now is the time (song)

Just finished a new song called “Now Is the Time.” This is meant to be a fast praise song/opener for a contemporary worship service. I wanted to write something that captured the essence of making a quality decision to follow Jesus. I wanted a no-turning-back-once-and-for-all-I’ve-made-my-decision song where we could declare together “God, I’m done with doing things my way – it’s all about you from here on out.”

The bridge to this song was written by my good friend Jim Courtney. He got the lines “I lift my hands with purpose…” one Sunday morning when the praise team was in prayer before the service. He just handed me the scribbled lyrics and I immediately knew they’d make a great summarizing bridge to this song which, at that time, was about half-written.

Hope you enjoy. Its just a demo, but I think you can get the idea of the song. VFC’ers, you might wanna go ahead and learn this one. 🙂

Now is the Time

I’m ready to answer the call

I’m ready to give my all

I lay aside the weight of sin

I’m pushing on and pressing in

//

Now is the time, today is the day

I’m getting tired of being in the way

Oh Jesus, It’s all about You now

Now is the time for stepping aside

I’m leaving my independence and pride

Oh Jesus, It’s all about You now.

//

I’m ready to run the race

I’m ready to take my place

I lay aside the weight of sin

I’m pushing on and pressing in

//

I lift my hands with purpose

I raise my voice to sing

The life that I’ve been given

Becomes my offering

© Jamie Nunnally 2011

hope remains (song)

I just finished a new song called Hope Remains and I wanted to share it with everyone. Still trying to decide if its congregational and appropriate for Sunday morning worship or not. Feel free to weigh in. Our praise team at VFC was supposed to do it for special music last weekend but it just didn’t work out.

Lyrically, I wanted to focus on hope – that eternal, remaining gift from Heaven that seems to always take a backseat to faith and love (1 Cor. 13:13). I wanted to write an anthem that showed what it looked like when we emptied ourselves – our fears, questions and insecurities and just held on to the hope of our salvation through Jesus. The song ends with what is hopefully a very rousing and effective declaration that no matter what life hands us, we will cling to hope and let it be the anchor of our souls (Hebrews 6:19).

Musically, I tried to keep it simple enough to sing but interesting enough that it didn’t sound like everything else. The turnaround and bridge chords/melody are extremely pop-typical so I tried to make the verse and chorus chords/melody a little more unique. And I love the guitar part on top of the chorus (“All that I am…”) – it just sounds so pretty to me.

Ok, so here are the excuses: I recorded all the instruments in 2 hours and all vocals in 30 minutes so its not like this is gonna be high quality, people! But hey, it didn’t cost anything! 🙂 I hope you enjoy the song and pray that you’re encouraged to hold fast hope!

Hope Remains

Hope is rising up and strengthening my faith

The fear that held me back has now begun to fade

 //

All that I am I give away, ‘til nothing is left, just hope remains

//

Hope is sinking in and keeping me secure

And as I trust and wait, I patiently endure

//

All that I am I give away ‘til nothing is left, just hope remains

I’m confident that God will save and as I believe, my hope remains

//

So when the pressure’s building and I can feel the weight

I know my God still loves me I won’t hold back my praise

When disappointment finds me and things don’t go my way

My joy will not be stolen, no one can take my faith

And I won’t stop pursuing,  no I won’t be afraid

Though I’m not sure what’s coming I know that hope remains

//

Whoa, hope remains

i triple dog dare you! – part two

So in part one of this series, we discovered that Romans 12:1 is essentially triple dog dare by the Apostle Paul. He was issuing a strong challenge to Christians that he didn’t want them to ignore. So what was he daring them to do? Let’s look at the rest of the verse after the dare (I’m using the Amplified version):

“…and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God…”

Do you keep the mercy of God in view as you move forward? Or do you only use it for your rear view mirror? So many Christians seem to relegate God’s mercy only to their past. Sure, they believe He’s forgiven them for what’s already occurred but while that’s certainly good, its incomplete. Recognizing mercy for your past brings freedom to your personal history but without mercy fueling your hope for the future, you won’t have the confidence to move forward in Him. His mercy is new every morning – not just for yesterday’s sake but for the sake of today! You don’t have to be afraid of mistakes you’ll make today or tomorrow – keep His mercy in view.

