Casting Crowns Healer Album – Blessing Hurting Hearts

A few days ago, the Grammy® and Dove Award-winning Christian rock band, Casting Crowns, released their new album, “Healer Deluxe” on Sony’s Provident Label.

You may have heard some of the earlier songs on christian radio, but new ones were added that are uplifting fans all over.

Every song on the album showcases the band’s skillful songwriting, likable melodies, and meaningful lyrics.

The band’s frontman, Mark Hall, is a truly gifted songwriter and vocalist.

From the many fan comments I’ve read regarding the title track, this song has struck a chord with many people.

No doubt, we live in a world full of suffering and antagonism.

Jesus is our only shining light in a world plunging into darkness.

Even more than healing our bodies, we need the Healer to heal our hearts and seal our souls for eternity.

“The title track, a sweeping, big-voiced plea-turned-prayer, speaks to the things we often try instead of turning to the Healer.

The point of this song is that healing is not going to come from the people we’re voting for, or the people we’re following on screens,” Mark says. “It’s only going to come from Jesus. He is the Healer.” – Mark Hall, as quoted, from castingcrowns.com.¹

Casting Crowns 2nd Opinions

Admittedly, there’s one song on the album that had me cracking up in laughter.

Have you heard “2nd Opinions” yet?

If not, let me help you with that!

As you will see, this melody is more lighthearted and fun, but with lyrics that get an important message across.

To know what’s in the Bible, you have to actually read it.

Props to Mark Hall and also Matthew West for writing the catchy lyrics.

Casting Crowns Healer Tour

The Casting Crowns Healer Tour is happening now.

You can find if your city is on their tour schedule right here:

https://www.castingcrowns.com/

Upcoming venues include cities in California, Florida, Texas and more.

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¹ Mark Hall quotation. “About” page. [castingcrowns.com]. n.d. Web. Accessed August 25, 2022.

Our Exceptional God

The Secret To Being Content

It’s not often that a song can actually bring me to tears, but I heard one recently that opened the floodgates.

This song is called, “Wonderful Life,” and it was cowritten and recorded by one of my favorite Christian artists, Matthew West.

Christian artist, Matthew West

“Wonderful Life” talks about a man named Ron from Houston who was suffering from familial ALS for three years.

As the story goes, Ron was a big West fan so he got in touch with the artist. Their amazing friendship began and it inspired the artist to write the song.

Sadly, Ron’s condition got progressively worse.

Despite the pain, the many tears, the struggles, and the emotional upheaval that he went through, Ron never lost sight of his future heavenly home.

I believe this is a perspective we can all embrace in the challenging years ahead.

That is, to be content in whatever our circumstances because there’s a much better place waiting for us.

P.S. You may want to grab some tissues.

Matthew West, Wonderful Life

Wonderful Life” is a powerful and beautiful song.

It tells a story that I think that we can all relate to in some way.

Lately, I’ve had a habit of writing songs that make me cry. Maybe I’m getting soft . . . or maybe these past couple of years have changed me in some good ways. Too often I think we do anything we can to avoid feeling the feelings. Pain, heartbreak, loss . . . but the story that inspired this song really reminded me that life is all of it. It’s the broken AND the beautiful. It’s the “gone mad” AND the magical. It’s the awfully wonderful life. Life is hard, but God is faithful. I don’t want to be numb to the feelings. I want to lean in and feel it all. To make the most of every second. To trust that God is working through it all, and that after this wonderful life is over, I’ll be going home. – Matthew West, Christian artist and songwriter.

Christ will give us strength for the every day until He calls us home.

I love this statement of faith from Paul.

Remarkably, the apostle was in a Roman prison when he wrote this to the Philippians:

¹²I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. ¹³I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:12-13, (NASB).

The Secret To Being Content? Jesus

The secret to being content no matter what the circumstances?

Jesus.

Through Him, we have the strength to accept and persevere through the troubles of this life.

Please note, if you are in need of any type of medical attention, seek it out.

If you need support and love from friends and family, seek it out.

Remember this life is not our final destination.

As one person wrote in an online comment about the song “Wonderful Life”, . . . our first moment in Heaven one day will make up and repay for every single hardship we had here on earth.’”

Amen!

In fact, that first moment in Heaven (and every single day afterward) will be filled with unimaginable, wonderful, and beautiful joy!!!

As quoted from Ron himself during a phone call with Matthew West, “I am blessed, and so are you.”

¹Matthew West profile photo, courtesy of Matthew West Facebook post, December 26, 2021. Accessed May 4, 2022. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/matthewwest

²Matthew West quotation, courtesy of Matthew West Facebook post, April 27, 2022. Accessed May 3, 2022. retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/matthewwest

Our Exceptional God

Are You The One On His Mind?

Are you the one

Was there ever a time in your life when you’d lost hope, stopped going to church on a regular basis, and your prayer life started to backslide?

If so, then know that you are not alone.

I know what that’s like because it happened to me.

This was many years ago, after I moved back home to help be a caregiver for my father.

He was diagnosed with Alzheimers and was showing all of the major signs.

It was nothing short of devastating.

I am so thankful for the friends that I have in my life. I leaned heavily on their support because, at that time, I felt that God wasn’t hearing my prayers.

Of course, God heard my prayers, but His ways are not mine and my human nature wanted “immediate” answers.

Through all of that heartache, the knowledge that God wouldn’t let me go meant (and means) everything.

My faith became stronger after that trial and other challenges throughout my life. You can read more here.

I ask, “Are you the one” because it breaks my heart to see others who have felt lost and alone, thinking that God doesn’t care.

If you’re struggling with something . . . please don’t lose your faith.

Continue to pour out your heart to the Almighty Father.

He is listening.

From personal experience, a good Christian friend to talk it over with is also a blessing.

We’re here for each other.

Jesus is calling you back

Jesus is our Good Shepherd.

If you go off course or even have doubts, Jesus is calling you back.

If you’re hurting, will you answer that call?

¹²“What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains, and go and search for the one that is lost? ¹³And if it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that have not gone astray. ¹⁴So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven for one of these little ones to perish. – Matthew 18:12-14, (NASB).¹

Are You The One?

No matter what you’re going through, remember you are not alone.

You never were.

Through your hours, or days or even years of trial, God is with you and will continue to be.

I think the blessing of that assurance is a big reason why Matthew West’s new song, “Me On Your Mind,” has hit a chord with so many fans.

Listen to these moving lyrics, and you’ll see why this song has touched the heart of so many people.

“Me On Your Mind” released on February 18^th and, per YouTube stats, has over 2400 views.

I love the heart and precious reminders behind this song which, by the way, Matthew says was inspired by Psalm 8.

In a world full of people, billions of people, so many people with so many problems, would you believe that your prayers don’t bounce off the ceiling, He loves to hear the sound of your voice. Just like the old hymn says, ‘ He walks with me and He talks with me.’ That’s the kind of relationship He wants to have with you. It’s you on His mind.” – Matthew West, multi-talented recording artist and musician.²

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²Matthew West, Christian Songwriter of the year, “Me On Your Mind.” Courtesy of The Matthew West podcast. Podcast, [21:45-22:02]. February 23, 2022. Web. Retrieved from: https://www.matthewwest.com/podcast/meonyourmind

Our Exceptional God

Tag: Matthew West