InterHigh Fellowship » Music

Slow Fade by Casting Crowns

stephensun — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 03:27:47 +0000

“Slow Fade” is performed by Casting Crowns. This song carries a profound message as it speaks about how it has become more and more common for Christians to become morally compromised. The lyrics have a certain level of simplicity and innocence yet they carry deep meaning, describing how small steps of compromise, though seemingly unimportant, transition into deeper and more serious sins. The lines “The journey from your mind to your hands is shorter than you’re thinking, be careful if you think you stand you just might be sinking” describe how though we may not immediately feel the effects of our wrongdoings, they add up, and before you know it, you are too engulfed in your sins to get out.

The Message

Mark Hall, the lead singer for Casting Crowns, wrote a small piece about the song and its meaning on the band’s website: ”People don’t crumble in a day. You don’t fall, you fade. In your mind, there’s that pride that says ‘I’d never do that’… but you don’t just do it, it’s a slow, series of compromises, little ones that go there eventually, until you’re sitting in a place you’d never go, doing something you’d’ never do… and yet the way you’re living totally makes sense to you somehow because you’re so numb….This song was inspired by the spreading cancer of moral failure in the fathers of this generation. As believers, we must guard our hearts and understand the no one crashes and burns. They just slowly fade away one little compromise at a time.”

Finally…

This song is a clear reminder that as Christians we cannot let down our guard under any circumstance. There are constant and daily attempts to undermine our belief and moral standing, and we must not compromise in the least. As portrayed in the music video, even the smallest of things can start a downhill slide into committing more grievous sins. It is vital that we stand out by remaining firm in our faith and persevering through any temptation or desire to do even the smallest of wrongs.

Stephen Sun, Alameda High School, Class of 2011.

Here is the music video and the lyrics:

LYRICS – “Slow Fade” by Casting Crowns

Be careful little eyes what you see
It’s the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it’s the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It’s a slow fade, it’s a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you’re thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see

Out of Tune?

kenny — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:24:10 +0000

Whether it is from performing in front of a crowd or just listening to some tunes on an iPod, music is definitely part of everyone’s lives. Music is a big part of my life. I play alto saxophone at band and the piano at home, listen to songs on my iPod, and perform at a local hospital and convalescent homes. What we listen to influences us and how we behave, sometimes in a negative way.

Sam McCroskey was a talented musician all throughout his life. A native of the Bay Area, he was heavily involved in the recording industry and had great potential. Sadly, his life went the wrong direction when he began to immerse himself in horror- core rap. Horror- core is basically a genre of music that talks about killing people. To everyone’s surprise, he got very into the words of his music and in Sept of 2009, he committed a quadruple murder. As a result, he is behind bars and facing a possible life sentence.

This was an unfortunate story of how music can affect one’s life negatively. Even though this might be considered as an extreme case, music has the power to really impact one’s life. If you spend 2 hours of a day (which is the average American teen consumption of music) listening to a song about violence, drugs, and murders, then, although you probably won’t become a serial killer or a sex- offender, you would certainly think and possibly talk about it amongst your friends. Another issue with the so-called “cool” music today is that the use of explicit language is rampant throughout the song. Hearing these words constantly through your ear buds will eventually affect how you interact with people.

Music was originally given by God as a gift. God gave us voices so that we could praise our loving father. People from the Bible like Moses, David, and the Levites were involved in praising God through their songs. Moses taught the Israelites a song to remind them that God is all powerful and that he is the one that led them out of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 32). David sang songs to his king, but more importantly, he praised God through his Psalms. (2 Samuel 22) Last but not least, the Levites were the “praise band” of the Israelite nation. These musicians ultimately used their talents to give glory to God.

