Heart of Worship Music with Christina Mae

 

Christina Mae and Heart of Worship Music

 Please tell us about your musical journey in Christ. How long have you been making music? Any formal training? Professional experience?

I didn't get to know Jesus personally until later in my life. I was 29 when God's grace and mercy got a hold of me and I accepted the precious gift of hope and life that Jesus offers to all who will come to Him. I realized then that I wanted to use any of my musical abilities and talents (and anything else I had) to serve Him and glorify Him. I had been trained as a classical pianist and also had some vocal training - and had played in clubs and bars for much of my early adulthood. I now wanted to use all that experience to tell the world about the King of Kings! I began serving in our local church and also had the opportunity to start writing with some really gifted Christian writers in Nashville. God has been extremely faithful and generous to bring many people into my life that have helped guide me and encourage me in both my spiritual and my musical journey.... It's a never-ending journey where I continue to surrender anything and everything I have back to Him - that He might use my gifts to build His kingdom and bring the life-changing news of the gospel to others.

Christina Mae

What music inspires you the most (Christian or secular)? 

I am inspired my many genres of music - most deeply when the beauty of God is seen - which can happen even in a simple melody. I love classical music such as Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin etc but my most favorite type of music is that which draws us closer to God and invites us to know Him more, usually because there are lyrics attached that inspire us. The Getty music group (including Matt Boswell, Matt Papa and Matt Merker) is currently writing fantastic, Spirit-filled songs that speak of God's greatness, love and mercy and invite us to respond. In a more contemporary vein I enjoy some of the new Elevation worship music that finds a very relatable way to express deep theology under the leadership of Steven Furtick. One of my favorite solo artists right now is Danny Gokey - I think his music is very accessible to this generation and always has a message that points hearts to Jesus. I also spend a lot of time listening to Southern Gospel - groups like Legacy 5, Brian Free and Assurance, Joseph Habedank, Gold City and the Lefevre Quartet. There are so many great vocalists, musicians and writers out there who are using their gifts for the glory of God.

How has making music made a difference in your Christian walk?

From a songwriting perspective, music has made me very carefully examine what I believe and what the Bible says on certain topics. I would never want my music to lead someone in the wrong direction - and I want anything that I write or sing about to lead people to some kind of action or reaction. This means I need to dig deep into the truths of God to make sure they are expressed clearly and in a way that makes people want to respond. Writing has also made me sensitive to some of the serious battles and struggles other people are going through - and I seek to find ways to use God's promises to bring hope and peace into those struggles.

What projects are you working on now? What are your hopes for them?

I just finished work on a song called "BEAUTIFUL LIFE" - now available on YOUTUBE and SPOTIFY. It is my hope that this song will remind us all of God's many blessings and goodness, no matter what we are walking through.

                                     

Where can we find out more about you, your band and your music?

I enjoy writing and singing both solo type and more congregational type worship songs. I have made many of these songs available with free lead sheets on my website below. https://heartofworship.online/

Christina Mae and Heart of Worship Music

 Please tell us about your musical journey in Christ. How long have you been making music? Any formal training? Professional experience?

I didn't get to know Jesus personally until later in my life. I was 29 when God's grace and mercy got a hold of me and I accepted the precious gift of hope and life that Jesus offers to all who will come to Him. I realized then that I wanted to use any of my musical abilities and talents (and anything else I had) to serve Him and glorify Him. I had been trained as a classical pianist and also had some vocal training - and had played in clubs and bars for much of my early adulthood. I now wanted to use all that experience to tell the world about the King of Kings! I began serving in our local church and also had the opportunity to start writing with some really gifted Christian writers in Nashville. God has been extremely faithful and generous to bring many people into my life that have helped guide me and encourage me in both my spiritual and my musical journey.... It's a never-ending journey where I continue to surrender anything and everything I have back to Him - that He might use my gifts to build His kingdom and bring the life-changing news of the gospel to others.

Christina Mae

What music inspires you the most (Christian or secular)? 

I am inspired my many genres of music - most deeply when the beauty of God is seen - which can happen even in a simple melody. I love classical music such as Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin etc but my most favorite type of music is that which draws us closer to God and invites us to know Him more, usually because there are lyrics attached that inspire us. The Getty music group (including Matt Boswell, Matt Papa and Matt Merker) is currently writing fantastic, Spirit-filled songs that speak of God's greatness, love and mercy and invite us to respond. In a more contemporary vein I enjoy some of the new Elevation worship music that finds a very relatable way to express deep theology under the leadership of Steven Furtick. One of my favorite solo artists right now is Danny Gokey - I think his music is very accessible to this generation and always has a message that points hearts to Jesus. I also spend a lot of time listening to Southern Gospel - groups like Legacy 5, Brian Free and Assurance, Joseph Habedank, Gold City and the Lefevre Quartet. There are so many great vocalists, musicians and writers out there who are using their gifts for the glory of God.

