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S.A.N.S. Episode 279: Soul Worth Saving

Posted on November 7, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s song comes from the duo Jordan Phillips and Adam Stark. These two musicians from Nashville, Tennessee formed the group Apollo LTD. One of Apollo’s recent songs reminds me of one of my favorite verses in the Bible. Jesus’ earthly brother writes about a deed that covers over a multitude of sins. According to James, anyone who turns a sinner from the error of their way demonstrates God’s calling to save lost souls.

[My] brethren, if anyone among you strays from the Truth and falls into error and another [person] brings him back [to God], 20 Let the [latter] one be sure that whoever turns a sinner from his evil course will save [that one’s] soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins [[a]procure the pardon of the many sins committed by the convert], James 5:19-20.

Back in my early days as an aspiring youth director, I met an outcast at a church lock-in which began at a nearby bowling alley. After a few minutes of observing this group of teenagers, it didn’t take look to recognize the boy others referred to as Satan. Inspired by heavy metal groups, this lost soul enjoyed being the bad boy at church. Over the next several hours, I listened, making it my mission to invest in a soul worth saving. Before the night was over, this teen gave his heart to Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 270: Speak to the Mountains

Posted on October 29, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s featured song comes from the son of youth pastor. While Chris McClarney was forced to move several times as a child due to the volatility of youth ministry, he now resides in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife and children. One of my favorite Chris McClarney songs is Speak to the Mountains. Chirs’ lyrics remind me that God is bigger than my troubles in life.

But seek ([z]aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness ([aa]His way of doing and being right), and then all these things [ab]taken together will be given you besides. 34 So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble, Matthew 6:33-34.

In the chorus of Speak to the Mountains, Chris sings with conviction of his belief that nothing is impossible with God on your side. I just wish I wasn’t shaken by the daily trials that I face in life. Perhaps, the more I listen to Speak to the Mountains I will be motivated to stop panicking and begin to trust in the Lord with all my heart and soul.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 263: Jericho

Posted on October 22, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Andrew Ripp first broke into the national music scene as a songwriter with contributions on Ryan Cabrera’s album and You Stand Watching. This Christian artist from Nashville, Tennessee would go on to become a Grammy-nominated songwriter. One of Andrew’s latest projects is the song Jericho which I recently heard on my ride home from work.

So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. When the people heard the sound of the trumpet, they raised a great shout, and [Jericho’s] wall fell down in its place, so that the [Israelites] went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city, Joshua 6:20.

Of all the amazing war stories in the Bible, the fall of Jericho may still be the most bizarre. Using music and worship as a weapon of war is unheard of, but this is the divine method chosen by God. Following six days of marching around the exterior walls of Jericho, Israel repeats this on the final day of the week to usher in the final piece of God’s promised land. As you listen to Jericho, may you be reminded of God’s power to fulfill the Lord’s plan and purposes.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 244: Testify to Love

Posted on October 3, 2022 by expressyourself4him

The Christian group Avalon formed in 1995 as a vocal quartet from Nashville, Tennessee. However, over the years, Avalon’s focus on worship music led to a slight name change to Avalon Worship. I was first introduced to Avalon through one of their Christmas albums. While some of their songs or more memorable than others, Testify to Love is one of my favorites.

And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole [e]human race], Mark 16:15

The lyrics to Testify to Love are based upon the passage above. Known as the Great Commission, Jesus leaves a blueprint behind for future Christians to follow, Acts 1:8. First century Jewish Christians completed phase one: testifying about Jesus to everyone in Jerusalem. The apostles completed phase two by the end of the first century by testifying to surrounding towns and villages. The final phase is up to believers to testify about Jesus to the ends of the earth. May this song inspire you to do your part.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 213: Let Me Drown

Posted on September 2, 2022 by expressyourself4him

We As Human formed in Nashville, Tennessee in the mid 2000’s. Like any hungry musician passionate to share their music, We as Human toured relentlessly, building a loyal following in Nashville and around the United States. Over the years, lead singer Justin Cordle, guitarists Jake Jones and Justin Forshaw, bassist Dave Draggoo, and drummer Adam Osborne has been a success with songs like Let Me Drown.

