Fulfilled Music

My producer son is getting ready to compete with 13 other music producers next weekend.  He's the one that records, adds the beat, and mixes the songs God has given me.  At 17, he is the youngest competitor in the showcase coming up, which will be held in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Because of this, the song "Trustworthy & True" is on hold until he returns a winner, with contract in hand, God willing!  I am amazed at his talent and business savvy, well beyond his years. As I listen to his beats, I marvel at the way the music world has changed since I was his age in the 70's.  Teaming up with him to create a song is a delight and I can't wait till he agrees to sing with me.  I've known the power of his lungs and pipes since he was a baby!    

So... until "Trustworthy & True" is studio ready, I thought I'd break the silence on my blog here by posting the lyrics...I hope and pray it blesses you, and I look forward to bringing it to you in melody form soon.

Chorus:

Your Name is above every other Name!  Holy, exalted, forever the same!  With an abundance of joy we proclaim, our confidence is in You!...  Lord, we praise You, we praise You, You are trustworthy and true, Lord we praise You, we praise You, You are trustworthy and true.

Verse:

You are my treasure, my pearl of great price... no other possession is worth holding onto... yet it is Your hold on me that's stronger... nothing can separate me from Your embrace... You keep me... by the power of Your Name! (The Name of Jesus!)

(Repeat Chorus)

Verse:

Nothing in this world but Your mercy can save the lost... souls blinded by lies, sinking in darkness... You are the Light that leads them to the Cross... You said when You're lifted up, You'd draw all men to You... salvation is found... in no other Name! (the Name of Jesus)

(Repeat Chorus)

~ Rejoice in the Lord always! ~

This song by Jeff Reulbach inspired me to turn my poem into a rap-style song/video, now known as "Discover Preterism."  Jeff recently added images to the lyrics that help tell the story of fulfillment, so I thought I'd share it with you. I join with Jeff and many others saying, "No need for the church to wait any longer... trust God's Word and your faith will be stronger!"

(download)

Click here to download:

untitled-ctJErvfyrDkGaDkDqjBC.zip (738 KB)

In the 1980s, my fellowship back in Annapolis Maryland began creating rich and regal banners bearing the names of God, as pageantry was sweeping across evangelical and non-denominational churches.  Women would worship through choreographed interpretive dance, while men carried the banners that together with hundreds of praising voices ushered in the Chekinah glory of God’s Presence. 

JEHOVAH-JIREH, the Lord our Provider, and JEHOVAH-NISSI, the Lord our Banner, were two of many majestic creations.  But there was one name of God that was often overlooked, so I spearheaded the design of a banner with my favorite name of God: JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH, "The Lord is present."  The other names told us about God's character traits, but this one was short and simple, not very remarkable, yet it spoke volumes to me.  The Lord may indeed provide and heal, but I liked the fact that He was just… THERE!  He wasn’t far off, out of touch, sitting on a throne in the sky, or busy running the universe.  He was with us, right where we were… with me, right where I was.

The original mention of JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH is found in Ezek. 48:35, as the name given to the city in Ezekiel’s vision:  "And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE."  The city belongs to “all the house of Israel” (Ezek. 45:6) and God would dwell among them (Psa 46:5). It was His desired habitation (Psa 132:13) and would be a place of intimate communion with God (John 14:23 and Rev. 21:3).

So from national Jerusalem to spiritual Jerusalem, the Great I AM is present there, and always will be, throughout each minute of every season of our lives.  And if you ever doubt that, read Matt 28:20, where Jesus says after the Great Commission, “I am with you always.”  “EGO METH UMON EIMI.”  You might think Jesus spoke those words in that order, but He didn’t.  He split His name, “I AM” into bookends around “with you,” so the Greek actually reads “I, with you, AM.”  Now that’s what I call a ‘treasure in translation’ and the best literary ‘hug’ I’ve ever felt!

So JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH is my favorite name of God.  What are yours?  Here are just a few more:

JEHOVAH-MEKADDISHCHEM   “The Lord who sanctifies”
JEHOVAH-ROHI    “The Lord my Shepherd”        
JEHOVAH-RAPHA    "The Lord our Healer" 
JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU    "The Lord our Righteousness”
 JEHOVAH-JIREH       "The Lord our Provider"
JEHOVAH-NISSI    "The Lord our Banner"
JEHOVAH-SHALOM    "The Lord our Peace"
JEHOVAH-SABBAOTH    "The Lord of Hosts"
JEHOVAH-GMOLAH    "The God of Recompense"
JEHOVAH-ELOHIM    “The Eternal Creator”
JEHOVAH-HOSEENU    “The Lord our Maker”
JEHOVAH-ELOHEENU    “The Lord our God”
JEHOVAH-SHERAB     "The Lord our Sword"

Here's a comprehensive list:  http://ft111.com/namesofgod.htm

How do you perceive the world God gave us?  Do you see a planet on death row, waiting for a fiery demise and taking us along for the ride?  Or is it a glorious, eternal establishment where God reigns? 

I recently came across this song written by folk singer Peter Mayer, called "Holy Now."  He tells the story of how his perspective of the world has changed since he was a young boy in Sunday School. 

It used to be a world half there... Heaven's second rate hand-me-down... But I walk it with a reverent air... 'Cause everything is holy now.

I'm not sure what particular faith Mayer embraces, but he reminds us that God's fingerprints are all over His vast creation, pointing us to His invisible qualities.  And I'm not sure what caused Mayer to view things differently, but he reminds me of the time when I began seeing the world in a whole new light, once I became aware of the significance of AD 70. 

