HOW HONEST DO YOU WANT TO GET WITH ME?

REVERENT, RELEVANT, EXTRAVAGANT? UM, YEAH

I mean, really, have you ever just sat down and listened to Jennifer Knapp? Lyrically, she's one of the most influential artists, at least in my life, but I would even venture to say out there now. The only problem is, though, is she's not out there now. She's kind of disappeared from the spotlight. No one I've talked to knows where's she's at. Her website's gone and there's never any news on gotee.com about where she might be. Jennifer, I hope you're out there somewhere and God is using you mightily. I do miss the music, though.

I'd just like to share with you some spoken lyrics that are part of track 11 on the way i am. They're intense. I can't tell you where in the Bible they are, but here we go:

Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be
merciful to me and hear my prayer. How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Know that the Lord has set apart
the godly for Himself; the Lord will hear when I call to Him. In your anger do no sin; when
you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer right sacrifices and trust in
the Lord. Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of Your face shine
upon us, O Lord. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new
wine about. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in
safety.

I mean, how much more honest can you get?

When I listen to music, sometimes I don't want to hear all about how great the Christian life is and how peachy everything is all the time. I want to hear about the trials and temptations people go through, and I want to hear about God bringing them through throughout the song. Life is hard, but God can and will and has brought us through it all. I do love just an incredible praise song, but I also love the songs that come out of some of the lowest points in our lives, the points that really give us a reason to sing the awesome songs of praise.

Blessings for today!

Julie