In truth, Paul Baloche’s albums live under the weight of containing the next great worship song for the American church. How’s that for pressure? Worship leaders and pastors around the world look to him as an exemplar in worship songwriting and in the art of leading congregations with a nuanced mixture of authenticity and skill. So on a new release, how does an artist with this type of expectation live up to the public persona and satisfy the demands of the situation?

If Glorious is any indication, he simply creates the devotional prayer-songs that are true to his own heart. In synch with his musical history and his various writings, trainings, and teachings, Glorious, Baloche’s eighth collection of worship songs, is filled with prayers directed to God in what will become the heart cries of congregations around the world.

This approach stands out in contrast to the Christian artist who tends to prefer ruminations on God or musical stories meant to inspire listeners toward personal devotion. Glorious isn’t just about God, it is primarily directed to God. And with this, Baloche’s greatest strength is still intact: a devotional drive where music becomes the emotional and intellectual medium in which the people of God look Him in the face and bare their hearts in adoration, hope, and awe. Baloche is a worship artist, and Glorious is Baloche hitting his stride.

Are there any surprises on Glorious? Musically, it’s the familiar worship stew of towering anthems that magically break down to simple melodies and instrumentation accessible to both musicians and worshipers. As well, there are no massive leaps in recording ambition. But there is something surprising-every song on Glorious is completely solid. Each one, track after track, you will listen and think, Yep, I’ll use that one at some point. Paul Baloche has done more than release a CD, he has fitted the Church with a full set list of prayers that will musically form the hearts of congregations for years to come.

High marks also come in the category of tune sense and its marriage to worship theology 101. The title track opens the record, rife with visual imagery and the mystery of the resurrection: “Look inside the mystery…,” “See the empty cross…” “See the risen Savor…,” “My eyes have seen the glory….” Baloche and co-writer Brenton Brown waste nothing in this song and worshipers will be drawn into the beauty of intentional poetic songwriting set to a gorgeous anthem.

Another standout track, “Wonderful God” follows the pattern of, first, transformation and justification (”[You] changed a heart as hard as mine”), then moves on to the appropriate response (the chorus where we proclaim that He is a “Wonderful God”), then the second verse flows into the continual grace of sanctification (”The beauty of Your strength draws me once again to stand before You now and sing”), then our response repeated in the chorus (”Wonderful God”), and finally the bridge takes us in a new direction: His unfailing love now and forever.

The musical feel on the whole is down-tempoed guitar-driven balladry. One of the snappiest songs, “You Have Saved Us,” kicks off with a hard-hitting bass riff but then gets pulled way back in the mix, one can only assume to avoid the Hillsong United comparisons. But it reflects the production values of the release: solid and safe. the Ringing guitar riffs throughout work as support motifs rather than solo moments, and with the Larry Mullen Jr. drum drive there is an unmistakable, if not unforgettable, early-U2 fire adding fuel to Glorious.

The “live congregation” studio recording is also a strength on the release. It’s not hard to imagine people singing along with each of these prayers, but with the recorded congregation-choir, there’s no imagining necessary. With co-writers like Brenton Brown, Lincoln Brewster, Michael W. Smith, Jason Ingram, Rita Baloche, Meredith Andrews, and Ben Gowell, this collection of worship songs is truly a collaboration worthy of attention.


A Pastor’s Point of View

Steve Berger

Paul Baloche is a worship artist who truly possesses “an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary” (Isa 50:4 NIV). From the countless modern classics he has given the church, to his newest offering, “Glorious,” he continues to deliver worship moments that are utterly singable, heaven-focused, and scripturally enlivened. He manages to do all this without being shallow.

The more you sing his music, the more you find, layer after layer-a perfect parallel to the journey of knowing the Christ that he so joyfully sings about on Glorious.

This CD takes us on a hopeful, faith-building and perspective-shifting journey; it offers songs both to gird and strengthen us in our time as God’s people on a broken earth (”We Will Hold On,” “Shaken”), but it also raises our eyes to the glorious, matchless, and all-too-often neglected reality of heaven (”Almighty”). The particular songs that will surely be sung in congregations around the world will be as varied as the congregations themselves, but I imagine both “Glorious” and “Just to be with You” being in heavy rotation in our own church body. “Today Is the Day” is a perfect service opener, ringing out the clarion call that our God is here now, and that today is the day to open our hearts to His Voice.

