Another nominee for our 2010 Song of the Year Award is from Michael W. Smith and friends.

From the press release:

(NASHVILLE, TENN.) January 28, 2010 – Yesterday at Belmont University’s Ocean Way Studios, multi-platinum, GRAMMY and Dove Award winning artist, Michael W. Smith gathered a who’s-who list from the music community to record “Come Together Now.” The song, penned by Smith, David Mullen and Cindy Morgan – and produced by Bryan Lenox – was written to remind people of the need to help those in Haiti.

“The crisis in Haiti has left us all trying to figure out how we can help,” shares Smith. “We wanted to create something that the community could support, for the greater good of those in Haiti. Everyone gave of their time: the studio was donated, the musicians donated their time and all proceeds from this song will go to designated charity/relief work through The American Red Cross and Samaritan’s Purse. It’s incredible to be part of something that is going to help so many people.”

Contributing artists included Toby Mac, Steven Curtis Chapman and a host of others.  View it below or here.

Other nominees for this year here and here.

Have a suggestion for a nominee?  Read the guidelines and let me know what it is.

Here’s a candidate for our Song of the Year.

Here singer Bart Millard explains the story behind the song by saying:  “It’s not just helping your neighbor, but (also) going the extra step:  If I truly love you well, then I can’t NOT tell you what’s changed my life.”

Here are the lyrics & song stream from YouTube:

Lyrics:

He wakes up every day the same
Believin’ he’s gonna make a change
Never wonders “if” but “when”
I guarantee he can find a way
To reach out and make somebody’s day
‘Cause someone took the time with him

He believes it’s the little things
That make a great big change

Hey, Mr. Lovewell, doin’ today
What you do every day
No matter how small
Believin’ that it’s all the same
Come on, Mr. Lovewell, oh we could use
A few more just like you
Who care enough to give this life away
‘Cause you’ve been changed
The generous Mr. Lovewell loves today!

It may be a simple “how do you do”
The kind of thing that could pull them through
A minute or two can mean so much
Or maybe it’s the one across the street
He’s asking if there’s anything they need
‘Cause they will know what’s by our love

It may not be that much to him
But it’s the world to them

We all need more Mr. Lovewell…

Resources:

• MercyMe homepage
• MercyMe MySpace

Here is a great song by Keith & Kristyn Getty that your church should be singing if it is not already:

Download the lead sheet for free here.

I received a call from Jay Leach in Southern California a few months ago.  Jay had been listening to his local Christian radio station and heard about Cross International’s work rescuing orphans in Africa and Guatemala, and was moved to call.

Jay and I had a great discussion.  As a professional guitarist, he has been on-call for the American Idol band for several seasons as a “utility man”, playing banjo, pedal steel, and other instruments.  He also has gigged with Dolly Parton and Albert Lee and has published arrangements with Mel Bay.

Jay is also a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, having been involved with churches in the SoCal area for many years and working with some premiere Christian musicians including Kirk Whalum, Abe Laboriel, Justo Almaria, Bill Cantos, and others.

I found him to be  a great guy, humble, possessing an infectious positive outlook and exuding the joy of the Lord through his musicianship.  As evidence, check out the video below (also viewable from his MySpace page).

God touched Jay’s heart regarding the needs of the poor.  He said, “What can I do to help?”

Lord, may You be pleased to increase his number.

Not sure whether to laugh or cry…

HT:  Ryan Flanigan, Reform Worship

Beautiful.

The Chronicle of Philanthropy provides this short video (also below) on what is being done by several charities to ready Haiti for the annual rainy season this year.

To see what Cross International has done in Haiti, go to: www.crossinternational.org/relief.

Prayer point:  Hurricane season is June-November.

He is risen, indeed.

And, by faith, so are we.

Music:  Come Awake by Matt Maher

This beautiful exercise by American composer Eric Whitacre shows the possibilities the web brings to choral conducting.

HT:  David Murray @ The Gospel Coalition blog

HT:  Pete Burgess (thanks Pete)