We are pleased to bring you the MultiTracks from Thrive, the latest studio release from Contemporary Christian rock band, Casting Crowns. Lead singer Mark Hall, who has been serving as a youth pastor at his Atlanta-based church for 22 years, mentions that the idea for the album came out of his youth ministry. He says, "The songs always really start out with what we're teaching, and for years I've been using Psalm 1 in showing them what a believer looks like. It says: 'Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season.'"
Mark continues, "When I talk to families about how they are doing, they always say 'just surviving.' That is not the life that God designed for us to live. That's not saying that you're not going to have problems. None of the New Testament people had it easy. They all had troubles, some even at the expense of their lives. The book of joy, Philippians, was written from prison. Hard times are going to come, but God didn't put you here just so you could survive through hard times. He put you here to thrive, to dig in and to reach out. This record is an effort to draw a picture of what a believer, a follower of Jesus, would look like if they dug into their roots and understood God and themselves more, and then instead of trying to go be Christian for God, they just let God give them chances to be a Christian."
The title track, "Thrive" captures the essence of this message. With it's rousing beat, catchy hooks, and themes of praise, it examines what happens when we truly thirst for Christ and seek to draw closer to Him, acknowledging that He has given us such a greater purpose in this life than merely surviving day to day. The chorus declares, "Just to know You and to make You known, we lift Your name on high. Shine like the sun, make darkness run and hide. We know we were made for so much more than ordinary lives. Its time for us to more than just survive. We were made to thrive." Opening up with a lilting piano line, "All You've Ever Wanted" addresses the mindset so many people have that when we fail, we need to make things right with God. It points out that God has already won the battle and has already washed away the stains of our sin. Any attempt on our part to rectify things will always fall short but we can rejoice that He has covered us with His grace. "(Cause) All You've ever wanted, all You've ever wanted, All You've ever wanted was my heart. Freedom's arms are open. My chains have all been broken. Relentless love has called me from the start and all You wanted was my heart." "Just Be Held" recognizes that in the storms of life when things seem out of our control, we have a Savior we can rely on - One who loves us and won't let go. When we surrender everything and run to Him, we'll find our rest. The chorus offers a tender assurance of His sufficiency and love, "So when you're on your knees and answers seem so far away. You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held. Your world's not falling apart, it's falling into place. I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held."
Thrive truly encourages us to dig our roots deeper, drawing closer to God and to follow His call to reach out to others. It is available on iTunes so be sure to download your copy today!
Thrive - Casting Crowns
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