Hillsong Cornerstone Live Review

Brushing on Heavenly Perfection

     Throughout history there are musicians that leave impressions on the generations to follow and carve their names in the hearts of fans and enthusiasts worldwide. Elvis Presley marked the Rock-n-Roll Era, while Michael Jackson dominated the Pop/Rock Industry.

      Today before a great cloud of witnesses, Hillsong has once again mastered the corporate worship realm of contemporary Christian music. Powerfully demonstrating their calling of leading people into the shekinah glory with their 21st live recording, Cornerstone.

     Sparrow Records will release the album on July 3, 2012. Allowing the rest of the world to partake in the powerful praise and worship that was shared by tens of thousands during the live recording in Sydney Australia last fall. Birthed out of a heartbreaking tragedy that hit Norway last summer, taking the lives of at least 70 innocent victims.

     Worship leader Reuban Morgan stated, "When you write songs that people sing as part of their worship to God there is a bit of your soul that shares the aches of those around you. When there is tragedy, the song of lament wakes up with you, and when there is joy, the sound of praise fills your ears. To some it might seem really odd to reach for a guitar when tears are falling on scuffed up shoes, but I really don’t know any other way of being."

    For those who have walked through their life with Christ being encouraged and strengthened through the realm of praise and worship, this album is definitely a buyer. Avid followers of Hillsong who also follow the breakaway solo albums created by the slew of team members will be positively delighted by new songs offered on Cornerstone.

     Though the overall sound stays true to what they know best, this group of worship leaders submerge themselves in humble adoration, incomparable vocal sprightliness and artistic musicianship that brushes on Heavenly perfection.

     As Christ is called our Chief cornerstone in Ephesians 2:20, truly believing He is Lord of all is a learning experience that comes through submission, trust and obedience. Cornerstone which is the title track, touches on these topics and becomes a song of encouragement for those going through the fire."When darkness seems to hide his face, I rest on His unchanging grace."

     The worship is enticing and the melody will bring a satisfying release to your spirit. Even those who have overcome hardships will be reminded in this song of the goodness of God. The true spirit of thankfulness echoes through the guitar strings on the entire album but I discern this song was a more significant piece.

 

     Cornerstone is filled with conventional corporate worship ballads that we all love and expect to experience.  Beneath the Waters is a corporal testimony of the courage and strength bestowed upon those who rise above all circumstance as the faith of Christ gives them wings like Eagles. "I stand to sing your praises, I stand to testify. I will rise, I will rise as Christ was raised to life, now in Him, now in Him I live."

     Greater Than All paints the picture of how good God is and how He consumes all things. While Grace Abounds talks about how He was consumed for us so that we might have life in all things through Him. "Your grace abounds to me, (your grace abounds to me). Jesus in you I’ve found all that I need." With the signature repetitive build to "All powerful, all glorious there is nothing like the name of Jesus."

     With the focal point of the album being placed on the hope we find in Christ, it was not a surprise to run across the worship addition All of My Hope. Continuing in the traditional harmonious repetition that builds in steady motion they deliver medicine for the soul. "Here in my weakness, you are always the same. Your love is my shelter. Your life is my way. All my hope is in you. All my strength is in you. With every breath my soul will rest in you."

     An album like this full of heartfelt worship shared by so many people in a live setting is very difficult to separate the emotion and the exemplification demonstrated through the artistic fortitude in each piece. I would venture to say that most if not all of them have gone through some tremendous life changing experience that has allowed them to fully lay their lives in the hands of creator. They are able to create stories through their songs portraying different segments of learning of His love, standing in His love and surrendering to His love.

     Many of us walk through life and get hurt by those who we trust while seeking out confidence in others that we can truly only find in Christ. He forgives and forgets and is always there to help or encourage us. He is the one who does not know when or how to stop loving us. Love Knows No End, hones in on that concept. After coming to the realization of His love. Stand in Awe communicates the steadfastness that holds us to the core of our faith knowing that in all things He is good.

 

     Once we realize that God is good and that He knows the plans which He has made for us to prosper it doesn’t take long to lay it all down at the foot of the cross. I Surrender, which happens to be in my top two favorites on the album leads the way for a total submersion into the fullness of His glory. This song will take you back to your prayer closet where you will find yourself with arms held high with tears streaming down your face. Desperately seeking His will for your life, surrendering everything over to Him once again. "With arms stretched wide, I know you hear my cry. Speak to me now (speak to me now). I surrender (I surrender). I want to know you more."

Official Video of I Surrender off the Live DVD

     One of the best things about Hillsong is they know how to balance harmoniously between praise and worship. Endless Light sets the atmosphere for a joyous celebratory expression for the never-ending love that Jesus carries for all of us. The radio debut Hope of the World, holds both a live recording and studio version and is another traditional praise song letting the Lord know that He is all we need. Children of the Light is a free spirited song describing the power that He places in us to be about our Father’s business. "Children of the light blazing through the night taking back what the devil has stolen. Calling on your name breaking every chain, Jesus everlasting Savoir."

      Running is one of my favorite praise songs on Cornerstone. This song establishes the heart of a child of God running toward His promises. Containing some of the best lyrics on the album in my personal opinion with a melody that is contagious, this is bound to be a favorite added to any praise and worship teams attempt to get people off the pews with their arms raised and feet moving.

     As a body we must press toward the mark, with no intentions on stopping before we see the throne of grace. "Letting go of every mistake, we’re throwing out the chains of restraint, and all that will remain is passion for your name burning as we run this race."

     There are three customary bonus tracks that continue to display the intangible praise and worship that leads to restoration and growth in Christ. I Desire Jesus is a beautiful addition recognizing how glorious He really is. Love So High is a passionate depiction of how intensely Jesus loves us. "Thorns that made a crown. Forgiveness falling down. Your wounds are our healing. The earth began to move and all of Heaven knew death was defeated. And all because of you Jesus."

     The last bonus track Praise Him is a free spirited joyful noise with the anticipated engagement of all involved in a moment of jubilation. Sharing praise for our Heavenly Father transferring from breast to breast as He dances amongst the shouts of adoration and gratitude. I have been a part of such instances and there is nothing like what you experience in that moment. It’s hard to believe that is only a glimpse of what it will be like to dance upon the streets of glory.

     As contemporary praise and worship has demonstrated over the years it is an unfailing industry based on the experience people have in the presence of God. It is not based on topping the charts nor is it based on album sales. It is based on the personification of a spirit broken and healed by the Master Healer Himself. Hillsong has managed to excel in all categories because of their ability to perfect the latter. They run with the torch of the high calling of praise and worship and if the Olympics were a spiritual battle I would definitely identify them as the gold medal recipient. Thankfully however, God sees all of us as champions and Lord willing our reward will far exceed a simple gold medal.

Purchase Cornerstone Live Now

     There will be a DVD purchase offered with the live recording experience available with the album. However, this fall Hillsong United plan to revisit the United States bringing this live worship experience to a place near you. One thing is for certain, you can bet your bottom dollar, I will be somewhere in the midst of all that glory. I will stand with them on that solid Cornerstone of faith along with the rest of those of you who are torch carriers!

     If your desire is to know Jesus you should be running to praise Him. If you believe His grace abounds and all your hope rests in His love that knows no end this album will take you beneath the waters as He pours His refreshing spirit out upon His people that streams down from His love so high. Cornerstone live will cause you to stand in awe as you surrender to His endless light knowing He is greater than all becoming all He can in the children of the light who He desires to be the hope of the world.

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