Roots of Faith

Yours

I can’t claim any specific scriptural reference for this song although I believe the idea behind the words is certainly scriptural. The melody for this song had been knocking around in my head for several years but I could never come up with any ideas for the lyrics that I liked. I happened to be reading an article in a scientific magazine that I subscribe to one day and the thought occurred to me that we (modern mankind) work so very hard to prove that the universe that we live in just sort of happened. How absurd. It’s like looking at the sky and insisting its green then spending your whole life trying to prove it. If men did not praise Him, the rocks themselves would cry out.

Yours
By John Carlson

By Your hand the worlds were cast
Stars stretch out beyond our grasp
Echo’s ring from distant suns
And all of this is Yours
We strain our lives to touch it all
Set our eyes for distant shores
All the while deny the call
That we ourselves are Yours

Your song set forth the laws of life
Sparked the sounds that gave us light
Set to move the spinning orbs
And all of this is Yours
Yet still we seek the answers born
Where risks of faith can be ignored
Refuse to hear the silent truth
That we ourselves are yours

(INSTRUMENTAL)

The stuff of stars we cannot see
Only you hold the key
We bend our thought to find the source
And all of this is yours
Our thoughts rebound, conviction calls
It’s time we learned our purpose born
Turn our ears to hear the call
That we ourselves are yours

 

 Yours by John Carlson [3:28m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Here is another featured song on the first album produced by the “musically gifted” at Roots of Faith. 

Sweet Hour of Prayer
A well-known hymn by an obscure author.
 
Nothing distinguishes the children of God so clearly and strongly as prayer.  “Sweet Hour of Prayer” although written well over 100 years ago still touches the hearts and minds of Godly people today.  I wanted to play this song because we come no closer to God then when we bow our heads and tell God what is in our hearts.  The instrument played is the Dulcimer, a biblical instrument recorded in Daniel 3:5. 

Tammy Michael

 

 Sweet Hour of Prayer by Tammy Michael [1:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Music by John Carlson

Shema means “hear” or “listen” in Hebrew and it is traditionally the scripture read at the beginning of every Torah service. It consists of Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Deuteronomy 11:-21 and Numbers 15:37-41. The melody came to me one afternoon when I was messing around with my guitar and when I couldn’t make it work with any of the psalms I decided to try it with the Shema, it fit perfectly. It is obviously not a literal rendition of the full Shema but I believe it has captured it’s heart and substance and so I say it is based on these scriptures. I played it for the wife of a friend not long after I wrote it and she commented that I should record an album and name it Shechit Schema which in a modern dialect translates as “Shutup and Listen”. I immediately loved this title because I like getting right to the point and because I believe we spend far too much time telling God what He should do for us instead of remaining still and listening to what he is trying to do for us. And so I encourage all of you to treat each of the songs on this album the same way, be still and listen, not just to the music but to the lyrics.

Here are the lyrics:
Chorus

Shema Y’srael Adonai Eloheynu, Adonai Echad
Y’srael Adonai Eloheynu, Adonai Echad

Love the Lord your God with all your heart
Love the Lord your God with all your strength
These commands that I have given you
Shall be written on your hearts, Y’srael
(chorus)

Teach your children of my ways
Speak of them throughout your days
When you rest and when you rise
Seal them on your hearts, Y’srael
(chorus)

Bind them on your wrists and brow
On the frames of entry to your house
On the gates that lead into your lands
Let them deep into your hearts, Y’srael
(chorus)

Shalom

 

 The Shema Song by John Carlson [4:06m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The musically gifted members of Roots of Faith have put together an album called Hac! V’Shema – Shut Up! and Listen.
God has drawn several talented musicians to the Roots of Faith Congregation in Saint Francisville, Louisiana.  In keeping with the vision of this unique Bible fellowship, these musicians elected to write and perform their original music in the desire to be an inspiration to those who base their faith on Scripture alone.

You will be inspired by the incredible music on this CD.  The title is Hac! V’Shema – Shut up and Listen. The title seeks to convey the idea that quite often we fail to hearken because we are too busy talking.  The title of the album sends the strong message that we should HAC (be silent – hush!) and SHEMA (listen).

Here is what the musicians had to say about their contribution to this album:

John Carlson
“It was truly a blessing to be able to share the gifts HaShem has given to our little group of misfits.  I pray that each person that hears it will be touched by something it has to offer.  Not to mention I that it was great to have the opportunity to play with my toys again.” ;-{)} John C.
 
Glenn Chatterton
“What an incredible privilege it is to worship the Father! May this offering from the heart be acceptable in His sight.”  The songs are The Lord’s, not mine. Glenn C.

Sherry Cole
“What a joy to be included in this recording! May each listener be encouraged to walk in the way of the LORD, and in so doing, walk in the blessing of the LORD .”  Sherry