"Focus Groups"

The Capstone Project has to be about more than recording and promoting an album. Ministry is the focus, obviously, of a Master of Ministry program. So, the question becomes, "how do these songs promote ministry?"

One essential component of ministry is that it involved the people of God being willing to be used by Him to impact the lives of others for His purpose. Being used in this way improves the relationship of God with His people, His people with themselves as community, and the community of God with those who remain outside the community.

For these songs to effectively serve as a ministry tool, it is my view that they must lead to some sort of impact that is both personal and relational. To this end, "focus groups" are being formed and conducted which explore the lyrics and probe the potential for conversation. It is in conversations that one heart shares with another and both more clearly see the path to eternal friendship.

The first of these "focus group" sessions is scheduled to take place in a few days out in Midland, Texas. A group of Fine Arts students at Midland Classical Academy and I will be led by their tutor, Cameron Smith, in a discussion of the conversational merits of one of the songs from "least".

However, I am finding that there is an already ongoing "focus group" of sorts taking place in your responses to these songs. I hope to return from the MCA experience equipped with some great questions to guide our conversation. In the meantime, I would LOVE you to review the lyrics and ask me some questions. Please risk being critical.

The Land of Endless Day

There are so many good and sensible reasons to reject the hand of Christ. Mine had to do with not wanting to give up the things I thought meant something. There's only room on the throne of this heart for one king, and I wanted to be king of my life. Just me. But what I discovered from the empty hotel room I chose was that nothing has any real and lasting life apart from the source of life - and I knew that it wasn't me who made the flowers bloom or the seas tide. 

The world offers momentary pleasure. But the high wears off and you're left constantly wanting more - which the world will gladly sell you in exchange for an ever increasing portion of your day. But at the end of days, "why in the world would you wait when the world offers nothing at all?"

Lyrics: Tim Henderson & Jeff Kreh

Why in the world would you wait

when the world offers nothing at all?

Jesus calls from the home He's prepared by His grace

singing, “why in the world would you wait?”

Come if your heart you would change

to accept His most basic command

and a land can be yours where there's never a pain

only come if your heart can be changed

Chorus:

We'll exchange our cross for a golden crown

where the gates swing outward never

and we'll sing the song of heaven's praise

in the land of endless day

If you would call on His name

just, to know you've been washed in the blood

how He'd love you to see what it means to believe

only, why in the world would you wait?

tell me, why in the world do you wait?

Chorus

My Beloved and Me

Personalized evangelism has become a central concern over the past few years. This song looks at what sharing the story of eternal love might look like in 21st century culture. And it sort of reminds me of the Greyhound trip from Nashville to Little Rock in 1997 when I barfed up the Nashville bus station hashbrowns on the shoes of the undercover narcotics officer outside the Memphis station!

Lyrics: Jeff Kreh

Dearly Beloved and I

strolled through the old part of town

and there met a beard stained with whiskey and time

begging a mere happy meal and some wine

a mere happy meal and some wine

His son would be passing by soon

and he needed a gift for his son

because little boys look to papaws for dreams

of “what on earth are we here for?”

“Woe, and what on earth are we here for?”

Reaching deep gave him everything asked

took him home, 

gave a shave and a bath and a comb

a new change of clothes

socks and shoes, 

trimmed his toes

and when asked, “goodness, why?”

with tear in eye

I told him a story my own

I told him a story my own

I told him, “my own grandpa I never knew,

“but my mother's dad saved him for me

“to a land of delight where the wine ever flows

“and there's bread enough for all to eat.”

There's bread enough for all to eat.

He patiently sat as the story unveiled

of “one fateful day by a tree”

and later that night in the cold Tennessee

he came to his senses and free

he became my Beloved and me

Dearly Beloved and I

strolled through the old part of town...

Born To Die

If I really believe He was 'Born to Die', then why on earth keep that story silent? And if I'm keeping it to myself, do I really believe it? Am I selfish? Am I jealous that He could be loved by and love others? Open your mouth, Jeff...open your mouth.

Lyrics: Jeff Kreh

On a clear and starry night

a cry breaks the silence

the world is hushed in awe at the Creator in new birth

Angels praise His name

shepherds, stilled, proclaim

“surely this must be the Son of God”

Mary, loving mother of the savior of the earth

hardly comprehends what all this means

watching Him grow up

oftentimes forgetting

the deed that He must do to save her soul

Chorus:

For He was born to die

as a baby in a manger

He gives all that He has

for friends and for strangers

unselfish and blameless in everything since birth

on a clear and starry night

He was born to die

All along His way He lives a life predestined

knowing where the end is and all the ways out

but on Mt. Olive's brow

blood drops down proclaiming

Jesus knows the will of God

and what He must do

Chorus

Bridge:

It's hard to believe He would want to give up heaven's life for me

Dying in my sin that I might begin to live a life worthy of His death

Chorus

Lift the Veil

I'm spiritually blind to what I'm spiritually blind to, so how can I ever hope to see without a little help from a sight-enabling friend? "Lord, I am willing to be more willing to be what you want me to be. Please reveal and grant me the courage and strength to follow."

Lyrics: Apostle Paul & Jeff Kreh

Chorus:

Lift the veil of my heart,

lift the veil of my heart

lift the veil to reveal my inmost parts

lift the veil of my heart

You have written

you have spoken

not with paper

or emotion

but by your Spirit

given as a token

to any soul 

who humbly comes

willing to be broken

Chorus

Bridge:

Now we all

with an open face beholding

as in a mirror the image of our Lord

are changed into His image

from glory to glory

by the Spirit of our God

Chorus

Anymore

Ours is a consumer-driven society. However, sometimes it seems we are oblivious to the fact that our insecurities are being played for profit. How much is enough? What is enough?

Lyrics: Jeff Kreh

Checkin' out with all the things we're shown to love

and though my bags are heavy, it's never quite enough

Chorus:

Ah, I don't want this anymore

No, no, I don't want this anymore

No more your beast of burden headed for the door

since you've given your best offer, I'll search another store

Chorus

Bridge:

Come unto me all ye that labor

come and I will give you rest

take my yoke upon you and learn of me

I want to give you rest

Look around at every bird, always fed and free

even grass and flowers wear better clothes than me

Ah, if that is to be free

Woe, then I don't want this anymore

Bridge