The Loft Sessions - Bethel

 

the other day – as soon as it was available really – i got the new bethel worship album THE LOFT SESSIONS from itunes.

its a more acoustic album, with some more eclectic instruments and beautiful beautiful melodies.  it feels like authentic worship – real people, drawing close to our real God. 

i really love brian johnsons voice and of course jenn johnsons voice too. but the neat thing is that it is a team collaborative, there are songs sung by other worship artists from bethel.  each has their own flavour and heart. 

 

i think my favourite songs so far on it are:

 

COME TO ME, which was actually released in december – at a significant time for our family – which has just so sung into my heart and reassured me of God’s love and nearness, my strength in time of storms.   this song was the perfect answer to my hearts cry in our sorrow and listening to jenn johnson talk about the heart of the song – written for people who are facing difficult times – all around the world, be it personal tragedy or earthquakes or anything… God is with us… God is near… He invites us to Come.  my favourite bit is the part right at the end where she more free worships and it gets my heart every time.  this song will not leave my heart (or my playlist!) for a long time!

 

I am the Lord your God, I go before you now
I stand beside you, I’m all around you
Though you feel I’m far away, I’m closer than your breath
I am with you, more than you know
I am the Lord your peace, no evil will conquer you
Steady now your heart and mind, come into My rest
Oh, let your faith arise, lift up your weary head
I am with you wherever you go
Come to Me, I’m all you need. Come to Me, I’m everything
Come to Me, I’m all you need. Come to Me, I’m your everything
I am your anchor, in the wind and the waves
I am your steadfast, so don’t be afraid
Though your heart and flesh may fail you, I’m your faithful strength
I am with you wherever you go

 

 

ONE THING REMAINS, which was also on the BE LIFTED HIGH album from last year… though i much prefer this version and can so see it been such in our housegroup, it so proclaims the everlasting love of God towards us! 

Your love never fails, never gives up never runs out on me

In death, In life, I’m confident and
Covered by, the power of Your great love
My debt is paid, there’s nothing that
Can separate my heart from Your great love

 

 

WALK IN THE PROMISE – this line (In trust and dependence we walk in the promise of You, coming) reminds what its really about… Jesus.  His promise.  His kingdom.  it reminds me of a passage i read in 1 Peter 1 last night: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade— kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In THIS (the hope of Jesus return and His glory) you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.”   There is just some great about declaring WE LIFT YOU UP in the midst of process and walking through and to something.  There is just something right about a song that encourages us to fix our eyes upon Jesus, not looking to the left or right, not giving up, not falling down, but holding on unswervingly to the hope we have in Christ our Lord and Saviour.

 

 

one of the songs i really like, but i don’t know if i would categorize it as worship (i think is just totally my way of thinking) is YOU KNOW ME… for me its more a song to remind and rewrite in our heart how great the love of God towards is… its more introspective than i would classify a worship song to be…  reminds me very much of psalm 139…

You have been and You will be
You have seen and You will see
You know when I rise and when I fall
When I come or go You see it all
You hung the stars and you move the sea, and still You know me
You know me Nothing is hidden from Your sight Wherever I go, You find me
You know every detail of my life You are God and You

 

 

one that has totally grown on me is YOU HAVE WON ME.  i esp esp esp love the last part because i love songs that declare the gospel. 

Love, you’ve shown me love By leaving your throne
By bleeding and dying on a cross That wonderful cross
That took all my guilt and sin away
Shout it out and lift up one voice in worship
Sing it out until all the earth can hear it
Jesus is alive and He saves, He rescues and saves

 

i love new worship… it freshes my prayer time and worship time towards God.  its like ben reed’s jedi mind trick with bible reading…

 

go on… download it… i dont think you’ll be disappointed.

 

what others are saying:

 

Recorded live in a refurbished rustic loft, the Bethel Music team gathered friends and family for several nights of worship that set the stage for this ground-breaking recording.  The Loft Sessions explores new territory for Bethel Music, merging an array of acoustic creativity with the modern melodies of original songs by Brian and Jenn Johnson, Jeremy Riddle and emerging artists Steffany Frizzell, Hunter Thompson and Matt Stinton.  One of the standout tracks from The Loft Sessions, “Come To Me,” was written by Jenn Johnson.  Seeing the news of earthquakes and other natural disasters happening all around the world, she wanted to know what God was saying through all the chaos.  Jenn heard the Lord saying, “You don’t have to worry about anything, just come to me.” Prolog Review

 

 

This is an album full of tracks from Bethel Music stripped back, with a rawness that builds up slightly from that clear start with different sounds and instruments. You will be surprised how different sounding opening track One Thing Remains is compared to the live version, yet it’s still as powerful and worshipful as when I first heard it. I can never get bored of singing "Your Love Never Fails, It Never gives up, it never gives up on me". Another track that stood out for me was Fall Afresh, the harmonies are so sweet that they reflect the beauty of God and you just can’t help but be drawn into the chorus of "Spirit of the living God, come fall afresh on me, come wake me from my sleep". Louder Than The Music

 

With plenty of fill-ins, “One Thing Remains” begins the album, speaking of the unending love of God, especially through the standout line of the bridge: “Your love never fails/ it never gives up/ it never runs out on me.” It also borrows lines from Romans 8, that nothing can separate us from His love. Following is “My Dear,” with more of an upbeat country feel. It has nice harmonies and several vocalists, making for a great listen.  The upbeat “You Have Won Me” speaks of how God’s love has captured us, while the single “Come to Me” offers hope to those who feel helpless, lonely, and discouraged. Originally written as the result of the often natural disasters, this beautiful and powerful single reminds us that God will never leave us, and we simply need to come to Him for peace and safety – that He is all we need. It’s easily the best track off The Loft Sessions, one you’ll have on repeat.  “Walk in the Promise” builds powerfully throughout, after which follows “You Know Me,” a timeless and contemplative track based on the Psalms, that God knows every detail of our life. The way the strings build the track, mixed with the beautiful piano, was simply stunning.  The Loft Sessions is a very classical and heavenly set of worship songs, contemplating the deep, unending love of God for us all. It’s irresistibly serene with songs that will fill your heart with worship to our King. Amazing worship album!  Jay’s Musik Blog

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