“….make a decisive dedication of your bodies….”

Look, you’re not just going to wake up one morning and magically act like Jesus. While you’re here on earth, you have a flesh and your flesh is never going to want to do what’s right.  We say the wrong things, we serve ourselves, we forget our purpose. We Christians have to make the choice everyday – a decisive dedication of our bodies – to walk in the Spirit and not follow the dictates of our flesh. Not saying its easy, but its necessary!

“…a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated)…”

I’ve always heard the word “holy” defined as “set apart.” Thats a good definition. Even better though are the phrases “other than” and “something else.” Holy is the word you use to describe something when all analogies fail. It’s untouched by everything you might compare it to. It stands alone. This is why we tell God He’s holy during worship. He is “other than” anything else. He is “something else.” We are called to be “other than” too: separate from the world and given completely to Him. Have you ever seen on-fire Christians loving others unconditionally, full of faith and changing the environment around them for the better? Now that’s something else!

“…well pleasing to God…”

Wanna make God happy? Impress Him by giving Him all of you. Imagine that you finally saved up enough money to order that brand new car you’ve been dreaming of. You visit the dealership, choose all of your options and make the down payment but weeks later when the car arrives, its missing the steering wheel, the rear bumper and the front right tire. You’d be upset wouldn’t you! Well, God purchased you with the blood of His Son. Imagine how frustrating it is when you hold back and deny access to those parts of you that provide Him with a complete ministry vehicle that He can use. God is not impressed with how loud you sing during worship or how many verses are underlined in your Bible. He is impressed when He gets all that He paid for!

“…which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent)  service/worship”

The Greek word translated here as “reasonable, rational, and intelligent” is logikos where we get the English word “logical.” Not allowing the Amazingly All-Powerful, Incredibly Intelligent King of the Universe full access to your life is just plain illogical. Really, it just makes no sense. What are you afraid of? Be smart – go ahead and go all in!

I encourage you to be 100% totally sold out to Him. Go ahead, try it. What are you waiting for? You’re not gonna get a better deal! He loves you. He wants you. He’s calling you. Answer Him.

I triple dog dare you!

i triple dog dare you!

I was warped at an early age.

But it was the good kind of warping. My parents made my brother and I memorize scripture as young children. There’s a story that has reached legendary status in the Nunnally family that tells of my then four-year-old older brother being asked what his name was by a stranger at the beach. He replied, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” Classic.

One of the verses I memorized as a kid was Romans 12:1. Unfortunately, there weren’t nearly as many Bible translations back then so the New King James was the most modern version around. It started “I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God…” Not exactly kid-friendly vocab, huh? Who the heck says “beseech” anymore?

I was recently reading this verse again and decided to look up all of the different translations for what was originally translated “beseech.” I found that it had been replaced with urge, appeal, beg, and plead in most newer versions. The English definition for the Greek is to “summon, admonish” or “exhort.” Its almost like the translators didn’t quite know how to capture the full depth of what the writer, Paul, was trying to get at. I began thinking about this and was reminded of the “dare scale” used by children on playgrounds and adults who never grow up. As a reminder, if one of your friends wants to dare you to do something, they can employ any of the following dare options:

1. The basic dare. Ex: Dude, there’s that girl you like. I dare you to go talk to her. This is used when the dare-ee would probably do the dare without being dared to begin with. The problem with the basic dare is that it can easily be ignored.

2. The double dare. Ex: You don’t wanna talk to her? Come on, I double dare you, bro. Now we’ve taken this thing up a step. You can’t just ignore a double dare. The dare-er has just given the dare-ee something to think about.

