifetime.  He was a fundamental part of the development of Salvation Army music-making in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.  The words to this song were penned in September 1887.

The message behind them is simple yet powerful – salvation comes through the blood of Jesus.

Donna Peterson is currently Territorial Evangelist for the Salvation Army USA Eastern Territory.  Her beautiful setting of Richard Slater’s words does not detract from the message.  Simon Gash, who is currently Songster Leader at Bexleyheath Salvation Army has produced this arrangement for SATB voices.

The words to the first verse and chorus are:

Jesus, see me at thy feet,
You alone my need can meet,
Nothing but thy blood,
Nothing but thy blood can save me.
See my heart, Lord, how I grieve,
It’s your pardon that I need,
Nothing but thy blood,
Nothing but thy blood can save me.

There is nothing I can bring,
Only by faith I am clinging to your cross,
O lamb of God.
Nothing but thy blood,
Nothing but thy blood can save me.

Shine on Us

Michael W Smith and Deborah D Smith

arranged and orchestrated by Bruce Greer

Michael W. Smith is a Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter, musician, recording artist, composer, and actor. He is one of the best-selling and most influential artists in Contemporary Christian Music, and he has achieved considerable success in the mainstream music industry as well. Smith is a three-time “Grammy Award” winner, and he has earned 34 “Dove Awards”. Over the course of his 24-year career, he has sold more than 13 million albums and he has recorded 29 number-one hit songs, fourteen gold albums, and five platinum albums.

This song, written with his wife, Deborah is a favourite song of prayer for God’s light, God’s grace, and God’s love in our lives.

Still

Reuben Morgan, arranged and orchestrated by David T Clydesdale

Do you feel like your life is out of control? That you are buffeted by the everyday storms of life?

Psalm 46 says:

God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him.

We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom,
courageous in seastorm and earthquake,

Before the rush and roar of oceans,
the tremors that shift mountains.
Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
God of angel armies protects us.

God lives here, the streets are safe,
God at your service from crack of dawn.

Godless nations rant and rave, kings and kingdoms threaten,
but Earth does anything he says.

“Step out of the traffic! Take a long,
loving look at me, your High God,
above politics, above everything.”

Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
God of angel armies protects us.

Reuben Morgan’s song, Still, which the Songsters will sing in our evening meeting, echoes the words of this Psalm:

Hide me now
Under your wings
Cover me
Within Your mighty hands

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You, above the storm
Father, You are king over the flood
I will be still and know You are God

Find rest my soul, in Christ alone
Know His power, in quietness and trust

Thine is the Kingdom

arranged by David T Clydesdale

The words for this song come from The Lord’s Prayer: “For thine is the Kingdom, the power and glory, for ever and ever, Amen”.  The verses also reminds us of the promise found in Psalms 24: “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it”.  This is a lively, up-tempo song which we often use to end our concerts.

Total Praise

Richard Smallwood arranged by Carol Cymbala

World-class composer, pianist and arranger, Richard Smallwood has clearly and solidly changed the face of gospel music. He can impeccably blend classical movements with traditional gospel, and arrive at a mix that is invariably Smallwood’s alone. A diverse and innovative artist, Richard Smallwood has achieved many honours; Dove Awards and a Grammy also attest to his talents. At age five, he was playing piano by ear, at seven, began formal training, and at eleven, formed his first gospel group.

Richard’s music has never been confined to any one artistic genre. His song, “I Love The Lord” crossed onto the big screen when Whitney Houston sang it in the film, The Preacher’s Wife. The same song was also used in the tune,”Dear God” by R&B artists, BoyzIIMen on their CD, Evolution.

This song, which has become a standard in churches around the world is based on the words of Psalm 121:

“I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from?  My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip-he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  The LORD watches over you-the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  The LORD will keep you from all harm-he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore”.

We use this song as a fitting end to many of our concerts.

When We Cannot See Our Way

Words: Thomas Kelly  Music: Stephen Bulla

Thomas Kelly was born in the southern Ireland in 1769, the son of a judge.  He also planned to be a lawyer, but after converting to Christ his career plans changed and he became an Anglican minister in 1792.  Miller’s Singer’s of the Church (1869) says of him:

Mr. Kelly was a man of great and var­ied learn­ing, skilled in the Or­i­ent­al tongues, and an ex­cel­lent Bi­ble cri­tic. He was pos­sessed al­so of music­al tal­ent, and com­posed and pub­lished a work that was re­ceived with fa­vour, con­sist­ing of mu­sic adapt­ed to ev­ery form of me­tre in his hymn-book. Na­tur­al­ly of an am­i­a­ble dis­po­si­tion and tho­rough in his Christ­ian pi­e­ty, Mr. Kel­ly be­came the friend of good men, and the ad­vo­cate of ev­ery worthy, be­ne­vo­lent, and re­li­gious cause. He was ad­mired alike for his zeal and his hu­mil­i­ty; and his lib­er­al­ity found am­ple scope in Ire­land, es­pe­cial­ly dur­ing the year of fam­ine.

