Avalon: "Faith: A Hymns Collection"

Courtesy: Avalon

This first hymns collection by Avalon was released in 2006. The four member group decided to approach this album differently than their other albums.  They decided to record the hymns as duets. And the result?  It's awesome! 

Here are the highlights:

1.  The Solid Rock- Avalon starts out strong on this opener!  It's a reminder that all other ground besides the solid rock of Christ is sinking sand!   I love this verse and chorus: "When darkness seems to hide His lovely face, /I rest on His unchanging grace./In every high and stormy gale,/
My anchor holds within the veil./On Christ the solid Rock I stand,/All other ground is sinking sand;/All other ground is sinking sand" (Maxi Lyrics)

2.  I'll Fly Away - This is by far my all time favorite hymn!  And Avalon does a fantastic job in delivering the hymn!  If you close your eyes, you can see yourself at one of those Tent Meetings and dinner on the grounds!  Here are the lyrics (courtesy of: Maxi Lyrics):

"Some glad morning when this life is over,
I'll fly away.
To a home on God's celestial shore,
I'll fly away.

I'll fly away, O Glory, I'll fly away.
When I die, Hallelujah, bye and bye,
I'll fly away.

Just a few more weary days and then,
I'll fly away.
To a land where joy shall never end,
I'll fly away.

I'll fly away, O Glory,
I'll fly away.
When I die, Hallelujah, bye and bye,
I'll fly away.

I'll fly away, O Glory,
I'll fly away.
When I die, Hallelujah, bye and bye,
I'll fly away"

You can buy this for a very cheap price at Avalon

Crystal Lewis "Holy Holy Holy"

Courtesy: Amazon

Crystal's 2nd hymn collection Holy Holy Holy was released in 2002---7 years after her first hymns cd.  Listening to this album is a very enjoyable experience!  Crystal gives a more passionate vocal deliverance on this cd.  There is a mix of traditional and non-traditional renderings of these timeless hymns!

The highlights are:1.  Holy Holy Holy- She sings this song with such awe and respect of God.  I can simply envision her singing before Jesus on His throne!

2. His Eye Is On The Sparrow- A beautiful rendering of this song!  My favorite lines are: "
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,/When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,/I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;/His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." (Maxi Lyrics)

3. O Happy Day- This hymn is proclaiming what a happy day it was when Jesus took our sins away!  What an amazing gift Jesus gave to us!  We are no longer guilty, and we get to spend eternity with Jesus!  If that doesn't get you happy, nothing will! :)

4.  O' How I Love Jesus- She sings this traditionally!  She does a great job with it!  I love Jesus so much!  I enjoy singing along with Crystal on this one.  Just read these lyrics (courtesy of Maxi Lyrics):

There is a Name I love to hear,
I love to sing its worth;
It sounds like music in my ears,
The sweetest Name on earth.


[Chorus]
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me


It tells me of a Savior's love,
Who died to set me free;
It tells me of a Savior's blood,
The sinners' perfect plea.


[Chorus]
It tells me what my Father hath
In store for every day,
And though I tread a darksome path,
Yields sunshine all the way.
It tells of one whose loving heart
Can feel my deepest woe;
Who in each sorrow bears
A part that none can bear below.


[Chorus]
Jesus love me for the bible tells me so
little ones to him belong
they are weak but he is strong
there is a name I love to hear
I love to sing it's worth
sounds like music in my ear
the sweetest name on earth


[Chorus]


--------------------------

You can buy this cd for a reasonable price at: Amazon

Crystal Lewis: Hymns My Life

Courtesy: Amazon

Crystal Lewis' first hymns album (Hymns) My Life was put out in 1995.  This is a really great solid effort for Crystal's first try!  She has a unique voice that you'll enjoy listening to from the get go!  Just close your eyes and listen to the words that she is singing!

The highlights of the cd include:

1.  It is Well- When life gets out of control and you need a little peace, then you need to listen to this hymn!  My favorite lines from the hymn are: "Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come/Let this blessed assurance control,/That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,/
And hath shed his own blood for my soul." (Maxi Lyrics)

2. Blessed Assurance - Crystal sure knows how to belt it out!  In my old church (Independent Church of God) in Alabama, we would sing this song by piano!  It is such a great song to sing!  Here's the first verse and chorus: "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!/O what a foretaste of glory divine!/Heir of salvation, purchase of God,/Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood./This is my story, this is my song,/Praising my Savior, all the day long;/This is my story, this is my song,/
Praising my Savior, all the day long." (Maxi Lyrics)

3. I'd Rather Have Jesus-  Another really good hymn!  This is my heart's cry!  The reason I exist!  I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world can give to me! This is another hymn I have to share the lyrics to the whole hymn.  So here it is courtesy of Maxi Lyrics:

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold,
I'd rather be His than have riches untold;
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands,
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand.

Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin's dread sway.
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause,
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame,
I'd rather be true to His holy name.

Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin's dread sway.
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom,
He's sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He's all that my hungering spirit needs,
I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead.

Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin's dread sway.
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today

You can buy this cd very cheaply at: Amazon

Amy Grant "Rock of Ages: Hymns & Faith"

Courtesy: Amazon

Three years after releasing Legacy: Hymns &Faith , Amy releases another collection of hymns entitled Rock of Ages: Hymns & Faith.  This album has a more "rootsy country feel" to it.  She picks some really good hymns on here; there are some hymns that I didn't even know existed!  The faith songs are good, but not as good as the ones she came up with for "Legacy".  Despite all that, it is still an album worth picking up!  And it is still puts me in a worshipful mood!

So here are some highlights from the cd:

1. Anywhere With Jesus -I had never heard of this hymn before buying this cd!  But it is one of my favorite hymns Amy performs!  My favorite lines of the hymn are: "Anywhere with Jesus, I am not alone/Other friends may fail me, He is still my own/Tho' His hand may lead me over dearest ways/Anywhere with Jesus is a house of praise" (Maxi Lyrics).

2. Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus - I love the message of this hymn! "Turn your eyes upon Jesus/
Look full in his wonderful face/And the things of the earth will grow strangely dim/In the light of his glory and grace/O soul are you weary and troubled?/No light in the darkness you see?/There's a light for a look at the Savior/And life more abundant and free" (Maxi Lyrics).

3. I Surrender All - This is my 2nd favorite hymn of the album!  This is so much fun to sing along to!  I normally wouldn't post the whole lyric, but I can't pick just one verse to be my favorite!  Enjoy! :

I Surrender All

All to Jesus I surrender
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust him
In his presence daily live

CHORUS
I surrender all, I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all

All to Jesus I surrender
At thy feet I humble bow
Worldly pleasures all forsaken
Take me, Jesus, Take me now

Repeat chorus

All to Jesus I surrender
Lord, I give myself to thee
Fill me with thy love and power
Let thy blessing fall on me

Repeat chorus

You can buy this cd cheaply at: Amazon

Amy Grant "Legacy..Hymns & Faith"

Courtesy: Amazon

After 25 years of making albums, Amy Grant finally releases her first hymns albums!  This album is made mostly of hymns and a few songs of faith; hence the cd title Legacy...Hymns & Faith.
 The album has a nice organic feel to it.  The music is a mix of contemporary and perhaps a little country as well.

The highlights of this cd:

1. My Jesus I Love Thee- This is my favorite hymn on this cd! Amy sings this beautifully!  I love this verse from this hymn: "I love Thee because Thou has first loved me,/And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree./I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;/If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now."

2. What You Already Own- My favorite "faith" song on here. I love the verse: "I give you my life/Precious and rare/Knowing wherever I've been, you were there/Sometimes I'm faithful/
Sometimes I'm strong/Will you protect what you already own?"

This album was definitely worth the wait!  Go buy it..now!  You'll be glad that you did!  You can buy the cd at a very cheap price (and mp3s too for a little higher) at: Amazon

 

Clay Crosse "The Clay Crosse Collection"

Courtesy: Amazon

Before Clay's life changing year (1998), Clay put out a few CCM albums including: My Place Is With You (1994), Time To Believe (1995), and Stained Glass (1997). This 1998 collection chronicles the best hits from each album, and it also includes 2 new songs.  Clay Crosse has a unique Memphis-influenced voice that is enjoyable to listen to! 

Some of the highlights on the cd:

1. I Will Follow Christ- One of the new songs.  It is sung from the 12 disciples point of view about their devotion and at the end our devotion to follow Christ.

2. When In Rome-  One of the other new songs.  I love this song!  It's about standing up for what you believe in even though everyone is against you!

3. I Surrender All- This song is about surrendering everything to Jesus!  It's a very beautiful and moving song!

4. His Love Is Strong- This is a very upbeat encouraging song about Jesus' love being strong enough to win the fight!

5. Time To Believe- A song that encourages people despite what's going on around them that "people it's time to believe".

You can buy this cd and mp3s at really affordable prices at Amazon.

Michael W. Smith "Live The Life"

Courtesy: Amazon

Released in the spring of 1998, this is by far one of Michael's best cd!!!  It is very pop-oriented and fun to listen to!  Some of the themes Michael sings about are: never being unloved, the craziness of life and the need to be loved good, God knowing our name, etc...He even wrote a song for the Titanic soundtrack that didn't get accepted but made it on here called "In My Arms Again".

Here are the highlights of the album:

1. Love Me Good: A song about the craziness of everyday life and the uncertainty of it all! One of the most unique and perhaps strangest lyrics written by Michael's co-writer Wayne Kirkpatrick : "But I could never live in a yurt/on a diet of mongolian barbeque/I conquer the world for a moment, then the moment is gone" (Maxi Lyrics).

2. Live The Life: A great song about living the life for Christ by our actions not just by words. "For the world to know the truth/There can be no greater proof/Than to live the life, live the life/There's no love that's quite as pure/There's no pain we can't endure/If we live the life, live the life/Be a light for all to see/For every act of love will set you free" (Maxi Lyrics).

