Bold, Artful Celebration
Posted March 12, 2014
By KevinDavis_NRT, Staff Reviewer
"A thousand years, A thousand tongues, are not enough to sing His praise, Boldly I approach Your Throne, blameless now I'm running home, by Your blood I come, welcomed as Your own, into the arms of Majesty" sings the stellar title track "Boldly I Approach (The Art of Celebration)" of the most incredible worship album I've ever heard, The Art of Celebration by Rend Collective, available everywhere March 17. The theme of the album is embodied by the truth of Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV): "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
You'll find yourself instantly worshipping along with the band during this album. "Joy" appropriately kicks off the celebration of what God has done as expressed in Philippians 2:2 (The Voice): "here is one thing that would complete my joy--come together as one in mind and spirit and purpose, sharing in the same love." That's exactly what this collective of believers is about who named their band based on the Scripture, "Rend your hearts, not your garments."
"Burn Like A Star" will certainly "light a fire in your heart" as the song prays "send us out in Resurrection Power" capturing the energy and sentiment of hit song "Build Your Kingdom Here" from their amazing live album, Campfire. The Mumford & Sons-like exciting music only further increases my joy in Christ.
"You are the peace in my troubled sea, My Lighthouse, shining in the darkness, I will follow You, My Lighthouse, I will trust the promise, You will carry me safe to shore" is the beautifully poetic and catchy refrain of the lead single "My Lighthouse," a guaranteed hit. Anyone looking for the words to express their desire and need for God to guide them can cling to the truth of this song for the Church.
"More than Conquerors" fires me up about my faith and God's "resurrection power in my veins" as the song weaves the empowering Truth of Scripture in the verses: "When waters rise, I lift my eyes" (Psalm 69), and "Greater is He living in me than in the world" (1 John 4:4) and mobilizes the Church to know that "nothing is impossible, every chain is breakable, with You we are victorious," and "we are more than conquerors in Christ / You have overcome this world, this life, we will not bow to sin or to shame, we are defiant in Your name, You are the Fire that can't be tamed, You are the power in our veins, our Lord our God our Conqueror." This is one of the best songs I've ever heard.
"Immeasurably More" has another faith statement that stirs my heart causing me to sing along loudly, "My heart cannot contain, You are immeasurably more, there's nothing greater than Your love, there's nothing sweeter on this earth...You are more than we can imagine." "Finally Free" causes me to pray along: "My soul cries out, holy, holy, my heart is lost in Your beauty, all hope is found in Your mercy, You paid the price, now I am finally free." You can hear the excitement of the band as they spontaneously celebrate their freedom in Christ in the song.
The continuous celebration of freedom in Christ flows into "Create in Me" as the band cries out "You're not finished with me yet." No, Rend Collective, God is not finished and desires to pour out His resurrection power in His followers. That's the reason to boldly approach the Throne, "worship You in Spirit and Truth" and offer up to God, "You're the reason I sing, yes my heart will sing how I love You, how I love You, my first love" as expressed in the gorgeous song "Simplicity."
Closing Thoughts:
I was completely captivated by this band the first time I heard "Movements" and then they took it up a notch with "Second Chance" and "Build Your Kingdom Here." I didn't think they could reach another level, but somehow they have surpassed their previous excellence and delivered an absolutely flawless work of art as a worthy offering of praise and devotion to our amazing God. Every single song celebrates God's resurrection power in us, and urges followers of Jesus to "boldly approach the Throne." As beautifully stated in "Boldly I Approach," "This is the art of celebration, knowing we're free from condemnation, praise the One who made an end to all my sin."
The musical and lyrical excitement of the band's engaging live performance is perfectly captured in these recordings. The album celebrates the truth of Ephesians 2:19-21 (NKJV): "to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." The Art of Celebration is the most engaging and exciting worship album I've ever heard, a bold, artful celebration.
Song to Download Now:
"My Lighthouse" (Get it on iTunes here).
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