"Not in Me" on The Gospel Coalition's "Songs for the Book of Luke" Album

I was honored and humbled to have a song that David and I co-wrote selected for inclusion in The Gospel Coalition's "Songs for the Book of Luke Album." I'll blog on the origin and meaning of the song in days to come.

Free sheet music and learner recordings for the entire album are available here, along with an introduction to the project.

The entire album can be streamed for free or purchased here:

Help a Cinderalla Story in March Madness, Get 2 Free Downloads, Win a CD

They're called "Cinderella stories:" underdog teams that find themselves in a tournament they don't seem to belong in. You've probably heard of a few: The Milan High basketball team (fictionalized as Hickory in Hoosiers). The 2008 Fresno State Bulldogs. The 1954 New York Giants. Reformed Praise.

Reformed who? Yep. As you've probably read, one of our songs, "There Is No Sin That I Have Done," made its way into LifeWay Worship's "March Madness" event, in which 16 songs are pitted against each other for people to vote. We were surprised to see it included, let alone be seeded #2, amongst great song-writers like Chris Tomlin, Keith Getty, Chris Tomlin, Stuart Tomlin, and Chris Tomlin (...there's kind of a theme) and songs recorded by major artists,  like Casting Crowns and Chris Tomlin.

(Truth be told: I think a tourney-style competition with worship songs is a bit odd--even more so if we lose. :)  It's probably like giving "book of the year" awards to study bibles and books and such. But, in the end, we're hoping it will be helpful in getting Reformed Praise's Gospel-centered worship songs into more churches.)

So, here's the deal: It's the fourth quarter. We're getting whipped. Bad. 65%-35%. Casting Crowns (a published, popular, radio-played band) is absolutely wiping the floor with us. Most of the people in the stands have left to get in their cars and beat the traffic. The game is being preempted by re-runs, re-runs of Lassie.

But, voting doesn't end until Monday at noon.

So, would you consider helping us by encouraging your friends, your blog-readers, your dog to vote for "There Is No Sin"?

Free Downloads

To celebrate our inclusion, we're giving away a free download of the song all month on our website.

Likewise, when you vote at LifeWay Worship, you get a code for a free download.

Free CD

Also, each week that we remain in the event, I'll be giving away a free copy of our CD, Merciful to Me. You can enter up to four times:

1. Vote (it doesn't have to be for us...I'm not buying votes here. This ain't Chicago.)
2. "Like" this post (or post a link) on Facebook. (Posting it on your wall is cool too.)
3. Post a recommendation to vote for our song on your blog (and link to this post).
4. Send this on to your friends.

Leave a comment letting me know which ways you've entered. I'll draw a winner on Monday. We'll rerun the contest next week, giving away 2 CDs, if we're still in.

If we get beat, I'll be inside my locker...crying...listening to Casting Crowns. (It's a good song.)

Vote for "There Is No Sin" in the Sweet 16

Thanks to everyone who voted for "There is No Sin that I Have Done" in LifeWay Worship's "March Madness" event. Thanks to your votes, the Reformed Praise song is seeded #2 in their brackets!

Please consider voting for it in their Sweet 16 line-up this week, and help spread the word about Reformed Praise.

And please consider passing the word on to others.

March Madness & a Free Download

LifeWay Worship is offering one free download when you enter your favorite worship song in their March Madness event. The winning song will be offered as a free download for a day.

LifeWay Worship recently began distributing two Reformed Praise titles from the Merciful to Me project, "O Jesus" (Ward/Whitfield) and "There is No Sin That I Have Done" (Schumacher/Ward).

Please help us get the word out about Reformed Praise by visiting LifeWay Worship and nominating these songs.

(And feel free to pass this along on your blog and Facebook.)

I'll Never Forsake You

Head over to Reformed Praise to have a listen and download the lead sheet.

O soul, are you weary from wave upon wave
Of grief and affliction whom no man can save?
Has sickness surrounded, or unending night?
Uncertainty stolen your joy and your might.

O doubting, o fearful– remember His care,
The helpless and hopeless need never despair
For from your afflictions His glory shall spring–
The deeper your sorrow, the louder you’ll sing!
Remember your Father– His promise, His love:

Chorus:
“I’ll never forsake you, this pain will not break you,
For I will remake you for unending joy;
My promise is faithful though now it is painful;
No power can trample my covenant love.”

Remember your Savior– His grief and His pain,
The lonely affliction, unmerited shame.
Though you had betrayed Him, He died in your place;
The joy set before Him He offers by grace.
Remember your Father– His promise, His love:

Songwriter: David L. Ward

Copyright: © 2011 ReformedPraise.org

New (Updated) Christmas Hymn: How Beautiful the Mystery

David Ward, Jeff Bourque, and I have collaborated to update a hymn I wrote for Christmas in 2000, "How Beautiful the Mystery." We've added a verse and chorus. Jeff and David composed a new tune.

A learner recording and lead sheet are available for download at Reformed Praise.

Day of Judgment, Day of Wonders

There are not a lot of great songs about judgment day. But here is one.

David Ward has slightly updated and clarified John Newton's hymn text, "Day of Judgment, Day of Wonders," and set it to "WO IST JESUS," the tune to "Stricken, Smitten and Afflicted."

Check out Congregational Songs

If you're looking for fresh songs for corporate worship and rich insight into the same, be sure to frequent Congregational Songs, the blog of Jeff Bourque.

Jeff is the Director of Worship and Prayer Ministries at Grace Community Church in Brentwood, TN. He collaborates at Reformed Praise and contributed to their latest album, Merciful to Me.

"The Lord Is:" A Transforming Hymn Project for Church & Family

Over the next 15 weeks, David and I will be posting our 15 hymns on the attributes of God from our "The Lord Is" project.

