Bringing Heaven Down (Campfire Mix)

© 2014 BIGHOUSE Band

Written by John Pavlovitz
Arranged by BIGHOUSE Band
Produced and Engineered by Chris Macedo and Daniel Berryhill

Vocals/Acoustic Guitar: John Pavlovitz
Vocals: Lauren Roberts
Guitars: Kevin Hughes and Dylan Byrd
Bass: Chris Macedo
Drums Rob Fetterson


Notes: This song was the first one written for what was to become the "Kids of The King" album. As with most of the songs, it was directly inspired by a group of students and leaders in Southwest Charlotte called BIGHOUSE Youth, at Good Shepherd Church. 

As their pastor, it was clear that a shift was taking place. The students were no longer content just to be about themselves, but were hungry to live into their calling as The Church. They were turning outward, and beginning to become something much bigger than a youth group. 

With them in mind, I sat down with a guitar and a pen and pad, and the first words came out:

"Are you out there?
Can you hear it?
Can you feel it?
Something different
A strangeness
Change is near..."

Hope it inspires more people to make a declaration of love... 



DECLARATION

Are you out there?
Can you hear it?
Can you feel it?
Something different
A strangeness
Change is near

An invitation
An invocation
Restoration
Revelation in the air
I feel it everywhere

And after the night, joy is rising

We are we are the loud in the silence
We are we are a light in the dark
We are we are a generation-chosen
To make a declaration of love

Deeper than songs played
Higher than hands raised
We walk in true praise
The narrow path-laid
Chasing hope
Erasing fear

A holy nation
No separation
An integration
Making the statement loud and clear -
Revolution is here

We are we are the loud in the silence
We are we are a light in the dark
We are we are a generation-chosen
To make a stand a declaration
We are we are the face of the Father
We are we are the body of the Son
We are we are the heart of the Spirit
We make a declaration of love
Declaration of love

We sing out sing out
We take our lives take our love and we
sing out sing out

The face of the Father, we are
The body of the Son, we are
The heart of the Spirit, beatin'
This is what we are 

We are we are the loud in the silence
We are we are a light in the dark
We are we are a generation-chosen
To make a stand a declaration
We are we are the face of the Father
We are we are the body of the Son
We are we are the heart of the Spirit
We make a declaration of love
Declaration of love

We sing out sing out, a declaration                                    

Declaration

© 2014 BIGHOUSE Band

Written by John Pavlovitz
Arranged by BIGHOUSE Band
Produced and Engineered by Chris Macedo and Daniel Berryhill

Vocals/Acoustic Guitar: John Pavlovitz
Vocals: Lauren Roberts
Guitars: Kevin Hughes and Dylan Byrd
Bass & Cowbell: Chris Macedo
Drums Rob Fetterson

Notes:

Inspired by the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, this is a song of hope for all lost causes, and all situations where things look beyond repair or redemption.

Resurrected was written the same week as "Bringing Heaven Down". Both were debuted on the same night at our midweek student gathering, with just me and an acoustic guitar. 

At that time, and in that setting, it was impossible to let those in the room hear the song that was in my head, but in the coming weeks, as the band and I started working on it, everyone understood.

Josh Slusarczyk, Dylan and kevin gave it a guitar power and life beyond anything I imagined, and once Rob got to doing what he does on the drums, well, it became a bold, unstoppable statement of faith. 

May it encourage you, and bring hope when all seems hopeless.

"... just in time, hope arrives."


Lyrics:

I thought everything was broken.
I thought nothing could be changed.
I thought everything in life was just a waste, it only fades away.

I thought everything was hopeless.
I thought I could not be saved.
Then I heard your voice say... "Come out".

I was breathing-in the darkness.
I was laying in the grave.
The Prince of Lost Causes, all was done and I was gone to stay.

Then the black turned to sunshine,
and the morning turned to praise.                                        
And I heard your voice say, "'It's Resurrection Day."

You speak to me, You raise the dead.
I come alive, I'm resurrected.
Just in time, hope arrives.
You roll the stone, You lift my head.
I see the light, I'm resurrected.   
I'm resurrected, right before my eyes.

