Sing-A-Long With Tim

    
     Straight out of Orange County, Tim Timmons and his wife of 18 years, Hilary are currently residing in Nashville, Tennessee with their 4 children Malia, Noah, and twins Aaron and Anna.

     When Tim was living in Orange County he was a worship leader for almost two decades which is easily recognizable on his most recent album release through Provident Label Group/ Reunion Records. 

     One of the reasons I titled this review "Sing-A-Long With Tim", is because the musicianship on Awake Our Souls produces melodies that you can easily begin to catch onto and by the second chorus you are already joining right in with him the first time you hear each song.  That is a trademark quality of someone who has been a worship leader.  It's all about inviting everyone else into the moment with you blessing the Lord and encouraging one another. 

     Tim's last album Cast My Cares received a large amount of radio play and his goal with that album was to make believers of Jesus actually become followers of Jesus.  Not to just go through the set motions of how we are supposed to act, but to engage the world drawing them to Christ.  On Awake Our Souls Tim shares what his ultimate goal was behind the process and selection of songs he passionately captured.

     The opening title track Awake Our Souls is a high-spirited celebration asking God to open our eyes to the fact that the Kingdom of God resides inside of us.  We are carriers of the freedom that is given to the saints who have entered into a relationship with Christ.  In my opinion this song ends way too soon.  I could have used another verse in there somewhere.  It's one of those songs that takes you to a happy place. 

     Another toe tapper is Everywhere I Go, the message in this song is not to be afraid as long as we are walking with Christ. Knowing He is with us in every step we take, which brings comfort in all circumstances.  I couldn't help at one point mixing in the old country hit "Cotton Eyed Joe", and you will never be able to listen to it again without doing that either (If you know the song I am talking about).  This is definitely one you get stuck in your head quite a bit.  With great lyrics and a melody that won't quit this is sure to be a favorite among his fans.

     Tim continues the engaging melody pattern in, Like I've Been Changed.  "When I seek you first who knows what you will bring. Oh Jesus turn me upside down, shape my world till yours is found. Let my life show that I believe."  This song struck a chord with me bringing to remembrance a recent album review I did from Dan Bremnas.  Not that they sound like each other, but both of these guys are very good at creating earworms. 
     
     With all of the album reviews I have done I have come to the conclusion that if you make it through the third song on an album and you are impressed that's a good indication how things are going to progress.  Tim did not change my mind on this philosophy as he delivers throughout the entire album.    

     One video I must share happens to be one of my favorite songs right now.  Sometimes life can be overwhelming and we don't always understand situations and circumstance that we are currently facing. However, we find our way to the center of His grace and mercy placing our soul in His care.  He knows our struggles better than we do and this song although I had already grown to love it, really hit me right in my spirit the other day and has now been deemed my favorite on the album. Without further ado the video below for Rest My Soul.
    

    

     I feel Tim is easily able to express the lyrical components of this album because he is a living over-comer.  Being diagnosed with incurable cancer and fighting this battle for the last fourteen years of his life (told he would only live five by doctors) he doesn't stop that from letting him live freely as a wonderful Father, Husband and demonstrator of the gospel.  Not only does he share his tremendous faith through music, but also through an extended ministry he calls "Motel Church", which you can read about on his Website. 
 

     The Lord instructs us not to weary in well doing.  In The Outcome Tim demonstrates the importance of letting God lead our steps.  "To live the life you've put inside, till your work is done, I surrender the outcome. "  Trusting God with what He knows lies ahead has never been an easy task, but we learn that releasing the reigns to Him gives us joy unspeakable and full of Glory.  

     Right Beside Me, confirms the trust we find in Christ even when we can't see the outcome, we can look back and see that He has never left us.  "I'm here in the cold, in the dark, oh I'm overwhelmed but I'm not alone.  As I fix my eyes on you, I put my hope in you.  I can brave the storm, I can walk the sea.  I can step out on the waves cause your with me."

     Tim has a desire for the living water inside each believer to pour out to others who need to experience the hope we have in Christ.  Spring Up confronts this, questioning if we believe are we truly living it out? "Spring up a well in my soul and let the flood go.  Open the gates every heart and let the river flow.  Till we can see till we believe that you are everything.  All that we need."  

     Though most of the album is filled with higher tempo melodies there are a few beautiful worship songs that are just as challenging to all of us who truly want to become all that God calls us to be. All I Really Want is a beautiful invitation from someone asking God to take complete control of their lives.  "You are welcome to come have your way.  You are welcome to move in this place. Take over my heart, take over my soul, take over my life spirit of God."

     One of my favorite songs, Finally Breathing emotes so much freedom in what one comes to grasp as they embrace surrender.  I truly feel the passion that was lightly wrapped around this lyric and the presentation poured out of his heart. "If all I do is just survive, I'll waste this one and only life.  Your love moves me to my feet, it's like I'm finally breathing."  This is a truly beautiful work of art.  

     You Are God (That I May), is the only song I have not talked about yet.  First I must say this is a great radio song.  I can see a lot of people being truly blessed by this.  However, this song though simple in lyric, has a profound deep statement that causes me to cry every time I listen to it.  If we as people could grasp a hold of what Tim shares in this song 
no matter what they face they would realize they still win. Though we can be broken down and hurting, struggling and not understand why, God is still good.  

 

"I'll praise you, not that I have to, not that I ought to, but that I may." 

    
     What a privilege we have to worship our God in spirit and in truth.  No matter what our current circumstances may look like, one thing we can always count on is that He already knows the outcome and just trust Him.  All I can say is allow Tim's new album to Awake Your Soul, and try to catch him on tour with Mercy Me through November 14th.

 “We talk about all these things I’ve known about my whole life — like freedom in Jesus and overwhelming joy — but I’ve never known it until now and it’s just this awakening in my soul. The goal of this record is to invite people into a new reality of the Kingdom of God that is around us all the time.” -Tim Timmons

 

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Jason Crabb Takes You Down a DIfferent Road



     Singer, Songwriter, Actor and Author, Jason Crabb is not one that generally needs to be introduced to anyone.  Not only does he have a street named after him in his hometown of Beaver Dam, Kentucky but he's been linked to over 21 Dove Awards including the amazing Crabb Family recordings.   


     Most people regardless of musical preference have either been a fan or have at least heard of Jason and seen his families presence for almost two decades through the Christian music industry. 


     Stepping out into his first solo recording in 2009, he earned his first Grammy award. This year, he took a leap of faith into a new sound production through Reunion Records, released on September 18, 2015.  Though it is his fifth solo project it is his first with Reunion bringing with him the same passion and spirit behind the performances we've all come to know and love. 

     I remember over a decade ago I happened to be a choir member at Pastor Todd Hoskins Church.  

Jason Crabb, Pastor Hoskins and Aaron Crabb

Pastor Hoskins and the Crabb Family  have always been good friends and they came to perform one weekend and invited the choir to sing the well known anthem Through The Fire  along with them.  During that time of my life I was in the fire and that moment is one that I will always remember and be thankful to be a part of.

     I had the opportunity to meet Jason and his family that weekend and talked to him for awhile and though he probably wouldn't remember me, he was one of the nicest people I had ever met.  Him and his family are about as friendly and down to earth as they come.  They always stay humble and thankful for all that God has done for them both in their lives and in their ministries.  I'm sure Jason does not fall short in his gratitude for the opportunity he was given to bless his listeners with this new sound he has created.

     "Whatever The Road" God has planned for Jason ahead one thing is for sure, this album prepares a platform that opens many new avenues for his music to be heard.  With a more contemporary sound throughout, while not completely losing his country gospel roots he integrates a little old with a little new creating a special unique delivery that no one else is currently providing in the industry. 

     He Knows What He's Doing (video below), is a heartfelt profession of trusting God in the unknown and the heartache. This song demonstrates his natural ability to share a relevant message passionately. "His ways are higher than our own whatever the road."

     The melody on Never Gonna Let Me Go is one that definitely gets you nodding your head.  Often times before we know Christ we walk through troubled times alone and in darkness without hope.  This song expresses the joy found in a worshiper who knows He always has His arms around us no matter what.  "I can't hold back, I can't contain it.  For all He's done, Jesus my Savior"

     As I listen to the album I hear different songs that seem like they should already be on the radio.  Chance For A Miracle in my opinion will be one of the favorites off the album by many people.  Great vocals by Jason and the message is for just about anyone who hears it.  "And then I'm heart heavy, halfway through the midnight hour.  Waiting for the sun to rise.  Still hoping; still praying; There's an answer waiting on the other side.  It might look to difficult, it might look impossible.  But Oh God let it be a chance for a miracle."

     If I Shout will take many of Jason's long time listeners right to a place they want to be.  A perfect combination of gospel/contemporary and vocals that won't stop this truly is a great story of why we can't help but to celebrate what we have found in Christ."For anyone who knows they've got a future and home beyond the grave. Every life's a different story, how He led us out of darkness into light.  There's no way to keep us silent, every breaths another chance to testify."

     

      One of the things Jason has always been is a family man.  It's A Good Life is a representation of staying true to living life to the fullest no matter how busy or hectic things seem to get. Jason and his wife Shellye are a testimony of a union held together tight through the love of Christ.  I think they have found the fountain of youth as well because it seems they don't age a bit! "But it's a good life, it's a real good life and these are the days that we will want back.  It's a good life, it's a real good life.  So hold on tight girl, it's moving fast." 

     Home will be a favorite for those who long to enter into our next destination. "How beautiful Heaven must be, sweet home of the happy and free. Absent from the body with Jesus at last.  Destination Heaven, cares all past." This Life For You testifies the desire to want to please the Lord in all that we do.  "When all is said and all is done.  My time on Earth is through, may all my days say one thing, I lived this life for you."

     We have all experienced things that cannot be explained away by chance.  The intervention that comes by the mighty hand of God don't make sense in the natural state. Mysterious Ways tells a story of a young man and his friend who walk away from an accident without a scratch and end up giving his life to the Lord.  

     One of my personal favorites off the album, You Are Good expresses the gratitude toward our Heavenly Father of the sacrifices He gave to set us free.  "For my life, you felt the pain of every step. My crown of thorns upon your head I won't forget.  You've opened up my eyes to see, you are good."

     For those who have always loved hearing Jason throw his heart out in a vocally passionate encouraging masterpiece, He Won't Leave You There will be your song of the year. Brilliantly written and award worthy,  I almost thought I heard an emotional moment in the recording, where Jason got choked up. Written to touch the heart of someone going through a difficult season in life, he wraps himself in the unfolding of this vocally rich expression of hope.  I would love to be present to see him perform this one live. 
     
     Whatever The Road, will delightfully surprise long time fans and without a doubt gain Jason a new listening audience. He has crossed the lines creating a new sound that is genuine and authentic. There is something special that awaits anyone who decides to see where this road leads.

“I’ve never wanted to be pigeon-holed. I just wanted to make music. I finally found that if you're part of the creative process of the song, then it becomes you. With this record, I feel like it's a little more of who I am than what I’ve been. It’s where I want to be and it's wonderful.”

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