Songs of praise from Kari Jobe

“We are Your church/ We are Your sons and daughters/ We gather here to meet with You/ We lift our eyes/ We lay our hearts before You/ Expectant here for You to move.” These are the words that the pretty Kari Jobe sings in the opening lines of Hands To The Heavens in the album Majestic. She is laying the groundwork for a divine experience and it is clear from the start that she is one amazing singer who has chosen to give her talents back to her Maker.

Jobe is a worship pastor from South Lake, Texas and the depth of her passion for her belief is evident in every song she writes and performs. A Dove awardee and Grammy nominee for her self-titled debut album and now a consistent presence in the Christian and Gospel music charts, she has never failed to mesmerize listeners with the way she uses her amazing voice. She is truly a testimony to the beauty and solace found in the presence of God. More so when you consider the fact that this girl could have been a successful pop diva. Truth to tell, she can sing circles around today’s big name stars.

But Jobe has chosen another better path. And it is all here in full splendor in her latest album, the aptly titled Majestic. The title comes from one of the cuts, How Majestic, which extols the wonder of creation. “Without a word/the mountains speak/the songs that all creation sings/The painted sky/The sun and stars/The Heavens tell how great You are.”  Majestic is also the name of the historic theater in Dallas, Texas where the live album was recorded. 

Not a moment does Jobe falter during the entire set. Her conviction is in every word. Her excitement about her faith, palpable. And she reveals these for all to see set in beautiful melodies. Given these, I am sure that many of those who are fortunate to have experienced her shows went home with their hearts at peace and their souls renewed. As she sings in Only Your Love, “Your love is overwhelming/brought me to life again/Your love, it will last forever/In You there will be no end.”

I do not know if there will soon be a chance for Pinoys to watch Jobe in concert. But while that would be really nice, there is no need for that, now that Majestic is here. Try listening to it during your day and I am sure that you, too, will be swept up in its message. Besides it would be really great to spend the hours with the knowledge she sings about in Keeper Of My Heart. “From the first to the last breath I breathe/The Lord watches over me/You hear my cry and You know every need/The Lord watches over me. You never fail me God.”

I will not be surprised if Jobe’s new songs land among the music we usually use for worship services soon. The other cuts in the album are Breathe On Us, Always Enough, Forever, When You Walk In The Room, I Am Not Alone, Holy Spirit featuring Cody Carnes, Lord Over All, Look Upon The Lord and Let The Heavens Open.

Jobe takes her ministry to churches, theaters and various festivals all over the world. She is also an active partner in the A21 Campaign, an organization dedicated to abolishing human trafficking and injustice. It is towards these ends that Jobe and her sister Kris have created an exclusive line of jewelry and T-shirts and all the proceeds go to the cause.  This girl’s heart is truly in the right place.

More energetic worship music

If you are in the mood for even more energetic worship music, you might want to check out the new album titled Endless Praise by the fast-rising band Planetshakers from Australia. The rock and worship group is part of the music ministry of the Planetshakers church headed by pastors Russell and Sam Evans. The church grew out of the annual conference conducted by the youth movement also called The Planetshakers. The movement’s theme is empowering a generation to win other generations.

The band is known for their joyful songs and lively shows, which I must say have been captured in marvelous detail in their latest release. Endless Praise comes in a two-disc De Luxe Edition with one CD and one DVD of one of the band’s much-talked about live performances. Fans will definitely enjoy both. As with most albums that come from the Praise label. Both audio and video are of the finest quality. 

Best songs are the stirring ballad Endless Praise and the dance-tinged Turn It Up. Also included are Dance, No Other Name, Made For Worship, Kiss Towards, Unto God, Praise You Lord, Of Your Love, Our God Reigns, Set Me Ablaze, Abide With Me and Leave Me Astounded. Expect Planetshakers to be a force to reckon with in the field of Christian music soon.