3. The double dog dare. Ex:  You’re such a chicken. Just do it man. I double dog dare you! Ok, this has all of the sudden gotten serious. Not taking a double dog dare will subject you to ridicule for days, even weeks and is fair game for all future proof of wussiness. Game on, baby. Game on. (Note: some less civilized areas of the country use the “double dirty dog” or “double dirty dead dog” dare, but this is not recommended as I think we can all agree its beneath us.)

4. The triple dog dare. Ex: This is so ridiculous! I can’t believe you! You’re such a pansy! Go talk to her! I triple dog dare you! Ok, now we’ve reached critical mass and the triple dog dare has been used. This is essentially a kill-shot by the dare-er where they are pulling rank and demanding the dare be done.  No person in their right mind would ignore a triple dog dare. You just don’t do that. It doesn’t matter how awful the dare is, not performing a triple-dog dare is much worse.

I think the Apostle Paul is handing the Romans a triple dog dare here. He’s essentially saying Look, there’s really no other option here. Quit dragging your feet, just bite the bullet and do it already.

So now that we’ve established the importance of Paul’s triple dog dare, what is he daring us to do? Whats so important that he uses the trump card of all dares? We’ll look at that in the next post…

i can’t be here (song)

I want to share a new song with everyone! It’s a break from the typical worship stuff I do and is more along the lines of a Christian radio song. I’m actually planning on entering this one into a songwriting contest. While my focus and passion is worship music, I like to try to write songs for all purposes and genres just to see if I can. Usually, I can’t. 🙂

The song started out as a boy/girl love song and eventually morphed into a monologue by God (Godologue?) to those who have rejected Him. I began to consider what it would sound like if God wrote a love song to the people that didn’t accept His “advances.” He’s essentially pleading with them here to reconsider their choice and make sure they grasp the full ramifications of a life without Him. Pretty heavy stuff. I tried to match the music to the subject’s tone by using “pretty” chords, a haunting melody and lots of dynamics. Hopefully it captures both the beauty of grace and the heartache of rejection. God is not to be pitied. But I believe His heart is affected when the creation He loves doesn’t respond to His call.

On a technical note, there is some distortion throughout, especially in the very beginning that is not on the original recording but is due to the free (read: sucky) service I use to post music on here. If you want a high-quality MP3 just message me.

Please let me know what you think!

I Can’t Be Here

Are you sure you understand

That if you do not take my hand

You reject the Son I sent

And love that’s closer than a friend?

//

Don’t you know and can’t you see

I’ll be gone, ‘cause you told me to leave

If you’ll cry out I’ll wipe your tears

But you have said I can’t be here

//

Are you sure you comprehend

That if you say this is the end

What you’ve done I can’t defend

And you’ll be on your own again?

//

Can you see, do you know

Will this be what you want

In a week, in a month

Down the road, later on?

//

Are you sure you’ve thought of when

This world you chase is gone again

Will your choice to serve your sin

Have consequence you don’t intend?

© 2011 Jamie Nunnally

glory in the highest (song)

Its fun to think about what Heaven will be like. During my years as a Youth Pastor my students were constantly asking me things like, “Will our pets be in heaven?” “Will we recognize each other there?” “What in the world will we do for all that time?” My favorite is the last question. I mean, eternity…gosh. What are we gonna do? Unfortunately the media has filled our heads with images of pudgy babies strumming harps on clouds. Man, that’s boring!

The Book of Revelation paints a much different picture of our upcoming Heavenly experience. In Revelation 4 the throne room of God is described in detail and man, its anything but boring! Crazy creatures, thunder and lightening, and insanely passionate 24/7 worship! Later in chapter 7, the saints get in on the action in a fiery, fervent display of heartfelt adoration. How fun would it be to be a part of that?!

I started thinking about Heaven’s worship circus one day and ending up writing the song “Glory in the Highest.” It attempts to remind worshipers that we have the awesome opportunity to begin practicing for our future heavenly praise party. For now, our services may only be a mere taste of whats to come, but even so, when we join in with the angels, we can experience a measure of His glory here on earth.

