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Yesterday I blogged about how I changed a lyric in Jonathan Stockstill’s (Deluge) “Open Up the Sky”.  I only changed one word but it was enough to make the song singable in corporate worship for me.  Jonathan even sanctioned the change!

Today I’d like to as you …

“What worship song lyrics really bother you”?

Do me a favor – comment, and then share this link on Facebook, Retweet on Twitter, etc.  Let’s get the community rolling here again!

The song “Open Up The Sky” (iTunes) by Jonathan Stockstill has been around a while now.  I remember one of my best friends and mentors telling me about this song … I dunno … maybe 1-2 years ago.  It was recorded on Deluge’s “Live From Bethany World Prayer Center” and released by Integrity Music.

I heard it a few times and was never blown away until I took part in leading it with Joel Klampert, Conner Byrd, Mike Mahoney, and some great friends at a mens’ retreat in New Hampshire earlier this year.  It was during that retreat that the song hooked me.

I finally decided to introduce this song to our congregation here at SSCC and we started practicing away.  Over and over, one lyric kept bothering me.  I couldn’t shake it.

“We don’t want blessings, we want You”.

I believed that I understood the “essence” of what the writer, Jonathan Stockstill, was saying, but still … did it need further explanation?  And was that truly the cry of MY heart?

The more I struggled with the lyric, the more I accepted that I couldn’t honestly sing it to God.  The truth is, I *DO* want His blessings.  I *NEED* his blessings.  And wanting His blessings doesn’t automatically mean that I don’t also want the Giver of the Blessings.

I decided to change the lyric so that we sing this:

“Open up the sky.  Fall down like rain.  More than Your blessings, we want You”.

What’s that?  The sound of the copyright police?  No worries.  I had an incredible email exchange with Jonathan and he was gracious enough to bless our new version with his approval.  Even better, he offered his explanation of the lyric, which I’ll share with you below.  His explanation is exactly what I’d anticipated and I totally ‘get’ what he is saying, and support it as well.

Here’s a portion of the exchange from Jonathan Stockstill:

… “What’s up man! I have no issue with you changing up the words.. I actually considered saying that line instead, but really wanted to say what I said. I was in a season that God was really pouring out blessing after blessing, but my walk with Him lacked intimacy. I felt like there were all these traces of God’s favor that manifested in blessings, but I didn’t feel close to him. I would have traded every blessing for a deeper walk with him. I wasn’t saying that I don’t appreciate the blessing or even want them for that matter.. I was simply saying “I am not pursuing you FOR blessings… It’s you that I want“. I can understand how that would be a tough line to sing, especially if you don’t know the heart behind it, but it is what I wanted to say, so I said it … “

———————

So there you have it … and a kazillion kudos to Jonathan Stockstill for being transparent and actually taking the time to reply.  I appreciate your humility and the spirit you share with us!

So what about you … do you know this song?  Ever struggled with that lyric?  Other lyrics?

When you say “praise Him in the dance” and think of incorporating “dance” as an act of praise … what comes to mind?

How about this?  1300+ people from a church in Budapest Hungary rehearsed this dance and came together and “danced” to celebrate Easter Sunday.  What’s even cooler?  They are organizing the same thing for Easter 2011 … worldwide.  For more info, visit www.uptofaith.com

I’m not sure where to start.  The last few weeks at my home church have been … well, incredible.  We’ve made a conscious effort to slow it down, to hear God, and to allow God to do what He loves to do … change lives and minister to people.

It started 3 weeks ago when we prepared for a service where we’d offer people the opportunity to be baptized – right there, right then, no excuses.  We baptized 126 people.  It was amazing.

Then we shared testimonies and built faith.

Then we prayed for the sick and those in need of healing.

Yeah … at that “community church” – <begin sarcasm> you know the one where they don’t allow the Holy Spirit to show up.  </end-sarcasm>

I’m sensing a flow, an anointing, an expectation … that I haven’t sensed in a while.  I cannot explain it, other than to say .. I like it … a lot.

One of the big objectives that was given to me in taking this position over 3 years ago was to get more people involved in the music/worship ministry at SSCC.  I think that’s definitely happened as we’ve experienced tremendous growth.

Perhaps the biggest joy I have is in stepping back and allowing others to lead.  This Sunday was no exception when my friend Russ Hutto led his first full service at SSCC.  Russ has led a song here and there and has played in the band plenty of times.  I felt like the time was right and handed the keys to Russ and he did an amazing job.

Our songs:

“My Savior Lives”
“Beautiful One”
“Overcome”
“Holy and Anointed One”
“Doxology”
“Blessed Be Your Name”

After singing “Overcome” and moving into one of my favorites of all-time, “Holy and Anointed One”, it seemed that the Presence of God was so thick you could touch it.  Something about singing “we will overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony” followed by singing the Name, “Jesus”.

Wow.

So, how was your worship services?

PS:  Oh yeah, almost forgot – I’m sharing this recap as a part of the weekly “Sunday Setlists” event hosted at TheWorshipCommunity.Com.

Hey Gang,

In the vein of “Follow Friday” … I’d like to introduce you to a couple of new sites that I’d recommend:

www.churchleaders.com – a new site for, well, you guessed it … Church Leaders!  This site is already packed with incredible content and has a slick look and feel.  You never know, you just might find some worship articles from me in there soon!

www.patrickeades.com – This is a local guy .. the Executive Director of our local Care Net (aka Crisis Pregnancy Center).  But Patrick is new to blogging, but not new to ministry, leadership, and vision.  He’s a great friend, an incredible leader, and visionary.  His blog will be in your top blogs for leadership and family insights.  He and his family are very close to our hearts … Patrick will stir you with insights into leadership, the pro-life movement, family matters, and more.  Plus, the guy is hilarious.  I mean, really … who else has “The Sex Man” as his nickname?