Comments on: How He Loves Us

By: Andrewkozer

Andrewkozer — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 06:11:00 +0000

John’s writing on it.
http://johnmarkmcmillan.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-he-loves-david-crowder-and-sloppy.html

By: Laxinblondie

Laxinblondie — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 03:17:00 +0000

These comments were years ago, but it doesn’t seem that anyone pointed out that “sloppy wet kiss” was already an edit from “unforeseen kiss.” Couldn’t you just go back to the original?

By: Russ Hutto

Russ Hutto — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:32:44 +0000

I’m about to go give my wife a sloppy wet kiss.

And that’s just fine.

By: Fred McKinnon

Fred McKinnon — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:17:08 +0000

Hey Amie,
You’ve clearly heard the newer, David Crowder version, where that lyric was changed (with the author’s permission) … this entire discussion was based on the original lyric, and several recordings thereof, where it is “sloppy wet kiss”.

By: amie

amie — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:06:34 +0000

the line isn’t “sloppy wet kiss”, it is “unforseen kiss”

By: Claude

Claude — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:49:04 +0000

What a shame that that original video by the author of the song no less is pulled. I saw it and was moved and tried to point others to it only to be unable to find it anymore. It was John Mark’s own testimony about the song for pity’s sake. Sometimes “Christian” is a label to easily applied to groups and ministries…

By: Theresa Jones

Theresa Jones — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:50:30 +0000

The best version I’ve heard is from Youth Camp this summer at Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters. Jenny (Little) Holloway sings. The 2nd verse you talked about she found a solution to:

“Heaven met earth when He offered His best.”

By: Alan

Alan — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:08:21 +0000

David Crowder Band uses “unforseen kiss” in their version, so if your a copyright guru, use their version!

By: Spence

Spence — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:29:37 +0000

Maybe the lyrics to the song don’t fit every congregation, but then again, if John Mark was playing the song at your church he definitely wouldn’t change his lyrics to prevent the possibility of offending someone. So the point maybe for all you worshipers and musicians to write original stuff that comes out of your personal relationship with God and meets your own church where its at right now. Don’t be content waiting for someone else to express your heart for you. disclaimer: writing a good song is really, really hard to do, so I understand why we have to resort to other people’s stuff! But we can still try…

By: Patrick Little

Patrick Little — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:12:21 +0000

I agree, what a verse! That’s huge- definitely changes how I sing that line, and gives me a lot of confidence in using the song. Also, what great encouragement for us in the truth of how He loves us!

By: Fred McKinnon

Fred McKinnon — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:46:59 +0000

Chan,
I stand corrected! Great Scripture reference, and great point! Thanks so much!

By: Chan

Chan — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:34:17 +0000

Actually, this line is quite scriptural. Deuteronomy 32:9 reads “For the LORD’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted inheritance”

By: lori

lori — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:14:09 +0000

Just wanted to pop in and say that we do this in our worship. As is. We have a very diverse congregation, albeit small as compared to some, but the song, as is, is received very well.

I do love the analogy of sloppy wet kiss. Personally, I think it really works, and for me, the song would loose something without that line! I can’t speak for anyone else in our congregation but we’ve done it many many times and I have never heard one negative word about it…lyric and all!

Anyway…just my thoughts…

By: Bernard Shuford

Bernard Shuford — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:14:33 +0000

Just a note, Fred, the video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Jesus Culture Conferences. That’s odd, in a way, as it has been on youTube for literally a couple of years, but… If you still see it, it must be cached, or something.

By: Bernard Shuford

Bernard Shuford — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:09:52 +0000

Technically, changing lyrics or even the song arrangement is a copyright violation and must have the songwriter’s explicit written approval.

Performance rights are protected for churches under American law, but copyright law is still totally applicable, so I’m pretty sure that churches don’t have an exemption on this.

A song is supposed to be performed as written.

Yep, I violate it a lot, too, but that is the way the law is written, as best I understand it.

If we sing John Mark’s song, we are technically supposed to use his lyrics, otherwise we’re creating a derivative work without his permission, which is technically just as illegal as running off 100 copies of it without licensing.

Just contributing, not being a stickler

Love the song. Don’t like the lyric, either, not because I’m a prude but because it makes the song less useful.

By: Jon McKanna

Jon McKanna — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:54:59 +0000

great post for me…i just had this discussion with a staff member at church yesterday…i LOVE this song, but those three words are going to cause strife if i use them in our services…by the end of our discussion the consensus was to change some lyrics…

my second thought was to tie it in with “how marvelous”…just using the chorus? we’ll see…

the chorus for “how He loves us” is definitely the hook here…i even have my little two year old singing that!!!

By: Fred McKinnon

Fred McKinnon — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:56:58 +0000

Hey,
I agree – I have changed that line to say “He is our portion and we are His prize”. I do this only because I see those in Scripture referring to God as “our portion”, and not the other way around. And I feel confident that He considers us as His prized possessions … His Bride, the Church.

By: Patrick Little

Patrick Little — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:58:48 +0000

Hey guys,

This is my first time here, love the conversation. First of all, I absolutely love the chorus to this song, and the lyric about not being able to maintain these regrets just stokes me!