How has making music made a difference in your Christian walk?

From a songwriting perspective, music has made me very carefully examine what I believe and what the Bible says on certain topics. I would never want my music to lead someone in the wrong direction - and I want anything that I write or sing about to lead people to some kind of action or reaction. This means I need to dig deep into the truths of God to make sure they are expressed clearly and in a way that makes people want to respond. Writing has also made me sensitive to some of the serious battles and struggles other people are going through - and I seek to find ways to use God's promises to bring hope and peace into those struggles.

What projects are you working on now? What are your hopes for them?

I just finished work on a song called "BEAUTIFUL LIFE" - now available on YOUTUBE and SPOTIFY. It is my hope that this song will remind us all of God's many blessings and goodness, no matter what we are walking through.

                                     

Where can we find out more about you, your band and your music?

I enjoy writing and singing both solo type and more congregational type worship songs. I have made many of these songs available with free lead sheets on my website below. https://heartofworship.online/

Aware by DesGens:Music Video Review

 

Aware by DesGens is a new song with accompanying video that is truly a crowd pleaser. Not only is the brilliant musical score uplifting and meaningful, the cinematography and production quality are extremely well done also. The juxtaposition of innocence against the backdrop of Christ's suffering on the cross, shedding a tear for His people creates an emotional hook that will draw you in for the duration of this just over three minute video. In its entirety, it's a collage of strife, longing and reconciliation images that visually portray the message and passion of the gospel. You will thoroughly enjoy this brief but engaging cinematic composition that amplifies the musical message, purposefully intended to make you "aware" of what has been done for the world through the love and sacrifice of Christ Jesus. Try not to cry if you can. 

Non Union Biblical Musicians

  [This is another segment in the Music in the Bible series which begins in Genesis and finishes in Revelation.]

image source: hrchamber.com

However there were not made for the house of the Lord basins of silver, trimmers, sprinkling-bowls, trumpets, any articles of gold or articles of silver, from the money brought into the house of the Lord. (2 Kings 12:13)

Although there were detailed methods of payments outlined for the temple builders under Solomon's reign, the craftsmen who fashioned trumpets (and most likely other musical instruments) were not mentioned in any formal agreement. The workmen who repaired and upgraded the temple got paid freely and honestly from the tithes required by the people. It must have been a time of great wealth and prosperity and nobody felt the need to cheat or swindle in order to receive appropriate compensation for their work. When everybody prospers, there is no need for greed or unions to prevent exploitation of employees. Even Karl Marx would be envious of such conditions.

Now some have argued that Christianity is a kind of communism or socialism exampled by the distribution of good as told in the Book of Acts (Acts 4:35) but that sharing of personal wealth was all done voluntarily out of genuine love for the brethren which is proof of conversion into the kingdom of Christ (1 John 3:14). Marxism is forced distribution of wealth which not everyone is happy with except those who implement policy and those at the very bottom who benefit from it only slightly. God's plan for a Right to Work paradise is way beyond that and has no comparison in the earthly realm. And that's how they'll know we are Christians--by our love.

Biblical Boom Sounds

 [This is another segment in the Music in the Bible series which begins in Genesis and finishes in Revelation.]

image source: wikiwand.com

Then Zadok the priest took a horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. And they blew the horn, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!” And all the people went up after him; and the people played the flutes and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth seemed to split with their sound. (1 Kings 1:39-40)

If you've been following this series, you know by now that the Lord typically ordained trumpets and horns to signal a momentous event. Horns were also used on the battlefield, either to instill fear in the enemy to signal a retreat. Horns are cool and on this occasion marking Solomon's ascension to the throne of Israel, horns blasted the good news throughout the kingdom with so much vigor that the earth seemed to shake. Kind of like sitting in your car and turning up the volume bass so loud that the vehicle actually rocks and bumps a bit. After all, sound waves are a scientific phenomenon that have been proven to move things and to even break glass. Can you imagine the sound shock wave that will shake the earth when Christ returns and silences all the powers of evil? Scripture symbolically describes it in Revelation 19:15 and compares it to a 'rod of iron' that will rule the earth. Yikes!

Guitar World for God

[This is another segment in the Music in the Bible series which begins in Genesis and finishes in Revelation.]

source: guitarworld.com

And the king made steps of the almug wood for the house of the Lord and for the king’s house, also harps and stringed instruments for singers. There never again came such almug wood, nor has the like been seen to this day. (1 Kings 10:12)

Solomon enriched every aspect of the earthly kingdom of Israel ordained and blessed by God including lavishly supporting the temple musicians and funding and creating for them the best musical instruments that money could buy from the best materials that could be found.

