Monday, November 27, 2023
Saturday, November 25, 2023
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
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.
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.
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.
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/
Monday, May 23, 2022
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.
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.
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.
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/
Tuesday, April 26, 2022
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.
Saturday, March 12, 2022
With Poland Behind Me
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Friday, March 11, 2022
Little Wretches Release New Album
RED BEETS AND HORSERADISH is inspired by a relish or side-dish usually served around the holidays of Easter or Passover by various ethnicities of Eastern Europe. For the Serbs, for example, the red of the beets is symbolic of the blood of their people, and the horseradish the bitterness of their suffering. For others, the symbolism involves the blood of their savior and the bitterness of His suffering. People in the Jewish tradition also enjoy the dish, but there is no blood involved—the beets are merely for flavor—but the horseradish does represent the memory of bitter suffering in bondage.
The songs on the album involve vignettes and portraits of people who’ve suffered—old people, sick people, crazy people, people who are alone—but the heart of the songs lies not in the suffering of the characters but in the indomitable faith and humor that sustains them.
The introductory track to the album, Rise, sets the tone and theme of the collection with a folksy and upbeat ballad that offers promise straight up in the face of adversity:
Rise from your slumber
Days without number
Wait for you
Shake off your losses
So many causes
to put your shoulder to
It’s time to mend
Time to turn the next bend
We depend on you to harmonize
so Rise
Rise
Next comes the song, Lovingkindness, which begins with a harmonica intro hook that blends into a pleasing and catchy melody accentuated by lyrics that glorify the personal praise and testimony of a soul grateful to the God of Creation who is fearsome yet loving and kind to those who He has purchased through His sacrifice on the cross in Christ Jesus.
The third track, Palms & Crosses, picks up the beat somewhat with the drums and electric guitar sounds, and it is a song that seems a bit ironic regarding our Lord's passion at Calvary:
One week palms, joy and praise,
Hearts are lifted, voices raised
Next week nails and crowns of thorns
The mother of God herself will mourn
The chorus line to the song is my favorite: "All I know is that tomorrow will decide what yesterday means!" And it's a good application of gospel doctrine that should be exercised by every believer who walks in faith and not by sight.
My friend lives in a deserted mine,
He wears brokenness like a cloak.
My friend lives in a deserted mine,
He wears brokenness like a cloak.
My friend lives in a deserted mine.
Tonight, we walk to the quiet shrine
The moon settles onto my upturned palm
With a brilliant dusting of snow.(A brilliant dusting of snow.)
Some days the best I can do Is clear a path for light.
Heaven Was Open, is a song that speaks of "seeing the light" and offers a comparison between unseen spiritual realities and the fallen visible world and the Lord is to be praised for this eye opening experience (of course).
Old Hundredth, is partially based on an old Isaac Watts hymn with modifications and is probably my favorite track on the prolific album which totals thirteen songs. It is modern and moving with timeless words of strength and encouragement:
Eternal are Thy mercies, Lord
Eternal truth attends Thy word
Though mist and shadow all around
I’ll set my feet on solid ground
Solid ground, Solid ground
Solid ground
The final song, It's All Between Me and God, is a great outro song to the album that makes anyone who has spent time plying the path to eternity to pause, look out the window and reflect upon the wonderful (and sometimes frightening) aspects of salvation. And in the final analysis, this might be a good way to sum up the concept behind the entire collection of Red Beets and Horseradish -- a thoughtful musical journey through trials and tribulations of both a personal and social nature that keenly reflect the Christian experience. Do give a listen!
CLICK HERE TO ORDER A COPY OF THE CD!!!
RED BEETS & HORSERADISH BY THE LITTLE WRETCHES, THE NEW ALBUM IS HERE ON MARCH 18, 2022
Monday, February 21, 2022
Non Union Biblical Musicians
[This is another segment in the Music in the Bible series which begins in Genesis and finishes in Revelation.]
Saturday, February 19, 2022
Biblical Boom Sounds
[This is another segment in the Music in the Bible series which begins in Genesis and finishes in Revelation.]
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