All the doubters and the skeptics,
They lined up to celebrate.
A parade of pessimistics, laughing at the faith of those who prayed.

But the crowd broke into silence,
when I stepped out of the grave.
And in the light of day, you left the world amazed.

You speak to me, You raise the dead.
I come alive, I'm resurrected.
Just in time, hope arrives.
You roll the stone, You lift my head.
I see the light, I'm resurrected.   
I'm resurrected, right before my eyes.

My God, He walks the waves.
My God, He is strong to save.
My God, He liberates the slave.
My God, He robbed the grave.

You speak to me, You raise the dead.
I come alive, I'm resurrected.
Just in time, hope arrives.
You roll the stone, You lift my head.
I see the light, I'm resurrected.   
I'm resurrected, right before my eyes.
 
 

Resurrected

© 2014 BIGHOUSE Band

Written by John Pavlovitz
Arranged by BIGHOUSE Band
Produced and Engineered by Chris Macedo and Daniel Berryhill

Vocals/Acoustic Guitar: John Pavlovitz
Vocals: Lauren Roberts
Guitars: Kevin Hughes and Dylan Byrd
Bass: Chris Macedo
Drums Rob Fetterson
Background vocals: Darius Bennett, Lexi Nichols, Kaylee Capps, Christian Schipani, Braxton Schuler

Notes: Full band version of a song that's become one of the theme songs of the BIGHOUSE student community. It's the picture of what it could look like if Christians earnestly prayed those dangerous words, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven", and responded.

The goal of the Christian life isn't to simply get to Heaven, but to bring Heaven down.

As with many songs on the album, Lauren Roberts brings the whole thing to another level with her incredible voice, and she and Chris Macedo helped take this song to church with harmonies that are too sweet fro words.

This version features a "Kids of the King Choir", made-up of BIGHOUSE Students, which is fitting, as the song was inspired by who they are.

Share it with anyone who needs good news!

Lyrics:

BRINGING HEAVEN DOWN

Tell the hurting ones, healin's comin'.
Tell the blind ones to open up their eyes.
Tell the tired ones they can stop their runnin'.
Tell the dead ones to rise.

Tell the lost ones this is homecomin'.
Tell the poor ones they're Kids of the King.
Tell the crippled ones they can start dancin'.
Tell the silent ones to sing.
Oh tell the silent ones to sing.

Cause this a day when love will overcome all hate.
When every poor and broken soul will celebrate.
Yeah, when the hungry and the hurt won't have to wait.
The sun is comin out.
The kingdom's comin now.
We're bringin' Heaven down.

Tell the weary ones to take off their burdens.
Tell the grievin' ones to put on a smile.
Tell the weepin' ones they can weep no longer,
'cause sadness is goin' out of style.
Oh tell 'em that sadness is goin' out of style.

Cause this a day when love will overcome all hate.
When every poor and broken soul will celebrate.
Yeah, when the hungry and the hurt won't have to wait.
The sun is comin out.
The kingdom's comin now.
We're bringin' Heaven down.

Look up, the sky is fallin'
Wake up, 'cause the dawn is here.
Get up, 'cause love is callin',
with the sound of Heaven comin' near.

Cause this a day when love will overcome all hate.
When every poor and broken soul will celebrate.
Yeah, when the hungry and the hurt won't have to wait.
The sun is comin out.
The kingdom's comin now.
We're bringing' Heaven down

The lost will all be found.
The sky will meet the ground.
The sun is comin' out.
The kingdom's comin' now.
We're bringin' Heaven down.


BringingHeavenDown

© 2014 BIGHOUSE Band

Written by John Pavlovitz
Arranged by BIGHOUSE Band
Produced and Engineered by Chris Macedo and Daniel Berryhill

Vocals/Acoustic Guitar: John Pavlovitz
Vocals: Chris Macedo
Guitars: Kevin Hughes and Dylan Byrd
Bass: Chris Macedo
Drums Rob Fetterson

Notes: This was the last song written for the album, and was inspired by the students of BIGHOUSE, who were truly reflecting the kind of selflessness, that only comes from recognizing how blessed you are.