Each hymn follows the same three-stanza structure: (1) what the attribute is, (2) how it relates to the Gospel and (3) how it applies to the Christian life. They all can be sung to the tune of "A Mighty Fortress," or one of two newly composed tunes.

I'd encourage churches and parents to consider follow these posts. Consider singing one of these hymns each Sunday morning (and then singing and discussing it as a family after supper each night) for the next 15 weeks. Imagine how it might shape (and reshape) our view of who our great Lord is! 

See details of the project here. The first hymn of the series, "The Lord is One," is up here.

The Gospel of Grace

Download free sheet music, lead sheet and learner recording here.

The gospel of grace: from before time began
God chose to redeem me and fashioned a plan
That holy and blameless and unto His praise
I might be adopted to show forth His grace.
The gospel of grace: in the fullness of time
God sent a redeemer who, doing no crime,
Would die for my sin and then conquer the grave
To purchase the ones He was given to save.

The gospel of grace came when dead in my sin,
It told me of Jesus and pointed to Him.
When faith and repentance invaded my heart
Forgiveness, full pardon, my God did impart.
The gospel of grace now reminds me each day
In sin and in failure His favor will stay
For not through self-loathing or deeds that I’ve done
But only in Jesus acceptance is won.

The gospel of grace when I take my last breath
Will be my one comfort to bear me through death;
And should I die peaceful or suffer great pain,
This gospel assures me that death will be gain.
The gospel of grace, for eternity long,
Will be my delight and the theme of my song;
With saints from all nations I’ll join to proclaim:
All glory to Jesus, the Lamb who was slain!

The gospel of grace, O how precious indeed,
Past, present, and future meets all of my needs;
So until the day when I look on Your face–
Lord, keep me believing the gospel of grace.

Songwriters: Eric Schumacher & David L. Ward

© 2008 ReformedPraise.org

CCLI Song #5252044

There is No Sin That I Have Done

There is no sin that I have done
That has such height and breadth
It can’t be washed in Jesus’ blood
Or covered by His death.

There is no spot that still remains,
No cause to hide my face,
For He has stooped to wash me clean
And covered me with grace.

There is no wrath that I will know,
No wormwood and no gall;
For though such wounds and grief I earned
My Savior bore them all.

There is no work that I must add
To stand before His throne.
I only plead His life and death
Sufficient on their own.

There is no love that I desire
But Jesus’ warm embrace.
While now I know His love by faith
I long to see His face.

There is no song that I will sing,
No melody but this,
That my Beloved, He is mine,
For He has made me His.

Hear it and download music here.

by Eric Schumacher & David L. Ward

© 2008 ReformedPraise.org

CCLI Song #5524916

"Merciful to Me" Release Concert - Special Guest, Jake Armerding

If you're near Minneapolis, be sure to check out the official release concert for Reformed Praise's new album Merciful to Me. On Saturday, October 23rd, 2010 many of the artists who appeared on the new album will join together for a night of worship through song. Come enjoy 13 old and new hymns set to a variety of music and performed by some outstanding musicians. Tickets available here.

Our special guest is Jake Armerding. The Boston Globe calls singer-violinist Jake Armerding “the most gifted and promising songwriter to emerge from the Boston folk scene in years.” Check out Jake's website.

Merciful to Me - $8.99 @ Amazon.com

Download Merciful to Me from Amazon.com.

Free CD's

Reformed Praise is giving away copies of their latest CD, Merciful to Me.

Find out how to get yours.

Merciful to Me - Available on iTunes

Our new album, Merciful to Me, is now available in the iTunes music store. 

If you've already listened to the album, please add a rating or review.

Otherwise, pick up a digital copy from iTunes or from our own store. It will be another couple of weeks before we have the physical CDs in hand.

LifeTogether reviews "Merciful to Me"

At LifeTogether,  Doug Wolter and his worship pastor Benjamin Brainard review Merciful to Me.

New Album :: Merciful to Me

Our latest release from Reformed Praise, Merciful to Me, is now available for purchase as a download or pre-order as a CD.

Merciful to Me was co-produced by Steve Cook. It features vocals from Jeff Bourque, Devon Kauflin, Shannon Harris, Jake Armerding, Lucia Newell, and others. That's not to mention a host of great instrumentalists.

God's Timing for a Weary Saint Cast Down

Last Wednesday morning, my wife and I received from her doctor the hard news that the baby in her womb had died. She was almost three months pregnant. We were joyfully anticipating a new little one running around our home. It was certainly a sorrowful day.

How Does Jesus Show Us the Father?

David Ward explains the goal of our new hymn project through a sermon, "Like Father, Like Son."

He Is Altogether Lovely

He is altogether lovely,

Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord.

We delight to see His glory

As unfolded in His Word.

In one person are conjoining

Attributes diverse and grand.

The eternal God and Maker,

In the flesh and form of man.

High, we see the Lion of Judah

Coming in His might to reign.

Low, we see Him condescending

As the Lamb who would be slain.

Perfect justice, endless glory,

And unrivaled majesty

Meet transcendent grace and meekness,

Perfect in humility.

One and equal with the Father,

Absolute in sov’reignty,

He resigns in full submission;

Deepest rev’rence bends His knee.

He, whose is supreme dominion,

Does obey His Father’s will.

He, the self-sufficient fountain,

Trusts in God His needs to fill.

He is worthy of all honor.

He is worthy of all praise.

Yet with patience in His suff’rings,

No complaint do His lips raise.

He, our Judge, the Lion of Judah,

Is our Savior and God’s Lamb.

He is altogether lovely,

Jesus Christ, the great I AM!

© 2004 ReformedPraise.org 

Songwriter: Eric Schumacher

Tune: HYFRYDOL (Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus)