Doves in Nashville
Another Day Along the Way
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Another day,
My view of the Dove Awards is here; yes, a little unusual. But have fun reading it. Or rapping it. I sure had fun in Nashville.
I hope you get the message, too.
Also, our son Taylor has recorded four of his new songs. Here is info for ordering his CD...
Taylor Maxwell, of Youth With a Mission, has recorded four of his new songs. You can hear two of them on his website. The CD, "I'll Never Leave," is now for sale; orders can be placed online:
http://www.myspace.com/taylormaxwellmusic
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
"Doves in Nashville"
Since I heard a little rappin at last week's GMA,
I thought I'd write with rhythm for just Another Day.
You never really know what the rhyming just might say,
So we'll have a little fun while we're rappin 'long the way.
My eyes could see the sights and my ears could hear the sounds
When I walked from place to place to make my Maxwell rounds.
Nashville was the city to help us sense the mood,
And most all the folks were kind; the stars weren't even rude.
I heard the Southern Gospel as it made me stand and clap;
I heard the rapid motion of the stories told in rap;
I heard the worship music of confessions to our King;
I heard the rock and pop; I heard the brothers sing.
Diversity in music, variety in style;
The assortment of a mix gave me a little smile,
Cause I like the assortment of methods to tell about the way
Even in the mess that comes with GMA.
I thought about Keith Green and wondered what he'd say.
I thought about Rich Mullins and wished that he could stay.
I thought about Mark Heard and ventured back in time.
I thought about the ancients as I listened to moderns rhyme.
Finding fault is easy when we don't like the style;
Few of listeners give a thought to walk an extra mile.
We want what feels the best and we want our pleasure now;
We fail to merge the meaning of the dance and then a bow.
Rejoicing and enjoying is really all okay
If we keep the truth in motion and be cautious what we say,
And if we stop idolatry amid the music mix,
Refusing to define our lives by the newest, trendy fix.
The ancient and the modern; I think we need them all:
Lyrics that remind us to obey the higher call.
The feel-good hits must never subtract the painful songs
Which remind us of ourselves, and confront the rights and wrongs.
Psalmistic segments into life is what I want to hear
In every style emerging into songs I'll not just cheer.
But into truth I'll sing and pray, on days just like today
When Nashville's fun is distant and church feels far away.
I'll hit play and listen to some rapping of what's true
Knowing God does more than tell me what to do.
I'll hear the sounds of worship and sing the songs of soul,
Giving thanks about a gospel where we all complete the whole.
I end with an Amen as I pledge to the True Guest,
For Him to hear me sing my prayer lifting a request,
Asking that the Dove return and fly upon us all
And remind us that the biggest are those who live as small.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Another day,
My view of the Dove Awards is here; yes, a little unusual. But have fun reading it. Or rapping it. I sure had fun in Nashville.
I hope you get the message, too.
Also, our son Taylor has recorded four of his new songs. Here is info for ordering his CD...
Taylor Maxwell, of Youth With a Mission, has recorded four of his new songs. You can hear two of them on his website. The CD, "I'll Never Leave," is now for sale; orders can be placed online:
http://www.myspace.com/taylormaxwellmusic
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
"Doves in Nashville"
Since I heard a little rappin at last week's GMA,
I thought I'd write with rhythm for just Another Day.
You never really know what the rhyming just might say,
So we'll have a little fun while we're rappin 'long the way.
My eyes could see the sights and my ears could hear the sounds
When I walked from place to place to make my Maxwell rounds.
Nashville was the city to help us sense the mood,
And most all the folks were kind; the stars weren't even rude.
I heard the Southern Gospel as it made me stand and clap;
I heard the rapid motion of the stories told in rap;
I heard the worship music of confessions to our King;
I heard the rock and pop; I heard the brothers sing.
Diversity in music, variety in style;
The assortment of a mix gave me a little smile,
Cause I like the assortment of methods to tell about the way
Even in the mess that comes with GMA.
I thought about Keith Green and wondered what he'd say.
I thought about Rich Mullins and wished that he could stay.
I thought about Mark Heard and ventured back in time.
I thought about the ancients as I listened to moderns rhyme.
Finding fault is easy when we don't like the style;
Few of listeners give a thought to walk an extra mile.
We want what feels the best and we want our pleasure now;
We fail to merge the meaning of the dance and then a bow.
Rejoicing and enjoying is really all okay
If we keep the truth in motion and be cautious what we say,
And if we stop idolatry amid the music mix,
Refusing to define our lives by the newest, trendy fix.
The ancient and the modern; I think we need them all:
Lyrics that remind us to obey the higher call.
The feel-good hits must never subtract the painful songs
Which remind us of ourselves, and confront the rights and wrongs.
Psalmistic segments into life is what I want to hear
In every style emerging into songs I'll not just cheer.
But into truth I'll sing and pray, on days just like today
When Nashville's fun is distant and church feels far away.
I'll hit play and listen to some rapping of what's true
Knowing God does more than tell me what to do.
I'll hear the sounds of worship and sing the songs of soul,
Giving thanks about a gospel where we all complete the whole.
I end with an Amen as I pledge to the True Guest,
For Him to hear me sing my prayer lifting a request,
Asking that the Dove return and fly upon us all
And remind us that the biggest are those who live as small.
13 Comments:
you rap okay for an old man! wish i could've been in nashville with you. are yu going next year?
I bet it is better reading it instead of listening to you. Smile...
On a serious thought, Keith Green's music is still some of the best ever.
DW
I had the visual of you rapping this. :)You definitley need to meet my husband for sure! Kim
pastor chris,
you have been a rock for me this year...always caring and being there for me. i'm looking forward to our trip to the uk and getting more of your rhythmic perspective on things...
j
Chris,
I enjoyed your rapping piece.
Great job!
Alice
We need the True Dove. But we are afraid of him. He empowerds us but also frightens us. What should we do?
So many of today's singers do not understand writing lyrics like Mark H did. He was one-of-a-kind.
Diversity in music, variety in style, your my kind of rapper so let's rap for a while.I don't like southern gospel it makes me run and hide,but I like Rich Mullins He's my kind of guy.
I love to praise the Lord, and I know this is true,He likes all kind of music and He thinks that it is cool.
Just remember this as you rap along
give it up to Him He deserves it all.
If we don't rap to Him you know we loose it all.
GO GO PASTOR C
Taylor's music is really cool!
I always knew you had it in you to be a rapper, boss!
I loved it! An exceptional message in rhyme, Pastor Chris. I especially the like the lines
We want what feels the best and we want our pleasure now;
We fail to merge the meaning of the dance and then a bow.
Very thought-provoking.
So, how are you doing health-wise?
God bless you and your family.
Your friend,
Sherie
oh the days of keith green and no compromise
Chris,
Like you, I too have been "wrapped up" in this musical odyssey on the way. The diversity of worship today allows everyone to express their praise to the King and I hope we never allow ourselves to forget that God loves a good rap as much as a hymn.
Keith, Mark and Rich, and the rest of those who helped take the music from the church to the streets, did not soar very often at the Dove's in their day but are now considered hallowed names. I hope today's artists will take their cue from these "pioneers" on keeping their eyes on "the mission."
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