You can buy this cd at Amazon

Clay Crosse "A Different Man"

Courtesy: Amazon

In 1998, while on a plane ride, God showed Clay Crosse how far away Clay had travelled from God.  Clay had hid from the world but not from God his addiction to pornography.  On that plane, Clay suddenly felt how much of a fake he was to God. This spurred a process of repentance and turning his life around. His journey through that process comes out in this album called "A Different Man".  Three of the 10 songs that are on here is about his journey back to God and about his repentance. This is a really good cd!  however, if you don't want to download or buy the whole cd, atleast, download the following songs:

1. Arms of Jesus- Talks about how when we fall in our journey, we fall into the arms of Jesus. I like the phrase: "Let me fall/Into the arms of Jesus/Let me come into His kingdom/and kneel at His cross/When I stand beneath His mercy/I will give up my all/Let me fall into the arms of Jesus". Lyrics Courtesy of: Maxi Lyrics

2. 98- Clay's testimony about his life changing year in 1998.  Very good song! Here's a sample: "Come on and gather round/And listen to my story/About a fall from grace/A change of heart/A rise to glory/A lesson learned/A doorway I went thru" (Maxi Lyrics).

3. Sinner's Prayer- This is THE song to play to someone who is lost if you want to lead them to Christ or if you want to tell them how to get saved.  It is so good!!! ( Click here for the lyrics: Sinner's Prayer )

You can get a used copy of this cd or purchase the songs singly via mp3 at: Amazon

FFH "Voice From Home"

Courtesy: Amazon

I've said this before, but I just love albums that is full of God's grace and love! Imagine if God created an album as a love letter to you---- this would be it!  This album is saturated with the love and Spirit of God!  You could play this album as a soundtrack to either Max Lucado's or Charles Stanley's books on eternal security. 

The highlights of this album are:

1. The Only Hand You Need- It talks about how God's hand is the only hand we need.  And how we originally let go of His hand and broke the fellowship with Him.

2. Great Big Problem - This song talks about how even when we turn away from God, He won't let us go.  He is there patiently waiting for us to come back.

3. Well Pleased-  It talks about He is well pleased with us because we are His children!

This is a cd you simply have to have in your collection!  It's a great cd to listen to when you are feeling down or harsh on yourself and/or on bad days when you are feeling stressed!  It's a great cd to listen to while laying down in your bed with your eyes closed in the dark.

So go and buy this cd at: Amazon and be blessed!!!!



Somewhere Down The Road

Courtesy: amygrant.com

 Life is a journey.  During the journey, we take different roads, make mistakes, and learn some valuable lessons...sometimes the hard way.  This album is a picture of Amy Grant looking back on her life's journey so far.  Put out on March  26, 2010, this album is made up of six new songs, two previously unreleased concert favorites ("What Is The Chance of That"/"Come Into My World"), one remake ("Arms of Love"), and three previously released songs ("Every Road", "Somewhere Down The Road", and "Imagine/Sing The Wondrous Love of Jesus").

During the making of the album, I was at first offended that after 7 years of waiting for a new pop cd from Amy that she would include 3 previously released songs. However, the more I have listened to the album, the more those songs seem to fit with the theme of life's journey.  Listening to the cd now is a pure joy to me!

My favorite songs on here that are the highlights of the album are:

• "Better Than A Hallelujah"- One of the new songs to appear on the album is a very beautiful picture of how God values our honesty in prayer over rituals. Part of the lyric says: "We pour out our miseries/God just hears a melody/Beautiful, the mess we are/the honest cries of breaking hearts/are better than a hallelujah" (Metro Lyrics ).
•   "What Is The Chance of That"- This is such a great "tongue-in-cheek" type song! It's one of the songs she recorded for her cd Behind The Eyes (1997) that didn't make it on the album.  I can totally relate when Amy sings: "Why do I feel restless inside?/Maybe I'm part of a wandering tribe/I want to check my family tree/I think there's a little nomad in me/What is the chance of that?/What is the chance of that?" (Metro Lyrics )
• "Find What You're Looking For"- This brand new song is one of the most heartfelt on the album.  It's so easy to find fault in other people to make us feel better.  Instead of condemning other people, we should look at own lives.  If we do, we may end up finding that we too have the same faults that other people have. Do any of us really have the right to condemn anyone else in the light of God's love?  I love the verses that says: "What would they find if they uncovered all of my tracks/Of roads I'd snuck down and darkness and never turn back/Well they'd find what they're looking for/Secrets and so much more.../What would I find if I turned back the time on your face/Could I piece together the memories that have made you this way/I might find what I'm looking for/Understanding and so much more" (Metro Lyrics )
• "Every Road"- This song originally appeared on Behind The Eyes (1997).  It's great to know no matter what road we take (as Christians) even if they are a misstep, the road will end winding its way back to God!  Remember, the  Bible says that God will not allow any that Jesus has found to be lost.

Thoughts To Ponder: What has your life journey been like?  If you were to write a similar album as Amy Grant's what would it sound like?  What would it look like? How do you feel about your journey so far?  When you look at the future, how do you see your journey taking shape?  What do you want to do better?

You can find the cd to purchase at: Amazon.com