So much of our lives is about self, and ego, and material things, (even in the Church), but these students got it; that Grace should result in a gratitude that changes you.

It's a thank-you song; about blessing and abundance, and it's a challenge to all those who call themselves Christians, to live lives that give back, as they have received.

Kevin Hughes delivers the lead line that reflects the heart of the song perfectly!

May you listen and realize the overflow in your own life.

"We overflow, with what You give."

Lyrics:

This is the praise of a grateful people,
standing amazed in the presence of Glory.
This is the wave of a loved generation
Caught in the flood of a blessing overflow.

This is the sound, of we who are tired of falling down,
of not reaching high enough,
of being blind to everyone but us.

But we see it now, clear as day, it's all around.
Everything is saturated with your light,   opening our eyes.

This is the praise of a grateful people,
standing amazed in the presence of Glory.
This is the wave of a loved generation
Caught in the flood of a blessing overflow.

This is the breath, of we who have no fear of death,
only fear of never living, wasting chances, chasing our regrets.

And we've come alive, free with wings now fit to fly,
above the fiction story written with their lies.   
The One Truth rewrites.

This is the praise of a grateful people,
standing amazed in the presence of Glory.
This is the wave of a loved generation
Caught in the flood of a blessing overflow.        

The One inside us, is greater than the one in the world that fights us.
Yes, the One inside us, is greater than the one who speaks in lies.
The One inside us,  greater than the one who tries to blind us.
The One inside us, is greater than, is greater than...

This is the praise of a grateful people,
standing amazed in the presence of Glory.
This is the wave of a loved generation
Caught in the flood of a blessing overflow.  

This is the welcome return of a soul dance,
seeing the way You are working through our hands.
These are the days we are bathed in miracles,
flooding the place with a blessing overflow.

We overflow with what You give.      

Overflow

© 2014 BIGHOUSE Band

Written by John Pavlovitz
Arranged by BIGHOUSE Band
Produced and Engineered by Chris Macedo and Daniel Berryhill

Vocals/Acoustic Guitar: John Pavlovitz
Guitars: Kevin Hughes and Dylan Byrd
Bass and Piano: Chris Macedo
Drums: Rob Fetterson
Background vocals: Lauren Roberts, Darius Bennett, Lexi Nichols, Kaylee Capps, Christian Schipani, Braxton Schuler

Notes: 

A song that, more than most, felt like a complete gift; as if it was just sitting there in the air, waiting to be pulled down.

From the very first time we started working on it as a band, we knew it was special. It was a song designed to be led by the students, by the community; to let their voices ring out, so it was awesome to get some of them to sing on the track.

The band completely took this song to whole different level, each of them bringing their own gifts to the table, and making something truly beautiful. 

Low is about worship as life; as a constant reflection of the goodness you've received.

At the core of Jesus' life and ministry was humility, service, and sacrifice. When he washed his disciple's feet, he told them, "You will be blessed if you do this."

Loving others above ourselves, and pouring our lives out on behalf of others.

This is how we get low.

Lyrics:

Bless our hands, that they would reach, into places without peace
Bless our eyes that they would see, all the things that You would see.
Bless our hearts, that they would break, for the wayward gone astray.
Bless our feet that they would move us today.

Bless our songs and let them be, more than pretty melodies.
Bless our prayers and make them greater than the words we say.
Bless our worship, let it rise, into lives that glorify.
Bless our tears and let them come like a flood, over everything, over everything.

This is how we get low.
This is how we get down
This is how we rise above, knees pressed to the ground.
This is how we let go, of phony treasures and crowns.    
Lift our eyes above all we know, this is how we get low.
This is how we get low.
This is how we get low.

Bless our songs and let them be, more than pretty melodies.
Bless our prayers and make them greater than the words we say.
Bless our worship, let it rise, into lives that glorify.
Bless our tears and let them come like a flood, over everything.

This is how we get low.
This is how we get down
This is how we rise above, knees pressed to the ground.
This is how we let go, of phony treasures and crowns.    
Lift our eyes above all we know, this is how we get low.
This is how we get low.

