If you’ve been around a while, you probably know that in the weeks leading up to the release of each record, or the weeks following the release of the record, we post a series of blogs that tell you the stories behind each song. Well, I had a lot of songs I really liked that didn’t make it on to this record. And since I don’t yet know when this record is going to be released, I decided to do a series of blogs on the songs you’re not going to hear on the record. I know that’s weird, but hey, it’s my blog. And this way you’ll be somewhat familiar with them in case I ever pull any of them out in a concert. Let’s see, where to start?
How about with the song that started every concert of the 2010 fall tour with Pocket Full of Rocks… “God Can Rescue Me”. I suppose I had been listening to too much Steve Earle before I wrote this song. The thing is I’m almost always listening to something before I write that always pulls me away from the middle of the road Christian radio. But apparently this time I swerved too far to the left. Or the right. It’s hard to say. Either way, it’s a good song, but it didn’t make it on the new record. That is not to say that it’s anyone’s fault: producer, label, radio, or anyone else. It just means that these songs either got beaten out in the process or just didn’t fit where we were going. So here is its moment in the sun.
God Can Rescue Me
I can climb any mountain
I can sail any sea
But I haven’t found any place yet
Where God cannot rescue me
From the barren plains of Zimbabwe
To the crowded streets of Tokyo
God has proved He can rescue
No matter where I go
I can’t outrun the reach of His hand
The measure of His power can’t be taken by man
His Spirit’s hounded me all across this land
Wherever I go, I know God can rescue me
From the darkest valleys of my sin
To the corners where my secrets hide
Whatever mess I find myself in
I know that there God’s rescue lies
There God’s rescue lies
I can’t outrun the reach of His hand
The measure of His power can’t be taken by man
His Spirit’s hounded me all across this land
Wherever I go, I know God can rescue me
Nothing can separate me from His love
Nothing can separate me
Nothing can separate me from His love
I can’t outrun the reach of His hand
The measure of His power can’t be taken by man
His Spirit’s hounded me all across this land
Wherever I go, I know God can rescue me
c. 2011 Ardent/Koala Music (ASCAP)
I have always had an inordinate amount of respect for my ability to sin. I know that may sound strange but consider it for a moment. We look at our sin, our most shameful moments, and they seem insurmountable. We gaze into their darkness and we despair. Yet we rarely contrast their darkness to the strength of the light. My greatest sin cannot in any way compare to the power of the blood of my Savior. I fear my sin because I stare at it, much like the army of Israel stared at Goliath. But compared to the might of Jehovah, Goliath was less threatening than an ant. Not even a fire ant. Just a regular old worker ant. And my sin is no different. Yes, it is serious enough for me to deserve eternal punishment, but it is no obstacle to the will of my God. I have not managed to foil God’s plan for salvation. I can run from God for my whole life, and yet He can cover that distance in a step as soon as I turn to Him. The rescue of God is always just a request away.
Thoughts?
Todd
I love the thought “I have not managed to foil God’s plan for salvation.” Believe me, if a mess can be made, I’m the girl for the job! Thanks for reminding me of this ever powerful, ever saving truth!
Powerful words in the song and comments. A reminder that although we have salvation through Christ, we are not free of sin.
This song is powerful, both lyrically and musically, and really too bad it’s not on the new record because rescue/redemption is needed so desperately in our world today. I’m always intrigued by the story behind the song. Looking forward to more.
Wow, this should be my life song. God has rescued me many times, no mater what I do or how many times I fall, he is…. just a request away. My life story for real! I try hard not to let him down anymore, he’s been too good to me!
Todd,
your lyrics are great, and thought provoking. I would love to hear the song with your music. My husband and I are anxiously waiting the release of the new album. Back in December in CC TX you mentioned to us that one would be released this year. So we are excited for you. Regarding your thoughts on sin, and your personal awareness of it. That is very good, it is a true act of humility that not many people can discuss. I agree that our Lords mercy and grace will always reach us where ever we may find ourselves, For we know it is endless, Your expressed it so beautifully in your song, The Love of God, from Need. (My personal favorite from that album.) Although my husband and I really enjoy the whole work.
I have come to the same realization,of God’s love being just a step away we just have to ask with a true heart. That is a great consolation from scripture, defined perfectly in the parable of the workers during each segment of the day; and then Jesus exercising the principle by absolving the thief on Calvary. These are some of the beautiful truths in scripture. Thank you again for sharing the song with us. I look forward to one day hearing it at the next concert we get to attend!
Hello Todd,
As always, it was a blessing and a pleasure to be a part of one of your worship services. Now that I’m home, it seems appropriate to sit down and journal my experience from the weekend. And it was a great weekend.. .
But before that I thought stopping in here would be a good idea. Your message on knowing what we want to be when we grow up is probably relevant to most of us. I have a few years on you, and I’m still working on that one too. God doesn’t give us the blue print to our lives; He usually just gives us that “next right step”. All we have to do is hold onto His hand and do the next right thing, and not worry.
Now to address the question you’ve posed here, since it’d be rude to post here and not at least pretend to follow the acceptable format.
I’ve been reading Bonhoeffer’s “Ethics” recently, and it’s going to take me a long time to get through it. Partly because I’m a slow reader (or at least that accusation has been made), and partly because it’s so deep that one needs to marinate in it to gain the full benefit of reading it. See, now I have an excuse for being a slow reader.
In the beginning of the book, Bonhoeffer talks about it being important for the believer to not spend time thinking about what we do that is either good or bad. Of course we need to examine our lives, but that’s not where our focus should be. Our focus should be on Jesus and abiding in Him. The humility of the believer should be such that we are largely unaware of our good and bad, but only of our relationship with the Christ. Okay, he goes into great detail and spends a lot of words clarifying this point, so a quick summary might not do him justice, but it’ll work for now.
Blessings to you and yours, and I will (emphasis on that word) be praying for you.
Tess