Matt Brooks - God, Music, Life & More...

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What The Church Can Learn From Football Fans

Now I realise that the title may have lost a few people thinking “really?” What can we learn from a sport where the players hurl racist abuse at each other, swear until their hearts are content and where many fans abuse alcohol and engage in hooliganism?

The answer to this question came to me while watching the European football competition Euro 2012. While watching the competition, I noticed something that until that point I had never payed much attention to. While watching England play (terribly) I saw fans of numerous different (and even rival clubs) come together for a united cause. For those moments while England played, fans put aside their differences and even their rivalries (some of which are so fuelled by hate that in times past fans have been seriously injured or even sadly lost their lives in street fights and pub brawls) to come together to support and cheer on their country.

Read this in full HERE!!!

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Darlene Zschech 'Revealing Jesus' Album Review

World-renowned worship leader and best-selling author Darlene Zschech will release her long-awaited ‘Revealing Jesus’ live worship CD/DVD from RGM-NEW BREED Music/Integrity Music and Bethany House Publishers respectively on 12th March 2013.

Known globally for her work with Hillsong, Zschech is one of the most respected worship leaders and songwriters of modern worship and to some extent I thought I knew what I was going to hear when I started listening to ‘Revealing Jesus’… Well, it’s safe to say that I was wrong. In fact, when I started listening to ‘Revealing Jesus’ and the first song started to build I immediately checked to see if I was listening to the right album as the sound I heard was not the sound I expected to hear.

‘God Is Here’ has a strong Folk feel with undertones of Gaelic music (especially with the chants, marching drum pattern and bells) and has a strong Pop/Rock drive which keeps its momentum in the full throttle chorus, the verses and in the engaging congregational “Oh’s”… ‘God Is Here’ calls out for more of God and for Him to be revealed in our lives and in our world…

Read this in full HERE!!!

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Marica Chisolm 'Simply Worship' Album Review

Atlanta native Marica Chisolm will release her debut LP ‘Simply Worship,’ on 12th February 2013… Released on the back of the successful single ‘Used,’ ‘Simply Worship’ is greeting with much anticipation by the global Gospel music community.

A captivating musical introduction brought in ‘Oh Give Thanks’ which really got going when Chisolm’s powerful alto voice bellowed out “Oh give thanks, unto The Lord, for His mercy lasts forever…” This upbeat offering has the drive of a 40ft truck (especially in the vamp) while the instrumentation is smooth and melodically sweet to the ear but with enough grit to compel you to dance and give a shabach praise…

‘Hallelujah To The King’ builds on the drive of ‘Oh Give Thanks’ with a similar rhythmic scheme while this song takes on a more Traditional Gospel sound and has that classic “church rock” feel, which isn’t a sound but rather an experience… Choir-stand rocking, chandeliers shaking and people praising God like there’s no tomorrow.

Read this in full HERE!!!

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'Obsession' | Martin Smith | Picture Painting - Mind Blowing Lyrics...

"What can i do with my obsession? With the things i cannot say? Is there madness in my being? Is it wind that blows the trees?"

"Sometimes You're further than the moon. Sometimes You're closer than my skin. And You surround me like a winter fog. You come and burn me with a kiss."

"And my heart burns for You, And my heart burns..."

"And i'm so filthy with my sin. I carry pride like a disease. You know i'm stubborn God and i'm longing to be close."

"You burn me deeper than i know. I feel lonely without hope. I feel lonely without vision. You wrap around me like a winter coat. You come and free me like a bird."

"And my heart burns for You... And my heart, burns for You... And my heart burns for You... And my heart burns for You..."

- Martin Smith (Delirious?) - 'Obsession' (My Heart Burns For You)

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Bad Girl Turned "Good"? Meagan Good's Christian Image Under Scrutiny

If you’ve been following the story of Meagan Good (popular actress – ’My Wife & Kids,’ ‘Think Like A Man,’ ‘Californication’ and ‘Deception’) and her journey of faith, you will know that it led to her becoming abstinent and entering a relationship with her (now) husband DeVon Franklin.

Many Christian’s have scrutinized Good’s faith and Christianity because of the roles she takes in films and her past lifestyle choices.