Face down, we fall in the face of this love.
We break down, in tears and feel our spirits rise-up.
We can't contain this praise.
We can't escape this Grace.

Let you glory fall now. Let your people bow down.
Let our praises resound. Let the choir sing out.
Let you glory fall now. Let your people bow down.
Let our praises resound. Let your children make a shout.

Let you glory fall now. Let your people bow down.
Let our praises resound. Let the choir sing out.
Let you glory fall now. Let your people bow down.
Let our praises resound. Let your children make a shout.

To the Heavens (sing it out)
To the Heavens (make it loud)
To the Heavens (all around)
So the Heavens come down.
Let the Heavens come down.
Let the Heavens come down,
come down, come down, come down,
cover everything.

This is how we get low.
This is how we get down
This is how we rise above, knees pressed to the ground.
This is how we let go, of phony treasures and crowns.    
Lift our eyes above all we know, this is how we get low.
This is how we get low.

© 2014 BIGHOUSE Band

Written by John Pavlovitz
Arranged by BIGHOUSE Band
Produced and Engineered by Chris Macedo and Daniel Berryhill

Vocals: Lauren Roberts
Vocals/Acoustic Guitar: John Pavlovitz
Guitars: Kevin Hughes and Dylan Byrd
Piano and Bass: Chris Macedo
Drums: Rob Fetterson

Notes: 

This song probably means more to me than any we've created, for many reasons, but two in particular. 

First, its beginning... One night, I was at church, preparing for our intimate, midweek student gathering, and just couldn't figure out what the message was going to be. I sat across the campus as students were already arriving. I simply prayed, asking God to give me words for them.

Matthew 11:28-30 came to my mind: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

I picked-up my guitar and began writing words, as if they were coming directly from Jesus to the students, By the time they were gathered, the song was finished. I walked across the building, and played it for them right then. It's been a fixture in the ministry ever since.

The second reason I love "Breathe Again" is because of Lauren Roberts. She was a young student in our ministry, soon after I began playing the song live. I had hardly heard Lauren sing from what I can remember, when one night, she and another student played a version of this at a student gathering, with her leading. After hearing Lauren sing it, I was more than happy to simply back her up from then-on! 

We've sang it countless times together, but it never fails to minister to me as we sing it. Over the years, the song has meant so much to so many people, but perhaps no one more than us.

Download this, and share it. It's a song we hope the world gets to hear.

"Come alive, and breathe again."

Lyrics:

Aren’t you tired of, running?
Aren’t you tired of, never smiling?
Aren’t you tired of pretending, like nothing matters?
Aren’t you tired of being tired?

But there is another road.
There is a better way.
There is a lighter load,
than the one you carry today.

You can leave everything that has hurt you, far behind you.
Let my words seek out and find you and remind you how to -

Breathe again, come and,
Begin again, you can,
lay your head here in my, open hands until you
Feel again, until you can
See again, you can
Rest here in my arms, my friend,
Till you learn to breathe again.

For every tear in your eye, I have cried two for you.
Every step you take in the dark, know I have walked before you.
And I know what it means, to be hated, to be shaken.
To be, bruised and forsaken by, the ones who said they love you.

You feel surrounded, but the waters will recede
Troubles have come, but I have overcome much more than these so…

Breathe again, come and,
Begin again, you can,
lay your head here in my, open hands until you
Feel again, until you can
See again, you can
Rest here in my arms, my friend,
Till you learn to breathe again.

There is no wrong in me
There is no fear in me
There is space to move
And air to breathe 
There is no wrong in me
There is no fear in me
There is space to move
And air to breathe 

So come alive and breathe
come alive, believe
come alive and breathe again 
So come alive and breathe
come alive, believe
come alive and breathe again 

Breathe again, come and,
Begin again, you can,
lay your head here in my, open hands until you
Feel again, until you can
See again, you can
Rest here in my arms, my friend,
Till you learn to breathe again.

Come alive, come alive.

Aren't you tired of, running.

Breathe Again

A multigenerational group of musicians, whose goal is to bring something beautiful into the world, while honoring God in the process. Hope it encourages you, wherever you are listening.

Bighouse Band

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