I could speak of the strength of the layered harmonies, lyrical images, top-drawer production, and hooky choruses on “Glorious,” and all of it would be true. Yet none of those things would be what make this worship artist unusual. Paul Baloche’s uniqueness has always flowed from an innate ability to speak the language of the heart and the language of heaven simultaneously. And he does this in a powerfully simple way, where the average man, woman and child can join in, sing along, and be reminded that we serve a loving God Who is, indeed, “Glorious.”

This article appeared in Worship Leader Magazine.  To subscribe: http://www.worshipleader.com/subscribe

For Paul Baloche, this spiritual journey is marked by songs. But not just any songs. Music that has moved from personal touchstones to collective signposts for the church. Intimate prayers that have become global anthems for millions of believers. Songs birthed from his journey that reflect our own.

“Songwriting is a big part of my spiritual life,” Paul shares. “It helps me go deeper with God. It helps me fix my mind on Jesus, to set my mind on things above. It keeps my own heart fresh and alive, for myself, my family, and the church.”

In Paul’s spiritual walk, the church is both a beacon and the passion that fuels his own journey.

“When I’m writing songs,” Paul says, “I think, ‘Will this help the church worship God? Will this help people connect with Him?’ I want to make music that they can believe in.”

And the church has responded. Paul is one of the most acclaimed worship artists and songwriters of our time. A two-time Dove Award winner and multiple nominee. The artist of radio standards including “Because of Your Love,” “Hosanna (Praise is Rising),” and “Our God Saves.” The writer of top-ranking CCLI songs and modern-day classics such as “Above All,” “Open the Eyes of My Heart,” and “Your Name.” In short, Paul writes songs that the church sings. It’s a calling he doesn’t take lightly.

“When I’m writing worship songs,” Paul notes, “I realize that I’m putting words into the mouths of God’s people. I’m giving them a vocabulary to sing back to God. And when they sing those words, hopefully it will act as a catalyst in their heart, so something will happen in them. Because when we sing something, it goes down deep into our soul.”

Now Paul is celebrating 20 years as the worship pastor at Community Fellowship in Lindale, Texas. It’s a testament to Paul’s commitment to community, in both the local church and the body of Christ.  In celebration of Paul’s landmark journey in music and ministry, Integrity Music is proud to present Glorious, an all-new collection of songs that reflect his heart, and his passion for the church. As with all of his recordings, Glorious encouraged Paul to examine the road so far.  “It’s an excuse and a reason to force my heart to go deeper, to reach down and say, ‘What do I believe now? What’s going on in my heart for real?’ I don’t want to just say words and phrases. So when I sing it, I believe it.”

The result is Paul’s trademark blend of music, ministry, and message, all interwoven with a unifying passion to draw the church closer to our Savior.

“Glorious is about the adventure of being led by a living, active God,” Paul says. “It’s about looking beyond the cross, to look behind the mystery, to see the risen Savior. For us to live in the new covenant idea, that Jesus Christ is alive in us. Instead of only looking back 2,000 years, we see the risen Christ now. Learning to be led by His Spirit, guided by His Spirit, and to discern the language of His Spirit.”

The songs highlight Paul’s ability to transform personal revelations into universal truths that resonate with every believer. The record’s title track suggests another anthem for the church, a song that looks back to one of Paul’s most memorable musical signposts.  Paul recalls, “My pastor told me that ‘Glorious’ feels like an answer to ‘Open the Eyes of My Heart.’ That original cry of my heart. ‘Glorious’ paints a picture of seeing Jesus for who He is, as the risen Christ and the living God.”

First single “Just To Be With You” offers a different, though no less profound, view of our God and our reliance on Him.

“’Just To Be With You’ is about intimacy with God,” Paul says. “With all of the stuff in this world that overwhelms us, no matter what happens, all I want is to be with You as I’m walking through this life.”

“Shaken,” a powerful track written by Paul’s wife, Rita, acknowledges the uncertain times we live in, while sharing the solace found by resting in God, no matter what life brings.

