Let Us Bring Light

by John Michael

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  • Digital Album

    Immediate download of 12-track album in your choice of high-quality MP3, FLAC, or just about any other format you could possibly desire.

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about

Not content to churn out a "soundalike" to 2012's rock-centered "Come to the Table", John Michael explores new ground with "Let Us Bring Light", exposing classical, gospel, southern rock, and reggae influences. New instruments such as saxophone and cello are brought in to the mixes. The new album also marks a collaboration with other vocalists, with Haleigh Bowers and Angelina Smith contributing lead vocals to three of the tracks. The album's title "Let Us Bring Light" is as much a call to action as it is a reflection of the nature of its production.

Let Us Bring Light released for digital distribution through iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby, and other online retailers on Ash Wednesday, February 13. The date, marking the beginning of Lent, is fitting for the album, which contains several songs with a Holy Week theme, including "Holy Are You", "Into Your Hands", and culminating with the joyous Easter song "Jesus Is Risen."

credits

released 13 February 2013
John Michael - guitar, bass, keys, sax, cello, vocals
Haleigh Bowers - vocals
Angelina Smith - vocals

tags

tags: christian rock Los Angeles

license

all rights reserved

feeds

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Track Name: Child's Eyes
I walk with You, but sometimes I struggle
Old scars and prejudices press me into the ground
A heavy load, yet one I cling onto
Such a sentimental burden – it’s hard to lay it down

You said, “Let the little children come to me”
But it’s always been a mystery to me
Until to my surprise
I found the answer in my daughter’s eyes

So innocent and true Everything is all brand new
Lord, my humble prayer is that I might see the world through child’s eyes

Sophistication has got me nowhere
All my plans and my schemes have gone awry
Wounded by yesterday, worried about tomorrow
Now I pray to You for a life simplified

You said, “Let the little children come to me”
But it’s always been a mystery to me
Until to my surprise
I found the answer in my daughter’s eyes

Filled with wonder at the earth Every morning a new birth
Unmarred by experience Living in the present tense
So innocent and true Everything is all brand new
Lord, my humble prayer is that I might see the world through child’s eyes
Track Name: I Burn For You
I was raised a practical man
To appreciate the value of what’s held in the hand
But ever since I found You, My world hasn’t been the same
Now it’s seeming that I’m dreaming And calling out Your name

In the still of the night, I burn for You
With the first morning light I burn with fire for You

I finally feel that I am alive
Like a veil’s been lifted from my eyes
Somehow the world seems brighter With colors I can’t explain
And I’m reeling from the feeling I’m calling out Your name

In the still of the night, I burn for You
With the first morning light I burn with fire for You
When the sun’s shining bright I burn for You
Every breath of my life I burn with fire for You

You’re what I’m always thinking about
It makes me want to jump and shout
Even though the world Might label me insane
I’m burning with a yearning And calling out Your name
Track Name: Only You
Who can I turn to when it all goes wrong,
And who’s going to save me when I’m too far gone?
Sometimes I feel I’m in too deep And hope too far away
Sometimes, distracted by the storm, I sink beneath the waves

Then only You can reach me Only You redeem me
Only You complete me With a love like burning flame, My Jesus

Who’s going to guide me when my world grows dark,
And who’s going to find me when I stray too far?
Sometimes I pursue worldly things And then I’m led astray
My spirit wanders from Your path Right into harm’s way

You alone are worthy of my praise You alone are my God
You alone ransomed with precious blood
Those who were considered lost
Track Name: Let Us Bring Light
We scan the headlines and our hearts are breaking
Turn on the TV and there’s more bad news
These times we’re living in are often draining
Seems like this world has lost sight of You

So let us bring light to pierce the darkness
That all blind eyes may see
And heavy hearts, bound and shackled,
May know Your peace and be set free

The brokenhearted standing right beside us
That quiet loner dressed in black at school
Broods in a dark room as the angst is rising
So many people are in need of You

So let us bring light to pierce the darkness
That all blind eyes may see
And heavy hearts, bound and shackled,
May know Your peace and be set free

Let us bring light to pierce the darkness
That all blind eyes may see
And heavy hearts, bound and shackled,
May know Your peace and be set free

Let us bring light
Let us bring light
Track Name: Sweet Surrender
There was I time I didn’t want to see That our Savior had a plan for me
My spirit was a refugee Caught on hostile ground
I was a soldier in an unseen war
And greed and hubris were the arms I bore
But when I realized I could fight no more I lay my weapons down

Oh surrender, sweet surrender, oh surrender To the Lord above
Oh surrender, sweet surrender, oh surrender To His boundless love

There was a time that my heart was hard
Life’s misfortunes left me hurt and scarred
I manned the ramparts and increased the guard Across the great divide
I felt His power and I turned to flee
I tried to hide but His love pursued me
But when I tired of foolish retreat I raised my hands on high

Oh surrender, sweet surrender, oh surrender To the Lord above
Oh surrender, sweet surrender, oh surrender To His boundless love

There was a time I didn’t realize
It is His providence that guides our lives
So I humbly look up to the skies And yield unto His will

Oh surrender, sweet surrender, oh surrender To the Lord above
Oh surrender, sweet surrender, oh surrender To His boundless love
Oh surrender, sweet surrender, oh surrender To the Lord above
Oh surrender, sweet surrender, oh surrender To His boundless love
Track Name: Fly Away
If you're facing ridicule because there's something “wrong” with you
The way you look or what you do
If you're feeling you're worthless and can't be loved
If you're trapped in solitude ’cause no one understands you
Or all the pain you're going through
And your heart is breaking more each day