Because God gave us music, is it not right for us to give it back to him? Why do teens today rave about people like Beyonce or Kanye West; don’t get me wrong, Beyonce sings beautifully and Kanye is very clever with words. But what are they missing? We have music so that we can give God the ultimate praise that he deserves. We can bring back the original intention for songs by knowing and acting on the true purpose of music through worship of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

“We will sing, sing, sing
And make music with the heavens
We will sing, sing, sing
Grateful that You hear us
When we shout your praise
Lift high the name of Jesus”

(Chris Tomlin)

Andy Suk, San Ramon Valley High School, Class of 2012

“You Belong With Me”

kristenlee — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:00:15 +0000

***This post was inspired by part of a talk given by Pastor Jonathan from Gracepoint-Davis, but I’m sharing the message with you too….

It seems that 1 out of every 3 popular songs these days are about love—longing for it, being upset about it, waiting for it. Teens seem to be especially captivated by love, and seem to think they can fulfill their longing to be loved through teenage relationships.

One very popular song that really speaks about this longing to be loved within people is “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift. In this song, Taylor Swift talks about a girl who longs to be loved by a guy who is in love with someone else, and he doesn’t even seem to care at all about her. Here are some of the lyrics of this song:

Dreaming bout the day when you’ll wake up and find
That what you’re looking for has been here the whole time

If you could see that I’m the one who understands you
Been here all along so why can’t you see?
You belong with me

Standing by here, waiting at your back door,
All this time, how could you not know?
You belong with me

Can’t you see that I’m the one who understand you?
Been here all along so why can’t you see?
You belong with me

In every High School, Middle School, and Elementary School, you find girls and guys literally emotionally moved by this song as they feel like they “identify” with the lyrics as they think about certain guys and girls they love. They seem to think they have truly “been there and done that”. However, this love song undoubtedly portrays the longing of someone else who has genuinely and sincerely gone through such feelings—God, our heavenly Father. Can’t you hear Him singing this love song to you? He is the greatest lover of all time, and He desperately longs for us, His precious children whom He has made. HE has been the one, waiting all along for you, HE is the one dreaming about the day you’ll wake up and find Him, HE is the one who understands you, HE is the one with whom you belong with. And yet, we have all been giving ourselves, our souls to the unfulfilling things of this world–approval from peers, academics, popularity, romance, alcohol, drugs, etc. Imagine how much it breaks His heart as He watches behind the scenes, watching you fall into discontentment again and again as you try to fill your “God-shaped void” in your heart with such things.

We have a God in whose love we can find the ultimate fulfillment—a God who can love us more than anyone, more than any relationship here on earth, and He’s waiting for us. As I thought about this more and more this past week, I was amazed by the extravagance and intensity of God’s love for us. All the lengths He went through to provide for us, to show us His love, to give us free will, to even save us–all at such a high cost. Wow. I don’t think we can ever say we’ve seen or heard of a greater lover ever before.

It’s hard to believe that some people are not even aware of our Father’s bountiful love and sacrifice for us! What a waste of such extravagance! The greatest love story, the gospel, desperately needs to be shared with those who are giving themselves to the unsatisfying things of this world, and they need to be led to fall in love with the great love of our Heavenly Father.

However amazing this message is, it is difficult sharing it. Why is it so difficult? I ask myself the same question time and time again as I fail to take up this calling everyday. I find it difficult, because I get so wrapped up about myself–how I don’t want to get rejected, how I don’t want people to think I’m weird–and I lose focus of the greater picture. You know, after all, I’m only telling a person that someone really loves them. What’s so bad about that? The effect can be for the rest of eternity. It takes one sentence to spark the fire, “‘This is what God, your Heavenly Father, says to you, ‘You belong with me.’”

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” ~John 3:16

Kristen Lee, Davis Senior High School, Class of 2012

The Lord Reigns – Gateway Worship – InterHigh Worship Band Guitar Tutorial

Admin — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:53:40 +0000

The Lord Reigns – Gateway Worship

Below is a quick guitar tutorial by InterHigh Worship Band for the song “The Lord Reigns” by Gateway Worship.

We hope to post more of these in the future.
If you found this to be helpful please comment below and let us know what you think! Also if you have other request, no promises, but please let u know!

Please Double Click on the video below and leave a rating & comment on YouTube!