“Life is going to shake us,” Paul says. “Storms are going to come. The only thing that’s going to remain is what we’ve invested in God; sinking our roots down deep into God’s Spirit.”

Filled with songs of hope, praise, and adoration, Glorious affirms Paul’s legacy as one of today’s premiere worship artists and songwriters. But Paul desires to give more than music to the church. Through leadworship.com, Paul is committed to encouraging and equipping the next generation of worship leaders. “I wanted to create a site where people could get ideas and resources, to address the need to create community and journey in churches. Instead of making Sunday morning worship a concert, I’m interested in making Sunday morning the un-concert. Through music, we want to help people connect with God, and make an environment where it’s easier to do that.”

Twenty years of music ministry. Twenty-three years of marriage. Nine worship recordings. Countless beloved songs. All remarkable signposts on a remarkable journey. As Paul reflects on the road so far, he remains committed as ever to what matters most.  “I’m just trying to press into God, to keep my own heart right, and to encourage and help the church worship.”

PREEMINENT MODERN WORSHIP SONGWRITER PAUL BALOCHE RELEASES GLORIOUS NOV. 3

• Recording Features New Baloche Songs Co-Written by Michael W. Smith, Brenton Brown, Jason Ingram, Ben Gowell, Rita Baloche; Duet with Meredith Andrews
• Acclaimed New Single “Just To Be With You” Hits Radio

Nashville, Tenn., October 1, 2009

Two-time Dove Award winning Paul Baloche is one of today’s most influential worship leaders and songwriters. Glorious, his eighth collection of new worship songs, releases Nov. 3 on Integrity Music and features co-writes with Michael W. Smith, Brenton Brown, Meredith Andrews, Jason Ingram, Ben Gowell and Rita Baloche. In addition to the CD, worship resources for Glorious include a print and digital songbook, CD trax and more.

Having served as the Worship Pastor at Community Christian Fellowship in Lindale, TX for 20 consecutive years, Baloche is regarded as one of the preeminent worship writers of the contemporary Church.  He has written some of this generation’s most compelling worship songs, including “Open The Eyes of My Heart,” “Hosanna,” “Your Name,” “Above All,” “Offering,” “All The Earth Will Sing Your Praises,” “Our God Saves” and “Because of Your Love.” With several No. 1 radio hits and 19 CCLI current Top 500 songs to his credit, his songs are literally sung by millions of people each week in churches around the world.

But the success and accolades are not what drive this faithful songwriter.  “I don’t want to rely on clichés or crank out Christian jingles,” says Baloche. “I’ve tried to wipe the etch-a-sketch clean for this record and force myself to go deeper in this season of my life, wrestling with the words and music that will help congregations connect with God to help strengthen their relationships, families, and communities.  For better or worse, the songs we are singing in our services are going down deep into the core of our hearts and forming our theology.  For this reason, I want every song on this record to matter, to be biblical, have relevance and carry spiritual weight.”

With an overall theme of intimacy with the Living God being reflected in Glorious, the title track, co-written with Brenton Brown, points people beyond the cross, pushing them to look further inside the mystery of the gospel.

“God is a living Savior; He is Glorious.  Sometimes we lose this… the adventure of being led by a living, active God and having an expectant heart,” reflects Baloche. “My pastor says that when we sing ‘Glorious,’ it feels like the answer to the longing in ‘Open the Eyes of My Heart’.” (“Open the Eyes of My Heart” is Baloche’s most widely sung and well-known song, currently at No. 6 on the CCLI chart.)

Look inside the mystery

See the empty cross

See the risen Savior

Victorious and strong

…Glorious my eyes have seen the glory of the Lord

Produced by Baloche and band member Ben Gowell, who co-wrote “You Have Saved Us” on the album, Glorious also features additional production by Michael Rossback and Jason Ingram (Bebo Norman, Rush Of Fools, Tenth Avenue North, Jim Brickman).  Baloche further co-wrote the first radio single, “Just To Be With You,” with Ingram.  The single is already garnering acclaim from radio programmers across the country.

