A couple of weeks ago, David Crowder*Band came out with their most recent musical offering. I've been waiting to post a song from it until I'd had a chance to listen to it more. I had an immediate favorite, but wanted to give the whole thing a few more listens to see if anything else jumped out as a "real" favorite, as that happens with great frequency in my musical life. One song will jump out at me on the first listen, but when I've sat down and read all the lyrics and got beyond my own mondegreens, another will be the one that stays with me much longer.
But I must say, this time, my first favorite is still my favorite. In my car, I'll specifically go to this song before going back and listening to the rest of the album. I love everything about this song. If you were driving near me when I was listening to it, I'd be the person dancing around in their car singing with their head thrown back and gesticulating wildly. My minivan doesn't have the subs in the trunk, but if it did, I'd have the car that had the obnoxiously blaring music when I drove through the neighborhood. For the record, I really enjoy this entire album (and I will state that it works much better in one sitting, as the outro of each song is the intro for the next, including the last song working into the first -- super artsy and nice), but this song is just my favorite.
Oh happiness, there’s grace Enough for us and the whole human race Oh happiness, there’s grace Enough for us and the whole human race
Friend or foe Stranger or kin All who come Begin again Hard or frail Rich or poor All in need Need fear no more
Such a thing to give away
Oh happiness, there’s grace Enough for us and the whole human race Oh happiness, there’s grace Enough for us and the whole human race
All regrets Let go forget There’s something that Mends all of it
Such a thing to give away
Oh happiness, there’s grace Enough for us and the whole human race Oh happiness, there’s grace Enough for us and the whole human race
Sound the church bells let them ring Let them ring, for everything can be redeemed We can be redeemed, oh all of us
Oh happiness, there’s grace Enough for us and the whole human race Oh happiness, there’s grace Enough for us and the whole human race Yeah
Growing up I attended a pretty straight-laced Lutheran church. I have a lot of great memories from there -- it's where I went to school through 8th grade as well as where I first became involved in church music and I met Jesus there in a very real & personal way. That said, one thing that I remember was that emotions were always downplayed, happiness in particular. I understand why -- emotions are a fleeting thing. How I feel about something does not necessarily reflect the truth of the thing. We were taught about joy, but it was always emphasized that joy was a state of being, not a feeling and that one could be joyful even if they weren't feeling happy. Because of this, I think I was afraid to "feel" anything about my faith for a long time. I think I was worried that it would be shallow to just be happy. I mean, it certainly sounds "more spiritual" to say that you're joyful than to say that you're happy.
But you know what? Sometimes I am happy about my faith. I feel giggly and smiley and, well, happy about having a friend who loves me no matter what and who can't wait to spend time with me. That's a good feeling. And emotions are a good thing. And quite frankly, there is nothing that can inspire a good feeling like knowing that you're accepted and that redemption is a free gift. And it's free for you, for me and for everyone.
I know the Charismatic movement is not perfect (the whole name-it-claim-it branch, etc) - but the one thing i know i am a 'better' Christian for having been exposed to that movement is that i engage my emotions in the worship of Christ. Not as a means to worship, but in response to His actions on my behalf. I'd like to think of myself as a 'Christian Hedonist" (John Piper)
I love love love this song. My favorite, though, is How He Loves. Our local radio station just went out for the launch of the album and tour. It looks awesome!
samurai -- I feel the same way. My years as a pentecostal have served me well in that regard. I've been a lot of flavors of Christian over the years (LCMS, RCC, Four Square, Vineyard, etc.) and each one has had a pretty profound impact on my faith. And the pentecostal/charismatic ones helped me access the emotional side of my faith.
Susan -- I love How He Loves as a song, but honestly, his version is not my favorite. I much prefer the Kim Walker version that I posted a couple of weeks ago. But regardless, the band is coming to our church next month and I am STOKED about it. w00t!
samurai says: