Why do bad things happen to good people? The song 'Unfinished' by Mandisha explores weighty themes like this. In addition to reviewing the song, Tyler and Colin also engage in a side discussion on the work of Sufjan Stevens.

This week Artur and Caitlin (S05.E21) join us to talk about "Gewagte Liebe", a German version of Reckless Love. How will this translation hold up compared to the original? What is cat theology? In what way is this song like a Coke Zero? Tune in to find out.

Verse 1: Bevor ich ein Wort sprach, sangst du Lieder über mich. Du warst schon immer gut zu mir. Du hast mich geformt, mir Leben eingehaucht. Du warst schon immer gut zu mir.  

Refrain: Oh wie endlos überwältigend gewagt ist wie du liebst. Oh du kämpfst für mich und spürst mich auf Lässt 99 stehn, Ich weiß genau das ich‘s nicht verdient hab, doch du gibst dich für mich hin. Oh wie endlos überwältigend gewagt ist wie du liebst. (Yeaahh, Ohohoho)  

Verse 2: Ich war noch dein Feind, doch du hast gekämpft für mich. Du warst schon immer gut zu mir. Ich war mir nichts wert, doch du hast bezahlt für mich. Du warst schon immer gut zu mir.  

Refrain: Oh wie endlos überwältigend gewagt ist wie du liebst. Oh du kämpfst für mich und spürst mich auf Lässt 99 stehn, Ich weiß genau das ich‘s nicht verdient hab doch du gibst dich für mich hin. Oh wie endlos überwältigend gewagt ist wie du liebst. (Yeaaaaah!, Jesus!)  

Bridge: Du erleuchtest alle Schatten, erklimmst alle Berge, um mir nach zu gehn. Du Zerstörst alle Mauern, vertreibst alle Lügen, um mir nach zu gehn. Du erleuchtest alle Schatten, erklimmst alle Berge, um mir nach zu gehn. Du Zerstörst alle Mauern, vertreibst alle Lügen, um mir nach zu gehn. (Yeaahh)  Du erleuchtest alle Schatten, erklimmst alle Berge, um mir nach zu gehn. (Jesus!) Du Zerstörst alle Mauern, vertreibst alle Lügen, um mir nach zu gehn. (Jesus)  Du erleuchtest alle Schatten, erklimmst alle Berge, um mir nach zu gehn.  Du Zerstörst alle Mauern, vertreibst alle Lügen, um mir nach zu gehn.  

Refrain: Oh wie endlos überwältigend gewagt ist wie du liebst. Oh du kämpfst für mich und spürst mich auf Lässt 99 stehn, Und ich weiß genau das ich‘s nicht verdient hab doch du gibst dich für mich hin. Oh wie endlos überwältigend gewagt ist wie du liebst. Yeaahhh

Artur and Caitlin are a church-planting couple from Germany. In this interview, we discuss the unique challenges and opportunities they face--and also their perspective on worship music.

Have we got a show for you! This week we're looking at Only Jesus by Casting Crowns: nominated for a GMA Dove award in 2019 and a Grammy in 2020, this song emphasizes that Jesus is the only name to be remembered. Frontman and songwriter says: "The more I think about it the more I'm reminded that anything in me that's worth remembering are the things that Jesus has worked on, and is still working on in me. On my own I have nothing to offer the world, but Jesus does - so don't mind me. Jesus is the only name to remember."

[Verse 1]

Make it count, leave a mark, build a name for yourself

Dream your dreams, chase your heart, above all else

Make a name the world remembers

But all an empty world can sell is empty dreams

I got lost in the lie that it was up to me

To make a name the world remembers

But Jesus is the only name to remember

[Chorus]

And I-I-I, I don't want to leave a legacy

I don't care if they remember me

Only Jesus

And I-I-I, I've only got one life to live

I'll let every second point to Him

Only Jesus

[Verse 2]

All the kingdoms built, all the trophies won

Will crumble into dust when it's said and done

'Cause all that really matters

Did I live the truth to the ones I love?

Was my life the proof that there is only One

Whose name will last forever?

[Chorus]

And I-I-I, I don't want to leave a legacy

I don't care if they remember me

Only Jesus

And I-I-I, I've only got one life to live

I'll let every second point to Him

Only Jesus

[Interlude]

[Bridge]

Jesus is the only name, Jesus is the only name

Jesus is the only name to remember, ooh

Jesus is the only name, Jesus is the only name

Jesus is the only name to remember

[Chorus]

And I-I-I, I don't want to leave a legacy

I don't care if they remember me

Only Jesus

And I-I-I, I've only got one life to live

I'll let every second point to Him

Only Jesus

In this episode, Colin and Tyler examine the lyrics of "There Was Jesus" by Zach Williams and Dolly Parton. 

"Holy Water" peaked at #2 on the Billboard Christian charts. Its eponymous album rose to #4 on Billboard's top Christian albums charts. In addition to winning the GMA Dove award for Pop/Contemporary album of the year, this album also received a Grammy for top Christian album of the year. This week we're taking a deep dive into the lyrics and talking about the concept of holy water in the Bible and in various Christian traditions. We also discuss the idea of "improving upon" one's "baptism" and how the lyrics of this song may be influenced by the psalms. 

Lyric video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0xhhG1Hyos

Dr. Todd Grande's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMkrosLHIEs

Lyrics:

God, I'm on my knees again

God, I'm begging please again

I need You

Oh, I need You

Walking down these desert roads

Water for my thirsty soul

I need You

Oh, I need You

Your forgiveness

Is like sweet, sweet honey on my lips

Like the sound of a symphony to my ears

Like holy water on my skin, hey!

Dead man walking, slave to sin

I wanna know about being born again

I need You

Oh, God, I need You

So, take me to the riverside

Take me under, baptize

I need You

Oh, God, I need You, oh-oh

I don't wanna abuse Your grace

God, I need it every day

It's the only thing that ever really

Makes me wanna change

Dave Seip of King's Way Talk joins Tyler and Colin to discuss the popular song "Chain Breaker" by Zach Williams.

This week Dave from Kings Way Talk joins us for an encouraging conversation about worship music, lyrical content of church music, and the tuba. Dave is a podcaster and blogger and a member of his church's preaching team. We discuss the concept of churches "banning" certain publishers outright, the importance of the individual conscience in leading music, and caution against throwing babies out with bathwater.

This week Colin and Tyler, along with guest host Nathan Partain--worship leader, pastor and musician at Redeemer Indianapolis--talk through the lyrics of award winning song 'All My Hope'.

Nathan Partain of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, is a worship leader and ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church of America. Aside from leading his congregation's music ministry, Nathan is engaged in songwriting and has a long history recording and producing msuci, particularly, though not exclusively, Christian worship music for the local church. Nathan shares about his journey to leading the music ministry at Redeemer and we discuss his role as a guardian of God's worship there. We find out what is being guarded and from what it is being guarded. We learn about "Becky", whose sensibilities may still guide the Christian music industry's choices, to some degree. Nathan offers some guidance on keeping one's ego in check through vulnerability and honesty, and humbly shares how some aspects of worship leading might be difficult for certain people to handle. The 'singability' and lyrical clarity of songs is also discussed, and we conclude by giving thanks for the ability to have thoughtful conversations about worship music.