“With so much uncertainty all around us, it can be so easy to lose sight of what we really need – just to be with Him,” says Joe Buchanan, Network Music Director, New Life Media.  “I can’t wait to encourage our listeners with this great song!  Thanks, Paul, for another well written song with an incredible and timely message!”

Baloche shares the songwriting responsibilities with several other writers on this album, including his wife Rita.  Together, they co-wrote the song “Wonderful God,” and Rita wrote the song “Shaken.” Glorious also features a duet with Meredith Andrews on “How Great is The Love,” written by Baloche and Andrews.  Notably, this year’s Dove Award winning song, “A New Hallelujah,” was co-written with Michael W. Smith.  Known in Christian music circles for cultivating a sense of community among writers, Baloche is also a writer/artist for CompassionArt, a charity dedicated to seeing works of art generate income for the relief of suffering around the planet.

Playing the new songs from Glorious on the road, Baloche was the featured worship leader at the annual NRB Convention, the annual Southern Baptist Convention and the Saddleback Worship Conference.

In addition to writing, recording, touring and serving as a worship pastor, Baloche has created a variety of instructional DVDs for worship leaders and musicians and has written a book, “God Songs –How to Write and Select Songs for Worship”.  He is a contributing writer for both Worship Leader and Worship Musician magazines and a popular conference speaker, most recently serving as an instructor for Integrity Music’s “Deeper: The Worship Sessions” national seminars.

For more information on Paul Baloche, go to www.paulbaloche.com, www.leadworship.com

Glorious Track listing:

Glorious

You Have Saved Us

Just To Be With You

Wonderful God

How Great Is The Love

To The Cross

Today Is The Day

Shaken

We Will Hold On

Almighty

A New Hallelujah

For additional information, interviews, photos, etc., contact:

Rick Hoganson, Hoganson Media Relations, 615-459-9870, Hoganson@comcast.net

Shannon Walker, Integrity Music, 251.776.5083, shannonw@integinc.com

by Jo Brazier

From ‘Open the Eyes of My Heart’ to ‘Above All’, the songs of PAUL BALOCHE have blessed, encouraged and challenged the church for more than fifteen years.  Though passionate about his music, Paul is clear where his loyalties lie as he shares his heart for authentic community and explains why it’s not all about the songs.

Paul came to Christ as a teenager, a budding guitarist for whom rock music was synonymous with excess. “I thought I’d have to give it up,” he remembers. “I’d never heard modern music mixed with Scripture. It was club rock’n’roll or high church music; I didn’t realise there was something in between.” The first time he experienced modern worship, Paul recognised his calling. “I thought it was awesome, it really affected me. I wanted to be involved in something like that, and it was very exciting to begin to explore the possibility.”

A Soundtrack to Worship

“I think music itself is a mystery,” Paul admits. “People are just drawn to this mysterious combination of beats and sounds and rhythms and melodies and lyrics. You go on a subway in New York and almost everyone has ear buds in their ears, listening to music. Everybody seems to be creating a soundtrack to their lives.”

Music plays a huge part in the life of the church, but Paul’s ministry goes deeper than that. “There’s a big difference between leading songs and trying to pastor people. Jesus said to Peter, ‘Feed my sheep.’ God is looking for people who will love His people, so I view songs as tools to inspire and strengthen people, to help them draw near to God and become healthier in their relationships with Him – and with the people in their lives.”

Letting Our Guards Down

This last point is more than just an afterthought. For Paul, healthy relationships between believers are crucial for a healthy church. “I think a lot of times we come into church quite guarded,” he says. “Our walls are up and we put on smiley faces, but if we’re going to try to grow, and to help each other walk through the hard stuff of life, it requires us to let our guards down. Otherwise we’re showing up and singing songs and sort of pretending.”

Paul believes an individualistic church culture can hurt the body of Christ. “Our connection with God should lead to a greater sense of community, and our times of corporate worship should create a greater intimacy, causing us to become more vulnerable, transparent and authentic with one another. We are blessed by the Lord so that we can be a blessing in His name.”

Faithfulness in Ministry

Paul’s commitment to fellowship is evident in collaborations with songwriters as diverse as Matt Redman, Graham Kendrick and Michael W Smith. “I love the relational aspect of writing with other people,” he says. “Throwing ideas back and forth, drinking coffee and praying together, and, out of that, being able to create something together to serve others with.” Even when writing alone, Paul says he is always conscious of the end goal. “In the back of my mind I can picture a couple in my church or a teenager I know – I can picture these songs being sung by the church and that shapes the final outcome. It’s not about me singing; I want to give people something that they can sing, something that can be a help to them.”

The title track of Paul’s latest album, ‘Glorious’, focuses on the need to look beyond the cross and see the risen Christ. “The cross is vital,” Paul explains. “But it’s important that we understand that, right now in 2009, Jesus is alive in us and wants to express himself through us.

“I think God wants to teach us to keep both hands on the wheel, so to speak, and to be faithful in what He’s called us to do until He says to do something different. Our church has gone through a lot, and many times we’ve felt, ‘Maybe it’s time to get out of here’, but the Lord hasn’t released us. And now we look back and see fruit in the relationships we’ve cultivated over the years, and we’re glad. Faithfulness is about picking up your cross daily, getting to know the risen Saviour and taking up this adventure – the adventure of following Christ.”

By Paul Baloche

Walkdowns describe the bass movement in a song, creating interest and emotion. A “one chord” with the root in the bass makes the listener feel “at home”. But a “one chord” with the third or the fifth in the bass is a totally different animal, usually evoking a majestic, anthem like quality. These are very useful tools in writing and arranging songs.

Almost every song ever written has either a walk-down or walk-up. Think of how the bass walks down in choruses like “Jesus, Lover of My Soul”, “There is None like You”, “As the Deer”, or “Mr. Bojangles”. Sacred and Secular, Classical and Contemporary, all employ this timeless musical device.

So here we go. By learning the walkdowns in the five “guitar keys”, you will be equipped to play nearly 90% of all music ever written. Or at least most of the music you ever hope to play. Of course then, by using a capo, you will be able to play in all twelve keys with ease. That is one of the cool things about the guitar—if you learn the “shapes” of certain chords, those shapes can be moved up and down the neck forming different chords in different keys. Something you can’t do on a piano I might add.

Look at the examples shown below. In the key of C, look at the F/G chord. That “shape” is a “moveable shape”. If you move that shape up 2 frets, it becomes a G/A, which sets you up for the key of D. It’s a great shape to use when you’re modulating from one key to another. Another moveable shape that will serve you well is the A/C# in the key of D. Move it up and down the neck and figure out what chord you’re playing. Bb/D, C/E, etc. Go ahead and try them. Ouch!! It’s tough at first. The guitar is a very physical instrument. Take heart. Your hand muscles will grow stronger through repetition so keep practicing.

The examples shown start with the easiest key, C, and progress to the hardest key, E. If you are striving to be a better guitar player, I truly believe this is time well spent. Learning these walkdowns will prepare you to play hundreds of songs and enable you to enjoy your instrument more fully. “Play skillfully…..” Ps. 33:3

For worship guitar video resources , visit www.leadworship.com

By Paul Baloche

God is always speaking to us. The question is, “How clear is our connection?”

“You’ve got mail.”

Many of us hear those words each day as we log on to the Internet to check our email. The phrase was also popularized by a movie of the same title a few years ago. Remember when the only option to connecting to the World Wide Web was through a phone modem with a tortoise like connection speed of 28k? Then we expanded to 56k. Then to cable, broadband, and DSL—suddenly we could download volumes of information in seconds with the simple click of a mouse.

Learning to hear the voice of God occurs in a similar fashion.

The New Testament commands us to “walk in the spirit” (Gal.5: 16). The apostle Paul speaks of “hearing from God” and “being taught of God” (Gal. 1:12). The Old Testament tells us that our ears will hear a voice behind us saying, “This is the way: walk ye in it” (Is.30: 21). Isaiah points us to ‘the still, small voice” of the Lord.

God is always speaking to us. Our hearts can be likened to a modem, picking up on the subtle impressions and whispers of the Holy Spirit. At first, our ability to discern His voice perhaps is slow and faint, similar to our 28k modem.

