Mercy, Grace, and Peace

In honor of my sister, I am going to post about one of our favorite songs:
My sister showed my mom and me this music video of Mary Mary singing "Shackles" (Praise You) and we fell in love with it immediately. Whenever it comes on the radio I always turn up the volume and sing along. So I knew when I wanted to write about the song I had to include the link because the music video is so awesome. As I was watching it again I was listening to the words and I realized it really fits the situation right now: it talks about praising God in all circumstances; everything going wrong at the same time but in the same stanza it says basically to ask God to lift the load because you cannot do it anymore - He will, He will get you through. Going through fire and rain describes the last few years for me but I have made it through and one thing that stands out is that through all of it I always praised God even when I could not understand and my heart wanted to break. The most important part of the song is a reminder that God has broken the chains and we are free to dance and praise Him because no matter what we are going through He is right there with us. My sister is still sick, but slowly recovering; people continue to ask us what they can do for us and I wish I knew of something, but the one thing I hear my mom and dad say, as well as myself, is prayer and that is all you need. I finally have found joy and feel like have a reason to sing, not just because I am saved by amazing Grace, but I have found solace and peace in writing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRayKxgePQI

TobyMac's "Lose My Soul" is a big hit and uses the combined talents of Mandisa and Kirk Franklin. It is easy to talk about being a Christian but it is another when you actually live the life; one thing I like about his song is he talks about being a faithful husband, being part of his kids lives, and being an artist who rises above the general population and keeps his values in his music and his life. This is a great combination of vocalists and it it uses both rap and contemporary instruments to achieve a really cool effect that makes you remember the song and enjoy it and want to the sing and dance along.

Phillips, Craig and Dean are another one of my favorite bands and "Mercy Came Running" is a big of theirs. I love the imagery of what it must have been like when Christ was crucified and raised from the dead, and the earth began to shake and the veil that separated humans from God was physically torn, symbolizing the change that had occurred. Then the songs says that mercy came running like a prisoner set free, and came to all of us, came to me, when I could not do it on my own. When I screw up and make mistakes I think about this song and remember that I am always able to be forgiven and if I am willing to admit my sin, mercy and grace will come to me from God. This is a fantastic song, by far one of my favorites. I think I probably have 10 or 15 favorite songs but each of them has something special that gives me joy and peace and reminds me that I am not alone in this world even when things are falling apart and I make mistakes.