From his Bio page: http://petermayer.net

Peter Mayer writes songs for a small planet -- songs about interconnectedness and the human journey; about the beauty and mystery of the world... Mayer is a performer at the top of his game who knows that the secret to living in a world of perplexing questions is enjoying the search for answers.

Last week I touched on the question, what exactly is 'preterist' music? and included a quote from John McPherson to inspire those of us who understand the true nature of the Kingdom and the timetable of prophetic fulfillment.  Today I'd like to shine more light on the relevance of preterist music from members of the Preterist Music Yahoo Group, which formed in February of 2010:

  Michael:

Worship songs are generally supposed to exalt the Lord, not teach eschatology, so the eschatology that creeps in is usually incidental.  In my opinion, the task of 'preterist' songwriters is basically to write lyrics that don't reinforce false interpretations of Scripture, and to do so with high poetic and musical quality.

I believe, except in diehard circles, the influence of Scofieldian futurism is fading a good deal.  The 'science fiction' scenario of much end-times preaching is wearing thin, despite the Left Behind phenomenon.  Respected Bible scholars-historians like N.T. Wright, while not entirely abandoning an eschatological 'new creation,' are recognizing that the 'last days' events portrayed in the New Testament apply to what was happening in the first century.

I believe in most churches the teaching will eventually catch up with the New Testament, and the new creation we already have in Jesus' resurrection will come to the forefront.  Music that can bring out that truth would be, to me, good 'preterist' music.

Curt:

 Music is such an extraordinary gift from God and is an avenue of discipleship not always well utilized.  Just as the futurist's worldview is empty, many past Christian musicians seem to believe that they have to check their God given talents at the door which makes for a sub-par effort.  However that seems to be changing as I continue to hear some top notch recordings and venues for Christian music.  Mix in the preterist message which is one of hope and blessing and you have a great opportunity to reach people for Christ.

Wanda:

 At first I was SO upset to sing the praise and worship songs that spoke of a future coming... to me it felt dishonest almost.  That I was joyfully singing that Christ hadn't accomplished what He promised He would do, when He said he would do it... Then I had a peace about it while I was singing.  I would be reflecting on the wonderful aspect of fulfilled redemption and it even enhanced my worship experience.  And just recently I have come (back) to a place of incredible and sheer JOY with singing songs that are all either changed, or written completely from a fulfilled redemption view.

Richard:

 Is 'preterist music' ONLY recognizable by the ABSENCE of futuristic lyrics?  If so, a lot of 'standard' music already fits that description.  On the other hand, are there certain theological and worship emphases that 'preterist music' might present positively, such as the living presence of Christ who has already come to dwell with His people (as the New Testament makes clear)?  If so, once again, that could be an emphasis perfectly acceptable to non-preterist worshipers.

What, then, does constitute 'preterist music'?  Perhaps it could be characterized either way -- by the ABSENCE of futurism, or by the PRESENCE of an awareness of Christ's already-realized Parousia.  But in neither case would such lyrics be the expression of an exclusively preterist faith; most Christians could still enter into music of these types as their own expressions of worship, regardless of the eschatological slant they might articulate in other venues.

Absence of futurism -- Awareness of fulfillment.  In the tiniest nutshell, Truth.  And what better way to reach people with the truth, than through music?  I welcome your comments on these perspectives, and feel free to share your own.

"I will also praise You with a harp, even Your truth, O my God"   (Psalm 71:22 NAS)

Welcome to the Preterist Music blog, everyone!  I'd like to open with a big "Thank you" to Mike Loomis for his vision of AD70.net, and the talent and knowledge he brings to the table.  I can think of no better platform to share my music with you, along with some of the inspiration behind the songs.  So far, I have four available here for download; Flow, New Jerusalem, Mary's Song and How Great Thou Art - contemporary arrangement w/ last verse reflecting Christ has come. (Chord charts are available too – just e-mail me.)  You can also view these songs on my You Tube page, along with Discover Preterism, a poem turned into a rap video.

Next up, I’m recording a contemporary arrangement to “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee,” sung with the classic hymn.  Then I’ve got Living Streams, You Did it All, and an instrumental, 9^th of Av, a tune that came to me as I pondered the melancholy day when the Jewish Temple was destroyed.  By Easter 2012, I should have finished the production of Redemption Story.   

Some people have asked me, “What exactly is "preterist music?"  Is it just anything that doesn’t sing about Jesus coming back soon?” (And I did write a song about that in the mid-90s!)  The way I see it is this:  We praise God for the marvelous and wondrous things He’s done.  We worship God for who He is.  Until we understand that God is not a ‘whenever’ God detached from our earthly timetable, but a promise-keeping, faithful God – we are seeing a dim view of who He really is and all that He’s accomplished.  There’s always going to be more to discover in our walk with God, but praise and worship from a fulfilled eschatological viewpoint certainly helps polish the lens!

(As I was typing this, I looked out the window at an orange-pink sky and overheard my sons talk about a rainbow.  So I dashed outside to see my first rainbow of 2011.  A sign of God’s faithfulness as I’m talking about His faithfulness!  Gotta love synchronicity.)

A few months ago I was blown away when I found this quote by John McPherson at Planet Preterist, because it perfectly encapsulates my passion for preterist music:

"As Preterists, I believe we have the opportunity to reshape popular thought and belief through culturally-relevant music, literature, art and other means of creative expression. I believe the “mantle” of the Jesus Movement, which foundered on the rocks of futurism, can be taken up by those of us who understand the true nature of the Kingdom and the timetable of prophetic fulfillment.  We have the ability to express eschatological Truth and its ramifications in creatively artistic ways that assist others in developing an awareness of God’s Truth as He originally intended it to be understood."

Stay tuned!  More to come as I learn my way around!