Yellowjacketstudios

上周日是我第一次在Brooklyn Tabernacle 做礼拜。真的是一个非常有祝福的时间。
大多人已经知道这家教会的合唱团全球都很有名。我现场去听是比我想像的更有意思。
Sunday afternoon was my first time worshiping at Brooklyn Tabernacle and what a wonderful time it was.

As most of you reading this know, BT has been known for many years around the world for their amazing choir. To be there in person confirms that and more.

BT 开了一个赞美晚会系列，邀请很多有名的福音歌手来周日下午带赞美。这次是一位弟兄叫Larnelle Harris。 他得到好几个Grammy 奖的艺术家。 礼拜开始的时候有BT教会带赞美，觉得很容易举高我们的敬拜。
BT has begun a gospel celebration series that sees various contemporary gospel artists come and lead worship on Sunday afternoons. This week happened to be with Larnelle Harris, a multi-Grammy award winning artist. Service began with BT leading worship and it was very, very easy lifting our praises to the Lord.

当Harris 弟兄来带的时候，他是把力量和歌唱并在一起。他唱的时候真的相信他所唱的歌。 这样唱法给我们很大的鼓励和信心。如果无心来唱，可能变成一个普通的演唱。
When Mr. Harris began to lead, he led with such power beyond just singing some songs. Not wanting to use this commonly-used phrase, but he truly believed what he sang. And that made all the difference in lifting our spirits and hearts. Not only being unbelieveably musically gifted, he enabled it with his faith to do far more than what just singing alone can do.

在礼拜结束时，Cymbala 牧师分享了诗篇50章，呼招我们回到他怀抱中。合唱团也唱了一首新歌给大家，也让感到祝福。我之前有没有跟大家说他们的音乐家超厉害？？？
At the end of service, Pastor Cymbala shared a quick message on Psalm 50, and encouraged those that have been distant from Him to come back. The choir sang a new song that led us into His presence and many were blessed. Did I need to add that their musicians at their church are super talented?

觉得最大的鼓励是发现他们的合唱团不是他们教会的重点， 而且他们很热心去帮贫穷的人，也在他们的影响中把福音好好使用在他们的社会。可是他们的服事都是在祷告里建立的。 太酷。
Probably the most encouraging thing is that the choir is not the centerpiece of the church. If it was I’m sure it would not have lasted very long. Community outreach into the city, social awareness and assistance are other key pillars of this church, all built upon being a house of prayer.

Tags: Faith, Music by Administrator
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Had a visitor come through town last week and he’s worked his way up in the business world and made for himself a pretty good nestegg to take an early retirement. Coming out here to Shanghai to do some leadership training, he’s noticed that there’s a huge difference between how sp. homes are run here in regards to the West. There’s certainly a desperation here that the West lacks, but I also fear the East is falling into the same materialistic trap.

Just checking out new books coming out from X’n publishers I’ve been generally disappointed with the fluff they’ve been printing out. It’s a wonder to see how often the most prosperous of nations are the ones that are asleep in the light. Thanks Mr. Keith Green for that last portion of the sentence…

Tags: China, Faith, Personal by Administrator
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This review is a long time coming for a band that I grew up with and changed my whole outlook on what worship music could be, and should be like. When Delirious? first came out with their Cutting Edge albums it was like an epiphany to what worship music should be like: wholesome, and cutting edge, innovative, and lyrically dynamite.

Over the last ten years they’ve put out quite a few albums and Mission Bell stands out, well, like a city on a hill. Retaining its raw power from the albums such as GLO, and Mezzamorphis, this album lays its claim and probably the most diverse and cohesive album yet. Stylistically, they’ve come a long way from their humble beginnings. They’ve gone through what I call a “Miles Davis-like experimental period” and though many listeners were left stranded, they’ve been able to incorporate that into something their core fanbase can enjoy.

Since the stories behind these songs are posted here, I won’t elaborate on the content but go over stylistically why I think this is their best album to date.

Solid Rock - This song is quite a unique departure from the Deliroius of the past, but dang, I love the Dobro intro, which definitely gives this song a “I’m a cowboy ready to kick butt” attitude. And with the crashing of the cymbals at the chorus, it does not disappoint.
All This Time - If you had a chance to view my playlist on iTunes you’d notice that I’ve probably played this song about 50 times already. I know it’s similar to U2’s Numb, but I love the droning! I love the droning!
Here I Am Send Me - Did I say I like droning? This song’s got it too, with the doubling of vocals really adds to that effect. Really its militaristic straight-beat feel helps add the effect that we’re ready to march to the orders of the Host of Hosts.
Fires Burn - This is another great song that opens similar to “Investigate”. And yes, if you haven’t noticed yet, they definitely have a strong Brit-rock influence.
Love is a Miracle - Choirs add a special something to a piece doesn’t it? This tune definitely has a cheeriness and openess that reflects the name of the song.
I’ll See You - A simple tune that carries strong undertones, with a wonderful angelic touch to help set our eyes above.

Rating: [4.75/5] There are only two Delirious? albums that I would award this rating to, and this is one of them. A great mix of style and substance, this album has been able to put together a puzzle that the previous albums were only able to together. So yes, go buy it.

If you’re wondering what the other album I’d give 4.75 stars to, check it out here. THE BEST live worship album I’ve listened to, no, experienced, bar none.

Tags: Faith, Music, Reviews by Administrator
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