Sidewalks Prophets Release
Live Like That Review
Sidewalk Prophets are one band who lives out the scripture in Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever." No strangers to the Christian music industry and claiming New Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards in 2010, they continue to touch lives. This group of musical epistles released their latest album "Live Like That" the latter part of March 2012. Birthing a new generation of listeners and stirring the hearts again of those already humbled by previous encounters of the third kind (spiritually speaking).
The relevance and maturity that the lyrics bring together by these gentleman, combined with the love they have for God and people creates a supernatural energy right into the lives of those who hear it. "Live Like That", was created to motivate us to become people that others want to live like. A disposition in us created by the spirit of God for others to see and desire to emulate.
I was blessed with an opportunity to interview Dave, Cal, Shaun, Ben and Justin in Atlanta of 2011. It was a surreal moment for me because even though I get to talk to several people who have ministered to me, these guys really touch my heart through their music. I can relate so deeply to the messages in their songs.Did I mention the fact that they are extremely fun loving and just truly down to earth humble guys? One of the highlights of my writing career, not because of who they were but because of how much the love of God shined through them that I had already heard in their music.
They spoke briefly about working on the new CD in the future. Dave mentioned they were not changing direction that they still planned to "Demonstrate the gospel of Christ through song in a message that people can relate to as regular people". That pretty much sums up "Live Like That", except for the fact that Sidewalk Prophets are not just regular people. They are a rare breed that exemplify Jesus in spirit and in truth staying humble while producing flawless inspirational and challenging lyrics to bring us to a closer walk with God.
This five-man band has a way of creating a personal experience into a song and building it to anticipation, then relating that same experience from the perspective of a Christ centered relationship. It’s like each song is a movie and right at the perfect moment in that scene that has you on the edge of your seat, it happens. You know what I am talking about! It’s that thing that has you overwhelmed with happiness, excitement or has you brushing away the tears, don’t fight it! God wants us to stay sensitive. Remember He is close to those who have a broken and contrite spirit (Psalm 34:18). That is one of the reasons I recommend this album.The album starts off with a symphonic prelude to Hebrews 12:1, which is what generated the creation of the production, according to Dave.
"We have this cloud of witnesses around us and perseverance is important and it takes integrity to like that, to live like Christ."
The first release off the album obviously matches the title and can be found on track two, or currently playing every hour on just about every Christian radio station. It does hold a different meaning to each of the members, yet demonstrates the desire each of them have to live a life selfless. Whether it is for someone else near to them that looks up to them, or someone that has influenced them that they want to live like. Living an unselfish life as Christ did no matter what the purpose is a goal we should all have."Love, Love, Love", is an upbeat message about how you can see love in the things we do and how it comes back to us when we give it out. It calls us to love others as Christ loved us nailing His love to the cross. It is a celebratory song of appreciation.
One of my favorite songs on the CD is "Save My Life". We often go about our day to day lives not asking God to give us a word of wisdom or knowledge or encouragement to speak to another. God can use all of us to say something right at that specific moment to change a person’s life, but we have to be sensitive to hear it and speak it. Truly a plea for us to be attentive to the needs of others and the spirit of God to speak through us.I wanted to share a testimony video I made in regards to this song that changed my life; because it was one of most amazing God moments I have experienced to date. At the end of the testimony I sing along with them to the song but feel free to skip that part! Please listen to the testimony though I left some of the experience out of this video cause I started getting choked up talking about it again. I actually made this after doing the CD Review but decided to throw this in here.
One of the most humbling songs on the album is "Keep Making Me". With lyrics that come from a heart that truly desires to be surrendered to God.
"Make me lonely so I can be yours, until I want no one more than you Lord; cause in the darkness I know you will hold me. Make me lonely. Until you are my one desire, until you are my one true love. Until you are my breath my everything, Lord please keep making me."
"It’s Good, Love’s Not Safe", is my favorite song on this album. It’s such a true heartfelt and learned message. It’s not one for the person who believes that all is candy and roses when you accept Christ as your Lord and Savoir. It’s truth, and it’s proven. Lyrically and melodically this song is brilliant and moving and validates the powerful relationship experienced when someone truly understands and has grown through a submissive adoration of Christ. "Anything good in life is gonna take a sacrifice, don’t let up when it gets tough, don’t ever give up the fight. Everything you need in life was given by His sacrifice, I will give it all to you, I will give it all to Christ. He’s not safe at all. He might let you fall. He’s not easy, but He’s good. He will take your time. He might feel unkind. He will break you, but He’s good."
Many people find themselves struggling as Christians trying to find the right direction to go and what the purpose is that God has for them in their lives. "Help Me Find It",
From a different direction, "Wrecking Ball" is a plea from someone struggling to separate themselves from the fleshly desires that we all battle against.
"Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us" and "For You Tonight" continue to deliver messages of encouragement and hope as the album comes to end with the delivery of "This Is Not Goodbye". This is probably one of the most touching songs I have ever heard in my life. It is relevant to so many different situations and I can see it touching the lives of so many people. Dave delivers a brilliant vocal on this song with the help of his ingenious musicians and producer Ian Eskelin. I believe that it is a great bow on this lovely gift that they have given all of us out here in the world to unwrap and treasure.
Sidewalk Prophets are examples of living epistles carrying about the love of God to others through musical messages and video devotionals. They encourage thousands upon thousands of people in all age groups. For those who have had the opportunity to enjoy "Live Like That", I would be curious to know if you picked a favorite. If you have not taken advantage of the artistic gift these men humbly created for you, don’t wait another second to take pleasure in what awaits you in that little case. It may just save your life, or give you the courage to make a difference in someone else’s.
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