Start your day—or end it—with a listen to this stirring performance of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” by the bluegrass family band known as The Brandenberger Family. This video is a real treat!
While today’s world may be a sad and sinful place, we seem to be experiencing a time in which Christian music is thriving. And there are a myriad of types and styles available to meet the needs of hungry souls. While The Brandenberger Family shares old and beloved hymns on social media and in small venues, others bring contemporary Christian hits to the masses. What a blessing!
“Will the Circle Be Unbroken” was written in 1907 by Ada R. Habershon; the music was composed by Charles H. Gabriel. Performed by dozens of artists over the years, the lyrics tell the story of an adult child who has lost his mother. Amidst the grief and sadness, the mourner has hope, confident he will be reunited in Heaven with his mother and other loved ones.
I was standing by my window,
On one cold and cloudy day
When I saw that hearse come rolling
For to carry my mother away
Nearly all of us who have typical life expectancies will walk in the shoes of the song’s story teller. Maybe that is why the song resonates with so many. Many may never have listened to the verses, but recognize and recall the words of the song’s chorus, having heard it since childhood. The song speaks to us, and this family of musically gifted artists do it perfectly!
There are eight musicians in the group; five are men, and three are women. There are no keys, but who needs them when you have this many strings.
One gentleman, seated at the door and playing a snare drum, never opens his eyes during the performance. The singer/guitarist in green has a sincere, wistful look in his eyes. Check out the pretty girl on the bass at about 37 seconds; she gets tickled and it’s super cute.
Note the man in the violet shirt, who appears to be the senior member and group leader. He looks directly at the camera only once. When he sings the final verse, he lands the word “strong” at about 4:20 seconds, singing now about the teaching of a spirit-filled mother. He holds eye contact for a line or two because this is an important point.
The song is precious. This family is genuine and most definitely talented. Grief is crushing and brutal. Heaven is waiting and worth it. And faithful and loving mothers are loved beyond measure!
“I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother.” Psalms 35:14
Casting Crowns is an incredible group of lyricists and musicians. They have many years of crafting wonderful music. Check out this hit, 'Desert Road' Casting Crowns music video.
As the song begins to play, we hear a melody that sounds like travel, and we see a road below us. Then the words intrigue us. “I don’t want to write this song. I don’t want this pain to be my story.” We see the lead singer behind the wheel of a car, driving and pondering life. We hear him authentically share that he does not want to be on this desert road, but God is with him in it.
The lead singer is seen in the rocky mountains, walking alone with a backpack. The visual of his heart is clear. He feels isolated like no one understands, however the Lord is with him. He shares the Biblical truth that God is close to the brokenhearted.
The chorus sings:
“I don't know where this is goin'
But I know who holds my hand
It's not the path I would've chosen
But I'll follow You to the end”
The song was inspired by the book of Acts and the disciple Philip’s journey to follow Christ even when it was hard. You see the man driving in the dark, hiking, and then the stunning view from the top of the mountain. The visual is empowering and reminds us that whatever the Lord has called us to, He has already been through this, and He is with us, even in the most difficult seasons.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15
When praying I heard these words on my heart, and put them down in this original PrayerChant that I composed. "Call out my name and I will answer you. I am near." Hope it will bring encouragement to you also. (Full prayer in album, GIVE ME THE STRENGTH by Marlane Tubridy.
Humans aren’t perfect, but God loves us anyway, even in our unbelief.
If that statement resonates with you, take a listen to this powerful song, ‘Runnin’, by Elevation Worship featuring Brandon Lake. About 15 years into my walk with Jesus, it felt as if there was an empty space in my heart where Jesus used to be. I was struggling with unbelief after a series of well-timed events. In a matter of days, we were bankrupt, my children were diagnosed with special needs, and I lost a baby.
I sat in church week after week. I knew God was good. I knew he was there for me. I knew he had the ability to give my faith. Yet, I found myself in a spiritual desert. Now I may not know your circumstances nor what led to your moment of unbelief. However, I can tell you God is with you. He will provide an oasis in the middle of the spiritual desert you’re walking through.
You and I aren’t the only ones who have struggled with unbelief. The Bible is filled with story after story. In Mark 9:24, we read about the plight of the father whose son was possessed by demons. His words will resonate with you when he cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
This plea — this prayer — of a desperate father, expresses in five simple words of experiencing a spiritual desert. It reveals all followers have both belief and unbelief, both doubt and faith, and both hope and desperation all at the same time. Jesus didn’t abandon the Father. Instead, Jesus healed his son because even in the father’s unbelief, he still had faith in who Jesus was.
These examples reveal God will continue to pursue and love us even in our unbelief. If you’re struggling to with your faith, you came to the right place. Looking back at the spiritual desert of unbelief that I endured, I can see God’s fingerprints all over my life as he worked behind the scenes to heal, strengthen, and comfort me.
