With Bethel Music’s next corporate release looking very much as if it will be a predominantly acoustic offering, I thought it would be a good time to reflect upon a great live acoustic CD/DVD from Brian Johnson (worship pastor at Bethel Church, Redding). Recorded in 2009 by Jeremy Edwardson at the Soundhouse in Redding - the venue and production team for many of the Bethel and Jesus Culture releases - this album offers an intimate insight into Brian’s heart for worship. Brian is joined by his wife Jenn (backing vocals), Jeffrey Kunde of Jesus Culture switches from his usual guitar duties to play grand piano, Martin Rosenhoff plays a stirring cello part, and Gabe Valenzuela provides percussion. A very interesting twist to the arrangement sees Garrett Viggers adding his gifts on the hammered dulcimer for the latter half of the album.

The first thing that strikes me about this album is how natural it is. To illustrate this, one need look no further than the final track - 'Light A Fire'. I’ve been to a number of workshops and seminars over the years that have gone into the intricacies of writing lyrics for worship, but nowhere have I seen anyone explain how what seems like such a simple set of lines can make such a powerful song as this. Unsurprisingly from a church that lives, breathes and prays for the coming of revival, simply asking the Lord to “light a fire in us oh God, that no one can take away” creates a powerful message for a wholehearted song of worship to the Lord. If we want our congregations to sing passionately and in abandoned praise to the Lord, then it is imperative that the songs we give them to sing are easy to learn and easy to follow. Brian’s songwriting style heavily promotes these attributes, and the result (as you can see on the DVD) brings a room full of worshippers with the ability to sing their hearts out in deep engagement with the Lord.

These themes of simple, effective, teachable and heartfelt songs continue right through the album with songs such as “Worthy is the Lamb”, “I Really Love You” and “I Love Your Name” - all marked with Brian’s humility in songwriting - giving all the glory back to the Lord in worship. Interspersed within these songs we find a couple of Bethel favourites - a contemplative version of Keith Green’s “Oh Lord You’re Beautiful”, and the title track of Bethel’s first live album “Here is Love” gets another outing here. The title track - “Love Came Down - brings to mind a talk given by Bill Johnson - pastor of Bethel Redding and also Brian’s father - where he talks about the need for storing up the Lord’s goodness, grace and love so that we always have something to hold dear, even when we seem away from Him and aren’t necessarily hearing direct from Him. I’ll leave you with the empowering lyrics of the first verse:

 “If my heart is overwhelmed, and I cannot hear Your voice,

I’ll hold on to what is true, though I cannot see.

If the storms of life they come, and the road ahead gets steep,

I will lift these hands in faith, I will believe.”

Amen to that Brian, bless you. 

On a previous album release by the Bethel Church, Redding, Brian Johnson asked "What does it sound like, when heaven comes down?" If worship is to be the order of the day in the heavenly realm (and the book of Revelation certainly points to this being the case), I would suggest that we are starting to shape what we'd like it to sound like. The latest release from Bethel in the form of Be Lifted High draws on everything the current "sound" dominating many contemporary worship albums has to offer - vocals pushed to the fore, driving guitars and bass, subtle yet highly effective keys, and intricately woven drumbeats. Then Bethel, as we've come to expect from many of their endeavours, ask God to take everything to a whole new level, and He provides. Let’s take a closer look.....

A couple of days ago, Jenn Johnson tweeted “from the first 5 seconds of “You Are Good” happiness increases. Breathe Him in today”. That, to me, sums this album up perfectly, it’s about proclaiming His goodness, for His glory, for our salvation. The searing guitar riff for ‘You Are Good’ sets the track up, then after a brief pause for contemplation we are taken into a rocking praise anthem, singing because He is good, dancing because He is good, shouting He is good. From here, Brian Johnson continues with his take on his own ‘One Thing Remains’ offering, (that you may have previously heard Chris Quilala lead on Jesus Culture’s Come Away album). I have previously expressed my admiration for this song, but to reiterate, this is quite a song, another one that would fit Jenn Johnson’s ‘happiness’ category - you just can’t help smiling when you think of the amount of love God has for us.

From here we go to, in my opinion, the best track on the album - ‘Furious’. Driving undertones led by Jeremy Riddle’s unmistakable vocal gifting combine with powerful lyrics that succinctly describe God’s burning love for us. Jeremy Riddle has recently taken over as assistant worship pastor at Bethel, adding a great asset to an already highly gifted and anointed team. This offering, together with his other 2 songs on the CD (‘God of the Redeemed’ & ‘One Thirst’ (also featuring Steffany Frizzell)) continue with the same quality and blessing as displayed in Jeremy’s previous albums, and fit perfectly with the Bethel sound.

