"The LORD showed me, and there were two baskets of figs set before the temple of the LORD, after Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive ... the princes of Judah with the craftsmen and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon. '... so will I acknowledge those who are carried away captive from Judah, whom I have sent out of this place for their own good, into the land of the Chaldeans. For I will set My eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land;'" (Jeremiah 24:1,5-6, NKJV)
In Jeremiah's lifetime the craftsmen and artists were taken out of Jerusalem "for their own good." It makes me wonder about the climate of the church (Jerusalem) today. Is our atmosphere one where the skill of creativity and artistic design can flourish? Is it one where the leaders of praise (princes of Judah) can lead effectively and do what God has called them to do? This may be an indicator of why so much of the "secular" world (Babylon) seems to have had the edge on the market in recent years when it comes to music, movies, drama, etc. They, in all of their shortcomings, are allowing the creative juices to flow.
Restoration in the church today includes a restoration of the arts. God's word regarding the craftsmen, the smiths and the praise leaders was also, "I will bring them back to this land." They are coming. Could it be that God has actually preserved these creative people in the world until the church is ready to use them effectively without watering them down?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Big news!
Wow, our first post in a very long time!
The big news is that you can now listen to Jon's songs online. Hear the first part of the "Amazing" album at http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/2520627
More great stuff to come soon!
The big news is that you can now listen to Jon's songs online. Hear the first part of the "Amazing" album at http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/2520627
More great stuff to come soon!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Song notes Part 3
Revelation
words/music by Jonathan Meek
Several years ago our church was hosting a youth conference called “The Flood” and I was asked to write a song that expressed the heart of the event. “Revelation” was born. We are the reason Jesus left His majesty in heaven, came to earth and endured the torturous death of the cross. We were hopelessly separated from God so Jesus opened the door to relationship with Him. He did it for us; WE were the joy set before Him! Then, instead of simply demanding that we worship Him, Jesus reveals His love, His grace, His freedom and His kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy! Should we worship Him? Of course! But when we realize His love for us, it comes naturally. What a God!
words/music by Jonathan Meek
Several years ago our church was hosting a youth conference called “The Flood” and I was asked to write a song that expressed the heart of the event. “Revelation” was born. We are the reason Jesus left His majesty in heaven, came to earth and endured the torturous death of the cross. We were hopelessly separated from God so Jesus opened the door to relationship with Him. He did it for us; WE were the joy set before Him! Then, instead of simply demanding that we worship Him, Jesus reveals His love, His grace, His freedom and His kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy! Should we worship Him? Of course! But when we realize His love for us, it comes naturally. What a God!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Song Notes Part 2
Praise The Name
words/music by Jonathan Meek
God's Names in the Bible are myriad! He's called the Alpha, the Omega, the Bridegroom, Yahweh, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Ancient of Days, and many, many more. "Praise The Name" started as a song to celebrate some of the names and attributes of God and quickly developed into a celebration of our salvation in Him as well. Funny how that happens! As I was singing through the verses, two different ideas went through my mind. First, an image of heaven's throne room with giant golden gates swinging open to reveal Jesus, while everyone and everything stood in awe of Him. Secondly, Psalm 24 came to mind, where we are likened to gates that open to welcome in the Lord. When I sing the lines, "Gates of praise swing wide in welcome, every gazing eye upon Him," I still think of both heaven's magnificent throne room and God's people praising Him here on the earth. Our praise has immediate impact here, but one day we will all stand before God Himself and worship Him there! Wow.
words/music by Jonathan Meek
God's Names in the Bible are myriad! He's called the Alpha, the Omega, the Bridegroom, Yahweh, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Ancient of Days, and many, many more. "Praise The Name" started as a song to celebrate some of the names and attributes of God and quickly developed into a celebration of our salvation in Him as well. Funny how that happens! As I was singing through the verses, two different ideas went through my mind. First, an image of heaven's throne room with giant golden gates swinging open to reveal Jesus, while everyone and everything stood in awe of Him. Secondly, Psalm 24 came to mind, where we are likened to gates that open to welcome in the Lord. When I sing the lines, "Gates of praise swing wide in welcome, every gazing eye upon Him," I still think of both heaven's magnificent throne room and God's people praising Him here on the earth. Our praise has immediate impact here, but one day we will all stand before God Himself and worship Him there! Wow.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Chord Charts Updated!
Here is the link to the pdf for the chord chart for the single "Amazing." Here are the rest of them:
Break Down the Walls
From Everlasting
I Love You
Perfect Father
Praise the Name
Rest
Revelation
Satisfy
Savior of the World
Yeshua Meshiach
Break Down the Walls
From Everlasting
I Love You
Perfect Father
Praise the Name
Rest
Revelation
Satisfy
Savior of the World
Yeshua Meshiach
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Song notes, pt. 1
I thought it might be nice for anyone who is interested to know the "story behind the song," so to speak. I'll start with the title track from the "Amazing" project.
"Amazing"
written by Jonathan Meek, Bradley Trosen and Jenn Thune
Each of us is a masterpiece, a carefully fashioned poem, penned by God Himself, yet many of us struggle with feelings of inadequacy or a sense of worthlessness. With this in mind, I wanted to put to music what God actually says about us: "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus..." "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world." I showed the idea to two of my songwriter/worship leader friends, Brad Trosen and Jenn Thune, and we wrote the song over several weeks, meeting together and firing emails back and forth with various ideas. We probably tossed as many lines as we kept before we got the right ones! The final product is a song that both exalts the God Who made us, and recognizes that He likes what He made. He said so. "Jesus, You're so amazing!"
Until next time,
Jon
"Amazing"
written by Jonathan Meek, Bradley Trosen and Jenn Thune
Each of us is a masterpiece, a carefully fashioned poem, penned by God Himself, yet many of us struggle with feelings of inadequacy or a sense of worthlessness. With this in mind, I wanted to put to music what God actually says about us: "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus..." "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world." I showed the idea to two of my songwriter/worship leader friends, Brad Trosen and Jenn Thune, and we wrote the song over several weeks, meeting together and firing emails back and forth with various ideas. We probably tossed as many lines as we kept before we got the right ones! The final product is a song that both exalts the God Who made us, and recognizes that He likes what He made. He said so. "Jesus, You're so amazing!"
Until next time,
Jon
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