This powerful music video paired will be the oasis in your desert. It will be a healing balm to your soul as you cry out to God. The lyrics remind us, “Your love is better than life. I can’t even wrap my mind around it. One day here in Your house is better than a thousand elsewhere. Your love keeps on runnin, runnin, runnin, keeps on runnin after me.”
“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you,” Psalm 63:3.
Mac Powell sings the popular Christian song, ‘God of Wonders’ at the Red Rocks amphitheater in Colorado. And it is quite the performance!
As the video begins you can see the huge crowd gathered for the performance. Mac Powell has his guitar and microphone, singing the same song he had sung for the City on a Hill: Songs of Worship and Praisealbum in 2000. ‘God of Wonders’ is the first track on that album that Mac sang with Cliff and Danielle Young of Cadenom’s Call.
At the time, Mac was a member of the Christian rock band, Third Day. Started in 1991, the band was together in some form until their farewell tour in 2018. These days, Mac Powell is a solo artist.
Andrew Ripp, an American singer and Grammy-nominated songwriter, joins him on stage for the song, and towards the end of the video, the audience joins in too. Evidence of how beloved a song this one has become.
The song ‘God of Wonders’ is about how great God truly is.
“And God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy”
The lyrics talk about how holy God is, how he is the Lord of heaven and earth, and how the universe declares his majesty. How we stand in awe of God and truly admire who he is.
The song was written by Steve Hindalong and Marc Byrd of the Christian rock group, The Choir. The song has been recorded by nearly 100 artists over the years and is a familiar one in Christian circles. You can also find it on Third Day’s Offerings II: All I Have to Give album from 2003.
“There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside you: neither is there any rock like our God.” - 1 Samuel 2:2
Anna Golden’s powerful performance of her song, ‘At the Altar’ will put you in the worship mood.
Anna knew she had a heart for worship from a very early age. The St. Louis, Missouri native grew up in a family of talented siblings and was performing and playing the guitar and piano by the age of six. Her parents were worship leaders and worship has always been a big part of her life.
She started touring with her brother Josh Golden, and Radio Disney and by 16 was leading worship at her home church in St. Louis. Some of her more popular songs are, ‘Take Me There,’ ‘What He’s Done,’ and ‘Changing Me.’
Her latest album, where you can find the song, ‘At the Altar’ is called Church, and came out in 2023. The album blends elements of pop, rock, gospel, and contemporary music to create 11 worship songs.
“This is a holy moment, the Spirit of God is in this place
It's a divine appointment, to meet with Him face to face
This is an invitation, it's no accident you're here
So what are you waiting for?”
‘At the Altar’ starts strong with words about the spirit of God and how he is inviting us to be with him. The chorus talks about how if we need him, whether we need healing, freeing from bondage, waiting on a child to come home, or for a miracle to happen, we need to meet others at the altar. The song is a reminder that we are not alone and that there is a place for us to go so that we can turn to God to help us through.
“He is your praise, and he is your God, that has done for you these great and terrible things, which your eyes have seen.” - Deuteronomy 10:21
Check out this video of “Praise” by Elevation Worship with Brandon Lake, Chris Brown, and Chandler Moore! You may be hard-pressed to find anything other than reasons to lift your arms and raise your voice in exultation!
Front and center, Chandler Moore is dressed in a gold, black, and white jacket. He wears a white T-shirt and khaki pants. Chandler gets the crowd excited! He engages them with clapping, chanting, jumping, and dancing. And why not! This huge group of God-loving folks is together to celebrate Jesus!
The first verse begins at 23 seconds, and it’s Brandon Lake who sings now. He sings the lyrics about praising in the valley and on the mountain when he’s certain and when he’s doubting. The words appear on the screen, so it’s nearly impossible not to sing along. A pastor’s kid from South Carolina, Brandon has two tattoo sleeves and a heart for Jesus.
Chris Brown, wearing a baggy brown sweater and jeans, takes the second verse beginning at 1:15. He declares the power of praise in every situation, likening the activity of praise to a weapon. The lyrics reference the Battle of Jericho, in which the city’s walls tumbled to the ground after God directed the Israelites to march around Jericho’s walls while playing trumpets and shouting.
After another verse sung by Brandon Lake, the remaining minutes of the performance bring together the three artists—all accompanied by numerous backup singers and instrumentalists also on stage. However, it’s not just those on stage that are singing and dancing. The entire crowd is participating in this jubilant and joyous expression of praise!
This performance and song are super impactful. Check out just a few of the nearly 1,300 comments from viewers of the video, which has now been viewed 1.7 million times! Connecting with believers and those that aren’t. Reaching troubled souls and providing refreshment. Demonstrating the joy of a relationship with Jesus. Well, those things are most assuredly worthy of praise!
“Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.” Psalms 150:1-2
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