Another particular highlight of this album for me is Jenn Johnson’s ‘God I Look to You’. Certain Bethel-based albums and tracks have a habit of putting me in a place where I have no choice but to believe God is standing in front of me, forcing my attention on Him and Him only. The chorus of “Hallelujah, our God Reigns”, that you want to go on for eternity when singing this track, does just that. Jenn’s heart, as with many at this church, is wholly for the Lord, and this is an infectious attribute when she’s worshipping. This chorus is meant to be sung at the top of your voice, with passion, fervour and love, and Jenn does all this, and more besides, leading the congregation into a great place of praise for the Lord.

This album not only sees more good offerings come from established, well known worship leaders from Bethel, but also sees the emergence of some newer ones. One such leader is William Matthews, whose energy, passion and hunger for the Lord is abundant on his two tracks on the album - “Hope’s Anthem” and “Deep Cries Out”. William’s page on Bethel Music’s website describes him as fun-loving and energetic, two qualities you would definitely associate these tracks with. I’d add one more - natural. I love it when worship music is sung from the heart, with integrity and authenticity, and William delivers this with these great offerings.

So, if you are looking for an authentic, passionate live worship album this year, look no further. Close your eyes, sit back, and do as these guys do (and inspire us to do) day in, day out, worship the Lord with all your heart.

I've just finished reading one of the most amazing books I've ever read. I saw Banning Liebscher speak and lead the ministry at the Jesus Culture event in London last October, and was instantly struck by his passion, fervour and relentless love for the Lord, and I bought his book.

As a reader, I tend to start books read 40-50 pages and then buy another one. I have so far done this with no less than 7 books this year, and felt that this trend was becoming ridiculous. At the start of this week I prayed and asked the Lord to tell me what I should be reading. Rather than tell me directly, He responded with the words "Burning Ones". I know that this is a song by Jesus Culture (from the Consumed album), and set about listening to that track. This word has been slowly unpacking itself this week, and I believe it is in the bridge of the song where the Lord's word has it's heart:

"So let this light be like a fire, Let our lives be like a flame, Fill our souls with Your desire, Let our passion bring You fame"

Passionate, God-centred lives, burning like fire, shining light for all to see (in a nutshell). Banning's book "Jesus Culture" has the subtext "Living a life that transforms the world". Section 3 of this book is called "Burning Ones". This is the book the Lord was pointing me to.

This book begins with words to the effect of "You're reading this book because You are one of a new breed of revivalist emerging in the earth. God has chosen you to be integral to this." Did not see that coming! After an initial few pages of "Lord, are You sure?" He began to reveal things to me. He started to show me that some of the struggles I'd been through are not unique, and that in Him I have been given the greatest love I will ever know. Keeping that a secret is not an option.

At the aforementioned Jesus Culture event in London I was healed of a problem with my wrist that I'd suffered with for 16 years. Banning was leading a time of ministry in which the Lord gave Him words to pray for "anyone who had a problem with arthritis or arthritic symptoms, specifically in relation to joints". Yep. Then, "anyone who has been suffering with this problem for over 10 years". Kelly (my wife) was sitting next to me and prayed for me, and I wasn't sure whether it had been healed. I had (and in fact still have) a click in my wrist when I rotate it, and because that hadn't gone, I was unsure as to whether I had been healed. After a second round of prayer it still hadn't gone, so I was still unsure.

I had for several years been periodically wearing a wrist support for this ailment, and in fact had been wearing it up until the day of the event. Suffice to say, I haven't worn it since. Every day my faith grew that it had in fact been healed to the point where there could be no doubt. Banning's book contains countless testimonies like this, and there are people everywhere who need to know God's healing power. I now feel compelled to go and find some of them!

To this end, having read everything Banning has to say on this subject, I intend to endeavour to Advance the Kingdom in whatever way I can. My prayer for you is that you will ask the Lord to show you His heart for you. This book tells in hundreds of places just how much the Lord wants you, how much he wants to use you to advance His Kingdom and reveal more of His love to you and others. Bless you.

I have faced dilemmas in where to focus my attention for the review. Dave Fitzgerald is, without doubt, a gifted and anointed worship leader - the worship sounds lively, there is a lot of congregational interaction, and the worship flows freely, with lots of "headroom" given in all of the songs to allow space for people to worship. Dave is also an unquestionably gifted singer. His voice is powerful, powerful enough to lead with backing vocalists such as Jenn Johnson (see previous reviews) backing him, and to lead a Bethel congregation in worship. Dave is clearly an accomplished pianist, and he leads well from the piano - something slightly different for Bethel where the focus for the leaders I have encountered thus far is often from vocals or guitars.  Lastly, Dave is a gifted songwriter - all but one of these songs were self-penned, with some collaborations (including Chris McClarney (Your Love Never Fails) and Brian Johnson (Worship Pastor at Bethel Church, Redding)). So where to focus?

