Writing a Great Worship Song

In our quest to write the best songs, sometimes we look for help.  There are many videos on YouTube that can help turn that good worship song into a GREAT worship song.  Here is my favorite:

We went live!

We got to play our song "My Soul Cries Out" in a worship set on Sunday, and it went really good! It was exciting for both Rob and I to share our song with the church. We are excited to continue using that song at church in addition to other songs we write!

First new song in 4 years!

Here it is!  The first new song I've written in 4 years!  I think one thing that has helped me move forward in my writing was working with Rob Collins, who has been a fantastic partner in all of this.  We gel together well, tossing out ideas that are similar enough that we both like them but different enough that we challenge each other.

Well, without further ado, here it is - "My Soul Cries Out" by Rob Collins and Ben Palm



I'm standing here before You, there's nothing left to say
You moved the heavens to find me, but I chose another way
I fought to find my freedom, to break these heavy chains
And though You saw me fully, You loved me just the same

I fall on my face
I yearn for Your grace
My soul cries out
You call me Your own
No longer alone
My soul cries out

I'm standing here before you, I am so amazed
The cross You bore to free me has set my heart ablaze
Creation sings Your praises, a song for every man
My fate was changed forever by the touch of Your hand

Holy holy holy is the Lord
Holy holy holy is the Lord

My sin washed away
By love's crimson stain
My soul cries out

New song! New blog?

I just went on a fantastic retreat with my high school students... and the students from 13 other churches!  It was amazing!  I had a great time connecting with people from other churches and building the relationships with my students!

Two things came from this retreat:

1. A NEW SONG.  Rob, my writing partner, had sent me lyrics a few weeks ago that he wanted me to put some music to.  I took some time alone and started playing.  After about half an hour, I had something I really liked.  I recorded it, shared it with a few people around me, and to my amazement, I overheard them singing it throughout the rest of the weekend!  I sent over my recording to Rob, and he loved it!  Can't wait to finish the song (it needs a bridge) and play it with the band!
2. A NEW BLOG... MAYBE.  I co-taught a seminar on sex/purity to the high school students.  We opened up the floor for questions, and we got a TON - so many we couldn't answer them all!  I've thought about starting a blog that would tackle one of those questions each week - what do you think?

Music - a new chapter!

Hi. As some of you may know, I used to write music. A lot. But then some wonderful blessings came along...

Gabriel (1 1/2) and Micah (3 1/2)

See?

Up until a few weeks ago, I hadn't written in four years. Though I had tried every now and then to sit down and write, nothing really developed. Nothing. This was frustrating to a guy who has written over 50 songs.

So I kinda gave up. I let it sit, thinking my writing days were over.

I don't remember where my idea came from, but there I was, on the phone with Rob, asking him if he wanted to write a worship album with me. Bizarre. But I had been feeling passionate about worship music recently. I knew Rob was a great lyricist (so he told me), and I knew I could write music well, so I called. And he said yes.

We sat down to write our first song together. I showed him a musical idea I had written in 2003 (or somewhere around there). He liked it, and we started working on some lyrics. After about an hour, we had what we felt was a good start. We agreed to sit on what we had and revisit it a week later. But we both agreed this writing team was a God-ordained match. We really gelled.

After a week, we got back together, both agreeing that the song needed work. We went back and forth on a couple of ideas, and finally landed on a fit for the song that we really liked. After playing it with a full band behind us, we knew we had our first song ready to go. It's called "My Soul Cries Out."

I will continue to keep you updated regarding the future of our worship album, including lyrics, audio files, and news on our progress! Thanks for reading - I'm glad you're on the journey with us!

Ezekiel 1 – the glory of the LORD

About 5 or 6 years ago, I tried to tackle a difficult task – studying the book of Ezekiel.  I did a surface study, never plunging in too deep, and I never finished it.

I now aim to dive a little deeper, understand a little more, and bask in God’s presence a little more.  I invite you to join me on my quest.

Ezekiel 1

The first chapter has a very similar feel to Revelation – it begins with a vision Ezekiel sees.  He first sees four living creatures (Rev. 4:6).  He goes on to describe their radiance, including their adornments, their physical makeup, wheels under them, and their wings over them.  He uses the phrase “Wherever the spirit would go, they would go” twice (vv. 12, 20), and talks of them and the wheels going straight ahead (vv. 9, 12, 17), as if they had one objective and one focus, as should we.

All this felt like it was building to something.  The climax begins in verse 25, where Ezekiel describes a throne and a man sitting on it that looks like fire.  The last verse of the chapter sums up the beauty of this description, and it displays Ezekiel’s poetic imagery:

“Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around Him.  This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.  When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.”

As I read this, two things came to mind.  First of all, I’m DYING to know what the voice says.  I know the answer is just on the next page, but I’m purposely waiting until tomorrow to keep my suspense up, build my anticipation, and keep me excited about diving into the Bible.

Second, I am reminded of how glorious our God is.  I love that  Ezekiel uses the image of a rainbow because I love rainbows.  They are beautiful, breathtaking, and hard to take your eyes off of.

I definitely do not fall facedown before my God enough.  I am more accustomed to viewing him as my friend than I am as the glorious and awesome God He is.  I am thankful He loves me and thankful He wants to be my friend, but He would be nothing without His glory.  I am blessed by the reminder I received today of His glory and radiance.  He deserves to be WORSHIPPED and ADORED.

God, help me to give You the glory, worship, and adoration You’re due.  Thank you for loving me in spite of me, and thank you for drawing me to you.  Amen.