Demo Trax
Think On These
"Love the lyrics. The message is so real and necessary. The piano's melody truly make this song amazing.”
"I would play this 1000 times and still wouldn't hate it. Vocal goes well with the background music and it was just lovely to listen to… The song is just not long enough. Solid 10."
"This song connects you with God."
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I've often heard Christians say something to the effect that "we need to get back to the first-century Church" as if the early years of the faith were times of uncommon peace, harmony, unity and choruses of "Kumbaya" with arms locked together. I don't think so!
Can anyone read the New Testament letters of Paul and others without finding constant references -- by implication if not directly -- to internal conflicts, politicking, bickering, accusations and counter-charges and worse? Our sins are displayed most clearly when put alongside the mirror of God's word.
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That's why as Paul wrote to the Church at Philippi -- probably from a jail cell in Rome - he closed with this encouragement: "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things" (Phil 2:8, NIV). Just a few verses earlier, he was warning two women in that young congregation that they need to get along.
Paul wasn't singing "Kumbaya," He was reminding his disciples to focus on their Master and His love and grace rather than on their own petty differences and rivalries. (Sound familiar?)
This compelling ballad builds on Paul's theme as a reminder to me to do the same. If you like Chris Tomlin, Hillsong and Fernando Ortega, you'll like the tenderness of "Think On These."
Copyright David A. Hebert / A Bear & His Music (BMI) 2009-2012 | CAE/IPI# 231787953
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THE DEMO:
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Arrangement, Keyboards and Vocals by Danny Mitchell
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THE STORY.
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It doesn't happen very often but this is one of those songs that came together rather quickly in one writing session. Maybe that's because the theme is something I have a habit of resisting and so have to frequently remind myself to take seriously.
They always tell writers to "write from your own experiences," I consider myself a realist (neither negative nor particularly positive; I'm not a believer in the so-called "power of positive thinking" but that's another "story"). It's easy for my thoughts to drift off into ugly places, places where even the light is in shades of gray.
Now, don't get the idea this song is about smiley faces and sugar plums. But what we (ok... I) see is seldom true reality. There is a higher and more "real" reality found in Christ and His Word; it's a reality only accessible as we read and follow His Word. Engaging that reality is a choice we can make or refuse.
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"Think On These" was written many years ago when I ran across Philippians 2. Then (as now) as I read this profound advice I realized, once again, that I do have some control over where to place my focus. I just need to muster up the will to do it. I need to "take each thought captive" -- and this song helps. So now, when I get down I remind myself of Paul's words... and all my cares just float away... NOT! No, I still find myself fretting more often than I'd like to admit.
It helps to hear this song, though... and, better yet, to re-read Paul's letter.
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Maybe it will help you, too.
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Dave
I Thirst
I'm no theologian, but I would guess that when Jesus gasped out the words, "I thirst" as he neared complete exhaustion and death, he wasn't referring only to his physical need for water. I think this barely audible plea reflected his earlier cry, "My God, my God, why have You deserted me?"
Every fiber of Jesus' spirit yearned to re-connect with his Father, with the peace and glory he had always known before his sojourn on earth. I can't claim the intense desperation of Jesus in that moment but like David before him (who's words Jesus had quoted), our humanity often cries out to our Father to "break down those walls of heaven and touch me once again."
This gentle, searching song echoes that plea with the passionate sound of artists like Chris Tomlin, Hillsong or Fernando Ortega.
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Copyright David A. Hebert / A Bear & His Music (BMI) 2009-2012 | CAE/IPI# 231787953
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"This is a brilliant song... I was anointed when I heard this track; touched and blessed. Beautiful song.”
"There is something genuine about the lyrics... you feel like the vocalist actually lived this story. The melody is enticing... This could be one of the greats right here.”
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"The lyrics are truly touching. The words of this song could save someone's life. The hook is perfect with the heart warming lyrics. This track has a great impact on listeners.”
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"Its a song that could help someone going through a rough time. Its that constant reminder God is near. No matter how hard life is, listen to songs that speak to your soul."
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THE DEMO:
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Arranged and performed by Danny Mitchell.
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THE STORY:
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I wrote this song in the late 1990s at a time when my faith was struggling. I've found that such times, though disappointing, even depressing, can become some of the most refreshing and profound times (much like the most beautiful and healthy flowers need plenty of dirt and rain and mud to grow and flourish, I suppose.)
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I can't really recall any more specifics than that, other than to say that, as I often do, I was desperately reaching for God whose silence was, is, especially devastating. Doesn't it seem that when we feel we need God the most, He runs away and hides? We shouldn't be surprised, though, since the Bible tells us that He "rewards those that diligently seek Him" (Heb 11:6). But in those times even that incredible promise isn't enough to keep hope active and growing. So we have to lean, we have to trust, until we find a breakthrough moment.
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The fact that I'm still singing this song these many years later is, to me, a reminder that in our most anxious times -- when we're sure that not only others but God Himself has abandoned us -- He's building a confi-dence inside us that can sustain us for the long haul.
I may not welcome those times but I've learned to be glad, usually only in retrospect, that they come.
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Dave
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Judas' Lament (For Thirty Coins of Silver)
This song tries to imagine what was on Judas' mind as he struggled to mentally and spiritually process what he had done while the horrid episode unfolds and his rationale is destroyed. The song has earned recognition in lyric contests and has been used to express Judas' unique and pivotal role in both Good Friday and Easter productions, including "Cornerstone," a Jill Briscoe musical produced by Elmbrook Church in Waukesha, Wisconsin (backed by many musician members of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra),
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Copyright David A. Hebert / A Bear & His Music (BMI) 1979-1984 | CAE/IPI# 231787953
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Dave
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THE DEMO:
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Arranged by Larry Moore and performed by Dennis Givens (soloist), accompanied by Larry Moore and members of Elmbrook Church, Waukesha, Wisconsin. Orchestra is conducted by Douglas Schoen.
THE STORY:
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Judas relives the terrible moments after he has betrayed the One he now recognizes, in retrospect, is the Messiah, the Savior of the world. He recalls and repents, too late as it turns out, of his arrogance and ambition. Judas saw who Jesus was and should have known what he came to do but was sure that His timetable was too slow and His approach all wrong. So, blindly, this eager disciple took over (and not a moment too soon) and arranged for the friendlies in the Sanhedrin to have an audience with Jesus so they could work out, together, how they can all bring about God's plan to rescue Israel from the mighty and godless Romans. After all, that was Jesus' intent, right?
Many of us also, at times, assume we can do God's work better than He can. So we gladly jump in, take the situation in hand and launch into action, confident we will earn His eternal praise for taking initiative and completing His work in such a magnificent and enviable fashion. Wrong.
So, if you recognize a little bit of yourself in this song, you're not alone.. And maybe we can learn from Judas' mistake before we foolishly have to learn from our own.
Dave
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