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Posts by matreames:
Jesus Culture & Martin Smith – Live from New York
November 20th, 2012 
Jesus Culture releases their newest Album this week, Live From New York featuring Martin Smith. The album actually seems more like a Martin Smith album featuring Jesus Culture. This 16 song 2-Disc album includes a large selection of Martin Smith’s music, a few covers, and a couple new originals from Jesus Culture. Read the rest of this entry “
Finding My Heart in a Bamboo Box
September 5th, 2012
Thanks to Mat Reames for sharing these thoughts after traveling to and ministering in Nepal and India this summer.
Its 9:59 on a Sunday, the band is tuned up, the lights have been turned down, the countdown video is in its last few seconds, the guitarist has his foot tapping in the tempo of his dotted eight delays, and we are ready to begin worship.
The service begins loud as we introduce that new song that everyone will be talking about next week. People have their hands raised high, unless they are attempting to clap to the rhythm. But the key is, people are engaged.
Then you begin to see them. As your eyes adjust to the lower lighting you begin to notice the people who aren’t engaged. They are scattered around the room. You feel the frustration. Week in and week out you spend hours preparing for this service, choosing the songs, ordering the lights and videos, you have labored to prepare an atmosphere of worship. But with all the time, money, and of course blood, sweat, and tears, there are still people who just will not engage. As a worship leader this is one of the most difficult things to deal with…. Read the rest of this entry “
Holy Days: Hanukkah Sameach! (Happy Hanukkah!) Dec. 20-28, 2011
December 22nd, 2011
Today we are continuing to celebrate Hanukkah. This year, Hanukkah lasts from December 20 until December 28th. Many people recognize this as the “Festival of Lights” But it is so much more than that. Hanukkah is less about light and oil than it is about dedication and faith.
You see, about 165 BC the Syrian King who ruled over Israel, King Antiochus IV appointed a Hellenistic High Priest over Israel. He prohibited the study of Torah, and he commanded the sacrifice of swine upon the holy altar. This was about as much desecration as the temple had ever seen. Read the rest of this entry “
Jesus Culture: Awakening CD Review
December 1st, 2011
This past Tuesday, Jesus Culture released their 6th album. Awakening is a double album recorded live at the Jesus Culture Awakening conference in Chicago last august. This double album has 16 songs with an average song length of 6 minutes. It clocks in at 1 hour and 43 minutes.
I think Awakening is the perfect title for this, because the overarching theme of this album is awakening out hearts to the kingdom of God once again. Because of the length of the album and the sheer number of songs on it, I will highlight each disc and share moments that really ministered to me. This live album doesn’t cut anything out. Each song has a lengthy run simply because they wanted to capture the fullness of the song in its live atmosphere which adds something special to the music. Read the rest of this entry “