Every serious musician knows that a good quality instrument motivates practice and playing and lends an edge to a performance that the audience will appreciate. After all (as the saying goes) you can't make silk out of a sow's ear. 

In today's highly interconnected world, it's easy to find the best guitar, harp or whatever by doing a Google search and ordering delivery to your doorstep. Not in Solomon's day. Merchants often risked their lives in caravans that troubled through rugged lands and climates to find priceless woods and other materials that the precise requirements for temple related construction and adornment demanded. Solomon's find and use of almug wood must have cost a pretty penny in blood and treasure but the wise king spared no expense or life in his plans and efforts to glorify Israel before the nations of the world. 

Teen Gospel Singer Katelynn McKinney

                                

Teen singer/songwriter Katelyn McKinney

Visit and subscribe to hear new music:

patientchill.com

A Concert to Change the World

 [This is another segment in the Music in the Bible series which begins in Genesis and finishes in Revelation.]

And all the people went up after him; and the people played the flutes and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth seemed to split with their sound. (1 Kings 1:40)

pinterest.com

In this biblical account, we come to the end of King David's life. As he is about to shed the mortal coil and pass to eternity, it is important for him to name his successor to the throne. Like the wise and loyal king he has always been, he seeks counsel from God and the prophets before officially making the decree that his son, Solomon, should reign after him. This announcement is made with much fanfare, music and merry making because Solomon's reign became the high point of Israel's earthly glory. The terrestrial stretch of the kingdom fulfilled God's promise of reaching from the Euphrates to Egypt and rulers and princes from all over the world came to his courts to marvel at the greatness and wisdom that the Lord bestowed upon his servant and his people. It was truly a concert that changed the world with its message!

Change the World LIVE - Eric Clapton

Sing so the world will hear!

 [This is another segment in the Music in the Bible series which begins in Genesis and finishes in Revelation.]

"Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among lthe Gentiles,

And sing praises to Your name." (2 Samuel 22:50)

King David's song here is almost identical with Psalm 18. You should read all of chapter 22 as it is a full ballad of deliverance and description of God's working in his life through all the tribulations he experienced. The warrior poet king magnifies the Lord's promises and deeds in peace and in war, testifying to the repeated declaration throughout Scripture that "Vengeance is mine, says the Lord. I will repay." 

If the Lord is on your side, who can be against you? What can man do to you? He might be able to destroy your body, but your redeemed soul belongs to Christ Jesus for all eternity and those that harm you because of your faith have sealed their own fate into damnation. How often we forget the victory celebration that awaits us as believers! How many times have we neglected to give thanks and praise God for what He has done through us so that others may know of his Goodness and Greatness! After all, that is what we our commanded to do in the gospels--let our lights shine before others so that our Father in heaven may be glorified! (Matthew 5:16)

Amy Grant -- Mountain Top

Musically Sinful Preaching

 Since there is a lull in interview requests (and a backlog in music reviews), I thought I'd take this opportunity to fill your screen with random Christian thoughts from a neophyte's perspective. Hey! It's my blog so I can do what I like! :)

Patient Chill

My new band, Patient Chill, has released their debut album of the same name. We are mixing and mastering the last track, From Now to Eternity. The EP is a concept album which offers a Christian response to the pandemic--a topic that has become morbid and rightly so, but this release offers hope through trusting in Christ after subtly exploring the situation and redefining it musically in a gentle way. The titles of the five tracks should give you a clue:

1. Patient Chill

2. VaRiAnCe

3. Injection 6

4. Boost Her

5. From Now to Eternity

Some may criticize its seemingly secular sound and overt appeal to worldly sensibilities with its initial EDM track and psychedelic rock riffs, especially in Injection 6, but I offer here an early apologetic based on Scripture.

In the Book of Acts, Paul addresses the Athenians in the Areopagus and acknowledges their religiosity before telling them about Jesus and salvation. It is an attempt to reach people on their own level before praying that the Holy Spirit will lead them to repentance and a higher level of existence through the conviction of solid preaching. As he writes in 1st Corinthians 9:

19For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

Now the obvious danger in adopting this approach is that you must have the clear objective of ultimately giving the gospel as your final appeal. In other words, be like the Lord was when He so graciously dwelt among us rebellious sinners. His presence affected them with holiness and His holiness was not affected by our sin natures. And as Shakespeare so aptly put it: Aye! There's the rub! 

Watch Boost Her lyric video from Patient Chill EP

Bitcoins, the Bible and the Beast

 Christians beware: the devil let loose in these end times is a roaring lion found everywhere. Last night I watched a 2021 documentary on Amazon Prime Video called Cryptopia: Bitcoins, Blockchains and the Future of the Internet. I couldn't help but fit it all into a Scriptural point of view tempo track so here's my take.