If the aim of this album is more good worship from a thriving church of revivalists and worshippers, then this album ticks all the boxes straight off. The worship is accessible, reverent, powerful and meaningful, and many of the songs on this album would be equally at home on any Jesus Culture album. Where this album comes into it's own, however, is at track 5 - "We Are An Ark". The feel of this track is awesome - laid back yet not restrained, strong yet not overwhelming. Here we see all of the gifts of the band laid plain for the world to see. The sensitive nature of Dave's piano and vocal, Jenn Johnson's succinct backing vocals, Ian McIntosh's ethereal keys and Chris Quilala's drums that provide the catalyst for the build up to the climax of this song make it what it is - great. This track provides the turning point  of the album for me - and switches the focus from all of the ancillary factors and theories and places the attention squarely to the Throne of the Lord, and to His glory. Here the album becomes personal, natural, sensitive and glorious. It is here where I "got" this album.

The title track "Hope of Heaven" provides a sublime mix of Jesus Culture and Dave Fitzgerald. The driving drum and bass groove, with the ethereal keys and edgy guitars usually associated with Jesus Culture are interspersed perfectly with a subtle yet very effective piano part from Dave - giving this track it's edge. The album finishes with another 2 nice piano-led tracks - "Shine" (w/ Brian Johnson), and "Sweeter" (w/ Christa Black and Chris McClarney). Once again, we find space, freedom, and subtlety in the piano lines - it's uncomplicated yet more than enough for the atmospheric nature of the songs - which provide a great platform on which the songs can build - which they do to great effect. 

I must confess that it took me a few tracks to work this album out, but now I have it is making it's way steadily up my "most played" playlist. I love piano-led worship, it is for some reason more of a rarity in modern worship, but when it is done this well it is a joy to experience. Buy this album, you will not regret it.

You can find more information about Dave at www.davefizgerald.com

Jesus Culture - Come Away

One of the things that has struck me in recent years about my faith in general, is what a privilege it is to be able to have such a great level of intimacy with the Lord. Over the centuries we have seen this shift towards intimacy and deeper relationships with the Lord, to the point where we now have the freedom to come before the Lord and reveal our hearts to Him, and He in turn will respond, and reveal His heart for us. I believe that worship is there to enhance these acts, and, in my humble opinion, nowhere is it revealed with more purity than in the worship of Jesus Culture.

From track one of the new "Come Away" offering, we hear the prophetic words from God of "Open up Your heart, and let me in", a heart's cry that could be taken either way. We want to know God's heart for us, and He wants our hearts to be for Him. Giving us worshippers that freedom of expression is the aspect of worship that Jesus Culture have got down to a fine art. For worship to be accessible, it must first be pure, and the purity of Jesus Culture's worship is plain for all to see. We follow "Come Away" with "Rooftops", Kim Walker-Smith's vocals singing cries of "Here I am, I stand with arms wide open, To the One, the Son, the Everlasting God". 1 Peter 2:9 tells us that we are a people chosen to declare the praises of the Lord- this is a good way to start.

Anyone who has listened to Jesus Culture should now know what to expect from their worship albums - a good mix of upbeat praise songs, interspersed with some equally powerful, more reflective, and even spontaneous offerings. This album builds upon this 'brand' - the opening few songs are upbeat, with strong rhythm and emotive vocals, and by the time we get to "Let it Rain", "Mighty Breath of God" and especially "Show Me Your Glory", we are very much looking at songs of a reflective, heart wrenching nature.

Since the first time I  heard Jesus Culture, "Let It Rain" is the song I think I've most wanted to hear them attempt. The chorus is tremendously powerful - I first heard Michael W Smith do it on his "Worship" album, and his version was very emotive, a massed choir were singing with him, and there was plenty of space for harmony and spontaneity, two things that Jesus Culture excel in. The version does not disappoint, in such a simple chorus it is possible to get carried away and over-complicate it, yet the sensitivity and purity that Kim and Chris give it is respectful, and completely natural.

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending a Jesus Culture night in London, and I was struck by the length of the songs, in some cases 10-15 minute versions, that were simply incredible. Being limited to 80 minutes for a CD, the listener often ends up hearing shorter versions of the tracks, though this time they have included longer versions (and an extra track "Kingdom") on the included DVD. Having watched the DVD the other night I can tell you that I'm quickly running out of superlatives for this group of worshippers. Just watch it, listen to the CD, and expect to worship.