‘Spirit of God (Flame of Love)’ was written by New Life Worship’s Jon Egan and Micah Massey while their church was scattered due to lockdown. They would roam the empty sanctuary, worshipping and praying over the congregation who were dispersed all over the Pikes Peak region of Colorado. And it’s exactly in this context that the new single emerged. ‘Spirit of God (Flame of God)’ expands on the scene of the upper room in Acts 2 where the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and didn’t stay there but stepped into the divine dynamic to preach the Good News to those around them! “This hit us hard,” says Micah, “Too often, we see the Gift of the Holy Spirit as something to soak in and hoard to ourselves bu what we see with the disciples is something entirely different.” With this profound revelation, New Life Worship wrote a Holy Spirit song that incorporates the theme of mission and exalts the Spirit of Love that empowers us to be a people of Love: “even if our congregation was scattered throughout our community, our prayer was that we might be scattered in the power of the Spirit,” Micah adds. With the news of the heart-breaking raging conflict in Ukraine, we acknowledge ours and the Church’s need for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. ‘Spirit of God (Flame of Love)’ feels timely. New Life Worship crafted a song and prayer that reminds us of our dependency on the Spirit and inspires us to worship Him who is at work among us.
‘The Detour’ is a song marked by honest vulnerability. Led by Sarah Kroger, Christa Wells and Tamar Chipp from FAITHFUL, this single was inspired by the story of Elizabeth in the Scriptures, as Sarah shares: “I remember relating to her story so much… for years my husband and I have struggled to have children and the idea that it’s easier to not hope for something rather than to hope for it and be disappointed is relatable.” The authenticity demonstrated by the writers of ‘The Detour’ as well as its folksy warmth is a touching invitation to us all, whether in pain, need or uncertainty. “We often hear about the end of Elizabeth’s story when her hope was fulfilled. But we forget about all these years of probably dealing with hopelessness and shame and judgement from people around her,” Sarah continues. FAITHFUL penned a song that draws on the strength of those who have gone before us and reminds us that even though the Lord might not be taking us down the road we want to, in the timing that we want, we are safe to hope. Affirming this powerfully vulnerable narrative, Christa notes that “the real beauty is the process” and that “if we transferred that to life as a metaphor, we would probably enjoy the journey a lot more.” ‘The Detour’ encourages us to trust the process of God’s working in our lives and in return, to become more present to the wonder of what He is doing in us through it. Adorned with soft harmonies and lyrics infused with Life and Hope, ‘The Detour’ is a song that doesn’t deny the hardship but reawakens promises and dreams in the middle of it.
You’ve been good to me; I am safe to hope
I will dare to believe when the way is long and slow
And I am full of doubt, but You are kind and close
I will trust the detour is the road– The Detour
Tim Timmons’ live album ‘HERE’ is releasing as a deluxe exclusive on Apple Music this week! The songs on ‘HERE (Live With Friends)’ are an encouragement to not work for Jesus, but walk with Him. Tim gathered some of the friends that have been by his side through life, for a night of worship, singing these prayers from a peaceful cabin turned studio by MercyMe.
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Never for Nothing 