The one lyric that actually keeps me from being able to fully release myself into this song is one that hasn’t been mentioned yet, surprisingly, and it’s this one:

“We are His portion and He is our prize.”

I do not feel comfortable singing this line, because I do not believe it’s accurate that we are God’s portion. He is His portion, and we are beneficiaries! He does not need us, like we need Him. I feel it would be more accurate to sing, “He is our portion and we are his prize,” that we are His prized children that he has bought from the grave with His blood that He loves with an extravagance beyond our comprehension.

Anyway, I’d love to hear your guys’ thoughts on this.

By: Miles O'Neal

Miles O'Neal — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 00:38:16 +0000

I generally agree, except that the “sloppy wet kiss” is the part that first got my attention. That may be because I want a seriously passionate relationship with Jesus, and will take that on whatever terms He offers. But f you watch John’s 9 minute version on youtube with the song’s back story, I think it hits home even more. And I love Shannon’s take on this!

By: Chris Lane

Chris Lane — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:58:03 +0000

my church uses “beautiful kiss” instead of “sloppy wet kiss” if that helps

By: Emily Walton

Emily Walton — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 00:46:48 +0000

Hey Fred! So I went to a conference last weekend in McDonough. Steve Fee did worship and he sung that song! It is such an amazing song, and so full much emotion! It’s like I didn’t know whether to jump up and down, or get on knees and weep! In response to the sloppy wet kiss.. I love that part! I think it shows God’s amazing affection for us! It provides a passionate analogy that portrays a mere fraction of the love He has for us! And the thought of it causes “my heart to turn violently inside of my chest!” This is just my opinion though, and I could understand how some people may not like that part. So if I were to change the song, I would just change that part, instead of the whole song.. cuz the other lines in that verse are so amazing! “We are His portion and He is our prize, Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes, if grace is an ocean we’re all sinking…” Wow! Those words are so full of emotion and meaning! Well I hope this helps!

By: John Tinker

John Tinker — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:48:42 +0000

Editing lyrics is no new thing. Hymns written centuries ago have odd lyrics for various scriptural & theological interpretations. Even pop songs with great musical structure and melody have been adapted then and now-i.e. A Mighty Fortress and Every Breath You Take. Every congregation has the privilege and responsibility to be as effective with their worship as possible. Let’s not split hairs and throw out the baby with the bathwater. If the lyric works, fine. If it doesn’t be discerning to select the most accurate sub. I think John MM would be OK either way. The other 250 so words he wrote have been used to bless. I as a musician and writer appreciate any appreciation of my song writing and arranging. Thanks for a wonderful song, JMM, and thanks for a wonderful passion for the song, Kim Walker. My congregation may need editing as well, but our youth are already singing it as written. Me, the 55 year old rockin’ grandpa, can be happy either way.
As for Morningstar doing original music only– more churches need to challenge their musicians and lyricists to have their own expression. I encourage those who are reading this to begin expressing this more in your congregations. Don Potter and Leonard Jones have done the Body of Christ a good deed by this example.
Blessings to all

By: Jan Owen

Jan Owen — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:27:17 +0000

fred, do you happen to have a chart for this song? I love the sloppy wet kiss part! It’s not a chaste kiss, it’s an all over you, exuberant kiss from God. yes! can you email me if you have it? janowen@knology.net……just need it quick and am covered up so thought i’d see if i could borrow!

By: dan

dan — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 22:19:01 +0000

I’m sort of mixed on the song. In a way I like it, the melody, and some of the wording is nice. But, I have a strong concern these days where it seems coolness or “being in the groove” or “getting it” is lord and Jesus sort of comes along sneaking in the side door. Also, the twisting of love or the meaning of love from a self-sacrificing, giving, serving, commitment from the heart to something substantially weak, such as a selfish, infantile, empty sentimentality or lust for personal gratification that is all too often something someone uses as an excuse to glorfy himself or herself as a “loving” person.

I know that’s hard, but I often feel this is a message that we all need to hear today. There is more to love than a sloppy wet kiss, and there is more to faith than merely getting lost in a swoon of blind emotion. The love of Christ took Him to the cross to pay for the sins of those who were unfaithful to Him and even abandoned and betrayed Him to His face as He died expressing his unreturned love. The pain Jesus suffered is perhaps His greatest expression of love. Yet when we get hurt, when our spouse runs off and plays the harlot on our marriages, when we’re stuck with cancer dying in pain, we have an opportunity to touch only a little on the pain Jesus willingly went through for us, and yet so often we turn to God in anger and blame Him for causing it or failing to protect us from that pain. Yet that pain could bring a blessing that could not otherwise exist, not to mention giving us a deeper heart of understanding the love of Christ plus a fellowship of greater love and understanding for others who are also suffering.

Getting out of our comfort zone is not about getting into sin in an attempt to get “real”. It is not about getting tattooed or pierced or cursing and swearing or pretending to be humble by tearing down the greatness of God’s creation in us.

It is about abandoning and dethroning every other god in favor of Jesus Christ, and in Christ is where we find real love!

By: Dwayne

Dwayne — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:31:14 +0000

Our church replaced “sloppy wet kiss” with “passionate kiss”. I didn’t even realize that it was changed until I heard the original song. I have to say that I prefer the way we sing in church, but it is a great song either way.