Stephen Bulla is a prolific Salvation Army composer, mostly of brass music, so this song is quite unusual.  Stephen is also chief arranger for the President’s Own US Marine Band and White House Orchestra having served there for over twenty years.

The song reminds us that when we cannot see the road to follow, God will show us the way, if only we are willing to give our lives over to him.

Where Eyes Don’t Cry

Words and Music by C Aaron Wilburn and Phil Johnson

Arranged by Graeme Press

Orchestrated by Marty Parks

This hauntingly-beautiful song, written by American gospel song writers Aaron Wilburn and Phil Johnson, and arranged by the conductor of The Salvation Army’s Sydney Staff Songsters from Australia, Graeme Press, focuses on the joyous promise of heaven.  The words and music of this thought-provoking song are likely to stay with you for hours after you listen to it.

Written in red

Words & Music by Gordon Jensen, arranged and orchestrated by Camp Kirkland

Recording artist and composer Gordon Jensen has become an institution in Christian music.  Born in Canada, and raised in a devout Christian home, Jensen accepted Christ as a child of six.  A desire to serve the Lord and express love for Him through music led to his first public performance at twelve.  By age sixteen, he was an integral part of The Orrells, a touring band which later evolved into Gordon Jensen and Sunrise.

Widespread radio airplay and chart success have followed Jensen through the years with  US Number 1 records like God Still Loves the World, Bigger Than Any Mountain, and When I Lift Him Up In Praise.

Translated into fifteen languages, his songs have been recorded in excess of two thousand times by such artists as:  Cynthia Clawson, Larnelle Harris, The Imperials, Dallas Holm, The Cathedrals, Janet Paschal, Rusty Goodman, The Booth Brothers, Squire Parsons, The Continental Singers, along with names like Gaither, Winans, Roy Acuff, The Oak Ridge Boys, and a host of others.  Jensen and his music have been featured several times on the Bill and Gloria Gaither and their Homecoming Friends video series. The classic Redemption Draweth Nigh, which Jensen penned at age eighteen, has been recorded over three hundred times alone and became the musical theme for the movie A Distant Thunder.

Nominated on five occasions for Songwriter of the Year by the Gospel Music Association, several of Jensen’s compositions have garnered the GMA’s Top Ten Songs of the Year distinction.  Among the three hundred plus titles he has written:  I Should Have Been Crucified, Jesus Will Outshine Them All, He’s As Close As the Mention  Of His Name, Tears Are A Language, Bring Back The New Again, Desert Of My Days, You’re The Only Jesus (Some Will Ever See) and this song, Written In Red.

It tells how Jesus showed us God’s love, “written in red”. It reminds of us of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross.

You are God

Sam, Jesse, Joe, John & James Katina, arranged by Richard Kingsmore

The Katinas are a contemporary Christian music group. The five brothers originally hailed from American Samoa but moved to Washington DC in the late 1980s.

You are God is a signature song of The Katinas, a warm and personal reminder of the strength and faithfulness of God in times of trouble.

Your Grace Still Amazes Me

Words and Music by Shawn Craig and Connie Harrington

Arranged by Gaylen Bourland

St Paul wrote: “But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”

It is difficult for us to fathom the grace and longsuffering of our Lord. We find ourselves equating God’s patience with that of mankind, limited and partial. But it is the unlimited patience of the Lord that gives us hope-hope that while we are changing and growing, He will continue to love and befriend us.

How many people do you know who say, “I just can’t live the Christian life. I don’t have what it takes to be that good.”?  We should  assure them that’s exactly right! Not one of us has what it takes in ourselves to “live the life”; that is why we need a saviour. Face it. If we could do it by ourselves there would be no need for Jesus. But we can’t. That’s why He came to earth—to empower us to do what we could not do on our own.

Even when we continue to wrestle with old habits, bad attitudes and jaded hearts, God’s love for us never wavers. Our weakness makes God’s unlimited patience all the more evident. The apostle Paul, including himself among those who tried God’s patience, said he was shown mercy as “an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”

This is not a crutch we lean on as an excuse to sin. Rather it is the understanding that even though our best is not good enough He doesn’t give up on us. He is changing us by His grace.

“Oh God, I am thankful for Your unlimited patience: you never give up on us but have high hopes and plans for our success. You see us as victors and overcomers in this life, and we are…by Your Spirit that is at work in us even now, causing us to talk, walk, and act like You our Father.”

Now that’s amazing!

More songs will be added here at a later date.