Churches across the globe have been worshipping God in different languages, styles, places, and cultures. Throughout different periods of history different styles have been used for leading congregations. More recently contemporary Christian music has become the “standard” among churches as the default style.
One of the forefathers of the Contemporary Christian Music movement was Richard Wayne Mullins. Mullins was a contemporary Christian singer songwriter from 1981 to 1997. Richard Wayne Mullins was born October 21, 1955 in Richmond, IN. During his life, he wrote many songs exemplifying his creator God. Richard died in Bloomington, IL, at age 41, on September 19, 1997.
Richard was multi-talented and played several different instruments including the hammered dulcimer, piano, and guitar. Richard’s most popular song is Awesome God. The following is a list of Rich Mullins’ top 10 songs of all time.
Favorite Lyric: “Let mercy lead. Let love be the strength in your legs and in every footprint that you leave. There’ll be a drop of grace. If we can reach beyond the wisdom of this age into the foolishness of God that foolishness will save.”
Favorite Lyric: “The Jordan is waiting for me to cross through My heart is aging I can tell. So Lord, I'm begging for one last favor from You. Here’s my heart take it where You will.”
Favorite Lyric: “Well, it took the hand of God Almighty to part the waters of the sea. But it only took one little lie to separate you and me. Oh, we are not as strong as we think we are.”
Favorite Lyric: “Well there's a difference you know be having faith and playing make believe. One will make you grow, the other one just make you sleep. Talk about it but, I really think you ought to take a leap off of the ship before you claim to walk on water. Faith without works is like a song you can't sing. It’s about as useless as a screen door on a submarine.”
The barbershop number known as “Screen Door” is great. It combines a different musical style with defining faith.
Screen Door on a Submarine from johnnyraye on GodTube.
Favorite Lyric: “So if I stand let me stand on the promise that you will pull me through. And if I can't, let me fall on the grace that first brought me to You. And if I sing let me sing for the joy that has born in me these songs. And if I weep let it be as a man Who is longing for his home.”
Favorite Lyric: “The song your heart learned to sing when He first gave His life to you. Well life goes on and so must the song you gotta sing again the song born in your soul when you first gave your heart to Him. Sing His praises once more.”
Sing Your Praise to the Lord has a rather erie tone to begin the song but turns into a more up beat song. It kind of reflects our nature as sinners, we were dead, but are made alive in Christ.
Favorite Lyric: “Well, sometimes my life just don't make sense at all. When the mountains look so big and my faith just seems so small.”
“So hold me Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf. You have been King of my glory won't You be my Prince of Peace.”
Hold Me Jesus-Rich Mullins (w/ Matt Chandler) from bball1989 on GodTube.
Favorite Lyric: “And I believe what I believe is what makes me what I am. I did not make it, no it is making me. It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man.”
Aside from having a great musical introduction this song is a testament to what we believe as Christians. It is the classic “creed” song, describing the Christian faith.
Favorite Lyric: “There was so much work left to do but so much You'd already done. Oh God, You are my God and I will ever praise You.”
Favorite Lyric: Our God (our god) is an Awesome God. He Reigns (he reigns) from heaven above with Wisdom (with wisdom) pow'r and love. Our God is an Awesome God.
Although Richard Mullins may have gone home to glory, his songs still ring true throughout many lives who have been impacted by his music.
Resources - Youtube
Further Reading:
20 Rich Mullins Quotes to Think about
What You Should Know about Rich Mullins
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