Glory in the Highest

Deep inside Heaven’s gates, there is found a throne of praise

The angels sing night and day, the saints adore His holy name

//

Glory, honor and power to the Maker of all things

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

//

Glory in the highest, Glory in the highest

Glory in the highest, He Reigns, He reigns

//

As we join heaven’s song, the angels dance and sing along

When we seek His holy face, His glory falls and fills this place

© 2010 Jamie Nunnally

you are so good to me (song)

This is one of the most confusing songs I’ve ever written. After being challenged by a line in a book by Bill Johnson, I had started praying that God would allow me to introduce one of Heaven’s songs to Earth. Several weeks later I literally woke up with the chorus to this song in my head. I jumped out of bed all groggy and recorded a scratchy-voiced sample so I wouldn’t forget it. I knew I had never heard it before but it seemed so familiar. I’m fully aware this could be interpreted as flaky at best and pure arrogance at worst but I genuinely believe this chorus is a heavenly song. The problem is, what do I do with something like that?

I began to sing just the chorus as a “tag” on the end of other songs during worship and ministry times at church and could really sense purpose behind it. Wanting to use it somehow, I made it the bridge to another song that I had been working on called “I Am Not Ashamed” but in the end, it just didn’t seem to fit. Then, I wrote verses and a bridge around it and turned it into a song about praising God regardless of the trials life can bring, a la “Praise You in the Storm” by Casting Crowns. It wasn’t bad. The problem was, while it was worshipful, it wasn’t a worship song – more like something you’d hear for offering music. Finally, I wrote the song in its current congregational worship form and feel really comfortable with it.

Musically, I decided to make this a quieter piano-based song for the recording instead of the typical full-band effort. Once I introduce it to our congregation we’ll probably have more instrumentation but for now, I like the quiet intimacy of the piano.  Special thanks to my older brother Sam for playing the keyboard on this as I play the piano like Joaquin Phoenix raps.

You Are So Good to Me

When You found me I was unworthy

I earned judgment but You loved mercy

Now your grace falls and makes me holy

You’re calling me

You’re drawing me to You

//

God Almighty, Lord of Glory

You are so good to me, so good to me

//

You’re not looking for perfection

Your desire is connection

So now I’m changing my direction

You’re calling me

You’re drawing me closer

//

Your thoughts are higher

Your ways are better

Your love is deeper

I’m bound no longer

© Jamie Nunnally 2010

you are wonderful (song)

“You Are Wonderful” is probably the most well-received of any of the worship songs I’ve written to date. I was playing around with the verse chords one day before music practice at church and one of the singers heard it and said “ooh that’s pretty.” Later, when I  sat down to write, those chords came back to mind. The original version of this song had the exact same verse/pre-chorus music and lyrics but with a totally different chorus altogether. I had titled it “You’re a Miracle” and was trying to explore the idea of how Jesus had done the impossible for us. I excitedly played the first draft for my wife and I believe her exact words after hearing it were, “You’re a miracle – really? Sounds like the title of a Christmas musical.” Thanks, sweetheart. She was right, though – it stunk. I went back to the drawing board, hammered out some new lyrics and paired them with the  current chorus music.

Soon after its completion, I introduced it to my home church where they received it really well. Shortly after that,  I did it at a women’s conference where I lead worship annually and I remember being surprised how quickly everyone picked it up on first listen. We still do this one regularly at VFC and every year I go back to the women’s conference, someone requests it. I pray that as you listen you’ll let God captivate your heart and fascinate your soul. Special thanks to Dana King for singing alto on this recording.

You Are Wonderful

Great and mighty, awesome, holy

You are to me

Loving, gracious, just and righteous

You are, my King

//

All the earth declares Your beauty

And I proclaim who You are to me

//

You are wonderful, kind and beautiful

You captivate my heart, You fascinate my soul

You wash away the shame, Your mercy makes me whole

Jesus, You are Lord, strong and powerful

High above the earth, God of endless worth

You are wonderful

© Jamie Nunnally

god likes you

Do you remember in grade school when someone would pass a “do you like me – check yes or no” note to someone they liked? Well guess what? If you passed the note to God, He would check “yes.”

God likes you.

