My Redeemer Lives (Inspiring Clip and Story)

This Easter Sunday, the kids at our church will get up and sing a rehearsed song before the congregation. All spiffed up and decked out, they'll perform the anthem of choice this year: Nicole Mullen's "My Redeemer Lives". This was a new one to me, so since the children had been provided with lyric sheets, my youngest two and I decided to find the song on YouTube and practice before the big day.

I wanted to share with you one of the clips I found, because of it's incredible beauty. This arrangement is easier to follow than some of the "Live" versions, and the lyrics are provided, but the story in the video is what is so moving. The opening sequence tells the story of Dick and Rick Hoyt, a father and son team who competed in several marathons together - culminating in the Iron Man Triathalon.



What makes this story so inspiring is the fact that the son, Rick, is disabled (it looks like either severe cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, but the video doesn't say specifically). In any event, he is paralyzed. His father carries him.

As we practiced the song, Stefan (7) and Natalia (5) watched the video with interest. What they noticed, besides the fact that the man in the raft was being helped by his strong Dad, was how happy he was at the end. "Why is he lying in the raft?" Natalia wanted to know. "Because his legs and body don't work," Stefan explained knowingly. As they crossed the finish line, Stefan noted, "He's really happy!" "Yes," I agreed. "Why do you think he's so happy?" "Cuz he knows God loves him," Stefan answered. "Yeah!" Natalia agreed. "Jesus is his "Redeemer! So he's really happy." (Sometimes kids grasp the real meaning of life and source of joy quicker than most adults!)

Just watch it, and you'll understand why I am sharing it. Amazing and powerful testimony of a father's compassionate love -- with an obvious spiritual parallel.

Renewed Respect for the 'Blokey Bloke' Matt Redman!

He's completely redeemed himself in my eyes, and I removed my snarky comment about his song from Sunday's post:



"Watertight Scripturally" - I like that. A LOT. Would that more CCM writers would take heed.

He had to mention the other song that makes me wince.....John Wimber's "Isn't He Beautiful"...he just HAD to mention it......

Analyze the Lyric - #4

I happen to love this song, by the way - "Today I Choose" by Brian Doerkson. Somehow I think you hyper-Calvinists are gonna have a cow....ROFL!

Analyze the Lyric #2

More gems from the Christian music world (CCM this time; we'll go back to cheesy praise choruses next week):

I know you trippin’ off of this production
To preach Jesus and promote zion
To claim the death and ressurection
Go get the bible if you think I am lyin’
‘Bout to take over the nation
Sinners become a new creation
To spread the gospel is my mission
Taking you to school and pay tuition

Look we done took over the malls
We’re everywhere
Going up and down the school halls
We’re everywhere
We done took over the courts
We’re everywhere
We done took over the sports
We’re everywhere
We drive the biggest cars
We’re everywhere
We are the biggest stars
We’re everywhere
We wear the baddest clothes
We’re everywhere
And we owning all of the stores
We’re everywhere

This gem comes from Canton Jones, a Christian artist. From another of his songs, "24":

(We ride on 24’s)
You ain’t never seen a church boy
ridin with the top down swervin
Everybody see me bend the curve

Every whip on 24’s
Every crib got 50 doors
don’t get nervous

Payin tithe
finally paid off

We ride on 24’s
we let them people know
Every city and state we go

Can’t keep that name on low
Roll eep and switchin lanes

Roll wit me and they rep
the name
Roll real don’t play no games

see the symbol on the chain
Rep tinted and ridin high
scream Jesus when we ridin by

Where you gonna be
when you die
Ima be in the sky

we ride 24’s don’t have
to sell no dro
Bust music to get that dough
preach the gospel to the po

Cadillac on 24’s
made back on 24’s
Bently Coup on 24’s
Chevy Hoop on 24’s

Drive dem then I giveaway
Why ause God said give away
But the more I give away I
got more coming back to me

Now. Ahem. Clearing throat here. Jones hails from the mega-church of one of the following three pastors. Is it:

A) John Macarthur
B) the aptly-named Creflo Dollar
C) John Piper

Discuss the implications.

Analyze this Lyric

New category on my blog starting today: Analyze the Lyric. Why, you ask? I love Christian music, but I'm incapable of listening to it without screening the lyrics for theological soundness. Sorry. It's a common trait among theo-geeks.

A few years ago, I had a mixed worship CD with a whiny song called "You Said". At the time, I had never heard of Hillsong, the Aussie mega-church that produces Christian music (much of it whiny).There's something disturbing about the Hillsong franchise, but that's another blog entry. Well, last week this song reared it's doctrinally-questionable head at church for the first time (I think it had something to do with the evangelist with the story about the Muslim girl's honor killing that I'm finding hard to swallow.)

Now here's the song, and you tell me if it doesn't smack of post-millenialism:

Lyrics to You Said :
You said, Ask and you will receive
Whatever you need
You said, Pray and I'll hear from heaven
And I'll heal your land

You said Your glory will fill the earth
Oh, Like water the seas
You said, Lift up your eyes
The harvest is here, the kingdom is near

You said, Ask and I'll give the nations to you
O Lord, that's the cry of my heart
Distant shores and the islands will see
Your light, as it rises on us

O Lord, we ask for the nations
O Lord, we ask for the nations
O Lord, we are asking for the nations
[ You Said Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]

Seems to have a little dominionism in there, too. WE'RE asking "for the nations"? Umm...isn't our job just to occupy until He comes, and spread the Gospel? This song seems to anticipate end-time revival, that's for sure. Or am I reading too much into this?

On the subject of dominionism/Manifest Sons of God doctrine, here's the chorus of "Hail Jesus, You're My King" (Victory Chant):

Hail Jesus! You're my King!
Your life frees me to sing
I will praise You all my days
You're perfect in all Your ways

Glory, glory to the Lamb!
You will take us into the land
We will conquer in Your name
And proclaim that "Jesus reigns!

(Emphasis mine - where's that in the Bible?) I see no biblical injunction to "conquer in [Jesus'] Name". None. Zip. Never noticed that when we were singing this in college.

Comments, please.