But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in and[a]acknowledge and cleave to Me to stumble and sin [that is, who entices him or hinders him in right conduct or thought], it would be better ([b]more expedient and profitable or advantageous) for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be sunk in the depth of the sea, Matthew 18:6.

After listening to the lyrics for the first time, I thought of Jesus’ words in the passage above. Yet, the lyrics point to someone who doesn’t feel worthy to live. While Justin sings about the fate of drowning, it’s up to God whether or not he survives the crashing waves and water. Whatever is going on in your life, make sure you don’t cause a little child to stumble or fall by the life that you live.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 193: I Speak Jesus

Posted on August 13, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s artist grew up in Buffalo, New York and was raised in a Christian home. This upbringing propelled Charity Gayle to start her own music ministry in Nashville, Tennessee. Charity got her feet wet as a worship leader in church which has opened the door to emerge as a female Christian artist. Today’s featured song I Speak Jesus is a prayer to call upon God’s higher power to change and transform your life.

And He charged us to preach to the people and to bear solemn testimony that He is the God-appointed and God-ordained Judge of the living and the dead, Acts 10:42.

Acts 2 introduces what Luke refers to as the apostles teaching. This involves acting upon the Great Commission shared with Jesus’ disciples prior to his ascension into heaven, Acts 1:8. Essentially, this biblical teaching makes speaking Jesus a top priority. As you listen to Charity Gayle’s song I Speak Jesus, may you be inspired to emulate the teaching of the apostles.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 187: Wonderful Thing

Posted on August 7, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Bret and Diana Pemelton formed Dream of Eden in Nashville, Tennessee. To a certain extent, Dream of Eden followed the mold set by Out of the Grey. While the Pemelton’s hasn’t had the national success of Out of the Grey, they have still produced albums that have touched my heart. Today’s featured song Wonderful Thing is also the first song on their album with the same name.

But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us, Romans 5:8.

The lyrics of Wonderful Thing are inspired by the love of Jesus. Knowing that Jesus was willing to lay down his life for sinners is a wonderful thing. While John 3:16-17 gets more recognition, Paul’s words in the passage above display God’s grace and mercy. While Dream of Eden’s pop and soft rock isn’t for everyone, I hope you enjoy Wonderful Thing.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 71: Pray for Rain

Posted on April 12, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s group began in Minneapolis, Minnesota, disbanded in 1997 and reunited in Nashville, Tennessee three years later. To avoid a lawsuit, Prayer for Rain shortened their name to PFR upon their return to the concert circuit. “Pray for Rain” is a line from a poem that touched band member Patrick Andrew who convinced the group to adopt this name in 1992.

Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand), Jeremiah 33:3.

From a genre perspective, PFR is the closest sound the Christian music industry has to a modern-day Beatles. When you listen to Pray For Run, you’ll sense and recognize how the Beatles influenced PFR’s distinct sound. The lyrics of Pray For Run speak to individuals who become comfortably numb, praying for rain to snap them out of their spiritual slumber. I hope you enjoy one of PFR’s first hit songs.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 27: Pull

Posted on March 2, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Before all of my local Christian bookstores closed down, I spent numerous evenings sorting through the bargain bins of CD’s. If there weren’t any samples that I could listen to, I would study the album cover to see how much money was spent on the graphics. While this strategy wasn’t always successful, I discovered a few hidden gems over the years. One of these artists is a group called Curious Fools.

Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God, for He is gracious and lovely; praise is becoming and appropriate, Psalm 147:1.

Today’s song reminds me of Led Zeppelin’s classic tune Stairway to Heaven. While Curious Fools possesses its own classic rock feel, this group actually began as a songwriting team from Nashville, Tennessee in 1991. Drama teams have used the lyrics of Pull to perform moving presentations to illustrate how daily temptations seek to pull Christians away from God and toward sin. Enjoy Pull!

by Jay Mankus

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