Read that statement again. Do you really believe it? Do you merely agree with it in theory or has it worked its way into your heart yet? Christians are taught that God loves us – we’ve heard that regularly and most of us believe it, at least from a theological standpoint. But the idea that God likes us – enjoys our company and wants to be around us – is a little harder to wrap our minds around.

Most of us project our relationships with our natural parents, especially our fathers, onto God. The problem is, even the most patient, loving and enduring parent gets annoyed with their kids from time to time and needs a break from them.  But God’s not that way.  If you’re on a “break” from God, He’s waiting on you to return. He never left. He never tires of you. He likes being with you.

How do I know God likes you? What scripture can I use to prove my point? Well, I could extrapolate a few verses here and there but the best proof is in the larger picture of God’s interaction with mankind. Would you create and keep something You didn’t like? No we’d trash it. Yet God is long-suffering towards His creation. Would you die for someone you didn’t like? No way. Yet God took the full weight of the penalty our sin required – death – on Himself. If God doesn’t like you why does He do the things He does on your behalf? I mean, He’s God – its not like any one is making Him sustain your life. He wants to do it.

Of course, the fact that God likes you doesn’t mean He won’t correct you or ask you to change. He loves you too much to leave you the way you are. He cares about you too much to allow sin to destroy your life. But you don’t have to bear the weight of trying to please an annoyed God who simply puts up with you. He just doesn’t see you that way.

I encourage you to embrace the idea that God likes you. Not only is it true from a theological stand point, but its practical application to your life will allow you to live freely and passionately as you pursue the One who likes you!

forever (song)

One of the most amazing things about Christianity is that it, unlike any other religious path, is based on a person instead of an ideology or system of rules. The fundamental foundation of the Christian faith is a relationship with a person: Jesus – God wrapped in flesh. While other religions attempt to show you how to better yourself until you reach a level that will please God, Christianity teaches that you will never be good enough so Jesus came down to your level and you now please Him by believing in His Son. Whats more, Jesus taught that we could have an intimacy with the Father than sounds quite unreasonable by religious standards. The all-powerful, all-knowing, all-everything Creator-God who is so much better than anything anywhere wants a personal relationship with me? You mean He’s not angry at me and isn’t demanding penance for my sins? Nope – He’s got you covered. His Son took care of it. Just believe and walk with Him and allow Him to change you so you can present Him accurately to others.

This song was born from personal times of intimacy I’ve had with the Father. Most songs I’ve heard that are written from the overflow of personal God-times typically seem to be slower, more contemplative ballads. So of course, mine is the heaviest song I’ve recorded to date.  But I think there is a truth found in there somewhere – intimacy doesn’t mean quiet. It means connected, passionate and honest. This is encapsulated by the lyric “Sometimes I sit in silence, sometimes I like to shout.” It doesn’t matter how you come to Him – just come to Him in purity. Anything less than honest, authentic interaction with God is dead religion.

Musically, I’ve always been attracted to the combination of heavy and pretty – harmony and dissonance. Bands like King’s X and Galactic Cowboys have always topped my playlist because even though their musical style is hard rock, they use layered harmony and “pretty” chord progressions. In light of that, I think its fitting that the song that has really turned into my spiritual theme song sounds like a Broadway tune played by a rock band. I hope you enjoy this glimpse into my private time with God.

Forever

Sometimes I like to think back of how good You’ve been to me

When I asked for a little but You gave me everything

And now I’m overwhelmed with a feeling in my heart

That’s beating for my Savior and consuming every part

Sometimes I like to think back of the times You’ve rescued me

When I would act so foolish and was way to blind to see

That all I really needed was to let Your hand guide

And all I really wanted was to be right by Your side

//

I need You, I want You, I…

//

I’ll love You

Love You forever

//

Sometimes I sit in silence and sometimes I like to shout

Sometimes I just talk to You and let you hear me out

But the times when I feel closest and can hear Your voice the best

Are when Your arms are wrapped around me and my head’s upon Your chest

© 2010 Jamie Nunnally