Watch movie trailer on Amazon

There's a certain sort of successful music promoter on the East Coast who claims to be follower of Jesus Christ (he won't deal with explicit music at all) and he has several irons in the fire within the industry from selling beats to selling bitcoins. Or at least he claims they are bitcoins. The documentary I watched explained how easy it is now to forge bitcoins into what is called 'bitcoin' cash and market the product over the Internet as the genuine item. I can't accuse him of that but since he's a Spotify playlist pusher for pay, red flags immediately go up for me. That's a shady venture to be into and it suckers people into paying to get their music heard for a limited time with very small fiduciary results that don't come near to matching the cost of the service. It's called vanity based marketing and Omari, in the name of Christ, appears to be good at manipulating the unsuspecting.

Those of us who read our Bibles are probably familiar with the lament of Ecclesiastes: 

Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity! (Eccles 1:2)

In other words, every action that a natural man makes is based in selfishness and I can't help but believe that the bitcoin phenomenon is also self serving although many of its proponents claim they are decentralizing currency for the good of mankind. Such altruism sounds skeptical even to the least educated but what would Jesus say and isn't that what really matters?

In Matthew 6:21, Christ says: "For wherever your treasure is, there your heart will be also." In the documentary, the producer was allowed limited access to a massive, nuclear proof vault deep in the heart of the Swiss Alps somewhere to see and to show us where bitcoin digital keys are kept securely offline in mainframes protected by guards with shoot-to-kill orders without prejudice against unauthorized intruders. For me, it was a hellish descent into the bowels of the earth that reminded of the line from the Revelation 6:16: 

And they cried to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb.

I don't know about you but I don't want my heart buried kilometers beneath the earth's surface awaiting a resurrection of the damned. I would prefer that my thoughts and imaginations sing freely at the top of peaks overlooking the wonder of God's green earth and touching the lower atmosphere of heaven! Sure, money is important and music to me equals a currency that is magnified throughout the Bible as gift from the Creator to His people given so that they may sing His praises forevermore. That's the beat that I live for!

Deception from the Naked Flame EP

Get Boost Her

Listen to more Patient Chill music at patientchill.com

 

Biblical Spy Signals

[This is another segment in the Music in the Bible series which begins in Genesis and finishes in Revelation.]

  "Then Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’ ” (2 Samuel 15:10)

image source: eniolaositelu.com

There is always intrigue at play within any king's court and David, who had by this time been Israel's sovereign for 40 years, was not exempt to the evils of treason under his feet. His third son, Absalom, was a charming and manipulative prince who had his eye on the throne and you can almost sense a Satan type and shadow in his attitude and behavior. He was not happy with being favored among the Israelites and trusted by David. He wanted it all so he planned to usurp the king, his father, through a subtle grassroots rebellion that would come to fruition when he gave the signal to sound the trumpets after all his schemes had been laid out and his army had been prepared. How painful this betrayal was for David and the schism that arose because of it left a deep scar on the society as all civil wars do. Aside from intrigue and spy stuff being cool in its entertainment value, there was nothing else 'glamorous' to be found in this biblical account except for the way Absalom finally met his untimely death--his beautiful head of hair got caught in some low hanging tree branches and he ended up a swinging duck for the darts and spears of his enemies from David's camp. His mission failed.

Mission Impossible Theme by a Symphony Orchestra

A Priest and a Thief Walk Into a Blog

 

This Italian priest makes you an offer you can't refuse Don Pasquale Ferone hails from a parish in Naples, Italy and is a Catholic charismatic priest who plays some spirited guitar and writes songs unos post alium. Check out his songs and bio HEREand follow this talented and gifted padre on his Facebook page along with thousands of others. CMA is officially an international blog now! The Good Thieves is the creation of Hugo James from the United Kingdom and is a very eclectic collection of songs that feature instrumental tracks with lyrics that stick closely to Scripture stories. Read more HERE. Business is good at CMA through my fiverr gig and the reviews are all 5 star so praise the Lord for that! Our new EP is in the works now. Fee Nix is another concept production centered on the idea that our redemption cost has been PAID IN FULL by Christ's sacrifice on the cross. This collection introduces teen singer/songwriter, Katelynn McKinney, who adds a brilliant new, young and energetic dimension to vocals on at least one song so far. We are looking to make it available around Easter. Visit patientchill.com and subscribe if you want to be kept in the calm loop. Thanks for subscribing to the CMA newsletter and remember: As crazy as things appear on earth these days, all is right in heaven! Just keep calm and listen!