But as we persist in hiding His written word in our hearts and cultivating a 24/7 dialogue, or as someone said, “practice His presence,” we seem to develop a more “broadband” type of connection with the Lord. Impressions, insights, dreams, and visions become clearer as we stay “logged on.” Jesus said in John 14:26, “The Counselor, the Holy Spirit…will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you.” A few verses later He gives us the secret or “password” to hearing from Him. “Remain in me.” Remain. What a great word. Paraphrased, that means “stay online 24/7 to my spirit.” Staying online requires cultivating an intentional preoccupation with Jesus as we live our lives and go about our daily schedule.

In Luke 10:38 it is recorded that Martha invited Jesus and His disciples to her home.

And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are so anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.” (RSV)

Figuratively speaking, Martha seems to represent the busy, active, extraverted side of our personality and Mary the receptive, introverted side. This passage highlights our tendency to emphasize “action and doing” (Martha) over “being and listening” (Mary). Jesus says that Mary has chosen the “good portion.” Jesus seems to be emphasizing that nothing, not even hospitality and service, is more important than a readiness to “be still and know Him.” To wait upon Him. Jesus says, “One thing is needful,” and that is to “BE” with Him and to listen for His “still, small voice.”

Unfortunately, it is too easy to be distracted by the demands of our culture. Especially a culture that is driven by that which it values most-goals, action and results. Even our churches fall prey to this mentality as we are driven to respond to every need that arises. Many times “the good” is the enemy of the “best.”

Let’s try to emulate Mary and carve out time in our lives to sit at His feet. And as we go about our daily routines, let’s stay logged on to the Holy Spirit, and progressively learn to be led by His Spirit through the adventure of this life. Psalm 95 declares, “Today if you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”

You’ve got mail!

Many of us grew up with a fascination of the six string music maker. So desperate to be able to play the guitar at 6 years old , my friends and I used to tie a tennis racket around our necks with a shoe string and pretend we were strumming along to our favorite Beatle song.

Most of us guitar players, at one time or another, were “bit” by the bug of seeing someone make such incredible sounds out of a simple six-stringed instrument.

Growing up outside of Philadelphia, I used to sit in dark, crowded basements of many local bands to watch them practice. Night after night I would observe the more experienced guitar players as they played some of my favorite songs, carefully observing their left hand fingerings of different chords and their right hand picking and strumming techniques. Rushing home from those rehearsals, I would furiously put into practice what I had just learned, spending hours and hours trying to copy the styles of the local guitar heros.

As years went by, I progressed in my own skills and began buying songbooks from some of my favorite artists such as James Taylor. I would do my best to listen to the recordings and play the fingerings as printed in the songbooks. I soon realized that the chords in the songbooks often did not sound like what the artist was actually playing. This proved to be a discouragement and a frustration. However, occasionally, I would see an artist like Paul Simon or James Taylor play live on television and observe some of the guitar voicings that they used in certain songs. “Alas! So THAT’s what he’s doing !”, I thought.

As I’ve grown as a worship leader and had the opportunity to teach guitar clinics at various conferences, I’ve recognized that same frustration in other guitar players. They desire to play songs as they have heard them on a recording but are unable to find the right voicings.

So a few years ago I thought, “Wouldn’t it be great to create a more modern, up-to-date songbook with a “visual” approach where a guitarist could see the exact voicings that the artist was using.” I thought about how valuable that would have been in my formative years when I was painstakingly deciphering the chord voicings by listening to those early James Taylor records.

After the recording of  ”Offering of Worship”, I decided to create a “DVD Guitar Songbook”, allowing listeners to see the exact guitar voicings used during the recording process. From the enthusiastic feedback I received, I know it helped many guitarists master their instrument to the glory of God.   Just to quote a few :

….I found myself committing the songs to memory far quicker than I normally do with written music….

…. it really is like having you drop by to show me how you play this stuff! ….

…. I’m able to learn the song faster than just trying to learn from a songbook on my own. Great idea! ….

…. it makes the learning process much quicker. I think partially due to the fact that, like you, I feel most guitarists learn best by seeing and hearing. The explanation that you provided with the video really helped ….

…. what a fantastic tool for learning ….

…. this is without a doubt the best put together resource I have ever used and allowed me to play the songs quickly and correctly right from the git go. In addition it has moved me up a notch in my playing ability by allowing me to benefit from your experience….

