Meaning Behind the Music [part 1]

"The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything . . . that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for "In him we live and move and have our being." - Acts 17:24-28

For it's in Christ that we live, move, breathe, cry, sing, shout, dance, and worship. And it is because of His almighty power and grace that we are able to worship Him for all that He has done in our lives. That is what I want for our music to convey. The truth behind the worship. Why we worship. Over the past few weeks I've been attempting to write a few original songs that have been influenced some by old hymns, and others by what God is teaching me from day to day. Most of them have been songs that I've taken the music and put words to, and others I've composed both the music and the lyrics. For example, here's the first verse of one of my original songs entitled "He Paid It All":

He paid it all.

My sins He bore

Upon that cross,

Forever more.

He paid it all.

When I was lost

Undeserving,

He suffered the cost.

It's because of what Christ did for us 2000 years ago that still baffles me to stand in wonder and awe of how me, an unclean, unworthy sinner, could be washed clean by His sacrifice . It is because He lives inside us, that we can live for Him. Most of us take advantage and disregard this simple yet vital truth. We go about our lives not having the slightest conviction of our sin. We think good works will prove worthy in the end, but in reality, it's our steadfast faith and dedication to Christ that will count when the time comes. This is what I struggle with the most. How can we simply push to the side the simple truth of our salvation? How can we go about just living life in a dormant state, thinking that we are living as "good" Christians? Spread the light. Get uncomfortable. Engage in the battle with evil, don't fall into it's infinite traps. Stand strong through the fight. Stand strong, knowing that it is through Christ that we find our strength, not of our own might, but by His sacrifice. The redeeming grace of Jesus Christ. And that's where I intend to pick up in the next part of this post, describing the true meaning behind the music we sing.

I guess you'll have to wait awhile to actually hear the chorus and music to "He Paid It All", but I won't give it away till then. Just wanted to give you a little "preview", if you can call it that, of some of the upcoming songs and a look behind why we sing what we sing. I'll try to include something like that into every blog I put up on here. Thanks again for taking the time to read this new endeavor. Feel free to comment here and on our myspace page. We appreciate any suggestions or encouragement. Thanks, & God Bless.

IN Christ,

Tony Craig

[on stormy banks]
Ryan Lonis
Tony Craig