Spirit Devotionals |
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| July 2, 2008 |
O Amazing |
| I'm a "high church" person and prefer traditional Services of Worship to contemporary ones. I love liturgical and theological formality. I love the Thees and the Thous, and all the prayers and responses I know by heart. Is it a throw back to my Catholic upbringing? Maybe, I don't know, but when people groan at hymns like A Mighty Fortress Is Our God or Our God, Our Help in Ages Past or Holy, Holy, Holy, I just don't get it. There's nothing like listening to our big pipe organ and amazing Sanctuary Choir pounding out Beethoven's Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee on a rainy Sunday morning or Handel's Hallelujah! chorus at Easter. It stirs me, speaks to me, and makes me feel happy and secure. "God is in His heaven. All is right with the world!" Okay, so I took a detour last summer and attended the Robin Mark concert at CCPC "direct from Belfast." I had bought a ticket but confess that I was really there to take photos for The Clarion. I've heard some contemporary worship songs that are okay, but by and large they seem too slick for me, too cheezy. I sat there prepared for the worst. As predicted, on stage in Tennent Hall was a big drum set, an electric keyboard, electric guitars, tons of microphones and cords - you know the drill, a mini-rock concert. Then the overhead lights went out, the spotlights came on and the stage filled with our Praise Team, and of course, Robin Mark. "You had me at hello." Robin's rich Irish brogue spoke an invitation to worship that hit me at my core. His voice was gentle and deep and held not a trace of embarrassment, not a hint of insincerity when he spoke of his great love for God. There was no glitz, no commercialism, no cheeze. The music that filled that Hall was celestial and uplifting. The crowd was inspired and engaged. At some songs they stood and clapped, at others they held their arms up, rocked back and forth, and joined in the singing. His songs are pure poetry and hold the simplicity that musicians from my youth had adopted (think James Taylor). After the concert, I bought two CDs. I play them over and over and over. One of my favorites is a "cover song" of Amazing Grace called O Amazing: O amazing grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I'm found, Was blind but now I see. O amazing grace, O amazing, O amazing grace to me. O amazing love, how can it be That I this love might gain. That had saved a helpless one like me Whose sin had caused You pain. O amazing love, O amazing, O amazing love to me. Shall we sing this song forever? For this theme will never fade. And in the flow of life eternal, Jesus, How amazing are Your ways. O amazing God, the Father's love unfolded through the Son, And risen by the Spirit's breath, the glorious Three-in-One. O amazing God, O amazing, O amazing God to me. A review I read later summed up Robin's music this way, "His songs are honest and humble. They exalt God in ways that are not worship songs with an Irish flair, but are worship from an Irishman using his musical talents and instruments." C'mon, step outside the box -- make plans to attend one of the upcoming Robin Mark concerts here at CCPC, Saturday night, August 16 or Sunday night, August 17. Maybe like me, you'll find another way to praise God! -Jan Cook Communications |
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