As In a Mirror

Did you know that that song (actually, one of the two modern songs with that name) was written by Hillsong Australia’s Steve McPherson, Daniel Grul, and John Ezzy? And that it was first recorded on the 2000 United Live album “Best Friend?” Well, it was! I know I first heard this song long before I had even heard of Hillsong! Another note of interest: you have probably heard of the music group Hillsong United. Did you know how they started out? Well, a guy called Reuben Morgan was leading the worship music for the youth services at Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. Joel Houston played the bass, Marty Sampson did guitar and vocals, Michael Guy Chislet did electric guitar, and Luke Munns played drums. They called their nights of preaching and worship “United Nights” because the two youth services joined up and in 1998, there was a revival among the youth. So Darlene Zchech suggested to Reuben that they record a live album to document what was going on. They ended up doing that every year and in 2002, they changed their name to “Hillsong United.” That same year, Reuben decided it was time to let the younger generation take the wheel to this new project, so Joel and Marty led Hillsong United in live worship music. And that’s how they got started! The band has grown, changed, traveled, and become popular since then, and soon they will be releasing their second studio project! A lot of times the stories behind how a person or group of people arrived to “the spotlight” is so interesting! Looking at the starting point and the present, and comparing the similarities, is always pretty amazing!

Here’s the original recording of the song, now!

Worship you my Lord until the very end

Jesus, Lover of my soul,
Jesus, I will never let you go
You’ve taken me from the miry clay
You set my feet upon the Rock and I now know

I love you, I need you,
Though my world may fall, I’ll never let you go
My Savior, my closest friend,
I will worship you until the very end

Not that I thought this would give more popularity to the giveaways… this is just for the extra entry!! But if you have managed somehow not to hear of either Just2Techy’s Muv UnderCover Giveaway or Jay’s Jesus Culture: Come Away CD/DVD Giveaway, click to be on your way to their blogs for more info! The first giveaway ends January 22, when the randomly chosen winner will win software that uploads album art for your music from the internet! My Mom and brother have already entered, and my brother’s pretty excited! He says it’s exactly what he’s been trying to find! I love music, especially songs with a lyrical and musical depth, particularly when it comes to worship music. “Worship” music gets us focused on reality and on eternity, and hopefully inspires us to step out and share the love of God with people who don’t know Him. So if you’re into modern worship or are a Jesus Culture fan, check out Jay’s giveaway! (Ends February 4). It’s so easy to enter, and you’ll learn some neat stuff by visiting these blogs.

Hey, and hows abouts leavin’ a comment to let me know if I helped you out, eh?

Hope y’all have a blessed, peaceful, and cozy Christmas! Couldn’t help but share a couple of my personal favorite songs connected with this season.

First, here’s one of my most favorites, “O Holy Night,” performed by MercyMe. (Hat tip to Miss Szymanski!)

Here’s also “O Come All Ye Faithful” from Jeremy Camp. I really like this musical arrangement!

Please take opportunity to share the love of Jesus with whoever you can! This is certainly a good time of year to do it, the name of Jesus and His birth are at least somewhat remembered, revered, and spoken of at this time.

I do so love a bunch of Christmas Carols, some new and some old. Actually, more old. Less new; a lot of new ones don’t seem to have much substance or depth. Some have written songs from the perspective of those there at the manger scene, and some are good, while others are lacking real substance. Mary, Did You Know, a relatively new one, is good because of the way it addresses the mother of Jesus– how could she ever have imagined how her Son would grow up? What went through her mind? The song tackles this mystery well. And I recently heard a song from MercyMe from the perspective of Joseph. Frankly, it blew me away! It’s really good, how it shows the wonderings in Joseph’s mind and his prayers as well as an amazing adoptive perspective. Check it out!

BTW, MercyMe has done awesome renditions of Christmas Carols as well!

For more Something Beautifuls, visit Renee at A Glimpse of Beautiful.

Well, my bloggy buddy Jay tagged me! This is apparently a Facebook game, but he decided to invite us bloggers into the fun! Nice, huh?

Okay, so here are the rules:

1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Tag 20 friends.
5. Everyone tagged has to do the same thing.
6. Have Fun!

Here. We. Go!!

IF SOMEONE SAYS ‘ARE YOU OKAY’ YOU SAY?
Pray- Darlene Zschech
Oh my word, that was SO inevitable!

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Hearts of the Innocent- Kutless
OH MY WORD NO COMMENT!

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
I Worship You- MercyMe
Good answer, WMP!

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Point of Difference-Hillsong United
This game is funny!

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Rain Down-Delirious
Aw!

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
The Feeling-Kutless
Oh, I sure hope not! Well, the song talks about a different feeling…

WHAT’S YOUR MOTTO?
The First and the Last- Hillsong Live
Yes, actually it is!

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Break Free-Hillsong United
Wow, that’s gotta be the funniest one yet!

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
For Your Name- Hillsong Live
…I guess they did name me, lol!

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Here Am I- MercyMe
Gasp! How did WMP know?

WHAT IS 2+2?
My Glorious- Delirious
Oo!

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
One Way- Hillsong Live
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Open My Eyes- Hillsong Live
I laughed SOOOO HARD!!!

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Shut Me Out- Kutless
Blink. Blink.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Sleeping City- Kutless
Still blinking.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Beyond the Surface- Kutless
Ha! That was a WIERD question, but the answer makes it comical!

WHAT WILL YOU DO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Desperate People- Hillsong United
Appropriate. Did that sound sarcastic?

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Evermore- Hillsong Live
I hope so!

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Forever Reign- Hillsong Live
Okay, Okay, I realize the title was momentarily misleading…

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Glow- Hillsong Live
Huh?

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Oh Buddha- The Imperials
Ooh! My biggest secret! “Oh Buddha won’t be sittin’ on the throoooone!”

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
On My Way to You- MercyMe
Yes I do!

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
To Know that You’re Alive- Kutless
Uh, yah, I guess that is a nice thing to know about friends…

WHAT’S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
White Ribbon Day- Delirious
Is it?

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Amazed- Kutless
I stopped laughing for some reason… There’s gotta be more!

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Devotion- Newsboys
Don’t get it…

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
How Great is Your Love- MercyMe
Yes it does!!!

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
It’s Your Love- Hillsong Live
Yep, He’s enough!

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Smile- Kutless
Oh no! I had braces, too!

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
The One Who Saves- Hillsong Live
Oh, that one is my FAVORITE!

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
There’s a Reason- MercyMe
That’s true, there’s a reason for everything.

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
With All I Am- Hillsong Live
Oh boy…

WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO SAY TO THE PERSON WHO TAGGED YOU?
Come One, Come All- MercyMe
Ha! Esp. cuz I don’t have 20 people to tag!!

WHAT WILL YOU NAME THIS NOTE?
Complete- Kutless
I guess I will!

So that was fun! Perhaps you noticed that the majority of the music came from Hillsong, MercyMe, and Kutless, and there were a few oldies! I DO have more music, but this is what showed up, and it made me laugh! Thanks so much to Jay for the chance to participate and laugh like this! Unfortunately, I don’t know of anybody else to tag (I know, you’re thinking, “Guess all the friends broke free!”) But if anybody out there is so inclined to participate, go ahead and have a good laugh! Laughter is good medicine, especially for the heart!