When the world wears you down to the point of surrender, fly away
Just like a dove in a rainstorm finds shelter, fly away
Spread wings of prayer to the wind of salvation and fly away
Spread your wings and fly away

If you feel empty inside If there's a yearning in your life
And it can't be satisfied By anything money can buy

When the world wears you down to the point of surrender, fly away
Just like a dove in a rainstorm finds shelter, fly away
Spread wings of prayer to the wind of salvation and fly away
Spread your wings and fly away

When the world wears you down to the point of surrender, fly away
Just like a dove in a rainstorm finds shelter, fly away
Spread wings of prayer to the wind of salvation and fly away
Spread your wings and fly away
Track Name: Your Love Is So Great
Though I am undeserving, Lord You pardon my sin
You guide me home, Throw open the door and welcome me in

Father, Your love is so great That You welcome a sinner like me
Though I may stray You seek me out and offer Your grace and mercy

Though I owe You a sum, Lord, I can never repay
You free me from my prison And forgive my debt by Your wondrous grace

Father, Your love is so great That You welcome a sinner like me
Though I may stray You seek me out and offer Your grace and mercy

Even though I’ve denied You, Lord, Still You stay true to me
Sometimes I’m so overcome By Your compassion that I break down and weep

Father, Your love is so great That You welcome a sinner like me
Though I may stray You seek me out and offer Your grace and mercy
Track Name: Take These Hands
“So much suffering around me So much wrong I would make right
But who am I, who am I?
I am not rich, I am not powerful,” I cried into the darkness
And from the dark an answer came, saying “You are my child”.
And then I cried,

“Take these hands, imperfect as they are Let them serve as they can
Take these hands, though they seem not much to give
Let them fulfill their part in Your plan”

Sometimes I don’t know why You’ve called me
As flawed and sinful as I am . But I can’t deny
Though on my own I am just sound and fury signifying nothing,
I know I do not stand alone - You are at my side

“Take these hands, imperfect as they are Let them serve as they can
Take these hands, though they seem not much to give
Let them fulfill their part in Your plan”

Sisters and brothers, the time has come
To join together and cry as one And cry as one

“Take these hands, imperfect as they are Let them serve as they can
Take these hands, though they seem not much to give
Let them fulfill their part in Your plan”

“Take these hands, imperfect as they are Let them serve as they can
Take these hands, though they seem not much to give
Let them fulfill their part in Your plan”

“Take these hands,
“Take these hands,
“Take these hands,
“Take these hands,
Track Name: Holy Are You
In humbled amazement, I kneel to You, Who shouldered my sin and my shame
The suffering that You endured Crown and scourge, mocking words
On Your way up to Calvary. O…

Blest is Your body, beaten and broken
And precious is Your blood, shed for my redemption
O, Paschal Sacrifice Seal of the Covenant, Holy are You, Lamb of God

Even subjected to pain and death Your love shone forth for all to see
In spite of nails in hands and feet Compassionate, You showed mercy,
Forgiving those who nailed You to the tree. O…

Blest is Your body, beaten and broken
And precious is Your blood, shed for my redemption
O, Paschal Sacrifice Seal of the Covenant, Holy are You, Lamb of God

That You who are pure as fresh fallen snow
Should ransom a sinner like me
Leaves me in awe, and I revere You, who conquered death and fear
And turned the cross into victory

Blest is Your body, beaten and broken
And precious is Your blood, shed for my redemption
O, Paschal Sacrifice Seal of the Covenant, Holy are You, Lamb of God
Holy are You, Lamb of God
Track Name: Into Your Hands
When I’m unsure of what to do, Father guide me
When my worry hides Your path from my eyes
Take away my fear, make my vision clear
Set me on the way, the way to You

Into Your hands I place my fear.
Into Your hands I place my pride
Into Your hands I place my spirit, Lord.
Into Your hands I place my life

When I feel I am all alone, Father comfort me
When I feel like I’ve been abandoned by those I call friends
Let me not despair, for I know that You are there
Let me reach out to grasp Your outstretched hand

Into Your hands I place my fear.
Into Your hands I place my pride
Into Your hands I place my spirit, Lord.
Into Your hands I place my life

When I don’t know if I can do all that You ask of me
And my heart is crying out in anguish O God
Father, hear my call and strengthen my resolve
For not as I will, but Thy will be done

Into Your hands I place my fear.
Into Your hands I place my pride
Into Your hands I place my spirit, Lord.
Into Your hands I place my life
Track Name: Jesus Is Risen
They came to Him, they seized Him and struck Him down
Our Savior King, who wears not an earthly crown
But the hand of death could not ensnare one divine as He
Now Christians understand that this was in His plan
The sacrificial lamb by whom are we all redeemed

Alleluia! Rejoice and sing! Jesus is risen!
In the tomb only rags within. Jesus is risen!
With his blood He has cleansed our sin. Jesus is risen!
Spread the word of our God and King. Jesus is risen!

Rejoice! Be glad! For good news we have this day!
There now is light where in darkened tomb He lay.
For the Living God, the Lord of Life, has conquered death and sin
And through His glory bright, despair turns to delight,
Darkness into light, and death into life again

Alleluia! Rejoice and sing! Jesus is risen!
In the tomb only rags within. Jesus is risen!
With his blood He has cleansed our sin. Jesus is risen!
Spread the word of our God and King. Jesus is risen!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, Alleluia!

Alleluia! Rejoice and sing! Jesus is risen!
In the tomb only rags within. Jesus is risen!
With his blood He has cleansed our sin. Jesus is risen!
Spread the word of our God and King. Jesus is risen!