The Paul Baloche DVD Songbook Volume I and II and other video resources are available at www.leadworship.com

By Paul Baloche

“Ladies and gentlemen, the Beatles!” shouts Ed Sullivan. Immediately the audience of mostly teenage girls begin to spontaneously combust into deafening applause, lifting of hands, jumping up and down, some even fainting or screaming to the point of ecstatic tears.

Whether you saw it for the first time on The Ed Sullivan Show back in 1964 or you have seen the replays of that event over the years, there is one thing that can’t be overstated. Those fans had a passion and a “love” for the Beatles.

This was not a contrived display of adoration. The audience had not been to a ‘worship workshop” to learn the proper and appropriate outward expressions of giving their praise to the fab four. This was not something that was “taught”. This was real, honest, raw, abandoned….a lot of what we hear and look for in our modern worship events.

Those fans were not “going through the motions”. They were obviously responding sincerely with all their hearts to something about the Beatles.

Their songs, the look ….something was resonating so strongly with these fans that they just HAD to express their feeling of gratitude, appreciation, admiration, praise, or whatever…..

That scene, which was played out in stadiums over and over again that year was a picture of praise and worship if I’ve ever seen one. I realize that the “worship” was misdirected.

As much as I like the Beatles’ music, they or anyone else, are not worthy of that kind of adulation. Interesting that they were referred to as “teen idols”, eh?

Idolatry?…perhaps. Honest and wholehearted?… definitely.

Seeing those old Beatlemania clips through the eyes of a believer, and through the eyes of someone who for the past 12 years has tried to encourage his own heart and congregation toward the Lord using traditional and contemporary worship music, I had some mixed reactions. One reaction was jealousy. Jealousy for the Lord. Jealous that the Creator of the universe, who spoke the worlds and us into existence out of nothing is little more than patronized by His children Sunday after Sunday with a few half hearted songs sung to His memory.

Maybe that’s a little too strong…..maybe not. Of course I include myself in there as well, so my second reaction was one of sadness. Sad and a little embarrassed that too many times I have allowed all the blessings of the Lord and the “stuff of life” to distract me from giving myself wholeheartedly to Him on a consistent basis.

I’ve had the privilege of teaching around the world at many worship conference. I see the need for biblical teaching on worship and I believe in exploring every biblical option in expressing our praise to God including but not limited to singing, shouting, dancing, kneeling, playing music, being silent, etc…(see Ps. 95).

I totally see the value in gathering together as often as we can and going deeper in our understanding of worship.

I just wish we didn’t have to “learn it”.

I just wish our worship and praise flowed spontaneously out of the overflow of a heart, preoccupied with the lover of our soul.

It means so much more to my wife if I respond to her and express my love to her in a way that is natural and real, instead of her having to tell me what she wants from me.

Study is good. Sermons are good. But there is nothing more beautiful than an honest expression of love and gratitude that spring from a changed heart.

Workshops are good. Information is good. But I believe we need more revelation. And that comes from God alone. As we cry out to God to reveal more of Himself to us, that will affect the way we worship, the way we live, the way we play or sing, the way we do everything.

Remember how the apostle Paul went from a Christian killing Pharisee to one of the greatest disciples in history? He wrote to the Galatians, “I did not receive [the gospel] from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I recieved it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” (Gal. 1:12) In Ephesians he says, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened….” (Eph. 1:17,18)

As a worship leader, I can’t expect to “lead” anyone where I’m not heading myself. So these days I’m praying prayers like this. “I cry out to You Lord, to restore a sense of awe towards You and towards Your word. I pray for a childlike heart to be fashioned in me that I might be continually preoccupied with You Father, cultivating a sense of wonder at who You are and what You do.

I realize that I need a fresh revelation of You Jesus. I need to ” see” You more with the eyes of my heart. I ask you to reveal more of Yourself to me on a daily, moment-by moment basis. Soften my heart and deliver me from religious and cultural cynicism that have crept in.

