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Theme • 34 songs

Joy

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If you take a good look at the incredible world that God has created it's kind of hard not to feel a rising sense of gratitude and joy. The world really is remarkable and filled with beauty - we only really have to take a moment to stop and notice it. This song came from one of those moments. I was walking the dog on a gloriously sunny day, blue skies, green grass, listening to a chord sequence James had sent me for a co-write, and my heart began to overflow with the beauty of the day. I began writing the chorus as I walked and the song grew from there. When I sing it I'm transported back to that beautiful day and am filled again with the delight of that moment and thankfulness to God for what is available to us, right on our doorsteps.
At our former church we would do a 'testimony conga' where we'd open up the chance for anyone to come up to the mic and share something that God had done in their lives that week. As people shared short testimonies of what God had been saying or doing, more and more would get up from their seats and join the back of the queue. When we share how God is impacting our lives, faith rises and we remember more and more stories of His goodness. I wanted to write a simple song that would embrace the joy of that moment and encourage us as a family of God to celebrate all the good things He was doing in our community, something that would break up the speaking part of the sharing and draw everyone else into the moment, so you could sing together, have a group of testimonies, celebrate by singing together, have some more... Your story is a part of my story, this is our testimony.
Pilgrimage involves confronting the unknown. We realize that we are not in control of outcomes. On his journey, walking through remote wilderness, the pilgrim considers where to look for help. In this psalm he recounts many ways that God is his helper and Guardian, even in times of doubt or pain. God’s sovereign power in creation and his steadfast love for his people are our sure hope of safety.
Jon Cairns, Joy Cairns
"Emmanuel" isn't just for Christmas. We often use this name for God when referring to Jesus being born as a man on Earth, hence why it's more commonly used in the run-up to Christmas. But God has always been with us, and will continue to be with us by His Spirit. My wife and I wrote this song as part of the 12 Song Challenge for 2024.
In the Psalms, Zion is not merely a name for Jerusalem, but a poetic reference to the place where God dwells, and where his blessing is available to his people. While the blessing is all from God, we do not receive it passively, but reach out for it actively in trust and obedience. Joy and peace begin in the fear of God, following Jesus in all our endeavors. As we trust God to provide, he will restore us in his time: individually, in our families, and in his kingdom to come.