The Lord Reigns Lyrics – Gateway Worship

The Lord reigns, let the people shout
He reigns in right- eousness
Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice
The Lord reigns, let the people clap their hands
Angels shout, the re- deemed have come to dance
To cele- brate, to celebrate He reigns

CHORUS
The Lord reigns, the Lord reigns
The Lord reigns, we will sing and shout
You reign, You reign
You reign, for- ever King of all
(Repeat Verse & Chorus)

BRIDGE

Let all the people sing of Your awesome power in all the earth
Let darkness tremble at Your Name
Why do the nations rage when the King is on His throne?
Now and forev- er You will reign
(Repeat)

CHORUS

The Lord reigns, the Lord reigns
The Lord reigns, we will sing and shout
You reign, You reign
You reign, for- ever King of all

For- ever King of all
For- ever King of all

“Laughing With” by Regina Spektor

william — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:20:47 +0000

Here’s a song by Regina Spektor, titled “No One’s Laughing at God.” It’s quaint song with poignant lyrics that ring true: No one laughs at God during pain or suffering. Regina’s right when people laugh at God at cocktail parties, when things go wrong, when they find Christians annoying. But she leaves it there and say’s no more. She doesn’t talk about how people feel toward God when they suffer. She doesn’t mention how people blame him and hate him. Regina Spektor leaves that unsaid. So do you think that by leaving it unsaid she is actually speaking it out? And what do you think about the last line of her song–”we’re all laughing with God?” Spektor mentions that God can be funny, but in what sense? Funny to talk about as she suggests in the chorus of this song, or funny in a more sinister sense? In other words, do you think she’s suggesting that God laughs at us when we’re in the midst of our pain and suffering?

Maybe I’m reading into this song a little too much. But what concerns me is the message that people might take when they walk away from this song. The song leaves much room for interpretation and it seems that people can derive a sinister view about God.

The truth about God is that he commiserates with us during our suffering. Christ is the suffering servant (Isaiah 53), and God came down to experience suffering with us. He is not distant and aloof, according to the Deists. Nor is he laughing at us. God is familiar with suffering, and his response is not laughter or ambivalence but the cross, where His son suffered and died.

What’s your take on her song?

Here’s the lyrics and the video.

No One’s Laughing at God by Regina Spektor

No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one’s laughing at God
When they’re starving or freezing or so very poor

No one laughs at God
When the doctor calls after some routine tests
No one’s laughing at God
When it’s gotten real late
And their kid’s not back from the party yet

No one laughs at God
When their airplane start to uncontrollably shake
No one’s laughing at God
When they see the one they love, hand in hand with someone else
And they hope that they’re mistaken

No one laughs at God
When the cops knock on their door
And they say we got some bad news, sir
No one’s laughing at God
When there’s a famine or fire or flood

*Chorus*
But God can be funny
At a cocktail party when listening to a good God-themed joke, or
Or when the crazies say He hates us
And they get so red in the head you think they’re ‘bout to choke
God can be funny,
When told he’ll give you money if you just pray the right way
And when presented like a genie who does magic like Houdini
Or grants wishes like Jiminy Cricket and Santa Claus
God can be so hilarious
Ha ha
Ha ha

No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one’s laughing at God
When they’ve lost all they’ve got
And they don’t know what for

No one laughs at God on the day they realize
That the last sight they’ll ever see is a pair of hateful eyes
No one’s laughing at God when they’re saying their goodbyes
But God can be funny
At a cocktail party when listening to a good God-themed joke, or
Or when the crazies say He hates us
And they get so red in the head you think they’re ‘bout to choke
God can be funny,
When told he’ll give you money if you just pray the right way
And when presented like a genie who does magic like Houdini
Or grants wishes like Jiminy Cricket and Santa Claus
God can be so hilarious

No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one laughing at God in hospital
No one’s laughing at God in a war
No one’s laughing at God when they’re starving or freezing or so very
poor

No one’s laughing at God
No one’s laughing at God
No one’s laughing at God
We’re all laughing with God