Normally I feature the song then the story behind the song, but with Forever Reign, I thought the story added so much depth to this incredible song of worship I mixed up the order. I hope when you hear the emotion behind what was written and see how the lyrics were crafted to reflect what a relationship with our Heavenly Father looks like, you’ll see how Jesus’ death and resurrection for our sin (past-present-future) made that relationship possible for each of us. And maybe the next time you hear Forever Reign you will look at it more as a personal prayer than song you hear on the radio or something being sung in church, I know I will!
There are certain songs we all can identify with, the kind of songs that you wonder if somehow the songwriter used the cliff-notes of your life to write the song. For me Empty Me is one of those songs.
The first time I heard the song was in the summer of 2008 and I was in a huge transition physically, professionally, and spiritually. Looking back now, I can honestly say the song….especially these lyrics served as a great reminder what I was capable of when I was full of myself and what God could accomplish when I was not.
I’ve had just enough
Of the spotlight when it burns bright
To see how it gets in the blood
I’ve tasted my share
Of the sweet life and the wild ride
And found a little is not quite enoughI know how I can strayAnd how fast my heart could changeEmpty me of the selfishness insideEvery vain ambition and the poison of my prideAnd any foolish thing my heart holds ontoLord, empty me of me so I can be filled with you
Here is a link to the story behind Empty Me, with the lyrics, which Chris Sligh actually wrote while he was a finalist on American Idol. And since tonight is the season premier for season 10, I thought I would include this video from season 6 where Chris took exception to Simon Cowell’s critique and shared a few thoughts which Simon took exception to. The fun begins at the 0:45 mark with Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul sharing their thoughts before Simon and Ryan Seacrest join in.
Worship Wednesday is a feature on Leveraging Life where I hope someone finds a message in a song that they need to hear. A song offering encouragement, support, promise, or hope in the moment they need it most. I will make every effort to provide a link to the story behind the song if it is available.
~Tom
trusting God period
Thanks for taking the time to watch the videos and thanks in advance for spreading the word about Leveraging Life, please use the Sharing is Caringlinks at the bottom to update your Facebook and Twitter pages, and don’t forget to email your friends.
To mix this up for the holidays, I’ll be featuring Christmas music and assorted holiday videos every Wednesday, as part of the Worship Wednesday feature, through the end of the year.
Think about the sheer volume of Christmas songs that have been written and just about every subject is covered.
Santa-check
Mary-check
Acknowledging it was a Silent Night….Away in the Manger with 3 Kings-check-check-check
A Little Drummer Boy-check
Even Frosty, Rudolph, and dogs barking get some play
I had the privilege to see Audrey Assad perform a solo set in July in the incredible storyteller venue that is Acoustic Jeremiah just outside Atlanta. There are several videos online, but this version reminds me so much of what it was like to hear Audrey perform live, so raw, so real, so personal…..which for me is what worship is in the first place.
You are the highway i travel
cause i watched You carve streets of gold
from sin and gravel
i gave You brokenness
You gave me innocence
and now this road leads to glory
I hope you enjoy this week’s selection and please click on the story behind the song to learn more about how For The Love Of You came to be and click here to learn more about Audrey Assadand use this link to download more of her music.
The Story Behind The Song
If you like what you heard and just recognized there are only 93 more days till Christmas, check out the song she wrote which Chris Tomlin included last year on his Christmas album Glory In The Highest. Check out this cool video someone made that goes with this Amazing Song……..oh yeah, since you’re listening to a Christmas song…..let me be the first to wish you a MerryChristmasthis year!
My hope is someone may be led to a song with a message they need to hear offering encouragement, support, promise, or hope when they need it most. I will make every effort to provide a link to the story behind the song if it is available.
Please let me know what you think and feel free to make recommendations for future Worship Wednesdays in the comment section below or via the contact link. Also don’t forget to use the links on the side to share this with your friends on Facebook and Twitter!
