The sermon is called “The Truth and Lie in Marriage” but it speaks about worship and religion as it relates to culture.

Listen to “The Truth and Lie in Marriage” now »

I feel that a lot of modern worship is headed more in this direction and it kind of scares me.  Maybe it comes from ignorance or maybe it comes from pride but it always rubs me the wrong way when I hear it.

I understand that there is a place for Christian songs that are more about our life situations and tell great stories that point us to Christ but I do not believe that these songs belong in worship.  These songs seem to slip into our congregation based on their emotional appeal or catchy melody when the heart of the lyrics is focused on “me” or “I”.

I think about Revelation 4:8 which says, “And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

These creatures were not focused on themselves in the presence of a holy God.  Their song and their worship was truly as ours will one day be, ALL about Jesus.

I try to keep that in perspective as I write.  While my songs do not always contain those words I try to focus on what I am really saying in a song.  Is it about Jesus or me?  Will this help people worship Jesus or focus on themselves?

I humbly encourage you to evaluate the songs that you sing in worship to God.  Do they sound like they are more about you than Him?  I pray that the songs that I write for the congregation would be nothing more than a giant arrow pointing to Jesus and His glory.  I pray that the words would do nothing more than help us worship a truly holy, humble, and worthy God.

-jh-

Tonight I sat down to record a guitar part for a new song and while I had a bunch of decent takes I just kept recording it over and over until it progressively got worse.

My hope was that I was going to find that one perfect take and it never came.  I began doubting the production of the song half way through this process as my fingers started to feel the pain.

I don’t play guitar as much as I should and therefore my fingers hurt when I am doomed with the task of recording something as simple as 4 chords over and over.

Without accomplishing much of anything I am calling it a night and waiting to see what tomorrow brings. I’m waiting for inspiration. I’m hoping for art. I’m searching for the sound that each song needs to be complete.

I’ve been listening to A Fine Frenzy, Gabe Dixon Band, Jeff Buckley and City and Colour a lot the last few days and they keep reminding me that it’s really about the song for a singer/songwriter. The worth of my efforts is lodged deep in the guts of the songs. It’s not found in some catchy melody, sick guitar riff, or clever lyric. It comes from a song with an honest heart.

That being said I believe God has given me songs of true worth.  Songs worth singing for His Namesake and I’m excited to share them all with you.

-jh-

I’m thankful for the songs I’ve written and I’m excited to push past those songs and fight for a deeper connection to my Lord and savior Jesus Christ through music and lyrics.

I’m up too late and I’m done rambling

-jh-

Hope to see you there!

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This summer I will be heading back to Indiana for some writing and recording. Today I will make my way down to Fishers to see Adam Weber. Adam has made a tremendous impact on my walk with God and I’m pumped to see him.

Tomorrow I will be getting some writing help from Jon Mclaughlin. I respect Jon so much as a musician and person and I’m looking forward to spending some time with him. Jon has been like a brother to me over the years and it’s been awesome to watch him grow and see his music gain popularity all over the world.

Later this summer I am planning on heading down to Gaither’s studios again to record drums with Darren Rayl and Jeff Aebi. I worked with them on my first full length album and I’m really excited to work with them again.

The rest of the recording will be done in my basement with Jon Thorngate and Dominic Rome. I have an incredible connections with these guys. We played together for a few years and we know how to work together well. Jon is an important part of the whole process as he will be helping me produce it.

I’m blessed by the doors God is opening up with this project. I’m thankful for your prayers and support. I pray that God would be lifted up through these songs and that He would be glorified in the writing/recording process.

-jh-

Blessings,

-jh-