Responding to a comment on instagram (a popular picture sharing application) Good said,

“Hope my image hasn’t changed … I still want to appeal to the people that are just like me : the most judged-underdogs looked down upon because people assume they know what they are based on what they read in a negative blog or see in picture that’s captioned, that’s been altered to project someone else’s desired image for me,” shared Good.

“I’m exactly the same person.. I’ve always loved God.. I’ve been speaking about God in all of my interviews for the past 10 years .. some people just now notice.”

Read this in full HERE!!!

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Madelyn Berry 'Release The Sound' Album Review

Seen on the Trinity Broadcast Network’s Praise The Lord, BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel and featured on Jawn Murray’s compilation CD, ‘Untapped,’ Madelyn Berry has been making noise in the Gospel music industry for a while now. Known for her energetic and pulse-pounding praise and worship song, ‘You Deserve All Praise’ Berry has returned with a brand new album ‘Release The Sound,’ a live album, which features Martha Munizzi, Darwin Hobbs, LaRue Howard and Trent Cory and was released on 15th January 2013.

‘Upgrade’ kicks off the album with a solid groove that I can only image had the audience getting their praise on… The Latin influence can be heard but the Contemporary Gospel sound and arrangements come through for an energetic song which lets us know that “It’s time for the upgrade,” speaking of an open heaven and receiving the blessings God has for us.

The album title track ‘Release The Sound’ was inspired by her Pastor, Dr. Zachary Tims and his teaching ‘It’s In Your Mouth’. This song is a reminder that there’s power in what we say but also power in our praise. The Rock driven guitars and musical arrangement give the song a feel of warfare and of power while the call and response approach on the verses and the vocal harmonies’ vibrant and sweet sound made the song easy to learn and sing along and receive the message of the song. “The walls are tumbling down, just release the sound from your mouth…”

Read this in full HERE!!!

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Jason Castro 'Only A Mountain' Album Review

Jason Castro released his latest album ‘Only A Mountain’ on 15th January 2013 and experienced success reaching the top 5 on the Christian & Gospel charts.

Having never listened to any of Jason Castro’s music before I was keen to have a listen to ‘Only A Mountain’ and see if his popularity was justified or merely down to building a fan base while on American Idol.

‘Only A Mountain’ is the first song on the album and offers the inspirational message overcoming the problems that life throws at you, reminding us that “Just a little bit of faith can change it all… It’s only a mountain.”

I really got engrossed while listening to ‘Starting Line,’ a song that I can relate to. Castro shares the story of someone who’s done the right thing but still missed the point of it and served as a reminder to me that I can a lot for God but still not know Him…

Read this in full HERE!!!

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Planetshakers 'Limitless' Album Review

Planetshakers are one of my favourite worship bands. They’re full of energy and are on the cutting edge of youthful worship music.

Their new album is titled ‘LIMITLESS’ and hopes to drive home the message that with Jesus there are no limits, to the soundtrack of their signature heavy Rock, Pop, athemic sound.

The first track ‘Let Praise Awaken’ is classic Planetshakers. Thick synths, Pop edge and a call and response style between the music and singing works well. The chorus and melody is perfect for singing along and I really enjoyed singing the chorus… “Everyday of my life I’ll praise You, every moment I’ll bless Your name, You have given me love unfailing h – e – y…”

The feel good factor and praise party feeling follows through to ‘Put Your Hands Up,’ a song of thanksgiving that cased me to reflect on God’s goodness in my life and in turn “put my hands up!”

Read this in full HERE!!!

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If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.

Milton Berle

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Israel Tomlinson 'I Need A Change' Album Review

Israel Tomlinson’s debut album is titled ‘I Need A Change and see’s him take on the role of producer, writer and instrumentalist as well as lead singer.  Tomlinson is a part of the group Expressions Of Worship (E.OW).

As I listened to the first song ‘Woe Is Me’ I was greeted by shakers, acoustic guitars and a soulful vocal delivery. The line “I have seen my mire and I’m desperate to be clean, Lord my one desire is for You to live in me…” really stood out to me and let me know that this was going to an album with depth (and this is only an intro and not a full song).

The title track ‘I Need A Change’ is the kind of song that can reduce you to tears. As Tomlinson sings “Everyone said you look so good but they never knew I struggled too…” and throughout the song describes a struggle with himself and his relationship God “There were times, I had to choose, should I stay or walk away. Emotions were pulling me but I heard God say, son you are free…” I could relate to reaching the point in life where you simply say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH… I NEED A CHANGE!!!