Free me to express my worship to You in a way that You are worthy of. Let my life be a sacrifice of praise to You. Amen. “

By Paul Baloche and Lenny LeBlanc

“Crucified laid behind a stone

You lived to die rejected and alone

Like a rose trampled on the ground

You took the fall and thought of me

Above all”

Paul’s Story

On a Tuesday morning a few years ago at my church, alone at the piano, I began worshiping the Lord. As I sang, I started thinking of how Jesus is so much greater than all the temporal things that our culture esteems as great – power, fame, riches, wisdom, etc. The words just came out….”Lord, you are above all kingdoms, above all thrones, above all wonders the world has ever known…” Over the next year, I tried to write a chorus that fit the verses, but I never felt like it was “the one.”

Then one day, Lenny LeBlanc and I got together to write. I played him about twenty ideas for songs and the only one that caught his ear was the verse for ” Above all” that had no chorus. He woke up the next morning and said, “How about…. ‘Crucified, laid behind a stone…like a rose trampled on the ground….’” ” Whoa!” I thought, “What a contrast, what a picture – that’s Jesus. The One who is and always will be above all, was willing to be crucified and rejected, just to demonstrate His love for an unappreciative world.”

By the time we got to “You took the fall and thought of me….above all,” Lenny and I were in tears. The revelation hit us and broke our hearts. It made us realize how worthy He really is. That He truly deserves our worship.

This song means a lot to me because it came from an honest place. I wasn’t ” trying” to write a song originally. I sincerely just wanted to worship Him and praise Him for His greatness. Getting to finish the song with Lenny was such a bonus since he has been such a mentor and friend to me for years.

I have had many people tell me through tears that they feel such love for the Lord as they sing “Above All.” The revelation that The God of the universe was willing to humble himself to the point of crucifixion and death, just to reveal His love for us inspires a broken and contrite heart – like a fragrance of worship coming from a broken jar of perfume.

I remember one time in particular that I heard people singing “Above All” in worship. I was sitting on the floor with my children, watching the inaugural prayer service for President Bush on Fox News Live. Michael W. Smith walked up to the piano and began to sing “Above all powers, above all kings…..” Tears began to pour out from my eyes. My 8 year-old daughter asked, “Are you all right Daddy? What’s wrong?” I replied, “Honey, these are happy tears.” I’m humbled and blown away that a simple prayer of worship, started at my little piano, found its way to The President of the United States. The possibility that this song could be an encouragement to Him is such an honor. ” I pray that he would draw strength and wisdom from The One who is above him……and above all. It blesses me to know that Jesus will be worshiped with this song for years to come.

Lenny’s Story

When Paul Baloche and I finished writing “Above All”, I somehow knew in my heart that it would touch millions of people. It all started when Paul and I got together to write some songs for my soon to be recorded project for Integrity Music. Paul flew in and arrived late in the afternoon. We spent the rest of the day talking and kicking around song ideas that we had started. As the evening progressed, Paul played me the verse to “Above All” except for a few lines that we later changed. Something about the verse really touched me and I told him I thought it was a great idea. He shared with me that he had written several different choruses for the song and had even sung them in various forms during worship times at his home church. He also said he wasn’t happy with any of the versions he had written. We chatted for while then headed off to our rooms.

Early the next morning before Paul woke up, I started playing around with a chorus idea. Later on that morning, we started and finished the song ” Closer.” After a short break, I played my idea for an “Above All” chorus. Paul really liked it and we began fine tuning the song. Every time we got to the line, “Like a rose trampled on the ground,” we would both begin to weep. Here we were – two grown men in a puddle of tears trying our best to finish writing a song.

I think the reason “Above All” has impacted us so powerfully – and many others including Michael W. Smith, is because it’s such a beautiful picture of how a God that is above everything, would become like a rose trampled on the ground, take the fall and think of us….above all.”

Leading others in worshiping God is not a talent that can be learned; it’s a mission that must be placed on a heart. It’s one that has been warmly embraced by Paul Baloche. A prolific songwriter and inspired praise leader, Paul has written or co-written more than 120 recorded worship songs. His experiences as a worship leader fuel Paul’s creative expression. He’s led worship in a variety of locales including Asia, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, not to mention his home church, Community Christian Fellowship in Lindale, Texas, where he serves as praise and worship pastor.