I See Grace – Booth Brothers

As other bloggers post favourite albums, projects and songs of 2010, I thought I would share one of my favourite songs of 2010.

I first came across the song, “I See Grace” by the Booth Brothers whilst embarking upon a mega review with several bloggers in the Southern Gospel field. In reviewing the song the lyrics grabbed my attention, but as it was nestled along with several other fantastic songs, I forgot about the power of that song for a short time. Soon, whilst at work in the summer, the song came on my iPod. I think I had it on loop for a good hour or two, trying to get my head around each line, as the sincerity and authenticity of each line was incredible.

For example, “Not defined by the past but defined by the Cross”. That should be every embedded in every single Christian person. So often, we let those in our livest, take us back to the past. To places that God has forgiven and forgotten forever. So that line should resonate with a genuinely saved person to the very core.  You are no longer defined by what you may have done, but you are now defined by the Cross, a place of forgiveness and freedom through grace!

Here are the entire lyrics to, “I See Grace.” Below the lyrics is a rendition by the Booth Brothers of the song. Let it bless you!

I See Grace:

Here in these walls; here in these rows

There are those who regret the roads they once chose,

More than the sorrow, more than the pain

There is joy for the way that

Through Christ they’ve been changed

 

There are lives freed from bondage of sins once concealed

There are bodies and minds, spirits now healed

Those who found freedom and shook off the chains

From the long years of guilt, anger, and shame

 

I see grace; I see grace

In every life; on every face

Of the faithful who gather each week in this place

I see grace

 

 

There are those in this life who’ve been dealt a poor hand

They’ve overcome and by God’s strength they stand

Those who have come through unbearable loss

Not defined by the past but defined by the Cross

 

 

I see grace; I see grace

In every life; on every face of the faithful who gather each week in this place

I see grace

 

 

Story after story, one common theme

God’s power and glory in those He’s redeemed

Such tender mercy time after time

So many ways in this story that’s mine

 

 

I see grace; Grace; I see grace

In every life; on every face of the faithful who gather each week in this place

I see grace

The faithful who gather each week in this place

I see grace; I see GRACE! (Emphasis Added! – PB)

 

Written by Jim Brady, Barry Weeks, and Tony Wood/Brady House Publishing/BMI/New Spring/Row J, Seat 9 Songs/ASCAP/Building Bridge/BMI

 

Ernie Haase & Signature Sound – Take My Hand, Precious Lord

This has to be one of the most powerful videos I have seen in a long time. Tim Duncan shares the brief story behind the lyrics of the song which puts it in a different light entirely. Ernie Haase then shares some thoughts on why God’s Grace is always sufficient, no matter what our circumstances. I’ll let the video do most of the talking for me, just take the 7 minutes or so to watch the entire clip.

You will be blessed!

It is amazing how God plants a word when you need it most!

YouTube Video: Old Fashioned Love

The Kazoo. The what?! This is a small little instrument, which Ernie Haase is introducing to audiences across the USA. I have to say, he is quite the Kazoo player. According to Wikipedia, “While blowing is the term typically used to describe the technique required to play a kazoo, a more accurate term would be humming into the kazoo. Blowing with the lips closed around the mouthpiece of the kazoo will not make sound – one must vibrate air from their lungs by humming in to the instrument in order for the kazoo to make any sound. Increased air flow and harder blowing will result in a more effective and authoritative sound.”

It would take some guts to pull of something like that on stage. To hold your nerve is one thing, but to keep a straight face is another, with everyone laughing in the audience!

I especially enjoyed the part were Ernie pulled an imaginary gun out of his pocket and shot the whistling bird in the rafters of the church they were performing in. Brilliant stuff. Be sure to check out the video up loader, jeniboo2. She has lots of brilliant quality concert videos of EHSS, plus some Cathedral Quartet songs, which EHSS are covering.

Song Profile: There is a Fountain

Recently I have been drawn to the song, “There is a Fountain”. I have sung this song many times in churches and it easy to let the lyrics just float past. I truly stopped to consider the lyrics the other day and they are truly amazing. What amazed me more is the story behind the lyrics. Like many hymns of the ages, there is often a story behind the music. A moment of inspiration has often been behind a song, conversely there have often been times of tragedy and sorrow that have inspired many stellar hymns.

There is a Fountain was penned by William Cowper who was born on the  26th November 1731 and passed away on the 25th April 1800.  He is regarded as one of the most popular poets of his generation and in many ways he is credited with being a forerunner of the  Romantic poetry genre.

Most interesting to me was the fact that Cowper suffered from manic depression and often felt that he was doomed to eternal damnation and hell. Cowper often doubted his spiritual reality and assurance of salvation. This is what inspired him to write such epic hymns and poems.

There is a Fountain was written after Cowper’s first bout of depression. The factors that led to his first bout of depression are thought to have been a combination of guilt and worry about past sin in his life.  Cowper had been promised a post as Clerk of the Journal to the House of Lords (Similar to the US Senate), but was dismayed up on learning he would have to under go a public examination in the House before beginning his duties.  This led to several suicide attempts. The following article from the North American Review, January, 1834,  shows how God prevented him from killing himself:

…but on waking at three in the morning, he took his penknife and lay with his weight upon it, the point toward his heart. It was broken and would not penetrate. At day break he arose, and passing a strong garter around his neck, fastened it to the frame of his bed: this gave way with his weight, but on securing it to the door, he was more successful, and remained suspended till he had lost all consciousness of existence. After a time the garter broke and he fell to the floor, so that his life was saved.

What a story! God clearly spared this man and allowed him to write a song that really does speak of what the Blood of Christ can do for everyone and anyone that calls upon the name of Jesus.

Many Southern Gospel artists have covered this hymn and my favourite version of this song is by a Northern Irish artist, Paul Irwin.  I reviewed his latest CD, “Forgive Me”, a few months back and this song was on the project. Be sure to let me know what you think of the song! You can learn more about Paul Irwin at his website, here.

There is a Fountain – Paul Irwin

Lyrics:

There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day;
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.
Washed all my sins away, washed all my sins away;
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.

E’er since, by faith, I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.
And shall be till I die, and shall be till I die;
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.