Read this in full HERE!!!

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Kim Walker-Smith 'Still Believe' Album Review

Kim Walker-Smith is a seasoned worship leader and writer who has become known all around the world for her passionate worship, soul stirring and spirit edifying songs and live worship sessions.

‘Still Believe’ is her 2nd album and is released on the Jesus Culture label.

‘Alive’ is the album opener and didn’t strike me as a traditional first song on an album at first bust as the song progressed it took off and went from being understated and reflective to catapulting me into an atmosphere of zealous praise as I sang the chorus “We will make it known, Jesus is alive, He’s alive… We will shout it out, Jesus is alive… He’s alive…”

I had to really listen to ‘Waste It All’ to get the fullness of the song which uses the story of the alabaster box (Matthew 26:7) to portray a wonderful message…A message of pouring out our hearts and giving all we have to God because we know how much He’s done for us… “I wanna waste it all on You, I wanna pour my hearts perfume… I don’t care if I’m called a fool, I’m wasting it all on You.”

Read this in full HERE!!!

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Kyle Sherman 'Hear Me' Album Review

Kyle Sherman is an artist i knew absolutely nothing about when i received his album ‘Hear Me’. I wasn’t sure what to expect musically but the artwork looked interesting and i hoped the music would be too…

‘Hear Me’ is the title track for the album and sets the tone for the album taking on the form of a prayer and asking God to “Hear Me”.

Fountains reminds us that “In this dry and thirsty land, all other ground is shifting sand.” With it’s Pop/Rock approach and phrasing of the lyrics this song stands out with a message that is easy to digest and is catchy. The bridge breaks up the music nicely with groovy guitar, which precedes a break down which then builds up in a crescendo to see the song out...

Read this is full HERE!!!

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New Day Live 2012 Album Review

New Day Live 2102 is the album recorded as part of the New Day conference which has attendance of over 7000 people. Usually backed by a label, this album has been released independently and has been produced by Sam Cox who produced Nikki Fletcher’s latest release ‘All Glory’.

The album got going with a bang with 3 three songs that gripped me. From the timeless hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ which has a Rend Collective Experiment feel to it and an awesome addition of “My chains are gone, I’ve been set free, my God, my Saviour has ransomed me…”

‘Our God’ is a modern worship anthem but I’ve never heard it delivered in such a way. Electro-Pop with the addition of rap definitely got me nodding my head. Mr Prince’s rap “Greater, stronger, wiser, our God is higher” got the crowd involved and brought a great energy to the synth driven, atmospheric production on the song...

Read this in full HERE!!!

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V9 Collective Album Review

When I first got given the V9 Collective album I had heard a little bit about them but had never heard their music… January 2013 will make it nearly 2 years since Sam Lynch (producer and bassist) saw me at a concert in London (UK), introduced himself to me and gave me a copy of ‘V9 Collective’ the self titled album from the Soulful/R&B group which is also comprised of Vernetta Lynch, Ruth Waldron, Semele Meade and Tula Lynch.

As per usual I did my customary skip through (listening to a few seconds of each song) and nothing stood out or caught my attention. Thinking I may have been harsh I had another listen where I listened to the project in full and still wasn’t overly impressed by what I heard…

Fast-forward a few months… I was working on something and was searching through exclusive UK Christian music and decided to give ‘V9 Collective’ another listen… For some reason, this time I heard the album with completely fresh ears and fell in the love with the album and nearly 2 years on from my first listen ‘V9 Collective’ is still one of my favourite albums...

Read this in full HERE!!!

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On the first day (Monday) my #MacBookPro died & I couldn't boot it up no matter what I tried (top pic) but on the third day (today) *puts on American preacher voice & shouts at organist to put me in Eb* it was resurrected... GLOOOORRRRRRAAAAAYYYYYY!!!! Many thanks to the amazing lady who fixed my Mac for me... No word of a lie, she now has a piece of my heart... ❤ I could have kissed her 😘 (a Holy kiss of course lol 😇). If you need a favour, ask me today, I'm in a GREAT mood. Thought I had lost everything but God has restored everything!!! 😃🙌🙏👏

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For all my single folks... Be happy with YOU!!! 😊

[mattjabrooks]

Don't fear the man who has practiced over 10,000 different kicks... Fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times...

Bruce Lee