ASHLEA BRENEMAN – Okay. I know, I know! I write a lot about John Mark, and you’ve heard John’s name a lot on WJTL recently (thank you Creation Survival Kit Contest), but I can’t help it! I honestly think John Mark is one of the best lyricists today. Inside the church – and out.  He has an ability to explain timeless truths about Jesus in refreshing new ways. I would feel like I’m failing as a lover of music if I didn’t inform you about him.

He is set to re-release The Medicine on July 6, and it will feature four new songs. You can see JMM perform at this year’s Creation East Festival and he will make his second appearance on the Gallery Stage at this year’s Purple Door Festival. Here’s John talking about the album and a video of him performing “Death In His Grave” a great song featured on The Medicine. Enjoy!

Lyrics to “Death In His Grave”

Though the Earth cried out for blood
Satisfied her hunger was
Billows calmed on raging seas
For the souls of men she craved

Sun and moon from balcony
Turned their head in disbelief
Their precious Love would taste the sting
Disfigured and disdained

On Friday a thief
On Sunday a King
Laid down in grief
But woke with the keys
Of Hell on that day
The first born of the slain
The Man Jesus Christ laid
Death in his grave

So 3 days in darkness slept
The Morning Sun of righteousness
But rose to shame the throws of death
And overturn his rule

Now daughters and the sons of men
Would pay not their dues again
The debt of blood they owed was rent
When the day rolled a new

On Friday a thief
On Sunday a King
Laid down in grief
But awoke holding keys
To Hell on that day
The first born of the slain
The Man Jesus Christ
Laid death in his grave

He has cheated Hell and seated us above the fall
In desperate places he paid our wages one time once and for all

Ashlea Breneman, fan of lyrically inspiring music
ashlea@wjtl.com

ASHLEA BRENEMAN – John Mark McMillan penned the song, “How He Loves” after he lost a dear friend in a car accident. The video below is John sharing the meaning behind the song and the type of love he is talking about. It also features his beautiful wife Sarah (who is an amazing musician and songwriter too) plus their adorable son, Judah.

John Mark is on tour this spring and will be playing at both Creation Festival & Purple Door.

Ashlea Breneman, multi-tasker
ashlea@wjtl.com

By now you have probably heard about the recent earthquake in Haiti. Some of WJTL’s friends have given us updates.

The Creation Festival and Pastor Harry Thomas have been part of New Missions and Hope Alive Clinic in Haiti for many years. Pastor Harry says, “I have heard from New Missions. Several buildings have been damaged and one school collapsed. Evidently one teacher died and there are more injuries.  I don’t have a report on our clinics at the moment (Hope Alive Clinics) except that they think they are OK and they will be sending medical supplies into the areas hit the hardest.”

WJTL’s Chris Strayer’s brother and sister-in-law are currently serving in Haiti with Joy In Hope – the parent organization for Haitian Children’s Home. Here’s what they have shared about the recent tragedy:

“I am sure everyone has heard the news by now that Haiti had a major earthquake yesterday afternoon. It was, without question, the scariest thing I have ever experienced. Everyone in our family/staff is fine…There’s a lot of damage in the area. Large buildings have crumbled into piles of rubble. People are scared. It’s an eery [sic] feeling. We continue to have aftershocks– some of them strong. We all slept outside last night, with all our staff and their families, and the boys from the boys home. We will know more soon now that the sun is up…Please keep us in your prayers.”